Document Document Title
US09694371B2 Substrate treatment apparatus and substrate treatment method
A substrate treatment apparatus according to the embodiment includes: a nozzle which ejects a treatment liquid onto a treatment target surface of a substrate; a trajectory deflector including a trajectory deflecting surface, which is an annular inclined surface that deflects a traveling direction of the treatment liquid ejected from the nozzle and makes the treatment liquid incident on the treatment target surface, the trajectory deflecting surface having an inclination angle varying in a direction of annular extension of the trajectory deflecting surface; and a position changer which moves an incident position of the treatment liquid on the trajectory deflecting surface in the direction of annular extension of the trajectory deflecting surface.
US09694370B1 Shower control
An economical shower conversion arrangement for enabling physically challenged persons to shower while seated without assistance embodying a showerhead mount including a pivotable control arm or handle connected to the showerhead assembly which arm is securable in multiple use positions so as to be easily reached and operated by a person seated in a shower chair to adjust the direction of water flow from the showerhead by application of a manual force upon the arm, which arm may be pivoted into a non-use position that does not obstruct use of the shower by non-disabled or standing persons, and including an adjustable balance support to aid in controlling the handle assembly while reducing the amount of stress on the pipe connections and fittings.
US09694369B2 Air purifier device with ionizing means
An air purifier device includes a chamber defined by a side wall arranged to guide an air flow through the air purifier device. The air purifier device further includes at least one emitter electrode and at least one collector plate electrode arranged to ionize airborne particles. The at least one emitter electrode is arranged to extend from the side wall and inwards in the chamber and the at least one collector plate electrode is arranged to extend from the side wall and inwards in the chamber. The air purifier device enables the side wall to be manufactured from e.g. plastic, or other non-conductive or non-magnetic material. This in turn may enable a lower weight of the air purifier device and facilitated manufacturing, as the side walls of the chamber e.g. may be formed by plastic moulding just as many other parts of the air purifier device.
US09694368B2 Magnetic reagent, magnetic reagent kit, method for treating magnetic carriers, and treatment device therefor
The present invention relates to a magnetic reagent, a magnetic reagent kit, a method for treating magnetic carriers, and a treatment device therefor, with an object of quickly and efficiently treating magnetic carriers of a micro particle diameter including nanosized magnetic carriers.The magnetic reagent or magnetic reagent kit includes: a plurality of magnetic carriers which can be magnetized by being exposed to a magnetic field, can be bonded to a predetermined chemical substance or living organism in a liquid, and that have a particle diameter that enables them to be suspended in the liquid; and a plurality of treatment promoting magnetic particles which can be magnetized by being exposed to a magnetic field and thus can have the magnetic carriers adsorbed on the surface thereof, are formed so that they can be moved within the liquid by movement of the liquid or by a magnetic field, and promote a treatment for capturing or re-suspension of the magnetic carriers.
US09694353B2 Molecular sieve SSZ-90, its synthesis and use
A new crystalline zinc (silico)aluminophosphate molecular sieve designated SSZ-90 is disclosed. SSZ-90 is isostructural with the DFO framework type and is synthesized using an ionic liquid as both the solvent and the structure directing agent. The ionic liquid [Q+A−] comprises a cation (Q+) selected from the group consisting of 1,3-diisopropylimidazolium, 1,3-diisobutylimidazolium, and 1-isopropyl-3-isobutylimidazolium and an anion (A−) which is not detrimental to the formation of the molecular sieve.
US09694349B2 CO slip catalyst and method of using
A CO slip catalyst, for treating an exhaust gas from a lean burn internal combustion engine, is disclosed. The CO slip catalyst comprises palladium and a ceria-containing material. The invention also includes a method for oxidizing excess CO in an exhaust gas, wherein the excess CO results from the periodic contact of an upstream catalyst under rich exhaust conditions. The method comprises contacting the excess CO in the exhaust gas with a CO slip catalyst at a temperature in the range of 100 to 700° C.
US09694348B2 Exhaust cleaning catalyst
Provided is an exhaust catalyst that exhibits higher NOX-reducing activities at the time of engine restart while maintaining its catalytic activities during normal traveling. This invention provides an exhaust cleaning catalyst comprising a substrate and a catalyst coating layer that includes CeO2. Catalyst coating layer is constituted in its thickness direction with multiple coating layers. In a top coating layer located at the outermost surface, the CeO2 content in a top coating layer's upstream portion is less than the CeO2 content in a top coating layer's downstream portion; and the CeO2 content in the top coating layer's upstream portion is less than the CeO2 content in a lower coating layer. The CeO2 content per liter of catalyst volume in the entire coating layer is 10 g/L to 30 g/L.
US09694346B2 Functional gas-assisted impregnation method for producing noble metal alloy catalysts with defined morphology
A method for making catalysts of noble metal nanoparticles or alloy nanoparticles or both having shaped morphology, the method including the steps of: pretreating a support material; impregnating metal precursors onto the support material; and then reducing the impregnated metal precursors into shaped metal nanoparticles or shaped alloy nanoparticles or both using a functional gas atmosphere.
US09694343B2 Cellulose phosphate powder product and process for manufacture thereof, and application to removal of contaminants from aqueous solutions
A process for producing a cellulose based sorbent material for the removal of water soluble contaminants from water and other aqueous solutions comprising reacting one or more biomass based cellulose containing raw materials with dilute phosphoric acid where the reaction mixture containing said cellulose containing materials is heated to a reaction temperature and after completion of the reaction time, separation of the dilute phosphoric acid solution from the remaining insoluble raw material, neutralization of the solution by means of a suitable neutralizing agent resulting in precipitation of the modified cellulose, and then separating, washing and removing excess water from the resultant precipitate.
US09694342B2 Exchange column contactor consisting of an arrangement of structured packings
A contactor for a heat and/or material exchange column includes an arrangement of two structured packings developing different geometric surface areas and having parallel principal directions.A heat exchange column, a floating structure including such a contactor, and the use of a column equipped with such a contactor are also disclosed.
US09694341B2 Jet loop reactor with nanofiltration and gas separator
The invention relates to a device for the continuous homogeneous catalytic reaction of a liquid with a gas and optionally a further fluid, wherein the device comprises at least one jet loop reactor having an external liquid circuit driven by at least one pump, and wherein the device has at least one membrane separation unit, preferably retaining the homogeneous catalyst, which membrane separation unit is arranged in the external liquid circuit of the jet loop reactor. The object thereof is to reduce the costs of the device. This is achieved by providing an additional apparatus, namely a gas separator, which is arranged in the external liquid circuit of the jet loop reactor and is installed for separating off gas from the external liquid circuit and feeding it back into the jet loop reactor.
US09694339B2 Chemical synthesis device and method for manufacturing chemical synthesis device
A chemical synthesis device that can easily control the temperature of a fluid in a channel is provided. An embodiment of a chemical synthesis device according to the invention includes a substrate provided with a first channel in which a plurality of fluids are subjected to a chemical synthesis and a second channel for controlling a temperature of the fluids flowing through the first channel.
US09694338B2 Covalently-immobilized hydrogel arrays in multi-well plates
Hydrogel arrays, methods for preparing hydrogel arrays and methods for screening cell-substrate interactions using the hydrogel arrays are disclosed. Advantageously, the hydrogel arrays include individual hydrogel posts that are completely isolatable, allowing for systematic and independent control of the chemical composition and physical dimensions of each hydrogel post.
US09694332B2 Slurry mixer discharge gate adapter with transitioning cross-sectional geometry
A discharge gate for a gypsum slurry mixer is provided, and includes a gate adapter having an inlet opening configured for receiving the slurry, and an outlet opening configured for delivering the slurry to a dispensing device. The gate adapter has two different transitioning cross-sectional geometries at opposite ends. Specifically, the gate adapter includes an inlet section having a quadrilateral inlet opening; an outlet section having a substantially circular outlet opening; and a transition section sandwiched between the inlet and outlet sections.
US09694331B2 Mixer having rotating mixing container
The present invention relates to a mixer with a mixing container and a tool shaft (8) which is arranged at least partly in the mixing container and has a drive end and a working end for a working tool (6), the tool shaft (8) being mounted on the drive end by means of two mutually set-apart tool bearings and a drive motor (7) being provided for the tool shaft (8). In order to provide a mixer which is simple and economical to manufacture and has as few movable and wearing parts as possible and the tool shaft (8) of which is, in addition, able to accommodate the considerable transverse forces occurring during operation, the invention proposes that the drive motor (7) have a motor shaft which is mounted, at least on one side, by a tool bearing.
US09694330B1 Internal batch mixer with three-wing non-intermeshing rotors
The internal batch mixer with three-wing non-intermeshing rotors includes a pair of non-intermeshing, counter-rotating, tangential rotors each having three wing portions. The internal batch mixer includes a housing defining a mixing chamber, where the mixing chamber includes first and second substantially circular chamber cavities in open communication with one another at a central region of the mixing chamber. The first and second non-intermeshing, counter-rotating winged rotors are respectively rotationally mounted within the first and second substantially circular chamber cavities, such that the central region of the mixing chamber defines an interacting mixing region between the first and second non-intermeshing, counter-rotating winged rotors. The first and second non-intermeshing, counter-rotating winged rotors are driven to counter-rotate with respect to one another. Each rotor has a substantially helical contour and a blade portion divided into three separate wings.
US09694328B2 Beverage aeration
A beverage package includes a bottle including a base, a sidewall extending from the base, a shoulder extending from the sidewall, and a neck extending from the shoulder and including an interior, an interior surface, and a mouth having an end surface. The beverage package also includes an aerator separate from the bottle, extending across the interior of the bottle neck, and disposed entirely within the interior of the neck and spaced axially from the end surface of the bottle neck, and including an inlet end, an outlet end axially spaced from the inlet end, an outer wall in contact with the interior surface of the bottle neck, and a baffle disposed radially inwardly of the outer wall and axially between the inlet and outlet ends.
US09694327B2 Hollow porous membrane
A hollow porous membrane of the present invention comprises a plurality of porous membrane layers, at least two layers of which are formed using a thermoplastic resin (a) having a mass average molecular weight of 500,000 or more, and the hollow porous membrane having a bursting pressure of 200 kPa or more when an internal pressure is applied and exhibiting virus removal performance of LRV 4 or more in the case of using MS2 phage as a test bacterium.
US09694324B2 Multistage membrane distillation device
The invention relates to a multistage membrane distillation device comprising a heating stage (28), preferably multiple condensing/evaporating stages (12), and a condensing stage (36) through which a liquid to be concentrated is passed in succession. Each condensing/evaporating stage comprises at least one condensing unit (K) and at least one evaporating unit (V). Each condensing unit comprises a first steam chamber that is delimited at least partly by a condensation wall (16), and each evaporating unit comprises a second steam chamber that is delimited at least partly by a steam-permeable liquid-tight membrane wall (20). At least one flow channel which is formed between such a condensing unit K and such an evaporating unit V that adjoins said condensing unit and which conducts the liquid to be concentrated is provided in each condensing/evaporating stage so that the liquid to be concentrated is heated by means of the condensation wall, and the steam that is generated from the liquid to be concentrated reaches the second steam chamber through the membrane wall. The steam that is produced in a respective preceding stage is conducted into a condensing unit of the immediately following stage via a steam channel which exclusively conducts said steam and which exclusively further conducts said steam to the immediately following stage.
US09694323B2 Energy recovery apparatus
Two cylinder devices are respectively connected to two flow path switching devices; first and second position detectors which detect movement and passage of a piston are disposed at one end side of the two cylinder devices; and third and fourth position detectors are disposed at an interval more toward the one end side. The cylinder device in the filling process is set to the pressure feeding process by a flow path switching device in accordance with signals of the first and second position detectors of the cylinder device in the pressure feeding process, and the cylinder device in the pressure feeding process is subsequently set to the filling process by a flow path switching device in accordance with signals of the third and fourth position detectors.
US09694321B2 Exhaust treatment system with particulate filter having wall-flow and flow-through channels
In one aspect, an exhaust treatment system includes a first particulate filter that has an oxidation catalyst and receives an exhaust stream from an engine. The first particulate filter has a first filter body that defines a plurality of flow-through channels, each open on the inlet and outlet sides of the first filter body. The first filter body also defines a plurality of wall-flow channels, each open on one of the inlet and outlet sides and closed on the other of the inlet and outlet sides. The system also has a second particulate filter that receives the exhaust stream from the first particulate filter. The second particulate filter has a second filter body that defines a plurality of wall-flow channels, each open on one of the inlet and outlet sides of the second particulate filter and closed on the other of the inlet and outlet sides of the second particulate filter.
US09694320B2 SCR catalytic converter having improved NOx conversion
The invention relates to the possibility of improving selective catalytic reduction (SCR), which is the selective reaction of nitrogen oxides with ammonia in the exhaust gas of combustion processes on an exhaust-gas catalytic converter suitable therefor—the SCR catalytic converter. For this purpose, materials used in the catalytic converter for storing ammonia are distributed on the catalyst carrier in such a way that, viewed in the flow direction, a region having low ammonia storage capacity is followed by a region of higher ammonia storage capacity.
US09694319B2 Gas purifier
The invention relates to a gas purifier that removes moisture and oxygen from inert gases and reducing gases, for example, at sub-atmospheric pressures. The purifier can remove part per million levels of moisture in a gas stream to less than 100 parts per trillion by volume, and has a low pressure drop and a sharp breakthrough curve.
US09694313B2 Composite hollow fiber membrane and hollow fiber membrane module
This composite hollow fiber membrane comprises a non-porous homogeneous layer which is gas-permeable and a porous support layer which supports said homogeneous layer, and is characterized in that the non-porous homogeneous layer is hydrophobic and the polyolefin resin constituting the porous support layer contains a hydrophilic additive. By this means, a composite hollow fiber membrane for use in degassing can be provided that is hydrophilic, has high water vapor permeability, and can solve the problem of gas permeability being reduced due to condensate in the porous substance.
US09694311B2 System and method for concentrating gas
Systems and methods for producing a product gas are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes at least one separation bed to separate adsorbable components from a gas source, a valving means to selectively direct gas from the gas source to the at least one separation bed, at least one sensing device associated with the at least one separation bed to sense the progress of an adsorption zone within the separation bed, and a controller. The controller includes logic to read the output of the at least one sensing device and control the gas separation process based on the progress of the adsorption zone.
US09694309B2 Composition and method of dust suppression wetting agents
This disclosure teaches a composition and process which makes it possible to remove floating particulates or prevent the dissemination or particulates, by the misting of a solution that readily captures any particulate material in the air. More specifically, the present disclosure teaches the composition and use of aromatic compounds that are semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) or slow evaporators in water-based carriers with surfactants as the misting/fogging agent for dust suppression. The particulate material is lowered to surfaces and removed by vacuuming, damp-wiping or using a dry cloth with a cationic charge (static cloth). This method can be achieved with neutral air pressure differentials in the work areas.
US09694302B2 Multi-step separation process
The present invention provides a chromatographic separation process for recovering a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) product from a feed mixture, which comprises: (a) purifying the feed mixture in a first chromatographic separation step using an eluent a mixture of water and a first organic solvent, to obtain an intermediate product; and (b) purifying the intermediate product in a second chromatographic separation step using as eluent a mixture of water and a second organic solvent, to obtain the PUFA product, wherein the second organic solvent is different from the first organic solvent and has a polarity index which differs from the polarity index of the first organic solvent by between 0.1 and 2.0, wherein the PUFA product is other than alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), linoleic acid, an ALA mono- di- or triglyceride, a GLA mono- di- or triglyceride, a linoleic acid mono- di- or triglyceride, an ALA C1-C4 alkyl ester, a GLA C1-C4 alkyl ester or a linoleic acid C1-C4 alkyl ester or a mixture thereof.
US09694301B2 Two-dimensional fluid separation with controlled pressure
A sample separation apparatus for separating a liquid sample includes a first separation unit for separating the sample, a first fluid drive for conducting the sample to be separated through the first separation unit, a second separation unit, arranged downstream of the first separation unit, for further separating the sample, a second fluid drive for at least partially conducting the sample through the second separation unit, and a fluidic valve having interfaces fluidically coupled to the first and second fluid drives and being switchable for performing the separation of the sample. The apparatus is configured for adjusting a pressure at a predefined position to a predefined value, wherein the predefined position is in a fluidic path between an outlet of the first separation unit and an inlet of the second separation unit or in fluid communication with this fluidic path.
US09694299B1 Bubble blowing assembly
A bubble blowing assembly for blowing bubbles with manually pumped air includes a tubular housing that may be gripped by a user. A pump is operationally coupled to the tubular housing. The pump urges air into the tubular housing. A primary reservoir is operationally coupled to the tubular housing. The primary reservoir may contain a fluid. A nozzle is operationally coupled to the tubular housing. A fluid hose is operationally coupled between the tubular housing and the primary reservoir. The fluid hose selectively directs the fluid into the nozzle. A first air hose is operationally coupled between the tubular housing and the nozzle. The first air hose directs the pumped air into the nozzle. The nozzle generates the bubbles when the user pumps the pump. A secondary reservoir is coupled to the tubular housing. The secondary reservoir collects excess fluid from the nozzle.
US09694293B1 Multipurpose game apparatus
A multipurpose game apparatus disclosed by the present invention includes at least a foundation, at least a combining slab and at least a shackle. The combining slab is provided with a wavy edge to facilitate installing the combining slab on a wavy slot of the foundation. When two foundations are connected together, two inverted hooks at an end of the shackle are hooked respectively in a snap hole on a left side or a right side of the foundation for positioning. Therefore, by combining the abovementioned elements, a game apparatus in all kinds of combinatorial change in routes can be formed.
US09694289B2 Chess variant game and method
An exemplary embodiment of a chess game variant comprises a game board and four sets of eighteen chess pieces each. The game board has an inner zone and four panel zones thereabout. The inner zone presents eighty-one playing positions in a nine-by-nine square array. Each panel zone presents twenty-seven playing positions arranged in a three-by-nine rectangular array. The board includes universal rows which adapt for chess-like play on an unbalanced board. Each set of game pieces include institutional pieces and citizen pieces. Most of the citizen pieces are matched in status with corresponding institutional pieces, and are subject to rules of promotion which are driven, in part, by these status relationships. Most of the game pieces include covert or overt markings, which also drive game play and strategy. In certain aspects of game play, a player may take control of the game pieces of one or more opposing players.
US09694281B2 Data center management of multimode servers
Aspects of the present invention relate to a multimode gaming server that can run in game mode and video encode mode. Aspects of the invention can monitor demand for different computing projects in a data center and change the gaming servers into different modes to meet the demand. The arrangement of gaming servers in the different modes can be established to balance heat generation evenly throughout a data center.
US09694279B2 Game availability in a remote gaming environment
Embodiments of the present invention monitor and dynamically manage game instances within a game service. A game service provides a remote gaming environment to which users connect over a wide area network, such as the Internet. For example, embodiments of the invention may forecast demand for a specific game title. The demand forecast is used to determine how many standby game instances are needed to meet demand as players join and leave game sessions. Games with higher demand may have more standby game instances ready for players to drop in. Games with less demand may have fewer active game instances running waiting for players to drop in.
US09694271B2 Ski and climbing aid for attachment to a ski
The invention relates to a ski having a sliding surface and a ski upper face opposite the sliding surface, wherein a climbing aid can be attached to the sliding surface and the ski has a continuous through-hole in an area located before a contact surface, which through-hole extends from the sliding surface to the ski upper face. According to the invention, a securing element is arranged on the ski upper face which securing element comprises at least one holding element for the form-fitting connection to a corresponding counter element of the climbing aid.
US09694270B2 Skate blade for balance and performing skating skills
The present invention is an ice-skate blade formed to increase the balance of a skater upon an ice-skate blade. The blade may incorporate indentations in one or more both of the following position: a portion of the front section of the skate blade; and a portion of the rear section of the skate blade. Such indentations may be a series of serrated cuts or otherwise formed notches in the lower blade edge. The blade may be formed in a variety of sizes, and may be connectable to a variety of skate boots. A skater utilizing the blade of the present invention will be assisted with regaining balance upon the blade upon experiencing unbalance, and assisted with maintaining balance upon the skate blade. The blade functions in a manner that allows a skater to learn and develop skating skills.
US09694269B2 Golf aid including heads up display for green reading
A golf aid for assisting a user in reading a green includes a user tracking system to determine the location of a user on a golf course, a heads up display, and a processor. The heads up display is configured to be worn on the user's head, and to display an image within a field of view of the user. The processor is in communication with the user tracking system and with the heads up display, and maintains a representation of a topology for each of a plurality of golf greens, receives an indication of the location of the user from the user tracking system, identifies one of the plurality of golf greens that is the closest to the user, and displays a representation of the topology within the field of view of the user via the heads up display.
US09694267B1 Swing analysis method using a swing plane reference frame
A method for analyzing sensor data from baseball swings (or swings in similar sports) that transforms data into a reference frame defined by the bat orientation and velocity at impact. The swing plane defined by these two axes provides a natural and robust reference frame for physically relevant measurements of swing characteristics. Illustrative swing metrics derived from swing plane reference frame data include: swing speed, defined as a rotational rate within the swing plane; total swing angle, defined as the angular change within the swing plane; and swing tempo, defined as the percentage of peak swing speed achieved halfway through the swing. Analyzing these metrics from multiple swings across multiple users identifies factors that contribute to peak performance. Metrics may be combined into multidimensional feature vectors that characterize a swing; these feature vectors may be used to group swings into swing styles or to match swings against similar players.
US09694266B2 Attachment for a sports training device
A sports training device includes a target having a mounting arm and an attachment. The mounting arm includes a set of front holes and a set of back holes. The hole sets are separated by at least a quarter of the circumference of an in situ support. The attachment includes a strap, hook, and tab. The first and the second ends of a strap are threaded through the front hole set thus forming a loop and then threaded through the back hole set. The strap ends are threaded through the holes on the tab. A hook is positioned on the loop. The tab includes a hole for the hook and two pair of tab holes for the strap. The first end is threaded through the first pair of tab holes while the second end is threaded through the second pair of tab holes.
US09694258B2 Golf-club head comprised of low-friction materials, and method of making same
Described is a golf club with an outer surface comprising a low-friction ceramic material with suitable thickness and configuration. In one aspect, at least the striking surface and/or sole of a golf-club head is made of a low-friction material including at least one of: titanium nitride, titanium carbonitride, titanium oxynitride, titanium carbide, titanium aluminum nitride, aluminum titanium nitride, titanium silicon nitride, titanium niobium nitride, titanium zirconium nitride, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, silicon oxide, zirconium nitride, chromium nitride, chromium carbonitride, chromium aluminum nitride, aluminum chromium nitride, titanium aluminum silicon nitride, and one or more combinations thereof.
US09694257B1 Golf club head with structural columns
A golf club head having multiple structural columns is disclosed herein. A body comprises a face section, a sole section, and a crown or return section, and defines a hollow interior. Each of the structural columns extends from the crown or return section to the sole section within the hollow interior to reduce stresses placed on the face section during impact with a golf ball. The structural columns are all located within 1 inch of a rear surface of the face section measured along a plane normal to the center of the face, and are spaced a distance of 0.500 to 2.00 inch from one another within the hollow interior.
US09694254B2 Golf club head
To provide a golf club head excellent in hitting sound and flight distance performance. A head includes a face, a crown and a sole. The crown has an inner surface on which grid-form rib is provided. When a region on which the grid-form rib is provided is defined as a rib region, an additional rib is further provided on the rib region. The additional rib is positioned on a heel side relative to a face center. Preferably, the grid-form rib is formed by intersection of first ribs extending in a substantially toe-heel direction and second ribs extending in a substantially face-back direction. Preferably, the additional rib is sloped to be closer to a back side as approaching to the heel side.
US09694253B2 Polymer cover layer for golf club face
A golf club head, comprising a striking surface having an outer cover layer comprising a polyurethane or polyurea having a material Shore D hardness of 40 to 70, a layer thickness of 0.2 to 0.6 mm, and a flexural modulus of 5 to 110 kpsi.
US09694252B2 Golf club
A golf club comprises a shaft, a club head, and a connection assembly that allows the shaft to be easily disconnected from the club head. In particular embodiments, the connection assembly includes a removable hosel sleeve that allows a shaft to be supported a desired predetermined orientation relative to the club head. In this manner, the shaft loft and/or lie angle of the club can be adjusted without resorting to traditional bending of the shaft. In another embodiment, the club head has an adjustable sole that can be adjusted upwardly and downwardly relative to the strike face of the club head, which is effective to adjust the face angle of the club head.
US09694251B2 Releasable and interchangeable connections for golf club heads and shafts
Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure; (b) a club head engaging member including a shaft-receiving chamber and a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft engaging member so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
US09694250B2 Lacrosse ball container and resurfacer
A sports ball container suitable for resurfacing, storing, and carrying sports balls by abrading a surface of one or more sports balls by applying a reciprocating motion. The ball container includes a bottom wall, a cylindrical side, an open end top portion with screw threads thereon, and a cap. The inner surface of the cylindrical side wall is an abrasive surface configured to abrade one or more balls. A lanyard attached to the top portion of the container may be used for the efficient and convenient transportation and storage of sports balls.
US09694249B2 Method for manufacturing golf ball
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of manufacturing a golf ball comprising forming a spherical core having less-variable compression deformation amount and stabilized properties. The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a golf ball, comprising the steps of: blending (a) a base rubber, (b) an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and/or a metal salt thereof as a co-crosslinking agent, (c) a crosslinking initiator, (d) a carboxylic acid and/or a salt thereof having a number-average particle size ranging from 15 μm to 60 μm, and (e) where necessary a metal compound to prepare a core rubber composition; molding the core rubber composition into a spherical core under specific conditions; and forming at least one cover layer on the spherical core.
US09694242B2 System and method for measuring running efficiencies on a treadmill
A method for improving running efficiency includes measuring power usage of a drive motor of a treadmill while a user is running on the treadmill for a first period of time and analyzing the measured power usage of the drive motor for the first period of time with a computer. The method further includes providing the user with information about the user's running form based on the analyzed data and providing the user with information on how the user can change their current running form to improve running efficiency.
US09694236B2 Stability and strength training device
A transformable exercise device used both for stability and strength training is disclosed. Embodiments include a main portion comprising a sphere that may be used wholly in the manner of a medicine ball, kettlebell, rolling device, or separated into two hemisphere elements and used for various exercises including push-ups, standing balance, agility training, and weight training. The two hemisphere elements may be easily and securely locked together with a U-shaped locking mechanism that, when actuated, is congruent with the surface of the sphere to create a medicine ball configuration. The locking mechanism may be modified with various handle attachments, or removed and replaced with separate components added externally to the device providing various hand or foot placements, or alter the nature of the exercise equipment. The device may be used in conjunction with current technology to provide visual and auditory feedback on user's balance or repetitions while performing exercises.
US09694235B2 Method and system for virtual hiking
A virtual biking system and a virtual hiking method by which a user can bike indoors while simulating actually being outdoors are provided. The virtual hiking system includes a Personal Computer (PC) configured to display a simulation screen, a motion platform configured to move corresponding to a state of a road of the simulation screen displayed on the PC, and a bicycle fixed onto the motion platform such that the simulation screen is changed corresponding to a movement and a speed of a handle.
US09694223B2 System and components for evaluating the performance of fire safety protection devices
A fire safety protection evaluation system includes at least one horizontal collection device and at least one vertical collection device. The at least one horizontal collection device includes a liquid collection pan with a substantially horizontal opening, a first storage container in communication with the liquid collection pan, and a first measuring device to measure an amount of liquid in the first storage container and/or a rate of liquid entering the first storage container. The at least one vertical collection device includes a substantially vertical liquid collection surface extending between a top edge and a bottom edge, a trough located along the bottom edge to collect liquid from the substantially vertical collection surface, and a second measuring device to measure an amount of liquid and/or a rate of liquid collected by the trough.
US09694222B2 Method and nozzle for firefighting
A firefighting medium is allowed to escape from a nozzle through apertures, the nozzle being provided with an internally arranged valve in sealing contact with a valve seat until the valve is released from its sealing position. The release is caused by a heat sensible release mechanism acting on the valve, whereby the sealing effect of the valve is relieved. A locking force required for maintaining the sealing effect by a removable cap or cover is provided, attached to the nozzle front, the locking force being established between at least two interacting surfaces. By releasing the sealing effect of the valve by removing the locking effect between the two interacting surfaces, the cap or cover is allowed to drop off its seat on the nozzle, relieving the press causing the sealing effect on the valve of the nozzle, the removal of the cap or cover caused by releasing mechanism.
US09694218B2 Portable intake air sterilizing apparatus
A portable intake air sterilizing apparatus is disclosed, which allows prevention of a worker's infection with virus/bacteria and which can allow, at the same time, the worker to work comfortably. The apparatus includes a cover member C for covering one or both of the nose and the mouth, an air intake portion K for the inner space of the cover member C, and a chlorine dioxide slow-release portion J capable of releasing chlorine dioxide gas into an intake air in association with introduction of this intake air from the air intake portion K.
US09694215B2 Skin compositions and methods
The invention provides skin compositions containing a mixture of milled particles having different sizes less than 50 microns in diameter of vitamins in a biocompatible carrier.
US09694199B2 Fluid dispenser
A fluid dispenser including a body (6) receiving a dispenser member (3) connected to a reservoir (1) and to a fluid dispenser orifice (73), an actuator member (4) for actuating the dispenser member (3) and a module (5) comprising at least one source of radiation (51), such as a LED, the body (6) having a module housing (65) wherein the module (5) is received. The dispenser also includes a dispenser and diffuser head (7) mounted on the body (6) and forming an application wall (74) into which the fluid dispenser orifice (73) opens out for applying the fluid coming from the dispenser orifice (73) onto the skin. The module (5) is integral with the dispenser and diffuser head (7), thus forming together an integral unit (U) which is received on and within the body (6).
US09694198B2 Method and apparatus for distinguishing radiation emitted by targets and non-targets during surgical laser procedures
Methods and arrangements for distinguishing between target areas and non-target areas during a laser surgical procedure involve coating or otherwise providing the non-target areas with a phosphorescent material that emits radiation, upon stimulation when a predetermined condition occurs, that is distinguishable from the treatment radiation.
US09694196B2 System, method and equipment for implementing temporary diamagnetic propulsive focusing effect with transient applied magnetic field pulses
An apparatus and method are utilized to transiently implement diamagnetic behavior in both permanently and transiently magnetized particles.
US09694193B2 Device and method for treating cells
The present invention relates to a device for treating biological cells in an object, the device comprising: —a single winding coil element; —an electrical generator connected to the single winding coil element, the single winding being configured to be positioned essentially around the object; wherein the electrical generator is configured to discharge into the single winding coil element so that the single winding coil element generates a short duration pulsed electromagnetic field by magnetic induction in the single winding coil element, the electromagnetic field having a field strength that is sufficiently high to affect, preferably increase the permeability of cell membranes and/or intracellular membranes of the biological cells contained in the object when in operation the object is placed inside the single winding coil element.
US09694189B2 Method and apparatus for communicating between medical devices
Systems and methods for communicating between medical devices. In one example, a method for communicating between a plurality of medical devices in a medical device system comprises, with a first medical device, communicating a first message to a second medical device. The method further comprises, with the second medical device, receiving the first message, wherein the first message comprises a plurality of communication pulses. A first set of the plurality of communication pulses represent a synchronization portion of the first message. A second set of the plurality of communication pulses represent a relative device address portion of the first message. A third set of the plurality of communication pulses represent a command portion of the first message. A fourth set of the plurality of communication pulses represent a payload portion of the first message.
US09694185B2 Hemodynamic performance enhancement through asymptomatic diaphragm stimulation
An implantable system, and methodology, for improving a heart's hemodynamic performance featuring (a) bimodal electrodes placeable on the diaphragm, out of contact with the heart, possessing one mode for sensing cardiac electrical activity, and another for applying cardiac-cycle-synchronized, asymptomatic electrical stimulation to the diaphragm to trigger biphasic, diaphragmatic motion, (b) an accelerometer adjacent the electrodes for sensing both heart sounds, and stimulation-induced diaphragmatic motion, and (c) circuit structure, connected both to the electrodes and the accelerometer, operable, in predetermined timed relationships to the presences of valid V-events noted in one of sensed electrical and sensed mechanical, cardiac activity, to deliver diaphragmatic stimulation. The circuit structure includes accelerometer-linked computer structure for enabling selective review, for later operational modifications, of stimulation-produced diaphragmatic motions, and in a modified form, may additionally include timing-adjustment substructure capable of making adjustments in the mentioned timed relationships.
US09694181B2 Methods of treatment of a neurological disorder using electrical nerve conduction block
Described herein are methods of treating various neurological disorders using electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB) without causing electrochemical damage. Examples of the various neurological disorders can include pain, muscle spasticity, hyperhidrosis, vertigo, sialorrhea, or the like. The methods can include placing an electrode contact in electrical communication with a nerve that transmits a signal related to the neurological disorder. The method also includes applying an ENCB to the nerve through the electrode contact. The electrode contact can include a high charge capacity material that prevents formation of damaging electrochemical reaction products at a charge delivered by the ENCB. The method also includes blocking transmission of the signal related to the neurological disorder through the nerve with the ENCB to treat the neurological disorder.
