| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09604306B2 |
Friction-stir welding tool, friction stir welding device, and method for manufacturing welding material
A friction-stir welding tool includes a front shoulder; a rear shoulder in contact with plate materials; and a probe penetrating the plate materials between the front and rear shoulders, the probe connecting the front shoulder and the rear shoulder to each other. The probe has a first screw part provided on at least one axial end section, and at least one of the front shoulder and the rear shoulder has a second screw part in threaded engagement with the first screw part, the threaded engagement changing so that the rear shoulder and the front shoulder approach each other along the axial direction as the front shoulder and the rear shoulder rotate relative to each other, and the threaded engagement with the first screw part linking at least one of the rear shoulder and the front shoulder with the probe. |
| US09604300B2 |
Electrical connector with laser soldering and method for assembling the same
An electrical connector for electrically connecting a chip module and a circuit board, includes an insulating body, multiple terminals, and multiple solders. The insulating body includes multiple receiving holes running therethrough and multiple resisting portions. The terminals are respectively located in the receiving holes. One end of each terminal is provided with a soldering portion, the soldering portion has a soldering surface, and the soldering surface is perpendicular to a surface of the circuit board. Left and right sides of the solder urge the soldering surface and the resisting portion respectively, a lower side of the solder is soldered onto the circuit board by reflow soldering, and the solder is soldered to the soldering surface by laser. |
| US09604297B2 |
Liquid dispensing system
The present invention relates to liquid dispensing system for a rotatable work tool (2), comprising a control valve (13), an inlet and outlet liquid guiding device (11, 15). The control valve (13) comprises a housing (18) with a rotatable drum part (19) arranged to rotate. The housing (18) comprises inlet and outlet tubes (21, 22) arranged to be connected to the liquid guiding devices (11, 15). The tubes (21, 11) have corresponding inlet and outlet openings (23) facing the drum part (19). The drum part (19) comprises a first seal (25) and a third seal (27), the seals (25, 27) running around the drum part (19). The third seal (27) has an extension (34) running partially along the first seal (25), such that a first and second volume (28, 29) are formed. Each opening (23, 24) is connected to one of the volumes, or both. At least one volume (29) enables fluid connection between the openings (23, 24) that is variable by means of the third seal (27) moving over one or more of the openings (23). Each such opening has a first maximum extent (30) in a first extension (35) and a second maximum extent (31) in a second extension (36), orthogonal to the first extension (35), the first extent (30) exceeding the second extent (31). |
| US09604296B2 |
Working machine
A chainsaw as a working machine, which switches among stop, drive, and choke operations of an internal combustion engine, includes an operation lever that is turnable, a turning member turnably combined with the operation lever, and a torsion coil spring holding abutting of the operation lever and the turning member. The turning member is coupled to a choke operating member via a choke rod and is regulated in turning from drive position to stop position. When the operation lever is turned from drive position to choke position, the turning member also turns to move the choke rod, by which the choke operating member closes the choke valve. Meanwhile, the operation lever is turned from drive position to stop position, against the turning force of the torsion coil spring. |
| US09604295B1 |
Coping saw
The present invention is a new and improved coping saw for performing a coping operation. The saw is operable in a first orientation for performing a first cut and in a second orientation for performing a coping second cut and comprises a handle having one or more power switches for activating and deactivating the drive system in both the first orientation and in the second orientation. |
| US09604291B2 |
Ball-end milling cutter tool
A tool is disclosed that has an elongated tool body defining a longitudinal axis and includes a ball-end section having a positive taper angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tool body, and a relief section that extends rearwardly from the ball-end section and has a negative taper angle relative to the positive taper angle of the ball-end section. |
| US09604284B2 |
Portable drilling machine
A portable drilling machine wherein when a shorting failure occurs in a circuit part connected to a driving motor, this state is reliably detected and a false start of the motor is reliably prevented. A diving motor control circuit in the portable drilling machine includes a main control section; a triac and a relay which are connected to power supply terminals in series with the driving motor; peripheral circuits (a triac control circuit, a relay control circuit, a triac inspection and determination section, a bypass resistor, etc.) which are related to the triac and relay; and a current measurement section for measuring current flowing in the driving motor. |
| US09604283B2 |
Alignment device, alignment element for such an alignment device, and an alignment method
The invention relates to an alignment device for precisely positioning a first functional element (103), particularly a retainer, on a second functional element (105), particularly a disc, these being detachably secured to each other. In the secured state (FZ), (a) at least one alignment element (115) is secured in a housing depression (117) of the first functional element (103) or the second functional element (105) by means of at least one securing element (131); (b) the alignment element (115) is connected to the first functional element (103) by means of at least one securing surface (119) and is in contact with a support surface (123) of said second functional element (105) by means of at least one contact surface (121); (c) a pre-tensioning device (125) acts between said contact surface (121) and support surface (123) and exerts a returning force, for returning to a starting position, onto the contact surface (121) and support surface (123) which are set one towards the other; and (d) the alignment element (115) is arranged laterally sunk into the housing depression (117), said contact surfaces (121) protruding above the lower side (133) of the first functional element (103). The invention is characterized in that in said secured state (FZ), the securing element (131) in question is arranged so as to be accessible from outside for the purpose of carrying out securing and/or justification processes, and in that the contact surface (121) is provided on a protruding body section (169) in the form of a block-shaped alignment element (115) engagement section. The invention also relates to an alignment element for such an alignment device, and to an alignment method. |
| US09604274B2 |
Billet transfer line clean-out device and method
A processing line material clear out devices and methods are disclosed. The device is particularly useful for clearing metal billets from induction heating units, but may be used for many other processes having sequentially ordered materials traveling down a conveyor or other processing line. In one example of the invention, a reciprocating push rod rack is used to sequentially deposit and remove at least two push rods used to abut and clear the downstream billets. A push rod advance device is used to interlink independent, sequential push rods positioned on the billet track. On clearing of the billets, the push rods are retracted, removed from the billet track and stored on the push rod rack for ready use. |
| US09604270B2 |
Method and apparatus for stretch-leveling metal strip
A metal strip is gripped by an upstream set of infeed tension rollers and, downstream therefrom in a strip-travel direction, by a downstream set of outfeed tension rollers. These tension rollers are rotated so as to tension the strip between the upstream and downstream sets and move the strip downstream in the strip-travel direction. Between the sets the strip first passes around individually supported relatively rotatable stretch rollers to increase a plastic stretch ratio of the strip, and then through a plurality of straightening rollers to reduce curvature and residual tension of the strip and also to increase the plastic stretch ratio of the strip. |
| US09604263B2 |
System, tool and method for cleaning the interior of a freight container
A method for cleaning the interior of a freight container of ISO type having an access opening for receiving goods, wherein the method comprises: providing a cleaning tool comprising a framework, a robot movably connected to the framework and having a nozzle for supplying a cleaning medium including dry ice, and an actuating unit arranged to move the robot relative to the framework; gripping the framework of the tool with a truck designed for gripping and carrying freight containers of ISO type; driving the truck carrying the tool to the container to be cleaned; moving the robot into an interior of the container by means of the actuating unit; and moving the nozzle by means of the robot along a programmed cleaning path while cleaning the interior of the container by means of dry ice blasting. |
| US09604261B2 |
Monitoring of optical fiber stripping
An apparatus for removing a coating from a lengthwise section of an optical fiber includes a heater at least partially defining an elongate heating region configured for receiving the lengthwise section of the optical fiber, wherein the heater is configured for heating the heating region to a temperature above a thermal decomposition temperature of the at least one coating; a sensor configured for providing a signal indicative of explosive removal of the at least one coating from the lengthwise section of the optical fiber; and at least one device operatively associated with the sensor and the heater for receiving and processing the at least one signal from the sensor, and deactivating the heater. The at least one device may be configured for determining how much time passes between occurrence of the heater being deactivated and the at least one coating being removed from the lengthwise section of the optical fiber. |
| US09604258B2 |
Sortation systems and related methods
A conveying system for intended use in sorting articles and related methods of conveying and sorting articles are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first conveyor extending in a first direction and a second conveyor extending in a second direction, with the directions intersecting. A transfer conveyor, such as a transpositor conveyor, may be provided for transferring articles from one of the first conveyors to one of the second conveyors. The system may be used to sort articles delivered from one or more storage locations for distribution, or may instead be used to sort articles for delivery to one or more storage locations. Related aspects and methods are also described. |
| US09604256B2 |
Intelligent mail recovery tool
A system and method for providing intelligent mail recovery are provided. A cart for receiving a bucket containing mail items provide a camera and scale on a frame for detecting movement of mail items and determining destination as well as an associated weight of the mail item. An indicator is provided to an operator of the system as to the destination of the mail item. The mail item can then be sorted to the appropriate sort location. The system provides the ability to efficiently sort mail in addition to being portable within a sorting facility. |
| US09604255B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for a transferable micromachined piezoelectric transducer array
Techniques and mechanisms to provide mechanical support for a micromachined piezoelectric transducer array. In an embodiment, a transducer array includes transducer elements each comprising a respective membrane portion and a respective supporting structure disposed on or around a periphery of that membrane portion. The transducer elements are initially formed on a sacrificial wafer, wherein supporting structures of the transducer elements facilitate subsequent removal of the sacrificial wafer and/or subsequent handling of the transducer elements. In another embodiment, a polymer layer is disposed on the transducer elements to provide for flexible support during such subsequent handling. |
| US09604254B2 |
Phase track controller improvement to reduce loss of lock occurrence
A system and method for driving ultrasonic transducers and improvements to a phase track controller for reducing loss of lock occurrence is disclosed and described. |
| US09604248B2 |
Removing a solvent from a drug-eluting coating
A coating device for coating a medical device with a drug-eluting material uses an in-process drying station between coats to improve a drug release profile. The drying station includes a heat nozzle configured for applying a uniform drying gas. |
| US09604247B2 |
System and method to apply topping materials to print products
Disclosed are systems and methods, including a method that includes depositing a curable adhesive onto a first surface of a substrate in a pre-determined pattern, placing topping material onto the substrate with the deposited adhesive, and applying UV energy to the substrate including the deposited adhesive and the placed topping material to cause curing of the deposited adhesive. |
| US09604246B2 |
Double-sided coating device
A double-sided coater 1 includes a first coater 5a coating a surface not contacting a guide roll 4b, and a second coater 5b coating another surface contacting the guide roll 4b. Each of the first and second coaters 5a and 5b includes a gravure kiss coater including a small-diameter gravure roll 10 and a coating liquid supplier 30. The guide roll 4b guides a substrate S from a vertical direction to a horizontal direction to allow the first coater 5a to coat the substrate S from a lateral point while the substrate S travels vertically, and to allow the second coater 5b to coat the substrate S from a lower point while the substrate S travels horizontally. |
| US09604240B2 |
Mask assembly and method of fabricating the same
Provided are a mask assembly and a method of fabricating the same. The mask assembly includes a mask frame in which a frame opening is formed therein and insulation grooves are formed at both sides of a first direction with the frame opening therebetween. The mask has both ends disposed at the both sides and includes a plurality of pattern open parts configured by a plurality of pattern openings between the both ends. A movement member is provided in the insulation groove, to which the both ends of the mask are fixed, and which includes a movement block moving in the first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. |
| US09604237B2 |
Pitch-based control for sprayers and sprayer operations
A computer-implemented method and a control system are described for controlling one or more operations of a sprayer vehicle with a tilt-detection mechanism, a tank, and a tank fill-volume sensor. The tilt-detection mechanism is utilized to determine a tilt indicator. A tilt value is determined based upon the tilt indicator. A tank fill-volume indicator is determined based upon information from the tank fill-volume sensor. A tilt-corrected fill-volume of the tank is determined based upon the tilt value and the tank fill-volume indicator. |
| US09604226B2 |
Pulverizer mill protection system
A system for suppressing and inhibiting fires in coal pulverizer mills can include a fire suppression solution storage tank, a flow control cabinet, an equipment control/pumping enclosure, an air distribution system, and injection piping and nozzles installed at various positions in one or more pulverizer mills. A first set of nozzle assemblies in communication with the fire suppression solution can be positioned in the mill to disperse the suppression solution within the classifier zone of the mill. A second set of nozzle assemblies in communication with the suppression solution can be positioned within the mill to disperse the suppression solution within the grinding zone. A third set of nozzle assemblies can be positioned within the primary air duct of the mill. |
| US09604225B2 |
Electrode arrangement for an electrodynamic fragmentation plant
The invention relates to an electrode arrangement for an electrodynamic fragmentation plant having a passage opening (1) for fragmentation material (3) and having several electrode pairs (4a, 5a; 4a, 5b; 4b, 5c; 4b, 5d; 4c, 5e; 4c, 5f; 4d, 5g; 4d, 5h) by means of which, by charging the electrodes (4a-4d, 5a-5h) thereof with high-voltage pulses, in each case high-voltage discharges can be generated within the passage opening (1), for fragmentation of the fragmentation material (3). The passage opening (1) is formed in such a way and the electrodes (4a-4d, 5a-5h) of the electrode pairs are arranged therein in such a way that for each electrode pair (4a, 5a; 4a, 5b; 4b, 5c; 4b, 5d; 4c, 5e; 4c, 5f; 4d, 5g; 4d, 5h) in the area of a shortest connecting line (L) between the electrodes of the respective electrode pair, a ball (K) can pass through the passage opening (1), the diameter of which is bigger than the length of this respective shortest connecting line (L).With such an electrode arrangement it is possible to carry out an electrodynamic fragmentation of fragmentation material in an economical manner with comparatively small high-voltage pulses. This also results in the possibility of expanding the realizable target value range of existing plants considerably in the direction of larger target values by retrofitting such plants with the electrode arrangement according to the invention. |
| US09604224B2 |
System and method for processing objects having contaminating particles
A system and method for processing objects having contaminating particles includes the steps of shredding the objects in a shredding chamber to form a plurality of shredded fragments, wherein the shredding chamber is arranged to be substantially combustion resistant, and removing the contaminating particles from the plurality of shredded fragments. |
| US09604220B2 |
Water and energy saving process for making whole grain and whole gluten-free grain flour
A water saving and energy saving process the continuous production of whole grain flour and whole gluten-free flour is provided. The process includes preconditioning whole-grain or seed with water and uses an energy efficient blanching treatment with saturated steam. The process also provides flour having a bimodal size mixture of material having improved viscosity. The whole grain and whole gluten-free flour can be used to prepare grain products and baked foods. |
| US09604216B2 |
Sample preparation paper cartridge
A sample preparation cartridge is described having a lower portion having four integrally-formed leaf springs, and a raised lower base part which is slightly below the level of the leaf springs. An upper portion of the cartridge engages with the lower portion, via four paired pins and holes formed in the lower and upper portions. The upper portion includes three well-shaped openings formed in the central region of the upper portion. Between the upper and lower portions is placed a sheet of sample preparation paper, resting on the leaf springs, which raise the lower face of the paper away from the raised lower base part, leaving a small air gap between the base and the paper. The upper face of the paper is in contact with the well-shaped openings of the upper portion. The user loads a liquid sample into the openings, and the paper wicks the liquid sample away from the loading location, leaving cellular debris in the place of application. Applying pressure to the upper portion of the cartridge urges the paper into contact with the raised base portion, so providing a firm base which allows the user to remove sections of the paper, using for example a biopsy needle, for further processing. |
| US09604213B2 |
System and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids
A system and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids from a set of biological samples, comprising: a capture plate and a capture plate module configured to facilitate binding of nucleic acids within the set of biological samples to magnetic beads; a molecular diagnostic module configured to receive nucleic acids bound to magnetic beads, isolate nucleic acids, and analyze nucleic acids, comprising a cartridge receiving module, a heating/cooling subsystem and a magnet configured to facilitate isolation of nucleic acids, a valve actuation subsystem configured to control fluid flow through a microfluidic cartridge for processing nucleic acids, and an optical subsystem for analysis of nucleic acids; a fluid handling system configured to deliver samples and reagents to components of the system to facilitate molecular diagnostic protocols; and an assay strip configured to combine nucleic acid samples with molecular diagnostic reagents for analysis of nucleic acids. |
| US09604208B2 |
Test device for analyzing body fluids
A test instrument for analyzing body fluids such as blood or urine. The instrument includes a wound test tape which can be transported from a storage space into a waste space by advancing the tap. The test tape has a plurality of test sections to which body fluid can be applied at a receiving position and also includes a measuring unit for detecting a constituent of the body fluid on an active test section. In order to carry out auxiliary instrument functions, in addition to the test sections, the test tape has one or more functional sections which can be brought into a functional position by advancing the tape. |
| US09604207B2 |
Pipette device
To provide an electric pipette in which the impact resistance against the dropping of the electric pipette is elevated, the external breakage of the device and the damage of operation performances are reduced, and the discharging performance of the device is maintained and ensured. An electric pipette 100 including a main casing 1, an operation switch 14, a hand grip 15, a display-operation section 9, a release switch 12 and a finger rest 16, in which at least one shock absorber 201 to 206 disposed on at least one apex of at least one line among a line LF, a line LB, a line LL, a line LR and a line LU, which are prepared by drawing lines between two or more projecting sites in each of a front surface 100F, a back surface 100B, a left side surface 100L, a right side surface 100R and an upper surface 100U. |
| US09604206B2 |
Method for regenerating COS hydrolysis catalyst
A method for regenerating a carbonyl sulfide (COS) hydrolysis catalyst for hydrolyzing COS which is contained in a gas obtained by gasifying a carbon material, wherein a spent COS hydrolysis catalyst is immersed in an acid solution for a prescribed time thereby removing poisoning substances adhering to the surface of the COS hydrolysis catalyst; and thus regenerating the COS hydrolysis catalyst. |
| US09604204B2 |
Process for the preparation of a catalyst support
Process for preparing a catalyst support which process comprises a) mixing pentasil zeolite having a bulk silica to alumina molar ratio in the range of from 20 to 150 with water, a silica source and an alkali metal salt, b) extruding the mixture obtained in step (a), c) drying and calcining the extrudates obtained in step (b), d) subjecting the calcined extrudates obtained in step (c) to ion exchange to reduce the alkali metal content, and e) drying the extrudates obtained in step (d); process for preparing a catalyst by furthermore impregnating such support with platinum in an amount in the range of from 0.001 to 0.1 wt % and tin in an amount in the range of from 0.01 to 0.5 wt %, each on the basis of total catalyst; ethylbenzene dealkylation catalyst obtainable thereby and a process for dealkylation of ethylbenzene which process comprises contacting feedstock containing ethylbenzene with such catalyst. |
| US09604200B2 |
Steam reforming
A process for the steam reforming of hydrocarbons comprises partially oxidizing a feedgas comprising a hydrocarbon feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of steam to form a partially oxidized hydrocarbon gas mixture at a temperature >1200° C. and passing the resultant partially oxidized hydrocarbon gas mixture through a bed of steam reforming catalyst, wherein the bed comprises a first layer and a second layer, each layer comprising a catalytically active metal on an oxidic support wherein the oxidic support for the first layer is a zirconia. |
| US09604196B2 |
Size-selective hemocompatible polymer system
A size-selective hemocompatible porous polymeric adsorbent system is provided, the polymer system comprises at least one crosslinking agent and at least one dispersing agent, and the polymer has a plurality of pores with diameters in the range from about 17 to about 40,000 Angstroms. |
| US09604192B2 |
Pyrolysis and gasification systems, methods, and resultants derived therefrom
A process and system for the controlled thermal conversion of a carbonaceous feedstock, including: exposing the feedstock to one or more predetermined temperatures and one or more predetermined pressures for one or more predetermined amounts of time in one or more chambers to produce a gas product and a solid product, wherein the gas product includes one or more of methane, Carbon monoxide, Hydrogen, and one or more noxious chemicals and the solid product includes Carbon and Carbon nano-structures; sequestration enabling at least a portion of the Carbon by creating associated Lewis Acid Sites; sequestering at least one of the one or more noxious chemicals in the one or more chambers using the sequestration enabled Carbon; and controlling the constituents of the gas product using feedback, thereby providing a predictable and stable gas product from an unknown and/or variable feedstock and communicating data via SmartGrid communications protocols. |
| US09604190B2 |
Method for preparing stiffened capsules
The present invention relates to a method for preparing capsules comprising a liquid core, a stiffened intermediate envelope and a gelled external envelope, comprising a step of forming a multi-component liquid drop, a gelification step and a stiffening step.The present invention also relates to a method for preparing capsules comprising a liquid core and a stiffened envelope, comprising a step of forming a multi-component liquid drop, a gelification step, a stiffening step and a depolymerizing step. |
| US09604188B2 |
Methods and systems for promoting hydrogen gas distribution within cellulosic biomass solids during hydrothermal digestion
Methods and systems for promoting hydrogen gas distribution within cellulosic biomass solids during hydrothermal digestion. One exemplary method can comprise providing cellulosic biomass solids in a hydrothermal digestion unit in the presence of a digestion solvent and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen; and heating the cellulosic biomass solids and the digestion solvent in the presence of molecular hydrogen, thereby forming an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, at least a portion of the molecular hydrogen being introduced to the hydrothermal digestion unit via a plurality of spaced apart fluid inlets vertically disposed about the height of the hydrothermal digestion unit. |
| US09604185B2 |
Apparatus for indexing and agitating fluid containers
An apparatus configured for mixing the contents of one or more fluid containers includes a fluid container support platform configured to hold one or more fluid containers. The fluid container support platform is configured to index the container to one or more specified locations and to be moved in an orbital path about an orbital center independently of the rotation about the central axis of rotation. The apparatus further includes an indexing drive system configured to effect indexing movement of the container support platform and a vortex drive system configured to effect powered orbital movement of the container support platform about the orbital center. An evaporation limiting insert placed within containers reduces exposure of the fluid contents of the container to atmospheric air, thereby reducing susceptibility of the fluid contents to evaporation. |
| US09604182B2 |
System for transporting solids with improved solids packing
A system includes a solid feed pump having a housing, a rotor disposed in the housing, a curved passage disposed between the rotor and the housing, a solid feed inlet coupled to the curved passage, and a solid feed outlet coupled to the curved passage. Also, a solids packing device is coupled to the solid feed inlet of the solid feed pump. The solids packing device includes a first channel configured to receive a solid feed with a first range of sizes, a second channel configured to receive transport assisting particles (TAP) with a second range of sizes. The first range is different from the second range. A third channel is configured to receive and mix the solid feed and the TAP to provide a solid feed-TAP mixture with the TAP filling interspatial spaces between the solid feed. The third channel is coupled to the solid feed inlet. |
| US09604179B2 |
Spiral membrane element and method of producing the same
A spiral membrane element that can reduce the dimension increase in the length direction is provided. Also, a method for producing a spiral membrane element is provided having a step of forming a fiber reinforced resin layer having a reinforcing fiber layer and a strengthening fiber layer. The spiral membrane element is provided with a cylindrical wound body in which a separation membrane, a feed-side channel material, and a permeate-side channel material in a laminated state are wound in a spiral form around a center tube having a hole, and a sealing part for preventing feed-side fluid and permeate-side fluid from being mixed with each other, wherein a fiber reinforced resin layer having a reinforcing fiber layer and a strengthening fiber layer enclosed and buried with the same resin is provided on an outer circumferential side of the cylindrical wound body. |
| US09604173B2 |
Purification column
A purification column is provided in which fluid is purified by flow through a purifying component. The column includes an annular wall defining a bore which, in use, contains the purifying component. The column further includes an inlet port to the bore comprising a first aperture through the annular wall, the inlet port being adjacent one end of the column. The column further includes an outlet port from the bore comprising a second aperture through the annular wall, the outlet port being adjacent the same end of the column as the inlet port. The column further includes a flow guidance device within the bore and removably connected to the inlet and outlet ports for guiding the fluid to the purifying component from the inlet port and for guiding the fluid from the purifying component to the outlet port. The flow guidance device maintains separation of the fluid flows to and from the purifying component. |
| US09604171B2 |
Filter group
A filter cartridge including a filter membrane and at least a support element fixed to the filter membrane, the support element being provided with at least a snap-engaging element suitable for snap-engaging to a support body following a reciprocal translation between the filter cartridge and the support body along a nearing axis, the support element further including a disengaging device suitable for disengaging the snap-engaging element from the support body following a reciprocal rotation between the filter cartridge and the support body about the axis. |
| US09604168B2 |
Hybrid felts of electrospun nanofibers
The present invention relates generally to compositions for use in biological and chemical separations, as well as other applications. More specifically, the present invention relates to hybrid felts fabricated from electrospun nanofibers with high permeance and high capacity. Such hybrid felts utilize derivatized cellulose, and at least one non-cellulose-based polymer that may be removed from the felt by subjecting it to moderately elevated temperatures and/or solvents capable of dissolving the non-cellulose-based polymer to leave behind a porous nanofiber felt having more uniform pore sizes and other enhanced properties when compared to single component nanofiber felts. |
| US09604167B2 |
Multistage high capacity and depth coalescing media system
A filter assembly having a first stage filter that filters particulates from fluid flowing through the filter and a second stage filter downstream of the first stage filter that coalesces water from the fluid. By providing the first stage filter upstream of the second stage filter, particulate filtration capacity and efficiency may be provided while protecting the second stage filter from particulates. Protecting the second stage filter from particulates allows for the life of the second stage filter to be extended while providing efficient emulsion removal in the filter assembly. |
| US09604164B2 |
Fluid intake screen
A screen for intake of fluid. The screen includes parallel and spaced rods, filtration material, a fitting, and structural members. The rods may be distributed in a cylindrical configuration. The filtration material, in some embodiments spirally wrapped wire, is disposed around the rods to define an interior volume. The fitting is disposed at an end of the rods and adjacent to the filtration material. Each structural member, which in some embodiments are elongated bars, is interposed between adjacent rods. The structural members are welded to the adjacent rods, and the adjacent rods and the structural members are welded to the fitting to increase the effective weld area, the tensile strength of the connection, and potentially the overall strength of the screen. The screen may be used for a variety of fluids and installations, and is particularly suited to use in water wells. |
| US09604162B2 |
Rotary disc filter device
A rotary disc filter device includes a rotor rotatable about an axis of rotation, having a plurality of disc-shaped filter members. Each disc-shaped filter member has two walls extending outwardly form the axis of rotation. At least one of the walls has the form of a frustum. |
| US09604161B2 |
Rake system
In a rake system, a reamer element is attached to a reamer arm, which is movable backward and forward. A pivot axle of the reamer arm is formed on the distal end of a control arm, which is pivotable around a further pivot axle. During forward movement of the reamer arm, the reamer element pushes raked material collected by the rake to a discharge edge at the upper end of the rake. During backward movement of the reamer arm, the control arm is lifted, and the reamer element is moved back at a distance from the rake. |
| US09604160B2 |
Partitioned water treatment systems with vertical filtration units
The present invention supplies partitioned water treatment systems that possess a plurality of chambers and vertical filtration units, and are operative to control and filter surface runoff water. Such systems are typically placed inline with surface runoff water conveyance system infrastructure, such as pipes, channels, and water storage units. |
| US09604157B2 |
Pump with water management
A pumping system configured to pump fluid from the ambient environment to a target reservoir, the pumping system including: a fluid pump configured to statically mount to a rotating surface, the pump configured to rotate about an axis of rotation; a pump reservoir statically coupled to the fluid pump and configured to fluidly couple to the target reservoir, the pump reservoir including a collection area defined along a portion of the pump reservoir radially outward of the axis of rotation; and a liquid separation member arranged along a portion of the collection area, the liquid separation member including a membrane configured to preferentially permit liquid flow therethrough. |
| US09604151B2 |
Water amusement device
A water amusement device includes a base pad that extends in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. A plurality of longitudinally-extending troughs is located on the base pad. Each longitudinally-extending trough has a respective channel opening that is connected to a laterally extending drain channel. A pad surface is located on the longitudinally-extending troughs and a water-distribution feature located on the pad surface. |
| US09604148B2 |
Management server of game service and method of providing game service
A method that for increasing the number of users making a registration to a game service by providing a motivation to a registered user, a game player of the game service, to invite more users to a game. When a user registered to the game service invites a friend to a game, a benefit assignment screen may be displayed on an invitation screen. Corresponding benefits may be determined based on information such as a preference and a skillfulness of the friend about a second game, or personal information of the friend, such as age or sex. In addition, the benefits may be assigned only during a predetermined period of time and accordingly, the registered user may be motivated to invite the friend. |
| US09604143B1 |
Systems and methods of playing a game on a mobile device
The system and/or method comprising: receiving, from a user on a computing device, input selecting a first country from a plurality of countries; receiving, from the user on the computing device, input selecting a first category of songs from a plurality of categories of songs; displaying, on the computing device, a chorus of a song from the selected category of songs, wherein the chorus is the main verse of the song; upon displaying the song on the computing device, displaying a timer indicating a predetermined threshold period of time; and displaying, by the computing device, a chorus of a second song from the selected category of songs, when the predetermined threshold period of time is exhausted. |
| US09604141B2 |
Storage medium having game program stored thereon, game apparatus, game system, and game processing method
Operation input obtaining means obtains an operation input performed by a player with respect to an input device. Designated position setting means sets a designated position with respect to a virtual game world in accordance with the operation input. Biological signal obtaining means obtains a biological signal from the player. Designated position change means changes the designated position in accordance with the biological signal obtained by the biological signal obtaining means. Game processing means performs a predetermined game process on the basis of the designated position. |
| US09604134B2 |
Device control system and method of determining altitude
A gaming system has a pressure measurement in the remote control (which may be the complete gaming apparatus) and this is used to derive a height of the remote control. In this way, barometric pressure measurement allows precise determination of the altitude of the game controller. The altitude information is then used to control the game. |
| US09604133B2 |
Touch-controlled game character motion providing dynamically-positioned virtual control pad
Methods and apparatus for controlling movement of a digital object displayed on a screen provide a virtual dynamic direction control pad based on zone detection and touch stroke direction to control customized animated character motion. A player wishing to move the digital object can use a stylus or other touch to indicate a first point on the screen. When the player first touches the stylus to the screen, the system analyzes the touch and divides the screen into multiple zones around the first point indicated by the player. To move the object, the player moves the stylus to a second point on the screen. Movement of the stylus to a second point within one of these zones causes the digital object to perform a predetermined action. Each zone has a predetermined associated action. Direct control of character motion by the game player is enhanced. |
| US09604131B1 |
Systems and methods for verifying player proximity within a location-based game
Systems and methods for verifying player proximity within a location-based game are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for verifying player proximity may include receiving a request associated with verifying the proximity of a first player of the location-based game relative to a second player of the location-based game and transmitting a visual indicator to a first client of the first player, wherein the visual indicator is associated with a data record configured to expire within a predetermined time period. In addition, the method may include receiving a copy of the visual indicator from a second client of the second player and determining whether the copy of the visual indicator was received prior to the expiration of the data record. |
| US09604123B2 |
Bushing, skateboard truck and skateboard
This application provides skateboards and skateboard trucks. |
| US09604119B2 |
Golf alignment rod holder
Embodiments of the invention include an alignment rod holder that holds an alignment rod at different angles to provide reference points and feedback for golf practice drills. The device is comprised of a centerpiece, which holds the alignment rod, and two base pieces. |
| US09604117B2 |
Golf stroke training device
A golf stroke training device and system allowing a user to obtain feedback regarding a golf stroke without moving from a stance and capable of detecting the orientation and velocity of a leading edge of a golf club. A data processing unit filters out non-relevant inputs from the sensors and only evaluates valid simulated forward strokes so that the data processing unit may evaluate a plurality of non-stop practice strokes. |
| US09604103B2 |
Monofin, tail and method
A monofin, mermaid tail, and method of applying the tail and monofin. The fin utilizes a core made of flexible yet resilient material such as plastic and a cover that is elastic, such as neoprene. The user's feet are connected to the fin by releasable connections including a securing cord and cord lock. The mermaid tail and monofin connects both of a user's feet and legs in order to facilitate swimming in a mermaid-like motion while giving the user the appearance of a mermaid. |
| US09604102B2 |
Exercising apparatus
An apparatus is disclosed for enabling an operator to exercise comprising a frame having a body, a base and a top. A load is positioned on the frame for providing a resistive force. A press is positioned on the frame for displacement by the operator. A linkage joins the load with the press for displacing the load upon displacement of the press by the operator. An arm extends between a support end and a user end. A support pivot secures the support end of the arm to the top of the frame for pivoting the arm about the frame. A user interface inputs and outputs data. A user pivot securing the user interface to the user end of the arm for pivoting the user interface about the arm. |
| US09604101B2 |
Golf swing analysis device and golf swing analysis method
A golf swing analysis device includes a joint force calculation section and a torque extraction section. The joint force calculation section generates a double pendulum model that includes a first link that corresponds to an upper part of a body of a golfer, a second link that corresponds to a golf club, and a joint that links the first link and the second link, and calculates a joint force applied to the joint along with a swing motion using an acceleration measured by an inertial sensor attached to the golf club. The torque extraction section extracts a torque that causes the second link to make a rotational motion around a first axis from the joint force. |
| US09604099B2 |
Positional lock for foot pedals of an elliptical exercise machine
An elliptical exercise machine includes a first foot pedal and a second foot pedal attached to a frame to travel along reciprocating paths. A resistance mechanism is also integrated into the elliptical exercise machine to resist movement of the first and second foot pedals along the reciprocating paths. A locking mechanism is arranged to secure the first and second foot pedals in place and prevent them from moving when the locking mechanism is in a secured mode. The locking mechanism is in communication with a locking input mechanism and is arranged to switch between the secured mode and an operational mode that allows the first and second foot pedals to travel in response to user input received through the locking input mechanism. |
| US09604094B2 |
Portable exercise machine
A portable exercise machine is provided for rotator cuff exercise. The portable exercise machine includes a flat board having an upper surface and a U-shaped cutout for receiving a torso of a user. A pair of opposing, rotatable arms are affixed to the upper surface of the flat board. The distal end of each arm includes a handle adapted to be grasped by a user and the proximal end of each arm is pivotally coupled to a steel coil. The steel coil provides resistance against the rotation of the distal end of the arms. The steel coil can be removably affixed to an inner connection region or an outer connection region of the flat board. The outer connection region provides resistance for inward movement of the arms and the inner connection region provides resistance for outward movement of the arms. |
| US09604093B2 |
Exercise device and method of using the same
An exercise device may comprise first and second elongated support members, at least one brace member for holding the first and second support members in a spaced apart relation to each other and a limb support device being disposed between the first and second support members and being interconnected thereto for sliding longitudinal relative to the first and second support members. |
