| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09808343B2 |
Automated implantable penile prosthesis pump system
An implantable penile prosthesis having an inflatable cylinder with at least one piezoelectric pump for transferring fluid between an integrated reservoir and pressure chamber within the inflatable cylinder. The piezoelectric pump includes an actuator powered by an inductor coil integrated into the inflatable cylinder allowing for wireless control of the inflation and deflation of the inflatable cylinder. An external control system having a corresponding inductive coil can be used to supply a magnetic field for creating a current in the inductor coil integrated into the inflatable cylinder. |
| US09808342B2 |
Balloon sizing device and method of positioning a prosthetic heart valve
A sizing device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, the sizing device includes a collapsible and expandable balloon having a proximal end, a distal end. At least one microelectromechanical sensor is coupled to the balloon, the at least one sensor being capable of measuring information related to size and stiffness of tissue. |
| US09808341B2 |
Valve apparatus, system and method
A venous valve with a frame and a cover on the frame for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve. |
| US09808331B2 |
Soft tissue repair prosthesis and expandable device
A hernia repair device is provided which may include a soft tissue repair prosthesis and an expandable device configured to be removably connected with the soft tissue repair prosthesis. Attachment components may be used to removably connect the soft tissue repair prosthesis with the expandable device. The hernia repair device may be manipulated into a reduced configuration for insertion into the body. When expanded, the expandable device may be configured to position the soft tissue repair prosthesis adjacent a hernia defect. The expandable device and/or the attachment components may be shaped and/or configured to minimize the maximum dimension of the hernia repair device in its reduced configuration. |
| US09808329B2 |
Device for preventing overexpansion of bodily organ
A device for wrapping around a bodily organ and preventing overexpansion thereof. The device comprises inner and outer surfaces with a pliant material located therebetween. The inner surface defines a passage and accommodates and reinforces a bodily organ. The bodily organ, following surgical implantation, extends through the passage and is surrounded by the device. The inner surface, in an uncompressed/slightly compressed state, defines a normal state which supports the bodily organ and permits flow of bodily material therethrough. As the bodily organ expands, due to the bodily material flowing therethrough, the inner surface and the pliant material are compressed and, in turn, correspondingly exert a collapsing force, against the outer wall of the bodily organ, which limits and opposes the expansion of the bodily organ and forces the outer wall of the bodily organ back toward its normal state which still permits flow of bodily material through the bodily organ. |
| US09808325B2 |
Ultrasonic tool
An ultrasonic instrument includes a tip portion, a transducer configured to convert electrical energy into vibrational energy, an acoustic transformer interconnecting the transducer and the tip portion, and a grip portion disposed at least partially about the acoustic transformer. The grip portion is coupled to the acoustic transformer via a resilient nodal coupling at a nodal region of the acoustic transformer. The resilient nodal coupling is configured to provide rotational and axial stability to the acoustic transformer. |
| US09808323B2 |
Visualization apparatus
The invention relates to a visualization apparatus for visualizing quality of applying energy to an object. The quality of applying energy at a location on the object (3) is visualized based on a) a provided image of the object and b) a provided quality value representing the quality of applying energy to the object at the location on the object (3), wherein a visual property assigning unit (9) assigns a visual property to the location depending on the quality value and a display (10) displays the provided image and the assigned visual property at the location on the object shown in the image. In general a person who applies energy to the object is focused on the location at which energy is applied. Since quality information is shown at the location on which the person is already focused, the quality dependent information can easily be absorbed by the person. |
| US09808322B2 |
Method and device for positioning and stabilization of bony structures during maxillofacial surgery
A maxillofacial or cranial-facial surgical stabilizer comprising a head frame fully or partially surrounding the head of a patient at an angle running from ears to temple, and that is fixated to the skull of the patient by multiple screws and/or ear holders and screws. One or more flexible/locking arms are removably attached to the head frame for holding and positioning a plurality of interchangeable instruments or accessories. One flexible/locking arm is a medial/center arm accessorized with a dental arch mold. A method of using a head frame to position the pieces of bones during maxillofacial or cranio-facial surgery is also provided. |
| US09808318B2 |
Robotic arthroplasty system
A robotic system for use in performing an arthroplasty procedure of a patient is provided. The robotic system includes a robotic mechanism, a cutting tool coupled to the robotic mechanism for resecting a portion of a bone of the patient through an incision in the skin of the patient, and a computer coupled to the robotic mechanism and configured to control the robotic mechanism. The robotic system also includes at least one navigation member positionable into engagement with tissue in the patient, an optical system coupled to the computer, a position sensor configured to provide movement information of the robotic mechanism relative to the bone, and an interface coupled to the computer, the interface configured to operate the computer. |
| US09808315B2 |
Anchoring for non-retainable foreign objects
A kit and/or method for use during surgery is configured to decrease the risk of accidental retention of foreign objects, such as surgical items or medical devices, used in surgery inside of a patient after the surgery is completed. Specifically, illustrative kits may include, but not be limited to, a combination of one or more foreign objects, an anchoring member attached to a point outside of the patient or surgical field, and at least one or more connection members connecting the foreign objects to the anchoring member. Illustrative methods may include, but not be limited to, anchoring one or more foreign object by one or more connection members, wherein a first end of each connection member is attached to the foreign object, and a second end of each connection member is attached to a junction member; attaching the junction member to an anchoring member; and attaching the anchoring member to a structure that is outside the patient or surgical field. |
| US09808308B2 |
Electrosurgical cutting and sealing instruments with cam-actuated jaws
Various embodiments are directed to a surgical instrument comprising, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft may be coupled to the handle and may extend distally along a longitudinal axis. The end effector may be positioned at a distal end of the shaft and may comprise first and second jaw members and a reciprocating member. The first and second jaw members may define first and second longitudinal slots. One or both of the jaw members may be pivotable relative to the other about a pivot point. The reciprocating member may be translatable distally and proximally parallel to the longitudinal axis and through the first and second longitudinal slots. A distal portion of the reciprocating member may define a blade. The instrument may comprise an overtube translatable distally to exert a force on a portions of the first and second jaw members tending to close the first and second jaw members. |
| US09808306B2 |
Fume evacuating electrosurgical scalpel
An improved electrosurgical scalpel, with fume evacuation, for generating electrical signals intended for applications to the body of a patient via an electrosurgical electrode is provided that includes a channel to evacuate fumes generated. An electrosurgical scalpel includes a handle with a receptacle portion of a conductive hollow member for mounting and retaining an electrode blade and evacuating fumes, an optional light source with a power source that may be encapsulated within the handle and a vacuum port for applying a vacuum source to draw fumes away from the electrode tip through the chanel. Operation of a slide on the handle serves to retract or extend the electrode blade, and direct fume evacuation. |
| US09808305B2 |
Energy treatment apparatus
In an energy treatment apparatus, maximum source electric power of source electric power output from an electric power source is defined, first energy is generated by supplying first driving electric power to a first energy generator due to the source electric power, and second energy is generated by supplying second driving electric power to a second energy generator due to the source electric power. A controller keep the sum of the first driving electric power and the second driving electric power that are supplied per unit time less than or equal to the maximum source electric power of the electric power source continuously with time. |
| US09808303B2 |
Methods and devices for cryogenic carotid body ablation
Methods and cryogenic devices for assessing, and treating patients having sympathetically mediated disease, involving augmented peripheral chemoreflex and heightened sympathetic tone by reducing chemosensor input to the nervous system via carotid body ablation. Some methods include advancing a cryo-ablation catheter into a patient's vasculature and ablating tissue within a carotid septum. |
| US09808302B2 |
Phase separation of cryogen in cryosurgical instrument
A cryosurgical instrument including: a shaft having a closed distal end defining an expansion chamber and a proximal end that receives an inflow of cryogen and to exhaust a flow of expanded cryogen; and a heat exchanger with a cryogen delivery tube that spirals around a core disposed along a longitudinal axis thereof. The cryogen delivery tube, where it spirals, is in fluid tight contact with the inner surface of the shaft so as to form spiraling cryogen exhaust pathways that extend along a portion of a length of the cryosurgical instrument from the distal end of the shaft. The cryogen delivery tube forces a two-phase flow of cryogen to undergo phase separation by centrifugal forces and urges the liquid phase against the external walls of the spiral coil and the outer surface of the spiral gap. Heat exchanging occurs close to the external wall of the instrument. |
| US09808294B2 |
Methods and apparatus for stabilizing bone
In some embodiments, a method comprises disposing a portion of a flexible fastening band into contact with a first bone portion and into contact with a second bone portion. The portion of the flexible fastening band having a substantially uniform shape configured to substantially compliment a shape of the first bone portion and a shape of the second bone portion. The method further includes inserting the portion of the flexible fastening band into a fastener and advancing the portion of the flexible fastening band through the fastener until the first bone portion and the and the second bone portion are stabilized. |
| US09808290B2 |
Transcutaneous joint unloading device
Various methods for treating a joint are disclosed herein. According to one method, a joint is surgically treated by performing a surgical repair treatment on tissue within the joint capsule; implanting a load reducing device at the joint and entirely outside of the joint capsule to reduce load transmitted by the treated tissue to allow for the tissue within the joint capsule to heal; and partially unloading the joint during healing of the surgical repair site. |
| US09808289B2 |
External fixator ring
The present disclosure includes an external fixator ring that includes a central opening, inner and outer ring surfaces and upper and lower ring surfaces. In some embodiments, one or more apertures are defined in the inner or outer surface for receiving securing devices. The apertures in the inner or outer surface are adapted to provide rigid attachment for connection struts while allowing for a range of motion between the interconnected rings. In some other embodiments, the external fixator ring further comprises angled flanges extending radially from the inner or outer surface. The angle flanges each include a mounting surface, apertures are defined in the mounting surface of the angle flanges for receiving securing devices. |
| US09808288B2 |
Circular fixator system and method
A device includes a plurality of rings. Each ring has a first face, a second face, and at least one slot defined by first and second interior edges of the ring on opposing sides of the slot. The at least one slot penetrates from the first face to the second face. The first face of each ring has a first recess adjacent the slot on the first edge and a second recess adjacent the slot on the second edge. A plurality of posts join each one of the plurality of rings to an adjacent one of the plurality of rings. |
| US09808287B2 |
Method and system for patella tendon realignment
A method and system provide and use a patellar implant. The patellar implant includes a superior portion, an inferior portion opposite to the superior portion, and an anterior portion. The superior portion being configured to reside below a patellar tendon and to elevate and/or tilt the patellar tendon. The inferior portion is configured to be seated in proximity to a tibia. The anterior portion is between the superior portion and the inferior portion. The anterior portion is placed in proximity to a patella. In one aspect, the method includes inserting the implant beneath the patellar tendon and between the patella and a position at which the patellar tendon is affixed to the tibia. In this aspect, the method also includes affixing the implant. |
| US09808285B2 |
Asymmetrical dual proximal end insertion bellow
An apparatus and method for inserting prosthesis implants into a patient pocket. The apparatus has three openings including a prosthesis opening, a large proximal opening, and a small proximal opening. The apparatus prevents infection; eases insertion and placement; and reduces complications. In use, the bellow is placed through the patient incision while allowing the bellow to be manipulated to force the prosthesis into a surgical pocket of a patient. Then the bellow is rotated so the distal end becomes the proximal end and inserted into the second incision while allowing the bellow to be manipulated to force the prosthesis into the second pocket. |
| US09808281B2 |
Patient-mounted retraction
Patient-mounted retractors with varying configurations and/or features are provided, along with additional components for use therewith in provided patient-mounted retractor assemblies. Blade type and tube type patient-mounted retractors that may be re-positioned during the course of a procedure are provided in varying configurations and/or geometries suitable for varying procedures and/or patient anatomies. Applications of re-positionable patient-mounted retractor assemblies are particularly suitable for use in minimally invasive procedures, eliminating the need for table-mounted retraction assemblies and/or cannulas that restrict the operating environment. |
| US09808279B2 |
Medical knife
A medical knife includes a blade plate and a blade portion formed at the distal end of the blade plate. Cutting edges extend from the distal end to the proximal end of the blade portion. Two blade surfaces in the width direction of a back-face portion of the blade portion are formed to gradually increase a distance between opposite side and cutting edge from one of the distal end and the proximal end to the other. The two blade surfaces in the width direction of a front-face portion of the blade portion are formed such that the distance between the opposite side and the cutting edge becomes equal in a zone corresponding to a distal end of the cutting edge and a zone corresponding to a proximal end of the cutting edge, over the entire cutting edge from the distal end to the proximal end of the cutting edge. |
| US09808278B2 |
Tissue tract lancet
The present disclosure is a method and apparatus to prepare a tissue tract having a handle member with a centerline, and a scalpel member fixedly attached to the handle member having a blunt tip, wherein the handle member has a first side positioned at a first positive angle relative to the centerline, and a second side opposite the first side positioned at a second positive angle relative to the centerline. |
| US09808270B2 |
Medical retrieval devices and methods
A retrieval device includes a sheath having a distal end, and a plurality of support members extending distal of the distal end, the support members each including a distal loop. The retrieval device further includes a hollow member extending distal of the distal end, and a movable member extending distally from the hollow member and slidably extending through the distal loops of the support members. |
| US09808269B2 |
Adjustable medical retrieval devices and related methods of use
A medical device may include a distal end having an expandable grasping portion with a plurality of movable branch members, and at least one filament connected to and slidably movable within at least a portion of the plurality of movable branch members. The proximal end of the device may include a handle having an actuation guide and an actuation selector connected to and movable along the actuation guide. The actuation selector may be coupled to ends of the at least one filament and may be configured to exert a force on the filament to vary the size of the grasping portion between a plurality of pre-selected discrete configurations of the grasping portion. In addition, the medical device may include a sheath member extending from the distal end toward the proximal end. The proximal ends of the plurality of movable branch members may be disposed within the sheath member. |
| US09808268B2 |
Medical retrieval devices and related methods of use
A medical device may include an elongate member, and a plurality of grasping members extending from the elongate member. Each of the grasping members may include a proximal end, and a distal end. Each of the grasping members may include at least one first section formed of a first material and a second material, and a second section located at the distal end of the grasping member. The second section may be formed without the first material and being less stiff than the at least one first section. |
| US09808266B2 |
Apparatus and methods for clot disruption and evacuation
The apparatus includes a catheter having a combined infusion/aspiration lumen, a three lumen proximal portion and a two lumen distal portion. An infusion/aspiration valve located at the distal end of the catheter facilitates performing infusion and aspiration through the same lumen, which in turn reduces the number of lumens, and enables the combined infusion/aspiration lumen to be made larger without the need to increase the diameter of the catheter. Differing material properties in the proximal and distal portions of the catheter enable the proximal portion to be made stiffer for pushability, while the distal portion is more flexible to navigate tortuous vasculature and enable a greater amplitude agitator to be received within the catheter. |
| US09808264B2 |
Hinged microfracture awls
In one embodiment, a hinged microfracture awl includes a handle, and a shaft that extends through and from the handle, the shaft being pivotally mounted to the handle with a hinge, wherein a distal end of the shaft includes a sharp tip adapted to pierce bone and a proximal end of the shaft includes an impact head adapted to be struck by a striking tool. |
| US09808255B2 |
Embolic coil detachment mechanism with flexible distal member, resistive electrical heating element and shape memory polymer element
An embolic coil detachment system includes an elongated, flexible shape memory polymer tube having an inner wall surface defining an interior lumen. A distal portion of the shape memory polymer tube has an enlarged and reduced diameter configurations. An embolic coil is releasably mounted to the shape memory polymer tube by a headpiece releasably attached within a distal portion of the shape memory polymer tube. A resistive heating element disposed longitudinally along and in immediate contact with the inner wall surface of the distal tubular wall of the shape memory polymer tube provides direct, even heating to release the headpiece and embolic coil attached thereto when the resistive heating element is energized. |
| US09808253B2 |
Left atrial appendage occluder
The present invention relates to a Left atrial appendage occluder comprising an elastic closure disc. The left atrial appendage occluder also comprises an elastic fixing frame connected with the closure disc and located on one side of the closure disc. The fixing frame comprises a central end connected with the closure disc and a plurality of interconnected and bent struts, wherein at least one anchor is set near the end of at least one strut with the anchor pointing toward the closure disc. The left atrial appendage occluder has a stable structure, a good positioning and sealing effect on the cavity wall in the left atrial appendage, and it is easy to position repeatedly; it can also be recycled before separating from a conveyor. When in surgical operation, the left atrial appendage occluder can select the position area based on the actual shape and size of the patient's left atrial appendage, so the surgical risk is lowered. |
| US09808252B2 |
Vascular occlusion devices
Shape memory materials (SMM) are formed as coil-shaped vascular occlusion devices upon deployment. Shape memory polymer (SMP) materials are tailored through formulation for specific mechanical behavior of the coils. Concurrent coil diameter changes enhance the relative change in stiffness along the length of the coil. Interconnecting structures (104a/b) are formed on ends of elongated members (102a) in the pre-deployment shape for multiple coil insertion capability within an introducer. Channels (206) are formed in pre-deployment shape, elongate members (202) that allow access for injection of imaging contrast agent or concurrent placement of instruments. A single SMM occlusive device (300) transforms into multiple, smaller diameter coils (302b) in the deployed state to generate a complex occlusive structure. A SMM occlusive device (400) has a collapsed fabric (404) component attached to and extending along a sidewall during storage and insertion, and then deploys as a coil (402b) to form a single- or multiple-layer occlusive fabric surface within a center of the coil (402b). |
| US09808249B2 |
Attachment portions for surgical instrument assemblies
A connection portion for attaching a disposable loading unit to the shaft of a surgical instrument. The connection portion can include a rotatable collar, which can be rotated relative to the disposable loading unit and the shaft. The connection can include a spring for biasing the collar and/or the disposable loading unit into a locked orientation. |
| US09808246B2 |
Method of operating a powered surgical instrument
A method of operating a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an electronic system comprising an electric motor coupled to the end effector; a motor controller coupled to the motor; a parameter threshold detection module configured to monitor multiple parameter thresholds; a sensing module configured to sense tissue compression; a processor coupled to the parameter threshold detection module and the motor controller; and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor multiple levels of action thresholds and monitor speed of the motor and increment a drive unit of the motor, sense tissue compression, and provide rate and control feedback to the user of the surgical instrument. |
| US09808244B2 |
Sensor arrangements for absolute positioning system for surgical instruments
A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument may include an absolute position sensor system. The absolute position sensor system includes a sensor element operatively coupled to a movable drive member of the surgical instrument. A position sensor is operably coupled to the sensor element and is configured to sense the absolute position of the sensor element. |
| US09808242B2 |
Knotless filament anchor for soft tissue repair
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for securing tissue to bone, including drilling a bone hole into the bone; passing a filament through the tissue, the filament including a first end, a second end and a length therebetween, the second end having a loop; passing the first end of the filament through the loop of the filament; pulling on the first end of the filament such that the loop travels along the length of the filament and to the tissue; passing an anchor along the length of the filament, from the first end towards the loop and tissue; engaging the loop with a distal end of the anchor; positioning the distal end of the anchor, with the loop of the filament, into the bone hole; and securing the anchor in the bone. |
| US09808240B2 |
Retractable cannulated suture passer and method of passing suture
A suture passer and method for passing suture in tissue repair and other surgical procedures. The suture passer has an outer stiff tube component and a flexible tube component which is both cannulated and retractable. The inner tube (i.e., the cannulated, flexible, retractable tube) is preferably made of NiTi and has a predefined curve. The inner tube is deployed and retracted from the outer stiff tube. The configuration of the inner tube allows the instrument to be introduced into a space through a small portal and then deployed to provide leverage and improved reach (without creating large portals). |
| US09808237B2 |
Methods and devices for passing sutures around anatomical structures
Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for passing sutures around anatomical structures. In an exemplary embodiment, a suture delivery device is provided that includes a body portion having a suture delivery member disposed therein and configured to pass a suture around an anatomical structure. The suture delivery member can be movable between a retracted configuration in which the suture delivery member is disposed within the body portion and an advanced configuration in which the suture delivery member extends distally beyond the body portion and assumes an arcurate shape. The arcurate shape can correspond to a shape of the anatomical structure and can extend almost all of the way around the anatomical structure, for example at least around 270° of a circle, thus assisting a user in passing the suture around the anatomical structure without having to manually manipulate the suture delivery device at awkward angles around adjacent tissue. |
| US09808236B2 |
Internal joint bracing system and suture anchoring assembly therefore
An internal bracing system is disclosed for stabilizing a joint such as the knee, shoulder, ankle or the like. The internal bracing system includes an extra-articular tension band mechanism and an anchor assembly therefore. The internal bracing system adds substantial control to unstable joints which is effective in limiting the pathological joint motions and internal slippage. The anchor anchoring assembly designed to affix a tethering device to various bony structures which form a joint, for the purpose of providing stability. The anchor assembly includes an anchor and a set screw. A series of disc structures compressed by the set screw securely holds the tether without binding. |
| US09808235B2 |
Device and method for fixating a suture anchor with a suture or a headed anchor in hard tissue
A device and method for fixating soft tissue to hard tissue with the aid of a suture anchor and a suture or with the aid of a headed anchor, wherein the anchor is forced into the hard tissue and then anchored therein by in situ liquefaction of a material having thermoplastic properties. The device includes a vibration tool and the anchor and possibly a support element, wherein the anchor includes an anchor foot and a thermoplastic sleeve. The thermoplastic sleeve includes the material having thermoplastic properties. The anchor foot has a distal end suitable for being forced into hard tissue and it is connected to the distal end of the vibration tool and the thermoplastic sleeve sits on a proximal face of the anchor foot, the vibration tool and/or a proximal portion of the anchor foot extending into or through the thermoplastic sleeve. |
| US09808231B2 |
Tissue retractor
A surgical site retractor is configured to retract tissue, such as in an intercostal procedure. The retractor may be formed from non-radiopaque material for improved monitoring via x-ray imaging. The retractor may have a rigid retractor and a soft tissue retractor, where the rigid retractor has a plurality of legs and the soft tissue retractor extends between the legs to prevent soft tissue from extending between said legs. The retractor may have a bendable arm with an implement holder, such as distal cuff or clip adapted to resiliently hold an implement such as a tube of an elongated port-access device. A method involves partly installing the surgical site retractor, expanding the surgical site retractor, deploying the surgical implement from outside the body through the incision and into the patient, resiliently capturing the implement with the holder of the arm, and bending the arm to hold the implement in a desired position. |
| US09808229B2 |
Assembly for augmenting hard tissue
An augmentation method is provided, wherein a thermoplastic augmentation element is subject to mechanical energy impact and mechanical pressure by a tool so that augmentation material of the augmentation element is liquefied and pressed into hard tissue to augment the hard tissue, wherein in at least one axial depth, the augmentation element is segmented as a function of the circumferential angle so that at this axial depth the circumferential wall of the initial opening in first regions is in contact with the augmentation element and in second regions is not in contact with the augmentation element. |
| US09808228B2 |
Tissue debris and blood collection device and methods of use thereof
Protective barrier for laparoscopy. The barrier has a closed bottom, wall(s), and open end. The barrier may incorporate a drawstring and/or optional flexible stay(s), in internal channel around periphery of the open end of bag. The barrier may optionally utilize self-sealing communication in closed bottom. Furthermore, barrier may also include flexible ring or other shapes positioned inside and tube passing through communication in the closed bottom. Protective barrier is configured to be collapsed, rolled, and/or folded into a size that can pass through an opening, such as a trocar. Protective barrier, when deployed in the peritoneal cavity, may be used to collect tissue, tissue parts, blood and/or other fluid that may spray during Morcellation or other laparoscopic procedure. After completion of the procedure, protective barrier can be collapsed, rolled or folded at a size that can be easily removed from the peritoneal cavity. |
| US09808226B2 |
Soft tissue coring biopsy devices and methods
A biopsy device comprises a coring and transport assembly and a distal beak assembly. The distal beak assembly may be coupled to or near a distal end of the coring and transport assembly and may comprise at least one movable cutting element. The distal beak assembly may be configured to rotate about an axis, and assume at least a first open configuration operative to enable the at least one cutting element to core through tissue and a second closed configuration operative to enable the at least one cutting element to move through the tissue and to sever a cored specimen from the tissue. |
| US09808220B2 |
Probe for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
A probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which is used for performing a test upon a subject is provided. The probe includes a case which forms an exterior of the probe, a piezoelectric object which is provided on an inside of the case and which generates an ultrasonic wave, a sound absorbing layer which is provided at a rear surface of the piezoelectric object and which prevents the ultrasonic wave from being delivered to a rear portion of the piezoelectric object, an acoustic matching layer which delivers the generated ultrasonic wave to a subject by matching a sound impedance of the piezoelectric object with a sound impedance of the subject, and a sound lens which concentrates the generated ultrasonic wave and radiates the concentrated ultrasonic wave toward the subject. |
| US09808216B2 |
Material decomposition of multi-spectral x-ray projections using neural networks
A method of processing x-ray images comprises training an artificial neural network to process multi-spectral x-ray projections to determine composition information about an object in terms of equivalent thickness of at least one basis material. The method further comprises providing a multi-spectral x-ray projection of an object, wherein the multi-spectral x-ray projection of the object contains energy content information describing the energy content of the multi-spectral x-ray projection. The multi-spectral x-ray projection is then processed with the artificial neural network to determine composition information about the object, and then the composition information about the object is provided. |
| US09808215B2 |
System and method for generating a 2D image from a tomosynthesis data set
A 2D mammogram image is synthesized from at least one of tomosynthesis projection images and/or the tomosynthesis reconstructed image data. In a simplest form, the mammogram may be synthesized by selecting one of the tomosynthesis projection images for display as a synthesized mammogram. Other methods of synthesizing a mammogram include re-projecting and filtering projection data and/or reconstructed data. The synthesized mammogram is advantageously displayed together with at least a portion of the reconstructed data to aid in review of the reconstructed data. The present invention thus provides a familiar image which may be used to facilitate review of a tomosynthesis data set. |
| US09808213B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, medical image diagnostic system, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus includes: an obtaining unit configured to obtain three-dimensional image data and positions of a plurality of feature points in the three-dimensional image data; a designation unit configured to designate a designation point indicating a portion of interest in the three-dimensional image data; a selection unit configured to select, using information determined by a position of the designation point and the positions of the plurality of feature points, a feature point from the plurality of feature points; a generation unit configured to generate, from the three-dimensional image data, a cross section image on a plane determined based on the position of the designation point and a position of the selected feature point; and a display control unit configured to cause a display unit to display the generated cross section image. |
| US09808207B2 |
Detecting, assessing and managing a risk of death in epilepsy
A method for determining and responding in real-time to an increased risk of death relating to a patient with epilepsy is provided. The method includes receiving cardiac data and determining a cardiac index based upon the cardiac data. The method includes determining an increased risk of death associated with epilepsy if the indices are extreme, issuing a warning of the increased risk of death and logging information related to the increased risk of death. Also presented is a second method for determining and responding in real-time to an increased risk of death relating to a patient with epilepsy comprising receiving at least one of arousal data, responsiveness data or awareness data and determining an arousal index, a responsiveness index or an awareness index, where the indices are based on arousal data, responsiveness data or awareness data respectively. The second method includes determining an increased risk of death related to epilepsy if indices are extreme values, issuing a warning of the increased risk of death and logging information related to the increased risk of death. A computer readable program storage device is also provided. Also provided is a method for receiving body data, determining a cardiac, an arousal, a responsiveness, or a kinetic index, determining an increased or increasing risk of death over a first time window relating to a patient with epilepsy and issuing a warning and logging relevant information. |
| US09808205B2 |
Abnormality prediction device, abnormality prediction system, abnormality prediction method, biological information measuring device, biological information measuring system, and warning notification method
An abnormality prediction device includes a detection unit that detects detection information including at least one of biological information of a user and body motion information regarding a body motion of the user, a premonitory symptom determination unit (control unit) that determines whether a premonitory symptom has occurred in the user on the basis of the detection information detected by the detection unit and a premonitory pattern which is a pattern of the detection information according to the premonitory symptom of abnormality occurring in the user, and an information output unit (control unit) that, when the premonitory symptom determination unit determines that the premonitory symptom has occurred, outputs notification information indicating that occurrence of abnormality in the user is predicted. |
| US09808204B2 |
Noninvasive physiological analysis using excitation-sensor modules and related devices and methods
Methods and apparatus for qualifying and quantifying excitation-dependent physiological information extracted from wearable sensors in the midst of interference from unwanted sources are provided. An organism is interrogated with at least one excitation energy, energy response signals from two or more distinct physiological regions are sensed, and these signals are processed to generate an extracted signal. The extracted signal is compared with a physiological model to qualify and/or quantify a physiological property. Additionally, important physiological information can be qualified and quantified by comparing the excitation wavelength-dependent response, measured via wearable sensors, with a physiological model. |
| US09808202B2 |
Mattress for measuring physiological parameters of heart
The present invention provides a mattress for measuring physiological parameters of a heart, comprising a mattress body, a first electrode, a second electrode and an electromagnetic shield, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are located on the upper surface of the mattress body and the first electrode and the second electrode have a space therebetween; at least a portion of the electromagnetic shield is located on the lower surface of the mattress body and is insulated from the first electrode and the second electrode. In the above mattress provided by the present invention, the first electrode and the second electrode are shielded from ambient electromagnetic radiation effectively. The electromagnetic shield, by blocking the electromagnetic wave propagation path, prevents the electrodes from being polluted by electromagnetic radiation, achieving more accurate measurement. |
| US09808195B2 |
2D scanning videokymography system for analyzing vibration of vocal-fold mucosa, and method of analyzing vibration of vocal-fold mucosa using the same
Disclosed is a 2D scanning videokymography system for analyzing a vibration of vocal-fold mucosa, including: a laryngoscope for observing vocal folds; a light source for illuminating the vocal folds; a video camera for recording and storing images observed through the laryngoscope; a computer incorporating an image capture unit for converting a video signal transmitted from the video camera into a digital image signal, a storage unit for storing the digital image signal, a control unit for analyzing the image signal of the storage unit and displaying the analysis results on a monitor, and analysis software for analyzing the image signal of the storage unit; and a monitor for displaying a captured image and analysis results. |
| US09808194B2 |
Cushioning support for monitoring user activity
Multi-layer cushion supports are described which may generally comprise a first support having a first contact surface for contacting a portion of a body and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first support defining a central chamber and a peripheral chamber surrounding the central chamber, wherein the first support is filled with a first gas or liquid and a second support attached to the first support along the first contact surface. The second support may be filled with a second gas or liquid which is relatively more viscous than the first gas or liquid. In particular, the first support may be filled with a volume of air and the second support may be filled with oil which is less than the volume of air. |
| US09808192B2 |
Biological fluid sampling transfer device and biological fluid separation and testing system
A blood separation and testing system for a blood sample is disclosed. The blood separation and testing system includes a blood sampling transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample, a blood separation device, and a blood testing device. The blood separation device is adapted to receive a portion of the blood sampling transfer device such that with the blood sampling transfer device received within the blood separation device and a rotational force applied to the blood sampling transfer device, a plasma portion of the blood sample is separated from a cellular portion of the blood sample. The blood testing device is adapted to receive a portion of the blood sampling transfer device to analyze the plasma portion of the blood sample and obtain test results. |
| US09808190B2 |
Advanced analyte sensor calibration and error detection
Systems and methods for processing sensor data and self-calibration are provided. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided which are capable of calibrating a continuous analyte sensor based on an initial sensitivity, and then continuously performing self-calibration without using, or with reduced use of, reference measurements. In certain embodiments, a sensitivity of the analyte sensor is determined by applying an estimative algorithm that is a function of certain parameters. Also described herein are systems and methods for determining a property of an analyte sensor using a stimulus signal. The sensor property can be used to compensate sensor data for sensitivity drift, or determine another property associated with the sensor, such as temperature, sensor membrane damage, moisture ingress in sensor electronics, and scaling factors. |
| US09808185B2 |
Movement measure generation in a wearable electronic device
Aspects of generating movement measures that quantify motion data samples generated by a wearable electronic device are discussed herein. For example, in one aspect, an embodiment may obtain motion data samples generated by the set of motion sensors in a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device may then generate a first movement measure based on a quantification of the first set of motion data samples. The wearable electronic device may also generate a second movement measure based on a quantification of the second set of the motion data samples. The wearable electronic device may then cause the non-transitory machine readable storage medium to store the first movement measure and the second movement measure as time series data. |
| US09808183B2 |
Device and method for real-time measurement of parameters of mechanical stress state and biomechanical properties of soft biological tissue
A device and a method for simultaneous recording, in real time, parameters characterising the mechanical tension, elasticity, dynamical stiffness, creepability and mechanical stress of soft biological tissue are provided. By means of the myometer, a constant external pre-pressure is created, independently of the device's position, between the tissue and the testing end of the device. Next, the tissue is subjected to a short-term external dynamic influence. A mechanical change in the shape of the tissue and its mechanical response are registered as a graph of the tissue's oscillations. For calculating the parameters, a time span on the graph is used which involves an oscillation period from the beginning to the end of the effect on the tissue plus its subsequent first 1.5 self-oscillation period. This enables recording and data-processing to be carried out simultaneously as well as statistically significant estimates to be made in real time. |
| US09808182B2 |
Breathing detection apparatus
An apparatus including a tubular channel having a pathway extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the tubular channel. The proximal end is configured to connect directly or indirectly to an end tidal CO2 monitor. The distal end has an opening. The apparatus further includes a detection member including a chamber disposed in fluid communication with the pathway of the tubular channel such that gas entering the tubular channel via the opening on the distal end passes into the chamber. A detection element is disposed within the chamber and includes a component that is sensitive to one or more systemic biomarkers such that, upon exposure to a predetermined concentration level of the one or more systemic biomarkers contained in the gas, a state of the detection element experiences a permanent alteration and the detection member indicates that the predetermined concentration level of the one or more systemic biomarkers is present in the gas. |
| US09808179B2 |
Catheter and a system and a method for locating a catheter in a vessel