US09694178B2 Method and a system for optimizing the configuration of multisite transcranial current stimulation and a computer-readable medium
A system and a method for optimizing the configuration of multisite transcranial current stimulation, including providing an electric field characteristic target map on the brain's cortex, the target map including multiple cortical targets, the multiple cortical targets are localized and/or continuously varying and spatially extended, providing a weight map on the cortical surface prioritizing the important of areas in the target map for the purposes of optimization; and calculating, based on the target and weight maps, optimal currents and optimal locations for a plurality of electrodes intended for providing transcranial current stimulation to globally stimulate at once the multiple cortical targets with excitatory, inhibitory or neutral stimulation.
US09694177B2 Electrically controlled ion transport device
A device for electrically controlled of ions, comprises a first electrolyte; a first electrode, which is arranged in direct or indirect contact with the first electrolyte, an encapsulation; and an ion conductor, which is arranged to receive and/or deliver ions from/to the first electrolyte. The encapsulation is arranged to effectively enclose the first electrolyte, and the ion conductor is arranged to transport ions from/to an outside of the encapsulation.
US09694169B2 Gel assembly
A gel assembly comprising a polymeric gel layer between metal layers. A gel assembly process comprising providing a colloidal polymer in solution, drying the solution to form a polymeric gel layer and forming metal layers on either side of the polymeric gel layer. A method of drug delivery comprising loading a polymeric gel layer with drug, forming metal layers on either side of the polymeric gel layer, wherein the polymeric gel layer comprises a material that is sensitive to a stimulus, and subjecting the polymeric gel layer to the stimulus to release the drug from between or through the metal layers.
US09694167B2 Apparatus and method for treatment of sinusitis
A method of treating a constricted sinus passageway of a patient includes traversing the canine fossa region of the patient so as to form a passageway in the sinus cavity. A cannula is positioned in the passageway. A visualization tool such as an endoscope is passed through a lumen or channel in the cannula to aid in visualization of the anatomical site of interest. A balloon dilation catheter is then deployed through or along the cannula so as to place the balloon within or across the constricted anatomical space (e.g., ostium). The balloon is then expanded so as to expand at least a portion of the constricted anatomical space. Alternative embodiments include the use of an optional guide wire and incorporating a endoscope lumen through the balloon dilation catheter.
US09694164B2 Medical instrument for inserting a chest drainage tube
A single stage instrument is used to insert a chest drainage tube into the inter-pleural space to facilitate drainage. The instrument is scissor-like with cylinder-like channels to slidably enclose the distal section of the tube therein when closed. The tip of the instrument is curved to enter the skin incision and the offset pleural incision whereafter the instrument is rotated 180 degrees to align the curved tip with the pleural space. The curved tip facilitates sliding the chest drainage tube through the instrument to effect sufficient insertion length. Once the instrument is in place, the tube is slid along the instrument to ensure that all drainage holes in the chest drainage tube are within the pleural cavity. Thereafter, the instrument is withdrawn leaving the chest drainage tube in place. After withdrawal of the instrument, it is opened laterally for lateral disengagement with the chest drainage tube.
US09694162B2 Coated medical device
A coated medical device (10) including a structure (12) adapted for introduction into a passage or vessel of a patient. The structure is formed of preferably a non-porous base material (14) having a bioactive material layer (18) disposed thereon. The medical device is preferably an implantable stent or balloon (26) of which the bioactive material layer is deposited thereon. The stent can be positioned around the balloon and another layer of the bioactive material posited over the entire structure and extending beyond the ends of the positioned stent. The ends of the balloon extend beyond the ends of the stent and include the bioactive material thereon for delivering the bioactive material to the cells of a vessel wall coming in contact therewith. The balloon further includes a layer of hydrophilic material (58) positioned between the base and bioactive material layers of the balloon.
US09694161B2 Catheter with flat beam providing nonsymmetrical curve bi-directional deflection
The catheter has a catheter body and a deflectable section with a flat deflection beam having a different deflection initiation location on each side of the beam to provide nonsymmetrical bi-directional deflection via a single continuous puller wire with two longer parallel segments connected by a U-bend segment anchored at a distal end of the beam. A spacer is provided on each side of the beam to guide and bind the respective puller wire segments and maintain a predetermined separation distance between the puller wire and the beam, including a neutral bending axis of the beam, for reducing the beam's bending moment. One or more heat shrinking tubes may surround the spacer and the beam to tightly constrain the puller wire to the beam.
US09694158B2 Torque for incrementally advancing a catheter during right heart catheterization
A torque for controlling the advancement and rotation of a right heart catheter during a right heart catheterization procedure. The torque has a casing with a cavity for receiving a core, and a lumen for receiving the right heart catheter. A gripper is disposed within the core to tightly grip the right heart catheter. The core has a plurality of threads that engage teeth of a handle. The handle is attached to the casing at an axis and rotates about the axis during use. The core has an elongated spiraled recess which is engaged by a guide pin attached to the casing and extending within the cavity. When the handle is rotated, the teeth of the handle engage the threads to rotate the core, and the guide pin engages the elongated spiraled recess to move the core laterally, thereby advancing and rotating the right heart catheter.
US09694154B2 Sound machine with pseudo random white noise generator
A sound machine having a pseudo random white noise generator provides white noise sound therapy of selectable tone/texture, bandwidth and/or peak frequency to those suffering from tinnitus or others seeking noise-masking or sleep or relaxation. The sound machine having a pseudo random white noise generator includes a user input interface having a tone/texture user input control, a band pass user input control and a peak select user input control. The tone/texture user input control selects the tone/texture of the white noise sound generated, the bandpass user input control the bandpass of the white noise sound generated and the peak select user input control provides the ability to select frequency peaks of the white noise sound generated.
US09694144B2 Sampling module device and method
A medicament injection device includes a device body portion that includes a penetrating member channel. A penetrating member is provided with a sharpened distal tip and shaft portion that is slidably disposed within the penetrating channel to provide for a penetrating to travel in a linear axial movement. A pierceable membrane isolates a penetrating member in an associated penetrating member chamber. A medicament reservoir is in fluid communication with the penetrating member. The medicament reservoir is configured to house a medicament and is coupled to the penetrating member to allow for delivery of medicament to a tissue site.
US09694139B2 Fluid flow control device with retractable cannula
A device having a housing; a cannula projecting forwardly from the housing; a connector useful for attaching the device to a fluid source or receptacle; a fluid flow path establishing fluid communication between the cannula and the connector; a retraction mechanism biasing the cannula away from its projecting position; and an actuator supported by the housing and configured to modify the fluid flow path so as to terminate fluid flow through the device, seal off the fluid flow path, and release the retraction mechanism to retract the cannula into the housing. The subject device is particularly preferred for use in the medical field, for example, as part of an infusion set or as a collection device for blood, or other fluids or flowable matter.
US09694138B2 Safety device for a pre-filled syringe, injection device and injection kit
According to the invention, a safety device for a pre-filled syringe comprises a hollow support body to retain the pre-filled syringe therein, a hollow needle shield that is slidable relative to the support body and guiding means for guiding the movement of the needle shield relative to the support body. The guiding means comprise a guide pin, a guide track and a cut-out adjacent to the guide track. The guide pin protrudes into the guide track and moves within and along the guide track when the needle shield is slid relative to the support body. The cut-out allows a side wall of the guide track to be deflected in a lateral direction perpendicular to a central axis of the safety device.
US09694137B2 Injection devices using a resiliently compressible torsion spring as driving force
An injection device includes a housing for receiving a syringe or cartridge for containing a medicament; a rotary driveshaft mounted for rotation relative to the housing; and an elongate coiled torsion spring having respective formations at opposite ends thereof, with a first formation being anchored in a seat on the rotary drive shaft and a second formation being anchored in a seat on a reaction component. In use relative rotation of the rotary driveshaft and the reaction component in one angular direction strains the torsion drive spring, and release of the strained torsion drive spring causes expression of medicament from the syringe or cartridge. The torsion spring is longitudinally resiliently compressible between its end formations whereby during assembly of the injection device, the torsion spring may be longitudinally compressed and then rotated, thereby urging the end formations of the torsion drive spring into engagement with the respective seats.
US09694136B2 Injection device
An injection device includes a housing having a receptacle for a vessel for holding injection fluid; an operator-manipulated element for setting an injection dose; a dosing member rotatable about a longitudinal center axis relative to the housing when setting the injection dose; a feed part; and, a latching unit acting between the feed part and housing. The dosing member has a zero position whereat no dose is set and an injection position whereat an intended dose of injection fluid is set. A spring acts between the dosing member and the housing to return the dosing member from an intermediate position to the injection position or a zero position.
US09694135B2 Revolving multi-cartridge hypodermic syringe and method of use
A revolving multi-cartridge syringe device includes a needle and two or three revolving holders, each for receiving a cartridge containing medical fluid to be injected. The holders can be pre-loaded with the cartridges, with a first cartridge placed in a loaded position ready to dispense. After fluid in the first cartridge is injected into a patient, a second holder and cartridge are revolved into the loaded position, without breakdown of the syringe. The process can be repeated with a third cartridge. The engagement of each cartridge with the needle, retraction from the needle, and rotation of the revolving holder are all implemented by sliding a sliding actuator in either a first direction or a second, opposite, direction, depending on which action is desired. Thus, injection and reloading of the cartridges can be easily actuated by the user through manipulation of a single slidable actuator, without requiring withdrawing the needle from the mouth area to reload.
US09694134B2 Assembly for sequentially delivering substances, and associated methods
An infusion assembly is provided. Such an infusion assembly includes a first infusion body and a first nozzle operably engaged with the first infusion body. A first plunger is configured to translate longitudinally within the first infusion body for dispensing a first substance out of the first infusion body through the first nozzle. The plunger has a translating member and a stopper piston separable and removable from the translating member. Once separated, the stopper piston is capable of receiving a second nozzle of a second infusion body such that the first substance, along with a second substance in the second infusion body, are capable of being sequentially administered to a target site. An associated method and kit are also provided.
US09694130B2 Stabilizing device having a snap clamp
A medical article, such as a connector fitting, is stabilized on a patient with a retainer having a base and moveable walls. Actuation surfaces configured to move the walls in at least a lateral direction towards each other are suspended above the base by a pair of supports. When pressed together, inner surfaces of the walls form a channel configured to encircle the medical article. The medical article may be pressed down against the actuation surfaces by a medical provider to cause the walls to encircle the medical article. Thereafter, the medical provider may snap the walls together using a latching mechanism to stabilize the medical article on the patient.
US09694126B2 Method for adjusting a continuous dialysate volume flow in a dialysis machine and dialysis machine
A method is provided for adjusting a continuous dialysate volume flow in a dialysis machine with at least two discontinuous pumps and a controller for generating a desired volume flow of the dialysate. The energy for driving the pumps is set to be constant with a value determined corresponding to the pump-time volume of the respective pump stroke and the delivered volume. A dialysis machine for carrying out the aforementioned method is also provided.
US09694117B2 Antithrombotic medical materials and medical apparatus using the same materials
A medical material that is excellent in antithrombogenicity even under a severe use condition in which thrombi are easily formed, is provided. The medical material contains a water-insoluble copolymer including a repeating unit (A) (which is derived from acryloylmorpholine, for example) and a repeating unit (B) (which is derived from methoxyethyl acrylate, for example), in which the water-insoluble copolymer has 5 mole % to 20 mole % of the repeating unit (A) with respect to all constituent units of the copolymer.
US09694114B2 Antimicrobial catheters with permeabilization agents
Catheters and a method of preparation thereof comprising a catheter body and at least one connector. The catheter body has an exterior surface and at least one lumen having an aspect ratio of at least 3:1 and an intraluminal surface comprising a hydrophilic polymer layer thereon, the hydrophilic polymer layer has an average dry thickness of at least about 50 nanometers, wherein the catheter body comprises one or more permeabilization agents and one or more antimicrobial agents.
US09694112B2 Crosslinked coatings delivered by a balloon
The present invention relates to systems for and corresponding methods of delivering a therapeutic agent to a vessel wall of a body lumen by providing a compound capable of being crosslinked after intraluminal release onto a vessel wall so that the therapeutic agent is temporarily retained at the site of delivery by the crosslinked compound.
US09694111B2 Medical device rapid drug releasing coatings comprising a therapeutic agent and a contrast agent
The invention relates to a coated medical device for rapid delivery of a therapeutic agent to a tissue in seconds to minutes. The medical device has a layer overlying the exterior surface of the medical device. The layer contains a therapeutic agent, a contrast agent, and an additive.
US09694105B2 Vascular casted prostheses and methods of forming same for treating biological tissue
Bioremodelable tissue prostheses having a vasculature that is infused with a biomaterial composition.
US09694102B2 Ceramic manufactures
Fired magnesium oxide stabilized transformation toughened zirconia ceramic can be for or of an implant or implant component of a one-piece unicompartmental knee spacer device; a multi-piece unicompartmental joint aligning device; a temporal mandibular joint cap implant; a vertebra cap; an ankle joint ensemble or component; a bridge, a tooth or teeth; a patellofemoral joint implant; a tibial tray for a knee joint replacement implant; an intermediary articulation plate for a tibial tray and liner for a knee joint replacement implant; or the intermediary articulation plate assembled in combination with the tibial tray.
US09694099B2 Ophthalmic and contact lens solutions using choline
The present invention relates to a lens care solution having 0.001 to about 5 weight percent of a low molecular weight amine of the general formula: where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are —H or low molecular weight radicals, and R5 is a low molecular weight radical, or salt thereof; an effective amount of a tonicity agent; and the balance water.
US09694096B2 Methods compositions and articles for olfactory-active substances
The present invention is directed to methods, compositions and articles comprising olfactory-active compositions. An article of the present invention comprises a structural component and an olfactory-active composition. The article may control the release, release rate or absorption of the olfactory-active composition. The article may be of various shapes and sizes. A method of use of an article comprises providing fragrance to an environment.
US09694095B2 Plasma powder sterilization apparatus and methods
Systems and methods for plasma sterilization are described. The sterilization method includes placing a substance to be sterilized in a rotating chamber (e.g., drum) and exposing the substance to a radio frequency (RF) plasma. The mixing of the substance and plasma is further promoted by generating a magnetic field that produces a force on the substance in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the chamber. In other aspects, the chamber may have a gas permeable wall. In addition, the substance may be exposed to acoustic shock waves produced by a modulating RF generator.
US09694090B2 Process for preparing hyperpolarized substrates and method for MRI
The present invention generally relates to a process for the preparation of aqueous solutions of hyperpolarized molecules ready for use in in-vivo MR diagnostic imaging, the use thereof as MRI contrast agent in investigation methods for producing diagnostic MR images of a human or non-human animal body organ, region or tissue.
US09694080B2 Polymer release system
A pharmaceutical composition for controlled release of an active substance, the composition being a matrix composition of: (a) a substantially water soluble or crystalline polymer, (b) an active substance, and optionally, (c) one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients having a water solubility of at least 1 mg/ml at ambient temperature. The matrix composition does not contain a water dispersible or water soluble surface active agent that has at least one domain, which is compatible with the polymer in the matrix composition, and which substantially eliminates water diffusion between the interface between the polymer crystals.
US09694077B2 Lipid compositions
Disclosed herein are lipid compositions comprising a cationic lipid of formula (I), a neutral lipid, a sterol and a PEG or PEG-modified lipid, wherein formula (I) is Also disclosed are methods of producing the cationic lipid of formula (I).
US09694075B2 Treatment of hypoxic tumors with localized oxygenation
Methods and systems for treatment of hypoxic tumors are provided, including the steps of positioning a delivery device in a bodily cavity adjacent to tumor tissue, delivering an oxygenating agent to the tumor tissue via the delivery device and radiating the tumor tissue with radiation. Methods and systems of treatment of tumors are also provided, including the steps of positioning a delivery device in a bodily cavity adjacent to tumor tissue, delivering a photosensitizing agent to the tumor tissue via the delivery device, and radiating the tumor tissue with light.
US09694068B2 Methods and compositions to produce vaccines against smallpox in plants
Compositions and methods for producing plant-derived immunogenic compositions that confer immunity against smallpox in a subject are provided. Plants engineered to produce antigenic proteins as well as expression cassettes comprising nucleic acids encoding proteins thereof are described. Methods of immunizing subjects with plant-derived compositions are also provided.
US09694067B2 Monovalent H5 vaccine
The present invention relates to a monovalent H5N1 vaccine. More specifically, the present invention relates to the development of a monovalent H5 vaccine strain using hemagglutinin (HA) engineering to elicit cross-clade protection. The present invention also relates to an epitope-chimeric H5 and to a reverse genetics (RG) influenza virus expressing the epitope-chimeric H5.
US09694065B2 Infectious DNA vaccines against chikungunya virus
Described herein are i-DNA™ vectors and vaccines and methods for using the same. The i-DNA™ generates live attenuated vaccines in eukaryotic cells in vitro or in vivo for pathogenic RNA viruses, particularly chikungunya virus (CHIKV). When iDNA is injected into the vaccine recipient, RNA of live attenuated virus is generated by in vivo transcription in the recipient's tissues. This initiates production of progeny attenuated viruses in the tissues of the vaccine recipient, as well as elicitation of an effective immune response protecting against wild-type, non-attenuated virus.
US09694059B2 Ex vivo, fast and efficient process to obtain activated antigen-presenting cells that are useful for therapies against cancer and immune system-related diseases
The present invention relates to an ex vivo, fast and efficient process to obtain activated antigen-presenting cells that are useful for therapies against cancer and immune system-related diseases. At the same time, it is related to a cellular composition that contributes to stimulate the activated antigen-presenting cells to induce a specific immune response against tumors in patients with cancer or other pathologies involving immune responses.
US09694058B2 Light-mediated anti-cell proliferative compositions and methods
The tumor-necrosis factor superfamily member LIGHT (p30; TNFSF-14) is a cytokine for inducing immune responses against tumors. A novel biochemical approach is used to decorate the surface of tumor cells with LIGHT. LIGHT decorated cells can be used to vaccinate and induce effective, sustained immunity against cells expressing neo or pathogen associated antigens. Variants of LIGHT are described that enhance binding to cellular receptors (e.g., LT beta receptor) and decrease regulation by inhibitors (e.g., Decoy Receptor 3) increasing ability to stimulate immunity.
US09694056B2 α-galactosidase A and 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin co-formulation
The present application provides for compositions comprising α-galactosidase A in combination with an active site-specific chaperone for the α-galactosidase A, and methods for treating Fabry disease in a subject in need thereof, that includes a method of administering to the subject such compositions. The present application also provides methods for increasing the in vitro and in vivo stability of an α-galactosidase A enzyme formulation.
US09694040B2 Hydrogenation of cannabis oil
The present invention relates to the extraction and hydrogenation of essential oil of a cannabis plant. The invention includes hydrogenated cannabis compounds and compositions, as well as methods of preparation and therapeutic uses for regressing tumors in a cancer patient. The extract can include 9-tetrahydrocannabinoic acid and 9-cannabidiolic acid, and the hydrogenated cannabis oil can include hydrogenated 9-tetrahydrocannabinoic acid, hydrogenated 9-cannabidioc acid and, mixtures and blends thereof.
US09694038B2 Combination growth factor therapy and cell therapy for treatment of acute and chronic diseases of the organs
Acute and chronic diseases of the organs are treated in patients using a rational, multi-tier approach. A patient can be pretreated with growth factor proteins or gene therapy, followed by the administration of adult stem cells or other cell therapy. The patient can be a fetus treated in utero or removed from the womb. The progress of treatment is monitored by ultrasound, MRI, CAT scan, cardiac echo, EEG, EKG, EMG or blood tests, with growth factor treatment and/or stem cell administration adjusted according to the results of the monitoring or clinical status of the patient.
US09694037B2 Stabilized, sterilized collagen scaffolds with active adjuncts attached
Bioimplants and methods of making the bioimplants are provided. The bioimplants comprise biological tissues having conjugated thereto adjunct molecules. The biological tissues are sterilized with a chemical sterilizing agent, such as a water soluble carbodiimide. The processes of making the bioimplants include a process in which an adjunct molecule is conjugated to a biological tissue during the sterilization process.
US09694035B2 Mesenchymal stem cells and uses therefor
Methods of treating autoimmune diseases, allergic responses, cancer, or inflammatory diseases in an animal, promoting wound healing, repairing epithelial damage and promoting angiogenesis in an organ or tissue of an animal by administering to the animal mesenchymal stem cells in an effective amount.
US09694031B2 Calcium carbonate composition for ameliorating, preventing and treating osteoporosis, and manufacturing method therefor
The present invention relates to a calcium carbonate composition for ameliorating, preventing and treating osteoporosis, and a manufacturing method therefor. More specifically, the present invention relates to a calcium carbonate composition for alleviating, preventing and treating osteoporosis, the composition comprising calcium, magnesium and zinc, and having calcium carbonate microparticles formed by the supply of carbon dioxide gas. The present invention provides a composition for maximizing the absorption of calcium, the composition being developed as a health food, food material or the like, and displaying the effects of relieving and alleviating illnesses and symptoms caused by a lack of calcium.
US09694029B2 Immune modulation using peptides and other compositions
The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for topical or transdermal delivery for immune modulation. In some cases, the composition may include nitric oxide and/or peptides. The nitric oxide and/or peptide may be present within a first phase comprising a lecithin, such as phosphatidylcholine. In certain embodiments, the lecithin is present in liposomes, micelles, or other vesicles containing nitric oxide, peptides, or both. The composition can take the form of a gel, a cream, a lotion, an ointment, a solution, a solid “stick,” etc., that can be rubbed or sprayed onto the skin. Other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such compositions, methods of promoting such compositions, kits including such compositions, or the like.
US09694028B2 4′-azido, 3′-deoxy-3′-fluoro substituted nucleoside derivatives as inhibitors of HCV RNA replication
The present disclosure relates to the compound of Formula I: Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound of Formula I, methods of using the compound of Formula I and/or compositions comprising the compound of Formula I for the treatment of HCV.
US09694027B2 Pyrazole derivative and use thereof for medical purposes
The present invention provides pyrazole derivatives, uses thereof for medical purposes and so on. More particularly, the present invention relates to pharmaceuticals useful for the prevention or treatment of constipation, which comprise as an active ingredient 3-(3-{4-[3-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-5-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl]-3-methylphenoxy}propylamino)-2,2-dimethylpropionamide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The pharmaceuticals of the present invention exert an effect of increasing the frequency of bowel movement or the like, and are useful for the prevention or treatment of constipation.
US09694025B2 Cyclic boronic acid ester derivatives and therapeutic uses thereof
Disclosed herein are antimicrobial compounds compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, the use and preparation thereof. Some embodiments relate to cyclic boronic acid ester derivatives and their use as therapeutic agents.
US09694019B2 Compositions and methods for treating bone diseases and broken bones
Disclosed herein are methods of promoting osteogenesis in a subject, comprising administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one cationic steroid antimicrobial (CSA). Also disclosed herein are methods of promoting osteogenesis in a subject in need of such promotion, comprising administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one CSA. Additionally, disclosed herein are compounds and compositions comprising at least one CSA, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in the treatment of bone disease or the treatment of broken bones. Kits comprising such compositions and instructions on such methods are also contemplated herein.
US09694013B2 Therapeutically active compounds and their methods of use
Provided are compounds useful for treating cancer and methods of treating cancer, for example an advanced solid tumor, such as a glioma, or angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL).
US09694011B2 Substituted pyrazolopyrimidines as kinases inhibitors
The present invention is directed to novel pyrazolopyrimidines such as compounds of Formula I, their derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and hydrates thereof. The compounds and compositions of the present invention have protein kinases inhibitory activities against BTK and/or EGFR T790M and are useful for the treatment of protein kinases mediated diseases and conditions.
US09694009B2 Carbostyril derivatives and serotonin reuptake inhibitors for treatment of mood disorders
The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises (1) a carbostyril derivative and (2) a serotonin reuptake inhibitor in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The carbostyril derivative may be aripiprazole or a metabolite thereof, which is a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer. The serotonin reuptake inhibitor may be fluoxetine, duloxetine, venlafaxine, milnacipran, citalopram, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline or escitalopram. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is useful for treating patients with mood disorders, particularly depression or major depressive disorder.
US09694004B2 Crystal form
A novel crystalline form of a compound is disclosed.
US09694002B2 Substituted benzamides and methods of use thereof
The invention provides compounds having the general formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the variables RA, RAA, subscript n, ring A, X2, L, subscript m, X1, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and RN have the meaning as described herein, and compositions containing such compounds and methods for using such compounds and compositions.
US09693998B2 Compositions and methods of treating cardiac fibrosis with ifetroban
The present invention is directed to methods of treating, preventing, and/or ameliorating fibrosis syndrome, and in particular cardiac fibrosis, by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of ifetroban, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09693995B2 Pharmaceutical composition for topical administration
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for topical administration comprising a compound of formula I, 3-{4-[2-{5-chloro-1-(diphenylmethyl)-2-[2-({[2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]sulfonyl}amino)ethyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}ethyl]sulfonyl}phenyl}propanoic acid: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; and to methods of treating inflammation comprising topical administration of a compositions comprising a compound of formula I.
US09693992B2 IRE-1α inhibitors
Compounds which directly inhibit IRE-1α activity in vitro, prodrugs, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Such compounds and prodrugs are useful for treating diseases associated with the unfolded protein response or with regulated IRE1-dependent decay (RIDD) and can be used as single agents or in combination therapies.
US09693989B2 N4-phenyl-quinazoline-4-amine derivatives and related compounds as ErbB type I receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases
This invention provides compounds of Formula I wherein B, G, A, E, R1, R2, R3, m and n are as defined herein, which are useful as type I receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and methods of use thereof in the treatment of hyperproliferative disorders in mammals.
US09693985B2 Methods of reducing the risk of a cardiovascular event in a subject on statin therapy
In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods of reducing the risk of a cardiovascular event in a subject on statin therapy and, in particular, a method of reducing the risk of a cardiovascular event in a subject on statin therapy having a fasting baseline triglyceride level of about 135 mg/dL to about 500 mg/dL, and administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising about 1 g to about 4 g of eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester or a derivative thereof.
US09693984B2 Methods of reducing the risk of a cardiovascular event in a subject on statin therapy
In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods of reducing the risk of a cardiovascular event in a subject on statin therapy and, in particular, a method of reducing the risk of a cardiovascular event in a subject on statin therapy having a fasting baseline triglyceride level of about 135 mg/dL to about 500 mg/dL, and administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising about 1 g to about 4 g of eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester or a derivative thereof.
US09693983B2 Use of glyceryl trinitrate for treating traumatic edema
Use of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) for treating traumatic edemas.
US09693982B2 Composition for amelioration of hypoalbuminemia
The present invention is directed to a composition for ameliorating hypoalbuminemia containing a branched-chain amino acid(s) as an active ingredient(s), wherein the composition contains leucine and/or isoleucine as the active ingredient(s) and does not contain valine. As the above branched-chain amino acid(s), leucine and isoleucine are preferably contained. The mass ratio of leucine to isoleucine described above is preferably from 0.1 to 10. As the above branched-chain amino acid(s), either leucine or isoleucine alone may be contained. The present invention is suitably used as an infusion formulation, an oral formulation or a food or drink.
US09693979B2 Liquid dosage forms of sodium naproxen
Described herein are oral pharmaceutical compositions comprising liquid dosage forms of sodium naproxen in soft gel capsules. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition comprises sodium naproxen, 0.2-1.0 mole equivalents of a de-ionizing agent per mole of naproxen, polyethylene glycol, and one or more solubilizers such as propylene glycol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a combination thereof.
US09693978B2 Solvent system for enhancing the solubility of pharmaceutical agents
Liquid and semi-solid pharmaceutical compositions, which can be administered in liquid form or can be used for preparing capsules, are described herein. The composition comprises the salt of one ore more active agents, polyethylene glycol, 0.2-1.0 mole equivalents of a de-ionizing agent per mole of active agent, and water. The pH of the composition is adjusted within the range of 2.5-7.5. The de-ionizing agent causes partial de-ionization (neutralization) of the salt of the active agent resulting in enhanced bioavailability of salts of weakly acidic, basic or amphoteric active agents as well as lesser amounts of polyethylene glycol (PEG) esters.
US09693970B2 Transdermal drug delivery system containing donepezil
The present invention provides a transdermal drug delivery system comprising a drug-containing matrix layer comprising: (a) donepezil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient; and (b) an acrylate-rubber hybrid as an adhesive.
US09693965B2 Functional polymer film-coated particle having high drug content, tablet containing same, and methods for production thereof
Provided are functional drug-containing particles which can be compressed into tablets and in particular, to orally disintegrating tablets by employing any of a dry molding method, a wet molding method, or a humidifying drying method. The functional drug-containing particles comprise substantially spherical drug-containing particles essentially including drug and a binder, the functional drug-containing particles including a functional polymer film selected from the group consisting of an enteric film, a release control film, and a bitter taste masking film, an average particle diameter of said functional drug-containing particles being 400 μm or less, a particle diameter ratio D90/D10 of the functional drug-containing particles with respect to particle size distribution calculated on a volumetric basis being 1.65 or more, or a coefficient of variation in particle diameters being 24% or more.
US09693964B2 Hydroxypropyl starch vacant capsules and a process for producing them
This present invention discloses hydroxypropyl starch vacant capsules and a process for producing them, wherein said hydroxypropyl starch vacant capsules are made of hydroxypropyl starch and water and optional light-screening agent, colorant, aromatics, and flavoring agent through the processes of raw material mixup, gelatinization, stabilization, and capsule-forming. The hydroxypropyl starch capsules disclosed in this invention have such advantages as extensive source of raw material, high safety level, disintegrating property and friability over the products prepared through existing technologies.
US09693963B2 2,2′,6,6′-tetraisopropyl-4,4′-2-biphenol soft capsule and method for preparing same
Disclosed is a 2,2′,6,6′-tetraisopropyl-4,4′-biphenol soft capsule composed of a capsule shell and the contents in the capsule, wherein the contents in the capsule include 2,2′,6,6′-tetraisopropyl-4,4′-biphenol, a solvent, and an antioxidant, among others.
US09693959B2 Method of controlling the release of an active ingredient from a dosage form
A method of controlling or adjusting release of an active ingredient from a dosage form comprising the active ingredient and a polysaccharide derivative has been found. The method comprises the steps of a) providing a composition comprising a polysaccharide derivative and a controlled amount of a liquid diluent, based on the dry weight of the polysaccharide derivative, b) subjecting the composition to a dry-grinding operation to provide a dry-ground polysaccharide derivative, and c) incorporating the dry-ground polysaccharide derivative and an active ingredient into a dosage form.
US09693956B2 Liquid compositions capable of foaming and including active agents, and methods for making or developing same
A liquid composition suitable for topical use comprising is provided that includes a phospholipid foaming agent and at least one solvent; and a pharmaceutically acceptable active agent; wherein the liquid composition is capable of mechanically foaming without an additional propellant; and wherein upon mechanical foaming of 250 ml of the liquid composition results in a foam with a foam volume of at least about 400 ml and a foam stability wherein at least about 50% of the foam volume is still present after about 5 minutes at 25° C., as determined using a SITA foam measurement. Also provided herein are methods of making disclosed compositions and methods of use.
US09693954B2 Co-delivery of stimulatory and inhibitory factors to create temporally stable and spatially restricted zones
The invention provides methods and compositions for local manipulation of regenerative processes via exogenous factor delivery.
US09693945B1 Method of solubilizing a composition of a cleaned photochromic dye suitable for use on human skin
A method of solubilizing a composition, such as an organic manufactured photochromic dye that is free of carcinogens, non-mutagenic, non-toxic to human skin in any concentration, and suitable for application to, and absorbable by, human skin. The photochromic dye is suitable to be applied directly to human skin, and which dye is configured to indicate exposure to UV rays. The composition is configured to change color upon exposure to UVA, UVB and/or UVC rays. The composition can be used with other compositions, such as sunscreen, and be applied to human skin prior to application of the sunscreen, or, formulated with the sunscreen such that when the active ingredients of the sunscreen diminish, the photochromic dye will change color to generate a visual indicator of this condition.
US09693943B1 Compositions containing combinations of sunscreen active agents
Compositions containing octocrylene, octinoxate, octisalate, homosalate and having improved sun protection factor (SPF) properties, as well as methods of improving sun protection factor (SPF) properties of compositions, are provided.
US09693941B2 Liquid personal wash composition
The invention relates to a liquid personal cleaning composition. The present inventors have found that inclusion selected di or tricarboxylic acid or a salt thereof, when combined with thymol or terpineol provide synergistic antimicrobial action in a rapid fashion and such efficacy is very low concentrations of thymol and/or terpineol.
US09693938B2 Powderous formulations of organic acids or esters having an aromatic ring system
The present invention relates to improved powderous formulations comprising a high amount of at least one organic acids or esters having an aromatic ring system, as well as to the production of such formulations.
