Document Document Title
US09656168B1 Head-mounted display for navigating a virtual environment
In some embodiments, a head-mounted apparatus with a visual display and one or more sensors may make navigation of virtual environments more natural. The invention enables a participant to pivot, tip and aim the apparatus to orient and move through virtual space hands-free.
US09656166B1 Using game data for providing content items
Methods and systems for receiving a request for content associated with a game, receiving at least one of a device identifier and at least one of game data, associating the device identifier with the game data to create a document, and retrieving the document to generate relevant content items for display on the web page.
US09656164B2 Video game processing apparatus and video game processing program
A video game processing apparatus for controlling progress of a video game is provided. A plurality of players addresses a common task in the video game. Task related information that indicates a task that a player can challenge in the video game is stored in a task related information memory. When a task providing request is received from the player, the video game processing apparatus specifies a task corresponding to the task providing request, and generates other player related information. The other player related information indicates other player corresponding to the specified task. A task screen showing the specified task is then displayed. At least part of the generated other player related information is also displayed on the task screen.
US09656162B2 Device for identifying and tracking multiple humans over time
A system recognizes human beings in their natural environment, without special sensing devices attached to the subjects, uniquely identifies them and tracks them in three dimensional space. The resulting representation is presented directly to applications as a multi-point skeletal model delivered in real-time. The device efficiently tracks humans and their natural movements by understanding the natural mechanics and capabilities of the human muscular-skeletal system. The device also uniquely recognizes individuals in order to allow multiple people to interact with the system via natural movements of their limbs and body as well as voice commands/responses.
US09656161B1 System and method for facilitating assumption of player identity in an online game
One aspect of the disclosure relates to providing an online game for facilitating assumption of a player identity. The online game comprises a player account associated with the player. By facilitating assumption of a first player identity associated with a first player account, game support personnel and/or an administrator may be substituted for a player in the online game. The assumption of the first player identity may be accomplished through transmission and/or implementation of a private key stored on a client computing platform associated with the first player account, in order to facilitate a different client computing platform (e.g., associated with support personnel) to be authenticated to the first player account. This may allow the support personnel and/or an administrator to directly experience the player problems in the online game.
US09656160B2 Massive multi-player online (MMO) games server and methods for executing the same
Video server systems and methods for providing video streams to a plurality of remote clients are described. In one implementation, the video streams are based on game states received from a remote game server. The game states are dependent on game commands received by the video server system from the remote clients and forwarded to the remote game server. The video server system is configured to appear, from the point of view of the game server, as more than one client. For example, the video server system may receive game states from the remote game server at more than one different Internet Protocol address and each of these Internet Protocol addresses may be associated with a different game session.
US09656153B2 Skate boot with monocoque body
A skate boot of the type commonly used with a lower mounting frame for supporting one of an ice skating blade or rollers thereon, has a monocoque skate boot body. The monocoque skate boot body further supports i) a toe cap of dissimilar material thereon, ii) a tendon guard of dissimilar material fastened to a rear of the monocoque skate boot body, and iii) an anchor body of dissimilar material on the sole portion of the monocoque skate boot body for assisting securement of the lower mounting frame to the monocoque skate boot body.
US09656151B2 Skin cleat
The present invention is a skin cleat device for increasing grip while ski touring. The skin cleat is configured to be attached around a ski by a skier without disengaging the ski boot from the skis and can be removed and re-attached depending on the needs of the user. The skin cleat is a strap-like device that includes two end sections and a studded central section there-between. The central section is intended to be placed underneath the base of the ski and skin such that the studs extend into the snow. The two end sections can be attached together by a coupling to form a continuous structure around the waist of the ski. Using the coupling, the structure can be tightened around the ski securing it in place and preventing the skin cleat from rotating around the ski or the studs from moving substantially when in use.
US09656150B2 Glove
A glove comprises tip-covering portions, joint-covering portions, and surface-covering portions. Each of the tip-covering portions is made of a first material and configured to cover each palm or back side of tip portions of fingers. Each of the joint-covering portions is made of a second material, connected to corresponding one of the tip-covering portions, and configured to cover one of palm or back side of joint portions of the fingers. Each of the surface-covering portions is made of a third material, connected to at least one of the tip-covering portions and the joint-covering portions, and configured to cover surface portions other than hand portions covered by the tip-covering portions or the joint-covering portions. The second material is more flexible than the first or third material, so that the glove has one size and multi-size feature.
US09656147B2 Golf player aid with stroke result forecasting
A portable handheld device for collecting and displaying golf round data. The data collected for each stroke includes the location, time, and club used and the resulting ball position achieved. Before each drive or approach shot player skill level, course layout information, and player location on the course are used together with the club selected by the player to forecast the result of the next stroke. Putt break prediction information is provided before each putt. Information that a stroke has been taken and which club was used can be entered manually or sensed automatically from telemetry equipped clubs.
US09656145B2 Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems and methods
Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.
US09656142B2 Basketball shot determination system
A basketball shot determination system for use with a basket and a portable electronic device including a processing unit, a memory and an output device, the system includes a basketball, at least one sensor carried by the basketball, and a non-transient computer-readable medium. The medium contains code to direct the processor to obtain at least one attribute of a shot of the basketball towards the basket. The at least one attribute being sensed by the at least one sensor or derived from signal output by the at least one sensor. The code also directs the processor to determine whether the shot is a made basket by comparing the at least one attribute of the shot to one or more predetermined signature characteristics of a made basket, and to present output to a person based on the determination of whether the shot is a made basket.
US09656138B1 Push compression interchangeable golf grip
An interchangeable golf grip is secured with a snap compression unit that enters into a golf club shaft.
US09656137B2 Two-part hockey stick
A two-part hockey stick having a hockey stick blade and a hockey stick shaft joined together at a joint. The hockey stick has a blade with a neck, a heel, and a toe. The joint has a male joint portion on an end of the shaft, which has heel and opposed toe walls, each of which extend away from a distal surface of the shaft and terminate at a mating surface. The heel wall is disposed on a side of the joint adjacent to a heel of the blade, and is longer than the toe wall. The mating surface extends between the heel and toe walls. The joint also has a hollow female joint portion disposed in a neck of the blade. The male joint portion mates with the female joint portion, thereby joining the shaft to the blade and forming the hockey stick.
US09656134B2 Personal golfing assistant and method and system for graphically displaying golf related information and for collection, processing and distribution of golf related data
A handheld apparatus for displaying a graphic representation of a golf course including a location measuring device configured to generate location information corresponding to a location of the handheld apparatus. The apparatus includes a memory configured to store location information corresponding to each of a plurality of features of the golf course. The apparatus includes a computing device connected to the location measuring device and the memory, and configured to retrieve a subset of the plurality of features of the golf course based on the measured location information generated by the location measuring device. The apparatus includes a display connected to the computing device and configured to display a graphic representation of the retrieved subset of the plurality of features of the golf course.
US09656132B2 Club head with club head alignment aid and related method
A wood-type club head can include a front end having a front face, a toe end, a heel end opposite the toe end, a rear end opposite the front end, a crown having a front crown end and a rear crown end, and an alignment aid at the crown surface. The front crown end can be closer to the front end than to the rear end, and the rear crown end can be closer to the rear end than the front end. The alignment aid can include five alignment aid stripes. The five alignment aid stripes can include a first toe alignment aid stripe, a first heel alignment aid stripe, a second toe alignment aid stripe, a second heel alignment aid stripe, and a center alignment aid stripe. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US09656130B2 Sporting goods with graphene material
A racket may include a frame including at least one prepreg layer. The at least one prepreg layer may include reinforcing fibers. The at least one prepreg layer may also include a matrix at least partially surrounding the reinforcing fibers. The at least one prepreg layer may also include graphene material.
US09656129B1 Golf ball retrieval rake
A golf ball retrieval rake including a telescopic handle and an attachment member on a handle front end which connects the handle to a scoop member. The scoop member includes a J-shaped plate having cylindrical tines disposed on a front side of the plate, which are provided to drag and pull a golf ball into the scoop member to bring the golf ball out of a hazard. Obround slots through a bottom side of the plate, obround openings in the side walls and in the plate rear side, and holes in the rear side permit drainage from the scoop member when a golf ball is retrieved from a water hazard on the golf course and to shake sand from the scoop member when a golf ball is retrieved from a sand trap. A single removable zippered cover encompasses the attachment member, the scoop member, and the tines.
US09656128B2 Golf balls having at least one layer formed from a plasticized acid copolymer composition
The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls including a layer formed from a relatively soft or low modulus HNP composition and a layer formed from a relatively hard or high modulus HNP composition. Optionally, the soft (or low modulus) HNP composition and/or the hard (or high modulus) HNP composition is plasticized or is replaced with a different plasticized acid copolymer composition.
US09656125B2 Golf ball
A golf ball 2 has, on a surface thereof, a plurality of types of dimples 8 having different diameters from each other. A standard deviation Vσ of the volumes of all the dimples 8 is equal to or less than 0.095 mm3. The ratio (Vσ/Dσ) of the standard deviation Vσ to a standard deviation Dσ of the diameters of all the dimples 8 is equal to or less than 0.35. Preferably, the shape of each dimple 8 is a portion of a spherical surface. The standard deviation Vσ is preferably equal to or less than 0.087 mm3. The ratio (Vσ/Dσ) is preferably equal to or less than 0.29.
US09656123B2 Recommended modes of transportation for achieving fitness goals
A computing system is described that determines one or more of modes of transportation available to a user of a computing device to travel from a current location of the computing device to a particular destination such that the user is predicted to arrive at the particular destination by a particular future time. The computing system determines, based at least in part on a fitness goal associated with the user of the computing device, a recommended mode of transportation from the one or more modes of transportation, the recommended mode of transportation being a particular mode of transportation predicted to aid the user in achieving the fitness goal. The computing system outputs, for transmission to the computing device, an indication of the recommended mode of transportation.
US09656122B2 Motion capture and analysis
A system for motion capture and analysis is described. The system may include a motion sensor unit configured to capture data associated with movement of an object. The motion sensor unit is configured to be directly or indirectly coupled to the movement object at a first location. The system also includes a processor to process the captured data to determine one or more values and to translate the data and/or values to correspond to a second location on the movement object located away from the first location. The data and/or values, including translated data and/or values, may be transmitted by wireless transmitter and displayed by a display unit.
US09656119B2 Exercise information display system, exercise information display method, and computer-readable storage medium having exercise information display program stored thereon
An exercise information display system of the present invention includes a sensor device which obtains data associated with a motion status of a human body during an exercise, a data processing device which generates plural types of exercise information based on the data obtained by the sensor device, and a viewing device which displays, from among the plural types of exercise information, at least first information indicating a posture of the human body during the exercise and second information associated with the first information in a display format where the first information and the second information are displayed in conjunction with each other.
US09656118B2 Exercise device and method of using same
An inclinable exercise device includes a support; an adjustable incline having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion operably supported by the support to allow adjustment in an angle of the adjustable incline; a user support platform movably attached to the adjustable incline for movement of the user support platform along the adjustable incline during at least one of jumping and squat exercises; a foot support stand secured to the adjustable incline in the lower portion, the foot support engaged by one's feet during at least one of jumping and squat exercises; one or more resistance mechanisms resisting upward movement of the user support platform along the adjustable incline during at least one of jumping and squat exercises.
US09656117B2 Wearable resistance garment with power measurement
Disclosed is a technical training garment configured for use with modular, interchangeable electronics and resistance modules. The garment provides resistance to movement throughout an angular range of motion and tracks biomechanical parameters such as stride length, stride rate, angular velocity and incremental power expended by the wearer. The garment may be low profile, and worn by a wearer as a primary garment or beneath or over conventional clothing. Alternatively, the device may be worn as a supplemental training tool during conventional training protocols.
US09656115B2 Exercise device including elastic closed loop resistance tension band
A training device includes a continuous elastic loop having attached thereon at least one of a hand grip or a foot cradle, a non-scissoring sleeve slidably wrapped around a first portion of the continuous elastic loop, and an anchoring portion non-slidably connected to the non-scissoring sleeve. The elastic loop provides uniform resistance (i.e., tension) while providing total body muscle engagement whether conducting isometric, concentric, or eccentric muscle contractions. The training device provides portability, ease of use and greater effectiveness for the user while exercising.
US09656107B2 Trigger unit for extinguishing devices
A trigger unit (1) for triggering an extinguishing-agent flow in the direction of a fire zone, connected to an energy supply, having a first actuating device (3) that can be switched between a release position in which the energy supply is released, and an interruption position in which the energy supply is interrupted, a second actuating device (5) that can be switched between a release position in which the extinguishing-agent flow is released, and a rest position, a coupling unit (7) that can be moved between an operating position and an extinguishing position and permanently couples together the switching of the first actuating device (3) and the second actuating device (5). A tensioning element is connected in a force-transmitting manner to the coupling unit (7) in such a manner that a change in the tensioning state of the tensioning element always results in a movement of the coupling unit (7).
US09656103B2 Light protecting-effective cosmetic or dermatological preparations
Disclosed is the use of an insoluble or sparingly soluble micronized substance class which is not a cosmetic UV absorber and which is dispersed in the oil- or water-phase of a cosmetic or dermatological composition for the enhancement of light protecting action of this cosmetic or dermatological composition comprising at least one cosmetic UV filter which is soluble in the water- or oil-phase. The cosmetic preparation according to the invention shows a remarkable increase in SPF.
US09656099B2 Dose rate modulated stereotactic radio surgery
The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for radiotherapy. Embodiments of the present disclosure may receive a medical image including images of a target and an organ at risk (OAR). Some embodiments may also receive a target dose and a constraint on an OAR dose. Some embodiments may also generate a dose application plan based on the target dose and the constraint. Generation of the dose application plan may include determining a placement of an arc along which radiation is to be applied based on the target dose and a location of the target; dividing the arc into a plurality of segments; determining a dose rate associated with each segment; calculating a predicted OAR dose based on the determined dose rate; and comparing the predicted OAR dose with the constraint on the OAR dose to determine whether the predicted OAR dose satisfies the constraint on the OAR dose.
US09656093B2 Systems and methods for making and using connector contact arrays for electrical stimulation systems
A connector for an implantable electrical medical device includes an elongated connector body; a connector lumen to receive a lead or lead extension; a non-conductive carrier disposed in the connector body and including at least two rails extending parallel to the connector lumen and pairs of contact holders spaced-apart along the rails; contacts with each contact disposed between one of the pairs of contact holders; and connector conductors coupled to the contacts. Instead of carrier and contacts, the connector can include contact assemblies, each contact assembly including a non-conductive contact carrier defining two nodes, and two contacts, each contact disposed in one of the two nodes, each contact including a coil and a sheath disposed around at least a portion of the coil. Another alternative includes a non-conductive carrier with contact openings; and contacts, where each contact is a rod disposed in one of the contact openings.
US09656091B2 Power saving communication for medical devices
Power saving communication techniques for communicating in a medical device system. One example medical device system may be for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to a heart of a patient, and may include a first implantable medical device implanted in a first chamber of the heart and configured to determine one or more parameters, a medical device physically spaced from and communicatively coupled to the first implantable medical device, the medical device configured to deliver electrical stimulation therapy to the heart of the patient, wherein the first implantable medical device is further configured to: compare a value of a first determined parameter to a first threshold; if the value of the first determined parameter passed the first threshold, communicate a first indication to the medical device; and if the value of the first determined parameter has not passed the first threshold, not communicating the first indication to the medical device.
US09656089B2 Method for automation of therapy-based programming in a tissue stimulator user interface
A method for programming a neurostimulator includes automatically performing a series of steps. One or more control elements may be actuated to select the series of steps from a plurality of series of steps stored in a memory of an external control device. One or more control elements may be actuated during the performance of the series of steps in order to cause one of the steps to pause, stop, restart, skip, or repeat. The series of steps may be a series of pre-programming steps, and the method may further include programming the neurostimulator after the series of pre-programming steps is performed. An external device for programming the neurostimulator includes control circuitry configured for automatically performing the series of steps, and a user interface including the one or more control elements configured for being actuated. The control device also includes the memory for storing the plurality of series of steps.
US09656088B2 Method and apparatus for determining longevity
A method and apparatus for determining estimated remaining longevity for an implantable stimulator. A programmer processor is employed to acquire from the implantable stimulator a signal comprising data associated with the power source in the implantable stimulator and a date in which the stimulator was implanted. The programmer processor and the data are used to determine whether a pre-recommended replacement time threshold (pre-RRT) has been attained for replacing the implantable stimulator. The programmer processor is used to select an equation in which to calculate a recommended replacement time (RRT), the equation is selected in response to determining a time period that extends from the date in which the stimulator was implanted until a date in which the pre-RRT is attained.
US09656083B2 Method for adjusting a system for stimulating a hypoglossal nerve
A method for titrating a stimulation parameter for one or more electrode contacts in a system for stimulating a hypoglossal nerve of a patient includes activating one of the one or more electrode contacts to stimulate the hypoglossal nerve of the patient, obtaining a first and/or second physiological measurement from the patient, comparing the first and/or second physiological measurement to a first and/or second predetermined target value, adjusting a stimulation parameter for the one of the one or more electrode contacts if the first and/or second physiological measurement differs from the first and/or second predetermined target value.
US09656079B2 Method and apparatus for electrically stimulating the nervous system to improve ventricular dysfunction, heart failure, and other cardiac conditions
A method and apparatus are used to provide therapy to a patient experiencing ventricular dysfunction or heart failure. At least one electrode is located in a region associated with nervous tissue, such as nerve bundles T1-T4, in a patient's body. Electrical stimulation is applied to the at least one electrode to improve the cardiac efficiency of the patient's heart. One or more predetermined physiologic parameters of the patient are monitored, and the electrical stimulation is adjusted based on the one or more predetermined physiologic parameters.
US09656078B1 Non-invasive neuromodulation (NINM) for rehabilitation of brain function
In a patient suffering from neural impairment, stimulation is provided to sensory surfaces of the face and/or neck, or more generally to areas of the body that stimulate the trigeminal nerve, while performing an activity intended to stimulate a brain function to be rehabilitated. The simulation may then be continued after the performance of the activity has ceased. It has been found that the patient's performance of the activity is then improved after stimulation has ceased. Moreover, it tends to improve to a greater extent, and/or for a longer time, when the post-activity stimulation is applied, as compared to when post activity stimulation is not applied.
US09656077B2 Combination of tonic and burst stimulations to treat neurological disorders
The present application relates to a new stimulation design which can be utilized to treat neurological conditions. The stimulation system produces a combination of burst and tonic stimulation which alters the neuronal activity of the predetermined site, thereby treating the neurological condition or disorder.
US09656074B2 Nerve stimulator system
Devices, systems and methods for treating at least one of a condition or a symptom of a patient by positioning a stimulation device at a target site adjacent to or near a nerve within a patient. The stimulation device comprising an antenna and one or more electrodes. Transmitting electrical energy to the antenna and generating electrical impulses within the stimulation device with the electrical energy and applying the series of electrical impulses to the nerve via the electrode. The electrical impulses sufficient to modulate the nerve and treat the condition or symptom of the patient; and which have on periods where the electrical impulses are generated and applied to the nerve and off periods between the electrical impulses, where the electrical energy is transmitted to the antenna.
US09656071B2 Control for hearing prosthesis fitting
A method for adjusting parameters of a hearing prosthesis system includes adjusting a control to shift an audiogram associated with a first stimulator, applying a prescription rule using the shifted audiogram to adjust a cross-over frequency that defines a first frequency range and a second frequency range. The first stimulator is configured to apply stimulation signals in the first frequency range and a second stimulator is configured to apply stimulation signals in the second frequency range. The method also includes applying the prescription rule using the shifted audiogram to determine gain and maximum power output (MPO) levels for the first frequency range associated with the first stimulator.
US09656068B2 Method and apparatus for stimulating the vascular system
The present invention provides methods of treating a gastrointestinal condition. In some embodiments, the method generally includes administering a chemical or electrical stimulus to an artery of the gastrointestinal vasculature of the subject, a vein of the gastrointestinal vasculature of the subject, a nerve supplying an artery of the gastrointestinal vasculature of the subject, and/or a nerve supplying a vein of the gastrointestinal vasculature of the subject, wherein the chemical or electrical stimulus is effective for treating a gastrointestinal condition.
US09656066B2 Methods and devices for stimulating an immune response using nanosecond pulsed electric fields
Nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) treatments of a tumor are adjusted based on size and type of a tumor to stimulate an immune response against the tumor and other tumors in a subject. Calreticulin expression on tumor cells can be detected to confirm treatment. An immune response biomarker can be measured, and further nsPEF treatments can be performed if needed to stimulate or further stimulate the immune response. Cancers that have metastasized may be treated by directly treating a tumor that is most accessible. The treatment can be combined with CD47-blocking antibodies, doxorubicin, CTLA-4-blocking antibodies, and/or PD-1-blocking antibodies. Electrical characteristics of nsPEF treatments can be based on the size, type, and/or strength of tumors and/or a quantity of tumors in the subject.
US09656061B2 Virtual electrodes for high-density electrode arrays
The present embodiments are directed to implantable electrode arrays having virtual electrodes. The virtual electrodes may improve the resolution of the implantable electrode array without the burden of corresponding complexity of electronic circuitry and wiring. In a particular embodiment, a virtual electrode may include one or more passive elements to help steer current to a specific location between the active electrodes. For example, a passive element may be a metalized layer on a substrate that is adjacent to, but not directly connected to an active electrode. In certain embodiments, an active electrode may be directly coupled to a power source via a conductive connection. Beneficially, the passive elements may help to increase the overall resolution of the implantable array by providing additional stimulation points without requiring additional wiring or driver circuitry for the passive elements.
US09656060B2 Methods of manufacturing devices for the neurorehabilitation of a patient
A mouthpiece for providing non-invasive neuromodulation to a patient, the mouthpiece including an elongated housing having an anterior region and a posterior region, the elongated housing having a non-planar exterior top surface and internal structural members disposed within the housing, the internal structural members elastically responding to biting forces generated by the patient, a spacer attached to the top surface of the housing for limiting contact between a patient's upper teeth and the exterior top surface of the elongated housing, and a printed circuit board mounted to a bottom portion of the elongated housing, the printed circuit board having a plurality of electrodes for delivering subcutaneous local electrical stimulation to the patient's tongue.
US09656058B2 Cochlear implant insertion method and system
Techniques for insertion of a cochlear implant include using a rotatable manipulator magnet to steer the tip of the cochlear implant. Steering can use magnetic torque and/or force between the manipulator magnet and a magnetic element coupled to the tip of the cochlear implant to control bending of the cochlear implant.
US09656057B2 Lead and a system for medical applications
In some examples, the present disclosure relates to an implantable medical lead and medical device systems employing such leads for medical applications, such as, e.g., neural stimulation, deep brain stimulation, and/or sensing of bioelectrical signals. In one example, the lead includes a thin film configured to be secured to at least a portion of a carrier core, wherein the thin film has a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one electrode between the proximal end and the distal end; and at least one fixation element configured to secure the distal end of the thin film to the carrier core, wherein the fixation element comprises at least one of a distal extension portion of the thin film at least partially wrapped around the carrier core distal to the at least one electrode or a jacket tube located around the carrier core and the thin film.
US09656052B2 Acoustic line tracing system and method for fluid transfer system
An acoustic line tracing system for tracing a fluid transfer system tubing line includes an acoustic receiver operably connectable to the tubing line and configured to receive the vibratory signal. The acoustic receiver includes a vibration sensor disposed to contact the tubing line and configured for detecting vibration of the surface of the tubing line caused by the vibratory signal, and an indicator producing at least one of an audio and a visual cue when the vibration sensor detects the vibratory signal.
US09656048B2 Guidewire
A guidewire includes a wire body having a first wire arranged on a distal end side and a second wire arranged on a proximal end side of the first wire. A proximal end surface of the first wire and a distal end surface of the second wire are joined to each other to form a joint portion. An outer member is arranged on an outer peripheral side of the wire body and forms a tubular shape which covers the wire body at least from a distal end portion of the first wire to the joint portion. An inner member is arranged between an outer peripheral portion of the wire body and an inner peripheral portion of the outer member and covers the joint portion. The inner member is an inner coil formed by winding a wire for the inner member into a coil shape.
US09656046B2 Assembly with a guide wire and a fixator for attaching to a blood vessel
A fixator assembly comprising a fixator for fixing inside a blood vessel, the fixator being able to slide proximally along a guide wire. The assembly comprising means for preventing the fixator from moving distally of the preventing means. A tubular element for introduction into a blood vessel of a person, the tubular element comprising an end opening and a plurality of side openings as well as a transport wire extending from inside the tubular element and to the surroundings thereof through an individual side opening.
US09656039B2 Breathing assistance apparatus with a manifold to add auxiliary gases to ambient gases
The breathing assistance apparatus of the present invention includes a manifold that is provided with or retrofittable to gases supply and humidifying devices. The manifold allows gases from an oxygen concentrator to be combined with the flow through a gases supply and humidifying device, most usually air The combined output of oxygen and other breathing gases (air) is then humidified. The breathing assistance apparatus and manifold of the present invention provides a safe method to add oxygen to the input air stream of a gases supply and humidifying device and reduces the amount of accumulation of oxygen within the gases supply device, reducing fire risk should sparking occur within the device.
US09656038B2 Air delivery conduit
A mask system and an air delivery conduit (200) for use in the treatment of respiratory disorders. The air delivery conduit (200) may comprise a textile (220) having an airtight arrangement. A support structure (240) may be provided to the conduit to provide form.
US09656036B2 Bladder cushion, forehead cushion, headgear straps, headgear cap and/or chinstrap
A cushion for a patient interface includes two or more bladders arranged in concentric relation. Each of the bladders includes a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient's face, and each of the bladders is adapted to be pressurized independently from one another. At least one of the bladders is an active bladder that is pressurized to at least a sealing pressure to form a continuous seal with the patient's face in use.
US09656035B2 Laryngeal mask having a supraglottic tube
Thus far, it has not been possible to produce laryngeal masks having a supraglottic tube as a one-piece unit. If the supraglottic tube (2) is provided with three lumens (4, 5, 6), the center one (6) of which has no passage to the respiration space (10), a solution is proposed. What is proposed is that the center guide lumen is provided with a longitudinal slit (8) extending from the distal end (9) to the laryngeal mask head (3). A connecting web can be attached between two cores or sliders forming the lumens, generating the desired stability in order to maintain the pressing power tool state without deformation.
US09656031B2 Infusion pump methods and systems
An infusion pump system is disclosed. The system includes at least one infusion pump, a companion device, the companion device in wireless communication with the infusion pump, and a user interface on the companion device, the user interface adapted to receive textual input.
US09656028B2 Method and apparatus for applying an anesthetic and batericide
A method and an apparatus for applying an anesthetic includes a receptacle having an upper end, a substantially hollow interior, a lower end having a tube or nozzle extending therefrom and an attachment for attaching to the barrel of a syringe or vice versa. The receptacle receives a container or canister containing an endothermic gas or vapor (propellant) that rapidly absorbs heat when released to the atmosphere. A depressible actuating member or trigger propels the gas or vapor through an outlet nozzle that is oriented to project a stream of gas or vapor along a delivery axis that intersects a delivery axis of the needle; therefore, the gas or vapor can be successively delivered to an injection site with minimal repositioning of the housing.
US09656026B2 Needle sheath remover assembly
The invention relates to a needle sheath remover comprising a cap (10) removably attached to a housing of a medicament delivery device, a sheath grabber (20) connected to said cap and configured to be engageable to a needle sheath (42) of a medicament container positioned (46) within said medicament delivery device, wherein the cap and the sheath grabber are axially movable in relation to each other and wherein the sheath grabber and the cap are configured to interact with each other such that upon removal of the cap from the housing, the sheath grabber is capable of engaging and removing said needle sheath.
US09656021B2 Auto-injector
An auto-injector for administering a dose of a liquid medicament is presented that has a tubular chassis telescopable in a tubular case, a carrier subassembly comprising a tubular carrier slidably arranged relative to the chassis inside the case, where the carrier adapted to contain a syringe with a hollow injection needle. The injector has a drive spring and a plunger for forwarding load of the drive spring to a stopper of the syringe, wherein the syringe is lockable for joint axial translation with the carrier. There is also a trigger button arranged distally or laterally in or on the case, a control spring arranged around the carrier, and a needle extension control mechanism for coupling a proximal end of the control spring to either the carrier for advancing it for needle extension or to the chassis for needle retraction depending on the relative axial position of the carrier and the chassis.
US09656013B2 Membrane separation devices, systems and methods employing same, and data management systems and methods
A membrane separation device is disclosed along with systems and methods employing the device in blood processing procedures. In one embodiment, a spinning membrane separator is provided in which at least two zones or regions are created in the gap between the membrane and the shell, such that mixing of the fluid between the two regions is inhibited by a radial rib associated with the membrane that decreases the gap between the membrane and the shell to define two fluid regions, the ridge isolating the fluid in the two regions to minimize mixing between the two. Automated systems and methods are disclosed for separating a unit of previously collected whole blood into components, such as concentrated red cells and plasma, for collecting red cells and plasma directly from a donor in a single pass, and for cell washing. Data management systems and methods and priming methods are also disclosed.
US09656012B2 Method and device for determining at least one operating parameter of a device for extracorporeal blood treatment as a function of absolute pressure; the device for extracorporeal blood treatment
A method and a device for determining an operating parameter of a device for extracorporeal blood treatment as a function of absolute pressure include setting the absolute ambient pressure in a closed container filled partially with air and having an essentially constant container volume by equalization of pressure with respect to the surroundings, and the pressure is maintained by isolating the container. With delivery means, a predetermined sequence of strokes of a liquid is delivered into or out of the container, and the change in the relative container pressure is measured after each delivery stroke. The total volume delivered and the relative pressure are assigned to a value pair, and the absolute pressure and the initial air volume is determined based on the Boyle-Mariotte law by using the value pairs for at least two delivery strokes. The operating parameter is calculated and adjusted as a function of the absolute pressure.
US09656011B2 Implantation of a transapical ventricular assist device and kit for same
A method of implanting a blood pump in a heart of a mammalian subject includes maintaining a temporary plug in an inlet opening of a pump having a pump body and an outlet cannula projecting from the pump body, advancing the pump into a ventricle of the heart through a hole in a wall of the heart so that the inlet of the pump is disposed within the ventricle and the outlet cannula extends through a valve of the heart into an artery, and then withdrawing the temporary plug from the inlet of the pump.
US09656010B2 Controlling implanted blood pumps
A blood pump controller includes a microcontroller and a communication interface. The microcontroller is configured to communicate with various types of blood pump communication modules. The microcontroller is further configured to determine, based on communication with a particular type of blood pump communication module, the particular type of blood pump communication module communicated with. The microcontroller is further configured to select, based on the determination of the particular type of blood pump communication module, control logic used to control the particular type of blood pump communication module. The microcontroller is further configured to generate, based on the selected control logic, commands for controlling the blood pump communication module. The communication interface is configured to connect the microcontroller to the particular type of blood pump communication module.
US09656009B2 Cardiac assist system using helical arrangement of contractile bands and helically-twisting cardiac assist device
A cardiac assist system using a helical arrangement of contractile bands and a helically-twisting cardiac assist device are disclosed. One embodiment discloses a cardiac assist system comprising at least one contractile elastic band helically arrangement around a periphery of a patient's heart, where upon an actuation the band contracts helically, thereby squeezing the heart and assisting the pumping function of the heart. Another embodiment discloses a helically twisting cardiac-apex assist device comprising an open, inverted, substantially conical chamber with two rotatable ring portions of different diameters located at the base and apex of the chamber, with a plurality of substantially helical connecting elements positioned substantially flush with the chamber wall and connecting the two rotatable ring portions, whereby a relative twisting motion of the two rings causes a change in volume of the chamber thereby assisting the cardiac pumping function.
