| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09604276B2 |
Coupler and method for production of a coupler with selectable configuration options
A process for producing a coupler and an improved coupler are provided. The process produces a coupler by constructing a mold that is a replica of the coupler and is constructed from a plurality of mold components that are selected and assembled to form a mold having the shape of the coupler. The mold components may include a front mold component section that forms the head of the coupler, a rear mold component section that forms the shank of the coupler, and, optionally one or more shelf components forming a shelf of the coupler. The front, rear and shank mold components may themselves be made from a plurality of mold components that are assembled together. The mold is formed from a consumable material, coating with a heat resistant material so that the assembled mold components are within a mold volume, and molten metal is added to the mold volume. |
| US09604275B2 |
Covering member with excellent sliding properties
In order to provide a covered member for which unexpected galling is suppressed in the initial stages when the member is used, and which has excellent sliding properties, a covered member has a hard film on the working surface and has excellent sliding properties, said hard film including an A layer, for which an a1 layer comprising a nitride, carbonitride, or oxynitride having 30% or more of chromium in terms of atomic ratio in metal (including metalloid; the same shall apply hereinafter) component, and an a2 layer comprising a nitride, carbonitride, or oxynitride having 60% or more of vanadium in terms of atomic ratio in metal component, are alternately laminated, and a B layer on the upper layer of said A layer and comprising a nitride, carbonitride, or oxynitride having 60% or more of vanadium in terms of atomic ratio in metal component. The film thickness of each a1 layer and a2 layer of the A layer is 50 nm or less, with the film thickness of the a2 layer being greater than that of the a1 layer, and the film thickness of the B layer is 0.1 mum or greater. |
| US09604273B1 |
Axial swage tool
A swaging tool having a housing, a piston, a fixed jaw and a moveable jaw, wherein the housing is capable of receiving and holding a tube and a swage fitting in the fixed jaw; the moveable jaw is in communication with a moveable die and is capable of moving axially along the housing with respect to an axis for the tube and the swage fitting to connect the swage fitting to the tube and create a seal between the swage fitting and the tube, and two opposing arms attached to the moveable jaw that have an open and a closed position to hold the tube and swage in alignment. |
| US09604271B2 |
Pipe bending machine with rear calender and its respective calendering procedure
A machine to bend pipes that includes: a plate that is configured and arranged to move along an X-axis; a bending head connected to the plate, where the bending head is capable of moving along a Z-axis and is equipped with at least one bending arm and at least one bending die; and at least one calendering jig, which is located at a position that is before the bending die, with respect to a feeding direction of the pipe. The calendering jig includes at least two first rolls used to lock the pipe and at least one second roll that is configured and arranged for determining the calendering radius of the pipe, wherein the at least one second roll is anchored to the plate. The bending head is configured and arranged to move in the Z direction with respect to both the plate and the second roll. |
| US09604269B2 |
Method and system based on thermoplastic forming to fabricate high surface quality metallic glass articles
A method of processing BMGs in a non-ideal environment (such as air) to create a uniform and smooth surface is provided. By utilizing the contact-line movement and an engineered flow pattern during TPF the method is able to create complex BMG parts that exhibit uniform smooth appearance or even can be atomically smooth. In addition, to mending surface imperfections, this method also eliminates void formation inside the material, allows for the creation of precise patterns of homogeneous appearance, and forms improved mechanical locks between different materials and a BMG. |
| US09604268B2 |
Cold state metal plate strip surface treatment system and treatment method of the same
A cold state metal plate strip surface treatment system and a treatment method thereof, used for high-pressure jet-flow descaling and rinsing metal plate strips, includes a high-pressure jet-flow descaling section. A tension unit and a stabilizing roller are provided in front of the high-pressure jet-flow descaling section, and a stabilizing roller, a compressed air drying device and a tension unit are provided after the high-pressure jet-flow descaling section; at least one descaling unit is provided in the high-pressure jet-flow descaling section, wherein the descaling unit includes first and second bending rollers used for bending a metal plate strip, and correspondingly first and second jet-flow descaling nozzles, and first and second rinsing nozzle sets. The present invention can be used for replacing the prior cold state continuous descaling pickling sets for metal plate strip, to meet the requirements of the rapidness and continuousness of modern cold-state metal plate strip, without affecting the original productivity of the production line. The present invention not only performs the synchronous and continuous descaling for both obverse and reverse surfaces of the metal plate strips, but also meets the requirements for the plate surfaces in the following procedure. |
| US09604265B2 |
Oscillating fluid jet assembly
A fluid jet assembly for washing out material from a cavity. The fluid jet is capable of oscillating in a overlapping revolutions to ensure complete washout of the material in the cavity, preferably an energetic-containing material. |
| US09604264B2 |
Washing device for water treatment apparatus and washing method thereof
A washing device for a water treatment apparatus is provided. The washing device includes circulation members connected to passages of the water treatment apparatus to circulate wash water through the passages of the water treatment apparatus, a circulation module connected to the circulation members for circulating the wash water through the passages of the water treatment apparatus, with the circulation members thereby washing the passages of the water treatment apparatus, a drainpipe connected to the circulation members, a passage switching unit connected to a portion where the circulation members are coupled to the drainpipe to switch passage of the wash water, and a circulation pump connected to the circulation members to selectively circulate the wash water in the connection pipes through the drainpipe or the passages of the water treatment apparatus. |
| US09604262B2 |
Air cannon and sonic horn combination for dislodging accumulated bulk material
A combination air cannon and sonic horn for dislodging accumulated bulk material comprises an air cannon, a sonic horn, and a shared portion. The air cannon is configured to store pressurized gas and to periodically abruptly discharge the pressurized gas through a gas outlet. The sonic horn is configured to generate sound waves that that are emitted from the gas outlet. The outlet is formed on a nozzle having a unique configuration. The outlet can be oriented such that blasts of air from the air cannon pass over the accumulated bulk material and lift the bulk material into suspension via Bernoulli's law. |
| US09604260B2 |
Gate valve with track cleanout
Methods, systems, and apparatus for a gate valve include a valve body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the outer surface defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid path therebetween, a track defined in the inner surface, the track defining a bottom surface; a gate having a wing; a scraper having a leading edge, the scraper mounted to the wing of the gate; a biasing element, the biasing element biasing the leading edge of the scraper against the bottom surface of the track. |
| US09604252B2 |
Process for coating containers
A process for coating inside a container includes rotating the container about its imaginary vertical axis while simultaneously lowering airless spray nozzles along the vertical axis of the container into the cavity through the opening end and moving the nozzles back up and out of the container. Spray nozzles are used to apply a liquid coating at a spray pressure of about 100 to about 800 psi (6.89 to 55.16 bar) and at an angle of about 0 to about 120 degrees relative to the vertical axis, simultaneously with nozzle movement, to at least a portion of the inner surface while the container is rotating and the nozzles are moving along the vertical axis. The container is thereby coated on its inner surface to form an internally coated container. |
| US09604251B2 |
Thermoplastic formulations for enhanced paintability, toughness and melt processability
The present disclosure relates to polymer coating compositions that comprise at least one thermoplastic resin, at least one opacity modifier, at least one gloss modifier, and at least one impact modifier, articles at least partially coated with the polymer coating composition, paintable polymer coated articles and method for making the polymer coated and painted polymer coated articles. These compositions exhibit enhanced paintability (including paintability with water-based paints) and mechanical properties for fabrication (cutting, nailing, routing, etc.), while maintaining acceptable visual appearance, such as, for example, opacity, gloss, surface appearance, and surface roughness. |
| US09604250B2 |
Refinish coating system and repairing method for automotive resin glazing
Disclosed is a method for repairing a damaged area of a silicone hard-coat layer on an automotive resin glazing substrate by applying an intermediate coating composition (I) to the damaged area and applying a topcoat coating composition (II) to the intermediate coating composition. The intermediate coating composition (I) contains (A) a reactive siloxane compound and (B) silica. The topcoat coating composition (II) contains (C) an alkoxysilane having a UV-absorbing functional group, (D) a multifunctional alkoxysilane, (E) a reactive siloxane compound, (F) colloidal silica, and (G) phosphoric acid. The method forms a coating having the same appearance and physical properties as the underlying silicone hard-coat layer. |
| US09604249B2 |
Innovative top-coat approach for advanced device on-wafer particle performance
To manufacture a coating for an article for a semiconductor processing chamber, the coating is applied to the article by a method including applying a sol-gel coating of Y2O3 over the article, and curing the sol-gel coating on the article by heating the article with the sol-gel coating and exposing the article with the sol-gel coating to plasma in a semiconductor manufacturing chamber. |
| US09604243B1 |
Adhesive dispenser
An adhesive dispenser includes: a vessel has an open top and a closed bottom, and defines an interior cavity; a handle is affixed on one side of the vessel; a lid with an adhesive charge port closes the open top; a pour spout opens through the lid and is positioned on a side of the cavity opposite the handle, the pour spout includes a channel formed in the cavity and the channel extends from the pour spout to adjacent the bottom of the cavity; and a heater including a heating element for melting adhesive placed in the cavity, and a fin extending axially from the bottom of the cavity. The method for dispensing includes pouring a liquid adhesive from the dispenser. |
| US09604239B2 |
Self cleaning water nozzle
A self-cleaning water nozzle uses specially configured nozzle halves to allow for self-cleaning, easy access to the nozzle components, and forming a hollow cone spray. The nozzle halves have grooves in side faces thereof, which when the nozzle halves are mated, the grooves form a spiral path for water to travel through the nozzle halves and form the hollow cone spray. |
| US09604234B2 |
Portable airless sprayer
A portable airless sprayer comprises a housing, a motor, a pump, a spray tip and a trigger. The motor is mounted to the housing. The pump is mounted to the housing and is driven by the motor. The spray tip assembly receives pressurized fluid from the pump. The trigger is configured to actuate the spray tip assembly and activate the motor. A method of operating a portable airless sprayer comprises moving a lever over a stroke, displacing a valve pin, and activating a motor. The valve pin is displaced with the lever to actuate a spray valve. The motor is activated with the lever to drive a pump that provides fluid to the spray valve. |
| US09604230B2 |
High speed jet blocker with readily replaceable blocking material
A blocker apparatus (20) for blocking a stream (22) of high-pressure fluid includes a blocking member in the form of a sphere or ball (30), or a rod (160) receivable within a partially surrounding seat (34/162) at the forward end of a seat carrier (40) to rotate in the seat. The seat carrier (40) is extended and retracted by an actuator (32) to place the blocking member within the path of the stream (22) and/or remove the blocking member from the path of the high-pressure stream. The blocking member is replaced by simply lifting the blocking member (30/160) off of the seat (34/162) and lowering a new blocking member into the seat. |
| US09604228B2 |
Apparatus with conductive strip for dust removal
The invention provides a gas purification system, for instance for agricultural application comprising a corona discharge system, the corona discharge system comprising a counter electrode, a conductive strip with a longitudinal edge comprising tooth structures, wherein the tooth structures have tooth tops with shortest distances selected from the range of 2-200 mm; and a voltage generator configured to apply a DC voltage of at least 10 kV to the conductive strip. |
| US09604227B2 |
System and method for processing and treating an agricultural byproduct
An apparatus is configured to apply a treatment agent to an agricultural byproduct. The apparatus includes a fragmenting chamber where the agricultural byproduct is fragmented into particles. An initial amount of a treatment agent is applied to the byproduct in the fragmenting chamber. Particles of a desired size flow through a screen from the fragmenting chamber to a recovery zone. A second amount of the treatment agent is applied to the particles in the recovery zone. A regulator regulates the amount of the treatment agent applied to the particles in the fragmenting chamber and the amount of treatment agent applied in the recovery zone. The regulation may be based on one or more feedback mechanisms. |
| US09604219B2 |
Thermal cycler with optimized sample holder geometry
The invention concerns a thermal cycler and a microtiter plate. The cycler comprises a sample holder having a first surface and a surface and means for automated, controlled heating and cooling of the sample holder. The first surface of the sample holder is designed to hold a plurality of samples arrayed in a grid having a predefined pitch. The number of samples in one dimension is an exact match of the SBS plate standards for that sample pitch and in another dimension corresponds to a fraction of the number of samples in a second dimension of an SBS microtiter standard plate. According to the invention, the sample holder is shaped such that the area of the second surface is larger than the area of the first surface. By means of the invention, the thermal ramping speeds of the cycler can be significantly increased. |
| US09604218B2 |
Systems and methods for transfer of liquid samples
A system for preparing biological sample contains a body including a proximal side and a distal side, a plurality of mandrels, a plurality of resilient elements, a plurality of fluid dispensers, and one or more samples. The mandrels are moveably positioned within the body, where each resilient element engages a respective one of the mandrels. Each of the fluid dispensers is configured to engage a distal end of a corresponding one of the mandrels. Each sample comprises a solution containing one or more nucleic acid sequences contained within at least one of the fluid dispensers. |
| US09604217B2 |
Specimen container label for automated clinical laboratory processing systems
A label and labeling system for identifying the volume of a specimen within a specimen collection container are disclosed. The system includes providing a specimen collection container having an open top end, a closed bottom end, and a sidewall extending therebetween forming an interior adapted for receiving a specimen therein. The specimen collection container also includes a label having a label body disposed over at least a portion of the sidewall, in visual alignment with a colored background. At least one of the sidewall of the specimen collection container and the label body have printing disposed thereon having a color that is substantially identical to the colored background against which the specimen collection container will be viewed. At least one of the sidewall of the specimen collection container and the label body may have colorless indicia having a surface enhancement feature for providing visual distinction. |
| US09604215B2 |
Thin film envelope
This invention relates to the design, construction and method of use of a novel thin film transport and applicator for use on XRF sample cups. |
| US09604214B2 |
Cell sorting system using microfabricated components
A MEMS-based cell sorter is disclosed, which uses a novel combination of features to accomplish the cell sorting using a microfabricated cell sorting valve housed in a disposable cartridge. The features include an interposer that provides fluid communication between the microfluidic passages in the silicon substrate and a plurality of fluid reservoirs in the cartridge, including a sample, sort and waste reservoir The disposable cartridge may include other features that assist in the handling of small volumes of fluids, such as a siphon region in the sort reservoir and funnel-shaped regions in the sample and waste reservoirs. A mixing mechanism may be provided for stirring the contents of the sample reservoir. |
| US09604212B2 |
Fluid ejection device including recirculation system
A fluid ejection device including, at least, one recirculation system is disclosed. Such recirculation system contains, at least, one drop generator, recirculation channels that include an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a connection channel and a fluid feedhole that communicates with the drop generator via the inlet channel and the outlet channel of the recirculation channel. The recirculation channels can be asymmetrical with reference to the drop generator. |
| US09604210B2 |
Controlled fluid delivery in a microelectronic package
A microelectronic package includes a die which may include MEMS and CMOS circuitry for analyzing a fluid. A defined path is provided for channeling fluid to the die. Rather than patterning depressions or physical channels in the package substrate, the defined paths comprise coatings that may channel the flow of liquids to the die for biological sensor type applications. The defined paths may comprise a wetting coating that has an affinity to fluids. Similarity, the defined paths may comprise a dewetting coating the tend to repel fluid surrounding the paths. |
| US09604209B2 |
Microfluidic device with anti-wetting, venting areas
A microfluidic device and method for fabrication includes a microfluidic channel that has a closed portion, which comprises: a liquid pathway formed by a wetting area; and an anti-wetting area extending along and contiguously with the liquid pathway. The anti-wetting area is configured so as to provide a vent to evacuate gas along the anti-wetting area. |
| US09604203B2 |
Reforming catalyst compositions
Process for the preparation of a catalyst suitable for use in a naphtha reforming process, the process including providing a Y zeolite with an initial SiO2:Al2O3 molar ratio of at least 150, introducing the Y zeolite to a binder to form an intermediate composition, extruding the intermediate composition, reducing the alpha acidity of the extruded composition to provide a low acid composition, and introducing a noble metal to the low acid composition. Processes and systems of converting naphtha to a higher-octane hydrocarbon supply using catalysts, as prepared herein, are also disclosed. |
| US09604199B2 |
Catalyst for production of butadiene, process for producing the catalyst, and process for producing butadiene using the catalyst
A catalyst for producing butadiene using n-butene as a raw material, a process for producing the same and a process for producing butadiene using the catalyst are provided, and specifically, a catalyst for producing butadiene by gas-phase contact oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butene, which is capable of stably producing butadiene in a high yield from the beginning of the reaction, a process for producing the same and a process for producing butadiene, in which the catalyst is a shaped catalyst containing a complex metal oxide having molybdenum as an essential ingredient, wherein the pore volume of macropores is 80% or more, more preferably 90% or more, based on the total pore volume, are provided. |
| US09604198B2 |
Visible light-responsive photocatalytic nanoparticle dispersion liquid, method for producing same, and member having photocatalytic thin film on surface
It is possible to obtain a visible light-responsive photocatalytic nanoparticle dispersion liquid containing copper-containing titanium oxide nanoparticles by subjecting an aqueous peroxotitanic acid solution containing a copper compound to hydrothermal reaction for crystallizing the aqueous solution by means of heat under high pressure. The visible light-responsive photocatalytic nanoparticle dispersion liquid thus obtained exhibits excellent dispersion stability of titanium oxide nanoparticles within a water-based dispersion medium even when left in a cold and dark indoor area for a long period of time, expresses photocatalytic activity even in visible light (400 to 800 nm) alone, and can easily create a photocatalytic thin film which is extremely transparent and exhibits excellent durability, and in which the state of copper coordination when exposed to heat or ultraviolet rays is stable and cannot be easily modified. |
| US09604197B2 |
Crystalline molecular sieves and related structure-directing agents, methods and systems
A composition and method for preparing molecular sieves having a STW framework structure are described wherein a structure directing agent comprising quaternary cation 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium is contacted with a source of an oxide of a first tetravalent element with or without a source of an oxide of another tetravalent elements and/or a source of a trivalent element in a molar ratio of tetravalent element:trivalent element 100:1 and greater. |
| US09604194B2 |
Synthesis of ordered microporous carbons by chemical vapor deposition
A methane microporous carbon adsorbent comprising a thermally-treated CVD carbon having a shape in the form of a negative replica of a crystalline zeolite has a BET specific surface area, a micropore volume, a micropore to mesopore volume ratio, a stored methane value and a methane delivered value and a sequential carbon synthesis method for forming the methane microporous carbon adsorbent. Introducing an organic precursor gas for a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) period to a crystalline zeolite that is maintained at a CVD temperature forms the carbon-zeolite composite. Introducing a non-reactive gas for a thermal treatment period to the carbon-zeolite composite maintained at a thermal treatment temperature forms the thermally-treated carbon-zeolite composite. Introducing an aqueous strong mineral acid mixture to the thermally-treated carbon-zeolite composite forms the methane microporous carbon adsorbent. |
| US09604189B2 |
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. On exemplary method can comprise: heating a first portion of cellulosic biomass solids being contacted by a continuous liquid phase and a second portion of cellulosic biomass solids being contacted by a continuous gas phase in the presence of an upwardly directed flow of molecular hydrogen and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen in the continuous liquid phase; conveying at least a portion of the continuous liquid phase and at least a portion of the slurry catalyst to a location within the continuous gas phase above at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass solids; and after conveying the continuous liquid phase and the slurry catalyst, releasing them such that they contact the second portion of cellulosic biomass solids. |
| US09604184B2 |
Mixing system and valve assembly
A mixing system is disclosed in which the system comprises a source of bone-graft or bone-graft-substitute material, a liquid source, and a vacuum source, at least one of the source of bone-graft or bone-graft-substitute material and the liquid source being in communication with the vacuum source. A valve assembly also forms part of the system, the valve assembly having a valve movable between a first position in which a first fluid passageway is created between the source of bone-graft or bone-graft-substitute material and the vacuum, and a second position in which a second fluid passageway is created between the source of bone-graft or bone-graft-substitute material and the liquid source, wherein, in the second position, the valve seals off the first fluid passageway, the vacuum source being adapted to generate a negative-pressure environment, relative to atmospheric pressure, within the valve assembly while the valve is in the first position. Methods of utilizing the aforementioned system are also disclosed. |
| US09604180B2 |
Fluorinated copolymer and ion exchange membrane
To provide a fluorinated copolymer which is capable of providing an ion exchange membrane having little adverse effect due to impurities in an alkali chloride aqueous solution on electrolysis of the alkali chloride aqueous solution. To use a fluorinated copolymer of a fluorinated monomer having a carboxylic acid type functional group with a fluorinated olefin, wherein the proportion of components having a common logarithm (log M) of a molecular weight M being from 2.0 to 3.5 is at most 10 mass % per 100 mass % of components having a common logarithm (log M) of a molecular weight M being at least 2.0, contained in a CClF2CF2CClFH soluble content. |
| US09604178B1 |
Integrated osmosis systems and methods
Integrated, sequential stages of nanofiltration, forward osmosis, and reverse osmosis and related membranes provide an Integrated Osmosis structure, systems and methods. By optimally placing and using the desired characteristics of each membrane, performance and cost effectiveness not attainable individually is obtained. Integrated Osmosis systems provide high diffusive and osmotic permeability, high rejection, low power consumption, high mass transfer, and favorable Peclet number, by manipulating convection, advection and diffusion, low concentration polarization gradients, low reverse salt flux and effective restoration of performance after cleaning fouled membranes. Benefits include increased permeate recovery and decreased waste concentrate volume from reverse osmosis processes or other elevated osmotic pressure solutions. Integrated Osmosis first employs nanofiltration for selective harvesting of solutes, proffering a reduced osmotic pressure permeate. Forward osmosis dewaters the lowered osmotic pressure permeate generating a dilute draw solution which serves as feed to a reverse osmosis process. Reverse osmosis permeate provides freshwater and concentrate provides draw solution for the forward osmosis process. |
| US09604176B2 |
Exhaust gas purification system and exhaust gas purification method
A high-temperature NOx occlusion reduction type catalyst in which an NOx occlusion material containing an alkali metal is supported, and a low-temperature NOx occlusion reduction type catalyst in which an NOx occlusion material containing an alkaline earth metal is supported, are disposed in series on an upstream side and a downstream side, respectively, of an exhaust gas purification system. An oxidation catalyst is disposed on an upstream side of the high-temperature NOx occlusion reduction type catalyst. The desulfurization of the NOx occlusion reduction type catalysts is facilitated, and the NOx reduction efficiency is improved by the partial oxidation of hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas, while a wide NOx active temperature window is achieved. |
| US09604172B2 |
Diverging nozzles and filter element cleaning systems using diverging nozzles
Diverging nozzles and filter element cleaning systems using the diverging nozzles to produce reverse gas pulses in a variety of cleaning methods are described herein. |
| US09604169B2 |
Discrete bypass particle concentrator
A discrete bypass particle concentrator can significantly reduce surface fouling and manufacturing cost by including bypass stages after each of concentration stages. |
| US09604163B2 |
Internal combustion engine
A technique for making air less likely to enter a strainer in an internal combustion engine in which the strainer is supported by a drain bolt. In an internal combustion engine in which a drain bolt supports a strainer and is configured to discharge a drain is attached to a bottom of a sump. A drain hole into which the drain bolt is screwed and a strainer hole are arranged coaxially. A crankcase is provided with an oil passage through which oil is returned to the sump. The oil passage includes a first passage through which the oil flows in a direction away from the strainer, a return passage that turns around from a forefront end of the first passage, and a second passage through which the oil flows from a forefront end of the return passage toward the strainer. |