US09693937B2 Foil applicator
Foil-type applicator for the selective lightening of keratin fibers, particularly human hair, and use of the applicators for producing targeted lightening effects on the hair.
US09693936B2 Dispersions in oil of Dead Sea nano sized material preparation and uses therof
The present disclosure is directed to dispersions of a Dead Sea material in oil, the Dead Sea material is present in the dispersions in the form of solid nanoparticles. Further disclosed are formulations comprising the dispersions, method of treating and/or preventing diseases or disorders of the skin comprising topical application of the dispersions or formulations thereof onto a skin of a subject, method of inducing a heat sensation on the skin of a subject by topically applying the dispersions or formulations thereof onto a skin of a subject and methods of preparing the dispersions.
US09693935B2 Personal care solid granules that sustain essential oils and or plant herbal extracts that emulsify in hot water creating therapeutic solution
A Personal care 100% plant derived, biodegradable solid granules that sustain beneficial essential oils, and or plant/herbal extracts and emulsify in hot water to create an emulsified therapeutic solution is disclosed. This invention improves over existing liquids in that it's solid granule form is completely plant derived and biodegradable and can sustain essential oils and antioxidants without the requirement of chemical preservatives, and can be packaged in eco-friendly, compostable paper. It improves over existing solid forms in that it is a 100% water soluble granule that emulsifies easily in hot water to form an easy to use liquid product.
US09693929B2 Rolling muscle massager
A portable rolling massager is provided that includes a spindle, a roller rotatably mounted on the spindle, and a covering for the roller that features a comfortable surface when applied to the skin and pressure is applied to muscles underlying the skin. Heating and cooling of the cover provides other therapeutic benefits. Storage in the spindle accommodates weights, flashlights, key storage, music devices, and the like. Hand grips having distal ends are designed to provide the ability to massage trigger points that develop in the muscles.
US09693928B2 Swallowing air pulse therapy mouthpiece and method for the use thereof
An oral appliance for administering a stimulus, such as a substance, to the mouth of a user includes a flexible tube having an inlet portion, a first curved portion forming an ear loop connected to the inlet portion, a second curved portion forming a lip bend connected to the first curved portion, and an outlet portion extending from the second curved portion. Alternatively, a mouthpiece for delivering a substance to the mouth of a user includes a housing having an inlet portion, a riser portion extending upwardly from the inlet portion and a curved outlet portion. A flexible tube is coupled to the housing. A method of delivering a substance to a predetermined location in a user's mouth includes disposing a flexible tube between a row of teeth and an interior surface of a cheek. The flexible tube has an exit port positioned in a rear portion of the user's mouth. No portion of the flexible tube is disposed between the upper and lower teeth of the user such that the upper and lower teeth can be closed against each other. The method further includes dispensing a substance through the exit port.
US09693924B2 Enhanced body bag
A body bag includes a first layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a second layer coupled to the first layer. The upper surface of the first layer at least partially defines a first cavity sized to receive the body. The second layer has an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface of the first layer and the upper surface of the second layer at least partially define a second cavity sized to receive a stiffening mechanism.
US09693923B2 Extremity surgical positioning device
The present inventive subject matter describes a device and system for positioning, adjusting, and stretching a patient's extremity for surgical procedures where alignment is critical and minute adjustments may be required repeatedly. The device helps in maintaining the patient's extremity stationary, once the physician has selected the precise position for the elected procedure. The device uses using a combination of an articulating and a rotating frame, support plates and support rings that are attached to the extremity surgical positioning system. The system acts as a limb splint that is firmly attached to the surgical table. The support plates are attached to the patient via a series of adjustable straps preventing the extremity from moving independently of the support plate. A locking rack and gear configuration has adjustable locking pivot points that are positioned along and within the outer/inner proximal tube and outer/inner distal tube that lengthens or rotates various portions of the extremity.
US09693917B2 Automated caregiving device with prompting based on caregiver progress
A device for assisting a caregiver in delivering therapy to a patient, the device comprising a user interface configured to deliver prompts to a caregiver to assist the caregiver in delivering therapy to a patient; at least one sensor configured to detect the caregiver's progress in delivering the therapy, wherein the sensor is other than an electrode in an electrical contact with the body; a memory in which a plurality of different prompts are stored; a processor configured to determine which of the different prompts should be selected for delivery based on the progress detected by the sensor.
US09693912B2 Spunbonded nonwoven fabrics
An object of the invention is to obtain spunbonded nonwoven fabrics including thin hollow fibers which have excellent lightweight properties and uniformity as well as exhibit high strength and flexibility. An aspect of the invention is directed to a spunbonded nonwoven fabric including hollow fibers of a propylene polymer, the hollow fibers satisfying the following requirements (a) to (c): (a) the C-axis orientation is at least 0.85, (b) the average fiber diameter is 5 to 20 μm, and (c) the hollowness is 5 to 30%.
US09693911B2 Core assembly for absorbing liquids
An absorbent core assembly for use in a product for absorbing a liquid is disclosed. The core assembly has a first section and a second section. The first section is a quilted porous material that contains a slow acting but high absorption capacity SAP therein. The, second section is a quilted porous material that contains a fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP therein. The first and second sections are in fluid communication with each other, whereupon a liquid which is exposed to the core assembly flows through the first section to the fast acting SAP in the second section to be absorbed quickly and rapidly by the fast acting SAP therein, while the slow acting SAP desorbs or takes liquid away from the fast acting SAP as well as absorbing the liquid itself to thereby trap the liquid in the core assembly.
US09693905B2 Apparatus for patterned plasma-mediated laser ophthalmic surgery
A system for ophthalmic surgery on an eye includes: a pulsed laser which produces a treatment beam; an OCT imaging assembly capable of creating a continuous depth profile of the eye; an optical scanning system configured to position a focal zone of the treatment beam to a targeted location in three dimensions in one or more floaters in the posterior pole. The system also includes one or more controllers programmed to automatically scan tissues of the patient's eye with the imaging assembly; identify one or more boundaries of the one or more floaters based at least in part on the image data; iii. identify one or more treatment regions based upon the boundaries; and operate the optical scanning system with the pulsed laser to produce a treatment beam directed in a pattern based on the one or more treatment regions.
US09693892B1 Method of producing slush for surgical use through receptacle oscillation
Methods and apparatus for producing saline slush for surgical applications. Producing surgical saline slush in a slush bottle that is a rigid or semi-rigid, high integrity, sturdy container that resists punctures and leaks to better maintain a sterile barrier and does not rely on having an external object placed in the fluid to mix the slush. Slush is agitated within the slush bottle. Slush bottle features are discussed which agitate and condition slush for use in medical procedures. The slush bottle may be rotated using a pair of rollers. A slush station may have one or more compartments for the production of slush and a basin shell for maintaining slush as slush in a basin. Specialized techniques for a vertical slush bottle are discussed.
US09693891B2 Cost-effective systems and methods for enhanced normothermia
Structures and protocols are presented for supporting a medical or veterinary patient with therapeutically significant normothermia and other practical advantages.
US09693890B2 Variable stiffness flexure
An intrauterine device includes a central support member, first and second internal flexures and first and second external flexures. The first and second internal flexures each include a first section having a first stiffness, a second section having a second stiffness, and third section having a third stiffness, wherein the second stiffness is more flexible than the first and third stiffness and wherein the first section of each internal flexure is coupled to the central support member. The first and second external flexures are coupled to the central support member and coupled to the third sections of the first and second internal flexures, the first and second external flexures in combination with the first and second internal flexures being configured to extend from a collapsed position parallel to the central support member to a deployed position flexing away from the central support member.
US09693889B2 Urine collection device and a method of emptying urine from a container
A urine collection bag (1) comprising an anti-reflux valve in the form of a foil valve (8), located at the inlet (5) of the bag. The valve secures a liquid tight seal of the bag when filled and that no reflux occurs during catheterization. The bag comprises a tube member (11) that can be brought in a position so as to bypass the foil valve and the bag can be emptied in an easy and non-messy way.
US09693887B2 Multi-piece joint guard
A protective patella guard adapted for use with a knee brace having upper and lower frame members. The protective patella guard including an upper cup element coupled to the upper frame member, a lower cup element coupled to the lower frame member, and an intermediate cup element operatively coupled to the upper cup element and lower cup element. The patella guard is transitional between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein a degree of overlap between the upper cup element, the lower cup element, and the intermediate cup element decreases as the patella guard transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration.
US09693885B2 Radiopaque markers for implantable stents and methods for manufacturing the same
Radiopaque markers for use with stents implantable within a body vessel are provided with one or more through-holes. Each through-hole extends through the thickness of the marker to expose a portion of the stent underlying the marker. The marker is welded to the stent through each through-hole. Also provided are stents incorporating a radiopaque marker having one or more through-holes suitable for receiving a plug weld. Methods are provided for securing a radiopaque marker having one or more through-holes to a stent via welds.
US09693884B1 Quick release prosthetic connector
A quick release prosthetic connector for detachably joining a threaded prosthetic socket to a prosthetic includes a socket-connect portion configured for connection to the prosthetic socket. A plurality of locking members is carried by the socket-connect portion. The plurality of locking members are positional between a release position and a locking position and normally biased in the locking position. A prosthetic-connect portion is configured for connection to the prosthetic. A plurality of locking member engaging apertures is provided in the prosthetic-connect portion. The plurality of locking member engaging apertures are configured to selectively receive the plurality of locking members, respectively, of the socket-connect portion in the locking position of the plurality of locking members. A lock portion is carried by the socket-connect portion. The lock portion is configured to selectively lock and release the prosthetic-connect portion with respect to the socket-connect portion. A plurality of lock portion depressions is provided in the lock portion. The plurality of lock portion depressions is configured to selectively receive the plurality of locking members, respectively, of the socket-connect portion in the locking position of the plurality of locking members. The plurality of locking members are deployed in the locking position and extend through the plurality of locking member engaging apertures, respectively, in the prosthetic-connect portion and seat in the respective lock portion depressions in the lock portion responsive to rotation of the lock portion in a first direction. The plurality of locking members are deployed in the unlocking position and disengage the plurality of locking member engaging apertures, respectively, in the prosthetic-connect portion and the respective lock portion depressions in the lock portion responsive to rotation of the lock portion in a second direction.
US09693881B2 Knee sizing and balancing instrument
A method of sizing and balancing a knee including: placing an integrated orthopedic instrument in contact with a resected distal femoral surface of a femur of a knee in flexion such that medial and lateral posterior feet of a tensor frame of the instrument are in contact with posterior condyles of the femur and such that medial and lateral posterior feet of a sizer body of the instrument are positioned on a spacer placed on a resected proximal surface of the patient's tibia; securing first and second wings extending from a central portion of the tensor frame on the resected distal femoral surface; rotating the sizer body relative to the tensor frame via a rotation mechanism that connects the sizer body and the tensor frame to balance the ligaments; and sizing the patient's femur by moving a stylus coupled to the sizer body on an anterior surface of the femur.
US09693879B2 Alignment guide with spirit level
An alignment guide is described that includes a shaft having a longitudinal axis and a housing attachable to the shaft and rotatable about a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A guide arm the extends from the housing at a predetermined angle along a second axis. A spirit level is connected to the housing on a plane aligned with the predetermined angle.
US09693874B2 Composite spinal interbody device and method
A composite interbody device for use with spinal fusion surgery is described herein. The composite interbody device comprises a central body made from a radiolucent biocompatible polymer (e.g., PEEK or UHMWPE) and metallic plates, which are placed at the superior and inferior surfaces of the central body. The metallic plates are comprised of an end plate that is adjacent to a vertebral body and an intermediate plate that is adjacent to the central body. The end plates may have one or more arrays of apertures to facilitate bone growth into the end plates to secure the interbody device within the intervertebral space. The intermediate plates may also have one or more arrays of apertures to allow the central body to bond to the end plates through compression molding, injection molding, and/or heat molding. The arrays of apertures in the end plates are not aligned with the arrays of apertures in the intermediate plates so that polymer material of the central body will not penetrate into the end plate, where bone growth is encouraged, and vice versa.
US09693871B2 Vertebral implant provided with a self-locking and unlocking means
A vertebral implant (1) is provided to be implanted in a patient's intersomatic space. The implant (1) includes an intersomatic cage (2) and at least one fixing screw (10) that is intended to be screwed into a bony mass through a well (7) of the cage (2) to stabilize the position of the cage (2) within the intersomatic space. In addition, the well (7) and the screw (10) form a system for the self-locking of the screw (10) in the well (7) in which the screw (10) is locked into position by the well (7).
US09693868B2 Hinged joint system
Methods, systems, and devices for replacement of a joint with a prosthetic system that replicates the natural kinematics of the joint is disclosed. A prosthetic system according to one embodiment includes a tibial component having a tibial plateau and a tibial stem portion, the tibial plateau having a top side and a bottom side, a tibial insert, with a bearing surface, adapted to be positioned on the top side of the tibial plateau, a femoral component having a base portion and a central housing, the femoral component having an axis of extension-flexion rotation, the base portion having a pair of condyles, an a mechanical linkage component linking the tibial component with the femoral component and with the tibial insert in between the tibial component and the femoral component, so that there is a center of contact between the condyles and the bearing surface.
US09693866B2 Tasseled bone graft
The present invention relates to a tasseled cortical bone graft and a method of preparing cortical bone in thin strips or tubes then fully demineralizing it to give it formed flexibility and then creating a plurality of strands extending from one or more connection locations in the cortical bone in a fashion similar to a tassel.
US09693857B2 Intraocular lens insertion apparatus
Provided is technology which can prevent plunger deformation and further stabilize an intraocular lens insertion operation, even when an insertion tube section of an intraocular lens insertion apparatus has been further reduced in terms of the diameter thereof and has been made flatter. The intraocular lens insertion apparatus includes: a tip end region where a plunger comes into contact with an intraocular lens main body and an intraocular lens holding section; and a bar-shaped section extending from the rear end of this tip end region to the rear of the plunger. The bar-shaped section has a fixed thickness in the direction of the optical axis of the intraocular lens, and has an increasing thickness in a portion where the distance from the tip end of the tip end region is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and perpendicular to the plunger advancement direction.
US09693853B2 Lung elasticity restoring device and related methods of use and manufacture
A lung device for restoring lung elasticity includes fixation members and a connecting member. The fixation member includes a first radially expandable fixation member and a second radially expandable fixation member. The first radially expandable fixation member defines a first profile in an expanded state and a lumen. The second radially expandable fixation member defines a second profile in an expanded state and a lumen. The connecting member extends between and connects the first and second fixation members. The lung elasticity restoring device is capable of reversibly extendable between an inspiration configuration and an expiration configuration, may be extendable to the inspiration configuration, and biased to the expiration configuration by the connecting member.
US09693850B2 Multi-lumen central access vena cava filter apparatus and method of using same
A combined multi-lumen central access catheter and an embolic filter including ports proximal and distal the filter for fluid infusion and/or pressure sensing and infusion ports in the catheter to permit infusion of bioactive agents, flushing agents and/or contrast agents. The embolic filter may be removably coupled to the multi-lumen catheter for temporary placement and retrieval under recommended indications.
US09693849B2 Hernia patch frame incorporating bio-absorbable material
A hernia repair prosthesis comprises a segmented frame forming a closed loop where a first segment comprises a helical hollow tube and a second segment comprises a solid strand. Both segments are preferably a metal exhibiting shape memory properties and the two segments are assembled with end portions of the second segment inserted into the lumen at opposed end portions of the first segment with a clearance fit. At manufacture, a covering layer of a bio-absorbable polymer on the end portions of the second strand is sufficiently sized to create a temporary interference fit between the two segments to inhibit relative movement between them. The ability of the intercoupled segment to move relative to one another is restored upon degradation of the polymer due to exposure to body fluids following implantation of the prostheses. A prosthetic fabric is attached to the segmented frame.
US09693848B2 Apparatus and method for maintaining patient temperature during a procedure
An apparatus and method for maintaining patient temperature during an anaesthetic procedure. Patients, particularly small patients, can lose body temperature when undergoing surgery or other procedures where they are anaesthetized. The process of breathing the cool anaesthetic gas contributes to the temperature loss of the patient. An anaesthetic apparatus is arranged to warm the gas being provided for the patient to breathe, to facilitate maintaining body temperature. An inspired limb of an anaesthetic circuit comprises tubing with a heating conductor for heating the inspired gas.
US09693845B2 Method and system for measurement of curing energy delivered during simulated dental restorations
A system and method for real-time measurement of curing energy delivered to a simulated dental restoration from a source of curing energy. The system comprises a detector and a display. The detector measures at a location within the simulated dental restoration the amount of curing energy delivered by the curing energy source. The display displays the measured amount of curing energy in real-time. The system also comprises a temperature detector to measure temperature changes in the oral tissues during curing (teeth and gums). The system also comprises a video camera to record the operator's curing technique.
US09693844B1 Dental tool cleaning device
The present dental tool cleaning device generally provides a possibility to clean the burrs and brushes (files) of the remained tooth material on them after operation on patient. An improved dental tool cleaning device includes a container, comprising a lower portion which includes a neck with an opening and a first lid with a first nozzle, and an upper portion which includes a second lid comprising a second nozzle and an inlet fluid connector with the fluid channel.
US09693843B2 Strainer/filter unit for an aspirating filtration system and method thereof
A strainer/filter unit for effectively collecting solid, liquid or gaseous substances at the source and the method of using the strainer/filter unit. The strainer/filter unit includes a housing, a one-way valve at one end of the housing, and a filter having a certain depth and thickness within the housing. The filter is formed from a plurality of layers of material with pores such that pores of one layer partially overlap pores of subsequent adjacent layers. Matters entering the strainer/filter unit are collected in the filter while travelling through filter via a tortuous path.
US09693842B2 Disposable dental valve device having a check valve
A dental valve device is disclosed having a valve body having a tip receiving end, a hose receiving end, a lumen formed between the tip receiving end and the hose receiving end, a partial opening formed in the valve body, and a rotatable valve sealing body adapted to being inserted into the partial opening, the rotatable valve sealing body having a bottom having an opening, a bore for alignment with the lumen formed between the tip receiving end and the hose receiving end, the bore having a tip receiving opening and a hose receiving opening, the rotatable valve sealing body having a check valve positioned in the bore and the opening in the bottom.
US09693838B2 Dual-barrel cartridge adaptor
The invention is related to a cartridge adaptor which comprises a first dual-barrel cartridge, a housing, an adaptor and a second dual-barrel cartridge. The first dual-barrel cartridge comprises two openings and is disposed in the housing. The housing comprises a first fastening component. The adaptor has two inlets which opposite to the two inlets. The two inlets are respectively mounted into and communicate with the two openings of the first dual-barrel cartridge. The two outlets communicate with the two inlets. The second dual-barrel cartridge comprises two openings and a second fastening component which is complementary to the first fastening component of the housing. The two openings of the second dual-barrel cartridge communicates with the two outlets of the adaptor. The invention prevents the remaining unmixed component substances from oozing out of the two inlets or the two outlets of the adaptor during the transfer process of the remaining component substances.
US09693837B2 Dental implant
A dental implant system for supporting a cosmetic tooth prosthesis includes an elongated body adapted to be disposed in a jaw bone of a patient. The elongated body includes a distal end and a proximal end and extends along a longitudinal axis. The elongated body includes a tapered outer surface that tapers along the longitudinal axis distally from the proximal end of the elongated body. The outer surface of the tapered elongated body includes a plurality of barbs for securing the elongated body in the jaw bone of the patient.
US09693836B2 Self-ligating orthodontic bracket having undercuts and related methods
A method of manufacturing an orthodontic appliance may include molding a plurality of green bodies in plurality of molds and coupling the green bodies so as to form an intermediate green body. The orthodontic appliance may be an orthodontic bracket body. The plurality of green bodies may be molded so as to be devoid of any undercut formations. Coupling the plurality of green bodies may form the intermediate green body to include at least one undercut formation. An orthodontic bracket may include an undercut formation not capable of being formed in a single shot molding process and not formed through post-formation processes. The undercut formation may include a guiding track and/or a retaining recess configured to receive a portion of the ligating member. The ligating member may include a flexible ligating portion that overlies the archwire slot and a relatively rigid main body portion.
US09693834B2 Implant-based attachment system for dental implant surgical guide and method
The invention could be a system and a method for attaching a dental implant surgical guide to one or more dental implants, the system comprising an abutment capable of connecting to at least one of the one or more dental implants and to an implant mount; the implant mount having an implant mount body with a first mount end that connects accepts a portion of the abutment and a second mount end that has a rim that cannot pass through the dental implant surgical guide; and a cap that is comprised of a hollow cylinder with an enclosed cap end and an open cap end, the cap being capable of engaging a dental implant surgical guide so to sandwich the rim between the cap and the dental implant surgical guide.
US09693832B2 Systems and methods for selecting, activating, or selecting and activating transducers
Transducer-based systems can be configured to display a graphical representation of a transducer-based device, the graphical representation including graphical elements corresponding to transducers of the transducer-based device, and also including between graphical elements respectively associated with a set of the transducers and respectively associated with a region of space between the transducers of the transducer-based device. Selection of a between graphical element can cause activation of the set of transducers associated with the selected between graphical element. Selection of a plurality of between graphical elements and graphical elements can cause visual display of a corresponding activation path in the graphical representation. Visual characteristics of graphical elements and between graphical elements can change based on an activation-status of the corresponding transducers. Activation requests for a set of transducers can be denied if it is determined that a transducer in the set of transducers is unacceptable for activation.
US09693831B2 Method making it possible to produce the ideal curvature of a rod of vertebral osteosynthesis material designed to support a patient vertebral column
According to the invention, the process includes the steps of: a) taking a sagittal preoperative x-ray of the vertebral column of the patient to be treated, extending from the cervical vertebrae to the femoral heads; b) on that x-ray, identifying points on S1, S2, T12 et C7; c) depicting, on the said x-ray, curved segments beginning at the center of the plate of S1 et going to the center of the plate of C7; e) identifying, on that x-ray, the correction(s) to be made to the vertebral column, including the identification of posterior osteotomies to make; f) pivoting portions of said x-ray relative to other portions of that x-ray, according to osteotomies to be made; g) performing, on said x-ray, a displacement of the sagittal curvature segment extending over the vertebral segment to be corrected; h) from a straight vertebral rod (TV), producing the curvature of that rod according to the shape of said sagittal curvature segment in said displacement position.
US09693829B2 Microscopic surgery system and navigation method guided by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and automated OCT imaging field calibration
Provided are a microscopic surgery system and a navigation method guided by optical coherence tomography. The microscopic surgery system may include: an object lens; a surgical microscope unit configured to perform two-dimensional imaging on an area to operate on via the object lens; an optical coherence tomography unit configured to perform two-dimensional tomography imaging on the area via the object lens, with an imaging field calibrated according to that of the surgical microscope unit; a processor configured to obtain navigation information based on the two-dimensional imaging by the surgical microscope unit and the two-dimensional tomography imaging by the optical coherence tomography unit, the navigation information comprising positional information of a body part to operate on and a surgical instrument for operating on the body part; and an output unit configured to output the navigation information to guide the surgical instrument to the body part.
US09693828B2 Composition comprising acetic anhydride and a gadolinium complex, and method for the use in hyperpolarisation in MRI analysis
The present invention generally relates to a composition comprising acetic anhydride, a DNP agent and a gadolinium complex and its use for the preparation of hyperpolarised imaging agent for MR diagnostic analysis.
US09693820B2 System for detecting catheter electrodes entering into and exiting from an introducer
Systems for detecting when catheter electrodes enter and exit an introducer are disclosed. In one form, a system detects a relative position of a catheter (comprising a marker band and an electrode) and an introducer (comprising a proximity sensor adapted to sense the marker band), while the catheter and introducer are in a human body. The system may comprise an electronic control unit to analyze signals from the catheter and/or the introducer, to determine whether the catheter electrode is within the introducer; and to disregard data collected from the electrode when that electrode is in the introducer. The sensor may be on the catheter and the sensed element may be on the introducer. The sensed element may comprise one or several marker bands. A marker band may be applied during the manufacture of a medical device or during its use and is any element capable of electromagnetic detection.
US09693816B2 Electrosurgical apparatus with integrated energy sensing at tissue site
An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical instrument having at least one electrode configured as a first sensor for measuring a voltage drop therethrough and a temperature sensor for a thermal sensor configured to measure a temperature difference across the at least one electrode; and a generator including an output stage coupled to the at least one electrode, the output stage configured to generate radio frequency energy; and a controller configured to determine actual radio frequency current based on the voltage drop and electrical resistivity of the at least one electrode and radio frequency power based on the measured temperature difference and the thermal conductivity of the at least one electrode.
US09693812B2 Bone plate for reducing angular bone deformity and method of using
Described herein are methods and devices for the correction and reduction of bone deformities, such as metatarsus primus adductus, using a tethering technique which does not require drilling into the stable bone. In some embodiments, a bone plate has an elongate plate body and wings extending laterally from the plate body. The wings may be configured to generally follow the circumferential contours of the bone when placed on the bone in use. The bone plate can further include means for positioning cerclage material on the bone plate such that the cerclage material extends circumferentially over the wings rather than on the bone, thereby reducing the total contact area between the cerclage material and the bone.
US09693810B2 Anterior cervical instrumentation systems, methods and devices
Anterior cervical instrumentation systems, methods, and devices are disclosed. Systems may facilitate immobilizing or providing support for the cervical portion of the vertebral column of a patient. A device may comprise a plate having two channels located in a proximal to distal direction, and may further comprise at least one aperture. The device may further comprise attachment elements such as attachment cross-links and spacer cross-links, and fasteners. The plate and the attachment elements may be secured to the vertebrae by passing fasteners through apertures and channels. The length of the plate, position and number of the attachment cross-links, position and number of spacer cross-links and degree of movement may be intraoperatively selected by the surgeon to provide an optimal application and procedural outcome. Uniform components of the devices and systems allow for a more streamlined and simplified method of treating spinal conditions.
US09693809B2 Spinal correction implant system and method
A spinal implant detection device comprises at least one detectable marker connected to an implantable longitudinal element and including a capture element configured to facilitate manipulation of the longitudinal element. Systems and methods are disclosed.
US09693805B2 Decompressive craniotomy fixation device
The present invention relates to a craniotomy fixation device and method for fixing a bone flap to the skull following craniotomy. The device may comprise two portions, one portion may be associated with the skull and the other portion may be associated with the bone flap. The two portions are connected in a way to accommodate changes in intracranial pressure.
US09693801B2 Releasably securable needle and handle system and method
An implant and needle delivery system including a needle selectively releasable from a handle assembly is provided. The needle is selectively connectable with an elongate sling and the needle is selectively releasable from the handle assembly an implantation procedure to treat a pelvic disorder or condition, such as incontinence.
US09693800B2 Bumped dilator tip
A method for inserting at least a portion of a dilator and sheath assembly into a patient and for removing the dilator from the patient is disclosed. Initially, the dilator and sheath assembly is received. The dilator includes a radially enlarged dilator bump. At least the distal ends of the dilator and the sheath are inserted in an incision in the patient. A vector force is exerted to the dilator and sheath assembly to push the dilator and sheath assembly further within the patient. The dilator hub is decoupled from the sheath hub. The dilator is removed from the patient through the sheath, where the dilator bump radially stretches at least the circumferentially continuous sheath distal end during removal of the dilator from the patient.
US09693799B2 System and method for aligning hair follicle
Systems and methods for aligning hair follicle are provided. The systems may include at least one piercing member. The piercing member may be configured to pivot about a pivot axis. The piercing member may be operable to translate along a chosen axis, wherein the chosen axis may intersect with the pivot axis. The translation of the piercing member in a first direction may enable the piercing member to pierce through an external surface of a skin, and translation of the piercing member in a second direction may enable the piercing member to retract out of the skin.
US09693797B2 Scalpel handle sheath with blade remover
A scalpel handle sheath includes a body defining a handle-receiving cavity open to a first end of the body through a narrowed sleeve region, the body further defining a flexible arm adjacent the first end with a first boss extending inwardly therefrom adjacent the sleeve region. The sheath further includes a shield coupled with the body and slideable between a retracted position and a removal position. The shield defines an edge applying an inward force on the flexible arm during movement of the shield from toward the retracted position to the removal position and a removal flange extending within the shield and passing the first end of the body during movement of the shield from the toward retracted position to the removal position.
US09693789B2 Systems and methods for aspirating from a body lumen
An aspiration device can be used to aspirate an obstruction from a blood vessel. The aspiration device is configured to allow controlled one-handed aspiration yet maintain a syringe plunger feel of vacuum. The aspiration device also allows one-handed injection to empty the device when needed. Furthermore, mechanisms enable one-handed locking of a plunger position of the device to maintain vacuum when the user releases the device.
US09693785B2 Device for a patient-specific acetabulum reaming and cup positioning guide
A device for use in total hip arthroplasty surgery including a first guide member having a substantially semi-circular ring having a top surface and a bottom surface, a plurality of first guide legs protruding vertically downward from the lower surface of the semi-circular ring, the first guide legs including a contact area disposed on the open end of the first guide leg; a plurality of holes disposed on the ring, a plurality of protrusions extending vertically upward from a top surface of the ring. The device also includes a second guide member having an arc having an arc of curvature substantially similar to the semi-circular ring, the arc having a top surface and bottom surface, first and second horizontal brackets connecting ends of the arc and being connected thereto at a termination point, a plurality of second guide legs protruding vertically from either the lower surface of the arc, first or second horizontal brackets; and means for connecting the second guide member to the first guide member. The device also includes third and fourth guide members.
US09693784B2 Methods for less invasive glenoid replacement
The invention features a glenoid (shoulder socket) implant prosthesis, a humeral implant prosthesis, devices for implanting glenoid and humeral implant prostheses, and less invasive methods of their use for the treatment of an injured or damaged shoulder.
US09693783B2 Bone positioning device and method
A method for positioning a bone cutting guide on a tibia may begin with coupling a bone cut positioning apparatus with a tibia. The method may also include adjusting the positioning apparatus in a varus/valgus orientation to shine a light emitted by a light emitter approximately along a midline of an anterior surface of the tibia, swinging a pivoting arm about a pivot joint to direct the emitted light along a medial surface of the tibia, adjusting the positioning apparatus in an anterior/posterior orientation to shine the light approximately along a midline of the medial surface, contacting a stylus with a proximal end of the tibia to select a cutting depth for a bone cut to be made on the tibia, and attaching the bone cutting guide to the tibia in a position determined by the positioning apparatus.
US09693779B2 Ligator for use with an endoscope
In one embodiment, a ligator adapted for use with an endoscope includes a ligator body adapted to mount to a body of the endoscope, a barrel adapted to mount to a distal tip of a shaft of the endoscope, the barrel supporting multiple elastic bands that can be sequentially deployed onto internal tissue, and an activation mechanism supported by the ligator body, the activation mechanism including a rotatable activation knob, a rotatable cord winding ring, an activation cord, and a stop element that limits rotation of the activation knob to rotation between a start position and an end position beyond which no further rotation is possible.
US09693777B2 Implantable layers comprising a pressed region
A staple cartridge is disclosed which includes a cartridge body, a plurality of staples removably stored, at least partially, within the cartridge body, and an implantable layer. The implantable layer can include a first portion, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and a third portion intermediate the first portion and the second portion, the third portion including a pressed region.
US09693770B2 Devices and methods for surgical suturing
An apparatus and a method for surgical suturing with thread management. An illustrative apparatus for tissue suturing includes a cartridge having a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis, a reciprocating needle drive, and an actuator capable of releasably engaging the needle drive to rotate the needle. A method for suturing tissue is provided that includes placing a suturing device having a cartridge containing a suturing needle to span at least one tissue segment, activating an actuator to cause rotational movement of the suturing needle through the at least one tissue segment, and deactivating the actuator to stop an advancing movement of the suturing needle to cause a suturing material to be pulled through the at least one separated tissue segment forming a stitch.
US09693761B2 Retractor device and method
The present disclosure generally relates to a retractor device for retracting soft tissue to provide access to a surgical site. The retractor device includes a plurality of blades movable from a first, substantially closed position to a second, substantially open position. Related methods of using the retractor device are also described.
US09693758B2 Tissue removal system
A tissue removal device includes an outer tubular member coupled to a housing and a having a tissue resection window, an inner tubular member slidably disposed within the outer tubular member, a tissue trap having a sealed interior in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber, an open proximal end of the inner tubular member being disposed within the tissue trap interior, and an actuator moveably coupled to the housing and operatively connected to a movable piston in the vacuum chamber, such that movement of the actuator relative to the housing generates a vacuum in the tissue trap.
US09693757B2 Methods and devices for removing tissue from a patient
The present invention is directed to tissue removal devices and methods. A tubular element having an open distal end is advanced into tissue so that tissue enters the tubular element. The tissue, which entered the tubular element is cut to separate the tissue from the surrounding tissue. The tissue is then transported proximally by the cutting element or a separate transport element.