US09656008B2 Interventional catheters having cutter assemblies and differential cutting surfaces for use in such assemblies
A rotatable operating head for removal of obstructive material from a target site in a body lumen or cavity is operably connected to a rotatable, translatable drive shaft that is driven by a drive motor and received through an elongated catheter. The operating head includes a plurality of differential cutting blades, with at least one of the cutting blades being a stepped blade, the stepped blade comprising a raised cutting surface positioned adjacent, or in proximity to, a shoulder region.
US09656002B2 Methods to increase fracture resistance of a drug-eluting medical device
Methods for increasing the fracture resistance of a polymer stent's drug-polymer coating and scaffolding including applying a coating and crimping using techniques that increase the resistance to fracture in the coating layer and scaffolding and scaffolding.
US09656001B2 Anti-adhesive barrier membrane using alginate and hyaluronic acid for biomedical applications
A non-synthetic, hydrophilic, biodegradable, biocompatible polysaccharide based non-toxic anti-adhesion hydrogel barrier is disclosed herein. The barrier of the present invention is formed by constructing a unique interpenetrating, crosslinked network with a unique porosity. Furthermore, the barrier of the present invention is comprised of tunable biopolymers for controllable mechanical robustness and degradation. The barrier of the present invention effectively reduces unwanted adhesions using non-synthetic components.
US09655987B2 Sterilization system and gas filling method
The sterilization system includes a plurality of spaces to be sterilized by a sterilization process; a gas supply source generating nitrogen dioxide gas; a piping system and a valve device; a nitrogen dioxide gas sensor; and a control device. The control device performs a gas filling process in which each of the plurality of spaces to be sterilized is connected to the gas supply source one by one for a first predetermined length of time and successively filled with the nitrogen dioxide gas by controlling the valve device, and when the concentration of the nitrogen dioxide gas in a space to be sterilized that is being filled with gas is detected by the sensor to have reached a predetermined level, the control device performs control such that the subsequent gas filling process is performed with this space to be sterilized being excluded from the gas filling process.
US09655982B2 Formation and uses of europium complexes
The present invention provides a method of forming an oxidatively-stable aqueous Eu(II) complex by synthesizing ligands that coordinate to large, soft, electron rich metals like Eu(II). The invention also provides an oxidatively stable aqueous Eu(II) complex. The complex can be used for a variety of purposes some of which include, but are not limited to, in paramagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer, as a medical diagnostic, as a semiconductor, and for use in forming materials.
US09655978B2 Method for preparing nanohydrogel
A method for preparing nanohydrogels comprising a dispersion step, in which a polysaccharide functionalized with hydrophobic molecules and in the form of a macromolecular agglomerate is dispersed in an aqueous solution, and a heating step, in which the aqueous dispersion of the polysaccharide is subjected to a temperature of between 70° C. and 150° C. and a pressure of between 1 bar and 5 bar. In the heating step, the conditions of temperature and pressure must be such that boiling of the aqueous dispersion of the polysaccharide does not take place.
US09655977B2 Biotin complexes for treatment and diagnosis of alzheimer's disease
Described herein are compositions and methods for treating or imaging Alzheimer's disease (AD). The compositions comprise a biotin moiety and a siRNA moiety, without the need for a targeting agent such as an antibody, avidin, or streptavidin. In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise a diagnostic agent.
US09655975B2 Prodrug using nitroimidazole
Provided is a prodrug of 2-nitro-1-imidazolepropionic acid and a therapeutically active organic compound having on the molecule an amino group, a cyclic amino group or a hydroxyl group, particularly a prodrug in which the therapeutically active organic compound is selected from among antitumor agents. The prodrug cleaves specifically under hypoxic conditions in vivo to exhibit the inherent therapeutic activity.
US09655974B2 N-terminal modified FGF21 compounds
Analogs of FGF21 carrying a modifying, substituted ethylene or benzyl group can be used for treatment or prevention of diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and/or Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
US09655969B2 Inhalable medicament comprising tiotropium
This invention relates to a solution formulation containing a tiotropium salt, 12-20% ethanol, 0.1-1.5% of water, 0.05-0.10% citric acid (or other organic acid) and an HFA propellant, wherein the percentages are percentages by weight based on the total weight of the formulation. The invention also provides a pMDI comprising a canister containing the formulation.
US09655968B2 Baclofen solution for low-volume therapeutic delivery
A high concentration baclofen solution is provided suitable for therapeutic use in a medical setting. A high concentration solution of baclofen in multivalent physiological ion solution such as artificial cerebrospinal fluid is provided with concentrations of baclofen of 10 mg/ml. Artificial cerebrospinal fluid is particularly advantageous as a baclofen solvent. A medical package is also provided for baclofen delivery to patients suffering from spasticity.
US09655963B2 Diagnosing and treating IGA nephropathy
Provided are methods of diagnosing IgA nephropathy in a subject. Optionally, the methods comprise isolating an IgG from the subject and determining whether the IgG binds to a galactose-deficient IgA1. Optionally, the methods comprise providing a biological sample from the subject and detecting in the sample a mutation in a IGH gene, wherein the mutation is in a nucleotide sequence encoding a complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) of a IGH variable region. Optionally, the methods comprise determining a level of IgG specific for a galactose-deficient IgA1 in the subject. Also provided are methods of treating or reducing the risk of developing IgA nephropathy in a subject.
US09655962B2 Methods and compositions for reducing microorganisms in the oropharynx, nasopharynx and oral cavities
The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions administered to the lymphatic tissue of an animal to prevent or reduce the incidence of disease or disease symptoms caused by one or more disease causing entities. Tonsillar compositions can be administered to the lymphatic tissue in the oral/nasal region of the animal and can include avian antibodies from eggs of hens inoculated with one or more target disease causing entities. Treating the lymphatic tissue in the oral/nasal region with the compositions described herein can reduce or prevent the disease causing entities from adhering to the lymphatic tissue resulting in reduced infection rates. The present disclosure also relates to oral compositions that can be used to reduce or eliminate oral pathogens in animals.
US09655956B2 Chimeric nucleic acid molecules with non-AUG translation initiation sequences and uses thereof
The present disclosure relates to nucleic acid vaccine compositions and methods for preventing or treating pathological conditions, such as cancer or infectious disease. Further, the disclosure provides methods for more efficient production of antigens via mRNA containing one or more non-conventional start codons to promote multiplex initiation of translation in eukaryotic cells.
US09655953B2 Targeted protein replacement for the treatment of lysosomal storage disorders
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for delivering lysosomal proteins. The compositions and methods described herein permit the targeted delivery of exogenous lysosomal proteins to cell surface proteins that allow their internalization via non-clathrin pathways. The present invention further relates to the use of the compositions and methods for enzyme replacement therapy of lysosomal storage diseases. Nucleic acids, recombinant cells and kits useful for making and using the compositions of the invention are also provided.
US09655951B2 Preservation of the biological activity of undenatured type II collagen
The present invention is the storage of biologically active natural ingredients in carbonated water. In a specific embodiment, the present invention is the storage in carbonated water of animal tissue containing type II collagen. Such type II collagen is useful for alleviating the symptoms of arthritis in mammals as well as the treatment of arthritis in mammals. Such type II collagen is also useful for the prevention of arthritis in mammals. The present invention is also a method for the preparation of a nutritional supplement that includes the steps of: (a) separating animal tissue containing water-insoluble, undenatured type II collagen from animal tissue not containing type II collagen; (b) subdividing and sterilizing said tissue under conditions which do not change the original structure of the type II collagen to produce a subdivided and sterilized product; (c) packaging the subdivided and sterilized product in carbonated water.
US09655950B2 Activation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells as a predictor of patient response to interferon-A therapy
The present invention relates to methods and materials for more effectively treating patients with interferon. It is based on the discovery that clinical response to interferon (IFN) therapy is mediated in part by inhibition of activation of MDSC and such inhibition can be observed after a test dose of interferon; a significant decrease of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by MDSC (as a measure of their activation) after IFN therapy is predictive of overall response to immunotherapy in cancer patients.
US09655949B2 Neuregulin based methods for treating heart failure
The present invention features methods of treating patients with chronic heart failure by administering a neuregulin polypeptide within a dosage range which is both effective and safe.
US09655945B2 Treatment of ascites
A method for treating ascites patients by administering the peptide drug terlipressin by continuous infusion. The patients include those whose ascites condition has not progressed to hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). Administration may be accomplished with a continuous infusion pump.
US09655944B2 Inhibitors of hepatitis C virus
Compounds of Formula I are disclosed As well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Methods of using said compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds are also disclosed.
US09655939B2 Antimicrobial and/or antiviral composition and to methods for preparing and administering same
The present invention provides for an antimicrobial and/or antiviral composition suitable for administration to a surface. The antimicrobial and/or antiviral composition is suitable for administration to a surface, comprising an essential oil portion; and an effective amount of a volatile liquid carrier such that a majority of the composition readily evaporates after dispersal onto the surface. The composition is compatible with and suitable for topical use with human skin. Methods of preparing and administering the antimicrobial and/or antiviral compositions are also disclosed.
US09655937B2 Extraction devices, systems, and methods
Extraction devices, methods, and systems are disclosed. Example devices have a solvent chamber, a plant material chamber, a collection chamber, and a solvent return that create a sealed, closed-cycle extraction and/or solvent purification process. Any extractable plant material can be used in the disclosed devices, methods, and systems although in some examples some form of the cannabis plant is used.
US09655934B2 Dermatologically effective yeast extract
The invention relates to a method for producing a dermatologically active yeast extract, comprising the following steps: providing a preculture of the yeast cells, culturing the cells for at least fifteen minutes at a pH of 1.8-4, harvesting the cells and lysing the cells, and a yeast extract produced thereby and products comprising said yeast extract.
US09655933B2 Filamentous bacteriophage as an angiogenesis modulator
The invention relates to a filamentous bacteriophage, carrying bacterial Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin on its surface, for use in treating cancer and in inhibiting angiogenesis, and in a different context, for use in promoting angiogenesis in diseases or conditions in which there is insufficient angiogenesis.
US09655929B2 Spinal disc regenerative composition and method of manufacture and use
The present invention provides a novel way to replenish the disc using retooled disc compositions to repair degenerative discs. There is no better source of proteoglycans than the actual disc material (6) itself. To this end, there has been developed a technique to remove the nucleus pulposus and retool the morphology of the nucleus pulposus to create a powder material (10) that is dry and can be stored at room temperature for long periods of time. This powder (10) can then be reconstituted with a variety of fluids, the most suitable being normal saline or lactated ringers to form a flowable mixture (20).
US09655927B2 Methods and compositions for modulating peripheral immune function
Disclosed herein are cell preparations useful for modulating various peripheral immune functions, methods for making said cell preparations, and methods for their use.
US09655926B1 Treatment for hair thinning and hair loss
A process to increase hair growth and hair caliber which uses stem cells derived from acellular extracellular matrix, e.g., from urinary bladder and is combined with a nutrient rich medium of autologously harvested platelet rich plasma has been developed. Preferably, a microneedling device is used to induce “micro wounds” aids in the healing process of the hair bearing skin by converting the stem cells in the matrix to progenitor cells.
US09655925B2 Method for activating natural killer cells by tumor cell preparation in vitro
The present invention provides a method for activating a Natural Killer (NK) cell by contacting the NK cell in vitro with an activating tumor cell preparation (ATCP). The invention also provides an activated NK cell produced by such a method and its use in the treatment of cancer.
US09655922B1 Dialysis precursor composition
The present invention concerns a dialysis acid precursor composition for use during preparation of a dialysis acid concentrate solution and for mixing with water and a bicarbonate containing concentrate into a ready-for-use dialysis solution. The dialysis acid precursor composition consists of powder components comprising sodium chloride, at least one dry acid and at least one calcium salt, and optionally potassium salt, magnesium salt, and glucose. In an embodiment, the at least one calcium salt and the optional glucose are present as anhydrous components in the dialysis acid precursor composition.
US09655918B2 Pharmaceutical formulations comprising chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid derivatives
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations containing a combination of specific high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid derivatives and chondroitin sulfate to be used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, of subchondral damage, osteoporosis, synovitis, tenosynovitis, tendinitis, tendinosis, as an intra-articular washing liquid and as a viscous substitute of synovial fluid following osteochondral surgery. These formulations are also suitable for the treatment of interstitial cystitis.
US09655915B2 Phosphoramidate derivatives of 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine for use in the treatment of cancer
Phosphoramidate derivatives of 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine are disclosed for use in the treatment of cancer, especially in the treatment of cancer where the patient shows resistance, for example, in a patient with cells with a lowered level of nucleoside transporter proteins and/or with nucleoside kinase-deficient cells and/or with mycoplasma-infected cells and/or with cells with a raised level of thymidylate synthase.
US09655912B2 Reduction of gastrointestinal tract colonisation by campylobacter
Campylobacter are the commonest reported bacterial causes of gastroenteritis in the UK and industrialized worlds. This invention relates to a method of preventing or reducing the colonization of the gastrointestinal tract of an animal with Campylobacter. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for disinfection of an animal comprising administering to said animal at least one compound that binds to MOMP or FlaA of Campylobacter in an effective amount to reduce the number of Campylobacter present in the gastrointestinal tract of said animal. The present invention also provides a method of preventing or reducing transmission of Campylobacter from one animal to another.
US09655909B2 Personalized medicine for the prediction of therapy targeting the hedgehog pathway
Methods and composition for tumor therapy, especially esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), are described. For example, in certain aspects methods for determining Hedgehog and mTOR signaling pathway status to select patients for administering a combination therapy of Hedgehog and mTOR signaling inhibitors are described. Furthermore, the invention provides compositions that involve testing kits for determining signaling status.
US09655905B2 Treatment of sickle cell disease
The present invention includes embodiments for treatment and/or prevention of sickle cell disease that employ Hydroxyfasudil or Isocoronarin D alone or either in conjunction with each other or an inducer of HbF production. The compounds may act synergistically, and the compounds employed circumvent the side effects seen with Hydroxyurea.
US09655903B2 Compositions and methods of treating cell proliferation disorders
The invention relates to compounds and methods for treating cell proliferation disorders.
US09655900B2 Heterocyclic compound
Provided is a compound useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of cancer.The present invention relates to a compound represented by formula (I): wherein each symbol in the formula is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof or a prodrug thereof, which is useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of cancer.
US09655898B2 Pharmaceutical compositions containing pemetrexed having extended storage stability
Long term storage stable pemetrexed-containing liquid pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed. The compositions can include pemetrexed or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; an antioxidant selected from lipoic acid, dihydrolipoic acid, methionine and mixtures thereof; a chelating agent selected from lactobionic acid, sodium citrate, tribasic and mixtures thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable fluid. The pH of the compositions is in a range of about 8 to about 9.5. The pemetrexed-containing compositions have less than about 5% total impurities, on a normalized peak area response (“PAR”) basis as determined by high performance liquid chromatography (“HPLC”) at a wavelength of 227 nm, after at least about 18 months of storage at a temperature of from about 5° C. to about 25° C. Methods of preparing the formulation as well as methods of treatment of pemetrexed-susceptible diseases using the same are also disclosed.
US09655891B1 Use of isoquinoline derivatives for diabetic wound healing
The present invention is related to a method for diabetic wound healing comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound having the general Formula I, preferably salsolinol.
US09655887B2 Pharmaceutical composition and the use thereof, and application regime of said pharmaceutical composition for on-demand contraception
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for non-hormonal, on-demand contraception and to processes for preparing this pharmaceutical composition. The latter comprises 2H-indazole as novel EP2 receptor antagonists in combination with COX inhibitors. The invention furthermore provides a method for non-hormonal female-controlled on-demand contraception where a pharmaceutical composition comprising EP2 receptor antagonists in combination with COX inhibitors is taken on demand prior to expected sexual intercourse.
US09655886B2 Substituted 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indoles, methods for use thereof
The present invention relates to a method of antagonizing a 5-HT6 serotonin receptor, comprising administering to the cell a compound of formula 1.2, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: R1 is a C1-C5 alkyl; R2i is independently hydrogen, halogen, a C1-C3 alkyl, CF3, OCF3 or OCH3; i is 1, 2, 3 or 4; Ar is an unsubstituted phenyl or a substituted phenyl substituted with halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, substituted amino group or trifluoromethyl; or Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with one or two nitrogen atoms in the heterocycle. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions and method for treating a cognitive disorder or neurodegenerative disease in a subject in need thereof comprising administering an effective dose to the subject of a compound of formula 1.2 according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09655881B2 Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound
The present invention provides a compound having a cholinergic muscarinic M1 receptor positive allosteric modulator activity and useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, pain, sleep disorder, Parkinson's disease dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and the like.The present invention relates to a compound represented by the formula (I) or a salt thereof. wherein each symbol is as described in the specification, or a salt thereof.
US09655880B2 Azetidine estrogen receptor modulators and uses thereof
Described herein are compounds that are estrogen receptor modulators. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments that include the compounds described herein, as well as methods of using such estrogen receptor modulators, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating diseases or conditions that are mediated or dependent upon estrogen receptors.
US09655879B2 Heteroarylcarboxylic acid ester derivative
Compounds represented by the following formula (I); wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, are useful as hyperglycemic inhibitors having a serine protease inhibitory action and as prophylactic or therapeutic drugs for diabetes.
US09655878B2 Composition comprising coumestrol or a bean extract containing coumestrol
The present invention relates to a composition which comprises as an active ingredient coumestrol or a bean extract containing coumestrol, whereby adipocyte differentiation is inhibited, the immune system of the body is improved, toxic substances are purged, and neurodegenerative disorders are prevented or improved.
US09655877B2 Therapeutic methods for treating inflammation and immune system disorders
The subject invention provides novel and advantageous materials and methods for treating neuroinflammation, neurodegenerative disease, and cerebrovascular disease by modulating TNF-α and/or nitric oxide production. Specifically exemplified herein is the therapeutic use of senkyunolide A (Sen A) and Z-ligustilide (Z-Lig), compounds isolated from traditional Chinese medicinal material Ligusticum chuanxiong (LCX).
US09655874B2 Method for treating eczema
A method for treating eczema including the steps of applying an isothiocyanate functional surfactant to an area affected by eczema, wherein the isothiocyanate functional surfactant comprises at least one isothiocyanate functional group associated with an aliphatic and/or aromatic carbon atom of the isothiocyanate functional surfactant.
US09655873B2 Method of mitigating adverse drug events using omega-3 fatty acids as a parenteral therapeutic drug vehicle
A method of parenterally administering a composition, the method including parenterally administering to a person a composition including at least one omega-3 fatty acid and at least one drug, wherein the at least one omega-3 fatty acid source and the at least one drug are administered simultaneously.
US09655871B2 Composition comprising a purified extract isolated from Pseudolysimachion rotundum var. subintegrum containing abundant amount of active ingredient or the compounds isolated therefrom, as an active ingredient for treating a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the use thereof
A composition comprising a purified extract isolated from Pseudolysimachion rotundum var. subintegrum containing abundant amount of active ingredient or the compounds isolated therefrom as an active ingredient for treating a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the use thereof. Inventive purified extract and compounds showed potent anti-COPD activity without beta-2-receptor agonistic response through various in vivo tests as well as in vitro test. Therefore, it can be used as the therapeutics or functional health food for treating and preventing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
US09655869B2 Estrogen antagonists as treatments for sclerosing disorders
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating a subject suffering from a sclerosing disorder, comprising administering, to the subject, an effective amount of an estrogen receptor antagonist (“ERANT”), wherein said ERANT has essentially no estrogen receptor agonist activity under physiologic conditions.
US09655866B2 Mild antibacterial cleansing compositions
Disclosed is a cleansing composition comprising: (i) a non-soap surfactant which is an alkyi glycinate, alkyi carboxy glycinate, sarcosinate, glutamate or a mixture thereof; and, (ii) one or more antimicrobial agent, wherein pH of said composition is at least 8.5 and zein number of said composition is in the range of 10 to 65 and wherein soap content of said composition is not greater than 5 wt %. The formulation is highly alkaline, yet gives mild antibacterial cleansing action.
US09655865B2 Therapeutic treatment for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, obesity, or prediabetes
The present invention is directed to a method for treating a patient suffering from the metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, or prediabetes, comprising the step of increasing the ratio of dopaminergic neuronal to noradrenergic neuronal activity within the central nervous system and particularly the hypothalamus of the central nervous system of the patient.In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for treating a patient suffering from a metabolic disorder such as the metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, or prediabetes, and the metabolic sequale of these diseases including cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, renal and hepatic diseases, comprising the step of: administering to a patient suffering from the metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, or prediabetes a pharmaceutical composition comprising (1) at least one compound that stimulates an increase in central dopaminergic neuronal activity level in the subject, and (2) at least one compound that stimulates a decrease in central noradrenergic neuronal activity level in the subject. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions that include the above compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US09655863B2 Matrix and layer compositions for protection of bioactives
The invention relates to matrix and layer compositions comprising a first polymer. The matrix and layer compositions are useful in the delivery of bioactives. In particular, the matrices and layers may have advantageous properties including mechanical properties and protection of bioactives and may also provide for pH-dependent release of a bioactive.
US09655857B2 Pharmaceutical formulations of a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Described herein are pharmaceutical formulations of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) inhibitor 1-((R)-3-(4-amino-3-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-1-yl)piperidin-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-one. Also disclosed are methods of using the Btk inhibitor, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or conditions, heteroimmune diseases or conditions, cancer, including lymphoma, and inflammatory diseases or conditions.
US09655856B2 Solid pharmaceutical compositions and processes for their production
This invention provides novel solid pharmaceutical compositions and processes for the bulk production of said compositions. This invention also provides methods of using the pharmaceutical compositions in the treatment of cancer.
US09655855B2 Matrix for sustained, invariant and independent release of active compounds
The invention concerns a storage stable pharmaceutical formulation comprising preferably two active compounds in a non-swellable diffusion matrix, whereby the compounds are released from the matrix in a sustained, invariant and, if several compounds are present, independent manner and the matrix is determined with respect to its substantial release characteristics by ethylcellulose and at least one fatty alcohol. The invention also concerns methods for producing such pharmaceutical formulations.
US09655854B2 Sustained release dosage forms for a JAK1 inhibitor
This invention relates to sustained release dosage forms comprising {1-{1-[3-fluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)isonicotinoyl]piperidin-4-yl}-3-[4-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]azetidin-3-yl}acetonitrile, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and doses and methods related thereto.
US09655851B2 Granular material for dosage forms
A granular material which has a mean particle diameter of 150 to 800 micrometers; and an unsettled bulk density of 0.1 to 0.35 g/cm3 and/or a compactibility which results in a compact with a tensile strength of at least 1.7 MPa when the granular material is subjected to a compaction pressure of 266 MPa; and wherein the main component of the granular material is a cellulose derivative or an alkylene oxide homo- or copolymer or a blend thereof is useful for preparing dosage forms with a controlled release profile.
US09655849B2 Solid particulate compositions comprising coenzyme Q10
The present invention generally relates to improvements in the bioavailability and/or solubility of coenzyme Q10. For example, the present invention relates to methods for preparing particulate compositions including coenzyme Q10 that generally comprise dispersing and/or dissolving the coenzyme Q10 throughout a suitable solvent, and combining the coenzyme Q10 and an encapsulating (e.g., microencapsulating) agent. The present invention also generally relates to particulate compositions comprising coenzyme Q10 that exhibit improved bioavailability and/or solubility as compared to previous coenzyme Q10 products.
US09655844B2 Biocompatible polysaccharide-based hydrogels
Modified polysaccharides and crosslinked modified polysaccharide compositions are described. Methods of using the crosslinked modified polysaccharide compositions to deliver proteins, oligonucleotides, or pharmaceutical agents are also disclosed.
US09655843B2 Transmucosal delivery devices with enhanced uptake
The present invention provides methods for enhancing transmucosal uptake of a medicament, e.g., fentanyl or buprenorphine, to a subject and related devices. The method includes administering to a subject a transmucosal drug delivery device comprising the medicament. Also provided are devices suitable for transmucosal administration of a medicament to a subject and methods of their administration and use. The devices include a medicament disposed in a mucoadhesive polymeric diffusion environment and a barrier environment.
US09655842B1 Injectable non-aqueous compositions and methods of treating vascular disease
An injectable non-aqueous composition and a method of treating a vascular disease, the non-aqueous composition including: chitosan having a particle size of no greater than 50 μm; alginate having a particle size of no greater than 50 μm; and a non-aqueous carrier; wherein upon combination and injection into the vascular system of a subject, the chitosan and alginate form a polyelectrolyte gel in situ.
US09655841B2 Topical anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical composition with zileuton cream formulation
Provided herein is a zileuton cream type topical anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical composition, and more particularly, a zileuton cream type topical anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical composition capable of retaining stability at room temperature and of being applied topically to maximize medical effects while minimizing absorption to an entirety of body, thereby minimizing toxicity caused by the compound so as to be suitable to topical treatment of skin diseases caused by leukotriene.
US09655834B1 Peptide, method and composition for inhibiting melanogenesis
An isolated peptide for inhibiting melanogenesis in a mammal subject is provided. The isolated peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence of SSASTTED (SEQ ID NO: 1). Also provided are methods and compositions for inhibiting melanogenesis in a mammal subject.
US09655829B2 Compositions and methods for teeth whitening
Disclosed herein are teeth whitening compositions generally including an oxidizing agent, and an activating agent that has an emission wavelength between about 400 nm and about 570 nm. Methods of employing these compositions to whiten teeth, methods of making these compositions and kits that include some or part of the composition ingredients, are also described.
US09655827B2 Agents for oxidatively dyeing hair containing specific combinations of developers and couplers
The subject matter of the invention relates to agents for oxidatively dyeing keratinic fibers, comprising, in a cosmetic carrier, (A) 4,5-diamino-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1H-pyrazole and/or one of the physiologically acceptable salts thereof as developer, (B) 2-(2,5-diaminophenyl)ethanol and/or one of the physiologically acceptable salts thereof as developer, (C) 2,6-bis(2′-hydroxyethylamino)-1-methylbenzene and/or one of the physiologically acceptable salts thereof as coupler, and (D) at least one m-dihydroxybenzene derivative from the group comprising resorcinol, 2-methylresorcinol, and/or 4-chlororesorcinol as coupler.
US09655826B2 Hair dye composition
A hair dye composition is characterized by containing (A) HC BLUE No. 2, (B) DISPERSE VIOLET 1, and (C) at least one of HC YELLOW No. 2 and HC YELLOW No. 4 and has a pH of 7-11. The mass ratio of the content of (A) HC BLUE No. 2 to the content of (B) DISPERSE VIOLET 1 is preferably 1 to 30. The hair dye composition preferably further contains (D) DISPERSE BLACK 9.
US09655825B2 Sunscreen composition containing high levels of liposoluble UV filters
A water-releasing sunscreen composition in the form of an emulsion and process for using the composition are provided. The composition includes an aqueous phase containing at least one stability boosting polyol. The composition further includes an oil phase containing a first emulsifier and a structuring agent. The oil phase also includes a combined organic UV filter comprising a liquid organic liposoluble UV filter and a solid organic liposoluble UV filter. The combined organic UV filter is at a concentration from about 10% to about 25%. The composition includes a phase ratio of the aqueous phase to the oil phase of about 1.0 to about 10.0. The sunscreen composition is stable, has a sun protection factor (SPF) of greater than or equal to 15 and exhibits a critical wavelength of greater than 370 nm, and converts from an emulsion to a plurality of droplets upon application of shear.
US09655824B2 Use of diphenylmethane derivatives as tyrosinase inhibitors
Novel uses of compounds of the Formula 1 or mixtures of substances that contain one more compounds of the Formula 1, are described. The said compounds are suitable as agents against skin and hair browning, for combating age spots and for the inhibition of the undesired browning of foods.
US09655812B2 Pedicure spa apparatuses with ventilating systems
A pedicure spa comprises a basin, a base, at least one inlet vent, and a ventilating system. The basin is configured to contain water for soaking feet. The base is configured to contain the basin, with the base having a front wall and a top wall. The at least one inlet vent is located in the base for receiving air, and the ventilating system is configured to circulate air. The system has pipes connecting the at least one inlet vent, with the pipes connecting to an exit pipe.
US09655810B2 Internet based spa networking system having wireless spa nodes
A spa node comprising a spa controller, a power sense adapter configured to compute power being drawn by selected spa components; a spa network adapter, and a home network adapter, each of the three adapters including a wireless transceiver wherein the spa network adapter is configured to receive power data transmitted over a wireless link by the power sense adapter and to further receive status/performance data from the spa controller. The home network adapter is configured to receive power and status data transmitted by the spa network adapter over a wireless link and to convert that data to a form suitable for transmission to an Internet access point. The home network adapter is further linkable over the Internet to a central server, a dealer computer and a spa owner or user computer.
US09655807B2 Tissue treatment systems and methods having a porous substrate with a compressed region and an expanded region
A system for treating a tissue site of a patient includes a dressing filler adapted to be positioned at the tissue site. The dressing filler is comprised of a porous substrate having at least one compressed region and at least one expanded region. The compressed region of the porous substrate is held in a compressed state by a first coating capable of dissolving in the presence of a fluid, and the expanded region of the porous substrate is held in an expanded state by, a second coating.
US09655805B2 Walking assist robot and control method thereof
A control method of a walking assist robot, may include: estimating a wearer's location on a map including walking environment information; determining a walking environment in a direction in which the wearer moves; and selecting a control mode for assisting the wearer's walking according to the walking environment.
US09655804B2 Knee-supporting walking aid
A medical device for assisting patients in walking who have sustained injury to the lower portion of their legs or feet. The device supports the patient's knee and is controlled by the patient's hand and arm. The device includes an elongate ground-engaging upright stanchion having an upwardly extending vertical axis when a user is standing. The stanchion has a top and a front, and a knee holster affixed to the top of the stanchion for receiving the user's knee. A handrail projects upwardly and frontally from a top of the holster at an angle of between 15 and 35 degrees from the vertical axis. The handrail has a hand-gripping portion located such that when gripped by the user while standing an angle of approximately 90 degrees is formed at the user's elbow between the forearm and the upper arm.
US09655803B2 Knee rehabilitation device
In one example, a rehabilitation device includes a fixed length leg support having first and second spaced-apart, generally parallel elongate members having first and second ends, and a handle is rotatably coupled to the first ends of the elongate members. The rehabilitation device also includes an angularly-adjustable coupler by way of which the handle is rotatably coupled to the elongate members. The angularly-adjustable coupler is operable to implement variations to an angle cooperatively defined by the handle and the fixed length leg support, and the angularly-adjustable coupler includes a locking mechanism operable to releasably lock the handle at various different angular positions relative to the fixed length leg support.
US09655798B2 Multi-alert lights for hospital bed
A patient support apparatus, such as a hospital bed, includes an alert light assembly or an alert light module having separate zones that are individually illuminated to convey information regarding respective alert conditions. The zones each have indicia related to a particular condition of the patient support apparatus. The illuminated zones are each sufficiently large so as to be seen from afar, such as on the order of ten feet or more. Alternatively or additionally, a GUI of the patient support apparatus displays alert indicia as part of a screen saver. Further alternatively or additionally, the patient support apparatus illuminates an alert light in a manner indicating an optimal time for taking a patient's vital signs.
US09655796B2 Hospital bed obstacle detection apparatus
A hospital bed obstacle detection device and related method for detecting an obstacle between first and second components of a hospital bed is provided.