| US09604088B2 |
Resistance training devices, systems, and methods
Systems, devices, and methods for providing weighted resistance to swimmers are provided. The device can be portable and easy to use and set-up. In one exemplary embodiment, a resistance training device includes opposed pulley modules having a rope disposed between one or more pulleys of each of the two modules, a weighted component associated with one end of the rope, an attachment mechanism for attaching the device to a substantially fixed location, and a user interface for associating another end of the rope with a user. In use, the device can be fixed to a substantially fixed location, such as a dive block, and can provide resistance based, at least in part, on the amount of weight associated with the weighted component disposed in the water. Other systems, devices, and methods are also provided. |
| US09604087B2 |
Rope climbing systems and methods of use
Various apparatuses for rope-climbing and associated methods are provided. Embodiments include a circular loop of rope and a variable braking system allowing for a freely suspended rope-climbing experience a safe distance from the ground and at a speed variable to individual users. |
| US09604086B2 |
Assisted chin/dip exercise apparatus with adjustable chin-up/pull-up handles
An assisted chin/dip exercise apparatus has a main frame and an assist or foot bar pivotally mounted on the frame and linked to a weight stack or resistance for assisting a user standing on the foot bar during performance of chin and dip exercises. The main frame has a first, overhead handle assembly and a second, dip handle assembly below the first handle assembly. The first handle assembly includes a pair of adjustably mounted handles freely pivotable between a first, chin-up position in which the handles extend towards one another at a rearward angle with a small spacing between the handles and a second, pull-up position in which the handles extend in a forward direction and are spaced apart by a larger spacing sufficient to provide head clearance for a user stepping onto the foot bar or while performing a dip exercise. |
| US09604082B2 |
Fore-grip handled fire-extinguisher
A fore-grip specially suited and configured to mount upon a tank-style fire-extinguisher for use as a defensive tool, the fore-grip including a handle that mounts near the base or bottom-end of the extinguisher tank. A tank bracket is attached to the tank of the fire extinguisher with the fore-grip mounted to the bracket, which can include a clip for the extinguisher nozzle. A user is able to concurrently grasp the handle of the fore-grip to lift and to lift and aim the fire-extinguisher, while opening the manual valve to discharge the pressurized propellant from the nozzle. |
| US09604077B2 |
Visualizing radiation therapy beam in real-time in the context of patient's anatomy
A method of real-time radiotherapy beam visualization is provided that includes disposing a free-form flexible scintillating sheet on a subject of interest, irradiating the subject of interest with a source of ionizing radiation, where the free-forming flexible scintillating sheet emits light when irradiated by the therapeutic photon beam, collecting the emitted light and collecting ambient light reflected from the subject of interest and surrounding objects using a camera, where the collected light is converted to image data by the camera, where the image data is communicated to an appropriately programmed computer, and processing the image data to determine beam characteristics and the characteristics of the subject of interest, using the appropriately programmed computer, where the beam characteristics and the characteristics of the subject of interest are displayed in real-time to a machine operator enabling real-time verification of treatment delivery. |
| US09604076B2 |
Radiation containing seeds and method for high visibility magnetic imaging
A radioactive seed and method for making a radioactive seed with selective magnetic imaging characteristics are provided. The seed includes a housing which may include a metal shell for at least partially enclosing a radioactive material. The shell encloses a rod having a nickel layer with a phosphorous content, wherein the phosphorous content includes a level of phosphorous sufficient, when the seed is implanted in tissue, to provide a magnetic resonance image of the seed while substantially eliminating gross artifacts in the magnetic resonance image. |
| US09604075B2 |
Method for the operation of a radiotherapy system and a radiotherapy system
A method for calculating local part radiation doses in a radiotherapy system for applying a total radiation dose in a target volume with several beams is provided. The method includes determining at least one first control plane for controlling the dosing of the beams, determining at least one second control plane for controlling the positioning of the beams, and allocating beams to the first and second control planes. The method also includes, for at least one side of a first control plane, calculating in isolation of the corresponding local part radiation doses of all the beams allocated to the first control plane. |
| US09604069B2 |
Defibrillator and method using limb leads for artifact free ECG
A defibrillator and method that uses ECG signals from limb lead electrodes for display and monitoring, even when a separate set of therapy pads are present at the patient. The limb lead ECG signal is used for display and to determine whether electrotherapy is necessary. The determination is a prerequisite to arming and delivery of the electrotherapy. |
| US09604068B2 |
Systems and methods for making and using improved connector contacts for electrical stimulation systems
A connector for an implantable electrical medical device includes a connector lumen defined in an elongated connector housing and adapted for receiving a portion of a lead. Connector-contact assemblies are disposed in the connector lumen. Each of the connector-contact assemblies includes a contact housing. Multiple connector contacts are arranged along perimeters of inner surfaces of the contact housings such that the connector contacts are not in electrical contact with one another. Each of the connector contacts includes a biasing structure that physically contacts terminals disposed along the lead when the lead is received by the connector lumen. For each connector contact of a particular connector-contact assembly, the biasing structure extends around no more than 70% of the perimeter of the inner surface of the contact housing and is circumferentially-offset from the biasing structures of the remaining connector contacts of the connector-contact assembly. |
| US09604064B2 |
Criteria for optimal electrical resynchronization during fusion pacing
Generally, the disclosure is directed one or more methods or systems of cardiac pacing employing a plurality of left ventricular electrodes. Pacing using a first one of the left ventricular electrodes and measuring activation times at other ones of the left and right ventricular electrodes. Pacing using a second one of the ventricular electrodes and measuring activation times at other ones of the left ventricular electrodes. Employing weighted sums of the measured activation times to measure a fusion index and select one of the left ventricular electrodes for delivery of subsequent pacing pulses based on comparing fusion indices during pacing from different LV electrodes. One or more embodiments use the same fusion index to select an optimal A-V delay by comparing fusion indices during pacing with different A-V delays at resting atrial rates as well as rates above the resting rate. |
| US09604056B2 |
Methods and systems for treating neurological movement disorders
The present disclosure provides methods for reducing the clinical presentations of a neurological movement disorder in a subject. Aspects of the methods include measuring cortical local field potentials (LFPs) from the subject's brain, calculating a modulation index related to brain synchronization from the LFPs, and administering deep brain stimulation to the subject if the calculated modulation index is outside of a threshold range. Also provided are devices, systems, and kits that may be used in practicing the subject methods. |
| US09604055B2 |
Microfabricated surface neurostimulation device and methods of making and using the same
Described herein are microelectrode array devices, and methods of fabrication and use of the same, to provide highly localized and efficient electrical stimulation of a neurological target. The device includes multiple microelectrode elements arranged along an supportive backing layer. The microelectrode elements are dimensioned and shaped so as to target individual neurons, groups of neurons, and neural tissue as may be located in an animal nervous system, such as along a region of a cortex of a human brain. Beneficially, the neurological probe can be used to facilitate location of the neurological target and remain implanted for long-term monitoring and/or stimulation. |
| US09604054B2 |
Device, system, methods, and computer readable media for managing acute and chronic pain
Methods, devices, control modules, and computer readable media are provided for managing acute and chronic pain in subjects. More specifically, a method is provided for reducing pain in a subject that includes delivering to the subject a series of stimuli consisting of both painful and non-painful stimuli. A portion of each of the painful and the non-painful stimuli is delivered to the subject during a systolic phase of the subject's cardiac cycle and the remaining portion of each of the painful and the non-painful stimuli is delivered during a diastolic phase of the subject's cardiac cycle. |
| US09604053B2 |
Methods and apparatus for lead placement on a surface of the heart
The methods and apparatus for lead placement on a surface of the heart are employed using an elongated body having proximal and distal end portions. The body defines a lead receiving passageway extending between a proximal inlet and a distal outlet for receiving a lead therethrough for contact with the heart surface. The elongated body is adapted for insertion between a pericardium and an epicardial surface. At least a portion of the body may have a non-circular cross-sectional shape adapted to retain the body orientation between the pericardium and the epicardial surface. |
| US09604050B2 |
Systems and methods for percutaneously implanting into a patient a paddle lead of an electrical stimulation system
A multi-needle paddle lead introducer includes a needle assembly, a hub assembly, and a sheath. The needle assembly includes at least one primary needle and at least one secondary needle. The secondary needle is coupled to the primary needle along a portion of the longitudinal length of the needle assembly such that the primary needle and the secondary needle are arranged in a side-by-side configuration. The secondary needle is configured and arranged to move relative to the primary needle along the longitudinal length of the needle assembly. The hub assembly includes a primary needle hub coupled to a proximal end portion of the primary needle and a secondary needle hub coupled to a proximal end portion of the primary needle. The sheath is configured and arranged for disposing over a portion of an outer surface of the needle assembly and for sliding along the longitudinal length of the needle assembly. |
| US09604046B2 |
Protective caps for use with medical fluid fittings, and related methods
A protective cap for use with a medical fluid fitting including a fitting thread and a sealing portion having a sealing surface. The protective cap includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a cap thread extending axially. The cap thread is configured to threadedly engage the fitting thread for releasably coupling the protective cap with the medical fluid fitting, and defines a tapered engagement surface. The tapered engagement surface tapers axially relative to a longitudinal axis of the body, and is configured to frictionally contact the fitting thread for retaining the protective cap in coupling engagement with the medical fluid fitting. The protective cap is configured to peripherally surround the sealing portion such that no portion of the protective cap contacts the sealing surface when the protective cap is coupled with the medical fluid fitting. |
| US09604044B2 |
Connection device for use in the negative pressure treatment of wounds
A connection device for use in the negative pressure therapy of wounds, includes a flexible conduit having at least two lumens and being constructed for impingement with negative pressure and/or fluid media; a coupling body made of an elastomeric flexible material, and non-detachably molded onto a wound-side end section of the conduit and being constructed for arrangement on a negative pressure bandage which covers the wound and seals the wound against the atmosphere, wherein the conduit communicates with a wound space through at least one opening in the coupling body; and a fluid inlet section for insertion through an opening in the negative pressure bandage into the wound space. The fluid inlet section is formed on the coupling body and protrudes over a walling of the coupling body, which walling faces the negative pressure bandage. The fluid inlet section is fluidly connected interiorly of the coupling body with a further lumen for delivering a fluid medium. The further lumen is formed inside the conduit or by a fluid delivery line leading to the coupling body. |
| US09604043B2 |
Capacitive fluid level sensing
A capacitive fluid level sensing arrangement for use in a medical device is provided. The arrangement includes at least one pair of conductive plates configured to increase and decrease the amount of electric charge stored in relation to the level of fluid within a fluid maintaining device, such as a reservoir. The conductive plates are electrically connected to a medical device and are configured to measure the charge stored between the plates and thus sense the fluid level. The electric circuit may communicate the measurement to an instrument host arrangement for operating a pump configured to remove fluid from the reservoir and move the fluid to a collector when the level exceeds a preset upper level amount. The instrument host arrangement may stop operating the pump when the fluid level is reduced to a preset lower level amount. |
| US09604040B1 |
System and methods for performing spinal fusion surgery
A system and method for performing spine surgery, including a tissue distraction assembly. The tissue distraction assembly includes an initial dilator, a secondary dilator, a first expander, and a second expander. The tissue distraction assembly is provided with an overall generally oblong shape. The tissue distraction assembly provides for asymmetrical tissue distraction in a single direction. |
| US09604036B2 |
Cutting balloon with connector and dilation element
A balloon catheter is provided that may be used to dilate hardened regions of a stenosis. The balloon catheter is provided with one or more dilation elements that extend along a surface of a balloon. Each dilation element is connected to an outer surface of the balloon by a connector. The connector is sufficiently sized and designed to undergo stress-induced plastic deformation incurred during blow molding so that a significant portion of each of the dilation elements does not become absorbed into the wall of the final blow molded balloon, thereby maintaining the structural integrity of each of the dilation elements. |
| US09604029B2 |
Emulation of sensory stimuli, emanating from a reference person, for a child
A device for generating sensory stimuli, corresponding to sensory stimuli emanating from a reference person, for a child comprises a receiving unit for receiving a data stream from a device for acquiring sensory stimuli, emanating from a reference person, and a transducer unit, which is coupled to the receiving unit and is controllable by the data stream. The transducer unit generates at least either body-borne sound, which corresponds to the heart sounds, described by the data stream, of the reference person, or movements, which correspond to the movements, described by the data stream, of the reference person, or airborne sound, which corresponds to the airborne sound generated by the reference person and is described by the data stream. |
| US09604026B2 |
Medical carbon monoxide delivery system
A medical carbon monoxide generator provides for a solid carbon material that may be heated at substantially normal atmospheric pressure to provide a source of medical quality carbon monoxide. The heating source may be an electrical filament or laser controllable by a microcontroller to provide accurate delivery rates and amounts. In one embodiment, a replaceable cartridge holding the carbon material may be used. |
| US09604025B2 |
Patient interface assembly with improved stabilization
A patient interface assembly includes a support member having a central support portion and a pair of cheek mount supports coupled to the central portion. Each cheek mount support applies a force on or on a side of a user's cheekbone. A seal member is coupled to the support portion and seals against the user. An additional nasal support member is provided that includes a first lateral side member operatively coupled to the central support portion and arranged to be disposed along a first side of a user's nose, and a second lateral side member also operatively coupled the central support portion and arranged to be disposed along a second side of a user's nose. At least a portion of the first lateral side member and the second lateral side member is rigid or semi rigid. |
| US09604024B2 |
Divided cannula with each nare communicating with each flow path
A divided cannula comprising a cannula body which is divided by a partitioning wall into first and second flow chambers. The first flow chamber has first and second spaced apart nare passages while the second flow chamber has first and second spaced apart nare passages. The cannula body supports spaced apart first and second nares and each of the first and the second nares defines a common nare passage. The first nare passage of the first internal flow chamber and the first nare passage of the second internal flow chamber both communicate with the common nare passage of the first nare and the second nare passage of the first internal flow chamber and the second nare passage of the second internal flow chamber both communicate with the common nare passage of the second nare. A pressure sensing line and a gas supply line interconnected to the divided cannula with a gas supply system. |
| US09604021B2 |
Automatic control system for mechanical ventilation for active or passive subjects
A method and an apparatus for controlling a ventilator to automatically adjust ventilation assistance to an active or passive subject. The method includes determining volume and flow rate of gas to the patient during inspiration on an ongoing basis, and generating control signals in proportion to the volume and flow rate of gas to the patient wherein proportionality factors, and support levels for the elastic and resistive components of pressure are automatically adjusted by the ventilator. The ongoing pressure applied by the ventilator is a sum of elastic and resistive pressures that are automatically controlled by the system. When the patient breathes spontaneously, the support levels are automatically adjusted based on the patient's requirements. If the patient does not breathe spontaneously, the ventilator provides ventilation at an optimal level and rate. The method may be used in weaning or in a management phase of ventilation. |
| US09604020B2 |
Integrated, extendable anesthesia system
The anesthesia systems have an integrated, extendable clinical center and clinician/anesthesia office that accommodates for a physical separation of clinical and clerical functions. The anesthesia system includes an alarm reversion system which enables a predefined alarm limit to be set and then to be automatically reverted back to an alarm limit existing just before the predefined alarm limit was set. |
| US09604019B2 |
Detection system and method for aerosol delivery
An apparatus comprises a detector, a pressure sensor and a processor. The detector is operable to detect light that is scattered by an aerosol that is associated with a pressure. The pressure sensor is operable to measure the pressure. The processor is coupled to the detector and to the pressure sensor, and is configured to receive at least a signal from the detector and the pressure sensor. The processor is further configured to use the received signals to calculate a volume of the first aerosol, and to output an output signal associated with the calculated volume. The various measurements can be repeated and compared, and the output signal can be a feedback signal for metering subsequent amounts of the aerosol, based on the comparison. |
| US09604017B2 |
Needle for piercing a powder capsule for inhalation
The invention relates to a powder inhaler with at least one specially sharpened needle, to ensure the precise piercing or cutting open of capsules and hence the optimum delivery of powdered medicament compositions, medicament formulations or medicament mixtures, as well as ensuring that little effort is needed to perforate or cut open the capsule. |
| US09604010B2 |
Retractable syringe needle
A retractable needle is provided for a syringe comprising a barrel and a plunger that comprises a portion capable of engaging the retractable needle for retraction. The retractable needle comprises a cannula, a needle body having a plunger-engaging member, at least one aperture and an elongate portion which houses the cannula, the cannula comprising an end which is in fluid communication with the at least one aperture, wherein the at least one aperture is located between the plunger-engaging member and the elongate portion. The positioning of the at least one aperture distal to the plunger-engaging member maximizes the efficiency of fluid delivery. |
| US09604006B2 |
Cartridge with adjustable filling volume
The present invention relates to a cartridge for a drug delivery device, comprising a barrel of substantially cylindrical shape and at least one piston arrangement displaceably arranged in the barrel, wherein the piston arrangement occupies at least 20% of the volume confined by the barrel. |
| US09604004B2 |
Drug delivery device and logging module assembly
A drug delivery assembly comprises a drug delivery device, an electronic dose logging module releasably attachable to the drug delivery device, and a cap releasably attachable to the logging module to cover an outlet portion of a mounted drug reservoir. The logging module and the drug delivery device comprise mating snap coupling means. The logging module comprises locking means acting on the locking module snap coupling means, wherein the locking means is actuated from the unlocked to the locked state when the cap is attached to the logging module in a first direction, and the locking means is actuated from the locked to the unlocked state when the cap is detached from the logging module in a second direction opposed to the first direction. |
| US09604001B2 |
Device and method for food management
A medical device is disclosed. The medical device includes an RFID reader for receiving information from at least one RFID transponder. The medical device also includes a memory for storing a database and at least one processor for processing information. Also, a remote controller for a medical device is disclosed. The remote controller includes an information receiver for receiving information related to food. The infusion device also includes a memory for storing a database and at least one processor for processing information. A method for use in a medical device is also disclosed. The method includes receiving information from an RFID transponder related to food. Also, the processing the information by comparing the information to a database is included in the method. The method also includes determining the acceptability of the food and providing information related to acceptability to the user. |
| US09603998B2 |
Micro-fluidic chambers for use in liquid medicament delivery systems
Micro-fluidic chambers for use in a liquid medicament delivery system, include a bottom substrate and a top cover, the top cover being spaced from the bottom substrate so as to define a height of the chamber, wherein, one or more walls or fillings are positioned in the chamber, the walls or fillings defining a fluid channel there between such that the fluid channel extends from an inlet of the chamber to an outlet of the chamber, wherein, each of the walls or fillings has a height less than the height of the chamber so as to define a fluid gap between a top surface of each wall or filling and the top cover; and wherein, the dimensions of the walls or fillings and the chamber are such that the fluid gap will be filled with liquid by capillary forces via the fluid channel when liquid is introduced into the fluid chamber. |
| US09603997B2 |
Implantable drug pumps and refill devices therefor
Implanted drug pump devices can be refilled with a refill needle inserted through a fill port in the drug reservoir of the drug pump device. Proper needle insertion may be verified visually or using electrical, magnetic, optical, acoustic, or other suitable sensing mechanisms. |
| US09603995B2 |
Device and method for setting therapeutic parameters for an infusion device
Embodiments are directed to infusion devices, systems, and methods to detect a capacity of a collapsible fluid reservoir of an infusion cartridge and/or a volume of a fluid disposed in the collapsible fluid reservoir or some other parameters of the infusion cartridge, and setting corresponding therapeutic parameters of an infusion device. Embodiments may include, obtaining data on the volume of fluid in the collapsible fluid reservoir, analyzing the obtained data to determine the setting of therapeutic parameters, and setting one or more therapeutic parameters of an infusion device. |
| US09603992B2 |
Access port identification systems and methods
An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. Such an access port may comprise a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. Further, the access port may include at least one feature structured and configured for identification of the access port subsequent to subcutaneous implantation. Methods of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port are also disclosed. For example, a subcutaneously implanted access port may be provided and at least one feature of the subcutaneously implanted access port may be perceived. Further, the subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature. |
| US09603989B2 |
Methods for anticoagulating blood
Methods are provided for anticoagulating blood. Whole blood is drawn from a donor into a system at a draw flow rate. Anticoagulant from an anticoagulant source is pumped into the system at an anticoagulant flow rate to mix with the blood. The anticoagulated blood may be subsequently processed in any of a number of known ways, including separating it and removing at least a portion of one of the components of the blood. Thereafter, at least a portion of the remaining blood may be returned to the donor. The anticoagulant flow rate is independent of the draw flow rate and can be based on a number of factors, including the weight of the donor and the rate at which the donor can metabolize the anticoagulant. |
| US09603980B2 |
Layer-by-layer stereocomplexed polymers as drug depot carriers or coatings in medical devices
Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. In addition, these therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to promote healing, including the prevention of thrombosis. The drugs, agents, and/or compounds may also be utilized to treat specific disorders, including vulnerable plaque, and atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients. Therapeutic agents may also be delivered to the region of a disease site. In regional delivery, liquid formulations may be desirable to increase the efficacy and deliverability of the particular drug. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned. |
| US09603979B2 |
Use of bacterial polysaccharides for biofilm inhibition
A method comprises preventing or inhibiting bacterial adhesion and/or bacterial biofilm development by treating a substrate with a composition of a soluble group II capsular polysaccharide obtained from a bacterial strain. |
| US09603978B2 |
Plasma modified medical devices and methods
Coatings, devices and methods are provided, wherein the contacting surface of a medical device with at least one contacting surface for contacting a bodily fluid or tissue, wherein long-lasting and durable bioactive agents or functional groups are deposited on the contacting surface through a unique two-step plasma coating process with deposition of a thin layer of plasma coating using a silicon-containing monomer in the first step and plasma surface modification using a mixture of nitrogen-containing molecules and oxygen-containing molecules in the second step. The two-step plasma coating process enables the implantable medical device to prevent both restenosis and thrombosis under clinical conditions. The invention also relates to surface treatment of metallic and polymeric biomaterials used for making of medical devices with significantly improved clinical performance and durability. |
| US09603975B2 |
Bioerodible polymer compositions
The present disclosure pertains to compositions that comprise (a) a bioerodible polyester network formed by reaction between reactive species that comprise a polyol and a polycarboxylate, wherein at least one of the polyol and polycarboxylate has a functionality of three or more, and (b) a bioerodible thermoplastic polymer. The present disclosure further pertains to methods of using such compositions and to medical devices that comprise such compositions. |
| US09603971B2 |
Silk-based ionomeric compositions
Disclosed herein are pH-dependent silk fibroin-based ionomeric compositions and colloids, and methods of making the same. The state of the silk fibroin ionomeric compositions is reversible and can transform from a gel-like colloid to a more fluid-like solution, or vice versa, upon an environmental stimulus, e.g., pH. Thus, the silk-based ionomeric compositions and colloids can be applied in various industries, ranging from electronic applications to biomedical applications, such as sensors, gel diodes, absorbent materials, drug delivery systems, tissue implants and contrast agents. |
| US09603969B2 |
Porous scaffold material, and method for producing same
Provided are a scaffold material that functions as a scaffold material for two weeks or more in vivo and causes substantially no foreign-body reaction, and a method for producing the scaffold material. Specifically, a porous scaffold material comprising collagen fibers is provided. |
| US09603968B2 |
Methods of making high-strength NDGA polymerized collagen fibers and related collagen-prep methods, medical devices and constructs
The disclosure describes methods of making high-strength NDGA collagen and associated methods of preparing collagen preparatory material and medical bioprostheses. |
| US09603965B2 |
System and method for delivery of a protease inhibitor
The disclosed invention provides a system and method of artificially retarding fibrin-based blood clot degradation via the sustained release of a protease inhibitor, such as, for example, aprotinin or tranexamic acid (“TA”). The sustained release of the protease inhibitor is accomplished through incorporation within a biodegradable polymer microsphere to produce a protease inhibitor formulation. Next, the formulation along with fibrinogen and thrombin is applied to a wound site where an outer surface of the polymer microsphere degrades in a proteolytic environment to expose and release the incorporated protease inhibitor to the surrounding hydrogel or sealant or clot matrix at the wound site. |
| US09603957B2 |
Multiple pump evaporative media system
An evaporative media system having multiple media stages each served by a separate pump is disclosed. In one aspect, the evaporative media system has a first media stage and a second media stage. A first pump is provided that is configured to deliver water from the first compartment of the water storage tank to the first media stage. Additionally, a second pump is provided that is configured to deliver water from the first compartment of the water storage tank to the second media stage. Additional media stages and pumps may be provided as well. The disclosed configuration eliminates the need for individual staging valves, provides a higher level of operational redundancy, reduces electrical consumption, and can be provided at a lower cost, as compared to many existing systems. |
| US09603955B2 |
System for radiation sterilization of medical devices
Disclosed herein is a method of radiation sterilizing a plurality of medical devices. |
| US09603952B2 |
Treatment of metastatic tumors
The present invention is directed to methods and methods for the treatment, inhibition and/or reduction, and detection of metastatic tumors. In some embodiments, the inventive methods include systemic (e.g., intravenous) administration of a chlorotoxin agent that may or may not be labeled. In some embodiments, the inventive methods allow treatment, inhibition and/or reduction, and detection of metastases in the brain. In some embodiments, neovascularization is inhibited and/or newly formed vessels are caused to regress. |
| US09603951B2 |
Methods and apparatus for synthesizing imaging agents, and intermediates thereof
The present invention generally relates to methods and system for the synthesis of imaging agents, and precursors thereof. The methods may exhibit improved yields and may allow for the large-scale synthesis of imaging agents, including imaging agents comprising a radioisotope (e.g., 18F). Various embodiments of the invention may be useful as sensors, diagnostic tools, and the like. In some cases, methods for evaluating perfusion, including myocardial perfusion, are provided. Synthetic methods of the invention have also been incorporated into an automated synthesis unit to prepare and purify imaging agents that comprise a radioisotope. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a novel methods and systems comprising imaging agent 1, including methods of imaging in a subject comprising administering a composition comprising imaging agent 1 to a subject by injection, infusion, or any other known method, and imaging the area of the subject wherein the event of interest is located. |
| US09603945B2 |
Heparosan polymers and methods of making and using same for the enhancement of therapeutics
Compositions, methods, and systems are disclosed for the development and use of heparosan, a natural polymer related to heparin, as a new therapeutic modifying agent or vehicle which can modulate drug cargo pharmacokinetics and behavior within a mammalian patient. |
| US09603943B2 |
Polyesteramide platform for site specific drug delivery
A therapeutic agent delivery system formed of a specific type of poly(ester amide) (PEA), a therapeutic agent, and a water miscible solvent is described herein. A method of delivering the therapeutic agent delivery system by delivering the therapeutic agent delivery system formed of a PEA polymer, a therapeutic agent, and a water miscible solvent to a physiological environment and separating the phase of the therapeutic agent delivery system to form a membrane from the polymer to contain the therapeutic agent within the physiological environment is also described. Additionally disclosed is a kit including a syringe and a therapeutic agent delivery system within the syringe. |
| US09603942B2 |
Somatostatin-dopamine chimeric analogs
The present invention relates to novel somatostatin-dopamine chimeric analogs and their therapeutic uses for the inhibition, prevention, and/or treatment of neoplasia, neuroendocrine tumors, Cushing's disease/syndrome, and other conditions. |
| US09603937B2 |
Platform drug delivery system utilizing crystal engineering and theanine dissolution
A platform drug delivery system and a method of improving the delivery of low solubility pharmaceuticals utilizing crystal engineering and Theanine dissolution resulting in enhanced bioactivity, dissolution rate, and solid state stability. |
| US09603936B2 |
Polyethylene glycol based prodrug of adrenomedullin and use thereof
The invention relates to novel polyethylene glycol (PEG) based prodrug of Adrenomedullin, to processes for preparation thereof, to the use thereof for treatment and/or prevention of diseases, and to the use thereof for producing medicaments for treatment and/or prevention of diseases, especially of cardiovascular, edematous and/or inflammatory disorders. |
| US09603933B2 |
Composition for enteric hard capsules, and enteric hard capsule prepared using the composition
A composition for enteric hard capsules, and an enteric hard capsule prepared using the composition. The composition for enteric hard capsules may include polyol having at least three hydroxyl groups. During the storage of the enteric hard capsule prepared using the composition, the separation of salt from the capsule is delayed. |
| US09603932B2 |
Intravaginal ring comprising polyurethane composition for drug delivery
Intravaginal drug delivery device comprising at least one pharmaceutically active substance, and a polyurethane copolymer, wherein the copolymer has the structure according to formula (I): Also, method comprising administering one or more pharmaceutically active substances to a patient in need thereof. |
| US09603930B2 |
Liquid bendamustine formulation
The present invention provides stable bendamustine-containing pharmaceutical compositions suitable for long term storage. The compositions include bendamustine, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, and/or a hydrate form thereof, a solvent mixture of N,N-dimethylacetamide and glycerin, and an antioxidant. The bendamustine-containing compositions have less than about 2% of total impurities after two month storage at 25° C./60% RH. The pharmaceutical compositions may be used for treating neoplastic diseases. |
| US09603925B2 |
Compositions comprising TL1A-Ig fusion protein for the regulation of T regulatory cells, and methods for their use
Compositions comprising TL1A-Ig fusion proteins and methods of their use, e.g., for the treatment of diseases and disorders associated with antigen-specific immune responses, are described. Also described are combination therapies that include the administration of a TNFRSF25 agonist and an interleukin (e.g., IL-2) and/or an mTOR inhibitor (e.g., rapamycin). |
| US09603924B2 |
Bovine virus vaccines that are liquid stable
The present invention discloses liquid stable bovine vaccines that comprise a live attenuated virus, and a sugar alcohol. The present invention also discloses the manufacture of such vaccines and methods of protecting an animal by administration of such vaccines. |
| US09603923B2 |
Universal carrier for targeting molecules to GB3 receptor expressing cells
The present invention concerns an universal polypeptidic carrier for targeting directly or indirectly a molecule to Gb3 receptor expressing cells and having the following formula STxB-Z(n)-Cys, wherein: STxB is the Shiga Toxin B subunit or a functional equivalent thereof, Z is an amino-acid devoided of sulfydryl group, n being 0, 1 or a polypeptide, Cys is the amino-acid Cysteine, and the use thereof for MHC class I and MHC class II presentation of antigens. |
| US09603920B2 |
Compositions and methods for treating influenza
The present application provides compositions and methods useful for treating influenza. As described herein, the compositions and methods are based on the development of peptides and peptide combinations which exhibit immunogenic properties against influenza. In some embodiments, the peptide combinations induce a protective response against multiple strains of influenza, e.g., seasonal strains of influenza or even the new pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus of swine origin. |
| US09603919B2 |
Method for prophylaxis of influenza using vaccine for intranasal administration
The present invention provides a vaccine composition for transnasal mucous membrane administration, which contains an influenza virus antigen, polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (poly (I:C)) or a derivative thereof and a carboxyvinyl polymer. The present invention also provides a prophylactic method of influenza, including a step of administering the vaccine composition at least once to the nasal mucosa of a subject in need thereof. |
| US09603917B2 |
Immunologically active compositions
This invention provides a microparticle carrier system comprising of one or more proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids or other bioactive substances with or without targeting molecules attached. In addition, the invention also provides immune modulatory compositions and methods of eliciting protective immune responses both in uninfected and infected hosts as well as the induction of immune tolerance. |
| US09603915B2 |
Compositions and methods of enhancing immune responses to Eimeria or limiting Eimeria infection
Vaccine vectors and methods of using the vaccine vectors to enhance the immune response to an Apicomplexan parasite and reduce the morbidity or morality associated with subsequent infection are provided herein. The vaccine vectors include a polynucleotide encoding a Rhomboid polypeptide and optionally include an immune-stimulatory polypeptide suitably expressed on the surface of the vaccine vector. |
| US09603911B2 |
Ribotoxin molecules derived from sarcin and other related fungal ribotoxins
The present application relates to modified T cell epitopes derived from fungal ribotoxins, including a-sarcin, clavin, gigantin, mitogillin, and restrictocin, as well as modified ribotoxin molecules comprising one or more of the modified epitopes. The modified ribotoxin molecules inhibit protein synthesis, like the wild type ribotoxins, but exhibit reduced immunogenicity as compared to the corresponding wild type ribotoxin. Another aspect relates to a fusion protein which comprises a modified ribotoxin fused or conjugated or otherwise linked to a targeting molecule that is effective for binding a target of interest. Another aspect relates to the use of the modified ribotoxin or fusion protein for treating or managing a disease or condition. |
| US09603910B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions containing hyaluronic acid and collagenase for the topical treatment of wounds, burns and ulcers
The present invention concerns new compositions containing hyaluronic acid or the derivatives thereof in association with the proteolytic enzyme collagenase (and relative pharmaceutical formulations) for the preparation of a dressing for topical treatment of various kinds of wounds, burns of varying depth, pressure sores, vascular ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers as well as for the treatment of hypertrophic and keloid scars. |
| US09603905B2 |
Intranasal insulin administration for the minimization of anesthesia-induced memory loss
Intranasal administration of insulin for a predetermined period prior to anesthesia significantly prevented anesthesia-induced tau hyperphosphorylation and cognitive impairment and enhanced brain insulin signaling in mice. Intranasal insulin thus provides a treatment for prevention of anesthesia-induced tau pathology and increased risk for tauopathies in surgical patients and may be administered to a subject prior to anesthesia, such as by administering several doses of intranasal insulin for several consecutive days prior to any anesthesia. |
| US09603904B2 |
Treating diabetes melitus using insulin injections with less than daily injection frequency
The present invention relates to an insulin derivative for the treatment of a condition or disease where administration of insulin will be of benefit, comprising administering, to a patient in need thereof, effective dosages of the insulin derivative, wherein said insulin derivative exhibits a prolonged profile of action and wherein said dosages are administered at intervals longer than 24 hours. |
| US09603892B2 |
Peptide compound for inhibiting restenosis and promoting re-endothelialization and method for preparing the same
Provided are a peptide compound prepared by additional synthesis in a drug having an effect of inhibiting restenosis, a composition for inhibiting restenosis and promoting re-endothelialization including the peptide compound, and a stent having a surface coated by using the composition, in order to overcome a restenosis problem in the stent. |
| US09603891B2 |
Peptide compound for inhibiting restenosis and promoting re-endothelialization and method for preparing the same
Provided are a peptide compound prepared by additional synthesis in a drug having an effect of inhibiting restenosis, a composition for inhibiting restenosis and promoting re-endothelialization including the peptide compound, and a stent having a surface coated by using the composition, in order to overcome a restenosis problem in the stent. |
| US09603889B2 |
IAP antagonists
There are disclosed compounds that modulate the activity of inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs), pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds and methods of treating proliferative disorders and disorders of dysregulated apoptosis, such as cancer, utilizing the compounds of the invention. |
| US09603885B2 |
Picrorhiza extract for prevention, elimination and treatment of infection diseases