A balloon catheter (60) includes an elongated catheter member (63) and an inflatable balloon (65) located adjacent a distal end (5) of the catheter member (63). Band type measuring electrodes (7) located on the catheter member (63) within the balloon (65) include a pair of outer stimulating electrodes (8) and sensing electrodes (9) for measuring the cross-sectional area and volume of the balloon (65) by impedance planimetry measuring. A light emitting diode (20) is located on each measuring electrode (7) for emitting light so that the location of the balloon catheter, and in particular, the measuring electrodes (7) can be detected in a vessel (91) with a translucent wall within the body of a human subject. By capturing an image of the vessel and the light from the light emitting diodes (20) emanating through a translucent wall of the vessel by an imaging device (92) located within the human body externally of the vessel (91), the location of the balloon catheter and the electrodes (7) within the vessel can be determined. |
| US09808176B2 |
Method and magnetic resonance system for magnetic resonance thermometry
In magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry, first and second magnetic resonance data that are acquired sequentially, from which a phase shift is determined between a measurement phase and a reference phase. In a first region of an examined person, the measurement phase is determined from the second magnetic resonance data and the reference phase is determined from the first magnetic resonance data. In a second region of the examined person, both the reference phase and measurement phase are determined from the second magnetic resonance data. Techniques for reference-based magnetic resonance thermometry and reference-free magnetic resonance thermometry can be applied. |
| US09808173B2 |
Method for the spatially resolved determination of physcial, chemical and/or biological properties or state variables
Method for the spatially resolved determination of physical, chemical and/or biological properties or state variables and/or the change therein in an examination area of an examination object by determining the change in the spatial distribution and/or the mobility, particularly the mobility in rotation, of magnetic particles in this examination area or in parts thereof as a function of the effect of physical, chemical and/or biological influencing variables on at least a part-area and/or in the physical, chemical and/or biological conditions in at least a part-area of the examination area, by means of the following steps: a) introducing covered and/or coated magnetic particles with at least one solid, viscous and/or liquid shell or coating into at least part of the examination area and/or introducing magnetic particles into at least part of the examination area and/or covering and/or coating at least some of these particles in the examination area, b) generating a magnetic field with a spatial profile of the magnetic field strength such that there is produced in the examination area a first part-area having a low magnetic field strength and a second part-area having a higher magnetic field strength, 15 c) changing the, in particular relative, spatial position of the two part-areas in the examination area or changing the magnetic field strength in the first part-area so that the magnetization of the particles is locally changed, d) detecting signals that depend on the magnetization in the examination area that is influenced by this change, and e) evaluating the signals so as to obtain information about the change in the spatial distribution and/or mobility of the magnetic particles in the examination area. The invention also relates to functionalized magnetic particle compositions and magnetic particle compositions suitable for use in the above method. The invention further also relates to an apparatus for the measurement of state variables in the examination area. |
| US09808172B2 |
Systems and methods for performing surface electromyography and range-of-motion test
A soft-tissue-injury diagnostic system for diagnosing soft tissue injury within a patient includes a set of hand-held inclinometers configured and arranged for measuring angles formed between a first inclinometer disposed in proximity to a patient joint and a second inclinometer disposed distal to the joint during controlled patient movements of the joint. A plurality of measuring electrodes are coupleable in proximity to the patient's spine along the body portion that moves along the joint. The measuring electrodes are configured and arranged for measuring action potentials along patient muscle groups during the controlled patient movements of the joint and transmitting the measured action potentials to a dynamic surface electromyograph (“sEMG”) module. A hub receives and processes data from the inclinometers and the dynamic sEMG module. A visual display is configured and arranged for receiving and displaying the processed data. |
| US09808171B2 |
Utilization of electrode spatial arrangements for characterizing cardiac conduction conditions
A system and method are provided for determining electrophysiological data. The system comprises an electronic control unit that is configured to receive electrical signals from a set of electrodes, receive position and orientation data for the set of electrodes from a mapping system, compensate for position and orientation artifacts of the set of electrodes, compose cliques of a subset of neighboring electrodes in the set of electrodes, determine catheter orientation independent information of a target tissue, and output the orientation independent information to a display. The method comprising receiving electrogram data for a set of electrodes (80), compensating for artifacts in sensor positions in the mapping system (81), resolving the bipolar signals into a 3D vector electrogram in the mapping system coordinates (82), manipulating observed unipolar voltage signals and the tangent component of the e-field to estimate the conduction velocity vector (83), and outputting the catheter orientation independent information (84). |
| US09808167B2 |
Systems, devices, and methods for determining severity of a stenosis within a luminal organ in the presence of a catheter
Systems, devices, and methods for obtaining fractional flow reserve in the presence of a catheter. In a method of determining a fractional flow reserve in the presence of a catheter, the method comprises the steps of obtaining measurements of an inner luminal organ diameter proximal to, at, and distal to a stenosis and a length of the stenosis, obtaining a pressure drop measurement at the stenosis, calculating a volumetric flow of fluid through the inner luminal organ at the stenosis, and determining a stenotic pressure drop at the stenosis corresponding to dimensions of the guidewire as a function of the calculated volumetric flow of fluid through the inner luminal organ at the stenosis, wherein the stenotic pressure drop is indicative of a fractional flow reserve at or near the stenosis. |
| US09808162B2 |
Pulse wave sensor and semiconductor module
A pulse wave sensor includes: a white LED emitting white light to a human body; a G sensor converting, into a first electrical signal, green light included in light emitted from the white LED and reflected within the human body; an R sensor converting, into a second electrical signal, red light included in the light emitted from the white LED and reflected within the human body; and an arithmetic control unit configured to generate a signal showing a heart rate based on a level difference between the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal. Therefore, a distance between the G sensor and the R sensor does not have to be increased, so that an apparatus can be reduced in size. |
| US09808158B2 |
Device and method for the non-invasive measurement of state of tension, biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of surfaces of soft biological tissues
A device and method for the non-invasive measurement of state of tension, biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of surfaces of soft biological tissues includes electronic, digital and mechanical elements and sensors, and a testing end. The elements within the housing can subject the testing end to a mechanical impulse force, and can sense the movement of the testing end. The testing end has a contact surface which can be adhered to the surface of the soft biological tissue, and subjected to a mechanical force in a direction parallel to the surface. |
| US09808155B2 |
Apparatus to detect amyloid in a patient user's retina in a diagnosis, advancement and prognosis of alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, macular degeneration and a plurality of neurodegenerative disorders and ocular diseases
An eye imaging apparatus to produce an image of an eye of a patient user is disclosed. The eye imaging apparatus may include a video camera, a slit lamp chinrest, a camera housing, a plurality of illumination source optics and a processing system. The eye imaging apparatus may also include a video camera, a plurality of video camera optics, a camera housing, a microscope assembly, a plurality of illumination source optics and a floor base. The eye imaging apparatus may be utilized in combination with one or more contrasting agents. The eye imaging apparatus may detect amyloid-beta plaque, amyloid or amyloid-beta peptide by a spectral signature. |
| US09808150B2 |
Image processing apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium storing program
An image processing apparatus includes: a tomographic image acquisition unit that acquires a first tomographic image of a subject's eye captured at a first time point that is a past time point; a tomographic image capturing unit that acquires a second tomographic image of the subject's eye captured at a second time point later than the first time point; and an image display control unit that, if one image capturing region of an image capturing region of the first tomographic image and an image capturing region of the second tomographic image is larger than the other image capturing region, performs control to provide, on an image display portion, a display of both a tomographic image of only a partial region of the one image capturing region which is a corresponding region corresponding to the other image capturing region and a tomographic image of the other image capturing region. |
| US09808147B2 |
Image processing apparatus and endoscope
An image processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes an illuminating section which sequentially irradiates an object with first and second illuminating light beams polarized in first and second directions. First and second polarization images are generated based on signals representing light transmitted through polarizers having the polarization transmission axis in respective directions that are parallel to, and intersect with, the first direction while the object is being irradiated with the first illuminating light beam, and third and fourth polarization images are generated based on signals representing light transmitted through polarizers having the polarization transmission axis in respective directions that are parallel to, and intersect with, the second direction while the object is being irradiated with the second illuminating light beam. A depressed object surface region is detected based on the first and second polarization images and/or the third and fourth polarization images. |
| US09808142B2 |
Covering for a medical scoping device
The present invention relates to a cover having a plurality of moveable, external, angled projecting elements for use with flexible medical scoping devices such as endoscopesor enteroscopes. The invention includes the cover with an over cuff and use of the disposable removable covering in methods of medical scoping procedures or examinations. The invention also includes an applicator for assisting in placing the covering about or over a medical device and a kit of parts. |
| US09808140B2 |
Steerable segmented endoscope and method of insertion
A system for determining the shape of a surgical instrument includes an elongate instrument body having a selectively steerable distal tip, a pair of automatically controlled segments proximal to the selectively steerable distal tip, and a joint that couples the pair of adjacent automatically controlled segments together. An actuator changes an angle of the joint and a position encoder provides information associated with the joint angle. A controller receives the information associated with the angle of the joint and generates a three dimensional model of a shape of the instrument. A method for determining the three dimensional shape of an instrument includes providing axial position data to a controller, providing angular position data to the controller from a respective segment controller, and generating a three-dimensional model of a shape of said instrument using the axial position data and the angular position data. |
| US09808132B2 |
Ventilation assembly
A ventilation assembly for removing odors from a toilet includes a seat that may be hingedly attached to a toilet such that the seat may be sat upon. A venting unit is operationally coupled to the seat such that the venting unit may capture odors from the toilet and expel the odors to a remote location. |
| US09808126B2 |
Showerhead water collection device
A showerhead water collection device includes an arc hanging element and a pipeline. The arc hanging element includes a fastener, an arc hook, a temperature sensing element, a temperature display device and a through hole. The fastener is for fixing the arc hanging element to a seat or a wall; the arc hook is for hanging the showerhead; the temperature sensing element is for sensing the temperature of water outputted from the showerhead and displaying the water temperature on the temperature display device; the through hole is formed at the bottom inside the arc hanging element for collecting the water outputted from the showerhead; and the pipeline is coupled to the bottom of the arc hanging element for receiving the water outputted from the through hole through the connecting portion. The invention has the effects of fixing the showerhead, facilitating water connection, and preventing unnecessary waste of water resource. |
| US09808125B2 |
Vertically adjustable shower caddy and method for tensioning same
A vertically adjustable shower caddy system comprising a tension pole, a number of shelves and a number of securing element for attaching and reattaching the shelves and accessories to the tension pole. The tension pole is installed using an integrated tensioning mechanism allowing extension of the top and bottom extremities as to apply tension to the bath or shower floor and ceiling. The securing element uses clips that are opened and closed when attaching and reattaching the shelves to the tension pole rail. Repositioning a shelf to a new location on the tension pole therefore does not require the removal of the tension pole from a shower stall or bathtub/shower area, thereby saving a user a significant amount of time and effort. |
| US09808123B1 |
Shoe assembly
The present invention support devices and shoe assembly are for an article that is adjacent to a sink margin, the present invention provides a storage solution for the article and holds the article in an upright position, thereby helping to prevent seepage and loss of soap fluids from the article and also directs sponge drainage either into a sink or a container. The present invention works on sinks that are either under-mounted or drop-in sinks, or can be positioned adjacent to a sink on the countertop. The present invention is easily movable, can be placed in multiple locations, can be easily cleaned and function without the need for suction cups or other attachments. When the article is being used, the present invention is out of the way resulting in minimal conflict with the use and activity around the sink, thereby allowing maximum unimpeded use of the sink area. |
| US09808122B2 |
Device for cracking an egg
A device for cracking eggs is provided. The device has a generally flat blade portion secured to an arched base portion. The generally flat blade portion is used to cut or crack the egg. The generally flat blade portion is perpendicularly secured to the arched base portion wherein the arched base portion mirrors the arc of the exterior surface of an average egg. A user uses the generally flat blade portion to strike the egg. The arched base portion stops the generally flat blade portion from penetrating the egg past a predetermined point. In some embodiments, a padded attachment or a spring loaded contact surface may be secured to the arched base portion and may prevent the device from over-cutting or cracking the egg. In alternative embodiments, the back of the arched base portion has a loop for securing a finger. Finally, a handle may be secured to the arched base portion to easily grasp the device. |
| US09808117B2 |
Tool for forming a three dimensional article or container
A forming tool assembly and method for forming a cooking element. The forming tool assembly has an upper tool assembly and a lower tool assembly that cooperate to shape the cooking element from an annular cutout. |
| US09808116B1 |
Camp stove
A stove that has tiered wings allowing for different sized cooking pots, and that is fully collapsible based on tab-in-slot construction, allowing for completely flat storage and easy replacement of panels. |
| US09808111B2 |
Device for preparing a drink extracted from a capsule
Devices for preparing a drink extracted from a capsule include a capsule mounting and a capsule housing, inside of which at least one water inlet and a capsule-boring means are arranged, wherein the housing is sized so as to at least partially deform any capsule, consisting of a material that is deformable when placed in contact with hot water and placed in the housing, such that the capsule is retained in the housing after the contact thereof with the hot water. |
| US09808110B2 |
Disposable combined squeezer/stirrer/dispenser/brewer device
A disposable packaging form is provided for brewed, hot drinks. The invention allows a user to brew the hot drink, squeeze out the brewed contents, and stir the contents of the hot drink. Each action can be performed multiple times before disposal. In some embodiments, the device of the present invention dispenses sweeteners, creamers, flavorings and condiments. The present invention frees the user of the inconvenience of having to collect, wash, or dispose of the stirrers, squeezers and bags of the hot drink individually. |
| US09808109B2 |
Programmable heating circulator
A sous-vide circulator cooker temperature control device that includes a motor module which can be replaced by users when the motor fails. The circulator cooker temperature control device includes an outer portion, an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion. The upper portion includes a programmable controller storing one or more codes that represent cooking temperatures and times selectable by a user. The controller can be programmed to receive additional codes. The controller includes a speaker and a voice assist algorithm configured to alert users of events. |
| US09808108B1 |
Automated pasta dispensing device with ball valve
A device for making and dispensing pasta comprises: a pressure cooking vessel; and a ball valve assembly comprising: i) a valve body coupled to a top opening of the vessel, and ii) a rotatable ball securely located within the valve body and rotatable between an open position and a closed position, the ball having a bore, wherein in the open position the bore provides access to the top opening of the vessel, and in the closed position the ball hermetically seals the top opening. The device also includes a means for dropping pasta through the bore and into the vessel; a means for rotating the ball to the closed position; a means for heating the interior volume of the vessel to cook the pasta; and a means for providing egress of the pasta from the device after the vessel has cooked the pasta. |
| US09808107B2 |
Portable steam-producing apparatus and methods of making and using the same
A portable steam-producing apparatus is disclosed. Methods of making and using portable steam-producing apparatus are also disclosed. |
| US09808106B1 |
Safe rotatable mailbox
A safe rotatable apparatus for supporting a rural roadside mailbox and for providing a simple, low-cost, highly rugged mounting structure which is less subject to damage due to impact from passing vehicles. The apparatus returns to its original position after a side impact. It is made of a typical mailbox; a top structural member; (c) a manner to connect the mailbox to the member; strengthening gussets attached to an outer sleeve connected to the top member and a way for connecting gussets to the top member; the outer sleeve having an opening for a pivot rod; the pivot rod held to the outer sleeve; an inner post with a rotational “sinusoidal” slice at the top end of inner post and an opening for a locking bar at the bottom of the inner post; the locking bar and a way for ballasting the locking bar such as concrete. |
| US09808105B2 |
Carrying case
A carrying case for storing items in a work environment includes a bag element for accommodating items having an access opening at the upper side when the bag element is in its position of use, and a dimensionally stable support frame to which an upper edge region of the bag element in the bag element's position of use is fixed in such a way that the access opening of the bag element is accessible through the support frame. A dimensionally stable holding bracket having a first projection and a second projection is provided on the support frame, permitting the carrying case to be hung from a board-like furniture element in such a way that the first projection makes contact with an upper side of the furniture element and the second projection makes contact with an underside of the furniture element. |
| US09808104B1 |
One-piece construction chopsticks
A one-piece construction chopsticks including symmetrical first and second portions connected to each other by a parallelepiped resilient member at a rear end thereof in a mirror image configuration. A hook on the second portion aligns and maintains positioning of the first and second portions and limits the size of an opening between a bottom side thereof. A pair of parallelelepiped rails perpendicularly disposed on a lower segment of the first portion guides and aligns the first and second portions. Interchangeable implements, such as a spoon, a fork, and a gripping tool, is attachable to the bottom side of each of the first and second portions. Thus, the present chopsticks secure a food particle between the gripping tools without the time and effort involved in developing the skills necessary to use conventional chopsticks, while also permitting the interchangeable use of an eating utensil, such as a spoon and a fork. |
| US09808103B2 |
Eating utensil
A food utensil having a handle portion and a food engagement portion, the food engagement portion includes one or more member(s) disposed about the periphery of the food engagement portion, whereby the one or more member(s) define a food engagement region. The utensil is suitable for use by young children. |
| US09808102B2 |
Travel container having drinking orifice and vent aperture
A container is provided with a lid having a push-button trigger mechanism that operates both a drink seal for a drinking opening and a vent seal for a vent opening. The trigger translates in a straight line transverse to a longitudinal axis of the container body during the entire movement of the trigger to define a straight-line actuation stroke. The vent opening is initially opened during a first portion of the actuation stroke of the trigger, and the drink opening is initially opened during a second portion of the actuation stroke of the trigger. |
| US09808101B2 |
Travel beverage container
A lid assembly for a beverage container having a lid housing, a seal assembly and a trigger member. The seal assembly has a drink seal to close the drink aperture. The seal assembly is rotatedly connected to the lid housing and movable between a use position and a cleaning position to allow the drink aperture to be open for cleaning. The trigger member is connected to the lid housing and is capable of engaging the seal assembly in the use position, but it cannot engage the seal assembly in the cleaning position. Additionally, a trigger lock is connected to the lid housing to prevent engagement of the seal assembly by the trigger member when the trigger lock is locked. The trigger lock may also contain a visual indicator to indicate that the lock is in the locked position. |
| US09808096B1 |
Water impervious chair cushion
A cushion includes a cushion shell formed to define a fill receiving cavity and a cushion fill that resides within the fill receiving cavity. The cushion shell includes a shell upper surface, at least one shell side surface and a bottom surface. The shell upper surface is generally oriented parallel to a first plane. The shell upper surface does not include any seams and is fabricated from at least one water impervious material. The at least one shell side surface is generally oriented parallel to a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. The shell side surface is fabricated from the at least one water impervious material. The shell bottom surface is generally oriented parallel to the first plane. The shell bottom surface is fabricated from a water pervious material and is joined to the side surface along a bottom edge seam. |
| US09808095B2 |
Bed bug protection device
A bed covering device for protecting humans, animals and objects from crawling pests such as bed bugs. The device includes a top component for contacting the top surface of bedding such as a mattress or box spring. The top component includes barrier material suitable for preventing pests from biting humans or animals resting on the bedding. The device further includes a fitted side skirt joined to the periphery of the top component and having a slippery, i.e., low friction, exterior surface that hinders bed bugs and similar pests from climbing up the covered bedding and gaining access to humans, animals, or objects resting atop the bedding. The device may be part of a system including pillow protectors, headboard and/or footboard protectors for preventing contact by traditional bed coverings with walls or bed structures that may be infested by bed bugs. |
| US09808094B2 |
All truss foundation unit, method of making the same and foundation unit kit
An all truss foundation unit, method of making the foundation unit, and a foundation unit kit. The foundation unit is formed of multiple cross trusses interconnected by bridging top and bottom side rails. This results in a flat surface on both the top and the bottom of the foundation unit. The kit is formed of a plurality of the trusses and four side rails, with the trusses and side rails being oriented together with their longitudinal dimensions aligned in a generally parallel orientation and with at least some of their flat sides in contact with one another. When the foundation unit is constructed, a truss locator guide is provided on at least two of the side rails, and the cross trusses are oriented in a parallel, spaced relationship in accordance with the truss locator guide. |
| US09808089B2 |
Collapsible chair with collapsible back support
A collapsible chair includes a collapsible seat having a front portion and an opposing rear portion and a collapsible back. The collapsible back includes a first back support member and a second back support member. Each of the first back support member and the second back support member includes an arcuate portion extending toward the front portion of the collapsible seat. A back membrane is coupled to the back support members and spans a distance between the back support members. |
| US09808088B2 |
Chair with a frame with tubular elements
A chair with a frame with tubular elements, which comprises two inverted V-shaped elements that form the front legs and rear legs, are parallel and are joined substantially at their inner curvature to a rod-like crossmember, two L-shaped elements connected by the crossmember on which they are arranged in a parallel configuration so as to form a support for the back and for the seat, respectively with first substantially vertical portions thereof and second substantially horizontal portions. |
| US09808087B1 |
Sun-bathing mat with integrated angled headrest
The sunbathing mat with integrated angled headrest is adapted for use in sunbathing. The sunbathing mat with integrated angled headrest is a portable sunbed that is further equipped with a thermal pocket that is adapted for use in storing beverages and one or more photovoltaic cells that are adapted to provide power through a USB port. The sunbathing mat with integrated angled headrest comprises a mat, a thermal pocket, one or more photovoltaic cells, a USB port, and a voltage regulator. |
| US09808080B2 |
Portable height-adjustable tabletop assembly and method of adjusting a height of the same
A portable tabletop assembly includes a horizontal tabletop, first and second pairs of legs for supporting the tabletop on a horizontal surface, a first crossbeam, and a height lock. Each pair of legs includes a first leg and a second leg pivotably connected to one another. Each leg has a first leg end, and a second leg end slidably coupled to the tabletop. The first crossbeam connects the first leg of the first pair of legs to the first leg of the second pair of legs. The height lock is engageable at infinite positions between raised and storage positions to inhibit horizontal sliding of the first crossbeam and the second leg ends of the first legs to fix a height of the tabletop above the horizontal surface. A method of adjusting the height of a portable tabletop assembly is also disclosed. |
| US09808079B2 |
Height adjustable desk system and method
A height adjustable desk can include a work surface; and at least one leg assembly connected to the work surface. The at least one leg assembly can include: a first member; and a second member moveable relative to the first member along a longitudinal axis; and a counterbalance mechanism connected to the desk and configured to counteract a force exerted on the work surface. The counterbalance mechanism can include: a wheel; a gas spring having a cylinder and a moveable piston; a wheel moveably connected to the gas spring; and the tension member is connected to the leg assembly. |
| US09808075B1 |
Portable carrier for non-rigid containers
A simple, portable carrier for a non-rigid container such as a plastic bag or sack that permits container to remain open for filling with articles or materials while serving as a carrying handle, especially suitable for highway crew members cleaning debris over long stretches of roadway. Device is comprised of a rigid member such as a hollow rod (tube), snug-fitting end caps, and end cap retaining bands. A segment of the open end of container is entrapped at each end of rigid member and held in place by friction between end caps and each end of rigid member. The device is reusable and is small enough to be carried in a pocket or on a belt loop. |
| US09808071B2 |
Apparatus for dispensing cosmetic material
An apparatus is provided for dispensing cosmetic material. The apparatus includes a dispensing assembly configured to receive at least one cartridge that contains a cosmetic material and to dispense a specified amount of the cosmetic material from the cartridge into a receiving area; a memory configured to receive and store dispensing information which includes the specified amount of the cosmetic material to be dispensed for each cartridge disposed in the dispensing assembly to achieve a specified single use of a cosmetic application; and circuitry configured to obtain the dispensing information from the memory and to control the dispensing assembly to dispense the cosmetic material from each cartridge disposed in the dispensing assembly into the receiving area according to the one or more specified amounts included in the dispensing information. |
| US09808070B2 |
Apparatus and methods for providing samples external to the packaging of a product
Apparatus and methods for providing samples (e.g., cosmetic samples) with primary product packages (e.g., cosmetic product packages) exterior to the primary product package. |
| US09808067B2 |
Attachment for a handheld appliance
An attachment for a handheld appliance, the attachment having a first end for connection to the appliance and a second end, a first wall extending from the first end towards the second end and defining a fluid flow path through the attachment, a second wall extending from the second end towards the first end about the first wall and defining a second fluid flow path extending between the first wall and the second wall. The first end of the appliance may be substantially circular. The fluid flow path may have a fluid inlet that may be annular at the first end. The fluid inlet may be defined by the first wall and an inner wall extending around and at least partially along the first wall. The inner wall may be substantially equidistant from the first wall around the fluid inlet. A hair care appliance comprises such as attachment. |
| US09808066B2 |
Hand held appliance
A hair care appliance including, a body, a heater, a PCB and a primary fluid flow path extending from a primary fluid inlet into the appliance to a primary fluid outlet out of the body wherein the PCB and heater are in fluid communication with the primary fluid flow path and the PCB is upstream of the heater. A fan unit may be provided and the fan unit is upstream of the heater and may be upstream or downstream of the PCB. A thermal barrier may be provided between the PCB and the heater. The thermal barrier may be in thermal communication with the PCB and functions as a heat sink for the PCB. |
| US09808063B2 |
Heat conducting mechanism for personal care device and personal care device
A heat conducting mechanism for a personal care device comprising: a heat conductor and a mounting rack, wherein, the heat conductor is fixedly mounted on the mounting rack. The heat conductor is an aluminum plate, and a bamboo fiber layer or a carbon fiber layer is arranged at a working face of the heat conductor. According to the disclosure, the aluminum plate and bamboo fibers are combined, and the aluminum plate is easy to form, low in machining requirements and low in material cost. For example, for a using face, the bamboo fibers are additionally arranged at a surface of the aluminum plate. The bamboo fibers have good breathability and high wear resistance, and have the functions of natural antibiosis, bacteriostasis, mite removal, deodorizing and ultraviolet ray resistance, and thus the effect of environmental protection is achieved. |
| US09808061B2 |
Hair styling appliance
The invention relates to a hair styling appliance (100, 100′, 100″) comprising at least one heater (103, 104) having a plurality of heating zones (Z1-Z5). The heating zones are independently operable arranged along the length of the heater. The sequential arrangement of the independently operable heating zones helps to improve the thermal control of the hair styling appliance. The hair styling appliance may be a hair straightener, curling tong, curling wand or a crimping iron. |
| US09808060B2 |
Pull handle of luggage
A pull handle of a luggage, which is adapted for accommodating a control device having a button, includes a main body and a cover. The main body has a transverse pipe, two vertical pipes integrally extended from two ends of the transverse pipe respectively, and a hollow portion located at the transverse pipe. The cover is mounted to the main body and covers at least one part of the hollow portion. The cover and the transverse pipe constitute a grip which has an opening corresponding in position to the button of the control device. In this way, the pull handle is not only firm in structure so as to be uneasily damaged and have long life time, but also simplified in assembling process. |
| US09808057B2 |
Material of storage device, storage device and a bag thereof
The present invention discloses a material of storage device, a storage device and a bag of the same. The material of storage device comprise a composite layer composed of polyurethane layer, polyurethane-polyurea copolymer layer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer layer materials. The storage device is formed by the above material, which can be folded in vertical direction and/or horizontal direction; the storage device has a plurality of cavity-shaped storage chamber. A bag formed by the storage device is disclosed. The material and structure of the present invention has the features of waterproof, light weight, proper hardness, capability to fold, high wearing feature, scratch resistant. The storing spatial pattern of the said storage device could be adjusted when needed; it could effectively protect the stored items. The provided bag could be opened partially, allowing quickly and conveniently access to the stored items, the storage space in the bag is designed for a better protection of stored items. |
| US09808054B2 |
Wearable electronic apparatus providing sensory feedback
Wearable electronic apparatus providing sensory feedback is provided. The wearable electronic apparatus has master beads that can power slave beads. The beads have electronic circuitry enabling visual, auditory or haptic feedback to be initiated by the master beads. Master beads of one unit of a wearable electronic apparatus communicate with master beads of another unit of another apparatus. In the presence or proximity of an authorized apparatus, the master bead causes the slave beads to provide a user with sensory feedback. |
| US09808053B2 |
Magnetic clasp for jewelry
A magnetic clasp for jewelry has a first and a second coupling part each having a magnet and an abutment surface which are pulled against one another by a magnetic force of attraction when closed. The two coupling parts each have a fastening element for fastening jewelry and predefine a pulling direction when closed. The first coupling part defines a receptacle for the second coupling part to engage when the clasp is closed. The second coupling part has an undercut which forms an interlock acting against the pulling direction. The abutment surfaces are at an incline to the pulling direction and the first coupling part forms a sliding surface which, when the clasp is closed and pressure acts on the second coupling part oppositely to the pulling direction, allows a displacement of the second coupling part relative to the first coupling part, thus opening the clasp. |
| US09808051B1 |
Removable fastener for a loop shank button
An improved one-piece fastener for retaining a loop shank button in the buttonhole of a garment. The fastener is in the form of a planar disk having a solid margin and a central portion within the margin that is notched to define a pair of mutually parallel deflectable legs sized and spaced to permit their partial insertion through the loop shank of the button. The legs of the fastener are contoured to define a detent position in which the loop shank seats to securely attach the fastener to the loop shank and thereby retain the loop shank button in the buttonhole of the garment. One longitudinal end of the fastener margin is provided with an extension or tab by which a user can conveniently grasp the fastener during its installation and removal. |
| US09808049B2 |
Clamping device for a cable closure system
A clamping device for a cable closure system. The clamping device (1) includes a supporting base (2), a pulley (3), operatively associable with a closure cable, and a handle (4), connected integrally to the pulley (3) and manually activatable. The clamping device (1) includes first and second retaining means (5,6) operatively engageable with a toothed surface (331) of the pulley (3) and control means (7), separate from said handle (4). The retaining means (5,6) and the control means (7) are operatively associated with one another so as to be able to obtain a complete release or a controlled release of the clamping tension of the closure cable. |
| US09808039B2 |
Glove and production process thereof
The present invention reduces the minimum detectable volume of a piece of a glove in the detection using a metal detector. A glove made of a rubber or resin film which contains magnetic particles, wherein the quantity of the magnetic particles is 0.2 to less than 40 mass % relative to the whole of the film; and the magnetic particles comprise secondary particles formed by the agglomeration of primary particles. |
| US09808037B2 |
Urination relief hatch for waterproof waders and foul weather gear
A waterproof pair of pants and/or waders includes a sealable opening for relief of bodily fluids. A rigid frame is sealed in a waterproof manner to the pair of pants and/or waders forming a frame aperture. A rigid lid is pivotably connected to the frame. A seal is disposed between the frame and the lid forming a waterproof closure when the lid is in a closed position. An optional rigid backing forms a backing aperture, wherein a first surface of the backing and a back side surface of the frame capture there between the waterproof material. An optional roughened surface can be disposed on the first surface of the backing, on the back side surface of the frame or on the wader material itself. At least one adhesive bond is disposed between the back side surface of the frame and the waterproof material, and/or, between the first surface of the backing and the waterproof material. The backing aperture is equal to or greater in surface area in comparison to the frame aperture. |
| US09808034B2 |
Electronic cigarette
An electronic cigarette includes a battery assembly and an atomizer assembly within a housing with the battery assembly electrically connected to the atomizer assembly. The housing has one or more air inlets. A liquid storage component is in contact with a porous component of the atomizer assembly, with the porous component having a run-through hole. A heating wire is in an air flow path through the run-through hole. |
| US09808031B2 |
Systems and methods to estimate nutritional needs of human and other patients
Systems, techniques and methods for estimating the metabolic state or flux, e.g., the body energy state (“BES”) of a patient, are disclosed. The BES provides deep insight into the nutritional needs of the patient, thus allowing for a sort of exquisite glycemic control with regard to the patient. The invention discloses systems and methods for estimating fractional gluconeogenesis, which is the % of glucose production that comes from gluconeogenesis (“GNG”), as opposed to glycogenolysis (“GLY”), the other form of glucose production. Nutritional formulations, materials, cocktails and methods for feeding patients by parenteral and other means are disclosed. The amount, type and rate of such nutritional feeding are typically based upon the above estimating. The invention discloses formulations that contain labels, such as deuterium, for medical diagnostics, such as for estimating BES and fractional gluconeogenesis. The invention is suitable for any sort of patient, including those who are injured, such as with traumatic brain injury, ill, or have other conditions that stress the metabolic system. |
| US09808030B2 |
Salt composition
A low sodium salt composition and method for manufacture are provided. The composition generally includes salt, such as sodium chloride, and one or more crystallization interrupters. The composition is in the form of amorphous particles, optionally in combination with other ingredients. |
| US09808027B2 |
Methods for promoting health or wellness in adult animals
Methods for promoting health or wellness, regulating food intake, and increasing nitrogen retention in an adult animal by feeding the animal a food containing lysine in an amount of at least about 3% by weight of total protein. Also, kits containing lysine and a food suitable for consumption in separate packages and instructions for how to combine the lysine and food are provided. |
| US09808025B2 |
Film-coating apparatus
The invention relates to a film-coating apparatus (1) for coating foods with a coating material, more particularly with sugar solution or with a solution based on sugar substitute, having a housing (2), a coating chamber (9) within the housing (2), in which a delivery means (6) for delivering the coating material can be placed, and having a circulating belt (3) which in sections forms part of the walls of the coating chamber (9) and is provided as a bearing surface for the foods. The invention relates more particularly to a film-coating apparatus in which the belt (3) has a multiplicity of gas ports (30) which are designed for the accelerated solidification of the coating material. |
| US09808023B2 |
Process for producing purified tea extract
Provided is a process for producing a tea extract having a high recovery rate of non-polymer catechins, a low caffeine content and an improved taste and color tone. As one embodiment of this invention provides, there is provided a process for producing a purified tea extract by adsorbing a tea extract on a synthetic adsorbent, bringing an aqueous solution of an organic solvent or a basic aqueous solution into contact with the synthetic adsorbent to elute non-polymer catechins, and then bringing the eluate into contact with activated carbon in an aqueous solution of an organic solvent. |
| US09808021B2 |
Systems and methods for ozone treatment of grain in grain piles
Systems and methods for treating grain stored in a grain pile with ozone are effective for treating grain for toxins, insects, mold, and/or odor. A method according to embodiments of the invention involves monitoring at least one of temperature and odor at a plurality of aeration outlet locations spaced around the grain pile. When an abnormal temperature variance or odor is detected at one or more of the aeration outlet locations, a determination is made as to a problem location within the grain pile where a treatment of ozone should be applied, and a further determination is made as to how best to apply ozone to the problem location. Ozone is then applied to the problem location within the grain pile to minimize nascent problems in the grain pile. The ozone treatment may reduce molds and toxins. |
| US09808019B2 |
Method and system for harvesting knee meat together with thigh meat from a poultry leg
A method and a corresponding system for harvesting knee meat and thigh meat from a whole leg poultry product are disclosed. The method includes providing a leg product having a thigh, a drumstick, a knee and a transverse cut at the knee. The thigh and the drumstick are connected to each other and the knee cap is intact, creating a drumstick side cut plane and a thigh side cut plane, with the leg product suspended from a poultry product carrier, arranging it adjacent to a counter element, with the drumstick side cut plane facing the counter element, bringing a knee cap scraper in engagement with the leg product adjacent to the knee cap and the counter element with the leg product at the rear of the knee cap, moving the knee cap past the knee cap scraper while the counter element engages the leg product at the rear of the knee cap, therewith scraping knee meat from the knee cap while leaving the knee meat connected to the thigh, after the scraping step the knee meat and thigh meat being present on a first side of the knee cap scraper and the knee cap on a second side. |