US09655795B2 Occupant support with a migration sensitive bladder and method for migration detection
A method for detecting occupant position change on a support surface includes establishing a rate of change of pressure in a head end test zone and in a foot end test zone, comparing the head end rate to at least one head end rate limit, comparing the foot end rate to at least one foot end rate limit, and inferring, in response to the comparing steps, whether or not occupant migration has occurred. An associated occupant support includes a frame and a mattress. The mattress includes head and foot zones each having at least one pressurizable bladder. The support also includes a controller adapted to compare a head end rate of pressure change to a head end rate limit, to compare a foot end rate of pressure change to a foot end rate limit, and to infer, in response to the comparing steps, whether or not occupant migration has occurred.
US09655793B2 Brake release mechanism for surgical table
A surgical patient support includes a foundation frame, a support top, and a brake system. The foundation frame includes a first column and a second column. The support top is coupled to the first column and the second column for rotation about a top axis extending along the length of the support top.
US09655792B2 Absorbent article comprising a malodor control composition having an acid catalyst
An absorbent article comprising a malodor control composition having at least one volatile aldehyde and an acid catalyst, and methods of use thereof, are provided. The malodor control composition is suitable for a variety of absorbent articles, including use in diapers, toddler training pants, adult incontinence garments, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, interlabial devices, hemorrhoid pads, and the like.
US09655790B2 Absorbent article and manufacturing method therefor
An absorbent article has an absorber disposed between a permeable front surface sheet and a rear surface sheet of a non-woven fabric; wherein the front surface sheet is provided with ridged convex portions continuing in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article at a specified interval in the width direction of the absorbent article, and provided with dot-like concave embossments at the right side adjacent position and the left side adjacent position alternately at an interval in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article on the both sides of each of the convex portions, and the concave embossments are arranged in a zigzag pattern as a whole. The convex portion is an inclined surface having a relatively steep gradient on one side and a relatively gentle gradient on the other side, and the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion is an asymmetrical shape.
US09655788B2 Absorbent article having traverse reinforcing element
An absorbent article having a front end region, a rear end region, a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions, a fluids source area, and a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis. The absorbent article includes a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a reinforcing structure disposed within the central region. In one aspect of the invention, the reinforcing structure includes a pair of traverse reinforcing elements each of which is formed by two traverse channels. The two traverse channels may be disposed generally parallel to the transverse axis with a reinforcement distance such that the absorbent core has an average density of in the range of about 5% to about 500% higher at the traverse reinforcing element than the fluids source area.
US09655785B2 Arch strap for treating heel pain
An arch strap for the treatment of pain in a patient's heel, such as plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial tendonitis and capsulitis. The arch strap has a first portion serving as a pad, shaped and sized to fit under the arch beneath a patient's foot and extending upwardly along one side of the patient's foot to the medial portion of the foot. The first portion is preferably adhesively attached to the arch of the foot and provides support and stability to the foot when properly positioned. There is an elongated strip having a first end attached to one side of the first portion and extending around the patient's heel and positioned in the medial portion of the foot where it adhesively attaches to the foot. The elongated strip keeps the first portion in place and provides support in the patient's heel to relieve pain.
US09655781B2 Laser system and method for correction of induced astigmatism
There is provided a system, apparatus and methods for developing laser systems that can create precise predetermined clear corneal incisions that are capable of reducing induced astigmatism. The systems, apparatus and methods further provide laser systems that can provide these incisions at or below Bowman's membrane.
US09655775B2 Toric lenses alignment using pre-operative images
Proper selection and centering of an intraocular lens (IOL) is provided. An image of an eye, which may be captured during pre-operative tests and provided to a program operable to calculate the power and axis orientation of the IOL, is used to determine the location and orientation of the IOL. This produces an output or placement guide used to properly center and orient an IOL within the eye.
US09655770B2 System for treating lipid-rich regions
A system is described for removing heat from a subject's subcutaneous lipid-rich regions, such as tissues, organs, cells, and so forth. In various embodiments, the system includes a controller, a computing device, a data acquisition device, a chiller, and one or more applicators. The system can employ these components to receive a selection of a treatment profile and apply the selected treatment using an applicator. The treatment profile may be received from a patient protection device that connects to an applicator.
US09655769B2 Pessaries for prolapse alleviation
Disclosed are devices for supporting a prolapsed organ. An exemplary device comprises a ring-like body optionally having a naturally occurring substantially flat and substantially planar compact configuration, the ring-like body configured with a size suitable for insertion into a vagina and to be expanded by a support element such that in the expanded configuration an outer periphery of the ring-like body contacts a portion of the vagina and stretches at least a portion of a prolapsed vaginal wall, thereby substantially alleviating prolapse of at least one pelvic organ. The device optionally includes a support element comprising two moveably connected arms configured to support the ring in the expanded configuration.
US09655768B2 Oral device for mandibular advancement and medial tongue constraint
An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity includes upper and lower jaw braces and a tongue-engaging member. The upper and lower jaw braces are connected so that the lower jaw brace is advanced in an anterior direction relative to the upper jaw brace when the upper and lower jaw braces are closed together. A partial vacuum is drawn in the oral cavity and the vacuum and lower jaw displacement together control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions.
US09655765B2 Extended wear devices for liquid deodorizers and containers including such devices
A device and container, including the device, are configured for deodorizing an effluent, e.g., bodily waste. The device can include a carrier configured to retain a deodorizer fluid and disperse the deodorizer fluid into the effluent; and a mesh film configured to at least partially envelop the carrier. The carrier can include an absorbent material configured to at least one of absorb, retain, and disperse the deodorizer fluid. The device may be removably or fixedly disposed with respect to a container configured to collect the effluent. The device may be preloaded with the deodorizer fluid.
US09655762B2 Trunk supporting exoskeleton and method of use
An exoskeleton includes two torque generators, two thigh links, and a supporting trunk rotatably coupled to the thigh links. When a wearer bends forward in the sagittal plane such that the supporting trunk extends beyond a predetermined angle A with respect to vertical, at least one of the torque generators imposes a resisting torque between the supporting trunk and a corresponding thigh link, thus imposing a force onto a wearer's trunk and thighs to aid in supporting the wearer in a bent position. The exoskeleton may include an active or passive means for actuating the generators. When the supporting trunk does not extend beyond the predetermined angle A, the torque generators do not impose resisting torques between the supporting trunk and the thigh links during the entire range of motion of the thigh links, thus enabling a wearer to walk, run and sit without constraint while in an upright position.
US09655757B2 Endolumenal esophageal restriction device
Generally described herein are apparatus, systems and methods related to a novel esophageal device implantable in the patient's body and designed to replicate the restrictive and satiety mechanism associated with gastric banding systems known in the art. The device can be a compliant and tubular-shaped and fixated within the gastro-esophageal lumen using tissue anchors.
US09655756B2 Systems and methods for deploying a portion of a stent using an auger-style device
The present embodiments provide systems and methods for deploying at least a portion of a stent. In one embodiment, the system comprises a cannula having an outer surface, and an auger having a plurality of turns coupled to the outer surface of the cannula. A stent has a portion dimensioned to be disposed within a valley of the auger. Rotation of the cannula and the auger advances the portion of the stent in a predetermined longitudinal direction.
US09655755B2 Systems and methods for treating a carotid artery
Systems and methods are adapted for treating the carotid artery. The systems include interventional catheters and blood vessel access devices that are adapted for transcervical insertion into the carotid artery. Embodiments of the systems and methods can be used in combination with embolic protection systems including blood flow reversal mechanisms, arterial filters, and arterial occlusion devices.
US09655752B2 Methods for making magnesium biodegradable stents for medical implant applications
Methods for making a magnesium biodegradable stent for medical implant applications, using magnesium foil or pure magnesium or magnesium alloys that are biodegradable and performing a lithographic technique to configure the features and dimensions of the magnesium foil, and rolling the magnesium foil to form a cylinder.
US09655751B2 Kits including implantable medical devices and antioxidants
Methods of incorporating an antioxidant into a medical device including a polymer are described, and methods of packaging medical devices.
US09655748B2 Bone graft delivery system and method for using same
A bone graft delivery system can include an elongate tube, a handle having a trigger, and a tip. The trigger is actuated to deliver bone graft material through the tube. The tip has one or more openings to deliver the bone graft material to a desired location and includes a surface suitable to act as a rasp for decorticating bone. A method for delivering bone graft material to a desired surgical location includes providing a bone graft delivery device, positioning the device adjacent the surgical location, decorticating bone, and delivering bone graft material to the surgical location.
US09655747B2 Expandable fusion device and method of installation thereof
The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.
US09655743B2 Expandable interbody fusion device
An apparatus and method is provided for interbody fusion including distracting, in a given direction, and supporting opposing vertebral bodies. A plurality of wafers are consecutively inserted between the vertebral bodies to create a column of wafers. The column of wafers is oriented between the vertebral bodies so as to expand in the given direction as the wafers are consecutively added to the column.
US09655741B2 Prosthetic disc for intervertebral insertion
A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes a core having upper and lower curved surfaces, upper and lower plates, and peripheral restraining structure on at least one of the upper plate, the lower plate and the core. Each plate has an outer surface which engages a vertebra and an inner curved surface which slides over the curved surface of the core. The peripheral restraining structure serves to hold the core against a curved surface of at least one of the plates during sliding movement of the plates over the core.
US09655736B2 System and method for installing an annular repair rivet through a vertebral body port
A two part annulus repair rivet for repairing a defect in the annulus of an intervertebral disc includes a first part delivered through a port and adapted to be positioned at an internal surface of an annulus adjacent a defect and a second part adapted to be positioned on an external surface of the annulus adjacent the defect. The first and second parts are secured together, repairing the defect.
US09655734B2 Prosthetic ankle components
A first prosthetic ankle component (10) comprising: a first bearing surface (12) configured to engage a second bearing surface (22) of a second prosthetic ankle component (20); and a protrusion (16) or slot (26) on the first bearing surface, the protrusion or slot being configured to engage a respective slot (26) or protrusion (16) in the second bearing surface of the second prosthetic ankle component, wherein the protrusion or slot is further configured such that the interaction with the respective slot or protrusion permits the first and second prosthetic ankle components to slide with respect to one another in an interface plane defined by the interface between the first and second bearing surfaces, and wherein the protrusion or slot is further configured to restrict the first and second prosthetic ankle components moving away from one another in a direction with a component perpendicular to the interface plane.
US09655729B2 Tibial bearing component for a knee prosthesis with improved articular characteristics
An orthopedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial bearing component with articular features which operate to protect adjacent soft tissues of the natural knee, promote and/or accommodate desired articulation with an abutting femoral component, and facilitate expedient and effective implantation by a surgeon.
US09655728B2 Tibial bearing component for a knee prosthesis with improved articular characteristics
An orthopedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial bearing component with articular features which operate to protect adjacent soft tissues of the natural knee, promote and/or accommodate desired articulation with an abutting femoral component, and facilitate expedient and effective implantation by a surgeon.
US09655727B2 Extended patellofemoral
Disclosed herein are knee replacement systems for replacing the articular surface of a distal femur. The systems include one or more unicompartmental components, namely patellofemoral, lateral condylar and medial condylar components. The components are configured such that when engaged to the femur the peripheries thereof do not cross specific locations and/or regions of the femur, namely the intercondylar notch and condylopatellar notch. The patellofemoral components described herein preferably have an extension portion extending posteriorly from a posterior periphery thereof towards an intercondylar notch or the femur without contacting the intercondylar notch of the femur when the patellofemoral component is engaged to the femur. The extension portion preferably extends posteriorly from a posterior periphery of the patellofemoral component towards the condylopatellar notch of the femur without contacting the notch.
US09655726B2 Radial-capitellar implant
A radial-capitellar implant for surgical replacement of the capitellum of the humerus and, optionally, the head of the radius. The radial-capitellar implant includes a capitellar implant or surface replacement arthroplasty of the capitellum and a radial prosthesis for replacement of the head of the radius. In one embodiment the radial prosthesis includes an articular head which moveable articulates with a stem implantable in the radius.
US09655720B2 Polymeric heart valve
A polymeric valve which may include a heart valve, and also may include a trileaflet heart valve includes a stent having a base and a plurality of outwardly extending posts from the base and equidistant from each other. A plurality of leaflets each connected to a corresponding one of the posts at one end, and each of the leaflets connected to the base. Each of the leaflets having an operative end opposite the end connected to the post, and the operative ends of the leaflets being biased in a closed position such that the operative ends abut each other. The operative ends are configured to rhythmically open and close in relation to each other, and the leaflets include multiple cross sectional thicknesses at different portions of the leaflets.
US09655711B2 Thoracic aorta stent graft with access region
A stent graft (2) for placement in the thoracic arch of a patient has a first tubular body portion (6) with a first lumen therein for placement in the ascending aorta of a patient and a second tubular body portion (8) to extend along the thoracic arch and down the descending aorta. The second tubular body portion is of a lesser diameter than the first tubular body portion. There is a step portion (10) between the first body portion and the second body portion. The step portion is joined to and continuous with the first portion and the second portion. A first side of each of the first body portion, the step portion and the second body portion are substantially aligned so that there is a step (18) defined on a second side opposite to the first side of the body portion. There is an aperture (30) in the step portion and an internal tube (32) extending from the aperture towards the first body portion. The internal tube is divided along part of its length into at least two smaller internal tubes (34, 36) with the smaller internal tubes opening into the first lumen.
US09655709B2 Mesh deployment devices and kits
A mesh deployment device having separate mesh deployment and actuation units is provided. A mesh deployment device includes an actuation unit and a mesh deployment unit configured to be releasably secured to the actuation unit. When the mesh deployment unit is secured to the actuation unit, a first actuation of the actuation unit moves the mesh deployment unit from an expanded condition to a collapsed condition and a second actuation of the actuation unit moves the mesh deployment unit from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition. The mesh deployment device may further include a mesh releasably secured to the mesh deployment unit. A third actuation of the actuation unit may release the mesh from the mesh deployment unit. Also provided is a kit including multiple mesh deployment units.
US09655701B2 Dental accessory
A prophylaxis angle that is configured to be attached to and operated by a powered dental handpiece. The prophylaxis angle includes a cup having a first end and a second end. The first end is couplable to the dental handpiece and at least one projection is at the second end of the cup.
US09655699B2 Artificial teethridge and fang
An artificial teethridge has an arched top and an arched bottom. The top and the bottom of the artificial teethridge are curved toward the same direction. The thickness of the artificial teethridge is relatively thicker at central part and gradually becomes thinner toward two lateral sides. A fang is formed integrally on the top of the artificial teethridge. The artificial teethridge, the fang and a prosthesis are an integral structure, whereby the artificial teethridge, the fang and the prosthesis form a mechanical conduction structure. The bottom surface of the artificial teethridge has a complementary structure which can be tightly matched and fixed on each point of the top surface of the alveolar bone without any gap. A dental neck is formed integrally between the artificial teethridge and prosthesis, which is formed in a waisted shape that is narrower at middle section and gradually becomes wider toward to two terminal sections.
US09655696B2 Kit and method for taking dental impressions and forming dental models
A first assembly is provided for forming the dental impression and a second assembly for forming the dental model, wherein the first assembly includes an impression post; a first coupler for coupling the impression post with a dental implant affixed within the mouth; and an impression cap for positioning on the impression post. The second assembly includes: a model post; a second coupler for coupling the model post with a dental analog; and the impression cap. The impression cap has a first and second securing means, both for selectively securing the impression cap to the impression post and to the model post.
US09655689B2 Forceps for molar extraction
A dental forceps for removal of rear molars having first and second handles which are pivotally connected. Forward distal ends of the handles terminate, respectively, in a first handle support with an end most pad exhibiting a three dimensional and rounded surface profile extending laterally to one side, as well as a second handle terminating in a correspondingly angled beak. The arrangement of the pad and beak are such that, upon setting in position at the desired molar by placing the rounded and width extending pad support upon the gum of the patient between the molar and the cheek and concurrently placing the pointed beak on the lingual side of the molar, an outward rotating force is then exerted on the handles to roll (or rotate) the pad and beak such that the molar is forcibly extracted.
US09655686B2 Automated stereotactic apparatus
The present invention presents an apparatus and methods to stereotactically guide and automatically insert an invasive tubular device to a tissue object of a living body. The apparatus comprises a stereotactic positioning assembly and a powered propulsion assembly that controllably drives an invasive tubular device in and out of a tissue object. The stereotactic positioning assembly encloses an ultrasound transducer to visualize and aim at the tissue object, and adjusts an insertion angle of the invasive tubular device coupled with the powered propulsion assembly.
US09655683B2 Systems and methods for guiding an instrument using haptic object with collapsing geometry
A computer-implemented method for guiding an instrument, comprises determining, by a processor associated with a computer, a current orientation angle of an instrument axis relative to a target axis. The method also comprises establishing, by the processor, a haptic boundary associated with the instrument based on the determined orientation angle of the instrument axis relative to the target axis. The haptic boundary is configured to constrain the instrument axis from being moved to an angle substantially greater than the current orientation angle.
US09655682B2 Visualization guided ACL localization system
A computerized system provides assistance for placement of localization markers for medical operations such as ACL repair procedures. The system displays, on a graphical user interface, an image of an anatomical structure and allows identification, via an input device on the graphical user interface, of a set of landmark locations identifying respective anatomical positions within the displayed image of the anatomical structure. The system displays a graphical overlay over the image of the anatomical structure. Placement of the graphical overlay is based on the set of landmark locations. The system displays at least one localization marker within the graphical overlay. The localization marker(s) identify a location for performing a surgical operation associated with the anatomical structure, such as ACL repair surgical operations.
US09655679B2 Actuated steerable probe and systems and methods of using same
A steerable probe having high-power-density actuators positioned at joints along the length of the probe. The actuators are moveable about and between a straight position and a curved position in response to selective actuation.
US09655675B2 Vessel sealer and divider
An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft, the shaft having an end effector assembly at a distal end thereof, which includes two jaw members for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source, enabling them to affect a tissue seal to tissue held therebetween. A drive assembly is included within the housing for moving the jaw members. A movable handle is also included, such that movement of the handle actuates the drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to each other. A knife channel is included within the end effector configured to allow reciprocation of a knife blade within the knife channel. The knife blade includes a proximal edge adapted to engage a proximal edge of the end effector to impede translation of the knife blade when the jaw members are in an open configuration and the knife blade is retracted within the end effector assembly.
US09655669B2 Optimizing treatment using TTFields by changing the frequency during the course of long term tumor treatment
Tumors can be treated with an alternating electric field. The size of cells in the tumor is determined prior to the start of treatment by, for example, biopsy or by inverse electric impedance tomography. A treatment frequency is chosen based on the determined cell size. The cell size can be determined during the course of treatment and the treatment frequency is adjusted to reflect changes in the cell size. A suitable apparatus for this purpose includes a device for measuring the tumor impedance, an AC signal generator with a controllable output frequency, a processor for estimating the size of tumor cells and setting the frequency of the AC signal generator based thereon, and at least one pair of electrodes operatively connected to the AC signal generator such that an alternating electric field is applied to the tumor.
US09655668B2 Apparatus and method for chilling cryo-ablation coolant and resulting cryo-ablation system
Apparatus and methods for cooling liquid coolant, such as nitrous oxide, to be delivered to a cryo-ablation device such as a balloon catheter. A hose or conduit in fluid communication with the ablation device includes an outer member and inner tubes. A first inner tube disposed within a lumen of the outer member carries liquid coolant to the ablation device. Another inner tube also disposed within the lumen carries liquid coolant and terminates within the lumen such that gaseous coolant derived from liquid coolant flowing through the second inner tube flows within the lumen to cool or chill the first inner tube and liquid coolant carried by the first inner tube to the ablation device.
US09655666B2 Catheter with coronary sinus ostium anchor
A method of treating cardiac tissue is provided, including positioning a first chamber of a medical device adjacent an atrial wall; directing a cryogenic coolant into the first chamber; anchoring the first chamber to the atrial wall through cryoadhesion; directing a distal portion of the medical device into the coronary sinus; and positioning a cardiac lead through at least a portion of the coronary sinus with the distal portion. The method may include measuring a temperature of the first chamber; removing the first chamber from the atrial wall once a predetermined threshold temperature of the first chamber is reached; anchoring a second chamber of the medical device to a portion of the coronary sinus; and/or perfusing blood flow through at least a portion of the second chamber.
US09655665B2 Bone plate systems
Bone plate systems for surgical implants and bone repair are provided. The bone plate is multi-tiered for receiving bone anchors for securing a plurality of bones or bone fragments in a desired relationship. The plate members include throughbores for receiving a pivot base therein, with head ends of the bone anchors being secured within the pivot bases. The throughbores may permit and define a translation path for the pivot base and the bone anchor secured therein relative to the plate. The configuration of the pivot base and the throughbore facilitate pivoting and optional translation of the pivot base relative to the plate. With the bone anchor seated within the pivot base, an apparatus for inhibiting bone anchor back out is employed.
US09655663B2 Multi-port delivery system
A device for delivering material to multiple surgical target locations includes a pressure reservoir selectably coupled to two or more outlets. Coupling the pressure reservoir to a given one of the outlets and pressurizing the pressure reservoir causes flowable material (e.g., bone filler material) to be dispensed from that outlet. A diverter for selectably coupling the pressure reservoir one of the outlets can be configured to trigger a pressure release valve for the pressure reservoir upon switching, thereby preventing unexpected or uncontrolled material delivery from the new outlet in response to sudden high pressure exposure.
US09655662B2 Dynamic bone plate compression device and method
A dynamic bone plate and method of bone compression are disclosed. The dynamic bone plate comprises a first bone plate component including at least one hole for receiving screws for attachment to a first bone segment and a male component and a second bone plate component including at least one hole for receiving screws for attachment to a second bone segment and a female component for mating with the male component. The male component is adjustable after mating with the female component to adjust a position of the first bone plate component with respect to the second bone plate component and the male component is locked into place with respect to the female component by at least one screw inserted through the at least one hole of the second bone plate component causing compression between the first and second bone segments to form a corrective construct.
US09655661B1 Cannulated orthopedic screw and method of reducing and fixing a fracture of the lateral malleolus
An orthopedic screw that includes a screw shaft having a predetermined length with a cannula extending through the length of the shaft. The shaft includes a first, relatively large outside diameter proximal segment; and a second, relatively small outside diameter threaded distal segment adjacent the proximal segment.
US09655659B2 Anchor tower
Anchor towers useful in the alteration of a position of an item connected to an anchor are described. An anchor tower includes an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve disposed over and operably connected to the inner sleeve such that movement of the outer sleeve results in movement of the inner sleeve. A groove is disposed on the inner sleeve and an inwardly-extending projection is disposed on the outer sleeve. Relative movement between the inner and outer sleeves results in movement of the projection within the groove. This movement can produce desired movement of a portion of the inner sleeve, such as a distal arm, based on a structural configuration of the groove.
US09655656B2 Modular pedicle screw assembly with a snap tulip
A modular head pedicle screw assembly has a bone screw, a tulip, a locking split ring and a saddle. The locking split ring is internal of the tulip positioned in a recess of an inner surface of the tulip. The saddle has a proximal end for engaging a rod and a distal end for receiving the bone screw. The saddle has an exterior surface positioned between the ends. The outer surface is sized to move axially inside the tulip. The saddle expands the locking split ring in an initial pre-loaded position and upon insertion of the tulip over the bone screw, the saddle moves proximally disengaging the locking split ring simultaneously causing the locking split ring to relax to an unexpanded condition while providing tactile and audible feedback to the surgeon and locking the bone screw into the tulip.
US09655655B2 Two step locking screw assembly
A two step locking screw assembly includes a receiving member for receiving a fixation member and an anchor having an enlarged portion and a shank. The enlarged portion of the anchor may be seated in the receiving member. An insert may also extend inside the receiving member. An outer fastener may be positioned in the receiving member. The outer fastener may include a central opening and a pair of ramped flanges. An inner fastener may be disposed inside the central opening of the outer fastener.
US09655653B2 Vertebral column-stabilizing system and surgical fastening element for a vertebral column-stabilizing system
A surgical fastening element for a spinal column stabilization system includes at least two fastening elements and at least one connecting element, the surgical fastening element including a fastening section, a holding section with a connecting element receptacle, and a fixing element fixable on the holding section for fixing the connecting element in the connecting element receptacle. The fixing element carries a holding down element for holding the connecting element down in the connecting element receptacle.
US09655651B2 Dynamic spine stabilizer
A dynamic spine stabilizer moves under the control of spinal motion providing increased mechanical support within a central zone corresponding substantially to the neutral zone of the injured spine. The dynamic spine stabilizer includes a support assembly and a resistance assembly associated with the support assembly. The resistance assembly generates greater increase in mechanical force during movement within the central zone and lesser increase in mechanical force during movement beyond the central zone. A method for using the stabilizer is also disclosed.
US09655649B2 Spinal fusion using rods of shape memory material
A system and method for performing spinal fusion using vertebral connecting rods constructed of a shape memory material, such as shape memory alloy. The connecting rod is cooled below its phase transition temperature, which is chosen to be just below body temperature, and is inserted through a curved guide tube previously inserted into the back of the patient. The guide tube is located so as to deliver the connecting rod at its desired location between the preinserted pedicle screw heads. The rod, being in its flexible state below the transition temperature, negotiates the curve and exits the guide tube in a straight form and parallel to the patient's spine. As it heats up to body temperature, it regains its original straight shape and its original rigidity, and is ready for connecting its associated vertebrae to each other.
US09655645B2 Assembly for percutaneously inserting an implantable medical device, steering the device to a target location and deploying the device
An assembly for implanting a medical device such as an electrode array. The assembly includes a sheath that is disposed over the medical device and a core that supports the device. The sheath and core are connected to, respectively, first and second slides in a handpiece. An single actuator first moves one slide, typically the slide to which the sheath is attached. Once the first slide at least partially displaced both slides are moved to simultaneously retract the sheath and core away from the implantable medical device. The assembly includes a steering assembly for steering the sheath and implantable medical device. Some of the components forming the steering assembly are disposed on at least one of the slides. Tensioners prevent the steering cables of the steering assembly from being exposed to excessive force.
US09655642B2 Fluid ejection device
A fluid ejection device includes a fluid container having a fluid accommodation portion that has formed therein a fluid outlet and accommodates a fluid. A fluid pressing unit presses the fluid accommodation portion to cause the fluid to flow out of the fluid outlet. Connection piping has an end that is connected to the fluid outlet. A fluid ejection unit has a fluid intake port connected to the other end of the connection piping, and ejects in a pulsed manner the fluid received from the fluid intake port. A pressure detection unit detects pressure of the fluid accommodation portion when the fluid pressing unit presses the fluid accommodation portion, and outputs a level of a detection signal corresponding to the pressure. A press control unit stops the fluid pressing unit from pressing the fluid accommodation portion when the pressure indicated by the detection signal is a predetermined value or higher.
US09655641B2 Ultrasonic surgical instrument with cooling system
A method of treating tissue includes ultrasonically treating tissue by oscillating a blade of an ultrasonic surgical instrument in contact with tissue and activating a fluid control system to pump cooling fluid through a blade conduit of the blade to cool the blade.
US09655640B2 Arthroscopic cutting blade
A dual function arthroscopic blade provides multiple cutting surfaces of differing cut aggressiveness for selective engagement of the desired cutting blade without retracting the instrument for changing cutting members to apply a different set of cutting edges, or blade. An inner rotating member within a stationary outer cutting member provide cutting edges defined by cutting windows on the inner and outer cutting members, and a rotational drive applies an oscillating rotation such that one of the cutting windows, corresponding to one of the sets of cutting edges, engages an extraction region such as tissue or bone. The use of different sized cutting windows allows variance in the aggressiveness of the cut, and allows selection of another cutting window by rotating the cutting member to align the selected cutting edges without requiring extraction and reinsertion in order to attach a different blade with a different cut aggressiveness.
US09655636B2 Medical instrument
A medical instrument with a handle arranged at the proximal end, with a shank arranged on the handle, and with a tool arranged at the distal end of the shank. The medical instrument can provide several functionalities, for example the rotation about the longitudinal axis of the medical instrument, the pivoting of the tool relative to the longitudinal axis of the medical instrument and/or the actuation of the tool, for example the opening or closing of scissors. Some of these functionalities are activated with the aid of a single common actuation element. By moving the actuation element between several switch positions, different functionalities are selected, and these are activated, e.g. by rotation of the actuation element.
US09655629B2 Cutting instrument
Provided is a cutting instrument including: an elongated member including a tubular portion 105 and a shaft-like portion 101 inserted in the tubular portion 105; a blade 201 including two edges, the blade 201 being provided at an end of the elongated member and being pivotable between a housed position and a projected position; and a motion mechanism that converts a relative movement of the tubular portion 105 and the shaft-like portion 101 resulting from an operation of an operation portion 102 to 104 into pivoting of the blade between the housed position and the projected position, wherein the cutting instrument moves toward the operation portion while rotating in its entirety with the two edges of the blade 201 projected on opposite sides of the tubular portion 105, thereby drilling a hole with a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the tubular portion 105.
US09655628B2 Reduced invasivity fixation system for trackers in computer assisted surgery
The invention relates to a surgical navigation device, for the purpose of adjusting a cutting plane to a desired position with respect to a bone of a patient, the device comprising:a fixed part (7) rigidly attached to the bone (18, 19), the fixed part comprising fixation means to rigidly attach a tracker thereto;a mobile part (5) adjustable with respect to the fixed part (7), including fixation means to rigidly attach a tracker thereto, and including a cutting slot (6) in which a saw blade can be inserted to perform cut;a fixed tracker (9) rigidly attached to the fixed part (7);a mobile tracker (1) attached to the mobile part (5).The invention also concerns a method for adjusting a cutting plane of a surgical device to a desired position with respect to a bone of a patient.
US09655624B2 Surgical stapling device with a curved end effector
In various embodiments, an end effector for cutting and stapling tissue is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein one of the first jaw and the second jaw comprises a plurality of staple cavities arranged in a plurality of curved staple cavity rows, wherein the second jaw is moveable relative to the first jaw between an open orientation and a closed orientation, and wherein the second jaw tilts and pivots toward the first jaw when the second jaw moves between the open orientation and the closed orientation. The end effector further comprises a plurality of staples removably positioned in the plurality of staple cavities.
US09655621B2 Surgical instrument for dispensing tacks and solution
A surgical tack applier comprising a handle assembly, an inner tube, a plurality of fasteners and a solution is disclosed. The handle assembly includes an actuator associated therewith. The inner tube extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The inner tube is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The plurality of fasteners are disposed at least partially within the inner tube and are selectively ejectable therefrom. The solution is disposed within the inner tube and is dispensable through a distal opening of the inner tube.
US09655618B2 Surgical method utilizing a true multiple-fire surgical stapler
An exemplary surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include having an endocutter having an end effector; inserting the end effector into the body of a patient through an opening; engaging tissue with the end effector; stapling tissue along two staple lines with the end effector; cutting tissue between the staple lines with the end effector; releasing the tissue from the end effector; and repeating the engaging, stapling, cutting and releasing within the body of the patient on tissue at a different location within the body of the patient while maintaining the end effector within the body of the patient. Another exemplary surgical method of treating a plurality of discrete tissue structures within the body of a patient in which an incision has been made may include having an endocutter that holds a plurality of staples; inserting the distal end of the endocutter through the incision in the patient; and transecting a plurality of the discrete tissue structures with the distal end of the endocutter, without withdrawing the distal end of the endocutter through the incision in the patient and without inserting additional staples into the endocutter.