An anti-viral composition comprising terpenes and fatty acids found in the Scophulariaceae family of plants is disclosed. It further comprises other lipophillic constituents and the aglycons of the glycosides occurring in said family of plants. Preferably, the composition is derived by extraction of the roots and rhizomes of mixtures of Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle, Picrorhiza scrophularflora Pennell and Neopicrorhiza scrophula iflora. Solvents and solvent combinations are disclosed. The composition is effective against both DNA and RNA viruses and against fungal, bacterial, parasitic and protozoal infections and diseases and also as a hepatoprotective, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-diabetic and kidney-protective agent. Anti-bodies and vaccines for the cited diseases can be made by administration of the composition to animal or other subjects. |
| US09603877B2 |
Isolated nucleotide molecule and method of sensing and killing of pathogenic microorganism
The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising (a) a first nucleotide sequence encoding a protein that detects the presence, amount or both of a pathogenic microorganism by forming a complex with a quorum sensing molecule produced by said pathogenic microorganism, (b) one or more second nucleotide sequence said one or more second nucleotide sequence being under control of a promoter that is induced by the complex of the protein encoded by the first nucleotide sequence and the quorum sensing molecule produced by said pathogenic microorganism and encoding (i) an antimicrobial peptide, wherein the antimicrobial peptide is effective against the pathogenic microorganism detected by the protein encoded by the first nucleotide sequence; and/or an antibiofilm enzyme wherein the antibiofilm enzyme is effective against the pathogenic microorganism detected by the protein encoded by the first nucleotide sequence; and (c) optionally a third nucleotide sequence encoding a protein that controls the motility of the host organism, wherein the protein that controls the motility of the host organism directs the motility of the host organism towards said pathogenic microorganism. A recombinant microorganism comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecule and a method of sensing and killing pathogenic microorganisms is also described. |
| US09603865B2 |
Methods for the treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis D virus infections
It is disclosed a method for treating hepatitis B virus infection or hepatitis B virus/hepatitis delta virus co-infection, the method comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment a first pharmaceutically acceptable agent that comprises at least one phosphorothioated nucleic acid polymer and a second pharmaceutically acceptable agent that comprises at least one nucleoside/nucleotide analog HBV polymerase inhibitor. |
| US09603864B2 |
Substituted nucleosides, nucleotides and analogs thereof
Disclosed herein are nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleotide analogs, methods of synthesizing the same and methods of treating diseases and/or conditions such as a Coronaviridae virus, a Togaviridae virus, a Hepeviridae virus and/or a Bunyaviridae virus infection with one or more nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleotide analogs. |
| US09603863B2 |
Substituted nucleosides, nucleotides and analogs thereof
Disclosed herein are nucleosides, nucleotide analogs, methods of synthesizing nucleotide analogs and methods of treating diseases and/or conditions such as a Filoviridae virus infection with one or more nucleosides and/or nucleotide analogs. |
| US09603862B2 |
Activation and activators of SIRT5
The invention provides a method of increasing a deacetylase activity of SIRT5 by contacting SIRT5 with an agent that binds SIRT5 and reduces the Km of SIRT5 for a substrate, thereby increasing the deacetylase activity of SIRT5. The invention also provides a method for treating a urea cycle disorder in a mammal, as well as a method of assaying a sirtuin modulator. |
| US09603859B2 |
Methods and products for increasing the rate of healing of tissue wounds
Disclosed are methods for increasing the rate of healing of a tissue wound by administering a composition including a therapeutically effective amount of at least one cationic steroid antimicrobial (CSA). Also disclosed herein are methods of promoting wound healing in a subject in need of such promotion, comprising administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one CSA. Additionally, disclosed herein are compounds and compositions comprising at least one CSA, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in the treatment of a tissue wound. Kits comprising such compositions and instructions on such methods are also contemplated herein. |
| US09603858B2 |
Compositions for preventing and treating an immune system disorder
The present invention relates to methods of treating, preventing, or decreasing the occurrence of a condition characterized by Th2 overactivation or impaired Th1, or mitigating symptoms associated with a condition characterized by Th2 overactivation or impaired Th1, comprising orally administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprising a plant stanol and/or plant stanol ester. The present invention also relates to methods of improving the health status of a subject suffering from asthma and increasing the levels of IL-10 in a subject in need thereof. |
| US09603857B2 |
Inflammatory disease model and method of treatment
Model and method of treating inflammatory diseases. Traditional treatments for such diseases include administering to the patient toxic anti-inflammatory drugs. Following stabilization of the symptoms, the drug doses are tapered down to minimize side effects, as a result of which inflammation remains high and the disease is rarely cured. A chemistry-based disease model concludes that irrespective of the role that inflammation plays in the disease, inflammation reduction will impede disease initiation and progression. Managing and controlling inflammatory diseases requires reducing inflammation to acceptable normal values. Non-toxic ways such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-inflammatory diets, and regular exercise allow such reduction in inflammation to normal values, thereby slowing down or arresting disease progression and allowing the discontinuation or reduction of toxic anti-inflammatory therapy while maintaining low inflammation using non-toxic therapy. |
| US09603855B2 |
Injectable osteogenic formula and method of using same
Formulations and methods for growing hone in a site specific location using an osteogenic molecule such as a prostaglandin, and a delivery vehicle which is preferably a polymer matrix. |
| US09603854B2 |
Indolizine compounds, a process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing them
Compounds of formula (I): wherein Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, X, Y and Het are as defined in the description. Medicinal products containing the same which are useful in treating pathologies involving a deficit in apoptosis, such as cancer, auto-immune diseases, and diseases of the immune system. |
| US09603849B2 |
Uses of orvepitant
This invention relates to the new use of the compound (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and pharmaceutical compositions containing it for the treatment of pruritus and to combinations for such a use. |
| US09603841B2 |
Vector delivery-based microbicides
A new class of anti-microbial agents and methods for preventing or reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections and/or diseases is provided. Preferably, these anti-microbial agents are also contraceptive and, thus, also prevent or reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancies. The anti-microbial agents comprise a delivery vector having anti-microbial activity (and preferably contraceptive activity) coupled with a nitric oxide donor moiety. |
| US09603839B2 |
Thioredoxin protein inhibitors and uses thereof
A method of treating a fungal infection in a subject including administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a thioredoxin protein inhibitor to treat the fungal infection in the subject. |
| US09603835B2 |
Use of 3-(R)-[3-(2-methoxyphenylthio)-2-(S)-methylpropyl]amino-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzoxathiepine for treating cancer and in particular for preventing and/or treating cancer metastases
The present invention relates to the use of 3-(R)-[3-(2-methoxyphenylthio)-2-(S)-methyl-propyl]amino-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzoxathiepine or one of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for treating cancer and particularly in preventing and/or treating cancerous metastases. |
| US09603833B2 |
Benzene or thiophene derivative and use thereof as VAP-1 inhibitor
The present invention provides a novel benzene derivative or thiophene derivative useful as a VAP-1 inhibitor, or a medicament for the prophylaxis or treatment of a VAP-1 associated disease and the like, namely, a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein each symbol is as defined in the present specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. |
| US09603830B2 |
Compositions and methods for preventing and recovery from detrimental effects of alcohol consumption
Disclosed are compositions, devices, and methods to prevent and recover from detrimental effects of alcohol consumption, including significant undesirable symptoms of a hangover consciously felt by the alcohol consumer, as well as those that may not be consciously experienced. The present technology comprehensively targets multiple negative effects of hangovers. In one aspect, a composition includes dihydromyricetin (DHM); and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). The composition may further include Prickly Pear Extract, Milk Thistle, Ginger Root, Vitamins B, C, and E, electrolytes, and/or sugars. |
| US09603828B2 |
Sulforaphane isolation and purification
The present invention relates to methods of isolating and purifying sulforaphane. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods of isolating and purifying sulforaphane from natural sources. The present invention also relates to methods of forming high purity complexes of sulforaphane with cyclodextrin. |
| US09603825B2 |
Compositions and methods of use of phorbol esters
Methods and compositions containing a phorbol ester or a derivative of a phorbol ester are provided for the treatment of cytopathic diseases. Cytopathic diseases may be caused by a variety means such as viral infections like HIV and AIDS in a mammalian subject. The methods and compositions of the invention are effective for inhibiting de novo HIV infection, upregulating viral expression from latent provirus, inhibiting HIV-induced cytopathic effects, down regulating the HIV receptor, increasing ThI cytokine expression, and decreasing Th2 cytokine expression. Additional compositions and methods are provided which employ a phorbol ester or derivative compound in combination with at least one additional agent such as those used in HAART protocols or therapeutic agents used to treat opportunistic infections due to HIV in mammalian subjects. |
| US09603822B2 |
Therapeutic compositions
Ingenol angelate is a potent anticancer agent, and can be stabilised by dissolving it in an aprotic solvent in the presence of an acidic buffer. |
| US09603820B2 |
Ornithine aminotransferase inhibition with GABA analogues for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Therapeutic methods relating to the use of GABA-AT inhibitor compounds for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. |
| US09603818B2 |
S isomers of alpha-methyl-hydrocinnamic acid for the treatment of blood disorders
The present intervention generally relates to compositions comprising S-isomer of alpha-methyl-hydrocinnamic acid for the treatment and/or prevention of blood disorders and blood deficiencies, as well as methods for treating blood disorders and/or blood deficiency in a subject by administering a composition comprising S-isomer of alpha-methyl-hydrocinnamic acid to the subject to ameliorate at least one symptom associated with the blood disorder. Another aspect relates to administration of an S-isomer of alpha-methyl-hydrocinnamic acid stimulate multi-lineage hematopoietic cell production in a subject, for example, increasing the numbers of circulating neutrophils, erythrocytes and platelets. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to administration of S-isomer of alpha-methyl-hydrocinnamic acid, e.g., by oral administration to a subject for the treatment of blood disorders, for example but not limited to, hemaglobinapathy, thalassemia and aplastic anemia. In some embodiments, the oral pharmaceutical formulation comprising an S-isomer of α-methyl-hydrocinnamic acid can be used to increase red blood cell proliferation, or increase the proliferation of hemoglobin-expressing cells in a subject in need thereof, e.g., a subject having a blood deficiency such as a subject undergone chemotherapy or radiation exposure or radiation therapy. In some embodiments, a formulation comprising an S-isomer of alpha-methyl-hydrocinnamic acid (ST7S) can be used to simulate myelopiesis or erythropoiesis in a subject in need thereof. |
| US09603812B2 |
Treatment of autistic spectrum disorder
A method for treating a patient having ASD is disclosed. The method includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist in an extended release dosage form in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of inositol. |
| US09603810B2 |
Nanoimprinting of silk fibroin structures for biomedical and biophotonic applications
The present invention provides for photonic nanoimprinted silk fibroin-based materials and methods for making same, comprising embossing silk fibroin-based films with photonic nanometer scale patterns. In addition, the invention provides for processes by which the silk fibroin-based films can be nanoimprinted at room temperature, by locally decreasing the glass transition temperature of the silk film. Such nanoimprinting process increases high throughput and improves potential for incorporation of silk-based photonics into biomedical and other optical devices. |
| US09603807B2 |
Enteral administration of sorbent polymer for treatment and prophylaxis of inflammation
The invention provides a method of ameliorating inflammation in a patient involving administering to the patient a therapeutically effective dose of composition including polystyrene divinyl benzene copolymer and a polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer. More particularly, the method relates to using these polymers as an enteral sorbent preparation to remove inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, from the intestinal lumen. The polymers can be in the form of a preparation of polystyrene divinyl benzene copolymer beads with a biocompatible polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer coating. |
| US09603806B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori
Single oral solid dosage form comprising an immediate release first dosage composition having at least two antibiotic agents and a delayed release second dosage composition having a proton pump inhibitor are provided herein. The single oral solid dosage form according to some aspects of the invention can be used for the treatment of disorders associated with infection by H. pylori or the prevention of recurrence of disorders associated with infection by H. pylori. |
| US09603805B2 |
Easily dosable solid preparation
It has been desired to develop a coating composition, which is used for an orally-administered preparation having an improved administering property, and/or an easily administrable preparation that does not affect dissolution property. The present invention provides a coating composition comprising: a first thickener selected from the group consisting of a carboxyvinyl polymer and sodium alginate; a polyvalent metal compound; at least one type of a second thickener selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, guar gum and sodium alginate, with the proviso that when the first thickener is sodium alginate the second thickener is not sodium alginate; and sucralose. |
| US09603798B2 |
Antibody-conjugated double-emulsion nanocapsule and preparation methods thereof
An antibody-conjugated double-emulsion nanocapsule is provided. A linking group is introduced on the surface of a double-emulsion nanocapsule, which is composed of an oily shell enclosing an aqueous core, to link the double-emulsion nanocapsule with an antibody. |
| US09603797B2 |
Oral and/or buccal composition in the form of a thin film of a weakly soluble active ingredient, method of preparing same and use of same
The present invention relates to an oral and/or buccal composition in the form of a thin film of a pharmaceutically active ingredient weakly soluble in water and gastro-intestinal tract fluids, comprising particles of said active ingredient dispersed in a film-forming polymer, at least 50% by weight of the total weight of the active ingredient having a particle size distribution such that at least 90% of said particles have a size below 1000 nm, preferably less than 800 nm, and even more preferably less than 600 nm, and to the method of preparing that composition and the use thereof. |
| US09603795B2 |
Composite for preparing a transdermal delivery device and method for synthesizing the composite thereof
A composite for preparing a transdermal delivery device and a method for synthesizing the composite thereof comprising at least one polymer and at least one macrocyclic molecule, wherein the at least one polymer and the at least one macrocyclic molecule are adapted to form a complex. |
| US09603794B2 |
Preparations of effervescent formulations comprising cephalosporin and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a process for preparing effervescent dosage forms comprising at least one antibiotic of cephalosporin group. The present invention also relates to effervescent formulations and preparations comprising antibiotics of second generation cephalosporin. |
| US09603793B2 |
Nano / micro bubbles for drug delivery
The present invention provides a nano/micro bubble system for drug delivery comprising a gas core, a plurality of surfactants and an active ingredient. The surfactants surround the gas core and form a double-layer structure having an inner layer and outer layer. The active ingredient is embedded in a gap formed between the inner layer and the outer layer of the double-layer structure and comprises a nucleic acid, a peptide or a protein. |
| US09603789B2 |
Composition containing a natural extract
Disclosed is a composition containing an active ingredient or ingredients comprising an extract or extracts of one or more constituents selected from the group consisting of Astragalus membranaceus, Saururus chinensis, Glycyrrhizae radix, rose, rhubarb, Acanthopanax senticosus and cortex Phellodendri. The composition is efficacious in suppressing acneiform pigment deposition and/or pitted scars, and can be used to advantage in various ways in the fields of cosmetics, foods and drugs. |
| US09603788B2 |
Hair styling composition
An object of the present invention is to provide a hair styling composition formulated to make hair styling easy and to add wet-look shine to hair. The hair styling composition which achieves the above object contains (A) a thickener, (B) a hair fixative polymer and/or a liquid oil, (C) a wax particle dispersion, and (D) water. In the hair styling composition of the present invention, the wax particle dispersion (C) is preferably an Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) wax particle dispersion or a beeswax particle dispersion, or preferably contains wax, at least one nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene cetyl ether and polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene cetyl ether, and water. |
| US09603787B2 |
Sunscreen formulations comprising Gemini surfactants and silicone based surfactants
A non-whitening sunscreen formulation for application to wet skin includes a surfactant system and organic UV absorbing materials where surfactant system includes a silicon based surfactant and a nonionic Gemini surfactant. Methods of making the sunscreen formulation are also included. |
| US09603783B2 |
Three-phase cosmetic compositions comprising nacres
This invention relates to a cosmetic composition comprising a physiologically acceptable medium containing aqueous phase, an oily phase and nacre particles, constituted of a substrate partially or totally coated with one or more layers. |
| US09603780B2 |
Dental composition
Dental composition comprising a water-soluble polymerizable compound of the following formula (1): wherein A is a linear or branched linker group represented by the following formula (3), wherein the nitrogen atom of at least two of the termini forms an amide bond with an X moiety; wherein R′ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon group, wherein each R may be the same or different L1, L2, and L3 which may be the same or different, independently represent a single bond, or a C2-20 straight-chain, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon group optionally containing from 1 to 6 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen and oxygen in the backbone of the hydrocarbon group, and optionally from 1 to 6 functional groups selected from carboxylic acid groups or a salt thereof, hydroxyl groups, thiol groups and amino groups, and in case a plurality of L1 and L2 are present, each of L1 and L2 may be the same or different; Q1 and Q2, which may be the same or different, independently represent a single bond or a linkage selected from an amide, a urethane, a urea and a thiourea linkage; k is an integer of at least 0, X are moieties containing a polymerizable double bond and forming an amide bond with a nitrogen atom of A, wherein each X may be the same or different and are represented by the following formula (2): wherein R1 and R2 are independent from each other and represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group or a group —(CH2)m—COOM, wherein M represents a hydrogen atom or a metal atom, m is an integer of from 0 to 6, L is a bond or a C1-6 alkylene group; and n is an integer of at least 2; (ii) an initiator system; optionally a polyacidic polymer; optionally water and/or a water soluble solvent; and optionally a particulate filler. |
| US09603779B2 |
Dental composite material having stable pasty property
A composite material including silanated filler and mixed polymerizable monomer, having a stable pasty property which keeps well and has a consistent usability. A composite material containing a silanated filler, a polymerizable monomer, and a polymerization initiator, and may be produced by a process which includes a mixed polymerizable monomer preparing step, a silanation step, a silanated filler preserving step, a composite material preparing step, a composite material preserving step, a composite material filling step, and a small quantity preserving container preserving step. |
| US09603771B1 |
Chest compression device and linen attachment assembly for chest compression device
A chest compression device and a linen attachment assembly for a chest compression device are presented herein. In particular, the chest compression device is connectable to an air pulse generator for performing chest compression therapy or techniques while one or more chest panels are positioned in an overlying relation to the patient's chest. The device includes an attachment assembly disposed on opposite sides thereof and includes one or more connectors attached to the chest panel(s) and a separate grooved anchor. The grooved anchor is positioned under the linen on opposite sides of the patient, the connector attaches to the anchor through the linen, pinching the linen there between. |
| US09603765B2 |
Telescoping and elevating femoral support
A system for manipulating the position and orientation of a patient's leg includes an extension rail configured to be coupled to an operating table or bed. In addition, the system includes an elongate support rail coupled to the extension rail and having a longitudinal axis. Further, the system includes a deck coupled to the support rail. The deck is configured to be moved axially relative to the support rail. |
| US09603764B2 |
Method and apparatus for a locking caster
A lockable swivelable caster provides for an interaction between a centering element and a locking element to pivotally urge the locking element into a locking notch of the centering element such that the locking element is captured by the locking notch to prevent swiveling of the caster wheel. |
| US09603758B1 |
In-floor vehicle ramp
A ramp system includes a base frame adapted to be mounted to a vehicle. First and second elongate track members are mounted to the base frame in generally parallel, spaced-apart relation so that they extend along a longitudinal direction. A trolley assembly is moveably mounted to the first and second elongate track members so that the trolley assembly is moveable along the longitudinal direction between retracted and extended positions. A ramp member is pivotally mounted to the trolley assembly. A support roller mounted to the base frame supports a portion of the ramp member. A handle assembly mounted to the ramp member allows a user to move the ramp member between the retracted and extended positions. |
| US09603755B2 |
Absorbent article with klemm gradient and water repellent finishing
An absorbent member containing a hydrophobic material subjected to hydrophilic treatment, a plurality of through holes passing through the absorbent member in a thickness direction formed at a portion of the absorbent member in a target region (P). The absorbent member has a layer-stacked structure of a plurality of layers, stacked in the thickness direction. The Klemm water absorption height of a lower layer most proximal to the backsheet is higher than that of an upper layer most proximal to the topsheet. The backsheet contains a moisture permeable film including a plurality of microvoids, and having water repellent portions formed by water repellent finishing, on a portion in the target region (P) of a skin-facing surface of the moisture permeable film. A ratio of the total area of portions on which the water repellent finishing is performed to the area of the target region (P) is from 30% to 60%. |
| US09603751B2 |
Methods for transferring discrete articles
A method of transferring discrete articles from or to a moving carrier member using a transfer assembly is provided. The transfer assembly includes a frame defining a rotation axis and a transfer member including a transfer surface configured to receive one of the discrete articles. The method includes rotating the transfer member about the rotation axis and maintaining a substantially constant pressure between the substantially flat transfer surface and the rotating carrier member throughout a zone of discrete article transfer. |
| US09603749B2 |
Nasal drip pad
A nasal drip pad apparatus for use on a patient after sinus surgery including a drip pad assembly positioned underneath the patient's nose and a string forming a continuous loop configured to extend through the interior of the drip pad assembly configured to form a pair of loops. One of the loops is placed around one of the patient's ears and the other one of the loops is placed around the other one of the patient's ears. |
| US09603747B2 |
Adhesive tape made of silicone intended for medical applications
An adhesive tape (1) made of silicone is intended for medical applications. The tape (1) has a sheet material (12) based on nonwoven fibers, coated on an internal face (12a) intended to be in contact with the skin, with a barrier membrane (14) which adheres to the sheet material, based on crosslinked silicone polymer, and with a layer (16) of atraumatic and biocompatible silicone adhesive gel, and on an external face (12b), with a layer (18) of a nonstick and waterproof polymer based on a fluorosilicone or fluorocarbon polymer. |
| US09603745B2 |
Introducer for otolaryngological devices
Provided is an introducer for use with otolaryngological devices such as Eustachian tube stents. The introducer includes a guide, a stopper, an engager, and a release mechanism. An otolaryngological device having a first surface and a second surface that is nonparallel to the first surface may be loaded on the introducer by frictionally engaging the first surface of the device to a distal terminus of the engager. The device may be unloaded from the introducer by actuating the release mechanism. Upon actuation, the release mechanism slides the distal terminus of the engager toward the guide while the stopper abuts the second surface of the device. As a result, the relative motion between the engager and the stopper slides the device off the engager. Also provided are kits that include the introducer and methods for using the introducer. |
| US09603744B2 |
Adaptable patient interface
Systems and methods are described for stabilizing an eye for an ocular laser procedure while minimizing corneal distortions which can adversely affect a surgical laser beam. For the systems, a patient interface includes a contact element for stabilizing the eye and establishing a conformal interface with the anterior surface of the cornea. More specifically, devices are disclosed which overlay both a central corneal region and a peripheral corneal region. In some embodiments, a first material is used in the contact element to overlay the central corneal region and a second material is used in the contact element to overlay the peripheral corneal region. Typically, the first and second materials differ in terms of hardness and deformability. In another embodiment disclosed herein, a contact element having a viscoelastic material for stabilizing an eye for a laser procedure is described. |
| US09603742B2 |
Remote magnetic driven flow system
A system for implantation in an eye of a patient includes a flow device sized for implantation into the eye of the patient. The flow device includes a fluid flow passageway and a flow system. The flow system may include a regulator having a magnetic element, and may be displaceable in the fluid flow passageway to affect flow through the fluid flow passageway. The system may also include a control device physically separate from the flow device and configured to be disposed outside the eye, the control device comprising an actuator magnetic field generator configured to act on the magnetic element to adjust the regulator in the flow system to selectively adjust flow through the flow device in response to changes in intraocular pressure. |
| US09603740B2 |
Device for vitrectomy surgical operations
A vitrectomy probe for removing vitreous material from an eyeball, having a longitudinal axis and an outer tube with a closed end and a lateral surface, at least one inlet port located proximate to the closed end and configured to allow the vitreous material to enter into the outer tube; an inner tube arranged in the outer tube to relatively move with respect to the outer tube, the inner tube having an opening with a cutting profile through which the vitreous material can be cut and can enter the inner tube. A drive unit configured for causing the outer tube and the inner tube to move relatively with respect to each other, in such a way that the cutting profile cuts the vitreous material entering the inlet port. |
| US09603733B2 |
Highly flexible stent
A stent includes: wavy-line pattern bodies having a wavy-line pattern and arranged side-by-side in an axial direction; and coiled elements arranged between the wavy-line pattern bodies adjacent and extending in a spiral manner around an axis, in which all apices on opposite sides of the wavy-line pattern of the wavy-line pattern bodies that are adjacent are connected by way of the coiled element. When viewing in a radial direction, a circular direction-of the wavy-line pattern bodies is inclined with respect to the radial direction, and a winding direction of one of the coiled elements located at one side in the axial direction with respect to the wavy-line pattern bodies and a winding direction of one other of the coiled elements located at the other side in the axial direction are opposite. |
| US09603728B2 |
Bioerodible magnesium alloy microstructures for endoprostheses
A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible magnesium alloy. The bioerodible magnesium alloy has a microstructure including equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains having an average grain diameter of less than or equal to 5 microns and second-phase precipitates in grain boundaries between the equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains. The beta-phase precipitates have an average longest dimension of 0.5 micron or less. The microstructure can be produced by one or more equal-channel high-strain processes. |
| US09603726B2 |
Adjustable seal system, seal component and method for using the same
An adjustable seal system, seal component for use in the system, and method are provided for forming a sealing interface between a residual limb and a prosthetic socket. The seal component is selectively placed over the outer surface of a suspension liner including a plurality of seal bands, which the seal component may removably and securely engage. |
| US09603724B2 |
Robust swing leg controller under large disturbances
Local swing leg control was developed that takes advantage of segment interactions to achieve robust leg placement under large disturbances while generating trajectories and joint torque patterns similar to those observed in human walking and running. The results suggest the identified control as a powerful alternative to existing swing leg controls in humanoid and rehabilitation robotics. Alternatively, a detailed neuromuscular model of the human swing leg was developed to embody the control with local muscle reflexes. The resulting reflex control robustly places the swing leg into a wide range of landing points observed in human walking and running, and it generates similar patterns of joint torques and muscle activations. The results suggest an alternative to existing swing leg controls in humanoid and rehabilitation robotics which does not require central processing. |
| US09603722B2 |
Alignment guide
A surgical instrument alignment guide comprising a mount (2) arranged to be coupled to a bone of a patient, an alignment rod (4), a guide rod (24) and an indicator (26). The alignment rod (4) has a first end pivotally coupled to the mount (2) such that the inclination of the alignment rod (4) relative to the mount (2) is adjustable. The guide rod (24) is couplable to a second end of the alignment rod (4) at an adjustable angle and orientation such that the guide rod (24) can extend transverse to the alignment rod (4). The indicator (26) is coupled to the guide rod (24) to indicate when the guide rod (24) lies at a desired angle relative to a horizontal axis. Also disclosed is a method of aligning a surgical instrument using the surgical instrument alignment guide. |
| US09603720B2 |
Osteotome guide configured to attach to an implanted femoral component
Guides configured to guide one or more osteotomes to remove a femoral component that is implanted in a femur. When implanted, the femoral component includes a stem implanted within the femur, a proximal end that extends from the femur, and a receptacle in the proximal end. The guides are configured to attach to the femoral component and attach to the receptacle in the femoral component. The guides include one or more openings sized to guide the osteotomes along the stem of the femoral component. The guides may further include multiple different sections that can be attached together. |
| US09603718B2 |
Spacer with temporary fixation plate
A system for spinal fusion includes a spacer, a plate, an attachment member, and a first temporary fixation screw. The spacer includes a first coupling aperture having a first thread with a thread pitch that is greater than or equal to one third of a depth of the first coupling aperture. The plate includes a first attachment aperture and second coupling aperture. The attachment member includes a mating thread that mates with the first thread. The attachment member is configured to couple the spacer and the plate when inserted through the second coupling aperture and rotated to engage the first thread of the first coupling aperture. The first temporary fixation screw is configured to attach the plate to a first vertebra when inserted through the first attachment aperture and driven into the first vertebra. |
| US09603711B2 |
Patient-adapted and improved articular implants, designs and related guide tools
Methods and devices are disclosed relating improved articular models, implant components, and related guide tools and procedures. In addition, methods and devices are disclosed relating articular models, implant components, and/or related guide tools and procedures that include one or more features derived from patient-data, for example, images of the patient's joint. The data can be used to create a model for analyzing a patient's joint and to devise and evaluate a course of corrective action. The data also can be used to create patient-adapted implant components and related tools and procedures. |
| US09603710B2 |
Methods of manufacturing perforated osteochondral allograft compositions
Osteochondral graft composition that include a cartilage component and a bone component, and which include one or more perforations in the bone component and/or the cartilage component, are provided. Methods of manufacturing and using such osteochondral graft compositions are also provided. |
| US09603708B2 |
Low crossing profile delivery catheter for cardiovascular prosthetic implant
A delivery catheter and a method for deploying a cardiovascular prosthetic implant using a minimally invasive procedure are disclosed. The delivery catheter comprises an elongate, flexible catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end has an outer diameter of 18 French or less, a cardiovascular prosthetic implant at the distal end of the catheter body, wherein the cardiovascular prosthetic implant comprises an inflatable cuff and a tissue valve coupled to the inflatable cuff, and at least one link between the catheter body and the cardiovascular prosthetic implant. |
| US09603702B2 |
Intraocular lenses for managing glare, adhesion, and cell migration
An intraocular lens for providing vision to a subject contains an optic, a support structure coupled to the optic. The intraocular lens also includes a textured surface and/or subsurface layer. The optic is disposed about an optical axis and comprises an anterior surface and an opposing posterior surface, the surfaces being configured to focus light when implanted within an eye having a capsular bag. The textured surface is disposed over a surface portion of the intraocular lens. The subsurface layer is configured to scatter an amount of light that is at least twice the amount of light scattered by portions of the material adjacent the subsurface layer or at least twice the amount of light scattered by another intraocular lens that does not have the subsurface layer, but which is otherwise substantially equivalent. |
| US09603698B2 |
Biocompatible mesh implant
A mesh device for supporting one or a combination of a breast implant or breast tissue is provided formed of interlaced filaments forming a mesh structure which will not unravel when cut across a mid section of the mesh device. A titanium layer positioned on the exterior surface of the filaments of the mesh provide both a biocompatible interface with surrounding tissue and enhanced engagement of the filaments to prevent unraveling. |
| US09603694B2 |
System and apparatus for adjustable gastric bypass
An apparatus for gastric bypass is disclosed. The apparatus for gastric bypass includes a primary passage having an input and an output. The apparatus also includes a bypass conduit, coupled to the primary passage, having an input and an output, wherein the passage input is interspersed with the conduit input. The apparatus further has a primary regulator coupled to the primary passage and adjustable to control a primary flow profile from the input to the output of the primary passage. The apparatus also has a bypass regulator coupled to the bypass conduit and adjustable to control a bypass flow profile from the input to the output of the bypass conduit. |
| US09603692B2 |
Embolic filters with controlled pore size
A device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body. The device has a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The filter element includes a material having pores, and the material having pores includes cylindrical wires having at least three different diameters arranged in a pattern of graduated diameters. |
| US09603690B1 |
Container for dental appliances
A container for a dental appliance. The container includes a first compartment with at least one first wall, a first enclosing portion, and a separation plate. The first compartment includes a length, a width, and a height to accept a first dental appliance and indicated by a first indicator. The container includes a second compartment defined by at least one second wall, a second enclosing portion, and the separation plate. The second compartment includes a second length, second width and second height to accept a second dental appliance and indicated by a second indicator. The container includes a moveable and closeable door which opens to permit access to at least one of the first compartment and the second compartment. The dental appliance in the first compartment is separate from the dental appliance in the second compartment by the separation plate, and the container comprises ports to allow circulation. |
| US09603689B2 |
Electronic toothbrush
A toothbrush is provided. The toothbrush includes an elongated shaft having a brushing head removably attached thereon configured to extend and retract the brushing head from a handle portion. The handle portion is configured to support the brushing head, a rotating assembly, and an antimicrobial assembly. The rotating assembly is configured to rotatably drive the brushing head in either clockwise rotation or counterclockwise rotation. The antimicrobial assembly is configured to sterilize the brushing head and the elongated shaft shaft when retracted within the handle portion. The handle portion further includes a control panel on an exterior face of the handle portion configured to allow a user to operate the rotating assembly and/or the antimicrobial assembly. In this way, the toothbrush allows a user to achieve optimal cleaning of his teeth without introducing harmful microorganisms into his oral cavity. |
| US09603688B2 |
Pre-charged prophy angle
A pre-charged prophy angle having a (a) housing that includes a paste chamber, a rotatable head, a drive shaft, and a tube defining in part the paste chamber, the housing and paste chamber configured such that paste within the paste chamber can be dispensed without contacting the drive shaft; (b) a cup secured to the rotatable head, and (c) a paste dispensing assembly having a plunger movably secured to a push rod configured to reciprocally move linearly within the housing, the plunger including a clip for gripping the push rod such that linear movement of the push rod in a first direction causes the plunger to move in the first direction, while the clip precludes movement of the plunger in a second direction when the push rod in directed in the second direction. |
| US09603687B2 |
Oral care implement
Provided is an oral care implement (1), comprising: a body (100); a carrier (130) connected to the body (100) and movable relative to the body (100), the carrier carrying one or more cleaning elements (134); a carrier drive mechanism (200) operable to drive movement of the carrier (130) relative to the body (100); an auxiliary device (400); and an auxiliary device drive mechanism (600) that is selectively engagable with the carrier drive mechanism (200) during operation of the carrier drive mechanism, so as to selectively operate the auxiliary device (400) during movement of the carrier (130) relative to the body (100). Also provided is a method of operating the oral care implement (1), and a kit of parts for an oral care implement. |
| US09603686B2 |
Oral hygiene implement
The present disclosure is concerned with an oral hygiene implement having a neck section extending along a longitudinal direction and having a neck section housing surrounding a neck section cavity, a head section having a through hole therein extending through the head section along a through hole direction having an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction and having a head section housing surrounding the through hole, wherein the through hole defines a first and a second opening in the head section housing, and wherein a cap element separately made from the head section housing is connected with the head section housing to essentially cover the first opening and a carrier element separately made from the head section housing is arranged to cover the second opening. |
| US09603675B2 |
Medical or dental handpiece
Embodiments of a medical or dental handpiece are disclosed. A medical or dental handpiece may include a rotatable drive element to drive a tool that can be connected to the handpiece, a rotational speed measuring device which is designed to generate a variable electric rotational speed measurement signal assigned to the rotational speed of the drive element, a lighting device that can be supplied with electric power for emitting radiation, in particular visible light, onto a treatment site, and at least one shared electric line, which is provided for transmitting electric power to the illumination device and the rotational speed measurement signal of the rotational speed measurement device. Further a corresponding method for the operation of a medical or dental handpiece is disclosed. |
| US09603672B2 |
Mechanized multi-instrument surgical system
