| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09649152B2 |
Surgical forceps
A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members is configured to conduct energy between the jaw members and through tissue grasped therebetween to treat tissue. An insulative tubular member is movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, wherein the insulative tubular member is positioned proximally of the end effector assembly, and an extended position, wherein the insulative tubular member is disposed about the end effector assembly. A monopolar member is configured to apply energy to tissue to treat tissue when the insulative tubular member is disposed in the extended position. |
| US09649148B2 |
Electrosurgical system and method having enhanced arc prevention
Electrosurgical systems and methods are described herein, the system including an electrosurgical probe with an active electrode disposed near the probe distal end, a system with a power supply for delivery of voltage to the active electrode and a controller that receives and processes a signal from a current sensor and a temperature sensor. The current sensor measures the current output of the power supply and the temperature sensor is adjacent an electrically conductive fluid located at a target site. The controller may be programmed to operate in a low voltage mode that limits the power supply to a low voltage output so as to determine whether the current output from the current sensor is within a current output range. This range is defined by predetermined upper and lower limits that are modified by at least one measured value. |
| US09649147B2 |
Electrosurgical device and methods
A tissue segmentation device, controller, and methods therefore are disclosed. The device has an active electrode, a return electrode, a mechanical force application mechanism, voltage and current sensors, and a controller. The controller is configured to control a power output of the segmentation device. The controller has a processing component, responsive to the sensors, configured to execute the following: (a) derive a power factor of power applied to the at least one electrode; and (b) responsive to the deriving a power factor, assign a circuit status to a circuit comprising the at least one electrode. IF (PF≈0) and ((Vrms/Irms)≧T), THEN the circuit status is “open”. IF (PF≈0) and ((Vrms/Irms) |
| US09649138B2 |
Facet screw and method for spinal stabilization
A spinal facet bone screw and minimally invasive surgical method of implanting a facet screw to stabilize the spine are provided. The facet screw includes an elongated body portion having a head, a threaded portion and a distal threadless portion. A pair of flutes formed in the elongated body extends from the distal end across the threadless portion and into the distal end of the threaded portion. The flute creates a self-tapping cutting surface that includes a heel edge that is curved with respect to the outer surface. The method of implantation comprises making a minimally invasive incision on the side of the midline contralateral to the target facet joint and delivering the screw across the interspinous process using the adjacent spinous processes as guideposts. The facet screw system fixes juxtaposed facet articular processes to enhance spinal fusion and stability and the method provides for accurate, repeatable and easy implantation. |
| US09649133B2 |
Supplemental fixation screw
Devices, systems and methods for surgical fixation, including multi-screw anchoring devices for anchoring to various anatomical locations such as a sacral level or other anatomy of the spine. Anchoring devices include screw assemblies that are adjustable in a variety of different ways to grant a surgeon various options for placement and/or orientation of the primary and supplemental fixation screws. |
| US09649132B1 |
Bone distractor
A bone distractor to create separation between bone segments by means of a pair of mounts respectively secured to the bone segments and interconnected by means of a drive spring which is secured to one of the mounts and threadedly interconnected to the other mount such that rotation of the drive spring creates sufficient separation of the bone segments to allow for osteogenesis to occur. |
| US09649129B2 |
Percutaneous extraforaminotomy with foraminal ligament resection and instrument tool used for the same
Provided is a method for performing a percutaneous extraforaminotomy with foraminal ligament resection, which examines various ligaments around intervertebral foramen, artificially expands the intervertebral foramen blocked by adhesive fibrosis through repeated inflammatory reactions using epidural neurolysis or percutaneous extraforaminotomy, transmits chemical materials efficacious in pain treatment to the periphery of nervous branches causing pain through a catheter, and smoothly discharges an inflammatory material existing in spinal canal with the chemical materials through the intervertebral foramen. |
| US09649125B2 |
Laparoscopic device
A medical instrument includes a tubular cutter extending along an axis and having a windowed outer sleeve and a moveable inner cutting sleeve. An ultrasound transducer is operatively coupled to the inner cutting sleeve in order to induce motion in the inner cutting sleeve to enhance cutting or resection of tissue by the inner cutting sleeve as it is reciprocated or otherwise moved past the cutting window. The instrument typically will include a motor drive configured to reciprocate and/or rotate the inner cutting sleeve relative to the windowed outer sleeve, usually at a reciprocation rate between 1 and 10 Hz. |
| US09649124B2 |
Curved blade tissue shaver
The present invention provides an improved curved blade shaver for abriding tissue associated with a surgical site, the curved blade assembly including a curved outer shaft in receipt of an substantially linear inner instrument having a flexible region adapted for rotation and reciprocal receipt within the curved outer shaft and presenting a shaving means for debriding the tissue. The curved outer shaft also includes a portal for reciprocal receipt of a substantially rigid instrument when desired. |
| US09649123B2 |
Device for treatments with endoscopic resection/removal of tissues
A device for treatments of endoscopic resection/removal of tissues, includes: a hand-piece; an outer tubular element extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal end, a distal end, and a cutting aperture at the distal end; an inner tubular element housed in rotation in the outer tubular element; the inner tubular element extending along the longitudinal axis and having a proximal end, a distal end and a cutting tip at its distal end; guiding elements including an electric motor and electric supply to rotate and/or oscillate the inner tubular element with respect to the outer tubular element; a first engagement keyed substantially at the proximal end of the inner tubular element; a second engagement keyed on the distal end of the motor's outlet shaft to axially slide thereon; and at least one spring element to push the second engagement in engagement with the first engagement. |
| US09649122B2 |
Method of manufacturing an endoscopic surgical instrument
An endoscopic surgical instrument including a fluid jet device and an electrode device. The fluid jet device includes a pipe section with a nozzle on one distal end for a dissection and/or a needleless injection by means of a fluid and the electrode device is for cutting and/or coagulating tissue, the pipe section forming the electrode device. The surgical instrument further includes an insulating device attached to the distal end of the pipe section such that the tissue can only be brought into electrically conductive contact with a peripheral region of the pipe section and not with the distal end of the pipe section. |
| US09649117B2 |
Orthopedic surgical guide
A surgical device includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The distal end of the elongate body defines a notch sized and configured to receive a reamer. A coupling assembly is supported by the elongate body and includes a reamer guide body disposed at the distal end of the elongate body. The reamer guide body configured to move between a first position and a second position in which the reaming guide body extends at least partially across the notch. A locking assembly is supported by the elongate body and is configured to releasably engage the coupling assembly to maintain the reamer guide body in the second position. |
| US09649111B2 |
Replaceable clip cartridge for a clip applier
A surgical device for clipping tissue can include a replaceable cartridge comprising a stack of clips contained therein and a firing drive configured to reciprocatingly eject, or deploy, the clips from the cartridge. The cartridge and/or the surgical device can include a firing chamber wherein the clips can be sequentially pushed into the firing chamber along a supply axis. The firing drive can include a firing member which is moved along a firing axis to deploy a clip positioned in the firing chamber wherein the supply axis can be transverse to the firing axis. |
| US09649108B2 |
Orthopedic bone staple with polyaxial compression capability
A bone fixation device or bone staple includes a crown portion, an engagement portion, and an outer rim generally defined between the crown portion and the engagement portion. The engagement portion includes a plurality of legs extending from the outer rim in a direction away from the crown portion. The plurality of legs are generally radially disposed and evenly spaced apart around the outer rim. The legs are beveled to provide a compressive effect to the bone when the staple is inserted into the bone. |
| US09649103B2 |
Knotless anchor
A knotless anchor (100) includes an elongate body (102), a plurality of wings (104) extending outward from the body, a plurality of grooves (106) corresponding to the wings formed in the body, and a transverse bore (110) in communication with the grooves. The wings may be pivotably attached to the body, allowing movement between an open position, where the wings do not engage the grooves, and a closed position, where at least a portion of each wing engages its corresponding groove. A suture (122) routed through the grooves and the transverse bore is frictionally secured to the suture when the wings are urged in the closed position. In use, the wings may be urged into the closed position when inserted into a recess smaller than the cross-section of the anchor, such as a hole formed in a bone. |
| US09649099B1 |
Systems and methods for performing spine surgery
This application describes surgical instruments and implants for building a posterior fixation construct across one or more segments of the spinal column during a medialized posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) procedure. |
| US09649095B2 |
3-dimensional ultrasound image provision using volume slices in an ultrasound system
Embodiments for providing a plurality of 3-dimensional ultrasound images by using a plurality of volume slices in an ultrasound system are disclosed. The ultrasound system comprises: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to transmit and receive ultrasound signals to and from a target object to acquire ultrasound data; a volume data forming unit configured to form volume data by using the ultrasound data; a user input unit for allowing a user to input a user instruction; and a processing unit configured to set a plurality of volume slice regions having different widths in the volume data in response to the user instruction and form a plurality of 3-dimensional ultrasound images by using volume slices defined by the volume slice regions. |
| US09649091B2 |
Wireless ultrasound imaging system and method for wireless communication in an ultrasound imaging system
A wireless ultrasound imaging system includes plural probes, at least one access point device, and a processing subsystem. Each of the probes has at least one transducer element that is configured to emit ultrasound pulses into one or more imaged bodies and receive echoes of the pulses. The probes are configured to generate ultrasound data based on the echoes and to wirelessly transmit the ultrasound data. The access point device is configured to wirelessly receive the ultrasound data from the probes. The processing subsystem is communicatively coupled with the at least one access point device. The processing subsystem receives the ultrasound data from the probes and creates one or more images based on the ultrasound data. In one aspect, a plurality of the probes is configured to concurrently acquire the ultrasound data. |
| US09649090B2 |
Ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus
Disclosed is an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus including an ultrasound probe which outputs transmission ultrasound toward a subject due to a pulse signal being input and which outputs a received signal by receiving reflected ultrasound from the subject and a transmission unit which makes the ultrasound probe generate the transmission ultrasound by outputting a pulse signal whose drive waveform is formed of rectangular waves. The transmission unit outputs pulse signals whose drive waveforms are asymmetric to each other on a same scanning line for a plurality of times with a time interval therebetween. The ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus further includes an image generation unit which combines received signals each of which obtained from the reflected ultrasound of the transmission ultrasound generated by each output of pulse signal and generates ultrasound image data on a basis of a composite received signal. |
| US09649083B2 |
System and method for recalibrating a monochromatic image
A method includes receiving a monochromatic image comprising a head of a subject from a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner and detecting a petrous bone of the head in the monochromatic image. The method further includes determining a linear attenuation coefficient of at least one petrous voxel representing the petrous bone and calculating a mass attenuation coefficient of the petrous voxel based on the linear attenuation coefficient and a density of the petrous bone. The method also includes computing a monochromatic energy level of the monochromatic image based on the mass attenuation coefficient of the petrous voxel and recalibrating the monochromatic image corresponding to the computed monochromatic energy level to the desired monochromatic energy level. |
| US09649081B2 |
X-ray image apparatus and control method for the same
Disclosed herein are an X-ray image apparatus and a control method for the same. The X-ray image apparatus includes an X-ray generator configured to sequentially irradiate an object with a plurality of X-rays of mutually different energy bands, an X-ray detector configured to acquire a plurality of pieces of X-ray data corresponding to the plurality of mutually different energy bands by detecting X-rays transmitted through the object, an image processor configured to convert the acquired plurality of pieces of X-ray data into a plurality of X-ray images and separate blood vessel X-ray images of the object from the plurality of X-ray images, and a controller configured to control operations of the X-ray generator so that the sequentially irradiated plurality of X-rays of the mutually different energy bands are repeatedly irradiated for fixed cycles. The X-ray generator may be configured to sequentially irradiate the object with the plurality of X-rays for a first time interval in the fixed cycles, and the first time interval may be different from a second time interval that is a time interval between a time point at which a final X-ray of a single cycle among the fixed cycles is irradiated and a time point at which a first X-ray of the following cycle among the fixed cycles is irradiated. |
| US09649079B1 |
System and method to illustrate a radiation dose applied to different anatomical stages of an exposed subject
A system and method to illustrate a radiation dose applied to different organs of an exposed subject with diagnostic image acquisition by an imaging scanner is provided. From a scout image, a computer processor can calculate a contour of an extremity of the exposed subject from the two-dimensional scout image; calculate a contour of a first organ dependent on a greyscale intensity of the plurality of pixels that comprise the two-dimensional scout image; calculate a contour of at least one anatomical stage dependent on a predefined geometric orientation relative the contour of the first organ; and apply a predefined auxology criteria to calculate a contour of a second organ dependent on a predefined geometric orientation relative to the contour of the at least one anatomical stage; and create a display illustrative of the a measurement of dose applied at the area defined by the contour of the anatomical stage. |
| US09649075B2 |
X-ray mammography and/or breast tomosynthesis using a compression paddle with an inflatable jacket enhancing imaging and improving patient comfort
A system and method using an inflatable jacket over the compression paddle of a mammography and/or tomosynthesis system to enhance imaging and improve patient comfort in x-ray breast imaging. |
| US09649074B2 |
Scan geometry corrections for tomosynthesis mobile radiographic apparatus
A mobile radiography apparatus has a moveable (e.g., wheeled) transport frame and an adjustable column mounted at the frame. A boom apparatus supported by the adjustable column can support an x-ray source assembly. Certain exemplary methods and/or apparatus embodiments can provide mobile radiography carts a capability to direct x-ray radiation towards a subject from one or a plurality of different source positions, and reconstruct two-dimensional or three-dimensional tomosynthesis images where an imaging geometry of x-ray source positions to a radiographic detection array is not known for a plurality of x-ray tomosynthesis projection images. In one embodiment, an imaging geometry and tomosynthesis reconstruction(s) can be simultaneously determined by iteratively determining a current imaging geometry while iteratively monitoring a metric (e.g., stopping criterion) that approaches a prescribed or desired value associated with the tomosynthesis reconstruction. |
| US09649073B2 |
Usage modeling for intelligent management of alarms and messages in mobile health systems
Systems and methods can support usage modeling and the intelligent management of patient alarms. An alarm management system can maintain models of patient alarm operations. Modeling parameters related to clinical user behavior and modeling parameters related to alarm context can be incorporated into the models of patient alarm operations. The models of patient alarm operations can inform rules associated with intelligent alarm management. The rules may be applied to the presentation of alarms to the clinical users via mobile computing devices. The rules may also be applied to the interpretation of alarm responses from the clinical users. The rules may be adapted by the alarm management system to improve metrics of alarm efficacy and/or metrics of patient health outcomes. |
| US09649069B2 |
Systems and methods for replacing signal artifacts in a glucose sensor data stream
Systems and methods for minimizing or eliminating transient non-glucose related signal noise due to non-glucose rate limiting phenomenon such as ischemia, pH changes, temperatures changes, and the like. The system monitors a data stream from a glucose sensor and detects signal artifacts that have higher amplitude than electronic or diffusion-related system noise. The system replaces some or the entire data stream continually or intermittently including signal estimation methods that particularly address transient signal artifacts. The system is also capable of detecting the severity of the signal artifacts and selectively applying one or more signal estimation algorithm factors responsive to the severity of the signal artifacts, which includes selectively applying distinct sets of parameters to a signal estimation algorithm or selectively applying distinct signal estimation algorithms. |
| US09649064B2 |
Controlled sympathectomy and micro-ablation systems and methods
A catheter system for controlled sympathectomy procedures is disclosed. A catheter system for controlled micro ablation procedures is disclosed. Methods for performing a controlled surgical procedure are disclosed. A system for performing controlled surgical procedures in a minimally invasive manner is disclosed. |
| US09649062B2 |
Swallowing estimation device, information terminal device, and storage medium
A swallowing estimation device includes: a sound detection part configured to detect sound of a larynx portion; a respiration detection part configured to detect respiration; and a swallowing estimation part configured to estimate swallowing based on sound information outputted from the sound detection part and based on respiration information outputted from the respiration detection part. The swallowing estimation part obtains a value of a parameter for swallowing estimation with respect to a biological sound generation interval that corresponds to a respiratory cessation interval longer than or equal to 400 msec, and estimates whether swallowing has occurred in the biological sound generation interval based on whether the obtained value of the parameter satisfies a swallowing determination condition. |
| US09649056B2 |
Analyte sensor with extended range of detection
Embodiments provide sensors, such as implantable sensors, and methods of producing such sensors. An implantable sensor may include a base, one or more chambers, and one or more sensor reagents. A membrane may be coupled to the chambers over the sensor reagents. The implantable sensor may be at least partially implanted into the dermis of an animal. One or more of the sensor reagents may emit light or exhibit a color change in response to the presence of a target analyte or reaction product thereof. The response may be detected and analyzed by the user or by a reader device to determine the target analyte concentration. |
| US09649053B2 |
Cam-actuated medical puncturing device and method
The medical puncturing device includes a housing, a shield, and a skin puncturing assembly disposed within the housing. The shield is axially movable in the housing. The skin puncturing assembly includes a movable carrier and a skin puncturing element mounted to the carrier. A distal end of the skin puncturing element is adapted for puncturing the skin of a patient. The carrier is movable from a retracted position wherein the skin puncturing element is disposed within the shield to a puncturing position wherein the distal end of the skin puncturing element is exposed. The carrier is maintained in the retracted position by engagement of flexure members or a retaining tab with the carrier. A drive spring is provided to move the carrier from the retracted position to the puncturing position. A retraction spring is provided to return the carrier and skin puncturing element into the housing. |
| US09649052B2 |
Systems, apparatus, and methods for using eyewear, or other wearable item, to confirm the identity of an individual
Eyewear, according to various embodiments, comprises at least one biometric sensor that is adapted for taking a biometric reading from the wearer when the wearer is operatively wearing the eyewear and for transmitting the results of the biometric reading to one or more computer processors for use in determining whether the wearer is a particular individual. The one or more processors may be embodied within the eyewear, and the eyewear may also include a wireless communications device for transmitting a signal (e.g., to a remote computing device) that confirms the identity of the wearer as the particular individual. A remote computing device, or other device, or individual, may then, based at least in part on receiving the signal, grant wearer access to a computer program, computing system, and/or a particular physical space. |
| US09649049B2 |
Systems and methods for interacting with an implantable medical device
An interactive implantable medical device system includes an implantable medical device and a network-enabled external device capable of bi-directional communication and interaction with the implantable medical device. The external device is programmed to interact with other similarly-enabled devices. The system facilitates improved patient care by eliminating unnecessary geographic limitations on implantable medical device interrogation and programming, and by allowing patients, physicians, and other users to access medical records, history, and information and to receive status and care-related alerts and messages anywhere there is access to a communications network. |
| US09649048B2 |
Systems and methods for breaching a sterile field for intravascular placement of a catheter
An integrated catheter placement system for accurately placing a catheter within a patient's vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises a system console, a tip location sensor for temporary placement on the patient's chest, and an ultrasound probe. The tip location sensor senses a magnetic field of a stylet disposed in a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is disposed in the vasculature. The ultrasound probe ultrasonically images a portion of the vasculature prior to introduction of the catheter. ECG signal-based catheter tip guidance is included in the integrated system to enable guidance of the catheter tip to a desired position with respect to a node of the patient's heart. Various means for establishing a conductive pathway between a sterile field of the patient and a non-sterile field to enable passage of ECG signals from the catheter to the tip location sensor are also disclosed. |
| US09649045B2 |
Pneumatic circulatory enhancer for diabetic leg therapy
A pneumatic circulatory enhancer to enhance a blood flow of a leg of a patient that includes a chamber that surrounds the leg and is filled with gas having a negative, a zero-point, or a pressure, a pneumatic gas pump having a cylinder and a piston, the piston moving in the cylinder by an electrical motor, a plurality of ECG electrodes that are connected to body parts of the patient, a pressure sensor that is connected to the chamber and measures a pressure of the gas inside the chamber, a controller that receives the ECG signals from the plurality of ECG electrodes and controls the electrical motor based on the received ECG signals to pump-in or pump-out the gas from the chamber by moving the piston inside the chamber such that the zero-point pressure is an atmospheric pressure of a location that the pneumatic circulatory enhancer is operated. |
| US09649035B2 |
Method for diagnosis and treatment of artery
An introducer having a dilator positioned in a sheath is inserted into a first artery and, thereafter, only the dilator tube is drawn out of the first artery and the sheath while the sheath remains in the first artery. A diagnostic instrument having an outer diameter smaller than a maximum outer diameter permitting insertion into the sheath tube is inserted into the second artery, and a stenosis of the second artery is diagnosed. While keeping the sheath indwelling in the first artery, a therapeutic instrument or a catheter permitting the therapeutic instrument to be inserted therein, which therapeutic instrument or catheter has a maximum outer diameter permitting insertion into the sheath tube, is inserted into the second artery, and the second artery is treated. |
| US09649033B2 |
Device for remote non-contact monitoring of vital signs of a living being
The present disclosure relates to a device for remote non-contact monitoring of vital signs of a living being. The present disclosure enables improved measurement accuracy and reliability, increased operating range and reduced likelihood of mistakenly detecting extraneous objects. The device comprises at least one measuring unit, at least one control and data processing unit, and at least one interface unit, connected to each other. The measuring unit comprises a radio transmitting module and a radio receiving module. The control and data processing unit is configured to generate control pulses for each of the radio transmitting and radio receiving modules delayed for arbitrary time periods between each other, and is additionally configured to generate control pulses of arbitrary duration for each of the radio transmitting and radio receiving modules. Each radio transmitting module and/or each radio receiving module contained in the measuring unit is made independent of the other modules. |
| US09649032B2 |
Systems and methods for remote measurement of the eyes and delivering of sunglasses and eyeglasses
The present disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for automated measured correction of the eyes and provision of sunglasses and eyeglasses for individuals, including individuals with a visual acuity of 20/20 or better. Methods, devices and systems for remote measurement of refraction by an examiner away from the measurement system are also disclosed. |
| US09649031B2 |
Imaging of the eye
A method of determining a geometrical measurement of a retina of an eye, comprising obtaining a two dimensional representation of at least a portion of the retina of the eye (34), deriving a geometrical remapping which converts the two dimensional representation of the retinal portion to a three dimensional representation of the retinal portion (36), using one or more coordinates of the two dimensional representation of the retinal portion to define the geometrical measurement to be taken of the retina on the two dimensional representation (38), using the geometrical remapping to convert the or each coordinate of the two dimensional representation of the retinal portion to an equivalent coordinate of the three dimensional representation of the retinal portion (40), and using the or each equivalent coordinate of the three dimensional representation of the retinal portion to determine the geometrical measurement of the retina of the eye (42). |
| US09649028B2 |
Ophthalmological device
An ophthalmological device calculates a cornea surface shape of an eye to be examined. The ophthalmological device includes a ring image photographic optical system configured to radiate a plurality of concentric ring light to the cornea surface of the eye and take reflected images of the plurality of ring light reflected from the cornea surface of the eye, an interference optical system configured to radiate measurement light to the eye and detect interfering light composed of reflected light of the measurement light reflected from the eye and predetermined reference light. The shape of the cornea anterior surface of the eye is calculated form the reflected images of the plurality of ring light, the thicknesses of the cornea of the eye at the plurality of incident positions is calculated from the interfering light, and the posterior surface shape of the cornea of the eye is calculated based on these two results. |
| US09649027B2 |
Device for reliably determining biometric measurement variables of the whole eye
A device for determining biometric variables of the eye, as are incorporated in the calculation of intraocular lenses including a multi-point keratometer and an OCT arrangement. The keratometer measurement points are illuminated telecentrically and detected telecentrically and the OCT arrangement is designed as a laterally scanning swept-source system with a detection region detecting the whole eye over the whole axial length thereof. The multi-point keratometer ensures that a sufficient number of keratometer points are available for measuring the corneal surface. By contrast, telecentricity ensures that the positioning inadequacies of the measuring instrument in relation to the eye to be measured do not lead to a local mismatch of the reflection points. The swept-source OCT scan detects the whole eye over the length thereof so that both anterior chamber structures and retina structures can be detected and a consistent whole eye image can be realized. |
| US09649026B2 |
Coupled reconstruction of refractive and opaque surfaces
Systems and techniques for reconstructing one or more surfaces of an object including one or more opaque surfaces behind one or more refractive surfaces are provided. The systems and techniques may include obtaining one or more images of the object including an opaque surface located behind a refractive surface and determining one or more refractive surface constraints using the one or more images. The one or more refractive surface constraints constrain one or more characteristics of the refractive surface. The systems and techniques may further include reconstructing an opaque surface representation or a refractive surface representation using the one or more refractive surface constraints, the opaque surface representation representing the opaque surface of the object, and the refractive surface representation representing the refractive surface of the object. |
| US09649025B2 |
Scanning optical system with multiple optical sources
In an embodiment, a scanning optical system comprises first and second optical sources and a deflector device. The first and second optical sources provide first and second beams, respectively, of optical radiation. The deflector device is disposed to receive and deflect the first and second beams, and is configured for a scanning operation on a beam of radiation traversing the deflector device. The first beam is incident on the deflector device with a first orientation and the second beam is incident on the deflector device with a second orientation that is different from the first orientation. |
| US09649024B2 |
Method for the model-based determination of the biometry of eyes
For the model-based determination of the biometry of eyes, the eye is illuminated by a light source via a scanning unit, the focus of the measuring light beam in the eye is moved or shifted laterally and/or axially via an adjusting device and the light fractions back-scattered by the boundary surfaces and from the tissue of the eye via an interferometer are detected by a sensor and relayed to a control and evaluation unit by which a parametric eye model which describes at least two boundary surfaces present in the eye is adapted to the scan or scans. The invention relates to the field of ophthalmology and serves in particular for the optical determination of the biometry of eyes by application of two-dimensional optical coherence tomography images. However, the method is not limited to the use of coherence tomography nor to the utilization of optical measurements. |
| US09649020B2 |
Control assembly
A control assembly for manipulating the movement of an endoscopic instrument includes an endoscopic instrument mounting arrangement adapted to receive an endoscopic instrument, three driving arrangements, and three independent control elements. The mounting arrangement offers only three independent degrees of freedom of movement of an endoscopic instrument received by the arrangement, each degree of freedom of movement being about or along a respective axis. Each of the three driving arrangements are configured to drive the endoscopic instrument in only one of the degrees of freedom of movement. The three independent control elements are configured to receive user input, such that the actuation of each of the three independent control elements regulates one of three corresponding control signals, each control being a respective one of the driving arrangements independent of the other two driving arrangements in accordance with the user input. |
| US09649014B2 |
Single use medical devices
A single use medical device can include a single use medical device module configured for use within a body of a subject receiving a medical procedure. It can also include an electronic component having a one-time programmable (“OTP”) component that is configured to render the single use medical device module unusable after being used in the medical procedure in the subject. |
| US09649011B2 |
Apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing interior of shoe
An apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing an interior of a shoe which generates ultrasonic wind of a whirlwind type in the interior of the shoe to remove foreign substances from the interior of the shoe and which injects ultra fine particles of solution into the interior of the shoe to sterilize the interior of the shoe. The apparatus includes a housing opened or closed with a door; a shoe supporting member mounted on a top end of a support pillar having a predetermined length and vertically installed in an inner space of the housing, wherein the show supporting member is configured to be inside the shoe and support the shoe by hanging the shoe thereto; a vibration guide pipe fixed to an inside of the shoe supporting member; and a nozzle tube movably installed in the vibration guide pipe. |
| US09649010B2 |
Dish rack
The present invention relates to a dish rack that includes: a lower rack that has a drain hole formed in the bottom thereof and receives a dish therein; an upper rack that is provided above the lower rack at a different height and receives a dish therein; and a support frame coupled to the lower and upper racks to maintain the lower and upper racks spaced apart from each other, wherein the lower and upper racks and the support frame are assembled to each other through coupling bosses and coupling holes that are formed therein to correspond to each other. In the present invention, the upper and lower racks and the support frame of the dish rack can be assembled to each other in an easy and simple manner through the coupling bosses and the coupling holes without a separate fastener, thereby enhancing assembly efficiency of the dish rack. |
| US09649004B2 |
Steam cleaning devices and compositions for use therewith
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a steam cleaning device, the device comprising a supply of water for generating steam, and a steam cleaning head for ejecting steam generated from said supply of water in proximity to a surface to be cleaned, wherein the steam cleaning head comprises a portion for receiving a composition adapted to be used in conjunction with such a steam cleaning device, the portion being perfused by steam during ejection by said steam cleaning head of steam generated from said supply of water. This has the advantage that the composition may be changed by a user dependent only on the user's requirements and the rate of consumption of the composition, and independently of both the rate of consumption of water by the steam cleaning device and any need to remove, clean or replace a cleaning cloth mounted on the steam cleaning head. In a second aspect, the present invention also provides an encapsulated composition adapted to be used in conjunction with a steam cleaning device comprising a supply of water for generating steam, wherein the encapsulated composition has a shape adapted to fit a portion of a steam cleaning head of the steam cleaning device, which portion is perfused by steam during ejection by said steam cleaning head of steam generated from said supply of water. Such a “must-fit” adaptation of the encapsulated composition provides the possibility that only encapsulated compositions suitable for use in a particular steam cleaning device can be charged into that device, in order to ensure correct dosage by the composition of the steam generated by the device. |
| US09649003B2 |
Random orbit disc scrubber
A random orbit scrubber comprises a main body having a front end and a rear end, a squeegee assembly coupled to the rear end of the main body, and a cleaning head assembly coupled to the front end of the main body. The cleaning head assembly can include a cleaning element structured for contact with a floor surface. The cleaning head assembly can further include a motor that is operable to impart rotational and orbital movement on the cleaning element. |
| US09649001B2 |
Vacuum cleaner
Disclosed herein is a vacuum cleaner including a main body generating suction force, a suction head contacting a surface to be cleaned and sucking air and dust from the surface, a handle pipe for user operation, a flexible hose connecting the handle pipe and the main body, and an extension pipe connecting the suction head and the handle pipe. The handle pipe includes a handle pipe body communicating the extension pipe and the flexible hose with each other, and a sub-accessory assembly combined integrally with the handle pipe body so as to suck air and dust from the surface as a substitute for the suction head. In the vacuum cleaner, sub-accessories may be easily replaced, a separate space for storage of the sub-accessories is not required, and there is no danger of loss of the sub-accessories. |
| US09648997B2 |
Waterless toilet and temporary toilet
A waterless toilet includes a urine/feces separation device, a transport conveyor, and a drier drum inside a casing. The urine/feces separation device includes rotary plates and fixed plates. The rotary plates are substantially triangular. Each fixed plate is provided between a pair of adjacent rotary plates. The transport conveyor has an endless belt wound around a driver roller and a driven roller. The drier drum includes drum main bodies and a drum heater. The drum main bodies are constructed like a metal net and supported in such a manner as to be freely rotatable. A first receptacle is provided below the urine/feces separation device to collect urine. The collected urine is heated and vaporized by a heater. Dried, solid waste is collected in a second receptacle below the drier drum and further dried by the heater. |
| US09648991B2 |
Method for control of an electronic liquid dispenser and associated dispenser system
A system and control method for an electronic liquid dispenser utilizes a motor to drive a pump mechanism from a home position in a dispense cycle for dispensing a metered dose of liquid from a reservoir. Upon initiation of the dispense cycle, the motor is started to operate the pump mechanism. Motor work performed by the motor during the dispense cycle is calculated as a function of motor current, motor voltage, and run time of the motor. Upon the calculated motor work exceeding a set point value during the dispense cycle, the motor is stopped and reversed to return the pump mechanism to the home position. |
| US09648990B1 |
Venting system for dispenser reservoir
A fluid product reservoir, for a dispensing system, is made of a walled container having an aperture formed at one end thereof. A reservoir cap seals the aperture from exposure to the atmosphere. A pump integrated into the reservoir cap allows fluid product to be dispensed from a dispensing system. A venting mechanism is installed at the interface between the aperture and the reservoir cap to allow air from the atmosphere to displace fluid product as it is being dispensed. The venting mechanism includes a one-way valve, which permits air to flow into the reservoir but prevents fluid product from leaking out from the interface between the aperture in the reservoir cap. |
| US09648986B1 |
Food preparation system and associated methods
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a food preparation system is disclosed comprising a mat including a deformable material permitting a first portion of the mat to be folded onto a second portion of the mat, and at least one utensil defining a height. The at least one utensil is positionable between the first and second portions of the mat such that a food product positioned between the first and second portions of the mat can be flattened to a thickness approximately equivalent to the height of the at least one utensil by applying a force to the mat. |
| US09648985B2 |
Grill device
A grill device includes pivotally connected lower and upper grilling units, an auxiliary grilling unit, and main and auxiliary controllers. Each of the lower and upper grilling units and the auxiliary grilling unit includes a grilling plate and a heater module for heating the grilling plate. The main controller is for sensing temperatures of the grilling plates of the lower and upper grilling units, and disables the heater modules thereof when the temperature is greater than a first predetermined temperature. The auxiliary controller is for sensing a temperature of the grilling plate of the auxiliary grilling unit, and disables the heater module thereof when the temperature is greater than a second predetermined temperature lower than the first predetermined temperature. |
| US09648984B2 |
Cookware leveling solutions
Solutions for leveling the surface of cookware are disclosed. In one embodiment, at least one detachable adjustable leg makes contact with the stove surface to tilt the cooking surface to make it level. The pressure on the stove surface can be increased or decreased, thereby increasing the tilt until the cooking surface is level. In another embodiment, at least one detachable adjustable leg is weighted at one end and the weighted end extends outward to make the cooking surface level. In yet another embodiment, the cookware comes with at least one adjustable leg permanently attached. In all cases, multiple adjustable legs can be used to increase the stability and accuracy. In another embodiment, adjustable legs protrude from the top or bottom surface of a grate that typically covers a flame on gas stove surface. |
| US09648978B2 |
Coffee dispensing device and method
A coffee dispensing device is provided with a transport device that couples various components for the processing of unroasted coffee beans together. For example a roaster may be coupled to a grinding and brewing device to enable the transfer of roasted coffee beans between the roaster and grinder/brewer. Also, the transport device may transfer the roasted coffee beans from a roaster to an output port so that roasted coffee beans may be obtained. An automated coffee transaction device (ACTD) is also provided to automate aspects of the purchasing of coffee. A service delay projection calculator is also provided to estimate the expected wait time of a customer entering a queue. |
| US09648975B2 |
Radio frequency identification controlled heatable objects
A temperature controlled heatable object is provided in which a temperature sensor is connected to a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag is located within the handle of the object, and the temperature sensor is placed in contact with the object. In a first embodiment of the invention, the temperature sensor is partially imbedded within the object via a notch located in the side of the object. In a second embodiment of the invention, a temperature sensor is imbedded within a tunnel drilled within the base of the object. In a third embodiment, a temperature sensor is imbedded between the bottom of the object and a slab attached to the bottom of the object. The sensor can be located in a slot formed in either the slab or the bottom or the object. Handles and receivers for mounting the handles to the temperature controllable objects are also provided. |
| US09648974B1 |
Baking sheet
A baking sheet formed of a metal planar plate member having a polygon shape defined by multiple sides, having a thickness and periphery, having upper and lower planar surfaces, having a cross-sectional dimension that is an order of magnitude greater than the thickness of the metal planar plate member, a peripheral channel that extends about the periphery of the metal planar plate member, and the peripheral channel being disposed closely adjacent to all sides of the metal planar plate member. |
| US09648970B2 |
Impact-resistant portable liquid container protector with cooling and heating capability
An impact-resistant portable container protector used during transportation of a liquid, wherein the portable container protector is capable of heating or cooling a liquid within the container during transportation in an automobile or other mobile vehicle. The heating is typically achieved using an electrically-powered heating jacket, or cooling is achieved using a removable cooling packet which may be placed within the impact-resistant portable container protector. Heat transfer from the heating jacket or cooling packet may be improved by use of an agitator which may be present within the container. The agitator may be turned by a magnetic coupling. Power to operate the heating jacket and the agitator, when present, is supplied by a battery which is internal to the portable container protector. Additional power may be supplied to the battery using an external power feed such as a USB type connection or other connection of the kind typically present in an automobile or other motor vehicle. |
| US09648968B1 |
Materials for the mounting and display of record albums or standard size artwork
A mounting system for displaying an object on a vertical surface. The system includes a first horizontal rail configured to be attached to the vertical surface. The first rail has a channel defined by a pair of side surfaces extending along its longitudinal length and the channel has a sufficient width to receive an edge of the object. A second horizontal rail is configured to be attached to the vertical surface at a vertical distance from the first rail. The second rail has two channels defined by side surfaces extending along its longitudinal length, with each of two channels opening on a respective top and bottom of the rail so that the second rail has a generally cross-sectional “H” shape. Each channel is wide enough to receive an edge of the object. The system further includes a spacer bar used to assist in the installation of the rails. |
| US09648958B2 |
Foldable stool with handle and lock