| US09808018B2 |
Alpha-amylase variants
A variant polypeptide having alpha-amylase activity, wherein the variant has an amino acid sequence which, when aligned with the alpha-amylase comprising the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, comprises at least one substitution of an amino acid residue.Such a variant polypeptide may be used in the preparation of a baked product. |
| US09808016B2 |
Pesticide composition for shortening the virus lethal time
The present invention provides a method of shortening pesticidal time of the baculovirus to pest, comprising: (1) preparing a pesticide composition; (2) diluting the pesticide composition 100-3000 times; and (3) spraying the diluted pesticide composition on third or older instars in fields; wherein the pesticide composition comprises: (a) a ryanodine receptor insecticide or a diamides insecticide and (b) baculovirus, wherein the concentration of the ryanodine receptor insecticide or the diamides insecticide is 0.01-75% and the concentration of the nucleopolyhedrovirus is 107-1012 PIB/ml. The pesticide composition of the present invention can effectively reduce the lethal time to the pest compared to the baculovirus alone, and also can increase the control effect of the pest compared to the same concentration of the insecticide, when applied in field. |
| US09808014B2 |
Active-powder biocidal composition comprising at least one copper salt and at least one zinc salt and the method for the production thereof
Active-powder biocidal composition comprising at least one copper salt and at least one zinc salt such that the molar ratio between the copper salt and the zinc salt is within the range of 10 to 1 and each copper and zinc salt, separately, has a solubility constant (Kps) within the range from a value greater than or equal to 1*10-20 to a value less than or equal to 9*10-6. Also included is the biocidal composition that comprises the active-powder composition and a polymer, and the method for the production of said biocidal composition, which comprises: thoroughly mixing the salts in such a manner as to obtain a homogeneous distribution of an active-powder biocidal composition; controlling the mixing temperature such that it remains at approximately less than 50° C.; and mixing the resulting mixture of active powders with a polymer. |
| US09808011B2 |
Pentacyclic triterpene compounds and uses thereof
Disclosed herein is a PEGylated bis pentacyclic triterpene, compositions comprising the PEGylated bis pentacyclic triterpene, methods of preparing the PEGylated bis pentacyclic triterpene, and a method of treating or preventing a fungal disease in a plant using the compounds and compositions disclosed herein. The PEGylated bis pentacyclic triterpene has the formula A-P-B, wherein A is a first pentacyclic triterpene; B is a second pentacyclic triterpene; and P is a polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecule. |
| US09808009B2 |
Dazomet compositions
A solid body of dazomet for use in internal remedial treatments of wood and methods of applying such solid bodies to wooden structures and manufacturing such solid bodies. The solid bodies can be easily transported and inserted into treatment holes in utility poles, wooden pilings, and other wooden structures, delivering a dose of insecticide and fungicide that combats internal decay in the wood. |
| US09808008B2 |
Synergistic pesticidal compositions and related methods
A pesticidal composition comprises a synergistically effective amount of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) allosteric activator compound and a pesticide selected from N-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethyl-3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio) propanamide (I), N-(3-chloro-1-(pyridine-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethyl-3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)sulfinyl) propanamide (II), or any agriculturally acceptable salt thereof. A method of controlling pests comprises applying the pesticidal composition near a population of pests. A method of protecting a plant from infestation and attack by insects comprises contacting the plant with the synergistic pesticidal composition. |
| US09808006B2 |
Insecticidal phenyl-or pyridyl-piperdine compounds
A compound of formula (I) wherein A, p, R1, R3, R4, R5, R6, m, R7, n and R8 are as defined in claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates to intermediates used to prepare compounds of formula (I), to methods of using them to combat and control insect, acarine, nematode and mollusc pests and to insecticidal, acaricidal, nematicidal and molluscicidal compositions comprising them. |
| US09808001B1 |
Microbicidal composition
A synergistic microbicidal composition having two components. The first component is a nonionic surfactant with structure: R2O(CH2CH(CH3)O)3(CH2CH2O)5H, where R2 is a mixture of C8-C14 linear alkyl groups. The second component is 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol. The weight ratio of the nonionic surfactant to 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol is from 1:0.08 to 1:0.12 or 1:0.2 to 1:1.8286. |
| US09808000B2 |
Water dispersible granules
Water dispersible granules are provided containing (a) an agrochemical active ingredient that is solid at 25° C., (b) a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether phosphate or its salt, (c) at least one anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of arylsulfonates or their formaldehyde condensates, ligninsulfonates, and polycarboxylates, and (d) lactose. The granules are water dispersible granules having good disintegrability and dispersibility in water and also having good storage stability. The water dispersible granules can be disintegrated and dispersed in a small amount of water. Accordingly, the water dispersible granules can be mixed with paste fertilizers to produce agrochemical-containing paste fertilizers, which can also be used in paddy fields and are useful water dispersible granules. |
| US09807996B1 |
Bug eater
A drone with a high-voltage trap seeks, identifies, pursues and destroys flying insects within a patrolling area. During its passive attracting mode, the drone lands on a designated ground site and attracts insects with light, sound, and scents. Once insects are lured, the high voltage screens trap will immediately electrocute targeted insects. In its active offensive mode, the drone hovers closer to insect nests using its high-velocity propellers, producing strong downdraft jet streams to disturb the nest and force insects, such as mosquitoes and the like, to evacuate their nest. Once insects are airborne, the drone pursues fleeing insects from below or behind, making use of its propellers and vacuuming the fleeing insects. Slow flying insects that come in contact with the high-voltage electrified screens are immediately electrocuted. Insects that are vacuumed into the fast-spinning propellers blades are knocked down and killed. A rectified charging pad recharges the drone batteries. |
| US09807992B2 |
Crankbait tuning device
Disclosed herein is a crankbait tuning device comprising a main lever arm comprising a first main lever arm major side, a second main lever arm major side, and a first handle portion, the first lever arm major side comprising a first interlocking portion and a main lever arm threaded portion; a torque setting knob comprising a mating threaded portion, wherein the mated threaded portion is attached to the main lever arm threaded portion in mated threaded fashion; an opposing lever arm comprising a second handle portion and a first jaw portion, the opposing lever arm pivotally attached to the main lever arm; and a movable lever arm comprising a first movable lever arm major side and a second movable lever arm major side, wherein the first movable lever arm major side comprises a second jaw portion and a second interlocking portion, wherein the movable lever arm first major side is disposed between the torque setting knob and the main lever arm and pivotally attached to the main lever arm such that the first interlocking portion is contacted with and engaged with the second interlocking portion. |
| US09807990B2 |
Double bearing reel
One object is to provide a double bearing reel that allows a fingertip gripping the reel body to be retained well in reeling out and in a fishing line thereby to provide better grip retention of the reel body. A double bearing reel according to the present invention includes a reel body having left and right side plates. A concave finger retainer is provided in an edge of at least one of outer circumferential surfaces of the left and right side plates to retain a thick of a fingertip of a hand gripping and holding the reel body. |
| US09807983B2 |
Device control method for estimating a state of an animal and for determining a control detail for an electronic device
An electronic device including: a living thing state estimator that determines whether or not at least an animal other than a human is present in a space based on information on the space in which the electronic device is disposed, and estimates a state of the animal that is determined to be present; and a control detail determiner that determines a control detail for the electronic device, according to a result of the determination or the estimated state of the animal. |
| US09807979B2 |
Explosive and narcotics detection dog training with vapour or aerosol air impregnation
The present invention provides devices and methods for the impregnation of air with the vapor or aerosol of a substance in a ‘controllable manner to enable the testing or training of detection means to evaluate and quantify the presence of the substance in an enclosed volume, and iη• particular to enable production of training aids and quality assurance test items for use in canine-olfaction based security screening. |
| US09807976B2 |
Closeable container cap
A closeable container cap device that is adapted to releasably connect to litter containers such that when the closeable container cap is screwed on to the litter container opening, the closeable container cap allows for the controllable dispensing of litter from litter container. |
| US09807974B2 |
Double-gripper for the application of teat cups to an animal to be milked, rinse cup for this and milking machine provided therewith, and a method for milking
This invention is related to a double grab, its rinsing cup and milking machine provided therewith, and the method for automatically applying teat cups to the teats of an udder of an animal to be milked. The double grab according to the invention includes: —a first housing part provided with a first magnet designed to hold a first teat cup; —a second housing part, installed substantially in a horizontal plane next to the first housing part, provided with a second magnet designed to hold a second teat cup; —whereby each housing part is provided with separate pivoting means that can be activated and is designed to make the related housing part pivot around a pivoting axis which in use, extends substantially in a horizontal direction, substantially in a widthwise direction of the arm. |
| US09807973B2 |
Double-gripper for the application of teat cups to an animal to be milked, rinse cup for this and milking machine provided therewith, and a method for milking
This invention is related to a double grab, its rinsing cup and milking machine provided therewith, and the method for automatically applying teat cups to the teats of an udder of an animal to be milked. The double grab according to the invention includes:—a first housing part provided with a first magnet designed to hold a first teat cup;—a second housing part, installed substantially in a horizontal plane next to the first housing part, provided with a second magnet designed to hold a second teat cup;—whereby each housing part is provided with separate pivoting means that can be activated and is designed to make the related housing part pivot around a pivoting axis which in use, extends substantially in a horizontal direction, substantially in a widthwise direction of the arm. |
| US09807972B1 |
Vision system with leg detection
A system that includes a three-dimensional (3D) camera configured to capture 3D images of a dairy livestock. The system further includes a memory operable to store a thigh gap detection rule set and a processor operably coupled to the 3D camera and the memory. The processor is configured to obtain the 3D image, to identify one or more regions within the 3D image comprising depth values greater than a depth value threshold, and to apply the thigh gap detection rule set to the one or more regions to identify a thigh gap region. The processor is further configured to demarcate an access region within the thigh gap region. The processor is configured to reduce the width of the access region by shifting a first vertical edge and a second vertical edge of the access region and to determine position information for the first vertical edge and the second vertical edge. |
| US09807971B1 |
Vision system with automatic teat detection
A system including a 3D camera, memory, and a processor. The processor is configured to obtain the 3D image, identify one or more regions within the 3D image comprising depth values greater than a depth value threshold, and apply the thigh gap detection rule set to identify a thigh gap region. The processor is further configured to demarcate an access region within the thigh gap region, demarcate a teat detection region, partition the 3D image within the teat detection region to generate a plurality of image depth planes, and examine each of the plurality of image depth planes. The processor is further configured to identify one or more teat candidates within the image depth plane, apply the teat detection rule set to the one or more teat candidates to identify one or more teats, and determine position information for the one or more teats. |
| US09807964B1 |
Maize inbred PH2RRS
A novel maize variety designated PH2RRS and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH2RRS with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH2RRS 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 PH2RRS or a locus conversion of PH2RRS with another maize variety. |
| US09807959B1 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH541984
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH541984. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH541984, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH541984 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 CH541984. |
| US09807957B1 |
Maize hybrid X70H269
A novel maize variety designated X70H269 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 X70H269 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X70H269 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X70H269, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X70H269. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X70H269. |
| US09807956B1 |
Maize hybrid X05H233
A novel maize variety designated X05H233 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 X05H233 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X05H233 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X05H233, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X05H233. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X05H233. |
| US09807948B2 |
Drip irrigation tube with metering elements inserted therein
A drip irrigation tube is provided with metering elements comprising respectively inlet regions, through which the water in the tube arrives in the metering elements, metering regions, formed by a labyrinth channel, which is delimited by two lateral walls, a cover and the walling of the drip irrigation tube and in which a pressure reduction of the water flowing through takes place, and outlet regions, through which the water emerges out of the drip irrigation tube via outlet openings made in the tube walling. The respective outlet region borders at least on one lateral wall, of the labyrinth channel; at least one region of this lateral wall is covered by an elastic membrane forming a portion of the cover, so that the lateral wall is able to be lifted off of the tube wall by means of the elastic membrane and forms a passage through which the water from the labyrinth channel arrives directly in the outlet region. The water flowing through the metering element can thereby be metered depending upon the water pressure in the drip irrigation tube. |
| US09807947B2 |
Plant cultivating container
A plant cultivating container comprising a hollow cell (10) for holding a growing medium and a plant. The cell has side walls (11), a base (20) and an open top (12). Air vents (30) are disposed on the side walls of the container. The base is vertically-movable base with guide tabs (21) which are extendable though an air vent. When the vertically-movable base is pushed upwards to eject the cultivated plant, the vertical movement is guided by engagement of the tabs within the air vents resulting in uniform support at all sides of the base. This enables the removal of the growing medium and the plant cultivated within it, in a substantially compact unit resulting in minimized root damage and transplant shock to the cultivated plant. The air vents of the plant cultivating container further comprises retaining flaps (31) to aid in the pruning of the roots. |
| US09807946B2 |
Vertical living wall planter
A vertical planter having a partitioned tray, a liner, and a sliding wire support grid, wherein the partitioned tray engages the sliding wire support grid to provide access to the partitioned tray. |
| US09807945B2 |
Illumination apparatus used for plant cultivation
The present invention provides an illumination apparatus for plant cultivation, including a unit configured to change light in any wavelength region of 300 nm or higher and 600 nm or lower (wavelengths of 452 nm to 474 nm, for example) to light in the wavelength region having dominantly a right-circularly polarized light component. The illumination apparatus of the present invention enables irradiation with light that is capable of giving a specific effect in plant cultivation. |
| US09807943B1 |
Handheld apparatus and method for trimming a plant
The present application provides a handheld plant trimming apparatus. The handheld plant trimming apparatus, in one aspect, includes a wand having a longitudinal axis. The wand includes a wand inlet tube defining a void and an elongate slot, an outlet port having a through bore parallel to the wand longitudinal axis and an outlet bore where the outlet bore is in fluid communication with the void, and a handle. A cutting element is contained in the wand inlet tube and coupled to a motor to provide rotative force to the cutting element. A drum is in fluid communication with the wand and a vacuum pulls plant parts that are cut by the cutting element from the wand to the drum. |
| US09807942B2 |
Bale shredder
A bale shredder apparatus may comprise a frame and a bale hopper mounted on the frame and defining an interior bale chamber for receiving a bale to be shredded with a bale feed opening. A bale shredding assembly may be in communication with the bale chamber through the opening to shred a bale in the bale chamber. A side wall of the hopper may be movable away from the primary side wall to permit removal of a bale from the bale chamber. A primary bale movement assembly may move a bale in a lateral direction toward the opening and a secondary bale movement assembly may move the bale in a direction substantially transverse to the lateral direction. A shredding rotor of the shredding assembly may include at least one brace including at least one leg extending outwardly from the outer surface of the rotor. |
| US09807939B1 |
Spiked threshing bar and combine harvester thresher formed therewith
A combine harvester threshing drum spiked threshing bar includes a rigid, integral, unitary threshing fixture having a leading edge, a trailing end, an upstream face, a downstream face, a threshing side, including a trailing threshing face and a leading threshing face, a threshing drum emplacement side, and a threshing spike that extends outwardly from the leading threshing face. |
| US09807938B2 |
Harvesting system having a self-propelled harvesting machine
A self-propelled harvesting machine such as a combine harvester has multiple working units for processing crop picked up from a field, a driver assistance system for the sensor-supported control of the working units, an environmental sensor system for detecting environmental information and spatial areas of applicability located in the environment of the harvesting machine. The driver assistance system has a memory for storing data and a computing unit for processing data, including the data stored in the memory. A functional system model for at least one part of the harvesting machine is stored in the memory. The computing unit functions as a characteristic control on the basis of the system model and autonomously determines machine parameters of at least one working unit and specifies these to the particular working unit. |
| US09807936B2 |
Swath roller with controlled anchoring force
A swath roller apparatus is adapted to be attached to a swather, where the swather is operative to cut standing crop plants and lay cut plants in a swath as the swather moves along the ground in an operating travel direction. A drum is rotatably attached to an axle that is adapted to be movably attached to a rear portion of the swather such that the axle is oriented substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the operating travel direction, and such that the drum moves up and down and rolls along a top of the swath exerting a downward anchoring force on the swath. A bias element is operative to exert a bias force on the axle, and a bias force control is operative to vary the bias force to vary the anchoring force. |
| US09807931B2 |
Monitoring of operating modes for harvesters
A method and control system are disclosed for monitoring operating modes of a harvester. A harvester may include one or more harvesting devices driven by one or more hydraulic circuits. A lower pressure limit and a current operating pressure may be determined for a hydraulic circuit of a harvesting device. The determined pressure limit and operating pressure may be compared, and a current operating mode for the harvester identified accordingly. The operating mode may include at least one of a waiting mode, a transport mode, a maneuvering mode, and a harvesting mode. |
| US09807927B2 |
Overlapping sickle section for a knife assembly
An improved knife assembly for use with a header of an agricultural harvester. The assembly includes a knife head, a knife back and a plurality of sickle sections fastened to the knife head and knife back. The sickle sections include first and second portions where a second portion of one knife section overlaps a first portion of an another sickle section when the knife sections are arranged in adjacent relationship. The overlapping areas of the adjacent knife sections include aligned though holes which shared fasteners. The resultant construction reduces the overall knife assembly mass thereby leading to increased cutting speeds and corresponding harvester ground speeds. Additionally, the time and labor associated with manufacture and maintenance is reduced while the assembly strength and force distribution capability is enhanced. |
| US09807926B2 |
Agricultural harvesting machine
An agricultural harvesting machine has a header designed as a front attachment for cutting and picking up crop and a driver assistance system for controlling the header. The driver assistance system has a memory for storing data and a computing unit for processing the data stored in the memory. The header together with the driver assistance system forms an automated header, in that a plurality of selectable harvesting-process strategies is stored in the memory and in order to implement a selected harvesting-process strategy or the selected harvesting-process strategies, the computing device autonomously determines at least one machine parameter, a header parameter and specifies this to the header. |
| US09807925B2 |
Robotic mower area coverage system
A robotic mower area coverage system includes a load sensor on the robotic mower signaling load on a cutting blade motor, a boundary sensor on the robotic mower indicating the distance from the sensor to a boundary wire, a timer on the robotic mower indicating when the robotic mower last used a specified boundary coverage, and a vehicle control unit on the robotic mower selecting the type of area coverage based on input from the load sensor, the boundary sensor and the timer, and commanding a pair of traction drive motors to drive the robotic mower using the selected type of area coverage. |
| US09807921B2 |
Agricultural row unit systems, methods, and apparatus
A row unit for an agricultural planter having features for releasably operably coupling a seed meter of the row unit to a seed deposition apparatus of the row unit such as a seed conveyor, seed tube or the like. Apparatus are provided for tipping a seed meter of the hopper for disengagement from the seed deposition apparatus. Apparatus are provided for biasing the seed deposition apparatus into operative engagement with the seed meter. The row unit includes features such as latches for releasably operably coupling the row unit to crop input and vacuum supply lines. Apparatus are provided for tipping a seed meter of the hopper for disengagement from the crop input and vacuum supply lines. Systems are provided for supplying vacuum and crop inputs to the seed meter via the releasably engageable apparatus. |
| US09814167B2 |
Coil component
A coil component capable of matching characteristic impedance (Zo) includes an insulating layer in which coil conductors are embedded; a first magnetic member disposed to be in contact with one surface of the insulating layer; and a second magnetic member having permeability lower than that of the first magnetic member and disposed to be in contact with the other surface of the insulating layer. An interval L1 between the second magnetic member and the coil conductors depends on an intended impedance value. |
| US09814158B1 |
Server chassis rail
A server chassis rail includes a guide plate. The guide plate is of a strip shape. Two sides of the guide plate have two troughs arranged opposite to each other in parallel and spaced apart relationship. Multiple plastic slide sleeves are disposed in the two opposing troughs, and each of the slide sleeves protrudes from an inner surface of the corresponding trough. Production costs are reduced by utilizing the plastic slide sleeves instead of rollers. |
| US09814157B2 |
Wire management and wire entry cover bracket
A bracket is disclosed for managing the entry of one or more wires into an opening of an electronic equipment chassis. The bracket includes mounting holes configured to accept fasteners for engaging the bracket to the chassis. The bracket also includes a wire support portion having openings for receiving ends of a cable tie to secure one or more wires to the bracket. A faceplate portion of the bracket is positionable to overlie the portion of the chassis opening that is not occupied by the wire(s) to prevent access to the interior of the chassis. A plurality of brackets can be provided for electronic equipment chassis that have multiple openings. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed. |
| US09814154B2 |
Power converter
Provided is a power converter without a crack in a board or peeling-off of a pattern at the time of being grounded to a metal base. A GND protruding terminal is molded in a metal base in an integrated manner. A drive circuit board is provided with rectifier elements, first to third wiring patterns, and a ground pattern. A ground metal conductor, which connects the ground pattern and the metal base, is placed on a top surface of the GND protruding terminal, and is screwed to a female screw portion of the GND protruding terminal. |
| US09814153B2 |
Interconnect structure for coupling an electronic unit and an optical unit, and optoelectronic module
An optoelectronic module is provide and includes an electronic unit, an optical unit, and an interconnect structure. The electronic unit is capable of outputting and/or receiving electric signals, while the optical unit is capable of converting the electric signals into optical signals. The interconnect structure connects the electronic unit and the optical unit, and includes an electrically conducting substrate and a pair of transmission leads connecting electronic unit and the optical unit. The pair of transmission leads includes a signal lead and a ground lead having lower impedance than the signal lead. |
| US09814152B2 |
Waterproof control apparatus
A case configured with a base and a cover watertightly contains a circuit board, and a connector housing having a diaphragm is mounted in the circuit board so that the inside and the outside of the case are electrically connected with each other; an outer ring-shaped circumferential wall is provided on the outer surface of the diaphragm, and a protrusion portion having first and second ventilation holes is provided at the side surface of the outer ring-shaped circumferential wall; one end of each of the first and second ventilation holes communicates with the outer surface portion of a water-repellent filter provided on the inner wall surface of the diaphragm, and the other end thereof communicates with the inside of a recess portion that is situated at a side of a mating connector and fits with the protrusion portion. |
| US09814151B2 |
Mobile electronic device faceplate border and related methods
Presented and described herein are faceplate borders and screen protectors for use on mobile electronic devices. Further presented is a method of attachment for the screen protector described herein and a method of minimizing separation of a screen protector from a mobile electronic device. |
| US09814148B1 |
Wearable electronic device
A wearable electronic device includes a ring-shaped main body, plural receiving parts, plural circuit boards and a wiring board. The plural receiving parts are disposed within the ring-shaped main body. The plural circuit boards are disposed within the corresponding receiving parts. One of the plural circuit boards corresponds to one receiving part. The wiring board is 111 within the ring-shaped main body and electrically connected with the plural circuit boards. Consequently, the circuit boards are electrically connected with each other through the wiring board. |
| US09814146B2 |
Drive apparatus
Plug having common specifications are arranged on the side surfaces of each of the devices of different types included in the drive apparatus that controls an electric motor, and the plugs are positioned such that the side surfaces of the devices are in close contact with each other by connecting the plugs and the devices of different types are integrated. |
| US09814145B2 |
Methods for manufacturing a Z-directed printed circuit board component having a removable end portion
A method for forming a Z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example includes filling a first cavity having a tapered surface with a body material. A first layer of a constraining material is provided on top of the first cavity and has a second cavity having a width that is smaller than the first cavity. The second cavity is filled with the body material. Successive layers of the constraining material are provided on top of the first layer of the constraining material. Cavities of the successive layers of the constraining material are selectively filled with at least the body material to form layers of the main body portion of the Z-directed component. The constraining material is dissipated to release the Z-directed component from the constraining material and the Z-directed component is fired. |
| US09814143B1 |
Method of forming pattern with high aspect ratio on polycrystalline aluminum nitride substrate
A method of forming a pattern with high aspect ratio on a polycrystalline aluminum nitride substrate comprises the steps of (A) providing an aluminum nitride substrate and forming a barrier layer on the aluminum nitride substrate; (B) etching the barrier layer with an energy beam to form at least one recess in the barrier layer; (C) plasma etching the substrate to deepen the recess into the aluminum nitride substrate; (D) removing the barrier layer to obtain the aluminum nitride substrate having at least one pattern with high aspect ratio. The method uses the energy beam to directly form a pattern on the barrier layer, and further employs plasma etching to prepare the aluminum nitride substrate having a pattern with high aspect ratio quickly and effectively. |
| US09814141B2 |
Connection structure of conductors and display apparatus
The present invention provides a connection structure of conductors in which, when connecting a pair of conductors facing each other using an anisotropic conductive film containing conductive particles dispersed therein, a short circuit between the adjacent conductors due to a movement of conductive particles is be prevented, and a display apparatus having the connection structure of conductors. When executing thermo-compression bonding processing while interposing the anisotropic conductive film, even if conductive particles dispersed in the anisotropic conductive film are concentrated and continued in a gap between adjacent first terminals, in the vicinity of an edge of an interlayer insulation film, since a distance between the first terminals adjacent to each other is increased due to notches formed therein, the first terminals adjacent to each other are not short-circuited. |
| US09814140B2 |
Printed circuit board edge connector
A printed circuit board assembly and method of assembly is provided for a printed circuit board having a top and bottom surface with at least one edge portion having a rounded surface extending from the top surface to a point below the top surface and at least one electrical contact pad located on the top surface and extending over the edge portion rounded surface to a point below the top surface. |
| US09814134B2 |
Elastic flexible substrate and manufacturing method thereof
An elastic flexible substrate includes an insulating base material having a first insulating film and a second insulating film, and a plurality of wires, each of which is disposed on one of the first insulating film and the second insulating film. The insulating base material has a plurality of bonding portions that are surface-bonded, openings are formed between the bonding portions, and two of the plurality of wires are electrically connected in the bonding portions. |
| US09814131B2 |
Interconnection substrate
An interconnection substrate includes: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; and a transmission line including two parallel through-hole interconnections that are exposed to the first and second surfaces and are formed inside the substrate. Also, at least one of the two through-hole interconnections includes a narrow portion having a smaller diameter than a diameter of the through-hole interconnection in the first surface and a diameter of the through-hole interconnection in the second surface. |
| US09814128B1 |
Multiple board standoff
A multiple board standoff for interconnecting a plurality of electronic boards, such as printed circuit boards, having at least one keyhole slot. The standoff comprises a plurality of major diameter portions, a plurality of minor diameter portions each disposed between two of the plurality of major diameter portions, and a plurality of abutment surfaces each transversely extending from one of the major diameter portions to one of the minor diameter portions. At least one of the minor diameter portions is configured to be inserted into the keyhole slot when the standoff is in a first orientation with respect to the electronic board and being retained within the keyhole slot when the standoff is in a second orientation with respect to the electronic board. |
| US09814127B2 |
Liquid treatment device and liquid treatment method
The present disclosure provides a liquid treatment device and a liquid treatment method each capable of efficiently generating plasma and treating a liquid in a short time period. A liquid treatment device according to the present disclosure includes a first electrode, a second electrode disposed in a liquid, an insulator disposed surrounding the first electrode through a space, the insulator having an opening portion at a position in contact with the liquid, and a power supply that applies an AC voltage or a pulse voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US09814121B2 |
Semi-wireless electric switch system
A semi-wireless electric switch system controls power to electrical fixtures by multiplexing to remote solid state relays installed in the wiring junction of the fixtures. A mobile application is provided which may be downloaded and installed on the user's smartphone, tablet, laptop, or other electronic device. The application may be used to control the switch system. Wall switches are replaced by small flat-screen visual displays with touchscreen capability, which enable an installation technician to install additional lights, wall outlets, and other fixtures using existing wiring. Each relay has a preprogrammed three-digit code prefix, and receives and executes a simple digital command to turn on or turn off power to the fixture through the existing wiring. |
| US09814119B2 |
Method and system for actuating loads connected to a bus system
A method for actuating loads connected to a bus system, in particular lamp operating devices, by at least one command generator which is likewise connected to the bus system. The actuation is carried out by the transmission of data packets, wherein the command generator fills a data packet region assigned to the command generator after the data packet transmission is initiated by a central clock generator. |
| US09814111B1 |
Modular light control device and dimming control system
A modular light control device and a dimming control system are disclosed. The modular light control device comprises a power conversion module, an output module and a control module. The power conversion module has a conversion circuit and a first recognition unit. The conversion circuit receives a power source and converts the power source into a power signal. The output module has an output circuit and a second recognition unit. When the control module is electrically connected with the power conversion module and the output module, the control module distinguishes configurations of the power conversion module and the output module through the first recognition unit and the second recognition unit, respectively, and outputs a control signal according to the configuration of the output module, and the output circuit outputs a driving signal to drive a lamp according to the power signal and the control signal. |
| US09814110B1 |
Power factor correction in and dimming of solid state lighting devices
An apparatus and method provides a driver circuit that provides for power factor correction (PFC) to a load, such as a solid-state lighting (SSL) device, such as, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) or an array or cluster of LEDs. A programmable reference is provided in the circuit to operate in a fixed frequency peak current mode control (FFPCMC) or in a fixed frequency average current mode control (FFACMC). A driver circuit is employed to operate the SSL device using power derived from a main power source which may be DC or AC. In a FFPCMC embodiment, a programmable power reference is programmed to be a fixed DC voltage. In a FFACMC embodiment, source input current to the circuit can be programmed to be proportional to the rectified AC voltage after a bridge rectifier. |
| US09814106B2 |
Backlight driver chip incorporating a phase lock loop (PLL) with programmable offset/delay and seamless operation
The embodiments discussed herein relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for synchronizing a pulse width modulation (PWM) dimming clock signal with a frame rate signal, line sync signal, and/or a horizontal sync signal of a display device. The PWM dimming clock signal can be generated by a synchronization block having a programmable offset/delay. The programmable offset/delay can control the offset or phase difference between an input and an output clock signal of the synchronization block. Depending on the clock rate of PWM dimming and/or panel resolution, the phase/offset delay can be adjusted to achieve the optimum front of screen performance. Additionally, an input clock generator/missing pulse detection block can output a programmed clock signal to the synchronization block in case of a missing external clock, or insert a pulse when there is a missing pulse detected. |
| US09814105B2 |
Control circuit for LED and active bleeder thereof
A control circuit for LED and an active bleeder thereof are provided. The control circuit comprises an LED driver and the active bleeder. The LED driver drives at least one LED and generates a current-sense signal. The current-sense signal is correlated to an LED current. The active bleeder comprises a bleeder circuit. The bleeder circuit is coupled to the LED driver to receive the current-sense signal and sinks a bleeding current in accordance with the current-sense signal for keeping the current flowing through the dimmer higher than the holding current. |
| US09814104B2 |
Space-efficient choke system for containing RF leakage
A choke assembly for provision onto an oven door to seal radio frequency (RF) energy within the oven when the door is closed may include a capacitive coupling element and an inductive tuning element. The capacitive coupling element may include a plurality of tabs each having a first width. The inductive tuning element may include a plurality of projections bent relative to the capacitive coupling elements at a right angle, the projections each having a second width that is smaller than the first width. |
| US09814103B2 |
Induction dryer
In an induction heater, preheated, pressurized air is further heated in the heating cabinet and also drawn into the coil tube via a suction fan. The simultaneous pulling and pushing of the twice-heated air through the tube provides superior air flow to pick up more moisture from the can ends being dried. The tube ends rest on upwardly concave collars and are held in place by gravity, with a single screw acting as a stop above to prevent upward movement. Removal requires only removing the single screw at each end then lifting the tube straight up out of the cabinet, which is facilitated by providing a hinged cover on the cabinet. |
| US09814099B2 |
Substrate support with surface feature for reduced reflection and manufacturing techniques for producing same
Methods and apparatus are provided for reducing the thermal signal noise in process chambers using a non-contact temperature sensing device to measure the temperature of a component in the process chamber. In some embodiments, a susceptor for supporting a substrate in a process chamber includes a first surface comprising a substrate support surface; and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein a portion of the second surface comprises a feature to absorb incident radiant energy. |
| US09814096B2 |
Power management for hot melt dispensing systems
A method of controlling heating of hot melt adhesive within a hot melt dispensing system includes receiving input AC electric power, determining on a half cycle-by-half cycle basis which heaters in a plurality of zones will receive AC electric power during the next half cycle, and distributing the AC electric power to the heaters on a time sharing basis. |
| US09814092B2 |
Frame transmission method performed in access point, frame reception method performed in terminal, and access point
Provided are a frame transmission method performed in an access point (AP), a frame reception method performed in a terminal, and an AP. The frame transmission method performed in an AP includes acquiring a channel for transmitting a first data unit of a first terminal, when a data unit to be transmitted to at least one terminal other than the first terminal is in the AP, generating a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) including the first data unit and the data unit to be transmitted to the at least one terminal, and transmitting the PPDU to the first terminal and the at least one terminal. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the performance of a wireless local area network (WLAN). |
| US09814086B2 |
Method and system for service portability across disjoint wireless networks
A method and system for providing services to a communication session anchored to a micro wireless network includes providing at a router of the micro wireless network an interface for communication with a service node of a macro wireless network that is coupled to the micro wireless network. The interface is of a same type as used by a radio access network of the macro wireless network to communicate with the service node. Information associated with the session is communicated between the interface and the service node in a format used by the service node to communicate with the radio access network of the macro wireless network. The macro network provides portability services to the session of the micro wireless network through the interface. |
| US09814084B2 |
Location and pairing of devices on a local area network using a unique identifier
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a computer-implemented method, comprising: establishing, at a computing device on a network, a communication connection with a setup access point; generating a token identifier, wherein the token identifier includes identification data corresponding to the computing device; transmitting the token identifier; transmitting a query, wherein the query includes a request to establish a new communication connection with the setup access point when the communication connection is terminated; and receiving a communication including a response to the query, wherein the response indicates that a new communication connection has been established with the setup access point, and wherein the new communication connection is established using the token identifier. |
| US09814083B2 |
Method and apparatus for establishing a channel
A method includes determining in a network node that a first channel is to be established between an access node and a user equipment. The first channel including one of an uplink or downlink and being provided between said access node and said user equipment. The first channel provides information for controlling a data channel which is the other of said uplink and downlink and provided between said access node and said user equipment. The data channel is such said user equipment is provided with always on connectivity. The method also includes providing information to said access node to cause said first channel to be established responsive to said determination. |