A surgical system includes an instrument driver having a distal end positionable in a body cavity and a user input device. The instrument driver and user input device are positioned to removably receive distal and proximal portions, respectively, of a surgical instrument. The user input device is configured to generate movement signals in response to manual manipulation of the proximal portion of the surgical instrument. At least one motor operable to actuate the instrument driver in response to the movement signals and to thereby change position of the distal portion of the surgical instrument within the body cavity. |
| US09603670B2 |
Method for designing and/or optimizing a surgical device
A method for designing and/or optimizing an implant that has one or more through holes with a central axis for receiving a bone fixation element. The method includes: providing a general collection of three-dimensional bone quality data obtained from a patient population; identifying in the patient population N>2 categories of patients with significantly different N>2 homologous sub-collections of bone quality data; and designing an implant or optimizing an existing implant for each of the N>2 sub-collections such that the at least one through hole is located at an optimal place and with an optimal direction of the central axis relative to the implant. The optimal position and direction is chosen based on each of the N>2 sub-collections of data so as to obtain an optimal anchorage of the bone fixation element in the bone when introduced through the through hole. |
| US09603654B2 |
Multi-layer electrode ablation probe and related methods
Electric field delivery and ablation of target tissue regions, including cancerous cells and solid tumors. Methods and systems include delivering an electric field to a target tissue, and may include positioning a first electrode or plurality to at least partially define a first treatment volume in the target tissue; positioning a second electrode or plurality to at least partially define a second treatment volume, the first volume is disposed in the second volume; and establishing a first current flow extending through the first volume and a second current flow extending through the second volume. |
| US09603653B2 |
Apparatus for coagulating tissue
For the coagulation of tissue there are known instruments, in particular probes, that are designed to deliver argon gas into a space between an electrode within the probe and the tissue. In some cases the intention is to coagulate tissues situated at the side of the outlet of the probe. The invention provides an apparatus for coagulating tissue in which the distal end of the electrode projects out of the gas-delivering device or probe, and at said distal end a guiding device for directing and guiding the gas or plasma is disposed in such a way that at least part of the flowing gas or plasma is deflected into a predetermined direction. |
| US09603652B2 |
Electrosurgical instrument including a sensor
An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator, an electrosurgical instrument, an optical clarity sensor and a control component. The electrosurgical generator generates electrosurgical energy for use during electrosurgery. The electrosurgical instrument is coupled to the electrosurgical generator and treats tissue. The optical clarity sensor is coupled to the electrosurgical generator and is adapted to measure tissue with at least two optical frequencies. The control component is operatively coupled to the optical clarity sensor and receives sensor data therefrom. The control component communicates control instructions to the electrosurgical generator to control the generation of the electrosurgical energy. |
| US09603650B2 |
Cryogenic treatment systems
Methods and apparatus for the treatment of a body cavity or lumen are described where a heated fluid and/or gas may be introduced through a catheter and into treatment area within the body contained between one or more inflatable/expandable members. The catheter may also have optional pressure and temperature sensing elements which may allow for control of the pressure and temperature within the treatment zone and also prevent the pressure from exceeding a pressure of the inflatable/expandable members to thereby contain the treatment area between these inflatable/expandable members. Optionally, a chilled, room temperature, or warmed fluid such as water may then be used to rapidly terminate the treatment session. |
| US09603645B2 |
Cement-directing orthopedic implants
A cement-directing structure for use in cement-injection bone therapy includes a collapsible, self-restoring braided structure with regions of differential permeability to the bone cement. The regions of differential permeability may be provided by areas where the braided mesh density is greater or lesser than surrounding areas and/or by means of a baffle. After the structure is placed in a void within a bony structure, cement is injected into the interior of the structure then oozes out in preferred directions according to the locations of the regions of differential permeability. |
| US09603640B2 |
Lower extremity fusion devices and methods
A fusion implant and fusion members for fusing target fusion bones of a lower extremity. The fusion implant including internally threaded apertures of a first thread lead, and fusion members including threading of the first thread lead and threading of a second thread lead that is less than the first thread lead. The fusion implant and a targeting instrument being configured to couple to one another in a predefined orientation. The predetermined orientation resulting in alignment of aspects of the fusion implant with aspects of the targeting instrument. The targeting instrument providing both distraction and compression to the joint between the target fusion bones. A guide instrument for preparing one of the target fusion bones for fusion thereof. A surgical method for applying compression to the joint between the target fusion bones to facilitate fusion thereof utilizing a fusion implant, fusion members, a targeting instrument and a guide instrument. |
| US09603634B1 |
Percutaneous rod-to-rod cross connector
A percutaneous cross connector system for use with implantation rods comprising a rod attachment device comprising a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion. The first jaw portion comprises a first concave surface to engage with a surface of a rod, a first biasing member, and a first pivoting mechanism. The second jaw portion comprises a second concave surface to engage with an opposite surface of the rod from the first jaw portion, a second pivoting mechanism, a second biasing surface, and a second locking surface. The first and second jaw portions can be mated so that the first and second concave surfaces are positioned on opposite sides of the rod, the first and second pivoting mechanisms are aligned to pivot on a common axis, and the first biasing member is engaged against the second biasing surface to drive the second jaw portion against the rod. |
| US09603633B2 |
Interspinous spacer devices for dynamic stabilization of degraded spinal segments
An interspinous spacer device for the treatment of high-grade spinal disorders is disclosed herein. The interspinous spacer device includes a sliding rod and a base that contains a curved internal track that limits the range of motion and center of rotation of the spinal segments stabilized using the device to the physiological levels of a nondegraded spinal segment. |
| US09603631B2 |
Spinal stabilization systems and methods
A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars. |
| US09603625B2 |
Internal joint stabilizer device, system and method of use
A stabilization device is provided including an axle and a portion that can be affixed to a bone. The device is used to stabilize a joint while allowing motion of the joint along its natural trajectory and it is placed internally in order to prevent pin tract problems. Additionally, methods for using the device are provided that include, in various sequences, inserting the axle into a bone of a joint, adjusting the geometry of the device and attaching the fixable portion to another bone of the joint. The device can be provided as part of a system including an axis trajectory guide useful for locating the axis of rotation of the joint prior to insertion, adjustment and attachment of the device. |
| US09603624B2 |
System for myomectomy and morcellation
A method for dissecting a myoma from a uterine wall includes inserting a myomectomy screw retractor into a surgical site, articulating a tool assembly positioned at a distal end of the myomectomy screw retractor such that a screw of the tool assembly is positioned adjacent to the myoma orthogonal to the uterine wall, rotating the screw of the tool assembly into the myoma until the screw is substantially engaged with the myoma, manipulating the myoma by pitching, rotating, and/or providing traction to the myoma to expose cutting planes, and dissecting the myoma from the uterine wall by cutting along the exposed cutting planes. |
| US09603618B2 |
Medical device for removing an implanted object
Methods and devices for separating an implanted object, such as a pacemaker lead, from tissue surrounding such object in a patient's vasculature system. Specifically, the surgical device includes a handle, an elongate sheath and a circular cutting blade that extends from the distal end of the sheath upon actuating the handle. The circular cutting blade is configured to engage the tissue surrounding an implanted lead and cut such tissue in a coring fashion as the surgical device translates along the length of the lead, thereby allowing the lead, as well as any tissue remaining attached to the lead, to enter the device's elongate shaft. The surgical device has a barrel cam cylinder in the handle assembly that imparts rotation of the blade and a separate cam mechanism in the tip of outer sheath assembly that imparts and controls the extension and retraction of the blade. The barrel cam cylinder and cam mechanism cooperate to cause the blade to rotate in a first direction and extend from and retract in the outer sheath due to a first actuation of the handle and to rotate in a second direction and extend and retract in the outer sheath due to a second actuation of the handle. |
| US09603611B2 |
Interbody spacer and plate inserter and methods of use
An attachment guide for an interbody cage and a spinal plate includes a guide body and a coupling element. The guide body includes a proximal end, a pair of flanges, and a distal end. The proximal end includes an inserter attachment element configured to removably receive an inserter instrument. The pair of flanges extends from the guide body and is configured to engage the spinal plate. The distal end includes a surface configured to contact an anterior surface of the interbody cage and a cage engagement element configured to extend distally from the surface and into a wall of the interbody cage. The coupling element extends through an aperture of the guide body from the proximal end to the distal end and is configured to draw the pair of flanges into greater contact with the spinal plate and the cage engagement element into greater contact with the interbody cage. |
| US09603610B2 |
Tools and methods for tissue removal
The present invention is directed to material removal instrument for forming cavities in interior body regions, particularly cavities in intervertebral discs and vertebrae. The instrument includes a cannula and a rotation mechanism disposed at least partially within the cannula. A cutting element extends from the rotation mechanism and impacts and dislocates tissue as the rotation mechanism is rotated within the body. Dislocated tissue with withdrawn from the body via the cannula. |
| US09603605B2 |
High tibial osteotomy guide
A cutting block for use in a bone osteotomy procedure is disclosed, and includes a first cutting guide surface, a second cutting guide surface, and a third cutting guide surface. The first, second, and third cutting guide surfaces are adapted to be temporarily affixed to a bone having a first side and a second side such that the first cutting guide surface is disposed on the first side of the bone, and such that the second cutting guide surface and third cutting guide surface are disposed on the second side of the bone forming an angle therebetween. |
| US09603604B2 |
Orthopaedic cutting block
A bone cutting block includes: a plurality of saw slot plates each including a plurality of ends opposing one another, each of the plurality of ends including a locating feature, the plurality of saw slot plates defining at least one slot therebetween which is configured for receiving a bone saw blade therethrough to make a predefined cut in a bone; and two side plates opposing one another, including a plurality of locating features, and supporting the plurality of saw slot plates, each locating feature of the plurality of saw slot plates being connected with a respective one of the plurality of locating features of the side plates. |
| US09603602B2 |
Uterine compression devices and methods
Disclosed are devices for reducing postpartum hemorrhage, including a belt having a fastener for securing the belt around a patient's body, a bladder being inflatable with air and adapted to be placed over the patient's abdomen for applying selective external pressure to the patient's uterus, a manual pump operably connected to the bladder to change air pressure of the bladder, and a pressure gauge for indicating the air pressure. Methods for using the devices are also disclosed. |
| US09603601B2 |
Occlusion devices including dual balloons and related methods
An occlusion device may comprise a first tube having a first balloon positioned at a distal end, and a second tube having a second balloon positioned at a distal end. The first balloon may be sized and configured to occlude a vascular lumen upstream of a vascular puncture, and the second balloon may be sized and configured to simultaneously occlude the vascular lumen downstream of the vascular puncture. A method of occluding a vascular puncture may comprise positioning a distal end of an occlusion device comprising a first balloon and a second balloon through the vascular puncture and into a vascular lumen. The first balloon may be positioned downstream of the vascular puncture, and the second balloon may be positioning upstream of the vascular puncture. |
| US09603600B2 |
Actuator for deployable implant
Systems and methods are provided for using an actuator to deploy an implant configured to close a tissue puncture or a natural opening in a body. The actuator includes a handle that is rotated in a first direction to deploy a first set of deployable wings of the implant, and that is rotated in a second, opposite direction to deploy a second set of deployable wings of the implant. A guide wire coupled between the implant and the actuator rotates and/or moves axially with the actuator to cause the wings to deploy. After each of the first and second rotation strokes, the handle is prevented from rotating beyond the first and second strokes, respectively. After the wings are deployed to engage tissue therebetween, the handle is operated to eject the implant from the actuator. |
| US09603598B2 |
Surgical stapling device with a curved end effector
In various embodiments, an end effector for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw, wherein one of the first jaw and the second jaw comprises a plurality of staple cavities arranged in a plurality of curved staple cavity rows, and wherein at least one curved staple cavity row extends along a path. The path comprises a first curved portion comprising a first longitudinal vector component and a second curved portion comprising a second longitudinal vector component, wherein the second longitudinal vector component is opposite of the first longitudinal vector component. The end effector further comprises a firing member comprising a laterally-offset cutting edge, a first camming surface configured to engage the first jaw, and a second camming surface configured to engage the second jaw. |
| US09603596B2 |
Systems and methods for closing a tissue opening
Tissue closure devices include one or more closure components, each closure component having a first member and a second member, each of the first and second members having a first surface that adheres to a tissue surface proximate to the tissue opening, each of the first and second members having a second surface substantially orthogonal to the first surface, and each of the first and second members having a transitional region between the first surface and the second surface which is contoured to evert an edge of the tissue opening upon the drawing together of the first and second members. |
| US09603586B2 |
Methods and devices for cutting and collecting soft tissue
Devices and methods for cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue. The device may include an integrated cut and collect assembly. The integrated cut and collect assembly includes a cutting portion and a collection portion that includes a flexible membrane. The collection portion of the assembly is attached to the cutting portion thereof. The cutting portion is configured to cut the specimen from the mass of tissue and the collection portion is configured to collect the cut specimen and to encapsulate and isolate the cut specimen within the membrane to enable its safe retraction from the mass of tissue. |
| US09603584B2 |
Systems and methods for intravascular imaging with rotational transducers for concurrently imaging blood flow and tissue
A method for generating a composite image using an intravascular imaging device includes receiving reflected echo signals from at least one transducer along a first of a plurality of radial scan lines. The received echo signals are passed through a plurality of signal processing channels to form a plurality of filtered signals. The filtered signals include a high-resolution tissue structure signal and at least one first pre-blood-flow-mask signal. High-resolution tissue structure signals are processed to form a high-resolution tissue structural image. First pre-blood-flow-mask signals are cross-correlated with second pre-blood-flow-mask signals from an adjacent radial scan line to form blood-flow-mask signals. Blood-flow-mask signals are processed to form a blood-flow mask. For each pixel of the composite image, it is determined whether to use a corresponding pixel of the high-resolution tissue structural image or a corresponding pixel of the cross-correlated blood flow mask to generate the composite image pixel. |
| US09603579B2 |
Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound system for scanning object inside human body and method for operating 3D ultrasound system
Provided is a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound system and a 3D ultrasound system operating method that may obtain 3D ultrasound data with respect to an object inside a human body to determine an accurate sagittal view. The 3D ultrasound system may include a scanner to generate ultrasound data including image data generated by scanning an object inside a human body, a processing unit to detect a center point of the object from the generated ultrasound data, and to generate, on the ultrasound data, a virtual plane on which the detected center point is placed, and a controller to rotate the ultrasound data based on the image data included in the virtual plane and to determine a sagittal view with respect to the object. |
| US09603578B2 |
Method and apparatus for graphical assistance in a medical procedure
In a method and apparatus for graphical assistance in an interventional procedure to open an occlusion of a hollow organ of a patient a three-dimensional CT image data set of an examination region with the at least one hollow organ having the occlusion is retrieved and visualized segmentation data with segmentation data of the hollow organ at a display unit. At least two x-ray fluoroscopy images are acquired at different angulations the CT image data set is registered with at least two of the x-ray images. A number of fluoroscopy x-ray images are acquired during a time period, with real-time visualization of at least one x-ray fluoroscopy image and data of the CT image data set at the display unit. The steps are implemented individually and in sequence, and control options relating exclusively to the current step can be selected manually via a user interface depending on the step that is currently implemented, and only user inputs that are appropriate for the current step are accepted. |
| US09603573B2 |
Detection of EMG activity using sensors on both sides of the body
A monitoring system may include each of a left and a right side EMG detection device and may be configured to detect either seizure activity associated with the left side or right side of a patient's body. The system may further be configured to differentiate symmetric or asymmetric seizure activity. For example, the system may characterize whether left and right side EMG detectors show similar or dissimilar levels of activation during a suspected seizure. In some embodiments, the system may also include one or more orientation and/or position sensors. The system may be configured to determine the orientation and position of the sensor over time and to correlate this data with EMG signals. |
| US09603572B2 |
Analysis device with user-friendly menu controls
An analysis device is proposed for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample, in particular for detecting glucose in a bodily fluid. The analysis device comprises at least one control element, which is configured to provide a function menu with at least two menu items. The analysis device further comprises at least one adjustable selector element, in particular a mechanically adjustable selector element, which can be adjusted by a user to at least two different selection positions. The selector element is configured to remain in the adjusted selection position after being adjusted. The control element is configured to select a menu item corresponding to the adjusted selection position. The analysis device further comprises at least one operating element. At least one parameter in the selected menu item can be influenced by the user via the operating element. |
| US09603570B2 |
Intravascular devices, systems, and methods having a sensing element embedded in adhesive
Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular devices are guide wires that include a distal sensing element mounted partially within a housing and embedded and/or surrounded by a flexible adhesive. For example, in some implementations a sensing guide wire includes a flexible elongate member; a housing coupled to the flexible elongate member; a flexible element extending distally from the housing; and a sensing element coupled to the flexible elongate member such that a proximal portion of the sensing element is positioned within the housing and a distal portion of the sensing element is positioned within the flexible element. A flexible adhesive can embed or surround the distal portion of the sensing element positioned within the flexible element. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided. |
| US09603569B2 |
Positioning a wearable device for data collection
Wearable devices are described herein including at least two photodetectors and a mount configured to mount the at least two photodetectors to an external surface of a wearer. The at least two photodetectors are configured to detect alignment between the wearable device and a target on or in the body of the wearer (e.g., to detect the location of vasculature within the body of the wearer relative to the at least two photodetectors). Alignment of the at least two photodetectors relative to the target could enable detection of one or more physiological properties of the wearer. For example, the wearable device could include a sensor configured to detect a property of the target when the sensor is above the target, and alignment of the target relative to the at least two photodetectors could include the sensor being located above the target. |
| US09603565B2 |
Single patient use depth gauge
A device for guiding a depth gauge for measuring blind holes formed through a bone including (a) a handle having an elongated body, an upper surface of the body having a peg extending therefrom to removably engage a proximal end of a first elongated rod of the depth gauge, the handle including a first slot extending into the upper surface and open to a first elongated channel extending through the handle and (b) a first elongated shaft extending through the first elongated channel and including a first tab extending through the first slot, a range of movement of the first elongated shaft relative to the handle being limited by engagement of the first tab with walls of the first slot. In an operative configuration, the slotted tab receives a proximal end of the depth gauge to control movement of an increased diameter insert at a distal end thereof. |
| US09603562B2 |
Autonomous, ambulatory analyte monitor or drug delivery device
The invention relates to analyte monitoring/drug delivery device. The invention is suited for monitoring various blood constituents such as glucose. The device has a housing that at least partially encloses a plurality of microneedles disposed on a carrier and an electronics portion. Each microneedle is in fluid communication with a corresponding microchannel. Each microneedle is individually addressable. That is, each microneedle can be extended and retracted individually via an actuator. The invention can optionally provide for calibration without intervention of the user and can also provide for semi-continuous monitoring for day and night time. The invention can provide up to four, or more, weeks of operation. The invention can provide for a device that is relatively small in size, and therefore unobtrusive. The invention can also provide for device with remote control and interactive electronics. The invention may be also used for the delivery of various pharmaceutical agents. |
| US09603556B2 |
Device and method for continuous biometric recognition based on electrocardiographic signals
Signal measurement for biometric recognition purpose includes a computational unit and a sensory unit designed to measure electrocardiographic (ECG) signals in a continuous fashion, guaranteeing that the biometric recognition is performed in an uninterrupted way whenever the device is used, with the purpose of enabling the automated recognition or validation of the identity of its wearer. The sensory unit has an electronic module through which the ECG is acquired. Its operating principle can be based in the electrical conductivity, in which case it requires contact with the skin of the user, or in any kind of capacitive or mechanical element, in which case it does not require any direct contact with the user. The device can be used in alternative or as a complement to existing systems that only perform a momentary identity check. It can be applied to vehicles, tablet computers or analogous contexts. |
| US09603554B2 |
Systems, methods, and media for monitoring the condition of a patient's heart
Receiving a plurality of images of a first wall of the patient's heart, the plurality including a first image captured at a time ij and a second image captured at a time t2, determining, based on the plurality of images, a first characteristic of movement of at least a wall portion of the first wall during a time period spanning time t1 and time t2, the first characteristic of movement being determined by using one or more image processing techniques, and the first, characteristic of movement being based on at least one of: (i) a shape of the wall portion in the first image and a shape of the wall portion in the second image, and (ii) a location of the wall portion in the first image and a location of the wall portion in the second image: and outputting an indication of the first characteristic of movement. |
| US09603553B2 |
Methods of measuring heart valve annuluses for valve replacement
A device for measuring an expanded internal orifice of a patient includes an orifice-expanding device, a pressure measuring device, and a size-measuring device. The size-measuring device measures a dimension of the orifice after it has been expanded by the orifice-expanding device. |
| US09603551B2 |
Inductive respiration sensor
An inductive respiration sensor (10) comprises an inductive transducer (12) and sensing circuitry. The sensing circuitry comprises a transimpedance amplifier, TIA, (14), the sense input (16) of which is operatively connected to the inductive transducer. The TIA is configured to drive a current from its output (20) into the sense input such that the voltage on the sense input follows the voltage applied to the reference input (18) and to cause a voltage on the output indicative of the current. The TIA comprises a first (34) and a second (30) transistor. The collector or drain and the emitter or source of the first transistor are operatively connected between the sense input and the output of the TIA. The emitter or source of the second transistor is connected to the reference input, the collector or drain of the second transistor is connected to the base or gate of the first transistor, and the base or gate of the second transistor is connected to the sense input. |
| US09603549B2 |
Implantable device with post-MRI cardiac signal sensing adjustment
An implantable device, such as a pacer, defibrillator, or other cardiac rhythm management device, can include an automatic testing and adjusting of cardiac signal sensing after an MRI scanning procedure, such as to accommodate an MRI-induced physiological change in sensed cardiac depolarization amplitude or in lead impedance such as at an electrode/tissue interface. |
| US09603548B2 |
System and method for magnetic position tracking
An improved system for magnetic position tracking of a device includes a magnetic transmitter, a magnetic sensor, a computing system and a polarity inverter. The magnetic transmitter includes at least one transmitter coil that outputs a transmitted magnetic field having a time derivative component. The magnetic sensor includes at least one sensor coil that has coil terminals having a polarity, and the sensor coil is responsive to the time derivative component of the transmitted magnetic field and outputs a sensor signal. The computing system computes position and angular orientation data of a device based on the sensor signal and the polarity inverter is configured to connect to the coil terminals and to cause the polarity of the coil terminals to be reversed according to a switching signal. |
| US09603544B2 |
Method of determining state variables and changes in state variables
The present invention relates to a method of determining physical, chemical and/or biological state variables, particularly substance concentrations, temperature, pH and/or physical fields, and/or the change in these state variables in an examination area of an examination object by determining the change in the spatial distribution of magnetic particles in this examination area as a function of the effect of influencing variables on at least a partarea and/or in the conditions in at least a part-area of the examination area, by means of the following steps: a) introducing magnetic particles into at least part of the examination area in a first state in which in the examination area or in parts thereof at least some of the magnetic particles that are to be examined are agglomerated and/or coupled to one another in pairs or more, or introducing magnetic particles into at least part of the examination area in a second state in which the particles are deagglomerated and/or decoupled and can be agglomerated and/or coupled, b) generating a magnetic field with a spatial profile of the magnetic field strength such that there is produced in the examination area a first part-area having a low magnetic field strength and a second part-area having a higher magnetic field strength, c) changing the, in particular relative, spatial position of the two part-areas in the examination area or changing the magnetic field strength in the first part-area so that the magnetization of the particles is locally changed, d) detecting signals that depend on the magnetization in the examination area that is influenced by this change, and e) evaluating the signals so as to obtain information about the change in the spatial distribution of the magnetic particles and/or about physical, chemical and/or biological state variables or the change therein in the examination area. The invention further relates to magnetic particle compositions, in particular functionalized magnetic particle compositions and their use in a method according to the invention. The invention further also relates to an apparatus for the measurement of state variables in the examination area. |
| US09603542B2 |
Electro-physiological measurement with reduced motion artifacts
An apparatus and method (4,5,6,7,2) for capacitive measurement of electrophysiological signals (1) suppresses or reduces motion artifacts by providing a feedback mechanism. An average voltage between a capacitive sensor electrode (1) and the body (3) is controlled so as to reduce or minimize motion-induced signals. |
| US09603541B2 |
Bio-medical electrode
The invention relates to a bio-medical electrode (100). In a preferred embodiment, an electrode interface comprises a top part (10) with an aperture and a bottom part (20). The bottom part (20) has a head portion designed for a fixation in said aperture and a flexible flange that clamps electrode sheets (31,32) in the connected state of the electrode interface such that the contact force between top and bottom parts is approximately constant during lifetime of the electrode interface. The top part (10) may preferably have the shape of a disk of magnetic or magnetizable material. The bottom part (20) may preferably be made from a conductive plastic such as ABS. The electrode interface may particularly be used in a TENS device. |
| US09603537B2 |
Unit, assembly, device and method for testing a sensor means provided in a medical localisation device
A unit, assembly and device suitable for a medical localization device suitable for localizing a region in a body with a distal hollow needle includes a tube extending from a proximal first end to a distal second end. The first end is designed to be in communication with a fluid filled container. The unit includes a first part of sensor means. The first part is a sensor interface, in which the sensor interface is provided to the tube between the first end and the second end. The sensor interface is suitable for observation of the pressure in a fluid in the tube that is in communication with the fluid in the container. The unit includes a closing device distally with respect to the sensor interface for varying the pressure in the fluid in the tube, in which the sensor interface is a membrane. |
| US09603531B2 |
In-place display on sensory data
A system for in-place visualization of sensed data is provided. The system includes a formable sheet comprising a display and sensors embedded within the sheet underneath the display. The display will display information relating to sensed data on a portion of the display corresponding to locations of the sensors located underneath the display. As a result, the display displays the information above or directly above the sensors that output data. |
| US09603530B2 |
Dental system for trans-illumination of teeth
A dental system may trans-illuminate teeth using a light source for producing examination radiation by directing the examination radiation at a tooth to be examined. An optical image of the tooth illuminated by the examination radiation may be acquired. The light source may include a light-guiding and/or light-deflecting element that faces the tooth to be examined being embedded in a transparent. The light-guiding and/or light-deflecting element may be embedded in a transparent, flexible coupling body that is provided to rest on the tooth or the gingiva of the tooth. |
| US09603528B2 |
Optical speculum
A system for direct imaging and diagnosing of abnormal cells in a target tissue includes a disposable optical speculum and an image acquisition system having the speculum assembled on and mechanically secured thereto. The image acquisition system is arranged to capture at least one of a single image or multiple images or video of cells within the target tissue using at least one of bright field or dark field ring illumination divided into independently operated segments to obtain a plurality of data sets. An image analysis and control unit in communication with the image acquisition system analyzes the data sets and applies algorithms to the data sets for diagnosing abnormal cells. |
| US09603524B2 |
Portable biometric monitoring devices and methods of operating same
The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to portable biometric monitoring device including a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the user's body, at least one band to secure the monitoring device to the user, a physiological sensor, disposed in the housing, to generate data which is representative of a physiological condition of the user data. The physiological sensor may include a light source to generate and output light having at least a first wavelength, and a photodetector to detect scattered light (e.g., from the user). A light pipe is disposed in the housing and optically coupled to the light source directs/transmits light therefrom along a predetermined path to an outer surface of the housing. Processing circuitry calculates a heart rate of the user using data which is representative of the scattered light. |
| US09603522B2 |
Detecting neurochemical or electrical signals within brain tissue
This document relates to methods and materials involved in detecting neurochemical signals, electrophysiological signals, ions, or combinations thereof with brain tissue. For example, methods and materials for using probes to detect neurochemical signals (e.g., neurotransmitter concentrations), electrical signals, or combinations thereof during deep brain stimulation are provided. |
| US09603518B2 |
Optical measuring device and method
An optical measuring device is provided. An actuator of a reference mirror set drives a reference mirror to move back and forth at a scan velocity. A first light source module transmits a first light beam to an optical coupling module transmitting two parts of the first light beam respectively to an examinee object and the reference mirror set. The first light beam then is reflected by the examinee object and reference mirror set and then transmitted to the optical coupling module and the processing unit. The second light source module transmits a second light beam to the examinee object. Then the second light beam is reflected and then transmitted to the second sensing unit. The second sensing unit provides a sensing signal to the processing unit which accordingly provides a value of the relative velocity. The thickness is calculated according to the relative velocity and the scan velocity. |
| US09603514B2 |
Liquid supplying apparatus and endoscope reprocessing apparatus
A liquid supply apparatus includes: a storing tank configured to store a liquid; a supply conduit through which the liquid remained inside the supply conduit flows reversely into the storing tank by a predetermined amount over time, the supply conduit having a first end portion connected to the storing tank; a liquid feeding section which is arranged at the storing tank or the supply conduit, and which is configured to feed the liquid from the storing tank to a second end portion of the supply conduit; a time measuring section which measures an elapsed time from stop of the liquid feeding by the liquid feeding section; and a control section which is connected to the liquid feeding section and the time measuring section and which is configured to drive the liquid feeding section for a predetermined time based on a length of the elapsed time. |
| US09603513B2 |
Medicinal solution collecting tool and endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus
A medicinal solution collecting tool of the invention includes: a pillar-shaped portion including an insertion end and a withdrawal end; a collecting section provided on the insertion end side of the pillar-shaped portion; a collecting port provided on a surface of the pillar-shaped portion; and a guide section provided on the surface of the pillar-shaped portion, the guide section including a first guide section being convex or concave and parallel to an axial direction of the pillar-shaped portion, and a second guide section provided on the withdrawal end side relative to the first guide section, the second guide section being convex or concave and crossing the axial direction of the pillar-shaped portion. |
| US09603507B2 |
Insertion device
An insertion device includes an idle state detector detecting an idle state in which an insertion section does not move in directions along the longitudinal axis when a rotation unit rotates in directions around the longitudinal axis, and a movement displacement calculator calculating a rotation direction and amount of the rotation unit based on a driving direction and amount of the driving member and calculating a movement displacement of the insertion section from a reference position in directions parallel to the longitudinal axis based on the rotation direction and amount of the rotation unit. The movement displacement calculator calculates the movement displacement of the insertion section so that a movement amount of the insertion section in the longitudinal directions while the idle state being detected is zero. |
| US09603506B2 |
Methods and devices for facilitating visualization in a surgical environment
Devices and methods for visually confirming the positioning of a distal end portion of an illuminating device placed within a patient include inserting a distal end portion of an illuminating device internally into a patient, emitting light from the distal end portion of the illuminating device, observing transillumination resulting from the light emitted from the distal end portion of the illuminating device that occurs on an external surface of the patient, and correlating the location of the observed transillumination on the external surface of the patient with an internal location of the patient that underlies the location of observed transillumination, to confirm positioning of the distal end portion of the illuminating device. |
| US09603502B2 |
Washing apparatus
The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher, including a washing tub configured to provide a space for washing dishes; a supply tube configured to supply water into the washing tub; a motor configured to rotate the supply tube; a detachable rotating member in, on, attached to, or at an end of the supply tube, that rotates and interfaces with the supply tube; and a spin-dry tub on the rotating member, that rotates with the rotating member and spin-dries an object inside the spin-dry tub. Accordingly, a separate spin-dry function is added to the dishwasher, thereby maximizing spatial efficiency and hygienically and conveniently performing a spin-dry cycle or operation. |
| US09603499B2 |
Service robot and method of operating same
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a service robot, such as a robotic cleaner, can be configured to more effectively service an environment. The service robot can include one or more sensors that sense its location, the location of objects, or both, and can also include noise reduction elements. The service robot can determine that it is under a “furnishing” and implement a different servicing pattern. |
| US09603496B1 |
Toilet seat assembly
A toilet seat assembly including: a toilet seat, at least one seat bumper positioned on the lower surface of the toilet seat an aperture, a housing, proximity sensor, wherein the proximity sensor provides a distance input signal having a value corresponding to the distance of an object from the proximity sensor, a microcontroller positioned within the housing, wherein the microcontroller is responsive to the value of the distance input signal to control audio output to a speaker, a speaker, wherein the speaker is controlled by the microcontroller for providing audio output; and an energy source, wherein the energy source is contained within the internal chamber of the housing, and wherein the energy source is in electrical communication with at least one of the proximity sensor, the microcontroller, and the speaker. |
| US09603495B2 |
Earring post wipe dispenser
The present disclosure provides an apparatus for dispensing an earring post wipe. The apparatus has a container that includes a reservoir with a cleaning or sanitizing fluid. The reservoir has a fluid application tip for applying the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to a dry wipe. The fluid application tip is actuated by movement of the wipe through a slot in the container. |
| US09603489B2 |
Cutting disc for cutting foodstuffs and corresponding appliance
A cutting disc for cutting foodstuffs, intended for a receptacle of an appliance of the vegetable cutting type, includes: a rotary drive hub, a supporting disc firmly secured to the hub, and at least one blade attached on the supporting disc and extending radially from the hub. The blade comprises a cutting edge with the shape of an “S”, the convex portion of the “S” being located on the side of the hub so as to cause the foodstuffs to slide against the cutting edge from a central area of the receptacle towards a middle portion of the cutting edge under the action of the rotation of the supporting disc and of the blade, and the concave portion of the “S” being configured as a sickle in order to cause the foodstuffs to slide against the cutting edge from a peripheral area of the receptacle towards the middle portion. |
| US09603485B2 |
Rotisserie bracket
A rotisserie mounting bracket assembly for a cooking grill having a cooking surface having a plurality of ribs. The bracket has a bracket base with at least one downward projection situated between a pair of adjacent ribs, and a bracket extension extending vertically from the bracket base and having at least one surface adapted to retain a skewer. |