US09693754B2 Imaging processing systems and methods
Systems and methods for image processing based on ultrasound data. The system may include an IVUS catheter configured to collect data vectors including ultrasound data and an imaging engine configured to process the ultrasound data of the data vectors. The imaging engine may receive the data vectors and divide the data vectors into different sets. The ultrasound data of each respective set may be averaged and then an envelope of each set may be detected. The envelopes of each set may then be averaged to generate an enhanced data vector which may be used to generate an image.
US09693742B2 Method for generating a contrast medium-assisted X-ray image and X-ray system
A method is disclosed for generating at least one x-ray image of a patient having incorporated contrast medium, using x-rays having an energy spectrum and an x-ray detector. The energy spectrum is modified by at least one first filter arranged in the beam path in front of the patient, the patient absorbing a dose in order to generate detector data for the x-ray image and the x-ray image having a CNR value which represents the ratio of the maximum contrast in the image to the noise. The energy spectrum and contrast medium are matched to each other, taking into account the thickness of the patient to be x-rayed, in such a way that an optimization criterion which is taken from an x-ray image that is generated or simulated by way of trials is maximized. Furthermore, an x-ray system is also disclosed.
US09693740B2 Medical diagnostic imaging apparatus
A medical diagnostic imaging apparatus includes: a bed device on which an examinee lies down; a gantry having a tunnel-shaped inner portion into which the bed device moves and inserts a table with which the examinee is in direct contact, and being configured to obtain information on an interior of the examinee by imaging the examinee located in the inner portion; and a control device configured to control drive of the bed device and the gantry. The medical diagnostic imaging apparatus further includes a multi-degree-of-freedom support mechanism mounted at a position facing the bed device with the gantry interposed in between and configured to support the table based on a control by the control device in accordance with movement of the table.
US09693735B2 Biological signal averaging processing device
The biological signal averaging processing device includes a waveform input unit for continuously obtaining a biological signal in which analogous waves appear repeatedly, a summing-averaging processing unit which sums the biological signal obtained from the waveform input unit each time a predetermined time period lapses after a desired start time point to obtain an average wave, a noise level detection part which detects a noise level of random noise contained in the biological signal obtained from the waveform input unit each time the predetermined time period lapses after the desired start time point, a display part for displaying information, and a display control part for displaying the information on the screen of the display part. The display control part displays the noise levels detected by the noise level detection part on the screen of the display part in a chronological manner in association with the respective predetermined time periods.
US09693731B2 Electronic device
An electronic device including a body case which has an accommodating section at least partially in a curved shape, a frame which has a first frame section and a second frame section having a width shorter than a width of the first frame section, and is accommodated in the accommodating section, and a circuit board which is accommodated in the accommodating section so as to be laminated on the frame, and provided so as not to overlap with the second frame section when viewed from a laminated direction of the frame.
US09693728B2 Systems and methods for measuring mechanical properties of deformable materials
Systems and methods deform the surface of the material with a probe, such as a mechanical device or a gas/liquid jet, while optically recording in detail the three-dimensional (3D) topography of the resulting surface deformation. The probe effectively applies a forcing function to the material, the attributes of which are known by performing calibrations prior to use or by direct measurement while it is applied. The topography is effectively the system output that is measured as indicative of the underlying mechanical properties of the material. In one application, systems and methods that apply a pressure in-vivo to human tissue and analyze a three-dimensional topography of the resulting surface deformation to identify localized inhomogeneities and anomalies in the human tissue.
US09693726B2 Alertness device, seat, and method for determining alertness
An alertness device includes a heart rate sensor configured to obtain an electrocardiographic signal of a person, a calculation unit configured to calculate the electrocardiographic signal obtained from the heart rate sensor, a waveform generation unit configured to generate an RRI waveform from an electrocardiographic waveform of the electrocardiographic signal, and a determination unit configured to determine the alertness of the person based on the electrocardiographic signal. The calculation unit replicates a same number of RRI waveforms as that of anchors, each anchor being a point where a certain RRI is shorter than an adjacent preceding RRI, moves the time axes of the replicated RRI waveforms such that the anchors of the replicated RRI waveforms are in phase with each other, and calculates a PRSA signal defined as an RRI average for each time axis. The determination unit determines the alertness based on the RRIs and the PRSA signals.
US09693723B2 Blood sample management using open cell foam
A specimen transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The specimen transfer device includes a housing and an actuation member. A deformable material is disposed within the housing and is deformable from an initial position in which the material is adapted to hold the sample to a deformed position in which at least a portion of the sample is released from the material. A viscoelastic member is disposed within the housing between the material and the housing and between the material and the actuation member. The viscoelastic member is engaged with the actuation member and the material such that movement of the actuation member from a first position to a second position deforms the material from the initial position to the deformed position.
US09693716B2 Optical sensor system and measurement method
A medical device including an optical sensor is configured to measure an optical signal by integrating a current induced on a light detector of the optical sensor to obtain a voltage signal. The voltage signal is compared to a threshold. Responsive to the voltage signal reaching the threshold, an optical sensor control parameter is adjusted. The optical sensor is operated to produce the voltage signal using the adjusted control parameter.
US09693711B2 User identification via motion and heartbeat waveform data
The disclosure relates to methods, devices, and systems to identify a user of a wearable fitness monitor using data obtained using the wearable fitness monitor. Data obtained from motion sensors of the wearable fitness monitor and data obtained from heartbeat waveform sensors of the wearable fitness monitor may be used to identify the user.
US09693707B2 Optical shape sensing fiber for tip and shape characterization of medical instruments
A shape sensing device, system and method include an interventional instrument (102) having regions of articulation to be configured to change shape during an interventional procedure. An optical fiber (202) is disposed on or about the areas of articulation in a pattern to provide an optical signal indicating an instantaneous change or current position or orientation of the instrument. A signal interpretation module (115) is configured to receive the optical signals and interpret the instantaneous change or current position or orientation of the instrument.
US09693706B2 Image processing of flowing fluids within imaged atonomical structure
An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a specifying unit and a deriving unit. The specifying unit specifies a fluid region in a plurality of magnetic resonance images that are acquired by applying a labeling pulse to a label region and that are mutually related. The deriving unit derives an index indicating dynamics of a fluid on the basis of the specified fluid region.
US09693704B2 RMS electrocardiography system and method
A system for assessing a cardiac condition of a subject includes a sensor configured to record a plurality N of electrocardiographic signals from the subject to generate an ECG (electrocardiogram). The system further includes a processor configured to compute an RMS (root-mean-square) magnitude function from the recorded signals, and to measure from the RMS magnitude function an RMS variable that contains information about the cardiac condition of the subject. The ECG may be a standard 12-lead clinical ECG. The measured RMS variables may include RMS T-wave width, RMS RT recovery time, and RMS QT interval.
US09693694B2 Cancer cell detection using dielectrophoretic dynamic light scattering (DDLS) spectroscopy
Non-invasive apparatus and method for determining and monitoring glucose concentrations in human subjects. Glucose level is estimated through the effect of glucose on biological cells with glucose dependencies, e.g., red blood cells. The invention is based on the interaction of such cells with oscillating electric field gradients. The response of biological cells depends on factors including shape, size, and electrical charge distribution. The field gradient causes the cells to undergo characteristic motion which is detected by light beam scattering. The autocorrelation of the scattered light is computed, and the Fourier transform (FT) is performed to produce a characteristic velocity spectrum in which the peaks are characteristic of the cell “bio-electrical” states. The glucose level is estimated through measurements of changes of FT with changes in glucose levels after calibration with standard glucose methods.
US09693693B2 Non-contact and passive measurement of arterial pulse through thermal IR imaging, and analysis of thermal IR imagery
A non-contact, passive method for measurement of arterial pulse from areas such as the major superficial arteries of the body through analysis of thermal IR images acquired by passive thermal IR imaging sensors, and through the modeling of the pulsatile nature of the blood flow and arterial pulse propagation in the circulatory system. The method is automatic and does not need operator input. The output waveform readily contains the information on heart rate, cardiac interbeat intervals, heart-rate variability and other features inherent in arterial pulse. The potential applications of this method, device and system are in the fields of non-contact and passive measuring cardiovascular and autonomic regulatory functions, mental and emotional loads, assessment of health in general, prediction of ill physiological and mental conditions, smart rooms, human-computer interaction, polygraph testing, intent identification, and any other fields where non-contact, passive monitoring of heart-rate and its variability is needed.
US09693691B2 Systems and methods for determining spatial locations of patient data gathering devices
A method for determining a spatial location of at least one patient data gathering device includes the steps of receiving at least one signal from a geolocation system and analyzing the at least one signal to determine the spatial location of the at least one patient data gathering device.
US09693690B2 Digital electronic fetal heart rate and uterine contraction monitoring system
A digital electronic fetal heart rate and uterine contraction monitoring system with an electronic fetal monitor, a contraction monitoring sensor and a fetal heart rate sensor. A controller configured to receive fetal heart rate data and uterine contraction pressure, identify a contraction start time and end time, and calculate each rest interval in seconds between contractions. The system compares rest intervals to a safe preset limit for rest intervals, calculates a median rest interval and an average rest interval for each fifteen-minute period of labor, and presents a contraction and rest interval graph to a display. The system can activate an alarm on an electronic fetal monitor display or a third party display and can pause a pump that is delivering a drug to increase uterine contractions when a significant criteria of excessive uterine activity is detected outside preset limits to assure adequate blood flow to the fetal brain.
US09693689B2 Body temperature logging patch
An actively-powered temperature data logger patch with wireless data communication includes a sealed, flexible battery comprising a printed electrochemical cell with an anode and a cathode, and a flexible circuit including a microprocessor, a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of a target subject, a wireless communication transmitter and an antenna. In one example, the temperature sensor is located at a first end of the patch, and the antenna is located at an opposite, second end of the patch. The patch is configured to conform to a curved surface of the target subject and includes an adhesive configured to be removably applied to skin of the patient. An external computing device is capable of receiving communication from the wireless communication transmitter of the patch via an electromagnetic field.
US09693688B2 Method and system for providing data communication in continuous glucose monitoring and management system
Method and apparatus for providing a data stream generator that generates a data stream associated with a monitored analyte level, and a radio frequency logic portion operatively coupled to the data stream generator, the radio frequency logic portion configured to generate a radio frequency data stream based on the data stream generated from the data stream generator, the radio frequency logic portion further including one or more finite state machines and a plurality of discrete digital logic circuits, the one or more finite state machines configured to control the plurality of digital logic circuits to generate the radio frequency data stream for wireless communication are provided. Systems and kits incorporating the same are also provided.
US09693686B2 Ophthalmic visualization devices, systems, and methods
Systems, apparatuses, and methods of and for an ophthalmic visualization system are disclosed. An example ophthalmic visualization system may include a first lens positioned relative to a surgical microscope in a manner facilitating viewing of a central region of a retina through the surgical microscope during a surgical procedure. The first lens may be positionable in an optical path between an eye and the surgical microscope during the surgical procedure. The example ophthalmic visualization system may also include a second lens selectively positionable relative to the surgical microscope and the first lens in a manner facilitating viewing of a peripheral region of the retina of the eye during the surgical procedure. The second lens may be selectively positionable in the optical path such that the peripheral region is selectively viewable without changing the position of the first lens during the surgical procedure.
US09693679B2 Miniature simultaneous vision simulator instrument
The invention relates to a miniature simultaneous vision simulator instrument with various image-forming channels, each one of which projects, onto the retina of the same eye, a component image with a different degree of defocusing of the same observed object, such that the superposition of all of the component images forms a final simultaneous vision image on the retina of the eye. The instrument has at least one adjustable variable focus lens that, as the focus is changed, modifies the vergence of the light beam passing through said adjustable lens. Furthermore, one of the image-forming channels passes through the adjustable variable focus lens. The instrument can operate in the modality of optical channels that are physically differentiated in the modality of temporal channel multiplexing.
US09693675B2 Cleaning composition
Provided herein is a composition that includes: (i) chelator (e.g., ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)), (ii) buffer system (e.g., potassium phosphate dibasic and sodium hydroxide), (iii) cleaner (e.g., diethyl glycol monoethyl ether), (iv) solubilizer (e.g., propylene glycol), and (v) diluent (e.g., water), wherein the composition has a pH of at least about 9.5. Also provided is a method of cleaning a medical device that includes contacting the medical device with the composition described herein, for a period of time effective to clean the medical device. Subsequent to the cleaning, the medical device can optionally be disinfected, dried, and stored.
US09693674B2 Rigid endoscope with hermetic seal
A rigid endoscope includes an imaging module and a hermetic shell for containing the imaging module. A connecting line is contained in the hermetic shell, and has first and second ends. The first end is connected to the imaging module. A receiving opening is formed in the hermetic shell. A female tapered surface is formed inside the receiving opening. A sealed terminal device is connected electrically with the second end of the connecting line, for hermetically closing the receiving opening. A male tapered surface is formed on the sealed terminal device, for retaining the sealed terminal device in the receiving opening by engagement with the female tapered surface, to keep the hermetic shell air-tight. Preferably, the male and female tapered surfaces are attached together by laser welding. Also, the sealed terminal device includes a lead-through conductor.
US09693672B2 Dishwasher with sprayer
A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber and a sprayer for spraying liquid to the treating chamber. The sprayer may include a liquid passage and at least one outlet extending from an interior to an exterior of the sprayer and in fluid communication with the liquid passage. A membrane may have at least one opening and may be in fluid communication with the liquid passage to control the flow of liquid through the at least one outlet.
US09693671B2 Dishwasher and hinge assembly thereof
A hinge assembly for a dishwasher and a dishwasher having the same are provided. The hinge assembly (100) includes: a hinge friction sleeve (11) having an inserting groove (111), in which the inserting groove (111) extends along a length direction of the hinge friction sleeve (11) and has a first end provided with a snap-fitting rod (112) and a second end provided with a snap-fitting portion (113); and an L-shaped hinge (12) having a horizontal limb (121) fitted within the inserting groove (111), in which the horizontal limb (121) has a first end snap-fitted with the snap-fitting rod (112) and a second end provided with an open axial groove (1212) fitted with the snap-fitting portion (113), the snap-fitting portion (113) is snap-fitted within the open axial groove (1212) to close an opening of the open axial groove (1212), and an upper edge of the open axial groove (1212) is spaced apart from an upper edge of the snap-fitting portion (113) at a predetermined distance.
US09693665B2 Vacuum cleaner having cyclonic separator
A vacuum cleaner including a debris separator that includes a housing, a cyclonic separator including a cylindrical wall having a first end and a second end. The cylindrical wall is located in within the housing and the cyclonic separator further includes a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, a debris outlet adjacent the second end, and a longitudinal axis surrounded by the cylindrical wall and the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separator extends in generally a horizontal orientation. The debris separator further includes a lid coupled to the housing and the cyclonic separator is coupled to the lid such that the cyclonic separator is removable from the housing with the lid. A debris collection chamber is located within the housing and in fluid communication with the debris outlet of the cyclonic separator.
US09693664B2 Vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner has a cyclone separator for separating dirt and other contaminants from a dirt-containing working airstream and a collection chamber collecting the separated dirt. The vacuum cleaner can further include fines catcher defining a second collection chamber, where the bottom end of the fines catcher is spaced from the bottom wall of the first collection chamber.
US09693663B2 Tufting method and brushroll for vacuum cleaner
A method of tufting, with a tufting tool, a brushroll dowel for a vacuum cleaner having a bristle stiffener protruding from the dowel and a bristle hole adjacent the bristle stiffener. The tufting tool includes a notch. The method provides a brushroll with bristles tufted into the bristle hole adjacent the bristle stiffener. A brushroll for a vacuum cleaner can be made using an injection molding process, with bristle stiffeners integrally molded with the dowel and a plurality of stiffened bristles protruding from the brush dowel adjacent to the bristle stiffeners.
US09693661B2 Dual dispensing hand sanitizer device
A hand sanitizer dispenser is attached to a fuel pump dispenser to provide a patron with the option to cleanse his hands after pumping fuel. The hand sanitizer includes a first dispensing outlet to dispense liquid-based hand sanitizer product; and a second dispensing outlet to dispense packaged hand sanitizer product.
US09693660B1 Repositionable and adjustable baskets shelves and accessories
The present application discloses shelving systems (e.g., shower stations) with adjustable shelves (e.g., baskets) that can be moved by hand.
US09693651B2 Beverage collector for collecting centrifuged liquid and centrifugal beverage machine using such collector
Beverage collector (11) for collecting a centrifuged brewed liquid coming from a rotating brewing unit (2); said collector comprising: —a collecting track (13) forming an annular cavity and, —at least one outlet (14) extending radially in the collecting track (13) for allowing the brewed liquid received in the collecting track to evacuate out of the collecting track, wherein said collecting track comprises at least one ramp surface (15) lowering in the annular direction (O) towards the outlet (14).
US09693639B2 Child sleeping and rocking apparatuses
A child-supporting device including a child-seat assembly mounted to and supported by a rocker frame assembly. The seat assembly includes a backrest, a footrest, or both, pivotably adjustable between reclined and inclined positions. A recline adjustment mechanism is operable to selectively lock the seat in the reclined or inclined position for use, then release the seat for pivotal adjustment to the other position. In some embodiments, a linkage interconnects the backrest and the footrest so that pivoting one of them synchronously pivots the other one. And in some embodiments, the footrest is detachable and a quick connect/disconnect mechanism is provided that permits operation of the recline adjustment mechanism when the footrest is attached.
US09693637B1 Child mobility assisting device
In some embodiments, a child mobility assisting device may include a body having a body support surface which may be formed by an upper torso supporting arm, a lower torso supporting arm, a central depression, a right wing, and a left wing. One or more transportation conveyances may be coupled to the body opposite the body support surface. Each transportation conveyance may support the body above a ground surface on a terminal surface while reducing the friction between the body and the ground surface. An arresting brake may also be coupled to the body opposite the body support surface. All or portions of the arresting brake may be positioned between the terminal surface of a wheel and the body support surface of the body so that if a transportation conveyance dips below another transportation conveyance, the arresting brake may then contact the ground surface and arrest the movement of the device.
US09693636B2 Infant chair assembly including a removable infant carrier
An infant chair assembly includes an infant chair, and an infant carrier installed on the infant chair in a transversally oriented configuration. The infant carrier includes a shell body adapted to be placed on the infant chair, and an anchor mechanism operable to fasten with the infant chair. The anchor mechanism includes a rotary shaft pivotally connected with the shell body, a release member slidably connected with the shell body and operatively connected with the rotary shaft, two engaging arms affixed with the rotary shaft, and the two engaging arms respectively having hooks operable to engage with the infant chair for locking the infant carrier in place on the infant chair. Actuation of the release member can drive rotation of the rotary shaft and the engaging arms for disengaging the hooks from the infant chair.
US09693634B2 Expandable chair
An expandable chair includes an extendable seat section which materially extends the width of the main seat section of the chair. When the width of the seat needs to be lengthened, lateral sections are provided which are rotated up from beneath the main center section of the seat and then locked adjacent to the center section. The lateral sections can be rotated down and locked beneath the center section when chair expansion is not desired. Extendable support arms, adjustable outward from the back section of the chair, are provided when the width of the seat's center section is lengthened. These support arms are located behind the back support section and are configured to be slid outward when needed. A unique rack and pinion gear system allows the support arms to be extended and locked in a plurality of lengths.
US09693628B2 Mounting device
A mounting device is configured to mount a carried object to a connecting board. The connecting board is arranged with a mounting hole for mounting a positioning member of the carried object. The mounting device includes a blocking portion, an operating portion, and a base portion. The blocking portion is adjacent to the mounting hole of the connecting board. The operating portion is operatively connected to the blocking portion. The base portion has a first section connected to the connecting board, and a second section connected to the blocking portion. Wherein, when the positioning member of the carried object enters the mounting hole of the connecting board, the blocking portion is configured to block the positioning member; and when the operating portion is operated to move the blocking portion away from the mounting hole of the connecting board, the positioning member is able to disengage from the mounting hole.
US09693627B2 Quick-release mechanism for drawer slide parts
A quick-release mechanism for drawer slide parts includes a first rail, a second rail, a drawer frame member, and an engaging member. The second rail can be displaced with respect to the first rail and includes an engaging portion. The drawer frame member includes a carrier which is mounted on the second rail. The engaging member is mounted on the drawer frame member. The drawer frame member is releasably mounted on the second rail via the engaging member engaged with the engaging portion of the second rail.
US09693625B2 Student chair
A seat pivotably mounted to a seat base via a swivel connector, and a work surface assembly pivotably mounted above the seat base and below the seat via the swivel connector. In particular, a bushing may be attached to an outer surface of the swivel connector in a manner in which the bushing is axially fixed, yet rotatable relative to the swivel connector, such as via an arrangement of protrusions and grooves on the bushing and connector, respectively. A portion of the tablet arm is received over the bushing, such that the bushing provides a low-friction interface between work surface assembly and the seat. In this arrangement, the pivot connection between the work surface assembly and the chair is functionally independent of the pivot connection between the seat and seat base. This functional independence facilitates assembly of the work surface assembly to the chair, and allows the pivotable work surface to be retrofit to preexisting swivel chairs.
US09693624B2 Continuous force spring elevatable work platform
A work platform height adjustment apparatus having a frame and a support assembly moveably mounted on the frame. The frame is provided with cover panels which are mounted to the frame and the support assembly carries a spring biased work platform on brackets mounted to the support assembly so that the work platform can assume a number of fixed height positions.
US09693623B2 Adjustable holster for portable devices
The holster includes a solid basically flat rectilinear shape. In one embodiment, a horizontal slot through the thickness of the base receives a strap that is wrapped around the portable device, while a second strap, vertically oriented, is fixed in a keyway in the bottom of the base and threaded through a vertical slot in the thickness of the base and is brought upward over the horizontal strap. In a second embodiment a pair of horizontal straps are set in keyways and are wrapped around a portion of the portable device, holding it in place. All straps having a webbing having one side covered by the hook portion of a hook and loop fastening system and the other side covered by the loop elements of a hook and loop fastening system, allowing opposite sides, or faces, of any single strap to be fastened to itself.
US09693615B2 Variable-color accessory and variable-color device applied thereto
A variable-color accessory is provided comprising: a plurality of accessory surfaces, a light-emitting plate, a light-scattering plate, and a control unit. The light-emitting plate is mounted inside one of the accessory surfaces, where the light-emitting plate is flexible, is bent consistently with one of the accessory surfaces, and has a plurality of light-emitting diodes for emitting different light colors. The light-scattering plate is disposed between the light-emitting plate and one of the accessory surfaces, where the light-scattering plate is flexible and transmits light. The control unit is electrically connected to the light-emitting plate, to control turn-on/off of the light-emitting diodes of the light-emitting plate. A variable-color device applied to the accessory is further provided.
US09693612B2 Ergonomic garment carrier
An ergonomic garment carrier which accommodates garments such as suit shirts, jackets, pants and skirts as well as other items a traveler would typically transport or store.
US09693611B2 Safety baton
An electronic safety baton for providing a portable, multifunction security apparatus which includes both visual and audible interface is embodied as a baton housing that externally includes a lighting element, a speaker, a display screen, pulse sensors, two manual actuators, and a baton charging surface, internally includes a rechargeable battery, and utilizes a discrete floor charger mat. The electrically interconnected components on and in the baton housing enable a pulse reading system, a lighting system, and a panic system, each of which use electricity from the battery and are activated through manual engagement. The baton charging surface, when engaged with the floor charger mat, enables the recharging of the battery by allowing externally sourced electricity to be directed to the battery.
US09693599B2 Motorcycle boot
Protective footwear, such as a motorcycle or motocross boot, can have a supple, leather boot feel. Disclosed footwear can have a hinged coupling between a foot-engagement structure and a lower-leg engagement structure to promote anatomically correct flexion in a wearer's ankle. The lower-leg engagement portion can define a ledge having a lowermost face configured to abut and matingly urge against an uppermost face of a ledge of the foot-engagement portion to limit an extent of pivoting of the hinged coupling. The hinged coupling, in some instances, can include a pair of opposed bushings, each defining an internal thread configured to matingly engage a corresponding outer thread on a stud. The stud can retain the lower-leg engagement portion and the foot-engagement portion in a pivotable relationship to each other. The opposed bushings can be keyed to matingly engage either a lateral portion of the foot-engagement portion or a medial portion of the foot-engagement portion.
US09693597B2 Shoe with sound and light device
A sound and light shoe includes a shoe body including an upper portion and a sound and light device attached to the upper portion. The sound and light device includes an accommodating member including an accommodating space, a controlling box received in the accommodating space, a sound and light member, and a battery to supply power to the sound and light member. The sound and light member includes a controlling circuit received in the controlling box and including a main PCB, a first controlling circuit connected to the main PCB, and a second controlling circuit connected to the main PCB and the first controlling circuit, a light-emitting body connected to the controlling circuit, a first controlling switch connected to the main PCB, a sound-phonating body connected to the controlling circuit, a trigger switch connected to the main PCB, and a second controlling switch connected to the main PCB.
US09693596B2 Face armor
Face armor according to the invention comprises a face guard having dual side panels for disposition on opposite sides of the head of a person wearing the face armor, wherein a side slit extends upwardly from the bottom edge of each side panel such that the chin strap of a helmet extending to the chin of a person wearing the helmet extends over a portion of the side panel rearward of the side slit, passes through the side slit, and extends under a portion of the side panel forward of the side slit, thereby minimizing interference from the face guard to a snug and comfortable fitting of the helmet's tightened chin strap along the side of the person's head. In one embodiment fasteners close over each side slit and a portion of the chin strap to secure the forward and rearward portions of the side panel together.
US09693595B2 Helmet earpiece
A helmet earpiece is provided which includes a body, a first feature configured to fit with a complimentary first feature associated with a helmet, and a second feature configured to fit with a complimentary second feature associated with the helmet. The first and second features on the body may be configured to fit with the respective complimentary first and second features associated with the helmet to mount the helmet earpiece to the helmet. The first feature may include an opening, and a lock adjacent the opening. The lock has an unlocked position and a locked position, where in the unlocked position, the opening may be configured to receive the complimentary first feature associated with the helmet, and in the locked position, the lock may be configured to retain the complimentary first feature in the opening.
US09693592B2 Attaching electronic components to interactive textiles
This document describes techniques and apparatuses for attaching electronic components to interactive textiles. In various implementations, an interactive textile that includes conductive thread woven into the interactive textile is received. The conductive thread includes a conductive wire (e.g., a copper wire) that that is twisted, braided, or wrapped with one or more flexible threads (e.g., polyester or cotton threads). A fabric stripping process is applied to the interactive textile to strip away fabric of the interactive textile and the flexible threads to expose the conductive wire in a window of the interactive textile. After exposing the conductive wires in the window of the interactive textile, an electronic component (e.g., a flexible circuit board) is attached to the exposed conductive wire of the conductive thread in the window of the interactive textile.
US09693587B2 Extractor for an aerosol-generating device
There is provided an extractor for an aerosol-generating device configured to receive a smoking article including an aerosol-forming substrate and including a heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to form the aerosol. The extractor is configured to extract the smoking article received in the device, and includes a sliding receptacle configured to receive the smoking article, and a sleeve configured to receive the sliding receptacle. The sliding receptacle is slidable in the sleeve between a first position in which the substrate of the smoking article is positioned so as to be heated by the heater, and a second position in which the substrate is substantially separated from the heater. The sliding receptacle includes a support configured to support the substrate when the sliding receptacle and the smoking article are moved from the first position to the second position. There is also provided an electrically heated smoking system including the extractor.
US09693582B2 Product portion enrobing machines and methods
An apparatus for enrobing a product portion can include at least one polymer spray head adapted to create at least one flow of polymeric fibers to produce at least one polymer enrobing zone and a conveyor system adapted to move at least one product portion from at least one position below at least one polymer enrobing zone and to at least one position above at least one polymer enrobing zone to drop each product portion through one or more polymer enrobing zones a plurality times at different orientations to enrobe each product portion with polymeric fibers.
US09693580B2 Method and system for recapturing and reusing unreacted antimicrobial solutions in spray applications
A system providing for on-site reclamation and re-use of reclaimed antimicrobial solution includes a dispenser, at least one receptacle, piping, and at least one pump. The dispenser sprays antimicrobial solution toward moving raw food products. Unspent antimicrobial solution that did not contact the moving raw food products and rebound antimicrobial solution that did contact the raw food products combine to form a reclaimed antimicrobial solution. The reclaimed antimicrobial solution is collected in the receptacle and is pumped through the piping to a location for reuse.
US09693579B2 Method for eliminating bacteria from food
The present invention discloses a method to eliminate gram negative bacterial pathogens from food or produce. This method includes the steps of exposing produce or food to an electrically conductive medium having an anode and a cathode; inserting the anode of the electrically conductive medium into a water flume; connecting the cathode of the electrically conductive medium to a conveyor belt to convey the produce or food through the water flume for increasing the negative electrostatic charge on the surface of the pathogen cells selected to cause cell lysis; and attaching one or more misters to the roof of a water chamber to disperse the water in the water chamber. When DC current is applied to any pathogen cell that is gram negative, it overrides the internal governing electrostatic charge controlling the pathogen cell causing cell lysis. This is the “Achilles heel” of gram negative bacteria pathogen cells.
US09693572B2 Flaked fish analogs and methods for making such analogs
The invention provides flaked fish analogs comprising from about from about 18 to about 25% protein, from about 3 to about 9% fat, and from about 60 to about 85% moisture. The compositions have a realistic fish-like appearance and texture, mostly due to the presence of “flakes” that mimic the flakes of real fish.
US09693566B2 Broad spectrum animal repellent and method
An animal, bird, and repellent formulation and method for warding off deer, geese, birds and insects from shrubs, grass, water, walks, parking lots in around buildings and the like. The formulation is a mixture of water, rosemary oil, mint oil, cedar oil, kaolin clay, a thickener, preservative, white distilled vinegar and dried eggs. This formulation can be applied to a support medium, such as crushed eggshells, nutshells, or corncobs and then disbursed over the surface to be protected. The mixture can also be formed into a viscous composition and sprayed over the area. Additionally, this mixture can be applied to stagnate water to kill mosquito larvae or on a variety of surfaces to repel insects such as flies, spiders, beetles, ants and so forth.
US09693565B2 Composition comprising biological control agents
The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one biological control agent selected from the group consisting of Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251 (AGAL No. 89/030550) and Coniothyrium minitons CON/M/91-08 (DSM 9660) and/or a mutant of these strains having all the identifying characteristics of the respective strain, and/or at least one metabolite produced by the respective strain that exhibits activity against nematodes, insects and/or phytopathogens, and at least and at least one further biological control agent (II) which is selected from the group consisting of bacteria in a synergistically effective amount. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a kit of parts comprising said composition and the use of said composition.
US09693561B2 Compositions and methods for attracting mosquitoes and repelling sand flies
Compositions and methods for affecting dipteran hematophagous parasites. The compositions contain at least one dipteran semiochemical and at least one phagostimulant. The compositions may further include a pesticide. The semiochemical may be a floral attractant and the phagostimulants may be sugar-based. The compositions may be useful in attracting mosquitoes and/or repelling sand flies.
US09693558B2 Process for preparing a novel crystalline form of mesosulfuron-methyl and use of the same
A crystalline form of mesosulfuron-methyl of formula (I), the crystal preparation process, the analyses of the crystal through various analytical methods and using the crystal to prepare stable agrochemical formulation. The invention also describes the use of various solvents towards the crystalline form preparation conditions.
US09693555B2 Insect-combating preparation and method based on RNAi technology
The present invention relates to pesticide preparations and methods based on RNAi technology. The invention discloses target genes (fragments) useful in the control of Lepidoptera insects. Nucleic acid inhibitors or hosts expressing the nucleic acid inhibitors, based on the nucleic acid sequences of these target genes, can effectively kill Lepidoptera insects. The invention also discloses applications using the nucleic acid inhibitors or hosts expressing the nucleic acid inhibitors.
US09693548B2 System and method for disrupting auditory communications among animals in a defined locale
One or more sound producers disrupt auditory communications among animals in a defined locale. The sound is defined by (i) a frequency range commensurate with a communication frequency range used by at least one species to carry out auditory communications, (ii) colored noise in the frequency range, and (iii) a sound level of the colored noise in the frequency range at a perimeter region of the defined locale not to exceed approximately a peak sound level associated with auditory communications of one or more species.
US09693545B1 Electric AC or DC fishing line dryer, cleaner, line conditioner and spooler with line counter
This invention removes fishing line from any type of reel, cleans it, dries it, and then by reversing the process, treats the line, tensions it as it is counted and rewinds it back on the reel. The entire apparatus is portable using either direct or alternating current. All fishermen, world wide, would like this invention because it would keep his equipment clean, avoid worry or a guilt trip.
US09693544B2 Drag device for a dual-bearing reel
The drag device is a device that regulates the relative rotation between a drive gear that interlocks with a spool and a drive shaft. The drag device includes a first drag member, a star drag, and a sound unit. The first drag member is configured to be integrally rotatable with the drive shaft, includes a pressing side configured to be pressed against the drive gear, and has a sound generating part on the pressing side. The star drag is configured to adjust a pressing force of the first drag member. The sound unit is configured to interlock with the drive gear, is disposed so as to face the sound generating part, and is configured to generate sound by interfering with the sound generating part by relative rotation between the drive gear and the drive shaft.