| US09604159B2 |
Liquid separation from adipose tissue
Extracting or removing at least a portion of liquid phase from a whole sample using a centrifugal force is disclosed. Centrifugal forces are used to apply pressure to a whole sample and drive a liquid phase through a passage region that can be perforated and/or porous and maintain a drier portion within a separation container. The whole sample can be dried, which includes a remaining sample where excess or a selected amount of liquid is removed. Direct access to the separation container or area can then be made to provide for an efficient withdrawal of the drier material from the separation container. |
| US09604154B2 |
Separation and recovery device for liquid waste including radionuclide, and separation and recovery method using the same
Provided are a separation and recovery device for a liquid waste including a radionuclide, and a separation and recovery method using the same. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a separation and recovery device that may effectively separate a liquid waste, such as a waste detergent including a radionuclide, and simultaneously, may prevent the release of tritium and radiocarbon to the outside, and a separation and recovery method using the same. |
| US09604152B2 |
Rotary assembly comprising a flexible wire
The invention relates to a rotary assembly (1) comprising two spaced-apart support members (5a, 5b). A shaft (7) is connected with respective ends to each support member (5a, 5b) via an engagement part (12), and a rotary element (4) having a through hole extending around the shaft so as to be supported on said shaft between support members (5a, 5b). The shaft comprises a flexible wire-like elongate body (6) that is connected to the support members (5a, 5b) under axial tension. The shaft is connected to the support members (5a,5b) in a nonrotating manner, the through hole being of larger diameter than a shaft diameter so that the rotary element (4) is rotatably supported on said shaft (7). |
| US09604150B2 |
Information processing system, information processing device, storage medium storing information processing program, information processing method, and storage device
An example of information processing system includes a storage device; and an information processing device for performing near field communication with the storage device. The storage device includes a storage unit storing application data usable in a predetermined application program and shared data usable in an application program regardless of whether or not the application program is the predetermined application program. The information processing system accepts an instruction regarding data read and/or data write from/to the storage device from an application program to be executed by the information processing device. Under the condition that the instruction is from the predetermined application program, the application data is transferred to the predetermined application program. Regardless of whether or not the instruction is from the predetermined application program, the shared data is transferred to the application program that issued the instruction. |
| US09604144B2 |
Advertisement scheme for use with interactive content
A method for use in advertising includes initiating playing of interactive content, suspending playing of the interactive content, displaying an advertisement, and resuming playing of the interactive content. A computer program product includes a medium embodying a computer program for causing a computer to perform these operations, and a system for use in advertising includes a display and a processing system configured to perform these operations. |
| US09604142B2 |
Portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system and method
Portable wireless mobile device motion capture data mining system and method configured to display motion capture/analysis data on a mobile device. System obtains data from motion capture elements, analyzes data and store data in database for data mining, which may be charged for. Enables unique displays associated with the user, such as 3D overlays onto images of the user to visually depict the captured motion data including ratings. Predicted ball flight path data can be calculated and shown on a time line showing relative peaks of velocity for the user's body parts. User can determine equipment that fits best and immediately purchase the equipment, via the mobile device. Custom equipment may be ordered on the mobile device from a vendor that can assemble-to-order customer built equipment and ship the equipment. Includes active and passive golf shot count capabilities. |
| US09604139B2 |
Service for generating graphics object data
When a scene is generated, a content item may identify graphics object service requests associated with the scene. Each scene may have any number of associated graphics object service requests that may be sent to any number of different graphics object services. The graphics object services may be accessible over a network such as the Internet. By requesting object data from graphics object services, a content item may, for example, reduce at least part of the computational burden on a graphics processing unit of a client device. |
| US09604138B2 |
Casino game download system and method of use
Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for multi-tiered gaming data download. The system includes a gaming device for local play of a game. The gaming device includes a communication interface receiving and transmitting data to download a game for play at the gaming device. The system also includes a plurality of download servers communicating with the gaming device to provide game data for download to and play at the gaming device. The system further includes a middle tier server acting as a hub to communicate with the plurality of download servers to provide game data from one or more of the plurality of download servers. The middle tier server allocates download server resources and schedules a download of game data from one or more download servers to the gaming device based on resource constraints at the plurality of download servers and availability for download at the gaming device. |
| US09604137B2 |
Server, control method therefor, computer-readable recording medium, and game system
A server provides a game that improves the interest in and taste of a battle event and increases the interest in and real enjoyment of the entire game. The server includes an information storage device that stores information related to the game, and a controller that accesses the information, performs various computations, and displays game images on a terminal device. In a battle event of this game, multiple character cards are aligned and displayed in a first field, and a player selects therefrom a character card to be used for a battle with an enemy character. The first field is replenished with another character card alternative to the selected character card as needed so that the player can further select an additional character card therefrom. |
| US09604136B1 |
Golf club simulation apparatus
A golf club simulation apparatus includes an elongate shaft housing having opposed lower and upper ends and defining an interior area. A head housing is coupled to the lower end of the shaft housing. A battery is situated in the shaft housing. An input member configured to receive club selection data is coupled to an outer surface of the shaft housing and electrically connected to the battery. A weight indexing assembly is situated in the head housing that includes a tumbler rotatably coupled to the lower portion of the shaft housing and that includes a weight carriage situated in the club head housing. The tumbler has an outer surface defining an indexed slot network, the weight carriage being in communication with the indexed slot network and configured for movement along the indexed slot network in a gravity assisted movement. |
| US09604130B1 |
Social game play using social network features
An apparatus and method for integrating social game play with social network features is disclosed herein. Content generated in the game is posted to the social network to initiate social game play. Recipients of the content that respond to the content are automatically taken to the game to join the game in a controlled manner. Recipients' interaction with the game may be selectively reviewed and incorporated into a playing space associated with an existing player of the game. |
| US09604129B2 |
Pinball machine with animated playfield components and automatic level detection
Pinball machines with animated playfield components and automatic level detection are described. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a method may include changing a visual appearance of a surface of a physical object within a pinball machine, the physical object configured to physically interact with a pinball during a pinball game. In another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a pinball machine may be configured to receive leveling information detected by one or more accelerometers, the leveling information selected from the group consisting of: pitch, roll, and yaw. In yet another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a pinball machine may be configured to periodically or continuously receive leveling information detected by one or more accelerometers during a pinball game, and then discourage the player from applying force to the pinball machine in response to the leveling information meeting a value and/or encourage a player to apply force to the pinball machine. |
| US09604128B2 |
Pinball machine with hybrid playfield
Pinball machines with hybrid playfields. A method may include electronically determining a physical property of a physical object, the physical object allowed to move above a display disposed within a playfield of a pinball machine, and rendering a virtual object on the display in response to an evaluation of the physical property. Another method may include rendering a virtual object on an electronic screen, the electronic screen disposed within a playfield of the pinball machine, and changing an aspect of a physical object located within the playfield in response to the virtual object exhibiting a predefined property. Yet another method may include providing a list of one or more software applications via an electronic display arranged within the playfield of the pinball machine, allowing a user to select one of the one or more software applications, and executing the selected software application. |
| US09604126B2 |
Play set for launching an action figurine
A toy ring is disclosed herein. The toy ring having: a platform; a plurality of posts positioned about the platform, the plurality of posts including at least one launching post configured for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein movement from the first position to the second position is in a first direction away from the platform; an elastic member secured to each one of the plurality of posts, wherein the biasing member provides a biasing force to the launching post in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the launching post is in the second position. |
| US09604125B2 |
Accessory mounting assembly for skateboards
An accessory assembly for a skateboard includes a bracket configured to be mounted to a first surface of a base plate of a skateboard truck. The first surface is opposite a second surface of the base plate, where the second surface faces a deck of the skateboard when mounted to the skateboard. The bracket includes a mounting hole and a receiving element, and is configured to span only a portion of a perimeter of the base plate. An accessory component includes a housing having an engaging element, the engaging element being configured to be removably coupled with the receiving element. An accessory is mounted to the housing. |
| US09604122B2 |
Splitboard joining device
Some embodiments disclosed herein provide an apparatus for joining two skis to form a splitboard. The apparatus can comprise a first attachment portion configured to attach to a first ski and a second attachment portion configured to attach to a second ski. The first attachment portion and the second attachment portion can be configured to engage to prevent splitboard skis from moving up and down relative to each other, from moving apart in a direction perpendicular to a seam of the splitboard, from sliding relative to each other in a direction parallel to the seam, and from rotating about the seam of the splitboard. |
| US09604121B2 |
Hand-worn article with an anti-slip surface
Provided is a finger sleeve for enhancing a grip on objects to be held by a hand. The finger sleeve includes a band of a flexible material forming a cylindrical passage through which a finger of the hand is to extend. A strap is coupled to the band, and is adjustable between an open state in which the finger sleeve is to be placed onto the finger and a closed state in which the strap interferes with removal of the finger sleeve from the finger. An anti-slip surface is provided to a palm-side of the band, and includes a grip enhancing material that improves a grip on the objects to be held in the hand while wearing the finger sleeve relative to the grip on the objects to be held in the hand without the finger sleeve. |
| US09604118B2 |
Golf club distributed impact sensor system for detecting impact of a golf ball with a club face
A golf club head may include a face with an embedded monolith having first and second sensors for measuring impact with a golf ball. The first and second sensors may output positive and negative pressure signals at the same time, caused by the impact, with the negative pressure indicating an outward bowing of the monolith whereas the positive pressure indicates an inward compression. These positive and negative values may be captured over the duration of impact and used to create a time-varying impact pressure profile with increased accuracy. The club head may also include a mechanism for placing a static pressure on the monolith, increasing negative pressure sensitivity and adjusting the ability to measure negative impact pressures away from the contact point on the club face. |
| US09604115B2 |
Exercise/training machine
A device suitable for providing a workout for surfers and as a general exercise device includes a platform on which a user may kneel, sit, lie, or stand. The platform is mounted on a support frame including legs for supporting the top of the frame above ground level. A rod is mounted on the support frame and extends away from the platform. At least one resistance and a handle are provided on the rod, which can be grasped by a user and pulled against the resistance. The platform is mounted on the support frame by a mounting which allows the platform to tilt, particularly laterally from side to side about an axis which is parallel or co-axial to the axis of the rod. The mounting is adjustable to allow the degree of instability of the platform to be adjusted. |
| US09604113B2 |
Athletic swing training weight and method
A swing training weight and method for building the strength and control of a user, while teaching proper swing mechanics. The swing training weight is attached to athletic equipment during training or while warming up for competition, and provides an improved means of release from the athletic equipment. The swing training weight incorporates a sliding member that simulates the impact of striking an object and provides audible, visual and tactile feedback to the user pertaining to the proper execution of the swing. Training methods using the swing training weight are provided that improve athletic performance, and allow for focused training of the proper execution of specific elements of an athletic swing. Further, the swing training weight incorporates a movable stop that allows the weight to be configured to provide for training methods that further focus on the proper execution of specific swing elements. |
| US09604112B2 |
Feeding net
The disclosure relates to a feeding net including a backstop net affixed to a frame connected to a base that may be mounted on wheels. The net includes a plurality of drop pockets which can catch lacrosse ball. The drop pockets can be numbered sequentially with indicia, as desired. The wheeled base can include a removable plastic drop bucket for retaining lacrosse balls that are not caught inside the drop pocket or that bounce off the backstop net. The wheeled base can also include an integral deflector shield situated across the backstop net. The deflector shields helps ensure that balls that bounce of the net can be deflected into the drop bucket. |
| US09604108B1 |
Parabolic golf club system
A parabolic golf club system having a club head consisting of a parabolic path with a club face positioned coincident with the directrix and hosel (shaft) positioned at the focus. In other embodiments bores may be added along the parabolic path where various weights are installed to alter the club head properties such as MOI, CG, and overall mass. In other embodiments a substantially parabolic shaped bore may be formed in the club head allowing installation of parabolically shaped weights, weight plates, weight cartridges and the like to further alter club head properties. Further customization is achieved by allowing a golfer to select from various face inserts, face patterns, hosel configurations, and sight aid choices. |
| US09604106B2 |
Golf ball covers made from plasticized thermoplastic materials
Multi-layered golf balls containing a two or three-layered cover assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the cover assembly includes a relatively hard inner cover and relatively soft outer cover. Alternatively, the cover assembly may include a relatively soft inner cover with a relatively hard outer cover. Three-layered covers comprising an inner cover, intermediate cover, and outer cover layer also may be prepared. Preferably, at least one of the layers is formed from a thermoplastic composition that preferably comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. The cover assembly has good impact durability and helps provide the ball with relatively high resiliency at given compressions. |
| US09604105B2 |
Highly-neutralized thermoplastic copolymer center for improved multi-layer core golf ball
Multi-layer golf balls comprising a center, intermediate layer, and cover are disclosed. The center is formed from a highly-neutralized acid copolymer composition. |
| US09604104B2 |
Goggles with retroscopic lens angle for enhanced forward vision
Swimming goggles are provided with a retroscopic lens angle and broad peripheral viewing angles to enhance a swimmer's forward-to-cranial-looking vision and peripheral vision both above and below the waterline during swimming activity. |
| US09604100B2 |
Sports training aid
A sports training aid is configured to help improve a player's skills in the game of lacrosse. The sports training aid can embody a lacrosse stick with a head and shaft. In one implementation, the lacrosse stick includes one or more sensors that change state. A controller couples with the sensors to administer one or more training modes. Each training mode can cause the controller to associate the change in state of the sensors in response to movement of the head. |
| US09604096B2 |
Selectable stride elliptical
An exercise apparatus comprises a frame, left and right foot link supporting left and right foot pads. The left and right foot pads synchronously move out of phase through an elliptical path having an adjustable step height. The apparatus may include left and right side arms pivotally connected to the left and right foot links and pivotally supported by the frame. Left and right cranks eccentrically support left and right crank guides. Left and right links each have a first end pivotably connected to left and right foot links and a second end operably coupled to the left and right crank guides, respectively. A movable adjustment member is connected to left and right flexible members operably coupled to the left and right foot links. Movement of the adjustable member adjusts an extent to which the left and right flexible members wrap about the respective left and right crank guides. |
| US09604095B1 |
Exercise machine carriage handle system
An exercise machine carriage handle system for providing handles for an exerciser to grasp with their hands thereby expanding the type of exercises that may be performed. The exercise machine carriage handle system generally includes a frame having a track, a carriage movably connected to the track, a bias member connected between the frame and the carriage, a first handle connected to the carriage near the first side, and a second handle connected to the carriage near the second side. The first handle and second handle are adapted for grasping with a first hand and a second hand respectively of a user during the performance of an exercise on the exercise machine. |
| US09604091B2 |
Variable weight toning strap
A variable weight toning strap having a flexible member and a plurality of generally rectangular sections, wherein each of the plurality of generally rectangular sections are disposed transversely along the flexible member length, include a top surface at least partially defining an upper surface of the flexible member, at least one perpendicular sidewall extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the top surface, and a section width separating a rear face and a front face of the sections. Two of the sections have a discontinuous upper slit defined by the at least one perpendicular sidewall of each of said sections flanking the upper slit, wherein the upper slit spans the section width and terminates into a valley. The sections also define a plurality of channels therein, which house a plurality of weights, each selectively removably and frictionally retained by the respective plurality of channels. |
| US09604090B1 |
Weight stack assemblies for exercise apparatuses
A weight stack assembly is for an exercise apparatus. The weight stack assembly comprises a plurality of primary weights and a plurality of secondary weights that are located next to the plurality of primary weights. A head plate is on the plurality of primary weights. A primary weight selector mechanism is on the head plate and is configured to couple a user force receiving member to one or more of the plurality of primary weights. A secondary weight selector mechanism is on the head plate and is configured to couple the head plate to a first secondary weight in the plurality of secondary weights, and to couple the head plate to a second secondary weight in the plurality of secondary weights. The secondary weight selector mechanism is configured to engage with the first secondary weight so that the first secondary weight remains balanced in the horizontal direction when a force is applied to the user force receiving member. The secondary weight selector mechanism is further configured to engage with the second secondary weight so that the first and second secondary weights remain balanced in the horizontal direction when the force is applied to user force receiving member. |
| US09604081B1 |
Stove top fire extinguishing device
An apparatus for extinguishing a fire on a stovetop, the apparatus including a container detachably mountable to a microwave positioned above the stove top, the container having a closure movable between an open and closed position on the container. A projection member is connected to the container, the projection member movable with respect to the container between a retracted and extended position. A supply of fire suppressant material is retainable within the container when the closure is in the closed position. A heat responsive actuator is disposed on the container. When the container is mounted to the microwave over a first burner, and the fire on the stovetop actuates the heat responsive actuator, the closure moves to the open position and the projection member moves to the extended position, the projection member forcing a second burner portion of the supply of fire suppressant material toward the second burner. |
| US09604074B2 |
Radiation treatment sheet devices and methods
Radiation therapy devices, systems and methods are in general sheet-like form, are characterized by flexibility, and include at least one spacer that can be a balloon or bubble that assists in placement of radio therapeutic members at desired treatment locations along or around a limb, within an existing body cavity, or at a site that was formed under a patient's skin for treatment purposes. Sarcoma treatment is particularly conducive to treatment by these devices, systems and methods. One or more detectors, such as microdiodes, are accommodated when desired on the device, and a hyperthermia tube or the like is also includable that delivers hyperthermia treatment for the target treatment site or sites. Data collected by the detector allows the medical professional to monitor radiation treatment and, when desired, interaction between hyperthermia treatment and radiation delivery by the radiation treatment member. |
| US09604071B2 |
Implantable medical devices having multi-cell power sources
An implantable medical device includes a low-power circuit and a multi-cell power source. The cells of the power source are coupled in a parallel configuration. The implantable medical device includes both a low power circuit that is selectively coupled between the first and second cells and a high power output circuit that is directly coupled to the first and second cells in a parallel configuration. An isolation circuit is coupled to the first cell, the second cell and the low power circuit to maintain a current isolation between the first cell and the second cell at least during delivery currents having a large magnitude that are delivered to the high power output circuit. |
| US09604070B2 |
External defibrillation with automatic post-shock anti-tachycardia (APSAT) pacing
A medical device such as an external defibrillator delivers electrical therapy using a special pulse sequence. The special pulse sequence includes a defibrillation shock that is automatically followed by a quick succession of automatic post-shock anti-tachycardia (APSAT) pacing pulses. Because of the pacing pulses, the defibrillation shock can be of lesser energy than an equivalent defibrillation shock of a larger energy. Accordingly, the external defibrillator can be made physically smaller and weigh less, without sacrificing the therapeutic effect of a larger external defibrillator that would deliver a defibrillation shock of higher energy. As such, the defibrillator is easier to configure for transporting, handling, and even wearing. |
| US09604066B2 |
Systems and methods for improving RF compatibility of electrical stimulation leads
An implantable lead assembly for an electrical stimulation system includes a first lead configured for insertion into a patient. A current-limiting arrangement is coupleable with the first lead. The current-limiting arrangement is configured for limiting the amount of RF-induced current propagating along a body of the first lead during an MRI procedure. The current-liming arrangement includes a safety device configured to couple to the lead body when the lead body is implanted in the patient. The safety device defines a first port extending along a length of the safety device. The first port is configured for receiving a proximal end portion of the lead body and covering each of multiple terminals disposed along the lead body to prevent the terminals from contacting patient tissue. The safety device provides an impedance of at least 50 ohms at one or more MRI RF frequencies. |
| US09604065B2 |
Unwanted stimulation detection during cardiac pacing
The disclosure relates to systems and methods for cardiac rhythm management. In some cases, a system may include a pulse generator for generating pacing pulses for stimulating a heart of a patient; a memory; and a sensor configured to sense a response to a unwanted stimulation and to produce a corresponding sensor signal. A processing circuit may receive the sensor signal for a time after one or more pacing pulses, and may derive a time-frequency representation of the sensor signal based on the received sensor signal. The processing circuit may use the time-frequency representation of the sensor signal to help identify unwanted stimulation. Once unwanted stimulation is detected, the processing circuit may change the pacing pulses to help reduce or eliminate the unwanted stimulation. |
| US09604062B2 |
Spinal cord stimulation with interferential current
A stimulator and a method for the treatment of intractable pain syndromes by electrical stimulation of the spinal cord is disclosed in which implantable electrodes positioned around a targeted area of the spinal cord transmit an interferential current that has a base medium frequency alternating current between 500 Hz-20 KHz. A digital signal processor generates a sine-wave-like waveform from a pulse generator which after further processing is used to generate at least two circuits for use in producing the beat frequency signal. An effective area of stimulation is controlled by the quantity of electrodes, positioning of the electrodes and electrode cross pattern orientation. Amplitude modulation of electrical circuits created at the electrode placements also augments the effective area of stimulation. The stimulator and method reduce accommodation of the body to the electrical stimulation and provide deeper penetration of the resultant signal. |