US09655616B2 Apparatus for endoscopic procedures
A surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly extending distally from the handle assembly, and an end effector selectively detachable from the shaft assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member supports a lever that is pivotally movable relative to the first jaw member between an extended position and a retracted position. The lever is in contact with a leaf spring to spring bias the lever to the extended position. The second jaw member supports a drive beam that is selectively engagable with the lever to facilitate a pivotal movement of the second jaw member relative to the first jaw member between an unapproximated state and an approximated state.
US09655614B2 Robotically-controlled motorized surgical instrument with an end effector
A surgical tool configured for operation in connection with a robotic system. The surgical tool includes a shaft and an end effector extending distally from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw member and a second jaw member movable relative to the first jaw member from a closed position to an open position in response to at least one axial motion. In addition, the surgical tool includes a motor configured to generate at least one rotational motion and a motion conversion assembly operably coupled to the motor and the second jaw member, wherein the motion conversion assembly is configured to convert the at least one rotational motion to the at least one axial motion.
US09655610B2 Methods and systems for medializing a turbinate
Methods and systems for medializing a turbinate. Exemplary embodiments comprise methods and systems for repositioning a turbinate proximal to a septum. Certain embodiments comprise an implant and a flexible member coupled to the implant. Embodiments may also comprise an insertion device to install the implant in a desired location.
US09655608B2 System and method for retracting body tissue
Retractor systems and methods for retracting body tissue during surgery. The retractor system includes a rail having two opposed widened rail portions separated by a narrowed portion, each widened portion engageable by a separate clamp. The clamps are configured to support the rail to a fixed surface, or to support a surgical device. Each clamp may independently be positioned or slid along the rail to a desired location without interference with a clamp on an opposing widened rail portion. A device clamp is formed of spherical mating portions which enable alignment of a surgical device along six degrees of freedom, and tightenable by securing a single fastener. A retractor blade mount enables an angular and tilting disposition of a retractor blade, as well as remote manipulation of the retractor blade.
US09655607B2 Trocar cannula assembly and method of manufacture
A cannula assembly having a retention member and a method of manufacture of the cannula assembly is provided. The cannula assembly includes a cannula and a sleeve disposed around the cannula from a proximal end to a distal end. The sleeve can be pre-formed by a stretch blow molding process then advanced over the cannula. The sleeve includes an inflatable balloon and an annular ring distal the inflatable balloon. The cannula includes an annular recess. The annular ring is sized to have an interference fit with the annular recess.
US09655605B2 Surgical instruments, systems and methods of use
A surgical instrument includes a mount body, a joint member, an arm, and a working end. The mount body has a top portion, a distal end, a proximal end and a bottom portion. The joint member is pivotally mounted at a distal end portion of the mount body, to allow positioning of a proximal portion of an arm extending distally from the joint member. The joint member is also configured to at least partially constrain movement of the proximal portion of the arm to a plane. The working end is mounted to a distal end portion of the arm. The surgical instrument can be configured as a heart stabilizer or a heart positioner. The joint member may further be configured as a slotted ball, a disk member, or a combination thereof.
US09655602B2 Vascular plug having composite construction
This invention relates to apparatus and methods used to seal a vascular puncture site, particularly sites of punctures that are the result of catheterization or other interventional procedures. The sealing device includes a sealing member and a tether. The sealing member occupies a space in an incision, puncture, or other wound and sealing the space that it occupies, to prevent further blood flow. The tether is attached to the sealing member, and provides the user with the ability to withdraw the sealing member if necessary. The sealing device further includes a restraining member associated with the sealing member. The restraining member provides the ability to more securely restrain the sealing member to prevent it from migrating from the deployment location within a tissue tract. The restraining member also provides an additional capability of manipulating the sealing member after deployment.
US09655601B2 Ergonomic handpiece for laparoscopic and open surgery
A surgical tool having an elongate shaft, with a directional operative element at its distal end, is provided with a mechanism to rotate the shaft and the operative element about a longitudinal axis shaft. This allows the operative element to be aligned with an element of tissue without excessive hand movement by the user. In a preferred version, the mechanism is electrically powered and is regulated to produce smooth, controlled, accurate motion between selected rotational positions. The mechanism may include a linear magnetic motor drive to move a drive element longitudinally along the tool. This drive element is engaged with a helical formation on a drive shaft, such that longitudinal motion of the drive element is converted to rotational motion of the drive shaft, and of the shaft and operative element, to which the shaft is mounted.
US09655599B2 Biopsy apparatus having integrated thumbwheel mechanism for manual rotation of biopsy cannula
A biopsy apparatus includes a driver assembly and biopsy probe mechanism drivably coupled to the driver assembly. The biopsy probe mechanism includes a biopsy cannula having a cylindrical side wall that defines a lumen and has a side port located near a distal end that extends through the side wall to the lumen. A thumbwheel mechanism includes a thumbwheel mounted to the driver assembly to rotate about a first rotational axis, the first rotational axis being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A first gear is mounted to the thumbwheel for coaxial rotation with the thumbwheel about the first rotational axis. A second gear is mounted to the biopsy cannula for coaxial rotation with the biopsy cannula about the longitudinal axis, the second gear being located to be drivably engaged by the first gear. The housing is grasped and the thumbwheel rotated with a single hand.
US09655595B2 System, method and device for prostate diagnosis and intervention
Methods, systems, and devices for assisting or performing an image-guided prostate procedure are disclosed. A needle assembly includes a needle guide, a needle device, a position sensor and additional features. The position sensor allows for the tracking of the needle assembly. A method for performing image-guided prostate procedures includes pre-operative procedures and intra-operative procedures. The pre-operative procedures include imaging studies to model the prostate and identify targets. The pre-operative procedures models are used during a prostate procedure to track the target and the devices used for the procedure. A system for performing image-guided procedures includes the needle assembly and other components.
US09655590B2 Apparatus, system and method for multi-modal volumetric ultrasound imaging and biopsy of a single breast
An apparatus for volumetric ultrasound imaging of a breast using different modes, including transmission, reflection and the speed of sound, which apparatus comprises a negatively pressurized breast imaging cup with integrated ultrasound transducers and an ultrasound coupling mechanism; an ultrasound system comprising the apparatus; and a method of imaging a breast in three dimensions without moving the ultrasound transducers.
US09655586B2 Radiation imaging apparatus and radiation imaging system
Provided is a radiation imaging apparatus, including: a first conversion element arranged to convert a radiation ray into electric charge in order to obtain a radiographic image; a first amplifier arranged to output a voltage corresponding to the electric charge of the first conversion element; a second conversion element arranged to convert the radiation ray into electric charge in order to detect radiation irradiation; a second amplifier arranged to output a voltage corresponding to the electric charge of the second conversion element; and a control circuit configured to control the first amplifier and the second amplifier, in which the control circuit is capable of controlling the second amplifier independently of control that is exerted over the first amplifier.
US09655584B2 Computed tomography apparatus and method of controlling X-ray by using the same
A method of controlling an X-ray in a computed tomography (CT) apparatus includes: acquiring scout images of an object; setting an imaging region of the object in the acquired scout images; determining an outline of transverse axes lengths of the imaging region based on the transverse axes lengths of the imaging region; controlling X-rays emitted toward the object by adjusting a distance between elements of a transverse collimator of the CT apparatus according to the determined outline; and reconstructing a cross-sectional X-ray image of the object based on X-ray projection data generated by detecting the controlled X-rays.
US09655581B2 Medical image diagnostic apparatus
Provided is a medical image diagnostic apparatus, including: a collection unit for collecting data by performing irradiation of X-rays to a body part of a subject who is moving a joint; a processing unit for processing the collected data to form a plurality of internal images indicating the body part of the subject; an input unit for inputting occurrence information indicating a biological reaction that accompanies movement of the joint; a display control unit for displaying information on a display unit; and a control unit for controlling at least one of the collection unit, the processing unit, and the display control unit based on the input occurrence information.
US09655576B2 X-ray phase-shift contrast imaging method and system thereof
An X-ray phase-shift contrast imaging method and the system thereof are provided. The X-ray phase-shift contrast imaging method utilizes characteristic X-rays of high throughput irradiating at the target from different positions or with different focal positions so as to form different X-ray images. The X-ray images are compared to define the voxels and combined to obtain a 3-D X-ray image. By using X-ray phase-shift contrast for imaging the soft tissue, the level of the image contrast may be enhanced several orders of magnitude and the linear energy transfer of the high energy photon beam is greatly reduced. Hence, the radiation dose absorbed by the tissue may be greatly reduced.
US09655575B2 X-ray imaging apparatus, method of controlling the same, and X-ray imaging system
An x-ray imaging apparatus and a method of controlling the x-ray imaging apparatus are provided. The x-ray imaging apparatus includes x-ray detectors configured to store detector identification data of the x-ray detectors, and a controller configured to receive the detector identification data from the x-ray detectors, and search for detector pairing data of usable x-ray detectors that match with the received detector identification data.
US09655573B2 ViRPET—combination of virtual reality and PET brain imaging
Various methods, systems and apparatus are provided for brain imaging during virtual reality stimulation. In one example, among others, a system for virtual ambulatory environment brain imaging includes a mobile brain imager configured to obtain positron emission tomography (PET) scans of a subject in motion, and a virtual reality (VR) system configured to provide one or more stimuli to the subject during the PET scans. In another example, a method for virtual ambulatory environment brain imaging includes providing stimulation to a subject through a virtual reality (VR) system; and obtaining a positron emission tomography (PET) scan of the subject while moving in response to the stimulation from the VR system. The mobile brain imager can be positioned on the subject with an array of imaging photodetector modules distributed about the head of the subject.
US09655570B2 Radiological image processing apparatus and radiological image processing program
A radiological image processing apparatus of this invention includes a separating device, an adjusting device and a removing device. Since a corrected image is generated using the radiological image taken through an object under examination, each image can be acquired by one radiographic operation without acquiring data for grid correction beforehand. The radiological image taken through the object is separated into a grid image and a non-grid image, and a corrected image is generated by adjusting intensity of the grid image on real space based on the non-grid image. Thus a high-precision correcting process is realized by one radiographic operation.
US09655569B2 Medical imaging device with a gripping module
A medical imaging device includes a gripping module having at least a first holding grip and a second holding grip. The first holding grip and the second holding grip are configured for holding by a patient during an image recording. A control unit is arranged on the medical imaging device. The control unit is configured to control an automatic movement of the holding grips. As a result, manual operation of the holding grips by medical operators may be avoided, thereby simplifying and accelerating the process of recording images.
US09655568B2 Method for recording a complete projection data set in the central layer for CT reconstruction using a C-arm X-ray apparatus with a limited rotation range
A method for recording a scan from a series of 2D X-ray projections using a C-arm X-ray apparatus allows an analytical volume reconstruction of a disk-shaped region of interest. The C-arm X-ray apparatus has a coherent, flat focus trajectory comprising three sections on which the focus of the X-ray source is moved with recording of X-ray projection views. The X-ray source emits a cone beam in the direction of an imaging X-ray detector, such as in particular a flat panel detector FPD. In some implementations, the cone beam is configured as a fan beam with a fan angle in the plane of the focus trajectory, which contains the ROI with the virtual scan center in its center, wherein the central ray of the fan beam is located on the bisector of the fan angle, and stands vertically on the ray inlet window. Before the beginning of the scan, the C-arm is positioned in the orbital movement axis in a first extreme position in which the holder engages at one end of the C-arm with the X-ray source, and the adjustable holder of the C-arm is positioned in such a manner that the ROI is located outside of the circle segment formed by the C-arm and the central ray, and a first limiting beam of the fan beam, which starts from the focus point and which is located on the side of the central ray facing away from the C-arm, is tangential to the ROI. During the recording of the scan, the plane of the C-arm remains fixed in space.
US09655563B2 Early therapy response assessment of lesions
For therapy response assessment, texture features are input for machine learning a classifier and for using a machine learnt classifier. Rather than or in addition to using formula-based texture features, data driven texture features are derived from training images. Such data driven texture features are independent analysis features, such as features from independent subspace analysis. The texture features may be used to predict the outcome of therapy based on a few number of or even one scan of the patient.
US09655559B2 Automated sleep staging using wearable sensors
A method and system for automated sleep staging are disclosed. The method comprises determining at least one physiological signal during a predetermined time period, extracting at least one feature from the at least one physiological signal, and classifying the at least one feature using a machine learning classifier to output at least one sleep stage. The system includes a sensor to determine at least one physiological signal during a predetermined time period, a processor coupled to the sensor, and a memory device coupled to the processor, wherein the memory device includes an application that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to extract at least one feature from the at least one physiological signal and to classify the at least one feature using a machine learning classifier unit to output at least one sleep stage.
US09655557B2 Methods and systems for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity
Methods, systems and devices for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity. A method comprises introducing transcervically a probe into a patient's uterine cavity, providing a flow of a fluid (e.g., CO2) through the probe into the uterine cavity and monitoring the rate of the flow to characterize the uterine cavity as perforated or non-perforated based on a change in the flow rate.
US09655554B2 Device and method for monitoring movement and orientation of the device
The present invention relates to a device and method for monitoring movement and orientation of the device, comprising an imaging unit (10) for obtaining images over time, a holding means (12, 13) for holding said imaging unit to obtain images from the surroundings of the device, and a processing unit (14) for detecting movement and orientation of the device by detecting changes in subsequently obtained images.
US09655551B2 Device for performing at least one medical function
A device for performing at least one medical function on a user is proposed. The device has at least one medical functional element that is designed to perform the medical function. The medical function is selected from a diagnostic, a therapeutic and a surgical function. The device has at least one evaluation and control part that comprises at least one actuation component for controlling the medical function. The evaluation and control part has at least one casing and at least one battery receptacle. The battery receptacle comprises at least one electrical energy reservoir, more particularly at least one battery. The battery receptacle is designed to be opened irreversibly by the user for removing the energy reservoir.
US09655549B2 Flexible capacitive pressure sensor and respiration monitor using the same
A capacitive pressure sensor includes first and second of mutually displaceable elastic members each having a respective electrically conductive surface separated by a thin elastic dielectric. Variations in area of pressure-induced contact between the first and second members are used to vary capacitance of the sensor that allows determination of differential pressure between the two elastic members. Both of the elastic members have respective projections, the projections of the first elastic member being disposed in interlocking relationship with the projections of the second elastic member and configured so that as the elastic members are pressed toward each other their respective projections progressively engage and create increasing areas of contact.
US09655545B2 Apparatus for measuring in-vivo mechanical properties of biological tissues
An apparatus and method for measuring mechanical properties of tissue has a stereo optical surgical microscope with at least one objective lens and at least two digital cameras such that paired images obtained from the digital cameras form stereo pairs, and a digital image processing system adapted to determine surface topography of tissue from the stereo pairs of images and a resulting surface displacement map as a result from indentation. The apparatus has an one indenter; and mechanical modeling routines stored in memory of the image processing system, the mechanical modeling routines capable of constructing computer models of mechanical properties of tissue, and fitting parameters of the computer model to observed surface displacement maps generated by coregistering surface topography of tissue with and without the indenter positioned on the tissue. In an embodiment, fitted parameters of the computer model are displayed and used to adjust a surgical plan. An apparatus and method for measuring mechanical properties of tissue has a stereo optical surgical microscope with at least one objective lens and at least two digital cameras such that paired images obtained from the digital cameras form stereo pairs, and a digital image processing system adapted to determine surface topography of tissue from the stereo pairs of images and a resulting surface displacement map as a result from indentation. The apparatus has an one indenter; and mechanical modeling routines stored in memory of the image processing system, the mechanical modeling routines capable of constructing computer models of mechanical properties of tissue, and fitting parameters of the computer model to observed surface displacement maps generated by coregistering surface topography of tissue with and without the indenter positioned on the tissue. In an embodiment, fitted parameters of the computer model are displayed and used to adjust a surgical plan.
US09655542B2 MRI with magnet assembly adapted for convenient scanning of laboratory animals with automated RF tuning unit
An animal handling system (AMS), for positioning an immobilized animal in a predefined configuration therein, comprising an automated tuning unit, including: a proximal portion, held outside a medical device including: at least one inner shaft, and at least one outer shaft, the at least one inner is telescopically maneuverable within the at least one outer shaft providing a variable telescopic mechanism; and a distal portion including: a configurable encapsuable life support system (ELSS), the ELSS is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the at least outer shaft and the at least inner shaft and translationally moveable parallel to the longitudinal axis by means of the maneuverable telescopic mechanism.
US09655535B2 System and method for targeting heart rhythm disorders using shaped ablation
A system and method to target a biological rhythm disorder, such as a heart rhythm disorder include processing cardiac signals via a computing device to determine a shape in a region of tissue defined by a source associated with the biological rhythm disorder that migrates spatially on or within the shape, and identifying at least one portion of the tissue proximate to the shape to enable selective modification of the at least one portion of tissue in order to terminate or alter the heart rhythm disorder.
US09655533B2 System and method for low power sampling of plethysmograph signals
A method for generating a sampled plethysmograph data, includes measuring a plethysmograph waveform indicative of a first cardiac cycle and a second cardiac cycle, each cycle including a systolic waveform and a diastolic waveform. The method further includes estimating a first start time and a first duration for the systolic waveform of the first cardiac cycle and computing a plurality of amplitudes at a plurality of time instants for the first duration. The method further includes determining a second start time and a second duration of the systolic waveform of the second cardiac cycle. The method also includes assigning the second cardiac cycle, the second start time, and the second duration to the first cardiac cycle, the first start time, and the first duration respectively. The method further includes iteratively performing the steps of measuring, estimating, computing, determining and assigning for the plurality of cardiac cycles acquired sequentially in time.
US09655531B2 Connection structures for intravascular devices and associated systems and methods
Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of assembling an intravascular device is provided that includes positioning a first tubular member around a plurality of conductors and a core member; advancing a first of the plurality of conductors through an opening of the first tubular member; positioning a first conductive member around the first tubular member; and electrically coupling the first of the plurality of conductors to the first conductive member. In some embodiments, an intravascular device is provided that includes an insulating member positioned around a plurality of conductors and a core member and a conductive member positioned around the insulating member, wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors extends through an opening in the insulating member and is electrically coupled to the first conductive member.
US09655530B2 Apparatus and methods for non-invasively measuring physiologic parameters of one or more subjects
Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more physiologic (e.g., hemodynamic) parameters associated with a living organism. In one embodiment, the invention comprises an apparatus adapted to automatically and accurately place and maintain a sensor (e.g., tonometric pressure sensor) with respect to the anatomy of the subject. The apparatus is comprised of a sensor device removably coupled to a host device which is used to position the sensor during measurements. Methods for positioning the alignment apparatus and sensor, and operating the apparatus, are also disclosed.
US09655529B2 Left atrial pressure measurement method and left atrial pressure measurement device
A left atrial pressure measurement device includes: a measurement section that measures a first index value that indicates performance of a right ventricle, and a second index value that indicates performance of a left ventricle; and a calculation section that calculates a left atrial pressure using the first index value, the second index value, and a measured right atrial pressure.
US09655528B2 Systems and methods for detecting cerebrospinal-fluid pulsation using an implantable electrical stimulation device
An electrical stimulation lead assembly includes a lead body having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a longitudinal length. Electrodes are disposed along the distal end portion of the lead body; terminals disposed along the proximal end portion of the lead body; and stimulation conductors couple the terminals to the electrodes. A cerebrospinal-fluid-pulsation detection assembly includes a sensor disposed along the distal end portion of the lead body. The sensor detects pulses of cerebrospinal fluid within a subarachnoid space of a patient and transforms the detected cerebrospinal-fluid pulses into sensor signals. A sensor processor receives the sensor signals from the sensor, processes the received sensor signals to cerebrospinal-fluid pulsation data (“CSF-pulsation data”), and estimates a patient blood-flow condition based on the CSF-pulsation data. A sensor control pathway couples the sensor to the sensor processor.
US09655526B2 Vital signs fiber optic sensor systems and methods
An intensity-based, micro-bending optical fiber sensor is disclosed herein, which is configured to acquire clean, stable, and reliable vital sign signals. Related systems and methods for vital sign monitoring are also provided herein. The sensor of various embodiments includes a multi-mode optical fiber, an LED light source, an LED driver, a receiver, and a single layer deformer structure. In various embodiments, the optical fiber and single layer deformer structure of the sensor are selected to meet specific parameters necessary to achieve a level of reliability and sensitivity needed to successfully monitor vital signs. In some embodiments, a specific sizing relationship exists between the optical fiber and the single layer deformer structure. In sonic embodiments, the sensor is configured to acquire ballistocardiograph waveforms.
US09655522B2 Method and system for “push-button” comprehensive cardiac MR examination using continuous self-gated 3D radial imaging
The present invention teaches systems and methods for a simple cardiac MRI approach that (1) continuously acquires data; (2) covers the entire heart with high isotropic resolution within a few minutes; and (3) requires no physiological gating and minimal user intervention. Applications of the inventive systems and methods include, but are in no way limited to cardiac cine, myocardial perfusion, coronary MRA, delayed enhancement imaging, myocardial T1-weighted imaging for fibrosis imaging, and myocardial T2-weighted imaging for edema imaging.
US09655520B2 Decongestive therapy titration for heart failure patients using implantable sensor
Assessing decongestive therapy delivered to a heart failure patient involves use of an implantable sensor configured to sense a physiologic parameter indicative of the patient's diuresis status and a processor coupled to the implantable sensor. The sensor may comprise a thoracic fluid sensor, a heart sounds sensor, a cardiac chamber or arterial pressure sensor, a respiration sensor, or a blood chemistry sensor, for example. The processor is configured to determine if a target level of patient diuresis has been achieved based on a relationship between the sensed physiologic parameter and a threshold developed for the patient, and to produce an output in response to determining that the target level of patient diuresis has been achieved. The processor may be disposed in an implantable housing, in a patient-external housing, or in a network server system.
US09655518B2 Ambulatory and centralized processing of a physiological signal
A machine-implemented method including obtaining physiological signal data for a living being and performing a first analysis of the physiological signal data at a processing device local to the living being and remote from a central processing device. The method further includes transmitting from the processing device data associated with the analysis to the central processing device and performing at the central processing device a second analysis of the data associated with the first analysis. The method further includes displaying the data associated with the second analysis. The method can also include interaction between the processing device local to the living being and the central processing device. The method can also include distributing monitoring and analysis between an ambulatory and a centralized subsystem.
US09655516B2 Compact mobile dilation table
A dilation tower providing a darkened space for performing a dilated fundus examination (DFE) in bright environments (e.g., stores, shopping malls, shopping centers, medical offices, etc.) is provided. In order to reach more patients in need of DFEs, the dilation tower provided may be configured to be mobile. A method of administering a DFE on a patient comprising the steps of positioning said patient in a patient area of a dilation tower, enclosing said patient and said patient area with a patient area cloak, and performing said DFE on said patient is also provided.
US09655512B2 Methods and systems to measure corneal epithelial thickness and power, stromal thickness, subepithelial corneal power and topography for disease diagnosis
This invention discloses methods and systems for measuring corneal epithelial thickness and power, stromal thickness, subepitheila corneal power and topography. The systems and methods disclosed herein are non-invasive, non-contact and automated imaging methods which preferably makes use of Fourier-domain optical tomography. Also disclosed herein are scanning patterns and image analysis methods for utilizing and analyzing Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography images to obtain information about conical epithelial and stromal properties as well as parameters useful for evaluating the properties. The methods and systems described herein are useful as eye disease diagnostic tools and eye surgery planning tools.
US09655509B2 System and method for objective chromatic perimetry analysis using pupillometer
The present invention relates to a system, device and a method for objective visual field testing and in particular, to such a system and method in which provides objective chromatic perimetry test or color vision test using a pupillometer.
US09655507B2 Corneal imaging device
A corneal imaging device provided with an optical system for photographing a corneal portion of an eye, the optical system including an illumination optical system configured to irradiate illumination light toward a cornea and a light receiving optical system placed in a position inclined with respect to an optical axis of the illumination optical system configured to receive reflection light from the cornea by a photodetector, wherein the corneal imaging device includes light-limiting means provided in an optical path of the optical system for photographing the corneal portion of the eye and configured to limit light asymmetrically with respect to an optical axis.
US09655505B1 Systems and methods for performing neurophysiologic monitoring during spine surgery
A surgical access system comprising a tissue retraction assembly equipped with two or more electrodes for use in monitoring the status of nearby neural structures, including the localized depth of neural structures relative to one or more components of the tissue retraction assembly. Additional neurological testing may be performed to monitor the health and status of the neural structures during the portions of the surgical procedure in which the tissue retraction assembly is used to maintain the operative corridor.
US09655500B2 Receiving device
A receiving device includes a receiving unit that receives, via a receiving antenna, an image signal including an in-vivo image of a subject that is captured by an in-vivo-image acquiring device introduced into the subject; a transmitting unit that wirelessly transmits the image signal to a real-time display device that displays the in-vivo image in real time; a detecting unit that detects a non-receiving period in which the receiving unit does not receive the image signal; and a control unit that performs a control to wirelessly transmit the image signal to the real-time display device during the non-receiving period immediately after receipt of the image signal by the receiving unit.
US09655493B2 Dishwasher with permanent storage compartment
A dishwasher, including a chamber for washing dishes and a chamber for storing dishes is provided. A mechanism is also provided allowing the dish racks to move the dishes from the washing chamber to the storage chamber of the dishwasher once the wash is completed.
US09655492B2 Center-handled large debris dust pan
The present invention relates to a dust pan with a handle generally centrally located within the footprint of the dust pan. The handle extends toward the center of gravity of the dust pan to better distribute the weight of the payload during transportation between loading and unloading locations. The dust pan may also incorporate side handles on the upper surface of opposing side walls to provide for enhanced two-handed carrying of heavy loads.
US09655486B2 Surface cleaning head including removable rotatable driven agitator
A surface cleaning head includes a removable rotatable driven agitator, such as a brush roll, which is driven by a drive mechanism that axially engages the driven end. The removable rotatable driven agitator may be located in an openable agitator chamber for purposes of removing debris and/or removing the agitator. The openable agitator chamber may be covered by an external cover that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The removable agitator may be secured in the agitator chamber by the external cover. Different removable agitators with different characteristics may be used interchangeably in the surface cleaning head. The surface cleaning head may also include one or more transparent regions (e.g., on the openable cover) to allow visual inspection of the agitator during use.
US09655485B2 Vacuum cleaner suction nozzle with height adjustment and bleed valve
A vacuum cleaner nozzle assembly having an inlet opening, a height adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a vertical position of the inlet opening relative to a surface to be cleaned, a suction passage fluidly connected to the inlet opening, a bypass opening fluidly connected to the suction passage, and a bleed valve. The bleed valve has a closed position in which the bleed valve blocks the bypass opening, and an open position in which the bleed valve does not block the bypass opening to allow a flow of air through the bypass opening and into the suction passage. The bleed valve is configured to move from the closed position to the open position in response to an adjustment of the height adjustment mechanism.
US09655479B2 Two-liquid dispensing systems, refills and two-liquid pumps
Exemplary embodiments of dispensing systems for dispensing mixtures of multiple liquids, refill units and pumps for such refill units and dispensers are disclosed herein. One refill unit includes a first container and a second container. The refill unit includes a first pump chamber that is associated with the first container and a second pump chamber that is associated with the second container. The first and second pump chambers include a liquid inlet valve and a liquid outlet valve. Expanding the first and second pump chambers draws liquid into the first and second pump chambers through the liquid inlet valves and compressing the first and second pump chambers forces liquid through the liquid outlet valves into a mixing chamber located downstream of the liquid outlet valves. The mixing chamber is formed at least in part by a flexible membrane. The refill unit also includes an outlet nozzle for dispensing the mixture.
US09655477B1 Bather for infants and toddlers
A super deluxe bather for infants and toddlers for a comfortable, relaxed and safe bath. The super deluxe bather includes a soft mesh placed on a seat of the super deluxe bather and a frame that adjusts for sitting position and lying position of a child. Further, the super deluxe bather includes a headrest that is adjustable based on the size of the child. Furthermore, the super deluxe bather includes a plurality of armrests to support the arms of the child and a base portion. Moreover, the super deluxe bather includes folds and locks of the super deluxe bather for easy convenient storage.
US09655473B2 Cover assembly for cooking vessel
A cover assembly for a cooking vessel including a seal member, a lid, and a food support assembly. The seal member has a clip portion with a lid receiving channel and an overflow channel. The lid has a top end and a sidewall defining an internal lid space. A lower end of the sidewall is receivable in the lid receiving channel of the seal member. The food support assembly is connected to the sidewall and is operable between a raised position wherein a food item may be supported within the internal lid space and a lowered position wherein the food item may be supported below the seal member in the cooking vessel.
US09655470B2 Injection unit having a resilient suspension device for the group head of a so-called espresso coffee machine
The invention relates to an injection unit (1) for an espresso coffee machine including a stationary mechanical upper block (2) having a central projection (4) which forms a hot-water dispenser (7) and to which a removable portion, referred to as the group head (8), is attached, the inner surface of the group head having a cavity (22) in which the portafilter (9) is mounted, said portafilter comprising an operating handle (10) and a recess for holding a basket (11) containing the coffee grounds for preparing espresso coffee, characterized in that the group head (8) is attached to the mechanical block (2) of the injection unit (1) via a linking device having a resilient effect, and in that the seal (23) surrounding the dispenser (7) engages with the inner periphery of the basket (11). The invention is useful for manufacturers of espresso coffee machines.
US09655468B2 Apparatus and process for rapidly cooking food
An apparatus for rapidly cooking food includes a housing having a reservoir, a heating element, a binary distributor, and a container. In a method of using the apparatus for rapidly cooking food, food is placed into the container and water is poured into the reservoir. The heating element heats the water in the reservoir, and the resulting steam travels into the binary distributor. Pressurized steam then exits the binary distributor to uniformally cook the top of the food. Condensed steam gathers at the bottom of the container and is kept at a temperature capable of cooking the food. In such a way, food in the container is rapidly cooked. In one embodiment, the food to be cooked is a single serving of ramen brick style noodles.
US09655467B1 Pasta-cooking device
The pasta cooking device is a kitchen appliance that automates the cooking of pasta. Specifically, the pasta cooking device allows users to store all the ingredients for their meals in the pasta cooking device. This allows users to cook the pasta without further intervention.
US09655462B2 Apparatus for universal stemware storage
An apparatus for securing one or more items of stemware includes a base plate, one or more posts, a retainer, and one or more feet. The feet and base plate cooperatively secure a base portion of the item of stemware, and the retainer includes arms defining a stem receiving space that secures a stem of the item of stemware. The feet are coupled to the arms. The arms are flexible so as to accommodate different sizes of stems and bases in stemware with a single rack.
US09655459B1 Collapsible oar collection device
A collapsible oar collection device is used for collecting a first collapsible section and a second collapsible section of a collapsible oar. The first collapsible section and the second collapsible section are detachably connected with each other to form the collapsible oar. The collection device comprises a first collection member and a second connection member. Since the fourth buckling element is buckled the second rod of the collapsible section so as to moved up and down, the collection device of the present invention may be applied to the collapsible oar with various diameters and aligned with the bottom ends of the first collapsible section and the second collapsible section with different lengths for housing in. Besides, the suspending rod is used for providing the display card to be detachably suspended and displayed. Therefore, the collapsible oar may be suspended and convenient to display simultaneously.
US09655455B2 Chair
A chair comprising a seat assembly and a support assembly is disclosed. The seat assembly has a deflectable body disposed about an axis that provides resilient convex seating surface. The support assembly retains the seat assembly and allows the seat assembly to rotate about its axis and additionally allows the seat assembly to rotate to cause limited tilt displacement of the axis from a neutral alignment. The support assembly includes biasing means that serve to urge the seat assembly towards the neutral alignment when the seat assembly is displaced from the neutral alignment.