US09693543B2 Double bearing reel
A reel body of a double bearing reel according to the invention has a left side plate that has a circular shape as viewed laterally and is situated further from a handle. An outer diameter of a right frame body that serves as another side plate situated closer to the handle is larger than an outer diameter of the left side plate. The reel body includes one or more connecting members that connect the left side plate and the right frame body. Among the connecting members, at least the connecting member that connects the side plates in front of the spool has a planar outer surface facing away from the spool and a curved inner surface facing the spool. The inner surface is formed to be convex outward, and the connecting member is connected to the left side plate through an arc-like bowed portion.
US09693541B2 Fishing pole system and method of use
A fishing pole system includes a shaft having a hollow interior with a cap connected to its upper end and a point connected to its lower end. A slide is positioned within the hollow interior and an internal lead is connected to the slide at its lower end, the internal lead extends through the cap and connects to a swivel at its upper end. The slide includes a locking mechanism which engages a locking mechanism connected to the point. In use, the cap end of the fishing pole is banged on the ground which releases the slide from the point and the internal lead is paid-out from the hollow interior. To store the fishing pole, the slide is withdrawn within the hollow interior by gravity. When fully withdrawn, the point is banged into the ground causing the slide to lock to the point and the fishing pole is stored away.
US09693539B2 HCO32 and HCO27 and related examples
The instant invention relates to transgenic non-human animals capable of producing heterologous antibodies, transgenes used to produce such transgenic animals, transgenes capable of functionally rearranging a heterologous D gene in V-D-J recombination, immortalized B-cells capable of producing heterologous antibodies, methods and transgenes for producing heterologous antibodies of multiple isotypes, methods and transgenes for producing heterologous antibodies wherein a variable region sequence comprises somatic mutation as compared to germline rearranged variable region sequences, transgenic nonhuman animals which produce antibodies having a human primary sequence and which bind to human antigens, hybridomas made from B cells of such transgenic animals, and monoclonal antibodies expressed by such hybridomas.
US09693537B2 Aquaculture pump system and method
Embodiments of the invention provide a method of operating a pump in an aquaculture system including a water tank that houses aquatic life. The method includes monitoring a dissolved oxygen level in the culture tank, determining a flow rate threshold based on the dissolved oxygen level, and changing a speed of the pump to maintain a current flow rate through the culture tank above the flow rate threshold.
US09693535B2 System for uniquely identifying subjects from a target population
The system for uniquely identifying subjects from a target population operates to acquire, process and analyze images to create data which contains indicia sufficient to uniquely identify an individual in a population of interest. This system implements an automated, image-based process that captures data indicative of a selected set of external characteristics for subjects that are members of a target population of a predetermined species.
US09693531B1 Maize inbred PH25S9
A novel maize variety designated PH25S9 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH25S9 with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH25S9 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are provided. Hybrid maize seed, plants or plant parts are produced by crossing the variety PH25S9 or a locus conversion of PH25S9 with another maize variety.
US09693527B1 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH889066
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH889066. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH889066, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH889066 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 CH889066.
US09693523B1 Maize hybrid X08H743
A novel maize variety designated X08H743 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X08H743 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08H743 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08H743, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08H743. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08H743.
US09693521B1 Soybean cultivar 58211811
A soybean cultivar designated 58211811 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 58211811, to the plants of soybean cultivar 58211811, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 58211811, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 58211811. 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 58211811. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 58211811, 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 58211811 with another soybean cultivar.
US09693518B2 Plants and seeds of canola variety SCV406503
In an embodiment, the invention relates to the seeds, plants, and plant parts of canola variety SCV406503 and to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing canola variety SCV406503 with itself or with another canola variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic canola plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to canola varieties or breeding lines and plant parts derived from canola variety SCV406503, to methods for producing other canola varieties, lines or plant parts derived from canola variety SCV406503 and to the canola plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid canola seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the variety SCV406503 with another canola variety.
US09693513B2 Maize hybrid X08F032XR
A novel maize variety designated X08F032XR and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X08F032XR with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08F032XR through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08F032XR, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08F032XR. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08F032XR.
US09693508B2 Structure for growing plants in rotatable modules
A structure (20) for growing plants comprises an array (22) of containers (24), for example intermodal shipping containers, each having a floor (28) and an open end (30), and being arranged in a plurality of stacked rows (32), each row comprising a plurality of containers. The array defines a space (34) bounded on its sides by the open ends of the containers. Each container holds a plant-growing apparatus (26) of the type having a plurality of rotatable plant-growing modules (52) in which plants grow radially inwardly toward a light source (56) inside the module. The structure (20) includes means (58, 60) for moving the modules along a path within each container and means (74) for removing the modules from the containers and for placing the modules into the containers. The array of containers and the bounded space are covered by a flexible fabric (50) or rigid dome (48).
US09693505B2 Merger and pick-up header for a merger having an adjustable skid shoe
A merger apparatus including a pick-up header; a conveyor with a conveyor belt; a skid shoe disposed below the pick-up header and the conveyor; and an operative connection between the pick-up header and the skid shoe that enables the merger apparatus to articulate independently of an external frame underneath the conveyor, such that loose material transported by the conveyor belt that lags beneath the return side may fall to the ground keeping the return side of the conveyor belt free from obstructions.
US09693501B2 Mower with scissor lift mowing height adjustment mechanism
A reduced weight underbelly mower has a cutting deck suspended beneath a frame by a deck height adjustment mechanism with a pivotable scissor configuration. The deck height adjustment mechanism cooperates with the mower frame so as manually or through a motorized jack to adjust the cutting height. Due to the mower's reduced weight and the scissor-like configuration of the deck height adjustment mechanism, an operator can manually lift the mower front end and swing the deck rear swinging forward, such that the mower rests stabilly on the deck rear and the deck underside is exposed for maintenance procedures.
US09693500B2 Filament cutterhead for a brushcutter
A filament cutterhead for a brushcutter is able to be driven in a rotatable manner during operation in a rotational direction about a rotational axis. The filament cutterhead has a base body on which at least one cutting filament is retained and which has a lower face facing the ground during operation. The cutting filament extends from an outer face of the base body through an opening as far as an inner region of the base body which is open toward the lower face of the base body. In order to achieve a low degree of soiling of the filament cutterhead during operation, a shield element is provided in the inner region and the leading portion of the cutting filament in the inner region is arranged in the slipstream of the shield element relative to the rotational direction.
US09693498B2 Seed-double eliminator for a planting unit
A seed-double eliminator and planting unit for a seeding machine have an aperture in a seed-carrying surface of a metering member of the seeding machine. A paddle is included on the metering member, the paddle extending away from the seed-carrying surface toward a seed path. At least one seed-double projection is included on the metering member between the aperture and the paddle, the at least one seed-double projection preventing retention on the metering member of at least one seed of a seed double pair.
US09699938B2 System and method for cooling information handling resources
A system may include a chassis having a pair of stationary rails mechanically coupled thereto. Each stationary rail may receive a corresponding telescoping sliding rail. Each stationary rail/sliding rail combination may be configured to convey a cooling fluid to or from a heat exchanger.
US09699937B2 Electronic module, guide rail of such a module and circuit board intended to be slotted into such a module
An electronics module comprising a box including at least one pair of slideways to define a housing for receiving an electronics card, the slideways being fastened to two opposite faces of the box that are provided with ventilation means arranged to establish a flow of a total stream of air between the two faces. According to the invention, the electronics module includes at least one screen arranged in the housing between one of the slideways and the associated electronics card in order to define a passage for an individual stream of air in the housing.
US09699936B1 Cable management assembly
A cable assembly for organizing and managing multiple electrical cables connected to rack-mounted electronics equipment includes a pair of individually movable cable carriers, each comprising a pair of slider arms slideably disposed in corresponding slider arm guide channels connected to the vertical rails of an equipment rack, a crossbar connected between the slider arms, and a plurality of cable clips carried on the crossbar. The cable clips each comprise a plurality of parallel slots for securely capturing and holding cables in parallel order aligned with corresponding I/O ports on the electronics equipment. The slider arm guides have a plurality of detents and the slider arms have a releasable latch that cooperates with the detents to enable the cable carrier to be moved vertically for easy access to the electronics for maintenance.
US09699935B1 Equipment cradles, rack-mounted equipment systems, and related methods
Equipment cradles, rack-mounted equipment systems, and related methods can include rack-mounted equipment, a rack-mounted equipment cabinet for storing the rack-mounted equipment, and at least one equipment cradle installed in the rack-mounted equipment cabinet for supporting the rack-mounted equipment stored therein. The equipment cradle can include telescoping rails including a right rail and a left rail, the telescoping rails being configured to extend between front and rear rails of the equipment cabinet, at least one post disposed on each of front and rear endplates of the telescoping rails, the at least one post being configured to be received by holes disposed in each of the front and rear rails of the equipment cabinet, and at least one cross brace having a first end configured to mount to the left rail and a second end configured to mount to the right rail.
US09699932B2 Method and apparatus for mounting rack components on racks
The invention pertains to a system for mounting components to a rack comprising brackets that can be mounted to the rear of the rack through the opening in the front of rack before the component is inserted into the slot and mating sleeves running along the sides of the components. The brackets include arms that extend forwardly towards the front of the slot. After the brackets are attached, the component can be slid into the slot from the front with the sleeves sliding over and engaging the brackets. In this manner, the component can be slid into a slot on the rack with the brackets sliding into the sleeves, thereby providing support for the component along a substantial portion of the depth of the component without the need to bolt or otherwise fixedly attach the component to the bracket after the component is in the rack. Accordingly, a component can be installed in a rack without the need for any access except from the front of the rack.
US09699930B2 Electric device system
An electric device system includes a first unit and a second unit adjacent to each other. An elastically deformable first connecting terminal is provided in the first unit, and a second connecting terminal is provided in the second unit. When the first unit is assembled in the second unit, the first connecting terminal comes into contact with the second connecting terminal after sliding on an outer surface of a casing of the second unit. A bulging surface is provided in an exposed surface of the first connecting terminal, and a recess is provided in an exposed surface of the second connecting terminal. A part of the bulging surface and a part of an opening edge of the recess come into press-contact with each other by fitting a part of the bulging surface in the recess, thereby establishing electric conduction between the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal.
US09699928B2 Print media with inductive secondary
An item of print media (30) including an inductive secondary (50) for providing power to a load (32). The inductive secondary is responsive to an electromagnetic flux to generate a time-varying current or voltage therein. The current or voltage induced in the inductive secondary directly or indirectly powers the load to thereby enhance the functionality and/or the appeal of the item of print media without significantly adding to its cost. The load can provide a visual and/or auditory output, and can include an electroluminescent display, an e-ink display, a piezo speaker coil, an electrostatic speaker, an OLED, an LED or an LCD display. Embodiments of the invention can be utilized in connection with a wide variety of print media, including for example books, booklets, pamphlets, labels, magazines, manuals, brochures, maps, charts, posters, journals, newspapers or loose leaf pages.
US09699927B2 Cable fixing device
A cable is drawn through a first opening of a cable holder from a rear side to a front side, and drawn back through a second opening to the rear side, and drawn again through a third opening to the front side. The cable holder on which the cable is wound is contained in a chamber of a load cell. Central lines of the cable are soldered to a circuit board in the load cell. A male thread of a nut is screwed into a female thread of the chamber, so that the cable holder is pressed against a front side of the chamber via a rubber sleeve.
US09699926B2 Case, method of manufacturing case, and electronic device
A case for an electronic device includes an injection preform having a recess on at least one portion of a surface thereof, a deposition layer deposited on a surface of the injection preform, and a paint layer formed on the deposition layer. The deposition layer may directly contact a surface of the injection preform. A method of manufacturing a case includes injection-molding an injection preform having a recess on a surface thereof, forming a deposition layer directly contacting a surface of the injection preform, and forming a paint layer on the deposition layer.
US09699924B2 Display mount leveler
A display mount for an electronic display. The mount includes a support bracket adapted to be secured to a wall or similar structure, and a display bracket adapted to be secured to an electronic display. The support bracket includes a plurality of pairs of angled slots, each pair of angled slots having a different angle than the other pairs. The slots receive fasteners which secure the support bracket to the wall, as well as provide a means for adjusting the tilt of the bracket so as to ensure the bracket is level. The display bracket is attachable to a display, and a structure adapted to cooperate with a corresponding structure on the support bracket to hang the display from the support bracket.
US09699922B1 Interactive audio pass-through device
The invention generally relates to an interactive audio pass-through device constructed as a portable unit that houses Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth wireless hardware and software, a microprocessor for processing a unique queuing algorithm for a plurality of users, and a plurality of colored light sources for visually indicating the queue to the users. The queuing algorithm assigns specific Bluetooth codes to users' Bluetooth devices, and a user software application loaded on the users' Bluetooth enabled devices allows the device to stream content wirelessly using its unique Bluetooth code to the interactive audio pass-through device. The microprocessor also allows private interactive chats among users in the queue, and also includes administrator control software to allow the unit's owner to set parameters for the unit.
US09699918B2 Package assembly and method for manufacturing the same
A package assembly can include: (i) a plurality of electrical components stacked on at least two layers; (ii) a lead frame connected to the electrical components by solder interconnection; (iii) an encapsulating compound overlapping a portion of the lead frame and the electrical components to expose portions of leads of the lead frame from the encapsulating compound; and (iv) a heat sink having a first portion arranged between two of the plurality of electrical components, where the heat sink is configured to provide a common heat dissipation path for the electrical components.
US09699917B2 Formulated resin compositions for flood coating electronic circuit assemblies
Formulated resin systems containing polymeric flood coat compositions are provided herein and characterized by having an initial mix thixotropic index from 1 to 5, and a gel time from 5 to 15 minutes such that when cured the compositions provide a Shore hardness from 15 A to 90 A, a thickness on horizontal surfaces from 20 mils to 75 mils, and a thickness on vertical surfaces from 4 mils to 20 mils. Electronic circuit assemblies flood coated with such formulated resin systems, and methods for protecting and supporting said assemblies, are also provided.
US09699914B2 Patterning of electroless metals by selective deactivation of catalysts
Methods and devices for patterning electroless metals on a substrate are presented. An active catalyst layer on the substrate can be covered with a patterned mask and treated with a deactivating chemical reagent, which deactivates the catalyst layer not covered by the mask. Once the patterned mask is removed, the electroless metal layer can be placed to have a patterned electroless metals. Alternatively, a substrate can be coated with a blocking reagent in a pattern first to inhibit formation of the catalyst layer before a catalyst layer can be placed over the blocking agent layer and then electroless metal layer is placed on the catalyst layer. The pattern of the blocking reagent acts as a negative pattern of the final conductive line pattern.
US09699910B2 Circuit structure and fabrication method thereof
A circuit structure is provided, which includes a plurality of conductive posts, and a plurality of first and second conductive pads formed on two opposite end surfaces of the conductive posts, respectively. A length of each of the first conductive pads is greater than a width of the first conductive pad so as to reduce an occupation area of the first conductive pad along the width and increase a distance between adjacent first conductive pads, thereby increasing the wiring density and meeting the wiring demand.
US09699908B2 Component-embedded board and communication terminal device
A component-embedded board includes a multilayer board obtained by stacking resin layers and an electronic component in the multilayer board having terminal electrodes on at least one principal face. The resin layers include a first resin layer having a space to accommodate the electronic component and at least one first interlayer connector formed by solidifying a conductive paste outside each of at least three sides of a principal face of the electronic component and a second resin layer having second and third interlayer connectors formed by solidifying a conductive paste. At least one second interlayer connector is positioned outside the three sides of the principal face. The third interlayer connectors are joined to the terminal electrodes. The first resin layer and the second resin layer are adjacent to each other in a stacking direction within the multilayer board. The first interlayer connector and the second interlayer connector are joined.
US09699907B2 Semiconductor package modules, memory cards including the same, and electronic systems including the same
A semiconductor package module may include a first substrate, and a second substrate disposed to face the first substrate. The semiconductor package module may include an interconnection member electrically connecting the first substrate to the second substrate and including a plurality of wires. Portions of the plurality of wires may be twisted and wound together and may be bent to extend in a predetermined direction.
US09699903B2 Implementing simultaneously connecting of multiple devices in a multi-tiered, multi-directional, enhanced tolerance system with mechanical support structures
A method and apparatus are provided for implementing simultaneously connecting of multiple devices in a multi-tiered, multi-directional, enhanced tolerance system with mechanical support structures. A main system planar assembly and an elevated planar assembly share a direct connection provided by a plurality of connectors with no cables. A mechanical support bracket is attached to a top surface of the main system planar assembly positioning and supporting the elevated planar assembly spaced appropriately for accurately connecting respective connectors with respective chassis connectors. The elevated planar assembly includes a stiffening component to facilitate proper spacing between upper and lower levels of respective connectors and tool-less insertion and extraction of the elevated planar assembly.
US09699902B1 Printed circuit board made through sintering copper nano-particles
A printed circuit board is formed from a plurality of thinner PCBs stacked on top of each other with an intermediate metal interconnect material selectively positioned between adjacent PCBs. The metal interconnect material is selectively positioned on surface contact points of correspondingly aligned plated through holes on the adjacent printed circuit boards. The stacked printed circuit boards and intermediate metal interconnect material are laminated, thereby sintering the metal interconnect material and the surface contact points of the plated through holes to form electrical interconnects between plated through holes on adjacent printed circuit boards. The metal interconnect material is preferably the same as the plating material used to plate the through holes, such as copper.
US09699899B2 Plastic film having lines for a multi-modal input device and method for producing
A plastic film for a multi-modal input device has conductors that link a touch module and an operating element. Such input devices, for example, are in consoles of motor vehicles, dishwashers, washing machines, telephones, or the like. Touch modules and operating element modules are interconnected by the layout of conductors in the form of a geometrically distorted electrical matrix on a single plastic film which forms a carrier for a combined input device. The conductors are electrically insulated from each other, but capacitively coupled to crossover points in the electrical matrix, the crossover points dividing the matrix into at least two areas. Strip conductors extend from the matrix at an edge area of the matrix of the touch module and connected to the operating elements forming a geometrically distorted matrix of conductors on the plastic film.
US09699897B2 Pad structure
One or more techniques or systems for mitigating peeling associated with a pad, such as a pad of a semiconductor, are provided herein. In some embodiments, a pad structure for mitigating peeling comprises a bond region located above a first region. In some embodiments, a first inter-layer dielectric region associated with the first region is formed in an inter-layer region under the pad. Additionally, a first inter-metal dielectric region associated with the first region is formed in an inter-metal region under the inter-layer region. In some embodiments, the first inter-metal region is formed under the first inter-layer region. In this manner, peeling associated with the pad structure is mitigated, at least because the first inter-metal dielectric region comprises dielectric material and the first inter-layer dielectric region comprises dielectric material, thus forming a dielectric-dielectric interface between the first inter-metal dielectric region and the inter-layer dielectric region.
US09699894B2 Deformation sensing flexible substrate using pattern formed of conductive material
Disclosed herein is a deformation sensing flexible substrate using a pattern formed of a conductive material. The deformation sensing flexible substrate, using the pattern formed of the conductive material, includes a flexible substrate; and conductive patterns in which conductors including a conductive material are arranged and formed to be contactable and non-contact to each other based on deformation of the flexible substrate.
US09699892B2 Electric element-embedded multilayer substrate and method for manufacturing the same
An electric element-embedded multilayer substrate, which is a multilayer substrate including an electric element embedded therein and a plurality of base material layers having flexibility, the electric element including a main surface and being embedded in the multilayer substrate to be sandwiched between the base material layers, and a slide member provided between the main surface of the electric element and the base material layer.
US09699889B2 Wireless communication module, LED lighting device, solar photovoltaic system, self-start system and detection device
A wireless communication module includes: a wireless circuit configured to transmit/receive a wireless signal; a first inter-board connector; a first board on which the wireless circuit and the first connector are mounted; a signal processing circuit configured to process the wireless signal transmitted/received by the wireless circuit; a second inter-board connector configured to be connected to the first connector; and a second board on which the signal processing circuit and the second connector are mounted. The first board overlaps at least partially with the second board under a condition where the first connector and the second connector are interconnected.
US09699886B2 Electronic device
An electronic device includes: a casing; a board disposed inside the casing and having a heating element mounted thereon; an opposing member disposed inside the casing and having an opposing face opposed to a face of the board on which the heating element is mounted; a heat sink formed by alternately laminating thermal diffusion sheets and adhesive layers each having an opening at a location corresponding to the heating element on the opposing face of the opposing member; and a press member configured to press the heating element against a region of the heat sink corresponding to the opening of the adhesive layer, thus joining the thermal diffusion sheets together at the location of the opening.
US09699884B2 Latch device for heat dissipation unit
A latch device for heat dissipation unit is applied to and mounted on a motherboard in tight contact with at least one heat source. The latch device includes a heat sink, a first elastic abutment member having a first protrusion block and a second elastic abutment member having a second protrusion block. A first latch member and a second latch member are disposed on two opposite sides of the heat sink. The first and second latch members are freely latchable with the corresponding first and second protrusion blocks or unlatchable from the corresponding first and second protrusion blocks. Accordingly, along with the latching or unlatching, the first and second elastic abutment members are elastically deformed into abutment against or out of abutment with the other face of the heat sink. Therefore, the heat sink can be easily and securely fixed on or detached from the motherboard.
US09699882B2 Self-shielded vertical proton-linear accelerator for proton-therapy
A linear proton accelerator includes a plurality of accelerator components arranged after one another, and a proton source and a plurality of accelerating units. The accelerator further includes a reticular support structure for supporting the accelerator components. The support structure is shaped as a prism with a polygonal cross-section, and has a plurality of side faces joining opposite ends of the prism. The support structure is arranged concentrically with respect to the accelerator components.
US09699881B2 Diaphragm flange and method for lowering particle beam impedance at connected beam tubes of a particle accelerator
A diaphragm flange for connecting the tubes in a particle accelerator while minimizing beamline impedance. The diaphragm flange includes an outer flange and a thin diaphragm integral with the outer flange. Bolt holes in the outer flange provide a means for bolting the diaphragm flange to an adjacent flange or beam tube having a mating bolt-hole pattern. The diaphragm flange includes a first surface for connection to the tube of a particle accelerator beamline and a second surface for connection to a CF flange. The second surface includes a recessed surface therein and a knife-edge on the recessed surface. The diaphragm includes a thickness that enables flexing of the integral diaphragm during assembly of beamline components. The knife-edge enables compression of a soft metal gasket to provide a leak-tight seal.
US09699876B2 Method of and apparatus for supply and recovery of target material
An EUV light source target material handling system is disclosed which may comprise a droplet generator having a target material reservoir in which the target material may be replenished while a nozzle portion of the droplet generator is maintained at temperature. Also disclosed is a system for selectively draining spent target material.
US09699875B2 DLP projector and method for projecting at least one image onto a projection surface
Various embodiments relates to a DLP (digital light processing) projector for projecting at least one image on a projection surface. A discharge lamp is driven by a current waveform having at least one first region, to which a first frequency is assigned, and a second region, to which a second frequency is assigned, wherein the first region is established by a first commutation and a following second commutation, wherein the second region is established by the region between the second commutation and a following first commutation, wherein further commutations can occur within the second region, wherein a modulation factor is defined by the ratio of second frequency to first frequency, wherein the modulation factor is at least 3. A method for projecting at least one image is also disclosed.
US09699873B2 Networked lighting infrastructure for sensing applications
A network using existing streetlights is described. Each street light becomes a node in the network, and each includes a power terminal for receiving electrical power, a light source coupled to the power terminal, a processor coupled to the power terminal, a network interface coupled between the processor and the network of lighting systems, and a sensor coupled to the processor for detecting a condition at the node, and in response providing information about that condition to the processor.
US09699872B2 Control system and method for wirelessly switching lamps over short distances
A control system for wirelessly switching lamps over short distances includes a mobile device, a lamp control switch and a controlled lamp. A user holds the mobile device to approach or depart from the lamp control switch and continuously transmit a wireless signal according to a communication protocol. The lamp control switch receives the wireless signal according to the communication protocol and turns on or off a corresponding controlled lamp according to signal intensity of the wireless signal. The control system is operated when users travel among different environments. When users get close to the lamp control switch, the lamp control switch drives the controlled lamp to turn on or off, and when users depart from the lamp control switch, the lamp control switch automatically turns off the controlled lamp, thereby ensuring operational convenience, energy conservation and carbon reduction.
US09699871B2 State change devices for switched electrical receptacles
A state change device may be electrically connected to a switched receptacle, or to both the switched and unswitched receptacles, of an outlet. The state change device may generate a change of state signal when power is applied to, or removed from, the switched receptacle. The state change device may wirelessly communicate the signal. The state change device may include a load control circuit that may be configured to control the amount of power delivered to an electrical load that is electrically connected to the state change device. The state change device may receive commands directed to the load control circuit. The state change device may be deployed in a load control system and may operate as a control entity, such that the state change device may issue commands to one or more load control devices, responsive to the application or removal of power at the switched receptacle.
US09699870B2 Wall-mountable wireless remote control device
A wall-mountable remote control device may be installed in place of an existing light switch and may be configured to transmit wireless signals to an electrical load device, such as a screw-in light-emitting diode (LED) lamp, to provide control of the electrical load device. The remote control device may comprise an air-gap switch adapted to be electrically coupled in series between a power source and the controllable light source, but may not comprise a bidirectional semiconductor switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to the electrical load device using a phase-control dimming technique. The remote control device may have a low-profile enclosure that is smaller than an enclosure of a standard dimmer switch, and thus may be easier to install in an electrical wallbox. The remote control device may comprise two parts including an air-gap switch device and a wireless communication device mounted to the air-gap switch device.
US09699868B2 Single isolation element for multiple interface standards
In one example, a device includes a transformer configured to electrically isolate one or more components of the device from a communication bus, and a controller configured to receive and transmit data via the communication bus, wherein the controller is operable to communicate via a plurality of communication standards that include at least one analog unidirectional communication standard and at least one digital bidirectional communication standard, and wherein both the received data and the transmitted data pass through the transformer.
US09699866B2 Wand gesture
Some embodiments include a remote for gesture recognition for an external light system. In some embodiments, the remote may include an acceleration sensor; a wireless transceiver; memory; and a processor communicatively coupled with the acceleration sensor, the wireless transceiver, and the memory. In some embodiments, the processor may be configured to: sample acceleration data from the acceleration sensor; determine a first event type based on the acceleration data; determine a second event type based on the acceleration data; determine a command for an external system based on the first event type; and transmit the command to the external device using the wireless transceiver. In some embodiments, the first event type and/or the second event type comprises an event selected from the list consisting of a swipe, a tap, a double tap, a directional point, and a tilt; exclude the second event type.
US09699862B2 Power line non-lighting application controller system and method
In some examples, non-lighting application controller technology includes methods and apparatuses. In other examples, the technology includes a non-lighting application controller system. The system includes one or more light fixtures. Each light fixture of the one or more light fixtures has one or more non-lighting elements, such as a speaker, alarm, motor, and camera. Each light fixture of the one or more light fixtures is electrically coupled via a power line. Each light fixture of the one or more light fixtures includes a conversion module configured to convert instructions between power line communication and non-lighting control communication, a communication module configured to communicate the power line communication over the power line, and a non-lighting element controller configured to control the one or more non-lighting elements in a respective light fixture based on the instructions.
US09699860B2 Light emitting module and illumination device using the same
A light emitting module includes light source units having a rectangular plate shape, and a base unit having an elongated rectangular plate shape. The light source units are disposed along a straight line and removably mounted to the base unit. Each of the light source units includes a pair of engaging portions used in bringing each of the light source units into engagement with the base unit. The engaging portions are disposed in two opposite sides of a mounting surface of each of the light source units to be mounted to the base unit. The base unit includes holding portions provided along a longitudinal direction of the base unit on an attachment surface of the base unit to which the light source units are attached and holding-portion-attachment portions to which the holding portions are detachably attached at a predetermined interval along the longitudinal direction of the base unit.
US09699859B1 Configuration of an automated personal fitness coaching device
An automated fitness coaching device is presented, comprising: a light emitting diode (LED); a set of one or more sensors configured to obtain motion data samples; one or more processors coupled to the LED and the set of one or more sensors; wherein the one or more processors are configured to: obtain an indication of a color configuration; and cause a control signal to be sent to the LED to cause the LED to emit a color according to the color configuration.
US09699856B2 Upgradeable lighting fixture
A lighting fixture includes an outer frame, a solid-state light source, a lens, and a sensor module connector. Driver circuitry is coupled to the outer frame and provides one or more drive signals for powering the light source. The lens is supported by and attached to the outer frame. The solid-state light source is mounted to the outer frame and at least partially surrounded by the lens, such that at least a portion of the light provided by the solid-state light source is transmitted through the lens towards an area of interest. The sensor module connector is mounted to the outer frame and configured to accept a connector from a sensor module such that when the sensor module is installed in the lighting fixture, a surface of the sensor module faces the area of interest towards which light from the solid-state light source is provided.
US09699855B2 Add-on IPS controller for LED lighting device
An add-on IPS (Indoor Positioning System) controller for an LED lighting device includes a power input port, a power output port, a housing, a control unit in the housing, and at least one data signal receiver in the control unit. A power input of the control unit is connected to the power input port. A power output of the control unit is connected to the power output port. The data signal receiver is configured to receive data from the external data source. The control unit further includes a two-way wireless module configured to send and receive the data between the IPS server and the IPS-enabled end-user device. The control unit is configured to activate and deactivate the power output port to supply output voltage responsive to the data signals.
US09699850B1 Power circuit and related method for LED lighting device
A power circuit for an LED lighting device including an AC power supply, a dimmer and a control circuit is provided. The control circuit includes a filtering unit configured to filter a voltage signal coming from the dimmer and a rectifying unit configured to receive the signal outputted from the filtering unit and rectify the signal to a DC signal. The control circuit also includes a transformer unit connected to the rectifying unit. Further, the control circuit includes a dimmer phase detection unit configured to sample the rectified voltage signal at point K and convert the voltage signal to a low voltage pulse signal and a flyback conversion unit configured to receive the pulse signal outputted by the dimmer phase detection unit and adjust a current flowed through the transformer unit and a first transistor to control the output current to the LED lighting device.
US09699847B2 Light source unit and lighting fixture
The light source unit includes a light source circuit including N (N≧3) pairs of a light source group including one or more solid light emitting elements and a constant current circuit connected in series with the light source group to keep, constant, current flowing through the light source group, a full-wave rectification circuit for performing full-wave rectification on AC voltage, and a control circuit. The first pair is connected to the full-wave rectification circuit. The k-th (2≦k≦N) pair is connected in parallel with the constant current circuit of the (k−1)-th pair so that the light source groups of the k-th and (k−1)-th pairs are in series. The control circuit terminates operations of the constant current circuits of the N pairs or limits currents flowing through the light source groups of the N pairs in response to detection of light or a signal.
US09699846B2 Biasing and driving circuit, based on a feedback voltage regulator, for an electric load
A biasing and driving circuit for an electric load, having an input adapted to receive an a.c. input voltage and an output adapted to supply a d.c. output voltage, comprising: a voltage-regulator device, having a feedback input terminal configured to receive a sensing voltage that is a function of a supply current that flows through the electric load and regulating, on the basis of the sensing voltage received, the supply current; a resistive sensing element, operatively coupled to the feedback input, configured to receive the supply current and generate the sensing voltage as a function of the supply current; a resistor coupled to the feedback input; and an auxiliary biasing circuit adapted to receive the a.c. input voltage and inject through the resistor an a.c. auxiliary biasing current that varies in a way inversely proportional to the input voltage.
US09699841B2 AC driven LED light with digital control of color and intensity
A full color LED light for aircraft interiors is described, comprising a housing containing at least three differently colored groups of light emitting diodes, a controller for the groups of light emitting diodes and an alternating current power source. The controller distributes the alternating current to LED groups, providing a desired intensity of each differently colored group, producing a desired blended output color. At least one switching circuit receives input current from the power source, via the controller, and directs current to LED subgroups such that a near optimal voltage drop is maintained, given the varied voltage drops of the LED subgroups, regardless of the input voltage, in light of the voltage rating of the LEDs. Embodiments provide for measurement or estimation of current profiles, thermal profiles, and series resistance, allowing accurate measurement of lumen depreciation over time. Additional embodiments include a feedback circuit to temper input power fluctuations.
US09699839B2 Multichannel constant current LED controlling circuit and controlling method
A multichannel constant current LED controlling circuit can include: (i) a control loop configured to generate a first control signal in accordance with a current feedback signal that represents a driving current flowing through an LED load, where the LED load comprises a plurality of LED strings coupled in series; (ii) a loop steady state network comprising a plurality of steady state holding components configured to hold a plurality of steady state control signals that correspond to a plurality of load states of the LED load, where when a state of the LED load varies, at least one of the steady state holding components is selected by the control loop to generate the first control signal; and (iii) a power switching transistor of a power stage circuit configured to generate a pseudo-constant output current to drive the LED load.