A foldable stool comprises legs pivotally coupled together and a seat pivotally coupled to and carried by the legs. The seat is split into a pair of seat portions that is pivotally coupled together. A handle is formed in, and is coextensive with, one of the pair of seat portions. The handle is pivotal with respect to another of the seat portions. A lock positively holds the handle with respect to the another of the seat portions when the pair of seat portions are in a seat orientation. |
| US09648957B2 |
Chair with back tilt adjustment structure
The chair includes a cushion having a chassis, a back and an adjustment structure connected to the chassis. The adjustment structure includes a base frame and a back frame. The base frame has a main body with a connecting arm rotatably connecting the chassis. The back frame is connected between the back and the base frame and has a connecting portion connected to the base frame and a support substantially perpendicularly extending from the connecting portion toward the back. An arc-shaped bend portion is formed between the support and the connecting portion. A top of the support is connected to the back. |
| US09648956B2 |
Conforming back for a seating unit
According to the present invention a back for a seating unit is provided. The back comprises a plurality of flexible finger elements. Each of the plurality of flexible finger elements has a distal end. The back further comprises a retainer connecting at least two of the flexible finger elements proximate their distal ends. When a load is applied to a flexible finger element, the retainer distributes at least a portion of the load to at least one adjacent flexible finger element. |
| US09648955B2 |
Chair back elevation adjustment structure
The invention includes a frame, a back board and an adjustment set. The frame has a central trench and an adjustment board with limiting slots and two sliding slots. The back board is connected to the frame and has an opening. The adjustment set is connected between the frame and the back board and includes: a sliding seat having an engagement block received in the opening, and the engagement block having a recess with a through hole; a limiting body received in the recess, having a central bar in the through hole and an extending portion with a limiting bar in the limiting slots, and a C-shaped trench around the central bar; a torsion spring received in the C-shaped trench, two ends thereof protruding from the C-shaped trench and stopped by the recess; and two sliders received in the sliding slots. The sliders and the sliding seat are fixed to the back board. |
| US09648954B2 |
Sliding shelf containment system and method
Mechanisms and methods to install upper restrictive barriers onto existing pull-out shelves to prevent or decrease the likelihood of the shelf contents from falling over the back or sides of the shelf. |
| US09648953B1 |
Collapsible hanging storage assembly
A collapsible hanging storage assembly mounts beneath a desk or flat surface. The assembly has panels and fastening mechanisms that collapse for stowage and easily construct to contain items. The assembly comprises a base panel defined by wire mesh, a pair of side edges, a rear edge, and a front edge. A pair of side panels hingedly join the side edges of base panel. The side panels include a pair of upper horizontal bars, a pair of lower horizontal bars, a pair of front vertical bars, and a pair of rear vertical bars. A pair of L-shaped brackets extend from the front vertical bars to mount on a desktop. The L-shaped brackets include a vertical member and a generally flat horizontal member. A rear panel joins the side panels and base panel perpendicularly and has an upper edge, a lower edge, a left edge, and a right edge. |
| US09648949B1 |
Vinyl wrap hanger and stand
A vinyl wrap hanger and stand for installing sheets of vinyl wrap to the surface of vehicles and motor crafts is presented. The vinyl wrap hanger and stand includes a base, a frame assembly, and a hanger assembly, having adjustable components to customize the installation of vinyl to different vehicle sizes. The vinyl wrap hanger and stand may be mounted to a platform having wheels, providing mobility. The platform may also include a vinyl roller assembly for supporting large rolls of vinyl. |
| US09648931B2 |
Wallet with securing strap
A non-folding wallet has a front wall, a rear wall and four side edges. Three of the side edges are closed and the fourth is open to provide access to a compartment defined between the front and rear walls. The rear wall defines a rear wall opening. A securing strap is attached at a top edge and a bottom edge to the front wall. |
| US09648930B1 |
Floatable umbrella with self-ballasting member
The floatable umbrella with self-ballasting member includes an umbrella that is selectively attached to an umbrella float. An umbrella weight is selectively attached to a distal end of the umbrella so as to form a ballasting capability for the umbrella when said umbrella is partially submerged within a body of water. A tether is selectively attached to the umbrella float. The tether includes a wristband on a distal end, which is adapted to engage a wrist of an end user. The tether may optionally include a tether float as well as a magnet release that separates between the tether float and the wristband. |
| US09648926B2 |
Footwear recommendations from foot scan data describing feet of a user
Techniques for recommending footwear based on scan data describing feet of a user and a variety of other information are described. In some instances, a footwear service may obtain scan data describing feet of a user. The footwear service may process the scan data to generate a 3D representation of the user's feet, such as a 3D model or other representation. The footwear service may also obtain other information about the user, such as user preferences, orthotics data, information identifying an activity that the user participates in and so on. The footwear service may determine a footwear recommendation for the user based on the 3D representation of the user's feet, footwear data describing a footwear item, the user preferences and/or other information. |
| US09648925B2 |
Footwear devices
Footwear devices having various shock absorbing configurations situated in the heal of the footwear and a plurality of regions on the bottom of the footwear defined by a plurality of compressibilities. |
| US09648918B2 |
Personal item protector apparatus
An apparatus and a system for support and/or holder for implements, and more specifically, for the securement and transport of personal items such as eyewear is provided. The apparatus may be used with a shirt. For example, the shirt can include a first protector pocket attached to the shirt, the first protector pocket including a pull tab loop with an open portion in the center. The shirt can also include a second protector pocket attached to the shirt, the second protector pocket including a vertical loop. A first shorter pocket can be in front of a second taller pocket. The pocket can include a notch such as a semi-circular notch, a rectangular notch formed on the face of the pocket or a notch that is formed on the side of the pocket and defined by two areas of stitching, one above the notch and a second below the notch. |
| US09648908B1 |
E-vaping device
An e-vaping device includes a first section capable of containing a liquid material. The first section includes a heater capable of vaporizing the liquid material, and a wick capable of drawing the liquid material to the heater. A male threaded connection with non-standard male threads is on one end of the first section. The e-vaping device also includes a second section with a power supply. The second section includes a female threaded connection on one end, where the female threaded connection includes female threads that mate with the non-standard male threads of the first section. |
| US09648906B2 |
Cigarette dispensing device
A cigarette dispensing device includes a case provided with a lid including a closure element controlled by an electric actuator, an electronic plate, and a rechargeable battery for powering the electronic plate and the electric actuator. The opening of the case is actuated using an application installed on a mobile terminal. The application is designed to: receive a request for the remote opening of the case from the user; establish a variable delay time between the case opening request from the user and the transmission of an opening command to the case via a wireless communication; and, during the variable delay time, transmit an information message to the screen of the mobile terminal. |
| US09648903B2 |
Oral moist smokeless tobacco products with net-structured gel coating and methods of making
Oral tobacco products having a gel-coating and methods for making are provided. The method includes (a) molding a portion of tobacco material to form a pre-portioned piece of tobacco material, the tobacco material comprising moist smokeless tobacco; (b) contacting the pre-portioned piece of tobacco material with a gel-coating solution to form a gel-coating comprising at least one polymer on an outer surface of the pre-portioned piece of tobacco material to form a gel-coated oral tobacco product, said gel-coating comprising an inner surface disposed around the pre-portioned piece of tobacco material and an outer surface; and (c) forming one ore more of perforations, uncoated areas and holes in the gel-coating of the oral tobacco product to form a gel-coated oral tobacco product. |
| US09648896B2 |
Machine with engageable tank for ice creams, granita or iced beverages
A machine for producing and dispensing products such as ice cream, iced beverages or granita comprises a removable product-containing tank which is provided at its front end with a tap for dispensing the product and which, via its rear opening, sealingly houses a cooling element with a substantially horizontal axis and a motor-driven mixer element. The tank is removable from the machine by means of extraction from its operating position in a disassembly direction which is substantially parallel to the axis of the cooling element, and snap-engaging means for locking the movement of the tank are provided between the tank and its seat on the base of the machine, said means being able to be manually released by means of operation of at least one operating lever. |
| US09648895B2 |
Emulsion whippable at room-temperature
The present invention relates to an oil-in-water emulsion for whipped cream and to a whipped cream obtained by whipping the emulsion. In particular, the present invention relates to a stabilized whippable oil-in-water emulsion upon increasing the trilaurin triglyceride content of its oily phase, and to the stabilized cream obtained by whipping the emulsion. The present invention further relates to the methods for obtaining this emulsion and this cream, and to the uses of an oil-in-water emulsion according to the invention or of the stabilized cream according to the invention. |
| US09648889B2 |
Liquid-egg replacement composition
A composition having a blend that has 60-80% by weight dried whole egg; 20-40% by weight whey protein concentrate; 1-2% by weight xanthan gum; 0.3-0.7% by weight cream of tartar; and 0.1-0.2% by weight salt. |
| US09648884B2 |
Sodium bicarbonate product
A sodium bicarbonate product comprises particles containing sodium bicarbonate and an organic material that is a solid at ambient temperature. The particles have a structure comprised of individual crystallites of sodium bicarbonate attached together in the particle. More than 95% by volume of the particles have a size less than 200 μm. Particles of the product are hollow and are formed of an outer shell of the crystallites. The product may be used, for example, as a leavening agent in the production of cooked foods. The product may be produced by spray drying a solution or slurry dissolved organic material and dissolved sodium bicarbonate. The sodium bicarbonate may be present as a suspension. |
| US09648881B2 |
Herbicidal composition comprising nicosulfuron or its salt and S-metolachlor or its salt
At present, various herbicidal compositions have been developed and use, but there are a variety of types of weeds to be controlled, and their development lasts for a long period of time. Thus, a herbicidal composition having a broad herbicidal spectrum, having high activity and having a long-lasting effect has been desired.The present invention relates to a herbicidal composition comprising (a) nicosulfuron or its salt and (b) S-metolachlor or its salt. According to the present invention, a herbicidal composition having a broad herbicidal spectrum, having high activity and having a long-lasting effect can be provided. |
| US09648870B2 |
Antimicrobial composite material and method for fabricating the same
An antimicrobial composite material and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The antimicrobial composite material includes a porous material, a chelating agent, and a multivalent metal ion. The chelating agent is chemically bonded to the porous material, and the multivalent metal ion is chemically bonded to the chelating agent. |
| US09648867B1 |
In-ground blind
A portable pit-type hunting blind of thermoplastic exterior which can be carried and placed into a dug hole, providing a securable preserved cavity of variable depth, and rotatable seat proximate to the earth's surface. |
| US09648862B1 |
Telescoping spider web removal brush
The telescoping spider web removal brush is a device that eliminates spider webs and spiders. Specifically, as the webs are brushed away a pesticide is applied to the area to eradicate the spiders associated with the web. The telescoping spider web removal brush is comprised of a brush, a pesticide application system and a telescopic wand. |
| US09648861B2 |
Device for killing bed bugs
A system for killing bed bugs located on the exterior crevices of an item includes a housing divided into an upper housing area and a lower housing area, front and rear flap covering apertures located in the front and rear, respectively, of the upper housing area, a horizontally disposed motorized conveyor that is located within the upper housing area, at least one heating element located in the upper housing area, two or more UV lamps located in the upper housing area, and a fan located in the upper housing area. The heating elements, one of the UV lamps, and the fan are located below the conveyor. |
| US09648858B2 |
Net with snare closure
A hand-held underwater net assembly with a snare closure that easily and rapidly closes the netting to prevent fish and crustaceans from escaping. The net assembly ideally includes a brightly colored net closure cord which serves to draw the netting together and close the netting when the snare handle and telescopic draw stem are proximally pulled outward and retracted by a user. The extension of the handle of the net assembly, pulls the netting into a closed position. The brightly colored net closure cord makes it easy for the underwater user to determine when the net is in the closed position and the catch is securely contained within the netting. |
| US09648844B2 |
Curd maker and refrigerator having the same
A refrigerator having a curd maker to make curd directly disposed in a refrigerating compartment wherein curd is made by the curd maker disposed in the refrigerating compartment and is kept fresh. The refrigerator includes a curd maker provided in a refrigerating compartment to ferment milk into curd, wherein the curd maker includes a case including an outer case forming an external appearance of the case and an inner case provided in the outer case, an insulation member provided between the outer case and the inner case, a curd container received in the inner case to store milk, a heater provided between the inner case and the insulation member to heat the curd container, a fan to supply cool air from the refrigerating compartment to the curd container to cool the curd container, and a temperature sensor to measure temperature in the curd maker. |
| US09648843B2 |
Automated system for applying disinfectant to the teats of dairy livestock
A method for operating a robotic arm, comprises determining a speed of rotation of a rotary milking platform, the rotary milking platform having a stall for a dairy livestock. The method continues by moving a carriage along a track positioned adjacent to the rotary milking platform at a rate that is based at least in part upon the determined speed of rotation of the rotary milking platform, wherein the carriage moves independently of the rotary milking platform and in a direction corresponding to a direction of rotation of the rotary milking platform. The method continues by extending a robotic arm that is coupled to the carriage between the legs of the dairy livestock, wherein the robotic arm remains extended between the legs of the dairy livestock for a period of time as the stall rotates adjacent to the robotic arm. The method concludes by retracting the robotic arm from between the legs of the dairy livestock as the stall rotates adjacent to the robotic arm. |
| US09648839B2 |
System and method for determining whether to operate a robot in conjunction with a rotary milking platform based on detection of a milking claw
A system comprises a robotic arm operable to extend between the legs of a dairy livestock located in a milking stall of a rotary milking platform, a camera operable to generate an image signal corresponding to a rear of the dairy livestock, and a controller communicatively coupled to the robotic arm and the camera. The controller determines whether a milking claw is attached to the teats of the dairy livestock by receiving the image signal generated by the camera and processing the image signal. If it is determined based on the image signal that the milking claw is not attached, the controller controls the robotic arm to extend between the legs of the dairy livestock. If it is determined based on the image signal that the milking claw is attached, the controller controls the robotic arm not to extend between the legs of the dairy livestock. |
| US09648837B1 |
Maize inbred PH2FV2
A novel maize variety designated PH2FV2 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH2FV2 with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH2FV2 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 PH2FV2 or a locus conversion of PH2FV2 with another maize variety. |
| US09648835B1 |
Soybean cultivar 53030521
A soybean cultivar designated 53030521 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 53030521, to the plants of soybean cultivar 53030521, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 53030521, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 53030521. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 53030521. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 53030521, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 53030521 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US09648833B1 |
Garden bean variety PV-813
A novel garden bean variety, designated PV-813, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of garden bean variety PV-813, to the plants of garden bean line PV-813 and to methods for producing a bean plant by crossing the variety PV-813 with itself or another bean line. The invention further relates to methods for producing a bean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other garden bean lines derived from the variety PV-813. |
| US09648832B1 |
Soybean cultivar 48160931
A soybean cultivar designated 48160931 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 48160931, to the plants of soybean cultivar 48160931, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 48160931, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 48160931. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 48160931. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 48160931, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 48160931 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US09648817B2 |
Sunflower hybrid NHW11915
A hybrid sunflower, designated NHW11915, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of hybrid sunflower NHW11915, to the plants of hybrid sunflower NHW11915 and to methods for producing a sunflower plant by crossing the cultivar NHW11915 with itself or another sunflower. The invention further relates to methods for producing a sunflower plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic sunflower plants and plant parts produced by those methods and to methods for producing other hybrid sunflower derived from hybrid sunflower NHW11915. |
| US09648812B2 |
Mushroom line J10102-s69 and methods and uses therefor
A culture comprising at least one set of the chromosomes of the Agaricus bisporus line J10102-s69, the culture of the line J10102-s69 having been deposited under the NRRL Accession Number 50893, wherein said chromosomes comprise all of the alleles of the line J10102-s69 at the sequence-characterized marker loci listed in Table I. Methods are provided for introducing a desired trait into a culture of Agaricus bisporus line J10102-s69, as well as methods and processes for producing hybrid mushroom cultures. A method of mushroom strain development is further provided. |
| US09648804B2 |
Knife arm assembly for a sickle
The knife arm assembly for connecting a sickle drive to the knife of a sickle, has a knife arm including a cavity and an opening at one end that holds a bearing for receiving a knife pin of the sickle, and a shoulder extending at least partially about and defining a second opening at an opposite end of the cavity smaller than the first opening, and a plug disposed in the second end of the cavity adjacent the end of the bearing and enclosing the second opening, the plug being configured to be forceably movable through the cavity toward the first opening and against the bearing for forcing the bearing from the knife arm, providing easy serviceability, protection from dirt, dust, and other contaminants. |
| US09648803B2 |
Bi-fold hoods for agricultural equipment
A foldable top cover for an agricultural mower that includes first and second generally planar cover portions connected by an intermediately positioned hinge that reduces the required overhead clearance necessary for opening the top cover. The hinge connection axis is offset in a first direction from the from plane of the cover portions and further includes hinge stops on the first and section portions that limit the hinge motion so that the first and second portions are maintained in a generally co-planar arrangement when in an operating position but may be folded in a direction opposite to the offset direction of the hinge connection thereby allowing the top cover to be compactly repositioned for service access to the mower. |
| US09648801B2 |
Air seeding cart and manifold for same
In a method of operating a seed cart, a compartment is provided defining a volume for receiving a commodity. A distribution manifold is provided including two sets of passages, the distribution manifold being associated with the compartment to selectively receive a commodity in one or both of the two sets of passages. A fan is operated to create an air stream. The air stream from the fan is divided into a plurality of primary tubes. An inlet divider plenum is provided having two outlets in communication with each one of the primary tubes. The flow of air from each of the plurality of primary tubes is divided amongst the two corresponding outlets with a corresponding movable vane within the inlet divider plenum such that an airflow ratio between the two sets of passages is controlled in response to the position of the vane. |
| US09648800B2 |
Row unit for a seeding machine with dual seed meters
A row unit for a seeding machine includes a frame and first and second seed meters. The first seed meter has a first metering member for singulating seeds, and the second seed meter has a second metering member for singulating seeds. A conveyor having a conduit defining a path for receiving seeds from the first and second seed meters is configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine. A wall is movably mounted with respect to the frame between a first position and a second position. In the first position the wall intersects the path of the conduit for guiding a seed into the conduit, and in the second position the wall is spaced from the path of the conduit. |
| US09648796B1 |
Skid steer attachment
A skid steer prying attachment device facilitates removal of large rocks or the like embedded in the ground. The device includes a frame having a top side, a bottom side, and a pair of lateral sides coupled to and extending between the top side and the bottom side. The frame is substantially planar having a forward face and a rearward face. A connector is coupled to the frame wherein the frame is configured for being coupled to a skid steer such that the forward face faces outwardly from the skid steer. A tongue is coupled to and extends from the frame outwardly from the forward face of the frame. A wedge is coupled to and extends from a distal end of the tongue relative to the frame. |
| US09655295B2 |
Attachment for feeder installation and method for feeder installation
A feeder installing attachment includes: a main body portion including attachment side fitting parts provided on a lower surface thereof and having an installing compatibility with first feeder side fitting parts provided on a lower surface of a first tape feeder; and second feeder installing slots formed on an upper surface of the main body portion and engaging with second feeder side fitting parts provided on a lower surface of a second tape feeder having a standard width smaller than that of the first tape feeder. In a state where the attachment is mounted, an array pitch of the second feeder installing slots is smaller than an array pitch of the base side installing slots, and becomes an array pitch corresponding to the standard width of the second tape feeder. |
| US09655285B2 |
Power supply system and method of managing the same
A power supply system for a data center includes a cooling circuit, an electrochemical power generator, a sensor, and a processor. The cooling circuit includes a fluid configured to receive heat energy generated by a server located in the data center. The electrochemical power generator is configured to receive and/or generate the fluid of the cooling circuit and to generate electrical energy for the server using the fluid. The sensor is configured to obtain data regarding the server. The processor is configured to control an amount of heat energy transferred from the server to the fluid based on the data. |
| US09655284B2 |
Modular fan assembly
A modular fan assembly for use in a multi-device storage enclosure. In some embodiments, the fan assembly has a rigid open frame with opposing first and second ends. A first fan is connected to the first end and a second fan is connected to the second end. The first and second fans are configured to establish a fluidic airflow through the frame. An airflow diverter positioned in an intermediate portion of the frame between the first and second ends divert at least a portion of the fluidic airflow through a first aperture of the frame to cool an active element outside the frame. |
| US09655283B2 |
Submerged datacenter
The subject disclosure is directed towards a submerged datacenter, which may be made up of modules, into a body of water such as the ocean. The submersion facilitates cooling of the datacenter as well as providing protection of the datacenter from environmental conditions that exist at or near the surface. Power may be generated from the datacenter heat, and power generated by or near the body of water (e.g., via waves, tides, wind, currents, temperature differences) may be used to help power the datacenter. |
| US09655281B2 |
Modular cooling system
Technologies for modular cooling systems for cooling electronic components installed in equipment racks are provided herein. A modular cooling system comprises a cold plate and a support manifold connected to the cold plate. Together, the support manifold and cold plate define a fluid path for cooling fluid from the support manifold to the cold plate. The modular cooling system also includes an equipment carrier including equipment cooled by the cold plate. |
| US09655278B2 |
Slim fan structure
A slim fan structure includes a fan frame, a top cover closed to a top of the fan frame to define a receiving space in the fan frame, a stator assembly mounted in the receiving space, and a hub fitted around the stator assembly. The fan frame has opposite first and third sides forming an air inlet and an air outlet, respectively, and opposite second and fourth sides having a first and a second side wall formed thereon, respectively. The first side wall includes a protruded portion laterally extended toward the air inlet, and the second side wall includes a stop portion located adjacent to the air outlet. With the air inlet and the air outlet formed on two lateral sides of the fan frame, the slim fan structure has an effectively reduced overall thickness and does not produce noise during operation to largely upgrade the operational performance thereof. |
| US09655276B2 |
Rack control module
A rack control module including a pair of mounting braces for mounting the RCM on a handle of a power supply unit (PSU). The PSU may be mounted on a server rack. The RCM also includes a latch disposed in proximity to the pair of mounting brace. Upon mounting the RCM on the handle of the PSU, the latch locks the RCM in an engaged position with the handle of the PSU. |
| US09655267B2 |
Retractable display system and method of use
A retractable display configured as a plurality of interlinked display subassemblies or panels, a transport box having a lid configured to enclose the display system, the box or subassemblies having a rack system configured to support the plurality of linked display subassemblies in the transport box, a lift mechanism configured to assemble and disassemble the plurality of releasably interlinked display subassemblies into a seamless display, and an alignment system configured to align one display subassembly with a neighboring display subassembly and thus, functions as a rugged self-contained transport box of a plurality of interlinked display subassemblies capable of automated assembly into a seamless display larger than its transport box. |
| US09655265B2 |
Electronic module
An electronic module is provided, comprising an electronic chip arranged in the electronic module and comprising an input terminal and an output terminal; a first current path electrically connected to the input terminal; a second current path electrically connected to the output terminal; and an insulation arranged between the first current path and the second current path, wherein the first current path and the second current path extend in the same direction and arranged in close proximity to each other. |
| US09655264B2 |
All-weather enclosure for flat panel displays
A lightweight, weatherproof, protective enclosure for flat panel displays comprising a containing element in the form of an open, shallow rectangular prism with a regular network of shallow reinforcing depressions formed in its outer surface and a substantially transparent planar viewing element hingedly connected to the containing element such that when the viewing element is closed over, and sealed to, the containing element the protective enclosure forms a lightweight, monocoque structure with enhanced structural rigidity. |
| US09655260B2 |
Housing for an electronic device and electronic device
A housing for an electronic device includes a double-walled frame, wherein the double-walled frame substantially includes a first wall and a second wall, where the first wall forms an outer wall here, where the first wall is formed in two parts, where a first wall part of the first wall and a second wall part of the first wall are arranged relative to one another such that with a force acting on the frame from the outside, the first wall part can be shifted over the second wall part by overcoming a frictional force that is present between the two wall parts. |
| US09655256B2 |
Electronic circuit boards fastened at a frame
An electronic circuit, comprising at least three circuit boards (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) fastened at a frame (1) and electrically connected via contact pins (7) arranged therein, and an electric connection (11), connected to a third of the circuit boards (2.1). The circuit shall show a low structural space and here be cost-effective in its production and assembly. The circuit boards (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) are arranged in levels parallel in reference to each other and are fastened at a predetermined mutual distance at the frame (1), with bases (4, 5, 6) being embodied at the faces of the frame (1), with the ends being parallel to the faces of at least two of the bases (4, 5, 6) in one level, arranged in groups, and with the embodiment of the frame (1) and the circuit boards (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) being adjusted to each other. |
| US09655251B2 |
Backdrilling method, and backdrilling apparatus
The present invention aims to provide a backdrilling method and a backdrilling apparatus that can ensure the backdrilling depth accuracy. Using a multilayer printed wiring board in which a reference depth detection region is allocated where a reference depth detection layer is formed in the same layer with an internal wiring layer electrically connected to a stub, the thickness and the depth of the reference depth detection layer are measured in the reference depth detection region using a drill bit. The drill bit is moved relative to the multilayer printed wiring board to a backdrilling portion. The drilling is performed using the drill bit to the depth which is calculated using the ratio of the depth of the reference depth detection layer to the thickness of the multilayer printed wiring board in the reference depth detection region. |
| US09655249B2 |
Substrate with built-in capacitor and method for manufacturing substrate with built-in capacitor
A substrate with a built-in capacitor includes an insulating base material layer, a build-up layer formed on the insulating base material layer and including a conductor layer and an insulating layer, and a multilayer ceramic capacitor positioned in an opening of the base material layer and including internal electrodes, ceramic dielectric layers and a pair of external electrodes. The ceramic capacitor has a cuboid shape having long sides and short sides, the pair of external electrodes is formed on opposing long-side sides such that the external electrodes are separated by a distance in range of 30 μm to 200 μm and that each external electrode includes a conductive paste layer connected to a respective group of the internal electrodes and a copper plated layer covering the conductive paste layer, and the conductive paste layer includes Ni paste or Cu paste including glass component in range of 5% to 40%. |
| US09655244B1 |
Flexible electronic device and method for manufacturing the same
A flexible electronic device includes a first flexible substrate, a first electronic component, a second flexible substrate, a second electronic component and an adhesive layer disposed between the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate. The first electronic component is disposed on a first surface of the first flexible substrate. The second electronic component is disposed on a first surface of the second flexible substrate. The first surface of the first flexible substrate has a first FPC bonding area having an orthogonal projection projected on a plane where the second flexible substrate is located does not overlap the second flexible substrate. The first surface of the second flexible substrate has a second FPC bonding area having an orthogonal projection projected on a plane where the first flexible substrate is located does not overlap the first flexible substrate. |
| US09655236B2 |
Method to make a multilayer circuit board with intermetallic compound and related circuit boards
A method for making a multilayer circuit board from circuit board layers, each including a dielectric layer and conductive traces thereon including a first metal. The method includes forming a through-via in a first circuit board layer, plating the through-via with the first metal, and coating a second metal onto the first metal of the first circuit board layer, the plated through-via, and the first metal. The method also includes aligning the first and second circuit board layers together so that the plated through-via of the first circuit board layer is adjacent a feature on the second circuit board layer, and heating and pressing the aligned first and second circuit board layers so as to laminate the dielectric layers together and form an intermetallic compound of the first and second metals bonding adjacent metal portions. |
| US09655232B2 |
Spanning tree protocol (STP) optimization techniques
Systems and approaches are provided for optimizing the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) in a switched network. STP port type for a network infrastructure device can be controlled based on the dynamically discovered neighbor device type of the directly connected peer of the device using the Link Level Discovery Protocol (LLDP). LLDP can provide system capabilities of a link level peer to identify whether the link level peer is a host or a network infrastructure device. In various embodiments, the exchange of system capabilities can the trigger the configuration of an STP port as a network port for ports connected to network infrastructure devices or edge ports for ports directly connected to host devices. |
| US09655231B2 |
Compensating for intra-pair skew in differential signaling
A circuit may be configured to reduce electrical signal degradation. The circuit may include a first trace and a second trace that may be broadside coupled between a first ground plane and a second ground plane. The first and second traces may be configured to carry first and second signals, respectively, of a differential signal. The circuit may also include a first dielectric material disposed between the first trace and the second trace. Further, the circuit may include a second dielectric material disposed between the first trace and the first ground plane and disposed between the second trace and the second ground plane. A difference between a first dielectric constant of the first dielectric material and a second dielectric constant of the second dielectric material may suppress a mode conversion of the differential signal from a differential mode to a common mode. |
| US09655230B2 |
Electromagnetic noise filter device and equivalent filter circuit thereof
The present invention is related to an electromagnetic noise filter device and an equivalent filter circuit thereof. The filter device comprises a substrate, a transmission line and a ground plane having slotted ground structure. The transmission line is configured on the top surface of the substrate, and the grounding plane is configured on the bottom surface of the substrate. At least one pair of impedance elements are configured within the slotted ground structure. The transmission line can be electromagnetic coupled to the slotted ground structure and the impedance elements so as to form an equivalent filter circuit. Thereby, the electromagnetic noises on at least one specific frequency may be absorbed by the impedance elements of the filter device so as to avoid the electromagnetic reflection induced by the electromagnetic noise and interfering the signal transmitted on the transmission line. |
| US09655229B2 |
Circuit board
A circuit board includes a first thermally conductive structure comprising a cavity or a recess portion. At least a portion of the first thermally conductive structure is inserted into an insulating part. An electronic device comprising a portion thereof inserted in the cavity or the recess portion. |
| US09655225B2 |
Method and system for controlling convection within a plasma cell
A plasma cell for controlling convection includes a transmission element configured to receive illumination from an illumination source in order to generate a plasma within a plasma generation region of the volume of gas. The transmission element of the plasma cell is at least partially transparent to at least a portion of the illumination generated by the illumination source and at least a portion of broadband radiation emitted by the plasma. The plasma cell also includes one or more gas return channels formed within the transmission element for transferring gas from a region above the plasma generation region to a region below the plasma generation region. |
| US09655223B2 |
RF system, magnetic filter, and high voltage isolation for an inductively coupled plasma ion source
In a plasma ion source having an induction coil adjacent to a reactor chamber for inductively coupling power into the plasma from a radio frequency power source and designed for negative and positive ion extraction, a method for operating the source according to the invention comprises providing radio frequency power to the induction coil with a RF amplifier operating with a variable frequency connected to a matching network mainly comprised of fixed value capacitors. In this device the impedance between the RF power source and the plasma ion source is matched by tuning the RF frequency rather than adjusting the capacitance of the matching network. An option to use a RF power source utilizing lateral diffused metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor based amplifiers is disclosed. |
| US09655219B2 |
On line automatic detection of the time phase of the threshold voltage of a lighting load and its application in lighting management
The present disclosure discloses a method based on microcontroller circuit and software codes to on line automatically detect the time phase of the threshold voltage of a lighting load in each AC half-cycle. This automatic detection capability enables a dimmer circuit of a lighting apparatus to establish a dimmer working range from the self-detected time phase of threshold voltage of the lighting load. The lighting apparatus can be operated with different types of lighting loads to perform a full dimming range from 0% to 100% of maximum lighting output. Therefore, the dimmer circuit makes possible both the lighting fixtures and the users refrained from dimming difficulties caused by different types of lighting loads with different threshold voltages. The design concept can be extended to manage illuminations in a two-level security light on a simple software basis without resorting to complex electric circuits. |
| US09655215B1 |
System and method for ensuring minimal control delay to grouped illumination devices configured within a wireless network
A lighting control system and method is disclosed for not only controlling visual content loaded within a group set of illumination devices configured within a wireless network, but also for ensuring minimal control delay to those grouped devices. The lighting control system can include a lighting controller device that controls a plurality of lamps within a mesh network, not only to group those lamps but also to assign content to lamps within that group. The combination of a guaranteed groupcast to each of the group of lamps and an acknowledge back from those lamps that is aggregated over a single path achieves the improved lighting control system disclosed herein. |
| US09655214B1 |
Device, system and method for controlling visual content loaded into a grouped set of illumination devices configured within a wireless network
A lighting control system and method is disclosed for not only controlling visual content loaded within a group set of illumination devices configured within a wireless network, but also for ensuring minimal control delay to those grouped devices. The lighting control system can include a lighting controller device that controls a plurality of lamps within a mesh network, not only to group those lamps but also to assign content to lamps within that group. The combination of a guaranteed groupcast to each of the group of lamps and an acknowledge back from those lamps that is aggregated over a single path achieves the improved lighting control system disclosed herein. |
| US09655213B2 |
Modular wireless lighting control
A modular wireless lighting control device includes a wireless interface device that includes a wireless transceiver, a first controller, and a power supply. The wireless transceiver is in electrical communication with the first controller. The wireless interface device receives lighting control instructions wirelessly via the wireless transceiver. The modular wireless lighting control device further includes a lighting control device in electrical communication with the wireless communication device. The lighting control device includes a second controller and control interface circuitry. The control interface circuitry is compatible with a light fixture. |
| US09655199B2 |
Four component phosphorescent OLED for cool white lighting application
A light emitting system is provided including a first organic light emitting device. The first organic light emitting device includes an anode, a cathode, a first organic emitting layer disposed between the anode and the cathode, and a second organic emitting layer disposed between the anode and the cathode. The first organic emitting layer and the second organic emitting layer each include an emissive dopant having a peak wavelength of between 400 to 500 nanometers, but one of the peak wavelength of one of the dopants is at least 4 nm less than the peak wavelength of the other dopant. The first organic emitting layer and the second organic emitting layer may overlap each other, such as being disposed one over the other. The device may be used in white light or multi-color systems. |
| US09655196B2 |
Color temperature adjusting method of solid state light emitting device
A color temperature adjusting method of solid state light emitting device, including steps: providing a main light source which emits main light of a first color temperature; providing an adjusting light source, wherein the adjusting light source comprises a red light source, a green light source and a blue light source; and adjusting currents applied to the adjusting light sources to obtain an adjusting light, wherein the adjusting light mixes with the main light of the main light source to obtain an outgoing light of a second color temperature. The second color temperature is different from the first color temperature. The outgoing light has a chromaticity coordinate at a Plank's curve on a CIE 1931 chromaticity coordinates chart. |
| US09655193B2 |
Lighting unit providing reduced intensity light output based on user proximity and related methods
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for lighting control. Reduced intensity light output is provided from one or more light sources (100, 300, 400) based on user proximity. Providing reduced intensity light output from the light sources based on user proximity may facilitate user interaction with a user interface (140, 340, 440) that enables control of the light sources and/or additional light sources. For example, the reduced intensity light output may make viewing of and/or interaction with the user interface more pleasant that non-reduced intensity light output. |
| US09655189B2 |
LED light control and management system
An LED light and communication system is in communication with a broadband over power line communications system. The LED light and communication system includes at least one optical transceiver light fixture. The optical transceiver light fixture includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, at least one photodetector, and a processor. A facility management unit is in communication with the processor. The facility management unit is constructed and arranged to control the operation of the optical transceiver light fixture. |
| US09655188B1 |
Illumination device and method for independently controlling power delivered to a load from dimmers having dissimilar phase-cut dimming angles
An illumination device and method are provided for controlling light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs (specifically, the LED loads) are controlled, e.g., brightness and color of the LED loads, independent of a phase-cut dimmer applied to the AC mains feeding a DC power supply. The power supply is active dependent upon the duration of a conduction angle supplied from the dimmer. The power supply, however, produces drive currents that are independent from the conduction angle by using a two-stage power supply and a relatively slow and fast control loops that are controlled through a microprocessor based control circuit. Parameters stored in the control circuit are drawn by the microprocessor to control the two-stage power supply to produce the drive currents independent and decoupled from the conduction angle yet dependent on the controller parameters. |
| US09655186B2 |
Emergency lighting system for an aircraft and aircraft comprising such emergency lighting system
An emergency lighting system for an aircraft includes an emergency light control unit, having an external power input and at least one external control input for receiving external control commands from at least one of a cockpit crew, a cabin crew, a board computer and an autopilot, and a plurality of autonomous emergency light units, each of the plurality of autonomous emergency light units comprising at least one LED and a rechargeable capacitor. The emergency light control unit is configured to process the external control commands and to communicate emergency light control commands to the plurality of autonomous emergency light units as a response to the external control commands. |
| US09655168B2 |
Electrical barrier for wax warmer
A wax warmer includes a body, an electrical assembly positioned within an interior space of the body, and a sleeve positioned within the interior space. The sleeve surrounds and provides a barrier to the electrical assembly. |