| US09604059B2 |
Devices for controlling spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain, and associated systems and methods, including controllers for automated parameter selection
Devices for controlling spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain, and associated systems and methods, including controllers for automated parameter selection are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes receiving a first input corresponding to a location of a signal delivery device implanted in a patient, establishing a positional relationship between the signal delivery device and an anatomical feature of the patient, receiving a second input corresponding to a medical indication of the patient, and, based at least in part on the positional relationship and the indication, automatically identifying a signal delivery parameter in accordance with which a pulsed electrical signal is delivered to the patient via the signal delivery device. |
| US09604058B2 |
Method for achieving low-back spinal cord stimulation without significant side-effects
A method for treating an ailment of a patient using at least one electrode implanted within a spinal column of the patient at a T4-T6 spinal nerve level. The method comprises increasing an activation threshold of a side-effect exhibiting neural structure relative to the activation threshold of a dorsal column (DC) nerve fiber of the patient, and applying electrical stimulation energy to the DC nerve fiber via the at least one electrode while the activation threshold of the neural structure is increased, thereby treating the ailment while minimizing stimulation of the neural structure. Another method comprises applying electrical stimulation energy to the spinal column of the patient via the plurality of electrodes, thereby generating a medio-lateral electrical field relative to the spinal column of the patient and treating the ailment. |
| US09604057B2 |
Stimulation method for a sphenopalatine ganglion, sphenopalatine nerve, vidian nerve, or branch thereof for treatment of medical conditions
One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for suppressing or preventing a medical condition in a subject. One step of the method can include positioning at least one electrode on or proximate to at least one of a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a sphenopalatine nerve (SPN), a vidian nerve (VN), or a branch thereof, of the subject. Next, the at least one electrode can be activated to apply an electrical signal to at least one of the SPG, the SPN the VN, or the branch thereof. The medical condition can include pain resulting from one or more of atypical odontalgia, cluster tic syndrome, geniculate neuralgia, occipital neuralgia and temporal arteritis. |
| US09604051B2 |
Neural interface system
The neural interface system of the preferred embodiments includes an electrode array having a plurality of electrode sites and a carrier that supports the electrode array. The electrode array is coupled to the carrier such that the electrode sites are arranged both circumferentially around the carrier and axially along the carrier. A group of the electrode sites may be simultaneously activated to create an activation pattern. The system of the preferred embodiment is preferably designed for deep brain stimulation, and, more specifically, for deep brain stimulation with fine electrode site positioning, selectivity, tunability, and precise activation patterning. The system of the preferred embodiments, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment (such as the spinal cord, peripheral nerve, muscle, or any other suitable anatomical location) and for any suitable reason. |
| US09604047B2 |
Anti-drawback medical valve
A gland member within a medical valve is configured to have a substantially consistent or enlarging internal volume as the valve transitions from a closed mode to an open mode. The valve has a housing forming an interior containing a flow path, and a stationary post member within the interior. The post member has a lumen that is a part of the flow path. The lumen has an opening to the interior of the housing. The valve further includes a gland member circumscribing the post member to produce a variable volume region formed at least in part between the gland member itself and the post member. The variable volume region is a part of the flow path, while the gland member occludes the post lumen opening when in the closed mode. The variable volume region has an open volume that is no less than its closed volume. |
| US09604042B2 |
Tissue modification methods and apparatus
A method and apparatus for treating a stricture in a body lumen. The method comprises (a) sensing pressure being exerted by a treatment device on the stricture, (b) determining if enough force is being exerted on the stricture, (c) if enough force is being exerted on the stricture, timing the application of enough force, (d) determining if too much force is being exerted by the treatment device on the stricture, (e) if too much force is being applied to the stricture, decrementing the force being applied to the stricture, (f) determining if not enough force is being applied to the stricture, (g) if not enough force is being applied to the stricture incrementing the force being applied to the stricture, and (h) repeating (a)-(g) until (i) a desired pressure has been maintained on the tissue for a desired time. The apparatus comprises a device for exerting pressure on the stricture, a controller for controlling the amount of pressure the device exerts on the stricture, and a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure being exerted on the stricture by the device. |
| US09604039B2 |
Unobstructing microdevices for self-clearing implantable catheters
A self-clearing actuator configured to be positioned in a pore providing fluid communication into a central lumen of a ventricular catheter body is described. The actuator extends into a central bore via a cantilever beam having a first end emanating at the central bore and a second end terminating at the actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to reciprocate within the central bore between a first position extending downward at an angle into the central bore and a second position substantially at or above the external surface of the catheter. The cantilever beam is stressed, e.g. via a composite compress layer, such that it is preloaded to nominally curve downward to extend the actuator into the second position. The actuator is preferably a magnet responsive to magnetic field such that the magnetic field drives the actuator toward the first position. |
| US09604032B2 |
Elastic cap for the protection of the distal end of a catheter having an inner and an outer hose
An elastic cap for covering the distal end of a catheter having inner and outer hoses, characterized in that the cap consists essentially of an elastic material, has a cavity in which the distal end of the inner and the outer hose of a catheter can be received, and the cap has a first opening via which the cavity is accessible from the outside, wherein prior to receiving the distal end of the catheter, the first opening has a diameter which is not larger than the outer diameter of the inner hose of the catheter and wherein the first opening is elastically expandable to a diameter which corresponds to the outer diameter of the outer hose. |
| US09604031B2 |
Medical article securement systems and methods of using same
Brackets, systems comprising a bracket, and methods for securing medical articles. The bracket can include a base, a post coupled to the base and extending upwardly from the base in a direction generally normal to a first major surface of the base, and an arm coupled to the base and extending generally parallel to the first major surface of the base. The arm can be spaced a distance from the first major surface of the base to define a channel under the arm that is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the medical article. The arm can be cantilevered, and the post and the arm can each be fixed with respect to the base. Methods can include abutting an external surface of the medical article against the post; and moving a portion of the medical article into the channel defined by the arm. |
| US09604030B2 |
Valves and hubs for tubular devices and methods for making and using them
A hub for a sheath, catheter, or other tubular device includes a first hub portion including a first hub lumen sized for receiving a medical device therethrough, and a second hub portion including a second hub lumen, the second hub portion coupled to the first hub portion such that the first and second hub lumens are aligned with one another and the first and second hub portions are spaced apart from one another to define a gap. A valve is secured within the gap between the first and second hub portions that includes a valve passage therethrough, e.g., for accommodating receiving a medical device through the first and second hub lumens into the tubular device, while providing a substantially fluid tight seal. |
| US09604027B2 |
Gas-treatment devices
An HME has exchange elements (4) at opposite ends of a tubular housing (1, 101) and a central port (2) for connection to a tracheal tube (3). An oxygen port (5, 105, 105′) is located centrally with the major part of it being contained within a recess (40, 140, 140′) on the exterior of the housing and extending at right angles to the length of the housing. The oxygen port (5, 105, 105′) opens into a wider passage (32, 32′) extending within the housing, which opens on the external face (30) of the two exchange elements (4). A large suction aperture (60) aligns with the port (2) opening to the tracheal tube (3) and is covered by a hinged flap (61) when not in use. |
| US09604023B2 |
Respiratory mask with ribbed contacting surface
A patient interface device (8) for delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient is provided that includes a patient contacting component (9, 90) having a patient contacting surface structured to engage the face of the patient when the patient interface device is donned by the patient, the patient contacting surface also including a plurality of ribs (40, 52, 62, 72, 82, 96) extending therefrom. The patient contacting component may be, without limitation, a mask having a mask cushion, a forehead support having a forehead cushion, a cheek pad or a chin pad. |
| US09604022B2 |
Portable manual ventilation device
A portable, compact closed circuit ventilation device for manual ventilation of a patient undergoing a surgical or medical procedure that requires sedation as well as emergency management of respiratory failure. One example embodiment includes a closed breathing circuit having a manually squeezable bag, a carbon dioxide absorption canister, a plurality of valves, a gas port and a plurality of sensors for measuring Tidal Volume (TV), Peak Airway Pressure (PAP) and End Tidal CO2 (ETCO2). Another example embodiment includes an open breathing circuit having a bag, valves and sensors. A monitor displays the sensor measurements during the respiratory phases. In a spontaneously breathing patient the device may be used to assess the adequacy of patient's respiratory efforts. During manual or assisted ventilation, the monitor assures safe and efficacious ventilation by the closed breathing circuit. |
| US09604018B2 |
Aerosol therapy device
The disclosure relates to an aerosol therapy device including: a housing; an aerosol generator, which is arranged in the housing; an air inlet, which is formed in the housing upstream of the aerosol generator; and an air outlet, which is formed in the housing downstream of the aerosol generator to administer the aerosol produced, wherein an air flow from the air inlet to the air outlet can be generated by a negative pressure at the air outlet, wherein the air flow flows around the aerosol generator, wherein a truncated-cone-shaped flow channel, the central axis of which extends in a curved manner, is arranged between the aerosol generator and the air outlet. |
| US09604016B2 |
Bent capillary tube aerosol generator
An apparatus for generating aerosol comprises a capillary tube comprising at least one bend, fluid inlets, and an outlet along the bend. The capillary tube is heated to a temperature sufficient to volatilize fluid in the capillary tube, such that the volatilized fluid discharges from the outlet to form an aerosol. |
| US09604015B2 |
Single-use syringe
The present invention relates to a single-use syringe comprising a barrel (10) having an internal surface defining a chamber for retaining a fluid, a plunger (1) formed by an elongated body including a plurality of longitudinal fins (2) and optionally a piston (3) connected to the end of the plunger close to the needle, the external surface of the piston or of the end of the plunger in the case of not including a piston being in leak-tight connection with the internal surface of the barrel, where the barrel has a general external shape of a cylinder of revolution with a constant radius circular base and a variable internal shape, forming the wall of the barrel with variable thickness, generating a chamber inside which a plunger incorporating a plurality of fins (2) slides; each of the longitudinal fins (2) of the plunger has a constant height along its entire length but different from that of at least one of the other fins, which height is suitable in each fin so that the plunger (1) can be inserted tightly without the capability of rotating about itself through the space defined by the variable internal radius of the barrel; the length of at least one of the fins is also different from the length of at least one of the other fins so that the plunger includes a weakened area in the form of a hole at the end of the plunger close to the needle; the barrel further comprises at least two grooves in the internal face of the barrel, at least one being located in the distal part (8) and at least one in the proximal part (9) of the barrel with respect to the needle. |
| US09604014B2 |
System for detecting and removing a gas bubble from a vascular infusion line
A system for detecting and removing a gas bubble from a vascular infusion line, comprising a disposable cassette adapted for disposition intermediate the fluid line, the disposable cassette comprising a body comprising an inlet port, a chamber, an outlet port, and a purge port, a first passageway connecting the inlet port to the chamber, the first passageway comprising a first bubble detection section where a gas bubble may be detected within the first passageway, a second passageway connecting the chamber with the outlet port, and a first pinch valve disposed along the second passageway intermediate the chamber and the outlet port, and a third passageway connecting the chamber with the purge port, the third passageway comprising a second bubble detection section where a gas bubble may be detected within the third passageway, and a second pinch valve disposed along the third passageway intermediate the chamber and the bubble detection section. |
| US09604012B2 |
Barrel with cap, pre-filled syringe, and cap with connector
A barrel with a cap, a pre-filled syringe, and a cap with a connector that accommodate connection-receiving bodies of the Luer lock type and of the slip-in type, are provided. Some versions include: a connector (3) detachably coupled to a cap (2) so as to be separated from the barrel (1) together with the cap (2) when the connector (3) is located at an initial position where the connector (3) is attached to a barrel (1) via the cap (2); and a connector-side engaging part (33) that engages a barrel-side engaging part (13) of the barrel (1) when the connector (3) is located at an attached position that is closer to a proximal end in an axial direction of the barrel (1) than the initial position, allowing the connector (3) to remain attached to the barrel (1) by being detached from the cap (2) separated from a nozzle (11). |
| US09604011B2 |
Safety device for a pre-filled syringe and injection device
According to the invention, a safety device for a pre-filled syringe comprises a hollow support body for retaining the pre-filled syringe, a hollow needle shield that is movable relative to the support body from a first position to a second position, releasable mounting means to mount the pre-filled syringe within the support body and a spring means arranged within the support body in a non-energized or only slightly energized state. The movement of the needle shield from the first position to the second position fully energizes the spring means. |
| US09604009B2 |
Drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices
A drive mechanism suitable for use in drug delivery devices is disclosed. The drive mechanism may be used with injector-type drug delivery devices, such as those permitting a user to set the delivery dose. The drive mechanism may include a housing, a dose dial sleeve, and a drive sleeve. A clutch is configured to permit rotation of the drive sleeve and the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are coupled through the clutch. Conversely, when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are in a de-coupled state, rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing is permitted and rotation of the drive sleeve with respect to the housing is prevented. In the de-coupled state, axial movement of the drive sleeve transfers force in a longitudinal direction for actuation of a drug delivery device. |
| US09603999B2 |
Infusion system using optical imager for controlling flow and method thereof
A method of operating an infusion pump includes transmitting light through or around a drop of fluid suspended from an end of a drip tube for the infusion pump, the end of the drip tube located in a drip chamber for the infusion pump, wherein the drip tube is configured for connection to a source of the fluid; receiving, using an optical system for the pump, light transmitted through or around the drop; transmitting, to a specially programmed microprocessor and using the optical system, data regarding the received light; and, using the microprocessor to calculate a volume of the drop using the data. |
| US09603996B2 |
System and method for insulin pump medical device including a slider assembly wherein images on display allow for highlighting and magnifying images
A medical system includes an input assembly for receiving one or more user inputs. The input assembly includes at least one slider assembly for providing an input signal. Processing logic receives the input signal from the input assembly and provides a first output signal and a second output signal. A display assembly is configured to receive, at least in part, the first output signal from the processing logic and render information viewable by the user. The second output signal is provided to one or more medical system components. The information rendered on the display assembly may be manipulatable by the user and at least a portion of the information rendered may be magnified. |
| US09603988B2 |
Subcutaneous vascular access ports
Ports for accessing vessels within a patient include passageways that can guide needles or other access devices directly into the vessels. The ports can be implanted subcutaneously within a patient. Some ports may be used in the creation and use of vascular access buttonholes. |
| US09603986B2 |
Device and method for processing and producing autologous platelet-rich plasma
A system and method are provided, including an integrated single-use kit, for processing whole blood to produce platelet rich plasma. A two stage spinning membrane separator, has a first stage for receiving whole blood and separating substantially all red blood cells from plasma and platelets, and a second stage for further separating platelet rich plasma from plasma. A first waste container is in fluid communication with the first stage of the separator for receiving separated red blood cells, while a second waste container is in fluid communication with the second stage of the separator for receiving separated plasma. An outlet line is in fluid communication with the second stage of the separator for receiving platelet rich plasma, and a reinfusion container is removably connected to the outlet line for receiving platelet rich plasma from the second stage of the separator. |
| US09603985B2 |
Blood treatment systems and methods
Dialysis systems comprising actuators that cooperate to perform dialysis functions and sensors that cooperate to monitor dialysis functions are disclosed. According to one aspect, such a hemodialysis system comprises a user interface model layer, a therapy layer, below the user interface model layer, and a machine layer below the therapy layer. The user interface model layer is configured to manage the state of a graphical user interface and receive inputs from a graphical user interface. The therapy layer is configured to run state machines that generate therapy commands based at least in part on the inputs from the graphical user interface. The machine layer is configured to provide commands for the actuators based on the therapy commands. |
| US09603984B2 |
Triple helix driveline cable and methods of assembly and use
A power cable having improved durability and associated methods of assembly and use are described herein. In one aspect, the power cable is adapted for use in powering an implantable circulatory pump system. The cable includes one or more conductors of uninsulated wire strands that are loosely packed so as to move relative one another during cable flexure. The driveline cable may include a plurality of conductors, each comprised of multiple uninsulated bundles of uninsulated, loosely packed wire strands of a conductive material, that are wrapped about a central core. The cable may include at least six conductors, each conductor having at least 200 wire strands of a 30 gauge or higher. The cable may include the plurality of wire strands wound in a Litz style configuration to provide improved durability over many cycles of use at reduced cost, improved integrity of the electrical connection and reduced diameter. |
| US09603983B2 |
Catheter pump arrangement and flexible shaft arrangement having a core
The invention relates to a flexible shaft arrangement having a flexible hollow shaft which has an end at the drive side and an end at the output side, wherein the hollow shaft is reinforced sectionally between these ends by a core extending in its interior. Stiffer and more flexible sections can hereby be selectively positioned within the shaft arrangement. |
| US09603982B2 |
Highly efficient breastpump and system for expressing breastmilk
The present invention provides a breastshield for use in a breastpumping system for expressing milk, the breastshield being of such a construction that substantially limits the amount of air between the breast/nipple and the breastshield surrounding the breast/nipple, and most preferably virtually eliminates any air at least in the area of the breast and nipple. In some embodiments, any air in the breastpumping system is substantially eliminated. With the amount of air limited, the mechanism used for generating the pressure difference in the breastshield (e.g., vacuum or negative pressure), such as a diaphragm pump, does not need to do as much work. Less energy is required for the expression of milk, and thus the size of pump used can be decreased, thereby reducing the overall cost of the device. |
| US09603977B2 |
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. |
| US09603974B2 |
Coating composition and medical device
A coating composition for drug-eluting medical devices, which enables a medical device to be delivered to a target tissue for the purpose of treating an affected blood vessel part such as restenosis, without easy separation of a drug from the medical device during the delivery process is provided. The coating composition for drug-eluting medical devices contains a water-insoluble drug and at least one selected from the group consisting of ester compounds of amino acids, which have a hydropathy index of the amino acid of zero or less than zero, and salts thereof. A drug coating layer, a drug-eluting medical device and a method of treatment are also provided. |
| US09603973B2 |
Local delivery of water-soluble or water-insoluble therapeutic agents to the surface of body lumens
A method and device for local delivery of a water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the tissue of a normal or diseased body lumen is disclosed. An expandable structure of a medical disposable device, such as a balloon of a balloon catheter, is coated with a non-durable coating which comprises poly(HEMA) complexed with iodine and has a substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent dispersed therein. The medical disposable device is inserted into a body lumen, and expanded to contact the non-durable coating against the body lumen and deliver the substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the body lumen tissue. |
| US09603972B2 |
Implant with antimicrobial coating
The invention relates to an implant with a coating (23) which releases silver ions in the human body and as a result has antimicrobial action. According to the invention, a first surface component of the coating (23) is formed by an anode material (25). A second surface component of the coating (23) is formed by a cathode material (26). The cathode material is higher in the electrochemical voltage series than the anode material (25). The cathode material (26) and the anode material (25) are connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner. Together with the body electrolyte in the environment of the implant, the anode material (25) and the cathode material (26) form a multitude of local galvanic elements. The antimicrobial action of the coating (23) is improved as a result. |
| US09603970B2 |
Biodegradable shape-memory material and method
A biodegradable material with shape retention ability may be prepared using a process that includes (a) dissolving a polymer that in a first solvent to obtain a first solution; (b) dissolving a poly-N-vinyl lactam (e.g., polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)) in a second solvent to obtain a second solution; (c) mixing the first solution with the second solution to obtain a liquid mixture; and (d) preparing the biodegradable material using the liquid mixture in an electrospinning process. The polymer may include a copolymer of lactide and caprolactone, where the lactide preferably includes L-lactide. The first solution may be an aprotic solvent, preferably ethyl acetate. |
| US09603967B2 |
Placental tissue assembly
A placental tissue assembly for treating wounds or surfaces of a patient has one or more layers of placental tissue and a backing material. The one or more layers of placental tissue have a first side and a second side. The backing material is adhered to and covers one of either the first or second sides of the one or more layers of placental tissue to create the assembly. The assembly when applied onto a surface to be treated on the side of the tissue opposite the backing material adheres to the surface with an attachment force greater than an attachment force of the backing material adhered to the first or second side. This allows the backing material to be released leaving the placental tissue affixed to the surface to be treated. |
| US09603964B2 |
Hemostatic devices
Hemostatic devices for promoting blood clotting can include a substrate (e.g., gauze, textile, sponge, sponge matrix, one or more fibers, etc.), a hemostatic material disposed thereon such as kaolin clay, and a binder material such as crosslinked calcium alginate with a high guluronate monomer molar percentage disposed on the substrate to substantially retain the hemostatic material material. When the device is used to treat a bleeding wound, at least a portion of the clay material comes into contact with blood to accelerate clotting. Moreover, when exposed to blood, the binder has low solubility and retains a majority of the clay material on the gauze. A bandage that can be applied to a bleeding wound to promote blood clotting includes a flexible substrate and a gauze substrate mounted thereon. |
| US09603961B2 |
Equipment for sanitizing the air conditioning system of vehicles by means of radiant catalytic ionization
An object of this certificate of addition includes the compaction of the equipment into two modules (1 and 2) on a smaller scale so as to enable the installation of the modules directly in the air conditioning system of transportation vehicles or other means of transportation. |
| US09603960B2 |
Flexible article for UV disinfection
A device including a flexible substrate and an ultraviolet radiation system is disclosed. The ultraviolet radiation system can include at least one ultraviolet radiation source configured to emit ultraviolet radiation towards a surface to be disinfected, an ultraviolet transparent component configured to focus the ultraviolet radiation, and a control system configured to control the at least one ultraviolet radiation source. The device can include a hand article, such as a glove. |
| US09603941B2 |
Method of preparing dendritic drugs
Synthetic design of drug-incorporated novel dendrimer structures for quantitatively controlled drug delivery. The dendritic drugs have better control and thus a quantitative drug release can be obtained. There are no prior art dendritic drugs that control release both sequentially and quantitatively like the dendritic drugs disclosed herein. The dendritic drugs are formed by incorporating multiple same type drug units or more than two different drug types into a dendritic cascade structure to form a dendrimer drug. |
| US09603939B2 |
Platform drug delivery system utilizing crystal engineering and theanine dissolution
A method of treating Hodgkin's disease in a subject. The method involves administering to the subject an effective amount of a water-soluble composition which includes a cocrystal composition containing doxorubicin and a theanine enantiomer. |