US09699838B2 Inductor current detection circuit and LED driver
The present invention pertains to an inductor current detection circuit in a switching mode power supply, and a light-emitting diode (LED) driver thereof. In one embodiment, an inductor current detection circuit configured in a switching mode power supply under discontinuous conduction mode, can include: (i) a voltage detection circuit configured to generate a sampling voltage based on a drain-source voltage of a power switch in the switching mode power supply; (ii) a voltage holding circuit configured to receive the sampling voltage, and to generate a holding voltage through a sampling and holding operation; and (iii) a comparison circuit configured to compare the sampling voltage against the holding voltage, and to generate a zero-crossing signal when the sampling voltage is less than the holding voltage, where the zero-crossing signal is configured to represent an inductor current ending time of the switching mode power supply.
US09699837B2 Output current configuration based on load connection
A driver port that provides selectable output currents based on connections thereto, and a driver including the same, is provided. A plurality of shunt resistors are connected in series between a negative output of a driver and a ground. A driver port having a plurality of connection points is provided, each respective connection point connected to a different connection between two of the plurality of shunt resistors. A load including one or more solid state light sources is capable of being connected between one of the connection points of the driver port and a positive output of the driver.
US09699836B2 Multifunctional universal LED driver
A multifunctional universal LED driver is disclosed that can be configured to match the voltage and/or current requirements of various LED loads such as LED lighting fixtures. The disclosed LED driver replaces the existing wall switch to drive an LED lighting fixture with no need for making changes to the existing wires. The user control means are installed in the faceplate of the LED driver and are relatively accessible to an end user. The configuration control means are installed so as to be relatively inaccessible to an end user during normal operation of the LED driver. In a wireless embodiment, a wireless remote controller operates the LED driver. In another wireless embodiment, the remote controller is a computing platform such as a smartphone, which can configure, operate, and query the status of the LED driver. The status of the LED driver may include on/off, intensity level, energy being consumed by the LED load, configuration settings, and other useful information such as serial number, manufacturing date, country of origin, and ratings. The Wi-Fi embodiment of the LED driver enables the LED driver to be controlled using the Internet and become part of the network of Internet of Things (IoT).
US09699835B2 Machine readable element and optical indicium for authenticating an item before processing
Apparatuses and methods are provided for a processing apparatus configured to authenticate an item based on at least one optical indicium associated with the item before processing the item. An interface may be configured to receive processing information from a machine readable element associated with an item to be processed. An image acquisition device may be configured to acquire image information relating to at least one optical indicium associated with an item. At least one processor may be configured to verify authentication of the item based upon the image information acquired by the image sensor unit. The processor may be further configured to receive processing information from the interface and to determine one or more instructions for processing the item based on the processing information. The apparatus may be further configured to processing the item in accordance with the instructions after the item has been verified as authentic.
US09699833B2 Electronic unit mounting
An electrical assembly 600 comprising an electrical raft 200 and an electronic unit 300 is provided to a gas turbine engine 10. The electrical raft 200 has electrical conductors 252 embedded in a rigid material 220, which may be a rigid composite material. The electrical conductors 252 are in electrical contact with the electronic unit 300. When the electronic unit 300 is installed, at least a part 310 of it forms a part of a gas-washed surface of the engine 10. The electronic unit 300 is then easily accessible from the engine 10, and potentially complex and/or heavy access doors/panels may not be required.
US09699829B2 Method for applying timer for discontinuous reception procedure in wireless communication system and an apparatus therefor
A method for running a DRX (Discontinuous Reception) cycle at a user equipment in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes steps of receiving configuration information for a long DRX cycle and a short DRX cycle; receiving at least one data unit including one or more DRX command MAC (medium access control) CEs (control elements) in a predetermined period; and running one of the long DRX cycle and the short DRX cycle according to a total number of DRX command MAC CEs.
US09699824B2 Method for fast circuit switched service enabling handover from packet-switched only networks
Quick and efficient handover of a user equipment (UE) from a Wideband Code-Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) packet switched only network to a Circuit Switched enabled (CSe) network is provided. Parallelization of the Radio Access Network (RAN) processes and the User Equipment (UE) processes can help to reduce delay in such handovers.
US09699823B2 Method and apparatus for performing random access procedure in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for performing a random access (RA) procedure in a wireless communication system is provided. A user equipment (UE) establishes connection with a first node and a second node, and transmits an RA preamble to the second node. If a number of RA preamble transmissions reaches a maximum number, the UE stops uplink (UL) transmission of all cells in a group to which the second node belongs, and transmits an indication indicating that transmission of the RA preamble has failed to the first node.
US09699819B2 Method and apparatus for establishing session in wireless communication system
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method by which a first device for supporting a WiFi direct service establishes a session, the method including: causing an application service platform (ASP) layer to receive an Advertise Service method from a service layer; causing the ASP layer to receive a REQUEST_SESSION message from a second device; causing the ASP layer to receive a SetSessionReady method from the service layer; and causing the ASP layer to transmit an ADDED_SESSION message to the second device in response to the REQUEST_SESSION message, wherein each of the AdvertiseService method, the REQUEST_SESSION message, and the ADDED_SESSION message includes port information, and the port information included in the AdvertiseService method is the same as the port information included in the ADDED_SESSION message when the first device gives, to the second device, the port information related to the session.
US09699814B2 Apparatus and method for establishing secure communication channels in an internet of things (IoT) system
An apparatus and method for establishing socket-based communication between wireless communication circuits without formally pairing the wireless communication circuits. For example, if a Bluetooth® (e.g., BTLE) wireless channel is used, a BTLE data structure comprising a set of characteristics may be used to manage bi-directional communication. Each characteristic, identified with an characteristic ID, has a value buffer associated therewith. A first characteristic/value buffer is defined for incoming data traffic and a second characteristic/value buffer is defined for outgoing data traffic. A layer of encryption and other security techniques may also be applied to protect the data transmitted between the wireless communication circuits.
US09699813B2 Resource determining method, base station, and user equipment
This application discloses a resource determining method, abase station, and a user equipment. The method includes: determining a first narrowband resource available to an MTC terminal according to UE information in a random access process and/or common information of a cell; and transmitting control information and/or data on the first narrowband resource. According to the solutions of this application, in a case where the MTC terminal cannot receive RRC signaling, the narrowband resource available to the MTC terminal can still be determined beforehand, and communication between the MTC terminal and a network-side device is implemented by using the narrowband resource.
US09699808B2 Apparatus, system, and method for access procedure enhancements
A service network for access procedure enhancement includes a radio access network performing wireless transmissions and receptions to and from a mobile communication device. The service network also includes a control node receiving an access probe from the mobile communication device via the radio access network, determining whether the access probe indicates that a length of message data is less than a threshold, and transmitting a pre-acknowledgement of the access probe to the mobile communication device via the radio access network in response to the length of the message data being less than the threshold.
US09699804B2 Methods and systems for scheduling unlicensed band transmissions
At least one example embodiment discloses a system including a network element configured to transmit downlink control channel information to a user equipment (UE) using a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being at least a portion of a long term evolution (LTE) bandwidth, transmit a preamble to the UE using a second bandwidth, the second bandwidth being a bandwidth excluding the LTE bandwidth, and the preamble indicating a scheduled data transmission, and transmit data to the UE using the second bandwidth in accordance with the downlink control channel information and the preamble.
US09699803B2 Methods providing coordination for uplink (UL) coordinated multipoint (CoMP) reception and related network nodes
Scheduling information for a wireless device may be transmitted from a first node of a network to the second node of the network wherein the scheduling information defines a plurality of time slots for UpLink transmission from the wireless device. After transmitting the scheduling information to the second node, a UL signaling grant may be transmitted to the wireless device for one of the time slots defined by the scheduling information. A UL transmission may be received from the wireless device at the first node over the time slot of the UL signaling grant. Information may be received from the second node relating to the UL transmission over the time slot of the UL signaling grant. The UL transmission may be processed at the first node using the information from the second node relating to the UL transmission from the wireless device.
US09699797B2 Access feedback by a multimode terminal
A method for providing access feedback when a User Equipment, UE, with an established a connection over multiple accesses towards a Gateway, GW, initiates a set-up of a new service for a service session. The method comprises a step where the GW or a Policy and Charging Rules Function, PCRF, initiates a Quality of Service, QoS, resource reservation as a response of the set-up of the new service initiated by the UE. The GW or the PCRF in the QoS resource reservation selects a first access as present access.The method is particularly characterized in a step where the UE rejects said first access as present access and sends a reject message to the GW, wherein the GW or the PCRF as a result of the reject message initiates a new QoS resource reservation selecting a second access as present access.
US09699796B2 Base station device and band control method
A HeNB includes a CQI acquiring unit and an SIR acquiring unit that measure communication qualities of transmission bands on an uplink side and a downlink side. The HeNB, upon detecting an interference difference between bands in a transmission band on each of the uplink side and the downlink side on the basis of a result of measurement of the communication qualities, sets allocation of a band in which the communication quality satisfies a predetermined condition in the transmission band in which the interference difference is detected. The HeNB includes a control unit that, upon detecting signal interference on the downlink side on the basis of the result of the measurement of the communication qualities, controls a band on the downlink side, and controls a band on the uplink side in the transmission band in cooperation with the control on the band on the downlink side.
US09699788B2 Communication device, communication control method and communication system
There is provided a communication device including: a first radio communication unit capable of radio communication in accordance with a first communication method; and a second radio communication unit capable of radio communication in accordance with a second communication method using a higher frequency band than the first communication method, wherein the first radio communication unit transmits an instruction signal instructing to learn a beam directionality to another communication device, and the second radio communication unit transmits a beam reference signal used for learning a beam directionality to said another communication device after completion of transmission of the instruction signal by the first radio communication unit and before reception of a response signal to the instruction signal.
US09699787B2 Method for efficiently performing initial access in a multi-carrier broadband wireless access system
A method for efficiently performing an initial access in an MS in a multi-carrier broadband wireless access system is disclosed. The method includes scanning a plurality of carriers supported by a BS, and selecting one of the scanned carriers as a first carrier and receiving an SFH of the first carrier. The SFH of the first carrier includes at least one of a field indicating load status of the first carrier and recommended network entry carrier information including information about a second carrier in good load status.
US09699786B2 Method and apparatus for integrating radio agent data in network organization of dynamic channel selection in wireless networks
The present invention relates to wireless networks and more specifically to a method and apparatus for integrating spectrum data from a plurality of autonomous radio agents with a cloud-based data fusion and computing element that enables network self-organization and adaptive control of dynamic frequency selection in 802.11 ac/n and LTE-U networks. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a cloud intelligence engine communicatively coupled to a plurality of multi-channel DFS masters that is configured to receive spectral information from the plurality of multi-channel DFS masters, integrate the spectral information with other spectral information to generate integrated spectral information, and determine communication channels for the plurality of multi-channel DFS masters based at least on the integrated spectral information.
US09699779B2 Physical layer operation for multi-layer operation in a wireless system
Methods and systems are disclosed for providing physical layer resources to a plurality of medium access control (MAC) instances that are associated with different serving sites that are independently scheduled. For example, a WTRU may utilize a first physical layer configuration for transmitting to a first serving site associated with a first MAC instance. The WTRU may utilize a second physical layer configuration for transmitting to a second serving site associated with a second MAC instance. The WTRU may prevent conflicts between transmission requests from the first MAC instance and transmission requests from the second MAC instance. For example, preventing the conflicts may include utilizing one or more of time segregation or frequency segregation for transmissions associated with the first MAC instance and transmissions associated with the second MAC instance.
US09699776B2 System and method for hybrid automatic repeat request timing for device-to-device communication overlaid on a cellular network
An embodiment of a system for operating a communications controller for a group of user equipments engaged in a DMC link in a wireless communications system is provided. The communications controller is configured to allocate a set of subframes in one periodic group of subframes to the group of UEs for the DMC link, signal the set of allocated subframes to the group of UEs, and transmit parameters related to a group of HARQ processes of the DMC link. In an embodiment, the communication controller uses HARQ processes for cellular UE transmission that are determined independently from HARQ processes of the group of HARQ processes for the DMC link, and the parameters are configured to enable the group of UEs to manage the group of HARQ processes for the DMC link.
US09699775B2 Method and apparatus for transmission and reception in multi-carrier wireless communication systems
Data transmission and reception is provided by configuring control channels in a wireless communication system using a plurality of carriers. User equipment (UE) may monitor physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) candidates within common search spaces (CSSs) and User Equipment-specific search spaces (USSs). If the UE is configured with cross-carrier scheduling, when two PDCCH candidates originating from a CSS and a USS, respectively, have cyclic redundancy check (CRC) scrambled by the same Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) and have a common payload size and the same first control channel element (CCE) index, the UE may interpret that only the PDCCH originating from the CSS is transmitted, thereby solving ambiguity of downlink control information (DCI) detection.
US09699769B2 Method, apparatus and system for exchanging common E-RGCH information
The present application discloses a method, an apparatus and a system for exchanging common E-RGCH information. The method includes: receiving a common E-RGCH information message of a cell managed by a second RNC, where the common E-RGCH information message is sent by the second RNC; selecting a candidate common E-RGCH receiving neighboring cell set for the UE, where the candidate common E-RGCH receiving neighboring cell set includes a neighboring cell with an available common E-RGCH feature and the neighboring cell is determined according to common E-RGCH information message sent by the second RNC; and sending common E-RGCH configuration parameter information of each cell in the candidate common E-RGCH receiving neighboring cell set to the UE.
US09699767B2 Communication control method
A communication control method includes: a step A of receiving, by UE 100-1 in a coverage of the mobile communication system, broadcast information transmitted from eNB 200; a step B of transferring, by the UE 100-1, the broadcast information to UE 100-2 outside the coverage of the mobile communication system; and a step C of receiving, by the UE 100-2, the broadcast information transferred from the UE 100-1.
US09699765B2 Methods and nodes for setting values of system parameters used in a wireless communication system
Method in a user equipment (120), a user equipment (120), a method in a base station (110) and a base station (110) for setting values of system parameters used within a wireless communication system (100). A first set of parameter values and an associated first tag is sent from the base station (110) to be received and stored by the user equipment (120). Further, a second set of parameter values and an associated second tag is sent from the base station (110) to be received and stored by the user equipment (120). When the base station (110) determine to change system information parameters, a command tag is sent, to be received by the user equipment (120), which apply the set of parameter values associated with the tag corresponding to the received command tag.
US09699764B2 Method for carrying out multimedia broadcast multicast service, home base station and user equipment
A method for carrying out a multimedia broadcast multicast service, a home base station, a network management system of the home base station and user equipment. The method includes: acquiring, by a home network side entity, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) configuration information of a macro cell, the MBMS configuration information of the macro cell comprising first MBMS configuration information, the first MBMS configuration information comprising position information of a multimedia broadcast multicast single frequency network (MBSFN) subframe in the macro cell; and configuring a subframe of a closed subscriber group (CSG) cell at a position which is the same as that of the MBSFN subframe of the macro cell into a first almost blank subframe (ABS) or into a first ABS and MBSFN subframe, according to the acquired first MBMS configuration information, so that the user equipment (UE) is capable of receiving the MBMS of the macro cell.
US09699762B2 System and method of secure message processing
A mobile communications device receives and handles an encoded message. State data about the encoded message is generated based upon a first access of the encoded message. The device stores the generated message state data in a cache of the mobile communications device; generates a message indicator based upon the message state data stored in the cache of the mobile device; and processes the encoded message on a background thread running on the mobile device. The process determines that a message state change has occurred since the message was last opened and provides an updated message indicator to a user of the mobile device that reflects the message state change.
US09699759B1 Method and device for detecting false movement of a mobile device
Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for detecting false movement of a device. The method includes receiving acceleration signals from a 3-axis accelerometer of a mobile device that are indicative of a movement of the mobile device over a window of time. The acceleration signals can include a first signal, a second signal, and a third signal corresponding to three axes of the 3-axis accelerometer. The method further includes calculating a standard deviation (SD) value for each of the acceleration signals over the window of time, determining whether the movement of the mobile device is a false movement that does not substantially change a geographic location of the mobile device based on the calculated SD values, and when the movement of the mobile device is not a false movement, triggering a location updating process for the mobile device.
US09699756B2 Methods, devices, and computer readable storage devices for collecting and reporting location data with a high accuracy
A mobile communication device collects and reports location data associated with itself and with mobile communication devices within a proximity. The mobile communication device determines its location and detects the presence of another communication device located within the proximity of the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device determines a location of the other mobile communication device. The mobile communication device reports its location and the location of the other mobile communication device.
US09699754B1 Control mechanism for decommissioned wireless devices
A method and corresponding system for causing a de-authorized or decommissioned wireless communication device (WCD) to refrain from initiating communications with one or more services and/or servers in a wireless communication system. The WCD may be configured for communicating with a wireless communication system via (i) air interface access with a radio access network (RAN) having a dedicated backhaul connection to the wireless communication system, and (ii) a wireless access device providing a communication link to at least one intermediate network in a communication path to the wireless communication system. In response to the WCD detecting a threshold number of consecutive failed attempts to gain air interface access via the RAN, the WCD would disable at least one computer application from attempting to initiate communications with the wireless communication system via the wireless access device.
US09699744B2 Radio station, radio terminal, and synchronization timer control method in radio communication system
A radio station, a radio terminal, and a method for synchronization timer control are provided that can reduce a delay as much as possible until uplink signal resynchronization is done in a case where a plurality of cell groups exist. In a radio communication system having a function of using a plurality of radio resources corresponding to a plurality of cells, respectively, for communication between a radio station (10) and a radio terminal (20), the radio terminal is provided with a plurality of synchronization timers for determining whether or not uplink signals in individual cell groups are in synchronization, wherein the synchronization timers are provided respectively for the plurality of cell groups each including at least one cell, and at the radio terminal (20), uplink-signal transmission on the cells included in a second cell group is controlled depending on a state of a first synchronization timer provided correspondingly for a first cell group including a specific cell and on a state of a second synchronization timer provided correspondingly for the second cell group other than the first cell group, wherein the first synchronization timer and the second synchronization timer are controlled independently.
US09699743B2 Methods and apparatus for adjusting maximum output power level
The present invention relates to a method implemented by a wireless device in a wireless communication system, for adjusting a maximum output power level of the wireless device. The method comprises obtaining an indication indicating a current level of criticality in the system in which a network node serving the wireless device is operating, and adjusting the maximum output power level based on the current level of criticality indicated by the obtained indication.
US09699737B2 Bundling data transfers and employing tail optimization protocol to manage cellular radio resource utilization
To facilitate increasing power and resource efficiency of a mobile device, in the mobile device, with regard to periodic or one-time data transfers, a communication management component can analyze information comprising data transfer parameter information, including jitter information, associated with each application of a subset of applications used by the device and can desirably schedule and/or bundle data transfers associated with the applications to reduce the number of separate data bursts to transfer that data to thereby reduce use of wireless resources and power consumption by the device. A push notification system can receive respective jitter information associated with each application from the mobile device, and the push notification system can desirably schedule and/or bundle push notifications to reduce the number of separate data bursts sent to the device to reduce use of wireless resources and power consumption by the device.
US09699735B2 Sub-channel detection for wireless data communication
Techniques for sub-channel detection for wireless data communication are described. In at least some implementations, techniques can utilize subsets of available wireless channels for inter-device data communication. For instance, in at least some embodiments, a wireless connection between a client device and a wireless device can be established according to a pre-specified subset of sub-channels. Further, in at least some embodiments, a wireless device can be configured to transmit and/or receive data using a specific subset of sub-channels, while a client device can be configured to scan a larger set of sub-channels to search for data communication from the wireless device. The client device can detect transmitted signal from the wireless device at the subset of sub-channels, and can utilize the set of sub-channels for data communication between the wireless device and the client device.
US09699727B2 Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for signaling high efficiency preambles
Methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media are disclosed to signal a packet configuration. A HEW device to signal a packet configuration may include circuitry. The circuitry may be configured to generate a HE packet comprising a legacy signal field (L-SIG) followed by one or more HE signal fields and include in the L-SIG the packet configuration of the HE packet to signal to a second HEW device. The circuitry may configure a length field of the L-SIG to be a one or two modulo of three (MOD 3) to indicate the HE packet. The length field of the L-SIG may indicate that the HE packet includes a portion that has a one-quarter size subcarrier. The circuitry may set the length field of the L-SIG to be 1 mod 3 to indicate a first type of HE packet and to be 2 mod 3 to indicate a second type of HE packet.
US09699726B2 Data-transmitting/receiving method for effectively suppressing power consumption
A data transmitting/receiving method capable of effectively suppressing power consumption includes: establishing synchronization between a master device and a slave device; receiving a data frame; extracting payloads from the received data frame; generating a new payload section by combining the extracted payloads with another payload extracted from another data frame received from another device or a new payload generated by the device; generating a new synchronization section and a new header section; generating a new data frame by combining the new synchronization section and the new header section that are generated with the new payload section; and transmitting the generated new data frame.
US09699722B2 Systems and methods for wireless power management
A wireless access point is described. The wireless access point includes a processor, memory and instructions stored in the memory. The wireless access point receives a sleep state command from a central controller. The central controller transmits the sleep state command based on movement of an electronic device in relation to one or more wireless access points located within a wireless network. The wireless access point enters a sleep state for a sleep period. The wireless access point transitions to an active state upon expiration of the sleep period.
US09699721B2 Device-anchor base station selection and detection
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing efficient and reliable communication for wireless devices, e.g., machine type communication devices, in a cellular communications network. In one embodiment, a node of a cellular communications network is configured to select a device-anchor base station for a wireless device from candidate device-anchor base stations, where the candidate device-anchor base stations are wireless devices that satisfy one or more predefined criteria for serving as a candidate device-anchor base station and establish a connection between the wireless device and the device-anchor base station for the wireless device such that data transmissions between the wireless device and a base station of the cellular communications network are via the device-anchor base station. In this manner, communication between the wireless device and the base station is assisted by the device-anchor base station.
US09699714B2 Wireless local area network access point search method, apparatus, and system
The present application discloses a wireless local area network access point search method, an apparatus, and a system, relates to the field of communications technologies, and can reduce power consumption for passive scanning. According to the method, beacon sending information of a wireless local area network access point and measurement information of a user equipment are matched, so that the user equipment can search for the wireless local area network access point only at the time when and a frequency channel number at which the wireless local area network access point sends a beacon. Compared with the prior art in which a user equipment needs to continuously keep a state of searching for a wireless local area network access point, the present application greatly shortens time spent by the user equipment in listening to a beacon, and therefore reduces power consumption of passive scanning.
US09699710B2 Method and apparatus for receiving system information in wireless communication system
A method and user equipment (UE) are provided for receiving system information in a wireless communication system. The UE receives, from a base station, a master information block (MIB) indicating that the base station broadcasts a first system information block type 1 (SIB1) for a specific type of UE. The UE receives the first SIB1 for the specific type of UE when the MIB indicates that the base station broadcasts the first SIB1 for the specific type of UE, and receives a first set of at least one system information block (SIB) from the base station based on the first SIB1. The first set of at least one SIB is scheduled within a first bandwidth that is smaller than a second bandwidth for a second set of at least one SIB.
US09699708B2 Dynamically-selectable multi-modal modulation in wireless multihop networks
In a self-organizing wireless multihop network, each node device selects operation among short-range (SR) and long-range (LR) communication modes, among which the SR mode uses a higher data rate than the LR mode. Each node device advertises connectivity link availability for neighboring node devices, and selectively initiates a link in response to connectivity availability advertised by at least one neighboring node device. The availability advertising is performed in the SR and the LR communication modes, according to a periodicity that is dynamically-variable in response to prevailing circumstances in the local neighborhood. The link initiation is selectively performed in one of either the SR or the LR communication mode based on selection criteria that include data throughput performance associated with different neighboring node devices with which connectivity is available via a certain communication mode.
US09699705B2 Wireless chip-to-chip switching
Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for chip to chip communications in electronic circuits. A router or switch receives data packets at input port ASICs. A routing table on the input port ASIC or on a routing ASIC is used to identify a destination port ASIC based upon header information in the data packet. The data packet is transmitted from the input port ASIC to the destination port ASIC using millimeter wave signals that are transmitted across a waveguide or a wireless interface.
US09699701B2 Mobility operation in LTE
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. In an aspect, the apparatus establishes a first and/or second communication link with at least a first cell. The first communication link may be for receiving transmissions and the second communication link may be for sending transmissions. The apparatus performs a handover of one of the first and second communication links to at least a second cell. The apparatus determines a value of a parameter after the handover is performed based on a value of the parameter prior to the handover. In another aspect, the apparatus establishes a first and/or second communication link with at least a first cell. The first communication link may be for receiving transmissions and the second communication link may be for sending transmissions. In such aspect, a virtual cell ID is reconfigured for one of the first and second communication links.
US09699700B2 Dynamic control of cell reselection parameters
Dynamic cell resource management in wireless networking. By way of example, user terminal access parameters can be dynamically modified based on changing load conditions at one or more cells of a wireless network. For instance, resource capacity of a wireless network cell can be monitored over time to identify a potential resource overload condition. If such a condition occurs, a load management algorithm can be executed that progressively restricts or de-restricts user terminal access parameters based on changing load conditions. In particular aspects, the load management algorithm can analyze relative cell load of neighboring cells to implement coordinated load sharing. By dynamically modifying user access parameters, traffic can be directed toward or away from cells operating at low or high capacity, respectively.
US09699699B1 Consideration of carrier characteristics when providing carrier aggregation service
In an example method, a base station encounters a trigger to begin providing carrier aggregation service to a UE. The base station is serving the UE on a first carrier, and makes a determination that the first carrier is a carrier having an uplink transmission power restriction rather than a carrier that does not have the uplink transmission power restriction. Responsive to encountering the trigger: based at least on the determination, the base station initiates a handover of the UE from the first carrier to a second carrier that does not have the uplink transmission power restriction; and the base station providing the UE with the carrier aggregation service, using the second carrier as a primary carrier during the carrier aggregation service.
US09699698B2 Network controller within core network and method for connection with terminal by network controller
The present invention relates to a network controller within a core network in a radio communication system, and a method for forming an interface with a terminal. In the network controller, if a terminal requests a predetermined radio node for a connection between the terminal and a core network through a first radio interface by a first radio protocol, a connection to the terminal by a NAS protocol is established and configuration information for the connection to the terminal is stored, and if the terminal requests the radio node for a connection between the terminal and the core network through a second radio interface by a second radio protocol, a connection to the terminal by the NAS protocol may be established using the configuration information.
US09699695B2 Selectively providing system information in a heterogeneous network environment
Described embodiments provide an apparatus and method for selectively providing system information in a heterogeneous network environment including a first network overlaid on a second network. The apparatus may include a location determination unit, a mapping table, and a signal processor. The location determination unit may be configured to determine a first network base station in the first network. The mapping table may be configured to store information on at least one second network cell in a second network, which is spatially in a comparatively close distance to each first network base station in the first network. The signal processor may be configured to determine at least one second network cell spatially close to the determined first network base station based on the mapping table and to transmit system information of the at least one second network cell to the user equipment.
US09699694B2 Mobility management entity (MME) triggered detach and re-attach to a specific target MME
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and a computer program products for Mobility Management Entity (MME) triggered detach and re-attach to a specific target MME are provided. One method includes receiving or obtaining a trigger to move a UE attached to a source MME to another target MME. The receiving of the trigger may cause the initiating of a GUTI reallocation command towards the UE in which the MME code (MMEC) specifies the target MME and the M-TMSI is set to a reserved value. The method may further include receiving a GUTI reallocation complete message from the UE, sending a detach request to the UE with a detach type of “re-attach required,” and receiving a detach accept message from the UE. The new attach request initiated by the UE is then directed towards the target MME. The target MME recognizes the reserved value, requests UE permanent identity with Identity Request message, UE responds with Identity Response specifying the permanent identity, and the registration with Attach towards the target MME continues.
US09699691B2 Methods and system for efficient self-coexistence of wireless regional area networks
Scheduling self coexistence windows (SCWs) that part of frames transmitted in wireless regional area networks (WRANs) sharing a common channel. A common channel is monitored for a duration of at least a maximum SCW cycle length. The common channel is checked to determine whether a neighbor WRAN scheduled at least one coexistence beacon protocol (CBP) packet with at least one of SCWs and quiet periods (QPs). A SCW schedule is established by setting SCW schedule fields in a modified superframe control header (SCH) such that the newly established SCW schedule does not conflict with any already scheduled SCWs and QPs.
US09699685B1 Battery life assisted scheduling
In certain aspects, an apparatus for wireless communication comprises an interface configured to receive reports from wireless nodes, wherein each of the reports includes an indication of a battery life of a respective one of the wireless nodes. The apparatus also comprises a processing system configured to determine a schedule for communication based on the reported battery lives of the wireless nodes. The interface is further configured to output data for transmission to the wireless nodes based on the schedule or to output signals for transmission to the wireless nodes based on the schedule, each of the signals instructing a respective one of the wireless nodes to transmit data to the apparatus.
US09699684B1 Low-latency multimedia using dual wireless adapters
A computing device for low-latency multimedia using dual wireless adapters, comprising a first wireless adapter connected to a Wi-Fi access point; a second wireless adapter connected directly to a plurality of wireless devices; and an operating system comprising programming instructions stored in the memory and operating on the processor and configured to: receive streaming multimedia via a wireless network from a media source, using the first wireless network adapter; and send at least a subset of the streaming multimedia at least one of the plurality of wireless devices using the second wireless network adapter.
US09699681B2 Enhancing the usage of resources related to the transmission of environment-related information between a user equipment and a mobile communication network
A method for transmission of environment-related information between a user equipment and a mobile communication network includes: transmitting measurement configuration information from a mobile communication network to a user equipment; obtaining local network information by conducting a requested measurement; and transmitting the local network information together with at least one other uplink transmission performed by the user equipment to the base station entity by using at least one radio interface of the user equipment.
US09699677B2 Apparatus and methods for performing outer loop power control for frame early termination in wireless communications
Aspects of the present disclosures are directed to outer loop power control (OLPC) mechanisms that can achieve or realize the desired block error rate (BLER) performance in a wireless network that supports frame early termination (FET) utilizing multiple decoding attempts during the same transmit time interval.
US09699674B2 Technique for testing wireless network load produced by mobile app-carrying devices
An approach for the analysis of the impact of over the top (OTT) applications is provided, which operate “over the top” of the network applications, with respect to network performance and power consumption on mobile devices. A wireless network for an application-carrying device separate from wireless communications network test equipment is simulated. A wireless communications interface between the simulated network and the application-carrying device is monitored. The monitoring comprises measuring signaling data on a control plane, and measuring application data on a user plane related to at least one application implemented on the application-carrying device. Cross-layer measurement data is generated based on the measured signaling data and application data. The signaling data and the application data are measured on the basis of a common time reference of the test equipment.
US09699673B1 Maintaining active sessions during subscriber management system maintenance activities
A subscriber management system for maintaining active communication sessions during subscriber maintenance activities is provided. The system can delay detaching mobile devices from the mobile network when there are active communication sessions that are associated with subscriber management maintenance activities or customer care activities in order to avoid disrupting the subscriber experience. The system can delay deleting the subscriber information until the active sessions have ended, which will allow the customer care activities to continue uninterrupted. In an embodiment, the subscriber management system can determine whether to detach the active communication session based on the priority of the session, such as whether it is real-time, or with a customer care element of the mobile network.
US09699670B2 Method for configuring interface in mobile communication system supporting multiple wireless access technologies and apparatus for performing same
A method for configuring an interface with APs of a second radio access technology (RAT) by an entity of a first RAT in a mobile communication system supporting multiple RAT according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: transmitting a first message including a list of entity zones covered by the entity among a plurality of geographical zones; receiving a second message including a list of AP zones covered by the APs of the second RAT among the plurality of geographical zones in response to the first message; and configuring an interface with at least one AP among the APs of the second RAT on the basis of the list of AP zones.
US09699664B2 Endpoint device antenna beam forming based jamming detection and mitigation
A method, computer-readable storage device and apparatus for locating a source of a communication impairment are disclosed. For example, the method detects the communication impairment, performs a sweep to locate a direction of the source of the communication impairment, wherein the sweep is performed in response to the detecting the communication impairment at the endpoint device, and generates a null in the direction of the source of the communication impairment.
US09699661B2 Method and apparatus for PCI classified self-configuration
Provided is a method for PCI classified self-configuration, including: according to the characteristic of PCI code, dividing all PCIs into ΔL large groups in accordance with a step length ΔL, and then dividing resources of each of the large groups into ΔS small groups in accordance with a step length ΔS, generating a PCI resource list, and identifying each PCI by three sections of address codes representing a large group number, a small group number and an intra-group number of the PCI, respectively; mapping the PCI resources one by one to new base stations in accordance with a classification that each new station and heterogeneous nodes covered thereby correspond to a small group of PCI resources; allocating a first PCI in each small group of PCI resources to a new base station, and randomly allocating the remaining PCIs in the small group of PCI resources to the covered heterogeneous nodes.