| US09655166B2 |
Data bundling and fast dormancy based upon intelligent application learning
Data bundling and fast dormancy controls are provided based on application monitoring and classification. Moreover, a balance is enabled between saving battery power of a user equipment (UE) and reducing signaling and processing load in a radio resource controller (RRC). For instance, a system can observe data flow related behavior of applications on the UE. On receiving a first data flow request, an arrival time of a next data flow request is predicted based on an analysis of the behavior, and the system determines whether the two data flows can be bundled together and transmitted over a single connection. Additionally, on completion of the first data flow, the arrival time of the next data flow request is predicted based on the analysis, and the system determines whether a fast dormancy timer can be disabled to transmit the next data flow over the current connection. |
| US09655161B2 |
Auxiliary information reporting and information sending method and device
The embodiments of this application relate to the field of wireless communications. Disclosed are an auxiliary information reporting and information sending method and device, so that a target base station can acquire the latest auxiliary information of a user equipment (UE) and then can provide the most reasonable configuration for the UE. In this application, the UE reports the auxiliary information to a source base station, and determines whether it is required to re-report the auxiliary information in a target cell; if determining that it is required to re-report the auxiliary information in the target cell, the user equipment reports the auxiliary information to the target base station after being switched to the target cell. It can be seen that, in this solution, the target base station can acquire the latest auxiliary information of the UE, so as to provide the most reasonable configuration for the UE. |
| US09655160B2 |
Maximization of scheduling opportunities in in-device coexistence interference scenarios
The invention relates to methods for avoiding in-device coexistence (IDC) interference in a mobile terminal in a mobile communication system, apparatus for performing these methods, and computer readable media instructions to cause the apparatus to perform the methods. In order to avoid IDC interference, an IDC interference indication is reported for at least one of a first cell and a second cell on which an interference condition is detected. In response, an activation/deactivation pattern is received for at least one of the first and second cells for which the interference condition is detected. The activation/deactivation pattern indicates an off-duration and an offset specifying a time-period during which communication via the at least one of the first and second cells is to be deactivated. According to the activation/deactivation pattern, first and second subframes are determined, at which the communication via the at least one of the first and second cells is to be deactivated and re-activated, respectively. |
| US09655157B1 |
Multiple user multiple input multiple output pairing in a network
A method and system for providing MU-MIMO pairings of mobile handsets in a network is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes facilitating MU-MIMO pairings of mobile handsets served by different transmitting/receiving components serving individual sectors of a base station using a central monitoring server and location information for each of the mobile handsets. In another embodiment, the method includes facilitating MU-MIMO pairings between mobile handsets served by different transmitting/receiving components in different sectors of coverage across separate access components using a central monitoring server and location information for each of the mobile handsets. |
| US09655155B2 |
Method and apparatus for establishing device-to-device connection in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for establishing a device-to-device (D2D) connection in a wireless communication system is provided. A network transmits a connection establishment request message to request of the D2D connection establishment to a first device and a second device, receives a connection establishment response message indicating whether to accept the request of the D2D connection establishment from the first device and the second device, and transmits a connection establishment confirm message to confirm the D2D connection establishment to a first device and a second device. The connection establishment request message includes at least one of a connection establishment type, a quality of (QoS) parameter for the D2D connection, and security information. |
| US09655153B2 |
Method and apparatus for notifying connection attributes for local internet protocol (IP) access
The invention discloses a method for notifying connection attributes of local IP access, comprising a mobility management element notifying the user terminal of connection attributes of the PDN connection in the procedure of establishing a PDN connection. The invention also discloses an apparatus for notifying connection attributes of local IP access, comprising: a determination unit for determining connection attributes of the PDN connection for user terminal in the process of establishing the PDN connection; a notification unit for notifying the user terminal of the connection attributes of the PDN connection. After determining the PDN connection to be established for UE, the mobility management element at the network side of the invention notifies the UE of the information of type and attribute of the PDN connection at the same time so as to facilitate the UE determining the corresponding access policy according to the attribute information of current PDN connection when moving. |
| US09655151B2 |
Wireless mesh network auto-forming in a multi-tenant environment
A wireless mesh access point (AP) determines a candidate set of Basic Service Set Identifiers (BSSIDs) or other unique identifiers by monitoring for detection of a set of wireless communications, each bearing a unique identifier. The AP selects a candidate unique identifier from the candidate set. The AP establishes a wireless communication link with a controller of a wireless mesh network associated with the candidate unique identifier. The AP transmits a request to the controller to join the wireless mesh network associated with the candidate unique identifier. The AP receives a response from the controller indicating either acceptance or rejection of the request. If the response indicates rejection, the AP rejects one or more unique identifiers in the candidate set in response to reason information included in the rejection. |
| US09655149B2 |
Wireless communication configuration method, wireless communication system, and recording device
A recording device 10 determines if a wireless LAN adapter AD was connected when the recording device 10 turned on; and monitors if a wireless LAN adapter AD becomes connected after the recording device 10 turned on. If the wireless LAN adapter AD is connected after the recording device 10 turns on and a password was previously set, the recording device 10 enables a wireless communication function and uses the previously set password for wireless communication through the wireless LAN adapter AD. If the wireless LAN adapter AD is connected after the recording device 10 turns on and a password was not previously set, the recording device 10 automatically generates a new password and enables the wireless communication function using the automatically generated password for wireless communication through the wireless LAN adapter AD. |
| US09655147B2 |
Method and apparatus for bearer control in a group call
A method and service network element are provided that control a distribution of multiple uplink bearers among multiple user devices participating in a group call. In response to receiving a trigger to reevaluate the multiple uplink bearers, one or more user devices of the multiple user devices are identified as candidates for de-allocation of uplink bearers based on a profile associated with each of the multiple user devices. Further, based on the profiles associated with each of the multiple user devices, one or more of the multiple user devices are identified as candidates for establishment of an uplink bearer. An uplink bearer, of the multiple uplink bearers, then is released from one or more of the user devices identified as candidates for de-allocation of uplink bearers, and an uplink bearer is established for one or more user devices identified as candidates for establishment of uplink bearers. |
| US09655146B2 |
Mobile communication method and mobile station
A radio base station PhNB managing a phantom cell is enabled to uniquely identify a mobile station UE in communication in the phantom cell. A mobile communication method according to the present invention includes starting, by the radio base station PhNB#10, a “Non-contention based RA procedure” or a “Contention based RA procedure” with a mobile station UE#1 in communication in a cell #10 under control of the radio base station PhNB#10; and notifying, by the mobile station UE#1, the radio base station PhNB#10 of a C-RNTImacro which is allocated in a cell #1 other than the cell #10. |
| US09655145B2 |
Wireless communication method for allocating clear channel, and wireless communication terminal using same
The present invention relates to a wireless communication method for clear channel assessment and a wireless communication terminal using the same, and more particularly, to a wireless communication method and a wireless communication terminal for performing efficient clear channel assessment based on BBS identifier information of non-legacy wireless LAN information. To this end, provided is a wireless communication method including: receiving a radio signal of a specific channel; measuring a signal strength of the received radio signal; and determining whether the specific channel is busy based on the measured signal strength and BSS identifier information of the radio signal. |
| US09655143B2 |
Random access method and signaling method for the same
A method is provided for performing a random access procedure by a Node-B with a specific user equipment (UE) within a cell in which a plurality of UEs are located together. The Node-B transmits a random access procedure configuration including a basic sequence index related with a random access channel and zero correlation zone (ZCZ) configuration. The Node-B receives a random access preamble corresponding to the random access procedure configuration from the UE over the random access channel. A length of a cyclic part and a length of a sequence part of the random access preamble are differently given based on the random access procedure configuration. The random access preamble is generated from Constant Amplitude Zero Auto-Correlation (CAZAC) sequences based on the basic sequence index by applying a length of a cyclic shift according to the ZCZ configuration. |
| US09655137B2 |
Method for transmitting/receiving data in a wireless access system and base station for same
A method is provided for receiving a signal by a user equipment (UE) using time division duplex (TDD) in a wireless communication system. The UE receives uplink (UL) grant information on a first cell, the UL grant information scheduling a UL transmission on a second cell. The UE transmits UL data in a UL subframe on the second cell via a physical UL shared channel based on the UL grant information. The UE receives hybrid automatic repeat and request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) information in a downlink (DL) subframe on the first cell. The first cell and the second cell have different TDD UL-DL configurations. The DL subframe on the first cell is determined based on a TDD UL-DL configuration of the second cell. |
| US09655132B2 |
Uplink interference mitigation in heterogeneous mobile networks
A method for controlling a heterogeneous wireless network (100) is proposed. The heterogeneous wireless network comprises at least one first base station (115) which manages communication of a plurality of first user equipments (125M) positioned in at least one first cell (105) and at least one second base station (120) which manages communication of a plurality of second user equipments (125p) positioned in at least one second cell (110). Moreover, in the heterogeneous network (100), for each first user equipment (125M) the at least one first base station (115) provides a respective first allocation information set over a respective first allocation time interval. Similarly, the at least one second base station (120) provides for each second user equipment (125p) a respective second allocation information set over a respective second allocation time interval. Furthermore, each first allocation information set and each second allocation information set define transmission resources for communications of each first user equipment (125M) and of each second user equipment (125M), respectively. In the heterogeneous wireless network (100), the at least one second cell (110) is at least partially comprised in the first cell (105). The method comprises the following steps. Said at least one first base station determines (305) a set of probably interfering first user equipments (125M) with at least one of the plurality of second user equipments (125p). Said step of determining the set of probably interfering first user equipments (125M) comprises the following steps. Comparing each second allocation information set with each first allocation information set having the first allocation time interval at least partially overlapped with the respective second allocation time interval, and identifying as a probably interfering first user equipment (125M) each first user equipment (125M) for which a correspondence is verified in said comparing allocation information sets. The method further comprises the following steps. Said at least one second base station (120) defines a detection time window in order to analyze univocal identifiers transmitted by probably interfering first user equipments (125M) in said set. The method comprises identifying (315) a subset of effectively interfering first user equipments (125M) with the plurality of second user equipments (125p). Said at least one first base station (115) modifies (325) said transmission resources for at least one first user equipment (125M) comprised in the subset of effectively interfering first user equipments (125M) in order to mitigate interferences. |
| US09655129B2 |
Bundling of packet acknowledgments as a function of the distance
A method and an apparatus for bundling data packet acknowledgments in a wireless communication device is disclosed. The method includes determining a metric proportional to a communication distance between the wireless communication device and a counterpart wireless communication device; selecting a number of data packet acknowledgments to be bundled together according to the determined communication distance such that when the communication distance is higher, the higher number of data packet acknowledgments are bundled together into a single acknowledgment message; and causing transmission of the acknowledgment message comprising the selected number of data packet acknowledgments. |
| US09655124B2 |
Policy and charging control (PCC) for NAT64 and DNS64
A mechanism for use by a subscription control node, one or more NAT64 nodes and/or DNS64 nodes to interact in a communications network with multiple user equipments (UEs) to control the UE usage of the NAT64 and/or DNS64 communications resources. The subscription control node includes subscription information for one or more of the UE(s), the subscription information for each UE including translation state usage information associated with one or more of the NAT64 nodes servicing the UE. The subscription control node collects translation state usage information from each NAT64 node, and identifies a set of one or more UE(s) exceeding a maximum translation state usage allocated to each of the multiple UEs based on the corresponding subscription information and the collected translation state usage information. The subscription information for the identified UEs is adjusted so the identified set of UE(s) meet the maximum translation state usage for each UE. |
| US09655123B1 |
Group management in multiuser communications
A first communication device measures respective receive power levels of signals transmitted by second communication devices in a plurality of second communication devices. The first communication device selects a group of two or more second communication devices from the plurality of second communication devices for simultaneous transmission of respective data to the first communication device, wherein the group is selected i) so that respective measured receive power levels of the signals from any two second communication devices in the group differ by no more than a predetermined amount, and ii) without instructing any second communication device in the group to adjust a transmit signal power level. The first communication device generates a communication frame that includes information indicative of the group, and transmits the communication frame to prompt the group to simultaneously transmit respective data to the first communication device. |
| US09655120B2 |
System and method for computing coverage set and resource allocation in wireless networks
The present disclosure discloses a network device and/or method for computing coverage set and resource allocations in wireless networks. The disclosed network device selects a radio frequency subdomain in a wireless network, and further determines a coverage set for the selected radio frequency subdomain. The coverage set includes a subset of access nodes in the selected radio frequency domain. Moreover, a respective access node in the radio frequency subdomain satisfies one of (a) the respective access node is a member of the coverage set, and (b) the respective access node is covered by at least one member of the coverage set with a signal strength stronger than a predetermined threshold. |
| US09655115B2 |
Communication method, communication device, and computer program
In order to solve a problem of an accumulation on the transmission side, a delay on the reception side, and the like at the time of transmission in a communication system such as a wireless LAN system, each communication station in a network transmits a beacon in which information with respect to the network is written and sets a state in which a reception operation is performed during periods of time before and after the transmission of the beacon signal when performing access control not to make communication timing of a packet collide with that of another station by detecting a signal transmitted from another station. With performing such processing, a system can be formed based on minimum level of transmission and reception operation when transmission and reception data does not exist in each communication station in the network, and also a data transfer can be performed with latency as small as possible in a minimum necessary level of transmission and reception operation by making a transition of a transmission and reception state in accordance with a fluctuating volume of transmission and reception data. |
| US09655114B1 |
Methods and apparatus to allocate bandwidth between subscribers of a communications network
Methods and apparatus to allocate bandwidth between subscribers of a communications network are disclosed. An example method to allocate bandwidth between subscribers of a communications network includes projecting that a first network data usage of a first subscriber of the network service provider will exceed a first data allotment for a first network access account of the first subscriber within a time period. The example method also includes identifying a second subscriber of the network service provider who is included in a subscriber group with the first subscriber and projected to have a second network data usage that is below a second data allotment for a second account of the second subscriber within that time period. The example method also includes requesting assent from the second subscriber to transfer a portion of the second data allotment to the first subscriber. The example method also includes, in response to receiving the assent from the second subscriber, transferring the portion of the second data allotment from the second account to the first account. |
| US09655112B2 |
Apparatus, system and method of communicating a wireless communication frame with a header
Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, devices, systems and methods of communicating a wireless communication frame. For example, a wireless station may generate a frame including a header portion, the header portion including a legacy header, followed by a first non-legacy header, the header portion including a first indication to indicate whether or not the header portion is to include a second non-legacy header following the first non-legacy header, the header portion including a second indication to indicate whether or not channel bonding is to be used; and process transmission of the frame to at least one second wireless station over a directional wireless communication band. |
| US09655111B2 |
Method for transmitting data, method for receiving data, and device
The present invention provides a method for transmitting data, a method for receiving data and a device. The transmitting method includes: transmitting, by an STA, characterizing information to an AP, the characterizing information is used to characterize a maximum transmission delay allowed by uplink data to be transmitted by the STA; receiving, by the STA, transmission time that is specified for the STA and returned by the AP within the maximum transmission delay allowed by the uplink data to be transmitted by the STA, wherein the transmission time is within a range of the maximum transmission delay allowed by the uplink data to be transmitted by the STA; and transmitting, by the STA, the uplink data to the AP within the transmission time. Technical solutions of the present invention solve a problem of data transmission in an emergency application scenario, and guarantee requirements placed by emergency data upon transmission delay. |
| US09655109B2 |
Channel state information reference resource indication and measurement method and device
The present application relates to the field of wireless communications. Disclosed are a channel state information (CSI) reference resource indication and measurement method and device, so as to reduce the complexity of measurement and computation performed by a terminal. In the solution provided by the embodiments of the present application, a network side informs a terminal of a periodic value and/or a subframe offset value of a periodic CSI reference resource, and after the periodic value and/or the subframe offset value of the periodic CSI reference resource on a carrier is determined, the terminal determines, through a frame structure type used by the carrier and according to the determined periodic value and/or subframe offset value of the periodic CSI reference resource, a time-frequency resource corresponding to the effective CSI reference resource and measures the CSI in the determined time-frequency resource. It can be seen from the above that, the solution can effectively reduce the complexity of measurement and computation performed by a terminal. |
| US09655104B1 |
Carrier aggregation scheduling based reordering density
Examples disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and software to limit the reordering of data packets at a wireless communication device during a communication. In one implementation, a wireless access node may measure reordering density factors related to component carriers providing a communication. Based on the reordering density factors, the access node may determine a packet reordering density, which is related to the number of packets that would be received by the wireless communication device in an undesirable order. Upon determining the packet reordering density, the wireless access node determines whether the density meets criteria and, if the density meets the criteria, generates a second carrier aggregation configuration based on available resources the component carriers. |
| US09655102B2 |
Interference control in a cellular communications network
A method of controlling interference in a cellular communications network comprises, in a first base station of the network: determining that the first base station is suffering from uncontrolled interference from at least one other base station of the network; based on information received from at least one other base station of the network regarding estimates of interference caused at the first base station by at least one user equipment device connected to the respective other base station, selecting a proposed action to mitigate said interference; and notifying the respective other base station of the selection of the proposed action. |
| US09655098B2 |
Micro base station, user terminal and radio communication method
The present invention is designed to reduce interference from a macro base station to a small transmission power node. The present invention is characterized in providing a micro base station which forms, in a macro cell where a macro base station transmits a signal to a macro terminal, a micro cell where the micro base station transmits a signal to a micro terminal under control with low power, and this micro base station generates a PDCCH which includes downlink or uplink resource allocation information, and, in a non-transmission period in which the macro base station stops transmitting signals while leaving minimal quality measurement signals, shifts the transmission starting symbol of the PDCCH to a position where the PDCCH does not overlap the quality measurement signals. |
| US09655096B2 |
Resource indexing for acknowledgement signals in response to receptions of multiple assignments
A method and apparatus for transmitting, by a user equipment, a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) are provided. The method includes identifying power of the HARQ-ACK based on transmission power control information in first downlink control information; identifying, for frequency division duplexing (FDD), a resource for transmission of the HARQ-ACK based on transmission power control information in second downlink control information for a secondary cell; and transmitting the HARQ-ACK based on the resource. |
| US09655093B2 |
Method for configuring resources, device, and system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for configuring resources, a device and a system. The method includes: generating resource configuration information (S201); carrying the resource configuration information in a media access control protocol data unit (MAC PDU) or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) signaling and sending to a user equipment, to enable the user equipment to perform uplink transmission according to the resource configuration information (S202). The method for configuring resources, the device and the system provided in the embodiments of the present invention can achieve fast physical layer radio resource configuration with a short delay. |
| US09655090B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating a radio link control protocol data unit for multi-carrier operation
Techniques and apparatus for efficiently determining the radio link control (RLC) protocol data unit (PDU) size and flexible RLC PDU creation for multi carrier operation are disclosed. An example wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) calculates a maximum amount of data allowed to be transmitted for a current transmission time interval (TTI) for each of a plurality of carriers, and selects an RLC PDU data field size such that each RLC PDU to be multiplexed to a medium access control (MAC) PDU matches a minimum of the maximum amount of data calculated for the carriers. The maximum amount of data may, for example, be calculated based on an applicable current grant for each carrier for the current TTI. The RLC PDU may be generated for the later TTI on a condition that an amount of data in outstanding pre-generated RLC PDUs for a particular logical channel is less than or equal to 4N times the minimum of the maximum amount of data allowed to be transmitted by the applicable current grant for the carriers for the current TTI, where N is a number of activated carriers. The maximum amount of data may be calculated based on a remaining power on each carrier. |
| US09655089B2 |
System and method for silent retry
A system and method for synchronizing the operation of a wireless mobile station (102) and a base station (104) includes receiving a message at the base station (104) indicating a state of operation of the wireless mobile station (102). A determination is made as to whether the base station (104) and the mobile station (102) are in synchronization based upon comparing the state of operation of the mobile station (102) and a state of operation of the base station (104). |
| US09655085B2 |
Resource block candidate selection technique employing packet scheduling in wireless communication systems
A method of transmitting data packets over a plurality of dynamically allocated resource blocks in at least one or a combination of a time, code or frequency domain on a shared channel of a wireless communication system, comprising the steps of selecting a number of resource block candidates for potential transmission of data packets destined for a receiver and transmitting the data packet to the receiver using at least one allocated resource block from the selected resource block candidates. The invention also relates to a corresponding method of decoding data packets, a transmitter, receiver and communication system. |
| US09655080B2 |
Wireless communication device, wireless communication system, wireless communication method and program
Provided is a wireless communication device which includes a notification information transmitting unit for transmitting, via a wireless communication network, notification information of the wireless communication device, a notification information receiving unit for receiving notification information transmitted from another device, a frequency switching unit for successively switching, at random cycles, a frequency at which the notification information is transmitted or a frequency at which the notification information is received, and a transmission processing unit for performing a data transmission process after transmitting or receiving an acknowledgement to the notification information to/from such other device. |
| US09655077B1 |
Device and method for cellular synchronization assisted location estimation
A device and method for determining the location of a cellular device, such as a mobile cell phone, utilizing a Timing Advance (TA) issued by one or more cellular base stations, such as an LTE or LTE-A enhanced NodeB (eNB), to the cellular device. |
| US09655073B2 |
Systems and methods for communicating with non-terrestrial electronic devices
Embodiments are provided for communicating with electronic devices traveling on an aircraft. According to certain aspects, a data center can examine registration data to identify a set of electronic devices that are traveling on a particular flight, and can retrieve relevant travel information associated with the set of electronic devices. In particular, the travel information may be general to the flight or may be related to a specific itinerary for one of the passengers. The data center may generate one or more text messages that are intended for one of more of the set of electronic devices. The data center may also transmit the text message(s) to an on-board network for delivery to the electronic device(s). |
| US09655072B2 |
Systems, apparatus and methods for synchronizing a global time reference for access points over the air
Methods and apparatus for synchronizing a global time reference for access points over the air are provided. In one aspect, a method for synchronizing a global time of an access point comprises receiving a message comprising a global time indication from a second access point. The method further includes updating the global time of the access point to the global time indication from the second access point by updating a timer of the access point by an increment not to exceed a predetermined value selected small enough to ensure a maintenance of synchronization between the access point and at least one associated wireless station. The global time of the access point is updated to the global time indication from the second access point when the global time indication from the second access point indicated a later global time than the global time of the access point. |
| US09655071B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing uplink synchronization in wireless communication system
This specification relates to an apparatus and method for performing random access in a wireless communication system. This specification discloses a mobile station, including a reception unit for receiving TAG configuration information on which at least one serving cell configured in the mobile station is classified as a Timing Alignment Group (TAG) from a base station and a transmission unit for transmitting a random access preamble to the base station on one representative serving cell within the TAG. In accordance with this specification, a procedure of obtaining a TAV for a serving cell in order to secure and maintain uplink timing synchronization becomes clear, the time taken to obtain uplink synchronization for a serving cell may be reduced, and overhead due to excessive random access attempts may be reduced by obtaining a TAV for a plurality of serving cells through one random access procedure. |
| US09655069B2 |
Dynamic transmitter calibration
A method includes generating an indicator of interference introduced by a transmitter into a spectrum of an output transmit signal outside a target channel of the transmitter. The indicator is generated based on the output transmit signal. The method includes adjusting a power level of the output transmit signal based on the indicator and a predetermined interference indicator level. The indicator may indicate a carrier-to-interference (C/I) ratio of the output transmit signal, and the adjusting comprises setting the power level of the output transmit signal to a maximum power level that maintains the C/I ratio of the output transmit signal above the predetermined interference indicator level. The output transmit signal may be based on a radio-frequency output of a power amplifier of the transmitter prior to transmission over a channel and the generating comprises generating a baseband version of the output transmit signal. |
| US09655064B2 |
Controlling power in non-licensed band
Provided are a method and an apparatus for controlling transmission power in a wireless communication system. A wireless device is connected to a first serving cell utilizing a licensed band and a second serving cell utilizing a non-licensed band. The transmission power from the second serving cell is determined by considering the clear channel assessment (CCA) coverage of the wireless device or the second serving cell. |
| US09655060B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling power in wireless communication system
Provided is a method and apparatus for controlling power in a wireless communication system. The method includes a transmitter transmits a signal to multiple receivers. The method also includes receiving a feedback signal including channel state information from each of the multiple receivers. The method also includes calculating a sum of received signal strengths of the feedback signal received from each of the multiple receivers. The method also includes determining a power control value by using the channel state information for each of the multiple receivers and the sum of the received signal strengths. The method also includes controlling a transmission power based on the determined power control value. |
| US09655056B2 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting transmission power of terminal as well as the terminal
A method for adjusting transmission power of a terminal includes: acquiring a distance between a human body and the terminal; retrieving, from a prestored table indicative of correspondence between distances and power adjustment values, a power adjustment value corresponding to the distance between the human body and the terminal; and adjusting transmission power of the terminal based on the power adjustment value. According to the method for adjusting transmission power of the terminal provided by the disclosure, antenna power output by the terminal is adjusted in real time according to the current distance between the human body and the terminal. |
| US09655054B2 |
Adapting blind reception duration for range and congestion
Methods, systems, and devices are described for adapting blind reception duration for range and congestion. A wireless station may measure channel conditions (e.g., range to an access point (AP) and channel congestion), and adjust one or more sleep timers based on the conditions. The sleep timers may each be associated with a window for reception of an expected transmission. If the transmission is not received in the window, the station may enter a sleep state to conserve power. In one example, a beacon miss timer is adjusted, and the expected wireless transmission is a delivery traffic indication message (DTIM). In another example, a content after beacon (CAB) timer is adjusted and the expected wireless transmission is the CAB. In some cases, the station may measure a delay for a number of beacons and determine the adjustment based on the delays. |
| US09655050B2 |
Network device, method, computer program and computer program product for determining a set of power state parameters
It is presented a method, performed by a network device, for determining a set of power state parameters at least partly defining when a wireless terminal is to be in an active state or a power saving state. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining traffic types for each one of a plurality of traffic flows to or from a wireless terminal, resulting in a present combination of traffic types; finding, in a power state parameter repository, a first match between the present combination of traffic types and a combination of traffic types associated with a first set of power state parameters; and when the first match is found, transmitting the first set of power state parameters to the wireless terminal. A corresponding network device, computer program and computer program product are also presented. |
| US09655049B2 |
Apparatus and method for displaying information
During operation, a push-to-talk (PTT) button will have a touch sensor incorporated on its surface. When the touch sensor detects a touch from a user, the apparatus will exit a low-power state and a display on the apparatus will provide PTT information. |
| US09655045B2 |
Method and apparatus for signaling in dense network operations
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus transitions to a dormant state and transmits a very low duty cycle signal (LDCS) while in the dormant state. The apparatus may transmit an LDCS configuration to a second entity, the second entity being one of an LPN that is not in a dormant state and a macro cell. The apparatus may further monitor for a RACH messages at a predetermined RACH delay after transmitting the LDCS. The apparatus may transition to a DRX/DTX mode. The DRX/DTX mode may be matched to at least one connected UE. |
| US09655041B1 |
Discovery-phase power conservation
The present specification describes techniques and apparatuses that enable power conservation in a wireless network. In some cases these techniques and apparatuses enable power conservation during a discovery phase and for a wireless network subject to a government mandate requiring a device of the network to passively search for radar transmission prior to establishing communication with another device of the network. |
| US09655035B2 |
Femtocell use for radio frequency network sweeps
Systems and methods that utilize femtocell access points (FAP) to perform radio frequency (RF) network sweeps are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes: predicting an availability of an access point (AP) to perform an RF network sweep; and determining that the access point is available to perform the RF network sweep based, at least, on a prediction that a mobile device on a white list for the access point is not likely to access the access point during a time interval associated with performing the RF network sweep. In another embodiment, a method includes: comparing a network quality characteristic for a wireless channel associated with a FAP with a network quality characteristic for a wired network communicatively coupled to the FAP. The network quality characteristics can be the same. The method can then include employing the comparison to determine to which network an impairment is attributable. |
| US09655031B2 |
Base station and terminal, and control methods thereof
In order to reduce a disruption of communication which occurs upon performing an active scan, an access point (10_2) includes an interface on DS side (100_2) which communicates with different access points (10_1 and 10_3) through distribution system (DS) media (30), and an interface on terminal side (200_2) which generates, when receiving from a terminal (20) not being in communication with the access point through a radio channel (CH2) a probe request frame (FR7) which is the one for scanning an access point capable of communicating with the terminal and which includes an address (A100_1) for the DS media (30) to identify the different access point (10_1) being in communication with the terminal (20), a response frame (FR8) addressed to the address (A 100_1) and responding to the probe request frame (FR7), and makes the interface on DS side (100_2) transmit the response frame (FR8) to the DS media (30). |
| US09655026B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for distributing general packet radio service (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP) traffic
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for distributing general packet radio service (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP) traffic are disclosed. According to one exemplary method, the method occurs at a network node simulator configured to distribute GTP encapsulated data packets among a plurality of processors associated with the network node simulator. The method includes receiving a GTP encapsulated data packet associated with a user device, wherein the GTP encapsulated data packet includes a GTP header having a GTP related endpoint identifier indicating a processor among the plurality of processors associated with the network node simulator. The method also includes determining, using the GTP related endpoint identifier, the processor for processing the GTP encapsulated data packet. The method further includes sending, to the processor, the GTP encapsulated data packet for processing. |
| US09655025B1 |
Managing the performance of a wireless device handover
It is identified that an attempted handover of a wireless device from a first access node to a second access node meets a failure criteria, where the attempted handover uses a handover initiation timer and a signal level modifier. A first signal level of the first access node, and a second signal level of the second access node, received at the wireless device at a time when the attempted handover was initiated are determined. At least one of the handover initiation timer and the signal level modifier is adjusted based on the failure criteria, the determined first signal level, and the determined second signal level. |
| US09655022B2 |
Method of cell reselection
A cell reselection method adapted to a communication device of a communication system includes receiving a first priority information and a Device to Device communication information broadcasted by a network node of the communication system; and rearranging the first priority information into a second priority information according to the D2D communication information when the communication device is in an operation scenario. |
| US09655016B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting CSG service in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for supporting a closed subscriber group (CSG) service is provided. A user equipment determines whether a neighbor cell is a CSG member cell for which a CSG whitelist includes a CSG identity of the neighbor cell and PLMN identities of the neighbor cell. The user equipment sends a CSG membership indicator indicating whether the neighbor cell is the CSG member cell. |
| US09655014B2 |
Optimizing a handover behavior of a mobile radio communication network based on an extended data record being associated with a user equipment
It is described a method for optimizing a handover behavior of a mobile radio communication network including at least a first base station and a second base station. The method includes (a) performing a handover of a user equipment from the first base station to the second base station, (b) adding an information element representing a property of the radio link between the user equipment and the first base station to a data record being associated with the user equipment, (c) transferring the data record from the first base station to the second base station and (d) optimizing the handover behavior of the mobile radio communication network based on the added information element. It is further described a first base station and a second base station, which in conjunction which each other, are configured for carrying out the described handover behavior optimization method. |
| US09655011B2 |
Communication system, network handover processing method and apparatus
A communication system, a network handover processing method and a network handover processing apparatus are disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a target evolution NodeB (T-eNB), identity information sent from a user equipment (UE), the identity information being allocated to the UE by a source evolution NodeB (S-eNB); and sending, by the T-eNB, parameters to the UE if identity information, matching the received identity information sent from the UE, is available in the T-eNB, wherein the parameters are allocated to the UE. The apparatus includes a receiving module and a sending module. |
| US09655006B2 |
System and method for controlling congestion in wireless mesh networks
A system and method for controlling congestion using Request-to-Send (RTS) and Clear-to-Send (CTS) in a wireless mesh network are provided. A receiver in a congestion state sets a duration field value of congestion control in a CTS frame and transmits the CTS frame to a sender. In response, the sender retransmits an RTS frame to the receiver without transmitting data, after waiting for an RTS retransmission waiting time period corresponding to the duration field value. The congestion state information is broadcast to neighboring nodes. Therefore, the congestion control system using the CTS frame does not use a separate frame for the congestion control. And, all of the neighboring nodes can participate in the congestion control, increasing the network efficiency. |
| US09655002B2 |
Physical layer frame format for WLAN
In a method for generating a data unit for transmission via a communication channel, wherein the data unit conforms to a first communication protocol, a preamble of the data unit is generated. The preamble includes a first field having information that indicates a duration of the data unit, the first field being formatted such that the first field is decodable by a receiver device that conforms to a second communication protocol but does not conform to the first communication protocol to determine the duration of the data unit based on the first field. Additionally, the preamble is formatted such that a portion of the preamble is decodable by a receiver device that conforms to a third communication protocol but does not conform to the first communication protocol. Also, the preamble is formatted such that a receiver device that conforms to the first communication protocol can determine that the data unit conforms to the first communication protocol. A data portion of the data unit that conforms to the first communication protocol and does not conform to either (i) the second communication protocol or (ii) the third communication protocol is generated. |
| US09655000B2 |
Optimized quality of service transport architecture to compensate for SINR variations
A device may receive performance information for a traffic flow assigned to a quality of service (QoS) class. The device may determine an overall packet delay, associated with the traffic flow, based on the performance information. The device may determine a radio access network (RAN) delay, associated with the traffic flow, based on the performance information. The device may determine a target packet delay associated with the QoS class. The device may identify, based on the target packet delay, the RAN delay, and the overall packet delay, a QoS sub-class to which the traffic flow is to be assigned. The QoS sub-class may be associated with the QoS class. The device may cause packets, associated with the traffic flow, to be marked for treatment in accordance with the QoS sub-class. |
| US09654994B2 |
Device-to-device (D2D) link adaptation