| US09603935B2 |
Oral dispersible films
Described herein are orodispersible films comprising a film forming hydrophobic polymer, a disintegrant, a plasticizer and a stabilizer. |
| US09603931B2 |
Macromolecule for delivering protein, polypeptide or peptide drugs and a production method for the same, and a slow release composition for protein, polypeptide or peptide drugs and a production method for the same
The present invention relates to a macromolecule for delivering protein, polypeptide or peptide drugs and to a production method for the same, as well as to a slow release composition for protein, polypeptide or peptide drugs comprising the same, and more specifically relates to a polylactic acid derivative compound of Chemical formula 1 of which the numerical average molecular weight is no more than 7000 daltons and to a production method for the same, as well as to a slow release composition for protein, polypeptide or peptide drugs using the same and to a production method for the same. |
| US09603929B2 |
Combination of an oxidant, a photosensitizer and a wound healing agent for oral disinfecton and treatment of oral disease
The present document describes methods of use of photo activated compositions for oral disinfection and/or treatments which comprise at least one oxidant, at least one photoactivator capable of activating the oxidant, and at least one healing factor chosen from hyaluronic acid, glucosamine and allantoin, in association with a pharmacologically acceptable carrier. |
| US09603921B2 |
Virosome particles comprising antigens from influenza virus and hepatitis b virus
The present invention provides a virosome comprising a virosomal membrane comprising at least one lipid and envelope proteins of an enveloped virus and of the virosome and attached to said envelope proteins. Furthermore, the invention provides a vaccine comprising the virosome of the invention and, a method for the production of a virosome of the invention. Moreover, the invention provides a use of a virosome of the invention for the preparation of a vaccine, e.g. for the prevention or alleviation of a disease related to an HBV infection, and a method for the vaccination of a subject. |
| US09603916B2 |
Treatment and prevention of malaria
There are provided antigens, vectors encoding the antigens, and antibodies and other binding compounds to the antigens and uses thereof in the prevention or treatment of malaria. In particular, compositions are provided comprising a Reticulocyte-binding protein Homologue 5 (PfRH5) antigen having at least 90% identity with SEQ ID NO: 1, or a fragment thereof; or which comprise a viral vector that expresses PfRH5 antigen having at least 90% identity with SEQ ID NO: 2, or a fragment thereof. |
| US09603914B2 |
Mutant strains of Neospora and uses thereof
A mutant strain of Neospora spp, in which the function of the NcMIC3 protein and/or the function of the NcMIC1 protein is suppressed, and uses thereof in a pharmaceutical composition or in a vaccine composition. |
| US09603913B2 |
Globo H and related anti-cancer vaccines with novel glycolipid adjuvants
An immunogenic composition containing a glycan conjugate including a carrier protein, and a glycan including Globo H, an immunogenic fragment thereof, or stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA-4), wherein the glycan is conjugated with the carrier protein through a linker. |
| US09603909B2 |
Composition capable of improving stability of bacteriophage lysin proteins
The present invention relates to a composition for improving the stability of bacteriophage originated lysin proteins greatly even when the composition contains the bacteriophage originated lysin proteins at a high concentration. More precisely, the present invention relates to a method and a composition for improving significantly the stability of SAL-1 or LysK, the bacteriophage originated lysin protein, included at a high concentration in the composition. |
| US09603908B2 |
Subcutaneous administration of iduronate-2-sulfatase
The present invention provides, among other things, compositions, kits and methods for subcutaneous delivery of lysosomal enzymes for effective treatment of lysosomal storage diseases. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for treating Hunter syndrome by subcutaneous administration of a replacement iduronate-2-sulfatase (I2S) protein. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a kit comprising an arrangement of components for subcutaneously administering iduronate-2-sulfatase (I2S) protein. |
| US09603907B2 |
Dry powder formulations of dNase I
DNase I formulations for pulmonary administration and, more particularly, but not exclusively, a dry powder formulation comprising, as an active ingredient, human DNase I, methods, dry powder inhalation devices and systems for the therapeutic use thereof are provided. |
| US09603901B2 |
Treatment of short bowel syndrome patients with colon-in-continuity
Intestinal absorption is enhanced in short bowel syndrome patients presenting with colon-in-continuity by treatment with a GLP-2 receptor agonist, such as teduglutide. |
| US09603898B2 |
Formulations of diluted amino acid segments and methods for making same
A formulation of a diluted amino acid segment is prepared by mixing an amino acid segment and a diluting agent to form a mixture. The mixture is serially diluted to produce a diluted formulation. The amino acid segment includes a peptide sequence that is the same as a portion of a longer peptide sequence found in a naturally occurring material. A homeopathic remedy can be prepared using the formulation. |
| US09603890B2 |
Methods for increasing the selective efficacy of gene therapy using CAR peptide and heparan-sulfate mediated macropinocytosis
Disclosed are compositions and methods for triggering disease selective macropinocytosis. The compositions can serve as a marker of disease activity and as a trigger of enhanced macropinocytosis in tissues undergoing disease remodeling such as wound healing, cancer, PAH, inflammation, diabetes, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, diseases of the endometrium, psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, fibrotic disorders, interstitial cystitis, autoimmune diseases, asthma, acute lung injury, and adult respiratory distress syndrome. The compositions can also serve as a receptor for disease selective cell penetrating peptides in the cells and extracellular matrix of diseased tissues. |
| US09603887B2 |
Cannabinoid composition including a cytochrome p450 enzyme inhibitor
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising non-decarboxylated Δ9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD), and at least one small molecule selected from Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Citrus Essential Oil(s), Lecithin, one or more sugar(s), Resvertrol, and combinations thereof, wherein the composition exhibits an increased but negated psychoactivity with concurrent enhancement in therapeutic potency of THC and/or CBD. The present invention is further directed to methods of treating one or more disease(s) or disorder(s) modulated by the activation of the Cannabinoid CB1 and/or CB2 receptors, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of the present invention to a subject in need thereof. |
| US09603886B1 |
Method for treating a hangover
A juice drink for hangover treatment containing juiced ingredients of red onion, cucumber, and a leafy green vegetable, such as romaine lettuce to treat a hangover after consumption of alcohol. |
| US09603882B2 |
Method for modulating Th17 cells and method for treating a disease related to modulation of Th17 cells
The disclosure provides a method for modulating Th17 cells, including: administering an Antrodia cinnamomea (also named Antrodia camphorata or Taiwanofungus camphoratus) extract to a subject in need thereof, wherein the Antrodia cinnamomea extract has an effect of modulating Th17 cells. The Antrodia cinnamomea extract may include a fruiting body extract of Antrodia cinnamomea or a mycelium extract of Antrodia cinnamomea. |
| US09603880B2 |
Composition containing bacterium belonging to genus lactobacillus
A composition containing a Lactobacillus pentosus TUA4337L strain (accession number: NITE BP-1479), characterized in that the strain has proliferation ability in the small intestines and/or the large intestine, and preferably the small intestines, after having survived in the intestinal tract. Since the composition of the present invention contains lactic acid bacteria having proliferation ability in the intestinal tract, when ingested in the body, the lactic acid bacteria survive to the intestinal tract and proliferate, whereby the fat absorption can be blocked, and the weight gains can be blocked, so that the composition can be suitably used for the purposes of dieting effects. |
| US09603878B2 |
Probiotic and prebiotic compositions, and methods of use thereof for treatment and prevention of graft versus host disease
Probiotic compositions containing non-pathogenic microbial entities, e.g., bacterial or fungal entities, are described herein. The probiotic compositions may optionally contain or be used in conjunction with one or more prebiotics. Uses of the probiotic compositions to treat or prevent transplant disorders, e.g., graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), in a subject are also provided. |
| US09603876B2 |
Compositions and methods for restoring gastrointestinal microbiota following antibiotic treatment
The present invention relates to characterizing changes in mammalian bacterial gastrointestinal, cutaneous and nasal microbiota associated with antibiotic treatment and various disease conditions (such as asthma, allergy, obesity, metabolic syndrome, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), eosinophilic esophagitis, gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinomas (GEJAC), infections due to bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, etc.) and related diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Therapeutic methods of the invention involve the use of live bacterial inoculants that are capable of restoring healthy mammalian bacterial gastrointestinal, skin, and nasal microbiota. |
| US09603875B1 |
Method of making a consumable product with purified embryonated Trichuris suis ova
A method of making a consumable product containing purified embryonated Trichuris suis ova (TSO) preferably includes steps of: storing the TSO in an acidic solution; adding a food preservative to the acidic solution to produce a preservative-acid-solution; forming a mixing solution by raising the pH of the preservative-acidic-solution to match the pH of a food substance by titrating the preservative-acidic-solution with an acid neutralizer so that the pH changes at a rate of not more than 1 pH unit per 24 hours, preferably to a pH not higher than 5.0; and producing the consumable product by combining the mixing solution and the food substance while maintaining the temperature of the consumable product between 1 degree Centigrade and 47 degrees Centigrade. |
| US09603874B2 |
Method for enhancing a function of a T cell
Disclosed is a method for enhancing the function of a T cell, which is characterized by inhibiting the expression of programmed death-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) and/or programmed death-1 ligand 2 (PD-L2) in the T cell. Also disclosed is a function-enhanced T cell which is produced by the function enhancement method. Further disclosed is a therapeutic agent comprising the function-enhanced T cell. The T cell can enhance an immune response to cancer, and is useful in an immunotherapy effective for cancer and the treatment or prevention of infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases. |
| US09603872B2 |
Methods and compositions for mitochondrial replacement therapy
The invention features methods, kits, and compositions for mitochondrial replacement in the treatment of disorders arising from mitochondrial dysfunction. The invention also features methods of diagnosing neuropsychiatric (e.g., bipolar disorder) and neurodegenerative disorders based on mitochondrial structural abnormalities. |
| US09603871B2 |
Methods of treating gastroesophageal reflux disease
Methods of treating gastro-esophageal reflux disease in a subject are provided. The methods can include administering an effective amount of a formulation to treat the gastroesophageal reflux disease, the formulation having a water soluble tannin combined with hydrogen peroxide in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient; wherein, the tannin has a molecular weight ranging from about 170 Daltons to about 4000 Daltons; the tannin:peroxide weight ratio ranges from about 1:1000 to about 10:1; and, the composition at least inhibits a gastrointestinal spasm associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease in the subject when compared to a second subject in a control group in which the composition was not administered. |
| US09603870B2 |
Gold-based nanocrystals for medical treatments and electrochemical manufacturing processes therefor
The present invention relates to novel gold nanocrystals and nanocrystal shape distributions that have surfaces that are substantially free from organic impurities or films. Specifically, the surfaces are “clean” relative to the surfaces of gold nanoparticles made using chemical reduction processes that require organic reductants and/or surfactants to grow gold nanoparticles from gold ions in solution. The invention includes novel electrochemical manufacturing apparatuses and techniques for making the gold-based nanocrystals. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions thereof and the use of the gold nanocrystals or suspensions or colloids thereof for the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions for which gold therapy is already known and more generally for conditions resulting from pathological cellular activation, such as inflammatory (including chronic inflammatory) conditions, autoimmune conditions, hypersensitivity reactions and/or cancerous diseases or conditions In one embodiment, the condition is mediated by MIF (macrophage migration inhibiting factor). |
| US09603866B2 |
Anti-fatigue composition, formulation and use thereof
An anti-fatigue composition consisting of 20(S)-protopanoxadiol and lycium barbarum polysaccharide. Experiments prove that the composition exhibits a significant anti-fatigue effect. In comparison with the effect attained by the single use of lycium barbarum polysaccharide or 20(S)-protopanoxadiol, the combined use of 20(S)-protopanoxadiol and lycium barbarum polysaccharide exerts an obvious synergistic effect. |
| US09603860B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising active drugs, contraceptive kits comprising active drugs, and methods of administering the same
A pharmaceutical composition comprising an active contraceptive drug and one or more pharmaceutically-acceptable excipients. The pharmaceutical composition, when subjected to an in vitro dissolution test according to the USP XXIII Paddle Method, results in no more than 50% of said active drug initially present being dissolved within 30 minutes, and at least 50% of the active drug being dissolved in a time range from about 3 hours to about 4 hours. The pharmaceutical composition is administered daily to a patient having a BMI of about 25 kg/m2 or more for at least a portion of a treatment cycle. The pharmaceutical composition does not cause a number of days of bleeding events in the patient exceeding an average of 15% per treatment cycle in consecutive treatment cycles of administration after an initial treatment cycle of administration. |
| US09603856B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition or group of compositions for inhibiting autocrine HCG production in adult human cells
A pharmaceutical composition for use as medicament that inhibits inhibits autocrine Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) production and thus carcinogenesis in adult human cells, the composition comprising at least a first pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an active agent that is a competitively binding progesterone antagonist binding to steroid receptors of human cells, wherein the composition is provided in units designed for the monthly, semi-annual or annual application of the active agent in annual dosages in the range between 0.1 mg to 10.0 mg per kg of person/body-weight. |
| US09603853B2 |
Formulations of viloxazine
Modified release formulations of viloxazine and methods of administering the same are disclosed. High-drug load formulations of viloxazine are further disclosed. |
| US09603851B2 |
Combination therapy
The present invention relates to methods for treating and/or preventing metabolic diseases comprising the combined administration of a GLP-1 receptor agonist and a DPP-4 inhibitor. |
| US09603847B2 |
Compositions and uses thereof
Compositions and their use in the treatment or prevention of hyperglycemia and related diseases or disorders are disclosed. |
| US09603846B2 |
Process for the preparation of apixaban
A crystalline Form N-1 of apixaban substantially free from one or more of: 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-7-oxo-6-(4-(2-oxopiperidin-1-yl)phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid; 7-oxo-6-(4-(2-oxopiperidin-1-yl)phenyl)-1-phenyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine-3-carboxamide; or methyl 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-7-oxo-6-(4-(2-oxopiperidin-1-yl)phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine-3-carboxylate, relative to apixaban by area percentage of HPLC and having a mean particle size equal to or greater than 100 μm. |
| US09603842B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition containing verbenone derivative for treating or preventing neurodegenerative disease
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition or a functional health food comprising a verbenone derivative and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof as active ingredients for treating or preventing a neurodegenerative disease. More specifically, the verbenone derivative according to the present invention reduces neuronal cell death and oxidative stress, and is highly effective in preventing ischemic brain damage and inflammatory cell migration in rats, thereby providing the pharmaceutical composition or the functional health food which is useful in treating neurodegenerative diseases. |
| US09603837B2 |
IPA as a therapeutic agent and a biomarker for disease risk for Huntington's disease
Indole-3-propionic acid as a marker and for treatment for Huntington Disease. |
| US09603832B2 |
Substituted 2-[2-(phenyl) ethylamino]alkaneamide derivatives and their use as sodium and/or calcium channel modulators
Substituted 2-[2-(phenyl)ethylamino]alkaneamide derivatives of formula (I) wherein X, Y, Z, R, R1, R2, R3, R′3 R4, R5, R6, R7 have the meanings defined in the specification and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions containing them as active ingredient and their use as sodium and/or calcium channel modulators useful in preventing, alleviating and curing a wide range of pathologies, including, but not limited to, neurological, cognitive, psychiatric, inflammatory, urogenital and gastrointestinal diseases, where the above mechanisms have been described as playing a pathological role. |
| US09603827B2 |
Method for preventing and/or treating hairy wart disease
Provided is a novel method for preventing and/or treating hairy wart disease which is a hoof and leg disease of ungulates. The method is carried out by administering an isothiocyanic acid ester such as allyl isothiocyanate to a hoof of an ungulate. Examples of ungulates targeted for application of the present invention include cows such as dairy cows as well as sheep, pigs and horses. |
| US09603826B2 |
Methods of reducing the risk of a cardiovascular event in a subject on statin therapy
In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods of reducing the risk of a cardiovascular event in a subject on statin therapy and, in particular, a method of reducing the risk of a cardiovascular event in a subject on statin therapy having a fasting baseline triglyceride level of about 135 mg/dL to about 500 mg/dL, and administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising about 1 g to about 4 g of eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester or a derivative thereof. |
| US09603823B2 |
Use of medium chain triglycerides for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease and other diseases resulting from reduced neuronal metabolism II
Methods and compositions for treating or preventing, the occurrence of senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type, or other conditions arising from reduced neuronal metabolism and leading to lessened cognitive function are described. In a preferred embodiment the administration of triglycerides or fatty acids with chain lengths between 5 and 12, to said patient at a level to produce an improvement in cognitive ability. |
| US09603819B2 |
Substituted aminobutyric derivatives as neprilysin inhibitors
The present invention provides a compound of formula I′; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, X and n are defined herein. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the compounds of the invention, and its therapeutic uses. The present invention further provides a combination of pharmacologically active agents and a pharmaceutical composition. |
| US09603817B2 |
Methods, compositions, and kits for treating pain and pruritis
The invention features a method for inhibiting one or more voltage-gated ion channels in a cell by contacting the cell with (i) a first compound that activates a channel-forming receptor that is present on nociceptors and/or pruriceptors; and (ii) a second compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels when applied to the internal face of the channels but does not substantially inhibit said channels when applied to the external face of the channels, wherein the second compound is capable of entering nociceptors or pruriceptors through the channel-forming receptor when the receptor is activated. The invention also features a quarternary amine derivative or other permanently or transiently charged derivative of a compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels when applied to the internal face of the channels but does not substantially inhibit said channels when applied to the external face of the channels. |
| US09603816B2 |
Process
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of S-[2-[1-(2 -ethylbutyl)cyclohexylcarbonylamino]-phenyl] 2-methylthiopropionate which is useful as a pharmaceutically active compound. |
| US09603811B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions of carotenoid chylomicrons
The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a chylomicron and a carotenoid. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a micelle and a carotenoid, suspended in an aqueous solution and suitable for intravenous administration. The bioavailability of the carotenoid of the pharmaceutical composition is higher relative to the bioavailability of free carotenoid. |
| US09603809B2 |
Methods of treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Therapeutic compositions and methods for treatment of attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) include dosage forms that deliver a therapeutic amount of active drug in a delayed and controlled release formulation. The dosage form can be administered at night and drug release is delayed for from 5 to 7 hours or longer, followed by an ascending release rate. When administered at night the composition provides early morning improvement in symptoms of ADHD and sustained improvement over a period of at least 12 hours. |
| US09603804B2 |
Solid pharmaceutical composition
[Problem] To provide a solid pharmaceutical composition which contains a compound represented by general formula (1) or a salt thereof and suppresses decomposition of said compound or salt thereof, and a production method of said solid pharmaceutical composition.[Solution] This solid pharmaceutical composition contains a compound represented by general formula (1) or a salt thereof, a cellulosic excipient, and an acidic substance of pH 4.0 or less. |
| US09603802B2 |
Extrusion
The invention relates to a process for preparing a controlled release pharmaceutical extrudate using a melt extruder, wherein the melt extruder comprises a die-head supporting a die-plate in which orifices are located, and a cutter adjacent to the die-head, and wherein the cutter cuts the extruded mix as it emerges under pressure and still molten or softened from the orifices of the die-plate. |
| US09603801B2 |
Bioerodible silicon-based compositions for delivery of therapeutic agents
The invention comprises a composition comprising a bioerodible porous silicon-based carrier material wherein the carrier material carries at least one large molecule therapeutic agent and at least one amorphous sugar, optionally further comprising a crystallization inhibitor. The composition may be used in vitro or in vivo to deliver the therapeutic agent, preferably in a controlled fashion over an intended period of time such as over multiple days, weeks or months. The composition may be used for treating or preventing conditions of a patient such as chronic diseases. |
| US09603800B2 |
Methods of treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and disorders using nanolipogels
Compositions and methods for treating or ameliorating the symptoms of inflammatory or autoimmune disease or disorder are described herein. The compositions contain a nanolipogel for sustained delivery of an effective amount of one or more active agents of choice, preferably a drug for treating or ameliorating the symptoms of inflammatory or autoimmune disease or disorder. The nanolipogel includes a lipid bilayer surrounding a hydrogel core, which may optionally include a host molecule, for example, an absorbent such as a cyclodextrin or ion-exchange resin. In preferred embodiments at least one of active agents is an immunosuppressant. |
| US09603799B2 |
Liposomal vaccine adjuvants and methods of making and using same
A vaccine adjuvant composition comprising: a lipid selected from the group consisting of: dipalmitoyl phosphatidlcholine (DPPC), dipalmitoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DPPG), dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine (DOPC), and cholesterol and containing a positively or negatively charged lipid with associated/entrapped protein antigen. |
| US09603790B2 |
Cosmetic compositions comprising marine plants
The present invention relates to a cosmetic active ingredient for improving the appearance of the skin beneath the eyes. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cosmetic active ingredient comprising an extract of the marine algae, Fucus vesiculosus. The present invention also relates to topical cosmetic compositions comprising as an active component an extract of the marine algae, Fucus vesiculosus, alone or in combination with additional cosmetic active ingredients, to reduce the appearance of dark circles in skin beneath the eye. |
| US09603785B2 |
Sunscreen/insect repellant compositions and methods of making and using the same
The present invention is directed to combination sunscreen and insect repellant compositions. The combination sunscreen and insect repellant compositions contain (i) diethyl toluamide (or N,N-Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide or DEET), (ii) one or more sunscreen components, with each sunscreen component being capable of absorbing ultraviolet light rays, and (iii) a polymeric binder system of one or more C10-30 alkyl acrylate polymers or co-polymers, and one or more C12-22 alkyl methacrylate polymers or co-polymers. The combination sunscreen and insect repellant compositions may contain additional composition components such as butyloctyl salicylate, a crosslinked polyacrylate polymer, and deionized water. The present invention is also directed to methods of making and using combination sunscreen and insect repellant compositions. |
| US09603784B2 |
Process for treating sol-gel capsules
The present invention relates to a process for treating sol-gel capsules comprising a cosmetic or pharmaceutical active material with an inorganic material, as well as sol-gel capsules produced by a process according to the present invention and formulations comprising such sol-gel capsules. |
| US09603782B2 |
Anhydrous soft solid composition comprising hydrophobic silica aerogel particles, at least one oil and at least one solid fatty substance
The present invention relates to an anhydrous composition comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium: a) at least hydrophobic silica aerogel particles with a specific surface area per unit of mass (SM) ranging from 500 to 1500 m2/g, preferably from 600 to 1200 m2/g and better still from 600 to 800 m2/g, and a size expressed as the mean volume diameter (D[0.5]) ranging from 1 to 30 μm; b) at least one solid fatty substance; c) at least one oil; the said composition having a hardness measured at 32° C. and at a humidity of 40% ranging from 15 kPa to 150 kPa and preferably ranging from 20 kPa to 100 kPa. The present invention also relates to a cosmetic process for treating and/or caring for human keratin materials, characterized in that it consists in applying to the surface of the keratin material at least one composition as defined previously. The present invention also relates to a cosmetic process for treating human perspiration and/or perspiration-related body odor, which consists in applying to the surface of a human keratin material at least one composition as defined previously comprising at least one deodorant active agent and/or one antiperspirant active agent. |