US09655451B2 Restricted rocker spring assembly
A furniture member rocker spring assembly includes first and second bracket members arranged in mirror image configuration. First and second springs are positioned between and in direct contact with each of the first and second bracket members. A restrictor bolt assembly is positioned intermediately between the first and second springs. The restrictor bolt assembly includes at least one sleeve member received in an aperture of the first and second bracket members and a fastener that extends through a sleeve bore in the sleeve member. The sleeve member is arranged in sliding contact with at least one of the first and second bracket members.
US09655448B2 Shelf for roll container, a roll container containing such a shelf and a method of retrofitting such a shelf to a roll container
An accessory shelf for a roll container. The shelf includes a pivoting mechanism provided to the first end of the shelf for pivoting the shelf relative to to a frame profile of a first wall of the roll container between a horizontal load carrying configuration and a vertical folding configuration. Included in the shelf is a locking mechanism provided to the second end of the shelf to rest the shelf in a load carrying orientation against a second wall of the roll container. The locking mechanism is configured to engage a horizontal element of the first wall to suspend the shelf from the horizontal element when the shelf is in the vertical folding configuration. The pivoting mechanism includes two slide members that oppose each other at the first end and are shaped to at least partly envelop a vertical section of a frame profile of the first wall of the roll container to slide along corresponding opposing vertical sections of the frame profile The pivoting mechanism also includes an axle connected to at least one slide member extending towards the other hinge member to create an axis of revolution for the shelf. The pivoting mechanism further includes a limiter connected to the axle and rotatable about the axis of revolution relative to at least one slide member and to engage with a horizontal element of the first wall.
US09655446B2 Display tray
A display tray with multiple side panels attached to one another to form tray sides. The display tray includes a tray surface having an area defined by the first, second, third, and fourth four side panels. Additionally, the display tray includes multiple corner columns, with a corner column located in each corner of the tray. Each corner column upwardly extends from the tray surface and is sturdy enough to support the stacking of another design tray on top.
US09655444B2 Convertible wall hanging table
A convertible art table configured to be hung as wall art and to convert to an art topped table comprises a frame having one or more members defining an inner volume. A digital display configured to display one or more pieces of artwork is located within the inner volume. One or more legs are rotatably coupled to the frame. The legs are selectively rotatable from a collapsed position to a deployed position. In the collapsed position, the legs are flush with the frame such that the frame can be hung on a wall. In the deployed position, the legs support the frame such that the artwork defines a longitudinal surface usable as a table or desk.
US09655441B2 Fold-out cabinet assembly
A fold-out cabinet includes a folding back panel that is pivotably attached to side panels so that the back panel can be sandwiched at least partially between the side panels when in a folded configuration. When unfolded, top and bottom panels are attached to complete the cabinet structure. The fold-out cabinet can be rapidly assembled and takes up a minimal footprint when packaged for storage, shipping or merchandising. Optional accessories may be included with the cabinet, including a workbench type top surface, one or more shelves, one or more drawers, and one or more doors. When assembled, the cabinet is structurally stable and functional, but requires little time for complete assembly.
US09655438B1 Ergonomic two-tier work station with height-adjustable work platforms
An ergonomic work station has upper and lower work platforms disposed one above the other. These are supported on electrically actuated telescoping pedestals to allow the user to select and adjust the elevation of the work platforms individually. Position sensors within each of the pedestals sense the elevation of the upper end of the respective pedestal and provide an output to logic and motor control circuitry. This is configured to maintain the lower work platform level when the height of the lower work platform is being adjusted and to prevent the upper and lower work platforms from colliding, by maintaining at least a predetermined minimum vertical distance between the two work platforms when the lower work platform is being raised or when the upper work platform is being lowered.
US09655437B2 Multipurpose portable table
Disclosed is a portable table assembly having a table top, a hollow cylindrical stem that receives the table top, and a removable securing end cap that secures the table top to the cylindrical stem. The portable table assembly is easily assembled and adaptable for a wide variety of uses including, but not limited to, patio/porch use, outdoor/lawn gaming, parks and general recreation, outdoor sporting and concert events, tailgate parties, camping, gardening, beach use (with or without a beach umbrella), and boating.
US09655432B2 Microdermabrasion treatment heads
An abrasive tip is used to exfoliate skin and tissue through abrasive materials integrated in the tip. The tip also delivers fluid to the skin and vacuums the fluid and abraded tissue during treatment. Treated skin will look younger and healthier in appearance. In an implementation, the tip is replaceable and disposable.
US09655430B2 Double colored nail applique having an ultraviolet cured layer, method of making and using
A double colored nail appliqué, method of manufacturing and using, the appliqué having two different decorations sequentially via the user removing the top coat of a second colored enamel layer to expose an underlying base coat with a different, first colored enamel layer. The base coat is covered by a UV adhesive layer that protects it during the removal of the top coat. The nail appliqué may further comprise a metallic foil layer directly above or below the UV layer; a design imprinted on the top or bottom coat of enamel; and, a clear coat of enamel covering the top coat. Removal of the top coat(s) by the user does not damage the underlying coats/layers. Therefore, one nail appliqué can be used to offer two different appearing manicures without having to apply a new nail appliqué.
US09655429B2 Metallic foil nail appliqués
A multi-layered foil appliqué for decorating nails is cut from a laminated sheet having the following layers: a first adhesive layer residing on a releasable substrate; a base coat residing on the first adhesive layer; a UV-curable adhesive layer residing on the base coat; a foil layer residing on the UV-curable adhesive layer; and a top coat residing on the foil layer. The foil is applied to the UV-curable adhesive layer by contact between the metallic side of a metallized plastic sheet and the adhesive before the adhesive is cured. The bottom coat and top coat are formed from organic solvent-based nail enamels. Sufficient solvent remains in the appliqué to keep it stretchable before use. Residual solvent evaporates after the appliqué is applied to a user's nail.
US09655428B2 Epilating device having open configuration
An epilating device (1) has a housing (2) defining a handle (4) and first and second shoulder portions (6, 8) forming an open jaw (10). A tweezer portion (12) is mounted in the jaw (10) for rotation about its axis such that an opening (20) is formed through the device (1) from a front side (22) of the housing (2) to a rear side (24) of the housing (2), the opening (20) being bounded by the handle (4), the shoulder portions (6,8) and the tweezer portion (12). A drive mechanism (36) located within the housing (2) is arranged to apply rotational motion to rotate the tweezer portion (12) about the axis. By providing an opening (20) through the housing (2) of the epilator (1) from the front (22) to the rear side (24), collection of hair and debris beneath the tweezer portion (12) is avoided.
US09655425B2 Strap and electronic device
A strap is connected to an electronic device and used when the electronic device is held by a user with a user's hand. The strap comprises a loop portion formed of a band member in a loop-like shape, a connecting portion joined to the loop portion and connected to the electronic device, and a protecting member formed to cover a joining portion and a portion of a predetermined region in a bifurcation portion in the band member forming the loop portion, the joining portion being a portion where the connecting portion is connected to the band member and the bifurcation portion bifurcating and extending out from the joining portion, thereby protecting the user's hand.
US09655423B1 Contact lens package
A contact lens package comprising a top plate, a receiving portion located at a first end of the top plate, and a holding portion located at a second end of the top plate opposite to the first end. The holding portion protrudes downward from the top plate. A holding surface is defined at an intersection of the holding portion and the top plate. The holding surface is an arc surface depressed from the intersection of the holding portion and the top plate.
US09655412B2 Side release buckle
A side release buckle includes: a plug; and a socket, the plug including: a base; a pair of legs; and engaging portions, the socket including: a body; an insertion opening; a housing space; engaged portions; and a pair of guide surfaces. The guide surfaces, which are formed on an inner surface of the housing space and extend in an insertion direction of the legs while being opposed to each other, each include: a squeezing portion formed continuously with corresponding one of the engaged portions; and a guiding portion formed between the squeezing portion and the insertion opening. An interval between the guiding portions-near the engaged portions is wider than an interval between the squeezing portions near the engaged portions. An inclination angle of each guiding portion to an insertion direction of the plug is smaller than an inclination angle of each of the squeezing portion to the insertion direction.
US09655411B2 Buckle for connector, and method for assembling same
A buckle for a connector having a small simple structure and a favorable productivity, and a method for assembling the same. A buckle for connector of the present invention for supporting a tongue engageably/disengageably includes a base member, a latch member, an unlocking member, a latch spring, an ejector, an ejector spring, and cover members housing these members. The base member includes first and second plates. The ejector includes: two arms; a body section between the arms that includes a pushing/moving surface for the tongue to be pushed/moved by the tongue, a support section to support the latch member, and a pushing surface to be pushed by the ejector spring; and claws formed at ends of the arms and locked with an aperture at a terminal end of the base member, the terminal end being opposite to a starting end from which the tongue is inserted.
US09655404B2 Contoured insoles for footwear
An insole assembly for use in footwear is provided. The insole assembly generally includes a full-length insole base made of a flexible and resilient material (e.g., resiliently compressible foam), and a heel cap made of a generally rigid material (e.g., a carbon fiber reinforced polymer) which is attached to the insole base and mimics the contours thereof to provide proper biomechanical support of the heel and arch areas of a foot in a particularly lightweight and sleek form factor.
US09655401B2 Polymer shoe
An elastomeric shoe is provided that comprises a curved sole, an upper portion thereof having a vamp and curved top line. The upper portion and curved sole are molded from an elastomeric material, allowing the curved top line to stretch in tension, enabling the shoe's sole to achieve a substantially planar orientation when placed upon a wearer's foot to both enhance user comfort and provide better adherence to a wearer's foot without the need for an unsightly, elasticized, gathered topline.
US09655396B1 Wind and water hat
A wind and water hat includes a hat body, a hat brim carried by the hat body and at least one generally flexible brim wire provided in the hat brim. The hat brim ratchets with respect to the brim wire or wires responsive to force applied to the hat brim.
US09655393B2 Layered structural fire glove
A flexible, multi-layer glove, including a liner, a glove shell having at least one of a knitted fabric or a flame-treated leather; and/or a floating barrier layer, that includes a plurality of attachment tabs, disposed between the glove shell and the liner, wherein the plurality of attachment tabs attach the barrier layer to the liner and to the glove shell and/or a floating insulation layer is disclosed.
US09655391B2 Pantleg holding mechanism for knee pads
A knee pad holding mechanism for holding a knee pad over the knee region of a pantleg having a first length of fabric material and a second length of fabric material operatively secured together to form a pocket, the pocket being sized and shaped to receive a knee pad and having at least one opening located along each of the outside edges of the pocket for receiving a strap associated with the knee pad. In one embodiment, the first length of fabric material can be secured directly to the knee region of a pantleg wherein the pantleg forms the second length of fabric material. Other embodiments include using a loop, eyelet, slits or an additional section of fabric having a slit associated therewith for receiving a strap associated with the knee pad. The present mechanism is also adaptable for use to receive an elbow pad.
US09655389B2 Article of apparel
An article of apparel with grasp-resistant panels includes a multilayer textile having a first fabric layer possessing a first elongation value bonded to a second fabric layer possessing a second elongation value, where the second elongation value is less than the first elongation value. In an embodiment, the first fabric layer is a stretch knit and the second fabric layer is a non-stretch woven. The second fabric layer is discontinuous, defining a plurality of panels spaced along the first fabric layer. The article of apparel selectively stretches, expanding along non-paneled areas. With this configuration, the article of apparel fits onto multiple body types, providing full range of motion while inhibiting the grasping and holding of the apparel by a non-wearer.
US09655388B2 Article of clothing with wicking portion
Articles of clothing that incorporate fabrics or chemicals having wicking, antibacterial/antifungal and low coefficients of friction either overall or in specific areas of the apparel that will minimize the development of irritation, bacterial and fungal infections of the skin. The invention also includes methods for producing this wicking, antibacterial/antifungal and low coefficient of friction apparel.
US09655387B2 Breast support for a garment or garment part
A breast support (12a, 12b) for a garment or garment part is disclosed as including a first piece of elongate resilient material formed by a piece of substantially straight resilient material (16a, 16b) with a first planar major surface, and a second piece of elongate resilient material formed by a piece of arcuate resilient material (14a, 14b) with a second planar major surface (18), an inner arcuate edge (13a, 13b) and an outer arcuate edge (15a, 15b), the first piece of elongate resilient material (16a, 16b) being fixedly engaged and in contact with the second piece of elongate resilient material (14a, 14b) along the whole length of the first piece of elongate resilient material (16a, 16b).
US09655386B2 Nursing garments
Garments, including nursing garments configured as pull-over bras and camisoles, are disclosed. Nursing garments include a frontal portion configured to provide under-breast support connected to a first breast pocket and a second breast pocket, which are each configured to cover the breasts and may provide additional breast support. At least one of the first and second breast pockets is configured to cover at least one of the wearer's breasts when the breast pocket is in a first position, and to uncover and expose at least one of the wearer's breasts when in a second position. The frontal portion, the first breast pocket and the second breast pocket are also connected to a back portion, which provides back support for the wearer whether one or both of the first or second breast pockets are in the first position or in the second position.
US09655382B2 Responsible cigarette holder
A cigarette holder has an elongate tubular member, and includes a mouthpiece at a proximate end and a cylindrical receptacle at a distal end that is dimensioned to receive one end of a cigarette. A plurality of filters are axially spaced from each other along an intermediate portion of the holder to form air spaces between adjacent filters. Adjustable discs or rings are provided on the tubular member and are movable relative to a reference marking, one disc bearing time periods or intervals and the other disc bearing a maximum number of cigarettes that can be smoked in one time period, The discs or rings can provide cigarette reduction reminders each time period of the target number of cigarettes that can be smoked in each time period or interval.
US09655381B2 Method and apparatus for preparing a finished tobacco product including special form casings and sheet configurations
A finished tobacco product is formed by a set of pre-rolled sheets. In one embodiment a form casing is used which includes at least two portions—a non-smokable portion along with a container portion which includes tobacco filler material.
US09655379B2 Tomato ketchup
A tomato ketchup containing the following components (A) to (C): (A) saccharidefrom 12 to 31 mass %, (B) potassiumfrom 0.6 to 1.9 mass %, and (C) sodiumfrom 0.1 to 1.55 mass %.
US09655378B2 Apparatus for preparing popcorn
A heated air popcorn popper and related methods of popping popcorn in which unpopped kernels are retained in a heating zone and are prevented from being expelled before they have been exposed to a heated air stream for sufficient time to result in popping of the kernels. The popcorn popper can have a popping portion including a retention mechanism capable of moving in response to physical contact with popped kernels that experience a dramatic volumetric increase in size following popping. As the number of popped kernels within the popping portion increases, the level of the popped kernels rises until they physically contact the retention mechanism, whereby the retention mechanism is forced to transition from a covering disposition to an open disposition in which popped kernels are allowed to exit the heating zone.
US09655377B2 Methods of controlling fructan synthesis in plants
The present invention relates to plants with increased levels of water soluble carbohydrates, particularly fructan, in the stem and leaf sheath. The present invention also provides methods of identifying and/or producing these plants. In particular, the present invention relates to a novel class of polypeptides designated MYB13 which upregulate the expression of enzymes involved in fructan synthesis. The present invention further relates to a novel promoter element that can be used to express genes predominantly in the stem and leaf sheath during the early reproductive stage of a plant.
US09655376B2 Process for preparing an oleogel
A continuous process for preparing an oleogel from ethylcellulose and an oily feed material, wherein the process comprises: (a) feeding ethylcellulose to the feed zone of an extruder, the extruder having a plurality of oil feed ports along its length; (b) feeding at least one oily feed material into at least one of the oil feed ports; (c) mixing the oily feed material with the ethylcellulose to form a substantially homogeneous mixture; (d) cooling the mixture to form an oleogel.
US09655374B1 Process for making a chocolate food product
A chocolate food product that is low in fat, dairy free, soy and lecithin free, free of added sugar or ingredients that increase sugar content, starch-free, Isomaltooligosaccharide-free, oligosaccharide-free, maltitol-free, sorbitol-free, xylitol-free, erythritol-free, and isomalt-free. The chocolate food product may comprise: a cocoa butter, an unsweetened cocoa powder, a glycerin, a coconut cream, an almond milk, a pectin, a salt, a monk fruit blend, and a coconut flour.
US09655372B2 Cellulose-based food casing and method of manufacture
The invention relates to a cellulose-based food casing comprising alkenyl succinic anhydride and a method for the manufacture of said cellulose-based food casing.
US09655369B2 Pesticidal composition comprising sulphur, acaricide and an agrochemical excipient
The present invention relates to a pesticidal composition comprising an effective amount of sulphur, an effective amount of at least one acaricide selected from the group consisting of bifenazate, fenpyroximate, fenazaquin, hexythiazox, spirodiclofen, spiromesifen and their salts thereof and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.
US09655367B2 Disinfecting composition and wipes with reduced contact time
A composition having a short disinfecting contact time is disclosed. The composition contains a biguanide or guanide, a quaternary ammonium compound and a basic compound in a specific weight ratio to one another. Compositions having less than a two minute disinfection time are disclosed.
US09655362B2 Fungicidal composition and method for controlling plant diseases
A fungicidal composition containing, as active ingredients, (a) a benzoylpyridine derivative represented by the following formula or its salt: wherein X is a halogen atom, a nitro group, a substitutable hydrocarbon group, a substitutable alkoxy group, a substitutable aryloxy group, a substitutable cycloalkoxy group, a hydroxyl group, a substitutable alkylthio group, a cyano group, a carboxyl group which may be esterified or amidated, or a substitutable amino group, n is 1, 2, 3 or 4; R1 is a substitutable alkyl group, R2′ is a substitutable alkyl group, a substitutable alkoxy group, a substitutable aryloxy group, a substitutable cycloalkoxy group or a hydroxyl group, p is 1, 2 or 3, and R2″ is a substitutable alkoxy group or a hydroxyl group, provided that at least two of R2′ and R2″ optionally form a condensed ring containing an oxygen atom and (b) at least one other fungicide.
US09655360B2 Nematicidal compositions and methods of using them
There is disclosed method of killing nematodes comprising the step of applying an effective amount of a nematicidal composition comprising a terpene component and compositions suitable for use in the method. The terpene component is preferably in association with water, either as a solution or a suspension. An excipient may also be included, which is suitably hollow glucan particles which encapsulate the terpene component.
US09655356B1 Selective herbicide and responsible pesticide allocation apparatus and system
A lawn treatment apparatus, system and method employs a scanning apparatus to detect the presence of an area to be selectively treated with an herbicide, pesticide or fungicide. The apparatus includes a multicompartmental cartridge that holds different chemicals and selectively applies the chemicals to the area of the lawn requiring treatment.
US09655354B2 Techniques for maintaining palatability of a bait material in a pest control device
A termite control bait container includes an upper end portion opposite a lower end portion. The bait container includes a chamber containing a termite bait. The lower end portion includes an air-trapping pocket below at least a portion of the bait to reduce intrusion of water through the lower end portion when installed in a selected orientation at least partially below ground.
US09655353B1 Multi-section fishing device
A device for use during fishing configured to be connected to the user's fishing line to attract fish. The device is shaped to be moved through the water and generally include a head and a tail. A channel extends through at least a portion of the device and is sized to receive the fishing line. The device is constructed from multiple sections. The sections are selectively positionable between a closed configuration with the sections connected together to connect the device to the fishing line, and an open configuration with the sections being separated to remove the device from the fishing line.
US09655350B2 Fish display and water circulation apparatus having individually removable live fish containers
A fish display apparatus continuously circulating water through a plurality of removable live fish containers, whereby a large number of individual containers containing one or more fish may be easily displayed to customers and whereby any single container may be removed by the customer for purchase of the fish contained therein without stopping or interfering with the flow of water passing through the remaining containers.
US09655349B2 Bioreactor system for aquarium and septic tank
An aeration and microbial reactor system for use in decontaminating water including a housing adapted to float and/or submerged within the medium such that a top portion thereof remains adjacent a top surface of the contaminated water while the bioreactor containing inoculated carrier media is attached below. Beneficial microbial populations thrive and spread throughout the liquid medium, and consume or fix the contaminant such that the contaminant is removed from the water.
US09655347B2 Automated open ocean fish farm structures and systems for open ocean fish farming
An autonomous open-ocean fish-farming structure has a submersible cage enclosure tethered to a topside buoy. The topside buoy stores feed, is equipped with radio telemetry to communicate positioning signals transmitted from external sources, and generates electrical power using, for example, a hybrid solar OTEC heat engine. The structure is navigated and maintained in a geostationary position within the ocean environment by means of position-correction technology and is propelled by thrusters attached to the cage enclosure and, optionally, to the underside of the topside buoy. The self-positioning, self-powered fish-farming structure enables unmanned, extended marine deployment in deeper ocean waters without the need for tethering or anchoring to the ocean floor. Multiple structures can be maintained in a spaced apart configuration to comprise a flotilla of fish farming structures attended by a tender ship that is autonomous, easily serviced and conveniently relocated.
US09655343B2 Unmanned feed wagon
An unmanned feed wagon including a ground-supported chassis, an electric drive for driving the chassis along a predetermined path of movement and a power supply for the electric drive, wherein the power supply includes a power rail following the predetermined path of movement and having a sliding contact which is connected to the electric drive.
US09655340B2 Lettuce variety 79-619 RZ
The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 79-619 RZ, which may exhibit a combination of traits including resistance to downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) races Bl:1 to Bl:31 and Ca-I to Ca-VIII, resistance to currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri), as well as an extraordinary high number of substantially equally sized red colored leaves, which are moderately blistered and have a slightly undulated apical leaf margin. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 79-619 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 79-619 RZ.
US09655335B1 Soybean cultivar S140146
A soybean cultivar designated S140146 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S140146, to the plants of soybean cultivar S140146, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S140146, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S140146. 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 S140146. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S140146, 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 S140146 with another soybean cultivar.
US09655325B2 Soybean variety 01050591
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01050591. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01050591. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01050591 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01050591 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09655324B2 Soybean variety 01051871
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01051871. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01051871. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01051871 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01051871 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09655323B2 Soybean variety 01050561
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01050561. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01050561. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01050561 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01050561 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09655319B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH157674
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH157674. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH157674, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH157674 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH157674.
US09655315B2 Cotton variety ST 5289GLT
The cotton variety ST 5289GLT is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety ST 5289GLT with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of ST 5289GLT and to plants of ST 5289GLT reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from ST 5289GLT.
US09655314B2 Cotton variety FM 2334GLT
The cotton variety FM 2334GLT is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety FM 2334GLT with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 2334GLT and to plants of FM 2334GLT reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 2334GLT.
US09655312B1 Agile irrigation controller
An agile irrigation controller enables any number of programs to be added, limited only by available memory, and is similarly adaptable to control any number of valves or similar irrigation devices in a network. Stored programs within the memory include pointers to next programs in memory, linking the programs together. The memory further stores groups of valves, with links to additional groups of valves.
US09655311B1 Absorbent rain sensor with retention basin
A rain sensor can be configured to shut off one or more irrigation devices during and/or after a period of rainfall. The rain sensor can include a moisture basin mounted therein. The moisture basin houses an absorbent element configured to expand in at least one direction when wetted. Expansion of the absorbent element can activate a signal actuator to generate a shut off signal to one or more irrigation devices. The moisture basin can retain excess moisture when the absorbent element is fully saturated.
US09655310B1 Installation tool and method for irrigation drip line couplers
A tool, which may have an integral body, serves several functions in installing drip tubes to main drip lines with a coupler. The tool has a needle which punctures holes in the main drip line for insertion of one end of the coupler. The tool has a slotted head which grasps the coupler facilitating the insertion of the coupler into the hole in the main line. Embodiments of the tool may also have apertures in the tool which fit around the coupler for facilitating the insertion of an end of the coupler into the open end of the drip tube.
US09655308B2 Wall planting system
A modular wall mounted agricultural system that includes a mounting structure having a first end, a second end, a fluid conduit extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end, and at least one longitudinally extending channel. The system further includes at least one planter box that is adapted to mount within the at least one channel of the mounting structure, and wherein the at least one planter box includes a plurality of sidewalls and a bottom wall that cooperate to form a compartment adapted to receive plant matter therein, the plurality of sidewalls cooperating to form an upwardly opening aperture adapted to receive a fluid from the conduit.
US09655307B2 Detachable and collapsable planter box being of a pallet box assembly
Pallet box assembly configured as planter box or workman's utility box is disclosed. The pallet box assembly includes a pallet base, two side panels, a front panel, and a rear panel, which are collapsible and reusable. Pallet base has tenon joint parts with locking mechanisms that extend out. Pallet base has an opening extending therethrough for ease of handling by pallet jack or hand truck. The side panels include grooves. Front and rear panels include tenon joint part with locking mechanism. The side panels are identical and interchangeable, the front panel is identical and interchangeable with the rear panel. Each locking mechanism includes a winged bolt threadedly inserted and engaged into the tenon joint part, and a wing which is rotated by about 45 to 135 degrees to engageably and securely attach the corresponding tenon joint part in the corresponding groove, so that the pallet box assembly is securely installed.
US09655306B2 Tree limb cutting device
A tree limb cutting device for trimming tree limbs includes a cutting head that comprises a housing that has a hook coupled to and extending from a top. A blade is positioned in pair of opposing channels positioned in an internal wall of the housing. The blade has a cutting edge and an impact end. An actuator, coupled to and positioned in the housing, is operationally coupled a driver that comprises a shaft which has a striking end and a stopping end. A blade return is operationally coupled to the blade and the driver. A driver return is coupled to the stopping end and the actuator. An extension rod has a first end a second end. The first end is coupled to the housing. A power module, operationally coupled to the actuator through a power line, is coupled to the second end.
US09655304B2 Plant cultivation container
A plant cultivation container is provided which does not need a feed-water tube made of a porous material or the like but the plant cultivation bed material can be made permeated in a relatively short time period. For this purpose, a water reservoir portion for pooling plant cultivation water is provided, the water reservoir portion having a bed material accommodation part for placing a water-absorbing plant cultivation bed material. In the plant cultivation container, the water reservoir portion is provided with a surrounding feed-water channel that surrounds an entire circumference of the bed material accommodation part, and a feed-discharge channel for supplying the plant cultivation water from outside to the water reservoir portion and for discharging the plant cultivation water in the water reservoir portion to outside is provided in communication with the surrounding feed-water channel.
US09661795B2 Mounting system
A mounting system which mounts an LED element on a board and mounts a lens so as to cover the LED element, in which control devices which control operations of operating machines include an LED element mounting unit which mounts the LED element in a predetermined mounting position, a deviation amount acquisition unit which acquires a deviation amount between a mounting position and the predetermined mounting position of the LED element, a first lens mounting unit which mounts the lens on the board using a position of the LED element mounted on the board as a reference, when the deviation amount is smaller than a threshold value, and a second lens mounting unit which mounts the lens in a preset position on the board, regardless of the position of the LED element mounted on the board, when the deviation amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value.
US09661793B2 Electronic component mounting system and electronic component mounting method
In mounting position correction of detecting a position of printed solder, calculating a positional-shift amount between a position of an electrode and the position of the printed solder, and correcting a mounting position based on the calculated positional-shift amount, when a correction amount based on the calculated positional-shift amount exceeds a limit value which indicates an upper limit of the correction amount which is defined and allowed in mounting information, the electronic component is mounted on the mounting position which is corrected by considering the limit value as the correction amount. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately employ mounting position correction by considering a solder printing position as a reference in accordance with the degree of printing position shift, and to obtain an expected joint quality improvement effect.
US09661790B2 Backplane with adjustable curvature and application thereof
The invention provides a backplane with adjustable curvature and its application. The backplane includes an active layer and a passive layer connected with the active layer. The active layer is formed by a material with a first thermal expansion coefficient, and the passive layer is formed by a material with a second thermal expansion coefficient. The first thermal expansion coefficient is greater than the second thermal expansion coefficient. It further includes a temperature sensor set on the backplane and a temperature controller electrically coupled to the backplane to adjust the backplane temperature. A fast and continuous adjustment to the curvature of the backplane can be achieved by controlling the temperature of the backplane.
US09661788B2 Modular data center
Described are methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, relating to an air module and control thereof. An air module can include a controller, an air intake module configured to receive first air from a first air source and to receive second air from a second air source, an evaporative cooling module in fluid communication with the air intake module, and a mechanical cooling module in fluid communication with the evaporative cooling module. The controller can be configured to cause the intake module to mix the first air and the second air to form intake air, and selectively cool the intake air to form supply air by at least one of causing the evaporative cooling module to selectively cool the intake air, and causing the mechanical cooling module to selectively cool the intake.
US09661787B2 Facilitating front access to rear-mounted assembly in equipment chassis
An equipment chassis includes a rear-mountable fan tray assembly (FTA) having a plurality of fans arranged into two or more FTA housing portions, the rear-mountable fan tray assembly being slidably insertable into and retractable from the equipment chassis for facilitating front-to-back airflow while providing ease of access. The FTA housing portions are articulatably coupled to each other and are arranged to follow a smooth motion path when traveling from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa when the rear-mountable fan tray assembly is either inserted into or retracted from the equipment chassis, wherein a top FTA housing portion is guided by a top curvilinear tracking path and a bottom FTA housing portion is guided by a bottom curvilinear tracking path.
US09661786B2 Electronic device and method for assembling the same
An electronic device includes a bottom case, an accommodation unit, an electromagnetic induction module, a heat-dissipating component, an elastic clip, a printed wiring board, and an electronic component. The accommodation unit is disposed on the bottom case. At least one portion of the electromagnetic induction module is disposed in the accommodation unit. The heat-dissipating component is disposed on the bottom case and is separated from the accommodation unit. The elastic clip is partially mounted on the heat-dissipating component. The printed wiring board has a first surface and a second surface, and the first surface faces the accommodation unit. The electronic component includes a main body and pin feet. The pin feet are electrically connected to the printed wiring board, and the main body is clamped between the heat-dissipating component and the elastic clip.
US09661784B2 Multi-component electronic module with integral coolant-cooling
A coolant-cooled electronic module is provided which includes a multi-component assembly and a module lid with openings aligned over respective electronic components. Thermally conductive elements are disposed within the openings, each including opposite coolant-cooled and conduction surfaces, with the conduction surface being thermally coupled to the respective electronic component. A manifold assembly disposed over the module lid includes inner and outer manifold elements, with the inner element configured to facilitate flow of coolant onto the coolant-cooled surfaces. The outer manifold element is disposed over the inner manifold element and coupled to the module lid, with the inner and outer manifold elements defining a coolant supply manifold, and the outer manifold element and module lid defining a coolant return manifold. The coolant supply openings are in fluid communication with the coolant supply manifold, and the coolant exhaust channels are in fluid communication with the coolant return manifold.
US09661781B2 Remote units for distributed communication systems and related installation methods and apparatuses
Remote units are mounted in a support structure so that cooling air flow is not impeded by the support structure. The remote units may have RF communications circuitry and other components that generate heat in the provision of wireless services.
US09661780B2 Heat-receiver, cooling unit and electronic device
A heat-receiver includes: a first plate that receives heat at one face from a heat generating body; a second plate that is disposed facing another face of the first plate with a spacing therebetween, and that has a greater plate thickness than a plate thickness of the first plate; a first coupling portion that couples together the first plate and the second plate; and a second coupling portion that couples together the first plate and the second plate at a position that faces across the first plate toward the heat generating body, with a gap between the second coupling portion and the first coupling portion through which a coolant is capable of passing, and that has a width along the other face of the first plate that is greater than a width of the first coupling portion, as viewed along the coolant passing direction.