Channel quality may be measured in a device-to-device (D2D) communication network. The D2D communication network may include one or more D2D wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), wherein the D2D WTRUs may communicate using a D2D bandwidth. A D2D WTRU may receive a channel measurement resource configuration corresponding to a channel measurement resource. The D2D WTRU may further receive an RS on the channel measurement resource. The D2D WTRU may measure one or more channel state parameters from the channel measurement resource for a part of bandwidth overlapping with a D2D communication bandwidth, when the RS bandwidth is greater than the D2D communication bandwidth. The D2D WTRU may report the channel state parameters to a controlling entity. The controlling entity may configure a D2D frequency allocation between a transmitting device and a receiving device. The D2D frequency allocation may be based on the time averaged measurement. |
| US09654992B2 |
Handling calibration data
Apparatus comprises: a multi-element antenna; and a transmitter configured to broadcasting multiple packets from the multi-element antenna, wherein each packet comprising: a positioning part; and a calibration data part, wherein the calibration data part of a packet comprises: a portion of calibration data; and data indicating a location of the portion of calibration data in a set of calibration data. The transmitter is configured: to switch between different elements of the multi-element antenna in a sequence when broadcasting the positioning part of the packet; and to transmit all of the calibration data part of the packet without switching between different elements of the multi-element antenna. |
| US09654990B2 |
Communication method and system
A method of co-ordinating communication between a plurality of base stations in a communication system, comprising designating timeslots where said base stations receive and/or transit co-ordination messages to each other. The system may be an autonomous cellular system and the timeslots may be regularly spaced. |
| US09654989B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring neighbor cell in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for measuring a neighbor cell in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The method for measuring a neighbor cell by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system includes: receiving subframe information including a subframe pattern for neighbor cell measurement; performing synchronization acquisition from the neighbor cell; and performing measurement in a subframe corresponding to the subframe pattern, wherein the user equipment (UE) assumes that a signal required when the UE acquires synchronization from the neighbor cell is transmitted in a subframe corresponding to the subframe pattern. |
| US09654982B2 |
Protecting mobile devices from malware
Using a system distinct from a mobile device, the mobile device is switched from a first mode to a second mode to access a set of data storage locations in the mobile device. All malware-susceptible data stored in the set of data storage locations is received at the system from the mobile device to form received data, which is analyzed at the system to detect a malware from a set of malware in a first portion of the received data. Responsive to the analyzing, the first portion of the received data is modified at the system to form a modified first portion, wherein the modifying removes the malware from the first portion. The system stores the modified first portion in a first data storage location in the mobile device and a second portion of the received data in a second data storage location in the mobile device. |
| US09654977B2 |
Contextualized access control
Contextual information associated with a mobile device can be automatically acquired using various sensors on the device. Based on the contextual information and an access control policy associated with an application on the mobile device, a level of access to the application can be determined. An entity may be identified, authenticated and authorized to gain full access, varying degree of restricted access or no access to the application based on the access control policy. Different applications may be provided different levels of access based on the access control policy associated with each application. |
| US09654975B2 |
Method and device for authenticating a mobile device
A method for authenticating a mobile device includes: probing by the mobile device a fading channel which connects the mobile device to a first radio base station; determining a secret held in common with the first radio base station as a function of a physical property of the fading channel; storing the in-common secret; receiving a first request for the in-common secret from a second radio base station; and, in response to the first request, sending a proof of knowledge of the in-common secret to the second radio base station. |
| US09654974B2 |
Mobile device and method for unlocking screen of mobile device
In a method for unlocking a screen of a mobile device, at least one user-specific number is set and stored into a storage unit of the mobile device. The user-specific number is read from the storage unit and displayed on the screen for selection by a user, when the screen is locked because of input of a wrong password. An unlocking request is transmitted to a terminal providing the selected user-specific number. The mobile device communicates with the terminal, and receives a confirmation message from the terminal, and the screen is unlocked according to the confirmation message. |
| US09654972B2 |
Secure provisioning of an authentication credential
Techniques are described for securely provisioning a client device. A client device may output first client information over a secure interface to a trusted device to be transmitted to an authentication server. Second client information related to the first client information may be transmitted to the authentication server. The authentication server may link the second client information and the first client information. The client device may receive an encrypted authentication credential from the authentication server. The authentication credential may be encrypted based at least in part on the first client information or the second client information. The client device may decrypt the encrypted authentication credential using the first client information, the second client information, or a shared secret key. |
| US09654969B2 |
Method and device for managing security key for communication authentication of subscriber station used in cooperative communication of multiple base station in radio communication system
A subscriber station performs a method for managing a security key. The method includes generating, for each of the base stations, an input value for generation of the security key for data transmission and reception with the each base station; transmitting, to the each base station, the input value for a corresponding base station; and generating the security key of the corresponding base station by using the input value of the each base station. A base station provides cooperative communication to the subscriber station. |
| US09654965B2 |
Regulatory compliance for wireless devices
A wireless device may be subject to regulations based on the location (e.g. country). Accordingly, the wireless device may need to identify regulations for its current location. A lookup table or database that includes regulations for different locations may be used for identifying the regulations for the current location of the wireless device. The lookup table may be stored locally on the wireless device or retrieved over a network. The identified regulations may be used to modify certain operating parameters of the wireless device to comply with the local regulations and determine whether or not to associate with an incorrectly configured Access Point. |
| US09654962B2 |
System and method for WLAN roaming traffic authentication
A system and method for recognizing traffic generated from an authenticated a device roaming in a wireless local area network and related aspects are provided. An authentication server is arranged to authorize communications traffic originating from a wireless access point to use a roaming service, the traffic comprising an NAT translated IP address. The server first authorizes a WLAN roaming device, and then processes a meta-data message received from a WLAN access point in which the source address of the message comprises the source address of the roaming device at the WLAN access point. The server then determines, from the information provided in the meta-data message when it is received by the authentication server, which includes at this point a NAT translated source address in the meta-data message what the NAT translated source address of traffic from said authenticated roaming device will be. This enables the authentication server to authenticate internet-bound traffic having said NAT translated source address. In this way, all traffic generated by the roaming device whilst that NAT translated IP address is valid is automatically authorized to use a roaming service to access the internet. |
| US09654954B2 |
Providing an IMS voice session via a packet switch network and an emergency voice session via a circuit switch network
A communication network comprises a packet switched domain associated with a packet switched capable radio access network and supports an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem voice session via the packet switched capable radio access network. The terminal supports an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem voice session via the packet switched capable radio access network and an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem emergency voice session via the packet switched capable radio access network. A method is executed by a control node of the packet switched domain and comprises sending instruction information to the terminal. The instruction information instructs the terminal to execute an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem voice session via the packet switched capable radio access network without regard to whether the communication network has indicated support of an emergency session related data transmission via the packet switched capable radio access network and the packet switched domain. |
| US09654950B2 |
Controlling traffic transmissions to manage cellular radio resource utilization
Techniques control traffic transmissions to manage radio resource utilization. When content is being streamed to user equipment (UE) and is at least initially intended to be streamed in real time at a constant bitrate, a communication management component can determine whether the content being transmitted to the UE can be delayed, instead of being transmitted in real time. In response to determining that the content can be delayed, the communication management component can facilitate buffering data and periodically streaming the data to the UE in data bursts to reduce use of UE power and radio resources. When transmitting a visual image to a UE, the communication management component can adjust resolution of a visual image to correspond to screen dimensions of the UE based on information indicating screen dimensions of the UE that can be received from the UE. |
| US09654949B2 |
Automatic construction of personalized, peer-derived messages for mobile health applications
A method is implemented by at least one server. The method includes obtaining a set of users as a function of profile records regarding a plurality of users. The method includes defining a subset of the users as a peer group based on peer group formation features by applying a clustering algorithm to profile records of the set of users. The method includes calculating a peer group metric value for the peer group based on behaviors of the subset of users in the peer group. The method includes calculating a user metric value for a target-user included in the subset based on behavior of the target-user. The method includes constructing a message relating the patient metric value to the peer group metric value. |
| US09654947B2 |
Line connection apparatus and method
A line connection apparatus is disclosed. To hold a line, on-hook is set to a first terminal of a first person who holds the line to output voice of a second person for whom the line is held from the first terminal. First identification of the first person is recorded by corresponding to second identification of the second person. To set a lock, when the disconnection of the line being held is recognized, a connection condition to lock the line is acquired from the first person, for the first terminal to receive a re-connection request from a same second person who disconnects the line in a hold state. To control a connection in response to the re-connection request by the same second person, the first terminal is controlled to receive the re-connection request based on the first identification corresponding to the second identification indicated by the re-connection request. |
| US09654941B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing interruptions from different modes of communication
Methods and apparatus for managing interruptions in a multiple communication mode environment are provided herein. For example, a method may include receiving at least first instance of communication data associated with a first communication mode; obtaining first attribute data related to the first instance of communication data; classifying the first instance of communication data into first category based on the first attribute data using the interruption management device; and determining whether to interrupt a user by delivering the first instance of communication data based on the first category. The first category may be selected from a plurality of predetermined categories using a classification algorithm. |
| US09654939B2 |
Apparatus and method for incorporating multiple talk groups in a single call
A radio receives a call including a call include bitmask (CIB). The radio retrieves a call include list (CIL) that, for each bit position in the CIB, maps the bit position to one of a radio identifier, a talk group identifier, and a sub-CIL. The radio determines that one bit position in the CIB is set to a value indicating that a radio associated with a radio identifier mapped to the bit position in the CIB via the CIL or to a talk group identifier mapped to the bit position in the CIB via the CIL are to be included in the call. The radio matches its identifier to the radio identifier mapped to the bit position or matches a talk group to which it subscribes to the talk group identifier mapped to the at least one bit position and unmutes the call. |
| US09654938B2 |
Method and system for managing mobile and portable two-way radio collaboration
A method and apparatus for collaboration among two-way radio devices allows a portable two-way radio device and a mobile two-way radio device to each enter into a collaboration mode while the are paired with each other over a short range wireless radio network. While in the collaboration mode, when the user keys the portable two-way radio device audio is routed from the portable two-way radio device to the mobile two-way radio device over the short range wireless network and the mobile two-way radio device transmits the audio on behalf of the portable two-way radio device. |
| US09654937B2 |
System and method for routing, mobility, application services, discovery, and sensing in a vehicular network environment
A method includes selecting a path for routing a data packet from a source node to a destination node in a vehicular ad hoc network, storing the data packet if the selected path is identified as a dead end, and establishing a communication link with a first node. The method also includes forwarding the data packet to the first node if a first distance between the first node and the destination node is less than a second distance between the source node and the destination node. More specific embodiments include sending a query for location information of the destination node, receiving the location information including two or more available paths from the source node to the destination node, and determining the path for routing the data packet is an optimal path of the two or more available paths. |
| US09654936B2 |
Method and apparatus for normalizing navigation data for vehicle computing system playback
A system includes a processor configured to communicate wirelessly with a mobile device, wherein the processor is further configured to receive output data from a navigation application running on the mobile device. The processor is also configured to send data back through the mobile device to a standardization system, including a request for standardization, running on a remote system, if the output data is in an unusable format. Also, the processor is configured to receive a standardized form of the data, having been standardized by the remote standardization system. The processor is further configured to process the standardized data to provide navigation directions through one or more vehicle outputs controllable by the processor. |
| US09654935B2 |
Method and apparatus for deriving indoor/outdoor classification information
A method and apparatus for deriving indoor/outdoor classification information for call data for a wireless communication network. The method comprises identifying a set of subscriber call data records relating to vehicular calls, deriving a physical channel measurement threshold value based at least partly on physical channel measurement values for the subscriber call data records identified as relating to vehicular calls, and classifying subscriber call data records for the wireless communication network as indoor subscriber call data records and outdoor subscriber call data records based at least partly on a comparison of physical channel measurement values for the subscriber call data records with the derived physical channel measurement threshold value. |
| US09654928B2 |
Tracking information technology (IT) assets
An association connection is established between a first Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) device operating in central mode and attached to an asset to track, and a second BLE device operating in peripheral mode and associated with a physical location within the asset management environment. An association connection is established between the second BLE device and a third BLE device operating in central mode and coupled to one or more computer processors, and the association information stored in the second BLE device to the third BLE via one or more broadcasting frames is periodically transmitted. Based on current association information between the first BLE device and the second BLE device, an identity of the asset to which the first BLE device is attached, and the physical location of the second BLE device within the asset management environment is identified. |
| US09654927B2 |
Motion detection method and portable device using the same
An example of the invention provides a motion detection method for a portable device. The method includes steps of: generating a first cell location data at a first time point according to signals transmitted by a plurality of base stations; generating a second cell location data at a second time point according to signals transmitted by a plurality of base stations, wherein the first time point and the second time point are two successive time points, and the first cell location data and the second cell location data includes names or identification data of base stations detected by the portable device; determining whether the portable device is moved according to the first cell location data and the second cell location data. |
| US09654925B1 |
Device and method for containing and tracking a subject using satellite positioning data
A device disposed on a subject to maintain the subject within a containment zone and track the subject if the subject exits the containment zone. The device includes a positioning unit for generating position data including satellite positioning data. There is a processor unit to determine from the position data if the subject is inside or outside of the containment zone. The processor unit operates in a containment mode when the subject is inside the containment zone and in a tracking mode when the subject exits the containment zone. A correction unit issues a stimulus when the subject exits the containment zone and terminates the stimulus when the processor unit enters the tracking mode from the containment mode. There is a communication unit which transmits an alert to an electronic device of an operator when the processor unit transitions from the containment to tracking mode. |
| US09654907B2 |
System, method and apparatus for wireless network connection using near field communication
A system, method, and apparatus are provided for establishing a wireless network connection between a mobile terminal and an electronic apparatus by using a near field communication network. At least one electronic apparatus is connected to the near field communication network. A mobile terminal is connected to the near field communication network, exchanges information with the at least one electronic apparatus for a wireless communication network connection through the connected near field communication network, and establishes the wireless communication network connection with the at least one electronic apparatus based on the exchanged information. |
| US09654906B2 |
Method for processing data based on bluetooth protocol and electronic device thereof
The present disclosure relates to a method and an electronic device for processing data on the basis of a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol. The electronic device includes a Bluetooth control module and a processor. The Bluetooth control module stores a modified BLE protocol stack including at least two Attribute Protocols (ATTs) for use with an application, the modified BLE protocol stack includes a first path and a second path. The first path includes a first ATT protocol to process an ATT command of the application, and the second path includes a second ATT protocol to process an ATT command of the application. The processor is coupled to the Bluetooth control module. The processor processes data of the application including the ATT command, using the modified BLE protocol stack including the at least two ATTs of the Bluetooth control module. |
| US09654904B2 |
System and method for flexibly pairing devices using adaptive variable thresholding
A method and system for pairing devices comprises transmitting a plurality of communication signals from each of a plurality of devices and setting an initial threshold vector of signal strengths as a current threshold vector of signal strengths for at least one target device selected from among the plurality of devices. The embodiment includes pairing at least one client device with the at least one target device when a measured vector of signal strengths exceeds the current threshold vector of signal strengths and adjusting the current threshold vector of signal strengths according to the pairing between the client device and the target device, thereby adaptively adjusting the current threshold vector of signal strengths. |
| US09654896B2 |
Smart online services presence in a cellular network
A method and system for providing on-line services to a user from a services provider over a wireless cellular network. The cellular network is located between the user and the services provider, and a distributed computer system such as the Internet is located between the services provider and the cellular network for transmitting data between the services provide and the cellular network. In one embodiment, the services provider transmits software and operating characteristics over the distributed computer system to the cellular network, and the cellular network installs this software on one or more nodes of the network. When a user connects to the cellular network for services from the service provider, the network operates the software on the one or more nodes in accordance with the operating characteristics, to provide one or more services from this one or more nodes to the user from the service provider. |
| US09654895B2 |
Processing spatially diffuse or large audio objects
Diffuse or spatially large audio objects may be identified for special processing. A decorrelation process may be performed on audio signals corresponding to the large audio objects to produce decorrelated large audio object audio signals. These decorrelated large audio object audio signals may be associated with object locations, which may be stationary or time-varying locations. For example, the decorrelated large audio object audio signals may be rendered to virtual or actual speaker locations. The output of such a rendering process may be input to a scene simplification process. The decorrelation, associating and/or scene simplification processes may be performed prior to a process of encoding the audio data. |
| US09654891B2 |
System and method for determining proximity of a controller to a media rendering device
A media rendering system includes a controller device and a media rendering device in communication via a communication network. The media rendering device is configured to render a media recording. The controller device includes a sensor configured to detect and receive an audio portion of the rendered media recording. The controller device is configured to identify the rendered media recording, and to determine a location of the controller device within a proximity of the media rendering device. |
| US09654886B2 |
Hybrid hearing instrument connector
A connector-based link is suited to various signals and media for connecting a tube with a hearing instrument, which ensures a reliable mechanical hold, good connection and high tightness and in the process is easy to handle. This is achieved by a connector for a hearing instrument system including a housing which contains a number of connections, and a tube which contains a number of lines, which is embodied to detachably connect a number of lines of the tube to a number of connections of the housing, wherein the connections of the connector contain different spatial orientations. The fact that the connections each have a different spatial orientation brings about a mutual decoupling. As a result, the demands on dimensional stability of the various connections are advantageously reduced since the different connections are not closed in a shared, identical end position. |
| US09654884B2 |
Method of fitting a hearing instrument, and impression tool
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a method of fitting a hearing instrument to a user's ear is provided. The method comprises taking an impression of the user's ear canal and manufacturing, based on geometrical data of the impression, an earmold. In accordance with the aspect of the invention, the method comprises the further step of performing an acoustical measurement while the impression is being taken. |
| US09654875B2 |
Mobile communication device capable of setting tone color and method of setting tone color
A mobile communication device and a method of setting tone color, which allow a user to set the tone color of received sound. Provided are a normal mode, which sets the equalizer using GCF standards stored in an internal memory or equalizer setting values selected by a provider, a country-specific mode, which uses country-specific setting, and a user mode, in which a user can set frequency-specific gains of the received sound, and one mode is selected from the provided mode, so that the tone color of the received sound can be adjusted according to the selection. Telephone speech quality can be optimized for user preference, network environments and language characteristics. |
| US09654874B2 |
Systems and methods for feedback detection
A method for feedback detection by an electronic device is described. The method includes receiving a first microphone signal by a first microphone. A feedback loop includes the first microphone and a speaker. The method also includes receiving a second microphone signal by a second microphone that is outside of the feedback loop. A first signal based on the first microphone signal and a second signal based on the second microphone signal exhibit a higher correlation in presence of feedback and exhibit a lower correlation in absence of feedback. The method further includes determining a correlation based on the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal. The method additionally includes determining whether feedback is occurring based on the correlation. |
| US09654873B2 |
Microphone device
The present invention provides a microphone device capable of preventing a breakdown of a signal processor, which is provided in a circuit case, processing signals from a microphone unit accommodated in a unit case, and preventing production of noise in a state the unit case is detached from the circuit case. A microphone device 1 includes a unit case 3 accommodating a microphone unit 31, a circuit case 4 accommodating an input terminal receiving signals from the microphone unit, and a signal processor processing the signals input to the input terminal, the unit case 3 being detachably fixed to the circuit case 4, and a detector (38, 44) detecting the attachment or detachment between the unit case and the circuit case. The detector grounds the input terminal in response to the detection of the detachment of the unit case from the circuit case. |
| US09654872B2 |
Input device, signal processing method, program, and recording medium
There is provided an input device including at least two microphones placed at different positions on a chassis to face different directions on one of space axes, a low-frequency bandwidth extracting part for extracting a low-frequency bandwidth signal from a signal input from the microphones, a phase difference calculating part for calculating a phase difference using the low-frequency bandwidth signal extracted by the low-frequency bandwidth extracting part; and a control signal generating part for generating a control signal based on the phase difference calculated by the phase difference calculating part. |
| US09654871B2 |
Noise cancellation system with lower rate emulation
A noise cancellation system, comprising: an input for a digital signal, the digital signal having a first sample rate; a digital filter, connected to the input to receive the digital signal; a decimator, connected to the input to receive the digital signal and to generate a decimated signal at a second sample rate lower than the first sample rate; and a processor. The processor comprises: an emulation of the digital filter, connected to receive the decimated signal and to generate an emulated filter output; and a control circuit, for generating a control signal on the basis of the emulated filter output. The control signal is applied to the digital filter to control a filter characteristic thereof. |
| US09654861B1 |
Annoyance noise suppression
Personal audio systems and methods are disclosed. A personal audio system includes a class table storing processing parameters respectively associated with a plurality of annoyance noise classes, a controller, and a processor. The controller identifies an annoyance noise class of an annoyance noise included in an ambient audio stream and retrieves, from the class table, one or more processing parameters associated with the identified annoyance noise class. The processor to processes the ambient audio stream according to the one or more retrieved processing parameters class to provide a personal audio stream. The processor includes a pitch tracker to identify a fundamental frequency of the annoyance noise and a filter bank including a band reject filter tuned to the fundamental frequency. |
| US09654860B2 |
Soundproof housing for earset and wired and wireless earset comprising same
The present invention provides a soundproof housing for an earset, comprising: a housing main body, coupled to the inside of a front surface case having a protrusion portion inserted into the ear, and provided with a speaker accommodation groove and a microphone accommodation groove; a speaker output hole, penetratingly formed in the speaker accommodation groove so as to communicate with the front surface case, and adjacent to the output end of the speaker; and a microphone input hole, formed in a recessed manner inside the microphone accommodation groove so as to communicate with the front surface case, and adjacent to the input end of the microphone, wherein the housing main body is protrudingly formed as a long protrusion toward the inside of the protrusion portion of the front surface case, so as to be tightly coupled with the inside of the protrusion portion of the front surface case. |
| US09654858B2 |
Wired and wireless earset using ear-insertion-type microphone
The present invention relates to an earset, comprising: a first earphone portion, which includes a first speaker for outputting sound signals or voice signals that are provided from an external device, and which can be inserted into a first external auditory canal of a user; a second earphone portion, which includes a first microphone for receiving inputted user voice signals that are provided through the external auditory canal of the user, and which can be inserted into a second auditory canal of the user; and a main body connected to each of the first and the second earphone portion. When the main body is wirelessly connected to the external device, the main body comprises; a signal transceiving portion for transceiving the signals with the external device; and a control portion for outputting via the first speaker the voice signals received from the external device through the signal transceiving portion. |
| US09654856B1 |
Noise-canceling concha headphone
A headphone assembly is described having a concha-style headphone including an earpiece at least partially covered in dual foam and a headband for providing a clamping force sufficient to the seal the concha of a user's with the earpiece. The earpiece may be shaped to fit different concha sizes and shapes to provide a universal fit. The dual foam may include a layer of memory foam underneath acoustically-transparent, porous outer foam. The earpiece may further include a transducer and at least one microphone positioned with the earpiece to receive sound radiated by the transducer and noise. The headphone assembly may be equipped with an active noise-canceling (ANC) control system configured to receive an audio input signal from an audio source and provide a filtered audio output signal to the transducer based on part on a perceived frequency response of the headphone as measured by the microphone. |
| US09654854B2 |
In-ear device incorporating active noise reduction
An in-ear device incorporating active noise reduction has a housing adapted for location in or adjacent to an auditory canal. The housing contains a driver and an acoustic path is provided from the driver to an outlet of the device. A microphone and an acoustic impedance are provided in the acoustic path. The impedance increases the stability of the device. |
| US09654853B2 |
System and method for photonic switching
In one embodiment, a photonic switching fabric includes a first label detector configured to read a first optical label to produce a first detected label, where the first optical label corresponds to a first optical packet, and where the first optical label is in a control waveband and a switch controller configured to adjust a photonic switch in accordance with the first detected label. The photonic switching fabric also includes the photonic switch, configured to switch the first optical packet, where the first optical packet is in a payload waveband. |
| US09654847B2 |
Monitoring and displaying an absorption state of an absorbent article
A method of monitoring an absorption state of an absorbent article includes providing a logger unit, acquiring the absorption state of the absorbent article, and recording data indicating the acquired absorption state of the absorbent article in the logger unit. Acquiring the absorption state of the absorbent article and recording the data indicating the acquired absorption state of the absorbent article in the logger unit are each continuously performed during a monitoring period of the absorbent article. Also disclosed is a logger unit for performing this method; and a method of processing data indicating an absorption state of an absorbent article, which includes receiving sets of data indicating the absorption state of the absorbent article. Each of the sets of data indicates the absorption state of the absorbent article over a portion of a continuous period of time, and collating and/or displaying the data in continuous form. Also disclosed are data processing units for performing these data processing methods. |
| US09654846B2 |
Sensor based signal transmission methods and apparatuses
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques and configurations for a signal transmission for an apparatus, such as a mobile or wearable device, based on sensor fail-safety. In one instance, the apparatus may comprise a transmitter to transmit a communication signal of the apparatus at a first power level, a sensor to monitor a process that is external to the apparatus and to provide an output signal indicating a change in a state of the process, and a control module communicatively coupled with the sensor and transmitter, to determine whether the output signal provided by the sensor has indicated a change in the external process over a threshold time period, and, based on a result of this determination, cause the transmitter to switch the transmission from the first power level to a second power level that is lower than the first power level. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09654845B2 |
Electronic apparatus of generating summary content and method thereof
Disclosed herein is an electronic apparatus and method thereof. The electronic apparatus includes a communication unit receiving content and additional information for the content, a signal processing unit signal-processing the content and determining the signal-processed contents into one of an audio signal and a video frame, and a processor determining a first keyword and a second keyword for the first keyword by using the additional information and generating summary content according to a plurality of video frames synchronized to a plurality of audio signal sections corresponding to at least one of the first keyword and the second keyword. As a result, the summary contents are able to be easily generated. |
| US09654843B2 |
Video management and marketing
A computer-implemented method for operating a video management and marketing system that enables managing and marketing videos produced or provided by a user includes a processor configures an embed code that is unique to the user to show a real-time call to action that streams real-time data in one or more videos displayed to a viewer at a viewer device; the processor displays the real-time call to action during playback of the video at a first site and uses the real-time call to action to fetch call to action information on the fly; and the processor automatically forwards the viewer device to a second site, where the call to action information is displayed, upon completion of playback of the video at the first site. |
| US09654840B1 |
Customized insertions into digital items
Digital content items may include additional content such as advertisements. Placement of the additional content may be based on a characteristic of the digital content item and/or a characteristic of a consumer of the digital content item. In one implementation, a level of interest is determined for multiple time points in a digital content item and an advertisement is located in the digital item based on the level of interest. |
| US09654839B2 |
Cross-platform interface for a television device
A method for providing an interface for a television device is provided, including the following method operations: identifying available services for consumption on a television device, wherein the available services include two or more of a broadcast television service, an on-demand video service, and an internet content service; determining a current date and time; determining content items available for consumption from each of the available services at the current date and time; determining an allocation of display locations in a cross-platform interface for content items from each of the available services, the allocation defining a relative amount of display locations for each of the available services based on a device profile associated with the television device; assigning content items to the display locations in accordance with the determined allocation. |
| US09654837B2 |
Method and device for providing video of IPTV service
Provided are a method and device for providing a video of an Internet Protocol TV or Interactive Personal TV (IPTV) service. The method includes: detecting whether an IPTV service system is accessible for a Set Top Box (STB) or not; and when the IPTV system is detected to be inaccessible for the STB, providing a video for the STB through a Content Delivery Network (CDN) subsystem. By the technical solution, the technical problems that the user cannot enjoy services such as the video service in case of upgrading, server failure or network failure in the related technology are solved, and live video service can still be provided for the user even though the service of the IPTV service system is inaccessible due to upgrading, server failure or network failure. |
| US09654832B1 |
Notification of an upcoming live media program
Providing a notification of an upcoming live media program to a user including determining that the upcoming live media program is scheduled to start within a predefined amount of time that serves as an indication that the upcoming live media program is about to start, where the upcoming live media program has been automatically determined to be of interest to the user. A client device of the user is determined to be not connected to a service providing playback of the upcoming live media program and the program is not currently scheduled to be recorded for the user. Responsive to determining that the upcoming live media program is not currently scheduled to be recorded for the user, a notification is transmitted to the user that indicates that the upcoming live media program is about to start. |
| US09654831B2 |
Content consumption and management in a network
A data analyzer engine can be configured to receive feedback indicating different Content currently consumed by subscribers in a cable network environment. The data analyzer engine analyzes the feedback to identify most popular consumed content amongst the different content and produces a content guide to include multiple selectable channels from which content is available for retrieval over a shared communication link in the cable network environment. The content guide can include one or more selectable viewing options to view a rendition of content being identified as more or most popular. Each of one or more playback devices or other suitable resources retrieves and initiates Display of the content guide on a display screen. Accordingly, a subscriber can view Different available content options as well as an identification of content that is currently the most popular consumed content amongst viewers. |
| US09654825B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting inconsistent user actions and providing feedback
Systems and methods are provided for detecting inconsistent user actions and providing feedback about assets. A user may perform a first action restricting access to a first asset. The system may detect whether a second action performed relative to a second asset that has a similar attribute as the first asset is inconsistent with the first asset. The inconsistency may be detected when the second action removes or is an inaction that does not class access restrictions on the second asset. The system may alert the user about the inconsistency and the user may act on the alert by providing feedback about the inconsistency and/or the first/second asset, ignoring the inconsistency and/or placing an access restriction or other action consistent with the first action relative to the second asset. The user may also provide detailed feedback about an inconsistency or asset through a website accessed on another device. |
| US09654822B2 |
System and method for allocating bandwidth between media streams
An electronic device displays a first video stream on a display. While displaying the first video stream on the display, the device allocates, in accordance with a historical pattern of video stream switching of a particular user, available bandwidth for receiving data at the device at least between receiving the first video stream and preloading a second, non-displayed video stream. The device receives the first video stream and preloads the second, non-displayed video stream in accordance with the allocated available bandwidth. The device receives a request to display the second video stream on the display. In response to receiving the request to display the second video stream on the display, the device displays the preloaded second video stream on the display. |
| US09654819B2 |
Methods and systems for providing source-agnostic access to media programs
An exemplary computer-implemented media service system detects user input representative of a request by a user to flag a set of related media programs, monitors an availability of the media programs from a plurality of different presentation sources, determines when the user is likely to access each media program included in the set of related media programs, dynamically selects, based on the monitored availability of the media programs from the different presentation sources and on when the user is likely to access each media program included in the set of related media programs, a presentation source from the plurality of different presentation sources for each media program included in the set of related media programs, and provides the user with access to each media program included in the set of related media programs by way of a single user interface. Corresponding systems and methods are also described. |
| US09654815B2 |
Advertising detection in adaptive bitrate streaming
A method of handling advertisements in an adaptive bitrate stream is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving an adaptive bitrate stream playlist listing chunk identifiers pointing to a plurality of media chunks, analyzing the playlist to find one or more advertising chunks, modifying the adaptive bitrate stream playlist with a client device when the client device has been set to skip advertisements by deleting chunk identifiers associated with advertising chunks from the playlist, retrieving and playing back media chunks according to the playlist, and setting a no-trick-play flag at the client device during playback of the one or more advertising chunks when the client device has not been set to skip advertisements, such that trick-plays through and over media chunks are allowed when the no-trick-play flag is not set and are not allowed when the no-trick-play flag is set. |
| US09654814B2 |
Video frame selection for targeted content
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are provided for providing target content, such as advertisements, based on one or more selected video frames. A set of video frames and target content is received. The target content is to be presented upon detection of a playback of the set of video frames. The playback of the set of video frames is detected. In response to the detection of the playback of the set of video frames, the target content is communicated for presentation. |
| US09654813B2 |
Method and system for synchronized multi-venue experience and production
The present disclosure discloses methods and systems for an interactive event experience capable of synchronizing two or more physical venues, with live events happening at one or more venues. In some embodiments, a system may synchronize the live event experience by equalizing remote participants with local ones, and remote shared screens with local ones. In some embodiments, attention management may be provided to local and remote participants. In some embodiments, a cloud-based broadcasting system may be provided at a local venue and/or remote venues. |
| US09654812B2 |
Encoding apparatus and the method
An encoding apparatus adds delay time information DTI indicating initial delay time i_d and delay time d of each group data to a position to be read prior to frame data by a decoding apparatus in the group data of encoding stream data DBI and transmits the same to the decoding apparatus 3. Namely, the encoding apparatus does not transmit initial offset delay time i_of to the decoding apparatus 3. The encoding apparatus starts to read and transmit the encoding stream data DBI from a transmission buffer at a predetermined bit rate R at timing designated by the initial offset delay time i_of. |
| US09654810B2 |
Mechanism for partial encryption of data streams
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to partial encryption of data stream. An embodiment of a method includes receiving, at a data transmitting device, a data stream having content including one or more of audio content, video content, and control content, determining one or more content that are to be encrypted. The method further includes partially encrypting the data stream by encrypting the one or more content, and leaving other content unencrypted, and transmitting, from the data transmitting device, the partially encrypted data stream to a data receiving device. |
| US09654807B2 |