| US09814078B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining contention window size in communication system
A wireless device of a communication system randomly selects a backoff counter at a contention window interval corresponding to a contention window size that is determined according to a backoff stage, attempts packet transmission, when the backoff counter becomes 0 while reducing the backoff counter, when a radio channel is in an idle status, and increases the contention window size while increasing the backoff stage by 1 according to a first predetermined condition. In this case, as the backoff stage increases, a contention window size has a concave down increasing form. |
| US09814075B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data using plurality of carriers in mobile communication system
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data using a plurality of carriers in a mobile communication system. The communication method by a terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: receiving a secondary cell (SCell) adding command including setting information on an SCell to be added from a primary serving cell (PCell); transmitting a preamble to the SCell to be added; receiving a random access response message (RAR) for the SCell to be added; and, if the SCell adding command includes an indicator indicating that a first base station to which the SCell to be added belongs and a base station to which the PCell belongs are different from each other, applying parameters included in the RAR to the SCell that transmits the RAR. According to the embodiment of the present invention, by aggregating carriers between different base stations, a terminal can have increased chances of transmitting and receiving data at high speed through the carrier aggregation. |
| US09814074B2 |
Method and apparatus for random access in a wireless communication system that supports multiple carriers
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method in which a terminal performs a random access procedure comprises the following steps: transmitting a random access preamble to a base station; and receiving, from said base station and as a response to said random access preamble, a random access response message indicated by a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for a cell identifier of said terminal. |
| US09814069B2 |
Channel reservation in flexible wireless networks
Channel access time slots are reserved in a wireless network employing a flexible medium access control (MAC) protocol. At least a type and a mode of the channel reservation are determined (S310). A reservation request frame is generated (S320) based on the determined type and mode of the channel reservation. The reservation request frame is sent to a reservation proxy device (S330). In response to the reservation request frame, a reservation response frame is received from the reservation proxy device (220-RP). Usage of an allocated time slot is announced if a channel reservation request is confirmed in the reservation response frame (S382). |
| US09814068B2 |
System and method for beam-based physical random-access
A method in a wireless device for performing random access to a network node. The method comprises receiving a set of downlink beam-specific reference signals, BRS, from the network node, and determining a preferred BRS based on the received signal power for each BRS. The method also comprises selecting, based on the preferred BRS, a random-access resource to be used for transmitting a random-access attempt to the network node, as well as using the selected random-access resource when transmitting a random-access attempt to the network node, whereby the selection of random-access resource indicates to the network node which downlink beam is preferred by the wireless device to be used for downlink transmissions. |
| US09814067B2 |
Wireless communication system, base station apparatus, mobile station apparatus, and random access method
A random access instructed by a base station apparatus and having a small delay is enabled in Advanced-EUTRA system. Upon detection of control data in any one of a plurality of component carriers, component carrier information, a preamble number, and random access channel information are extracted from the control data, and if the extracted information indicates dedicated preamble transmission, a random access channel position to be used is selected from information on random access of a component carrier specified in the component carrier information and the random access channel information, a random access preamble is generated from the information on random access and the dedicated preamble number, and the random access preamble is transmitted at the random access channel position. |
| US09814066B2 |
Signaling of random access preamble parameters in wireless networks
User equipment (UE)-initiated accesses within a cellular network are optimized to account for cell size and to reduce signaling overhead. A fixed set of preamble parameter configurations for use across a complete range of cell sizes within the cellular network is established and stored within each UE. A UE located in a given cell receives a configuration number transmitted from a nodeB serving the cell, the configuration number being indicative of a size of the cell. The UE selects a preamble parameter configuration from the fixed set of preamble parameter configurations in response to the received configuration number and then transmits a preamble from the UE to the nodeB using the preamble parameter configuration indicated by the configuration number. |
| US09814065B2 |
Method of signaling control information in wireless communication system with multiple frequency blocks
A method and a user equipment for receiving a downlink signal, and a method and a base station for transmitting a downlink signal in a wireless communication system are discussed. The method of receiving a downlink signal according to an embodiment includes receiving downlink scheduling information. The downlink scheduling information includes a frequency block indicator and resource allocation information for one or more first transport blocks (TBs). The method further includes receiving the downlink signal including the one or more first TBs via a first frequency block among multiple frequency blocks. The first frequency block is indicated by the frequency block indicator among the multiple frequency blocks. Each of the multiple frequency blocks does not overlap with other multiple frequency blocks and a respective hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process is provided per each of the one or more first TBs. |
| US09814063B2 |
Pico-RRU-based network implementation for facilitating 6LOWPAN data access
A scheme for providing access to 6LoWPAN data in a Pico-Remote Radio Unit (PRRU)-based wireless access network. In one embodiment, the PRRU network comprises a Baseband Unit (BBU) coupled to one or more remote Radio Hub (RHUB) elements via a first set of CPRI links, each RHUB element in turn coupled to one or more PRRU elements via corresponding second sets of CPRI links. The BBU element comprises an interface for communicating 6LoWPAN data to and from a router coupled to an IPv6 network. The BBU element also includes a bridging functionality operative to determine endpoint PRRU elements' addresses and corresponding RHUB elements' addresses by querying an address mapping database. |
| US09814060B1 |
Systems and methods for scheduling wireless resources with coordinated multipoint tranmissions
Systems and methods are described for scheduling wireless resources with coordinated multipoint transmissions. It may be determined that a signal level for a wireless device in communication with an access node does not meet a signal level criteria. Based on the determination, an access node may be instructed to transmit information to the wireless device using a coordinated multipoint transmission. A number of wireless devices in communication with the access node that comprise an application requirement that meets an application requirement criteria may further be determined. Then, the access node may be instructed to schedule wireless transmissions using at least one of semi-persistent scheduling and delay based scheduling based on the determined number of the plurality of wireless devices and the instruction to transmit using the coordinated multipoint transmission. |
| US09814055B2 |
Distributed channel selection for wireless networks
Wireless networking devices scan for available channels and gather data about the channels and the RF environment. Using this information, each wireless networking device determines a cost value for each available channel and a quality value for its overall RF neighborhood. Each wireless networking device select the channel with the best cost value as a candidate channel for use. The wireless networking devices may submit channel requests to the arbiter for approval. If two or more wireless networking devices are requesting the same channel, the arbiter assigns the channel to the wireless networking device with the worst RF neighborhood quality. The arbiter informs the wireless networking devices if their channel requests are approved. If a wireless networking device's channel request is not approved, the wireless networking device will rescan the remaining available channels to select a different candidate channel to be approved. |
| US09814053B2 |
Remote radio head unit system with wideband power amplifier
A remote radio head unit (RRU) system for multiple operating frequency bands, multi-channels, driven by a single or more wide band power amplifiers. More specifically, the present invention enables multiple-bands RRU to use fewer power amplifiers in order to reduce size and cost of the multi-band RRU. The present invention is based on the method of using duplexers and/or interference cancellation system technique to increase the isolation between the transmitter signal and receiver signal of the RRU. |
| US09814051B1 |
Identifying angle of departure of multi-antenna transmitters
A method for signal processing includes receiving at a given location at least first and second signals transmitted respectively from at least first and second antennas of a wireless transmitter. The at least first and second signals encode identical data using a multi-carrier encoding scheme with a predefined cyclic delay between the transmitted signals. The received first and second signals are processed, using the cyclic delay, in order to derive a measure of a phase delay between the first and second signals. Based on the measure of the phase delay, an angle of departure of the first and second signals from the wireless access point to the given location is estimated. |
| US09814049B2 |
Mobile station apparatus, base station apparatus, management method in a mobile station apparatus, processing circuitry and communication system that removes measurement identity for a removed serving cell
A communication system includes a terminal apparatus and a base station apparatus. The terminal apparatus communicates with a base station apparatus by carrier aggregation using a plurality of serving cells, where each of the plurality of serving cells has a different frequency. In addition, the terminal apparatus removes a measurement identity relevant to a serving cell of the plurality of serving cells based on that the serving cell was removed. |
| US09814048B2 |
Apparatus and method in wireless communication system
A system and a method in a wireless communication system. The system, includes: circuitry, configured to obtain state information of one or more secondary systems managed by the system in a management region; determine first radio resources of a primary system available for the secondary systems based on the state information and allow the secondary systems to use the first radio resources; identify a change of the state information; determine second radio resources of the primary system available for the secondary systems based on the change; and request the secondary systems to use the second radio resources if the second radio resources is smaller than the first radio resources. |
| US09814046B2 |
Method for controlling long range wide area network apparatus
A method for controlling Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRa) apparatus includes: selecting a first transceiver and a second transceiver among a plurality of transceivers, assigning a first set of frequency bands to the first transceiver, assigning a second set of frequency bands, different from the first set of frequency bands, to the second transceiver, setting the first transceiver so that the first transceiver embeds a first flag in a first request when sending the first request to a mother node and setting the second transceiver so that the second transceiver embeds the first flag in the first request when sending the first request to the mother node. |
| US09814045B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting buffer status report in wireless communication system supporting device to device communication
A method of supporting a buffer status report associated with a device-to-device (D2D) communication includes: establishing an RRC connection with an eNB; receiving, by a UE, configuration information associated with a D2D communication from the eNB, the configuration information including information of a resource selection mode for a D2D data transmission, the information of a resource selection mode indicating a resource pool from which the UE selects a resource for a D2D data transmission to another UE; identifying a D2D target identity of at least one target UE to which the UE transmits D2D data by performing a D2D discovery procedure; setting an RRC message to be transmitted to the eNB, the RRC message including information of the identified D2D target identity; and transmitting the RRC message to the eNB, the information of the identified D2D target identity being transmitted through UEinformation message for a D2D data transmission. |
| US09814043B2 |
Method and apparatus for receiving signal by station in wireless LAN system
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for receiving a signal from an access point (AP) by a station (STA) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a raw parameter set (RPS) element including a restricted access window (RAW) allocation field; and identifying, in the RAW allocation field, first information indicating whether the RAW allocation field relates to a periodic RAW and second information indicating whether the RAW allocation field relates to AP power management (PM), wherein the STA can acquire only information relating to a time interval of the RAW in subfields other than a subfield including the first information and the second information when the RAW relates to the AP PM. |
| US09814041B2 |
Communication mode switching method and device
A communication mode switching method and device. The method comprises: receiving a sending request; detecting whether the radio-frequency signal strength of a downlink channel meets a first threshold; when the radio-frequency signal strength is greater than or equal to the first threshold, determining that a relay station is in a working state, and keeping a relaying mode to finish the sending request; when the radio-frequency signal strength is less than the first threshold, determining that the relay station is in an abnormal state, and switching to an offline mode to finish the sending request, the offline mode specifically being to perform sending after regulating the sending frequency to be the receiving frequency of the downlink channel. It can be seen that, whether the relay station is in the abnormal state is determined by detecting whether the signal strength of the downlink channel meets the preset threshold, and sequentially, the working mode is switched between the relaying mode and the offline mode in a targeted manner, so that when the relay station is in the abnormal state, the receiving frequency of the downlink channel is used as the sending frequency for sending signals, so as to ensure that other mobile stations are capable of receiving the sent signals, and the rate of call loss is lowered. |
| US09814036B2 |
Logical tone index mapping for distributed tone index transmission
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a processor configured to allocate a plurality of resource blocks for wireless communication. The processor is further configured to transmit data on a first resource block of the plurality of resource blocks, in which the first resource block is associated with a first set of tone indices and a second set of tone indices, and the first set of tone indices is a set of nominal tone indices that is logically mapped to a second set of tone indices that is a set of physical tone indices. |
| US09814034B2 |
Base station, terminal, transmission method, and reception method
Disclosed is a base station capable of appropriately configuring a resource on which EPDCCH is located when soft combining is applied. The base station includes configuration section 102 that configures an EPDCCH set in a plurality of subframes, the EPDCCH set being formed of ECCEs to which control information (assignment information) transmitted over the plurality of subframes is assigned; and an assignment section 105 that assigns the control information to any of the ECCEs in each of the plurality of subframes. |
| US09814032B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and channel allocation method
Disclosed is a base station in which the frequency usage efficiency can be improved when the communication bandwidths are asymmetric in the uplink line and the downlink line. A base station can communicate by using a plurality of downlink unit bands and a smaller number of uplink unit bands. A control unit allocates uplink resource allocation information and downlink resource allocation information to a PDCCH which is arranged in each of the plurality of downlink unit bands, and allocates a response signal to the uplink line data to a PHICH which is arranged in the same number of downlink unit bands from the plurality of downlink unit bands as there are uplink unit bands. A transmit RF unit transmits the resource allocation information or the response signal. |
| US09814028B2 |
Method for allocating uplink control channel for downlink data acknowledgement in wireless communication system and device therefor
The present invention relates to a method for transmitting a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) in a wireless communication system and a device therefor. More specifically, the method for transmitting a PUCCH in a wireless communication system comprises the steps of: enabling a terminal to receive an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) having at least one enhanced control channel element (ECCE) from a base station; and transmitting a PUCCH corresponding to a physical data shared channel (PDSCH) scheduled by the EPDCCH to the base station, according to linkage information on the at least one ECCE, wherein the linkage information indicates a resource index of the physical uplink control channel corresponding to an index of the at least one ECCE according to an aggregation level with respect to the EPDCCH. |
| US09814026B2 |
Methods and systems for transmission of multiple modulated signals over wireless networks
A method and apparatus for requesting and allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system. The method and apparatus includes a combination of techniques that allow a plurality of CPEs to communicate their bandwidth request messages to respective base stations. One technique includes a “polling” method whereby a base station polls CPEs individually or in groups and allocates bandwidth specifically for the purpose of allowing the CPEs to respond with bandwidth requests. The polling of the CPEs by the base station may be in response to a CPE setting a “poll-me bit” or, alternatively, it may be periodic. Another technique comprises “piggybacking” bandwidth requests on bandwidth already allocated to a CPE. Currently active CPEs request bandwidth using unused portions of uplink bandwidth that is already allocated to the CPE. The CPE is responsible for distributing the allocated uplink bandwidth in a manner that accommodates the services provided by the CPE. |
| US09814024B2 |
Establishing additional reverse link carriers in multi-carrier wireless systems
A method and apparatus for reliably and quickly establishing multiple reverse links in multi-carrier wireless networks is provided. Signaling channels are established on an existing forward link in order to transmit reverse link power control bits and the acknowledgment indications. |
| US09814013B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for determination of dominant base stations
Methods, systems, and products determine home locations of mobile devices. Times of usages of network base stations are summed to determine a dominant base station that is frequently used by a mobile device. The dominant base station is assigned as a home location for the mobile device. |
| US09814006B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling uplink random access procedure in mobile communication system
A signal transmitting/receiving method of a user equipment of a mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: transmitting a first random access signal including a first random access preamble to a base station; receiving, from the base station, a first random access response signal including first timing advance (TA) information in response to the first random access signal; transmitting, to the base station, a second random access signal including a second random access preamble based on the state of the user equipment; receiving, from the base station, a second random access response signal including second TA information in response to the second random access signal, when the second random access signal is transmitted to the base station; and transmitting a signal to the base station according to third TA information determined on the basis of at least one of the first TA information and the second TA information. In a random access procedure for initial access to a network by the user equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention, the user equipment transmits, two or more times, an RACH preamble signal to a base station, so that a more accurate TA value can be predicted utilizing TA information from two or more response messages received. |
| US09814005B2 |
Method and system for processing a radio frequency (RF) signal
Embodiments of a method and a system for processing a radio frequency (RF) signal are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for processing an RF signal involves down-converting the RF signal into a converted signal, obtaining a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value based on an amplitude of the RF signal, and amplifying the converted signal based on the RSSI value. |
| US09814002B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling transmission power in wireless communication system
Exemplary embodiments provide a method and apparatus for controlling transmit power for a device-to-device (D2D) communication between user equipments (UEs), the method including: searching for a peer UE; determining transmit power of a D2D communication signal to be transmitted to the peer UE; and transmitting the D2D communication signal to the peer UE based on the determined transmit power. |
| US09814001B2 |
Terminal device for controlling uplink signal transmission power, and method therefor
Disclosed are a terminal device for controlling uplink signal transmission power, and a method therefore. The present invention relates to a method and terminal device for controlling uplink transmission power, wherein the method, in which a terminal that communicates with cells of each timing alignment (TA) group controls uplink transmission power in the event a plurality of TA groups including one or more cells exists in a wireless communication system, comprises: a step of determining the uplink transmission power for at least one channel in the event at least two channels from among a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) including a plurality of pieces of uplink control information (UCI), a PUSCH including no UCI, a physical random access channel (PRACH), and a sounding reference signal (SRS) are simultaneously transmitted in the same subframe in each specific cell of the plurality of TA groups; and a step of transmitting said at least one channel with the determined uplink transmission power, wherein said uplink transmission power is determined in consideration of a TA group index. |
| US09814000B2 |
Receiver overload protection
A method in a fixed point-to-point radio link transceiver. The method comprising the steps of receiving a first signal from a far end transceiver, and detecting receiver overload due to excess power in the received first signal, and also transmitting a second signal to the far end transceiver. The step of transmitting comprising including, in the second signal, a request to reduce transmission power in the far end transceiver when receiver overload is detected. |
| US09813997B2 |
Antenna coupling for sensing and dynamic transmission
A wireless transmission system disclosed herein includes a transmitter-receiver pair. When a dielectric object approaches the transmitter-receiver pair, a signal strength of a transmitted carrier wave increases at the receiver. In response, transmission power of the transmitter can be dynamically reduced. When the dielectric object moves away from the transmitter-receiver pair, a signal strength of the carrier wave decreases at the receiver. In response, the transmission power of the transmitter can be dynamically increased. |
| US09813996B2 |
Radio communication method, local area base station apparatus, mobile terminal apparatus and radio communication system
A method for making the uplink and downlink coverages in a local area symmetrical by executing transmission power control in the downlink of a local area in HetNet is disclosed. A radio communication method is provided in which a local area base station apparatus, arranged in a wide area where a first carrier frequency is used and forming a local area that is narrower than the wide area, transmits a downlink signal, using a second carrier frequency, which belongs to a different frequency band from the first carrier frequency and which has a wider bandwidth than the first carrier frequency, the local area base station apparatus transmits a detection signal that is used to detect the local area base station apparatus in the mobile terminal apparatus, and the local area base station apparatus transmits the downlink signal for the mobile terminal apparatus with transmission power that is determined. |
| US09813993B1 |
Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
Disclosed are a mobile terminal and controlling method thereof. The present invention includes a battery unit including a main battery and a backup battery, a sensing unit, a display unit, and a controller configured to sense a residual quantity of the backup battery if entering a battery swap mode in the course of running a content, wherein the battery swap mode comprises a state that the main battery is separated from the mobile terminal and wherein the controller is further configured to determine a content operating mode based on the sensed residual quantity of the backup battery. |
| US09813990B2 |
Dynamic adjustment of mobile device based on voter feedback
In some implementations, a mobile device can be configured to monitor environmental, system and user events associated with the mobile device and/or a peer device. The occurrence of one or more events can trigger adjustments to system settings. The mobile device can be configured to keep frequently invoked applications up to date based on a forecast of predicted invocations by the user. In some implementations, the mobile device can receive push notifications associated with applications that indicate that new content is available for the applications to download. The mobile device can launch the applications associated with the push notifications in the background and download the new content. In some implementations, before running an application or communicating with a peer device, the mobile device can be configured to check energy and data budgets and environmental conditions of the mobile device and/or a peer device to ensure a high quality user experience. |
| US09813988B2 |
Method and device for data transmission in wireless local area network
Disclosed are methods and devices for data transmission in a wireless local area network. According to the embodiments of the present application, through transmitting by a terminal a first data frame to an access device, where the first data frame includes indication information and uplink data and the indication information is used to indicate a power save poll and uplink data transmission, the terminal can receive a second data frame which is transmitted by the access device according to the first data frame, where the second data frame includes response information of the power save poll indicated by the indication information. Since the first data frame carrying the uplink data indicates the power save poll simultaneously, downlink data from the access device can be inquired or requested at the same time of transmitting the uplink data, so that data transmission efficiency is improved. |
| US09813985B2 |
Handset device
A handset device is described, which comprises a first radio transceiver for receiving status information from a medical device worn by a patient, the first radio transceiver being operable only while the handset device is in an active state, and a second radio transceiver for communicating the status information to a remote server, the second radio transceiver being inoperable when the handset device is in the active state. The handset device also comprises a controller, responsive to a first predetermined condition to transition the handset device from the active state to a low power state in which both the first radio transceiver and the second radio transceiver are inoperable. During the transition from the active state to the low power state, the second radio transceiver is used to communicate the status information to the remote server. This process enables status data to be synchronized periodically to the remote server without impairing the function of the medical device. More particularly, this process advantageously triggers synchronization such that (a) the user does not have to take any action to cause synchronization, (b) the synchronization occurs at a time when it is safe for an RF transmission to the server to occur, and (c) the synchronization is timely—that is, updates are sent soon after they have been logged on the handset device. |
| US09813984B2 |
Method of saving power of station in wireless network
A method of saving power of a station in wireless network is provided. The station comprises a connectivity module, a central processing unit, and peripheral devices. The method includes: upon receiving a wake-up signal, powering on the connectivity module, the central processing unit, and the peripheral devices; performing the central processing unit and the peripheral devices in a connection state; performing the connectivity module in an authenticated state; and upon a condition that there is no data to be transferred to the station or after the station transmits and receives all needed data, performing a sleep mode to power off the connectivity module, the central processing unit, and the peripheral devices. |
| US09813981B2 |
Techniques for selecting an access point for wireless network discovery
Examples are disclosed for selecting an access point for network discovery by a mobile device. In some examples, a mobile device may scan access points belonging to one or more extended service sets (ESSs) belonging to one or more networks. The one or more networks may have advertisement servers capable of providing a generic advertising service (GAS) to the mobile device. The mobile device may select a single access point from among each of the ESSs to relay messages to advertisement servers of the one or more networks for the advertisement servers to provide the GAS to the mobile device. Other examples are described and claimed. |
| US09813979B2 |
Voice call handover
Transitioning voice clients among network resources. A network monitor using IEEE 802.11e QBSS Load IE elements monitors the load on one or more wireless access points. When the load on an access point, as reported in the QBSS Load Element IE exceeds a predetermined threshold, the network monitor sends a message to that AP which causes the AP to send BSS Transition Management Request frames to all connected voice clients which are currently idle. The information passed to the AP and then to the client may include one or more neighboring APs with capacity. |
| US09813978B2 |
Method and apparatus for establishing session in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for establishing a session in a wireless communication system is provided. According to the present invention, a session of a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) long-term evolution (LTE) system or a session of a Wi-Fi system can be established for user plane (U-plane) switch in a converged system of the 3GPP LTE system and the Wi-Fi system. After performing U-plane switch, an entity of the LTE system may suspend (deactivate) and release radio bearers mapped to all of evolved packet system (EPS) bearer related to U-plane. |
| US09813977B2 |
Network access selection between access networks
WI-FI/3GPP access selection techniques are used to control selection by a user terminal between cellular network cells and WI-FI cells. Cellular network cells providing overlapping coverage with WI-FI cells are correlated with the WI-FI cells. A received signal strength threshold is determined for each WI-FI cell based on an average throughput of the cellular network cells correlated with the WI-FI cell. The WI-FI user terminal admit threshold is used to control the effective coverage of the WI-FI cell. A user terminal operating within a cellular network cell is admitted to a WI-FI only if it is within the effective coverage area of the WI-FI cell as determined by the received signal strength threshold. Increasing the threshold shrinks the effective coverage area of the WI-FI cell to allow user terminal only of strong RSSI to make connection to the cell, and steers user terminal of weak RSSI away from the WI-FI cell. In contrary, decreasing the threshold expands the effective coverage area of the WI-FI cell and effectively allows more user terminal making connection to the WI-FI cell. |
| US09813975B2 |
Mechanism for discovery of small cells
There is proposed a mechanism for controlling and conducting a discovery procedure of small cells or secondary ceils located in a macro cell or primary cell. The discovery procedure is based on a discovery signal communicated via PDCH and based on a positioning reference signal (PRS). For configuring the signaling of the discovery signal, frequency domain multiplexing for splitting resources of the PRS in the frequency domain for increasing capacity, and/or usage of reserved communication resources for the signaling of the discovery signal are employed. Assistance information is provided to the UE for supporting the discovery of small cells. |
| US09813974B2 |
Information reporting method, information receiving method, UE and network device
The present application relates to the field of communications technologies. In embodiments of the present application, the UE may first obtain information about a best cell on a secondary frequency and a list of information about cells whose frequency is the same as the secondary frequency. The UE may measure a cell on the secondary frequency, compare information about the cell with the information about the best cell on the secondary frequency, and determine, according to a comparison result, whether to report the event. |
| US09813972B2 |
Local data communication traffic management
A method and system is provided by which packets received from or destined for devices served by a bidirectional signal transceiver such as a distributed antenna system (DAS) (or “headend”) by means of a connected Long-Term Evolution (LTE) eNodeB are serviced and routed locally rather than being placed arbitrarily on a Wide Area Network (WAN). The physical path length of the connections between the signal transceiver, eNodeB and primary router, and primary router and Evolved Packet Core (EPC), and primary router and secondary router is fundamental to the invention. |
| US09813971B2 |
Mobile communication method and mobile communication system
A mobile communication method according to the present invention includes the steps of: sending “INVITE” from a UE#1 to a P-CSCF/VATF in a visited network of the UE#1; sending “INVITE” from the P-CSCF/VATF to an IMS; and allocating, by the P-CSCF/VATF, an MGW#1 to the path for voice communications. |
| US09813970B2 |
System and method to provide small cell power control and load balancing for high mobility user equipment in a network environment
A method is provided in one example embodiment and may include generating feedback information by a small cell radio and a macro cell radio; setting a high mobility handover threshold for the macro cell radio based, at least in part, on the feedback information, wherein the high mobility handover threshold is used to trigger handover of one or more high mobility user equipment (UE) associated with the macro cell radio to the small cell radio; and setting a maximum downlink transmit power for the small cell radio based, at least in part, on the feedback information and the high mobility handover threshold. |
| US09813968B1 |
Management of channel status information for LTE redirects
Systems, methods, and software described herein provide enhancements for the redirection of communication requests from a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network to a secondary wireless communication network. In one implementation, a method of operating a mobility management entity (MME) includes receiving, over a LTE network, channel status information for channels in a secondary wireless communication network from wireless communication devices. The method further provides receiving a communication request over the LTE network from a wireless communication device, and in response to the communication request, identifying a channel in the secondary wireless communication network to support the communication request based on the channel status information. The method also includes transferring a notification to the wireless communication device to indicate the identified channel. |
| US09813967B2 |
Method and apparatus for cell selection in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a method for cell selection in a wireless communication system. The method for cell selection by a terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise the following steps: measuring the channel quality of a first cell; measuring the channel quality of a second cell; determining whether the value obtained by applying an offset to the result of the measurement of the channel quality of the second cell is better than the result of the measurement of the channel quality of the first cell; if the value obtained by applying an offset to the result of the measurement of the channel quality of the second cell is better than the result of the measurement of the channel quality of the first cell, determining whether the value obtained by applying no offset to the result of the measurement of the channel quality of the second cell is better than a preset reference value; and, if the value obtained by applying no offset to the result of the measurement of the channel quality of the second cell is better than the preset reference value, selecting the second cell. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an operable cell can be selected to prevent malfunctions, and interference from a CSG cell may be reduced. |
| US09813966B1 |
Sub-cell power adjustment
A first wireless device is served with an access node. The access node has a first coverage area. A second wireless device is served with a sub-cell access node. The sub-cell access node has a second coverage area that is contained within the access node coverage area. Based on the determination to reduce the load on the sub-cell access node, a handover of a wireless device from the sub-cell access node to the access node is caused by reducing the transmit power used by the sub-cell access node. Based on a comparison of a first signal quality indicator associated with a first sub-cell access node to a second signal quality indicator associated with a second sub-cell access node, a transmit power from the first access node is reduced. |
| US09813961B1 |
Data communication system redirection of a media session to user equipment
An Internet Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) identifies a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network serving the UE. The IMS receives a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Invite message for the media session to the UE and responsively transfers a status request for delivery to the LTE network serving the UE. The LTE network identifies a status of an LTE base station serving the UE and identifying an alternative communication network serving the UE. The LTE network determines that the media session should be redirected to the alternative communication network based on the status of the LTE base station and the identified alternative communication network serving the UE. The LTE network transfers a status response for delivery to the IMS indicating media session redirection to the alternative communication network. The IMS then transfers the SIP Invite message for the media session to the UE for delivery to the alternative communication network serving the UE. |
| US09813959B2 |
Backhaul fabric for wireless network
A plurality of networking nodes provides a wireless network fabric that serves at least two devices. Each networking node stores global communication topology information for the wireless network fabric. One of the networking nodes performs global fabric management functions to maintain a communication channel among the at least two devices, and is responsive to a triggering event to identify a next global fabric manager from the other networking nodes. Upon detection of an attack, the global fabric management responsibilities migrate from the networking node to the next global fabric manager while maintaining connectivity between the at least two devices. |
| US09813958B2 |
Method and apparatus for packet tunneling
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided herein for enabling a D2D bearer to stay alive even in an instance in which a D2D connection is lost. In some example embodiments, a method is provided that comprises detecting a condition that indicates that a device-to-device bearer is to be terminated. The method of this embodiment may also include modifying a cellular bearer protocol data unit header, such that the cellular bearer protocol data unit header indicates that a cellular bearer service data unit is a device-to-device protocol data unit. The method of this embodiment may also include causing one or more device-to-device protocol data units to be encapsulated within one or more cellular bearer protocol data units, such that the one or more device-to-device protocol data units are transmitted via a cellular bearer. |
| US09813954B2 |
Method for determining unnecessary handover and base station
The present invention provides a method for determining an unnecessary handover and a base station. The method includes: if a user equipment UE is handed over from a first cell to a second cell, and then handed over from the second cell to a third cell, determining, by a base station, a time threshold corresponding to a UE characteristic attribute parameter of the UE, and a time of stay of the UE in the second cell; determining, by the base station according to the time threshold corresponding to a UE characteristic attribute and the time of stay of the UE in the second cell that are determined, whether an unnecessary handover of the UE occurs; and determining that an unnecessary handover of the UE occurs if the time of stay is shorter than the time threshold. The present invention optimizes a method for determining whether an unnecessary handover occurs. |
| US09813945B2 |
System and method for end-to-end quality of service control for a remote service gateway
Systems and methods of performing end-to-end QoS control during the access of Wi-Fi-enabled communications devices to remote networks. The systems and methods employ a bandwidth manager, a policy server, a near-end gateway located within a Wi-Fi network, and a far-end gateway located within a service provider network. Throughout the duration of a call placed by a wireless device user using a Wi-Fi-enabled communications device, the bandwidth manager can have access to service profiles stored in a database of the policy server for use in monitoring levels of bandwidth usage, for tunneled and/or local breakout traffic, at least at the near-end gateway to the service provider network and at the far-end gateway to a remote network, and performing end-to-end QoS control by dynamically making adjustments, as needed, to one or more service profiles at least at the near-end gateway and/or at the far-end gateway based on the monitored bandwidth usage levels. |
| US09813944B2 |
System and method for dynamic provisioning of Wi-Fi capacity in large venues using C-RAN architecture
A computer-implemented method for dynamic provisioning of Wi-Fi capacity in areas using a centralized radio access network (C-RAN) architecture is presented. The computer-implemented method includes introducing a set of access points (APs) in a network for providing capacity required to serve a plurality of users accessing heterogeneous content, introducing a set of remote radio heads (RRHs) in the network acting as transmit/receive points, tracking traffic fluctuations, and adapting front-haul configurations at a granularity of epochs, where measurements from previous epochs serve as input to drive current epochs. |
| US09813942B2 |
Inter-rat systems access network (AN) load balance and congestion control mechanism
A system and method to perform load-balancing and congestion control between a primary Radio Access Technology (RAT) and a secondary RAT. A broadcast message is sent to all User Equipments (UEs) operating under the secondary RAT. If the primary RAT is congested, a congestion indicator in the broadcast message prevents the UEs from idle re-selecting or switching to the primary RAT. Even if the primary RAT is not congested, the broadcast message may still include other parameters such as one or more probability values, a group identifier for the UE groups, and a retention timer. The idle UEs in the secondary RAT that generate device-specific random values that are equal to or greater than the applicable probability threshold value(s) are allowed to reselect the primary RAT. If an idle UE fails this probability test, it may not be allowed to reselect the primary RAT again until the retention timer expires. |