| US09603478B2 |
Coffee pod adapter system
A system, including: a pod holder mount and a pressure plate mount reciprocally movable relative to one another; and a plurality of interchangeable pairs of pod holders and pressure plates respectively removable receivable in, and fluidly connectable to, the pod holder mount and the pressure plate mount to define an extraction chamber for individual coffee pods; wherein each of the pairs of pod holders and pressure plates are constructed and arranged to define fluid passages that selectively combine with fluid passages in the pod holder mount and the pressure plate mount to provide alternate fluid paths to inject water into, and extract coffee from, individual coffee pods in the extraction chamber in two opposite directions. |
| US09603476B2 |
Method for pulling a button through a button hole
A method for pulling a button through a buttonhole includes a shirt with a button and a buttonhole wherein the button and the buttonhole define a mated coupler. A clamp engages the button and a tether is attached to the clamp. The clamp is extended through the buttonhole and the button is engaged with the clamp while the tether extends through the buttonhole. The clamp and the button are pulled through the buttonhole and the button is released from the clamp. |
| US09603474B2 |
Cup holder with a handle
A beverage cup holder with a handle constructed from a thin, elongated strip of material. The general shape can be described as having: tabs that extend from the strip along the top and bottom portions of the longitudinal edges to serve as securing flaps; and one cutout on either end of the strip provide an open space that can be utilized as a handle. The strip is wrapped around a cup and joined at the tabs, which are folded down and secured. The cup holder with a handle that is subsequently formed can be placed around a cup with a close fit, and held by the handle. These products are easy to hold. The handle is such that it separates the cup from direct contact with the user, leaving the user unaffected by the temperature, and provides a clear view of printed decoration. |
| US09603473B2 |
Sanitary straw dispenser
An automated dispenser for straws is provided with a housing, a hopper, and a guide tray. The housing has a dispensing slot in an anterior outer wall. The hopper has an upper section with transverse walls and longitudinal walls which converge to define a stacking slot and a substantially horizontal support to support straws beneath the stacking slot. An anterior inner wall, longitudinally extending channel, and posterior wall span the longitudinal walls. The anterior inner wall has an ejection opening and the posterior wall has an access opening each of which adjoin the longitudinally extending channel. A support member and pressing foot within the stacking slot can translate longitudinally and pass through both the ejection opening and the access opening. A guide tray, disposed below the ejection opening, has a location zone, a posterior wall, and an anterior wall. The guide tray urges straws into the dispensing slot projecting upwardly. |
| US09603470B2 |
Apparatus for communication, expression, displaying pictures and greeting
One embodiment of the current application is a device that can mount to a surface or stand on a table and interchangeably displays one or more sheets of materials. The device comprises a front panel and a back panel. One or more linear wave springs are installed between the two panels. Sheets of materials can be inserted in-between one of the two panels and the linear wave springs. The linear wave springs hold the sheets of materials onto the front panel and/or the back panel. The visual information on the sheets is displayed through one or more display windows on the panels.Another embodiment of the current application is a device that displays a long sheet of material. There are images and/or messages of personal status, feeling, emotion, expression, or greeting on the long sheet of material. The long sheet of material passes over a supporting panel and is attached to two parallel rollers. The top and bottom portions of the supporting panel are curve shaped and flexible. The curved and flexible portion of the panel help keep the long sheet of material in tension. Three mesh well gears can rotate the rollers in synchronism. One of the three gears partially extrudes out of the device housing to be driven by human hands. |
| US09603467B2 |
Secure merchandising display with tunnel feature
Disclosed is a dispenser for controlling access to product, such as but not limited to bottles, housed within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes an opening having a contour that generally mirrors the shape and/or dimensions of the product stored within the dispenser plus a relatively small amount of clearance and also includes a tunnel within the interior of the device. The configuration of the opening and/or the tunnel feature prevents a user from accessing product stored behind the opening within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a pusher system that provides a time delay between the dispensing of products into a receiving area. |
| US09603464B2 |
Booster seat with stowable tray and/or stowable securing strap
A booster seat includes a storage compartment for a tray and/or a storage compartment for securing straps. The tray-storage compartment can be formed in a base of the seat and include an access opening through a sidewall of the base. The tray-storage compartment can include two opposite and inwardly-extending lips that support the tray in the stowed position, and a support foot that moves between a use position in the compartment where it helps support the seat and a stored position displaced from the compartment. Also, the tray-storage compartment can include ribs that engage the tray in the stowed position to retain it there. The strap-storage compartment can be formed in the base and include an access opening with a closure for retaining the straps in the compartment. |
| US09603457B2 |
Lounge assemblies for supporting portable electronics devices
A lounge assembly for supporting a portable electronic device having a display screen in a viewable position, the assembly including a base, a hood including a wall structure that includes an internal surface that forms a substantially downwardly opening cavity, the cavity including a front portion and a rear portion, the cavity opening circumscribed by a lower edge that has a front edge portion adjacent the front portion of the cavity and a support device supported by the base adjacent the front edge portion, the support device configured to receive and support the portable electronic device with the device display screen facing at least one of the cavity and a space below the cavity. |
| US09603456B2 |
Rotating device for armrest
A rotating device for an armrest is connected with a fixing mount disc on a top surface of an armrest seat and is rotatably coupled with a rotary plate on a bottom surface of the support plate. The fixing mount disc includes a conical groove and a threaded orifice formed on the conical groove, and the conical groove has a toothed slot. The rotary plate includes a post corresponding to the conical groove and the toothed slot, the rotary plate also includes an extending fringe extending outwardly from an outer side thereof to contact with a peripheral side of the fixing mount disc, wherein the post has two recesses, each recess extends outwardly from each of two sides of the post to accommodate each of two slidable retainers, and each slidable retainer is pushed by a spring and has a locking tab for retaining with the toothed slot. |
| US09603455B2 |
Layered cushion seat for a chair
A seat having particular application for a chair to enhance the comfort of one seated in the chair. A plurality of (e.g., foam) cushion layers laying one over the other are located at the top of the seat. One of the plurality of foam cushion layers is manufactured from a material having a memory which conforms to and temporarily retains the shape of the user. Located at the bottom of the seat below the plurality of cushion layers are a plurality of coil springs that stand upwardly against the cushion layers in side-by-side alignment with one another so that the back of the seat is firmer than the front. The plurality of cushion layers are arranged in a stack such that the density of the memory foam cushion layer is greater than the density of the other ones of the plurality of cushion layers. |
| US09603452B2 |
Gliding-reclining seating unit with power actuators
A reclining seating unit includes: a base; a seat having a seat frame; a gliding unit configured to allow the seat to reciprocate relative to the base; a backrest mounted and pivotally interconnected to the seat frame; a footrest unit; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat and the backrest, the reclining mechanism configured to control relative movement of the seat and backrest between upright and reclined positions; a footrest mechanism attached to the seat and the footrest unit, the footrest mechanism configured to control relative movement of the footrest unit and the seat between retracted and extended positions, the footrest mechanism being decoupled from the reclining mechanism; a first linear actuator attached to the reclining mechanism and to the seat configured to move the seat and backrest between the upright and reclined positions; and a second linear actuator attached to the footrest mechanism and to the seat frame configured to move the footrest unit between the retracted and extended positions. |
| US09603450B2 |
Stationary restraint system for police structures
A supplemental restraint system that is mountable to the frame of a stationary structure, such as a police station or other building, to secure a prisoner in a seated position. The supplemental restraint system includes a restraint bar that is pivotally supported on the mounting plate for movement between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position. A locking mechanism secures the restraint bar in any selected lowered position and includes an actuation lever for selectively releasing the locking mechanism to permit the restraint bar to be raised for release of the prisoner. A spring mechanism biases the restraint bar toward a raised position so that the restraint bar can be moved upwardly while the police officer is outside of the police vehicle. Mounting plates can be utilized to secure the supplemental restraint system to the floor structure and an adjacent wall structure. |
| US09603440B2 |
Object gripping apparatus
The present disclosure is directed to an object gripping apparatus that solves the above-described problems. Generally, in various embodiments, the object gripping apparatus includes a plurality of individually deformable gripping members configured to wrap around, grip, and hold the outer surface of an object. Because the gripping members are individually deformable, the object gripping apparatus may hold objects of varying shapes and sizes, such as objects having outer surfaces of varied diameters. |
| US09603439B2 |
Wearable assembly with interchangeable decorative items
A wearable assembly is disclosed including a decorative ornament having a coupling surface substantially opposite a decorative surface thereof; and a coupling member coupled to the coupling surface. The coupling member is adapted to selectively, removeably couple to a wearable item such that the decorative surface is visible in an assembled configuration of the wearable assembly. |
| US09603438B2 |
Paintball pod holder
The present invention provides a strapless holder that securely supports a generally cylindrical object, such as a paintball pod, within the retention tunnel by an elastic band that is curved to form at least a portion of a saddle-shaped, hyperbolic, paraboloid within the retention tunnel. Also provided is a method for using a retention strap-free holder for paintball pods for fast access to replenishment paintball pods. |
| US09603435B2 |
Stick-like material feeding container
At a distal end of a pipe member 4, a plurality of projections 4n are disposed circumferentially. The projection 4n extends frontward in an axial direction. At a tip end of a leading tube 3, a groove forming section G is disposed. The groove forming section G includes a plurality of grooves 3n circumferentially in an inner peripheral surface. The grooves 3n extend in the axial direction. The projection 4n of the pipe member 4 enters the groove 3n. At the leading tube 3, an inner diameter of a convex part 3p between the grooves 3n and 3n circumferentially arranged and an inner diameter of a pipe part that houses the projection 4n of the pipe member 4 and the stick-like material rearward with respect to this projection 4n of the pipe member are identical size. |
| US09603431B2 |
Nail design device, nail printing apparatus, nail design method, and computer-readable recording medium storing nail design program
A nail design device which allows a user to more easily select one of a plurality of nail designs that fits the shape of a nail, a nail printing apparatus which includes the nail design device and performs drawing on a nail, a nail design method, and a computer-readable recording medium storing a nail design program are provided.The nail printing apparatus 10 includes an analyzing unit 62 which derives a feature quantity of a nail based on a shape of the nail from an image including the nail, a judging unit 63 which judges whether at least one of a plurality of nail designs is suitable for the nail on the basis of a comparison between the feature quantity and design data, the design data being corresponding to the plurality of nail designs, and a display control unit 60 which causes at least one of the plurality of nail designs that has been judged to be suitable for the nail by the judging unit 63, to be displayed highlighted on a display unit 32 as a fitting nail design. |
| US09603430B2 |
Hair drier
A hair dryer is disclosed. The hair dryer includes a power supply for supplying electric power, a voltage detector for detecting a voltage of the electric power supplied from the power supply, a controller for controlling a driving speed of a motor in accordance with the voltage detected by the voltage detector, and a motor unit comprising first and second triacs to be selectively turned in accordance with the voltage detected by the voltage detector under a control of the controller, a rectifier to be turned on by a selected one of the first and second triacs, and the motor. The motor receives the voltage from the rectifier. |
| US09603429B2 |
Method for treating keratinous fibers using steam
Provided is a method for treating keratinous fibers comprising: applying steam to the keratinous fibers at a rate of less than 5 g/min; and shaping the keratinous fibers at a temperature of greater than 50° C., wherein the application of the steam and the shaping of the keratinous fibers do not occur simultaneously. The method disclosed herein may make it possible for example to obtain rapid shaping of the keratinous fibers while improving their cosmetic properties and the comfort of the user. |
| US09603427B2 |
Retractable flap for ring binder attachment
An apparatus is disclosed that facilitates the attachment of a bag to one or more rings. The apparatus can be disguised as a surface of the bag, and can pivot into a securing position. In embodiments, the apparatus can comprise one or more openings for accepting one or more rings, and one or more hook-and-loop fasteners for facilitating the temporary attachment of the apparatus to a bag. |
| US09603423B1 |
Netting enclosure for an umbrella
An adjustable, removable mesh canopy is adapted to fit umbrellas and parasols while providing a barrier to mosquitoes and other insects. A removable weight may be affixed to the bottom of the net to keep the net flush with the ground during movement and wind and to inhibit insect entry into the enclosed space. The top includes an adjustable drawstring opening which can be adjusted to fit umbrellas or parasols that vary in diameter. A closed seam runs down the side, and a resealable opening may be installed on the side of the net so that a user can temporarily extend a hand outside of the net through the opening. |
| US09603419B2 |
High capacity easy release extended use adhesive closure devices
Unique designs, devices, systems, materials and fabrication methods are provided including adhesive closure devices that are easily released and are suitable for extended/repeated use in a variety of applications. |
| US09603418B2 |
Rotatable buckle assembly
A rotatable buckle assembly may include a male buckle member, and a female buckle member configured to rotatably connect to the male buckle member. The female buckle member may include a handle that is configured to be pulled to disconnect the first buckle member from the second buckle member. |
| US09603415B2 |
Fluid-filled chamber with a tensile element
A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier and a tensile element. The outer barrier may have a first portion, an opposite second portion, and an interior surface defining an interior void. The tensile element may be secured to the first portion of the outer barrier in a plurality of first bond areas and may be secured to the second portion of the outer barrier in a plurality of second bond areas. Each of the bond areas may be connected to portions of the tensile element spaced from the interior surface. |
| US09603414B2 |
Fluid-filled chamber with a tensile element
A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier and a tensile element. The outer barrier may have a first portion, an opposite second portion, and an interior surface defining an interior void. The tensile element may be secured to the first portion of the outer barrier in a plurality of first bond areas and may be secured to the second portion of the outer barrier in a plurality of second bond areas. Each of the bond areas may be connected to portions of the tensile element spaced from the interior surface. |
| US09603412B2 |
Athletic positioning apparatus and applications thereof
An apparatus includes a heel section, a mid-foot section, and a toe section. The heel section, the mid-foot section, and the toe section collectively have a geometric shape having a first slope of a polarity along an inner edge of the apparatus from the toe section to the heel section and a second slope of the polarity along the inner edge of the apparatus to an outer edge of the apparatus at the toe section. |
| US09603408B2 |
Football helmet having improved impact absorption
A football helmet is disclosed that includes a shell constructed of fiber reinforced epoxy resin, a liner made from expanded polypropylene, an impact absorbing layer situated between the liner and the shell, and a face gaurd. The impact absorbing layer is constructed from either expanded polypropylene or a viscoelastic polymer encased in a suitable thin yet resilient and elastic membrane. An optional impact absorbing band is also shown disposed around the inner periphery of the liner and encircling the player's head. The impact absorbing band serves to reduce impact forces occurring from side helmet impact with objects or players. An alternate helmet liner is also disclosed having hexagonal apertures situated in the crown thereof to lower the density of the EPP material in that region and improve energy absorbing characteristics of the helmet assembly. |
| US09603403B2 |
Helmet-mounted motorcycle rider visualization device
A motorcycle helmet indicator assembly is provided that includes a passive and active illumination means. The assembly is either built-into or is an attachable assembly for a motorcycle helmet, wherein a short range wireless protocol is utilized to synchronize the motorcycle brake lights and turn signals with two indicators along secured along the rear of the motorcycle helmet. Each of the indicator bezels is surrounded by a passive reflector surface, wherein the helmet is visible in low light whether the motorcycle indicators are energized or not. This promotes visualizing motorcyclist in traffic and in low light conditions, improving awareness of the motorcyclist's position in traffic and improving his or her safety. |
| US09603402B2 |
Novelty apparel with multiple attached conformable selectable indicia
A novelty apparel includes multiple attached conformable, selectable and viewable occupational role playing indicia. A baseball cap includes a dome shaped crown of compound curves and a forward facing sun visor brim portion, a transparent window in a central front face portion of the dome shaped crown, where the window displays a single indicium selectable from a number of different indicia carried on a display surface conformable to said dome shaped crown. The selected indicium is displayed centered above the brim. The display surface conforms to the curved interior of the dome shaped crown, wherein the baseball cap does not deviate substantially from the look of a typical baseball cap with a single permanent indicium. |
| US09603397B2 |
Head harness
An improved head harness is disclosed for use with full face respirators. The head harness may include an elastomeric core having a central portion and a plurality of radiating arms. The plurality of radiating arms may be connected to a plurality of non-elastic straps. A fabric cover may completely enclose the elastomeric core, including the plurality of radiating arms. The cover may include a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of straps, so that when assembled, only the straps protrude from the openings. As described, the elastomeric core and elastomeric radiating arms are separated from a user's hair by the fabric cover. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09603396B2 |
Filtering face-piece respirator having nose notch
A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that includes a harness 14 and a mask body 12 that has a multi-layer filtering structure 16. The mask body 12 includes an upper interior perimeter segment 24a formed from the filtering structure 16 and configured to fit against the face of the respirator wearer. Present in the upper interior perimeter segment 24a is a nose notch 52, 62, which is an area void of filtering structure 16. |
| US09603391B1 |
Method of forming an underwire channel of a bra
A method of forming an underwire channel of a bra cup contains the steps of: A. providing a first cup layer, a second cup layer, and a channel forming rib; B. stacking a first thermoformed layer of the first cup layer and a second thermoformed layer of the second cup layer together; C. providing a forming mold which includes a first part and a second part each having a cavity; D. heating the forming mold with the first cup layer, the second cup layer, and the channel forming rib stacked together in the cavity; E. opening the forming mold to form a cup portion and a semifinished part of an arcuate underwire channel; F. removing the channel forming rib out of the underwire channel by pulling the extension; G. trimming the semifinished part to form a finished cup; and H. finishing a bra cup. |
| US09603389B2 |
Electronic cigarette
An electronic cigarette is provided, which includes: a housing, a liquid reservoir, and an atomizer assembly. The housing has a chimney formed therein; the liquid reservoir is used for storing liquid; the atomizer assembly received in the housing. The atomizer assembly includes a heating plate capable of absorbing liquid. An outer surface of the heating plate is in contact with the air in the chimney. |
| US09603387B2 |
Electronic cigarette and its soft sucking rod
The present invention relates to a soft sucking rod for electronic cigarette, the soft sucking rod includes a sucking rod sleeve and a liquid smoke cup configured within the sucking rod sleeve and an atomizer; the sucking rod sleeve is made of soft materials, the liquid smoke cup is configured with a liquid storage component therein for accommodating liquid smoke, the liquid storage component defines a through hole coaxially extended therethrough as a smog channel, the atomizer is configured in the smog channel of the liquid smoke cup, the atomizer atomizes the liquid smoke which is near the atomizer and stored in the liquid storage component. The soft sucking rod has good touch feel and mouth feel when hold in hand, and has simple and compact internal structure and low manufacturing cost. |
| US09603384B2 |
Stabilized foam
The present invention comprises a gel-stabilized foam for use in food products. Foam bubbles are stabilized by either a continuous gel coating or a particulate gel coating created under high shear conditions. The foam is viscous and shelf-stable, and can be combined with a viscous food product to lower its caloric density and improve its organoleptic properties. |
| US09603381B2 |
Cereal bar having a crunchy texture
Disclosed is a cereal bar having as a binder an aqueous solution of starch, another (poly)saccharide, or protein solution wherein the cereal bar has a crunchy texture. Also disclosed is a method of producing a cereal bar is provided in which the cereal comprises a cereal mixture including ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal pieces joined together with a binder, where the cereal and binder together form a cereal matrix which is heated for a time and temperature to reduce the water activity of the external portion thereof while maintaining an internal portion of the cereal matrix at a higher second water activity. The method provides cereal bars requiring less compressive force to be formed into a cohesive self-supporting structure in providing a chewy reduced-density cereal bar with improved shelf life. |
| US09603379B2 |
Feline bitter taste receptors and methods
A family of novel feline bitter taste receptors, referred to as feline TAS2R (fTAS2R), are disclosed herein. Isolated polynucleotides encoding the novel feline bitter taste receptors and chimeric polypeptides are also disclosed, as are expression vectors and host cells for expression of the novel feline bitter taste receptors. Methods of identifying compounds that bind to the novel feline bitter taste receptors and modulate their activity are disclosed. |
| US09603377B2 |
Production of soy protein product using calcium chloride extraction (“S7301”)
A soy protein product having a protein content of at least about 60 wt % (N×6.25) d.b., preferably a soy protein isolate having a protein content of at least about 90 wt % (N×6.25) d.b., is prepared from a soy protein source material by extraction of the soy protein source material with an aqueous calcium salt solution, preferably calcium chloride solution, to cause solubilization of soy protein from the protein source and to form an aqueous soy protein solution, separating the aqueous soy protein solution from residual soy protein source, concentrating the aqueous soy protein solution while maintaining the ionic strength substantially constant by using a selective membrane technique, optionally diafiltering the concentrated soy protein solution, diluting the concentrated and optionally diafiltered soy protein solution into water to cause the formation of a precipitate, acidifying the mixture of precipitate and diluting water to re-solubilize the precipitate and form a clear acidified soy protein solution, concentrating the clear acidified soy protein solution while maintaining the ionic strength substantially constant by using a selective membrane technique, optionally diafiltering the concentrated clear acidified soy protein solution, and drying the concentrated and optionally diafiltered clear acidified soy protein solution. |
| US09603376B2 |
Ground roast dual compressed coffee tablet
A ground roast coffee tablet which is capable of being brewed in a conventional automatic drip coffee maker, and which exhibits sufficient strength to withstand all aspects of manufacture, handling, packaging, transport without breakage but also readily disintegrates when contacted with hot water during brewing, is made by subjecting conventional ground, roasted coffee to a multi-step compaction process in which at least two compression steps are carried out in the same compaction die. |
| US09603370B2 |
Method of making flat edible using a compact apparatus
A method of using compact apparatus for automatically making a plurality of flat edibles includes a storage and dispensing limit that makes it unnecessary for a user to pre-measure ingredients. The apparatus also includes a mixing and kneading unit for making dough of optimal consistency. The dough prepared may be transferred onto a lower platen from a transfer base by a transfer sweeper. The dough may be flattened in a platen unit. An upper platen and the lower platen of the platen unit may be heated to a pre-programmed temperature for cooking the flat edible. The temperature may also be manually set by the user based on user's preference. The flat may be cooked by the platen unit. This method has very little human intervention. One has to load the flour and water in their respective containers and every other step is automated. |
| US09603368B2 |
Microbial carriers for targeted delivery of agricultural payloads
The present invention provides compositions that include an agriculturally suitable carrier and encysted or sporulated protozoa present on or in the agriculturally suitable carrier, for use in improving plant growth. |
| US09603366B2 |
Use of 9-beta-D-adenosine to increase crop production
Described are compositions and methods to increase bud break in order to increase aspects of one or both of plant vegetative and reproductive growth, by use of a natural metabolite. In particular, the present disclosure provides a natural metabolite either alone or as part of a fertilizer blend to increase crop production. Additionally the present disclosure provides a natural metabolite in combination with one or both of a plant growth regulator and a bio stimulant to increase crop production. |
| US09603364B2 |
4-amino-6-(halo-substituted-alkyl)-picolinates and their use as herbicides
Provided herein are 4-amino-6-(halo-substituted-alkyl)-picolinic acids and their derivatives, compositions comprising the acids and their derivatives, and methods of use thereof as herbicides. |
| US09603363B2 |
Weed control from applications of aminopyralid, triclopyr, and an organosilicone surfactant
Disclosed herein are herbicidal compositions comprising a herbicidal effective amount of (a) aminopyralid, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, (b) triclopyr, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, and (c) an organosilicone surfactant. Also disclosed herein are methods of controlling undesirable vegetation, which comprise applying to vegetation or an area adjacent the vegetation or applying to soil or water to prevent the emergence or growth of vegetation (a) aminopyralid, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, (b) triclopyr, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof, and (c) an organosilicone surfactant. |
| US09603359B2 |
Anti-microbial disinfectant wipe and method of use
A wipe for anti-microbial disinfecting includes a flexible substrate and an anti-microbial ion source integrated on the substrate. The flexible substrate is made entirely or in part of woven fiber cloth, non-woven fiber cloth, woven synthetic cloth, non-woven synthetic cloth, or natural fiber cloth. The anti-microbial ion source is configured to dissolve in an aqueous solution to form an anti-microbial solution. The flexible substrate is configured to absorb the anti-microbial solution for use in cleaning. |
| US09603356B2 |
Method for producing cell concentrate
The present invention provides a method that allows the preparation of a cell concentrate in a short time without loss of cells and great damage on cells by simple operations. The present invention provides a method for producing a cell concentrate using an inside-out filtration system for processing a cell suspension, the system including: a cell suspension inlet port; a filtrate outlet port; a cell suspension outlet port; and a hollow fiber separation membrane interposed between the cell suspension inlet port and the cell suspension outlet port, wherein the hollow fiber separation membrane is provided with inner pores with an average pore size of 0.1 μm to 10 μm, and the quotient of the division of an initial filtrate flow rate by a linear velocity of the cell suspension flowing through the hollow fibers is 2.5 or less. |
| US09603354B2 |
Protective solutions for organs
Described is a protective solution for avoiding ischemic, storage or ischemia/reperfusion to organs, or to isolated cell systems, or to tissue components after perfusion, surgery, transplantation, or cryopreservation and subsequent reperfusion, which contains alkali ions, and if need be also alkaline earth ions as the electrolyte, a buffer e.g. on a histidine derivation basis, as well as a polyol and/or a saccharide, has an osmolarity of about 290 mosm/l to about 350 mosm/l, as well as a pH value of about 6.8 to about 7.4, and to which hydroxamic acid, and/or one or more hydroxamic acid derivatives are added. |
| US09603352B2 |
Dispenser
Volatile material dispensers are disclosed that include a substrate having a first wall portion with a first grasping portion and a second wall portion with a second grasping portion. The first wall portion and the second wall portion are substantially coplanar in a first state. The volatile material dispensers may further include at least one hinge joining the first wall portion and the second wall portion along a central axis and an insect control active. At least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion is moveable about the central axis to form a configuration in which the first and the second wall portions are substantially not coplanar in a second state. The first grasping portion and the second grasping portion are coaxial with the central axis in the first state and the second state. |
| US09603351B1 |
Ecofriendly maritime pest management kit
An ecofriendly maritime pest management provides a compartmentalized and portable container for transporting an eclectic assortment of pest management devices insecticides, and baits. The ecofriendly maritime pest management kit has many novel features that enhance the capabilities to transport and compartmentalize pest management devices and nontoxic baits, and are useful for use on a maritime vessel on the ocean. The pest management devices and nontoxic baits articles are segregated into different compartments and color coded for quick access. The ecofriendly maritime pest management kit includes a mechanical pest entrapment device, a gimbally mounted container for containing a predetermined quantity of nontoxic insecticide, an insect repellant delivery device, an insect repellant solid composition, and a container for the insect repellant solid composition. The exterior pouches provides the option of carrying bait, sanitation gels, paper towels, contact information, medicine, or other articles beneficial for the management of pests on a maritime vessel. |
| US09603343B2 |
Electronically-controlled pressure regulator system for poultry drinker lines
An electrically-controlled water pressure regulator for use with a poultry watering system receives potable water at a first high pressure level and reduces the water pressure level of the water provided to watering valves that dispense water to the flock within a poultry house. A variable control valve uses a needle-shaped cone to engage a round port inside the housing of the regulator. A stepper motor controls the liner movement of the control valve in incremental microsteps to adjust the water pressure level provided to the flock. A feedback component enables the variable control valve to maintain the water pressure level at a desired set point for the flock. The desired set point for the flock is controlled or automated to match the growth of the flock over their growth cycle. An electrical controller and suitable cabling enable multiple regulators to be controlled efficiently and cost-effectively. |
| US09603341B2 |
Dog leash having intelligent lighting to improve safety
Disclosed is a dog leash having intelligent lighting to improve safety. In one aspect, the dog leash includes a central cavity holding a retractable leash and an extension sensor to detect when the retractable leash is extended beyond a threshold distance. The dog leash also includes an ambient light sensor to detect a surrounding light intensity. In addition, the dog leash includes a set of lights to automatically illuminate a dog being walked by a walker, a perpendicular area, and/or the walker themselves when the extension sensor detects that a leash is extended beyond the threshold distance when the ambient light sensor detects that a surrounding ambient light is below a threshold value using a processor and a memory of the dog leash. |
| US09603336B2 |
Lettuce variety 45-189 RZ
The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 45-189 RZ, which may exhibit a combination of traits including resistance to downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) races Bl:1 to Bl:31 and CA-I to CA-VIII, currant lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri) biotype Nr:0, root aphids (Pemphigus bursarius), as well as having a medium head size, large outer leaves, and moderately glossy leaves. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 45-189 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 45-189 RZ. |
| US09603333B1 |
Maize inbred PH2684
A novel maize variety designated PH2684 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH2684 with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH2684 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 PH2684 or a locus conversion of PH2684 with another maize variety. |
| US09603329B2 |
Wheat cultivar ‘GA 04570-10E46’
Herein provided is a new wheat cultivar designated ‘GA 04570-10E46’ as well as the seeds, plants and derivatives of the new wheat variety ‘GA 04570-10E46’ (such as cultivars and hybrids related thereto). Also provided are tissue cultures of the new wheat variety ‘GA 04570-10E46’ and the plants regenerated therefrom. Methods for producing wheat plants by crossing the new wheat variety ‘GA 04570-10E46’ with itself or another wheat variety and plants produced by such methods are also provided. |
| US09603328B2 |
Canola hybrid PV 200 CL
Provided is a canola variety designated PV 200 CL and seed, plants and plant parts thereof produced from a cross of inbred varieties. Methods for producing a canola variety comprise crossing canola variety PV 200 CL with another canola plant. Methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PV 200 CL through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the canola seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are described. Canola variety PV 200 CL, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, plant parts and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of canola variety PV 200 CL are disclosed. |
| US09603325B1 |
Inbred corn line 7HHSS3190
An inbred corn line, designated 7HHSS3190, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line 7HHSS3190, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line 7HHSS3190 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line 7HHSS3190 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line 7HHSS3190, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line 7HHSS3190 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods. |
| US09603317B2 |
Compositions and methods for rapid and efficient production of quality protein maize
Compositions and methods for the universal and accelerated production of QPM are disclosed. |
| US09603313B2 |
Plant protection system
A system and method for deterring animal interaction with woody plants is provided, including a wire mesh cage. The wire mesh cage is formed from one of a sheet of steel wire mesh and a stake cage. The sheet of wire mesh may be formed into a tubular configuration to surround a plant in need of the protection. The stake cage may be formed from a plurality of uprights arranged around a periphery of a plant, and at least one filament wound around the plurality of uprights to form the wire mesh. The wire mesh cage may further include a protective covering, in the form of a cap or coating applied to a top surface of the wire mesh cage. The protective covering militates against damage to a plant surrounded by the wire mesh cage. The protective covering may be formed from a polymeric compound having an animal detracting additive and an ultraviolet inhibitor. |
| US09603312B2 |
Sprayable non-woven fiber barrier to non-gaseous materials
Disclosed is a sprayable nonwoven fiber weed barrier comprising an aqueous solution of nonwoven fibers and polymer binder. The aqueous solution can be directly sprayed onto the soil to suppress weed penetration through the soil. The sprayable nonwoven fiber weed barrier has a pore structure that allows water to penetrate into the soil, but curbs the growth of weeds. |
| US09603311B2 |
Reciprocating power tool
A reciprocating power tool includes a reciprocating cutting mechanism arranged to be driven by a motor via a driving assembly. The driving assembly includes a resilient arrangement arranged to be charged when the cutting mechanism is driven by the motor. When the drive from the motor is terminated, the resilient arrangement is arranged to reverse the cutting mechanism from the direction of the drive from the motor. |
| US09603309B2 |
Single cam double bow knotter for baler
A knotter assembly for a baler allows for two bow knots to be formed per knotter tie cycle using a single drive cam gear and two bill hooks while maintaining needle penetration requirements. The knotter assembly includes a first twine disc driven by a first twine disc drive gear and a second twine disc driven by a second twine disc drive gear. The knotter assembly includes a first bill hook driven by a first bill hook drive gear and a second bill hook driven by a second bill hook drive gear. The knotter assembly also includes a cam gear driving the bill hook drive gears and the twine disc drive gears and a main knotter drive shaft driving the cam gear. A needle is located adjacent the twine discs. |
| US09603308B2 |
Continuous round baler with variable conveyor
A crop harvesting system for continuous round baling is described that with a first and second bale chamber and a conveyor system in operable communication with the first and second bale chambers. The crop harvesting system can have at least three bale carriers, at least two serpentine systems to facilitate movement of the bale into and out of the first and second bale chambers. The crop harvesting system can be integrated into an agricultural harvester such as a baler or combine. |
| US09603306B2 |
Agricultural machine with retaining elements for retaining a header in an elevated position
A transport arrangement for an agricultural machine having a suspension system. The transport arrangement includes a header unit a tongue arrangement and a retaining system. The header unit is carried by the suspension system. The tongue arrangement is coupled to the suspension system, and is pivotal about an axis relative to the header unit and the suspension system. The retaining system is configured to releasably couple the tongue arrangement to the header unit and/or the suspension system to thereby retain the header unit in an elevated position. |
| US09603304B2 |
Multi-row corn header row unit
A multi-row corn header row unit allows harvesting with a single corn header having fixed distance between rows, for instance at 525 mm, and multiple distancing between rows, for which purpose it bears trimmed or emptied snouts on its sides in lieu of conventional headers. Trimmed snouts tire used in combination with lifting sets or row units designed to form an opening with greater width than that of the stripping area, allows for contact with the plant in a manner such as to avoid rubbing on the most rigid part of the stem, thus preventing shakes, breaks or excessive tilting, which certainly determines the obtention of an effective harvest, upon obtaining ears without practically any waste. That is to say, the row unit allows that plants entering from outside of the central row of the collection unit reach the same without being cut, broken, shaken or tilted. |
| US09603301B2 |
Weed trimming apparatus, weed trimmer head, and trimmer line retention device
A weed trimmer apparatus having a head defining at least one side wall, the side wall forming one or more apertures therethrough, and one or more line retention members for retaining one or more trimmer lines. The line retention members are operatively connected to the head, wherein each line retention member is sized and configured to extend through a loop of at least one trimmer line during operation of the weed trimmer apparatus and wherein each line retention member is dynamically connected to the head to allow for installation and removal of the loop of trimmer line. |
| US09603298B2 |
Multiple seed-type planting system with charging system
A system for planting multiple types of seed and automatically switching between the varieties during planting in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop or other planting of an agricultural field. The system may include a bulk storage system, an on-row storage system, and a charging system that selectively delivers seeds of different varieties from the bulk storage system to the on-row storage system. The system may include a seed metering system that can be controlled at each of multiple row units to selectively plant different types or varieties of seed based on seed type or variety zones agricultural field, which may correspond to field characteristics defined in a seed variety prescription map. |
| US09603297B2 |
Remote steering control with row finder