Aircraft communications system with adaptive streaming video and associated methods
An aircraft communications system includes a satellite video receiver, a video signal transcoder coupled to the satellite video receiver to convert live video signals therefrom from one video format to another, and an adaptive streaming video processor coupled to the video signal transcoder. The adaptive streaming video processor creates video data files at different data rates, and divides the video data files into shorter chunks of video data along with associated index files. An access point is coupled to the adaptive streaming video processor for providing a wireless local area network (WLAN) within the aircraft to distribute the shorter chunks of video data and associated index files to personal electronic devices (PEDs) within the aircraft as requested by the PEDs based on communication conditions within the aircraft. |
| US09654799B2 |
Video encoding method and apparatus using transformation unit of variable tree structure, and video decoding method and apparatus
A video encoding method is provided. The method includes: encoding a current region of a video by performing a transformation on the current region by using transformation units in a variable tree-structure which are determined from among transformation units that are hierarchically split from a base transformation unit with respect to the current region and which are generated based on a maximum split level of a transformation unit. The method further includes outputting encoded data of the current region, information about an encoding mode, and transformation-unit hierarchical-structure information comprising maximum size information and minimum size information of the transformation unit with respect to the video. |
| US09654793B2 |
Video encoding/decoding methods, corresponding computer programs and video encoding/decoding devices
A method for encoding an interlaced video comprising a sequence of alternating TOP and BOT fields is disclosed. The method for encoding comprises: producing a sequence of frames, each frame being determined from at least two consecutive fields, each field forming a rectangular region of the frame, encoding each frame of the sequence to produce an encoded video of the sequence of frames. |
| US09654792B2 |
Methods and systems for motion vector derivation at a video decoder
Method and apparatus for deriving a motion vector at a video decoder. A block-based motion vector may be produced at the video decoder by utilizing motion estimation among available pixels relative to blocks in one or more reference frames. The available pixels could be, for example, spatially neighboring blocks in the sequential scan coding order of a current frame, blocks in a previously decoded frame, or blocks in a downsampled frame in a lower pyramid when layered coding has been used. |
| US09654791B1 |
System and method for efficient multi-bitrate and multi-spatial resolution media encoding
In one example, a sequence of pictures may be transformed at a given spatial resolution to a plurality of output spatial resolutions and/or an additional spatial resolution that is lower than the plurality of output spatial resolutions. The sequence of pictures and a picture type may be received for each of the pictures at respective output spatial resolutions. Estimating a set of combinations of encoding parameters for coding tree blocks (CTBs) in each of the pictures at a lowest output spatial resolution or mapping combinations of encoding parameters for each CTB in each of the pictures at an immediate coarser spatial resolution to corresponding blocks at the respective output spatial resolution is performed. A set of combinations of encoding parameters may be determined for each CTB and best combinations of encoding parameters from the determined set of combinations may be identified for encoding the sequence of pictures. |
| US09654789B1 |
Scalable real-time video compositing systems and methods
In some embodiments, a server system composites in real-time, in response to a user video search query, a standard-compliant (e.g. MPEG-4/H.264) SD or HD video stream encoding a rectangular (x-y) composite video preview panel array (grid) of video search results. Each panel/tile in the rectangular panel array displays a temporal section (e.g. the first 90 seconds, looped-back) of a video identified in response to the user query. Generating the composite video panel array in real-time is achieved by compositing the component video panels in the compressed domain, after each panel undergoes off-line a compressed-domain pre-compositing preparation process that facilitates dynamic compositing of the panels into a single video stream. The pre-compositing preparation includes transcoding to a format having a down-scaled common resolution, common GOP structure, and one-slice-per-row slice structure. |
| US09654786B2 |
Image decoding method and apparatus using same
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for decoding an image, for decoding a bitstream including a plurality of layers. The image decoding method may comprise: a step of receiving and identifying dependency information indicating whether an upper layer is coded by the same coding method as a lower layer; and a step of recovering the image of the upper layer based on the identified dependency information. Thus, information indicating whether the information of the reference layer which the current layer refers to is encoded data or recovered value can be identified. |
| US09654784B2 |
Digital color image compression method and device
An image includes at least first and second digital samples corresponding to first and second different color components. The image is compressed by detecting level changes of a first signal formed of the sequence of the first samples and by detecting level changes of a second signal formed of the sequence of the second samples. A determination is made as to whether the detected changes coincide with each other. The first signal is decimated. The compressed image that is output includes the decimated first signal, the second signal and a further signal indicative of coinciding detected changes. |
| US09654776B2 |
Adaptive transform size selection for geometric motion partitioning
In one example, an apparatus includes a video encoder configured to partition a block of video data into a first geometric partition and a second geometric partition using a geometric motion partition line, wherein the block comprises N×N pixels, divide the block of video data into four equally-sized, non-overlapping (N/2)×(N/2) sub-blocks, and encode at least one of the sub-blocks through which the geometric motion partition line passes using a transform size smaller than (N/2)×(N/2). The video encoder may determine transform sizes for the sub-blocks based on whether the geometric motion partition line passes through the sub-blocks. In one example, a video decoder may inverse transform the sub-blocks, and may determine transform sizes for the sub-blocks based on whether the geometric motion partition line passes through the sub-blocks. |
| US09654771B2 |
Image coding method, image decoding method, image coding apparatus, image decoding apparatus, and image coding and decoding apparatus
An image coding method includes: writing, into a sequence parameter set, buffer description defining information for defining a plurality of buffer descriptions; writing, into the sequence parameter set, reference list description defining information for defining a plurality of reference list descriptions corresponding to the buffer descriptions; and writing, into a first header of each processing unit which is included in a coded bitstream, buffer description selecting information for specifying a selected buffer description. |
| US09654769B2 |
Apparatus, systems and methods for synchronization of 3-D shutter glasses to one of a plurality of presentation devices
Three dimensional (3-D) program content viewing system in a media environment with different media presentation devices detects a first synchronization signal transmitted from a first synchronization signal source, wherein the first synchronization signal is associated with first 3-D program content and includes a first signal identifier. The system detects a second synchronization signal transmitted from a second synchronization signal source, wherein the second synchronization signal is associated with second 3-D program content and includes a second signal identifier. The system then receives a selection of one of the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal and discriminates between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal based upon the first signal identifier and the second signal identifier. The system then controls a left lens and a right lens of 3-D shutter glasses in accordance with the selected one of the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal. |
| US09654766B2 |
3-dimensional displaying apparatus using line light source
The present disclosure relates to a 3-dimensional displaying apparatus using line light sources, which includes: a display panel having a plurality of pixels; a backlight panel having a plurality of line light sources disposed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, the backlight panel being spaced apart from one surface of the display panel; and a distance-adjusting unit for adjusting a distance between the backlight unit and the display panel. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to display autostereoscopic images which may minimize the quality deterioration of the 3-dimensional images according to the change of distance from an observer to the 3-dimensional displaying apparatus, which is a problem of a displaying apparatus implementing 3-dimensional images by using a general parallax separating unit. |
| US09654765B2 |
System for executing 3D propagation for depth image-based rendering
A system is disclosed for executing depth image-based rendering of a 3D image by a computer having a processor and that is coupled with one or more color cameras and at least one depth camera. The color cameras and the depth camera are positionable at different arbitrary locations relative to a scene to be rendered. In some examples, the depth camera is a low resolution camera and the color cameras are high resolution. The processor is programmed to propagate depth information from the depth camera to an image plane of each color camera to produce a propagated depth image at each respective color camera, to enhance the propagated depth image at each color camera with the color and propagated depth information thereof to produce corresponding enhanced depth images, and to render a complete, viewable image from one or more enhanced depth images from the color cameras. The processor may be a graphics processing unit. |
| US09654764B2 |
Stereoscopic image processing device, stereoscopic image processing method, and program
A stereoscopic image processing device including a depth map generation unit and a depth map correction unit. The depth map generation unit uses a first viewpoint image and a second viewpoint image to acquire depth values in units of blocks constituted of a plurality of pixels and generate a depth map. The depth map correction unit performs a judgment in the depth map as to whether or not a boundary region is included in a block of interest based on depth values of blocks surrounding the block of value, which is a block to be processed, and, if a boundary region is judged to be included in the block of interest, corrects the depth values in units of correction regions, which are units which are smaller than blocks, in the block of interest. |
| US09654763B2 |
Controlling method of detecting image-capturing gesture
A controlling method suitable for an electronic apparatus is disclosed herein. The electronic apparatus includes a first image-capturing unit and a second image-capturing unit. The controlling method includes steps of: obtaining a plurality of second images by the second image-capturing unit when the first image-capturing unit is operated to capture a plurality of first images for a stereo process; detecting an object in the second images; calculating a relative displacement of the object in the second images; and, determining whether the first images are captured by an inappropriate gesture according to the relative displacement calculated from the second images. |
| US09654762B2 |
Apparatus and method for stereoscopic video with motion sensors
An apparatus and method for a video capture device for recording 3 Dimensional (3D) stereoscopic video with motion sensors is provided are provided. The apparatus includes includes a camera unit having one lens for capturing video, a video encoder/decoder for encoding the captured video, a motion sensor for capturing motion data of the video capture device corresponding to the captured video, and a controller for controlling the video encoder/decoder and motion sensor to encode the captured video with the captured motion data. |
| US09654760B2 |
Encoding device, decoding device, encoding method, and decoding method
An encoding device includes a determination unit configured to determine, when performing detection of a motion vector using the decoded image of a frame image encoded in increments of blocks prior to the frame image to be encoded regarding an encoded block to be encoded of a plurality of blocks included in this frame image to be encoded at the time of encoding a frame image included in a moving image where a first image and a second image are arrayed using inter-image prediction encoding processing, correlation height as to the image of the encoded block regarding each of the image of a first area corresponding to the first image and the image of a second area corresponding to the second image included in a boundary block straddling a boundary between the first image and the second image of a block included in the decoded image. |
| US09654757B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for including device playback preferences in multimedia metadata
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided in order to provide device playback preferences in multimedia file metadata. A method is provided comprising identifying one or more playback devices; receiving a file to be played back; searching one or more data in the file for playback settings of the one or more playback devices; processing one or more playback settings for the one or more playback devices based on the one or more data; and causing play back of the file with the one or more playback devices. A corresponding apparatus and a computer program product are also provided. |
| US09654753B1 |
Video stream processing
A computer system encodes video display information using parallel processing capabilities of a general-purpose CPU. A driver on the computer system captures the display information into memory and identifies regions of the display that have changed. The identified changed regions are represented in a tree structure which allows the system to identify regions of the display that can be efficiently processed. The identified regions are converted from an RGB color space to a YUV420 color space using a cross-platform parallel processing framework such as OpenCL. By using a cross-platform parallel processing framework, the system is able to utilize parallel processing capabilities of the general-purpose CPU such as SSE or AVX to accelerate the conversion operation. |
| US09654751B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for providing color grading for displays
A method, apparatus and system for providing color grading or color correction for displays includes a plurality of virtual device models where each virtual device model has a virtual model specification (VMS) which controls a display feature. Each display includes a display specification including a display requirement or requirements. An apparatus of the present invention is configured to compare the display feature of at least one VMS against the display requirement of the display specification to determine a best match therebetween to select a virtual device model to control a display picture. Color correction is further provided in post production using the VMS to provide consistency across multiple display types. |
| US09654748B2 |
Projection device, and projection method
A projection device of the present disclosure includes a projection unit for radiating on a projection target object in a time-divided manner, in one frame period of a video, a visible light image that is based on a video signal and an invisible light image for acquiring predetermined information, and a controller for controlling an order of a radiation period for the visible light image and a radiation period for the invisible light image in the one frame period. The controller includes, as a radiation mode, a first mode for radiating the invisible light image in a manner of distributing the invisible light image over a plurality of periods within the one frame period. |
| US09654745B2 |
Rapid multi-spectral imaging methods and apparatus and applications for cancer detection and localization
Methods and apparatus for video rate or near video rate quantitative imaging of tissue physiological and morphological properties from visible/NIR light spectral images obtain rapid multi-spectral reflectance images by illuminating with a series of spectra containing multiple narrow wavelength bands. An iterative light-transport based inversion algorithm may be applied for correcting the intensity of the spectral images from the geometry/coupling effect as well as from the scattering amplitude distortions. The method can produce video rate absorption as well as scattering spectral images that can be further analyzed very rapidly, using matrix-based rapid inversion algorithms to produce more detailed quantitative images containing information relevant to tissue physiology and morphology. |
| US09654739B1 |
System and method for creating a medical virtual presence in a room on a network
A system and method for controlling and selecting sources in a room on a network. The system allows a remote viewer to create a virtual presence within the room by providing the available displays, corresponding to the sources, to the remote viewer. The system includes a standardizing technique for improving the communication and overall switching of data for streaming on a network. The system can include a recording server for performing dual recording of the video files in each of a local database and a remote database. A graphical user interface (GUI) display is provided to guide a local user through a medical procedure in the standardized system. |
| US09654736B2 |
Mosaic channel video stream with interactive services
An interactive mosaic channel video stream with indicators as to the action on a given video stream. The interactive mosaic channel is displayed on a video monitor, with a plurality of individual video feeds being presented at a given time, comprising a plurality of video cells presenting at least video information, each video cell associated with one of the plurality of individual video feeds, each video cell further comprising an area within the video cell reporting data related to the video feed, and a cursor, which can be moved between the plurality of video cells, for selecting at least one characteristic associated with a selected video cell, such that the user can then directly select a video program associated with the selected video cell. |
| US09654735B2 |
Movie advertising placement optimization based on behavior and content analysis
An ad is placed in a movie, by analyzing inherent characteristics of the movie, analyzing viewed characteristics of the movie, analyzing viewer characteristics of a viewer of the movie, obtaining advertiser preferences for placement of the ad in the movie, determining costs of placing the ad in the movie based on the inherent characteristics of the movie, the viewed characteristics of the movie, the viewer characteristics and the advertiser preferences, and placing the ad in the movie in accordance with the inherent characteristics of the movie, the viewed characteristics of the movie, the viewer characteristics, the advertiser preferences and the determined costs. |
| US09654734B1 |
Virtual conference room
A virtual conferencing system includes a 3D scanner in a local region and a camera. A scan of the local region and images are received and combined to make a model that is transmitted to a remote region. A remote model from the remote region is combined and rendered for a user in the local region. A reference point in the local region is mapped to a reference point in the remote region. The remote model is oriented with respect to the local region according to the reference points. Object in the remote and local regions may be filtered from models that are transmitted. Interactions with virtual objects in the local region may invoke modification virtual objects. Modifications may be transmitted to the remote region and superimposed on real objects corresponding to the virtual objects. |
| US09654733B2 |
Audiovisual information processing in videoconferencing
Embodiments of the present invention relate to audiovisual stream processing in videoconferences. For each audiovisual stream in a videoconference, a sound level of the audiovisual stream is detected. If the sound level exceeds a predefined threshold level, the audiovisual stream is processed with a first configuration. If the sound level is below the predefined threshold level, the audiovisual stream is processed with a second configuration. The second configuration is more resource-effective than the first configuration. |
| US09654732B2 |
Systems and methods of distribution of live streaming video feeds to and from video callers during a video collaboration session
The technology disclosed further relates to distribution of live streaming sources during a video collaboration session. In particular, it relates to receiving or placing an outside call from or to at least one remote limited participant to be joined with an ongoing video collaboration session on a display wall that combines multiple live streaming sources, locating a template that identifies at least one live streaming source selected from the ongoing video collaboration session to transmit to the remote limited participant, and causing a copy of the selected live streaming source to be directed to the remote limited participant upon connection to the ongoing video collaboration session. |
| US09654730B2 |
Communication terminal, communication method and computer readable information recording medium
A communication terminal receives display data for displaying certain data on a screen of a display device and image data of an optical-to-electrical-converted image from another communication terminal via a communication network, includes a storage part storing reception information indicating whether the display data has been received by the communication terminal and arrangement information indicating at least one of a size and a position of the image based on the image data, in a manner of associating with one another; a reception part receiving the display data and the image data; an extraction part extracting, based on the reception information, the corresponding arrangement information from the storage part; and a display control part displaying the image using the image data based on the arrangement information extracted by the extraction part. |
| US09654723B2 |
Recording apparatus, reproducing apparatus, recording and reproducing apparatus, recording method, reproducing method, recording and reproducing method, and record medium
Changes of a user's emotion that occurs when content is reproduced and a user's surrounding environment that occurs when the content is reproduced are recorded as sensing meta data and content is reproduced in a reproducing mode corresponding to the recorded sensing meta data. Content supplied from a content providing section 11 is normally reproduced. A human body sensor 24 measures biological information of a user of content. An environmental sensor 25 measures a user's surrounding environment. A sensing meta data generating section 19 generates sensing meta data using information detected by at least one of the human body sensor 24 and the environmental sensor 25. A recording processing section 20 records the generated sensing meta data to a record medium 21. A reproducing processing section 23 reproduces sensing meta data. A reproducing control section 12 reproduces content in a reproducing mode that changes corresponding to the reproduced sensing meta data. |
| US09654721B2 |
System and method for providing personal content recommendations
A system and method for providing personal content recommendations comprising a receiver to receive and collect one or more user commands at one or more modules, a processor to generate, at the one or more modules, one or more personalized recommendations based on the one or more user commands, and a transmitter to transmit the one or more personalized recommendations to be displayed at a display device in response to receiving one or more user inputs to display the one or more personalized recommendations. |
| US09654720B2 |
Display apparatus and method for controlling the same
A display apparatus is provided, which includes a receiver configured to receive a writing trace performed on a remote controller, a detector configured to extract a character that corresponds to the writing trace, a display configured to display the character and at least one item that corresponds to the character, and a controller configured to, if a user's operation is performed in one direction on the remote controller, automatically execute a function that corresponds to the at least one item that is positioned in the direction in which the user's operation is performed. |
| US09654717B2 |
Image pickup circuit, CMOS sensor, and image pickup device
Disclosed herein is an image pickup circuit including: amplifying means for amplifying a charge corresponding to an amount of light received by a photodetector, and outputting a pixel signal; ramp signal generating means for generating a ramp signal whose voltage drops with a fixed slope from a predetermined initial voltage; and comparing means for comparing the pixel signal output by the amplifying means with the ramp signal output by the ramp signal generating means. A reference potential of the pixel signal output by the amplifying means and a reference potential of the ramp signal output by the ramp signal generating means are at a same level. |
| US09654715B2 |
Solid-state image sensor, method of controlling the same, electronic device, and storage medium
A stacked-type solid-state image sensor including a first semiconductor layer in which an imaging pixel portion is implemented, and a second semiconductor layer in which a digital signal processing unit is implemented, comprises a first timing control unit configured to generate a drive timing signal of the imaging pixel portion, an A/D converter configured to convert an analog signal output from each pixel of the imaging pixel portion into a digital signal, a second timing control unit configured to generate a drive timing signal of the A/D converter; and a status generation unit configured to receive an event signal generated by at least one of the first timing control unit and the second timing control unit and generate a status signal to restrict an operation of the digital signal processing unit. |
| US09654711B2 |
Power reduction for image sensor with raw image scaler
A system and method for scaling an image includes receiving raw image data comprising input pixel values which correspond to pixels of an image sensor, filtering pixels in a spatial domain, and filtering pixels in a frequency domain according to an oversampling ratio. The system and method may also include outputting scaled image data as output pixel values, which correspond to subgroups of the input pixel values. The filtering may be done according to a Bayer-consistent ruleset which includes a set of filter weights and a series of scaling rules. The oversampling ratio is set to minimize an error after the filtering in the spatial domain and the filtering in the frequency domain. |
| US09654710B2 |
Photodiode limiter
An image sensor is provided. In one aspect, the image sensor includes a pixel coupled to an output line. The pixel includes a photodiode configured to generate electrical charges in response to light and a supply circuit configured to supply a voltage to the photodiode to keep a voltage of the photodiode at or above a threshold level in an integration time. In another aspect, the pixel includes a supply circuit configured to selectively supply voltage to the photodiode in a first charge holding capacity and a second charge holding capacity. |
| US09654709B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and electronic camera
A solid-state imaging device includes a second image sensor having an organic photoelectric conversion film transmitting a specific light, and a first image sensor which is stacked in layers on a same semiconductor substrate as that of the second image sensor and which receives the specific light having transmitted the second image sensor, in which a pixel for focus detection is provided in the second image sensor or the first image sensor. Therefore, an AF method can be realized independently of a pixel for imaging. |
| US09654708B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus, solid-state image sensing apparatus, and camera system
A semiconductor apparatus, a solid-state image sensing apparatus, and a camera system capable of reducing interference between signals transmitted through adjacent via holes, preventing an increase in the number of the via holes, reducing the area of a chip having sensors thereon and the number of mounting steps thereof. First and second chips are bonded together to form a laminated structure, a wiring between the first chip and the second chip being connected through via holes, the first chip transmitting signals obtained by time-discretizing analog signals generated by respective sensors to the second chip through the corresponding via holes, the second chip sampling the signals transmitted from the first chip through the via holes at a timing different from a timing at which the signals are sampled by the first chip and quantizing the sampled signals to obtain digital signals. |
| US09654705B2 |
Imaging device for capturing optical images
An imaging device includes an image capturing unit configured to capture an optical image of a corresponding one of pixels included in a screen, and the image capturing unit of part of the pixels in the screen includes an adjustment unit which contains an electric field responsive material and is configured to adjust a transmittance of light by the electric field responsive material, and a light-receiving unit configured to receive the light for which the transmittance has been adjusted by the adjustment unit. |
| US09654704B2 |
Apparatus and method for multispectral imaging with three dimensional overlaying
An apparatus and a method for multispectral imaging comprising, representation generator arranged to generate a three dimensional representation of a scene, at least one infrared imaging sensor arranged to obtain an infrared image of the scene, and an image overlaying processor arranged to overlay the infrared image onto the three dimensional representation of the scene to produce an infrared three dimensional representation of the scene. |
| US09654699B2 |
High dynamic range imaging with reduced frame buffer
A system and method for high dynamic range (HDR) imaging includes writing a first, second, and third sub-frame to a memory at a first, second, and third readout time, respectively, the first, second, and third sub-frame being generated by a same first sub-array of the array of image pixels. Subsequent to the third readout time, the first, second, and third sub-frames are sent to an image signal processor. Also subsequent to the third readout time, a fourth sub-frame is sent to the image sensor. The fourth sub-frame is generated by the same first sub-array of the array of image pixels. The fourth sub-frame bypasses the memory by being sent from an analog-to-digital converter to the image signal processor without being written to the memory. |
| US09654694B2 |
Dual lens digital zoom
A camera with a pair of lens/sensor combinations, the two lenses having different focal lengths, so that the image from one of the combinations has a field of view approximately two to three times greater than the image from the other combination. As a user of the camera requests a given amount of zoom, the zoomed image provided will come from the lens/sensor combination having the field of view that is next larger than the requested field of view. Thus, if the requested field of view is less than the smaller field of view combination, the zoomed image will be created from the image captured by that combination, using cropping and interpolation if necessary. Similarly, if the requested field of view is greater than the smaller field of view combination, the zoomed image will be created from the image captured by the other combination, using cropping and interpolation if necessary. |
| US09654687B2 |
Panoramic windshield viewer system
Forward oblique blind spots of a vehicle, generated by the vehicle's front windshield pillars, are eliminated by provision of a panoramic windshield viewer system, thus allowing the driver to operate the vehicle without having his view impaired by visual obstructions that would otherwise be caused by the windshield pillars. |
| US09654686B2 |
Location information designating device, location information designating method, and non-transitory storage medium in which location information designating program is stored
A location information designating device includes a location confirming image acquiring section, a display control section, an operating unit that designates a target location in the location confirming image displayed in the display; and a communicating unit. The location confirming image acquiring section acquires a location confirming image by which location information is confirmable. The display control section displays the acquired location confirming image in a display. The operating unit designates a target location in the location confirming image displayed in the display. The communicating unit transmits, to an external information device, information of the designated target location and the acquired location confirming image together with a request for an action to be performed by a user of the external information device. |
| US09654685B2 |
Camera apparatus and control method thereof
A camera apparatus and method enabling a user to conveniently control an operation of the camera apparatus according to a gesture of a subject for photography input through a lens of a camera, and a method of controlling the camera apparatus are provided. The method includes generating a current frame by receiving an image input through a camera; comparing the current frame and one or more previous frames stored before the current frame and detecting a gesture of a subject for photography included in the current frame and the one or more previous frames; determining whether the gesture is a gesture UI; and when the gesture is the gesture UI, executing an operation corresponding to the gesture UI. |
| US09654683B2 |
Apparatus and method for image acquisition
The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method for image acquisition. The apparatus includes: a main lens, a micro lens array, an image sensor, and a focal length control unit; the main lens, the micro lens array, and the image sensor are successively disposed alternately, and the image sensor is configured to: sense an optical signal that is transmitted from the main lens and the micro lens array, and convert the optical signal into an electrical signal; and the focal length control unit is configured to control a focal length of the main lens, a focal length of a micro lens in the micro lens array, or focal lengths of the main lens and the micro lens. The apparatus and the method for image acquisition according to embodiments of the present invention can implement switching between the two light field camera modes, thereby improving user experience. |
| US09654682B2 |
Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a focus lens, a motor for driving the focus lens, an origin detection unit for detecting an arrival of the focus lens at a reference position, a drive amount detection unit for detecting an amount of drive of the focus lens driven by the motor, and a controller for recognizing a position of the focus lens based on an output from the drive amount detection unit and for controlling the position of the focus lens. The controller receives a detection signal from the origin detection unit during driving the focus lens, and determines an occurrence of step-out of the motor based on both the received detection signal and the position of the focus lens recognized by the controller. |
| US09654681B2 |
Electronic apparatus and method of controlling the same
An electronic apparatus is described. The electronic apparatus includes: an image sensor including a plurality of image pixels and a plurality of focal point detection pixels; an auto-focus (AF) detection unit that detects an AF value based on a first focal point detection signal output from a first focal point detection pixel from the plurality of focal point detection pixels and a second focal point detection signal output from a virtual second focal point detection pixel corresponding to the first focal point detection pixel; and a control unit that generates image data based on an image signal output from the plurality of image pixels and the AF value detected by the AF detection unit. |
| US09654679B1 |
Imagery quantification of damage
A system quantifies the extent of a damaged vehicle in the absence of a specialist (appraiser) present onsite. The system enables an objective estimate of the damage, supplanting or merely supplementing psychologically biased claimant reporting. The system has hardware structures to perform imagery quantification of damage on a damaged vehicle. The damaged vehicle may be located anywhere, including at the scene of an accident, at an insured's home, at an insurer's claims offices, or at a body shop. Anyone, including the insured, with a mobile device such as a smart phone, may download onto it a mobile application that guides the user to take photographs or moving images of the damaged vehicle for the system to perform imagery quantification of damage. |
| US09654677B2 |
Camera-phone case with range finder
A case for a photographic device with a primary visual interface comprising a screen is disclosed. The case comprises a body, an optical viewfinder assembly having a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion being recessed into the body, and the top portion configured to slide between a closed position, where a top plane of the top portion is substantially flush with a top of the body, and an open position where the top portion is above the top of the body, thereby exposing an aperture in the viewfinder assembly; and a track and a track guide in mechanical communication, wherein one of the track and the track guide is attached to the optical viewfinder, to permit the top portion of the optical viewfinder assembly to slide between the closed position and the open position. |
| US09654666B1 |
Direct scan to package printing
Various methods and devices display a sheet scanning order on a user interface. The sheet scanning order identifies a corresponding panel of a foldable media for each position in the sheet scanning order. The foldable media has multiple panels per side. The foldable media receives printing while unfolded, and the foldable media is folded into a three-dimensional shape after printing. These methods and devices scan sheets in the sheet scanning order to generate scanned images using a scanner. Also, such methods and devices automatically arrange and orient the scanned images to cause a printing engine to print the scanned images on corresponding panels according to the sheet scanning order (using a processor). Such methods and devices print the scanned images on corresponding panels of the foldable media according to the sheet scanning order, using the printing engine. |
| US09654665B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including: a conveying unit that conveys a transfer medium; an image forming unit that prints an image on the transfer medium based on an image for printing; and a control unit that receives a detection result of an image detection unit that detects the image printed on the transfer medium, wherein the control unit has a determination function used when an image for which image detection is possible and an image for which image detection is not possible are added to a document image to form the image for printing, the determination function being adapted to exclude an area of the image for which image detection is possible and to determine a state of the printed image based on comparison of information of the detected image and information of the image for printing. |
| US09654656B2 |
Information processing system, information processing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
There is provided an information processing system including a server and a plurality of information processing apparatuses. The server stores setting information of menu screens of the plurality of information processing apparatuses. Each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses registers the setting information of a menu screen displayed on the information processing apparatus, and stores registered first setting information as a non-synchronization target and registered second setting information as a synchronization target. Each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses transmits, to the server, difference information between the second setting information and the setting information stored in the server, and performs synchronization of the second setting information with the server. |
| US09654650B1 |
Data quotas based on online charging server load
Examples disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and software for providing data quotas based a quota query load. In one example, a method of operating a communication system includes transferring a quota request for a wireless communication device from a packet data network gateway to an online charging server. The method further includes, in the online charging server, receiving the request, identifying a data quota based on a quota query load, and transferring the data quota to the packet data network gateway to be implemented for the wireless communication device. |
| US09654648B2 |
Native mobile device identification for toll-free service usage
A mobile device including a unique toll-free ID (TFID) present in the mobile device operable to facilitate toll-free communication between the mobile device and a manufacturer. |
| US09654634B2 |
Management of transaction routing to enterprise agents
A system is provided for routing transactions to individual ones of a group of agents, comprising, a queue wherein transactions to be routed are placed, a transmission facility sending invitations to interact with a transaction from the queue to agents, and a router routing transactions from the queue to individual agents who accept the invitation. |
| US09654633B2 |
Distributed constraint-based optimized routing of interactions
A system for optimized routing of interactions, comprising media servers, a statistics server, a routing database, and a routing server. Upon receiving or initiating an interaction, a media server sends a route request message to the routing server, the statistics server receives event notifications from the media servers and computes one or more statistics, and the routing server executes, using statistical data from the statistics server and data from the routing database, a routing script comprising a constraint-based optimization process in response to the route request message. |
| US09654630B1 |
Agent override of a call answering outcome determination of an outbound call in a contact center
A dialer is configured to connect an agent to a call upon answer and present information to a computer workstation used by the agent as to whether the call was answered by a live person or an automatic call answering device (“ACAD”). An agent override timer is started allowing the agent to override the determination of whether a live person or ACAD answered the call. If an ACAD is reported to have answered the call and the agent does not provide an override indication or provides an override indication after the expiry of the agent override timer, then the agent may be disconnected from the call. If an agent override indication is received prior to the expiry of the agent override timer, then the agent is not disconnected from the call. This allows the agent to override an incorrect determination by the dialer as to an ACAD answering the call. |
| US09654629B1 |
Telephone user interface providing enhanced call blocking
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a device comprising a processor detects a communication session between a calling device and a called device, and receives a motion signal from the called device; the motion signal is generated at a motion sensor of the called device during or after the communication session. The device analyzes the motion signal to determine whether a portion of the motion signal corresponds to a preselected motion of the called device and whether a subsequent call from the calling device accordingly is to be blocked. Responsive to a determination that the subsequent call is to be blocked, the device also updates a list of blocked caller identifiers associated with the called device to add an identifier associated with the calling device. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09654626B2 |
Recording and playing back portions of a telephone call
Approaches for recording and playing back a portion of a telephone call are provided. An approach includes establishing a subscriber of a recording and play back service. The approach includes recording, by a computing device, a portion of a conversation of the subscriber that occurs in a call between a first telephone and a second telephone. The approach additionally includes storing, by the computing device, the portion of the conversation when the call ends. The approach further includes analyzing, by the computing device, the stored portion of the conversation to detect predefined keywords. The approach also includes automatically providing the subscriber with an option to play back the stored portion of the conversation when at least one of the predefined keywords is detected during the analyzing. |
| US09654623B1 |
Data aggregation service
A data aggregation service is configured to minimize the number of service calls made to network services. The data aggregation service might be configured to cache objects returned in response to service calls to network services in a shared data object. A hash of the input values in the service calls to the network services may be utilized to determine whether an object referenced by the cache can be utilized instead of making another service call. The data aggregation service might also be configured to utilize change tracking to determine when calls are to be made to dependent services. The data aggregation service might also be configured to utilize data-specific time to live (“TTL”) values, to allow network services to specify the data they are interested in at a granular level, and/or to perform automated optimization of TTL values. Other optimizations might also be implemented by the data aggregation service. |
| US09654616B2 |
Displaying a group message
Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for displaying a message. Text messages that were sent and received to and from a recipient are obtained. The text messages are displayed such that group text messages sent and received to and from a group of recipients that also includes the recipient are differentiated from text messages sent or received to and from just the recipient. |
| US09654615B2 |
Method and system for safe messaging while driving
The method and system according to embodiments of the present invention may enable drivers to drive safely while paying attention to the road, without taking their eyes off the road or touching the screen, and to hear and respond to received various text messages (include instant messages, messengers), in various manners such as, for example, sending a predefined text and/or voice message, calling the sender of the message, etc. Thus, for example, drivers may continue to be available to messages while not being tempted to look at their phone and/or to text-message while driving. |
| US09654613B2 |
Dual-mode communication devices and methods for arena gaming
Methods, systems, and techniques for dual-mode communication are provided. Example embodiments provide an enhanced mobile device that includes a CPU, a low latency transceiver, and a high latency transceiver. The enhanced mobile device is in communication with a console via both the low latency transceiver and the high latency transceiver. The console also includes a CPU, a low latency transceiver, and a high latency transceiver. In some embodiments, the low latency communication channel is used to transmit control messages to an entertainment console whereas the high latency communication channel is used to communicate data between the mobile device and the entertainment console. The dual-mode communication may be used in different scenarios, including with an entertainment console for arena gaming and other entertainment applications. |
| US09654611B2 |
Application sharing between devices in proximity to each other