| US09603775B2 |
Delamination resistant pharmaceutical glass containers containing active pharmaceutical ingredients
The present invention is based, at least in part, on the identification of a pharmaceutical container formed, at least in part, of a glass composition which exhibits a reduced propensity to delaminate, i.e., a reduced propensity to shed glass particulates. As a result, the presently claimed containers are particularly suited for storage of pharmaceutical compositions and, specifically, a pharmaceutical solution comprising a pharmaceutically active ingredient, for example, VELCADE (bortezomib), STELARA (Ustekinumab), SIMPONI (golimumab), siltuximab, and AMG 403 (fulranumab). |
| US09603774B2 |
Evidence-based acupuncture and moxibustion meridian-acupoint treating and detecting instrument supporting multiplexed output and method of use thereof
A multipath-output-supporting evidence-based acupuncture and moxibustion acupoint therapeutic and detecting instrument and a using method thereof. The therapeutic and detecting instrument comprises a CPU core unit, a communication module, an audio module and a plurality of detecting, diagnosis and treatment circuits. The detecting, diagnosis and treatment circuit comprises an acupoint detecting unit and an acupoint acupuncture and moxibustion unit. The acupoint detecting unit comprises a resistance detecting circuit and an A/D digital converting circuit. The acupoint acupuncture and moxibustion unit comprises a D/A pulse current generating circuit and an amplifying circuit. The CPU core unit comprises an ARM processor, a memory, an auxiliary circuit and an evidence-based acupuncture and moxibustion therapeutic system, and the ARM processor is connected with the evidence-based acupuncture and moxibustion therapeutic system. |
| US09603773B2 |
Methods and systems for treating cardiovascular disease using an implantable electroacupuncture device
An exemplary method treating a cardiovascular disease in a patient includes 1) generating, by an electroacupuncture device implanted beneath a skin surface of the patient at an acupoint corresponding to a median nerve of the patient, stimulation sessions at a duty cycle that is less than 0.05, wherein the duty cycle is a ratio of T3 to T4, each stimulation session included in the stimulation sessions has a duration of T3 minutes and occurs at a rate of once every T4 minutes, and the electroacupuncture device comprises a central electrode of a first polarity and an annular electrode of a second polarity and that is spaced apart from the central electrode; and 2) applying, by the electroacupuncture device, the stimulation sessions to the median nerve by way of the central electrode and the annular electrode in accordance with the duty cycle. |
| US09603768B1 |
Foot flexion and extension machine
An ankle flexion and extension machine including a lower leg backing beam having upper and lower ends; a support arm cantilevering from the lower leg backing beam; an arm mounting pivot joint interconnecting the lower leg backing beam's lower end and the support arm's proximal end; a foot plate; a plate mounting pivot joint interconnecting the foot plate and the support arm's distal end, the plate mounting pivot joint being adapted for facilitating dorsiflecting and plantarflecting pivoting movements of the foot plate with respect to the lower leg backing beam; a reversible electric motor connected operatively to the foot plate, the reversible electric motor being adapted for driving the pivoting movement of the foot plate; a floor support base; and a triangulating frame supporting the lower leg backing beam, the support arm and the foot plate over the floor support base. |
| US09603767B1 |
Cremains storage assembly
A cremains storage assembly includes a fishing lure that may be cast into a body of water. The fishing lure may contain cremains. A sleeve is coupled to the fishing lure and the sleeve may fill the fishing lure with the cremains. A cap is removably coupled to the sleeve and the cap may retain the cremains in the fishing lure. |
| US09603763B2 |
Disposable shower bucket and the privacy jacket
These new inventions aim to solve problems that are related to healthcare concerns. Each invention is designed to scope the needs of patients whether they are at home, in a nursing home, or a hospital facility. These products are designed to be hassle-free when removing them on and off the patient. Both of them will provide privacy, safety, and dignity allowing the patients to be respected. The privacy jacket is a two component garment with a medium top pocket on the left side. It also has an opening at the arm and neck with three snaps down the right side. The privacy jacket shields the body and provide warmth while the patient is using it, and it has a secret pocket inside the back panel. The pocket holds the collapsible disposable bucket. The disposable bucket is comprised of a soft, molded texture, with padded sections that absorbs both feces and urine. It has flexible elastic wings that expand into a bucket to fit underneath the shower chair. These devices will help improve the way patients receive healthcare. |
| US09603762B2 |
Wheelchair suspension
A suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame, at least one drive assembly and at least one caster pivot arm. The at least one drive assembly and the at least one caster pivot arm are pivotally connected to the frame at a common pivot axis such that the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm are pivotable relative to one another. |
| US09603761B2 |
Walking assist apparatus
A walking assist apparatus includes a pair of wheels, at least one first driving unit that drives the pair of wheels, a main body that rotatably supports the pair of wheels, and a grip that is disposed at one end of the main body to be able to be gripped. The walking assist apparatus includes a sensor unit configured to detect an angular change in an inclination angle of the main body in a pitch direction, and a first control unit configured and programmed to control an operation of the at least one first driving unit based on an output of the sensor unit such that the angular change of the main body is zero. |
| US09603760B2 |
Lift apparatus for a vehicle
A lift apparatus (100) for a vehicle comprises a lifting platform (115) and a movable connection assembly (110) for deploying and operating the lifting platform (115). The movable connection assembly (110) comprises at least two pairs of hydraulically driven lifting arms (145, 146) on either side of the lifting platform (115) and pivotally connected at a first end to a base (140) and at a second end to the lifting platform (115), at least two hydraulic actuators being disposed in connection with each pair of arms (145, 146) acting in substantially the same direction as each other. The hydraulic actuators are powered by a common source. The lift can be used to allow wheelchair bound passengers to board the vehicle or for lifting heavy articles onto the vehicle. |
| US09603753B2 |
Fluid absorbent surgical device for cannulas
A surgical device that absorbs fluid material on a surface of a cannula comprises a handle, and an absorbent portion coupled to a first end of the handle. The absorbent portion comprises a plurality of absorbent discs separated by at least one spacer. The plurality of absorbent discs and the at least one spacer are disposed about a post, and the at least one spacer is restrained from axial movement relative to the post. |
| US09603750B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing composite structure
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a composite structure, preferably for use in an absorbent structure used within the personal hygiene industry, such as for instance feminine hygiene garments, baby diapers and pants and adult incontinence garments. The present invention preferably provides a method and apparatus for depositing and positioning particulate materials in a desired pattern onto a moving carrier layer. The method allows accurate forming of a pattern of particulate material clusters at high production speed having improved attachment properties, with reduced raw material usage and relative low cost. The present invention foresees in the need for improved thin, flexible, lightweight absorbent structure having optimal absorption, distribution and retention. |
| US09603746B2 |
Sound attenuation
A sound attenuation system can include a first end that can include a shaft and a flange, the flange can be coupled to the shaft, and a second end that can include a filter stem and a cap. The filter stem can have a hole. The cap can have a first position in which the cap occludes the hole and can have a second position in which the cap is clear of the hole. |
| US09603738B2 |
Implants with controlled drug delivery features and methods of using same
Disclosed herein are drug delivery devices and methods for the treatment of ocular disorders requiring targeted and controlled administration of a drug to an interior portion of the eye for reduction or prevention of symptoms of the disorder. The devices are capable of controlled release of one or more, drugs and may also Include structures which allow for treatment of Increased intraocular pressure by permitting aqueous humor to flow out of the anterior chamber of the eye through the device. |
| US09603737B2 |
Portable urinal systems and methods of collecting urine
A portable urinal system including a handheld urinal and a reservoir. The handheld urinal has a neck assembly, with a user operated neck valve assembly permitting urine to flow through the neck assembly, and a urinal cup coupled to the neck assembly so that upon use of the urinal and operation of the neck valve assembly by the user, urine flows through the neck assembly into the urinal cup. The reservoir has a larger volume than the urinal cup and includes a lid assembly with a substantially rigid spout assembly and a reservoir cup. Urine is transferred from the urinal to the reservoir when the user couples the urinal cup to the spout assembly and opens the spout assembly such that urine collected in the urinal cup drains into the reservoir cup. |
| US09603734B2 |
Introducer for an iliac side branch device
An introduction arrangement for a fenestrated or branched stent graft (13) intended for deployment into the lumen of a vessel having a blind vessel extending from it. The introducer (1) has a distal end intended to remain outside a patient in use and a proximal end with a nose cone dilator (11) and an arrangement to retain the branched stent graft distally of the nose cone dilator. A sheath (15) on the introducer extends over the branched stent graft to the nose cone dilator. An indwelling catheter (22) extends from the distal end of the introducer and enters the fenestration or side arm and through to the nose cone dilator, the indwelling catheter has a guide wire (29) extending through it. The guide wire can be extended beyond the nose cone dilator in use before the sheath is withdrawn from the branched stent graft so that it can be snared from the contra-lateral artery. |
| US09603731B2 |
Helical hybrid stent
An expandable helical stent is provided, wherein the stent may be formed of an amorphous metal alloy or other non-amorphous metal with a securement. The stent is formed from flat or tubular metal in a helical coiled structure which has an undulating pattern. The main stent component may be formed of a single helically coiled component. Alternatively, a plurality of helically coiled ribbons may be used to form a stent heterogeneous in design, material, or other characteristic particular to that stent. The helical tubular structure may be secured with a securement, such as a weld, interlock or a polymer, to maintain the helical coils in a tubular configuration. The helical coils of the main stent component may be spaced apart or nestled to each other. The nestling of the undulation of adjacent helical coils contributes to maintaining the tubular shape of the helically coiled stent. In addition, the nestling of helical coils may prevent the polymer layer from sagging at any point between cycles of the helical coils. |
| US09603730B2 |
Endoluminal device and method
An endoluminal device can be configured for precise positioning during deployment within a vessel. The endoluminal device can be a tack, stent, vascular implant or other type of implant. The endoluminal device can have circumferential member with an undulating configuration having multiple inward and outward apexes and struts extending therebetween. Two of the struts can be used to establish a foot for the precise positioning of the device during deployment. A method of placing the endoluminal device can include withdrawing an outer sheath such that a portion of the endoluminal device is expanded prior to the rest of the endoluminal device. |
| US09603727B2 |
Intravascular stent
An expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, is disclosed. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical rings generally aligned on a common longitudinal stent axis and interconnected by one or more interconnecting links placed so that the stent is flexible in the longitudinal direction. The link pattern is optimized to reduce strain on the links and enhance longitudinal flexibility and security of the stent. The stent includes a distal end ring and a proximal end ring that have a length that is shorter than the length of the body rings. |
| US09603714B2 |
Spacer and expanding device
An expanding device for expanding the spacing between bones is provided. The expanding device includes a spacer configured to be expandable and disposed between the bones, a catheter provided with the spacer at a distal end thereof and adapted to introduce a filler into the spacer, and a sheath having a lumen through which the catheter is inserted and in which the spacer before expansion can be housed. The spacer includes a spacer body configured to be expandable, an introduction section through which a filler is introduced into a rear-end-side expansion section of the spacer body, and a bypass passage through which part of the filler in the introduction section is introduced into a distal-end-side expansion section of the spacer body. |
| US09603713B2 |
Bi-directional fixating/locking transvertebral body screw/intervertebral cage stand-alone constructs and posterior cervical and lumbar interarticulating joint stapling guns and devices for spinal fusion
A bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screw/cage apparatus, a posterior lumbar facet staple and a staple gun for a posterior lumbar facet staple, a posterior cervical facet joint staple, and a staple gun for a posterior cervical facet joint staple are provided. The BDFT apparatus includes an intervertebral cage including a plurality of internal angled screw guides, a plurality of screw members, and a screw locking mechanism that prevents the screw members from pulling out of the internal angled screw guides. The internal angled screw guides orient a first screw member superiorly and a second screw member inferiorly. The intervertebral cage is adapted for posterior lumbar intervertebral placement, anterior lumbar intervertebral placement, anterio-lateral thoracic intervertebral placement, or anterior cervical intervertebral placement. |
| US09603707B2 |
Dipping mandrel with a gap
A mandrel (5) for molding polymer valve leaflets for heart valve prostheses is disclosed, including a body portion (52) including an outer surface with ridges (60) and contoured surfaces (64) corresponding to the leaflets, the upper edge of the contoured surfaces corresponding to the free upper edge of the leaflets, and the mandrel including a mandrel extension (54) above the body portion, and a gap (68) extending around the mandrel between the upper edge of the contoured surface and the mandrel extension. A process for producing these polymer valve leaflets is also disclosed by dip coating with this mandrel and removing the polymer film created at the gap, preferably by applying suction or blowing thereto. |
| US09603705B2 |
Two-stage collapsible/expandable prosthetic heart valves and anchoring systems
Prosthetic heart valve apparatus is adapted for delivery into a patient in a circumferentially collapsed condition, followed by circumferential re-expansion at the implant site in the patient. The apparatus includes an annular anchoring structure that can be implanted in the patient first. The apparatus further includes an annular valve support structure, which supports a flexible leaflet structure of the valve. The support and leaflet structures are initially separate from the anchoring structure, but they can be implanted in the patient by interengagement of the support structure with the already-implanted anchoring structure. |
| US09603704B2 |
In situ adjustable optical mask
Implantable corneal and intraocular implants such as a mask are provided. The mask can improve the vision of a patient, such as by being configured to increase the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. The mask can include an aperture configured to transmit along an optical axis substantially all visible incident light. The mask can further include a transition portion that surrounds at least a portion of the aperture. This portion can be configured to switch from one level of opacity to another level of opacity through the use of a controllably variable absorbance feature such as a switchable photochromic chromophore within a polymer matrix. |
| US09603703B2 |
Intraocular lens and methods for providing accommodative vision
An accommodating intraocular lens for providing a range of accommodative vision contains an optic and a haptic. The optic is disposed about an optical axis and includes an anterior surface and a posterior surface defining a clear aperture of the optic. The haptic is at least partially disposed inside the optic and includes an inner structure, an outer structure, and a plurality of arms disposed between and connecting the inner structure and the outer structure. The inner structure is circumferentially disposed about the optical axis, while the outer structure is circumferentially disposed about the inner structure and has an outer face. Each arm has proximal portion adjacent the inner structure and a distal portion adjacent the outer structure that is bifurcated in a radial direction from the proximal portion. The intraocular lens also has an outer surface defined by outer surfaces of the plurality of arms and an outer surface of the outer structure. The inner structure and at least a portion of the arms are disposed inside the clear aperture. The distal portion of each arm has a larger axial extent than an axial extent of the inner portion. The distal portion of each arm has a larger axial extent along the outer surface than an axial extent of the outer structure along the outer surface. |
| US09603701B2 |
Flexible artificial lens accommodated by means of pressure or electrical condictivity
An artificial lens for an eye (10) is described. According to the present invention, an artificial lens for an eye is now provided, in which the focal width can change. This is realized according to the invention by providing the artificial lens with two or more media (12, 13) that are flexible in shape as lens elements and that the two media that are flexible in shape stand in direct contact with one another. The media that are flexible in shape are preferably disposed in an uptake container forming a lens body (11). |
| US09603693B2 |
Dual net vascular filtration devices and related systems and methods
According to one aspect of the disclosure, a dual net vascular filtration device comprises a central frame, a proximal filter net attached to a proximal end of the central frame, and a distal filter net attached to a distal end of the central frame. Upon deployment, the distal filter net can be configured to evert into the proximal filter net. |
| US09603691B2 |
System and method for estrus detection using real-time location
A method for estrus detection includes storing location information associated with a dairy livestock. This information includes coordinate locations of the dairy livestock within a free stall pen at each of a plurality of times during a time period including a first time and a second time. The coordinate locations comprise at least a first (X, Y, Z) location of the dairy livestock at the first time and a second (X, Y, Z) location of the dairy livestock at the second time. The method further includes determining, based on at least the first and second (X, Y, Z) locations, a turn index parameter indicating a number of times the dairy livestock reverses directions during the time period. The method further includes determining whether the dairy livestock is likely to be in estrus based at least in part upon whether the determined turn index parameter is in excess of a baseline turn index parameter by more than a first predefined amount. |
| US09603685B2 |
Method of manufacturing an interdental cleaner
An elongated core comprising a nylon or polypropylene is extruded. An interdental cleaner portion, comprising fingers, is injection molded about a first portion of the core. The interdental cleaner portion has thermoplastic elastomer. A handle portion is injection molded about a second portion of the core. The handle portion has polypropylene. |
| US09603681B2 |
Systems and methods for attachment of dental prostheses
Dental implant systems for releasable attachment of dental prostheses are shown and described. Each of the dental implant systems includes an implant body, a prosthesis body, and an abutment body with a locking device. The locking device includes a magnetically attractable member having a first end coupled to a spring and a second end. The magnetically attractable member is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The dental implant system further includes a void configured to receive the second end, the magnetically attractable member being at least partially disposed within the void in the locked position, the magnetically attractable member being free of the void in the unlocked position. |
| US09603678B2 |
System of compensatory slanted copings, converters and extenders and abutments of universal coupling over osseointegrated implants
The present invention refers to a system of prosthetic components consisting of Compensatory Slanted Copings and Abutments of Universal Coupling that function as a set of coupled parts that allow corrections of slants that vary between OQ and 60Q, of fixing osseointeg rated implants, including zygomatic fixations, and it provides a cap, molding transferer and screws for fastening and locking. This system of copings and abutments provides properties of conversion and extension of the implants. Its shape provides better occlusal stability and favorable biomechanics, since the forces are better distributed, diminishing the concentration of tension on the fitting platform of the implant, as well as the screws. The abutments of the universal coupling can be readjusted and be cemented or screwed. In the present system, the superior platform of the coping and the inferior base of the abutment are universalized, since the inferior platform of the coping corrects the slant of the implant. It has screws for fastening and for locking of the coping/abutment set. The characteristics of this system provide great versatility, which allows it to be used in various areas of medicine. |
| US09603677B2 |
Pre-fabricated ligature with variable friction
A pre-fabricated ligature with variable friction includes a ligature made of nitinol (1) with a rectangular outline similar to an “O” format, which has free ends (2) that can be deflected to meet the need for affixing of the arch wire (3) to the bracket (5), resulting in variable friction force. |
| US09603676B1 |
Instrument with laser proximity sensor
A hand held instrument and method in which a working element is to be placed by an operator into contact with a workpiece employ a laser proximity sensor arrangement adapted to sense proximity of the working element to the workpiece. A controller is responsive to the proximity sensor arrangement for activating a power source to actuate the working element in response to the working element reaching a predetermined proximity to the workpiece, as the working element is moved by the operator toward placement into contact with the workpiece. The predetermined proximity is such that the working element will reach a fully-operating condition prior to contact with the workpiece, whereby the working element will be at the fully-operating condition upon contact with the workpiece. |
| US09603674B2 |
Method to protect the esophagus and other mediastinal structures during cardiac and thoracic interventions
Devices and methods are disclosed for preventing injury to a target tissue in proximity to the heart. The methods may include the use a device to externally manipulate the heart to move a portion of the heart away from the target tissue. The methods may also include applying therapy to the heart with the device. |
| US09603671B2 |
Systems, methods and devices for anatomical registration and surgical localization
Systems, methods and devices are disclosed for use in electronic guidance systems for surgical navigation to determine the relationship between the three-dimensional coordinates of an anatomy of a patient and those of an electronic guidance system. These coordinates are required to assist in the determination of the angles with respect to which components, such as, an acetabular prosthesis, are inserted into a body of the patient. In one such example, during hip replacement surgery, a surgeon receives guidance of how to place an acetabular prosthesis in the body of the patient, specifically in the pelvis. |
| US09603669B2 |
Pressure sensing for a multi-arm catheter
A method for operating a medical probe includes pressing a distal end of the medical probe, which includes one or more arms that extend diagonally outward from a central shaft and have respective position transducers coupled thereto, against an intra-body surface, so as to cause the arms to exert pressure on the surface and bend with respect to the central shaft in response to the pressure. Positions of the respective position transducers coupled to the arms are measured, and the pressure exerted by the arms is estimated responsively to the measured positions. |
| US09603668B2 |
Dynamic 3D lung map view for tool navigation inside the lung
A method for implementing a dynamic three-dimensional lung map view for navigating a probe inside a patient's lungs includes loading a navigation plan into a navigation system, the navigation plan including a planned pathway shown in a 3D model generated from a plurality of CT images, inserting the probe into a patient's airways, registering a sensed location of the probe with the planned pathway, selecting a target in the navigation plan, presenting a view of the 3D model showing the planned pathway and indicating the sensed location of the probe, navigating the probe through the airways of the patient's lungs toward the target, iteratively adjusting the presented view of the 3D model showing the planned pathway based on the sensed location of the probe, and updating the presented view by removing at least a part of an object forming part of the 3D model. |
| US09603667B2 |
Master-slave robotic surgical system and method
A system comprising a platform assembly comprising a master platform and a slave platform, both the master platform and the slave platform being moveable, the platform assembly further comprising a force feedback control arrangement for applying a force to the master platform in response to a force exerted on a slave device mounted on the platform. |
| US09603666B2 |
Controller definition of a robotic remote center of motion
A robotic surgical system employs a surgical instrument (20), a robot (40) for navigating the surgical instrument (20) relative to an anatomical region (10) within a coordinate system (42) of the robot (40), and a robot controller (43) for defining a remote center of motion for a spherical rotation of the surgical instrument (20) within the coordinate system (42) of the robot (40) based on a physical location within the coordinate system (42) of the robot (40) of a port (12) into the anatomical region (10). The definition of the remote center of rotation is used by the robot controller (43) to command the robot (40) to align the remote center of motion of the surgical instrument (20) with the port (12) into the anatomical region (10) for spherically rotating the surgical instrument (20) relative to the port (12) into the anatomical region (10). |
| US09603665B2 |
Systems and methods for establishing virtual constraint boundaries
Systems and methods for establishing and tracking virtual boundaries. The virtual boundaries can delineate zones in which an instrument is not permitted during a surgical procedure. The virtual boundaries can also delineate zones in which the surgical instrument is permitted during the surgical procedure. The virtual boundaries can also identify objects or structures to be treated by the instrument or to be avoided by the instrument during the surgical procedure. |
| US09603664B2 |
Ablation catheter system
In order to sufficiently cauterize a target site existing in a deep portion of a cardiac muscle tissue even in the case where the fat layer attached to an epicardium is thick or where the cardiac muscle is thickened due to cardiac hypertrophy and the like, provided is an ablation catheter comprising: an elongated catheter main body; an electrode for ablation placed in a leading end part of the catheter main body; and an optical fiber that is placed along a longitudinal direction of the catheter main body, includes an emission end formed on a leading end surface of the catheter main body, and emits a laser beam guided therethrough from the emission end. |