A remote steering control and row finder, used with a tractor towing a vehicle or trailer. The remote steering control that can be retrofit to a conventional tractor and towed vehicle, and includes self-guiding features for finding a row of crops to maintain a center steer. The remote tractor includes a guide arm with an arm extension having a pivot tab proximate to a pivot block on the arm extension. The pivot block hinges about the arm extension at a block hinge. A pivot switch mounts to the arm extension, activated by the rotation of the pivot tab on the pivoting of the pivot block about the guide hinge. With the opening and closing of the pivot switch, either a hard-wired or a wireless remote console on the towed vehicle controls the steering mechanism of the remote tractor, guiding the direction of travel of the remote tractor. |
| US09609791B2 |
Seawater faraday cage
A method for deploying a lightweight, flexible Faraday cage around a device can include the step of directing the conductive fluid flow in a manner that causes a shroud to form over the device. In some embodiments, a flexible material such as canvas can be deployed over the device and the conductive fluid can be sprayed onto the flexible material to form the shroud. In other embodiments, a plurality of nozzles can be placed around the perimeter of the device, and the nozzles can be directed at a predetermined point over the device. The streams can meet at the predetermined point, collide and thereby provide the conductive shroud for the device. The shroud can have a skin depth, which can be chosen according to the desired frequency of electromagnetic radiation to be blocked, typically from one to one hundred millimeters (1-100 mm). |
| US09609790B2 |
Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine and a motor as a driving source, a transmission that changes a speed of rotation of the internal combustion engine or motor and transmits the rotation to driving wheels of the vehicle, a high-voltage battery that supplies power to the motor through an inverter, a cooling mechanism equipped with a pump to circulate a coolant and thereby cool the inverter, a coolant temperature measurement device that detects or estimates a temperature of the coolant, a low-voltage battery that supplies power to the pump, and a converter through which power is supplied from the high-voltage battery to the pump. |
| US09609788B2 |
Air distribution units for telecommunication equipment
Novel tools and techniques are provided for providing in-lineup passive air distribution system designs, and for delivering more effective cooling for termination dense network equipment with high heat dissipation. In some embodiments, one or more air distribution units might be positioned in-line with one or more heat generating equipment. The one or more air distribution units might receive air from an HVAC system, and might distribute the received air to the one or more heat generating equipment. In some cases, the one or more air distribution units might distribute the received air to a position in front of and/or behind the one or more heat generating equipment for intake by an air intake device of at least one of the one or more heat generating equipment. Some air distribution units might comprise dowels for storing fiber slack. Some dowels might comprise an air shaft for distributing the received air. |
| US09609785B1 |
Air-cooled heatsink for cooling integrated circuits
A system includes an integrated circuit and a heatsink mounted thereon. The heatsink includes a flat base plate thermally coupled to a top surface of the integrated circuit, thermally-conductive solid metal posts mounted perpendicularly on the base plate, and flat metal fins. Each of the fins has holes fitted about the posts such that the fins are mounted on the posts in vertically-spaced, parallel alignment relative to each other and the top surface of the base plate. The system further includes a load plate mounted upon top surfaces of the posts, a printed circuit board, and a microprocessor socket mounted on the printed circuit board. The microprocessor socket includes a socket base upon which the integrated circuit is mounted such that the integrated circuit is electrically coupled through the socket base to the printed circuit board. Air may be forced through the heatsink. |
| US09609784B2 |
Container data center
A container data center includes a container, an air duct, and a connecting member. The container is received in a room. The container defines an air inlet and an air outlet away from the air inlet. The air duct extends through a sidewall of the room. A first side of the connecting member is detachably connected to the air inlet of the container, and a second side of the connecting member is connected to the air duct. Air outside the room enters the air duct, flows through the connecting member, enters the container through the air inlet, and flows out of the container through the air outlet. |
| US09609782B2 |
Rack assembly structure
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques and configurations for a rack assembly. In one embodiment, a tray to be disposed in a rack assembly may comprise a plurality of sleds with individual sleds including one or more compute nodes; and a networking element coupled with a sled of the plurality of sleds and configured to communicatively connect the sled to one or more other components of the rack assembly via an optical communication system. The optical communication system may include an external optical cable configured to communicatively connect the networking element with the rack assembly. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09609772B2 |
Molded casing, mold assembly and forming method
A molded casing suitable for a handheld electronic device is provided. The handheld electronic device includes a body and the molded casing, and at least one part of the body is covered with the molded casing. The molded casing is in a uniform thickness and has a continuous mosaic surface. The mosaic surface is composed of a plurality of non-coplanar polygons, wherein an intersection line is formed between any two adjacent polygons. An end of any one of the intersection lines is connected to an end of another intersection line or an edge of the mosaic surface. |
| US09609767B2 |
Geared latch apparatus
In at least some embodiments, an apparatus is provided that comprises a frame and a cover removably attached to the frame. The apparatus further comprises a geared latch assembly attached to the cover, the geared latch assembly having a geared latch. If the geared latch is rotated from a first position to a second position, the cover moves linearly from a closed state to an open state. |
| US09609764B2 |
Image display apparatus
Provided is an image display apparatus. The image display apparatus includes a display panel displaying an image through a display area, a plurality of acoustic devices disposed on a non-display area around the display area, a protection member accommodating the display panel and the acoustic devices, and a plurality of opening parts defined to corresponding to the acoustic devices, the plurality of opening parts being defined by opening the protection member of the non-display area in both directions perpendicular to a plane. |
| US09609760B2 |
Electronic component mounting method
An electronic component mounting method including the steps of: providing a first electronic component having a principal surface provided with a plurality of bumps; providing a substrate having a placement area provided with a plurality of first electrodes corresponding to the plurality of bumps; applying flux to the plurality of bumps; applying flux to at least one of the first electrodes adjacent to at least one reinforcement position set on a peripheral portion of the placement area; dispensing a thermosetting resin onto the reinforcement position, and at least partially coating the first electrode adjacent to the reinforcement position, with the thermosetting resin; placing the first electronic component on the substrate such that the bumps land on the corresponding first electrodes, and thus bringing the thermosetting resin into contact with a peripheral edge portion of the first electronic component; and heating the substrate with the first electronic component placed thereon. |
| US09609759B2 |
Method and system for depositing an object onto a wiring board
A method of depositing one or more stiffener onto a wiring board includes the steps of engaging the wiring board onto a heat-retaining pallet to form an assembly, pre-heating the assembly to a temperature ranged from 70 to 140° C., and disposing the stiffeners onto the pre-heated wiring board of the assembly, wherein the pallet of the assembly retains sufficient heat for the wiring board to at least partially melt the stiffener, more preferably adhesive stiffener, to fix onto the wiring board upon disposition of the stiffeners. |
| US09609758B2 |
Display device and method of manufacturing the same
A display device includes: a substrate having a mounting area; a pad electrically coupled to a wire on the substrate and at the same layer as the wire; an adhesive layer bonded to a bottom of the substrate having the mounting area; a supporting substrate bonded to a bottom of the adhesive layer to which the substrate is bonded; a flexible printed circuit board electrically coupled to the pad to input a power and a signal to the pad; and a conductive layer between the flexible printed circuit board and the pad to electrically couple the flexible printed circuit board to the pad, and at least a portion of the adhesive layer on the mounting area is exposed to the outside to be coupled to the conductive layer. |
| US09609755B2 |
Nanosized particles deposited on shaped surface geometries
Devices with nanosized particles deposited on shaped surface geometries include a substrate with an active material of nanosized particles deposited on a surface of the substrate. The active material has an edge formed at a position determined with a shaped geometry of the surface. |
| US09609752B1 |
Interconnect structure configured to control solder flow and method of manufacturing of same
An interconnect structure and method for manufacturing the same includes a substrate and a copper trace line defined on a surface of the substrate. The copper trace line includes a transmission line and a contact pad. The copper trace line is plated with a layer of metal which will oxidize if exposed to the atmosphere. The layer of metal is further plated with a layer of gold. The gold layer is selectively applied to the transmission line and the contact pad to define a gap on the transmission line at the contact pad. The metal layer is exposed in the gap. An oxide layer is formed on the metal layer in the gap. The oxide layer and the substrate surround the contact pad define a barrier to spread of solder. |
| US09609751B2 |
Package substrate comprising surface interconnect and cavity comprising electroless fill
Some novel features pertain to a substrate that includes a first dielectric layer, a first interconnect, a first cavity, and a first electroless metal layer. The first dielectric layer includes a first surface and a second surface. The first interconnect is on the first surface of the substrate layer. The first cavity traverses the first surface of the first dielectric layer. The first electroless metal layer is formed at least partially in the first cavity. The first electroless metal layer defines a second interconnect embedded in the first dielectric layer. In some implementations, the substrate further includes a core layer. The core layer includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface of the core layer is coupled to the second surface of the first dielectric layer. In some implementations, the substrate further includes a second dielectric layer. |
| US09609750B2 |
Package substrate and electronic device
In a package substrate, adjacent bumps in a first array of bumps being an outermost array arranged along a first side of the package substrate are arranged being shifted in a first axial direction that is a normal direction of the first side and in a second axial direction that intersects perpendicularly with the first axial direction in a plan view. Adjacent bumps in a second array of bumps arranged in the inside of the first array of bumps are arranged being shifted in the first axial direction and in the second axial direction in a plan view. |
| US09609743B2 |
Electronic device mounting substrate, electronic apparatus, and imaging module
There are provided an electronic device mounting substrate and an electronic apparatus which are capable of miniaturization. An electronic device mounting substrate includes: an insulating base including a frame section; an electrode pad disposed on an upper surface of the frame section; and a first conductor disposed on a side surface of the frame section, the first conductor being electrically connected to the electrode pad, the electrode pad extending over a side surface of the first conductor from the upper surface of the frame section. By suppressing separation of the first conductor from the insulating base by means of the electrode pad, disconnection at the first conductor can be suppressed. |
| US09609740B2 |
Cooled printed circuit with multi-layer structure and low dielectric losses
The printed circuit with a multi-layer structure comprises: a first layer machined to form a spotface passing through the layer, a second layer comprising a first cavity passing through the layer, a third layer comprising, on one face, an electronic component that is in the first cavity, a fourth layer comprising a second cavity, a heat-conducting element with two parts: one made of metal, called a thermal cover, inserted into the spotface of the first layer so as to close, mechanically and electrically, the first cavity, the other made of a dielectric material with heat conduction >30 W/(m·K), placed in the first cavity so as to be in contact with the electronic component. |
| US09609737B2 |
Heat dissipation printed circuit board and manufacturing method thereof
A heat dissipation printed circuit board includes a metal core, lower and upper insulating layers, first lower and first upper circuit patterns, and second lower and second upper circuit patterns. The lower and upper insulating layers are disposed at a lower side and an upper side of the metal core, respectively. The first lower and first upper circuit patterns are disposed at a lower side of the lower insulating layer and at an upper side of the upper insulating layer, respectively. The second lower and second upper circuit patterns are disposed at a lower side of the first lower circuit pattern and at an upper side of the first upper circuit pattern, respectively. An etching portion in the first lower circuit pattern is filled with the lower insulating layer and an etching portion in the first upper circuit pattern is filled with the upper insulating layer. |
| US09609734B2 |
Plasma torch and system with electromagnetic shield assist mechanism
A plasma arc system includes a plasma torch having a torch nozzle with an opening at a distal end for a plasma jet to exit. An electromagnetic shield cap is disposed near the distal end of the torch nozzle with the shield cap having an opening that is coaxial with the opening of the torch nozzle. A plasma cutting power source supplies current to the torch to create the plasma jet. A magnetic field power source provides a current to the electromagnetic shield cap to generate a magnetic field near the plasma jet to focus the plasma jet as the plasma jet exits the torch nozzle. A controller synchronizes operation of the power sources during a transition from a piercing operation to a cutting operation. |
| US09609733B2 |
Plasma arc torch and method for assembling and disassembling a plasma arc torch
A front end assembly for a plasma torch and methods for assembling and disassembling a torch wherein a plurality of front end parts form a unit that is removable from, and installable in, the torch in a single operation without a special fixture. The front end assembly includes a nozzle retaining cup body connectable to a body of the torch, and a forward end connectable to a shield retainer. A nozzle retaining cup insert fits into the nozzle retaining cup body. The shield retainer has an inner surface for retaining the shield. A nozzle is received within the nozzle retaining cup insert. A stop on the nozzle engages the nozzle retaining cup insert when the front end assembly is removed from the torch so the nozzle does not remain in the torch. The shield engages an insulator, which engages the nozzle, to limit forward axial movement of the nozzle. |
| US09609731B2 |
Systems and methods for synchronous operation of debris-mitigation devices
Systems and methods for synchronous operation of debris-mitigation devices (DMDs) in an EUV radiation source that emits EUV radiation and debris particles are disclosed. The methods include establishing a select relative angular orientation between the first and second DMDs that provides a maximum amount of transmission of EUV radiation between respective first and second rotatable vanes of the first and second DMDs. The methods also include rotating the first and second sets of vanes to capture at least some of the debris particles while substantially maintaining the select relative angular orientation. The systems employ DMD drive units, and an optical-based encoder disc in one of the DMD drive units measures and controls the rotational speed of the rotatable DMD vanes. Systems and methods for optimally aligning the DMDs are also disclosed. |
| US09609726B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing indoor location information using lighting control network
An apparatus and method for providing indoor location information are disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a signal reception unit, a global positioning system (GPS) data reception unit, a frame generation unit, a scheduling unit, and a signal transmission unit. The signal reception unit receives a lighting control frame from a lighting control device. The GPS data reception unit receives location data from GPS satellites. The frame generation unit generates a location data frame by extracting the location of an illumination light stored in a lighting arrangement storage unit, modifying the location data and adding a header to the modified location data. The scheduling unit schedules the lighting control frame or the location data frame. The signal transmission unit transfers the lighting control frame or the location data frame to the corresponding illumination light based on the results of the scheduling of the scheduling unit. |
| US09609724B2 |
Environment control system
An environment control system (1) for controlling the environment in an area (50), the area (50) comprising a plurality of sub-areas (50a1-50c5), the environment control system (1) comprising: a sensor unit (20) for generating a sensing signal pertaining to activity in the area (50), the sensor unit (20) comprising an activity type determination unit (22) for determining an activity type for each sub-area (50a1-50c5) based on the generated sensing signal for the area (50), a sound generating device (30) adapted to generate sound (32) with a varying sound property individually in each sub-area (50a1-50c5), the varying sound property having a first frequency, a light generating device (40) adapted to generate light (42) with a varying light property in each sub-area (50a1-50c5), the varying light property having a second frequency, a control unit (10) adapted to control the sound generating device (30) and the light generating device (40) independently for each sub-area (50ai-50c5), depending on the determined activity type for the corresponding sub-area (50a1-50c5), wherein the ratio between the first and the second frequency is an integer. |
| US09609723B2 |
Automatic grouping via light and sound
The invention relates to a method for automatic grouping of light sources within an illumination system. The method is performed starting from a first light source of the illumination system emitting a first light signal and a first sound signal. The method includes steps of using an intensity of the first light signal as received by a second light source and an intensity of the first sound signal as received by the second light source to determine a value of a grouping function (410, 420), and assigning the first light source and the second light source to the same group of light sources when the determined value of the grouping function satisfies one or more pre-determined conditions (430, 440, 450). In this manner, a determination could be made whether or not the first and second light sources should be assigned to the same group in a manner that yields improved results over the prior art solutions. |
| US09609719B2 |
Wireless control device
A wall-mountable wireless control device may include an antenna (e.g., a slot antenna or a hybrid slot-patch antenna) for transmitting and/or receiving radio-frequency signals, and may have a conductive material on a large amount (e.g., greater than or equal to approximately 85%) of a front surface of the control device. The wireless control device may operate consistently when installed with different types of faceplate assemblies (e.g., faceplate assemblies having metal and/or plastic components) and when installed with different types of electrical wallboxes (e.g., metal and plastic wallboxes). A faceplate comprising a conductive element may be installed on the wireless control device, such that the conductive element operates as a radiating element of the antenna. The wireless control device may comprise a conductive member (e.g., a conductive label or a conductive strap) extending around a rear enclosure of the wireless control device between opposite sides of a conductive yoke. |
| US09609711B2 |
LED tube lamp
A light-emitting diode (LED) tube lamp comprises a lamp tube, a first rectifying circuit, a filtering circuit and an LED driving module. The lamp tube has a first pin and a second pin for receiving an external driving signal. The first rectifying circuit is coupled to the first and second pins, for rectifying the external driving signal to produce a rectified signal. The filtering circuit is coupled to the first rectifying circuit, for filtering the rectified signal to produce a filtered signal. The LED driving module is coupled to the filtering circuit to receive the filtered signal for emitting light. Wherein, the filtering circuit includes a capacitor and an inductor connected in parallel and between one of the first and second pins and the first rectifying circuit, and the parallel-connected capacitor and inductor are configured for presenting a peak equivalent impedance to the external driving signal at a specific frequency. |
| US09609706B2 |
Power over Ethernet emergency lighting system and method of detecting power loss of a link segment thereof
A luminaire for use with power over an Ethernet emergency lighting is disclosed. The luminaire includes a rechargeable battery pack, an emergency backup LED driver, a normal lighting LED driver and an LED lamp. The luminaire also includes a power loss monitor that monitors the presence of normal lighting power present on a power over Ethernet link, and connects the emergency backup LED driver to the LED lamp through a relaying device in the event of a loss of normal lighting power. Furthermore, a method of detecting the power loss in a POE link segment is provided, wherein the method includes detecting a differential DC voltage between a first conductor in a first data pair on the POE link segment and a second conductor in a second data pair on the same POE link segment. |
| US09609694B2 |
Device for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic composition and associated dispensing method
This device (10) for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic composition, which comprises: a housing (12) capable of being grasped by a user of the device (10); a reservoir (14) contained in the housing (12), the reservoir (14) being intended to contain a cosmetic composition, the cosmetic composition comprising at least one active substance; an assembly (16) for heating the cosmetic composition capable of vaporizing the cosmetic composition de la composition; a control member (18) able to control the heating assembly (16); is characterized in that it has a driving member (22) capable of moving the vaporized cosmetic composition out of the device (10), the control member (18) being able to control the heating assembly (16) so that the vaporized cosmetic composition driven out of the device (10) by the driving member (22) permanently has a temperature less than 70° C. |
| US09609692B2 |
Device and method for controlling energy
Apparatuses and methods for applying EM energy to a load. The apparatuses and methods may include at least one processor configured to receive information indicative of energy dissipated by the load for each of a plurality of modulation space elements. The processor may also be configured to associate each of the plurality of modulation space elements with a corresponding time duration of power application, based on the received information. The processor may be further configured to regulate energy applied to the load such that for each of the plurality of modulation space elements, power is applied to the load at the corresponding time duration of power application. |
| US09609688B2 |
Methods and apparatus to facilitate relay startup and radio link failure (RLF) handling
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatus for startup and recovery of a radio link between a relay node and a donor base station. According to certain aspects, a relay node may perform a random access procedure utilizing a random access channel (RACH) to transition between Uu interface operations and Un interface operations. According to certain aspects, the relay node may perform radio link failure (RLF) recovery utilizing RACH procedures for a Un interface. The procedures described herein, according to certain aspects, may utilize a dedicated relay RACH resource and a Relay Physical Downlink Control Channel (R-PDCCH). |
| US09609687B2 |
Method of controlling connection between nodes in digital interface
A method of controlling connection between nodes in a digital interface whereby a first node that is a master node determines a second node to be the master and controls a point-to-point connection or a broadcast connection to another node. The first node having the display device determines the second node to be the master in accordance with a user selection, and transmits a connection command of a predetermined format for transmitting a data stream to the second node. The second node determined as the master in accordance with the transmitted connection command of the predetermined format is allocated with a channel and a bandwidth from an isochronous resource manager (IRM), and performs a point-to-point connection between the second node and the first node to transit the data stream. Thus, the transmission/reception, reproduction, and control of the data stream of the program can be smoothly performed. |
| US09609671B2 |
Data transmission method and system, and device thereof
A data transmission method receiving a group identifier, a configuration information window length, and an offset between a start point of the configuration information window length and a paging occasion that are sent by a mobility management entity; establishing a public data radio bearer to a terminal corresponding to the group identifier; scrambling configuration information of the public data radio bearer by using a radio network temporary identifier; sending a paging message carrying the group identifier and the radio network temporary identifier to the terminal; sending the scrambled configuration information of the public data radio bearer to the terminal in the configuration information window length; and receiving uplink data transmitted by the terminal on the public data radio bearer. |
| US09609669B2 |
WiFi hazardous area VoIP paging telephone and system
VoIP-based telephone is provided with integral paging amplifier and a WiFi antenna, and is designed for hazardous areas such as UL Class I, Division 1, Division 2 and IEC Ex including the WiFi antenna. A system of VoIP-based telephone units supports multicast to provide prioritized and loudspeaker-zoned paging. The integral 30-watt class D amplifier in the telephone units provides sufficient volume for paging and ringing to be reliably detected by personnel in hazardous locations. Upon lifting the handset, the telephone unit can automatically revert to standard VoIP telephone operation. The telephones can be powered via DC, AC or with Power over Ethernet (POE). |
| US09609667B2 |
Procedure for setting threshold for accessing channel
This document discloses a solution for determining a channel assessment threshold in an apparatus. A method according to this solution includes: determining, by the apparatus, a channel assessment threshold based on a factor representative of a signal-to-interference ratio at another apparatus with which said apparatus has established a link; determining, by the apparatus on the basis of the channel assessment threshold, whether or not a channel is free for transmission over the link; and upon determining the channel to be free, causing transmission of a frame. |
| US09609664B2 |
Layered channel access method and apparatus in wireless local area network system
A layered channel access method of a Group Representative-station (GR-STA) in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system is provided. The method includes receiving a management, including setting information indicative of a first phase and a second phase frame, from an Access Point (AP), receiving a first radio frame from the AP or accessing a channel and sending a second radio frame to the AP during the first phase indicated by the setting information, and receiving a third radio frame from an affiliated STA of a group to which the GR-STA belongs or accessing a channel and sending a fourth radio frame to at least one STA of the group to which the GR-STA belongs during the second phase indicated by the setting information. |
| US09609663B2 |
Techniques for decoupling downlink and uplink operations
Techniques are provided for decoupling uplink and downlink operations. According to certain aspects, a wireless node (e.g., a low power node) may receive, from a base station of a first cell, signaling indicating a random access channel (RACH) configuration for a wireless device. The wireless node may then detect the wireless node performing a RACH detection (based on the RACH configuration) and report the RACH detection and desired UL configuration to the base station of the first cell. The base station of the first cell may then select the wireless node for serving the wireless device for UL operations (e.g., based on the reported RACH detection-and similar reports from other wireless nodes detecting the same RACH procedure). |
| US09609658B2 |
System and method for interference alignment in cognitive small cell networks
Aspects of this disclosure provide techniques for computing Vandermonde-subspace frequency division multiplexing (VFDM) precoders for secondary network transmissions that mitigate interference between secondary communication signals, while avoiding interference with the primary system altogether. A precoder for a secondary user (SU) is computed on accordance with a nullspace induced by cyclic prefixes communicated over a primary data channel, a primary interference channel between a second user (SU) and the primary receiver, and a secondary interference channel between the SU and a neighboring SBS. The precoder provides both frequency domain precoding and spatial domain precoding on secondary transmission signals communicated from the SU. |
| US09609657B2 |
Mobile communication method, radio base station and mobile station
An objective of the present invention is to perform an appropriate demodulation process on a received signal in ABS. A mobile communication method according to the present invention includes the steps of: notifying a mobile station UE of an ABS “P_B” initial value by a radio base station eNB using an SIB2; notifying the mobile station UE of an ABS “P_A” initial value by the radio base station eNB using “RRCConnectionReconfiguration”; and performing a demodulation process on a downlink data signal in ABS by the mobile station UE on the basis of the ABS “P_B” initial value and the ABS “P_A” initial value. |
| US09609655B2 |
System for managing resources accessible to a mobile device server
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operating in a mobile device server having computer instructions to execute a web server application in the mobile device server. The web server application can be operable to detect a resource control manager while roaming in a communication zone of the resource control manager, and to transmit a pairing key to the resource control manager. The web server application can also be operable to receive from the resource control manager authorization to pair with one or more resources selected by the resource control manager according to the pairing key, and to establish communications with the one or more resources selected by the resource control manager. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09609654B1 |
Beam steering techniques applied to cellular systems
A cellular communication system is described where beam steering techniques are applied to fixed and mobile communication devices to increase system capacity, with capacity optimized for downlink or uplink performance. A previously described technique wherein the current mode on a single radiator is altered to vary the radiation pattern of the radiator is utilized in an FDD cellular system to generate multiple radiation patterns with low correlation between the patterns. Techniques to restrict or expand the frequency bandwidth of the beam steering technique are described to provide the capability to beam steer at receive frequencies or transmit frequencies only, and techniques are described where beam steering can occur at both transmit and receive frequency bands from a single active antenna system. The capacity per cell in the cellular system can be improved for either downlink or uplink by commanding the fixed or mobile devices to optimize correlation between radiation modes for the downlink or uplink frequencies. |
| US09609644B2 |
Method for transmitting control information and base station, and method for receiving control information and user equipment
According to one aspect of the present invention, antennas or antenna nodes spaced away from each other by a predetermined distance or more are configured to be able to transmit control information of mutually different user equipment groups, thereby increasing the efficiency in the operation of control channels. In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, a resource region for transmitting control information for an improved user equipment, which is a target of a multi-node cooperative transmission, is set differently from a resource region for transmitting control information for a legacy user equipment, thereby increasing the efficiency in the transmission of the control information for the improved user equipment. |
| US09609643B2 |
Method for transmitting and receiving sounding signal, base station and user equipment
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for transmitting a sounding signal, a base station and a user equipment, including: receiving a trigger message transmitted by a base station, where the trigger message comprises instruction information, the instruction information is used for instructing at least one UE in a group of user equipments UEs to transmit a sounding signal, and the group of user equipments comprises at least two user equipments; and transmitting the sounding signal to the base station according to the instruction information. According to the method for transmitting the sounding signal, the base station and the user equipment provided by embodiments of the present invention, an eNodeB may trigger at least one UE in a group of UEs to transmit a sounding signal according to a certain rule on a PDCCH, thereby improving efficiency. |
| US09609641B2 |
Radio communication method, radio communication system, radio base station and user terminal
In order to minimize deterioration in the reception accuracy even when downlink signals are transmitted from transmission points to a user terminal, a radio communication method for multiple radio base stations and a user terminal capable of communicating with the radio base stations is provided. The method involves transmitting downlink control information, a UE-specific reference signal and a channel state measurement reference signal to the user terminal, transmitting information about configuration of the channel state measurement reference signal, transmitting association information in which the configuration of the channel state measurement reference signal is associated with an information element contained in the downlink control information, determining a channel state measurement reference signal that is associated with a received UE-specific reference signal based on the association information, and performing reception processing, assuming that the UE-specific reference signal and the channel state measurement reference signal are transmitted from a same radio base station. |
| US09609639B2 |
Method for transceiving downlink control channel in wireless communication system, and apparatus therefor
The present invention relates to a method to receive an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) in a wireless communication system. More particularly, the method includes monitoring at least one EPDCCH candidate consisting of one or more enhanced control channel elements (ECCEs) in resource blocks and receiving the EPDCCH, wherein the number of ECCEs forming each of the one or more EPDCCH candidates corresponds to an aggregation level, the number of the EPDCCH candidates is set based on the number of ECCEs for each resource block and the number of resource blocks, and, when the number of resource blocks is a first value and the number of ECCEs for each resource block is a second value, the number of EPDCCH candidates in a specific aggregation level is set as a value obtained by dividing the total number of ECCEs by the specific aggregation level. |
| US09609638B2 |
Mobile station apparatus, base station apparatus, and communication method
The present invention enables a signal containing control information to be efficiently transmitted and received between a base station apparatus and a mobile station apparatus. The mobile station apparatus includes a first control unit configured to control, for a localized EPDCCH which is an EPDCCH constituted by a resource of one PRB pair, the EPDCCH being constituted by an aggregation of one or more ECCEs, a plurality of PRB pairs being configured as a region to which the EPDCCH is to be possibly mapped, an antenna port associated with a reference signal used for demodulation of a signal mapped to a corresponding ECCE constituted by a resource obtained by dividing the PRB pair. |
| US09609635B2 |
Resource allocation method and apparatus
By using a method for coordination between base stations, one base station allocates a resource to user equipment in a better manner with reference to resource configuration information saved in the base station and resource configuration information of another base station. The method provided in the embodiments of the present invention includes: acquiring, by a first base station, resource configuration information of a first cell, where the first cell is a cell served by the first base station; receiving resource configuration information of a second cell sent by a second base station, where the second cell is a cell served by the second base station; and allocating a resource to user equipment according to the resource configuration information of the first cell and the resource configuration information of the second cell, so that the user equipment communicates with the first cell and the second cell. |
| US09609634B2 |
Method for transmitting control information and device therefor
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. Particularly, the present invention relates to a method for transmitting an uplink signal in a wireless communication system and a device therefor, the method comprising the step of transmitting the uplink signal through a plurality of SC-FDMA symbols within a subframe, wherein: the uplink signal includes RI and HARQ-ACK information; the plurality of SC-FDMA symbols include an SC-FDMA symbol #n for an RS, an SC-FDMA symbol of a first set for the RI, and an SC-FDMA symbol of a second set for the HARQ-ACK; n is an integer of 0 or more; the SC-FDMA symbol of the first set includes SC-FDMA symbols #n−2, #n+2, #n+5 and #n+6; and the SC-FDMA symbol of the second set includes SC-FDMA symbols #n−1, #n+1, #n+3 and #n+4. |
| US09609632B2 |
Method and device for managing RAN resources in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and, more specifically, to a method and device for managing resources of a radio access network (RAN). A method by which a network node of a wireless communication system supports resource management of a RAN, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: receiving and storing, by the network node, a portion or all of user equipment (UE) context information from the RAN at a first time point; and transmitting, by the network node, the portion or all of the UE context information to the RAN at a second time point, wherein a radio resource control (RRC)-connected state for the UE can be maintained for a time including the first time point and the second time point. |
| US09609629B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient transmission of unmanaged over-the-top streams over cellular communication networks
A system and method for delivery of unmanaged over-the-top (OTT) streams in a cellular network are provided. The method includes monitoring unmanaged OTT streams flow in the cellular network; determining if at least one of the monitored unmanaged OTT streams can be delivered as an OTT stream in a multicast format; reformatting the at least one unmanaged OTT stream into a multicast OTT stream, if the at least one unmanaged OTT stream can be delivered in a multicast format; and delivering the at least one unmanaged OTT stream as a multicast OTT stream to a user edge device over the cellular network. |
| US09609628B2 |
Apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals, apparatus for receiving broadcast signals, method for transmitting broadcast signals and method for receiving broadcast signals
A method and an apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals thereof are disclosed. The apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals comprises an input formatter to format at least one input stream to output DP (Data Pipe) data corresponding to each of a plurality of DPs, wherein the each of a plurality of DPs carries at least one service or at least one service component, an encoder to encode the DP data, a mapper to map the encoded DP data onto constellations, a time interleaver to time interleave the mapped DP data, a frame builder to build at least one signal frame including the time interleaved DP data, a modulator to modulate data in the built at least one signal frame by an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) scheme and a transmitter to transmit the broadcast signals having the modulated data. |
| US09609624B2 |
Paging mobile stations in a hybrid network
A paging procedure implemented by a base station avoids transmission of unnecessary page messages. In a first embodiment, a first base station is notified by a mobile switching center when a paging request is seat to a mobile station is a second base station. The first base station does not page the mobile station, but stores a paging parameter in memory. When the first base station receives a page response message from the mobile station, it correlates the unsolicited page response message with a paged mobile list to determine as corresponding paging parameter, and forwards the page response message with the stored paging parameter to the mobile switching center. In a second embodiment, the first base station pages the mobile station and then sends an immediate paging response to the mobile switching center without waiting for a page response from the mobile station to terminate the paging procedure at the mobile switching center. |
| US09609623B2 |
Apparatus and method for receiving paging in mobile communication system
A method operating a user equipment for avoiding paging missing in a mobile communication system is provided. The method of operating a user equipment includes performing an area update process caused by a registration area change, performing a reselection of a previous registration area after performing the area update process, and attempting to receive a paging in the previous registration area. |
| US09609620B1 |
Wireless access point tile download prioritization
Techniques are disclosed for ranking wireless access points using crowdsourced information, and using these rankings to determine a priority of tiles to download to a mobile device. The number of tiles that may be downloaded by a mobile device and/or the number of wireless access points in each tile may be optimized, based on wireless access point rankings and tile priority. |
| US09609619B2 |
Geolocation
A method for determining information regarding a location of a target. A signal is sent from a first device to the target, and a total flight time delay is measured. Based on the total flight time delay, a distance of the target from the first device is determined thereby establishing a total possible area for the target location. A medial node with a known location is identified, and a flight time delay from the first device to the medial node is determined thereby permitting a determination of the distance of the target from the medial node and a reduced possible target area. Further reduced areas can be established with iterations of the medial node identification. Refinement can be achieved by automatically applying a probabilistic distribution with geographic regions of reduced confidence and geographic regions of elevated confidence as may be based on physical terrain, population density, and communication bandwidth. |