A method and an apparatus comprising operating a processor of an apparatus as a first processor and/or as a second processor. The method at a first processor comprises recognizing the proximity of a second apparatus; recognizing a first user input and in response to the user input, sending an application share invitation to the second apparatus. The method at a second processor comprises recognizing the proximity of a first apparatus and in response to receiving an application share invitation from the first apparatus, displaying a security prompt for the user on the display. |
| US09654607B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating application icon
A method for generating an application icon and a terminal apparatus are described. The terminal apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive prompt information of an application from a server automatically; an icon generating unit configured to generate an icon corresponding to the application in an application icon interface according to the prompt information received by the receiving unit; a first control unit configured to associate the icon generated by the icon generating unit with a first function according to the prompt information, and control the icon to be displayed in a first display effect; and a display unit configured to display the icon generated by the icon generating unit in the first display effect. |
| US09654602B2 |
User interface for just-in-time image processing
Technology is disclosed for an image editing tool that generates a recipe for just-in-time processing of images (“the technology”). Various embodiments of the technology include an image processing system that provides image processing services to a client system that publishes content including an image to end users. The image processing system processes the image based on a recipe to generate a processed image. The image editing tool is integrated into an application, e.g., webpage or a web browser, that displays the content. A user, e.g., administrator of the client system, can use the image editing tool to edit the image on the webpage and generate the recipe including instructions regarding the edits. The recipe is transmitted to the image processing system which processes the image based on the recipe, and transmits the processed image to the client system for further transmission to the end users accessing the content. |
| US09654599B1 |
Automatic concurrent installation refresh of a large number of distributed heterogeneous reconfigurable computing devices upon a booting event
In one embodiment, a deployment server is communicatively coupled with many computing devices requiring updated system installations based on requirements of a session user of the computer devices. Upon booting, the computing devices send remote installation requests to the deployment server. The deployment server matches identification data of the computer devices with corresponding target installation profiles defined according to the requirements of the session user in an installation database. Identification data of a computing device comprises a programmable MAC address. Based on the target installation profiles, the deployment server causes remote installation instructions and files to be sent to the computer devices based on the corresponding target installation profiles. The many computing devices perform installation of heterogeneous operating systems, hypervisors, virtual machines, software and/or software license concurrently under direction of the deployment server based on the remote installation instructions and files. In another embodiment, the deployment server is PXE-compliant. |
| US09654594B2 |
Semi-supervised identity aggregation of profiles using statistical methods
User profiles can be analyzed to identify profiles matching to the same identity. For example, profiles from different social network systems are analyzed to determine if the profiles are associated with the same user of the social network systems. Multiple heuristics may be calculated using different algorithms. The calculated heuristics may then be combined to generate a match score that indicates whether two profiles match. |
| US09654593B2 |
Discovering signature of electronic social networks
Methods may rank one user's connections in an electronic social network. The method may include identifying, by electronic apparatus, one user's connections with other users in an electronic social network. The method may additionally include analyzing, by electronic apparatus, a plurality of data sources for electronic communications between the one user and the other users. The method may further include calculating, by electronic apparatus, for each of the other users the probability that the one user will communicate with that other user based on the analyzed plurality of data sources. The method may additionally include ranking, by electronic apparatus, the one user's connections with the other users based on the calculated probabilities. In some embodiments, the method may include removing from a graph, by electronic apparatus, one or more of the one user's connections with the other users based on the ranked one user's connections. |
| US09654591B2 |
Mobile device-related measures of affinity
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request for a measure of affinity for a particular action associated with a user of the social-networking system; and determining results for each predictor function based at least in part upon a number of actions previously preformed by the user with respect to the mobile-computing device. Each predictor function calculating a likelihood the user performs one or more actions; The method also includes computing a measure of affinity associated with the user based on the results for the predictor functions; and providing the computed measure of affinity. |
| US09654589B2 |
Configurable personal audiovisual device for use in application-sharing system
A method for facilitating sharing of widget programs among a plurality of personal electronic devices is disclosed. The method includes establishing a database of the widget programs capable of being executed by the plurality of personal electronic devices. The method further includes receiving, over a communication network, a widget forwarding request from at least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices. An instance of a selected one of the widget programs is then transmitted, in response to the widget forwarding request, to another of the plurality of personal electronic devices. |
| US09654588B2 |
Device control apparatus, client apparatus, device control method, and device control system
There is provided a device control apparatus which makes it possible to dispense with device monitoring (polling) by a client apparatus to thereby reduce traffic on a network. A device server 200 acquires, according to device information for identifying a device locally connected to the device server 200, at least one of a trigger detection algorithm and a definition file for monitoring a state change of the device identified based on the device information, and monitors the locally connected device based on at least one of the acquired trigger detection algorithm and definition file. Then, when a state change of the device is detected, the device server 200 sends a trigger notification indicative of the detection of the state change to a client PC 100 via a network 500, and starts a session with the client PC 100 in response to a connection request from the client PC 100 having received the trigger notification. |
| US09654585B2 |
Efficient file management through granular opportunistic locking
Improved methods and systems for granular opportunistic locking mechanisms (oplocks) are provided for increasing file caching efficiency. Oplocks can be specified with a combination of three possible granular caching intentions: read, write, and/or handle. An oplock can be specified with an identifier that indicates a client/specific caller to avoid breaking the original oplock due to an incompatibility from other requests of the same client. An atomic oplock flag is added to create operations that allow callers to request an atomic open with an oplock with a given file. |
| US09654583B2 |
System and method for increasing data availability on a mobile device based on operating mode
A system for a mobile device to provide access to a data collection, such as a user's data collection for example, without requiring either persistent storage of the complete data collection locally on the mobile device, or network access requests for each user data request from the mobile device. In an embodiment, the system employs a data probability function to predict the probability of the mobile device accessing specific types of user data based on the operating mode of the mobile device. The system executes as a background process to provide and store locally on the mobile device, the data most probable to be accessed at the mobile device. The data most likely to be accessed via the mobile device is available locally, thereby minimizing latency issues that occur when data requests cannot be fulfilled using data stored locally in the mobile device and network requests are performed. |
| US09654580B2 |
Proxy-based web application monitoring through script instrumentation
Gathering web application analytic information. A proxy requests an application resource from a web application, on behalf of a client. The proxy receives the web application resource from the web application. The proxy, instruments the web application resource with a client executable script configured to cause analytic information to be gathered when the script is executed at a client. The web application resource is forwarded to a client. |
| US09654579B2 |
Scalable content delivery network request handling mechanism
Described herein are improved systems, methods, and devices for delivering and managing metadata in a distributed computing platform such as a content delivery network (CDN) so as to configure content servers to handle client requests. The teachings hereof provide, among other things, scalable and configurable solutions for delivering and managing metadata, preferably by leveraging dynamically obtained control information. For example, in one embodiment, a given content server may store metadata, e.g., in a configuration file, that references dynamic, late-bound control information for use in satisfying dependencies. This dynamic control information can be requested by the CDN content server, typically from a remote host, when needed to parse and execute the metadata. |
| US09654572B2 |
Identity management and service access for local user group based on network-resident user profiles
A profile-based system is employed to manage user identities and preferences, devices, content and/or other aspects of service delivery. The user profiles may be maintained in one or more servers or other elements located in an external network access via a customer premises equipment (CPE) gateway of a local network. The profiles can be used to map users to identities, devices, services, and other features that affect the manner in which a particular user communicates with (or through) the external network. |
| US09654566B2 |
Event queuing and distribution system
A REST-based event distribution system is described, with particular applicability to the distribution of distributed filesystem notifications over a high-latency best-effort network such as the Internet. In one embodiment, event channels are mapped to URL spaces and created and distributed through the use of HTTP POST and GET requests. The system is optimized for short polling by clients; an event history is maintained to buffer messages and maintain the idempotence of requests. In another embodiment, the events are registered as a SIP event pack allowing for the distribution of filesystem events. |
| US09654564B2 |
Controlling an IoT device using a remote control device via a remote control proxy device
Described herein are implementations for using a remote control device to control a target device on a network via a remote control proxy device. A remote control device may determine an IoT device capable of functioning as a remote control proxy device. The remote control device may generate a data packet comprising a command for controlling the target device and a network address associated with the target device, and transmit the data packet to the IoT device. If the IoT device determines, using the network address, that it is not the target device, the IoT device may either unicast the data packet to the target device or multicast the data packet to multiple intermediate IoT devices on the network. |
| US09654559B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for exchanging data of edge area user on cloud radio access network
A apparatus and system for exchanging data of an edge area user on a C-RAN are provided. The apparatus includes: at least one collaborative station of at least one neighboring C-RAN is determined for the edge area user on the C-RAN; control data is exchanged with the neighboring C-RAN collaborative station; a data exchange path used for exchanging first data with the neighboring C-RAN collaborative station is established according to the control data; the neighboring C-RAN collaborative station exchanges second data with the edge area user according to the control data. Based on the foregoing innovative mechanism, the C-RAN master station performs coupled collaboration with the neighboring C-RAN collaborative station by establishing the data exchange path, so that the neighboring C-RAN collaborative station may also exchange data with the edge area user, thereby enabling the edge area user on the C-RAN to obtain a better gain and improving system performance. |
| US09654556B2 |
Managing applications on an electronic device
An electronic device may offload an application to a network storage to free up storage on the electronic device. For instance, an application file and, in some cases, associated application data and/or saved application state information may be stored at the network storage and deleted from the electronic device. Subsequently, a data management module may receive an instruction to onload the application back onto the electronic device, such as in response to a user input that selects the offloaded application, a determination that an upcoming activity may include use of the offloaded application, or a determination that a user usage pattern indicates that the offloaded application is likely to be used. In response, the data management module may download the corresponding application file from the network storage. In some cases, the electronic device may also receive associated application data and/or saved application state information from the network storage. |
| US09654553B2 |
Routing to multiple diameter peers with the same identity
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a Diameter Routing Agent (DRA) for processing a Diameter message, the method including: providing alias Diameter identifiers (IDs) to peers with the same Diameter IDs; receiving a Diameter message at the DRA associated with one of the peers with the same Diameter ID; determining a correct peer of the peers with the same Diameter ID associated with the received Diameter message; setting the destination host of the received Diameter message to the aliased ID of the correct peer; and transmitting the Diameter message to the correct peer. |
| US09654550B2 |
Methods and apparatus for making byte-specific modifications to requested content
According to this disclosure, a proxy server is enhanced to be able to interpret instructions that specify how to modify an input object to create an output object to serve to a requesting client. Typically the instructions operate on binary data. For example, the instructions can be interpreted in a byte-based interpreter that directs the proxy as to what order, and from which source, to fill an output buffer that is served to the client. The instructions specify what changes to make to a generic input file. This functionality extends the capability of the proxy server in an open-ended fashion and enables it to efficiently create a wide variety of outputs for a given generic input file. The generic input file and/or the instructions may be cached at the proxy. The teachings hereof have applications in, among other things, the delivery of web content, streaming media, and the like. |
| US09654547B2 |
Method for enabling hierarchical architecture of device management gateways
In the field of telecommunications technology, a method for enabling Hierarchical Architecture of device management gateways is applicable to a remote management system having a server and multiple devices that are connected through one or more gateways in multi-level Hierarchical Architecture of Gateways, with a tree structure. More specifically, the method enables a new functionality required for the OMA-DM Gateway MO (GwMO): support for Hierarchical Architecture of Gateways. |
| US09654546B1 |
Scalable local cache in distributed streaming platform for real-time applications
Software for a distributed streaming platform receives an application. The application is structured as a directed acyclic graph (DAG) with instances of operators as nodes and streams as edges between nodes. Multiple instances of an operator access a shared database. The software receives a pre-defined hint associated with the application. The pre-defined hint sets a maximum period of time for local caching of a result from a query of the database by each of the multiple instances. The software launches the application by assigning the instances of operators to one or more containers provided by the streaming platform and initiating the streams. Each container is associated with a local cache. The software then receives a request from the application to make a dynamic adjustment that increases the maximum period of time for local caching of a result from a query of the database by each of the multiple instances. |
| US09654541B1 |
Aggregating user web browsing data
A system for aggregating a user's web browsing data which may include cookies placed on a user's computing device from various websites. The system receives authorization from a user to retrieve cookie and other data associated with the user. The system then accesses cookie data and personal data associated with the user. In some embodiments, the aggregation system communicates with websites that placed the cookie data on the user's computer to determine one or more characteristics of the user based on the cookie data (which may be understandable only by the placing website). The system may then provide the user's aggregated data or a portion thereof to requesting entities. The user may have access to a user interface which provides information about the user's aggregated data and allows the user to determine how much information to share with requesting entities. |
| US09654537B2 |
Synchronization and mixing of audio and video streams in network-based video conferencing call systems
In one aspect, audio streams are added to a mix until the mix is either complete (i.e., all audio streams have been added) or the mix is closed early (i.e., before the mix is complete). In another aspect, audio and video streams are synchronized by playing back the audio stream and then synchronizing display of the video frames to the playback of the audio stream. |
| US09654536B2 |
Cloud queue playback policy
An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving, from a media playback system, at least one request for an indication of one or more media items from a queue of media items. The implementation may also involve the computing system identifying one or more playback policies that are associated with the queue of media items. Each of the one or more playback policies may restrict at least one aspect of playback of at least one of the one or more media items. The implementation may further involve the computing system sending, to the media playback system, an indication of the identified one or more playback policies. |
| US09654533B2 |
Method of adaptively delivering media based on reception status information from media client and apparatus using the same
Disclosed herein are a method of adaptively delivering media based on reception status information from a media client and an apparatus using the same. A media transmission method by a media transmission apparatus may include sending a message, including configuration information for media requested by a terminal, to the terminal, sending a media packet forming the media to the terminal, selecting a media packet having a transport characteristic corresponding to reception quality information for the media packet received from the terminal based on the reception quality information, and sending the selected media packet to the terminal. |
| US09654531B2 |
System and method for transitioning between receiving different compressed media streams
A computer system receives a first compressed media stream and stores corresponding data in a first compressed buffer. The computer system generates a first decompressed media stream based on the first compressed media stream. While providing the first decompressed media stream to a presentation device, the computer system receives a content-transition indication indicating that a second decompressed media stream is to be provided to the presentation device instead of the first decompressed media stream. While continuing to generate the first decompressed media stream using the first compressed buffer, the computer system receives a second compressed media stream corresponding to the second decompressed media stream and stores corresponding data in a second compressed buffer. After storing the data in the second compressed buffer, the computer system provides a second decompressed media stream, based on the second compressed media stream, to the presentation device instead the first decompressed media stream. |
| US09654530B2 |
Streaming distribution system, streaming distribution method
A streaming distribution system in which streaming data is transmitted from a server to a client, the streaming distribution system includes: the server includes: a first processor configured to execute a plurality of instructions, the instructions includes, rearranging at least one independently playable data item contained in the streaming data from an original position to a position at a front side of the streaming data; transmitting the rearranged streaming data to the client; and the client includes: a second processor configured to execute a plurality of instructions, the instructions includes, decoding the original streaming data that has been restored in accordance with the original position of the received independently playable data item. |
| US09654529B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for implementing service control of home network device
A method, an apparatus and a system can be used for implementing service control of a home network device. A first DLNA device sends a service request to a user interface server. The first DLNA device receives a DLNA device list of the home network wherein the first DLNA device is located and a control script corresponding to a media service to be executed that are sent by the user interface server in response to the service request. The first DLNA device selects a second DLNA device from the DLNA device list and controls, according to the control script, the second DLNA device to execute the media service to be executed. |
| US09654525B2 |
Adaptive pacing of media content delivery over a wireless network
A method includes in response to a request to stream media content from a base station of a wireless network to a communication device via a wireless channel, determining, at the base station of a wireless network, a size of a data burst that includes a portion of the media content based on potential data wastage, usage efficiency of base station resources, or a combination thereof. The method includes sending the data burst via the wireless channel from the base station to a communication device. |
| US09654518B2 |
Stack fusion software communication service
A stack fusion method is implemented at an originator cluster of software services in a distributed Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) system. The method includes receiving a request for a communication service from an originator registered to the originator cluster. The method further includes, responsive to the request, creating a communication protocol object in the originator cluster, discovering a participant cluster on which the participant is registered, notifying the participant via the participant cluster that the communication protocol object exists, and updating an index protocol object in the participant cluster that tracks communication sessions in which the participant is engaged with a reference that points to the communication protocol object in the originator cluster. |
| US09654513B1 |
Automated network security policy deployment in a dynamic environment
A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for automatically deploying a network security policy based on virtual network topology in a dynamic software defined network (SDN) comprising: providing a flow control interface in a dynamic SDN wherein the flow control interface receives virtual network topology, operational endpoints, and policy to apply to the operational endpoints; responsive to receiving an SDN change indication, identifying changes to enforcement points for an SDN change corresponding to the SDN change indication; and, providing enforcement points affected by the SDN change with a policy reflecting the SDN change. |
| US09654512B2 |
Implementing security in a social application
Implementing security in social applications includes inferring a closeness level of a connection to a user's profile of a social application based on a closeness policy and implementing a security level individualized to the connection based on the closeness level. |
| US09654504B1 |
Detecting a hijacked network address
A computer system monitors a set of inactive addresses. The computer system identifies a suspicious activity associated with at least one inactive address of the set of inactive addresses. The computer system determines a suspicion score for the at least one inactive address based on the suspicious activity associated with the at least one inactive address. The computer system categorizes the at least one inactive address as a potentially hijacked address if the suspicion score exceeds a threshold. |
| US09654500B2 |
Web redirection for content filtering
This specification generally relates to using redirect messages to implement content filtering. One example method includes determining that access to a network resource should be redirected based at least in part on access behavior associated with the network resource; receiving from a client a first request for the network resource, the first request including an original location of the network resource; sending a redirect response to the client including a modified location for the network resource different than the original location; receiving a second request for the network resource from the client including the modified location; retrieving the network resource from the original location; performing at least one action on the retrieved network resource; and selectively sending the retrieved network resource to the client based at least in part on a result associated with the at least one action. |
| US09654486B2 |
System and method for generating sets of antivirus records for detection of malware on user devices
Disclosed are systems and method for generating a set of antivirus records to be used for detection of malicious files on a user's devices. An exemplary method includes maintaining, by a server, a database of malicious files; generating, by the server, at least one antivirus record for each malicious file; calculating an effectiveness of each antivirus record by determining how many different malicious files were detected using each antivirus record; generating a set of most effective antivirus records; and transmitting, by the server, the set of most effective antivirus records to a client device. |
| US09654483B1 |
Network communication rate limiter
A technology is described for limiting the rate at which a number of requests to perform a network action are granted using rate limiters. An example method may include receiving a request for a token granting permission to perform a network action via a computer network. In response, rate limiters may be identified by generating hash values using hash functions and a network address representing a source network where the hash values identify memory locations for the rate limiters. The rate limiters may have a computer memory capacity to store tokens that are distributed in response to the request. Token balances for the rate limiters may be determined, and permission to perform the network action may be granted as a result of at least one of the token balances being greater than zero. |
| US09654481B1 |
Location based secure data device
In providing secure data access, a secure data device receives a data access request to access secured data stored in a storage of the secure data device. A location module of the secure data device calculates a current location of the secure data device. A secure data module of the secure data device compares the current location and a pre-stored location stored in the secure data device. Upon determining that the current location matches the pre-stored location, the secure data module retrieves the secure data from the storage and processes the secure data. The processed secure data is sent as available data in response to the data access request. Upon determining that the current location does not match the pre-stored location, the secure data module retrieves the secure data and processes the secure data in a manner that renders the available data unusable. |
| US09654477B1 |
Adaptive authentication
Provided is adaptive authentication that utilizes relational analysis, sentiment analysis, or both relational analysis and sentiment analysis to facilitate an authentication procedure. The relational analysis evaluates a transactional profile and a behavioral profile of the user. The sentiment analysis evaluates available user information that is obtained from various forms of Internet activity related to the user. A level of authentication is selectively modified based on a result of the relational analysis and/or the sentiment analysis. |
| US09654470B2 |
Multi-function smart communication card
Various embodiments are described that relate to a smart card. When not connected to an external system, such as a laptop computer, the smart card can be configured to power itself. Thus, various functions can be practiced on the smart card in absence of connection to the external system. Example functions of the smart card can include user identification and authorization. In addition, the smart card can be configured to distinguish between different users and provide different access levels to different users and/or difference access to containers resident within the smart card. This can be done prior to when the smart card is connected to the external system. |
| US09654465B2 |
Software-defined network threat control
In Software-Defined Network (SDN), a trust controller and trust processor exchange hardware-trust data over an SDN southbound interface to maintain hardware-trust. A flow controller transfers a Flow Description Table (FDT) modification to the data-plane machine over the southbound interface. The flow controller transfers an FDT modification notice to the trust controller which transfers FDT security data over the southbound interface to authorize the FDT change in the SDN data-plane machine. The data-plane machine authorizes the FDT modification based on the FDT security data from the trust controller. The data-plane machine modifies the FDT in response to the successful authorization and processes user data traffic using the modified FDT. The trust controller may also transfer a Threat Description Table (TDT) to the data-plane machine to filter the user traffic for other threats. |
| US09654464B2 |
Data security
In one embodiment, a method is provided that may include one or more operations. One of these operations may include, in response, at least in part, to a request to store input data in storage, encrypting, based least in part upon one or more keys, the input data to generate output data to store in the storage. The one or more keys may be authorized by a remote authority. Alternatively or additionally, another of these operations may include, in response, at least in part, to a request to retrieve the input data from the storage, decrypting, based at least in part upon the at least one key, the output data. Many modifications, variations, and alternatives are possible without departing from this embodiment. |
| US09654463B2 |
Application specific certificate management
Application specific certificate deployment may be provided. An application may generate a security certificate comprising a public key and a first private key. The public key may be stored in a shared segment of a memory store, from where it may be retrieved and signed. The signed public key may be re-deployed and/or used to transmit securely encrypted resources. |
| US09654459B2 |
Cloud queue synchronization protocol
An example implementation may involve a playback device of a media playback system sending a request for an indication of at least one media item from a remote queue of media items and an indication of a particular media item that is being played by the playback device. The implementation may also involve the playback device receiving an indication of one or more media items from the remote queue of media items. The one or more media items may include the particular media item is being played by the playback device. The implementation may further involve the playback device incorporating an indication of the one or more media items into a local queue of media items. |
| US09654458B1 |
Unauthorized device detection in a heterogeneous network
Techniques are disclosed for identifying an unauthorized device in a network environment that comprises a plurality of heterogeneous devices. In some embodiments, tests may be performed about a device, using information provided by the device, information about the device obtained from a neighboring device, or information about a placement of the device within a network topology. These tests may be used to determine whether a device is unauthorized for the network. |
| US09654456B2 |
Service level digital rights management support in a multi-content aggregation and delivery system
Content may be provided to an access device by the content delivery platform. When the access device decides to access the content, a request may be received at the content delivery platform. The request is intercepted at a URL proxy, which determines if the content has been purchased or not. If the content has been purchased, the request is redirected to a digital rights server. The digital rights server processes the request and determines digital rights for the content using the address. The digital rights are then provided such that the access device can access the content. If a user of the access device has not already purchased the content, a message may be sent to the access device requesting that the user purchase the content. Once the content is purchased, the digital rights are then provided such that the access device can access the content. |
| US09654454B2 |
Coerced encryption on connected devices
Techniques for coercing users to encrypt synchronized content stored at their personal computing devices. In some aspects, one or more computing devices receive, from a personal computing device, an indication of whether data stored in at least a portion of a storage device of the personal computing device is protected by disk encryption. In response to determining, based on the indication, that the portion of the storage device is not protected by encryption, synchronization data for synchronizing a copy of one or more synchronized content items stored in the portion of the storage device with another copy of the synchronized content items stored at one or more server computing devices is withheld from the personal computing device until disk encryption on the personal computing device is enabled so as to coerce the user to enable disk encryption on the personal computing device. |
| US09654453B2 |
Symmetric key distribution framework for the Internet
A method, device, and system are disclosed. In one embodiment the method includes receiving measured health information from a client on a key distribution server. Once the measured health information is received the server is capable of validating the measured health information to see if it is authentic. The server is also capable of sending a session key to the client when the measured health information is validated. When the client receives the session key, the client is capable of initiating an encrypted and authenticated connection with an application server in the domain using the session key. |
| US09654449B2 |
Geospatial cryptagraphy
The invention includes methods for authenticating access between devices when the devices are within a geospatial boundary comprising the first step of keeping track of the physical position of the devices using both low and, or high fidelity geospatial positioning techniques. Next, a first device determines whether any nearby mobile devices have entered the geospatial boundary. Next, the first device determines if any of the mobile devices are peers eligible for cryptographic authentication. After the first device authenticates that the other device within the geospatial boundary is a trusted peer, the devices may perform various data and, or dynamic policy operations. |
| US09654448B2 |
Secure communication system for mobile devices
A comprehensive solution for providing secure mobile communication is provided. The system includes techniques for authentication and control of communication end-points; chain of trust to ensure devices are certified as authentic; contact list management; peer-to-peer encrypted voice, email, and texting communication; and a technique for bypassing an IP PBX to ensure high levels of security. The system is able to support use of commodity mobile communication devices (e.g., smart phones, laptops) over public carrier networks. |
| US09654444B1 |
Communication control method, communication node, and mobile node
A technique is disclosed in which an MN (mobile node) 100 notifies, to a CN (correspondent node), home network connection information indicative of whether or not it is currently in connection with a home network which has allocated its own plurality of HoAs (home addresses), an address of each HA (home agent) and an ID of each HA in a state associated with the plurality of HoAs. Based on the information received from the MN, the CN grasps the home network with which the MN is currently in connection and makes an inquiry about the condition of the HA and sets an appropriate HoA, judged on the basis of the grasping result or the inquiry result, as a destination address of a packet to be transmitted to the MN. |
| US09654442B2 |
Methods for deploying clustered servers and apparatuses using the same
An embodiment of the invention introduces a method for deploying clustered servers, executed by a processing unit of a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server, which contains at least the following steps. Deployment information associated with a requesting server is encapsulated into an acknowledgement after the DHCP server receives a request from the requesting server, where the request requests an IP (Internet Protocol) address, which has been assigned by the DHCP server. The acknowledgement is replied to the requesting server, thereby enabling the requesting server to configure itself as a master server or a slave server in a cloud computing environment according to the deployment information of the acknowledgement. |
| US09654440B1 |
Modification of domain name systems using session initiation protocol messages
A communication server to facilitate modification of records in a domain name system (DNS) server comprises a session initiation protocol (SIP) network interface, a DNS network interface, and a processing system. The SIP network interface is configured to receive a SIP information message comprising a DNS modification indicator. The processing system is configured to, responsive to the DNS modification indicator, process the SIP information message to identify DNS modification parameters in the SIP information message, and process the DNS modification parameters to generate a DNS modification command for the DNS server. The DNS network interface is configured to transfer the DNS modification command for delivery to the DNS server. |
| US09654438B2 |
Identifying message deliverability problems using grouped message characteristics
Disclosed are various embodiments for identifying a message deliverability problem. Responses are received from one or more client devices that include information that identifies whether a respective response is associated with a first group of messages or a second group of messages. A message deliverability problem for at least one of the first group of messages or the second group of messages may be identified based at least in part on the information included in at least a portion of the plurality of responses. |
| US09654437B2 |
System and method for prioritizing messages based on senders and content for drivers
The system facilitates the selective display of messages to a user while the user is driving a vehicle. During operation, the system determines the priority of a message based on: a sender of the message; whether the message requests a response; a duration of time within which to read the message; and one or more rules. The system precludes the display of one or more messages while the user is driving a vehicle based on the respective priority of the messages. |
| US09654436B2 |
Systems and methods for migrating mailbox data from systems with limited or restricted remote access
Examples described include software hosting systems able to provide software as a service to client systems through a firewall and/or to client systems which do not have web service capability. Examples include mailbox migration systems for migrating mailboxes from a source messaging system (e.g. a Lotus Notes system) to a destination messaging system. Software hosting systems described herein may maintain an action buffer including a next action to be performed by the source messaging system, and wait for data (e.g. messaging system content) to be returned and stored in a data buffer. Communication between the software hosting system and the source messaging system may occur over a communication channel which may be operated through a firewall using HTTP. |
| US09654435B2 |
Electronic device and method for managing group e-mail
A method and apparatus for managing group e-mails in an electronic device is provided. A group e-mail message including a request to receive a reply e-mail by a first time may be transmitted to e-mail addresses of at least two recipients. It is automatically determined whether reply e-mails are received from the at least two recipients by a second time. When there is at least one recipient from whom the reply e-mail was not received by the second time, a reminder e-mail is transmitted to the at least one recipient from whom the reply e-mail is not received. |
| US09654423B2 |
Method and system for port performance ranking in multi-protocol switch
A system and method for port performance ranking in a multi-protocol switch includes monitoring one or more first parameters, the one or more first parameters associated with operating condition of one or more ports of the multi-protocol switch. Each of the one or more first parameters is compared with an associated predefined criterion to determine deviation from the associated predefined criterion. One or more eligible ports is determined from the one or more ports based on non-deviation of each of the one or more first parameters from the associated predefined criterion. For each of the one or more eligible ports, each of one or more second parameters is compared with an associated predefined threshold, the one or more second parameters associated with port traffic statistics. The one or more eligible ports are ranked based on the comparison between each of the second parameters and the associated predefined threshold. |
| US09654422B2 |
Increased fabric scalability by designating router groups
Is in a Fibre Channel storage area network (SAN) and its included routers, the routers are placed in groups or pods. Each router only contains router port and fabric access data for routers in the same group or pod. In this manner the size of the relevant tables are reduced, which allows for greater expansion of the SAN as a whole. Each router may be programmed by an administrator with a pod value, indicating the pod containing the router. This value may be provided to the Name Server during router registration and may be requested from the Name Server when developing the router's inter-fabric router (IFR) topology or the pod value can be exchanged in the IF_ILS_HLO messages. Router port database information is only stored from routers in the same pod or provided to routers in the same pod, thus reducing the entries in the router port database. |
| US09654421B2 |
Providing real-time interrupts over ethernet
In one embodiment, a method includes sending a request to one or more distributed fabric protocol (DFP) system members in order to retrieve one or more events from the one or more DFP system members, receiving one or more acknowledgements to the request from the one or more DFP system members at a local network switch of a DFP system master, upon receipt of at least one packet in which the one or more events are encapsulated as data: decoding the at least one packet to retrieve details of the one or more events using a dedicated processor of the DFP system master, creating and sending a message signaled interrupt (MSI) comprising the details of the one or more events to a local processor of the DFP system master using the dedicated processor, and reading the MSI using the local processor of the DFP system master. |
| US09654415B2 |
Information processing system, management server group, and server management program
This invention includes an application server for executing an application and transmitting the execution results to a terminal or other such device connected to a network, and a management server for allocating the application and data on an application server and a storage device, respectively, wherein the management server reallocates the application execution site using: a procedure for obtaining device location information from a device via an application server and selecting, from the location information, an application server that will be the application migration destination; a procedure for indicating the migration-destination application server to the migration-source application server; and a procedure for migrating the application and the data between the application servers. |
| US09654413B2 |
Method, device, and system for implementing network access, and network system
Disclosed are a method, device, and system for implementing network access, and a network system. The method comprises: in the case that a terminal requests to access a webpage, a server determining content of the webpage that the terminal requests to access; and the server searching for a webpage, used as a reference webpage, with relevant content matching the content of the webpage, and providing information of the found reference webpage for the terminal. The present invention can enable a user terminal to obtain multiple associated access results by performing webpage access once. Even though the terminal cannot for some reason access a webpage originally expected to be accessed, or content of a webpage originally expected to be accessed cannot meet a user requirement, has a bad display effect, or even cannot be displayed, other webpages with associated or same content can be provided for the terminal, so that a webpage that comprises sufficient information, has a better display effect, and is securer is provided for the terminal, thereby avoiding an additional access operation of the terminal and improving the browsing efficiency and experience of a user. |
| US09654411B2 |
Virtual machine deployment and management engine
A virtual machine deployment and management engine deploys virtual machines to physical host computers based on a deployment time matrix. The deployment time matrix specifies approximate amounts of time used to clone or deploy a virtual machine from every host computer to every other host computer. The virtual machine deployment and management engine selects a deployment path based on the deployment times and executes the clone or deploy operations. |
| US09654407B2 |
Communication systems and methods having reduced frame duration
A transmitter arrangement using randomization is disclosed. The arrangement includes one or more randomizers, a measure component and a frame select component. The one or more randomizers are configured to generate one or more randomized frames from an original frame. The measure component is configured to measure a criterion for the original frame and the one or more randomized frames. The frame select component is configured to select a frame for transmission from the one or more randomized frames and the original frame. The selection is performed according to the measured criteria, such as frame duration. |
| US09654405B2 |