| US09813940B2 |
Packet radio communications system
A packet radio communications system communicates internet packets to and/or from mobile user equipment. The system comprises a core network comprising a plurality of packet data networks, each including network communications elements operable to communicate internet packets using an internet protocol transport plane, and a common gateway support node. The gateway support node is operable to route the internet packets via communications bearers established through the packet data networks using the network communications elements. The system includes a plurality of radio access networks connected by the internet protocol transport plane to the core network components of the packet data networks for communicating the internet protocol packets to and/or from the mobile user equipment. Each of the radio access networks is operable to provide radio access bearers for communicating the internet packets to and/or from the mobile user equipment. |
| US09813938B2 |
Systems and methods for dynamic adaptation of channel access or transmission parameters
Systems and methods for dynamically adapting channel access or transmission parameters based upon an identified channel access parameter or previously used transmission parameter are disclosed. In an aspect, an electronic device for communication over a wireless network is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a processor configured to generate a message that identifies one rule of a plurality of rules. Each of the plurality of rules defines a process for adapting a value of a communication parameter based on an identified channel access parameter. Also, each of the plurality of rules provides a particular quality of service and a particular priority for communication with the electronic device. The electronic device further comprises a transceiver configured to transmit the message to a station. |
| US09813935B2 |
State-driven secondary cell activation and deactivation
A method and system for selectively activating and deactivating secondary cells in a wireless communication system are disclosed. According to one aspect, the invention provides a finite state machine having a plurality of states facilitating secondary cell activation and deactivation decisions. The states of the finite state machine include a deactivated state and an activated state. In the deactivated state, a secondary cell is deactivated and a media access control element, MAC CE, for deactivation is sent to the UE. The base station in the deactivated state is not allocating resources for maintaining transmission on the secondary cell. In the activated state, the secondary cell is active and a MAC CE for activation is sent to the UE. In the activated state, the base station is ready to transmit on the secondary cell. |
| US09813933B2 |
Multi-stream service concurrent transmission method, subsystem, system and multi-interface terminal
A multi-stream service concurrent transmission method includes: a multi-interface terminal initiating a service transmission request to a network side; the multi-interface terminal receiving information of database servers capable of providing the requested service resources and service information of the requested service; the multi-interface terminal establishing a plurality of concurrent links with the database servers, dividing service data packets of the requested service, and notifying the network side of the division result; the multi-interface terminal receiving the service data packets of the requested service via the plurality of established concurrent links. The embodiment of the present document further correspondingly discloses a multi-stream service concurrent transmission subsystem, system and a multi-interface terminal. |
| US09813929B2 |
Obtaining information for radio channel modeling
An apparatus obtains information for radio channel modeling by checking at least one measurement based value of at least one set of measurement based values of a plurality of sets of measurement based values based on at least one timing measurement value, wherein each set of measurement based values originates from a respective mobile terminal in a communication network (111). The same or another apparatus may perform a radio channel modeling based on the obtained information (112). |
| US09813924B2 |
Methods and system for performing inter-network handover operations in dynamic spectrum arbitrage system
A dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) system includes a dynamic spectrum policy controller (DPC) and a dynamic spectrum controller (DSC) that together dynamically manage the allocation and use of resources (e.g., spectrum resources) across different networks. As part of these operations, the DSC may generate a grid-map structure that includes a primary grid structure that identifies telecommunication cells in a geographical area, and monitor the locations of wireless devices with respect to the telecommunication cells of the grid-map structure to determine whether to initiate inter-network handover operations. The DSC may also receive updated information from the monitored wireless devices (e.g., wireless devices that attached to the resources of the lessee or lessor networks), update the grid-map structure based on the updated information to better account for changes in the availability of resources, and determine whether to initiate inter-network handover operations based on information included in the updated grid-map structure. |
| US09813920B2 |
Systems and methods for transmitting and receiving discovery messages
Methods, devices, and computer program products for transmitting and receiving discovery messages in a wireless communication device are described herein. One aspect of the subject matter described in the disclosure provides a method of discovering devices in a wireless communication system. The method includes receiving a first discovery message from a first device of a device cluster comprising a plurality of devices during a first discovery interval. The first discovery message includes information associated with the device cluster. The method further includes transmitting a discovery trigger message in response to the first discovery message. The method further includes receiving a second discovery message from at least one device of device cluster during a second discovery interval. The second discovery message is configured to advertise a plurality of services provided by the at least one device of the device cluster in response to the discovery trigger message. |
| US09813910B2 |
Prevention of replay attack in long term evolution device-to-device discovery
Methods, systems, and devices are described for device-to-device (D2D) wireless communication. A device may receive a timing variable from a network while the device is in a connected mode. The device may then use the timing variable for D2D discovery message authentication. The device may compare the timing variable with a local timing variable to determine whether a difference between the two variables is within a maximum allowable offset. The device may announce the D2D discovery message to another device when the difference is within the maximum allowable offset. |
| US09813906B2 |
Mobile device to provide enhanced security based upon contextual sensor inputs
Disclosed is a mobile device to provide enhanced security based upon contextual sensor inputs. The mobile device may include: a biometric sensor; a contextual sensor; and a processor. The processor may be configured to: determine an authentication score based upon a biometric input received from the biometric sensor; modulate the authentication score based upon a contextual sensor input from the contextual sensor related to an event; and determine if the modulated authentication score falls below a predetermined threshold. If the authentication score falls below the predetermined threshold, the processor may command that a secondary authentication be performed or the destruction of a biometric template. |
| US09813903B2 |
Method for communicating in a network, a communication device and a system therefor
The present invention relates to a communication system comprising a first node and second node adapted for communicating in a network, wherein the first node comprises a first list of keying materials including a plurality of keying materials, wherein the second node comprises a second list of keying materials including a plurality of keying materials, wherein the first node further comprises a receiver for receiving from the second node a second node identifier, a controller being arranged for determining from the second node identifier the position in the first list of at least one keying material having a common root with one keying material of the second list, and for generating an encryption key by means of the keying material having a common root and the second node identifier. |
| US09813902B2 |
Method of management in a communications network
A method including maintaining a database of unique radio network identifiers within a home node B gateway, wherein the unique radio network identifier uniquely identifies the radio network termination point of user equipment attached to a radio node controlled by the home node B gateway. |
| US09813898B2 |
Concepts for outbound call control on a mobile device
Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for call control. In one embodiment, it can be determined whether an outbound phone number is one of a plurality of target telephone numbers. Responsive to determining that the outbound phone number is one of the plurality of target telephone numbers, one or more call control rules associated with the outbound phone number can be identified. Responsive to identifying the one or more call control rules associated with the outbound phone number, one or more actions to be carried out by the apparatus in accordance with the one or more call control rules can be identified. |
| US09813897B2 |
Systems and methods for vehicle policy enforcement
This disclosure relates to systems and methods for vehicle policy management and enforcement. In certain embodiments, a method for enforcing a policy may include receiving policy information at a device including one or more conditions relating to a policy-managed location in a vehicle. A determination may be made whether the device is within the policy-managed location based on signals received by a short-range communication system included in the device and/or the vehicle. The received policy information may be evaluated to determine and implement one or more device actions associated with the one or more conditions. |
| US09813893B2 |
System for station group management and method for managing station-management groups
Embodiments of a system for station group management and a method for managing station-management groups in a wireless network are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a system element, such as an access point, may establish a station-management group including selected stations, transmit a unicast group allocation message to a station to indicate whether the station is part of the station management group, transmit data frames to the station in a downlink (DL) multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) transmission, and delete the station from the station-management group. |
| US09813890B2 |
Method and apparatus for receiving contents in mobile communication system
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for transmitting contents in a mobile communication network. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method for receiving the contents of user equipment (UE) in a mobile communication system equipped with a local server which is connected to a base station (eNB) and copies partial contents of an external content server and maintains the copied contents, can include: a content determination step of determining whether the selected contents are the contents provided from the local server when a content selection input is received; a request transmission step of transmitting a content transmission request message to the base station (eNB) when the contents are the contents provided from the local server; and a content reception step of receiving the contents from the base station. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides the method and the apparatus for efficiently receiving the contents which reduce resources used for receiving the contents and shorten a delay time. |
| US09813887B2 |
Protocols for facilitating broader access in wireless communications responsive to charge authorization statuses
Structures and protocols are presented for signaling a status or decision concerning a wireless service or device within a region to a communication device (smartphone or wearable device, e.g.) or other wireless communication participant (motor vehicle having a wireless communication capability, e.g.). |
| US09813886B2 |
WiFi-based route management
Locational tracking aids emergency management plans. Occupants of a building or campus are determined based on presence or detection of wireless devices. When an emergency occurs, the occupants may move to safety based on the current locations of their wireless devices. |
| US09813883B2 |
Provision of inferentially derived guidance to emergency response personnel
An exemplary aspect relates an emergency response system and associated technologies. More specifically, an exemplary aspect relates to first responder and associated equipment access to one or more communications systems at, for example, an emergent event. Another exemplary aspect relates to an inference engine for first responders that assists with making inferences based on received information and/or more or more prior inference(s) and optionally automatically providing the inference and/or a recommendation(s) to one or more destinations, such as a communications device. Still another aspect relates to access point authentication and management for certain class(es) of personnel optionally based on location information. |
| US09813882B1 |
Mobile notifications based upon notification content
Disclosed are various embodiments employed to generate device notifications based upon notification content. To this end, a request to generate a device notification is obtained from a user application. Notification content is extracted from the request and an escalated or de-escalated notification level is applied when the content corresponds to a notification rule stored in the device. |
| US09813880B2 |
Mobile radio communications device for closed subscriber group management
The present invention provides for a mobile radio communications device, and related method of operation, arranged for closed subscriber group selection and for the storage of closed subscriber group information in the device, the stored information including information configured as a whitelist of closed subscriber group identities delivered between non-access-stratum layer and access-stratum layer within the device, and the device being further arranged to remove a previous user-selected closed subscriber group identity from the whitelist responsive to the device connecting to a cell is different from that identified by the previous user-selected closed subscriber group identity, and which different cell can comprise for example a non-CSG cell. |
| US09813876B2 |
Enhanced location based services
Location information (e.g., GPS information) pertaining to the location of a device may be integrated into a distributed antenna system (DAS) to enhance location based services. This may be accomplished via a system that filters and combines GPS information with DAS information. Utilization of the enhanced location based services system may enhance accuracy performance of indoor location services and improve round-trip time (RTT) location responses associated with network assisted GPS (e.g., A-GPS) location requests for services from indoor calls. |
| US09813875B2 |
Ad-hoc community context awareness for mobile device
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to solutions for determining context for a mobile computing device. The context represents a current user activity or environment in which the mobile device is used. The device generates a query for transmission to a remote community context service in response to a determined need to obtain community context information, such as when the device is unable to determine context with a sufficient confidence measure. Community context information is obtained from the remote community context service. The community context information is based on a remote context determination of at least one other mobile computing device determined to be similarly situated to the first computing device. The device's current context may be updated based on the community context information. |
| US09813871B2 |
Positioning of mobile device
There is provided a solution for detecting and filtering inaccurate measurement results used for positioning a mobile device. A method comprises as performed by an apparatus: determining locations of a plurality of fixed positioning nodes; receiving a measurement report from a mobile device, the measurement report comprising a plurality of measurement values measured by the mobile device, wherein each measurement value comprises a reference signal time difference indicating a radio propagation time difference between the mobile device and two different positioning nodes; determining, on the basis of threshold comparison, that at least one of the plurality of measurement values is associated with an inaccurate measurement; modifying, autonomously by the apparatus, said at least one of the plurality of measurement values; and computing a location of the mobile device on the basis of a plurality of measurement values resulting from said modifying. |
| US09813856B1 |
Proximity location system and method thereof for locating a communications device
A proximity location system and method thereof for locating a communications device. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) proximity location tag is arranged in a proximity of the communications device and detected thereby. A proximity location key included in the RFID proximity location tag is acquired by the communications device and forwarded to a location information server. The location information is queried for location information associated with the proximity location key. Based on the location information, data transmitted by the communications device is routed to the appropriate receiver of the data. The location information is also provided to the receiver. |
| US09813853B2 |
Message transmission method
A message transmission method includes steps of receiving a identifier of a first wireless transmitter by a first portable device; transmitting associative message of the wireless transmitter by the first portable device; retrieving the identifier of the targeted wireless transmitter according to the identifier transmitted by the first wireless transmitter; linking the associative message of the wireless transmitter with the identifier of the targeted wireless transmitter; verifying the identifier of the targeted wireless transmitter with a identifier transmitted by a second wireless transmitter and received by a second portable device to confirm whether the identifier is the same or not; and if the identifier is the same, the second portable device retrieves wireless transmitter associative message which is associative to the identifier of the targeted wireless transmitter for later application. |
| US09813852B2 |
System and method for positioning terminal
A method for positioning terminals includes obtaining location information of positioned terminals; obtaining relevance information of the positioned terminals; obtaining location information of relevance terminals associated with the positioned terminals according to the location information and the relevance information of the positioned terminals. The invention is applied to improve coverage of a LBS service based on users' location information. |
| US09813847B2 |
Communication system and control apparatus
In a communication system including: a control apparatus which controls pairing for communication according to kinds of pairing methods; and devices each of which performs pairing for communication according to one or more predetermined kinds of pairing methods, and performs encryption communication with the control apparatus by pairing with the control apparatus, wherein the control apparatus includes: a kind obtaining unit which obtains, from each device, the predetermined kinds of pairing methods for the device; a combination determining unit which determines, for each device, a combination of a same kind of pairing methods included in both the plurality of kinds of pairing methods for the control apparatus and the predetermined kinds of pairing methods obtained by the kind obtaining unit; and a display unit which displays, to a user, the combination of the same kind of pairing methods determined by the combination determining unit according to a predetermined condition. |
| US09813842B2 |
Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to proximity services (ProSe) direct discovery
Methods, apparatus, systems, devices, and computer program products directed to enhancements to proximity-based services (ProSe) direct discovery are provided. Among the methods is a method that may be implemented in a proximity services (ProSe) function and that may include receiving a discovery request message including a ProSe application identifier; determining whether or not the ProSe function can retrieve a valid ProSe application code corresponding to the ProSe application identifier; and transmitting a reject-type discovery response message conditioned on the determining that a valid ProSe application code is not available to the ProSe function. |
| US09813839B2 |
Intermediate network node providing a service to a mobile terminal in a wireless communications network
A method and intermediate network node provide a service requested by a mobile terminal in a wireless communications network. The intermediate network node has a processing unit and a memory containing instructions executable by the processing unit. The intermediate network node receives a first request for a service from the mobile terminal, and receives application software configured to be executed at the intermediate network node to provide the mobile terminal with at least part of the requested service. The intermediate network node provides the mobile terminal with the at least part of the requested service. A subsequent request related to the service of the mobile terminal terminates at the intermediate network node, and provides the mobile terminal with at least part of the service requested in the subsequent request on behalf of a provider of the service. |
| US09813836B1 |
Providing voices of people in a telephone call to each other in a computer-generated space
A method executed in a computer system that provides voices of a first person and a second person in a telephone call to each other in a computer-generated space. The voices localize at a sound localization point in empty space that is at least one meter away from the person. |
| US09813831B1 |
Microelectromechanical systems microphone with electrostatic force feedback to measure sound pressure
A MEMS may include a backplate comprising first and second electrodes electrically isolated from one another and mechanically coupled to the backplate in a fixed relationship relative to the backplate, and a diaphragm configured to mechanically displace relative to the backplate as a function of sound pressure incident upon the diaphragm. The diaphragm may comprise third and fourth electrodes electrically isolated from one another and mechanically coupled to the diaphragm in a fixed relationship relative to the diaphragm such that the third and fourth electrodes mechanically displace relative to the backplate as the function of the sound pressure. The first and third electrodes may form a first capacitor, the second and fourth electrodes may form a second capacitor, and the first capacitor may be configured to sense a displacement of the diaphragm responsive to which the second capacitor may be configured to apply an electrostatic force to the diaphragm to return the diaphragm to an original position. |
| US09813827B2 |
Zone configuration based on playback selections
An example method includes displaying zone names via a display interface. Each zone name represents a respective particular zone of a plurality of zones, and each zone contains at least one player configured for multimedia playback in that zone. The method includes displaying playback selections including a first playback selection that identifies first multimedia content for playback by the first zone and a second playback selection that identifies second multimedia content for playback by the second zone. The method includes receiving a command for a zone group to play one of the first playback selection or the second playback selection. The method includes transmitting a zone group configuration to one of the first zone and the second zone. The zone group configuration includes instructions to facilitate synchronized playback, between the first zone and the second zone, of the identified one of the first playback selection and the second playback selection. |
| US09813826B2 |
Earpiece with electronic environmental sound pass-through system
An ear piece for use by an individual having an external auditory canal includes an earpiece housing configured for placement at, on or within the external auditory canal of the individual, a processor disposed within the ear piece housing, at least one microphone disposed at the earpiece housing wherein the at least one earpiece is positioned to detect ambient environmental sound, and at least one speaker disposed within the earpiece housing at a position to direct sound towards a tympanic membrane of the individual. The ear piece is configured to detect ambient environmental sound proximate the external auditory canal of the individual using the at least one microphone and reproduce the ambient environmental sound at the at least one speaker within the earpiece housing. The ear piece may include a spectrometer for detecting ambient environmental lighting. The earpiece may include a number of biological sensors. The ear piece may include a magnetic induction electrical conduction electromagnetic field transceiver for linking the device to personal area networks or other devices. |
| US09813823B2 |
Piezoelectric element, and piezoelectric vibrating apparatus, portable terminal, sound generator, sound generating apparatus, and electronic device comprising the piezoelectric element
A piezoelectric element includes: a stacked body in which internal electrodes and piezoelectric layers are laminated; surface electrodes disposed at least on one principal face of the stacked body; and side electrodes disposed on a side face of the stacked body, the internal electrodes extending to the side face, the side electrodes electrically connecting the internal electrodes extending to the side face and the surface electrodes. The internal electrodes each includes a first primary electrode having an active region and a led-out region extending to the side face of the stacked body, the internal electrodes each including a first secondary electrode, the first primary electrodes being disposed in inter-piezoelectric layer regions, the first secondary electrodes being disposed in the inter-piezoelectric layer regions so as to be apart from the led-out regions of the first primary electrodes, and the first secondary electrode is connected to one of the side electrodes. |
| US09813822B2 |
Vibration speaker
A vibration speaker includes a screen; a frame for supporting the screen; a support attached to the frame, including a first supporting part and a second supporting part; and a piezoelectric vibrator fixed on the support for actuating the screen to vibrate. The piezoelectric vibrator is respectively connected to the first supporting part and the second supporting part. |
| US09813820B2 |
Loudspeaker, electronic apparatus using same, and mobile apparatus
A loudspeaker includes a light-emitting element, a frame, a magnetic circuit provided with a magnetic gap, a diaphragm, a voice coil bobbin, and a voice coil. The diaphragm has an inner circumferential end including an end face facing the light-emitting element, and a light guide having a reflecting surface formed thereon and provided at a position where light enters from the end face. The first end of the voice coil bobbin is joined to the inner circumferential end of the diaphragm, and the second end is inserted into the magnetic gap. The voice coil is wound around the second end of the voice coil bobbin. Light from the light-emitting element enters the end face of the diaphragm, is diffused by the light guide, and is reflected on the reflecting surface. |
| US09813819B2 |
Speaker
A speaker is provided in the present disclosure. The speaker includes a membrane, a voice coil connected to the membrane, and a vibration part attached on the membrane. The membrane includes a main body and a periphery portion surrounding the main body. One of the vibration part and the main body includes a protrusion protruding away from the voice coil, and the other one of the vibration part and the main body includes a recess portion recessed towards the voice coil and corresponding to the protrusion. |
| US09813801B2 |
Illuminated headphone system
A headphone system includes a first audio speaker assembly and a second audio speaker assembly, a connecting body extending between the first and second audio speaker assemblies, and a light-diffusing fiber coupled with the connecting body, the light-diffusing fiber having a glass core and a cladding. At least one of the glass core and a core-cladding interface includes a plurality of light scattering structures. A light source is optically coupled to the light-diffusing fiber and configured to emit light into the light-diffusing fiber. The light scattering structures are configured to scatter the emitted light and output the emitted light at least partially along a sidewall of the light-diffusing fiber. |
| US09813794B2 |
Noise reduction with in-ear headphone
An in-ear headphone comprises an earbud body constructed and arranged for positioning in an ear canal of a wearer, and configured to have a distal end farther into the ear canal than a proximal end. The earbud body includes a cavity and an opening to the cavity. The in-ear headphone further comprises a transducer in the opening to the cavity, a portion of the transducer facing outward from the opening; a microphone at the distal end of the earbud body; an earbud tip on the earbud body and complying with a surface of the earbud body; and an acoustically resistive mesh structure at a distal end of the earbud tip. The mesh structure covers the microphone and the portion of the transducer facing outward from the opening. |
| US09813788B2 |
Method of controlling digital photographing apparatus and digital photographing apparatus using the same
Provided is a method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus recording moving image data being input to a recording medium in a moving image photographing mode. The method includes creating a moving image file in the recording medium and storing the moving image data being input in the moving image file when a first signal is generated by a first button of the digital photographing apparatus pressed by a user, stopping storing of the moving image data being input when the first signal is generated by a second button of the digital photographing apparatus pressed by the user, continuing to store the moving image data being input in the moving image file when a second signal is generated by the second button pressed by the user, and stopping storing of the moving image data being input and completing the moving image file when the second signal is generated by the first button pressed by the user. |
| US09813787B2 |
Link determining method, apparatus, and system for optical packet switching system
Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of information technologies and disclose a link determining method, apparatus, and system for an optical packet switching system, which can reduce optical packet switching costs. The method includes: first, a control manager generates reference optical label information and an enabling signal, and sends the reference optical label information and the enabling signal to a link determining device; then, when the enabling signal is active, the link determining device determines, according to parsed-out actual optical label information and the received reference optical label information, whether an alarm signal is generated, and if it is determined that the alarm signal is generated, sends the alarm signal to the control manager; and finally, the control manager further determines, according to the received alarm signal, whether a link corresponding to the alarm signal is abnormal. |
| US09813781B2 |
Media content matching and indexing
A method, system, or device determine when media content is to be displayed. The method can include receiving media content on a broadcast channel from a content feed. The method can also include receiving an identifier for upcoming media content from an automatic content recognition (ACR) system in response to a trigger event. The method can include receiving overlay content from an overlay content server. The method can include storing the overlay content at a memory device. The method can include determining a time that the media content is to be displayed using the identifier. |
| US09813780B2 |
Device and method to mark digital audio or audio and/or video content
A receiver device having a processor, memories, descrambler and decoders modules configured to produce a sequence of elementary media content packets. The receiver device further comprises a marker unit configured to mark data in the sequence of elementary media content packets according to a pattern defined by an internal parameter associated to the receiving device. The marker unit is configured to determine, in the sequence of elementary media content packets at least one segment of a predetermined length and starting at a predetermined position in the sequence, to divide the segment into a predetermined number of contiguous windows including data of all or part of at least one elementary media content packet. Each window in the segment defined in the sequence of elementary media content packets is indexed by an index defining a position of a window in the segment. The marker unit codes the internal parameter by applying a mathematical transformation function, obtaining a resulting bits string, calculates position indices of a predetermined number of windows on the basis of all or a portion of the resulting bits string, said predetermined number of windows being lower than the number of windows in the segment, and modifies data in the windows designated by the calculated position indices. The windows including modified data and the windows including original data from within the segment of elementary media content packets a unique pattern representing the internal parameter associated to the receiving device. |
| US09813775B2 |
Hybrid storage of program recordings in a service provider network
A method of managing, by a service provider, a program stored within a service provider network. Multiple multimedia devices are in communication with the service provider network. In accordance with one embodiment, a method for managing, by a service provider, a program stored within a service provider network includes determining a first number of subscriptions for the program. If the first number of subscriptions is less than a first threshold, at least a portion of the program is transmitted to at least a first multimedia device having a subscription for the program and the program is removed from the service provider network. |
| US09813772B2 |
Interactive television program guide with selectable languages
An interactive television program guide is provided. The interactive television program guide provides a user with the opportunity to select a language for playing television programming and displaying program guide text. Television program audio in the desired language may be obtained from a SAP or digital audio track and played in the selected language. Television related information in the desired language may be obtained from a digital track. If television program audio or related information is not provided in the selected language, the program guide may use a default language. The program guide may coordinate program guide display screen text with languages available for television programs when the programs are broadcast to users. |
| US09813771B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program
An information processing apparatus includes: an acquiring means for acquiring focused content information that is information relating to a predetermined content and includes at least any one of descriptions of the predetermined content having information displayed on a display means, a word related to the descriptions, a genre, a title, and cast of the predetermined content; a retrieving means for using content information about the other content that includes at least any one of descriptions of the other content different from the predetermined content, a genre, a title, and cast of the other content and the acquired focused content information to retrieve a content having a high degree of relation to focused content information in the other contents; and a specification information generating means for generating specification information that specifies the resulted content of retrieval based on the result of retrieval done by the retrieving means. |
| US09813766B2 |
Digital device and data processing method by digital device
Disclosed are various embodiment(s) for a digital device and a service processing method by the digital device. Here, a digital device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a display processing unit for transmitting a first lifecycle message, a second lifecycle message, and coordinate information on the size and the position of the second application in a display, to Webkits of a first application and a second application, when a plurality of applications exist in the foreground; a display engine comprising a main sink for the first application and a sub sink for the second application; and a video processing unit for connecting the first application to the main sink of the display engine according to an identifier and a connection request received from a Webkit of the first application and connecting the second application to the sub sink of the display engine according to an identifier and a connection request received from a Webkit of the second application. Therefore, the digital device outputs a video source of the plurality of applications existing in the foreground. |
| US09813762B2 |
Creating hash values indicative of differences in images
A computer implemented method for hashing an image is provided that includes: receiving a reference image frame; deriving an array of reference hash values to represent the reference image frame, wherein the array of reference hash values includes a first reference hash value, a second reference hash value, and a third reference hash value; receiving an test image frame; deriving an array of hash values to represent the test image frame, wherein the array of hash values includes a first test hash value, a second test hash value, and a third test hash value; subtracting the array of test hash values representing the test image frame from the array of reference hash values representing the reference image frame to produce a delta array, wherein the delta array is indicative of an area where the test image frame differs from the reference image frame. |
| US09813760B2 |
Multi-screen media delivery systems and methods
A system is proposed for delivering video content to display devices using a cloud computing model. A plurality of independent physical computer systems cooperate to implement a virtual computer system (“cloud”) which receives media content from sources of media content, and delivers the media content selectively to video display devices. For each of a plurality of users of the virtual computer system, there is a corresponding process (“cloudclone”) running on the virtual computer system which coordinates the delivery of the content to one or more of the video display devices which are associated with the corresponding user. The cloudclone includes respective components for managing the transfer of media content to each of the video display devices associated with the user. This makes possible a straightforward way of migrating video sessions between the devices associated with the user, by changing the corresponding cloudclone. The cloud can also access pre-determined social relationships between the users, and use the actions of a first of the users, to control content delivered to the other user(s) with which the first user has a social relationship. |
| US09813757B2 |
Method and system for preselecting multimedia content
A method and system for remote control at a client of a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) enables a user to add desired multimedia program listings to a user collection. The user collection may be saved at an MCDN server for subsequent retrieval. Multimedia programs corresponding to the listings may be stored in a user collection cache. The user may easily select the listings in a user collection for presentation at an MCDN client. The multimedia programs may be provided from a plurality of content sources, including external content providers and the Internet. |
| US09813756B2 |
Media network environment
A network media environment includes a first hub network and a second hub network. The first hub network encompasses a first local environment based on a first server which is coupled to a first client. The second hub network encompasses a second local environment based on a second server which is also coupled to the first client. The first local environment and the second local environment overlap. The second local environment is movable with a movement of the second server. |
| US09813754B2 |
Streaming and rendering of 3-dimensional video by internet protocol streams
Transmitting and receiving 3D video content via an Internet protocol (IP) stream are described. 3D video content may be transmitted in a single IP stream and adjusted by a device associated with a display for rendering the 3D video content in a desired manner. 3D content also may be transmitted in a plurality of IP streams and a device associated with a display for rendering the 3D content may determine which of the plurality of IP streams to decode based upon a mode of operation of the device. A device receiving 3D video content may be configured to adjust the appearance of the content displayed on a display associated with the device. Such adjusting of the appearance may include moving the position of the rendered 3D video content within the display, positioning in band and/or out of band content in front of, behind, or within the rendered 3D video content. |
| US09813753B2 |
Core device, audio/video control system, portable terminal device, audio/video control program, and audio/video control method
A core device that is connected to a network, and that is interconnected via a digital audio/video interface with audio/video devices that are connected to the network, provided with a collecting unit that collects interface-connected device information, including at least unique identification information, from the audio/video devices via the digital audio/video interface, and a transferring unit that transfers the interface-connected device information to a portable terminal device that is connected to the network. |
| US09813743B2 |
Receiving device, receiving method, providing device, providing method, programs, and broadcasting system
This technique relates to a receiving device, a receiving method, a providing device, a providing method, a program and a broadcasting system that can notify the receiving side of control information such as the timing to synchronize an application program with progress of a show without using a television broadcast signal. When the application control type written in the application control descriptor is 3, the receiving device acquires application control data from a server, and, for example, acquires and starts a new information service application in accordance with the segment data forming the application control data. When an external device is designated as the command destination device, the receiving device generates a command for the external device, and outputs the command to the external device. In accordance with the command from the receiving device, the external device, for example, acquires and starts the new information service application. This disclosure can be applied in a case where the receiving device is controlled from the broadcasting side. |
| US09813740B2 |
Method and apparatus for streaming multimedia data with access point positioning information
A method and apparatus for streaming multimedia data over a network is provided. A playlist file for a selected multimedia presentation is downloaded by a client device over the network from a streaming server using a transfer protocol. The playlist file provides a list of URIs for media files each providing compressed video data corresponding to a segment of the multimedia presentation. The compressed video data includes reference frames used for video compression. A data file that is associated with the playlist file is also downloaded by the client device over the network from the streaming server using a transfer protocol and provides information identifying a location, a size, and a time stamp for each the reference frames contained in the media files listed by the playlist file. This information can be used by the client device to perform trick plays and to switch and stitch between variant streams. |
| US09813734B2 |
System and method for performing image data conversion using intraprediction modes