| US09609617B2 |
Locating electromagnetic signal sources
There is disclosed a method of estimating the location of a plurality of electromagnetic signal sources, comprising: scanning at a first plurality of locations to generate signal source position data, the signal source position data representing estimates of the position of at least one of said signal sources; scanning at a second plurality of locations using a signal detection system to generate signal detection data, the signal detection data relating to signals received at the second plurality of locations from the signal sources; processing the signal source position data in dependence on the signal detection data to correct estimation errors in the signal source position data; and outputting the processed signal source position data. |
| US09609614B2 |
Access node locations in a network
Disclosed systems and methods relate to determining and optimizing a location of an access node within a network. In one aspect, a computing device may analyze information related to location, timing delays, and wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi) parameters such as signal strength to confirm and/or optimize the location of an access node. The location information may include global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the access node and user devices, and the timing delay information may include data associated with delays in transmitting a signal from a provider to a device associated with the access node and nearby devices. |
| US09609612B2 |
Estimation of frequency offset between a base station and mobile terminal
A method and apparatus for frequency offset estimation exploits the differences in reference symbol timing for different channels to resolve ambiguities in the frequency offset estimation. Based on the initial frequency offset estimates, a hypothesis table is constructed providing hypothesized frequency offsets for each channel for a plurality of possible offset regions. An error metric for each offset region is calculated based on the difference of the hypothesized frequency offsets. The set of hypothesized frequency offsets that minimize the error metric is selected as the final frequency offset estimates. |
| US09609608B2 |
Method for supporting device to device synchronization and identification in wireless access system that supports device to device communication
The present invention relates to methods for efficiently performing device to device synchronization and device identification in a device to device communication system, and devices for supporting the methods. The method for supporting device to device synchronization and identification in a wireless access system that supports device to device communication according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: allowing a first device to broadcast a RACH signal for device to device synchronization in a peer discovery section; allowing the first device to receive a first response message transmitted from a second device as a response to the RACH signal; and transmitting a message including device identification information for the first device to the second device. |
| US09609601B2 |
Mobile terminal and method for managing power thereof
A method for managing power in a mobile terminal is provided. The method includes determining whether residual power indicative of residual battery power of the mobile terminal is less than or equal to predetermined reference power, if a power management mode is run; generating guide data to be provided to a user based on the residual power, if the residual power is less than or equal to the reference power; and displaying the guide data. |
| US09609598B2 |
Power control performance for user equipment
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus configured to establish a wireless connection to a first network, tune away from the first network for a first predetermined interval, tune back to the first network after the first predetermined interval, enter a power control freeze state for a second predetermined interval after tuning back to the first network, send a plurality of transmissions to the first network during the second predetermined interval, determine if a number of the plurality of transmissions that are not received by the first network exceeds a first threshold or if a number of the plurality of transmissions that are retransmitted to the first network exceeds a second threshold, and exit the power control freeze state when it is determined that the first threshold is exceeded or when it is determined that the second threshold is exceeded. |
| US09609596B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling traffic of electronic device
An apparatus and a method for controlling traffic of a second electronic device, which interworks with a first electronic device, in the first electronic device is provided. The method includes detecting occurrence of an event which needs to be notified to the second electronic device, determining a time to notify the occurrence of the event based on a driving time of the second electronic device, and transmitting an event occurrence notification signal to the second electronic device at the determined notification time. |
| US09609594B2 |
Networked evacuation system
A method includes determining, by a first node in a communication network, a listening schedule to be used by the first node. The listening schedule is based at least in part on a battery life of the first node. The method also includes transmitting, by the first node, the listening schedule to a second node in the communication network such that the second node is able to communicate with the first node in accordance with the listening schedule. |
| US09609593B2 |
Method and system for controlling signalling transmission in power-saving mode
A method and system for controlling signalling transmission in a power-saving mode are disclosed. The method includes that a terminal transmits a tracking area update request signalling or a routing area update request signalling to a new mobility management unit, wherein each signalling includes a power-saving parameter; and the new mobility management unit transmits a power-saving parameter to an old mobility management unit or a serving gateway. According to the disclosure, a network is enabled to keep pace with the power-saving mode of the terminal, and a paging message is transmitted only at activation time, thereby ensuring that the terminal may receive the paging message, and avoiding resource waste caused by repeated paging of the network. |
| US09609588B2 |
Information processing apparatus and display control method
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus comprises a wireless communication device, a display, a logon process module, and a display control module. The logon process module is configured to cause the display to display a logon screen, in a logon process of identifying a user account which uses an operating system. The display control module is configured to cause the display to display, together with the logon screen, a state of an access point detected by the wireless communication device. |
| US09609587B2 |
System and method for host and OS agnostic management of connected devices through network controlled state alteration
A method and system for establishing network connectivity with a device is disclosed. A connectivity platform detects a plurality of networks. A network policy of each of the plurality of networks is determined. A signal quality of each of the plurality of networks is determined. The network policy and the signal quality of each of the plurality of networks is analyzed. A connection is established between the device and the first network of the plurality of networks based on the analysis of the network policy and the signal quality of each of the plurality of networks. |
| US09609585B1 |
Devices and method for cell search and detection
A communication circuit arrangement may include a cell search circuit configured to compare a detected synchronization sequence of a detected candidate cell with a predetermined reference synchronization sequence to generate a demodulated synchronization sequence including a plurality of samples, determine a phase variance between the plurality of samples of the demodulated synchronization sequence, and compare the phase variance to a detection threshold to classify the detected candidate cell as a real cell or a false cell. |
| US09609584B2 |
Access control method and apparatus of UE
A method for controlling delay tolerant access of a Machine-Type Communication (MTC) device based on a backoff mechanism is provided. The method includes receiving, at a terminal, a paging message including an access barring information update indicator from a base station, and receiving a System Information Block (SIB) including updated access barring information, the SIB being received regardless of modification periods. The terminal receives the SIB including the updated access barring information immediately without waiting for the arrival of next modification period, resulting in improvement of access barring efficiency. |
| US09609582B2 |
Handling packet data units
Apparatus is configured to provide a first packet data unit for transmission as part of a first Bluetooth low energy advertising packet, the first packet data unit including a first indicator indicating the use of a first coordinate frame and first data indicating a location, the first data indicating the location using the first coordinate frame, and to cause transmission of the first Bluetooth low energy advertising packet including the first packet data unit. |
| US09609576B1 |
Method of reducing active cellular connections in a wireless network
A system and method of providing wireless communications to a wireless device is provided. A scanning report can be received from each of a plurality of wireless devices in communication with a first access node using a first radio access technology. A second access node can be selected from among one or more second access nodes to initiate communications with the first access node over a communication link based on the scanning report from each of the plurality of wireless devices. The plurality of wireless devices can be instructed to establish communications with the second access node using a second radio access technology different from the first radio access technology. A bandwidth allocation of the communication link can be adjusted based on the plurality of wireless devices. |
| US09609575B2 |
Intelligent routing of network packets on telecommunication devices
A telecommunication device configured to select one of a plurality of network connectivities of the telecommunication device to use for transmission of a network packet is described herein. The telecommunication device may select the network connectivity based on user routing criteria, connectivity metrics, or transmission times. The user routing criteria may be dynamically updated during a communication or connection, affecting selection of the network connectivity for further network packets. The network connectivities may be respectively associated with different network operators. Also, the telecommunication device may select a first network connectivity for transmitting a first network packet and a second network connectivity for transmitting a second network packet. Further, the telecommunication device may select a first network connectivity for uplink communications and a second network connectivity for downlink communications. |
| US09609572B2 |
Method and system for supporting mobility of a mobile terminal in a software-defined network
A method and system for supporting the mobility of a mobile terminal in a software-defined network are disclosed. A method for supporting the mobility of a mobile terminal in a software-defined network according to an embodiment of the invention can include: routing a data packet of the mobile terminal to an authority switch serving as an anchor within a first partition, said routing performed by a switch by referencing a flow table; and setting a data path to an authority switch of a second partition, which is the partition containing the destination of the data packet, based on a rule provided by a controller and transmitting the data packet to a destination, said setting and transmitting performed by the authority switch of the first partition. |
| US09609571B2 |
Systems and methods for securely transmitting and receiving discovery and paging messages
Methods, devices, and computer program products for transmitting and receiving discovery and paging messages in a wireless communication device are described herein. In one aspect, a wireless apparatus operable in a wireless communication system comprises a transmitter configured to transmit a medium access control change request message to an access terminal to initiate a change in a medium access control address of the wireless apparatus and a receiver configured to receive a medium access control change response message from the access terminal. The wireless apparatus further comprises a processor configured to change the medium access control address of the wireless apparatus in response to receiving the medium access control change response, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a medium access control change confirm message to the access terminal. |
| US09609570B2 |
Method and network node for handling handover
A method in a network node for allocating to user equipments a respective carrier is provided. The carrier is a frequency carrier for wireless communication. The network node is comprised in a cellular network. The network node identifies (202) a set of carriers. The carriers in the set of carriers each are associated with a respective geographic handover region for handover between cells. The geographic handover regions of the carriers differ from each other more than a threshold. When the network node has identified (203) a group of user group of user equipments with correlated mobility pattern, it allocates (204) to at least two of the user equipments within the group of user equipments a respective carrier. The allocation is performed such that the at least two user equipments in the group are spread among the carriers in the set of carriers. |
| US09609564B2 |
Fast modulation and coding scheme adaptation protocol for long term evolution with multiple-user multiple input, multiple output
Embodiments for providing fast modulation and coding scheme adaptation for LTE regardless of transmission using single-user multiple-input and multiple-output (SU-MIMO) or multiple-user multiple-input and multiple-output are generally described herein. In some embodiments, channel state information reference signals are sent to user equipment by a node. First channel quality indication feedback based on the channel state information reference signals is received from the user equipment. Physical downlink shared channel data and demodulation reference signals are transmitted using a first modulation and coding scheme based on the first channel quality indication feedback. Second channel quality indication feedback based on measurements performed by the user equipment on the demodulation reference signals is received by a node. Physical downlink shared channel data is transmitted using a second modulation and coding scheme based on the second channel quality indication feedback. |
| US09609561B2 |
Mobile communications method, device, and system
The embodiments of present invention provide a mobile communications method, a device, and a system. The method is performed by an access network device, including: receiving, by using a terrestrial interface of a first network standard between an access network and a first core network, a first terrestrial interface message of the first network standard sent by the first core network; generating, according to an air interface protocol of an air interface of a second network standard between the access network and UE and the first terrestrial interface message, a first air interface message of the second network standard; and sending, by using the air interface of the second network standard, the first air interface message to the UE. The method implements direct communication between network devices of different standards in a mobile communications system, thereby decoupling an air interface from a terrestrial interface. |
| US09609560B2 |
Cyber foraging network system for automatic wireless network access point detection and connection
A cyber-foraging network system which automatically and intelligently detects, selects, and connects to a wireless networking access point utilizing data obtained from its own environmental observations as well as from a robust wireless networking context aggregation/interpolation service. |
| US09609548B2 |
Method and apparatus for selecting a radio link control protocol data unit size
A method and apparatus are used to create RLC PDUs in advance of the E-TFC selection for the MAC PDU that will include this or these RLC PDU(s). The apparatus may be configured to pre-generate RLC PDUs for transmission in a later TTI. This approach avoids the large peak processing requirement due to the tight delay constraint if any RLC PDU to be included into a MAC PDU had to be created after the determination of the size of this MAC PDU, i.e. after E-TFC selection. The method and apparatus maintain an approximate match between the size of an RLC PDU and the size of the MAC PDU it is included into. Maintaining this approximate match ensures that the RLC PDU error rate due to HARQ residual errors remains low. This approach may be designed as “semi-radio aware” or “radio-aware with delay”. |
| US09609541B2 |
Method and apparatus for device collaboration via a hybrid network
An access point is provided that bridges a PAN with a LAN. When the access point receives, from a first mobile device, a request to authenticate with the access point for a first network service and a request to establish a second network service, wherein the second network service provides for bridging a PAN with a LAN, the access point determines a credential to be used by mobile devices who wish to join the second network service and, in response to determining that the first mobile device is authorized to make such a request, establishes the second network service. Further, in response to receiving, from a second mobile device, a request to join the second network service, which request includes the credential, the access point joins the second mobile device to the second network service and bridges traffic between the first and second mobile devices using the second network service. |
| US09609539B2 |
Techniques and methods for controlling crowdsourcing from a mobile device
Systems, apparatus and methods for crowdsourcing measurements of wireless base stations, access points and/or other transmitters from a mobile device to a server are presented. A crowdsourcing request sent by a server to a mobile device may comprise control parameters and measurement parameters. Control parameters may determine when a mobile obtains and reports measurements and measurement parameters may determine which types of measurements a mobile device obtains. Control parameters may comprise trigger parameters for crowdsourcing activation, measurement, reporting and duration. Crowdsourcing may be instigated by a control server and reported to a different data server. Crowdsourcing may be anonymous and may comprise basic or advanced reporting. |
| US09609536B2 |
Measurement of received power and received quality in a wireless communication network
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatuses for wireless communications. According to certain aspects, a set of protected resources, allocated to a base station of a first cell, that are protected by restricting transmissions of a second cell is determined and received power of a first reference signal from the base station in the set of resources is measured. According to certain aspects, a subset of one or more neighbor base stations that have reduced interference in a set of protected resources is determined and received power measurements for the subset of neighbor cells is excluded when calculating receive signal quality measurements for the subframe. |
| US09609535B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing radio frequency index of active antenna system
A method and apparatus for testing a radio frequency index of an active antenna system are provided. In the method, a tested active antenna system is placed in a test cover for performing radio frequency index testing, wherein, the test cover includes an antenna array part and a passive network part, and the antenna array part and the antenna feeder part of the tested active antenna system are the same. The method for testing includes: monomer calibration of the test cover; near-field coupling calibration; and radio frequency index testing. With the above-mentioned method and apparatus for testing the radio frequency index of the active antenna system, the radio frequency index of the active antenna system can be directly and effectively measured without need of adding an extra test interface. |
| US09609533B2 |
Method and device for optimizing a handover parameter
A method includes acquiring a global handover performance parameter R, a local handover performance parameter r, and a handover parameter of a cell within a preset time; and detecting a handover problem, existing within the preset time, of the cell according to R and r. The method further includes receiving Rj, rj, a handover parameter, and indication information for a handover problem, within the preset time, of each adjacent cell that are sent by all adjacent cells; and determining whether the cell is a cell to be optimized. If an ith cell is a cell to be optimized, the method optimizes, according to Ri, ri, Rj, and rj, a handover parameter of the ith cell, and the handover parameters of the adjacent cells of the ith cell by using a data statistical regression method, a handover parameter corresponding to a handover problem of the ith cell. |
| US09609532B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for data transmission
A method, an apparatus and a system for data transmission are provided. The method includes: receiving processed first microwave data information that is received through a microwave antenna; performing multiplexing through a preset rule on the first microwave data information and processed first radio frequency data information that is received through a base station antenna, and sending multiplexed information to a baseband unit, so that the baseband unit sends the first microwave data information to a microwave indoor unit. In the method, the apparatus and the system for data transmission, microwave data information and radio frequency data information are multiplexed, and then multiplexed information is transmitted together. The microwave data information can be transmitted through a transmission medium between base station devices, such as a fiber, thereby saving connection cables between microwave transmission devices and reducing a device cost and an installation cost of the microwave transmission devices. |
| US09609531B2 |
Mobile terminal, base station and methods therein
Embodiments herein relate to a method in a mobile terminal for requesting access to a wireless communication system. The mobile terminal receives broadcasted system information directly indicating first access request preambles for a first contention based channel, and indirectly indicating second access request preambles for a second contention based channel based on the directly indicated first access request preambles. The mobile terminal further derives the second access request preambles from the first access request preambles. Additionally, the mobile terminal requests access using the second access request preambles or the first access request preambles to access the wireless communication system. |
| US09609528B2 |
Mobile communication system, base station apparatus, mobile station apparatus, control method, and computer readable medium
A first transmission controller (13) causes a second base station (7) to transmit first configuration information (CFG1) regarding a first cell (11) using a radio channel capable of being received by at least one first base station (1). A second transmission controller (14) selects a base station from among the at least one first base station (1), and transmits second configuration information (CFG2) regarding the first cell (11) to the selected base station from a higher-level network (15) via an access line (16). |
| US09609524B2 |
Apparatus and method for planning and validating a wireless network
A method includes displaying an image associated with a site at which a wireless network is to be installed or modified. The method also includes identifying positions of multiple wireless devices within the image. Different ones of the wireless devices are configured to support different wireless protocols, and the wireless devices and their positions form at least part of a design of the wireless network. The method further includes displaying, within the image, at least one of: (i) estimated wireless coverage areas of the wireless devices, (ii) estimated wireless connectivity between the wireless devices, and (iii) estimated communication routes between the wireless devices. In addition, the method includes validating the design of the wireless network against one or more network criteria using at least one of the estimated wireless coverage areas, the estimated wireless connectivity, and the estimated communication routes. |
| US09609522B2 |
Multi-cell transmissions
A technique including selecting as a coordinating entity one entity from a plurality of radio access network entities each capable of both coordinating a multi-cell transmission and following the coordination by another entity of a multi-cell transmission; deciding at said selected radio access network entity on physical parameters for a multi-cell transmission; and distributing physical parameter information about said multi-cell transmission from said coordinating entity to others of said plurality of radio access network entities. |
| US09609517B2 |
Cooperative security in wireless sensor networks
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for cooperative security in wireless sensor networks are described herein. A wireless node may organize itself into a cluster with other wireless nodes. The wireless node may cooperate with other wireless nodes in the cluster to select a leader node. The wireless node may describe its expected behaviors. The wireless node may detect a compromised wireless node within the cluster. The wireless node may prevent the compromised wireless node from compromising another wireless node. |
| US09609516B2 |
Content control in telecommunications networks
A telecommunications network including: a mobile device (10); a home network (12) with which the mobile device (10) user has a subscription including content preferences, the home network (12) including a content preference store (94) for storing the content preferences, a policy provisioning server (9) for indicating content preferences to mobile device (10) and home authenticating means (13) for performing authentication of the mobile device (10); and a further network (38) having at least one access point (11) with which the mobile device (10) can temporarily communicate and further authenticating means (42) for controlling registration of the mobile device (10) with the access point (11); wherein: the further authentication means (42) is operable to communicate with the home authentication means (12) to perform an authentication process for the mobile device (10) when the mobile device (10) connects to the access point (11), which authentication process accesses data from the content preference store (94) storing the user content preferences, determines if the further network (38) can satisfy the content preferences, and controls registration of the mobile device (10) with the access point (11) in dependence upon whether the further network (38) can satisfy the content preferences of the user. The mobile device (10) may include a store (36) for storing the user content preferences provisioned by a policy server (9), and registration control means (37) operable to generate a content query to the further network (38), and to analyze a response to the content query so as to determine if the further network (38) can satisfy the content preferences and to enable registration with the access point (11) in dependence thereon. |
| US09609515B2 |
System and method for verifying physical proximity to a network device
Systems and methods for verifying physical proximity to a network device are provided. The method includes acquiring a tag identifier from a tag fixed in, on, or proximal to a network device, using a computing device. The tag is configured to be read and written to by electronic communication with the computing device, when the computing device is disposed in proximity to the tag. The method further includes transmitting data indicative of the tag identifier to a server, and receiving an authorization confirmation from the server. The method also includes rewriting the tag so as to replace the tag identifier with a new tag identifier, using the computing device, and performing one or more operations with the network device after receiving the authorization. |
| US09609514B2 |
System and method for securing a conference bridge from eavesdropping
To provide more secure access to a conference call, a request is received from a user to retrieve a one-time conference passcode; the request includes a personal verification code. In one embodiment, the personal verification code is a digital certificate. The personal verification code is validated. In response to the personal verification code being valid, the user is sent the one-time conference passcode. The user then requests to join the conference call by presenting the one-time conference passcode and a participant code. The one-time conference passcode and the participant code are verified. In response to verifying the one-time conference passcode and the participant code, the user is allowed to join the conference call. The user's name is then displayed in a list of conference participants. This overcomes the security problem of not knowing exactly who is participating in the conference call. |
| US09609513B2 |
System and method for device authentication in a dynamic network using wireless communication devices
A short-range wireless network is established by direct communication between wireless devices and wireless access points. A wireless communication device provides initial registration information to a network and becomes a registered device. An API is downloaded to the wireless device to permit automatic authentication of the device for future communications. When a registered device enters a venue, at least one access point will automatically detect the wireless device and extract the necessary identification data to permit authentication of the device. Customized messages may be provided to the wireless device. If the wireless device enters a different venue, even in another city or state, the registration data may be automatically extracted by an AP and provided to a cloud network for authentication. Authenticated devices receive a list of authenticated vendors and unauthenticated vendors near the present location of the authenticated device. |
| US09609508B2 |
Forced operating of software on a remote terminal
A remote system allows a user terminal to execute a program other than those preliminarily stored in the user terminal through remote operation of the user terminal even if a user who receives remote operation cannot operate the user terminal. In the remote system 1 composed of the user terminal 10 to be remotely operated and a remote server 100, the user terminal 10 receives a remote message through a public line network 3 and accesses a destination remote server 100 written in the remote message, regardless of operation input from a user. The user terminal 10 executes a program read out from the accessed remote server, regardless of operation input from a user. |
| US09609503B2 |
Method and device for detecting and generating synchronization signal for device-to-device wireless communication
Provided is a method of generating a Device-to-Device Synchronization Signal (D2DSS) by a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method includes determining a service attribute for identifying whether the terminal is serviced by at least one base station; and generating a D2DSS for identifying whether the terminal is serviced by the base station, based on the determination result. In addition, provided is a method of configuring D2D synchronization by a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method includes receiving a signal from at least one base station or another device; determining whether a synchronization signal is detected from the received signal; and when the synchronization signal is detected, configuring synchronization with the another device based on the timing reference of the detected synchronization signal. |
| US09609501B2 |
Managed access to mobile endpoints
A network device may be configured to provide a gateway between a remote host and a mobile node using multiple interconnection protocols. The network device may include database circuitry configured to query a database for a first or second address of a mobile node using a domain name of the mobile node. The addresses may be associated with different interconnection protocols. The network device may include communication interface circuitry configured to receive a request from a remote host to communicate with the mobile node. The request may include the domain name. The interface circuitry may also be configured to transmit a message indicating the request using the first address, and transmit the second address to the remote host so that the remote host can communicate with the mobile node using the second address. The message may include a command to establish a data bearer through the second address. |
| US09609499B2 |
Apparatus and method to prioritize a random access procedure for emergency access
A communication device and base station configured to perform random access procedures utilizing, for example, Long-term Evolution (LTE). For example, the random access procedures can be performed for emergency calls. The base station can be configured to allocate one or more preambles to a group of preambles that are designated for emergency calls. The communication device can be configured to transmit random access preambles at a maximum transmission power and ramp down the transmission power for subsequent transmissions. The communication device can be configured to initiate a second random access procedure and determine whether to continue with the second random access procedure or the first random access procedure while aborting the other. |
| US09609497B2 |
Intelligent emergency session handling
An access control device may include logic configured to receive a request from a user device to set up a packet connection for an emergency session to a packet data network via an access network. The logic may be further configured to determine a location associated with the user device; identify a public safety answering point associated with the determined location; determine whether a connection capacity associated with the identified public safety answering point has been reached; and reject the request to set up the packet connection for the emergency session, in response to determining that the connection capacity associated with the identified public safety answering point has been reached. |
| US09609496B2 |
Data acquisition method and apparatus for wireless communication system
A method and a terminal for acquiring information on the media supported by an emergency center to provide the terminal with the emergency call service using non-voice media as well voice media are provided. A method includes receiving information on media supported by an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) from a server, storing the information on the media supported by the IMS, and transmitting a signal to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) based on the information on the media supported by the IMS and the terminal. The emergency call processing method of the present invention allows only the terminal capable of NOVES to perform the media information acquisition procedure, thereby avoiding overhead caused by media acquisition attempts of a large number of terminal. |
| US09609495B2 |
Central information management system
A network device is configured to send information identifying a frequency at which an application, downloaded on a user device, is to send geographic location information to the network device. The network device is configured further to receive personal information associated with a plurality of social networking applications from the application on the user device. The network device is configured further to receive the geographic location information from the application; and send the personal information and the geographic location information to a plurality of social networking servers associated with a plurality of social networking applications. |
| US09609492B2 |
Method and system for dynamically creating tunnels suitable for metering and managing usage data for applications and services
A server computing device may be deployed in telecommunication signaling network and configured to communicate with a subscriber profile repository, policy management component, a charging component, and/or other components in the network to intelligently determine whether a user equipment device should receive/use a service via a communication tunnel, to authorize and/or create a communication tunnel between a user equipment device and a tunnel termination function component, and to implement policy charging rules for the use of the service via the communication tunnel. The communication tunnel may carry a portion or a segment of a data flow for a specific service (or a portion of the communication link) between the user equipment device and a destination component. The server computing device may be configured to authorize/create different communication tunnels for different services and to implement different policy charging rules for different tunnels. |
| US09609490B2 |
Updating of layer-2 group key in a wireless network
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an access point sends timing information related to updating of a group key. A wireless station communicates with the access point according to the timing information to receive an updated group key. The updated group key is thereafter used for processing of multicast packets. Due to the use of the timing information, the wireless station can operate in a power-down mode, and yet receive at least the required group keys. In one embodiment, the timing information specifies a future time instance at which the update group may be available. In an alternative embodiment, a version number is associated with each value of the group key and the version number of the currently operative group key (in the access point) is broadcast to the wireless stations. |
| US09609489B2 |
Distribution of media content identifiers to wireless communication devices
A data network receives data associating media content identifiers with a content network identifier and a content user identifier. A wireless network receives a registration indicating the content network identifier and the content user identifier and transfers the content network identifier and the content user identifier to the data network. The data network identifies the media content identifiers associated with the content network identifier and the content user identifier and transfers the media content identifiers to the wireless communication network. The wireless network receives a media request from a wireless communication device indicating the content network identifier and the content user identifier. The wireless network transfers the media content identifiers associated with content network identifier and the content user identifier to the wireless communication device. |
| US09609488B2 |
Managing broadcast services
Methods, systems, and devices are described for managing broadcasts of data in wireless communications. A request to join a multicast session is received. A plurality of broadcast technology based identifiers associated with the multicast session are received. Each broadcast technology based identifier identifies one of a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs) broadcasting the multicast session. One of the plurality of RATs is selected. A multicast stream of data associated with the multicast session is received from the selected RAT. |
| US09609487B2 |
System for providing location relevant information
A system for providing location relevant information to users of a plurality of mobile devices within a multi-storey building. A plurality of transmitters are located in different locations across multiple floors of the building. Each transmitter transmits a signal for identifying the location of its associated transmitter and signals transmitted at least by transmitters located on the same floor share at least one common transmission parameter. The mobile devices each run software that identifies signals received substantially concurrently from the transmitters, determining the closest transmitter, and then displays on the mobile device location relevant information associated with that location. |
| US09609485B2 |
Predicting companion data types associated with a traveler at a geographic region including lodging
Various embodiments relate generally to electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and wearable computing devices for identifying activities and/or destinations of relative importance. More specifically, a system, a device and a method are provided to predict a type of companion with whom a traveler collaborates to, among other things, predict activities (e.g., preferential activities) available at a geographic region association with lodging. In one or more embodiments, a method can include determining a location at which a user computing device associated with a user is disposed, and calculating that a computing device associated with a candidate companion is within a region coterminous with the location. Also, the method may include predicting data representing a companionship type for data representing the candidate companion based at least the location at which the user and the candidate companion are co-located. |
| US09609484B1 |
Approaches for positioning computing devices
Electronic devices can be provided with access point sparse databases that include a listing of some or all known access points in a geographic region and the respective coordinates of those access points. The device can scan and identify the access points that are within range of the device. The device can reference the names of the detected access points with access point information included in the sparse database stored in the device to determine the coordinates of the detected access points. These coordinates provide an estimate as to the device's geographic position. The sparse database can also include data describing various actions that are triggered in response to the device being located in the geographic region. Thus, upon determining that the device is physically located in the geographic region, the device can perform or execute any actions that have been specified in the sparse database. |
| US09609482B1 |
Cloud-coordinated location system using ultrasonic pulses and radio signals
In general, this disclosure describes location techniques for a mobile device. A mobile device may request permission from a server device to perform a ranging operation. Responsive to receiving an indication of allowance, the mobile device may output a first data packet via a radio signal, which is received by a beacon device that activates an ultrasonic transponder upon receipt of the first data packet. The mobile device then outputs a second data packet via an ultrasonic pulse. The beacon device receives the ultrasonic pulse and outputs a third data packet via a second radio signal that includes information identifying the beacon device. The mobile device calculates a time difference between outputting the ultrasonic pulse and receiving the second radio signal and determines its location based on the third data packet and the time difference. |
| US09609481B2 |
Systems and methods for transmitting variable beacon profiles
Systems, devices, methods, computer-readable media, techniques, and methodologies are disclosed for transmitting variable beacon profiles. In some embodiments, a server may receive a variable beacon profile at a first point in time, the variable beacon profile associated with a wireless beacon. A temporal indicator indicating the first point in time may be received. Location information associated with the wireless beacon may be determined based at least in part on the variable beacon profile and the temporal indicator. The location information may be transmitted to a service provider application on a mobile device. |
| US09609478B2 |
Geo-fencing with diagnostic feature
A mobile device having location services stores information pertaining to a geo-fence assigned to a building and stores a geo-fence log including one or more mobile device parameters and one or more geo-fence crossing events. The mobile device may determine the location of the mobile device via the location services and may determine when a geo-fence crossing event has occurred. Each of the geo-fence crossing events may be recorded in the geo-fence log, which may be uploaded to a remote server from time to time. |
| US09609458B2 |