Effective intra-frame refresh in multimedia communications over packet networks
Systems and methods of performing intra-frame refresh in multimedia communications over lossy packet networks, in which a video receiver can provide packet loss feedback information to a video transmitter, and the video transmitter can respond to the feedback information, in a manner that makes efficient use of available bandwidth. By providing one or more PLI messages from the video receiver to the video transmitter based on criteria related to the detection of an eventual missing video packet and/or the determination that the quality of a current reference frame is bad, and by pausing the providing of GNACK messages from the video receiver to the video transmitter while the PLI messages are being provided to the video transmitter, the total number of video packets required for transmission/retransmission can be reduced, thereby limiting the impact of the transmitted/retransmitted video packets on the available bandwidth while enhancing the video QoE of system users. |
| US09654402B2 |
Telecommunication quality of service control
Different quality of service policies are enforced for packets from traffic streams of different type in a communication network, according to the type of traffic types of traffic. A learning phase and an operation phase are provided. The learning phase teaching by example of characteristics that must be used to distinguish the different types of traffic. In the learning phase, an indication is received of a quality of service policy that is required for user applications of a selected type. An indication is provided indicating execution of a user application of said type in a user domain and characteristics of packet traffic are derived from inspection of packets transmitted through the communication network to and/or from the user domain during the indicated execution. In the operation phase packet traffic in the network to and/or from the user domain is inspected. It is detected whether observed characteristics of the packet traffic match the derived characteristics. When a match is detected, enforcement of the quality of service policy in the network to packet traffic of the selected type of user application is triggered. |
| US09654399B2 |
Methods and devices in an IP network for congestion control
The invention relates to a method 30 in a packet forwarding device 2 in an Internet Protocol, IP, network 10 for congestion control. The method 30 comprises: receiving 31 an IP packet 20 originating from a first network node 11 and addressed to a second network node 3; determining 32 a congestion status on a network path from the second network node 13 to the first network node 11; and entering 33, for a congestion status indicating congestion, congestion information into a header 21, 22 of the IP packet 20, the congestion status congestion information notifying the second network node 13 about congestion present on the network path. The invention also relates to a packet forwarding device 12, a computer program 43 and computer program product 44. |
| US09654384B2 |
Asymmetrical link aggregation
According to one embodiment, a method for asymmetrical link aggregation includes detecting a link change corresponding to a previously selected port of a first set of ports used to forward frames to one of a plurality of aggregation switches connected via the first set of ports to an access switch. The method also includes re-selecting, using the access switch, a port of the first set of ports according to a distribution algorithm that ensures that all frames with a given source address are forwarded using a single port and causes frames with different source addresses to be distributed uniformly among the first set of ports in response to detecting the link change. Also, the method includes generating and sending a fake reverse address resolution protocol (RARP) frame including the given source address of the frame from the re-selected port in response to detecting the link change. |
| US09654381B2 |
Differentiated routing system and method
A differentiated routing system is provided for routing a communication service according to an access point of a subscriber terminal to a first network domain. The system includes a computing system executing a core routing engine (CRE) that receives a request for a communication service from the subscriber terminal. When the communication service is to be routed to a second network domain, the CRE identifies an access point at which the subscriber terminal accesses the first network domain, includes a tag in the request according to the identified access point. The tag includes information to be used by the second network domain for routing the communication service. The CRE then transmits the request to the second network domain. |
| US09654378B2 |
Link addition to a network of linked nodes
A method of adding a link to a network of linked nodes is provided. Received scoring information includes a first node identifier, a second node identifier, and a link value. The link value is determined using an analytic model. A first anchored network record for which a first node associated with the first node identifier is an anchor is identified. A first link record is added to the identified first anchored network record using the first node identifier, the second node identifier, and the link value. A first node record associated with the second node identifier is added to the identified first anchored network record. A node record is identified for the first node in the identified anchored network record. A network score value included in the identified node record is computed based on the link value. The identified node record is updated with the computed network score value. |
| US09654377B2 |
Per port ethernet packet processing mode by device type
A method and apparatus for enabling software processing are described including receiving a dynamic host configuration protocol request form a client device, determining if the client device has a vendor specific identifier, determining a switch port to which the client device is connected, increasing a count of devices connected to the switch port, determining if the count is greater than a predetermined threshold and if the switch port is not already in software mode, placing the switch port in software mode if the count is greater than the predetermined threshold and if the switch port is not already in the software mode and saving the media access control address and the switch port to which the client device is connected. |
| US09654374B2 |
Method and system for stream testing by using switching hub
The present invention provides a method for stream testing by a switching hub including the steps of generation a test data stream by the switching hub and testing a plurality of DUTs by using the test data stream. A first port of the switching hub transmits port mirroring to a second port of the switching hub. A packet is transmitted through a physical cable from the first port. The first port and the second port are added to a first virtual local area (VLAN) in a native manner. The second port receives a test packet in a self-loop mode. The test data stream is created by repeatedly transmitting the test packet from the second port. In addition, the present invention further provides a system for stream testing by a switching hub. |
| US09654373B2 |
Method and system for interference detection and mitigation
In a method for adjusting the modulation of information onto subcarriers transmitted on a network, a first modulation profile of a network node on the network is set a first density. A plurality of messages in support of a link maintenance operation (LMO) on the network are monitored. The first modulation profile of the network node is updated to a second modulation profile having a second density. The updating is based on the monitored messages. Interference is detected by determining that a link between the first network node and a second network node on the network is not conveying a predetermined class of messages correctly. The first network node is set to a third modulation profile more robust than the first and second modulation profiles in response to the detected interference. The third modulation profile is common to each network node on the network. |
| US09654371B2 |
Determination of system performance parameters in heterogeneous network environments
A method of determining system performance parameters, such as delay, present in a network where the network is one of a plurality of heterogeneous networks in a communication system. The communication comprises a first network and a first node, both controlled by a first network operator, and a second network controlled by a second network operator. The first node is located in the second network. The method comprises the steps of: the first node communicating with at least one other node; the first node obtaining system-related information as a result of this communication; the system-related information being used to derive the system performance parameters of the second network. |
| US09654369B2 |
Mobile terminal network port management method and device
Disclosed is a mobile terminal network port management method and device. The method includes: after PPPOE dial up completes, scanning current mobile network equipment port numbers and acquiring currently occupied mobile network ports; detecting and analyzing whether the currently occupied mobile network ports are virtually occupied ports or not; if yes, releasing said virtually occupied ports. The abovementioned technical solution solves an existing problem of possible virtual occupancy of network ports after a PPPOE connection is established, thereby greatly enhancing availability of the mobile terminal and improving the user experience on the terminal. |
| US09654365B2 |
Selection of message passing collectives in presence of system noise
Consideration of system jitter in selecting a “message passing collectives algorithm” used in a message passing interface. A set of multiple message passing collectives algorithms are ranked against each other with at least some consideration of relative jitter-related performance as between the algorithms. The consideration of jitter includes consideration of “system jitter” (OS jitter and/or network jitter). In some embodiments, multiple rankings are performed for different levels of system jitter. |
| US09654361B2 |
Dynamic collection of network metrics for predictive analytics
In one embodiment, data is received at a device regarding a network-monitoring process in which one or more nodes in a network export network metrics to one or more collector nodes. A change to the network-monitoring process is determined based on the received data. The device also adjusts the network-monitoring process to implement the determined change. |
| US09654360B1 |
Coordinating analytics between media player and server
A method includes receiving a client report including an identifier and client analytics data, the client report received from a client device and the client analytics data associated with a media stream received by the client device from a streaming server. The method further includes receiving a server report including the identifier and server analytics data, the server report received from the streaming server. The method further includes, based on determining that the client report and the server report include the identifier, determining that the client analytics data and the server analytics data are correlated. |
| US09654357B2 |
Telecommunication networks
A mobile telecommunications network includes a core and a radio access network having a radio for wireless communication with mobile terminals registered with the network. The radio access network includes a controller operable to control the use of network resources by the mobile terminals. The controller may include an application programming interface, API, which provides a consistent interface to a multiplicity of applications hosted on the control mean. The controller may be provided at an access node site and/or a gateway site. |
| US09654354B2 |
Framework supporting content delivery with delivery services network
A framework supporting content delivery includes a plurality of devices, each device configured to run at least one content delivery (CD) service of a plurality of CD services. The plurality of CD services include delivery services forming one or more delivery service networks. |
| US09654348B2 |
User interface for managing and viewing synchronization settings in a synchronization system
In a synchronization system, the present invention provides an improved user interface through which a user can view and manage settings associated with the user's account in the synchronization system. In the preferred embodiment, a column is displayed for each electronic device associated with the user's account in the synchronization system. In each column is a visual representation of items (e.g., folders) that are (1) backed up, remotely accessible and/or synchronized in the synchronization system and (2) located on the electronic device associated with such column. For each item that is synchronized across multiple devices, all the visual representations of such item in the columns are aligned across a single row in the interface. In the preferred embodiment, there is an arrow, or other visual indicator, between the visual representations of such items to indicate that the items are synchronized. |
| US09654345B2 |
Analyzing data communication in a process control or substation automation system
A method, an engineering tool, and a computer program element for analyzing a communication of secondary devices in a Substation Automation System for a substation are disclosed. The secondary devices are connected to a communication network for controlling an industrial process, which industrial process can include a plurality of operational aspects of primary devices. Sender secondary devices are configured to send data packets, which can include a multitude of data objects, to predetermined receiver secondary devices via the communication network, wherein the data packets transmitted via the communication network are captured, a functional interrelation or operational aspect of the secondary devices and the primary devices is retrieved from an SCD-file representing the formal configuration of the substation is retrieved, and the secondary devices are grouped according to the retrieved operational aspect and a time sorted graphical representation of the data objects, the secondary devices and the operational aspects is generated. |
| US09654342B2 |
Bandwidth configurable IO connector
Systems and methods of interconnecting devices may include an input/output (IO) interface having one or more device-side data lanes and transceiver logic to receive a bandwidth configuration command. The transceiver logic may also configure a transmit bandwidth of the one or more device-side data lanes based on the bandwidth configuration command. Additionally, the transceiver logic can configure a receive bandwidth of the one or more device-side data lanes based on the bandwidth configuration command. |
| US09654331B1 |
System and method for recovery of customer premise equipment information on an access concentrator
A method is provided in one example and includes determining that an access concentrator has lost customer premise equipment information. The method also includes obtaining the customer premise equipment information that is lost by evaluating Neighbor Discovery data and dynamic host configuration protocol version six (DHCPv6) query data. In more specific implementations, the method may include communicating a Bulk Leasequery message; receiving a response to the Bulk Leasequery message; and filtering out cable modem identifiers from the response to the Bulk Leasequery message. |
| US09654328B2 |
Methods and systems for implementing a cache model in a prefetching system
The present invention relates to systems and methods of enhancing prefetch operations. One potential method comprises fetching an object from a page on a web server. The method may further include storing, at a proxy server, caching instructions for the fetched object. The proxy server may be connected with the client and the object is cached at the client. Furthermore, the method may include identifying a prefetchable reference to the fetched object in a subsequent web page and using the caching instructions stored on the proxy server to determine if a fresh copy of the object will be requested by the client. Further, the method may include, based on the determination that the object will be requested, sending a prefetch request for the object using an If-Modified-Since directive, and transmitting a response to the If-Modified-Since directive prefetch request to a proxy client. The proxy client may then either serve the response to the client or a copy of the object stored at the proxy client, depending on the request for the object from the client. |
| US09654325B2 |
Method of reception and receiver for single-carrier cyclic waveform coded serial digital transmission
The invention relates to a method of receiving digital data transmitted on a coded serial digital transmission modulated on a noisy channel with non-stationary equalization attenuation. Digital data are stored associating a value of quality of transmission with the information elements received, and a mutual information value Ik is computed for each value of the quality of transmission. The value of quality of transmission consists of an equivalent signal/noise plus interference ratio calculated as a function of the method of equalization on the basis of various signal/channel noise ratio values measured for the various temporal symbols of information elements received of the signal received corresponding to one and the same information element and according to interference due to the waveform. |
| US09654324B2 |
System and method for grassmannian signaling in a broadband network
An embodiment method includes determining, by a first network device, an equivalent coherence time of a narrowband network corresponding to the broadband network in accordance with a channel coherence time and a coherence bandwidth of the broadband network. The method further includes structuring, by the first network device, a Grassmannian symbol in accordance with the equivalent coherence time, generating, by the first network device, Grassmannian symbol sections by partitioning the Grassmannian symbol in accordance with the coherence bandwidth, and transmitting, by the first network device to a second network device, the Grassmannian symbol sections on subchannels within the coherence bandwidth. |
| US09654323B2 |
Data routing for OFDM transmission based on observed node capacities
Methods and systems are described for causing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmission of various portions of data via various nodes. For example, a first portion of the data may be transmitted, via a first node and using OFDM, to at least a second node. Based on one or more observed capacities associated with one or more nodes (such as the first node and/or another node), it may be determined that a second portion of the data is to be routed via a different node (such as a third node) for transmission. The second portion of the data may be transmitted, via the third node and using OFDM, to at least the second node. |
| US09654317B2 |
Modulating system adapted to generate a multi-level quadrature amplitude modulation
A modulating system (14) adapted to generate a multi-level quadrature amplitude modulation, includes: a first number of first optical channels (24_1), each of the first optical channels (24_1) including a modulating device (28), and a second number of first optical channels (24_1) each including a first phase shifting unit capable of introducing a phase shift of π, and a first number of second optical channels (24_2), each of the second optical channels (24_2) being associated bijectively with one of the first optical channels (24_1), each of the second optical channels (24_2) including the same elements as the first optical channel (24_1) with which the second optical channel (24_2) is associated and a second phase shifting unit able to introduce a phase shift of π/2. |
| US09654316B2 |
Transmission method, transmitter, reception method, and receiver
In order to transmit a codeword that is generated based on a quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check coding scheme and consists of N cyclic blocks each consisting of Q bits, a bit permutation is applied to the bits of the codeword, a plurality of constellation blocks each consisting of G×M bits are generated, and a block permutation is applied to the constellation blocks. The bit permutation is adopted for each of N/M sections each consisting M cyclic blocks such that the constellation blocks each consist of G×M bits from M distinct cyclic blocks of the associated section. The block permutation is equivalent to writing the constellation blocks into a matrix with R rows and (Q/(k×G)) columns and reading out the constellation blocks column by column from the matrix, where R is k×(N/M), and k is a positive integer. |
| US09654314B2 |
Joint transmitter and receiver map algorithm for enhancing filtering tolerance in a bandwidth-limited system
A system for optimizing signal quality in an optical communication system is provided including a transmitter for converting digital signals to optical signals, the transmitter including a transmitter digital signal processing chip including a pre-distortion logic and a transmitter look-up table (LUT). A receiver is operatively coupled to the transmitter for receiving and converting the optical signals from the transmitter to digital signals. The receiver includes a receiver digital signal processing chip including a correction logic and a receiver look-up table (LUT). The transmitter LUT is constructed by scaling the receiver LUT by a weight factor and is iteratively updated based on a weighted sum of the receiver LUT. |
| US09654311B2 |
PAM data communication with reflection cancellation
The present invention is directed to data communication systems and methods. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a communication system that removes reflection signals. A digital data stream is processed through both tentative path and the main path. The tentative path uses a first DFE device and a reflection cancellation circuit to generate a correction signal for removing reflection signal from the digital data stream. A second DFE device removes ISI and other noises from the corrected digital data stream. There are other embodiments as well. |
| US09654310B1 |
Analog delay cell and tapped delay line comprising the analog delay cell
An analog delay cell is provided that includes a transconductance-capacitance stage and an inductive transimpedance amplifier stage that provides an all-pass transfer function. In another embodiment, an adaptive analog delay cell including a transconductance (gm) plus capacitance (C) stage and an inductive-capacitance transimpedance amplifier (TIA) stage with digitally programmable phase-shift is provided. The adaptive analog delay cell increases the phase-shift by incorporating an LC network in the feedback path of the transimpedance stage. The disclosed analog delay cells can be used to provide delays in a tapped delay line. Also, the disclosed analog delay cells may be used to perform the multiplier and summation functions of a tapped delay line in addition to providing the delays. In another embodiment, the transimpedance amplifier stage includes an inductive-capacitive transimpedance amplifier stage. |
| US09654307B1 |
Communication apparatus
A communication apparatus for correcting a situation of a spectrum inverted signal includes a channel estimation module and an equalization module. The channel estimation module determines a channel estimation parameter, and receives at least one frame signal to generate a convolution restored frame signal corresponding to the frame signal. The equalization module includes a first computation circuit and a second computation circuit. The first computation circuit receives the channel estimation parameter and the convolution restored frame signal to generate a transformation channel estimation parameter and a transformed convolution restored frame signal. The second computation circuit receives the transformed channel estimation parameter and the transformed convolution restored frame signal to generate an original frame signal corresponding to the frame signal. The first computation circuit further feeds back a transient original frame signal to the channel estimation module to update the channel estimation parameter. |
| US09654306B1 |
System and method for multi-source channel estimation
A method for associating signal sources and paths includes determining secondary paths of a signal received at a reception point, wherein the signal reflects off one or more reflective surfaces before being received at the reception point, determining mirror sources of the secondary paths in accordance with locations of the one or more reflective surfaces and a main source of the signal, determining associations between the secondary paths and the mirror sources based on cross points at which the signal reflected off the one or more reflective surfaces, thereby obtaining path-source associations, and instructing use of the path-source associations in multi-source channel estimation. |
| US09654304B2 |
Method and apparatus for sending transparent interconnection of lots of links data frame
A method for sending a Transparent Interconnection of Lots of Links (TRILL) data frame, comprising acquiring a user virtual local area network (VLAN) or a combination of a user VLAN and a user multicast medium access control (MAC) address in a first protocol packet, and a first port identifier; storing a correspondence there-between in a forwarding table; searching, according to the user VLAN or the combination of the user VLAN and the user multicast MAC address in a TRILL data frame received, the forwarding table for a second port identifier corresponding to the VLAN or the combination of the user VLAN and the user multicast MAC address in the TRILL data frame, and forwarding the TRILL data frame from a pseudo wire (PW) port corresponding to the second port identifier. |
| US09654302B2 |
Enhanced carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) protocols
Power Line Communications (PLC) device for enhanced carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) protocols are described. The PLC device includes a modem, an AC interface and a PLC engine. The engine is configured for transmitting PLC packets over a plurality of electrical wires using a particular channel. Transmitting a normal priority packet may include attempting to access a communications channel to transmit a frame after a backoff time proportional to a randomly generated number within a contention window (CW), the CW having an initial value carried over from a previous transmission of a different frame. Additionally or alternatively, some of techniques described herein may facilitate the spreading of the time over which devices attempt to transmit packets, thereby reducing the probability of collisions using, for example, Additive Decrease Multiplicative Increase (ADMI) mechanisms. |
| US09654298B2 |
Signature # efficient real time credentials for OCSP and distributed OCSP
Providing information about digital certificate validity includes ascertaining digital certificate validity status for each of a plurality of digital certificates in a set of digital certificates, generating a plurality of artificially pre-computed messages about the validity status of at least a subset of the set of digital certificate of the plurality of digital certificates, where at least one of the messages indicates validity status of more than one digital certificate and digitally signing the artificially pre-computed messages to provide OCSP format responses that respond to OCSP queries about specific digital certificates in the set of digital certificates, where at least one digital signature is used in connection with an OCSP format response for more than one digital certificate. Generating and digitally signing may occur prior to any OCSP queries that are answered by any of the OCSP format responses. Ascertaining digital certificate validity status may include obtaining authenticated information about digital certificates. |
| US09654292B2 |
Secure password management systems, methods and apparatuses
The systems, methods and apparatuses described herein provide a computing environment for authenticating a user. An apparatus according to the present disclosure may comprise a non-volatile storage, a user interface, and a password engine. The password engine is configured to retrieve two or more predetermined prompts from the non-volatile storage, present the two or more predetermined prompts on the user interface to a user in a random order, receive a first set of input(s) in response to the two or more predetermined prompts, create an encryption keyword from the received first set of input(s) according to an original order of the two or more predetermined prompts stored in the non-volatile storage, and use the encryption keyword to authenticate the user. |
| US09654289B2 |
Method for generating a pseudorandom sequence, and method for coding or decoding a data stream
The present invention relates to a method for coding a first data stream and a method for decoding a second data stream wherein the coding is the result of comparing the first data stream with a third data stream formed by a pseudorandom sequence by means of an exclusive comparison operation (XOR). Specifically, the invention relates to the methods based on hyperchaotic coding methods for generating the pseudorandom sequences used in coding and decoding. |
| US09654288B1 |
Securing group communications
The secure messaging app described herein allows a user to create a secure social feed in order to share content with just a few friends or thousands of recipients. The user encrypts their content and then publishes the encrypted content to the secure social feed. Accordingly, only authorized recipients can decrypt and view the content. Furthermore, the user may administer the secure social feed to manage the addition and/or removal of users from the secure social feed. Further, the user periodically updates the parameters of the secure social feed to manage users' access to the feed. |
| US09654287B2 |
Mobile secret communications method based on quantum key distribution network
A mobile secret communications method based on a quantum key distribution network, comprises the following steps: a mobile terminal registering to access the network and establishing a binding relationship with a certain centralized control station in the quantum key distribution network; after a communication service is initiated, the mobile terminals participating in the current communication applying for service keys from the quantum key distribution network; the quantum key distribution network obtaining addresses of the centralized control stations participating in service key distribution during the current communication, designating a service key generation centralized control station according to a current state indicator of each centralized control station; the service key generation centralized control station generating service keys required in the current communication and distributing the keys to the mobile terminals participating in the current communication. |
| US09654286B2 |
Content gathering using shared key
The gathering of content (such as a file) from a variety of different sources. Rather than provide the whole content, a given one of the sources instead provides only a portion of the information represented by the content. The source also provides a share of, but not the entirety of, the shared secret that will be used to decode. For instance, in one embodiment, the source might encode only a portion of the content using the shared key, and then transmit the encoded portion. As an alternative, the source might encode the entire content, and then transmit a portion of that encoded content. Thus, the transmitter has security with their private content, while still allowing widely available content to be transferred for the benefit of the greater whole. |
| US09654272B2 |
Method for multi-input multi-output communication in large-scale antenna system
Disclosed is a method for multi-input multi-output transmission of a base station in a wireless communication system. The method includes obtaining channel information of one or more terminals, classifying the one or more terminals into one or more classes and one or more groups dependent on the class based on the channel information, determining a group beamforming matrix for each of the one or more groups, performing group beamforming transmission on terminals belonging to each of the one or more groups based on the group beamforming matrix, obtaining single user-channel quality indicator (SU-CQI) information and interference signal information of each of the terminals belonging to each of the one or more groups, and scheduling the terminals based on the SU-CQI information and the interference signal information. |
| US09654269B2 |
Methods and arrangements for an acknowledgement in wireless networks
Embodiments may comprise physical layer logic to implement a new, short acknowledgement. Embodiments may store the short acknowledgement on a machine-accessible medium. Some embodiments may determine and transmit a communication with the short acknowledgement. Further embodiments may receive and detect communications with the short acknowledgement. The short acknowledgement may reduce power consumption and reduce on-the-air time. |
| US09654266B2 |
Method for transreceiving downlink control information in wireless access system and apparatus for same
In the present invention, disclosed are a method for transreceiving downlink control information in a wireless access system supporting an enhanced physical downlink control channel (E-PDCCH), and an apparatus for same. More particularly, the method comprises the steps of: transmitting through a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) information with respect to a resource region of a search space that is set inside a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or the enhanced physical downlink control channel (E-PDCCH); and transmitting the downlink control information to a user equipment through the search space. |
| US09654264B2 |
Beam forming using a dual polarized antenna arrangement
There is provided beam forming using a dual polarized antenna array. A first set of reference signals for acquiring channel state information is alternatingly transmitted using a dual polarized antenna array in a first polarization direction and in a second polarization direction, respectively. Quantized channel information based on the first set of reference signals is received from a radio transceiver device. Angular information relating to the radio transceiver device is determined based on the quantized channel information. Transmission beams for transmission to the radio transceiver device are determined. The transmission comprises precoder vectors and have relative orthogonal polarizations for beam forming according to the angular information. |
| US09654261B2 |
Method and a system for beam coordination between base stations in wireless cellular systems and computer program thereof
A method involving coordinating resources between a victim and an aggressor base station in massive MIMO systems, whereby only those specific beams involved in the interference scenario are coordinated in time and/or frequency domains without affecting other resources committed to other users as well as legacy users. Also disclosed is a system and computer program configured to implement the method. |
| US09654238B2 |
Method and system for remote television replay control
A method, system, computer medium, and other embodiments for integrating unrelated web hosted services with stand-alone media-based devices are provided. Users can access and control the media-based device conveniently with a web-browser through various portals on the Internet. In one embodiment, users access the media-based device through one or more unrelated web portals, so as to control and to program the media-based device in a single web session, and to see information both stored on the media-based device and originating from third-party online sources of information and services in a single integrated presentation. |
| US09654237B2 |
Broadcast method and system
A method and system for airing broadcast signals is disclosed. Preferably, the system includes a production truck interface panel receiving a broadcast signal. A transmission relay circuit relays the signal from the interface panel to a broadcast network, and preferably including a broadcast signal detection circuit, and a signal processing circuit. The detection circuit determines a signal type of the broadcast signal, and the signal processing circuit processes the determined signal type. The system preferably further includes an operations control station displaying the determined type of broadcast signal. The method for airing broadcast signals over the broadcast network preferably includes the steps of providing the broadcast signal to the transmission relay circuit, detecting the broadcast signal type with the broadcast signal sensing and discerning circuit; and reconfiguring the signal processing circuit when the configuration of the signal processing circuit does not support transmission of the determined broadcast signal type. |
| US09654236B2 |
Method and apparatus for configuring configuration information at user equipment in a mobile communication system
A method for configuring configuration information with a user equipment in a mobile communication system is provided. The method includes determining, upon receipt of a Physical Uplink Control Channel/Sounding Reference Signal (PUCCH/SRS) release request from a lower layer, whether configuration information required for a transmission mode supporting Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) has been configured, and if the configuration information has been configured, reconfiguring a setting state of the configuration information. |
| US09654235B1 |
Wireless carrier signal analytic system
A method, device, computer-readable storage medium, and system for determining key performance indicators of a wireless RF signal received by an antenna from a signal source. A diagnostic device may receive signal of a carrier network from a primary antenna. The diagnostic device may transmit the signal to a mobile device that is registered on the carrier network. A mobile device may receive the signal from the diagnostic device, demodulate the signal, and determine key performance indicators of the signal. The key performance indicators may be displayed in real-time. This allows a technician to orient the primary antenna so that it receives a signal from the signal source with the highest quality key performance indicators it can receive. |
| US09654234B2 |
System and method for automatically time labeling repetitive data
An exercise assistance system labels sensor signals received from a movement measurement device to identify repetitions within the sensor signals. The movement measurement device can transmit motion data describing the user's movement to the exercise assistance system, and includes the sensor signals generated by one or more sensors in the movement measurement device. The exercise assistance system generates a combination signal from the received sensor signals and passes the combination signal through a low pass filter to generate a labeling signal. The exercise assistance system can generate three types of labels for the labeling signal identifying different parts of repetitions. The exercise assistance system labels the sensor signals using the generated labels and can identify repetitions in the labeled sensor signals using a classification model. |
| US09654231B1 |
Dynamically mitigating external interference in multi-band antenna systems
A device, method, and computer-readable medium are provided for mitigating signal interference at a base station. Signal interference can be generated from subcomponent levels at a base station (e.g., electronic antenna motors) due to non-optimal designs or electric ground interferences. Generally, when power is provided to such subcomponent(s), a noise or harmonic can be inadvertently generated, falling into one of the operating bands of the base station, and negatively impacting system performance. As such, embodiments can be configured to dynamically ascertain a noise baseline associated with the base station, determine that one or more of the subcomponents are at fault for interfering with the base station operating band(s), and mitigate the interfering signal for a period that least impacts system performance. |
| US09654226B1 |
Method and apparatus for characterization and compensation of optical impairments in InP-based optical transmitter
A method and apparatus for characterizing and compensating optical impairments in an optical transmitter includes operating an optical transmitter comprising a first and second parent MZ, each comprising a plurality of child MZ modulators that are biased at respective initial operating points. An electro-optic RF transfer function is generated for each of the plurality of child MZ modulators. Curve fitting parameters are determined for each of the plurality of electro-optic RF transfer functions and operating points of each child MZ modulator are determined using the curve fitting parameters. An IQ power imbalance is determined using the curve fitting parameters. Initial RF drive power levels are determined that compensate for the determined IQ power imbalance. The XY power imbalance is determined for initial RF drive power levels using the curve fitting parameters. The operating RF drive powers are determined that at least partially compensate for the first and second IQ power imbalances and for the XY power imbalance for the optical transmitter. |
| US09654221B1 |
Driver module for Mach Zehnder modulator
A single chip dual-channel driver for two independent traveling wave modulators. The driver includes two differential pairs inputs per channel respectively configured to receive two digital differential pair signals. The driver further includes a two-bit DAC per channel coupled to the two differential pairs inputs to produce a single analog differential pair PAM signal at a differential pair output for driving a traveling wave modulator. Additionally, the driver includes a control block having internal voltage/current signal generators respective coupled to each input and the 2-bit DAC for providing a bias voltage, a tail current, a dither signal to assist modulation control per channel. Furthermore, the driver includes an internal I2C communication block coupled to a high-speed clock generator to generate control signals to the control block and coupled to host via an I2C digital communication interface. |
| US09654220B2 |
High speed signal generator
A high-speed signal generator. A digital signal processing (DSP) block generates a set of N (where N is an integer and N≧2) parallel digital sub-band signals, each digital sub-band signal having frequency components within a spectral range between 0 Hz and ±Fs/2. A respective Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) processes each digital sub-band signal to generate a corresponding analog sub-band signal, each DAC having a sample rate of Fs. A combiner combines the analog sub-band signals to generate an output analog signal having frequency components within a spectral range between 0 Hz and ±NFs/2. |
| US09654216B2 |
Optical transmitter and waveform distortion correction method
An optical transmitter includes: a mapper configured to generate an electric-field-information signal from transmission data; a training-signal-generation section configured to generate a training signal; a training-signal-insertion section configured to insert the training signal into the electric-field-information signal; a driver configured to generate a drive signal from the electric-field-information signal into which the training signal is inserted; a modulator configured to generate an optical-modulation signal based on the drive signal; an optical receiver configured to generate an intensity signal indicating intensity of the optical-modulation signal; a training-signal-extraction section configured to extract an intensity-training signal corresponding to the training signal, from the intensity signal; a coder configured to generate a coded-training signal by coding the intensity-training signal extracted by the training-signal-extraction section using the training signal generated by the training-signal-generation section; and a distortion detection section configured to detect waveform distortion of the optical-modulation signal, based on the coded-training signal. |
| US09654211B2 |
Estimation apparatus and method for nonlinear distortion and receiver
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an estimation apparatus and method for nonlinear distortion and a receiver. The estimation method for nonlinear distortion includes: sampling a band-limited analog signal to obtain a sampling sequence; calculating a nonlinear perturbation coefficient in nonlinear distortion estimation based on a Nyquist pulse; calculating a nonlinear perturbation term superimposed on a signal by using the nonlinear perturbation coefficient and the sampling sequence; and calculating a nonlinear distortion waveform by using the nonlinear perturbation term. With the embodiments of the present disclosure, not only any modulation formats are compatible, but also advantages of high precision and good adaptability may be achieved. |
| US09654206B1 |
Hub enabled single hop transport forward access
A satellite system is configured to receive and allow direct forwarding of traffic on a time slot by time slot basis without demodulation or decoding. The satellite system may be configured to receive waveforms and configured to separate a waveform of data from a waveform of control information. The satellite system may be configured to switch the waveform of data toward one or more terminals and configured to switch the waveform of control information toward a satellite control unit without demodulation or decoding of the waveforms. A method for satellite communication is also provided. |
| US09654203B2 |
Satellite system architecture for coverage areas of disparate demand
Disclosed is a satellite communication system that allocates bandwidth to maximize the capacity of the communication system while providing service to geographical areas having different demands. A smaller portion of the frequency spectrum can be allocated for subscriber beams that supply service to low demand areas. A larger portion of the frequency spectrum can be provided to subscriber beams that provide access to high demand areas. Allocation of bandwidth can be determined by the amount of demand in low demand areas versus the amount of demand in high demand areas. High demand gateways are physically located in low demand subscriber beams, while low demand gateways are physically located in high demand subscriber beams, which prevents interference. |
| US09654192B2 |
Apparatus and method for channel feedback in multiple input multiple output system
A method and apparatus for a channel feedback by a signal transmitting device in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system are provided. The method includes transmitting a pilot in which a compression rate is reflected to a signal receiving device; receiving channel related information on a compressed channel from the signal receiving device; and performing a precoding based on the channel related information. The apparatus includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit a pilot to which a compression rate is reflected to a signal receiving device; a receiving unit configured to receive channel related information on a compressed channel from the signal receiving device; and a precoding unit configured to perform a precoding based on the channel related information. |
| US09654187B2 |
Efficient uplink transmission of channel state information
A User Equipment in a wireless communication network includes a multiplicity of antennas, from which a subset of antennas is selected using a selection scheme synchronized to the network. A set of sub-carriers is selected from a plurality of sub-carriers using a selection scheme synchronized to the network. The UE receives a plurality of known reference symbols over the selected set of sub-carriers and through the selected subset of antennas. A frequency response for each selected sub-carrier is estimated over only the selected subset of antennas. The results are quantized and transmitted to the network on an uplink control channel. |
| US09654184B2 |
Transmitter to receiver communication link in a wireless power system
A method and system for establishing a communication link in a wireless power system from a wireless power transmitter (WPT) to a wireless power receiver (WPR) is provided. A flux modulator is operably disposed in the WPT for dynamically changing the WPT's impedance so as to modulate a magnetic field produced on the transmitter coil when a primary voltage applied to the WPT. A flux demodulator is operably disposed in the WPR for receiving and demodulating a secondary voltage induced on a receiver coil due to the modulated magnetic field on the transmitter coil. The induction of the secondary voltage on the receiver coil due to the modulated magnetic field on the transmitter coil establishes the communication link from the WPT to the WPR. The flux demodulator is configured as an analog signal processing chain or a digital signal processing block for decoding information obtained from the WPT. |