| US09603663B2 |
System and method for chemically cooling an ablation antenna
A method of performing an ablation procedure includes inserting an antenna assembly into tissue and supplying energy thereto for application to tissue. The method also includes causing contact between a first material and at least one other material disposed within the antenna assembly to thermally regulate the antenna assembly. According to another embodiment, an ablation system includes an energy delivery assembly. A first chamber is defined within the energy delivery assembly and is configured to hold a first chemical. Another chamber is defined within the energy delivery assembly and is configured to hold at least one other chemical. The first chamber and the other chamber are configured to selectively and fluidly communicate with each other to cause contact between the first chemical and the at least one other chemical to cause an endothermic reaction and/or an exothermic reaction. |
| US09603662B2 |
Electrosurgical devices with balun structure for air exposure of antenna radiating section and method of directing energy to tissue using same
An energy applicator for directing energy to tissue includes a feedline having an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a dielectric material disposed therebetween, and an antenna assembly having a radiating section operably coupled to the feedline. The energy applicator also includes a first balun structure configured to substantially confine energy to the radiating section when the energy applicator is energized and disposed in tissue, and a second balun structure configured to substantially prevent energy emitted from the radiating section from propagating proximal to the second balun structure along the feedline when the energy applicator is energized but not disposed in tissue. |
| US09603660B2 |
Magnetically coupling devices for mapping and/or ablating
Systems for ablating tissue can include a pair of electrode assemblies. The electrode assemblies can automatically align on opposing sides of operative tissue due to magnetic interaction. One assembly can move automatically in response to the other assembly due to the magnetic interaction. Some systems are capable of cooling the electrode assemblies during ablation procedures. |
| US09603659B2 |
Ablation device with ionically conductive balloon
Devices, systems, and methods for performing ablation therapy on body tissue are disclosed. An example ablation device for treating body tissue includes an ionically conductive balloon and a radio-frequency electrode that delivers RF energy into a distal section of the balloon. The balloon can have a composite structure with a non-conductive section and a conductive section. A method for fabricating a semi-permeable ablation balloon using ionizing radiation and an etching process is also disclosed. |
| US09603657B2 |
Vacuum coagulation probe for atrial fibrillation treatment
An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for coagulating soil tissue such as atrial tissue in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia. The surgical device can include at least one elongate member comprising conductive elements adapted to coagulate soft tissue when radiofrequency or direct current energy is transmitted to the conductive elements. Openings through said conductive elements are routed through lumens in the elongate member to a vacuum source to actively engage the soft tissue surface intended to coagulate into intimate contact with the conductive elements to facilitate the coagulation process and ensure the lesions created are consistent, contiguous, and transmural. The embodiments of the invention can also incorporate cooling openings positioned near the conductive elements and coupled with a vacuum source or an injection source to transport fluid though the cooling openings causing the soft tissue surface to cool thus pushing the maximum temperature deeper into tissue. The embodiments of the invention can also incorporate features to tunnel between anatomic structures or dissect around the desired tissue surface to coagulate thereby enabling less invasive positioning of the soft tissue coagulating device and ensuring reliable and consistent heating of the soft tissue. |
| US09603656B1 |
Arthroscopic devices and methods
A medical device includes an elongated sleeve having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end. A cutting member having a plurality of sharp edges is formed from a wear-resistant ceramic material is carried at the distal end of the elongated sleeve. A motor drive is coupled to the proximal end of the elongated sleeve to rotate the sleeve at cutting member at high RPMs to cut bone and other hard tissue. An electrode is carried in a distal portion of ceramic cutting member for RF ablation of tissue when the sleeve and cutting member are is a stationary position. In methods of use, (i) the ceramic member can be engaged against bone and then rotated at high speed to cut bone tissue, and (ii) the ceramic member can be held in a stationary (non-rotating) position to engage tissue and RF energy can be delivered to the electrode to create a plasma that ablates tissue. |
| US09603655B2 |
Electrosurgical instrument
An electrosurgical instrument includes a proximal end and a distal end having a jaw member assembly at the distal end including a first jaw member and a second jaw member movable relative thereto. The jaw members can be transferred relative to each other from an opening position into a gripping position in which they are arranged to be closer to each other than in the opening position. Each jaw member has at least one electrode connectable to an electric power source and electrodes of both jaw members being adapted to interact for sealing body tissue held between the jaw members in the gripping position, actuating means for transferring the jaw members from the opening position into the gripping position and means for limiting the closing width of the jaw members, when they are transferred from the opening position into the gripping position. |
| US09603651B2 |
Methods for simultaneous cardiac substrate mapping using spatial correlation maps between neighboring unipolar electrograms
A base cardiac electrogram signal at a base electrode is recorded for a predetermined amount of time. A plurality of cardiac electrogram signals at a plurality of electrodes other than the base electrode are recorded for the predetermined amount of time. The base cardiac electrogram signal is compared with each of the plurality of cardiac electrogram signals. The similarities between the base cardiac electrogram signal and each of the plurality of cardiac electrogram signals is determined. A specific area of cardiac tissue where the base electrode is positioned is mapped based at least in part on the determined similarities. |
| US09603644B2 |
Methods and devices for delivery of medicine to bone
A bone screw includes a shaft, a cannulated portion formed in the shaft, and a fenestration in the shaft connecting the cannulated portion to an exterior of the bone screw. A wall between the cannulated portion and the exterior of the bone screw includes a first wall portion having a different thickness than a second wall portion. |
| US09603641B2 |
Device for osteosynthesis
A device for osteosynthesis includes a body having a proximal surface, a distal surface configured and dimensioned to face a target portion of bone over which the body is to be mounted and a through opening extending through the body from the proximal surface to the distal surface along a central axis. The through hole includes a first protrusion extending from an inner surface thereof toward the central axis. The first protrusion is biased toward an unstressed state in which the first protrusion extends into the through opening to a first distance from the central axis. The first protrusion is movable toward the inner surface when subjected to a force directed outward from the central axis. |
| US09603638B2 |
Spinal stabilization system
A spinal stabilization system and method are provided for treating a patient's spinal column, for maintaining preselected spacing and movement between adjacent vertebrae in a spinal column, and for providing overall stability thereto. The system includes interlaminar members positioned in the spaces intermediate a first vertebra and the vertebrae positioned immediately above and immediately below and adjacent to the first vertebra. The interlaminar members are operatively connected to one another by an adjustable support structure and cooperate therewith to maintain the preselected spacing between adjacent vertebrae and to provide overall stability to the spinal column. |
| US09603635B2 |
Orthopedic fixation devices and methods of installation thereof
The present invention is generally directed to orthopedic fixation devices that comprise a coupling element and a bone fastener, whereby the bone fastener can be loaded into the coupling element through the bottom of a bore in the coupling element. The orthopedic fixation devices described herein can include modular locking clamp assemblies that can be fixed onto fasteners that are already implanted in bone. The modular locking clamp assemblies can include polyaxial locking clamp assemblies, as well as monoaxial locking clamp assemblies. |
| US09603630B2 |
Rotatable base multi-axial screw assembly
A multi-axial screw assembly comprises a receiver member, a base member, a crown and a bone anchoring member. The receiver member has an aperture configured to receive the base member and an internal groove. The base has a deflectable ring configured to mate with the internal groove of the receiver member and a slot configured to allow the deflectable ring to compress to a diameter less than the diameter of the aperture such that the base member may be compressed and axially received within the receiver member. The base member is axially restrained within the base member relative to the receiver member while allowed to rotate relative to the receiver member. The crown is received within the receiver member along the central axis of the receiver member. The crown maintains the diameter of the deflectable ring greater than the diameter of the aperture. |
| US09603628B2 |
Systems and methods for spinal rod insertion and reduction
A guide assembly includes a spinal screw assembly having a bone screw and a spinal rod holder; and a spinal rod guide having first and second elongated arc portions defining a pair of longitudinal slots extending along the first and second arc portions, each of the first and second arc portions further defining at least one recess extending transversely from each of the longitudinal slots, the at least one recess configured to receive at least a portion of a reduction tool to enable reduction of a spinal rod received within the spinal rod holder. |
| US09603627B2 |
Polyaxial pedicle screw having provisional fastening means
A polyaxial pedicle screw includes a screwed shaft section for anchoring the pedicle screw in a vertebra, on one axial end of which a shaft head is configured which is coupled in a rotating and/or pivoting manner as well as in a tensile-force transmitting manner to a receiving sleeve for a longitudinal support. The receiving sleeve has a fastening means for selective positional fastening of the receiving sleeve with respect to the shaft section, the fastening means at least consisting of an inlay/pin mounted in the receiving sleeve and acting on the shaft head, and a locking element acting on the inlay/pin. The inlay/pin is configured with attachment points or engagement elements, which are not covered or overlapped by the locking element, for the provisional introduction of a compressive force on the inlay/pin parallel to the locking element. |
| US09603621B2 |
Low-resistance general sealing apparatus for trocar, and trocar
Disclosed are a low-resistance general sealing apparatus for a trocar and a trocar. A sealing ring (3) is compressed between an upper guiding mechanism (1) and a lower guiding mechanism (2). A smooth transition between the upper guiding mechanism (1) and the lower guiding mechanism (2) minimizes the contact area between the sealing ring (3) and a surgical instrument, which not only provides a guiding function when different forms of surgical instrument are inserted or removed, but also maximally transforms a “soft-hard” friction area between the sealing ring (3) and the surgical instrument into a “hard-hard” friction area between the plastics of upper and lower guiding mechanisms and an outer metal sheath of the surgical instrument, thereby greatly reducing the motion resistance, and meanwhile, having an excellent sealing effect. The sealing apparatus and the trocar are also applicable to instruments with diameters between 5 mm and 12 mm. |
| US09603614B2 |
Medical gripping device
The present invention relates to an endoscope cap with a holding and withdrawal device for a tissue clip (4) that can be placed onto a spreading sleeve (3) of the endoscope cap (1). The endoscope cap comprises an end groove (7) that opens at the front edge of the spreading sleeve (3) and that slits open the cap wall on both sides, and a withdrawal thread or web (11) that radially traverses the end groove (7) in a forward axial cap section and that is introduced or can be introduced slideably into an endoscope channel for actuation thereof at a radial inside of the endoscope cap (1). |
| US09603612B2 |
Soft tissue reconstruction
Methods and instruments for reconstructing soft tissues of a skeletal joint such as for example of the foot or hand are presented. |
| US09603608B2 |
Method for forming non-circular cartilage grafts
A technique for knee replacement surgery that allow for the removal of an oval oblong-shaped allograft bone and cartilage plug from a donor distal femur. The technique uses instruments including (i) sizing guides to match the recipient's femoral size and curvature to that of a donor femur (the sizing guides also acting as a wide pin placement template for the donor distal femur); (ii) osteotomes that cut the curved and straight portions of the implant shape (these may be disposable or reusable); and (iii) templates that fit over the guide pins and have openings to allow the osteotomes to cut the donor femur plug to the correct size, shape and depth. The instruments allow for a non-circular shape to be extracted from a donor femur for use in a bone-saving osteoarthritis distal femur resurfacing procedure. |
| US09603606B2 |
Dental instrument
The present invention refers to an instrument, configured as a dental instrument or surgical instrument, the instrument comprising a shaft and a substantially rotation-symmetrical head which is attached to the shaft and provided with a plurality of cutting blades, the cutting blades being arranged distributed around the whole circumference of the head, in relation to a centric rotational axis of the instrument, characterized in that each cutting blade has a geometry differing from the other cutting blades. |
| US09603603B2 |
Deflectable finger connection feature on surgical saw blade
A surgical cutting blade for cutting bone material when the blade is coupled to a hand-held surgical saw includes a distal portion comprising a plurality of cutting teeth, a shank portion adjacent the distal portion, and a proximal portion adjacent the shank portion. The proximal portion may include a longitudinally extending slot having a proximal opening. The slot may be shaped to receive a portion of the surgical saw through the proximal opening. The proximal portion may have a plurality of deflectable fingers respectively separated from a plurality of main body portions by respective gaps. The plurality of deflectable fingers may extend adjacent the longitudinally extending slot, and may deflect into the gaps to increase and decrease a width of a portion of the slot. |
| US09603597B2 |
Surgical fastener
Various embodiments of a non-deforming surgical fastener are discussed. In one embodiment, the fastener includes two legs and a backspan extending between the two legs. The fastener also includes a backspan thickness that is adapted to reduce the pressure and/or increase the holding strength applied to underlying materials. The non-deforming fastener is constructed and arranged to retain substantially the same shape before, during and after deployment into the target implantation site. |
| US09603595B2 |
Surgical instrument comprising an adjustable system configured to accommodate different jaw heights
A surgical instrument can comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, and a firing system configured to be advanced relative to the first jaw and the second jaw. The firing system can comprise a firing member including a first portion configured to engage the first jaw and a second portion configured to engage the second jaw in order to position the first jaw and the second jaw relative to one another. |
| US09603594B2 |
Ratcheting mechanism for surgical stapling device
A surgical stapling device comprising a housing, an elongated portion, an end effector, and a movable handle disposed in mechanical cooperation with the housing and movable between a first open position and a second approximated position for affecting a function of the end effector. A ratchet mechanism is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the movable handle and is configured to substantially prevent the movable handle from moving towards its first open position until the movable handle reaches a predetermined position. |
| US09603592B2 |
Laparoscopic suture device with autoloading and suture capture
A suturing device provided. The suturing device may include at least a firing aperture, a drive mechanism and an autoloading mechanism. The firing aperture may include at least one needle rotatably disposed therein configured to engage a suture for deployment. The drive mechanism may be operatively coupled to the needle and configured to advance the needle from a retracted position to an extended position during engagement, and retract the needle from the extended position to the retracted position during disengagement. The autoloading mechanism may be operatively coupled to the drive mechanism and configured to slidably retrieve and position a suture to be deployed over the firing aperture during disengagement of the drive mechanism. |
| US09603590B2 |
Single-arm stabilizer having suction capability
A single-arm stabilizer having suction capability includes a single, small leg through which suction can be applied. The leg has an upper surface and a lower surface that are spaced apart to define a chamber. The lower surface includes a plurality of openings that are disposed adjacent each other. A support arm is connected to the leg in order to position the leg as desired. A suction line is in fluid communication with the chamber in order to create a vacuum within the chamber. The stabilizer can be used to stabilize any desired portion of a patient's body, but is particularly effective at stabilizing the septum of a patient's heart. Such stabilization can be accomplished by inserting the leg into the patient's heart through the aorta. |
| US09603583B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for analyzing elastography of tissue using one-dimensional ultrasound probe
A method of analyzing elastography of tissue using a one-dimensional (1D) ultrasound probe. The method includes: acquiring two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound images with respect to a region of interest (ROI) of an object to be diagnosed, to which a shear wave is induced, using the 1D ultrasound probe; measuring a displacement of the shear wave from the acquired 2D ultrasound images; estimating a change rate in the displacement of the shear wave along a y-axis direction orthogonal to a 2D plane on which the 2D ultrasound images are shown, using the measured displacement; and analyzing elastography information of tissue in the ROI using the measured displacement and the estimated displacement change rate. |
| US09603581B2 |
Ultrasonic transducer and method of manufacturing the same
An ultrasonic transducer includes: a first electrode layer disposed on an upper substrate and a support; a second electrode layer which is disposed on a lower surface of the upper substrate and is separated from the first electrode layer; an upper electrode disposed on an upper surface of a membrane to contact an upper surface of the first electrode layer; a trench formed through the upper electrode, the membrane, the support, and the upper substrate; and a pad substrate disposed under the upper substrate and including bonding pads that electrically connect to the first and second electrode layers, respectively. |
| US09603580B2 |
High frequency ultrasound probe
A high frequency ultrasound probe includes a substrate having a number of transducer elements on it and a ground plane that is electrically coupled by one or more vias to a conductive frame that supports the substrate. The conductive frame is electrically coupled to a ground plane of a printed circuit having conductors that are coupled to the transducer elements. |
| US09603577B2 |
X-ray imaging apparatus and control method thereof
An X-ray imaging apparatus and control method for the X-ray imaging apparatus are provided. The X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray source to generate X-ray beams, and to irradiate the X-ray beams onto an object; a first X-ray detector configured to detect X-ray beams transmitted through the object and generate a first phase contrast signal; an X-ray obtainer including an X-ray collimator and a second X-ray detector, wherein the X-ray collimator is spaced apart from the object by a predetermined distance, and configured to focus the X-ray beams transmitted through the object, and wherein the second X-ray detector is configured to detect the focused X-ray beams and generate a second phase contrast signal based on the detected X-ray beams; and an image processor configured to create a phase contrast image and an absorption image of the object. |
| US09603575B2 |
X-ray imaging apparatus and method of operating the same
An X-ray imaging apparatus and a method of operating the X-ray imaging method are provided. The X-ray imaging apparatus includes a first panel configured to contact an object; an X-ray generator configured to maintain a uniform distance with the first panel and configured to generate an X-ray; a second panel facing the first panel and configured to contact the object; and an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-ray transmitted to the object. |
| US09603574B2 |
Reconfigurable electronic substrate
The present disclosure relates to the fabrication of electrical components and, in particular to the use of a reconfigurable substrate to which a flexible circuit may be affixed. In certain embodiments, the reconfigurable substrate may be moved between different configurations, certain of which are suitable for fabrication and certain of which are suitable for operation. |
| US09603571B2 |
Wearable electrocardiogram measurement device and method for compressing an electrocardiogram
A wearable electrocardiogram measurement device and a method for compressing an electrocardiogram are disclosed. A heart detection unit detects a heart activity status of a human body to obtain electrocardiogram data. A processor of a portable host proceeds with bandwidth decomposition and quantization by using quantization scales to obtain quantized results. An integer part of each quantized result is set as a quantized datum. A decimal portion of each quantized result is set as a truncated error datum. Each quantization scale is multiplied by a corresponding truncated error datum to obtain a product. If a distortion value obtained by adding the products fulfills a distortion default value range, the quantized data are encoded to obtain compressed electrocardiogram data for storage in a data storage unit of the host. If the distortion value does not fulfill the distortion default value range, an adjustment step is repeated. |
| US09603568B2 |
Apparatus and methods for corrective guidance of eating behavior after weight loss surgery
Apparatuses and methods for corrective guidance of eating behavior of a patient equipped with a gastric restriction device. The apparatus provides continuous monitoring or one or more parameters related to food passing through the gastric restriction device. Each monitored parameter is processed to provide a visual indication of the current eating behavior. The visual indication is used as input to the patient or a caregiver to modify the eating behavior. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an emergency relief mechanism that automatically relieves excess pressure developing in the gastric restriction device. In some embodiments, the apparatus is enabled to deliver an appetite suppressant to modify the eating behavior. |
| US09603566B2 |
Sleep awaking system and method
Provided are a sleep awaking system and a sleep awaking method. The system comprises: a sign parameter collecting module for collecting a sign parameter of a human body; a time determining module for determining whether the present time is a REM determining time; a REM determining module for obtaining the sign parameter and determining whether the human body is in a REM stage according to the sign parameter in a REM determining period when the time determining module determines that the present time is the REM determining time; an awaking module for awaking the human body after a pre-awaking period when the REM determining module determines that the human body is in the REM stage and causing the human body to enter the REM stage within the pre-awaking period and awaking the human body after the pre-awaking period when the REM determining module determines that the human body is not in the REM stage, wherein the REM determining period and the pre-awaking period pass in turn from the REM determining time to the awaking time. The above system and method realize awaking the human body in the REM stage, making the human body feel a clear mind, act agilely, and full of spirit and energy after being awaked, which is good for health of the human body. |
| US09603564B2 |
Methods and systems for assessing psychological characteristics
A method for assessing an emotional response from a test subject includes presenting, for a first predetermined period of time, a plurality of stimuli to the test subject through a first computer implemented interface. The method further includes, in response to presenting at least one stimulus, receiving, within a second predetermined period of time, at least one test subject response from the test subject through a second computer implemented interface. The method further includes determining a quantitative emotional profile of the test subject based on the at least one test subject response. |
| US09603561B2 |
Methods and systems for improving the reliability of orthogonally redundant sensors
Methods and systems for sensor calibration and sensor glucose (SG) fusion are used advantageously to improve the accuracy and reliability of orthogonally redundant glucose sensor devices, which may include optical and electrochemical glucose sensors. Calibration for both sensors may be achieved via fixed-offset and/or dynamic regression methodologies, depending, e.g., on sensor stability and Isig-Ratio pair correlation. For SG fusion, respective integrity checks may be performed for SG values from the optical and electrochemical sensors, and the SG values calibrated if the integrity checks are passed. Integrity checks may include checking for sensitivity loss, noise, and drift. If the integrity checks are failed, in-line sensor mapping between the electrochemical and optical sensors may be performed prior to calibration. The electrochemical and optical SG values may be weighted (as a function of the respective sensor's overall reliability index (RI)) and the weighted SGs combined to obtain a single, fused SG value. |
| US09603559B2 |
Capillary refill time diagnostic apparatus and methods
An apparatus for measuring capillary refill time has a measurement module containing at least two radiation sources and at least one detector configured to detect radiation from each source that interacts with and is received from a measurement region of a patient or subject. One radiation source may be characterized by a wavelength that is absorbed substantially equally by oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin. The other radiation source may be substantially unaffected by the presence or absence of blood in the measurement region. The measurement module may be applied against a measurement region of a patient for a first time period, and the released from the measurement region for a second time period, and detected signals processed to quantitatively evaluate capillary refill time. |
| US09603558B2 |
Methods and devices for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes
Methods and devices for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes are disclosed in which an analyte concentration within a peritoneal fluid of a human subject may be determined by implanting an analyte sensor apparatus in the subject where the apparatus may comprise a housing and a flexible sensing catheter which has a lumen with a plurality of apertures and an exterior surface with an analyte sensor affixed thereto. The catheter may comprise a proximal end attached to the housing and the remaining end may be positioned freely within the peritoneal space to contact peritoneal fluid where an analyte concentration in the peritoneal fluid may be sensed. The housing may be anchored at a subcutaneous site proximate the peritoneal space. The sensed analyte concentration may then be transduced into a transmittable electrical signal. |
| US09603557B2 |
Transcutaneous analyte sensor
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host. |