A device and method for decoding, from a bitstream including encoded data, intra prediction modes indicated for decoding an image. Context adaptive binary arithmetic decoding is performed using a variable probability to generate decoded luma context-dependent segments. Context adaptive binary arithmetic decoding is performed using a variable probability to generate a decoded chroma context-dependent segment. Bypass decoding using a fixed probability is performed to generate decoded luma context-independent segments. Luma intra prediction modes are derived from one of the decoded luma context-dependent segments and a corresponding one of the decoded luma context-independent segments. A chroma intra prediction mode is derived from the decoded chroma context-dependent segment. |
| US09813731B2 |
System and method for object based parametric video coding
A video compression framework based on parametric object and background compression is proposed. At the encoder, an embodiment detects objects and segments frames into regions corresponding to the foreground object and the background. The object and the background are individually encoded using separate parametric coding techniques. While the object is encoded using the projection of coefficients to the orthonormal basis of the learnt subspace (used for appearance based object tracking), the background is characterized using an auto-regressive (AR) process model. An advantage of the proposed schemes is that the decoder structure allows for simultaneous reconstruction of object and background, thus making it amenable to the new multi-thread/multi-processor architectures. |
| US09813730B2 |
Method and apparatus for fine-grained motion boundary processing
A method and apparatus for deriving fine-grained motion compensated prediction of boundary pixels in a video coding system are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention determine one or more neighboring coding units (CUs) adjacent to a current coding unit (CU). For each neighboring CU, motion-compensated prediction is derived for each neighboring CU using the MV of the neighboring CU. The pre-generated predictors at a bottom side or a right side of each neighboring CUs are derived and stored on a smallest CU (SCU) basis. The pre-generated predictors and the motion compensated predictor for a current boundary pixel are combined using weighting factors to form a final predictor for the current pixel. |
| US09813728B2 |
Moving picture coding method and a moving picture decoding method
A moving picture coding apparatus includes a motion estimation unit (101) for performing motion estimation by fixing the one of two reference pictures as a reference picture indicated by an inputted default reference picture number DefRefNo and a variable length coding unit (107) for performing variable length coding on coded residual data ERes, a prediction type PredType, a reference picture number RefNo2 and motion vectors MV1, MV2 on a block-by-block basis, and outputting them as coded moving picture data Str. |
| US09813725B1 |
System, method, and computer program for encoding and decoding a unique signature in a video file
The present disclosure describes a system, method, and computer program for encoding and decoding a unique signature for a user in a video file, wherein the video file was created using a video format that does not specifically support embedding a unique signature in the video file. A unique signature, comprising a plurality of data bits, is associated with a user and divided into groups. For each group, a different sine wave is created for each bit in the group. The frequencies of the sine waves correspond to the types of bits, and the amplitudes of the sine waves indicate the values of the bits. Group signals are overdubbed on the infrasound range of the audio track of the video file. The unique signature is decoded from the video file by analyzing the frequencies and amplitudes of sine waves in the infrasound range of the audio track. |
| US09813724B2 |
Scalable video coding using reference and scaled reference layer offsets
A process for determining the selection of filters and input samples is provided for scalable video coding. The process provides for re-sampling using video data obtained from an encoder or decoder process of a base layer (BL) in a multi-layer system to improve quality in Scalable High Efficiency Video Coding (SHVC). In order to accommodate other applications such as interlace/progressive scalability and to increase the resolution of the alignment between layers, it is proposed that the phase offset adjustment parameters be signaled. |
| US09813717B2 |
Image decoding method of decoding a bitstream to generate a decoding block using an offset process
An image coding method includes: generating a predicted block; calculating a residual block; calculating quantized coefficients by performing transform and quantization on the residual block; calculating a coded residual block by performing inverse quantization and inverse transform on the quantized coefficients; generating a temporary coded block; determining whether or not an offset process is required, to generate first flag information indicating a result of the determination; executing the offset process on the temporary coded block when it is determined that the offset process is required; and performing variable-length coding on the quantized coefficients and the first flag information. |
| US09813710B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding video using split layer
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for encoding/decoding a video using a split layer. The video encoding/decoding method generates an encoded image data by encoding a current block partitioned into a plurality of subblocks, generates an encoded partition information data by encoding partition information of the current block, generates a bitstream including the encoded image data and the encoded partition information data, and then reconstructs the video image from the generated bitstream. According to the present disclosure, when encoding a high resolution video with variable sized blocks, various block shapes may be used for the encoding, and efficient encoding and decoding of the block partition information can improve the compression efficiency. |
| US09813707B2 |
Data pruning for video compression using example-based super-resolution
Methods and apparatuses for data pruning for video compression using example-based super resolution are provided. A method and apparatus for encoding is provided in which patches of video are extracted from input video, grouped together using a clustering method, and representative patches are packed into patch frames. The original video is downsized and sent either along with, or in addition to, the patch frames. At a decoder, the method and apparatus provided extract patches from the patch frames and create a patch library. The regular video frames are upsized and the low resolution patches are replaced by patches from the patch library by searching the library using the patches in the decoded regular frames as keywords. If there are no appropriate patches, no replacement is made. A post processing procedure is used to enhance the spatiotemporal smoothness of the recovered video. |
| US09813704B2 |
Lossless image and video compression
A method is provided for encoding an intra predicted residual block of an image for use in image or video compression. The intra predicted residual block is associated with an intra prediction coding mode. The method includes generating a set of residual error blocks including residual data with different statistical characteristics from the residual data in the intra predicted residual block. Each of the residual error blocks is scanned and entropy coded to produce a first set of bit streams. The lengths of each of the first set of bit streams are recorded. The intra predicted residual block is also scanned and entropy coded to produce a second bit stream. The length of the second bit stream is recorded. Selecting the minimum length bit stream from the first set of bit streams and the second bit stream as the output coded bit stream of the intra predicted residual block. |
| US09813699B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying a marker
A marker generating method is provided for facilitating the finding of positions which correspond to one another among a plurality of images associated with a video signal. A position within an image (800) associated with a video signal is selected, with a cursor (802, 804) to display a marker (812, 822-826) at a position corresponding to the selected position, in a different image (810, 820) associated with the video signal. |
| US09813690B2 |
Shape and dichromatic BRDF estimation using camera motion
A method for shape and material recovery of an object observed under a moving camera by detecting a change in image intensity induced by motion to corresponding variation in surface geometry and dichromatic reflectance; receiving a sequence of three camera motions to yield a linear system that decouples shape and bidirectional reflectance distribution functions (BRDFs) terms; applying linearities in differential stereo relations to recover shape from camera motion cues, with unknown lighting and dichromatic BRDFs; and recovering unknown shape and reflectance of the object with dichromatic BRDF, using camera motion cues. |
| US09813688B2 |
Endoscope system, white balance adjustment method therefor, and image processing apparatus for endoscope
An endoscope system includes: an electronic endoscope that obtains an image of an inside of a subject; a first storage unit that is provided at the electronic endoscope and that stores first information, the first information including white balance data that depends on an apparatus used in the past together with the electronic endoscope; an image processing apparatus that is connected to the electronic endoscope and that applies processing to an image of the subject; a second storage unit that is provided at the image processing apparatus or a storage medium connected to the image processing apparatus and that stores second information, the second information including white balance correction data for correcting the white balance data; and a white balance adjustment unit that adjusts the white balance of the image obtained by the electronic endoscope, on the basis of the first information and the second information. |
| US09813687B1 |
Image-capturing device, image-processing device, image-processing method, and image-processing program
An image-capturing device includes: an image-capturing element in which a plurality of pixels, which have different spectral sensitivities, are arrayed in a two-dimensional matrix manner, and phase-difference detection pixels are arranged as some of the pixels; a phase-difference pixel discriminating unit that classifies the phase-difference detection pixels arranged in the image-capturing element as first pixels, which have a spectral sensitivity at which degradation of image quality is more difficult to discern for human eyes than the other spectral sensitivities, and second pixels which are the phase-difference detection pixels other than the first pixels; and a phase-difference pixel value correcting unit that subjects the first pixels classified by the phase-difference pixel discriminating unit to correction processing of a lower precision than that for the second pixels. |
| US09813686B2 |
Imaging apparatus, and control method of imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus according to one embodiment comprises an imaging element, a photographing optical system, an imaging control section, a first projection converting section, composing section, and a second projection converting section. The first projection converting section converts a first projection images into second projection images, respectively, each of which is an image of a second projection system in which a variation of a change amount of an image height on an imaging plane to a change amount of an entrance angle of the light into the photographing optical system is smaller than that of the first projection image. The composing section composes the second projection images to acquire a composed image. The second projection converting section converts the composed image into an image of a projection system different from the second projection system. |
| US09813685B2 |
Projection display apparatus and method of controlling the same
A projection display apparatus includes an image projecting unit projecting an image, an operation unit as an operation device whose output value changes depending on the amount of operation, a correction amount setting unit changing a keystone correction amount in accordance with an output value of the operation unit, and a keystone correcting unit performing keystone correction on an image to be projected in accordance with the keystone correction amount. A zero reference position in which the keystone correction amount is zero is set in an operation range of the operation unit. The correction amount setting unit sets a dead zone in the operation range such that the dead zone includes the zero reference position and an area surrounding this position, and sets the keystone correction amount to zero in accordance with the output value corresponding to the inside of the dead zone. |
| US09813683B2 |
Light source control apparatus, image display apparatus and light source control method
There is provided a light source control apparatus including an image change determination unit that determines presence or absence of at least one of a change of an image signal and the image signal, and a light source controller that reduces luminous output of a light source at a predetermined decreasing rate when the image change determination unit determines at least one of no change of the image signal and absence of the image signal. |
| US09813682B2 |
Laser driving circuit, laser driving method, and device using laser light
A laser driving circuit, a laser driving method, and a device using laser light that can reduce speckle noise caused by laser light as coherent light are provided.In the laser driving circuit that generates laser driving current for driving a plurality of laser light sources emitting laser light of different wavelengths on the basis of an input video signal, a high-frequency signal of a frequency exceeding the band of the video signal is superimposed on the laser driving current generated on the basis of the input video signal, whereby speckle noise caused by the laser light as coherent light is reduced. |
| US09813681B2 |
Photoelectric conversion apparatus
A photoelectric conversion apparatus of the present invention includes: a plurality of pixel arrays having different colors and arrayed in the subsidiary scanning direction when the photoelectric conversion apparatus scans a document relatively in the subsidiary scanning direction, each of the plurality of pixel arrays including a plurality of pixels that perform photoelectric conversion; and a pulse controlling unit which controls pulse positions of control pulses that control operations of the pixels, wherein the pulse controlling unit controls the pulse positions of the control pulses for the pixel arrays of each color, according to color offset quantities in the subsidiary scanning direction of the pixel arrays of each color. |
| US09813680B2 |
Lens and color filter arrangement, super-resolution camera system and method
A lens and color filter assembly contains lens units, and each lens unit is assigned to a single-color color filter unit. The lens and color filter assembly may be combined with pixel units such that a plurality of monochromatic, low-resolution images can be obtained, and the monochromatic images refer to shifted versions of the same image object. By a super-resolution technique comprising shift-compensation a mosaicked image is obtained which is then demosaiced. In the resultant image only few artifacts appear. Simple color filter arrays allow a simplified fabrication process and provide less chromatic aberrations at less computational effort. |
| US09813677B2 |
Method and apparatus to transmit video data
A video system includes at least one video subsystem including a video source coupled to a mobile platform. The video source is configured to capture and transmit video data. A video processing system is configured to receive transmission of the video data from the video subsystem at a plurality of locations in which the video subsystem is configured to transmit the video data to the video processing system automatically when the video subsystem is in range of the video processing system at each of the plurality of locations. |
| US09813676B2 |
Use of mobile device with image sensor to retrieve information associated with light fixture
Methods, apparatus, systems, and devices are described for using a mobile device equipped with an image sensor to retrieve information associated with a light fixture. A method of using a mobile device equipped with an image sensor to retrieve information associated with a light fixture may include capturing, at the image sensor, an image of an illuminated indicia. The illuminated indicia may be co-located with the light fixture. At least one characteristic of the illuminated indicia may be determined from the image of the illuminated indicia. Information associated with the at least one characteristic of the illuminated indicia may be retrieved. |
| US09813675B2 |
Semiconductor device, video display system, and method of processing signal
A semiconductor device includes a first input unit for receiving a first signal; a first processing unit configured to perform a frequency dispersion processing on the first signal; a first output unit configured to output the first signal or the first signal on which the first processing unit performs the frequency dispersion processing; a second input unit configured to receive a second signal generated through performing a predetermined image processing with an image processing unit on the first signal output from the first output unit; a second processing unit configured to perform the frequency dispersion processing on the second signal; and a second output unit configured to output one of the first signal and the second signal as an output signal. |
| US09813669B2 |
Managing telephonic communications
According to at least one embodiment, a computer-implemented method to manage incoming communications is described. An incoming call may be received on a landline. One or more devices may be located within a predetermined area based at least in part on the receipt of the incoming call. The incoming call may be forwarded to the one or more devices based at least in part on the locating. |
| US09813667B1 |
System and method for providing co-delivery of content
Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for providing co-deliver of primary and secondary content, including, video and video chat content. A first electronic device includes a transceiver that receives the secondary content from a second electronic device. The first electronic device also includes components capable of outputting aspects of the primary and secondary content in a synchronized fashion. Further, the first electronic device includes circuitry coupled to the transceiver and components, and the circuitry executes instructions in order to perform functions. One such function is to synchronize local primary content to be output by the components, with delivered primary content to be provided by the second electronic device. Another such function is to signal the components to output aspects of the local primary or the secondary content. |
| US09813665B2 |
Camera unit and sensing device
A camera unit includes: an image sensor; a circuit board in which a signal processor circuit to process an output signal of the image sensor is formed; a cable including at least a signal conductor element and a ground conductor element and connected at one end to the circuit board; a metal housing component to accommodate the image sensor and the circuit board therein; and a metal component disposed at the end of the cable and connected to the ground conductor element. The ground conductor element is connected to both a ground terminal of the circuit board and the metal housing component in a vicinity of the end of the cable where the cable is connected to the circuit board. The ground conductor element is connected to the metal housing component through the metal component in the vicinity of the end of the cable. |
| US09813661B2 |
System and method for determining an inactive television channel
An image analysis system and method determines whether a channel is active by intercepting signals from a set-top box and determining whether the signals correspond to an inactive channel by analyzing pixels, recognized text and/or audio in the signal stream. The system and method controls tuning of the set-top box to each channel to be tested. Data relating to the analysis may be stored and transmitted for processing credit requests. |
| US09813659B1 |
Diversity receiver
A diversity receiver synchronizes and mixes multiple input signals. In one embodiment, the receiver demodulates the multiple input signals prior to synchronizing, converts the demodulated multiple input signals from analog signals to digital signals, synchronizes the demodulated digital signals, converts the synchronized demodulated digital signals to analog signals and mixes the synchronized demodulated analog signals based on a characteristic of the input signals existing prior to the demodulating. |
| US09813658B2 |
Acquiring and displaying information to improve selection and switching to an input interface of an electronic device
A method for switching an electronic device's input interface is provides, as well as a computer program product for performing the method. The method includes acquiring information from an input device through at least one input interface of the electronic device in response to receiving an input selection request from a user, and displaying the information to the user in association with a corresponding input interface. An electronic device is also provided, the electronic device including at least one input interface, a processor configured to acquire information from an input device through the at least one input interface in response to receiving an input selection request from a user, and a display operable to display the information to the user in association with a corresponding input interface. |
| US09813646B2 |
Solid-state imaging apparatus, imaging system, and method for driving solid-state imaging apparatus, where longer accumulation time is used for light-shielded pixels
A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a first light-shielded pixel region including two or more rows of pixels each including a photoelectric converter which is shielded from light, an aperture pixel region including pixels each including a photoelectric converter which is not shielded from light, and a control unit configured to perform control such that a charge accumulation period for the pixels in the first light-shielded pixel region is longer than a charge accumulation period for the pixels in the aperture pixel region and time to read signals from the pixels in a first row of the first light-shielded pixel region is different from time to read signals from the pixels in a second row different from the first row of the first light-shielded pixel region. |
| US09813645B2 |
Image sensor, imaging device, endoscope, and endoscopic system
An image sensor includes: photoelectric conversion elements configured to receive light and accumulate a charge corresponding to an amount of received light; an imaging signal generating unit that converts the charge accumulated in each photoelectric conversion element into a voltage to generate an imaging signal; and a reference signal generating unit that generates a reference signal having a fluctuation component with a same phase as the imaging signal. The imaging signal generating unit includes: a conversion circuit that converts the charge accumulated in each photoelectric conversion element into the imaging signal; a noise eliminating circuit that eliminates a noise component included in the imaging signal; and an output circuit that outputs the imaging signal from the conversion circuit. The reference signal generating unit includes a circuit having a same structure as that of at least one of the conversion circuit, the noise eliminating circuit, and the output circuit. |
| US09813644B1 |
Nano-antenna array infrared imager
An infrared imager includes a first optical component, a second optical component, and at least one thin film dielectric layer. The first optical component has multiple first parallel conductors with a first spacing pattern, aligned in a plane perpendicular to an axis. The second optical component has multiple second parallel conductors with a second spacing pattern, aligned in a plane perpendicular to the axis, angularly offset from the first direction. The thin film dielectric layer includes a refractive index change (RIC) material disposed between and in contact with the first and second parallel conductors. The first optical component, second optical component, and at least one thin film dielectric layer form an antenna array configured to detect one or more predetermined infrared wavelengths based on at least one of the first spacing pattern or the second spacing pattern or the angular offset. |
| US09813640B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, image processing program, and non-transitory recording for calculating a degree-of-invalidity for a selected subject type
With the object of making a user aware of the effect achieved by processing whose details and usage method he or she does not know and encouraging the use of such processing, the invention is an image processing apparatus including a subject recognition circuit that recognizes a subject type existing in an input image; a storage circuit that stores a plurality of processing instruction datasets that represent processing details for processing the input image; a processing instruction dataset obtaining circuit that obtains, from the storage circuit, processing instruction datasets which are predefined according to the subject type recognized by the subject recognition circuit; a processing instruction dataset determining circuit that calculates, for each of the obtained processing instruction datasets, a degree-of-invalidity indicating a degree to which the processing instruction dataset is not suitable for the input image and that selects a prescribed number of the processing instruction datasets for which the degrees-of-invalidity are less than or equal to a prescribed threshold; and an image processing circuit that performs processing of the input image using the prescribed number of selected processing instruction datasets. |
| US09813634B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method
An image processing apparatus comprising: an obtaining unit configured to obtain a first image of an object shot with flashing of an illumination device and distance information of distances to a plurality of positions of the object; a determination unit configured to determine a position of a virtual light source that emits virtual light; and a processing unit configured to obtain shape information of the object based on the distance information, and generate an image in which the object is illuminated by the virtual light source by processing the first image based on the obtained shape information of the object, the distance information, and the position of the virtual light source with respect to the object. |
| US09813632B2 |
Method of adjusting digital camera image processing parameters
A method for adjusting predetermined ISO-dependent image processing parameters for images captured by a digital camera includes measuring the exposure deviation in exposure units from an optimal exposure as determined by the camera during an image capture process, deriving an estimated camera sensitivity from the exposure deviation, and adjusting the ISO-dependent image processing parameters for images captured by the camera as a function of the derived estimated camera sensitivity. |
| US09813628B2 |
Imaging module and electronic device
An imaging module includes an image stabilizing movable portion which has a lens group and a magnetic member, an imaging element which images a subject through the lens group, an elastic support portion which supports the image stabilizing movable portion so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens group and to be inclinable around an axis perpendicular to the optical axis, and a suppression portion which mechanically prevents inclination of the image stabilizing movable portion, in which the suppression portion has an extension portion which is provided in the image stabilizing movable portion and extends in an outer circumferential direction of the image stabilizing movable portion, and a guide portion which overlaps the extension portion when viewed from the direction of the optical axis, and prevents inclination of the image stabilizing movable portion by abutting the extension portion. |
| US09813619B2 |
Apparatus and method for correcting image distortion of a camera for vehicle
An apparatus for correcting image distortion of a camera in a vehicle includes: a camera mounted in the vehicle; a camera characteristic extractor configured to extract camera characteristic parameters of the camera based on a preset mathematical model; a tilt angle calculator configured to calculate tilt angles of a virtual camera corresponding to the camera in each photographing region using the camera characteristic parameters; a yaw angle calculator configured to calculate yaw angles of the virtual camera in each photographing region; an image corrector configured to view-transform a photographed image photographed by the camera by adjusting angles of the virtual camera based on a correction model in order to secure a view region of the photographed image and create a corrected image depending on the view-transform; and a display configured to display the corrected image output from the image corrector. |
| US09813617B2 |
Array camera configurations incorporating constituent array cameras and constituent cameras
Systems and methods for implementing array camera configurations that include a plurality of constituent array cameras, where each constituent array camera provides a distinct field of view and/or a distinct viewing direction, are described. In several embodiments, image data captured by the constituent array cameras is used to synthesize multiple images that are subsequently blended. In a number of embodiments, the blended images include a foveated region. In certain embodiments, the blended images possess a wider field of view than the fields of view of the multiple images. |
| US09813609B2 |
System and method for automatic focusing based on statistical data
A system for automatic focusing with a lens and methods for making and use the same are provided. When performing a focusing operation, a controller calculates a focus measure value for each lens position of a plurality of lens positions. The focus measure values are calculated based on each of the window evaluation values and a respective weight for image focusing windows within a set of image focusing windows. The controller then compares the calculated focus measure values of the plurality of lens positions in order to select an optimal lens position. The set of image focusing windows can be selected based on one or more sets of image focusing window selection rules derived from statistical data. In addition, the respective weights for image focusing windows can also be calculated based on the statistical data. |
| US09813606B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming system
An image forming apparatus includes circuitry that connects to one or more first information processing apparatuses via a virtual private network in response to a request to connect from at least one of the one or more first information processing apparatuses and establishes a first wireless communication network among the image forming apparatus and the first information processing apparatuses to enable wireless communication among the image forming apparatus and the first information processing apparatuses. |
| US09813596B2 |
Vibration-type actuator, interchangeable lens, image pickup apparatus, and automatic stage
The present invention provides a vibration-type actuator that makes it possible to improve and stabilize yields.A vibration-type actuator includes a vibrator including an elastic body with a protrusion having a contact portion, and an electromechanical transducer attached to a surface of the elastic body; and a flexible printed circuit board having an electrode portion and attached to the electromechanical transducer. There is a space between the contact portion and the electromechanical transducer. No end portion of the electrode portion of the flexible printed circuit board is overlapped with the space in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the elastic body. |
| US09813593B2 |
Outside recognition apparatus and lens dirtiness detection method
It is possible to consider an image as a composite wave that is the result of layering waves having differing periods and amplitudes. An image captured via a lens having a water droplet attached thereto has a higher occurrence of changes such as image blur than an image that does not have a water droplet attached thereto, which means that this type of change in an image results in changes in the composite wave thereof as well. Provided is a lens dirtiness detection device that suitably determines whether a lens is dirty without being affected by a background image by: focusing on the occurrence of large changes in the composite wave of an image that accompany an increase in the dirtiness of a camera lens; extracting each of the image frequency components that constitute the composite wave; and analyzing changes in the magnitude relation between the frequency components. |
| US09813590B2 |
System comprising a server for providing a service to an image forming apparatus, and authentication thereof
A communication system including an image processing apparatus configured to, in response to receiving acquisition instruction information from a server via indirect communication, receive authentication information from an information processing terminal device via near-field wireless communication, transmit the received authentication information to the server via the indirect communication, and in response to receiving communication instruction information, which indicates a method for data communication with a service providing apparatus, from the server via the indirect communication, perform data communication with the service providing apparatus in accordance with the received communication instruction information. |
| US09813586B2 |
Printing apparatus, control method for printing apparatus, and storage medium
A printing apparatus includes a storage unit for storing information indicating an orientation of a sheet stacked in a sheet stacking unit, a determination unit that determines whether to print an image in a first orientation corresponding to a case where the sheet is conveyed with a short side thereof as a leading edge from the sheet stacking unit, or to print the image in a second orientation corresponding to a case where the sheet is conveyed with a long side thereof as the leading edge from the sheet stacking unit, according to a setting value based on an operation of a user in a case where the information indicating the orientation of the sheet stacked in the sheet stacking unit is not stored in the storage unit. |
| US09813585B2 |
Image forming apparatus with remote maintenance mode
An image forming apparatus includes an operation unit, a management unit, a communication unit, a restricting unit, and a control unit. The operation unit receives an input signal based on a user input. The management unit manages a plurality of modes of the image forming apparatus. The plurality of modes includes a first mode and a second mode. The second mode is for remote maintenance. The communication unit transmits connection request data to a maintenance apparatus. The restricting unit restricts communication with an external apparatus. Upon receipt of the input signal, the control unit controls the management unit to shift a current mode of the image forming apparatus from the first mode to the second mode, controls the communication unit to transmit the connection request data to the maintenance apparatus, and controls the restricting unit to restrict the communication with the external apparatus. |
| US09813582B2 |
Printing system capable of printing in any one of plural image forming apparatuses over network, image forming apparatus, and printing method
In general, a printing system of an exemplary embodiment includes a client terminal connected via a network, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses each including an operating unit which receives an operation input of a user. A first image forming apparatus that receives a print file from the client terminal transmits metadata of the print file to a second image forming apparatus. The second image forming apparatus displays a list of print files which are on standby for printing based on the metadata, and obtains a print file from the first image forming apparatus when a print instruction and a selection of a desired print file from the list of print files are received through the operating unit, and performs printing based the print file. |
| US09813580B2 |
Trusted evidence cameras and related methods and computer program products
Digital Cameras configured to verify authenticity of digital photos taken with the digital camera and related methods and computer program products are provided. GPS information associated with a photograph taken with the digital camera is obtained. A checksum of pixels that make up the photograph and the obtained GPS information is generated. The generated checksum is encrypted using a private key associated with the digital camera so as to allow verification that the photograph has not been modified. |
| US09813578B2 |
Device and information processing method in which a received program causes a device to execute image processing
A device is connected to an information processing apparatus via a network. The device includes a receiving unit configured to receive a program from the information processing apparatus via the network; and a calling unit configured to call the program received by the receiving unit. The program causes the device to execute a process with respect to data stored in the device. |
| US09813563B1 |
Monitoring of personal and business use of telephony devices
According to one or more embodiments, a telecommunication system includes a call routing circuit configured to receive and route calls and data transmissions from a plurality of telecommunication devices. The telecommunication system also includes a processing circuit for monitoring business and personal use of telecommunication devices associated with a client account. The processing circuit is configured to maintain a log of calls and data transmissions routed by the call-routing circuit for the plurality of telecommunication devices. The processing circuit is further configured to use a set of classification functions in a policy of the client account to determine whether each of the identified first set of calls and data transmissions are business related or personal based on characteristics of each of the first set of calls and data transmissions. |
| US09813562B1 |
Dual tone multi-frequency transcoding server for use by multiple session border controllers
In a packet communication system, session border controllers receive and process communication packets to detect DTMF signaling. If DTMF signaling is detected, the session border controllers determine if DTMF transcoding is required. If DTMF transcoding is required, the session border controllers transfer DTMF transcoding instructions to a DTMF transcoding server. In response to the transcoding instructions, the DTMF transcoding server transfers transcoded DTMF signaling. |
| US09813559B1 |
Addressing trunk-related resource deficiencies for a predictive dialer using a dynamic pacing algorithm
A predictive dialer in a call center may originate a number of outbound calls on behalf of agents for an outbound call campaign. Since many calls may fail to connect with the right party, the predictive dialer may originate several contemporaneous calls in order to provide a single call to an available agent. A pacing algorithm in the predictive dialer determines how many calls are to be made based on various factors, conditions, and rules. In some instances, the predictive dialer may attempt to originate more calls than there are available trunks. In such instances, the number of originated calls is limited by the number of available trunks causing a trunk-related deficiency condition, which can adversely impact the agents' performance. Various embodiments of the invention detect such conditions and address them to attempt to minimize current and future trunk-related deficiency conditions. |
| US09813558B1 |
Systems and methods relating to caller-centric call data
Systems and methods described herein may describe how enterprise system devices (e.g., servers) may be used to consolidate multiple disparate data sources (e.g., databases) into a single data source (i.e., “Datamart”). The Datamart may be a database or cluster of aggregated data from disparate data sources, which the Datamart may convert into a compatible format using various application programmable interfaces (APIs). In some cases, a software product may query the Datamart and then generate reports for understanding the data pulled from disparate sources. The reporting software application may enable enhanced analytics by humans or additional software applications, to build a more sophisticated understand around a member's call experience, reasons for call transfers, effectiveness of sales by a member service representative (MSR), and how to better train or equip MSRs to optimize their efforts. |
| US09813556B2 |
Method for connecting users with agents based on user values dynamically determined according to a set of rules or algorithms
A request is received for connecting a user with an agent, the request identifying a user interaction with content. A second server is accessed to determine a first score of the user representing a benefit the user has generated for a client that provides the content. A third server is accessed to determine a second score of the user representing overall burden to provide services to the user by the client based on an interaction history of the user with the client. A user value is dynamically determined based on the first score and the second score using a user value determination algorithm that is specifically configured for the client. A list of agent candidates is identified from a pool of agents based on the user value and the collection of real-time data. A first communication session is established between the user and one of the agent candidates. |
| US09813555B2 |
Spectral diagnostic engine for customer support call center
A collective matrix is constructed, having a diagnostic sessions dimension and a diagnostic state descriptors dimension. The diagnostic state descriptors dimension includes a plurality of symptom fields, a plurality of root cause fields, and a plurality of solution fields. Collective matrix factorization of the collective matrix is performed to generate a factored collective matrix comprising a sessions factor matrix embedding diagnostic sessions and a descriptors factor matrix embedding diagnostic state descriptors. An in-progress diagnostic session is embedded in the factored collective matrix. A symptom or solution is recommended for evaluation in the in-progress diagnostic session based on the embedding. The diagnostic state descriptors dimension may further include at least one information field storing a representation (for example, a bag-of-words representation) of a semantic description of a problem being diagnosed by the in-progress diagnostic session. |
| US09813553B2 |
Device, system, and method for optimizing active transactions of an agent
A device, system, and method optimizes active transactions of an agent. The method performed using a prioritizing device of a contact center includes determining a first priority value of an incoming transaction, the incoming transaction included in a user request received by the contact center, the incoming transaction requiring utilization of a real-time communication channel. When the first priority value is greater than a predetermined threshold value, the method includes identifying an agent device associated with the contact center to process the incoming transaction, said agent device currently processing an ongoing transaction. The method includes transferring the ongoing transaction from the agent device. The method includes transferring the incoming transaction to the agent device. |
| US09813551B2 |
Multi-party conversation analyzer and logger
In one aspect, the present invention facilitates the investigation of networks of criminals, by gathering associations between phone numbers, the names of persons reached at those phone numbers, and voice print data. In another aspect the invention automatically detects phone calls from a prison where the voiceprint of the person called matches the voiceprint of a past inmate. In another aspect the invention detects identity scams in prisons, by monitoring for known voice characteristics of likely imposters on phone calls made by prisoners. In another aspect, the invention automatically does speech-to-text conversion of phone numbers spoken within a predetermined time of detecting data indicative of a three-way call event while monitoring a phone call from a prison inmate. In another aspect, the invention automatically thwarts attempts of prison inmates to use re-dialing services. In another aspect, the invention automatically tags audio data retrieved from a database, by steganographically encoding into the audio data the identity of the official retrieving the audio data. |
| US09813548B2 |
Call method of mobile terminal, mobile terminal control method, and related device
The present invention discloses a mobile terminal control method, including: receiving a communication request sent by a communication request initiating party, and calculating a time interval between a time when the communication request is received and a time when a previous communication request from the communication request initiating party is received; and if the time interval is greater than a preset threshold, skipping generating a vibrating and/or ringtone alert for the communication request, and detecting an online status of a communications software account associated with the communication request initiating party and sending prompt information to an online communications software account, where the prompt information is used to indicate that a mobile terminal is in a Do Not Disturb mode. |
| US09813544B2 |
Inconspicuous mode for mobile devices