| US09654183B2 |
System and method for transferring power to intrabody instruments
A system and method for transferring power includes a power transmitting unit for transmitting power and a power receiving unit for receiving power from the power transmitting unit. The power transmitting unit may be positioned outside a human body and the power receiving unit is located on an intrabody instrument adapted to be movable from the outside of the human body to inside the human body. The intrabody instrument may be a medical instrument connected to or incorporated within a robotic arm. The power transmitting unit may wirelessly transfer power to the power receiving unit in a continuous, non-interrupted manner. |
| US09654181B1 |
Dynamic transmitter signal envelope shaping control for NFC or RFID devices
Transmitter (TX) modulation envelope parameters are defined in RF standards (e.g., ISO 14443, NFC Forum, EMVCo). These envelope parameters include rise/fall times, modulation index, etc. For standards compliancy, these envelope parameters must be within the respective limits. For example, shaping parameters are influenced by detuning the antenna with a counterpart device like a card or mobile phone, or by thermal influences on the matching network. This disclosure describes an NFC or RFID device that is able to detect and measure the detuning on the antenna and/or the matching network change. With this information, the NFC or RFID device can dynamically control the shaping parameters of the envelope, instead of relying on one single static configuration setting for the transmitter. In particular, changes in the Q (quality) factor are used for dynamically controlling the transmitter signal envelope shape for compensating the effect of antenna detuning and/or matching network variation. |
| US09654180B2 |
NFC-enable mobile device, NFC reader and NFC system for supporting a plurality of proximity services
According to an aspect of the invention, an NFC-enabled mobile device for supporting a plurality of proximity services is conceived, wherein each supported proximity service corresponds to a specific operating system running on a specific secure element comprised in the NFC-enabled mobile device, wherein the NFC-enabled mobile device comprises a plurality of data sets and each data set corresponds to a supported proximity service, wherein the NFC-enabled mobile device is arranged to determine whether it supports an advertised proximity service, upon receipt of a service advertisement message comprising a unique identifier of the advertised proximity service from an NFC reader, by searching for the advertised proximity service in said data sets. |
| US09654179B2 |
Method and apparatus for forming associations and communicating between devices
The present invention relates to the field of proximity communications and especially methods for establishing associations, transferring power and communicating data between devices. Devices are proposed to interact with each other, initially by being brought into close proximity to initiate transfer of data that enables the device to communicate with other devices similarly brought together. The devices can be used as a controller or an appliance or both. There is also provided a power transfer mechanism for controller and appliance devices which do not have locally available power at the time the initial proximity action is taking place, so that the processes associated with the data transfer can take place regardless. There is also described a two part device, one part of which provides the proximity communications capability the other part does not have. |
| US09654178B2 |
Communication device
An MFP establishes a first communication link L1 by receiving an activation command and sending an OK command. The MFP receives first target data from a portable device by using the first communication link. The MFP generates second target data by processing the first target data. After receiving the first target data, the MFP disconnects the first communication link. The MFP establishes a second communication link by receiving the activation command and sending the OK command. The MFP sends the second target data to the portable device by using the second communication link. |
| US09654175B1 |
System and method for remote alert triggering
Systems and methods for triggering generation of an alert for delivery to a remote device are disclosed herein. The system can include memory having: a user profile database; and a content library database. The system can include a recipient user device and a supervisor device. The system can include a content management server that can: receive an electrical signal from the recipient user device, which electrical signal includes a request for initiation of a delivery sequence; trigger an incrementing timer based on receipt of the electrical signal; sequentially deliver the set of delivery data packets; automatically send a proposed time for communicatively coupling the recipient user and supervisor devices; and generate and send an alert. |
| US09654173B2 |
Apparatus for powering a communication device and methods thereof
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a waveguide system for transmitting first electromagnetic waves via a coupler located in proximity to a transmission medium to generate second electromagnetic waves that propagate on an outer surface of the transmission medium, the transmission medium further providing a first power signal having a first operating frequency and a second power signal having a second operating frequency that differs from the first operating frequency. The waveguide system can further obtain energy from the first power signal for powering the waveguide system. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09654171B2 |
Apparatus and method for jointly selecting the tap values and delays of the fingers for a rake receiver of two carriers
The present disclosure concerns receivers for use in nodes or devices that participate in wireless communications. In one exemplary embodiment, the receiver receives a first signal attributable to a first carrier and a second signal attributable to a second carrier. A first path searcher detects taps in the first signal attributable to the first carrier. A second path searcher detects taps in the second signal attributable to the second carrier. A channel tap selector selects, based on received energy values for taps detected by the first path searcher and the second path searcher, which tap values are to be used for taps of the receiver for both the first carrier and the second carrier. |
| US09654170B2 |
Method and apparatus for an adaptive filter architecture
A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for scanning a radio frequency spectrum for an available frequency band, selecting an available frequency band in the radio frequency spectrum even if the available frequency band is affected by radio frequency interference, measuring a signal strength in portions of the available frequency band, correlating the signal strength of each portion to generate a correlation factor, detecting radio frequency interference in the available frequency band according to the correlation factor, and generating tuning coefficient data to cause the filter apparatus to substantially suppress the radio frequency interference in the available frequency band. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09654169B2 |
Apparatus and methods for multi-band radio frequency signal routing
Apparatus and methods for multi-band RF signal routing are provided herein. In certain configurations, a mobile device includes an antenna switch module, a diversity module, and one or more diversity antennas. The diversity module is electrically coupled to the one or more diversity antennas, and processes diversity signals received on the one or more diversity antennas to generate a high band (HB) signal, a mid band (MB) signal, and a low band (LB) signal. Additionally, the diversity module generates a combined LB/HB signal based on combining the LB signal and the HB signal, and provides the MB signal and the combined LB/HB signal to the antenna switch module. |
| US09654165B2 |
Accessory device and electronic device including the same
An accessory device is provided that covers an electronic device. The accessory device includes a plurality of members which are connected to each other to be pivoted with respect to each other. The plurality of members may be pivoted to maintain a viewing angle of the electronic device on a surface. |
| US09654161B2 |
Process for testing a compressor or a combustor of a gas turbine engine using a large compressed air storage reservoir
A process for testing a turbine of a gas turbine engine at high altitudes, where a large volume of compressed air is stored in a large reservoir of at least 10,000 m3 such as an underground storage cavern, compressed air from the storage reservoir is passed through heat exchanger to preheat the compressed air to a temperature that would normally be discharged from a compressor, the preheated compressed air is burned with a fuel in the combustor, and additional compressed air from the reservoir is passed through an injector located downstream from the turbine to produce a decreased pressure such that a low atmospheric condition at the turbine exit is simulated. |
| US09654160B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing signal interference
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and an apparatus for processing signal interference, including: splitting a first self-interference signal into at least two same sub self-interference signals, adjusting amplitudes and phases of the sub self-interference signals to obtain adjusted sub-signals, superposing the adjusted sub-signals and received signals, to obtain superposed sub-signals, filtering the superposed sub-signals by using filters of corresponding channels, to obtain wanted sub-signals, and merging each of the wanted sub-signals to obtain a complete wanted signal. Because received signals are separately filtered by using n different channels, it can be implemented that a self-interference signal can be effectively filtered out on each frequency band. |
| US09654159B2 |
Systems for and methods of using a mirrored wideband baseband current for automatic gain control of an RF receiver
Disclosed herein are systems for and methods of using a mirrored wideband baseband current for automatic gain control of an RF receiver. In an embodiment, a system includes an RF receiver having an adjustable gain and being configured to direct convert a received wideband RF signal to a wideband baseband current signal. The system further includes a current replicator coupled to the receiver and configured to generate a mirrored current of the wideband baseband current signal. The system further includes a wideband signal-level detector configured to receive the mirrored current from the current replicator, and to measure and output a signal-level value of the mirrored current. The system further includes an automatic gain-control circuit configured to receive the signal-level value from the wideband signal-level detector, and to adjust the gain of the receiver based at least in part on the received signal-level value. |
| US09654155B2 |
Cascode amplifier segmentation for enhanced thermal ruggedness
According to some implementation, a power amplifier includes a plurality of pairs of transistors, each pair of transistors including a common emitter transistor and a common base transistor arranged in a cascode configuration. The power amplifier further includes electrical connections implemented to connect the plurality of pairs in a parallel configuration between an input node and an output node. According to some implementations, the electrical connections are configured to distribute a collector current to all of the common base transistors to thereby reduce likelihood of damage to one or more common base transistors during a thermal run-away event. |
| US09654154B2 |
Radio frequency adaptive voltage shaping power amplifier systems and methods
Systems and method for improving operation of a radio frequency system are provided. One embodiment includes instructions to execute a coarse calibration to associate a first output power with a first operational parameter set; instruct the radio frequency system to transmit a signal based at least in part on the first operational parameter set and a base detrough function; determine performance metrics resulting from transmission of the signal; determine changes in the performance metrics resulting from operating the radio frequency based at least in part on the first operational parameter set and each of a plurality of augmented detrough functions; and associate a second operational parameter set with a second output power, in which the second operational parameter set includes one of the plurality of augmented detrough functions selected based at least in part on the changes that reduce margin between the performance metrics and performance metric thresholds. |
| US09654152B2 |
Service provider adaptive vehicle antenna
A vehicle may include a plurality of antennas each associated with a different radio frequency; and a modem including a radio-frequency transceiver and an antenna control processor configured to selectively connect a selected one or more of the plurality of antennas having a radio frequency matching at least one frequency associated with a desired service provider to the transceiver. The vehicle may also determine whether a service-provider-recommended alternate frequency is available, responsive to service provider signal strength being below a predefined signal strength; and if so, direct the modem to switch to an antenna associated with the alternate frequency, and otherwise, cycle to a next available antenna frequency. |
| US09654149B2 |
Multiple radio instances using software defined radio
In a first aspect an exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method that includes instantiating a plurality of radio protocols, operating the plurality of radio protocols with an underlying physical layer, where each instantiation of a same radio protocol is embodied in a same code module and where each instantiation has associated data stored in a memory. The operating of the plurality of radio protocols comprises executing each instantiation of the radio protocols so that a portion of resources are shared between different instantiations of the radio protocols and different instantiations of radio protocols do not interfere with each other. |
| US09654146B2 |
Bi-directional parity bit generator circuit
A parity bit generator module is disclosed that operates in a first direction or a second direction. In the first direction, the parity bit generator module generates parity bits for a first input datastream having information bits and combines these parity bits with the information bits of the input datastream to provide a first output datastream. Otherwise in a second direction, the parity bit generator module separates information bits from a second input datastream and generates parity bits from the information bits of the second input datastream to provide a second output datastream having the parity bits. In various exemplary embodiments, the bi-directional parity bit generator is implemented as part of an encoding/decoding module and/or an error-correcting code (ECC) data storage device. |
| US09654144B2 |
Progressive effort decoder architecture
A memory device may include memory components to store data. The memory device may also include a processor that may decode a codeword associated with the data. The processor may receive the codeword and determine whether the codeword is independently decodable using a BCH decoder. The processor may then decode the codeword using the BCH decoder when the codeword is determined to be independently decodable using the BCH decoder. Otherwise, the processor may decode the codeword using a second decoder and the BCH decoder when the codeword is not determined to be independently decodable using the BCH decoder. |
| US09654140B1 |
Multi-dimensional run-length encoding
Methods and systems for multi-dimensional run-length encoding of data are provided. In one embodiment, a method for multi-dimensional run-length encoding of an unprocessed data file is provided. The method includes obtaining an admission key and determining a traversal path within a virtual multi-dimensional shape based on the admission key. The method also includes transforming unprocessed data of the unprocessed data file into a plurality of compressed data segments. Also, the method includes plotting the plurality of compressed data segments onto a plurality of data points along the traversal path to obtain a plurality of secured data segments. Further, the method includes generically sorting the plurality of secured data segments to obtain a plurality of generically sorted data segments, and writing the plurality of generically sorted data segments into a processed data file. |
| US09654139B2 |
High throughput binarization (HTB) method for CABAC in HEVC
Provided is an electronic device configured for high throughput binarization mode. The electronic device includes a processor and instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The electronic device obtains a block of transformed and quantized coefficients (TCQs). The electronic device determines whether a high throughput binarization mode condition is met. If the condition is met, the electronic device uses the high throughput binarization mode to process the block. If the condition is not met, the electronic device does not use the high throughput binarization mode to process the block. The electronic device transmits the generated first or second bitstream to a decoder. |
| US09654135B2 |
AD converter including a capacitive DAC
An AD converter converts an analogue input voltage into a digital value including a most significant bit to a least significant bit. The AD converter includes: a common node; a capacitive DAC; a comparator; a successive approximation controller; and an integrator. The integrator includes first to Xth integrating circuits connected in a cascade arrangement, where X is an integer greater than or equal to two, and at least one feedforward path that each samples a residual voltage and outputs the sampled residual voltage to one of the second to Xth integrating circuits. |
| US09654132B2 |
Hybrid charge-sharing charge-redistribution DAC for successive approximation analog-to-digital converters
A hybrid D/A converter is provided including first and second D/A converters. The first D/A converter receives a digital signal having an input voltage and converts a first most-significant-bit of the digital signal to be converted to an analog signal. The first D/A converter includes first capacitors, which are charged by the input voltage and reference voltages during a sampling phase of the digital signal. Charges of the first capacitors are shared during successive approximations of first bits of the digital input signal received by the hybrid D/A converter. The second D/A converter converts a first least-significant-bit of the digital input signal. The second D/A converter includes second capacitors, which are charged based on a common mode voltage during the sampling phase. The second D/A converter performs charge redistribution by connecting the second capacitors to receive the reference voltages during successive approximations of second bits of the digital signal. |
| US09654130B2 |
Analog-to-digital converters for successive approximation incorporating delta sigma analog-to-digital converters and hybrid digital-to-analog with charge-sharing and charge redistribution
An A/D converter including a sample and hold circuit, first and second A/D converters and a combination circuit. The sample and hold circuit samples an analog input signal to generate bits. The first A/D converter generate a first digital signal based on the analog input signal and includes charge-sharing and charge-redistribution D/A converters that convert respectively a most-significant-bit and a first least significant bit. The first digital signal is generated based on outputs of the charge-sharing and charge redistribution D/A converters. The second A/D converter generates a second digital signal based on an output of the first A/D converter and includes a delta sigma D/A converter, which converts a second least significant bit. The second digital signal is generated based on an output of the delta sigma D/A converter. The second A/D converter is a fine conversion A/D converter relative to the first A/D converter. |
| US09654128B2 |
Multi-mode sampling/quantization converters
Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for converting a continuous-time, continuously variable signal into a sampled and quantized signal. According to one implementation, an apparatus includes multiple processing branches, each including: a bandpass noise-shaping circuit, a sampling/quantization circuit, and a digital bandpass filter. A combining circuit then combines signals at the processing branch outputs into a final output signal. The bandpass noise-shaping circuits include adjustable circuit components for changing their quantization-noise frequency-response minimum, and the digital bandpass filters include adjustable parameters for changing their frequency passbands. |
| US09654127B1 |
Method for adaptively regulating coding mode and digital correction circuit thereof
A method for adaptively regulating a coding mode and a digital correction circuit thereof are provided. The method is for a successive-approximation-register analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC). In the method, whether to regulate a binary weight corresponding to each of digital bits is determined according to the number of completed comparison cycles to provide a first coding sequence. The first coding sequence is directly compensated according to uncompleted comparison cycles to provide a correct digital output code. |
| US09654124B1 |
Coherent signal source
An apparatus, a signal source, and a method for operating the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a first signal source, a port, controller, signal synthesizer, and a first timestamp register. The port is adapted to receive a first clock signal that includes a sequence of pulses at a constant clock frequency. The signal synthesizer generates an output signal in response to inputs from the controller, the output signal having a first frequency. The first timestamp register counts pulses from the first clock signal. The controller is adapted to receive a command to change the output signal frequency from the first frequency to a second frequency, the controller causing the signal synthesizer to change the output signal frequency to the second frequency and to generate a frequency change timestamp from the timestamp register indicating a time at which the output signal changed from the first frequency to the second frequency. |
| US09654120B2 |
System and method of determining an oscillator gain
A method includes generating a first signal based on a difference between a first frequency of a first voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and a second frequency of a second VCO. The method further includes determining a gain of the first VCO at least partially based on the first signal. |
| US09654114B2 |
Transmission circuit, integrated circuit, and parallel-to-serial conversion method
A transmission circuit includes: a shift register configured to shift, in synchronization with a first clock signal, input parallel data within a plurality of flip-flop circuits; a control circuit configured to output a second clock signal of a phase in accordance with a phase of the first clock signal; a selector configured to select any one of the input parallel data and pieces of output parallel data of the plurality of flip-flop circuits; and a conversion circuit configured to convert, in synchronization with the second clock signal, the parallel data selected by the selector into pieces of serial data, in which the control circuit outputs a selection signal to the selector, in accordance with a deviation amount of the detected phase of the first clock signal. |
| US09654113B2 |
Control device for clock generation circuit, control method for clock generation circuit, and clock generation circuit
A control device for a clock generation circuit that generates a clock signal based on a reference signal from an outside, the control device includes: a storage device that stores frequency correction information for the clock signal according to a temperature condition of the clock generation circuit; and a processor that controls a frequency of the clock signal generated by the clock generation circuit under a second temperature condition, based on first and second frequency correction information according to a first temperature condition at first and second time points in the storage device. |
| US09654112B2 |
Signal inverting device, power transmission device, and negative-voltage generating circuit
A signal inverting device generates an inverted signal of an input signal. The device includes a normally-on transistor, a negative-voltage generating unit that generates a negative voltage, and an output terminal. A first terminal of the normally-on transistor is connected to a current source. The output terminal is connected between the first terminal of the normally-on transistor and the current source. The normally-on transistor is turned on/off, by an input of a drive signal to a conduction control terminal of the normally-on transistor. The drive signal is a signal obtained by a synthesis of the input signal and the negative voltage. The inverted signal is output from the output terminal in accordance with the on/off operation of the normally-on transistor. The negative-voltage generating unit generates the negative voltage by rectifying a high-frequency power. |
| US09654109B2 |
Hardened programmable devices
Hardened programmable logic devices are provided with programmable circuitry. The programmable circuitry may be hardwired to implement a custom logic circuit. Generic fabrication masks may be used to form the programmable circuitry and may be used in manufacturing a product family of hardened programmable logic devices, each of which may implement a different custom logic circuit. Custom fabrication masks may be used to hardwire the programmable circuitry to implement a specific custom logic circuit. The programmable circuitry may be hardwired in such a way that signal timing characteristics of a hardened programmable logic device that implements a custom logic circuit may match the signal timing characteristics of a programmable logic device that implements the same custom logic circuit using configuration data. |
| US09654108B2 |
Apparatus and method having reduced flicker noise
One embodiment described is an apparatus that includes an active device structured in a semiconductor body. The semiconductor body may include a gate terminal to receive a switched bias signal, and a bulk terminal to receive a forward body-bias signal. A first circuit portion may be coupled to the gate terminal to provide the switched bias signal, and a second circuit portion may be coupled to the bulk terminal to provide the forward body-bias signal. |
| US09654107B2 |
Programmable LSI
An object is to achieve both suppression of operation delay and reduction in power consumption of a programmable LSI. A compiler generates, from source code, configuration data needed in a programmable LSI and a time schedule that shows a timing of using the data in the programmable LSI (a timing at which the data is held in a configuration memory) and a timing of storing the data in the programmable LSI before the data is used. Supply of new configuration data to the programmable LSI from the outside (storage of new configuration data) and data rewrite in the configuration memory in the programmable LSI (circuit reconfiguration) are performed independently and concurrently on the basis of the time schedule. |
| US09654105B2 |
On-die termination enable signal generator, semiconductor apparatus, and semiconductor system
A semiconductor apparatus may include an on-die termination (ODT) enable signal generator configured to enable an ODT enable signal in response to a data strobe signal, or enable the ODT enable signal in response to a command latch enable signal and an address latch enable signal. The semiconductor apparatus may include an ODT circuit configured to perform an ODT operation in response to the ODT enable signal. |
| US09654102B2 |
Hybrid direct-current circuit breaker
A circuit breaking system includes a first branch including at least one solid-state snubber; a second branch coupled in parallel to the first branch and including a superconductor and a cryogenic contactor coupled in series; and a controller operatively coupled to the at least one solid-state snubber and the cryogenic contactor and programmed to, when a fault occurs in the load circuit, activate the at least one solid-state snubber for migrating flow of the electrical current from the second branch to the first branch, and, when the fault is cleared in the load circuit, activate the cryogenic contactor for migrating the flow of the electrical current from the first branch to the second branch. |
| US09654098B2 |
Signal reception circuit and isolated signal transmission device
A signal reception circuit according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: an input terminal; an input reference terminal; an output terminal; an output reference terminal; a normally-on type transistor that includes a first terminal connected to the output terminal, a second terminal connected to the output reference terminal, and a control terminal; a first detector circuit that detects an input signal applied between the input terminal and the input reference terminal, to apply an output signal between the output terminal and the output reference terminal; and a second detector circuit that detects the input signal, to apply a negative voltage pulse to the control terminal of the transistor with the output reference terminal as a reference. |
| US09654093B2 |
Electronic device having a delay locked loop, and memory device having the same
An electronic device includes a first duty cycle correction circuit, a delay line, a second duty cycle correction circuit, and a delay control circuit. The first duty cycle correction circuit is configured to detect a duty cycle error of a clock signal by performing time-to-digital conversion on the clock signal, and to generate a corrected clock signal by adjusting a duty cycle of the clock signal based on the duty cycle error of the clock signal. The delay line is configured to generate a delayed corrected clock signal by delaying the corrected clock signal based on a delay control code The second duty cycle correction circuit is configured to detect a duty cycle error of a first output clock signal received through a feedback loop, and to generate a second output clock signal by adjusting duty cycle of the delayed corrected clock signal based on the duty cycle error of the first output clock signal. The delay control circuit is configured to generate the delay control code based on the clock signal and the first output clock signal. |
| US09654092B1 |
High speed gain stage with analog input and determinable digital output using regenerative feedback
A high speed gain stage including regenerative feedback that forces one output high and one output low providing a two-state output. A differential pair of input transistors of a first conductivity type have respective current terminals coupled between a source node and first and second output nodes and have respective control terminals that receive the analog input voltages. A current source provides source current to the source node. The gain stage includes a differential pair of bias transistors of a second conductivity type having respective current terminals coupled between the first and second output nodes and a reference voltage and having respective control terminals coupled to a bias node. A pair of current-driven transistors of the second conductivity type are cross-coupled at the outputs and to a common node to provide the regenerative feedback. Another transistor is coupled between the common node and the reference voltage to increase switching speed. |
| US09654087B1 |
Level shifter circuit
Techniques are disclosed for a level shifter configured to adjust current flow in response to measured current fluctuations due to common mode noise in the level shifter. For example, the level shifter includes a low-side control circuit configured to adjust a first current flowing into a first low-side terminal of an active high voltage level shifter device in response to a difference between the first low-side current and a second low-side current flowing into a second low-side terminal of an inactive high voltage level shifter device. The level shifter further includes a high-side receiver circuit configured to detect a difference between a first high-side current flowing into a first high-side terminal of the active high voltage level shifter device and a second high-side current flowing into a second high-side terminal of the inactive high voltage level shifter device. |
| US09654079B2 |
Composite electronic component and a board for mounting the same
A composite electronic component may include: a composite body including a capacitor formed of a ceramic body in which a plurality of dielectric layers and first and second internal electrodes are laminated, and an inductor formed of a magnetic body including a coil; an input terminal disposed on a first end surface of the composite body; output terminals including a first output terminal disposed on a second end surface of the composite body and a second output terminal disposed on the second end surface of the composite body; and a ground terminal disposed on one or more of upper and lower surfaces and the first end surface of the capacitor of the composite body. The capacitor is adjacent to the inductor. |
| US09654078B1 |
Technique for designing acoustic microwave filters using LCR-based resonator models
A method of designing an acoustic microwave filter in accordance with frequency response requirements comprises generating a modeled filter circuit design having a plurality of circuit elements comprising an acoustic resonant element defined by an electrical circuit model that comprises a parallel static branch, a parallel motional branch, and one or both of a parallel Bragg Band branch that models an upper Bragg Band discontinuity and a parallel bulk mode function that models an acoustic bulk mode loss. The method further comprises optimizing the modeled filter circuit design to generate an optimized filter circuit design, comparing a frequency response of the optimized filter circuit design to the frequency response requirements, and constructing the acoustic microwave filter from the optimized filter circuit design based on the comparison. |
| US09654076B2 |
Metadata for ducking control
An audio encoding device and an audio decoding device are described herein. The audio encoding device may examine a set of audio channels/channel groups representing a piece of sound program content and produce a set of ducking values to associate with one of the channels/channel groups. During playback of the piece of sound program content, the ducking values may be applied to all other channels/channel groups. Application of these ducking values may cause (1) the reduction in dynamic range of ducked channels/channel groups and/or (2) movement of channels/channel groups in the sound field. This ducking may improve intelligibility of audio in the non-ducked channel/channel group. For instance, a narration channel/channel group may be more clearly heard by listeners through the use of selective ducking of other channels/channel groups during playback. |
| US09654075B2 |
Power amplification module
Provided is a power amplification module that includes: a first transistor, a first signal being inputted to a base thereof; a second transistor, the first signal being inputted to a base thereof and a collector thereof being connected to a collector of the first transistor; a first resistor, a first bias current being supplied to one end thereof and another end thereof being connected to the base of the first transistor; a second resistor, one end thereof being connected to the one end of the first resistor and another end thereof being connected to the base of the second transistor; and a third resistor, a second bias current being supplied to one end thereof and another end thereof being connected to the base of the second transistor. |
| US09654074B2 |
Variable gain amplifier circuit, controller of main amplifier and associated control method
A variable gain amplifier circuit comprises a main amplifier, a current sensing circuit, a variable loading and a control amplifier. The main amplifier is configured for amplifying an input signal to generate an output signal. The current sensing circuit is coupled to the main amplifier, and is configured for generating a sensed current related to a current flowing through the main amplifier. The variable loading is coupled to the current mirror via a node, wherein the sensed current flows through the node and the variable loading. The control amplifier is coupled to the node and the main amplifier, and is configured for receiving a control voltage and a voltage of the node to generate an adjustment signal to control a gain of the main amplifier, wherein a resistance of the variable loading has a nonlinear relationship with the control voltage. |
| US09654073B2 |
Group volume control
Embodiments are provided for controlling playback volumes of a group of one or more playback zones in a network media system via a user interface provided on a touch screen display. For instance, touch inputs may be provided to the user interface via the touch screen to move a volume indicator along a graphical representation of a volume scale on the user interface to adjust a particular playback volume level of a playback zone or the group of the one or more playback zones. Further, touch inputs such as a dwell touch input or a swipe touch input may be configured to cause the particular playback volume level to be applied to other playback zones in the network media system, such that each playback zone the playback volume level is applied to has a respective playback volume level matching, or substantially matching the particular playback volume level. |
| US09654071B2 |
Preamplifier circuit for a microelectromechanical capacitive acoustic transducer
Described herein is a preamplifier circuit for a capacitive acoustic transducer provided with a MEMS detection structure that generates a capacitive variation as a function of an acoustic signal to be detected, starting from a capacitance at rest; the preamplifier circuit is provided with an amplification stage that generates a differential output signal correlated to the capacitive variation. In particular, the amplification stage is an input stage of the preamplifier circuit and has a fully differential amplifier having a first differential input (INP) directly connected to the MEMS detection structure and a second differential input (INN) connected to a reference capacitive element, which has a value of capacitance equal to the capacitance at rest of the MEMS detection structure and fixed with respect to the acoustic signal to be detected; the fully differential amplifier amplifies the capacitive variation and generates the differential output signal. |
| US09654070B2 |
Method for stabilizing the gain of a discrete-state automatic gain control circuit
An automatic gain controller comprises an amplifier including a variable gain. A resonant low-pass filter includes an input coupled to an output of the amplifier. The resonant low-pass filter is a second order low-pass filter. The second order low-pass filter includes a Sallen-Key topology. The Sallen-Key topology comprises a quality factor between 1.4 and 1.6. A threshold detection circuit includes an input coupled to an output of the second order low-pass filter to compare an output signal of the second order low-pass filter to a threshold and an output of the threshold detection circuit coupled to control the variable gain of the amplifier. A state machine is coupled between the output of the threshold detection circuit and the amplifier. The state machine is configured to transition based on a current state of the state machine. The resonant low-pass filter exhibits overshoot to trigger a hysteresis of the threshold detection circuit. |
| US09654068B2 |
Quaternary/ternary modulation selecting circuit and associated method
A quaternary/ternary modulation selecting method of an audio amplifier includes: generating a ternary signal and a quaternary signal; generating a plurality of pulses with limited duty cycles; and selecting one of the quaternary signal, the ternary signal and the plurality of pulses for an output stage of the audio amplifier. |
| US09654065B2 |
Digital amplitude modulation device and digital amplitude modulation method
A digital amplitude modulation device includes power amplifiers, a compositor, a filter, a measurement unit, a protection unit, and a controller. The power amplifiers are arranged in parallel and amplify an input signal in accordance with ON control and stop output in accordance with OFF control. The filter suppresses an unnecessary component to generate an AM signal. The measurement unit measures a measurement value between the filter and a signal output terminal and output the AM signal generated by the filter. The protection unit includes a calculator and a first processing unit. The calculator is formed from an analog circuit and calculates an evaluation value based on the measurement value. The first processing unit is formed from an analog circuit and generates a first control signal by referring to the evaluation value. Upon receiving the first control signal, the controller OFF-controls the power amplifiers. |
| US09654058B2 |
Apparatus and method for digital pre-distortion in wireless communication system
Provided is a Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD) apparatus and method for processing a signal that is input to a power amplifier in a wireless communication system. The DPD apparatus includes a DPD unit configured to pre-distort an input signal that is input to the power amplifier, using DPD information; and a signal processor configured to capture signals for estimation of the DPD information from each of an input terminal and an output terminal of the power amplifier, detect peak signals of the captured signals, separate the detected peak signals into a plurality of intervals depending on a power level, separately store the detected peak signals, estimate the DPD information using the peak signals stored for each interval, and provide the estimated DPD information to the DPD unit. |
| US09654053B2 |
Solar module support structure
Described herein are solar energy collection systems, devices, and methods for harvesting solar energy. In some embodiments, the devices, systems, and methods described herein comprise a bifacial photovoltaic module, a reflector, a rod and a support structure. |
| US09654052B2 |
Method for installing a solar structure in an area on the ground
A method for installing a solar structure includes the steps of: a) planting at least two anchoring feet in an area on the ground (S); b) arranging a pivot support having a pivot axis (X) on the free end that extends above the area of ground of each of the anchoring feet; c) aligning the pivot axes of the pivot supports with each other; d) attaching the pivot supports to the respective anchoring foot thereof; and e) positioning the solar structure on the pivot supports. |
| US09654051B2 |
Control circuit for controlling cooling fan of data center
A control circuit for controlling a cooling fan is defined in a data center. The control circuit includes a cooling fan, a controller, a switch unit, and a control unit. The controller is configured to generate a first pulse width modulation (PWM) signal for controlling the cooling fan to rotate at a first speed and the control unit is configured to generate a second PWM signal for controlling the cooling fan to rotate at a second speed. The switch unit is configured to output the first PWM signal to the cooling fan when the data center is in an active mode and configured to output the second PWM signal to the cooling fan when the data center is in a standby mode. |
| US09654047B2 |
Drive device
A drive device for controlling an electric motor, including a processor, and a non-transitory storage medium containing program instructions, execution of which by the process causes the drive device to provide functions of a customization unit and a core unit. The customization unit receives, from an external device, a command value designating an operating state of the electric motor, converts the command value using a predetermined reference value, and outputs the converted command value. The core unit receives the converted command value from the customization unit, recovers a physical quantity from the received converted command value, and controls the electric motor in accordance with the recovered physical quantity. |
| US09654040B2 |
Drive circuit of stepping motor, integrated circuit thereof, and electronic equipment including same, and method for controlling drive circuit of stepping motor
A drive circuit of a stepping motor includes a D/A converter, a current controller having a comparing unit, and an abnormality detecting unit. The DAC generates a target voltage indicating a target value for an excitation current determined based on a reference voltage indicating an upper limit value of the excitation current flowing into the stepping motor. The current controller controls the excitation current based on this target voltage. The comparing unit compares a voltage corresponding to the excitation current and the target voltage. The abnormality detecting unit detects an abnormality of the wire between the drive circuit and the stepping motor based on an output signal from the comparing unit and a control signal indicating a polarity of the excitation current. |
| US09654035B1 |
High-temperature brushless DC motor controller
A motor control system for deployment in high temperature environments includes a controller; a first half-bridge circuit that includes a first high-side switching element and a first low-side switching element; a second half-bridge circuit that includes a second high-side switching element and a second low-side switching element; and a third half-bridge circuit that includes a third high-side switching element and a third; low-side switching element. The motor controller is arranged to apply a pulse width modulation (PWM) scheme to switch the first half-bridge circuit, second half-bridge circuit, and third half-bridge circuit to power a motor. |
| US09654027B2 |
Semiconductor device and power converter using the same
A semiconductor device is provided that can prevent a current from being concentrated into a specific chip, and can reduce loss as well as noise. The semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: a switching element; a main diode that is connected in parallel to the switching element; and an auxiliary diode that is connected in parallel to the switching element and has a different structure from that of the main diode, wherein in a conductive state a current flowing through the auxiliary diode is smaller than that through the main diode, and in a transition period from the conductive state to a non-conductive state a current flowing through the auxiliary diode is larger than that through the main diode. |
| US09654025B2 |
Method for designing cascaded multi-level inverter with minimized large-scale voltage distortion
A method for designing cascaded multi-level inverters with minimization of large-scale voltage distortion, based on KKT (Karush-Kuhn-Tucker) conditions and with simplified computation of conduction angles, simplifies the computation process, and is conducive to on-line calculation. Meanwhile, its fundamental voltage is adaptive, minimization of total harmonic is realized for cascaded multi-level inverters at high-voltage, and voltage power quality at grid connected nodes is improved. |
| US09654024B2 |
AC-DC converter having soft-switched totem-pole output
An AC-DC converter has a totem-pole output circuit having first and second semiconductor switches, each having a channel coupled to a switching node and having a parasitic capacitance associated with the channel. An inductor has one terminal thereof connected to a switching node. First and second bypass devices are coupled to a second terminal of the inductor and operable during at least a portion of an input voltage to allow reverse current from an output of the converter to generate soft-switching of the first semiconductor switch. An asymmetrical shunt for measuring current in a first direction and bypassing current in a second direction opposite the first direction allows accurate measurement of reverse current. |
| US09654021B2 |
Multifunction power converter with option for integrated magnetics
Power converter modules and parallel conversion systems are presented in which the modules are provided in a rollable enclosure having AC and DC electrical connections, and an interior including a switching circuit with switching devices individually connected between a corresponding AC node and a corresponding DC node for operation as either a rectifier or an inverter and an internal filter circuit with inductors individually connected between a corresponding AC node of the switching circuit and a corresponding AC electrical connection, with a built-in blower or fan to cool the filter circuit during operation. |