US09699657B2 File encryption, decryption and accessvia near field communication
Methods and devices for NFC-tap file encryption, decryption and access via Near Field Communication (NFC) are disclosed. A user can select an unencrypted file stored in a computing device for encryption. Upon encryption, the file name of the selected file and the encryption key used to encrypt the selected file are transmitted to an NFC-enabled wireless device for storage. The user can select an encrypted file stored in the computing device for access. As the user taps the computing device with the wireless device, the file name of the selected file is transmitted to the wireless device, which in turn transmits a decryption key for decrypting the selected file to the computing device. The computing device decrypts the selected file with the decryption key. The user can now access the decrypted file.
US09699651B2 Method and network node for managing device-related data to be distributed to a communication device in a communication network
The present disclosure relates to a method performed by a network node (110) for managing device-related data to be distributed to a communication device (101, 102, 103, 104) in a communication network. The method comprises receiving (304) location information of the communication device from a presence protocol server (120), wherein the location information is received over a presence protocol, and receiving (306) a device identification for identifying the communication device, wherein the device identification is received over the presence protocol. The method further comprises selecting (308) device-related data for the communication device based on the received device location information, and transmitting (310) the selected device-related data to the communication device according to the received device identification. The present disclosure also relates to a corresponding network node. The present disclosure also relates to a method in a communication device communicating with the network node and to a corresponding communication device.
US09699645B2 Method and system for using a supervisory device with a mobile device
A method and system are provided for monitoring and controlling a mobile device using a supervisory device. In some embodiments, the supervisory device operates in conjunction with the mobile device to monitor an extent of usage of the mobile device as well as to ensure that certain software is being used appropriately. The supervisory device may take one or more responsive actions when an extent of usage of the mobile device reaches a threshold extent of usage, when certain software on the mobile device is not being used appropriately, and/or when certain settings of the mobile device have been changed. The supervisory device may operate in a non-permissible mode and determine that the mobile device is currently enabled. In response to this operation and determination, the supervisory device may disable the mobile device and/or transmit to an external device a notification message.
US09699637B1 Method and apparatus for efficient and deterministic group alerting
Systems and methods are provided for reliable, wireless group messaging or alerting in a system having a database, switch, wireless network, and a plurality of intelligent mobile receivers. A message is broadcast to and received by a selected group of the mobile receivers. The network replies to the sender with detailed information about the individual members in the group. Each of the mobile receivers in the group can acknowledge the group message back to the system such as when the message is received, when the message is read, and a response when sent. The system employs centralized management to provide the sender with response information of the mobile receivers.
US09699629B2 Method and apparatus for providing information about a call recipient at a user device
A method and apparatus are to provide status information about a call recipient and information about other users located in a same area as the call recipient. A method for providing information about the call recipient by a user device includes initiating a call transmission to the call recipient; receiving forwarding information corresponding to the call transmission; and outputting information about the call recipient and information about users located in a same area as the call recipient, based on the forwarding information.
US09699614B2 Positioning environment analysis apparatus, and method and system for predicting location determination performance of terminal using the same
Disclosed herein are a positioning environment analysis apparatus, and a method and system for predicting location determination performance of a terminal. The presented system includes one or more collection devices for acquiring collected data that includes information about positioning resources for respective points, an LBS platform including a collection server for receiving the collected data from the one or more collection devices, and arranging and storing the collected data in a DB, and a positioning DB creation device for analyzing and processing the positioning resource information and creating a positioning DB to be used for location determination, and a positioning environment analysis apparatus for loading environment analysis data from one or more of the collection server, the positioning DB, and a user terminal, and evaluating and predicting, based on the environment analysis data, location determination performance values for respective points in a service area, for respective positioning resources.
US09699603B2 Utilizing mobile wireless devices to analyze movement of crowds
According to the techniques presented herein, location data from signals transmitted by a plurality of mobile wireless devices in a wireless network are obtained. For each mobile wireless device, location data time points are aggregated to generate a plurality of routines or paths of movement for each mobile wireless device within a predefined space. The predefined space is partitioned into a plurality of units and each routine of the plurality of routines is also partitioned into a plurality of subroutines or segments. For each unit, one or more subroutines within a predefined distance of a frequent subroutine are combined with the frequent subroutine, and the frequent subroutines may be displayed on a graphical interface to visualize aggregate movement of the plurality of mobile wireless devices within the predefined space. Frequent subroutines may be analyzed in an automated manner to generate notifications and alerts.
US09699599B2 Tracking associate locations
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media configured to determine a location of a user, identify the user and provide additional services based on the determined location and/or identity are provided. In some examples, associate users may be identified and a location of each associate user may be tracked to identify a location of an associate user, confirm the location of the associate user is an expected location, and/or provide location information to a customer of the associate user.
US09699598B2 Facilitating virtual personal area networks
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a coordinator device having a memory, and a controller. The memory can have computer instructions, which when executed by the controller, causes the controller to facilitate establishing a first virtual personal area network with a first sensor by executing computer instructions associated with a first application profile, and facilitate establishing a second virtual personal area network with a second sensor by executing computer instructions associated a second application profile. The first application profile can be defined by a first protocol specification, while the second application profile can be defined by a second protocol specification. The first protocol specification can also be operationally distinct from the second protocol specification. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09699597B2 Wireless signal forwarding
Forwarding wireless signals comprises a user and a counterpart opening secure applications on a user computing device and a counterpart computing device, respectively. The user places the user computing device within range of a wireless signal, such as a wireless signal provided by a point of sale (“POS”) terminal. The user computing device forwards the wireless signal from the POS terminal to the counterpart computing device. The user computing device forwards the wireless signal from the counterpart computing device to the POS terminal. Thus, the counterpart computing device may conduct a transaction with the POS terminal as if the counterpart computing device were at the location of the POS terminal. The counterpart computing device may also receive a forwarded beacon signal comprising data, such as an offer, provided by the POS terminal or another suitable beacon transmission device at the merchant location.
US09699593B2 Scanning enhancements for short-range wireless devices
Methods and systems for storing data regarding received advertising packets are disclosed. An example method involves determining parameters of at least one batch-scan mode for a Bluetooth device. The parameters of the at least one batch-scan mode specify a format for storing data regarding particular advertising packets that are received by the Bluetooth device when operating in the at least one batch-scan mode. The method also involves receiving, by the Bluetooth device, one or more advertising packets on an interval basis. Further, the method involves storing data regarding the one or more advertising packets into a memory of the Bluetooth device in accordance with the at least one batch-scan mode. And the method involves providing the stored data regarding the one or more advertising packets to the host Bluetooth stack.
US09699591B2 Wireless communication system, wireless communication device, and recording medium storing a wireless communication program
A wireless communication system includes multiple wireless communication devices including a first wireless communication device that centrally controls a plurality of second wireless communication devices and compatible with a multiple wireless communication standards. The multiple wireless communication standards includes a first wireless communication standard and one or more wireless communication standards using a frequency band lower than that of the first wireless communication standard. The first wireless communication device includes a receiver, a determination unit, and a transmitter. The plurality of second wireless communication devices each establish the wireless communication using the first wireless communication standard based on the routing information that each of the plurality of second wireless communication devices itself acquires from the first wireless communication device.
US09699588B2 Managing activities performed by a plurality of collocated mobile devices
Systems and methods for managing activities among collocated mobile devices include means for determining a set of tasks to be performed collectively by the two or more collocated mobile devices while collocated and during a period of time in the future, the two or more collocated devices being configured to communicate with one another; means for assigning a first task of the set of tasks to be performed by a first mobile device of the two or more collocated mobile devices; and means for assigning a second task of the set of tasks to be performed by a second mobile device of the two or more collocated mobile devices; wherein the first mobile device and the second mobile device are different from one another with regard to at least one subsystem, and are each capable of performing the first task and the second task.
US09699584B2 Apparatus and method for realizing a SAOC downmix of 3D audio content
An apparatus for generating one or more audio output channels is provided. The apparatus includes a parameter processor for calculating output channel mixing information and a downmix processor for generating the one or more audio output channels. The downmix processor is configured to receive an audio transport signal including one or more audio transport channels, wherein two or more audio object signals are mixed within the audio transport signal, and wherein the number of the one or more audio transport channels is smaller than the number of the two or more audio object signals. The audio transport signal depends on a first mixing rule and on a second mixing rule. The first mixing rule indicates how to mix the two or more audio object signals to obtain a plurality of premixed channels. Moreover, the second mixing rule indicates how to mix the plurality of premixed channels.
US09699580B2 Electronic media volume control
The volume of a sound generated from a source is monitored. Contextual data is collected from sensors. Based on the collected contextual data listeners of the sound are identified. The identified listeners are grouped into listeners that are bothered by the sound and listeners that are unbothered by the sound. An acceptable range for the volume of the sound is determined based on the bothered listeners and the unbothered listeners.
US09699575B2 Hearing aid device
A hearing aid device comprising a receiver unit arranged in a compartment in a shell, wherein the shell comprises a venting passage between first and second opposite faces of the shell to provide air passage from one side of the shell to another, and wherein the shell comprises an opening in the first face into the compartment and a closing member positioned to close off the compartment. The opening is shaped to allow the receiver unit to be inserted into the compartment through the opening, and the compartment is acoustically connected to the venting passage to allow the sound to emit through the venting passage. The receiver unit may be releasably mounted in the compartment such that the receiver unit can be retracted from the shell through the opening.
US09699571B2 Hearing aid system adapted for providing enriched sound and a method of generating enriched sound
A hearing aid (200) configured to provide enriched sound, by forming successive chords defined by a common musical scale. The invention further provides a method of providing enriched sound using a hearing aid system.
US09699569B2 Measurement system
A measurement system includes an ear model including an artificial auricle (51) and an artificial external ear canal (53); and an air-conducted sound gauge (200) that measures air-conducted sound in the artificial external ear canal (53), and while an acoustic device (1) that includes a vibrating body and transmits sound to a user by contacting the vibrating body to a human auricle is placed in contact with the ear model (50) of the measurement system, the measurement system executes control for measurement, with the air-conducted sound gauge, of harmonics in an air-conducted component generated by a pure tone emitted by the acoustic device (1) and control to display the result of the measurement on a display.
US09699565B2 Loudspeaker using contour field hard magnet poles and yoke construction
Several embodiments of the instant invention incorporate a loudspeaker design utilizing hard magnetic poles and yokes. The magnetic field of the loudspeaker is created and guided with a series of critically formed hard magnetic structures guiding the magnetic field from the primary magnet to the gap in a loop of hard magnetic material, replacing the soft magnetic materials normally used. Magnetization of the components of the hard magnetic loudspeaker driver with radial pole patterns—a yoke radial magnet, a washer pole magnet and a yoke upper ring magnet—is performed with these components in their final assembly relationships.
US09699560B2 Ring network of Bluetooth speakers
A method for forming a complete ring network of a plurality of Bluetooth® speakers, the method including populating a configurable speaker register of each of the plurality of Bluetooth® speakers with an address of an upstream Bluetooth® speaker that is in the plurality of Bluetooth® speakers, populating the configurable speaker register of each of the plurality of Bluetooth® speakers with an address of a downstream Bluetooth® speaker that is in the plurality of Bluetooth® speakers, and coupling an audio source to one Bluetooth® speaker of the plurality of Bluetooth® speakers.
US09699557B2 Audio signal correction and calibration for a room environment
Disclosed are an apparatus and method of processing an audio signal to optimize audio for a room environment. One example method of operation may include recording the audio signal generated within a particular room environment and processing the audio signal to create an original frequency response based on the audio signal. The method may also include identifying a target sub-region of the frequency response which has a predetermined area percentage of a total area under a curve generated by the frequency response, determining whether the target sub-region is a narrow energy region, creating a filter to adjust the frequency response, and applying the filter to the audio signal.
US09699555B2 Calibration of multiple playback devices
Systems and methods are provided for device playback calibration. An example implementation involves a network device detecting, at a first time, a first audio content rendered by at least one first playback device. The example implementation also involves the network device detecting, at a second time, a second audio content rendered by at least one second playback device. The example implementation further involves causing, via the network device, determination of an equalization adjustment for one or more of the at least one first playback device and the at least one second playback device based on an analysis of the detected first audio content and the detected second audio content.
US09699554B1 Adaptive signal equalization
The present technology substantially reduces undesirable effects of multi-level noise suppression processing by applying an adaptive signal equalization. A noise suppression system may apply different levels of noise suppression based on the (user-perceived) signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) or based on an estimated echo return loss (ERL). The resulting high-frequency data attenuation may be counteracted by adapting the signal equalization. The present technology may be applied in both transmit and receive paths of communication devices. Intelligibility may particularly be improved under varying noise conditions, e.g., when a mobile device user is moving in and out of noisy environments.
US09699553B2 Customizing audio reproduction devices
The disclosure includes a system and method for sonically customizing an audio reproduction device. The system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that when executed cause the system to determine an application environment associated with an audio reproduction device associated with a user; determine one or more sound profiles based on the application environment; provide the one or more sound profiles to the user; receive a selection of a first sound profile from the one or more sound profiles; and generate tuning data based on the first sound profile, the tuning data configured to sonically customize the audio reproduction device.
US09699547B2 Non-directional microphone
A non-directional microphone includes a housing, a microphone unit attached to the housing, and including a diaphragm that receives a sound wave, and a connector portion to which a cable connector including a cable that transmits an audio signal from the microphone unit is connected, and a pressure equalization opening that allows a back-side space of the diaphragm in the housing and an outer space to communicate is provided in the connector portion. In the non-directional microphone, the communication between the back-side space of the diaphragm and the outer space through the pressure equalization opening is cut off when the cable connector is connected to the connector portion, and the back-side space of the diaphragm communicates into the outer space through the pressure equalization opening when the cable connector is disconnected from the connector portion.
US09699544B2 Terminal and control method thereof
A user terminal device, and a method of controlling a user terminal device are discussed. The user terminal device includes an ear accessory of the user terminal device including a first electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode contacted with an ear of a user, a second ECG electrode contacted with a hand of the user, and a first speaker configured to output an audio signal; a display; and a controller configured to display, on the display, bio information based on a first ECG signal from the first ECG electrode when the ear of the user is contacted with the first ECG electrode, and control an audio playback in response to a second ECG signal from the second ECG electrode when the hand of the user is contacted with the second ECG electrode.
US09699541B2 Ear pad and headphone
An ear pad to be mounted to a base body to which a speaker unit is fixed includes an elastic body in which a plurality of elastic members having different coefficients of restitution are laminated together in a sound emitting direction of the speaker unit. A skin material covers an exterior of the elastic body. The elastic body includes a first elastic member arranged at a side of the base body, and a second elastic member laminated on and fixed to the first elastic member. The first and second elastic members respectively have ring shapes having a substantially same external diameter. The second elastic member has an inner peripheral surface having a different dimension compared to an inner peripheral surface of the first elastic member, and has a portion having a larger inner diameter than an inner diameter of the first elastic member.
US09699539B2 Stereo microphone for mobile devices
A stereo microphone for mobile devices, comprising a coupling body provided with elements for electromechanical connection to a mobile device and a supporting body for sound wave transducer means, which are integral therewith, the supporting body being pivoted to the coupling body by way of pivoting elements that allow its rotation about a single rotation axis for transition between a first shooting configuration, which corresponds to the use of the mobile device in portrait mode, and a second shooting configuration, which corresponds to the use of the mobile device in landscape mode.
US09699537B2 Vehicle headrest with speakers
A vehicle headrest includes a main body portion having a front surface arranged to support a back of a head of a user. The main body portion includes first and second speakers which are disposed within the main body portion, and a cushion layer that is configured to surround the speakers and provide cushioning for a user's head. The cushion layer includes acoustic channels for controlling a radiation pattern of acoustic energy radiated from the speakers.
US09699528B2 System and method communicating biofeedback to a user through a wearable device
A system and method for communicating biofeedback to a user through a wearable device that includes collecting physiological data of at least one physiological property of a user; processing the physiological data into at least one biosignal; monitoring the at least one biosignal for a feedback activation condition; and upon satisfying a feedback activation condition, delivering haptic feedback.
US09699525B2 Method and system for automatic residual consumption
A computer-implemented method performed by a computerized device, comprising: obtaining consumption data comprising readings indicating consumption of a product, the consumption data is monitored by a plurality of metering devices, wherein the metering devices are associated with a plurality of consumption entities, wherein the plurality of consumption entities comprising a consumption unit and one or more sub consumption units of the consumption unit, wherein the product is supplied serially to the one or more sub consumption units via the consumption unit; and calculating residual consumption of the plurality of consumption entities at a point in time, wherein the residual consumption is consumption of the consumption unit and which is not associated with a sub consumption unit, wherein the residual consumption is calculated based on the consumption by the plurality of consumption entities at a plurality of points in time.
US09699523B1 Automated clip creation
The present invention includes systems and methods for providing video clips. One or more users may set one or more parameters for automatically creating one or more video clips of an event. One or more sources may provide event information used to trigger video clip creation. An advertisement may be inserted into one or more created video clips. Each video clip may be associated with metadata and downloaded by a user device user, wherein metadata may identify one or more parameters associated with the video clip.
US09699520B2 Video receiving apparatus and method of controlling information display for use in video receiving apparatus
A video receiving apparatus includes: a receiving unit which receives video content; an extracting unit which extracts a partial content which is a portion of the video content by analyzing the video content, to obtain a feature of the partial content item, the feature being characteristic within the video content; an information generating unit which generates a composition information item indicating the partial content item and including at least one of a character and an image; a priority setting unit which sets a priority of the composition information item based on the feature obtained from the partial content item, the priority indicating a degree of association between the video content and the composition information item; and a display control unit which controls display of the composition information item on a display screen according to the priority of the composition information item set by the priority setting unit.
US09699513B2 Methods and apparatus for providing access to content
A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for a method for transmitting, by a first system including at least one first processor, to a second system including at least one second processor, a tag retrieved by the first system from a stream associated with a media program that is received by the first system, identifying, by the second system, a plurality of records associated with the tag, determining, by the second system, a temporal characteristic of the tag according to a comparison of a scheduled presentation time of the media program and a time of receipt of the tag, selecting, by the second system, a record from the plurality of records according to the temporal characteristic, and transmitting, by the second system, content information retrieved from the record selected from the plurality of records. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09699512B2 Correlation of media metadata gathered from diverse sources
A DVR, server, or other agent correlates media metadata from diverse sources, like an EPG data provider and multiple video-on-demand (VOD) service providers. Metadata sets from different sources are compared in order to attempt to identify identical programs to which the metadata sets pertain. From at least one metadata set, information about the program that the other metadata set lacks is selected. A “canonical” data structure instance for the program is created. The information that is lacking from at least one of the metadata sources is inserted into that instance. For each source from which a program is available, the DVR stores the identity of that source on the DVR's persistent storage device in association with the canonical data structure instance for that program. The DVR receives search criteria from a user and then searches the stored canonical data structure instance for programs that satisfy the criteria.
US09699510B2 Server-based program recording scheduling
A DVR sends, over the Internet, to a server, information that indicates a set of programs. The information also may indicate a ranking of the programs in the set relative to each other. In response to receiving the information from the DVR, the server determines a “to do” list of programs that the DVR should record as those programs are broadcasted in the future. The “to do” list indicates recording times and channels for each program. The server sends the “to do” list back to the DVR over the Internet. The DVR receives the “to do” list over the Internet and stores the “to do” list. As the programs on the “to do” list are broadcasted, the DVR automatically records those programs at the list-specified times and on the list-specified channels. The DVR stores those programs on the DVR's hard disk drive for later viewing by the DVR user.
US09699509B2 Alternate video processing on backup virtual machine due to detected abnormalities on primary virtual machine
A data processing system includes a first virtual machine, a second virtual machine, a switching unit, an external data processing device, and a video output unit. The first virtual machine performs video processing on input processing data. The second virtual machine transmits/receives the processing data to/from an outside. The switching unit switches an input destination of the processing data from the first virtual machine to the second virtual machine. The external data processing device receives the processing data transmitted from the second virtual machine, performs the video processing on the processing data, and transmits the processing data to the second virtual machine. The video output unit outputs, to a video output device, the processing data on which the video processing has been performed by the first virtual machine, and outputs, to the video output device, the processing data that the second virtual machine has received.
US09699506B2 Methods, systems and computer program products for providing internet protocol television communication services
A method of providing communications services to customer premise equipment (CPE) coupled to a television. The method includes operating a network element as a communications terminal server, the network element being part of a communications network. The network element receives from the CPE a request to initiate communications with a diagnostic system coupled to the communications network. The network element accesses a communications application executing on a communications server coupled to the communications network and pushes a communications interface to the CPE. The network element receives message information from the CPE and routes the message information to the communications server to initiate delivery of a message to the diagnostic system.
US09699495B2 Apparatus, systems and methods for storing program events in an enhanced history buffer
Enhanced history buffer systems and methods are operable to temporarily store program content for program events. An exemplary embodiment receives program content corresponding to each of the plurality of program events, generates a unique discrete program content file in the enhanced history buffer for each of the plurality of program events, and stores the received program content for each of the plurality of program events in the associated one of the discrete program content files. Each discrete program content file begins at a known starting location in the enhanced history buffer and ends at a known ending location in the enhanced history buffer.
US09699491B1 Content recommendation engine
A method of setting controls on a digital communication device operated by an end user participant in a digital content event provided from a digital communication network includes operating a tracking control in the digital communication network to track activity of the digital communication device in a context of the digital content event; operating a timer in conjunction with the activity to form a time-stamped set of ranking controls; attenuating the time-stamped set of ranking controls according to an elapsed time; applying the time-stamped set of ranking controls and content inputs from a digital content manager to operate a ranking control and digital filter to generate a control interface for the digital communication device, the control interface comprising a plurality of individually operable controls; and configuring the digital communication device with the control interface.
US09699487B2 Method for transmitting a broadcasting service, method for receiving a broadcast service, and apparatus for receiving a broadcast service
A method for receiving a broadcasting service according to the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving service signaling data for receiving a object; receiving network property information related to the object if the object that is to be received exists; determining whether the object is received according to network connection status of an apparatus for receiving a broadcast and the received network property information; receiving the object based on the service signaling data; receiving a first packetized stream; extracting a trigger including a trigger action and trigger time from a payload of the first packetized stream; and performing the trigger action in response to the object at the predetermined time using the trigger time based on the network property information.
US09699485B2 Sharing television and video programming through social networking
In particular embodiments a social networking system may receive authorization from a first user of a social-networking system to control at least in part one or more functions of a set-top box (STB) of the first user, determine one or more social actions of one or more second users of the social-networking system, determine one or more instructions for the STB of the first user based at least in part on the social actions, and provide the instructions for the STB of the first user. The social-networking system includes a graph having a plurality of nodes and edges connecting the nodes.
US09699483B2 Multiple color channel multiple regression predictor
Inter-color image prediction is based on multi-channel multiple regression (MMR) models. Image prediction is applied to the efficient coding of images and video signals of high dynamic range. MMR models may include first order parameters, second order parameters, and cross-pixel parameters. MMR models using extension parameters incorporating neighbor pixel relations are also presented. Using minimum means-square error criteria, closed form solutions for the prediction parameters are presented for a variety of MMR models.
US09699476B2 System and method for video context-based composition and compression from normalized spatial resolution objects
The present invention relates to a system and method for efficiently generating images and videos as an array of objects of interest (e.g., faces and hands, plates, etc.) in a desired resolution to perform vision tasks, such as face recognition, facial expression analysis, detection of hand gestures, among others. The composition of such images and videos takes into account the similarity of objects in the same category to encode them more effectively, providing savings in terms of time transmission and storage. Transmission time is less advantage to such a system in terms of efficiency, while less low cost storage means for storing data.
US09699470B2 Method and apparatus for compressing and decompressing data
Methods and apparatus are provided for compressing and decompressing image data by producing two sets of reduced size image data, generating a modulation value for each elementary of the area from the image data, the modulation value encoding information about how to combine the sets of reduced size image data to generate an approximation to the image. In one arrangement, a set of index values is generated corresponding to a set of modulation values for each of the respective elementary areas of a group of elementary areas and these are assigned to each respective group and a second set of index values corresponding to one of the set of first index values for each elementary areas is assigned to each first group of elementary areas. These index values are stored for use in deriving modulation data more accurately when decompressing the image data.
US09699469B2 Adaptive processing of video streams with reduced color resolution
A solution for adaptively processing a digital image with reduced color resolution is described herein. A source device pre-processes a video frame with reduce color resolution by remapping luma components and chroma components of the video frame, and encodes the pre-processed video frame. The source device remaps a half of luma components on a scan line of the video frame onto a data channel of a source line to an encoder and remaps the other half of the luma components on the scan line to another data channel of the source line. The source device remaps the corresponding chroma components onto a third data channel of a source line. By using a data channel conventionally configured to transmit chroma components, the solution enables a video codec to adaptively encode a digital image with reduced color resolution without converting the digital image to full color resolution before the encoding.
US09699466B2 Adaptive reference/non-reference frame determination for video encoding
Methods for determining reference type of each image unit and adjusting the corresponding lambda table of the reference type are disclosed. Embodiments according to the invention are used to improve the quality of video compression or reduce the requirement of memory buffer, memory power or computation power. The reference type is determined based on the encoder system information or image unit information. The frame/slice type structure of a video sequence is adjusted according to the image unit information of encoded frames or together with input frames. By fine-tuning the mode decision process, the coding efficiency can be improved. The mode decision process is modified by adaptively adjusting the lambda table. The lambda table is adaptively determined according to the conventional image unit type (such as Intra coded, predicted or bi-directional predicted type) and the reference type determined.
US09699463B2 Constant quality video encoding
In embodiments, apparatuses, methods and storage media are described that are associated with content distribution. In embodiments, an encoder may be configured to encode portions of content, such as video and/or audio data, utilizing different sets of encoding control variable settings. The different sets of encoding control variable settings may include different resolutions, different frame rates, and/or different compression levels. In embodiments, different segments and/or different portions of a single segment of data may be encoded using different sets of encoding control variable settings. In embodiments, the sets of encoding control variable settings may be selected based on quality of the encoded video and/or audio data. Instances of video and/or audio data encoded with different sets may be compared to the data from which they were generated to determine one or more quality metrics. One of the instances may then be selected for provisioning to a content consumption device.
US09699461B2 Scaling in perceptual image and video coding
Methods and devices for image and video coding. A block of N coefficients is defined as an input vector of N dimensions having a magnitude value and N−1 angle values. The encoder normalizes and quantizes the angle values to produce quantized angle values, reconstructs the angle values from the quantized angle values and determines a quantizer based on the reconstructed angle values. The determined quantizer is then used to quantize the magnitude value. The quantized angle values and the quantized magnitude value are entropy encoded. The decoder preforms the reverse process, and determines the quantizer for inverse quantizing the quantized magnitude value from the reconstructed angle values.
US09699457B2 Most probable transform for intra prediction coding
A video coder can be configured to determine an intra-prediction mode for a block of video data, identify a most probable transform based on the intra-prediction mode determined for the block of video data, and code an indication of whether the most probable transform is a transform used to encode the block of video data. The most probable transform can be a non-square transform.
US09699456B2 Buffering prediction data in video coding
In an example, aspects of this disclosure relate to a method of coding video data that generally includes determining prediction information for a block of video data, where the block is included in a coded unit of video data and positioned below a top row of above-neighboring blocks in the coded unit, and where the prediction information for the block is based on prediction information from one or more other blocks in the coded unit but not based on prediction information from any of the top row of blocks in the coded unit. The method also generally includes coding the block based on the determined prediction information.
US09699451B2 Motion estimation compatible with multiple standards
A motion estimation engine may be implemented to support multiple video encoding standards. The motion estimation engine may be designed to support two macroblock partitioning modes: one for frame type video signals and the other for mixed frame-field type video signals. Additionally, the motion estimation engine provides the mixing unidirectional option (forward/backward) and the mixing bidirectional option. Furthermore, the motion estimation engine may use a unified 5-tap interpolation filter for fractional macroblock search during motion estimation.
US09699450B2 Inter-view predicted motion vector for 3D video
For a depth block in a depth view component, a video coder derives a motion information candidate that comprises motion information of a corresponding texture block in a decoded texture view component, adds the motion information candidate to a candidate list for use in a motion vector prediction operation, and codes the current block based on a candidate in the candidate list.
US09699447B2 Calibration of a dynamic digital imaging system for detecting defects in production stream
A system and method for calibrating a dynamic digital imaging system for the detection of defects in a moving product stream. The system has an elevated platform above a conveying unit for receiving a reference color tile. The elevated platform allows for the passage of products to be inspected on the below conveying unit surface such that calibration and re-calibration processes during image capturing may be accomplished on a continuous basis without interruption of the product stream.
US09699446B2 Test and measurement device, system, and method for providing synchronized measurement views
Embodiments of the invention include a test and measurement device, system, and method for synchronizing measurement views and configuration parameters across multiple input channels or devices. A method includes receiving signals under test associated with multiple input channels of the test and measurement instrument or with multiple devices, selecting a measurement view of one input signal or device, receiving a synchronized view enable preference from a user control interface, and synchronizing the measurement view or configuration parameters of the other signals or devices with what was chosen on the first signal or device. A test and measurement instrument includes input terminals to receive the input signals, a user control interface to receive input from an operator, a display to provide measurement information about the input signals, and a synchronization control unit to synchronize measurement views and/or configuration parameters between the inputs or devices.
US09699444B2 Faster state transitioning for continuous adjustable 3Deeps filter spectacles using multi-layered variable tint materials
An electrically controlled spectacle includes a spectacle frame and optoelectronic lenses housed in the frame. The lenses include a left lens and a right lens, each of the optoelectrical lenses having a plurality of states, wherein the state of the left lens is independent of the state of the right lens. The electrically controlled spectacle also includes a control unit housed in the frame, the control unit being adapted to control the state of each of the lenses independently.
US09699443B2 Stereoscopic image display device
The disclosure provides a stereoscopic image display device, including: multiple display units, the multiple display units being arranged in rows and columns, a first black matrix being disposed between adjacent rows of display units, and a second black matrix being disposed between adjacent columns of display units. The stereoscopic image display device also includes a lens sheet disposed corresponding to the multiple display units, the lens sheet being formed by multiple lined up half-cylinder lenses, and, in an X-direction, a cycle length of the half-cylinder lenses in the lens sheet being a positive even multiple of a cycle length of the display units. In the display device, X coordinate values of the multiple display units do not repeat periodically within one cycle of the lens sheet. The stereoscopic image display device according to the disclosure can solve a problem of black and white stripes, thereby improving the display effect.
US09699442B2 Method for producing images with depth information and image sensor
The invention relates to the production of images associating with each point of the image a depth, i.e. a distance between the observed point and the camera that produced the image.A light source emits N trains of light pulses. For each train of rank I=1 to N, charge is integrated in a short time slot of length Tint that starts with a temporal offset ti relative to the pulse, this temporal offset representing a journey time of the light pulse between the light source and the sensor after reflection from a point placed a distance di from the sensor. The temporal offset ti is the same for all the light pulses of the ith pulse train but the temporal offsets ti of the N trains are different from one another in order to correspond to various distances relative to the sensor. The charge photogenerated by the pulses of a given train is accumulated; then the accumulated charge is read in order to produce an image of rank i representing the pixels located at the distance di. The observation of a scene comprises producing N different images by virtue of which it is possible to associate a distance with each pixel.
US09699440B2 Image processing device, image processing method, non-transitory tangible medium having image processing program, and image-pickup device
An image processing device includes: a parallax control processing section performing an image processing for modifying a parallax magnitude, on each of a plurality of parallax images obtained through shooting from a plurality of respective view point directions different from one another, with use of shooting information related to a shooting condition for each of the parallax images.
US09699439B2 3D caption signal transmission method and 3D caption display method
A method for transmitting a three-dimensional (3D) caption signal and caption display method are disclosed to three-dimensionally display caption text such that it fits a 3D image in a 3D display device. 3D caption box configuration information and caption text are generated to display a 3D caption within a 3D image, and the 3D caption box configuration information and the caption text are inserted into a video picture header region to code the image signal, and then, the image signal is transmitted. In the caption display method, a broadcast signal including a 3D image signal is received, and 3D caption box configuration information and caption text included in the broadcast signal are acquired. A caption image including 3D caption text disposed within a 3D caption box is then generated based on the 3D caption box configuration information and the caption text, and displayed.
US09699438B2 3D graphic insertion for live action stereoscopic video
Systems and methods for the insertion of graphics into stereoscopic live action 3D video using image models taking into account positional data from the stereoscopic camera rig.
US09699436B2 Display with eye-discomfort reduction
A display system includes a display arranged in sight of a viewer, a sensory subsystem configured to sense an ocular condition of the viewer, and a controller. Operatively coupled to the display and to the sensory subsystem, the controller is configured to adjust an operating parameter of the display system in response to the ocular condition, in order to prevent or relieve eye discomfort experienced by the viewer.