Mobile radio communication devices, servers, methods for controlling a mobile radio communication device, and methods for controlling a server
A mobile radio communication device is described comprising: an instruction receiver configured to receive an instruction from a second mobile radio communication device to request subscriber identity module installation data for installation of a second subscriber identity module, wherein the second subscriber identity module is related to a first subscriber identity module that is installed in the second mobile radio communication device; a request transmitter configured to transmit a request for the subscriber identity module installation data to a first server; a subscription data receiver configured to receive the subscriber identity module installation data from a second server; and a controller configured to install the second subscriber identity module based on the received subscriber identity module installation data. |
| US09609457B2 |
Mobile application procurement and configuration options for VOIP service
In at least some embodiments, a system includes at least one server to manage voice over internet protocol (VOIP) services. The managed VOIP services provided by the at least one server include a procurement service configured to streamline configuration of at least some of the VOIP services for a mobile device during a signup session based on a VOIP services signup session token. |
| US09609456B2 |
Methods, devices, and systems for communicating behavioral analysis information
Methods, systems and devices for communicating behavior analysis information using an application programming interface (API) may include receiving via the API a request to register the second module to access an operation of a behavioral monitoring system of the mobile computing device, and exchanging authentication information between the first module and the second module to accomplish mutual authentication. Aspects may include receiving via the API a request for version identification information that may be used by the server to determine how to interpret, evaluate, or crowd-source information, and exchanging version identification information between the first module and the second module to cause the second module to send the information to the server. Aspects may further include receiving via the API a provision malware model request including a command causing the first module to send a malware or classifier model to a behavioral monitoring system of the mobile computing device. |
| US09609455B2 |
Connective device, application program and content retrieval system
The invention provides a new method to supply a power to a device which is used by connecting to a mobile terminal. The invention also provides a connective device which is connected and enables the mobile terminal to reproduce contents such as music on the mobile terminal. The connective device stores unique identifying information and is detachably connected to the mobile terminal provided with a communication function. The connective device is having a plug terminal connected to an earphone socket of the mobile terminal, and the plug terminal acquires a power from an audio output channel of the earphone socket and output the identifying information via a microphone channel of the earphone socket. |
| US09609452B2 |
Obtaining sparseness information for higher order ambisonic audio renderers
In general, techniques are described for obtaining audio rendering information in a bitstream. A device configured to render higher order ambisonic coefficients comprising a processor and a memory may perform the techniques. The processor may be configured to obtain sparseness information indicative of a sparseness of a matrix used to render the higher order ambisonic coefficients to a plurality of speaker feeds. The memory may be configured to store the sparseness information. |
| US09609449B1 |
Continuous sound pressure level monitoring
A device is disclosed, the device comprising a least one microphone, at least one output audio transducer driver, at least one processor, a storage comprising a set of instructions executed locally, wherein the set of instructions causes the processor to: continuously measure an ambient sound pressure level when the device is an on state, calculate a sound pressure level of the output audio transducer driver when the output audio transducer is active, combine the two sound pressure levels into a total sound pressure level. |
| US09609431B2 |
Interested audio source cancellation method and voice recognition method and voice recognition apparatus thereof
Provided are an interested audio source cancellation method, a voice recognition method using the interested audio source cancellation method, computer-readable recording media recording programs for implementing the methods, and a voice recognition apparatus for performing voice recognition by using the interested audio source cancellation method. The interested audio source cancellation method includes steps of: receiving input mixed signals from two microphones and transforming the signals into a time-frequency domain through short-term Fourier transformation; setting an interested audio source cancellation vector for cancelling an interested audio source signal from the input mixed signals in the time-frequency domain; and generating a mixed noise signal by cancelling the interested audio source signal from the input mixed signals by using the interested audio source cancellation vector. |
| US09609430B2 |
Temperature measurement apparatus and protection apparatus for sound signal converting device
An audio signal output from a tone generator is fed into a coil provided in a transducer for vibrating a sound board, so that a sound signal is generated by the vibration of the sound board. A predetermined DC voltage supplied by a constant voltage source circuit is superimposed on the audio signal by an adding circuit, so that the superimposed signal is fed into the coil. A current passing through the coil is sensed by a current sensing resistor, so that only a DC voltage component of a voltage signal on the both ends of the resistor is extracted by a low-pass filter circuit to be supplied to a microcomputer via an A/D converting circuit. The microcomputer figures out a resistance value and a temperature of the coil by use of the DC voltage component and the certain DC voltage value. |
| US09609429B2 |
Microphone
A microphone comprises a sound inlet, a first MEMS microphone structure comprising a first membrane and associated backplate in the path of the sound inlet and a second MEMS microphone structure comprising a second membrane and associated backplate stacked with respect to the first microphone membrane, with an enclosed space between the first and second membranes. |
| US09609423B2 |
Noise abatement system for dental procedures
A noise abatement system for dental procedures conceived to protect the hearing of dental staff members composed of office managers, dental operators including at least one of dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, dental technician and any other dental staff member in the dental operatory, and of patients, comprises a pair of headphones composed of one left and one right phones [1] connected to each other via a flexible strap [2], an audio signal processor (ASP) [7] with a receiver [17] and an on/off talk button [13] with a transmitter and circuitry [21]. Dental operators and patients can toggle an operator/patient switch [8] in a water- and dust-resistant casing of the pair of headphones to switch between operator mode and patient mode. In operator mode, the ASP receives the audio signals captured from the surrounding environment by one left and one right microphones [3], processes the captured audio signals and sends audible speech frequencies to the ears through one left and one right speakers [4] mounted in the casing of the one left and one right phones, while actively abating [15] the high-frequency noise generated by dental tools. In patient mode, the ASP is turned off and the sounds from the surrounding environment are passively abated by the water- and dust-resistant casing, the high-frequency insulating material [6] inside the water- and dust-resistant casing and the cushion [5]; however, if any of the dental operators or the patient enables a talk button [19] belonging to the on/off talk button, the patient will be able to hear speech frequencies from any operator in the surrounding environment and vice versa. Thus, a high-frequency noise-abating system is provided to dental facilities, practitioners and technicians that prevents dental staff members, as well as patients, from being exposed to unwanted noise generated by dental tools. At the same time, dental staff members can communicate among each other during the dental procedure, or operation of dental tools, while the pair of headphones is functioning; dental operators can also communicate with the patient by pushing the talk button. This system also allows each dental staff member and patient to mix in auxiliary audio signals including at least one of music, soothing sounds, white noise, radio, TV and/or any audio signal generated by an external audio source [14]; when in patient mode, this auxiliary audio signal gets muted when any dental operator or patient pushes the talk button in order to have a conversation with each other. |
| US09609422B2 |
Headphone unit and ear muff unit
Provided is a headphone unit including a housing having a convex portion and accommodating a driver unit, a support in contact with part of the outer surface of the convex portion, and a frictional member in contact with the support and the outer surface of the convex portion. The frictional member generates greater friction against the convex portion than the friction between the support and the convex portion. The housing is swingably joined to the support. |
| US09609421B2 |
Apparatus and methods related to a tactile vibrator for a speaker system
A speaker comprises a support structure having a circumferentially extending rim, a vibration member configured to be displaced relative to the support structure during operation of the speaker, and a suspension member suspending the vibration member relative to the support structure. The suspension member includes a radially outer portion attached to the rim of the support structure, a radially inner platform portion attached to the vibration member, and a plurality of beams. Each beam of the plurality of beams may extend from the radially outer portion to the radially inner platform portion. The plurality of beams is configured such that a resonant frequency of the vibration member attached to the radially inner platform portion of the suspension member scales linearly with a beam width of the beams of the plurality of beams. |
| US09609419B2 |
Contextual information while using headphones
Various systems and methods for providing contextual information to a user while the user is wearing headphones are described herein. A system for providing contextual information while wearing headphones comprises an event detector module to detect an event external and proximate to a user device, the user device communicatively coupled to headphones worn by a user, the headphones producing sound at a first volume; a notification decision module to determine whether to notify the user of the event; and a notification module to notify the user of the event based on the determination. |
| US09609418B2 |
Signal processing circuit
A signal processing circuit comprising: a first signal processor configured to produce a first output signal suitable for driving a first headphone speaker; a second signal processor configured to produce a second output signal suitable for driving a second headphone speaker; a third signal processor configured to receive the first input signal and/or the second input signal and to produce a third output signal suitable for driving a first loudspeaker; and simultaneously provide the first output signal to the first headphone speaker, the second output signal to the second headphone speaker, and the third output signal to the first loudspeaker. |
| US09609417B2 |
Headphone assembly
A headphone assembly is provided that includes two earpieces coupled by a flexible connecting wire. Each earpiece includes a single large button disposed on a distal side of the earpiece, thereby enabling a wearer to operate the system, even without direct access thereto. |
| US09609413B2 |
Headphone
Disclosed is a headphone, which includes a flexible inverted U-shape headband, a first headphone unit provided on an end of the headband and a second headphone unit provided on the other end of the headband. The first headphone unit is a circumaural headphone unit and the second headphone unit is an in-ear headphone unit. When using the above headphone, one ear of user is covered with the first headphone unit and the second headphone unit is put into the other ear of user. Due to the first headphone unit being a circumaural headphone unit and the second headphone unit being an in-ear headphone unit, the second headphone unit could be removed casually, which is easy to use. And such a headphone structure is novel and easy to be recognized. In addition, the unsymmetrical configuration of the headphone of the present invention can satisfy the market demand on new type headphone. |
| US09609410B2 |
Processing circuit for a multiple sensing structure digital microelectromechanical sensor having a broad dynamic range and sensor comprising the processing circuit
A processing circuit for a digital sensor, including: a control stage, which generates a control signal; a multiplexing stage, which may be electrically coupled to a plurality of sensing structures for receiving corresponding detection signals and generates a multiplexed signal, on the basis of one between the detection signals, as a function of the control signal; an analog-to-digital conversion stage, which is connected to the multiplexing stage and generates an encoded signal on the basis of the multiplexed signal; and an equalizer, which multiplies the encoded signal by a coefficient that depends upon the control signal. |
| US09609403B2 |
Method of controlling optical network unit (ONU) in sleep mode
Provided is a method of saving power in a passive optical network (PON) system including an optical line terminal (OLT) and a plurality of optical network units (ONUs), the OLT including an optical transceiver to communicate with at least one ONU through an optical line, and a controller to control the optical transceiver to transmit an upstream bandwidth map to the ONU at a predetermined transmission interval, wherein the transmission interval is determined based on a desired upstream data service delay time. |
| US09609402B2 |
Optical transmittal storage networks
Optical networks may store information or data therein by maintaining the information or data in motion. The optical networks may include optical fiber rings configured to receive optical signals comprising the information or data and to circulate the optical signals within the optical fiber rings. The optical signals and the information or data may be transferred out of the optical fiber rings in order to amplify the optical signals (e.g., to overcome losses due to attenuation within the optical fiber rings), to analyze the optical signals according to one or more processing techniques, or to transfer the information or data to another computer device upon request. If continued storage of the information or data is required, an optical signal including the information or data may be transferred back into the optical fiber rings and may continue to circulate therein. |
| US09609401B2 |
Optical switch, optical transmission device, and optical switching method
It is difficult to increase the number of inputs and outputs of an optical switch supporting CDC functions, therefore, an optical switch according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a unit optical switch inputting n optical signals and outputting n optical signals; an optical splitter inputting a single optical signal, splitting the single optical signal into k optical signals, and outputting the k optical signals; and an optical selector inputting m optical signals and outputting a single optical signal, wherein the optical splitter includes m×n pieces, the unit optical switch includes m×k pieces, the optical selector includes n×k pieces, (k×(m×n)) outputs of the optical splitter correspond to (n×(m×k)) inputs of the unit optical switch, (n×(m×k)) outputs of the unit optical switch correspond to (m×(n×k)) inputs of the optical selector, and (n×m) optical signals inputted into the optical splitter are output through the (m×k) unit optical switch from the optical selector as (n×k) optical signals. |
| US09609397B1 |
Automatic synchronization of subtitles based on audio fingerprinting
Various mechanisms presented in this disclosure provide for dynamically adjusting the exhibition of subtitles. In one example, check-points are introduced into the subtitle file format that, once achieved by a multimedia player, provoke the rescheduling of the moment in which the texts contained in the subtitle file will be exhibited. |
| US09609391B2 |
Methods, systems, and media for presenting mobile content corresponding to media content
Methods, systems, and media for presenting mobile content corresponding to media content are provided. In some implementations, a method for providing information relating to media content is provided, the method comprising: determining a channel that is providing the television program; causing images relating to the television program to be presented, wherein the images are selected based on the channel and a time parameter; receiving a user selection of an image; identifying an entity within the selected image using one or more image recognition techniques; generating a search query based at least in part on the identified entity; obtaining search results responsive to the generated search query; and causing at least one of the search results to be presented to the mobile device in response to receiving the user selection of the image. |
| US09609389B2 |
Method of processing non-real time service and broadcast receiver
A method of processing a non-real time service of a broadcast receiver, which receives and processes a service being transmitted in non-real time, and a broadcast receiver are disclosed. Herein, the method of processing a non-real time service of a broadcast receiver includes receiving a signaling information table including additional information on contents configuring a non-real time service and a content identifier for each content, acquiring and storing the additional information on contents and the content identifier for each content from the signaling information table, when a non-real time specific service guide is requested from a real-time specific service guide screen, configuring the non-real time specific service guide based upon the stored additional information and content identifier of the stored contents, thereby displaying a non-real time specific service guide screen, and performing a playback or download scheduling function on the content selected from the non-real time specific service guide screen. |
| US09609384B2 |
System and method for detecting and classifying direct response advertisements using fingerprints
In one aspect, a system for detecting and classifying direct response advertisements includes an advertisement candidate segment generation unit for generating an advertisement candidate segment for an advertisement section detected from a broadcast stream, a matching unit for determining whether the advertisement candidate segment matches an advertisement segment stored in an advertisement database (DB), a direct response advertisement determination unit for determining whether the advertisement candidate segment is a direct response advertisement if it is determined by the matching unit that an advertisement segment matching the advertisement candidate segment is not present, and a direct response advertisement grouping unit for grouping the advertisement candidate segment with advertisement segments that are direct response advertisements stored in the advertisement DB. |
| US09609379B2 |
Mosaic focus control
A television receiver may be configured to receive, from a user of the television receiver, a set of viewing rules that define a focus preference of the user. The television receiver may output, to a presentation device, a video mosaic comprising a plurality of pieces of content presented as a plurality of tiles. Each piece of content may be linked with a corresponding audio stream from a plurality of audio streams. The television receiver may select a piece of content for focus from the plurality of pieces of content based on the set of viewing rules defined by the user. The television receiver may output only an audio stream linked with the piece of content being focused on from among the plurality of audio streams. |
| US09609377B2 |
Streaming of digital data to a portable device
The present invention achieves wireless delivery of media streams to portable devices for providing media information related to a show or attraction for the purposes of captioning, language translation, and assistive listening. As a person moves about a venue, the device receives infrared or radio signals from transmitters at venue locations. The device decodes each signal as venue location, event time, or device trigger for presentation on the device. The device memory contains audio, text, graphics and device playback may contain one or many of these stored contents. The stored content is synchronized with the user's location, time of travel, time of day, time of a show, or an event in a show and may be in one or many languages. Presentation of stored content on the device may also be altered by user preference, stored logic constraints, automatic learning of user behavior, or user interaction with other devices. |
| US09609376B2 |
Provision of a personalized media content
Method for providing a personalized content having a determined sequencing of media contents, comprising steps of: receiving, in a control channel, a control stream comprising temporal control information describing the content sequencing; receiving media streams comprising the media contents of the sequencing; and controlling a rendering of the personalized content by using said control information, wherein the sequencing comprising a first live program followed by a second live program, the method further comprises a step of detection of an overlap of the first and second live programs. |
| US09609375B2 |
Method for mapping between signaling information and announcement information and broadcast receiver
A method for mapping signaling information to announcement information and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of providing a Non-Real-Time (NRT) service, the method comprises extracting identification information of first signaling information and second signaling information based upon a program specific information/program and system information protocol (PSI/PSIP) table, receiving the first signaling information and second signaling information based upon the extracted identification information, constructing and displaying a service guide using the received first signaling information, acquiring first content identification information as a content selected from the displayed service guide, accessing a File Delivery over Unidirectional Transport (FLUTE) session using the received second signaling information, acquiring second content identification information matched with the acquired first content identification information from the accessed FLUTE session and receiving and storing one or more file constructing corresponding content based upon the acquired second content identification information. |
| US09609373B2 |
Presentation timeline synchronization across audio-video (AV) streams
A system for presentation timeline synchronization across audio-video (AV) streams associated with a common event may include memory and a processor. The processor may be configured to receive metadata items from a user device during a live event, the metadata items corresponding to points-in-time marked by the user while being presented with an audio-video (AV) stream associated with the live event. The metadata items may include timing indicators that are indicative of the marked points-in-time relative to the start of the live event. The processor may be configured to provide to the user device with other AV streams associated with the live event that were available at one of the points-in-time marked by the user. The processor may be configured to provide the other AV streams to the user device beginning with a frame that corresponds to the one of the points-in-time marked by the user. |
| US09609372B2 |
Program support service based on secondary network and connection
A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium having instructions to establish a first connection via a first network that provides access to a program service; obtain program support service data that indicates a program support service including at least one of a retransmission service, an error correction service, or a scalable program service; determine whether to invoke the program support service based on the program support service data; establish a second connection via a second network that provides access to the program support service in response to a determination to invoke the program support service; invoke the program support service via the second connection; receive program data of a program via the first connection; and receive program support data pertaining to the program via the second connection. |
| US09609371B2 |
Online video playing method and video playing server
The present invention discloses a method for playing online video and a video playing server thereof. This method includes: splitting a video play file into multiple sequentially connected video segments; receiving a video downloading request from a user, obtaining a video segment corresponding to positioning information carried in the video downloading request, and returning content of the video segment corresponding to the positioning information to a client; and confirming that returning content of the current video segment is finished, and releasing bandwidth resources occupied by the user. By applying the present invention, the bandwidth utilization rate can be improved and the bandwidth resource pressure of the video playing server can be decreased. |
| US09609370B2 |
Video delivery modification based on network availability
A video server or other processing device obtains availability information for a wireless network and modifies a manner in which video segments of a video service are delivered to a user device over the wireless network based on the obtained availability information. The availability information may comprise at least one of network congestion measurement information and transmission pricing information. In an illustrative embodiment, the processing device comprises a video server configured to utilize the availability information to generate a list of video segments available for transmission for at least a portion of the video service, to provide the list of video segments to the user device responsive to a request received from the user device, to receive an additional request from the user device for at least one particular video segment identified in the list, and to provide the requested at least one video segment to the user device. |
| US09609369B2 |
System, device and method for transrating file based assets
A video transrater, and a transrater system and method. The transrater, system and method may select an optimal bit rate from among a plurality of available bit rates in order to obtain a particular video quality and/or format. |
| US09609366B2 |
Digital television terminal, video file playing method and video file playing system
Provided are a digital television terminal, a video file playing method and a video file playing system. The terminal comprises: a video file retrieval unit for receiving a retrieval request input by a user, sending the retrieval request to an offline task management server in an offline download system, and receiving a retrieval result returned by the offline task management server; a data download unit for, when a play request for the user to select and play one video file in the retrieval result is received, downloading the selected video file from a cloud storage server which is associated with a preset video file list in the offline download system; a data cache unit for caching the video file downloaded by the data download unit; and a video playing unit for playing the video file acquired from the data cache unit. The embodiments of the present invention realize video file. |
| US09609354B2 |
Apparatus for decoding a moving picture
Provided is an apparatus for decoding a moving picture. When the current block is coded in intra prediction and a size of the transform block is larger than a predetermined size, a plurality of sub-blocks are restored by applying a first scan pattern determined according to the intra prediction mode of the current block on the quantization coefficient sequence, and the quantized transform block is restored by applying a second scan pattern determined according to the intra prediction mode of the current block on the plurality of sub-blocks. The first scan pattern for restoring the plurality of sub-blocks from the quantization coefficient sequence is the same as the second scan pattern for restoring the quantized transform block from the plurality of sub-blocks. |
| US09609352B2 |
Apparatus for encoding a moving picture
Provided is an apparatus for encoding a moving picture. When the current block is coded in intra prediction and a size of the transform block is larger than 4×4, the quantized transform coefficients of the quantized transform block are divided into a plurality of sub-blocks. The plurality of sub-blocks are scanned according to a first scan pattern determined by the intra prediction mode of the current block and the quantized transform coefficients of each sub-block are scanned according to a second scan pattern determined by the intra prediction mode of the current block. The first scan pattern for scanning the plurality of sub-blocks is the same as the second scan pattern for scanning the quantized transform coefficients of each sub-block. |
| US09609349B2 |
Apparatus for decoding a moving picture
Provided is an apparatus for decoding a moving picture. When the current block is coded in intra prediction and a size of the transform block is larger than a predetermined size, a plurality of sub-blocks are restored by applying a first scan pattern determined according to the intra prediction mode of the current block on the quantization coefficient sequence, and the quantized transform block is restored by applying a second scan pattern determined according to the intra prediction mode of the current block on the plurality of sub-blocks. The first scan pattern for restoring the plurality of sub-blocks from the quantization coefficient sequence is the same as the second scan pattern for restoring the quantized transform block from the plurality of sub-blocks. |
| US09609347B2 |
Advanced merge mode for three-dimensional (3D) video coding
As part of a video encoding process or a video decoding process, a video coder may determine a first available disparity motion vector among spatial neighboring blocks of a current block of the video data. Furthermore, the video coder may shift a horizontal component of the first available disparity motion vector to derive a shifted disparity motion vector candidate (DSMV). The video coder may add the DSMV into a merge candidate list. |
| US09609346B2 |
Method and apparatus for deriving temporal motion vector prediction
A method and apparatus for deriving a temporal motion vector predictor (MVP) are disclosed. The MVP is derived for a current block of a current picture in Inter, or Merge, or Skip mode based on co-located reference blocks of a co-located block and a flag is used to indicate the co-located picture. More than one co-located reference blocks can be used to derive the temporal MVP and the co-located reference blocks can be selected from the co-located block as well as neighboring blocks of the co-located block. A search set comprises search motion vectors associated with the co-located reference block(s) is formed. The search motion vector (MV) corresponding to the co-located reference block in the same reference list is searched before the search MV in a different reference list. Various schemes to accommodate implicit method of deriving co-located picture are also disclosed. |
| US09609342B2 |
Compression for frames of a video signal using selected candidate blocks
A method of selecting reference blocks for intra or inter prediction coding of a current block of a video signal. Each reference blocks is selected by: (i) determining a group of candidate blocks comprising at least some candidate blocks other than immediately adjacent spatial neighbors of the current block; and (ii) selecting one of the candidate blocks as the reference block based on a second metric, different from the first metric, the second metric relating to a number of bits that would be required in the encoded bitstream to encode both the residual block and the side information identifying the respective reference block. |
| US09609341B1 |
Video data encoding and decoding using reference picture lists
Encoding and decoding is accomplished herein using a reference picture list. Reference frames are identified with picture numbers and are assigned to reference picture buffers when used for encoding. The picture numbers associated the reference frames in the reference picture buffers are ranked. Reordering can occur to assign short word lengths to those reference frames used frequently for prediction. The resulting encoded reference picture list is sent to a decoder. The decoder decodes the reference picture list. By comparing picture numbers in the reference picture list with picture numbers of reference picture buffers of the decoder, the encoder and decoder buffers can remain in sync even under packet loss conditions. For example, the decoder can use the decoded reference picture list to determine missing and unused reference frames. |
| US09609329B2 |
Dynamic voltage/frequency scaling for video processing using embedded complexity metrics
A video decoder performs a method of dynamic voltage/frequency scaling (DVFS) for video processing. The method includes parsing a bitstream associated with a video to determine embedded information associated with a complexity of a first portion of the video, estimating the complexity of the first portion of the video using the embedded information, determining a voltage and frequency to be used for decoding the first portion of the video based on the estimated complexity, and decoding the first portion of the video at the determined voltage and frequency. |
| US09609328B2 |
Electronic device and method
An electronic device includes an image capture unit that generates first RAW image data; a compression unit that compresses the first RAW image data; a decompression unit that decompresses the compressed first RAW image data to generate second RAW image data; a development unit that generates first developed image data from the first RAW image data, and generates second developed image data from the second RAW image data; and a control unit that controls the compression unit based on the first developed image data and the second developed image data. |
| US09609320B2 |
Image decoding method and image decoding apparatus
An image decoding method includes: obtaining, from a bitstream, a first temporal motion vector prediction flag, which is a temporal motion vector prediction flag indicating whether or not temporal motion vector prediction is to be used, indicating that temporal motion vector prediction is not to be used on a first picture; decoding the first picture without using the temporal motion vector prediction; and decoding a second picture which follows the first picture in decoding order, with referring to a motion vector of a picture preceding the first picture in decoding order being prohibited. |
| US09609316B2 |
Image coding apparatus, image coding method, and recording medium thereof, image decoding apparatus, and image decoding method, and recording medium thereof
To prevent deterioration in performance that is caused by the processing for copying a context parameter between memories, an image processing apparatus writes an updated context parameter into context memories corresponding to respective entropy coding units and into a shared context memory, until it completes encoding processing for M blocks positioned on the left side of a slice. |
| US09609313B2 |
Enhanced 3D display method and system
A method and system using hardware and software to enhance the realism, capabilities and efficiencies when generating and displaying 3D content is disclosed. |
| US09609309B2 |
Stereoscopic image output system
A stereoscopic image output system includes a stereoscopic vision output unit, an image database storage unit, and an output control unit. The stereoscopic vision is realized by outputting, from the stereoscopic vision output unit, a left-eye image and a right-eye image with parallax such that the left and right-eye images are visually recognized by the left and right eyes, respectively. Left-eye parallel projection data and right-eye parallel projection data are generated by parallel projection of a three-dimensional model using respective projection angles set for the left eye and right eye so as to produce the parallax therebetween, and stored in the database storage unit as two-dimensional drawing data. The output control unit controls an output range of the left and right-eye images. If the output range for the stereoscopic image changes, moving directions of the left-eye image and the right-eye image are individually determined by the output control unit. |
| US09609308B2 |
Image processing device, method of controlling image processing device and program causing computer to execute method
There is provided an image processing device including an image acquisition part acquiring an image; a depth acquisition part acquiring a depth associated with a pixel in the image; a depth conversion part converting the depth in accordance with a function having a characteristic to nonlinearly approach a predetermined value with an increase in the depth; and a storage part storing the converted depth in association with the image. |
| US09609307B1 |
Method of converting 2D video to 3D video using machine learning
Machine learning method that learns to convert 2D video to 3D video from a set of training examples. Uses machine learning to perform any or all of the 2D to 3D conversion steps of identifying and locating objects, masking objects, modeling object depth, generating stereoscopic image pairs, and filling gaps created by pixel displacement for depth effects. Training examples comprise inputs and outputs for the conversion steps. The machine learning system generates transformation functions that generate the outputs from the inputs; these functions may then be used on new 2D videos to automate or semi-automate the conversion process. Operator input may be used to augment the results of the machine learning system. Illustrative representations for conversion data in the training examples include object tags to identify objects and locate their features, Bézier curves to mask object regions, and point clouds or geometric shapes to model object depth. |
| US09609304B2 |
3-dimensional data processing apparatus and method
Provided are three-dimensional (3D) data processing apparatus and method. 3D stereoscopic image common format data preserving common 3D image information is defined by converting 3D stereoscopic image data of each format to apply the same 3D image processing algorithm to 3D data of various formats, and native format data of each format is maintained to maintain merits of each format, and a format-specific algorithm table is maintained with respect to a common 3D image processing function, whereby the same 3D image processing algorithm may be applied to various 3D data and a unique algorithm allowing for maintaining the merits of each 3D data may be applied. |
| US09609301B2 |
Electronic apparatus and control method therefor
An electronic apparatus including an imaging unit detects the attitude of the electronic apparatus, and performs specific processing for an image captured by the imaging unit based on the detected attitude. When performing interval recording in which an image captured by the imaging unit is recorded at an interval based on a predetermined setting interval, the electronic apparatus performs, for images recorded in the second and subsequent operations, the specific processing based on information of an attitude used to perform the first image recording operation. |
| US09609296B2 |
Coordinated illumination and image signal capture for enhanced signal detection
Signal detection and recognition employees coordinated illumination and capture of images under to facilitate extraction of a signal of interest. Pulsed illumination of different colors facilitates extraction of signals from color channels, as well as improved signal to noise ratio by combining signals of different color channels. The successive pulsing of different color illumination appears white to the user, yet facilitates signal detection, even for lower cost monochrome sensors, as in barcode scanning and other automatic identification equipment. |
| US09609292B2 |
Imaging device, adjusting device, and adjusting method
An imaging device includes a filter unit including filter areas having different wavelength selectivities; a light receiving element array configured to receive light transmitted through the filter unit; a storage unit configured to store, for each filter area, positional information indicating a position at which light transmitted is received on the light receiving element array; an area detector configured to detect, based on the positional information, an image area corresponding to the light transmitted from an image output by the light receiving element array when light from an object enters the filter unit; and a color detector configured to detect a color of the object based on an output value of the image area. The positional information indicates a position on the light receiving element array identified by using a spectral-response-coincidence-degree indicating a degree of coincidence between a spectral responsivity of each pixel and a desired wavelength selectivity. |
| US09609290B2 |
Telepresence method and system for supporting out of range motion by aligning remote camera with user's head
A telepresence system and method for aligning a remote pan and tilt system with the position of a user's head and for displaying to the user a first portion of the field of capture of the remote pan and tilt system. The pan and tilt system moves to track the movement of the user's head. When the pan and tilt system is in a misaligned position with the position of the user's head the image displayed to the user is a second portion of the field of capture of the remote pan and tilt system. |
| US09609288B1 |
Unmanned aerial vehicle rooftop inspection system
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes receiving, by the UAV, flight information describing a job to perform an inspection of a rooftop. A particular altitude is ascended to, and an inspection of the rooftop is performed including obtaining sensor information describing the rooftop. Location information identifying a damaged area of the rooftop is received. The damaged area of the rooftop is traveled to. An inspection of the damaged area of the rooftop is performed including obtaining detailed sensor information describing the damaged area. A safe landing location is traveled to. |
| US09609287B2 |
Remote monitoring
Remote monitoring and inspection of measurement devices, emergency equipment, parking spaces, and other items is accomplished by using an image sensor (e.g., a CMOS sensor) to capture an image containing information about the monitored item. A signal containing information about the image (e.g., data representing the captured image or data indicating the state of the captured image) is transmitted to a remote central station. |
| US09609285B2 |
Video identification and analytical recognition system
An analytical recognition system includes a video camera, an antenna, one or more processors, and one or more memories. The one or more memories store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to function as a data analytics module and an investigation module. The video camera is configured to capture video data. The antenna is configured to capture mobile communication device data. The data analytics module is configured to correlate the video data and the mobile communication device data, generate a profile of a person associated with the video data and the mobile communication device data, detect a behavior of the person, and store behavioral data in the profile. The investigation module is configured to mine the video data, the mobile communication device data, the profile data, and/or sales data, and generate a report based on the mining. |
| US09609284B2 |
Portable mobile light stage
A subject is imaged using imaging equipment arranged on portable, wireless vehicles. The vehicles are positioned in a pattern in proximity to the subject and illuminate the subject in order to collect image data. The image data can be collected by cameras carried by the vehicles in addition to or instead of external high speed cameras. |
| US09609283B2 |
Mobile unit communication via a network
Integrated imaging and GPS network monitors remote object movement. Browser interface displays objects and detectors. Database stores object position movement. Cameras detect objects and generate image signal. Internet provides selectable connection between system controller and various cameras according to object positions. |