A communication device is configured to switch from a normal mode of operation to an inconspicuous mode of operation in which a reduced set of information is presented on a home screen of a display of the device in comparison to a set of information presented on the home screen in the normal mode of operation. In addition, other display properties such as contrast and brightness may be adjusted to make them less conspicuous. The home screen in the inconspicuous mode of operation is less obtrusive or conspicuous to individuals than in the normal mode of operation. The device may enter the inconspicuous mode upon user request or by detecting at least one environmental condition using a sensor available to the mobile communication device. The environmental condition may be anything that the device can detect or sense in its surrounding environment such as ambient light or sound. The device may return to the normal mode of operation by user request or when the environmental condition is no longer present. |
| US09813540B2 |
Method of computing statistical vehicle data using mobile terminal and apparatus for performing the same
A method of creating statistical operation data using a mobile terminal in an audio video navigation (AVN) system of a vehicle includes wirelessly connecting the mobile terminal to the AVN system, receiving a signal set from at least one controller of the vehicle, and transmitting the received signal set to the wirelessly connected mobile terminal such that the mobile terminal creates the statistical operation data. In this instance, it is preferable that an application in which a computational logic for creation of the statistical operation data is defined be installed in the mobile terminal. |
| US09813538B2 |
Malicious call recognition method and apparatus
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a malicious call recognition method and apparatus, and belong to the field of mobile communication. The method includes: obtaining call detail record information of the call when a local end makes a call to a peer end, the call detail record information of the call including a call record of the local end within first preset duration that is closest to current time, and/or a call record of the peer end within the first preset duration that is closest to the current time; matching the call detail record information of the call with a malicious model corresponding to a malicious call event included in a preset malicious model library; and determining the call to be a malicious call if the malicious model that matches with the call detail record information of the call is found. |
| US09813535B2 |
Short range wireless location/motion sensing devices and reporting methods
Short range wireless location and motion sensing devices and reporting methods are provided herein. An example device includes a housing configured to couple with a power port of a vehicle. The housing includes a wireless interface, a motion sensor that senses at least one of velocity, acceleration, and orientation of the vehicle, a processor and a memory that stores logic that is executed by the processor to receive motion signals from the motion sensor and transmit the motion signals on the wireless interface to a mobile device that is communicatively coupled with the wireless adapter. |
| US09813533B1 |
Ultra-thin and portable cell phone holder
This invention provides an ultra-thin cell phone holder comprising a stainless steel support member, a main body, a strutting piece, and an angle adjustment unit. Top of the stainless steel support member is mounted with plastic gaskets, bottom secured by an anchoring unit through locking slots. The main body includes an anchoring unit, a baffle for cradling the bottom portion of cell phone, a locking slot and a strutting piece with stainless steel strengthening piece inside. The angle adjustment unit is firmly fixed at rear face of the stainless steel support member and is configured with angle adjustment ridges for adjusting to different angles. This ultra-thin cell phone holder is an innovative design in comparison to existing cell phone holders, and is a composite design of hardware and plastics, free of supporting holes on the stainless steel support member. The design contains an angle adjustment unit having a control range of 12 levels, with a locking slot to secure moveable structures for convenient folding. |
| US09813531B2 |
System and method for screen orientation in a rich media environment
A method of displaying content on a device comprises detecting a screen orientation change event, determining if one or more applications are configured to accommodate a screen orientation change, and triggering a screen orientation adjustment in a rich media engine. The screen orientation change event may be a hardware change associated with the device. The hardware change may be detected via sensors in the device. The screen orientation change event may be an input by the user or a signal received from a remote device. |
| US09813530B2 |
Apparatus, system and method of controlling data flow over a communication network
Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of controlling data flow over a communication network. For example, an apparatus may include a communication unit to communicate between first and second devices a transfer response, the transfer response in response to a transfer request, the transfer response including a transfer pending status indicating data is pending to be received at the second device, the communication unit is to communicate the transfer response regardless of whether a retry indicator of the transfer request represents a first request for transfer or a retried request. |
| US09813529B2 |
Effective circuits in packet-switched networks
The creation of an effective circuit between a sender device and a receiver device over the packet-switched network is described herein. To establish the effective circuit, the sender device sends a request to the receiver device through the packet-switched network. The request is associated with a bandwidth reservation from the receiver device for reception of a message from the sender device. The receiver device receives multiple requests from multiple sender devices and reserves bandwidth for at least one of the sender devices. The receiver device then sends a response to the at least one sender device providing clearance to send the message to the receiver device using the reserved bandwidth, the request and response establishing the effective circuit. The receiver device may also decline the requests of the other sender devices, causing the other sender devices to send other requests to other receiver devices. |
| US09813527B2 |
Management of network configuration and address provisioning
Provided are systems and methods for network management and configuration, Exemplary methods can comprise communicating a first message to a network device. The first message can specify one of a first protocol or a second protocol. Methods can comprise configuring a first logical address for the network device based at least on the first message. Methods can comprise communicating a second message to the network device. The second message can specify one of a first mode, directing the network device to use the first protocol to connect to a network, or a second mode, directing the network device to use the second protocol to connect to the network. Methods can also comprise receiving a notification to release the first logical address from the network device. Methods can further comprise configuring a second logical address for the network device that can be defined according to the second message. |
| US09813525B2 |
In-vehicle apparatus for signal conversion between ethernet and CAN communication and control method thereof
In-vehicle communication and, more particularly, a signal conversion method in a vehicle having Ethernet and controller area network (CAN) communication coexisting therein and an apparatus to perform the same are provided. The signal conversion method includes determining, by a processor, a start bit of at least one CAN signal disposed in a CAN message and generating an Ethernet signal having the CAN signal and the start bit that corresponds to the CAN signal in different fields. |
| US09813516B2 |
Transparent sharding of traffic across messaging brokers
Embodiments regard transparent sharding of traffic across messaging brokers. An embodiment of a method of sharding message traffic across messaging brokers includes providing a message sharding service for message sharding among a plurality of registered message brokers, wherein providing the message sharding service includes applying a current message sharding strategy; and sharding messages among the registered message brokers according to the current message sharding strategy, including registering the message brokers and assigning message queues to registered message brokers according to the current message sharding strategy; wherein the current message sharding strategy is one of a plurality of message sharding strategies. |
| US09813514B2 |
Information repository system including a wireless device and related method
An information repository system comprises a wireless device configured to receive a first version of information from a server. The first version of information has a first unique identifier associated therewith. The information repository is configured to store the first version of information having the first unique identifier and is configured to store a second version of the information having the first unique identifier. The second version of information overwrites the first version of information. |
| US09813512B2 |
Systems and methods for efficiently generating a geospatial data map for use in agricultural operations
A data receiving module receives sampled agricultural-related data associated with a given geographic area. An analysis module processes the received sampled agricultural-related data to generate a sub-sampled raster of agricultural-related data over the given geographic area. The analysis module processes the sub-sampled raster of agricultural-related data to generate a final output raster of agricultural-related data over the given geographic area. The final output raster has a higher resolution than the sub-sampled raster. A geospatial data map generation module generates image data that when used to control a display of a remote subscriber computing device causes the display to show a geospatial data map based on the final output raster of agricultural-related data over the given geographic area. A communication module transmits instructions including the generated image data to the remote subscriber computing device to cause processing of the image data to display the geospatial data map on the display. |
| US09813510B1 |
Network system to compute and transmit data based on predictive information
A method and system for arranging service provider selection are described. A network computer system can establish a set of criteria to determine whether to display, before actually receiving an acceptance from a service provider, an assumed acceptance or a likely service provider to provide on-demand services in response to data corresponding to a request for service sent from a computing device of a user. For example, the network computer system can predetermine a likely service provider or number of matching service providers and display this information to the user in lieu of a “requesting” screen. |
| US09813505B2 |
Devices in a flexible registration framework
A device includes at least one of a mechanical component or an electrical component and an Internet enabled embedded system that controls at least one of the mechanical component or the electrical component. The Internet enabled embedded system is configured to establish a connection to a local area network (LAN), provide data to a registration service via the connection to the LAN, receive from the registration service an instruction to implement a specified registration technique, and implement the specified registration technique. The registration service is configured to bind the embedded system to a user account responsive to satisfaction of a criterion of the specified registration technique. |
| US09813502B1 |
Data transfers in columnar data systems
A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request to transmit column group data to a target node, the column group data comprising C columns within a column-oriented data table and determining a transmission row count R for transmitting the column group data to the target node. The method may also include transmitting a transmission packet comprising R sequentially-ordered data elements for each of the C columns to the target node. The R data elements for each column may be sequentially retrieved from memory. A corresponding method includes receiving, at a target node, a request to receive the column group data, determining the transmission row count R for receiving the column group data, and receiving a transmission packet comprising R sequentially-ordered data elements for each of the C columns and storing the sequentially-ordered data elements within memory. A corresponding computer system and corresponding computer program products are also disclosed herein. |
| US09813501B2 |
Allocating distributed storage and task execution resources
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module obtaining a plurality of data access requests and a request to execute a distributed computing function that includes a plurality of partial tasks. The method continues with the DS processing module allocating execution of the plurality of partial tasks to a set of distributed storage and task execution (DSTE) units in accordance with a desired executing efficiency and allocating processing of the plurality of data access requests in accordance with a desired data access efficiency. The method continues with the DS processing module establishing the desired executing efficiency and the desired data access efficiency to obtain a desired utilization of the set of DSTE units. |
| US09813500B2 |
Allocating cloud storage based on storage attributes
A method of allocating cloud storage based on storage profiles includes receiving a storage request from a virtual machine associated with a tenant at a computing apparatus having connectivity to a network. The storage request is analyzed to determine one or more storage attributes of the storage request. An infrastructure is configured in a configuration based on the one or more storage attributes and data associated with the storage request is stored in the infrastructure in accordance with the configuration. |
| US09813499B2 |
Virtual storage system and method of sharing access to the virtual storage system for adding electronic documents
A virtual storage system in data communication with a user computing device via a communication network and methods of sharing access to the virtual storage system that includes at least one processor that receives a request for granting share access of at least one electronic folder of a plurality of electronic folders, and for adding at least one electronic document therein, and input information including upload link information and expiration information corresponding to the share access of the electronic folder, as input by a user, and creates at least one upload link corresponding to the electronic folder based on the input information, for granting share access to a recipient of the at least one upload link. The virtual storage system also includes a plurality of redundant physical storage devices in data communication with the processor and storing the electronic document to be uploaded, and the upload link created. |
| US09813495B1 |
Systems and methods for chat message notification
Systems and methods are provided for facilitating a chat session. The systems and methods may include receiving chat data, and predicting a likelihood of interest of the user in the chat data, the prediction being based on a model of the user's behavior and information reflecting an attribute and an availability associated with a user. The systems and methods may further include providing a notification to a device associated with the user based on the determined likelihood of interest. |
| US09813494B2 |
Context-aware peer-to-peer communication
Methods and systems are disclosed for determining context information for one or more peers to be used in a peer discovery and/or peer association process(es) and/or to otherwise facilitate P2P proximity communications. For example, a method for determining peer context information may include receiving a context-aware identifier (CAID). The CAID may include one or more items of context information associated with the peer in addition to an indication of an identity of the peer. A first portion of the CAID may be decoded to determine a first item of context information associated with the peer. The first portion of the CAID may be decodable without having to process a payload portion of the message. It may be determined whether to continue processing one or more of the CAID or the message based on the first item of context information. The CAID may be used in discovery and/or association procedure(s). |
| US09813492B2 |
System and method for automatic migration of poller proxy services in a service bus environment
In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for automatic migration of poller proxy services in a service bus environment. A singleton service framework component keeps a poller singleton application running on any of the managed servers in the cluster. The poller singleton application is registered with a cluster change listener, which listens for any state change in the cluster. Each poller proxy service is homogeneously deployed on each managed server in the cluster, and is associated with a poller engine configured to run on a particular managed server. When a managed server fails, the poller singleton application can migrate each poller engine configured to run on the failed managed server, to a running managed server, based on a preferred server list of the poller proxy service associated with that poller engine. |
| US09813490B2 |
Scheduled network communication for efficient re-partitioning of data
A method, apparatus, and system for efficiently re-partitioning data using scheduled network communication are provided. Given re-partitioning data defining the data blocks to be sent amongst a plurality of server nodes, a corresponding network schedule is determined to send the data blocks in a coordinated manner. The network schedule is divided into time slots, wherein each of the plurality of server nodes can send up to one data block and receive up to one data block in each time slot. By using a greedy selection algorithm that prioritizes by largest senders and largest receivers, a near optimal schedule can be determined even in the presence of heavy skew. The greedy selection algorithm can be implemented with a O(T*N^2) time complexity, enabling scaling to large multi-node clusters with many server nodes. The network schedule is of particular interest for database execution plans requiring re-partitioning on operators with different keys. |
| US09813485B2 |
Communication of virtual machine data
At least one of a method, a client computing device, and a server computing device for communicating data associated with a virtual machine are described. In one example, a client computing device is communicatively coupled to a network. A first set of data representative of at least a portion of a virtual machine disk image accessible on the network is determined, the first set of data comprising data arranged in a first sequence. From this first set of data, a second set of data is determined for communication to the client computing device over the network, the second set of data comprising at least a portion of the first set of data arranged in a second sequence, the second sequence being different from the first sequence. |
| US09813484B2 |
Method and apparatus analysis of event-related media
A communication system is provided that analyzes event-related media by correlating various media content based on the media being time-wise proximate to each other. Thereby, the communication system provides an informational tool for law enforcement agencies to correlate different media that all relate to a same event, such as subject matter media with related discussion media. For example, the subject matter media may comprise video, video stills, biometrics, sensor data, Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) data, pictures, BOLO (Be On the LookOut) bulletins, and the like, while the related discussion media may comprise Push-to-Talk talkbursts, telephone conversations, Instant Messaging (IM), emails, and other forms of discussion media. By correlating such media, the communication system facilitates event or incident reconstruction by providing related media together when providing event or incident playback. |
| US09813479B2 |
Browser with video display history
A web browser is configured to provide a video history display of videos that have been displayed in the browser, while excluding from the video history display representations of non-video pages. The browser stores information identifying videos embedded in web pages, including the source network location of the video, and video title, playback time, and representative image of the video (and optionally other attributes). The representative image of the video is derived from a frame of the video, and excludes other content from the web page in which the video was embedded, such as text and graphics thereon. The video history display includes only representations of the embedded videos that were displayed in the browser, without including representations of non-video pages. |
| US09813478B2 |
Method of sharing contents by using personal cloud device, and electronic device and personal cloud system
A method of sharing content by using a personal cloud device and an electronic device and a personal cloud system using the method are provided. The method includes connecting to a personal cloud device configured to share the content with another electronic device, if a new first content is added to a set first folder, determining an upload condition of the electronic device, and if the upload condition satisfies a set condition, transmitting the first content to the personal cloud device. Accordingly, a user is able to share contents between a plurality of electronic devices by using a personal cloud device in real time. |
| US09813477B2 |
Adjusting quality level of media streaming
Techniques described herein relate to adjusting a quality level of media streaming. A user device may transmit a request for a first segment of a media file at a first streaming quality level. The user device may determine changes in network communication quality associated with a wireless communication in that the user device is engaged. In response to a determination, the user device may adjust quality levels of media streaming. |
| US09813469B2 |
Method and devices for negotiating bandwidth in a peer-to-peer network
The present invention relates to distributing bandwidth between a plurality of devices in a system having bandwidth limitations, and in particular to a method for negotiating bandwidth in such a system wherein the plurality of devices are interconnected in a peer-to-peer network. The present invention further relates to a computer program product implementing the method and to such devices. |
| US09813462B2 |
Unified dynamic executable media playlists across connected endpoints
A system and method for generating a unified dynamic executable media playlist across connected endpoints for media play-out are disclosed. In one embodiment, endpoints are connected via a communication network. Each endpoint includes a media player and streamer module (MPSM). Further, a local media playlist is created, by the MPSM in each of the plurality of endpoints, using media residing in associated endpoints. Furthermore, the local media playlist is sent to one of the plurality of endpoints designated as a host by the MPSM in each of remaining endpoints. In addition, the unified dynamic executable media playlist is generated, by the MPSM in the host, by combining the received local media playlists and the local media playlist residing in the host. Also, the generated unified dynamic executable media playlist is sent, by the MPSM in the host, to each of the remaining endpoints for media play-out. |
| US09813460B2 |
Event triggered notifications for collaborative processes
Notifications that serve as “hints” related to activity associated with a collaborative process are propagated to an originator to alert the originator of activity on the collaborative process. A collaborative process server computer receives an indication that the originator has initiated a computer implemented collaborative process that generates collaborative content to be tracked. The collaborative process server computer is utilized to share the collaborative content associated with the collaborative process with at least one recipient. Computer implemented event(s) associated with the shared collaborative content by recipients are detected. Information associated with the collaborative process is automatically transformed in response to detected event(s) associated with the shared collaborative content, wherein a notification of the occurrence of the event(s) is propagated to the originator. The notification is generated in response to detected event(s) and is based upon the transformed information. |
| US09813459B2 |
Methods and systems for recommending communications configurations
Methods, systems and devices are provided for placeshifting data. An exemplary method of placeshifting a media program from a first device to a second device involves receiving, by a server on a network, from the second device, a request for a placeshifting session over the network with the first device, identifying, by the server, recommended communications configuration information for the placeshifting session, and providing, by the server, the recommended communications configuration information to one of the second device and the first device in response to the request. |
| US09813452B2 |
Digital rights management system providing event notifications for user actions based on access control rules
In a digital rights management system, a rights management server sends event notifications to certain users when other users perform certain actions (read, print, copy, etc.) on documents managed by the system. For each document, a notification rule defines which users will receive what event notifications for that document. The notification rule is determined based on document access permissions possessed by the users, so that only users who have permission to perform an action on the document will receive notifications when other users perform that action on the document, while users with no permission to perform an action will not receive notifications when other users perform that action. The server also allows the users who have permission to perform an action to opt out of the notifications. The server monitors events that occur on the documents, and sends event notifications to appropriate users according to the notification rules. |
| US09813448B2 |
Secured network arrangement and methods thereof
A high density network arrangement for managing an integrated secured multiple networks arrangement is provided. The arrangement includes a power module for providing power to a circuitry of the high density network arrangement. The arrangement also includes a plurality of network interfaces, wherein each network interface of the plurality of network interfaces is configured for coupling with a network arrangement. The arrangement further includes a processor for providing processing capability to the high density network arrangement. The arrangement yet also includes logic arrangement for managing data traffic flowing through the plurality of network interfaces, wherein the data traffic is configured to traverse the high density network arrangement between the plurality of network arrangement interfaces irrespective whether the power is provided to the circuitry of the high density network arrangement. |
| US09813447B2 |
Device and related method for establishing network policy based on applications
A function is provided in a network system for adjusting network policies associated with the operation of network infrastructure devices of the network system. Network policies are established on network devices including packet forwarding devices. The network has a capability to identify computer applications associated with traffic running on the network. A network policy controller of the network is arranged to change one or more policies of one or more network devices based on computer application information acquired. The policies changed may be network policies as well as mirroring policies. An example policy to change is direct a network device to mirror traffic to an application identification appliance for the purpose of identifying applications running on the network through a plurality of mechanisms. The function may be provided in one or more devices of the network. |
| US09813446B2 |
Systems and methods for matching and scoring sameness
Systems and methods for matching and scoring sameness. In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method is provided, comprising acts of: identifying a plurality of first-degree anchor values from the first digital interaction, wherein the plurality of first-degree anchor values comprise first-degree anchor values X and Y; accessing a profile of the first-degree anchor value X, wherein: the profile of the first-degree anchor value X comprises a plurality of sets of second-degree anchor values; and each set of the plurality of sets of second-degree anchor values corresponds to a respective anchor type and comprises one or more second-degree anchor values of that anchor type; determining how closely the first-degree anchor values X and Y are associated; and generating an association score indicative of how closely the plurality of first-degree anchors are associated, based at least in part on how closely the first-degree anchor values X and Y are associated. |
| US09813443B1 |
Systems and methods for remediating the effects of malware
The disclosed computer-implemented method for remediating the effects of malware may include (1) identifying a file on a client device, (2) determining, using a digital fingerprint that identifies the file, that the file's reputation is unknown, (3) in response to determining that the file's reputation is unknown, logging changes made by the file to the client device, (4) determining that the changes made by the file are to be reversed, and (5) in response to determining that the changes made by the file are to be reversed, instructing the client device to reverse the changes made by the file to the client device. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09813441B2 |
Detecting and breaking CAPTCHA automation scripts and preventing image scraping
A security device may receive a request from a client device and intended for a server device. The security device may identify the request as being associated with a malicious activity. The malicious activity may include one or more undesirable tasks directed to the server device. The security device may generate a challenge-response test based on identifying the request as being associated with the malicious activity. The challenge-response test may be generated using one or more construction techniques. The security device may provide the challenge-response test to the client device. The security device may receive, from the client device, a proposed solution to the challenge-response test. The security device may identify the proposed solution as being generated using an optical character recognition (OCR) program. The security device may protect the server device from the client device based on identifying the solution as being generated using an OCR program. |
| US09813440B1 |
Polymorphic treatment of annotated content
A computer-implemented method includes receiving content and annotation information that describe a structure of the content, the annotation information having been previously generated by a sub-system that is separate from a content transformation sub-system and at a time before the content was requested to be served; interpreting the annotation information to generate transcoding rules that identify one or more portions of the received content to be transcoded in serving the content; applying the transcoding rules to the content to change the content in a manner that interferes with an ability of malware on a client device to interfere with operation of the content; and providing the transcoded content to a client device that requested the content. |
| US09813437B2 |
Systems and methods for determining malicious-download risk based on user behavior
The disclosed computer-implemented method for determining malicious-download risk based on user behavior may include (1) identifying a set of users that are at high risk for malicious downloads and a set of users that are at low risk for malicious downloads, (2) determining a high-risk pattern of download behavior that is shared by the set of high-risk users and that is not shared by the set of low-risk users, (3) analyzing download behavior of an uncategorized user over a predefined time period in order to categorize the download behavior as high-risk or low-risk, and (4) categorizing the uncategorized user as a high-risk user in response to determining that the download behavior of the uncategorized user falls within a predefined similarity threshold of the high-risk pattern of download behavior. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09813436B2 |
Method for vehicle intrusion detection with electronic control unit
A method of operating a predetermined electronic control unit is provided for a vehicle comprising: a vehicle network bus and one or more electronic control units coupled to the bus. The method comprises: providing the predetermined electronic control unit of with a processor, a memory, an interface to the vehicle network bus, and an intrusion detection program. The method further comprises: utilizing the predetermined electronic control unit to monitor data on the vehicle network bus; executing the intrusion detection program to detect one or more anomalies in the monitored data; and utilizing the predetermined electronic control unit to generate an alert upon detection of one or more anomalies. |
| US09813435B2 |
Network security analysis using real-time and batch detection engines
A security platform employs a variety techniques and mechanisms to detect security related anomalies and threats in a computer network environment. The security platform is “big data” driven and employs machine learning to perform security analytics. The security platform performs user/entity behavioral analytics (UEBA) to detect the security related anomalies and threats, regardless of whether such anomalies/threats were previously known. The security platform can include both real-time and batch paths/modes for detecting anomalies and threats. By visually presenting analytical results scored with risk ratings and supporting evidence, the security platform enables network security administrators to respond to a detected anomaly or threat, and to take action promptly. |
| US09813424B2 |
Communication system, server, and client device
A communication system includes: a client device and a server. The server can store first address information specifying at least one first global IP address and is configured to: receive, from the client device, an IP packet containing first information and a second global IP address; determine whether the second global IP address coincides with the specified first global IP address; and when the second global IP address coincides with the specified first global IP address, transmit second information to the client device. The client device stores an object program and is configured to: transmit the first information to the server when the client device is in a restricted state in which the client device is not permitted to execute the object program; receive the second information from the server; and cancel the restricted state of the client device when the second controller receives the second information. |
| US09813422B2 |
Detecting unauthorized risky or inefficient usage of privileged credentials through analysis of task completion timing
A privileged account management system can maintain a database that defines a normal amount of time that it takes to perform a task associated with a reason code. When an administrator requests admin credentials for accessing a server, the administrator can provide a reason code which defines a task that the administrator intends to accomplish. A PAM system can maintain a database that defines, for each reason code, a normal amount of time that is required to accomplish the task associated with the reason code. The PAM system can then monitor an elapsed time over which the admin credentials are checked out to an administrator to determine whether the elapsed time exceeds the corresponding normal amount of time. If the elapsed time exceeds the normal amount, the PAM system can take appropriate action to mitigate any potential harm to the server. |
| US09813419B2 |
Systems and methods for securing social media for users and businesses and rewarding for enhancing security
The disclosed system and method enhances security of people, organizations, and other entities that use what has been termed “social media.” Recent trends have shown that information posted to social media may cause tremendous damage to individuals and other entities. This includes information that was posted deliberately or unintentionally, including social security numbers, financial data and other sensitive information. Further, information that previously may have been viewed as innocuous, such as location data, has caused harm on certain occasions and may need to be protected. The disclosed system provides a novel method of screening, identifying, and preventing certain information from being posted on social media and other public locations. In addition, the disclosed system and method improves security by motivating people to use security software by offering rewards for its use. |
| US09813416B2 |
Data security system with encryption
A data security system, and method of operation thereof, is provided that includes: an electronic authentication subsystem for verifying a user identification against an authentication key and for employing the authentication key for retrieving an encryption key, the authentication key only accessible from inside the electronic authentication subsystem, and the user identification supplied from outside the data security system to a receiver within the electronic authentication subsystem; and a storage subsystem employing the encryption key for allowing unencrypted communication through the storage subsystem between a host computer system and a storage media. |
| US09813409B2 |
Method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium
A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence provides a secure means to access a restricted account through a dynamic password defined by element selection requirements. A selection grid is dynamically generated with graphical elements, and a password sequence is inputted by selecting certain grid cells containing graphical elements. Various preferences provide full customizability for the dynamic password, and security measures increase the difficulty of an undesirable user ascertaining the element selection requirements. The dynamic password can adapt over time through user input by designating one of the sequential locations of the password sequence as a sequence updating parameter. |
| US09813408B2 |
Asset guardian
An asset guardian system may comprise a server including a processor with memory and a database. The processor may be configured to receive asset information regarding a plurality of assets and update the database with the received asset information. A mobile device may be configured to change at least one of the assets from a disabled condition to an enabled condition in response to an asset code from the server. At least one of the plurality of assets may be configured to authenticate the asset code and register the asset code with the server thereby updating the asset information on the database. At least one of the plurality of assets may further be configured to be operatively paired with a respective socket. |
| US09813406B2 |
Device authentication in ad-hoc networks
Technologies are generally described for methods and systems effective to authenticate an invited device. In some examples, a method for authenticating an invited device may include receiving, by an evaluating device, a first message from the invited device. The evaluating device may receive the first message at a first receiving time. The method may also include receiving, by the evaluating device, a second message from the inviting device. The evaluating device may receive the second message at a second receiving time. A first sending time, of the first message, and a second sending time, of the second message, may be mutually synchronized. The method may also include determining a receiving time difference between the first receiving time and the second receiving time. The method may also include, by the evaluating device, authenticating the invited device based on the receiving time difference, the first message and the second message. |
| US09813405B2 |
System and method for protecting train event data
Systems and methods for protecting and preventing unauthorized transfer or downloading of recorded train event data for use in a train event recording system of a train. A train event recording system and an authenticated data storage device are also disclosed. According to one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, provided is a system for protecting recorded train event data, the system including at least one external memory device having encrypted authentication data stored thereon, the encrypted authentication data including authentication data encrypted with at least one first key. |
| US09813404B2 |
Content URL authentication for dash
Technology for content uniform resource locator (URL) authentication for dynamic adaptive streaming over hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) (DASH) is disclosed. In an example, a client device can include computer circuitry configured to: Receive a URL authentication key indicator and a content URL signature indicator from a server; generate a calculated URL signature for a URL in a DASH media presentation description (MPD) from the URL authentication key indicator; request the DASH segment when the calculated URL signature matches the received content URL signature, thereby authenticating content URL; and receive a DASH segment using the authenticated content URL. The received content URL signature is derived at the server from the content URL contained within the DASH segment URL. |
| US09813403B2 |
Securing communications with enhanced media platforms
Various methods and systems for securing communications with enhanced media platforms, are provided. In particular, an enhanced media platform is authenticated using a trusted location. The authenticated enhanced media platform establishes a bidirectional trust with an enhanced remote location, the enhanced media platform being stored in the enhanced remote location. Upon authentication and establishing the bidirectional trust, the enhanced media platform may securely communicate media content in a media content distribution service infrastructure while supporting custom functionality. The method for securing communications with enhanced media platforms includes communicating authentication credentials to an internal security component at the trusted location. The method further includes receiving validation credentials from the internal security component. The method also includes authenticating the enhanced remote location based on at least a portion of the validation credentials received. The method further includes establishing the bidirectional trust relationship with the enhanced remote location using the validation credentials. |
| US09813395B2 |
System and method for authenticating and enabling an electronic device in an electronic system
A system and method for authenticating and enabling an electronic device in an electronic system are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: an electronic system comprising: a protected device; a requesting device node, executing on a computing system, the requesting device node including: a device query data packet generator to generate a device query packet including data representing one or more identifiers of the protected device and a particular paired system; and an authentication key retriever to obtain an authentication key based on the device query data packet from an authentication provisioning node using an external data communication; and an obfuscation state machine of the particular paired system configured with a pre-defined quantity of state elements, a pre-defined quantity of the state elements being functional state elements, the obfuscation state machine being programmed with the authentication key to cause the obfuscation state machine to transition the protected device from an initial obfuscation state to a functional state. |
| US09813393B2 |
System and method for client-side analytic data collection
A portable computing device with methodologies for client-side analytic data collection are described. In one embodiment, for example, a method performed by a portable computing device having non-volatile memory includes the steps of obtaining event information reflecting runtime behavior of an application executing on the portable computing device; cryptographically encrypting the event information; storing the encrypted event information in the non-volatile memory; decrypting the encrypted event information; and sending the decrypted event information to a server over a data network, the decrypted event information encapsulated in a cryptographically secured network data stream when sent over the data network to the server. |
| US09813387B2 |
Vehicle communication network security system and method
A vehicle communication network security system) includes one or more processors configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle system traveling together along a route. The processors examine one or more characteristics of an incoming data signal received by the processors from a communication device disposed onboard the vehicle system. The processors determine whether the incoming data signal is a secure data signal or an insecure data signal based on the one or more characteristics, communicate the incoming data signal to one or more onboard systems of the vehicle system for use by the one or more onboard systems in controlling operation of the vehicle system responsive to determining that the incoming data signal is the secure data signal, and prevent the incoming data from being communicated to the one or more onboard systems responsive to determining that the incoming data signal is the insecure data signal. |