US09661776B2 Mounting assembly and backplane communication system
Mounting assembly for a backplane communication system. The mounting assembly includes a retention collet that has a collet base and a coupling arm that extends from the collet base. The collet base includes a passage therethrough. The collet base is configured to be mounted to a backplane such that the passage extends through the backplane and the coupling arm extends from the collet base away from the backplane. The mounting assembly also includes a spacer member having a member cavity that receives the coupling arm when the spacer member is mounted to the backplane. The coupling arm is held in a locked position when engaged by a guide pin that has been inserted through the passage of the collet base and into the member cavity. The retention collet and the spacer member are interlocked when the coupling arm is in the locked position.
US09661774B2 Portable display device
A portable display device may include a display panel, a window, an attaching member and a blocking member. The display panel may have a drive circuit region and a display region. The window may be positioned facing to the display panel. The attaching member may be interposed between the display region of the display panel and the window to attach the display panel to the window. The blocking member may be arranged on a boundary line between the drive circuit region and the display region to prevent the attaching member from infiltrating into the drive circuit region. Thus, flows of the attaching member may be readily controlled using the blocking member having a simple structure to prevent the infiltration of the attaching member into the drive circuit region. As a result, the portable display device may be assembled by a simple process and a low cost.
US09661772B2 Waterproof control unit and method of assembling the same
In a waterproof control unit in which a part of a connector housing mounted on a circuit board is exposed and the circuit board is hermetically housed in a casing including a base and a cover, a sealing gap between the cover and the connector housing is defined between fitting surfaces of a first concave thread and a first convex thread, and a waterproof sealing material is applied to the sealing gap. A waterproof sealing material is applied to the latter sealing gap. Each of the sealing gaps extends inward and outward across an inner boundary surface of a partition wall of the connector housing. Plane movement of each of the sealing gaps is restricted by side-surface convex threads and side-surface concave threads.
US09661770B2 Graphic formation via material ablation
Techniques for graphic formation via material ablation described. In at least some implementations, a graphic is applied to a surface of an object by ablating layers of the object to form an ablation trench in the shape of the graphic. In at least some embodiments, an object can include a surface layer and multiple sublayers of materials. When an ablation trench is generated in the object, the ablation trench can penetrate a surface layer of the object and into an intermediate layer. In at least some implementations, height variations in an object surface caused by an ablation trench can cause variations in light reflection properties such that a graphic applied via the ablation trench appears at a different color tone than a surrounding surface, even if the ablation trench and the surrounding surface are coated with a same colored coating.
US09661764B2 Display device
Disclosed herein is a display device having an intermediate panel firming supporting a display panel, maximizing heat dissipation and having a light weight, and a bracket facilitating assembly of the intermediate panel with other components. The display device includes the display panel, the intermediate panel disposed on the rear surface of the display panel, the bracket including a first combining part combined with the intermediate panel and a second combining part combined with the display panel and provided with guide grooves on the second combining part, a side cover including a frame part disposed at the edges of the display panel and the bracket, support parts extending from the frame part and supporting the bracket and a guide rib protruding in the forward direction of the support part and combined with the guide groove, and a rear cover disposed on the rear surface of the intermediate panel.
US09661756B1 Nano-copper pillar interconnects and methods thereof
Embodiments of the present invention relate to nano-copper pillar interconnects. Nano-copper material is a mixture of nano-copper particles and one or more organic fluxes. In some embodiments, the one or more organic fluxes include organic solvents that help bind the nano-copper particles together and allow the nano-copper material to be printable. The nano-copper material is applied onto bond pads on a printed circuit board (PCB) via a printing process, a dipping process or the like, to form nano-copper covered PCB bond pads. A component can thereafter be coupled with the PCB at the nano-copper covered PCB bond pads. What is left when the solvents evaporate are nano-copper pillar interconnects that form, coupling the component with the PCB bond pads. The nano-copper pillar interconnects are of pure copper.
US09661754B2 Imaging on substrates with aqueous alkaline soluble UV blocking compositions and aqueous soluble UV transparent films
Substrates, such as printed circuit boards, are coated with an aqueous alkaline developable UV photosensitive material followed by applying an aqueous soluble UV transparent film to coat the UV photosensitive material. An aqueous alkaline soluble UV blocking composition is selectively applied to the surface of the UV blocking film to function as a mask. UV light is applied to portions of the UV photosensitive material not covered by the mask. The UV blocking composition, UV transparent film and selective sections of the UV photosensitive material are simultaneously removed with an aqueous alkaline developer solution to form an image on the substrate.
US09661743B1 Flexible circuit board and method of fabricating
A flexible circuit board includes a center “rigid” section, such as a printed circuit stack, and an adjoining flexible multi-layer body that are fabricated from a common interconnect layer. A transition material is included at the interface between the center rigid section and the flexible multi-layer body to minimize ripping and cracking of the interconnect layer. The transition material can also be added at stress areas not related to the interface. The transition material is attached at the interface and stress areas of the flexible circuit board in order to strengthen the flexible circuit board in general and in particular the transition material included therein. The transition material layer is formed and deposited at one or more locations on or within the flexible circuit board in order to minimize, reduce, if not prevent cracking and ripping of the flexible circuit board as it is bent, flexed and/or twisted.
US09661742B2 Printed circuit board and driving method thereof
A printed circuit board is disclosed, comprising a plate body, a conductive pattern disposed on the plate body, a conductive metal plate, and a metal layer. The conductive metal plate has a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are fixed to the plate body. An accommodating space is between the conductive metal plate and the plate body. The metal layer covers the conductive metal plate and the conductive pattern, and is filled into the accommodating space. Therefore, a printed circuit board which has metal blocks with enough thickness is provided. The metal blocks can provide sufficiently low resistance to increase resistance efficiency of the printed circuit.
US09661738B1 Embedded coins for HDI or SEQ laminations
A method of and a device for dissipating/transferring heat through one or more solid vias and embedded coins are disclosed. The method and device disclosed herein can be used to transfer heat for a High Density Interconnect (HDI) board.
US09661734B2 Linear accelerator system with stable interleaved and intermittent pulsing
A linac-based X-ray system for cargo scanning and imaging applications uses linac design, RF power control, beam current control, and beam current pulse duration control to provide stable sequences of interleaved pulses having different energy levels, for example alternating 4 MeV and 6 MeV pulses or other energies where the difference in levels is at least approximately 1 MeV and less than approximately 5 MeV. The pulse repetition rate can be 100-400 pulses per second or more. In an embodiment, a cool down calculation is combined with automatic frequency control to provide stable energy and dose per pulse even upon restarting of pulsing after an “off” period of indeterminate duration.
US09661733B1 Switch device having a non-linear transmission line
Switching devices are provided. The switching devices include an input electrode, having a main electrode and a trigger electrode, and an output electrode. The main electrode and the trigger electrode are separated from the output electrode by a main gap and a trigger gap, respectively. During operation, the trigger electrode compresses and amplifies a trigger voltage signal causing the trigger electrode to emit a pulse of energy. This pulse of energy form plasma near the trigger electrode, either by arcing across the trigger gap, or by arcing from the trigger electrode to the main electrode. This plasma decreases the breakdown voltage of the main gap. Simultaneously, or near simultaneously, a main voltage signal propagates through the main electrode. The main voltage signal emits a main pulse of energy that arcs across the main gap while the plasma formed by the trigger pulse is still present.
US09661730B2 Extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus with a gas supply toward a trajectory of a target
An extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus may include: a chamber; a target supply unit configured to output a target toward a predetermined region inside the chamber; a first gas supply unit configured to blow out gas in a first direction toward a trajectory of the target between the target supply unit and the predetermined region; and a focusing optical system configured to concentrate a pulse laser beam to the predetermined region.
US09661726B2 Insulation machine platform, substrate-contact type apparatus, and static electricity elimination method
The present disclosure provides an insulation machine platform, a substrate-contact type apparatus, and a static electricity elimination method. The insulation machine platform includes: a machine platform body including at least one vent hole, and at least one static electricity elimination device; the at least one vent hole corresponds to the at least one static electricity elimination device being located at a position corresponding to the at least one vent hole, respectively, wherein the machine platform body has a supporting surface, underneath which the static electricity elimination device is located, for receiving a substrate. The substrate-contact type apparatus includes the insulation machine platform.
US09661725B2 Wire electrode cleaning in ionizing blowers
Methods and apparatus for cleaning contaminant byproducts off of ionizing wire electrodes in ionizing blowers are disclosed. Disclosed apparatus include a housing with a gas-flow channel, an stationary ionizing wire, and a rotatable frame with supports for resiliently supporting the stationary ionizing wire within the channel. The ionizing wire produces charge carriers and has a surface that develops a layer of contaminant byproducts when an ionizing signal is applied thereto. The frame is rotatably mounted such that the supports clean the layer of contaminant byproducts off of the surface of the ionizing wire when the frame is rotated. Disclosed methods include providing an ionizing signal to the ionizing wire to thereby produce charge carriers and rotating the frame relative to the housing to thereby clean contaminant byproducts off of the ionizing wire.
US09661712B1 Lamp with automatic dimmer
A lamp includes a light source in a top of a housing, the light source including a driver, a light emitting member electrically connected to the driver, and a dimming controller electrically connected to the driver wherein the driver is configured to activate the light emitting member after being activated by a signal sent from the dimming controller; and an electro-optical sensor in the top of the housing and electrically connected to the dimming controller wherein light emitted by the light emitting member is reflected to the electro-optical sensor, and the electro-optical sensor sends the sensed light to the dimming controller. The dimming controller compares intensity of the sensed light with intensity of the light emitted by the light emitting member, and the driver either decreases the intensity of the light output or increases same based on the comparison.
US09661709B2 Integrated LED/OLED lighting system
A light unit is provided that includes a frame having a top face and a bottom face, with the bottom face at least partially overlapping the top face in some configurations. A non-OLED light source is disposed on the top face and configured to emit light away from the top face. An OLED light source is disposed on the bottom face and configured to emit light away from the bottom face.
US09661708B1 Driving several light sources
A device for driving several light sources is provided, wherein the several light sources are arranged in a light matrix structure, the device comprising a common circuitry and a driver matrix; wherein each cell of the driver matrix is connected to at least one cell of the light matrix structure; wherein a sense component is provided on a cell of the driver matrix, wherein the sense component determines a sense signal that is based on, and in particular dependent on or proportional to, an output signal driving the light source that is connected to this cell of the driver matrix; wherein the common circuitry comprises an adjustment circuitry that is arranged for obtaining the sense signal, for adjusting a reference signal, and for conveying the reference signal to the cell of the driver matrix that determined the sense signal; wherein the cell of the driver matrix is arranged for adjusting the output signal driving the light source based on the reference signal. Also, an according method is suggested.
US09661705B1 Power conversion apparatus for decreasing number of pins
A power conversion apparatus including a power conversion circuit, a light-emitting unit and a control chip is provided. The control chip has a multi-function pin and a feedback pin, where the multi-function pin and the feedback pin respectively receive a dimming signal and a feedback signal reflecting an output current of the light-emitting unit, and the control chip determines whether to generate a PWM signal to a power switch of the power conversion circuit according to the dimming signal and the feedback signal based on a duty ratio of the dimming signal.
US09661703B1 Tubular light emitting diode lighting device having selectable light output
A tubular LED bulb includes a circuit board include an AC to DC conversion circuit that provides an output DC current at one of several selectable levels when provided with an AC power source. The DC current is routed through a plurality of LEDs at the selected DC current level. The AC to DC conversion circuit operates responsive to a selection circuit that allows a user to select a level corresponding to a desired light output level. The AC to DC conversion circuit allows the tubular LED bulb to be mounted in a conventional fluorescent light fixture, including a ballast, without regard to polarity. In some embodiments, the circuit board includes jumper blocks to allow multiple circuit boards to be connected in tandem.
US09661702B2 Constant-current controller with square-wave input current shaping
A constant-current controller with square wave input current shaping for driving a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is provided. The controller may include a sample and hold circuit that samples a current sense voltage, a first multiplier circuit that multiplies an output of the sample and hold circuit, an error detector circuit that compares an output of the multiplier circuit with a reference voltage, an error amplifier that amplifies an output of the error detector circuit, a second multiplier circuit that multiplies an output of the error amplifier by a coefficient, and an output circuit that outputs a pulse-width modulated control signal based on an output of the second multiplier circuit. The coefficient may vary depending on whether the constant-current LED driver controller is used with a boost converter or a buck-boost converter.
US09661699B2 Systems and methods for converting alternating current to drive light-emitting diodes
A system and method for converting alternating current from at least two types of electronic ballasts for fluorescent bulbs into direct current for an array of LEDs. The device is assembled such that it can fit into existing fluorescent bulb fixtures. Alternating current from a contemplated electronic ballast can have one of two peak-to-peak voltages and the circuitry of the device will convert either alternating current into approximately the same direct current. In doing so, the array of LEDs is illuminated providing an LED alternative to fluorescent light bulbs.
US09661698B2 Light emitting component and light emitting device using same
A light emitting device including a light emitting component is provided, wherein said light emitting comprising an integrated light emitting diode and a semiconductor field effect transistor. The semiconductor field effect transistor may prevent situations such as overheating and voltage instability by controlling a current passing through the light emitting diode as well as enhancing the ability to withstand electrostatic discharge and reducing cost of the light emitting device in multiple aspects.
US09661692B2 Multilayered optical film and display device including optical film
An optical film includes: a liquid crystal coating; and a base layer on the liquid crystal coating, wherein the liquid crystal coating has reversed wavelength dispersion and in-plane retardation for a reference wavelength ranging from 126 nm to 153 nm, and the base layer has in-plane retardation ranging from about 0 to about 50 nm and out-of-plane retardation ranging from about 0 nm to about 100 nm.
US09661689B2 Cooling and holding device for heating-elements, heater and method for producing a cooling and holding device
A cooling and holding device for heating-elements, more particularly PTC heating-elements, including a flat housing having at least one heating shaft in which there is at least one heating-element, wherein the heating shaft has opposing shaft walls between which the heating-element is clamped, and at least one side slit that separates the shaft walls such that the distance between the shaft walls can be varied for installation of the heating-element, wherein at least one clamping section outwardly protruding from the flat housing, grips the flat housing, spanning the side slit, and is elastically deformed in the mounted state of the heating-element so as to provide a pressing force of the shaft walls on the heating-element in the assembled state.
US09661686B2 Methods, base station system, radio unit and radio head of a wireless communication network, for increasing signal quality of signals sent from the radio head to the radio unit
Disclosed is a method performed by a base station system of a wireless communication network, for increasing signal quality of signals sent from a radio head (RH) to a radio unit (RU) over a metallic conductor. The base station system comprising a baseband unit (BBU), the RU, and the RH, and the RU is connected to the RH via the metallic conductor. The method comprises, at the RH: amplifying, by an amplification unit, a signal to be transmitted from the RH to the RU; changing the signal amplification level of the amplification unit; and transmitting the amplified signal to the RU. The method further comprises, at the RU: receiving the amplified signal and compensating, by a compensating unit capable of adapting its amplification level, for the change in signal amplification level performed at the RH such that the strength of the signal is transparent to the base station system.
US09661685B2 Wireless communication system and communication device therefor
In a wireless communication system for performing a wireless communication based on a time division method between two wireless communication devices, data packets are transmitted from one wireless communication device to another. If the other wireless communication device fails to receive a packet in a correct order or has received a packet that does not coincide with a scheduled packet sequence number, the incorrectly received packet is stored in a storage unit, and released after the packet that is correctly received later so that the packets are obtained in the correct order. When the scheduled packet number fails to be updated in a certain frame, and the scheduled packet fails to be received in a succeeding frame, the other wireless communication device transmits a resend request in the succeeding frame.
US09661683B2 Use of off period of DRX for direct peer to peer communication in a cell
A method and a device for data processing in a cellular network are provided including the step of scheduling data transmission between mobile terminals utilizing a DRX mode of the mobile terminals. Furthermore, a communication system is suggested including said device.
US09661682B2 Methods for multi-point carrier aggregation configuration and data forwarding
Methods of multi-point carrier aggregation configuration and data forwarding are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a primary connection is established between a UE and a primary base station in a primary cell with a first UE-ID. A second connection is configured between the UE and a second base station in a secondary cell with a second UE-ID. Component carriers from the primary and the second connections are configured and aggregated. Mobility management functions are performed on the primary connection. In another embodiment of the current invention, a first UE data is received from a primary connection with a UE connecting to a first base station, a second UE data is received from a second base station. The first UE data and the second UE data are combined. A third UE data from a network entity is distributed to the first and the second base station.
US09661680B2 Methods and devices for efficient connection handling for avoiding a detached state
A method, implemented by a network node, for establishing an efficient dummy network connection between a mobile device and a first network includes establishing at least one data connection between the mobile device and the first network. The method further includes receiving a request to establish the efficient dummy network connection. The method also includes establishing the efficient dummy network connection after receiving the request, where the efficient dummy network connection that is established uses a minimum number of network resources, said minimum number of network resources being less than the number of network resources used in the at least one data connection.
US09661672B2 Communication device, control method, and storage medium
A communication device has a first function for forming a network, a second function for joining a network formed by a first other communication device, and a third function for communicating with a second other communication device that has joined the network formed by the first other communication device, through a direct connection based on the network formed by the first other communication device, when the communication device has joined, using the second function, the network formed by the first other communication device, and controls the third function so as to restrict processing for the direct connection using the third function, when the network has been formed by the first function.
US09661666B2 Apparatus and methods of identity management in a multi-network system
Apparatus and methods of communication include receiving, at a device, a device-specific identifier and a credential associated with an issuing identity provider, wherein an identity of the device is capable of authentication by the identity provider based on the device-specific identifier and the credential. Further, the aspects include storing the device-specific identifier and the credential in a secure environment on the device. Additionally, the device-specific identifier is capable of being associated with different subscriber service accounts each with a different one of a plurality of service providers. The described aspects also include apparatus and methods of an identity provider and a provisioning provider for managing identities in a multiple network environment, and apparatus and methods of a service provider for providing the device with access to a service.
US09661661B2 Primary and secondary cell group configuration
A wireless device receives at least one control message comprising configuration parameters of a plurality of cells grouped into at least a first cell group and a second cell group. The first cell group comprises a first reference cell. The second cell group comprises a second reference cell. The at least one control message comprises a pathloss reference for a secondary cell in the second cell group. The pathloss reference is configurable to one of a) a downlink of the second reference cell and b) a downlink of the secondary cell.
US09661660B2 Radio base station and mobile station
To improve probability of successfully performing transmission processing by a priority terminal and transmission processing of an emergency call even during congestion. A radio base station eNB according to the present invention includes a RA procedure execution unit 11 configured to execute a RA procedure with a mobile station UE when the mobile station UE returns from a DRX state to a non-DRX state. The RA procedure execution unit 11 is configured to transmit a predetermined MAC-CE in response to a MAC-CE received from the mobile station UE in the above RA procedure, when rejecting the return.
US09661659B2 Method and apparatus for receiving signal by station in wireless LAN system
Disclosed is a method for transmitting and receiving a signal by a station (STA) in a wireless LAN system, the method comprising the steps of: performing clear channel assessment (CCA); when electric power equal to or larger than a predetermined level is detected as a result of the CCA, transmitting, to an AP, a request relating to configuration of an interval; and receiving interval information as a response to the request, wherein when the electric power equal to or larger than the predetermined level has resulted from uplink transmission, the received interval information is information synchronized with interval information of a basic service set (BSS) relating to the uplink transmission.
US09661657B2 TCP traffic adaptation in wireless systems
Embodiments described herein relate generally to efficient transmission of data over a radio network between a user equipment (“UE”) and a network node. The UE may adapt packets from TCP to a private protocol and transmit those data packets to the network node. The UE may use ARQ data from link layer circuitry to locally generate TCP ACK data for TCP layer circuitry. At the network node, the private-protocol data packets may be adapted to TCP and transmitted to a remote host over the Internet so that the TCP semantic may be maintained between the UE and the remote host. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09661655B2 Transmitting CQI and ACK/NACK information via a physical uplink channel
A method and apparatus for uplink transmission over a non-contentious shared feedback channel are disclosed, wherein the parameters of the uplink transmission are determined by the parameters of a downlink transmission. A new uplink channel, called a physical shared uplink feedback channel (PSUFCH) is used for uplink transmission such as feedback information in response to a downlink transmission on a fast shared data channel. The content of the feedback information may be general, e.g. an ACK/NACK or a channel quality indicator (CQI). The PSUFCH is transmitted using power ramping that terminates upon reception of a downlink ACK (DLACK) from a Node-B. No ambiguity resolution is required due to the non-contentious and deterministic mapping of the uplink channel resources.
US09661654B2 Apparatus and method for accessing random access channel in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for accessing a Random Access Channel (RACH) at a low-power terminal in a wireless communication system are provided, in which resource allocation information is acquired according to used resource identification information included in system information broadcast from a Base Station (BS), and a random access preamble is transmitted to the BS according to the acquired resource allocation information.
US09661652B2 Efficient receiver yielding for distributed D2D communications
A distributed scheduling scheme for D2D communications is described in which D2D transmitter terminals send transmit requests and D2D receiver terminals respond with bandwidth grant messages if certain interference criteria are met. The described scheme may include a technique for more efficiently scheduling D2D links by having D2D receivers base their decisions as to whether to send a bandwidth grant message on whether or not a higher priority D2D receiver has transmitted a bandwidth grant message.
US09661650B2 Method and apparatus for UL ACK allocation
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate allocation of uplink acknowledgement (ACK) resources for a wireless communication system. Various aspects described herein facilitate explicit creation and transmission of a bundled assignment of downlink communication resources and uplink resources for ACK transmission, thereby facilitating overhead-efficient ACK allocation for users that can communicate pursuant to a persistent resource assignment without requiring scheduling information from an associated control channel. Additionally, indexing schemes for uplink ACK resources are provided herein to facilitate ACK allocation for systems in which both scheduled and persistent users can communicate at a common transmission time interval (TTI).
US09661645B2 Carrier selection and/or reselection
The invention relates to an apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code con-figured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: search for feasible component carriers by measurements, and if at least one feasible component carrier is found, take it into use; select at least one home node for negotiations for obtaining resources, the selection being based on the measurements, and negotiate for obtaining resources, if no feasible component carriers are found; take into use at least one feasible component carrier obtained based on the negotiations, if at least one feasible component carrier is obtained; and take into use at least one component carrier which is closest feasible, if no feasible component carriers are obtained.
US09661639B2 Adaptive filter used for radio resource management
An apparatus (300) for use in a telecommunications system is disclosed. The apparatus (300) comprises a memory (340) and a controller (310). The apparatus (300) is configured to receive a radio frequency signal (150), determine an operating parameter and adapt a first filter function according to at least said operating parameter. The apparatus (300) is further configured to generate a filtered signal (720, 820, 730, 830) by applying said first filter function to a signal associated with the received radio frequency signal and provide said filtered signal (720, 82, 70, 830) for radio resource management.
US09661635B2 Communication control method, base station, user terminal, processor, and non-transitory storage medium for inter-terminal communication
A communication control method used in a cellular mobile communication system that supports inter-terminal communication that is direct radio communication capable of being performed between user terminals in a state where a radio connection with a network is established, comprises a step of transmitting, by a base station, maximum power information indicating maximum transmission power permitted in the inter-terminal communication.
US09661634B2 Systems and methods for improved communication efficiency in high efficiency wireless networks
Methods and apparatus for wireless communication are provided. In one aspect, a method for wireless communication includes generating a clear to send message comprising a specific medium access control address (MAC) identifiable by a first subset of a plurality of wireless devices as instructing not to update an associated network allocation vector according to a duration field in the clear to send message. The specific MAC address is not identifiable by a second subset of the plurality of wireless devices such that the second subset of the plurality of wireless devices are instructed to update an associated network allocation vector according to the duration field. The method further includes transmitting the message, thereby reserving wireless communication access for the first subset of the plurality of wireless devices. The specific MAC address is included in one or more address fields of a medium access control header of the message.
US09661631B2 Communication device and communication method, computer program, and communication system for multiplexing and transmitting a variable-length frame
A communication operation is suitably performed with application of Space Division Multiple Access in which wireless resources on a space axis are shared by a plurality of users.If a frequency width is narrowed to 20 MHz when the communication quality is high, the amount of transmittable data can be about half, and the frame length can be doubled. If the frame length is rather excessively long, switching is performed to a modulation scheme with the greater number of states to shorten the frame length. On the other hand, when the communication quality is low, switching is performed to a modulation scheme with the smaller number of states to lengthen the frame length. When the frame length is still insufficient, switching is performed to a narrow frequency width to lengthen the frame length.
US09661629B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting data frame in WLAN system
A method of transmitting a data frame by a station in a wireless local area network (WLAN), A station obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) for a bandwidth. The TXOP indicates an interval of time during which the station has a right to initiate frame exchange sequences onto a wireless medium. The station selects a transmit bandwidth parameter of a non-initial data unit of a plurality of data units from available bandwidth parameters. The available bandwidth parameters include a first available bandwidth parameter which is same as a transmit bandwidth parameter of a preceding data unit of the plurality of data units and a second available bandwidth parameter which is narrower than a transmit bandwidth parameter of the preceding data unit. The station transmits, during the TXOP, the non-initial data unit according to the transmit bandwidth parameter of the non-initial data unit.
US09661626B2 Method and system for utilizing standardized interface in a wireless device to discover and use local and remote resources
A wireless mobile communication (WMC) device may discover available networks, and available local and/or remote resources. The WMC device may configure routes utilizing one or more of discovered resources and one or more available networks. The routes may be utilized to performed operations requested via the WMC device. A standardized language and/or protocol may be utilized in discovering and/or communicating with available resources and/or networks. The standardized language and/or protocol may enable commonality among the discovered networks and/or resources, and encryption of data communicated through the established routes. The standardized language and/or protocol may be updated and/or modified to incorporate new resources either by direct interactions between the new resources and the WMC device, or via existing available resources and/or networks. The discovery of resources and/or establishment of routes may be user-triggered, or it may be based on user preference information.
US09661623B2 Method and apparatus for performing EPDCCH resource element mapping in communication network
The application provides for performing resource element mapping of an ePDCCH for user equipments served by a base station. The base station determines resource element mapping patterns for user equipments and performs resource element mapping based upon determined resource element mapping patterns. Resource element mapping is performed for the ePDCCH by excluding resource elements corresponding to a legacy signal or by puncturing the resource elements corresponding to the legacy signal; then the base station sends information about the resource element mapping patterns determined for user equipments and a downlink control signaling to the user equipments. The application also provides for: performing ePDCCH decoding in a user equipment of a communication network; in a base station of a communication network, notifying a user equipment of a size of an enhanced resource element group; in a base station of a communication network, notifying a user equipment of a mapping pattern.
US09661619B2 Multiplexing of channel state information and hybrid automatic repeat request—acknowledgement information
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe devices, methods, computer-readable media and systems configurations for multiplexing channel state information and hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement information. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09661617B2 Determination method and device for resources in physical uplink control channel
A method and apparatus for determining resources in a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) are disclosed. The method includes: an apparatus determining a channel resource index of the PUCCH according to physical resources of an enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (ePDCCH), wherein, the PUCCH is used for carrying positive acknowledgement/negative acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) information about a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) indicated by the ePDCCH; and the physical resources of the ePDCCH include: any one or more of a physical resource block, an enhanced control channel element and an antenna port index. The embodiments of the present document can ensure the compatibility between an LTE-Advanced system and an LTE Release-8 system, and facilitate improving the system capacity and the scheduling flexibility of the LTE-Advanced system, thereby enabling an LTE-Advanced terminal to obtain a maximum frequency selectivity gain.
US09661616B2 Channel quality information reporting in protected subframes
The present invention relates to reporting the channel state information in a communication system. The channel state information is reported from the user terminal to a base station. Accordingly, the user terminal determines a first channel state information value from a first set of values (levels) and a second channel state information value from another set of values, preferably a larger set of values. Then a difference or other relative measure is calculated between the first and the second channel state information value and transmitted to the base station.
US09661597B2 Method and device for deregistering terminal peripheral
A method and device for deregistering a terminal peripheral are provided. The method comprises: a gateway sends the request message for deregistering the terminal peripheral to the terminal peripheral; and the gateway deletes registration information of the terminal peripheral stored by the gateway. By means of the disclosure, the technical problem of the storage resource waste in the related art is solved where the gateway cannot deregister the terminal peripheral, thereby achieving the technical effect of deregistering the terminal peripheral and saving the storage resource.
US09661590B2 Methods, apparatus and systems for handling additional power backoff
Methods, apparatus and systems are described for a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to manage its transmission power. A power headroom report (PHR) may be triggered based on changes to backoff or the impacts of backoff. Additional backoff may be used to calculate a maximum output power of the WTRU and may be indicated by a domination indicator to network resources. The WTRU may be configured to eliminate triggers caused by virtual PHRs. Furthermore, the WTRU may be configured to respond to rapid changes to backoff.
US09661584B2 Uplink power control method, base station and user equipment
A method includes: sending, by a user equipment (UE), uplink test signaling to transceivers for serving the UE, so that the transceivers calculate receive power of the uplink test signaling by testing the uplink test signaling; receiving, by the UE, the receive power of the uplink test signaling and transmit power of a common reference signal (CRS) from the transceivers; receiving and testing, by the UE, the CRS sent by the transceivers to obtain receive power of the CRS; calculating, by the UE, uplink path losses on paths between the UE and the transceivers according to the receive power of the uplink test signaling, the transmit power of the CRS, and the receive power of the CRS; calculating, by the UE, an aggregate path loss according to the uplink path losses on paths between the UE and the transceivers; and calculating, by the UE, uplink transmit power according to the aggregate path loss.
US09661583B2 Reverse link initial power setting using effective radiated power message to compute path loss
In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a reference signal including pilot information is transmitted from a base station to one or multiple field units over a pilot channel. A message is also sent to the field units over a paging channel to indicate an effective radiated power level at which the reference signal is transmitted on the pilot channel. Based on a received power level of the reference signal at a field unit and the effective radiated power level of the reference signal, a forward path loss is estimated at the field unit for the forward link between the base station and field unit. Assuming the path loss in the reverse link is approximately the same as the estimated forward link path loss, the field unit can transmit, a reply message in the reverse link so that the base station generally receives a message at-a desired power level.
US09661582B2 Controlling radio transmitter power based on signal performance
Embodiments herein include a method of controlling the total power with which a radio transmitter of a radio access node transmits a signal. The method entails inputting an input signal into a power amplifier of the radio transmitter to produce, as a function of the input signal, an output signal to be transmitted by the radio transmitter. The method further entails generating a feedback signal from the output signal at the radio transmitter, and measuring that feedback signal to obtain one or more performance metrics that characterize performance of the output signal. The method finally includes comparing the one or more performance metrics to one or more performance metric thresholds, and controlling a maximum permissible level of the total power of the input signal, based on that comparison.
US09661581B2 Power control in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a method for power control in a wireless communication system comprising at least one mobile station and N number of coordinated reception points with indices n=1, . . . , N, with the coordinated reception points being spatially separated and adapted for receiving transmissions from the mobile station, the method comprising the steps of: estimating a propagation loss metric LUL for the mobile station, the propagation loss metric LUL being a weighted sum of individual propagation losses Ln from the mobile station to the coordinated reception points expressed in dB multiplied with associated weights wn; and using propagation loss metric LUL for power control of mobile station. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method in a network control device, a method in a mobile station, a computer program, a computer program product, a network control device and a mobile station device.