US09699432B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and data structure of position information
An image pickup apparatus 12 includes a first camera 22 and a second camera 24. The cameras pick up an image of a target at the same timing and at the same frame rate from left and right positions spaced by a known distance from each other. Picked up frame images are converted into image data of a predetermined plurality of resolutions. An input information acquisition section 26 of an information processing apparatus 14 acquires an instruction input from a user. A position information production section 28 approximately estimates a region of the target or a region which involves some movement on an image of a low resolution and a wide range from within stereo image data as a target region and carries out stereo matching only in regard to the region on an image of a high resolution to specify a three-dimensional position of the target. An output information production section 32 carries out a necessary process based on the position of the target to produce output information. A communication section 30 carries out request for and acquisition of image data to and from the image pickup apparatus 12.
US09699427B2 Imaging device, imaging method, and image processing device
An imaging device 10 according to an aspect of the present invention includes: an image generation section 100 that generates a moving image; a filter acquisition section 105 that acquires a restoration filter corresponding to a transfer function for the point distribution of an optical system; an aperture value detection section 110 that detects an aperture value of the optical system; a restoration processing determination section 115 that determines whether or not the aperture value detected by the aperture value detection section 110 is equal to or greater than a small-aperture-blurring reference aperture value; and a restoration processing execution section 120 that executes the restoration processing on the moving image through the restoration filter, in case where the restoration processing determination section 115 determines that the aperture value detected by the aperture value detection section 110 is equal to or greater than the small-aperture-blurring reference aperture value.
US09699422B2 Composite and other phosphor materials for emitting visible light and applications in generation of visible light including light-emitting screens
Techniques and optically excited light-emitting devices based on phosphors are provided to use phosphor materials which absorb excitation light to emit visible light and include a composite phosphor material including two or more different transition metal compounds that, under optical excitation of the excitation light, emit visible light at spectrally close but different spectral wavelengths or bands that spectrally overlap to produce a desired color.
US09699419B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image of each frame output from an image sensing device is sequentially acquired. A situation appearing in the image is recognized through recognition processing performed on the image, and, if the recognized situation is a prescribed situation, an object of a type related to the prescribed situation is detected from the image and from an image of each frame containing the image. A detection position, in the image, of each object is used to determine whether the objects come in contact with each other in a physical space.
US09699417B2 Device for searching for defects on parts by endoscopy
A device for searching for defects on parts that are masked, such as turbine engine blades, the device including a tubular sheath, a light-guide guiding light, an image-transmission mechanism transmitting images housed inside the sheath, an examination head at a distal end of the sheath including an illumination mechanism and an image-taking mechanism connected to the light-guide and to the image-transmission mechanism housed in the sheath, a mechanism spraying a succession of penetrant test materials on the part for inspection including a capillary slidably guided in a duct housed in the sheath, and a mechanism adjusting orientation of the examination head at the distal end of the sheath.
US09699414B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program product
An information processing apparatus includes an imaging unit, a voice input unit, a cutting-out unit, a transmitting unit, an acquiring unit, and a cutting-out control unit. The voice input unit switches a sound pickup direction for voice. The cutting-out unit cuts out, as a cut-out image, a cutting-out area which is at least a part of an image captured by the imaging unit. The transmitting unit transmits video information including the cut-out image and voice data of voice input to the voice input unit. The acquiring unit acquires setting information including layout information indicating arrangement of seat areas at a time of a conference and priority information indicating a priority of each of the seat areas indicated by the layout information. The cutting-out control unit controls the sound pickup direction of the voice input unit and the cutting-out area of the cutting-out unit in accordance with the acquired setting information.
US09699410B1 Method and system for dynamic layout generation in video conferencing system
A method and system for dynamic layout generation in video conferencing system by a layout selection system is disclosed. The layout selection system set-up receives one or more feeds comprising top view of a location associated with video conference from a first camera in real-time, computes information associated with one or more participants of the video conference set-up in real-time based on the one or more feeds and one or more pre-determined parameters to map the one or more participants in the location, obtains live audio data from at least one directional microphone of a plurality of directional microphones placed in the location. The layout selection system receives live video feed from at least one second camera of a plurality of second cameras placed in the location and generate a dynamic layout for the video conference set-up based on the live video feed from the at least one second camera.
US09699409B1 Recording web conferences
Conference recording is carried out by identifying a virtual conference operated by a conferencing system connected to a communications network. A virtual participant process executing in a processor is registered with the conferencing system as a co-participant in the virtual conference. Information streams produced by the human participants are recorded and distributed with the virtual participant process.
US09699407B2 Content security for a mobile communication terminal
A method for outputting sensitive data to a user includes a communication terminal checking to determine whether at least a portion of the sensitive data is to be outputted by determining whether the communication terminal is in one of a plurality of predefined communication configurations for outputting the sensitive data. If the communication terminal is found to be a first configuration, the communication terminal transmits the sensitive data so that at least one of the video data and the audio data is output to the user via at least one peripheral device connected to the communication terminal. If the communication terminal is in a second configuration, the communication terminal performs at least one security action to help further protect the sensitive data.
US09699406B1 Methods and systems for multi-pane video communications
Systems and methods are disclosed for establishing a video connection between a mobile device and a support terminal while enabling the support terminal to concurrently push display elements to the mobile device through a separate connection. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods establish a first connection between the support terminal and the mobile device and conduct a video chat between the devices transmitted through the first connection. The disclosed systems and methods enable the support terminal to push a display element to the mobile device through a second connection. In response to receiving the display element, the disclosed systems and methods divide the display screen of the mobile device into at least a first pane and a second pane, providing the video chat for display on the first pane and the display element for display on the second pane.
US09699404B2 Closed caption alignment
Aligning a closed caption track to a media content includes calculating the offset and the drift between the closed caption track and the media content item. The closed caption track is aligned to the media content item as a function of the calculated offset and drift.
US09699403B2 Communication system, transmission apparatus, transmission method, reception apparatus and reception method
An AV system composed of an HD recorder and a display unit uses a communication interface of the HDMI. An HDMI source of the HD recorder transmits image data (image signal) in the form of differential signals to an HDMI sink of the display unit through three TMDS channels. The HDMI source inserts content identification information for the identification of the type of a content of image data to be transmitted into an AVI InfoFrame packet placed in a blanking period. A control section of the display unit controls operation of a display processing section which carries out a process for displaying for the image data based on the content identification information received by the HDMI sink and a display section for displaying an image.
US09699400B2 Systems and methods for dynamic data management for camera systems
Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide dynamic data management for a system having one or more cameras such as network cameras. A camera system may include one or more network cameras and a remote device. The remote device may receive camera data from one or more of the network cameras according to data management settings for the camera system. The data management settings may be determined by the system based on an available bandwidth determined based on an exchange of test data between the camera and the remote device. The data management settings can be determined during setup of one or more network cameras and/or during operation of one or more network cameras. The data management settings may include settings for video data to be transmitted over the network such as a resolution, a frame rate, a number of video channels, or other settings.
US09699396B2 Surface contact imaging sensor
An imaging system disposed on a TFT array employing a capacitance input sensing stage into a diode peak detecting circuit used as a single pixel on a semiconductor or TFT array that is capable of accessing the generated charge across the capacitor, peak detecting it, amplifying it and then distributing it to an external system via row and column addressing. The resulting imaging system is suitable for fingerprint imaging or as a computer touchpad input device.
US09699391B2 Systems and methods for infrared detection
A fluorescence detection system includes a light source for coupling with a mobile device and software, having machine readable instructions loadable into memory of the mobile device and executable by a processor of the mobile device, capable of: activating the light source in coordination with capturing one or more images using a camera of the mobile device; analyzing an image captured with the light source on with an image captured with the light source off, to detect a shift of intensity within a predetermined color range within the images; and identifying and authenticating objects by measuring the intensity shift within the images.
US09699384B2 Image signal processing apparatus and a control method thereof, and an image pickup apparatus and a control method thereof
An image pickup apparatus includes a first image reduction unit configured to reduce the size of an image output by an image pickup element, a memory configured to store the image reduced by the first image reduction unit, an external output unit configured to output the image stored in the memory, a display configured to display an image being shot, a second image reduction unit configured to reduce, to the display size on the display, the image reduced by the first image reduction unit, without causing the reduced image to be stored in the memory and a signal processor for the display configured to perform signal processing of the image reduced to the display size on the display.
US09699379B1 Camera arrangements for wide-angle imaging
Approaches are described for constructing a single camera by combining an array (or other arrangement) of multiple smaller and lower resolution cameras. Each of the smaller cameras is aimed in a different direction in order to provide a wider angle and higher resolution field of view (FOV) for the resulting composite camera. Images captured by all of the cameras in the array can be stitched together using software to produce a single composite photograph. This construction method can enable the camera unit to be thinner and potentially cheaper in construction costs than an equivalent single-piece camera that has been conventionally implemented in portable devices.
US09699377B2 Depth detecting apparatus and method, and gesture detecting apparatus and gesture detecting method
A gesture detecting apparatus including a light emitter configure to emit light towards an object, a camera configured to capture light emitted from the light emitter and reflected by the object, and a signal controller configured to control the light emitter and the camera, in which the light emitter comprises a first light and second light, at least one of which is configured to emit light having non-monotonic intensity characteristics.
US09699374B2 Image device and method for memory-to-memory image processing
Provided are an image device and method for operating the device. The image device includes a memory, a first image processor configured to receive image data that includes first and second sub-data, perform first image processing, and write a result of the first image processing to the memory, a second image processor configured to read the first and second sub-data, on which the first image processing has been performed, from the memory, and perform second image processing that is different from the first image processing, and a controller configured to control the second image processor to read the first sub-data, on which the first image processing has been performed, from the memory, before the second sub-data, on which the first image processing has been performed, is written in the memory, after the first sub-data, on which the first image processing has been performed, is written in the memory.
US09699366B2 Image providing apparatus, image display device, imaging system, image display system, and image providing method in which composite image data is generated using auxiliary image data generated by at least one auxiliary imaging unit
An image providing apparatus includes: a plurality of auxiliary imaging units that have shooting ranges partially overlapping one another, and each of which images a subject to generate auxiliary image data; a provider communication unit; a provider communication control unit that receives, from the portable device, via the provider communication unit, transmission request information requesting the image providing apparatus to transmit composite image data; and an image synthesizing unit that generates, based on the transmission request information, composite image data by combining the auxiliary image data respectively generated by two or more of the plurality of auxiliary imaging units. The provider communication control unit transmits, via the provider communication unit, the composite image data to the portable device.
US09699355B2 System and method for sharing documents and image forming apparatuses in groups
The present disclosure is directed to image forming apparatuses and methods that enable the sharing of one or more documents and one or more image forming apparatuses among user devices for the task of reproducing image data. The image forming apparatus comprises a processing unit, configured to execute a group management software stored on a computer-readable medium, a network interface, and one or more accessory units configured to reproduce documents. The first method for reproducing a document includes various actions performed by an image forming apparatus within a group such that the document is reproduced via an indirect request from one user device to the image forming apparatus through a secondary user device. An alternative method for reproducing a document includes various actions performed by an image forming apparatus within a group such that the document is reproduced via a direct request from one user device to the image forming apparatus.
US09699353B2 Image forming apparatus providing continued processing in the event of sensor failure
According to an embodiment, an image reading device includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a white reference plate, a rotation unit, and a control unit. The photoelectric conversion unit includes an image reading sensor which converts light from an imaging position into image data. The white reference plate has a reading range which is a white reference value. The rotation unit rotates the photoelectric conversion unit so as to come to an angle at which a plurality of portions in the reading range of the white reference plate become imaging positions. The control unit sets a white reference value using a plurality of pixels on the white reference plate which are read using the photoelectric conversion unit which is rotated using the rotation unit.
US09699349B2 Image processing system, processing control apparatus, method of processing image, and storage medium
An image processing system includes a first image forming apparatus to perform an image generation operation, a second image forming apparatus to perform an image generation operation, and a processing control apparatus to control the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus to output an output target image by using the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus based on an output command information of the output target image, the output command information including first information related to the image generation operation of the output target image, second information related to collation assigned to the output target image, and third information related to one or more graphic marks providable to the output target image based on the second information related to the collation.
US09699345B2 Processing apparatus, method for controlling the same, and storage medium
A processing apparatus capable of registering applications which periodically execute processes manages one of a plurality of applications registered with the processing apparatus, as a reference application. When registering a new application, the processing apparatus sets an execution cycle of the new application based on an execution cycle of the reference application if the execution cycle of the new application is modifiable, but changes the reference application to be managed to the new application if the execution cycle of the new application is not modifiable.
US09699342B2 Image reading device and image forming device for detecting presence of dust on a reading position
An image reading device includes: a transport path; a reading member that reads an image of a document at a reading position on the transport path, and that includes a light source movable with respect to the reading position in a sub scanning direction which extends along a document transport direction and being capable of reading at positions in the vertical scanning direction; a reflecting member that has a reflecting surface that faces the reading member; a movement controller that controls the reading member so as to move the light source with respect to the reading position before the document is transported to the reading position when the reading member reads the image; a dust determination unit that determines presence of dust; and an announcement member that announces presence of dust to a user when dust is present.
US09699334B2 Display control apparatus including an imaging unit configured to generate an image signal by photo-electrically converting an optical image and control method thereof
A display control apparatus enables a user to easily recognize that a selectable item is present in addition to a displayed item and to recognize without being confused that a target item has been touched. The apparatus is capable of displaying an item group including a plurality of items which are a part of all items, when a touch is detected on any item in the item group displayed on the display unit, displaying the touched item in a selected state, and if release of the touch is detected, and if the selected item is an end item among the displayed group of items but is not an end item among all the items, moving the displayed item among all the items in a direction for displaying an item that is not being displayed in the direction of an end based on the release of the touch.
US09699332B2 Information providing apparatus, terminal device, information providing system, and computer readable medium
An information providing apparatus includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit receives, from a terminal device connected to the information providing apparatus via a communication path, operation state information indicating an operation state of the terminal device. If it is determined, based on the operation state information, that the terminal device is in a specific operation state associated with an image processing operation, the transmitting unit transmits to the terminal device one or plural pieces of specific information associated with an image processing operation executable after the specific operation state has been completed. When transmitting the plural pieces of specific information to the terminal device, the transmitting unit transmits the plural pieces of specific information to the terminal device in accordance with priorities. The priorities are assigned to the plural pieces of specific information in accordance with the specific operation state.
US09699331B2 Apparatus and method for reading a document and printing a mark thereon
An apparatus for verifying whether a user of an object is an authorized user of the object includes: (a) means for detecting a biometric feature of the user and generating data representing the biometric feature; and (b) a reader-printer for reading and printing on the object, which includes: (i) reader system for reading the object to obtain a digital representation of biometric information associated with the authorized user; and (ii) printer system for printing on the object; the apparatus being operable to cause the printer system to print on the object if the data matches the digital representation. Separately or incorporated into the apparatus, the reader-printer may include: (a) reader for reading the object to obtain a digital signature representing a unique feature of the object; and (b) printer for printing on the object if the digital signature matches a reference digital signature associated with the object.
US09699330B2 Image processing apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium for transmitting image data to a plurality of destinations
A multi function peripheral (MFP) receives a setting of destination information from a user (FIG. 6). Each time the MFP reads a predetermined number of documents, the MFP repeats a series of steps of establishing a communication session with a destination (S1006), transmitting image data (S1007), and ending the communication session with the destination (S1008). Thereby, the MFP transmits image data to a plurality of destinations (S1001 to S1011).
US09699329B2 Information processing apparatus and information processing method for notifying that a file is being moved
When provision of a movement instruction for moving a file stored in a first folder to a second folder is detected, whether exclusion processing is already performed for the file is determined. In a case where it is determined that the exclusion processing is not performed for the file, the exclusion processing is performed so that the file to be operated by another user is not allowed and information indicating that the file is being moved is stored. After the file is moved to the second folder, the exclusion processing for the file is canceled. In a case where it is determined that the exclusion processing has already been performed for the file and when the information indicating that the file is being moved is stored for the file for which the exclusion processing has been performed, a notification indicating that the file is being moved is provided.
US09699326B2 Apparatus for identifying abnormalities in an image system and, method for controlling apparatus, and storage medium
An apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain first image data obtained by reading, performed by a reading unit, a chart on which an image has not been formed by an image forming unit and second image data obtained by reading, performed by the reading unit, a chart formed by the image forming unit, and an estimation unit configured to change the second image data using the first image data and estimate a cause of an abnormality that has occurred in the image forming unit from a feature amount obtained by analyzing the changed image data.
US09699322B2 TDD time slot splitting
The invention discloses a method for a cellular communications system, in which traffic is sent in frames, each frame comprising a first number of subframes, with a second number of said subframes being available for at least either uplink or downlink traffic. At least one of said second number of subframes is made to comprise at least three parts, as follows: One part which is utilized for uplink traffic, One part which is utilized for downlink traffic, One part which is utilized as a guard period, with said guard period part being scheduled between the uplink and the downlink parts. The duration of at least two of said three parts may be varied to fit the current system need.
US09699317B1 Using a speech analytics system to control a secure audio bridge during a payment transaction
An architecture and process flow for a contact center that receives payments prevents the agent from hearing sensitive financial information during the payment transaction. During a call with a remote party, the agent determines an appropriate time to bridge on a bank card payment processing system to receive and process a payment. Audio of the call to the agent is then interrupted so as to avoid the agent hearing any sensitive financial information provided by the remote party. A speech analytics system (“SAS”) is bridged onto the call and monitors the payment transaction. The SAS provides status indications displayed to the agent so that the agent is able to monitor the progression of the payment transaction without hearing the contents of the call. The SAS determines when the payment transaction has completed and causes the agent audio to be restored.
US09699315B2 Computer-implemented system and method for processing caller responses
A computer-implemented system and method for processing caller responses is provided. Scripts each including at least one block of dialog are stored. Information is received from a caller during a call with an agent. A selection of a least one of the scripts is received from the agent based on the received information from the caller. The selected script is presented to the caller. A response is received from the caller. A direction of the call is changed. A further selection of one of the scripts is received from the agent based on the response from the caller. The further selected script is presented to the caller.
US09699312B2 Systems and methods for desktop data recording for customer agent interactions
Methods and systems for data recording for customer-agent interactions are described. The described system may include a Desktop Data Recording Client (“DDRC”), which is an application or other module installed on an agent's computing system or device that collects and records various data types from a computer desktop and telephone during a phone or electronic interaction with a third party, such as a customer. The DDRC can be configured to stop and restart data collection and recording of sensitive data for security purposes to ensure that this type of data is not stored or retrievable. The specific data types that may be collected and recorded include: voice recording, computing device screen capture, desktop data collection at a summary and/or detailed level and in call-based on continuous modes, and recording start/stop indications.
US09699305B1 Caller relationship and risk assessment
The method includes identifying, by one or more computer processors, incoming data related to a source. The method further includes identifying, by one or more computer processors, data related to a recipient of incoming data from the source. The method further includes determining, by one or more computer processes, a relationship between the source and the recipient of the incoming data from the source. The method further includes calculating, by one or more computer processors, a risk indicator associated with the incoming data from the source based upon the identified data related to the source, the identified data related to the recipient and the determined relationship between the source and the recipient. The method further includes sending, by one or more computer processors, a notification to the recipient, wherein the notification includes at least the calculated risk indicator.
US09699304B1 System and method for authenticating called parties of individuals within a controlled environment
A method and system are described for enhancing the security of calls made by a member of a controlled environment to an outside party, particularly when the outside party communicates via a cellular phone. An application is provided for the cellular device, which must communicate and register with a calling platform of the controlled environment. Certain elements of personal verification data are obtained by the user of the cellular device and stored at the calling platform for later reference. Calls from the inmate to the cellular device cause the calling platform to issue a notification to the user via the application. The user verifies his/her identity using the application, after which the call can be connected. As a further security measure, certain conditions can be required and periodically checked during the call to ensure the user remains verified.
US09699301B1 Methods, devices and systems supporting driving and studying without distraction
Methods, devices and systems support focused driving, working, and studying without distraction. A method of operating a mobile phone includes setting the phone into a driving focused mode and keeping the phone in the driving focused mode while the phone is moving, wherein in the focused mode certain features of the mobile phone are modified or at least partially disabled. A method also includes setting one or more computer devices, including mobile phones, into a focused mode to prevent usage of and distraction by the devices.
US09699300B2 Portable electronic apparatus, method of operating portable electronic apparatus
A method of operating a portable electronic apparatus, a portable electronic apparatus, and a computer readable storage medium are described. The method includes detecting a motion amplitude of the portable electronic apparatus and vibrating the portable electronic apparatus by a vibrating amplitude that is based upon the detected motion amplitude of the portable electronic apparatus.
US09699296B1 Voice assisted requests between user devices
A wireless communication device may include logic configured to receive a voice request, wherein the voice request includes a request to access information stored in another wireless communication device, a request for device status information associated with the other wireless communication device, or a request to configure an alert trigger in the other wireless communication device; identify the other wireless communication device; convert the received voice request into a text request; send the text request to the other wireless communication device; and receive a response from the other wireless communication device, wherein the response includes the requested information stored in the wireless communication device, the requested device status information, or an indication that the requested alert trigger has been configured.
US09699295B2 Method for displaying an icon and terminal device thereof
The present disclosure discloses a method for displaying an icon in a terminal device and the terminal device thereof. The method includes monitoring an implementation of an event which controls a display of the icon; determining animation display parameters according to properties of the icon, if the implementation of the event which controls the display of the icon is detected; and controlling the icon to be displayed in an animated manner in accordance with the animation display parameters. The present disclosure provides more enriched display effects of the icon.
US09699284B2 Directory contact image size based on social interaction
There is presented a method that includes (a) receiving, from a server, data that indicates an intensity of interactions between a user and each of a first contact of the user and a second contact of the user, where the interactions include (i) communications conducted by way of a first device of the user, and (ii) communications conducted by way of a second device of the user, (b) calculating a first score for the first contact and a second score for the second contact, based on the intensity of interactions, (c) determining a first size for a first image that represents the first contact based on the first score, and a second size for a second image that represents the second contact based on the second score, and (d) presenting on a display, the first image having the first size and the second image having the second size.
US09699279B2 Housing, manufacturing method thereof, and electronic device including the housing
A mobile phone is provided, which includes a metal bezel having a left bezel portion and a right bezel portion and covering at least one part of an outer circumferential edge of a main body of the mobile phone, wherein upper and lower corner bezel portions of the left and right bezel portion are formed to be thicker outwardly in comparison with a middle portion of the left and right bezel portions.
US09699278B2 Modular location tag for a real time location system network
A modular location tag, method of manufacture, and method of use thereof are provided. The modular location tag including a controller including a microcontroller configured to generate a data packet and a two or more individual transmit modules in data communication with the controller such that each individual transmit module is configured to transmit the data packet, each individual transmit module including an antenna and a pulse generator configured to transmit the data packet on ultra-wideband (UWB) blink data pulses. The controller causes substantially simultaneous transmission of the UWB blink data pulses from the respective transmit modules encourage reliable receipt of the UWB blink data pulses at one or more of a plurality of receivers.
US09699274B2 Method and apparatus for reliable session migration
Various embodiments provide a reliable session migration method and apparatus without requiring additional option headers to each packet or inducing transmission delay. This is achieved by utilizing aggregated checksums that facilitate session migration upon a migration event. Advantageously, some such embodiments may permit applications to continue when the endpoint device physically moves from one access network. Similarly, some such embodiments may allow dynamic migration access networks based on load, pricing or other factors. Moreover, some such embodiments may permit traffic to be split along multiple paths so as to increase the aggregate throughput.
US09699269B2 Peripheral device detection with short-range communication
In general, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to techniques for configuring a mobile device according to detection of one or more peripheral devices in an environment using short-range wireless communication. In one example, a method includes, receiving, by a computing device that communicates with a peripheral device using short-range wireless communication, a unique identifier of the peripheral device. If the computing device recognizes the unique identifier of the peripheral device, the computing device may determine a configuration operation based on the unique identifier that changes a current operating state of at least one application executing on the computing device to a different operating state. If the computing device does not recognize the unique identifier of the peripheral device, the computing device may send a lookup request to a network resource external to the computing device that requests data specifying the configuration operation for the computing device.
US09699266B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling the elements of superconducting processors
A computer system employs a network that between a data programming system and one or more superconducting programmable devices of a superconducting processor chip. Routers on the network, such as first-, second- and third-stage routers direct communications with the superconducting programmable devices. A superconducting memory register may load data signals received from a first-stage router into corresponding superconducting programmable devices. The system may employ additional superconducting chips, first-, second- or third-stage routers.
US09699265B2 Method and system for transforming content for execution on multiple platforms
A method and system are disclosed for acquiring and transforming existing content (e.g., Hyper Text Markup Language HTML content) for display and execution on multiple platforms and architectures. In one embodiment, capture templates are created to harvest content from disparate content sources on multiple platforms. Data is extracted from the content from the disparate content sources using the created capture templates that drives extracting process. A standardized data stream is generated from the extracted data. The standardized data stream is provided for display on one or more different type of platforms.
US09699263B1 Automatic read and write acceleration of data accessed by virtual machines
The various implementations described herein include methods and systems for automatic management of data access acceleration in a computer system executing a plurality of clients. The method includes: receiving data access commands from two or more clients to access data in objects identified by the data access commands; and processing the data access commands to update access history information for portions of the objects identified by the data access commands. The method further includes: in accordance with the access history information, automatically identifying and marking for acceleration the portions of the objects identified by the data access commands that satisfy an access based data acceleration policy; and accelerating the object portions marked for acceleration, including accelerating data writes and data reads of the object portions to and from the persistent cache, where the persistent cache is shared by the two or more clients.
US09699262B2 Integrated viewing of local and remote applications in various multiplatform environments
The embodiments provide a system and method for providing integrated view of applications installed in multi-platform environment. The method includes creating a connection between server(s) in a cloud and a client device using a connection broker. Further, the method includes providing a list of remote applications installed in at least one Operating System (OS) of the server on the client device, where each remote application generates a remote graphical view. Furthermore, the method includes allowing a user of the client device to select a remote application, and launching the selected remote application on the server. Furthermore, the method includes displaying, on the client device, an integrated view where including the remote graphical view of the launched application and local graphical views of local applications installed in OS of the client device.
US09699261B2 Monitoring sessions with a session-specific transient agent
A method of monitoring a session on a target system includes receiving from a user client a user request to open a session with the target system. A session-specific transient agent for monitoring the session is installed onto the target system. The session is established between the user and the target system over a communication network. The transient agent monitors the session, collects data of events occurring on the target system during the session. The transient agent is terminated when the session ends.
US09699258B2 Method and system for collecting and presenting historical communication data for a mobile device
Among other disclosures, a method may include collecting historical communication data and personal data relating to a portion of a plurality of communications, a sender of one or more of the communications or one or more recipients of the communications. The method may include depositing the collected data into a repository of historical communication data and personal data. The method may include presenting one or more items in the repository on a mobile device, in response to user behavior.
US09699257B2 Online business method, system and apparatus based on open application programming interface
The present disclosure introduces a method, a system and an apparatus of implementing online transaction according to Open API. In one aspect, a method includes: receiving a first invocation request to invoke an Open API from a third party development server according to a user's transaction request; determining an ISP server corresponding to the Open API as requested to be invoked in the invocation request; sending the first invocation request to the determined ISP server; receiving a service page returned by the ISP server according to the first invocation request; and sending the service page to the third party development server for processing the service page and sending the processed service page to the user, the processing comprising embedding the service page into a page corresponding to the transaction request.
US09699256B2 System and method for dynamic suggestion of optimal course of action
A method of dynamically determining an optimal course of action for a user in an enterprise is provided. The method includes connecting a proxy to a complex event processing (CEP) engine to integrate the CEP engine with a communication framework of the enterprise, dynamically adding a user device into a communication framework of the enterprise based upon a user device location, determining contextual information related to the user from the communication framework of the enterprise, determining real time information related to the contextual information of the user from the communication framework of the enterprise, and determining an optimal course of action for the user based upon the contextual information and the real time information.
US09699252B2 Deployment of virtual machine disks from a shared network file system
Techniques for deployment of virtual machine disks (VMDKs) in a virtualized computing environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a request to deploy a VMDK to a virtual machine (VM) is received. The VMDK includes a master virtual disk file and at least one data virtual disk file. Further, the master virtual disk file is copied from a shared network file system to a storage device associated with a host computing system. Furthermore, a redo virtual disk file is created in the storage device upon copying the master virtual disk file. Also, changes made to content associated with the VMDK are stored in the redo virtual disk file until the at least one data virtual disk file is copied to the storage device.
US09699248B2 Desktop screen sharing over HTTP
Sharing a desktop screen is implemented on a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) web server using variable interval GET and POST requests. Connection to a web server bypasses firewall or shared IP limitations. In the described HTTP/HTTPS only solution, an existing web server is used to allow one or more clients to view a remote computer's screen and control it (remoting). The web server can act as an intermediary to enable one computer to “take control” of a second computer by enabling the first computer (a client) to view the desktop session of the second computer (a host) and enable the first computer to act as master for input device input (e.g., keyboard input, mouse input, stylus input, etc.) for the second computer.
US09699245B2 Information processing apparatus and method, and computer program for providing transmission and reception of content in various data schemes
An apparatus and method allowing for high-quality data acquisition and playback processing based on content information transmitted from a server to a client are provided. Property information constituting meta-information corresponding to content-associated attribute information stores data-scheme information on original content held by the server, such as file format information, codec information representing an encoded-data scheme, and resolution information. In response to a content information acquisition request from the client, content information including the data-scheme information on the original content is generated and is transmitted to the client. This structure allows the client to output a content transmission request in which the optimum data scheme is determined based on the data scheme of the original content. Therefore, high-quality data acquisition and playback can be achieved.
US09699243B2 User interface delegation to a delegated device
The present technology provides an illustrative method for delegating user interface-related tasks. In some examples, the method includes receiving a request to delegate a user interface-related task to a delegated computing device, and causing the transceiver of the delegating device to send a delegation command to the delegated computing device to establish a delegation session on the delegated computing device. The delegation command requests establishment of a delegated user interface to facilitate performance of the user interface-related task on the delegated computing device, and the delegated user interface is substantially similar to the user interface of the delegating device. The method also includes exchanging data associated with the user interface-related task with the delegated computing device.
US09699242B2 Multimedia file upload
A method of handling multimedia data, is described, in which packets of a multimedia file from a first computer are received by a second computer. In case, a sub-portion of the multimedia file, representative of the multimedia file, was received by the second computer, before the entire file was received by the second computer, that sub portion is handled by the second computer transmitting to the first computer or to a third computer a result of the handling of the sub-portion, although the entire file was not received by the second computer at the time of the transmission of the result. Additionally, an image processing server is described comprising: a network interface adapted to receive packets, a communication manager adapted to manage reception of multimedia files through the input interface and to conclude when a sub-portion of a multimedia file, representative of the multimedia file received, and an image handling unit configured to handle said sub-portions.
US09699241B2 Providing actionable content to a computing device based on user actions
Methods and apparatus related to identifying content accessed on a computing device that is likely actionable on another computing device. Some implementations are directed to methods and apparatus for identifying a computing device of a user, identifying content accessed on another computing device by the user, determining content that is actionable on the computing device, determining a confidence level that the actionable content is of interest to the user, and providing the actionable content for use on the computing device if the confidence level satisfies a threshold. The confidence level may be based on an indication of time passage between the user accessing the content on the other computing device and the identified use of the computing device.
US09699239B1 Systems and methods for contact management
Systems and methods for contact management, such as those, for example, configured to identify a point-of-contact to which at least one contact is assigned and/or configured to order at least one contact based on information relating to the at least one contact.
US09699236B2 System and method of adaptive bit-rate streaming
A method includes receiving information from a tracker device indicating that a plurality of devices is associated with a media content item. The method also includes establishing peer-to-peer sessions with a first group and a second group of the devices, selecting the first group based on a first bit-rate satisfying a threshold bit-rate, and sending a first request, via a first peer-to-peer session, to a first device of the first group. The media content item is divided into a plurality of chunks. The first request identifies a first chunk. The method also includes receiving the first chunk, modifying the threshold bit-rate based on a number of buffered chunks, and selecting the second group based on a second bit-rate satisfying the modified threshold bit-rate. The method also includes sending a second request to a second device of the second group. The second request identifies a second chunk.
US09699228B2 Pre-transcoding content items
A content management system pre-transcodes portions of content items provided for storage. When a content item is uploaded to the content management system for storage, the content management system stores the content item in an original format. The content management system transcodes a portion of the content item from the original format to a streaming format. The content management system stores the transcoded portion and makes the content item available for access. When a client device requests the content item from the content management system, the content management system first sends by streaming to the client device the stored transcoded portion in the streaming format. During the sending of the transcoded portion, the content management system transcodes a remainder of the content item that has not been transcoded to the streaming format. The content management system sends the transcoded remainder of the content item to the client device.