| US09603555B2 |
Motion/vibration detection system and method with self-injection locking
A motion/vibration detection system and method therefore are provided. The system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes a transmit/receive antenna unit and a first oscillator. The receiver includes a receiving unit and a demodulation unit. The transmit/receive antenna unit receives an output signal from the first oscillator and transmits a detection signal. The detection signal is reflected from at least one object under detection into a reflected detection signal, which is received by the transmit/receive antenna unit. The transmit/receive antenna unit injects the reflected detection signal into the first oscillator and accordingly the first oscillator is under a self-injection locking mode. The receiving unit receives the detection signal. The demodulation unit demodulates the detection signal received by the receiving unit into a baseband output signal, to extract at least one motion/vibration information of the objection under detection. |
| US09603552B2 |
Measuring method, pedestal and measuring system for determining biometric data of human feet
The invention relates to a measuring method for determining biometric data of human feet, comprising the following steps providing a reference object, which has at least one reference pattern, providing a freely moveable image recording device, automatically detecting the relative position and the alignment of the image recording device relative to the reference object using the at least one reference pattern, automatically recording of several images by the image recording device, wherein each individual image is only recorded, when the relative position and the alignment of the image recording device relative to the reference object corresponds to a triggering position predetermined for the respective image, determining biometric data of the at least one foot by means of the recorded images.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a measuring system as well as a pedestal for determining biometric data of human feet. |
| US09603550B2 |
State characterization based on multi-variate data fusion techniques
The ingestible event marker data framework provides a uniform, comprehensive framework to enable various functions and utilities related to ingestible event marker data (IEM data). Included are a receiver adapted to be associated with a body of an individual, the receiver configured to receive IEM data; a hub to receive the IEM data; and at least one IEM data system to receive the data from the hub. Among other information, behavioral data and predictive inferences may be provided. |
| US09603543B2 |
Method and apparatus for atrial arrhythmia episode detection
A method and implantable medical device for determining an atrial arrhythmia event that includes sensing a cardiac signal, determining an atrial arrhythmia score for identifying the arrhythmia event in response to the sensed cardiac signal, determining a sensing window in response to the sensed cardiac signal, the sensing window having a first portion and a second portion, determining signal characteristics of the sensed cardiac signal within the first portion and within the second portion, determining whether the sensed cardiac signal within the first portion and within the second portion corresponds to a P-wave in response to the determined signal characteristics, determining whether a signal to noise ratio of the sensed cardiac signal within the first portion and the second portion of the sensing window is satisfied, determining whether to update the arrhythmia score in response to the determined P-wave and the determined signal to noise ratio, and determining whether to delivery an arrhythmia therapy in response to the updated arrhythmia score. |
| US09603539B2 |
Systems and methods for modeling electrical activity of an anatomical structure
A system for modeling electrical activity of an anatomical structure. The system includes a database that is configured to store cell set data corresponding to a group of cells of the anatomical structure. The cell set data includes a cell model that represents electrical activity of the group of cells. The cell model has a model parameter that relates to ion channels in the cells. The electrical activity represented by the cell model is at least partially based upon the model parameter. The system also includes a user interface that is configured to accept user inputs to change the model parameter and thereby change the electrical activity represented by the cell model to form a reconfigured cell model. The system also includes a display that is configured to display the user inputs and a processor that is configured to determine the electrical activity of the anatomical structure using the reconfigured cell model. |
| US09603538B2 |
Implantable cuff and method for functional electrical stimulation and monitoring
An implantable cuff includes an elastic collar, at least one conductive segment disposed on or within the elastic collar, and at least one conductor in electrical communication with the at least one conductive segment. The elastic collar defines an internal opening configured to receive an internal body tissue. At least a portion of the elastic collar includes a stiffening region having a stiffness greater than a second region of the elastic collar. The at least one conductor is configured to operably mate with an apparatus capable of delivering electrical stimulation to, and/or recording an electrical activity of, the internal body tissue. |
| US09603535B2 |
Method and system for determining life threatening condition via bodily worn sensors
A system for determining a life threatening condition of a human may include at least one mobility sensor couplable to a human body and configured to measure mobility parameters of said human body; at least one physiological sensor couplable to a human body and configured to measure physiological parameters of said human body; at least one environmental sensor configured to measure environmental parameters indicative of an environment of said human body; and a computer processor configured to apply a decision function configured to determine a predefined life endangering condition of said human body, based on said measured mobility, physiological, and environmental parameters, and statistical relationship therebetween. |
| US09603534B2 |
Method and system for estimating momentary cardiovascular performance reserve
The invention relates to a method for determining a cardiovascular performance reserve for each individual patient, comprising the steps of: a) receiving input physiological data from the patient for obtaining a parameter Z which is or approximates the product of the Stroke Volume (SV) by the Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR); b) providing a value representing the Respiratory Rate (RR) of said patient, wherein the Respiratory Rate (RR) value is provided by measurements using dedicated device(s), calculations from the input physiological data or manually by using best estimate; c) providing anthropometric data of said patient for calculating the Body Surface Area (BSA) of said individual, wherein the anthropometric data includes at least body dimensions (such as height and weight) of said patient; d) calculating the Cardiovascular Reserve (CVR) by using said Z parameter and said RR according to following formula: CVR=(Z/RR); e) calculating a Cardiovascular Reserve Index (CVRI) by standardizing said CVR (by said BSA) and normalizing it to a scale of 1 according to the following formula: CVRI=CVR/(BSA*4); and outputting said Cardiovascular Reserve Index. |
| US09603532B2 |
Automated identification of occlusion location in the cuprit coronary artery
A diagnostic ECG system analyzes lead traces for evidence of ST elevation in the lead signals. The pattern of ST elevation in leads having predetermined vantage points to the electrical activity of the heart and, in some instances, the presence of ST depression in certain other leads, identifies a specific coronary artery or branch as the culprit coronary artery for an acute ischemic event. ECG measurements which are associated with the identity of specific arterial occlusion locations are calculated and used to form a classifier of the probability of occlusion at different locations. The location identified as having the highest probability is indicated to a user as the most likely occlusion location. |
| US09603527B2 |
Person positioning and health care monitoring system
A person positioning and health care monitoring system includes a monitoring center, a RFID tag device, and a tracking module. The monitoring center includes positioning data corresponding to a target. The RFID tag device is located on the target and includes a memory storing a target identification (ID) number and an infrared LED. Each tracking module includes infrared cameras and an RFID device. The tracking module uses the RFID device to communicate with the RFID tag device so as to receive the target identification (ID) number. The tracking module communicates with the monitoring center so as to provide the target identification (ID) number and orientation data corresponding to the target for the monitoring center. The monitoring center determines coordinates of the target according to coordinates of the tracking module and the orientation data corresponding to the target. |
| US09603526B2 |
Systems and methods for compound motor action potential monitoring with neuromodulation of the pelvis and other body regions
An electromyography muscle sensing system including a sensor platform and a cloud-based data analysis and storage platform. The sensor platform has an electromyography muscle sensor having sensing electrodes and a signal processing circuit having a sensor output, an analog-to-digital converter having a digital output, a memory, a communications device, a display indicating a status and an indication of CMAP presence, a microcontroller maintaining a record of a current procedure, transmitting in real-time the record, determining if CMAP is being achieved, and displaying a status or indication of CMAP. The data analysis and storage platform has a database, organizes and stores the output data, maintains a history of each procedure, analyzes the output data and defines a successful CMAP outcome, predicts an outcome of the current procedure if the output data correlates with stored output data of a successful CMAP outcome, and real-time communicates the outcome of the current procedure. |
| US09603521B2 |
Medical measuring device
A measuring device for non-invasive determination of at least one physiological parameter includes at least one diagnostic sensor unit to generate measuring signals, and an evaluation unit for processing of measuring signals. The diagnostic sensor unit is integrated into or connectible to the keyboard of a computer or into a mobile device of entertainment or communication technology, with the diagnostic sensor unit including: an optical measuring unit including at least one radiation source for irradiation of the examined body tissue and at least one radiation sensor for detection of the radiation scattered and/or transmitted from the body tissue, and/or an ECG unit for capturing an ECG signal via two or more ECG electrodes, and/or a temperature or heat sensor, and/or a bio-electrical impedance measuring unit. |
| US09603519B2 |
Ophthalmic range finding
Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for analyzing the ophthalmic anatomy of a patient posterior to the cornea. The method may include scanning a focus of a femtosecond laser beam along a path within the patient's eye. A portion of the path may be disposed posterior to the patient's cornea. The method may also include acquiring a first reflectance image and a second reflectance image associated with the focus disposed respectively at a first location of the path and a second location of the path. The method may further include determining the presence or absence of an ophthalmic anatomical feature of the eye based on a comparison between the first reflectance image and the second reflectance image. |
| US09603517B2 |
Computerized pupillary distance measurement system and method
The present disclosure relates generally to a system and method for determining the pupillary distance of a person, more particularly determining the person's pupillary distance by using a computerized screen. The system and method do not require the trip or expense of a doctor or store visit, and are optimized for convenience and cost effectiveness. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for determining a pupillary distance of a person without physically measuring the pupillary distance with a device. The method includes receiving a front facial image of the person, determining a scale of the image based on an estimated canthal distance, and determining the pupillary distance of the person based, in part, on the determined scale of the image. |
| US09603515B2 |
Catheter for tracheo-bronchial suction with visualization means
A catheter for tracheal or bronchial suction including a unit for displaying the artificial airways, the trachea and the bronchial tree so as to allow the removal of secretions; in particular, the catheter for tracheal or bronchial suction includes optical fibers, a microcamera or another visualization technology positioned in the distal end. The operator can identify the position of the distal end, of the artificial airways, of the trachea and of the bronchial tree on the screen. Therefore, it is possible to ensure that the tube of the catheter is adjacent to or inside collections of fluid secretions or other material to be sucked up. The suction can be selectively applied to avoid damage to the mucosa and to facilitate the more complete elimination of secretions. |
| US09603512B2 |
Wirelessly powered medical devices and instruments
A medical device that is wirelessly powered by a resonant magnetic field, the device automatically coupling to a power transmitter in a control unit when brought within a threshold radius. In one embodiment, the control unit automatically identifies the medical device and automatically adjusts its settings to control the medical device, where the device and power transceivers may be provided detachable from either or both the endoscope/camera and camera control unit or may be provide integral to either one or both. |
| US09603510B2 |
Method and apparatus for delivering an endoscope via microsurgical instruments while performing microscopic surgery
The present invention relates to a surgical apparatus that includes a surgical instrument including an elongated shaft extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, a working element coupled to the distal end of the elongated shaft for manipulating tissue; an endoscope having a tubular body including an image fiber, an endoscopic lens coupled to a distal end of the tubular body and operably coupled to the image fiber, the endoscopic lens defining a viewing field about a central axis; and the endoscope mounted to the elongated shaft of the surgical instrument, the endoscopic lens protruding from an outer longitudinal surface of the elongated shaft, the central axis of the viewing field being oblique to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft and intersecting the outer longitudinal surface, the working element located within the viewing field and separated from the central axis by a distance. |
| US09603508B2 |
Method for capturing and displaying endoscopic maps
A method for capturing and displaying endoscopic maps is disclosed generally comprising providing an endoscope with a view vector that pivots relative to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope, programming a scan trajectory along which the view vector moves relative to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope to provide a predefined sequence of views of a surface, and capturing a sequence of images corresponding to the predefined sequence of views as the view vector moves along that scan trajectory. A set of configuration coordinates is associated with each of the captured images, and the images and the coordinates associated therewith are used to create a map of the interior surface that is larger than the view attending the view vector. |
| US09603504B2 |
Footwear cleaning device
Various apparatus for cleaning footwear are described. One footwear cleaning apparatus includes a box having an open top surface for receiving a piece of footwear; and a plurality of brushes arrayed within the box and positioned substantially parallel to a bottom surface of the box, wherein the plurality of brushes includes at least one first brush configured to contact a first side surface of the piece of footwear, at least one second brush configured to contact a different, second side surface of the piece of footwear, and at least one third brush configured to contact a bottom surface of the piece of footwear, and wherein the at least one first brush and the at least one second brush are configured to, when actuated, rotate towards a center of the box about an axis that is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the box. |
| US09603500B2 |
Domestic appliance
A domestic appliance includes a housing, a base support configured to support the housing on a floor, and a communication module configured to send and/or receive data wirelessly. The communication module is disposed within the base support, with the base support being made of plastic, at least in an area adjacent to the communication module. |
| US09603498B2 |
Separating apparatus in a vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner having a vac motor and a separating assembly for separating out dust particles entrained in an airflow drawn through the separator by the vac motor. The separating assembly is a multi-stage separating assembly comprising a primary separation stage and a secondary, non-cyclonic separation stage which is downstream of the primary separation stage, the non-cyclonic separation stage comprising a flow bend for changing the direction of the airflow thereby to separate out dust particles entrained in the airflow. A primary dust collector is provided for collecting dust particles separated out by the first separation stage, and a secondary dust collector is provided for collecting the dust particles separated out by the flow bend, wherein the primary dust collector at least partly surrounds the secondary dust collector. |
| US09603497B2 |
Handheld blower
A handheld blower includes a housing having an air inlet and a duct assembly mounted in front of the air inlet, the duct assembly including a duct connected with the housing, a motor and a fan mounted in the duct, a battery, and a blowpipe connected to the housing by the duct assembly, the blowpipe defining a central axis in the length direction, and a handle arranged above the housing and the battery. The handle includes a gripping portion arranged on opposite sides of a plane in which the gravity center of the blower is located, and the plane is parallel to a central axis of the blowpipe and substantially perpendicular to a working ground. The gravity center of the handheld blower is adjacent to the gripping portion which enhances the handling comfort and reduces operator fatigue during long times of operation. |
| US09603494B1 |
Foamed soap dispensing structure
A foamed soap dispensing structure comprises a container, a cover set, a faucet, and a foaming unit. The foaming unit has a foaming member and an outer ring. The foaming member has two inlets and a foam material. The outer ring has an assembling end corresponding to a connection end of a soap providing portion of the faucet. When the foaming unit is clogged, the foaming unit may be pulled out by an user so that the assembling end may be separated from the connection end of the soap providing portion to easily replace the foaming member and then to achieve the effect of easy construction. |
| US09603491B2 |
Expanding curtain
An expanding curtain does not require the addition or installation of a new curved rod and/or any external curtain supports, control devices, or adapters to expand the usable space in the enclosure area and/or prevent the inward intrusion of the curtain towards the user. Rather, the curtain itself may have the strength, rigidity and/or fortitude to form an outwardly extended shape (e.g., away from the enclosure area) that may hold it in place, thus, expanding the amount of space available for utilization by the user of the enclosure area. The curtain easily and rapidly mounts and thereafter may be easily slidable/manipulated between an open and closed position. The curtain may surround, divide and/or provide privacy to a specific area and/or confined space. The curtain may also maintain a mold, mildew and germ resistant facade, while remaining inexpensive to manufacture. |
| US09603487B2 |
Self-cleaning deadweight holder for fryer apparatus
The invention relates to a self-cleaning deadweight holder configured to hold a deadweight within a cooking apparatus. In some embodiments, the holder may comprise a top plate, an exhaust cylinder, a bottom plate, a plurality of support plates, and a plurality of guide plates. The top plate may include a through hole disposed at substantially a center of the top plate and configured to allow at least one of liquid and steam to pass therethrough. An outer diameter of the bottom plate may be less than an outer diameter of the top plate and an outer diameter of each of the plurality of guide plates, and the plurality of guide plates may be configured to permit movement of the deadweight therethrough. In some embodiments, the cooking apparatus may comprise a cooking chamber, a steam box, a vent tube, an exhaust tube, a drain tube, and a pressure relief tube. |
| US09603486B2 |
Barbecue cooking assembly
A barbecue cooking assembly includes a rotating disk capable of rotating around a shaft and a skewer for impaling food. Several skewer brackets are disposed on the rotating disk. The edge of a disk surface of the rotating disk is provided with a first notch corresponding to each skewer bracket. The end of the skewer bracket is fixedly connected to the disk surface, and the other end extends in a direction far away from the center of the rotating disk to form a limit piece parallel to the disk surface. The limit piece is provided with a second notch corresponding to the first notch and disposed coaxially with the first notch. |
| US09603484B2 |
Ceramic cooker rotisserie
A rotisserie device useful in a partially opened, hinged, covered grill includes a support ring that is shaped and configured to inhibit airflow into and out of the grill when the cover is partially opened. The support ring includes one or more cover supporting portions or chocks that hold the cover and base apart when the cover is partially opened, and one or more apertures through the ring that can receive a rotatable spindle which serves as or which drives a removable, rotatable rotisserie spit. |
| US09603483B2 |
Self-heating systems and methods for rapidly heating a comestible substance
Self-heating systems for rapidly and effectively heating a comestible substance are disclosed. Self-heating systems generally include a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber contains a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants that, when contacted, exothermically react. The containers and reactants can be configured to heat at least six fluid ounces of comestible substance in less than one minute. The solid chemical reactant mixture can comprise magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and/or calcium oxide. Methods for heating at least six fluid ounces of comestible substance in less than one minute are also provided. |
| US09603480B2 |
System, package, apparatus and method for dosing coffee beans
A system for dosing coffee beans, comprising a coffee bean package provided with at least one wall which at least partly encloses an inner space for multiple dosages of coffee beans, and a coffee bean outlet for delivering coffee beans, and an apparatus provided with a coffee bean grinder, a coffee bean inlet for supplying coffee beans from the coffee bean package to the grinder, a connecting device for connecting the coffee bean package to the apparatus, so that the coffee bean outlet can be connected to the coffee bean inlet, and a dosing device provided with a dosing space which is arranged for feeding-through one predetermined dose of coffee beans from the coffee bean outlet to the coffee bean inlet. |
| US09603475B2 |
Food tray cup holder
A cup holder for holding a plurality of cups on a food tray comprises a pair of spaced apart lower lip extensions for fitting onto the food tray; a sidewall region extending upwardly from each lower lip extension; and a top plane region that connects both sidewall regions and extends: substantially perpendicular to the sidewall regions and substantially parallel to a flat upper surface of the food tray. This top plane region includes a plurality of spaced apart apertures that hold a beverage cup while transporting food and drinks on the food tray. |
| US09603472B2 |
Popcorn salt holding and dispensing system and method
A popcorn salt holding and dispensing system and method includes a container that has a quantity of popcorn therein. The container has a bottom wall and a peripheral wall which is attached to and extends upwardly therefrom. The peripheral wall has an upper edge defining an opening extending into the container. A housing has salt therein and the housing includes a first end, a second end and a perimeter wall extending between the first and second ends. The first end has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough to allow salt from the housing to flow outwardly of the housing through the apertures. The housing is removably coupled to the container with a mounting and moved back and forth over the popcorn to deposit salt on the popcorn. |
| US09603471B2 |
Beverage lid cover for enhancing aroma
A lid for a beverage cup includes a mouth opening, an aroma opening, and a concentrator member. The mouth opening is positioned closer to a rim of the lid than the aroma opening. An area of the aroma opening is greater than an area of the mouth opening. The concentrator member surrounds the aroma opening and extends from a plane formed by the aroma opening to a height above the aroma opening. A cross sectional area of the concentrator decreases in a direction from a base to an upper end of the concentrator, creating a concentration of beverage aromas in the space surrounding a user's nose. The concentrator channels a concentrated amount of aroma to the nose, providing an enhanced drinking and tasting experience. |
| US09603469B2 |
Apparatuses and kits for displaying items
A item-displaying apparatus and kit includes a post member having at least one opening formed in a sidewall thereof and at least one item-supporting frame. The frame includes a first branch member adapted to be inserted within the at least one opening, a second branch member having a item holder at its first portion and a linking member extending between the first branch member and the second branch member. When the first branch member is inserted into the at least one opening and a force is applied on the item holder, a second portion of the second branch member engages the sidewall of the post member. |
| US09603453B2 |
Reclining chair with tilting action to provide heart-rest position
A reclining health-care chair includes: a base configured to rest on an underlying surface; a frame including a pair of opposed arms; a seat; a backrest; a footrest; a tilting mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links, the tilting mechanism attached to the base and to the seat and configured to control movement of the seat relative to the base; a reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links, the reclining mechanism attached to the backrest, footrest, seat, frame and tilting mechanism to control relative movement of the backrest, footrest, frame and seat relative to the base; and a power actuating unit attached to the seat and to the tilting mechanism. The chair is movable between (a) an upright position, in which the footrest is retracted beneath the seat, the seat defines an angle α relative to the underlying surface, and the backrest defines an angle ε relative to the underlying surface, and (b) a fully reclined position, in which the footrest is extended in front of the seat, the seat defines an angle γ relative to the underlying surface that is greater than the angle α, the backrest defines an angle δ relative to the underlying surface that is less than the angle ε, and the footrest is positioned such that an occupant's feet are higher than the occupant's heart. |
| US09603447B2 |
Reading material carrier and stand
A reading material carrier and stand is a device that is utilized to store and transport books and other reading materials as well as serve as a stand for convenient reading and writing. The device features a hollow spine and a foldable housing shell with a slide-out accessory panel and a slide-out writing panel. The accessory panel is capable of storing accessories while the writing panel provides a rigid and flat surface on which to write. The device additionally features a snake lamp for illumination during reading and writing that is flexible and may be adjusted to an orientation that is convenient for the user. The device is able to serve as a stand and may be mounted to a desk or similar object via a securing clamp. When folded for convenient transportation, the device may be easily transported through a carrying strap. |
| US09603445B2 |
Work top with extensible retaining means