US09661579B1 Per-tone power control in OFDM
A first communication device calculates channel state information (CSI), and based on the CSI, (i) determines a first signal attenuation level corresponding to signals transmitted over a first sub-carrier frequency signal, and (ii) determines a second signal attenuation level corresponding to signals transmitted over a second sub-carrier frequency signal. The first communication device transmits data encoded over the first sub-carrier frequency and the second and second sub-carrier frequency to a second communication device by (i) increasing power loaded to signals transmitted over a sub-carrier frequency from among the first sub-carrier frequency and the second sub-carrier frequency that is associated with greater signal attenuation, and (ii) decreasing power loaded to signals transmitted over a sub-carrier frequency from among the first sub-carrier frequency and the second sub-carrier frequency that is associated with lesser signal attenuation.
US09661576B2 Radio transmitting apparatus and radio receiving apparatus to monitor residual capacity of a battery
A radio apparatus that allows a user to check a state of a power supply is provided. A radio transmitting apparatus 10 includes a power supply voltage measurement unit 11 that measures a power supply voltage, a transmission power determination unit 12 that determines a transmission power based on the power supply voltage that has been measured, and a radio transmitting unit 13 that transmits by radio an advertisement packet including transmission power information indicating the transmission power that has been determined at the transmission power that has been determined. A radio receiving apparatus 20 includes a radio receiving unit 23 that receives the advertisement packet and a power supply state detection unit 21 that detects the state of the power supply of the radio transmitting apparatus 10 based on the transmission power information included in the advertisement packet.
US09661567B2 Method, apparatus and system for service establishment for multi-mode user equipment
The embodiments of the present invention provide a method, an apparatus and a system for service establishment for a multi-mode user equipment. In an embodiments of the present invention, a centralized control entity (Controller) may obtain the base station information of the respective base stations in the multi-RAT network in real time and select proper RAT base station information in accordance with service demand of the user equipment, so as to initiate bearer establishment for the service. Compared with the prior art which only aims at a particular service and handover can only be performed in particular RAT networks, the present solution does not has particular limitation on a service, and moreover, a proper RAT network may be selected from multiple RAT networks more flexibly for each service without increasing power consumption of the user equipment.
US09661565B2 Method and apparatus for providing flow mobility in radio access system supporting multi-rat
A method for a terminal transreceiving data in a radio access system that supports RAT with a first base station that supports a first RAT and a second base station that supports a second RAT, includes the following steps: adding a first service flow through a dynamic service process with the first base station; receiving from the first base station a second system command message for directing connection with the second base station, wherein the second system command message includes either disconnection time information which expresses disconnection time from the first service flow or action time information which expresses the beginning of connection to the first service flow; disconnecting from the first base station and the first service flow, according to the disconnection time information; and transreceiving data pertaining to the first service flow with the second base station.
US09661557B2 Cell selection using enhanced general neighbor list methods
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate providing neighbor lists to devices comprising pilot frequencies of access points in a specific geographic region. Using the neighbor list, the devices can discover the access points based on scanning the frequencies for the pilot and can determine additional communication parameters from the discovery or based on a subsequent request resulting from discovery. In this regard, access point information need not be provisioned to the devices for locating the access points, selecting/reselecting the access points, providing the access points in a list to an interface, locating the device using triangulation based on GPS position of the access points, and/or the like.
US09661555B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting management information frame in wireless local area network system
A method for reporting load information in a wireless local area network system, and a device therefore are discussed. The method according to one embodiment includes transmitting basic service set (BSS) load information, the BSS load information including a multi user (MU) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) capable station count field, a first utilization field and a second utilization field. In addition, the MU-MIMO capable station count field indicates a total number of stations with MU reception capability currently associated with a BSS managed by the AP. Additionally, the first utilization field includes information about an interval during which a 40 MHz channel width is busy. Lastly, the second utilization field include information about an interval during which a 80 MHz channel width is busy.
US09661554B2 Proximity detection
A method of detecting a proximity to a target device. The method comprises scanning a wireless network frequency band in a personal mobile device to discover at least one wireless network signal, triggering, in response to a discovery of the at least one wireless network signal, a magnetic field scan of a magnetometer operated by the personal mobile device, detecting, in the personal mobile device, according to the magnetic field scan, a presence or an absence of a magnetic field signature associated with a predefined proximity to a target device.
US09661553B2 Determining network availability based on geographical location
A mobile terminal comprising: a positioning module arranged to determine a geographical location of the mobile terminal; a local transceiver for connecting to local wireless access networks; and processing apparatus for communicating with a first, packet-based network by forming connections with the wireless local area networks using the local transceiver. The processing apparatus is configured to determine measures of connection quality experienced by the mobile terminal on ones of the connections, and to record the determined measures in a database associating measures of connection quality with geographical locations. The processing apparatus is further configured to control activation of the local transceiver to scan for subsequent availability of one or more of the wireless local area networks, in dependence on one or more of the measures of connection quality and associated geographical locations in the database relative to the geographical location of the mobile terminal as determined by the positioning module.
US09661551B2 Data transmission in mobile ad-hoc network
Techniques are generally described related to a mobile ad-hoc network. One example method for transmitting data from a source node to a destination node in a mobile ad-hoc network may include receiving a route reply packet from a first node by a second node; identifying the route reply packet as an overheard route reply packet by the second node; adding a first routing entry in a routing table of the second node and the first routing entry being associated with the overheard route reply packet by the second node; broadcasting a routing entry added message associated with the first routing entry by the second node; receiving data transmitted from a third node and the data being transmitted by the third node responsive to the routing entry added message by the second node; and sending data received from the third node towards the destination node via an active route established based on the first routing entry in the routing table of the second node by the second node.
US09661532B2 Apparatuses and methods for handling inter-Radio Access Technology (inter-RAT) mobility
A mobile communications device with a wireless module and a controller module is provided. The wireless module performs wireless transmissions and receptions to and from a first service network being an LTE system. The controller module receives, from the first service network, a handover request message for handing over from the first service network to a second service network via the wireless module, and determines whether all configurations in the handover request message are compliable or whether there is a protocol error in the handover request message. Particularly, the second service network utilizes a wireless technology other than the LTE technology, and the handover request message is a MobilityFromEUTRACommand message. Also, the controller module transmits a connection re-establishment request message indicating a reconfiguration failure to the first service network via the wireless module, in response to one of the determinations is positive.
US09661531B2 Method and apparatus for cell reselection
A method of reselecting a mobile wireless communication device to a network subsystem before initiating a connection with a wireless communication network. A connection request is received by the mobile wireless communication device in response to a user input. Attributes of signals received by the mobile wireless communication device from multiple network subsystems in the wireless communication network are measured over a period of time. The mobile wireless communication device is associated with one of the network subsystems and not associated with other network subsystems. The mobile wireless communication device reselects to one of the network subsystems based on quality metrics generated from the measured received signal attributes. After reselection, the mobile wireless communication device initiates a connection through the reselected network subsystem.
US09661530B2 Data traffic bearer selection based on backhaul statistics
An apparatus, system, and method for selecting a connection for a real time application. In one embodiment, a mobile device may communicate with a cellular network over a cellular connection and a WiFi network over a WiFi connection. The mobile device may determine backhaul data of the WiFi connection. The mobile device may generate a plurality of statistics from the backhaul data to generate backhaul statistics. Based on the plurality of statistics passing one or more thresholds, the mobile device may select the WiFi connection for use in a real-time application of the mobile device.
US09661529B2 Congestion mitigation for roamers
The present disclosure is directed at systems, methods and media for mitigating congestion for roamers in a wireless access network. In some embodiments, Radio Access Network (RAN) congestion information is reported from a base station to a RAN Congestion Awareness Function (RCAF) of a visited network. The RCAF can mitigate congestion by controlling Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for roaming User Equipment (UE) in a congested cell. The RCAF can further communicate with the Mobility Management Entity (MME) of the visited cell and the Policy Charging and Rules Function (PCRF) of the UE's home network. The RCAF can relieve congestion for roamers without informing the home network of the congestion at the cell.
US09661527B2 Method for detecting failures of random access procedures
A method of performing a random access channel (RACH) procedure between a mobile terminal and a network includes the steps of detecting whether a random access response (RAR) is received from the network within a certain time period, the RAR including information about a random access channel (RACH) preamble transmitted to the network; and if the RAR is not received within the certain time period or if the information about the transmitted RACH preamble included in the RAR does not match the transmitted RACH preamble, performing a first procedure to detect failures in the RACH procedure; and if the RAR is received within the certain time period and if the information about the transmitted RACH preamble included in the RAR matches the transmitted RACH preamble, performing a second procedure to detect failures in the RACH procedure.
US09661526B2 Method and device for transmitting and receiving data in mobile communication system
The present specification relates to a communication method and a communication device, and a random access method of a user equipment (UE), according to one embodiment of the present specification, comprises the steps of: sensing a random access trigger in a connected state; determining the type of the random access trigger when the random access trigger is sensed; and performing congestion control if the type of the random access trigger is a preset type.
US09661523B1 Method and apparatus for dynamically adapting a transmission rate of a wireless communication device in a wireless network
A first wireless communication device including a distance determination module. The distance determination module is configured to calculate a distance between the first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device. The first wireless communication device is configured to communicate with the second wireless communication device at one of a plurality of available data rates. A rate selection module is configured to select, based on the distance between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device, a first data rate from the plurality of available data rates and/or adjust, based on the distance, the first data rate. The adjusted first data rate corresponds to a second data rate selected from the plurality of available data rates. A transceiver is configured to communicate with the second wireless communication device at the first data rate and/or the second data rate.
US09661520B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting channel measurement information in mobile communication system
A method and apparatus for transmitting channel measurement information in a mobile communication system are disclosed. The method and apparatus enable a user equipment to log channel measurement information and transmit the same to a base station so as to enhance radio network performance and reduce processing complexity of the user equipment by removing unnecessary operations of the user equipment and preventing waste of radio network capacity during transmission of channel measurement information.
US09661517B2 Systems and methods for mobility testing of MU-MIMO
Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide communication test systems for the mobility testing of multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) radio frequency wireless data communication devices, systems and networks. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a test system containing an MU-MIMO traffic generator and analyzer is disclosed that includes a mobility effects scheduler operative in conjunction with a channel impairment simulator to perform tests related to mobile MU-MIMO devices such as wireless clients and terminals. Such a test system may offer improved capabilities, such as flexible measurements of mobility performance, more accurate assessments of MU-MIMO wireless channel utilization and data throughput, measurements on MU-MIMO devices under mobility stress, and automated measurements of MU-MIMO mobility testing.
US09661516B2 Method and apparatus for performing measurement in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for performing measurement are disclosed. The method for performing radio link monitoring by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system includes: performing cancellation of a reference signal (RS) of a neighbor cell; and determining whether to declare a radio link failure (RLF) on the basis of a reference signal (RS) of a serving cell by using information of a predetermined power ratio related to the neighbor cell.
US09661514B2 System and method for adjusting communication parameters
The disclosed embodiments include a network management system for managing communications of a wireless device. The network management system includes memory for storing data and executable instructions; and a processing component in communication with the memory. In one embodiment, the processing component configured to execute the executable instructions to perform operations such as, but not limited to, receiving network performance information from a plurality of wireless access points; and sending an instruction to the wireless device that modifies at least one wireless connectivity parameter of the wireless device to improve communications on the wireless device based on the network performance information.
US09661512B2 Device and a method for the testing of electronic equipment with a spatially separate control unit
A device for testing electronic equipment comprising a measuring unit with a connection unit for the input and output of signals to a device under test, and a first processor, and a control unit, spatially separate from the measuring unit, that includes a second processor. The first processor and/or the second processor implement the control of the measurement procedure and the evaluation of the measured signals. The device control unit includes a remote-control unit for the remote control of the measuring unit.
US09661509B2 Low mobility states and procedures
Mobility states are defined in order to prevent excess signaling overhead and to conserve power on a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) in a wireless network. The WTRU may determine that is operating in a low mobility state based on triggers related to the frequency of movement of the WTRU between network cells. The WTRU may change cells less frequently in a low or no mobility state than in a normal mobility state. Upon determining that the WTRU is in the low or no mobility state, the WTRU may configure mobility procedures associated with the low or no mobility state in order to conserve power and other network resources. The WTRU may coordinate its mobility state with the network.
US09661507B2 Communication control device, communication control method, and terminal device
A communication control device including: an acquisition unit configured to acquire band use information indicating which cell of a macro cell and a small cell partially or entirely overlapping with the macro cell uses each of a plurality of frequency bands used by one of the macro cell and the small cell; and a communication control unit configured to notify a terminal device of the band use information. The communication control device improves radio communication of a terminal device when a small cell is disposed.
US09661506B2 Transceiver architecture for multiple antenna systems
A transceiver architecture with combined digital beamforming and analog/hybrid beamforming is proposed. Digital beamforming is used for beam training with reduced overhead (switching time). It is beneficial to estimate all UE's angle of arrival (AoA) at the same time. In addition, the pilot/training signals are transmitted in a narrow band to reduce complexity. Analog/hybrid beamforming is used for data transmission with high directive gain and low complexity. The value of beamforming weights (phase shifter values) in analog domain can be based on the estimation of AoA from beam training. By using digital beamforming for beam training, combined with analog/hybrid beamforming for data transmission, effective beamforming is achieved with reduced overhead, complexity, and cost.
US09661505B2 Surface-wave communications and methods thereof
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system including a frequency mixer that combines a signal and a carrier wave to form a combined signal, and a transmitter that generates a transmission based on the combined signal. The system can also include a coupling device that emits the transmission as an electromagnetic wave guided by an outer surface of a transmission medium. The electromagnetic wave can propagate longitudinally along the surface of the transmission medium and at least partially around the surface of the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09661503B2 Spectrum-efficient secondary users grouping method for two-tier cognitive radio networks
The spectrum-efficient secondary users grouping method for two-tier cognitive radio groups femtocell base stations (FBSs) and macrocell secondary users (MSUs) into non-interfering groups based on their GPS location information, and then serves the FBSs/MSUs within each group using the same channel. A first approach for grouping the secondary users (SUs) is distance-based. A second approach utilizes profit maximization. Both approaches are extended to a co-channel deployment scenario where the FBSs can share part of the channels purchased for the MSUs to further reduce the number of channels to be purchased from the PU networks. The distance-based grouping method finds the minimum number of groups such that the desired quality of service (QoS) determined by an outage probability threshold is maintained. The profit maximization method tries to find the set of SUs that maximizes the expected total profit of the SU network.
US09661502B2 SMS fraud detection
A receiving network detects fraudulent messages received via a grey route. At a start of a session, a message delivery request is sent to a Short Message Service (SMS) node in the receiving network. This sends a request to a Home Location Register (HLR) of a supposedly originating network for routing information concerning an originator. Upon receiving a response from the HLR, it requests validation of retrieved information, to validate both the originator and the originating network. The SMS node also makes an HLR look-up for a recipient, before performing message delivery.
US09661501B2 Mobile terminal and method for controlling the same
The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal and a method of controlling therefor. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the mobile terminal can include a display unit, a sensing unit configured to sense an input signal and a controller, the controller, if a first input signal is sensed in a state that the display unit is inactivated, configured to enter a first unlock mode, the controller, if the first input signal is sensed in a state that the display unit is activated, configured to enter a second unlock mode. In this case, at least a part is different from each other between contents provided in the first unlock mode and contents provided in the second unlock mode.
US09661500B2 Method and its apparatus for blocking access of unauthorized device
A method and server for blocking access of an unauthorized device in a wireless communication system are provided. The method of the server includes receiving a report in which at least one unauthorized equipment is detected from at least one sensor; determining the at least one sensor to allocate each of the detected at least one unauthorized equipment based on at least one of a number of the at least one unauthorized equipment and a number of channels allocated to each of the at least one sensor; and requesting access blocking of the at least one unauthorized equipment allocated to a corresponding at least one sensor to the determined at least one sensor.
US09661498B2 System and method for selection of security algorithms
A method and apparatus for managing security for a connection between a user device and a communications network comprising at least one base station and a core network is provided. The method includes processing, at the core network, the security capability information for the user device and the security capability information for the first base station to select a plurality of preferred security policies for a connection between the user device and the first base station. The method also includes transmitting the selected plurality of preferred security policies to the first base station as a list of preferred security policies from which said base station can select a security policy.
US09661492B2 Wireless device, network node, and methods therein for sending a message comprising one or more populated fields
A method performed by a wireless device (130) for sending a message comprising one or more populated fields (704, 801, 901) to a network node (110). The wireless device (130) and the network node (110) operate in a wireless communications network (100). The wireless device (130) populates (701) one or more fields (704, 801, 901) comprised in an existing message to be sent to the network node (110) with an indication of a restriction of the wireless device (130). The wireless device (130) also sends (702) the message comprising the one or more populated fields (704, 801, 901) to the network node (110) prior to an enquiry or a fetching of category and capability information of the wireless device (130) by the network node (110).
US09661491B1 Communicating information about an update of an application
In a computer-implemented method for communicating information about an update of an application, a digital distribution platform can receive, at a first time, the update of the application. The digital distribution platform can receive, at a second time, a signal from a user device. The signal can include a request to receive a transmission of a user interface customized for a user account. The digital distribution platform can automatically determine, in response to receipt of the request to receive the transmission of the user interface customized for the user account, that the application was downloaded, at a third time, to the user device. The digital distribution platform can automatically generate, in response to the second time being later than the first time, the user interface. The user interface can include the information about the update.
US09661490B2 System and method for identifying operational disruptions in mobile computing devices
A system and method for discovering fault conditions such as conflicts between applications and an operating system, driver, hardware, or a combination thereof, installed in mobile computing devices uses a mobile device running a diagnostic application. A list of applications that were launched or installed during a time period prior to an operational disruption is retrieved. A data table of combinations of incompatible programs and drivers is used to analyze the list of the applications that were launched or installed to create a list of potential fault-causing interactions due to software incompatibilities of software installed in the mobile computing device. A knowledge database is updated with data identifying at least one of the potential fault-causing interactions. Further disclosed is a computer program that identifies hardware-created or software-created problems and operational disruptions in mobile computing devices by collecting data on incompatibilities in particular mobile computing devices on the internet.
US09661485B2 Method and apparatus for indicating discovery signal resources in device-to-device wireless communications
Methods and apparatuses are provided for indicating a discovery signal resource by a User Equipment (UE) performing device-to-device communication. The UE receives information relating to the device-to-device communication from a base station. A synchronization signal including discovery signal-related information, is transmitted from the UE to a nearby UE, based on the information relating to the device-to-device communication. A discovery is performed based on the discovery signal-related information.
US09661481B2 System, method, and computer-readable medium for indirect routing of mobile-originated SMS messages for a mobile station attached with an IP-femtocell system
A system, method, and computer readable medium that facilitate indirect routing of mobile-originated short messages for a mobile station attached with a femtocell system are provided. A convergence server uses indirect routing for delivery of a short message. The MS may elect to use a traffic or paging channel for delivery of the short message. If the MS selects the traffic channel for delivery of the message and if there is no existing traffic channel, the MS may first attempt to establish a traffic channel. If an active traffic channel is already established between the mobile station and the femtocell system, the mobile station sends the message to the femtocell system which, in turn, forwards the message to the convergence server. If the MS elects to send the message over a paging channel, the MS sends the message along with authentication data to the femtocell system that first performs authentication and subsequently forwards the message to the convergence server which, in turn, forwards the short message to the home message center.
US09661478B2 Method and apparatus for implementing trunking group call service
A method and an apparatus for implementing a group call service. A user equipment of the trunking group call service receives group configuration information and a downlink assignment message and/or an uplink grant message from an evolved cell. The user equipment saves the group configuration information and the downlink assignment message and/or the uplink grant message. If the user equipment is in a group receive state at different points of time, trunking group call service data is saved by sharing a downlink resource, indicated by the downlink assignment message, with another user equipment in the group in a semi-persistent scheduling manner according to the group configuration information.
US09661476B2 Method and apparatus for facilitating multicast service
A method is provided for facilitating multicast service. The method may include receiving data multicast to members of a multicast group. The method may further include determining, based at least in part on an indication received during multicast of the data, that a late joining device has joined the multicast group subsequent to initiation of the multicast. The method may additionally include marking, based at least in part on the received indication, a point at which the late joining device began to participate in the multicast. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.
US09661473B1 Methods and apparatus for determining locations of devices in confined spaces
A location device (e.g., realized at one or more of a mobile device and/or a location server) includes a wireless transceiver, one or more location sensors and a floor-plan of a venue. The location device determines a plurality of hypothetical locations of a mobile device in the venue in response to data sets provided by the one or more location sensors. The data sets are associated with obstacle indication values calculated for the venue or for regions of the venue including locations corresponding to the data sets. The obstacle indication values indicate the proximity or orientation of the obstacle edges in the region or in the venue. The location device refines the one or more hypothetical locations based on the obstacle indication values to provide an estimate of the current location of the mobile device.
US09661470B1 Methods and systems for locating an actor within an environment
Examples methods and systems for locating an actor in an environment are described herein. For example, an information system may receive point cloud data representing a cluster of potential actors at a location in the environment. In addition, the information system may also receive location information from a device indicating that the current location of the device is proximate to the location of the cluster of potential actors. Based on movement information from the device that indicates movements of the device, the information system may determine a portion of the point cloud data that displays movements that matches the movement of the device. Using the determined portion of the point cloud, the information system may identify a particular actor of the cluster that corresponds to the device and provide an output signal indicating that the determined portion of the point cloud represents the identified particular actor.
US09661468B2 System and method for converting gestures into digital graffiti
The subject disclosure provides a device, computer readable storage medium, and method for converting gestures undergone by a device into digital graffiti. The disclosure includes ascertaining an orientation of the device and a path traversed by the device. Gestures undergone by the device are identified as a function of the orientation and the path. Digital graffiti corresponding to the gestures are then superimposed onto a digital canvas.
US09661467B2 System and method for indoor location mapping and tracking
Implementations of the present disclosure involve a system and/or method for indoor mapping. The indoor mapping system may receive wireless signals from wireless devices located in an area and create a wireless signal fingerprint that identifies each signal and the strength of the signal. A user may identify the location that the wireless signal fingerprint was taken on a geo-referenced map. After the wireless signal fingerprints for an area have been mapped, a user may determine a location by taking a wireless signal fingerprint and comparing the wireless signal fingerprint to previously taken wireless signal fingerprints.
US09661466B1 Navigation using sensor fusion
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for resolving erroneous movement signals and for providing navigation instructions. One of the methods includes receiving data from two or more sensors, synchronizing the received data, determining a first subset of the synchronized data from the camera for a particular period of time and a second subset of the synchronized data from the other sensor for the particular period of time, comparing the first subset with the second subset to determine whether the first subset and the second subset indicate an erroneous movement signal, based on determining that the first subset and the second subset indicate an erroneous movement signal, selecting data for one of the sensors based on a sensor priority scheme for the sensors, and resolving the erroneous movement signal based on the selected data for the one of the sensors.
US09661465B2 Location determining scheme
A method performed under control of a mobile device may include receiving at least one probe response from at least one Wi-Fi access point; determining whether a number of the at least one Wi-Fi access point satisfies a predetermined condition; adjusting a signal transmission power of a probe request, when the determining indicates that the number of the at least one Wi-Fi access point does not satisfy the predetermined condition; and transmitting the probe request with the adjusted signal transmission power.
US09661463B2 Crowd congestion detection
An approach for crowd congestion detection, the approach determines one or more selected locations. The approach determines a frequency spectrum history of one or more users within the one or more selected locations. The approach determines a location of the one or more users within the one or more selected locations. The approach determines a frequency spectrum of the one or more users within the one or more selected locations. The approach determines a crowding measure for the one or more selected locations based, at least in part, on the frequency spectrum history and the frequency spectrum of the one or more users within the one or more selected locations. The approach ranks the one or more selected locations based, at least in part, on the crowding measure.
US09661455B2 Method, apparatus, and computer program product for real time location system referencing in physically and radio frequency challenged environments
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media are disclosed for improving, in some examples, reference in a location system. In one embodiment, a method is provided comprising: receiving reference tag blink data from a plurality of receivers; calculating, using a processor, a reference phase offset between the plurality of receivers; and generating a suspended reference phase offset table, wherein a suspended reference phase offset table is generated by causing the reference phase offset to be stored in a memory for later tag location calculations.
US09661454B2 Communication apparatus that communicates with information processing apparatus, method of controlling communication apparatus, and storage medium
A communication apparatus communication apparatus capable of performing communication by quickly determining a suitable communication path from among a plurality of communication paths. A digital camera searches for a predetermined device connected to the same network, and transmits content data to the predetermined device found by the search. The digital camera is controlled according to one of a plurality of modes including a first control mode in which when a first time period elapses without the predetermined device being found, after starting the search, the search is stopped, and a second control mode in which, when a second time period elapses without the predetermined device being found, after starting the search, the search is stopped, and the content data is transmitted to a cloud server. The second time period is shorter than the first time period.
US09661453B2 Intelligent golf course
An intelligent golf course system comprising at least a network comprised of nodes and deployed on a golf course, the golf course comprising a series of holes or playing areas; The golf course system includes a means for determining the physical location of a node on the golf course, a means for tracking a change in a physical location of a node on the golf course, and a portable display unit configured to display information to a user. At least some portion of the network communicates using a wireless communication means and wherein the information at least includes a distance from the display unit to a node on the golf course.
US09661450B2 NFC receiver architecture with improved power sensitivity
An electronic communication device includes an antenna configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal and generate a differential current signal. A mixer circuit is configured to downconvert a differential voltage to generate an output voltage. The differential voltage is generated from the differential current signal, and the output voltage is used for detecting the RF signal.
US09661446B2 Near field communications (NFC) coil with embedded wireless antenna
Described herein are techniques related to near field coupling and WLAN dual-band operations. For example, a WLAN dual-band utilizes the same coil antenna that is utilized for near field communications (NFC) functions. The WLAN dual-band may be integrated into an NFC module to form a single module.
US09661444B2 Regulation and load modulation in a near field communication device
A near field communications (NFC) device is disclosed that load modulates and regulates a radio frequency (RF) signal. The NFC device includes a rectifier that rectifies the RF signal to provide a direct current voltage. The NFC device also includes a modulator that modulates a data signal. The modulator provides a first voltage when the data signal is at a first level and provides a second voltage when the data signal is at a second level. The NFC device utilizes a regulator to regulate and to load modulate the RF signal. The regulator adjusts an impedance based upon a comparison of the DC voltage provided by the regulator to the first voltage provided by the modulator for the data signal at the first level or to the second voltage provided by the modulator for the data signal at the second level.
US09661442B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting digital contents
The invention discloses a method for transmitting digital contents between devices. First digital contents are modulated into an audio signal in a first device, wherein the first digital contents include contact information and at least one index of at least one second digital content. The audio signal is outputted by at least one audio generator of the first device and then received by at least one audio receiver of a second device. The audio signal is demodulated in the second device to make the second device obtain the first digital contents. The second device obtains the at least one second digital content according to the at least one index of the at least one second digital contents through a wired or wireless communication.
US09661437B2 Signal processing apparatus, signal processing method, and program
A signal processing apparatus includes: an audio image localization processing unit performing audio image localization processing on a sound signal of each frequency band for each channel of the sound signal based on information used to determine an audio image localization position of each frequency band; and a mixing unit mixing the sound signals of the respective channels subjected to the audio image localization processing by the audio image localization processing unit.
US09661435B2 Loudness meter and loudness metering method
A dual loudness meter is disclosed, simultaneously displaying the current loudness of an audio signal and of a processed audio signal, and also displaying the previous loudness of both audio signals.
US09661428B2 System for configuration and management of live sound system
A computing system automates the configuration and management of a live sound system that includes a processor and memory for building in a GUI of a display a representation of the live sound system for a venue. The system loads a venue template that includes loudspeaker arrays and related properties including a setup configuration of the loudspeaker arrays and tuning data for constituent loudspeakers that are operable to provide an audio coverage pattern for the venue. The system overlays on top of the representation of the loudspeaker arrays a wiring circuit representation indicating interconnections of the loudspeakers that define bandpass inputs for each array. The system generates a plurality of amplifiers in the representation to drive the arrays, and associates amplifier channels of the amplifiers with the bandpass inputs. The amplifier channels include representations of output channels of DSPs coupled with respective amplifier channels. The system loads tuning data into respective representation of the DSP and/or amplifiers based on configurations of the associated loudspeakers to complete virtual configuration. The representations of the devices and connections may be matched with physical devices of the live sound system and the tuning data sent down to the physical DSPs and/or amplifiers for their configuration.
US09661425B2 Method and apparatus for rendering audio in wireless hearing instruments
An audio system such as a hearing assistance system includes an audio source device wirelessly communicating with one or more audio sink (destination) devices. The audio source and sink devices each include a sample clock for processing audio signal that is digitized and wirelessly transmitted. The sample clock of each of the one or more audio sink devices is synchronized to the sample clock of the audio source device to prevent audio sample over-runs or under-runs causing undesirable audio artifacts. In one embodiment, because audio packets may be lost in transmission, packet loss concealment techniques are used to improve audio reproduction. In one embodiment, link layer information is used for audio phase lock loop jitter reduction in the audio system.
US09661420B2 Moving coil motor arrangement with a sound outlet for reducing magnetic particle ingress in transducers
An electromechanical transducer including a magnetic circuit having a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field and a magnetic gap into which a voice coil associated with a diaphragm is at least partially inserted, the magnetic field having a primary flux component and a secondary flux component. The transducer further including a housing positioned around the magnetic circuit, the housing having an acoustic spout whose sound outlet opening is positioned outside of a portion of the magnetic field that is dominated by the primary flux component. A transducer including an enclosure having a top wall, a bottom wall, at least one side wall connecting the top wall to the bottom wall and an acoustic spout extending from the top wall or the bottom wall, a diaphragm, a voice coil and a magnet assembly having a ring magnet and a gap within which the voice coil is positioned.
US09661419B2 Microphone having a microphone capsule, dynamic sound transducer for headphones, earphones or headsets and method for producing a microphone capsule or a sound transducer
A microphone having a microphone capsule is provided. The microphone capsule has a diaphragm carrier, a diaphragm and an adhesive tape ring which is used to fasten the diaphragm to or in the diaphragm carrier. The microphone capsule is in the form of a dynamic sound transducer. A dynamic sound transducer for headphones, earphones or headsets is also provided. The sound transducer has a diaphragm carrier, a diaphragm and a moving coil which is coupled to the diaphragm. In a similar manner to the microphone capsule, the sound transducer has an adhesive tape ring between the diaphragm and the diaphragm carrier, which ring is used to fasten the diaphragm to the diaphragm carrier.
US09661415B2 Digital microphone system, audio control device, and control method thereof
A digital microphone system, audio control device and control method thereof is related to the method for controlling a digital microphone circuit including receiving a clock signal; detecting that the clock signal is maintained at a predetermined level for a duration; when the duration reaches a given time, switching a transmission type of a data pin; in a data mode, outputting a digital audio signal to a data line via the data pin in an output type; and in a command mode, receiving a command signal from the data line via the data pin in an input type.
US09661411B1 Integrated MEMS microphone and vibration sensor
MEMS microphone and vibration sensor dies and packages are described. In an embodiment, a MEMS microphone and vibration sensor die includes a die substrate, a MEMS microphone on the die substrate and a MEMS vibration sensor on the die substrate. The MEMS vibration sensor may include a plurality of beams with different proof masses corresponding to different resonant frequencies, wherein the different proof masses comprise a same material as the die substrate.