Provided is a work top with extensible retainer. An extensible retainer may be configured as a U-shaped bracket either introduced laterally into the work top or introduced into a retaining frame, located beneath the work top, or introduced laterally into a drawer, located beneath the work top, or guided through bracket holders fitted beneath the work top. If an extensible retainer is in the extended state, then it is possible to fit waste containers therein. An extensible retainer allow containers to be fitted in a space-saving and straightforward manner. An extensible retainer may be fitted on more than one side of the work top. A plurality of extensible retainers in combination with one another may receive one or more containers. |
| US09603444B2 |
Toothbrush having oral care fluid delivery
A fluid dispensing toothbrush. In one aspect, the toothbrush comprises a body having a reservoir containing an oral care fluid therein, the oral care fluid being delivered to an applicator via capillary action. The toothbrush comprises an actuator for moving either the applicator and/or the reservoir between different positions. |
| US09603442B2 |
Oral care implement with fluid applicator and method of assembling the same
An oral care implement, such as a toothbrush, having a wick applicator and a method of assembling the same. The implement includes a head, a handle connected to the head by a neck portion, and a recess. The recess is arranged for receipt of the wick applicator. The handle includes an internal fluid reservoir holding a fluid in communication with the recess. The wick applicator is arranged to enable a fluid to pass therethrough by capillary action and has a first end portion and a second end portion. The second portion of the wick applicator comprises at least one projection for engaging at least one cooperating portion of the recess to secure the wick applicator in the recess at an operative position, whereupon the wick applicator is in fluid communication with the fluid in the reservoir. |
| US09603436B2 |
Applicator
An applicator for delivering an application liquid fed from a reservoir, from a delivery port to an outside by way of an interior space of an application body, includes a spacer inserted in the interior space of the application body. In this applicator, a clearance between an exterior face of the spacer and an interior face of the application body forms a communication passage for flowing the application liquid, and the application liquid is delivered from the delivery port by way of the communication passage. |
| US09603434B2 |
Mechanism of lipstick tube
A lipstick tube cartridge core comprising a ball (1), a fork (2), a spiral (3), and a cartridge (4). The spiral (3) and the cartridge (4) are provided therebetween with a keyway structure (33 and 43) arranged in the axial direction and an engaging ring (31 and 42) and engaging groove (32 and 41) structure arranged in the circumferential direction. As the spiral (3) and the cartridge (4) are provided therebetween with the keyway structure (33) arranged in the axial direction and the engaging ring (31 and 42) and engaging groove (32 and 41) structure arranged in the circumferential direction, retention of the spiral (3) and of the cartridge (4) is implemented without using a glue, thus preventing a scenario in which a cosmetic paste is contaminated by the glue. |
| US09603428B1 |
Portable workstation
The portable workstation includes a case having a base, a first side wall and a second side wall, a back side wall positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall, and a selectively pivotable cover including an upper side and a lower side. The lower side of the pivotable cover can have a screen for displaying media, such as visual images. An upper compartment is positioned beneath the selectively pivotable cover and a plurality of drawers is positioned beneath the upper compartment. A locking mechanism is positioned in communicating relation with each of the plurality of drawers. A telescopic handle is coupled to the back side wall. A ruler section is positioned opposite the back side wall. At least one wheel is positioned in communicating relation with the base. |
| US09603425B2 |
Case for electronic tablet
A case incorporates a built-in stand for an electronic device, such as an electronic tablet computer, which the case houses. The case protects the electronic device and allows a user to view and access the device without removing it from the case. The built-in stand is adjustable and allows for multiple viewing angles. |
| US09603421B2 |
Channel setting
A gem setting comprising a first wall with a first groove and a second wall with a second groove, the first wall and the second wall having a channel between them and the first groove facing towards the second groove such that when the plurality of gems are set into the channel the crown of the gems extends above the first wall top and the second wall top; four soldering prongs attached to the ends of the walls and a ring portion, wherein the ring portion is soldered to the four soldering prongs to enclose the plurality of gems in the channel. |
| US09603420B2 |
Systems and methods for umbrella/parasol/personal sunshade closure
A bracelet or other type of body jewelry, such as a necklace, an anklet, a belly chain, or earrings, secures the canopy of the umbrella, parasol, or personal sunshade in place and closed when not in use. A method of closure eliminates the need for snaps, straps, Velcro, buttons, etc. on the umbrella's canopy. The user slides the bracelet, or other type of body jewelry, onto the canopy to keep the canopy closed, and slides the jewelry off of the canopy and puts it on their wrist, or other body part, when they want to open and use the umbrella, parasol, or personal sunshade. |
| US09603416B1 |
Systems and methods for adjusting variable geometry, height, weight distribution dynamics in orthotic devices and equipment
An active suspension orthotic support system is disclosed. The suspension orthotic support system comprises at least one variable resistance beam extending from a heel section to a mid-arch section of the footwear, wherein rotation of the variable resistance beam from a first position to a second position causes a resistance provided by the variable resistance beam to vary between a minimum resistance to a maximum resistance. |
| US09603409B2 |
Customizable replacement strap converter system for flip flop sandals
A customizable replacement strap converter system for flip flop sandals provides the ability to convert flip flop sandals into lace-up sandals. Converter pegs are inserted into a stock sandal sole after the stock straps have been removed. A plurality of straps is then threaded through loop bands of the converter pegs in order to create a custom strap arrangement 21. |
| US09603407B2 |
Interdigitated cellular cushioning
An interdigitated cellular cushioning system includes an array of void cells protruding from each of two binding layers interdigitated between the two binding layers. Peaks of each of the void cells are attached to the opposite binding layer forming the interdigitated cellular cushioning system. The interdigitated cellular cushioning system may be used to absorb and distribute a source of kinetic energy incident on the interdigitated cellular cushioning system (e.g., an impact or explosion) so that the amount of force transmitted through the interdigitated cellular cushioning system is low enough that it does not cause injury to personnel or damage to personnel and/or equipment adjacent the interdigitated cellular cushioning system. |
| US09603404B2 |
Helmet system and safety device for use with a helmet
A helmet system has a restraint feature for deterring neck injuries that includes a helmet having an attachment member at the rear of the helmet and a tether coupled to the attachment member at the rear of the helmet. The tether couples the helmet to a part of the body of a user in order to limit movement of the helmet. A safety feature for use with a helmet in order to deter neck injuries includes a tether having a first connector at one end for fixedly mating with a helmet and a second connector at the other end for mating with a part of a body of a user. The tether is positionable in the rear neck area of a user. |
| US09603400B2 |
Golf shirt with improved fit and contrast
The present invention is directed to a golf shirt with two laterally-opposed textile bands affixed thereto that are less stretchable than a textile used to construct the torso portion and the shoulder portion of the shirt. A first end of each band is adhered to a skirt of the collar portion, and a second end is adhered to a free end of the shirt. One side of the length of the pair of bands is adhered to the shirt at each point between the first and second end. When the shirt is worn by a person, and the person addresses a golf ball (e.g., extends his arms in front of his body and/or partially clasps his hands together around a golf club), the textile used to construct the bands pulls the sleeve portion away from the wearer and/or decreases a movement associated with the sleeve portion. |
| US09603399B1 |
Sleeve assembly for a garment and method of manufacture
Sleeve assembly for a shirt includes a sleeve adapted to receive an arm and a cuff. An outer surface of the cuff is connected to a lower edge region of the sleeve at a location between upper and lower edges of the cuff to define a cuff extension portion. The sleeve assembly is foldable from the unfolded condition to a first folded condition about the location at which the cuff is connected to the sleeve. The sleeve assembly is foldable from the first folded condition to a second folded condition about a location at which a free edge of the cuff abuts the sleeve to place a portion of the sleeve on an outer side of the sleeve assembly and an outer surface of the cuff extension portion between two portions of the sleeve. |
| US09603395B2 |
Filtering face-piece respirator having darted mask body
A cup-shaped 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 at least one dart 60 permanently bonded in the filtering structure 16, the dart 60 tapering from a center plane 32 of the mask body 12 to a side edge of the mask body. The dart 60 inhibits collapse of the cup-shaped form of the respirator 10. |
| US09603394B2 |
Batting pad for adjusting location of bat in batter's hand
A batting pad comprising a body made from a cushioning material and having a ring portion adapted to fit over a batter's thumb and an appendage to cushion the palm area between a batter's thumb and index finger. The appendage has a thickness T at its thickest point located between the first end and the distant end, and the thickness T of the appendage is selected to optimize an angle of a bat in the batter's hand relative to a line parallel to the batter's forearm, the angle being determined by the thickness T of the appendage displacing the bat toward the tip of the batter's index finger and causing the bat to contact the palm of the batter's hand near the batter's little finger. |
| US09603390B2 |
Atomizer and electronic cigarette having same
An atomizer with a compact structure and convenient assembly is provided. The atomizer includes an atomizing sleeve and an atomizing assembly fixed therein, a liquid reserving space configured for storing a tobacco liquid is defined in the atomizing sleeve. The atomizing assembly includes a fixing sleeve and a porous body arranged therein, an aerosol passage and at least one liquid opening are formed in the fixing sleeve. The porous body absorbs tobacco liquid through the at least one liquid opening, and the porous body is hollow inside and having an atomizing space defined therein. A heating coil configured for heating tobacco liquid absorbed from the porous body into tobacco aerosol is fixed in the atomizing space. The aerosol passage configured for ejecting the tobacco aerosol is in communication with the atomizing space. An electronic cigarette having the atomizer is also provided. |
| US09603388B2 |
Electrically heated smoking system comprising at least two units
An electrically heated smoking system is provided, including a secondary unit capable of receiving a smoking article having an aerosol-forming substrate. The secondary unit includes at least one heating element and an interface for connection to a primary power supply, and further includes a secondary power supply and secondary circuitry. The secondary circuitry is arranged to control supply of electrical power from the secondary power supply to the at least one heating element: (a) in a pre-heating mode during which the substrate temperature is increased to an operating temperature; (b) in a smoking mode, during which the substrate temperature is maintained at substantially the operating temperature; and (c) in a charging mode, so that the secondary power supply has sufficient charge to increase the substrate temperature to the operating temperature in the pre-heating mode and to maintain the substrate temperature at substantially the operating temperature during the smoking mode. |
| US09603386B2 |
Method and device for heating control of an electronic cigarette
A method and device for heating control of an electronic cigarette are provided, wherein, the method includes steps as below: S1. sensing whether there is a smoke signal via a sensor or a switch, if yes, executing step S2; S2. activating a timer to record time and turn on a semiconductor switch so as to heat the heating element in a full output power mode; S3. heating the heating element in a constant power mode when the recording time of the timer arrives at a first preset time T0. When implementing the present invention, the adoption of the two heating methods for heating element makes an optimized atomization effect and an excellent taste of smoking possible, which is not affected by the changeable voltage of the battery. |
| US09603385B2 |
Immobilized diluents for smoking articles
Immobilized diluents in a smoking article are provided, wherein diluents can be immobilized through absorption and/or adsorption of the diluents into immobilizing materials, such as sorbents like silica gels. By immobilizing diluents, the diluents can be available for vaporization, while still being protected from migration and/or loss of the diluents in a smoking article. |
| US09603383B2 |
Gas entrainment in flowable foods
A method of entraining gas in a flowable food product comprising the steps of accelerating the flowable food product in a flow direction through a flow channel that includes a ramp. Gas is injected into the flowable food product transverse to the flow direction through a porous surface or plate while the food product traverses the ramp to generate a froth. An apparatus for entraining gas in a food product, comprises a source of flowable food product and a food product pump to accelerate the food product through a flow channel. A ramp is disposed in the flow channel as well as a porous surface forming a wall of the flow channel opposite the ramp. A source of gas is in communication with the porous surface, wherein gas is entrained in the food product as it passes by the ramp and the porous surface. |
| US09603382B2 |
Cooked poultry product and method of making the same
A poultry product prepared by removing bones from a poultry carcass and compressing the remaining meat portion of the carcass into a mold. The mold is placed in an oven and the poultry product is cooked. Once cooked and removed from the mold, the poultry product retains an appearance of the mold which may be the shape of a traditionally-prepared poultry carcass. The poultry product can be wrapped and sold as a prepared food product. |
| US09603380B2 |
Multifunctional refrigerant container and method of operating such a refrigerant container
A refrigerant container, which is in particular suitable for use in a cooling system designed for operation with a two-phase refrigerant, includes a receiving space for receiving a refrigerant that is disposed in an interior of the refrigerant container. Disposed in the receiving space of the refrigerant container is a heat exchanger allowing passage of a further refrigerant therethrough and being configured to remove heat from refrigerant in the liquid and/or gaseous state of aggregation that is received in the receiving space in order to supercool the refrigerant and/or convert the refrigerant to the liquid state of aggregation. |
| US09603378B2 |
Polypeptides having α-xylosidase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having α-xylosidase activity, catalytic domains and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides and catalytic domains. |
| US09603373B2 |
Glucosyl stevia composition
Glucosyl stevia compositions are prepared from steviol glycosides of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. The glucosylation was performed by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase using the starch as source of glucose residues. The glucosyl stevia compositions were purified to >95% content of total steviol glycosides. The compositions can be used as sweetness enhancers, flavors, flavor enhancers and sweeteners in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. |
| US09603372B2 |
Wood chip smoker for outdoor grills
A wood chip smoker is adapted for use in an outdoor grill that has a grate and a cover movable between open and closed positions. The smoker has a base for placement on the grill grate, a perforated section mounted on the base and provided with open spaces that collectively define an inlet area, a chimney extending above the perforated section, a regulator mounted on the chimney and movable between open and closed positions for the introduction of wood chips, and an outlet area for the outflow of smoke formed in at least one of the chimney and regulator, said outlet area being between 2 and 25% of the inlet area in size. |
| US09603369B2 |
Clonostachys rosea inoculated plant materials with fungicides and adjuvants
Clonostachys rosea strains have novel usefulness as inoculants of plants promoting plant vigor, health, growth, yield and a reduction of competitive stress caused by other fungi when used alone or sequentially with many fungicides in an integrated pest management system (IPM). Seed and foliar uses are shown to inoculate and subsequently achieve endophytic colonization of the portion of the plant treated. While the germinating conidia of this organism has been shown to tolerate several fungicide groups, the established mycelium of Clonostachys rosea is significantly more tolerant to systemic fungicides facilitating use in seed and foliar applications. Seed treatment and colonization may occur at any time after harvest resulting in endophyte enhanced seed that ignores or is marginally altered by other fungal organisms and may be suitable for Feed, Food and Seed uses. |
| US09603361B2 |
Virucidal composition
The invention relates to a virucidal composition comprising based on the compositionfrom 80 to 99 wt-% of a C2-C4 monoalcohol or a mixture thereof,from 0.1 to lower 2 wt-% of an organic acid,from 0.1 to 1 wt-% of an alkoxylated monoglyceride and/or alkoxylated diglyceride,wherein the pH value of the composition is from pH 3.3 to 5 and the remainder up to 100 wt-% is water.The invention further describes a method of inactivating viruses, and a product comprising the virucidal composition and means for applying it. |
| US09603358B2 |
Additives for use in wood preservation
The present invention relates to a wood preservative formulation comprising a biocidal agent which is a copper or zinc ion complexed with an amino compound selected from the group consisting of ammonia, a water soluble amine or alkanolamine and an aminocarboxylic acid and a stabilizer, as well as to aqueous treatment solutions comprising such a formulation and methods of treating wood or other cellulosic material utilizing said formulation. |
| US09603357B2 |
Method and device to evaporate active ingredients from a liquid solution
A method to evaporate active ingredients from a liquid solution, in which said liquid solution includes a solvent and at least one type of active ingredient, the method including dispensing in controlled time periods doses of said liquid solution on a liquid retaining support, where the solvent is evaporated from the support such that only the active ingredient remains on the support, and where the active ingredient is evaporated from the support after most of the solvent has evaporated. |
| US09603355B2 |
Composition for cryopreservation of cells and tissues
A composition for cryopreservation of cells and tissues of human and other animals in a safe manner without using toxic substances such as DMSO, as well as for freeze preserving or freeze-drying of foods and pharmaceuticals. In embodiments, ε-poly-L-lysine is reacted with succinic anhydride so that 60% or more of amino groups are blocked; and, thus obtained polymer compound is added to Dulbecco-modified eagle MEM culture medium (DMEM) on market sale to form a cryopreservation liquid. In embodiments for foods or pharmaceuticals, the ε-poly-L-lysine derivative was added by 0.5-10 wt % to curb freeze concentration. |
| US09603350B2 |
Above-ground termite station having a container and method of mounting the container
An above-ground termite station includes a container having a base, a side, and a lid together defining an interior space of the container. The side has at least two peripheral openings in spaced relationship with each other about a periphery of the container. Each of the peripheral openings is at least partially closed by a respective access closure that can be selectively removed to provide access to the interior space of the container through the peripheral opening. The container is mountable on an above-ground mounting surface with the base in generally opposed relationship with and abutting against the mounting surface. The lid is positionable between a closed position and an open position to permit access to the interior space of the container. A cartridge is sized and configured for insertion in and removal from the interior space of the container. |
| US09603347B2 |
Adjustable fishing rod
A fishing rod can be switched between greater rigidity in one configuration to greater flexibility in another configuration. The configuration having greater flexibility is useful when enhanced sensitivity to fish strikes is desired. |
| US09603346B2 |
Aquarium lighting system
An aquarium includes a curved aquarium housing that supports water, the water including a water surface that separates water from air within the housing. The aquarium also includes a lighting system coupled to the aquarium housing, the lighting system including an arm and a light element disposed at an end of the arm and outside of the aquarium housing that directs light into the aquarium housing at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the water surface. |
| US09603334B1 |
Maize inbred PH2D2J
A novel maize variety designated PH2D2J and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH2D2J with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH2D2J 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 PH2D2J or a locus conversion of PH2D2J with another maize variety. |
| US09603332B1 |
Maize inbred PH2G07
A novel maize variety designated PH2G07 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH2G07 with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH2G07 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 PH2G07 or a locus conversion of PH2G07 with another maize variety. |
| US09603331B1 |
Soybean variety XR39V15X
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated XR39V15X. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety XR39V15X. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety XR39V15X and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety XR39V15X with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09603330B2 |
Snap pea variety sugar 153
The present invention provides novel snap pea cultivar Sugar 153 and plant parts, seed, and tissue culture therefrom. The invention also provides methods for producing a pea plant by crossing the pea plants of the invention with themselves or another pea plant. The invention also provides pea plants produced from such a crossing as well as plant parts, seed, and tissue culture therefrom. |
| US09603323B1 |
Hybrid corn variety 570102
The invention provides seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated 570102. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety 570102, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety 570102 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety 570102. |
| US09603320B1 |
Melon cultivars ME296, ME297, ME298 and ME299
The present invention provides novel melon plants and plant parts, seed, fruit, and tissue culture therefrom. The invention also provides methods for producing a melon plant by crossing the melon plants of the invention with themselves or another melon plant. The invention also provides plants produced from such a crossing as well as plant parts, seed, fruit, and tissue culture therefrom. |
| US09603310B2 |
Lopping shears with offset blade
Loppers include first and second elongated handles that are both directly connected and indirectly connected through a linkage assembly. The first handle has a static blade having a concave shearing edge extending generally transverse from the longitudinal axis of the first handle. The second handle has a curved end portion that curves toward the first handle and is pivotally secured to the static blade. An articulated blade has a convex cutting edge and is rotatably secured to the static blade. A link connects the curved end portion to an end of the articulated blade. Movement of the second handle relative to the first handle pivots the curved end portion about the static blade, thereby moving the cutting edge relative to the shearing edge via the link. The static blade and articulate blade are offset from the handles and extend generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first handle. |
| US09603307B2 |
Leaf screen cleaner
A leaf screen cleaner system to remove crop material such as leaves and stalks from one or more leaf screens of a combine harvester, the system including a slotted carriage movable in opposing directions, a screen having plural members, each of the plural members disposed in a respective slot of the carriage. A pulley assembly is coupled to the carriage and a feeder house is coupled to the pulley assembly. Based on pivotal motion of the feeder house, the carriage moves relative to the screen along the plural members. |
| US09603305B2 |
Retractable row crop tire guard
A tire guard for a wheel of an agricultural vehicle includes a fender having a first width substantially covering a width of the wheel and a crop shield having a forward area and a back area. A first bracket connects the fender to the wheel and a second bracket connects the crop shield to the wheel. The crop shield is movable over the fender between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the forward area of the crop shield is disposed proximate an upper portion of the wheel and the back area of the crop shield is disposed proximate a rear portion of the wheel. In the second position, the forward area of the crop shield is disposed proximate a front portion of the wheel and the back area of the crop shield is disposed proximate an upper portion of the wheel. |
| US09603303B2 |
Universal mounting assembly for a utility vehicle and a system incorporating the same
A system and method for detachably securing an attachment to a zero-turn utility vehicle such as a zero-turn, stand-on mower. The system includes a mounting assembly provided on a hydraulically operated support member on the utility vehicle's frame; and a connector assembly provided on the attachment. The mounting assembly includes a pivotable plate member that is inserted into the complementary shaped connector assembly. The plate member includes a locking rod at an upper end. The connector assembly has side walls and a top wall that surround the plate member when the mounting assembly is engaged with the connector assembly. The top wall overhangs and captures the locking rod between the top wall and a back wall of the attachment. A locking mechanism secures the mounting assembly and connector assembly together. Moving the attachment is accomplished by actuating the hydraulic system on the utility vehicle to move the support member. |
| US09603302B2 |
Agricultural working machine having a display device
An agricultural working machine has at least one working unit and a display device for displaying or adjusting parameters of the working machine the at least one working unit of both. The display device has a display unit with jointly depictable display elements for visualization of parameter-based values, the display elements preferably arranged concentrically in a form of circular-ring sections. The display device also includes at least one bar display that at least partially encircles the display elements radially on the outer side. Indicator element for displaying a defined value are disposed on the at least one bar display. |
| US09603299B2 |
Multiple seed-type planting system with on-row selective delivery
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. |
| US09603296B2 |
Wearing point attachment for plough share with asymmetric hole pattern
An attachment system for a wearing point on a plough share includes a wearing point forming one of a connection socket and a connection pin, and a holder configured to receive the wearing point and to be fixed to the plough share. The holder forms an other of the connection socket and the connection pin. The connection pin and the connection socket are provided with complementary, cooperating guide portions. The holder is provided with a first bolt-hole group and a second bolt-hole group. The first bolt-hole group is complementary to an attachment-hole group of a left-hand plough share, and the second bolt-hole group is complementary to an attachment-hole group of a right-hand plough share. |
| 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. |