US09661409B2 Presentation sound box
In one example, a presentation sound box is provided that includes a first box portion, and a second box portion that is movable relative to the first box portion. A sound module is disposed within the box and includes a speaker, a processor, and memory accessible by the processor. The presentation sound box further includes a power source operable to drive the speaker and processor, a trigger device operable to connect and disconnect the power source and sound module, and an amplifying cover configured and arranged to at least partly enclose the speaker.
US09661406B2 Multipoint, contentionless wavelength selective switch (WSS)
An optical device includes a plurality of optical input ports, a plurality of optical output ports, a wavelength dispersion arrangement and at least one optical beam steering arrangement. The plurality of optical input ports is configured to receive optical beams each having a plurality of wavelength components. The wavelength dispersion arrangement receives the optical beams and spatially separates each of the optical beams into a plurality of wavelengths components. The optical beam steering arrangement has a first region onto which the spatially separated wavelength components are directed and a second region onto which any subset of the plurality of wavelength components of each of the optical beams is selectively directed after the wavelength components in each of the subsets are spatially recombined with one another. The optical beam steering arrangement selectively directs each of subset of the plurality of wavelength components to a different one of the optical output ports.
US09661404B2 Optical line terminal device and implementation method thereof
An optical line terminal (OLT) device and an implementation method thereof, relate to the field of a passive optical network (PON). The OLT device includes an interface unit for receiving data in an Ethernet format sent by a service processing apparatus, performing protocol processing on the received data in the Ethernet format, converting the data after the protocol processing into a transmission signal corresponding to a sending interface, and then transmitting the transmission signal to an external device, as well as receiving message data sent by the external device, converting the message data for protocol processing corresponding to the service processing apparatus, converting the signal after the protocol processing into data in the Ethernet format, and transmitting the data to the service processing apparatus; the service processing apparatus performing service processing on the data transmitted by the interface unit, and transmitting the processed data to the interface unit.
US09661389B2 Framework for providing digital home services
The systems and methods of the present invention provide for a number of improvements to the TV consumption process, including personalization, community viewing, shared presence and context, messaging, access to ratings and recommendations (including community reviews), alerts, etc. One method that the present invention provides allows for the indication of a given user's context to be provided to other users, such as users in the given user's social network. The method comprises generating an indication of a change in context for a given user, the context comprising information regarding an action of the given user. The indication of the change in context for the given user is propagated to one or more users in the social network for the given user. The indication of the change in context of the given user is presented to users in the given user's social network in conjunction with TV content.
US09661387B2 Receiving apparatus, reception method, transmitting apparatus, transmission method, and program
The present invention relates to a receiving apparatus, a reception method, a transmitting apparatus, a transmission method, and a program that enable data broadcasting content and an application program executed in linkage with the broadcasting content to be started according to priorities.An application adjusting unit acquires priority information showing priorities of starts between data broadcasting content transmitted by a broadcasting wave of digital broadcasting and one or more linked applications executed in linkage with the broadcasting content transmitted by the broadcasting wave and determines the priorities of the starts. A data broadcasting engine or an application engine starts the data broadcasting content or the linked application having the high priority, according to a determination result of the priorities by the application adjusting unit. The present invention can be applied to a television receiver that receives the broadcasting wave of the digital broadcasting.
US09661386B2 Methods, systems, and media for presenting a suggestion to watch videos
Methods, systems, and media for presenting a suggestion to watch videos are provided. In accordance with some embodiments, a method for presenting a suggestion to watch videos is provided, the method comprising: receiving, from a user device, a message that includes a link to a video; determining whether the link has been selected; in response to determining that the link has not been selected, determining a probability value that indicates a likelihood that a user associated with the user device would be interested in viewing the video; in response to determining that the probability value is greater than a predetermined threshold value, determining a time to suggest that the user view the video based at least in part on information relating to movement of the user device; and causing a suggestion to view the video to be presented in a suggestion interface on the user device at the determined time.
US09661385B1 Overlay content and aggregation of viewing data
A method of enhancing a content feed is disclosed. The method can receiving first viewing data associated with a first automatic content recognition (ACR) event and second viewing data associated with a second ACR event, where the first ACR event is received from a first client device that employs a first ACR technology, and the second ACR event is received from a second client device that employs a second ACR technology that is different than the first ACR technology. The method can also include normalizing the first viewing data and the second viewing data into a common format. The method can further include aggregating the first viewing data and the second viewing data to obtain an aggregated viewing data report. The method can further include storing, in a viewing database, the aggregated viewing data report.
US09661383B2 System and method for receiving broadcast multimedia on a mobile device
A system and a method receive broadcast multimedia on a mobile device. The system and the method may use a broadcast receiver accessory that may connect to a mobile device. The system and the method may have a bidirectional data connection between the broadcast receiver accessory and the mobile device. The broadcast receiver accessory may translate, reformat and/or repackage content into a form that may be viewed on the mobile device. The broadcast receiver accessory may have a tuner component, an application processor, an audio rendering element and/or memory.
US09661381B2 Using an audio stream to identify metadata associated with a currently playing television program
Systems and methods for using an audio stream to identify metadata associated with a currently playing television program are disclosed. A video stream including audio description data is received. A set of information is determined from the audio description data. A request including the set of information is sent to a server remotely located from the client for additional processing. A set of instructions is received from the server. The set of instructions is determined based on the additional processing of the set of information. One or more applications are executed in accordance with the set of instructions in response to receiving the set of instructions.
US09661380B2 Television content management with integrated third party interface
Systems, methods and devices manage second screen media content that is associated with live or previously-recorded television programming while the programming is being viewed by a user. A control application provides an HTML5 or other application program interface (API) that allows advertisers, retailers or other third parties to access the remote control application for providing useful features.
US09661379B2 System and method for switching between media streams while providing a seamless user experience
An electronic device with one or more processors, memory, and a display displays a first video stream on the display. The electronic device downloads and stores a portion of a second video stream and, once the portion of the second video stream has been downloaded, ceases to download the second video stream. The electronic device receives a request to display the second video stream on the display and, in response, determines whether the stored portion of the second video stream satisfies recency criteria with respect to a current stream time of the second video stream. In accordance with a determination that the stored portion of the second video stream satisfies the recency criteria, the electronic device displays at least a portion of the first video stream on the display concurrently with at least the stored portion of the second video stream.
US09661378B2 Using scalable codecs for providing channel zapping information to broadcast receivers
Scalable codecs are used for transmitting channel zapping data for one or more programs using timeslicing. The main codec layer may be utilized also for the zapping data, and the higher layers may be used in the primary channels. Zapping data may be provided to mobile terminals via a wireless multicast network, such as a DVB-H network, using timeslicing and providing the scalably encoded zapping data as part of the source stream.
US09661374B1 Exchange and offline substitution of advertisements
Various features are described for caching, tagging, and exchanging advertisements associated with network-accessible content. Advertisements may be retrieved and cached on mobile devices and other types of client devices prior to obtaining content containing references to advertisements. When content with an embedded reference to an advertisement is obtained, a previously retrieved advertisement can be loaded from the cache. Advertisements may also be tagged for later viewing. Users may revisit tagged advertisements at a future time, such as when wireless network connectivity is restored or when the user has more available time. Additional features facilitate bidding, by an advertisement server directly or indirectly associated with a client device, on advertising inventory associated with requested network content. In response to acceptance of the bid by a 3rd party advertising server, an advertisement from the associated advertisement server may be displayed.
US09661367B2 Method and system for message notification
Methods and systems for message notification are described. A video message is received from a source access device. A selection of a target user may be received for the video message. A message notification of availability of the video message for a target access device associated with the target user may be provided.
US09661366B2 Integrating content on remote device accessible via internet with hospitality media system
A hospitality media system includes a media system controller and a plurality of media devices located in a plurality of rooms and coupled to the media system controller. Each room has one or more in-room media devices located therein for performing a media function. A connection port allows a user of a room to establish data communications between the media system controller and a guest device. The media system controller is coupled to the connection port and configured to catalog guest content available on the guest device to thereby form a guest content list, associate the guest content with one or more associated rooms at least including the user's room, and perform the media function utilizing content selected from the guest content list only on the in-room media devices located within the one or more associated rooms.
US09661364B2 Recommended media content based channel surfing methods and systems
An exemplary method includes a media content presentation system dynamically maintaining a list of recommended media content programs for a user and available by way of a media content access device during a media content presentation session, detecting a channel surfing command provided by the user during the media content presentation session, and directing, in response to the channel surfing command, the media content access device to switch to a channel presenting a recommended media content program included in the list of recommended media content programs. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
US09661356B2 Distribution of unique copies of broadcast data utilizing fault-tolerant retrieval from dispersed storage
A broadcast of data is stored as a plurality of sets of encoded data slices stored using an error coding dispersal storage function. In response to receiving a playback request, a centralized digital video recorder (DVR) identifies a first unique combination of encoded data slices, and determines whether that combination of data slices is available for retrieval. If the data slices are available, they are retrieved. If the data slices are not available, another unique combination of encoded data slices of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices is identified and retrieved, instead. Both combinations of data slices can be used to recreate a unique copy of broadcast data.
US09661352B2 Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding image
A method for decoding an image, according to the present invention, comprises the steps of: receiving image information that corresponds to a block to be decoded; performing entropy-decoding with respect to the image information that is received; deciding a transform skip mode of the block to be decoded from a plurality of transform skip mode candidates, based on the image information that is entropy-decoded; and reverse-transforming the block to be decoded based on the transform skip mode that is decided.
US09661351B2 Client side frame prediction for video streams with skipped frames
A method for delivering video over a network includes encoding, by a server, a sequence of video frames as a compressed video stream comprising an initial I-frame followed by a plurality P-frames, the sequence having a skipped frame which is not encoded. The compressed video stream is transmitted over a network to a client device, the skipped frame not being transmitted. In response to detecting the skipped frame, the client device generating a predicted frame that replaces the skipped frame in the compressed video stream, the predicted frame being generated based on extending delta information from one or more previous frames decoded by the client device.
US09661346B2 Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding image
A method for decoding an image, according to the present invention, comprises the steps of: receiving image information that corresponds to a block to be decoded; performing entropy-decoding with respect to the image information that is received; deciding a transform skip mode of the block to be decoded from a plurality of transform skip mode candidates, based on the image information that is entropy-decoded; and reverse-transforming the block to be decoded based on the transform skip mode that is decided.
US09661344B2 Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding image through intra prediction
A method for decoding an image, the method including extracting an intra prediction mode of a current block, determining a number of neighboring pixels located on a left side of the current block or an upper side of the current block, and determining a location of one or more neighboring pixels, the intra prediction mode indicating a particular direction among a plurality of directions, the particular direction being indicated by using one of a dx number in a horizontal direction and a fixed number in a vertical direction, and the location of the one or more neighboring pixels being determined based on a shift operation.
US09661338B2 Coding syntax elements for adaptive scans of transform coefficients for video coding
In one example, an apparatus for encoding video data includes a video encoder configured to scan a two-dimensional block of transform coefficients to produce a one-dimensional vector of the transform coefficients, determine values indicative of whether the transform coefficients in the one-dimensional vector are significant; and entropy encode at least one of the values using a context model selected based on at least a percentage of significant coefficients in a predetermined number of the values encoded before the at least one of the values.
US09661336B2 Methods and apparatus for video encoding and decoding binary sets using adaptive tree selection
Methods and apparatus are provided for encoding and decoding binary sets using adaptive tree selection. In one exemplary encoding method embodiment, picture data is encoded for a block in a picture; in which one of a plurality of trees structures is selected to code a binary set of data for indicating coefficient significance for the block. In another exemplary encoding method embodiment, picture data is encoded for a block in a picture, in which one or more trees are used to encode a binary set of data for indicating coefficient significance for the block, the one or more trees each having a plurality of nodes, at least one of the nodes of the one or more trees being modified responsive to at least one parameter.
US09661335B2 Method of coding and decoding images, coding and decoding device and computer programs corresponding thereto
A method for coding includes; segmenting an image into blocks; grouping blocks into a number of subsets; coding, using an entropy coding module, each subset, by associating digital information with symbols of each block of a subset, including, for the first block of the image, initializing state variables of the coding module; and generating a data sub-stream representative of at least one of the coded subsets of blocks. Where a current block is the first block to be coded of a subset, symbol occurrence probabilities for the first current block are determined based on those for a coded and decoded predetermined block of at least one other subset. Where the current block is the last coded block of the subset: writing, in the sub-stream representative of the subset, the entire the digital information associated with the symbols during coding of the blocks of the subset, and implementing the initializing sub-step.
US09661326B2 Method and apparatus for entropy encoding/decoding
Provided are methods and apparatuses for entropy-encoding and entropy-decoding an image. The method for entropy-encoding an image includes operations of arithmetically encoding a binary value of a current coding symbol, by using a probability of a predefined binary value which is determined based on previously-coded symbols that are encoded before the current coding symbol; and updating the probability of the predefined binary value by using a plurality of scaling factors, according to the binary value of the current coding symbol.
US09661325B1 Lossy channel video blur avoidance
Blurriness in a video image transmitted over a lossy network can be reduced by filtering the decoder output to determine whether updating of the reference frame based on the current video data is indicated. An update may be appropriate if the decoder output is sharper than the contents of the display buffer after the last update. Additionally, an update may be appropriate if there was a significant change to the underlying image, and thus to the encoder's input. Whether such a change has occurred can be determined by analyzing the prediction mode, motion vectors, and pixel data of the output image.
US09661319B2 Method and apparatus for automatic calibration in surrounding view systems
An embodiment contemplates a method of calibrating multiple image capture devices of a vehicle. A plurality of image capture devices having different poses are provided. At least one of the plurality of image capture devices is identified as a reference device. An image of a patterned display exterior of the vehicle is captured by the plurality of image capture devices. The vehicle traverses across the patterned display to capture images at various instances of time. A processor identifies common landmarks of the patterned display between each of the images captured by the plurality of image capture devices and the reference device. Images of the patterned display captured by each of the plurality of image devices are stitched using the identified common landmarks. Extrinsic parameters of each image capture device are adjusted relative to the reference device based on the stitched images for calibrating the plurality of image capture devices.
US09661315B2 Method and apparatus for 2D/3D switchable displaying
A method for 2D/3D switchable displaying includes: real-time detecting a 3D display area; when a change of the 3D display area is detected, calculating a gradient coefficient based on a number of frame of change and a rate of the change of the 3D display area; adjusting a 3D image area and a 3D grating area based on the calculated gradient coefficient; and performing a stereoscopic display by the adjusted 3D image area and the adjusted 3D grating area. When the 3D display area starts a change and ends the change, the 3D display area gradually is switched to be 2D display and switched to be 3D display respectively, so that a gradient visual effect is achieved, and the problems of viewing image jitter and 3D effect mistake caused by pixel arrangement and hardware control in the 3D display area being not synchronized can be avoided.
US09661314B2 Apparatus and method for encoding/decoding multi-view images
Provided are an image magnification apparatus and method for three-dimensional display images. A multi-view image magnification apparatus includes: a region designation detection unit for detecting detection regions corresponding to the magnification regions of three-dimensional display images from original view images; a magnification ratio determination unit for determining the magnification ratios of the magnification regions; and a partial multiplexing unit for multiplexing non-detection regions except for the detection regions of the original view images according to a predetermined resolution and multiplexing the detection regions according the resolution which is different from the resolution of the non-detection regions on the basis of the magnification ratios. The present invention can magnify the images without lowering the resolution in a three-dimensional display.
US09661309B2 Stereoscopic video zooming
A method may include determining movement between a first frame of a monoscopic video and a second frame of the monoscopic video. The method may also include analyzing a camera effect based on the movement, generating a first modified frame based on the movement and the camera effect, and generating a second modified frame based on the movement and the camera effect. The method may also include generating a left-eye viewing frame of a stereoscopic video based on the camera effect and at least one of the first modified frame and the second modified frame. The method may further include generating a right-eye viewing frame of the stereoscopic video based on the camera effect and at least one of the first modified frame and the second modified frame.
US09661304B2 Pre-calculation of sine waves for pixel values
A system and method for determining positions in three-dimensional space are described. The system includes a controller, a phase image module, a presentation module and a phase determination module. The controller receives projector geometry parameters. A phase image module determines a plurality of sinusoidal images where a constant phase represents a flat plane in a three-dimensional space based on the projector geometry parameters. A presentation module projects the plurality of sinusoidal images to be captured by a camera. The phase determination module determines a phase value at a camera pixel. The phase determination module determines an intersection between the flat plane of the phase value and the camera pixel to identify a ray-plane intersection.
US09661300B2 Dynamic stereo and holographic image display
A dynamic stereo and holographic image display includes: an image acquisition lattice, an encoder, a display panel, and a light shielding matrix. The image acquisition lattice acquires an image at each acquisition point. The encoder outputs the image acquired at each acquisition point to a corresponding block of the display panel for display. The display panel displays a corresponding image in each block. The light shielding matrix is disposed in front of the display panel, and restricts emission of light in a specified block on the display panel under the control of the encoder.
US09661298B2 Depth image enhancement for hardware generated depth images
Techniques related to depth image enhancement for hardware generated depth images are discussed. Such techniques may include determining a depth image enhancement indicator for a depth image based on the depth image and a depth image model and generating pixel depth values for missing pixel depth values of the depth image when the depth image enhancement indicator indicates enhancement. The pixel depth values may be generated based on search windows that extend from a position greater than a predetermined disparity position to a maximum disparity position.
US09661297B2 Pictures positioning on display elements
A pictures positioning system and method for positioning pictures on display elements of a binocular displaying device is described. The binocular displaying device comprises a right and a left display element to be placed in front of corresponding eyes of a wearer, and to display right and left pictures. The binocular displaying device comprises a measurement means. The method comprises a providing step during which at least one wearer related parameter is provided, the providing step including a measurement operation. The measurement operation may be performed by using the measurement means embedded in the binocular displaying device. The method includes a display positioning determination step during which a right display positioning of the right picture on the right display element is determined and a left display positioning of the left picture on the left display element is determined. The display positioning determination step is performed based on at least one wearer related parameter.
US09661296B2 Image processing apparatus and method
Provided is an image processing method and apparatus, the apparatus including an object separation unit to separate an object region from a background region using at least one of a color image and a depth image associated with the color image, a contrast calculating unit to calculate a contrast between the object region and the background region, and a depth adjusting unit to adjust a depth of the depth image based on the calculated contrast.
US09661292B2 Content playback device and content playback method
A content playback device includes: a video playback unit which plays content having plural scenes; an object appearance information acquisition unit which acquires, for each of the plural scenes, object appearance information of each of one or more objects which appear in the content by analyzing metadata which includes appearance scene data for identifying the one or more objects appearing in at least one of the scenes, the object appearance information indicating whether the object appears at least in or after the scene; and a display unit which presents the object appearance information acquired for a scene being played, when the video playback unit is playing the content.
US09661288B2 Projection display system, and remote controller for controlling projector
A projection display system includes a projector to project an image onto a projection surface, and a remote controller to control the projector. The remote controller includes a first sensor to measure a current value of horizontal distance to the projection surface, a second sensor to measure a current value of vertical distance to the projection surface, and a processor to obtain, from a memory, preset values of horizontal distance and vertical distance corresponding to a screen size selected by a user, and to control a display to display a screen including the obtained preset values of horizontal distance and vertical distance, the current value of horizontal distance measured by the first sensor, and the current value of vertical distance measured by the second sensor.
US09661286B1 Raster reordering in laser projection systems
Techniques are described for reducing safety-relevant emission of a laser projection system. A multi-facet optical element is positioned in the path of a raster-scanning laser beam. Each facet of the optical element is angled to redirect a projected pixel to a different pixel position. Collectively, the facets are configured to convert the projected raster scan into a non-raster scan in which physically proximate pixels are illuminated temporally non-proximate times.
US09661285B2 Projector with multiple types of light sources
A projector includes a first light source apparatus, a second light source apparatus, a laser light source apparatus, a first light modulator, a second light modulator, a third light modulator that modulates light from the laser light source apparatus, a cross prism that combines first image light, second image light, and third image light formed by the respective light modulators with one another, and a secondary light source image formation system that forms a secondary light source image on an optical path between the laser light source apparatus and the third light modulator, and the secondary light source image is so shaped that the length thereof in a direction perpendicular to a central intersection line of the cross prism is longer than the length thereof in a direction parallel to the central intersection line.
US09661283B2 Wearable camera
A capture, a storage that stores data of a video image captured by the capture, an attribute information assigning switch that inputs an operation of assigning attribute information related to the data of a video image, and an attribute selecting switch that inputs an operation of selecting the attribute information are included. When there is an input from the attribute information assigning switch, the attribute information associated with a setting state of the attribute selecting switch is stored in the storage by being assigned to data of a video image.
US09661277B2 System and method for making a teleconference with realistic simulation of a direct conversation
A system teleconferences first and second speakers in first and second connected remote teleconference sites. Each teleconference site includes corresponding transceivers to transmit and receive electronic signals. First and second acquirers are configured to acquire an image of the first and second speakers, and to generate the electronic signals based on the acquired image. First and second remote image displays process the electronic signals to display the image of the remote speaker. The first remote image display includes a processor with a screen to display the image of the remote speaker. The first acquirer is adjacent the screen, so the acquired image of the first speaker, while looking at the image of the second speaker, is similar to an image acquired if the first speaker would look at the first acquirer. The second display includes a displaying screen suitable to contain an image projected life-size of the first speaker.
US09661276B2 Peer to peer surveillance architecture
A peer to peer surveillance architecture comprising a plurality of independent nodes for capturing, analyzing, storing, and viewing surveillance information is disclosed. The surveillance architecture has no central controller or single point of failure because of the peer to peer or independent relationship between its nodes. Generally, surveillance information of various types is captured by one or more capture nodes and transmitted to or one or more viewing, content storage, or server nodes for display, analysis, storage, or a combination thereof. Server nodes may provide authentication services to validate user or device credentials prior to granting access to surveillance information. In one or more embodiments, specialized video compression hardware is provided to allow high quality video surveillance information to be transmitted across low bandwidth connections. Compression may also be performed on other types of surveillance information.
US09661275B2 Dynamic multi-perspective interactive event visualization system and method
An event visualization system. The system uses a digital video capture array. The array is synchronized into a composited video feed file. The composited video feed file has a number of unit perspective video files. Each unit perspective video file has a coordinate location, a unit frame height, and a unit frame width. The unit perspective video files can be played simultaneously for individual display in a digital event player. The digital event player is operated on a client.
US09661272B1 Apparatus, system and method for holographic video conferencing
This specification relates to an apparatus, system and method of projecting holographic images for a video conference, wherein a user may use the apparatus for telecommunication transmissions. The apparatus also includes biometric verification means for verifying the identity of the user using his/her biometric authentication credentials. Upon verification of the user's biometric sample, a keypad door is opened to reveal a concealed keypad and a camera door is also opened to reveal and release a telescopic camera in the retracted position, enabled for capturing an image (video including picture and audio) of teleconferencing attendees that are within the apparatus' field of view, where the captured image may be transmitted to a receiving holographic video conferencing apparatus, where the captured video image is projected as a hologram, with audio output provided via the speaker/microphone system.
US09661266B2 Information processing apparatus, recording medium and information processing method
An information processing apparatus for communication with an information processing device via a network disclosed. The information processing apparatus includes a display controlling unit configured to perform display control on a first screen that displays image data transmitted from the information processing device or on a second screen that displays information about the information processing device; and a first instruction receiving unit configured to receive a switching instruction to switch the first screen to the second screen. The display controlling unit performs the display control in a case where the first instruction receiving unit receives the switching instruction, such that auxiliary information about communication with the information processing device, the auxiliary information being displayed on the first screen, is not displayed on the second screen.
US09661265B2 Method of conveying emotion in video telephone mode and wireless terminal implementing the same
Methods are provided for transmitting an emoticon to another party in video telephony communication. Another party's video data is displayed on a first area of a display unit, a user's video data is displayed on a second area of the display unit, and a plurality of emoticons is displayed on a third area of the display unit in a video telephony communication. One of the plurality of emoticons is selected during the video telephony communication from a user input. The selected emoticon is displayed on the first area or on the second area and transmitting the selected emoticon to another party.
US09661264B2 Multi-display video communication medium, apparatus, system, and method
In an example system, an information processing apparatus is caused to function as a user image acquisition unit which acquires a user image captured by using a camera of a portable information processing apparatus, a communication partner image acquisition unit which acquires a communication partner image via a network, and a display control unit which causes the user image to be displayed on at least one of a display of the portable information processing apparatus and an external display, and which causes the communication partner image to be displayed on at least one of the display of the portable information processing apparatus and the external display.
US09661262B2 Content processing device and content processing method
The content processing device includes a first converter for performing first conversion processing of converting frame rates of the first content and the second content, which are moving images, so that the frame rates become equal to each other, a synthesizer for performing screen synthesis for displaying side by side the conversion results on the same screen, a second converter for performing a second conversion processing of converting the frame rate of the synthesis result to a frame rate higher than the frame rate before being converted, a storage unit for temporarily storing the frames required for the first conversion processing and the second conversion processing, and a controller for calculating a ratio of storage capacities of the storage unit to be assigned to the first conversion processing and the second conversion processing according to attributes related to motion amounts of moving images.
US09661260B2 Photograph or video tagging based on peered devices
A method of capturing photographs or videos and associated metadata. The method includes capturing a photograph or video using a mobile camera device at a shooting location and encompassing a shooting area, identifying a shooting area using positional and orientational detectors of the mobile camera device and known camera properties and recording a definition of the shooting area, and sending the captured photograph or video to a server system. Either at the mobile camera device or at the server system, the presence of peer mobile devices within the shooting area is identified using positional information reported by those peer mobile devices, and the captured photograph or video is tagged with identities associated with those peer mobile devices.
US09661258B2 Home media server control
New forms of entertainment can result from this method of selecting, identifying, and storing by a media producer of multi-media content as files to a storage medium within an editing platform. Generating, using an editing software program, a set of instructions and data for assembly of an edited program, the edited program including specified segments from the files of the multi-media content. Assembling the specified segments using the set of instructions and data to form the edited program. Storing the edited program on the editing platform. Analyzing, using a software program, endpoint frames of each segment in the edited program, the analysis resulting in analysis data stored on the editing platform. Distributing the information to a home media server. Emulating assembly of the edited program by the home media server using the information and a home media server editing program, the assembled edited program being stored in the home media server.
US09661253B2 Solid-state imaging device, driving method, and electronic device
Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel section configured to include a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form, the plurality of pixels performing photoelectric conversion; column signal lines configured to transmit pixel signals output from the pixels in units of columns; an AD converting section configured to include a comparator that compares a reference signal serving as a ramp wave with the pixel signals transmitted via the column signal line and convert a reference level and a signal level of the pixel signals into digital signals independently based on a comparison result of the comparator; a switch configured to be connected with the column signal lines; and a control section configured to turn on the switch only during a certain period of time in a period of time in which the comparator is reset and cause the column signal lines to be short-circuited.
US09661252B2 Image capturing device
An image capturing device includes: an image capturing section having a plurality of pixels disposed in a matrix and configured to output a pixel signal via a first signal line connected to pixels arranged in a first direction among the plurality of pixels; a plurality of calculators including: a comparator configured to compare a magnitude of a first analog signal with a threshold value to generate a digital value according to a comparison result; an amplification section configured to amplify the first analog signal by multiplying the first analog signal by an amplification degree β (1<β<2) and output a second analog signal by executing computation according to the digital value; and a switching section configured to output one of the pixel signal and a β estimation signal as the first analog signal when a most significant bit of a first digital value sequence is computed.
US09661247B2 Solid-state imaging device, method of driving solid-state imaging device, and imaging system
A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element, a floating diffusion layer, a transfer transistor, a reset transistor, and an amplifier transistor, and a control unit configured to supply a first voltage to a gate of the reset transistor when the charges are accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element, the first voltage being set between a second voltage and a third voltage; subsequently supply the second voltage to the gate of the reset transistor when the reset transistor is turned on in order to reset the potential of the floating diffusion layer, and subsequently supply the third voltage to the gate of the reset transistor when the amplifier transistor outputs the signal based on the potential of the floating diffusion layer.
US09661241B2 Solid-state imaging device and electronic apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes: an R pixel provided with an R filter for transmitting red-color light; a B pixel provided with a B filter for transmitting blue-color light; an S1 pixel which is provided with an S1 filter with a visible light transmittance independent of wavelengths in a visible light region and has a sensitivity higher than that of the R pixel; and an S2 pixel which is provided with an S2 filter with a visible light transmittance independent of wavelengths in the visible light region and lower than the visible light transmittance of the S1 filter and has a sensitivity lower than the sensitivity of the S1 pixel.
US09661233B2 Dual aperture zoom digital camera
A dual-aperture zoom digital camera operable in both still and video modes. The camera includes Wide and Tele imaging sections with respective lens/sensor combinations and image signal processors and a camera controller operatively coupled to the Wide and Tele imaging sections. The Wide and Tele imaging sections provide respective image data. The controller is configured to combine in still mode at least some of the Wide and Tele image data to provide a fused output image from a particular point of view, and to provide without fusion continuous zoom video mode output images, each output image having a given output resolution, wherein the video mode output images are provided with a smooth transition when switching between a lower zoom factor (ZF) value and a higher ZF value or vice versa, and wherein at the lower ZF the output resolution is determined by the Wide sensor while at the higher ZF value the output resolution is determined by the Tele sensor.
US09661232B2 Apparatus and method providing auto zoom in response to relative movement of target subject matter
Methods and apparatus enable an image-viewing system to automatically zoom in and out as target subset matter is tracked. A hand-held body with a lens gathers an image including target subject matter. An image sensor having a resolution in pixels receives the image, and a viewfinder displays at least a portion of the image received by the image sensor. By virtue of the invention, apparatus for automatically zooming out the image displayed in the viewfinder if relative movement is detected between the target subject matter and the body and, and automatically zooming in the image displayed in the viewfinder if the relative movement of the target subject matter slows down or becomes stationary. A power zoom lens may effectuate the automatic zooming, or the zooming may be accomplished digitally without moving parts. The body may form part of a camera, video recorder, binoculars or telescope.
US09661230B2 Image display apparatus and method of operating the image display apparatus
Discussed is an image display apparatus including a main body; a display unit displaying at least one screen image; a capturing unit mounted on the main body and capturing an image using a single image sensor; a drive unit that receives a control signal for selectively activating any one of first and second modes that differ depending on whether or not to use an infrared light-cut filter, to drive the capturing unit; and a controller that outputs a first control signal for establishing a connection between the single image sensor and the infrared light-cut filter when one screen image for capturing an image corresponding to a first function is displayed and that outputs a second control signal for establishing a connection between the single image sensor and a visible light-cut filter when another screen image for capturing an image corresponding to a second function is displayed.
US09661221B2 Always-on camera sampling strategies
Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward providing intelligent sampling strategies that make efficient use of an always-on camera. To do so, embodiments can utilize sensor information to determine contextual information regarding the mobile device and/or a user of the mobile device. A sampling rate of the always-on camera can then be modulated based on the contextual information.
US09661219B2 Imaging apparatus, imaging method, and program for performing imaging of a photographic subject
An image processing system includes circuitry that determine whether a focus operation is performed on an image, and processes the image in a high resolution mode when the focus operation is determined to be performed. The circuitry processes the image in a low resolution mode when the focus operation is determined not to be performed. The resolution of the image is lower in the low resolution mode than in the high resolution mode.
US09661217B2 Image capturing apparatus and control method therefor
There is provided an image capturing apparatus. An image capturing unit captures a moving image. A first generating unit generates a moving image for display by adding a first special effect to the moving image. A second generating unit generates a moving image for recording by adding the first special effect and a second special effect to the moving image. A display unit displays the moving image for display while the moving image is being captured. A recording unit records the moving image for recording.