| US09813386B2 |
Cooperation service providing system and server apparatus
Upon receiving ciphertext data transmitted by each service apparatus, a cooperation apparatus according to an embodiment generates re encrypted data by performing re encryption processing for the ciphertext data using are encryption key. Each of the service apparatuses transmits, to the cooperation apparatus, a request to acquire user information of a user specified by an identification (ID) indicated by the ciphertext data and stored in the other service apparatus, together with the ciphertext data. Upon receiving the re encrypted data transmitted by the cooperation apparatus, the service apparatus acquires an ID by decrypting the re encrypted data using a private key, reads out user information, and transmits the user information to the other service apparatus. |
| US09813385B2 |
Method and system for load balancing
Example implementations are directed to the facilitation of UDP load balancing even in implementations that involve load balancers that support only TCP. In example implementations, the application can control the session lifetime through the accompanying TCP connection. Thus, example implementations can make use of any load balancer that supports only TCP. |
| US09813379B1 |
Virtual private gateways using compute instances
A request to establish a VPN connection between a customer data center and a set of resources of a provider network is received. A new isolated virtual network (IVN) is established to implement a virtual private gateway to be used for the connection. One or more protocol processing engines (PPEs) are instantiated within the IVN, and a respective VPN tunnel is configured between each of the PPEs and the customer data center. Routing information pertaining to the set of resources is provided to the customer data center via at least one of the VPN tunnels, enabling routing of customer data to the set of resources within the provider network from the customer data center. |
| US09813378B2 |
Customizable web application firewall for software as a service platform
Disclosed herein are technologies for implementing a web application firewall specific to tenants, and providing different security rules that are particular to the tenants. In accordance with one implementation, authentication instructions as to one or more tenants may be received and the one or more tenants may be registered. Rules associated to and specific to each of the one or more tenants may further be identified and implemented. |
| US09813374B1 |
Automated allocation using spare IP addresses pools
Techniques and solutions are provided for performing automated allocation of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. For example, automated allocation of IP addresses can be performed by determining that remaining IP addresses in an available IP address pool are below a threshold value, obtaining a range of contiguous IP addresses from a common spare IP address pool, and allocating the range of contiguous IP addresses from the common spare IP address pool to the available IP address pool. The available IP address pool can then be used to allocate IP addresses to instances and/or services. |
| US09813373B2 |
Methods and devices for online contacts expansion
A device may include a storage medium and a processor. The processor may execute a set of instructions in the storage medium to: provide a first platform; provide a first user account registered in the first platform to a user; access, through the first user account, a second user account of the user registered in a second platform; obtain, from the second user account, a communication log of the second user account; obtain an address list from the second user account; obtain a plurality of contacts from the second user account who have a prior communication with the user through the second user account based on the communication log; select, from the plurality of contacts, at least one recommended contact for the user; combine the at least one recommended contact with the address list in to a combined list; and display the combined list via the first user account, highlighting the at least one recommended contact to the user. |
| US09813372B2 |
System and method for incorporating chat elements into a communication interface
A method performed by a first mobile device is provided. The method comprises: detecting an activity update to an account associated with the first mobile device; communicating the activity update to at least one account contact; receiving a response to the communicated update from the at least one account contact; displaying in a display of the first mobile device: an activity update view having the response appended to the activity update; and a messaging view of a messaging session between the account and the at least one account contact, the messaging view displaying the activity update in association with the response. |
| US09813370B2 |
System and method for analyzing communications
The invention provides a system and method for analyzing a collection of communication messages. The communication messages may be any one of a collection of electronic mail messages, voicemail messages, instant messaging dialogs and other forms of communications. The collections of communications, such as electronic mail messages, may be selected by a user and then subsequently processed to determine the identity of any of the user's contacts within the communications. The contacts may then be arranged in a relative priority arrangement whereby contacts which have been identified as engaging in prior reciprocal communications with the user are given higher priority. Higher priority may also be given to contacts which engage in more recent communications with the user. Specific contact relationships may be inferred from the communications depending on whether specific contacts are repeatedly mentioned within the communication messages. |
| US09813366B2 |
Method and system for communicating between a sender and a recipient via a personalized message including an audio clip extracted from a pre-existing recording
A method of communicating between a sender and a recipient via a personalized message is disclosed comprising: (a) identifying text, via the user interface of a communication device, of a desired lyric phrase from within a pre-existing audio recording; (b) extracting audio substantially associated with the desired lyric phrase from the pre-existing recording into a desired audio clip; (c) inputting personalized text via the user interface; (d) creating the personalized message with the sender identification, the personalized text and access to the desired audio clip; (e) sending an electronic message to the electronic address of the recipient, wherein the electronic message may be an SMS/EMS/MMS message, instant message or email message including a link to the personalized message or an EMS/MMS or email message including the personalized message. An associated method of earning money from the communication along with associated systems are also disclosed. |
| US09813365B2 |
Integrated real-time digital communication platform
A method and a system are disclosed including software and hardware components implementing a Universal Email Platform (UEP) that allows communications between existing email clients and UEP email clients. UEP allows interactions between clients as a real-time, ongoing stream of communications, in which people may enter an ongoing conversation in the computing cloud and have access to the thread of communications prior to their joining. A mid-layer architecture allows UEP to seamlessly communicate through multiple other existing or new email platforms. The cloud-based conversation may be split or nested allowing side conversations. Filters may be employed to filter email contents based on participants, subject, attachments, and the like. A user may search for threads based on various criteria such as date range, sender, receiver, subject, attachments and other parameters. Search may be for one thread among others or inside threads. |
| US09813364B2 |
Image display apparatus and method for operating the same
An image display apparatus and a method for operating the same are disclosed. The image display apparatus includes a display configured to display a chat window and to display input conversation content in the chat window, a communication unit configured to receive direction information and distance information of one or more other users, and a controller configured to control display of an object indicating location information including at least one of direction information and distance information of the one or more other users in the chat window. Accordingly, it is possible to increase user convenience. |
| US09813363B1 |
Providing data messaging support by intercepting and processing received short message service (SMS) messages at a customer support service
A message receiving, intercepting and processing method and corresponding application and device may provide receiving a message at a message processing server, pre-processing the message to determine a particular contextual classification associated with a word included in the message and assigning the message to a predefined message bucket that has a number of automated responses. The method may also include identifying an automated response to the message that includes contextual information that is based on the parsed word from the message and processing the message to determine whether to generate the automated response and transmit the automated response to an end user device based on a confidence score. |
| US09813356B1 |
Calculating bandwidth information in multi-stage networks
Techniques and solutions are provided for calculating bandwidth matrices for multi-stage networks using matrix operations. For example, link status information can be obtained for network devices of the multi-stage network. Using the link status information, link state matrices can be determined representing bandwidth and connectivity between network devices of adjacent stages of the multi-stage network. Bandwidth matrices can then be calculated using the link state matrices. The bandwidth matrices represent how network traffic is distributed to destination devices. |
| US09813355B2 |
Logical switches
The deployment and scaling of a network of electronic devices can be improved by utilizing one or more network transpose boxes. Each transpose box can include a number of connectors and a meshing useful for implementing a specific network topology. Different tiers of a network can be connected to one or more of the network transpose boxes, and operated as a logical switch. A control server can be used to manage the control plane operations of the logical switch. |
| US09813354B2 |
Network management module for a vehicle communication network
A network management module includes a network interface module, memory, and a processing module. The network interface module is operable for coupling the network management module to a vehicle communication network. The processing module is operable to manage a global vehicle network communication protocol that includes instituting a content-based network packet processing protocol and managing the vehicle communication network to support the network packet processing protocol. The content-based network packet processing protocol includes determining content type of a packet, determining a processing requirement of the packet, and prioritizing execution of the processing requirement based on the content type. |
| US09813353B1 |
Migration of files contained on virtual storage to a cloud storage infrastructure
Disclosed are an apparatus and method of performing a data file migration to a cloud source. One example method of operation may include establishing via a transmitter an application programming interface (API) connection to an enterprise network, identifying via a processor one or more present allocation parameters being utilized by one or more virtual machines operating on the enterprise network. The method may also provide requesting via the transmitter a directory file structure and identifying via the processor at least one data file for data migration to a remote cloud storage server based on predetermined criteria. |
| US09813350B2 |
Generation device, reproduction device, data structure, generation method, reproduction method, control program, and recording medium
There is provided a transmitter by which a reception side easily detects packet loss of a transport packet. The transmitter (1) includes a content dividing unit (13) that divides a set composed of a plurality of units into a plurality of subsets, a transport sequence assigning unit (15) that assigns, to the packet, the transport sequence of the unit within a component and the transport sequence of the unit within the subset, and a header generating unit (14) that generates a packet including the transport sequences. |
| US09813348B2 |
System for transmitting concurrent data flows on a network
A system for transmitting concurrent data flows on a network, includes a memory containing data of data flows; a plurality of queues assigned respectively to the data flows, organized to receive the data as atomic transmission units; a flow regulator to poll the queues in sequence and, if the polled queue contains a full transmission unit, transmitting the unit on the network at a nominal flow-rate of the network; a sequencer to poll the queues in a round-robin manner and enable a data request signal when the filling level of the polled queue is below a threshold common to all queues, which threshold is greater than the size of the largest transmission unit; and a direct memory access configured to receive the data request signal and respond thereto by transferring data from the memory to the corresponding queue at a nominal speed of the system, up to the common threshold. |
| US09813347B2 |
Advertising network layer reachability information specifying a quality of service for an identified network flow
Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for advertising network layer reachability information specifying a quality of service for an identified network flow are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein to specify quality of service for network flows include receiving network layer reachability information including a first quality of service class specified for a first network flow, the network layer reachability information having been advertised by a first network element that is to receive the first network flow. Such example methods can also include updating an incoming packet determined to belong to the first network flow to indicate that the incoming packet belongs to the first quality of service class, the incoming packet being received from a second network element. Such example methods can further include, after updating the incoming packet, routing the incoming packet towards the first network element. |
| US09813344B2 |
Method and system for load balancing in a software-defined networking (SDN) system upon server reconfiguration
In one embodiment, a method for load balancing in a software-define networking (SDN) system includes, upon receiving a packet, determining whether a matching entry for the packet in a server distribution table contains both a current and new server selection. If the matching entry contains both, it is determined whether there is a matching entry for the packet in a transient flow table, where the transient flow table maintains server selections when at least one of the plurality of servers is reconfigured. Upon determining that there is no matching entry for the packet in the transient flow table, the method determines whether the packet is a first packet of a traffic flow. If the packet is the first packet of a traffic flow, the packet is forwarded according to the new server selection of the matching entry in the server distribution table, and the transient flow table is updated. |
| US09813342B2 |
Method and system for improved load balancing of received network traffic
A method and a system embodying the method for load balancing of a received a packet based network traffic, comprising: receiving a packet at a software defined network switch; determining information pertaining to uniqueness of a packet flow for the received packet; providing the determined information and the received packet to a network interface controller; and processing the received packet at the network interface controller in accordance with the provided determined information, are disclosed. |
| US09813338B2 |
Co-existence of routable and non-routable RDMA solutions on the same network interface
An example method for simultaneously supporting, on a single VIC adapter (i.e. on a single network interface), RDMA transport according to multiple RoCE versions is disclosed. The method includes providing the VIC adapter with an indication of a RoCE version used for a particular RDMA connection between two compute nodes identified by a certain QP identifier, and then automatically configuring Egress (EG) packet classifier and flow table of the VIC adapter to encapsulate outgoing RDMA commands and automatically configuring Ingress (IG) packet classifier and flow table of the VIC adapter to decapsulate incoming RoCE packets for that RDMA connection according to the indicated RoCE version. Automatic encapsulation and decapsulation according to any one of the multiple RoCE versions that may be used for a particular RDMA connection, i.e. on a per-QP basis, advantageously allows co-existence of routable (i.e. RoCEv2) and non-routable (i.e. RoCEv1) RDMA solutions on a single network interface. |
| US09813335B2 |
System, method, and computer program for augmenting a physical system utilizing a network function virtualization orchestrator (NFV-O)
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for augmenting a physical network system utilizing a network function virtualization orchestrator (NFV-O). In use, data traffic is monitored utilizing a Network Function Virtualization Orchestrator (NFV-O) module associated with at least a portion of a physical network system, the NFV-O module being operable to manage data flow associated with one or more Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) and one or more physical elements of the physical network system. Additionally, it is determined whether flow of the data traffic should be modified based on at least one of a traffic load or a traffic type utilizing the NFV-O module integrated in the physical network system. Further, at least a portion of the data traffic is directed from at least one of the physical elements to at least one of the VNFs when it is determined that the flow of the data traffic should be modified. |
| US09813332B2 |
Method, device and system for establishing label switched path
The present application discloses a method, a device and a system for establishing an LSP. The method includes: allocating, by a proxy node device, a label for a destination node device, generating a label mapping message carrying the label, an address of the destination node device and an address of the proxy node device, and sending the label mapping message to an upstream node device to initiate establishment of a first LSP from an entry node device to the proxy node device; stitching, by the proxy node device, the first LSP with a second LSP to form a third LSP from the entry node device to the destination node device, where the second LSP is an LSP established between the proxy node device and the destination node device. |
| US09813324B2 |
Dynamic control of endpoint profiling
A server is in communication with a network device that has network connectivity to an endpoint device. The server receives from the network device a packet that includes a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the endpoint device. A determination is made as to whether at least a portion of the MAC address matches stored information for MAC addresses of known endpoint devices. One or more attributes that carry further descriptive information of the endpoint device are extracted from the packet. It is determined based whether the endpoint device can be classified at a level of granularity according to a policy rule. If the endpoint device cannot be classified at the level of granularity, a probe function is dynamically selected based on the one or more attributes extracted from the packet and the MAC address to collect additional data about the endpoint device. |
| US09813321B2 |
Hybrid content delivery system
Methods and systems for delivering content are generally described. In an example, a processor may receive a first request from a first device. The first request may be a request for the content. The processor may further send at least a first chunk of content data to the first device. The content data may be associated with the content. The processor may further receive a second request from a second device. The second request may be for the content. The processor may further send an identification of the first device to the second device. The processor may further send an instruction to the second device. The instruction may be effective to establish a communication channel between the first device and the second device in order for a second chunk of the content data to be sent from the first device to the second device through the communication channel. |
| US09813320B2 |
System and method for generating a graphical user interface representative of network performance
The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for monitoring performance of a packet network. In one embodiment, a method includes collecting network performance information from a plurality of network nodes of a packet network, the network performance information being indicative of a health of the network packet network. The method includes storing the network performance information collected from the plurality of network nodes and generating a graphical user interface including a graphical representation of the network performance information, wherein the graphical representation of a network segment is indicated as a line, and wherein a width of the line widens and narrows in accordance with an amount of traffic flow over the network segment. |
| US09813317B2 |
Self-localizing data distribution network
To adaptively self-localize distributed data processing and data distribution and reduce data transfer costs in a network monitoring system, data has a corresponding ownership association. For each data access, an ownership association value for the accessed data may be modified based on whether the access originated with a current owner processing node or a second most-frequently accessing processing node. The ownership association value indicates a strength of the ownership association between the data and the owner and is based on at least a recent history of accesses of the data by the current owner and the second most-frequently accessing node. When the ownership association value traverses a selected cutoff, ownership association of the data is transferred from the current owner to the second most-frequently accessing node. The ownership association transfer contributes to self-localizing data processing based on a source of input regarding the data. |
| US09813316B1 |
Implementing scalable throttled poller
A method includes receiving a polling time period and determining a respective polling time for each network device in a plurality of network devices, wherein each respective polling time is distributed evenly across the polling time period. The method further includes determining a time-out time span. The time-out time span includes a start time equivalent to a polling time period end time and an end time. The method additionally includes polling each network device in the plurality of network devices at each respective polling time. The polling includes sending a first message to a first particular network device, and, in response to sending the first message, listening for a response to the first message until the end time of the time-out time span. The polling further includes flagging the first particular network device for review after the end time of the time-out time span. |
| US09813312B2 |
Systems and methods for performing debugging operations on networks using a controller
A controller implemented on computing equipment may control switches in a network. The controller may provide flow tables that implement network policies to the switches to control packet forwarding through the network. The controller may provide debug table entries to the switches for use in a debug table that is separate from the flow table. The debug table entries may match incoming network packets and increment corresponding counters on the switches. The controller may retrieve count information from the counters for performing debugging operations on the network. For example, the controller may identify conflicts between fields of a selected flow table entry, determine whether elephant packet flows are present between switches, determine whether desired load balancing is being performed, determine whether a network path has changed, determine whether packet loss has occurred, and/or determine whether network packets are taking undesired paths based on the retrieved count information. |
| US09813304B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatically managing sub-layer interfaces
A method of providing network management information about a multiple-layer network communications interface sub-stack to a network management client includes establishing a standardized network management representation by use of an interface manager and a real driver and a pseudo driver, receiving a request from the network management client for network management information about an expected sub-layer interface, and in response to the request obtaining, by the pseudo driver, data maintained by the real driver corresponding to the requested network management information, and returning the data obtained by the pseudo driver to the network management client in satisfaction of the request. |
| US09813294B2 |
Optimization of a home automation system using a local power line communication network
A method for optimizing a home automation system is provided having a plurality of communicating devices capable of exchanging information therebetween via a local low bandwidth PLC (Power Line Communication) network. The method includes a phase in which the PLC transmission power is adjusted for each new device added to the network. The phase includes the following successive steps: installing (10) the new device configured to transmit at a predefined maximum power on said PLC network; cutting off (20) all ongoing communications on the PLC network except for the new device; testing communication for each pre-existing device on the PLC network with which the new device is to be paired and, if communication fails, ensuring an automatic incremental increase (30) of the PLC transmission power of the pre-existing device until a first PLC transmission power value is reached at which PLC communication can be initialized between the pre-existing device and the new device; and ensuring an automatic reduction (40) of the PLC transmission power of the new device while communication between each pre-existing device and the new device is active. |
| US09813290B2 |
Method and system for supporting distributed relay control protocol (DRCP) operations upon misconfiguration
A method supporting a distributed resilient network interconnect (DRNI) in a link aggregation group at a network device is disclosed. The method starts with receiving a distributed relay control protocol data unit (DRCPDU), where the DRCPDU includes neighbor network device's state information and configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes its operational aggregation key, gateway digest, port digest. The method continue with determine whether or not the received configuration information is different from the one of the network device and how, and causing the next DRCPDU to be transmitted to the neighbor network device to include or not include certain information accordingly. |
| US09813288B2 |
Control apparatus, control method, communication system, and program for issuing database operation command to operate database
A control apparatus includes: a database which stores control information for controlling a network; an interface unit which is connectable to a plurality of modules, each of which operates the control information based on a predetermined algorithm, and which operates the control information responsive to a database operation command issued by any one of the modules; and a control unit which controls packet processing in the network based on the control information configured by an operation executed by any one of the modules. |
| US09813283B2 |
Efficient data transfer between servers and remote peripherals
Methods and apparatus are provided for transferring data between servers and a remote entity having multiple peripherals. Multiple servers are connected to a remote entity over an Remote Direct Memory Access capable network. The remote entity includes peripherals such as network interface cards (NICs) and host bus adapters (HBAs). Server descriptor rings and descriptors are provided to allow efficient and effective communication between the servers and the remote entity. |
| US09813281B2 |
Apparatus and methods for signal generation, reception, and self-calibration
Apparatus and methods for signal generation, reception, and calibration involving quadrature modulation and frequency conversion. Embodiments of the present invention provide extremely wide bandwidth, high spectral purity, versatility and adaptability in configuration, and ease of calibration, and are particularly well-adapted for use in integrated circuitry. |
| US09813275B2 |
Apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals, apparatus for receiving broadcast signals, method for transmitting broadcast signals and method for receiving broadcast signals
The present invention provides an apparatus of transmitting broadcast signals. The apparatus includes, an encoder for encoding service data, a bit interleaver for bit interleaving the encoded service data, a mapper for mapping the bit interleaved service data into a plurality of OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) symbols to build at least one signal frame, an OFDM modulator for modulating data in the built at least one signal frame by an OFDM scheme and a transmitter for transmitting the broadcast signals having the modulated data. |
| US09813270B2 |
Heart rate sensor and medical diagnostics wireless devices
A heart generated signal is provided by a heart sensor of a mobile device to an analog to digital (A/D) converter for A/D converting the sensor provided signal. The A/D converted heart signal is processed to provide heart rate. The heart rate is recorded or stored in the mobile device or is transmitted in a wireless communication system. The mobile device receives sensor provided Electro Cardiogram (ECG) signal. The ECG signal is stored or is provided to an interface unit. The mobile device has transceivers for receiving and transmitting Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) signals and for modulating and transmitting spread spectrum baseband signals. The spread spectrum baseband signals have cross-correlated in-phase and quadrature-phase filtered baseband signals. |
| US09813268B2 |
Digital frequency modulation receiver with frequency variation signal and demodulation method used by the same
A digital frequency modulation receiver includes a phase capturer, an adder, a digital filter and a phase estimator. The phase estimator is used to generate a first phase value according to an input signal. The adder is coupled to the phase estimator for subtracting a second phase value from the first phase value to generate a phase difference. The digital filter is coupled to the adder for performing a filtering calculation with the phase difference so as to generate a frequency variation signal. The phase estimator is coupled to the digital filter and the adder so as to update the second phase value according to the frequency variation signal. |
| US09813260B1 |
In-message applications in a messaging platform
A method for using an in-message application. The method includes: receiving a broadcast message; identifying, in the broadcast message, a reference to an external data provider; obtaining an identifier of the in-message application from the external data provider; using the identifier to identify a set of components of the in-message application, where placement of the set of components is defined by a visual structure of the in-message application, and where each of the set of components is a user interface (UI) element; associating data obtained from the external data provider with a component of the set of components; and serving the broadcast message and the data to a consumer client, where the consumer client renders the in-message application based on the visual structure. |
| US09813259B2 |
Probing available bandwidth along a network path
In one embodiment, a time period is identified in which probe packets are to be sent along a path in a network based on predicted user traffic along the path. The probe packets are then sent during the identified time period along the path. Conditions of the network path are monitored during the time period. The rate at which the packets are sent during the time period is dynamically adjusted based on the monitored conditions. Results of the monitored conditions are collected, to determine an available bandwidth limit along the path. |
| US09813256B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
Provided is an information processing apparatus including a communication unit and a controller. The communication unit is capable of connecting to, via a fourth network, a first server and a first device existing in a first network, a second server and a second device existing in a second network, and a relay server that exists in a third network and stores connection information with respect to the first server and the second server. The controller is capable of controlling the communication unit to receive the connection information from the relay server and controlling data transmission processing between the first device and the second device via the first server and the second server using the connection information. |
| US09813250B2 |
Combined authentication and encryption
A system and methods are provided for establishing an authenticated and encrypted communication connection between two devices with at most two round-trip communications. During establishment of an initial authenticated, encrypted communication connection (or afterward), a first device (e.g., a server) provides the second device (e.g., a client) with a token (e.g., a challenge) that lives or persists beyond the current connection. After that connection is terminated and the second device initiates a new connection, it uses the token as part of the handshaking process to reduce the necessary round-trip communications to one. |
| US09813249B2 |
URL-based certificate in a PKI
A method of requesting and issuing a certificate from certification authority for use by an initiating correspondent with a registration authority is provided. The initiating correspondent makes a request for a certificate to the registration authority, and the registration authority sends the request to a certificate authority, which issues the certificate to the registration authority. The certificate is stored at a location in a directory and this location is associated with a pointer such as uniform resource locator (URL) that is derived from information contained in the certificate request. The initiating correspondent computes the location using the same information and forwards it to other corespondents. The other correspondents can then locate the certificate to authenticate the public key of the initiating correspondent. |
| US09813247B2 |
Authenticator device facilitating file security
Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating the encryption of files as well as facilitating requiring a user to employ an authenticator device in order to access a file that is encrypted or otherwise secured. The authenticator device can provide an authenticator code in which a security key used to access a secured file can be embedded. An additional layer of encryption can also be applied in the authenticator code. |
| US09813245B2 |
Methods for secure cryptogram generation
Embodiments of the invention introduce efficient methods for securely generating a cryptogram by a user device, and validating the cryptogram by a server computer. In some embodiments, a secure communication can be conducted whereby a user device provides a cryptogram without requiring the user device to persistently store an encryption key or other sensitive data used to generate the cryptogram. For example, the user device and server computer can mutually authenticate and establish a shared secret. Using the shared secret, the server computer can derive a session key and transmit key derivation parameters encrypted using the session key to the user device. The user device can also derive the session key using the shared secret, decrypt the encrypted key derivation parameters, and store the key derivation parameters. Key derivation parameters and the shared secret can be used to generate a single use cryptogram key. The cryptogram key can be used to generate a cryptogram for conducting secure communications. |
| US09813242B2 |
Method and apparatus for secure recordation of time of attempted breach of IC package
An integrated circuit (IC) package includes a storage element and a protection component coupled to the storage element. The protection component includes a breach detection component configured to detect an attempted breach of the IC package. The protection component further includes a time detection component configured to determine a breach timestamp associated with a time of occurrence of the attempted breach and configured to store a representation of the breach timestamp in the storage element. The storage element may be configured to store a sensitive datum, and the time detection component may be configured to store the representation of the breach timestamp by overwriting the sensitive datum in the storage element with the representation of the breach timestamp. |
| US09813241B2 |
Encrypted file storage
Various systems facilitate encrypted file storage. A client device may generate an encrypted version of a file. The client device may obtain at least one reference to at least one storage location for the encrypted version of the file. The client device may cause the encrypted version of the file to be store at the at least one storage location using the at least one reference to the at least one storage location. |
| US09813234B2 |
Transferable multiparty computation
A method and apparatus are provided for secure multiparty computation. A set of first parties is selected from a plurality of first parties for computation. Inputs for computation associated with each party in the set of first parties are divided into shares to be sent to other parties in the set of first parties. The computation on the shares is performed by the set of first parties using multiparty computation functions. In response to a trigger event, shares of the set of first parties are transferred to a set of second parties selected from a plurality of second parties. The computation is completed by the set of second parties using the transferred shares. Finally, the transferred shares are recombined to reveal an output of the computation. |
| US09813233B2 |
Private overlay for information networks
A private overlay is provided for information networking that puts the user in charge of the user's personal information. User identity is separated from a numeric tag that points to the cell in which the user equipment can be paged. The private overlay is created by addition of a registration and certification authority such as Public Key Infrastructure and Certification Authority (PKI). The registration and certification authority provides the network and all subscribers with public encryption keys for the network and the users. Private decryption key are generated and stored locally in a suitable manner. With this addition, a private overlay to the existing cellular, wireless or utility distribution infrastructure can be established for a device that has registered with, e.g., a cellular or wireless network or with a utility distribution system. |
| US09813230B2 |
Method and apparatus for cancellation of interference from a spread spectrum phase lock loop
Systems and methods for provided for reducing interference caused by leakage of signals generated by a spread spectrum phase lock loop (SS PLL). Output of SS PLL may be processed to reduce interference. For example, a sinusoidal spreading signal may be used to spread the output of the SS PLL. A notch filter tracks the frequency of the output of the SS PLL to steer the notch in the filter to the instantaneous frequency output from the SS PLL, thus allowing the notch filter to be placed in the path of signals that have unwanted leakage from the SS PLL. |
| US09813228B2 |
Device and method for emitting and/or receiving signals in at least two symmetrical transmission frequency bands
Device for emitting-receiving signals in two symmetrical frequency bands in relation to a first frequency FCA and such that each one of the bands comprises symmetrical channels in relation to second frequencies FCLA, FCUA, comprising: a first circuitry generating a signal of frequency FA, a signal of frequency FB=FA/N1, a signal of frequency F1=|FCA−FCLA| and a periodic signal of frequency F2 equal to the difference between a central frequency of one of the channels and the associated second frequency, and wherein FA=N1·(FCLA+F1)/(N1+1); a second circuitry able to carry out non-linear operations between the signals of frequencies FA and F1 and those of frequencies FB and F2, generating multitone signals comprising the frequencies FA−F1, FA+F1, FB−F2 and FB+F2. |
| US09813227B2 |
At-rate SERDES clock data recovery with controllable offset
Embodiments include systems and methods for applying a controllable early/late offset to an at-rate clock data recovery (CDR) system. Some embodiments operate in context of a CDR circuit of a serializer/deserializer (SERDES). For example, slope asymmetry around the first precursor of the channel pulse response for the SERDES can tend to skew at-rate CDR determinations of whether to advance or retard clocking. Accordingly, embodiments use asymmetric voting thresholds for generating each of the advance and retard signals in an attempt to de-skew the voting results and effectively tune the CDR to a position either earlier or later than the first precursor zero crossing (i.e., h(−1)=0) position. This can improve link margin and data recovery, particularly for long data channels and/or at higher data rates. |
| US09813223B2 |
Non-linear modeling of a physical system using direct optimization of look-up table values
Techniques for non-linear modeling of a physical system are provided using direct optimization of look-up table values. A non-linear system with memory is modeled by obtaining physical data for the non-linear system by applying a set of input samples x(n) to the non-linear system and measuring an output y(n) of the non-linear system; directly computing parameters Φ of a memory model for the non-linear system from the physical data, wherein the memory model comprises one or more look-up tables having linear interpolation and wherein the parameters Φ produce a substantially minimum mean square error; and providing the parameters Φ for storage as entries in the one or more look-up tables. The mean square error can be determined, for example, using one or more of a least squares algorithm, a least mean square algorithm and a recursive least squares algorithm. The look-up tables are optionally used in a processor instruction to implement digital pre-distortion. |
| US09813221B2 |
Combined flow and low-power state control using same lines between interfaces
A method for controlling a low-power state of a pair of serial interfaces using a pair of flow-control signal lines may include enabling a first of the flow-control lines by a first one of the interfaces for signaling a transmission request to the second interface. The method may also include, in response to the transmission request, waking up to a live state from a low-power state and enabling a second flow-control line for signaling a transmission authorization to the first interface. In response to the transmission authorization, the method may include initiating a transmission of a message to the second interface, and upon reaching an offset before the end of the message transmission, disabling the first flow-control line by the first interface. The method may also include, at the end of the message transmission, disabling the second flow-control line and going back into the low-power state. |
| US09813218B2 |
Duplex LC communication light detecting adapter and duplex LC communication light detecting structure
A duplex LC communication light detecting adapter for forming two parallel optical transmission lines therein when a duplex LC connector is inserted so as to extract as a leak light a portion of communication light transmitting through the optical transmission lines, including an adapter main body that is opaque to light. The adapter main body includes a first space defined by a first wall and isolated from other spaces to arrange a first optical transmission line of the two optical transmission lines, a first light extraction hole for extracting the leak light from the first space, a second space defined by a second wall and isolated from other spaces to arrange a second optical transmission line of the two optical transmission lines, and a second light extraction hole for extracting the leak light from the second space. |
| US09813215B2 |
Method and device for transmitting ACK/NACK in wireless communication system
Provided are a method and a device for transmitting an acknowledgement/not-acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) of a terminal which is set with a plurality of serving cells. The method comprises the steps of: receiving data in a subframe n of a second serving cell; and transmitting an ACK/NACK signal for the data in a subframe n+kSCC(n) of a first serving cell connected to the subframe n of the second serving cell, wherein the first serving cell is a primary cell for the terminal to execute an initial connection establishment procedure or a connection reestablishment procedure, and uses a frequency division duplex (FDD) wireless frame, the second serving cell is a secondary cell allocated to the terminal in addition to the primary cell, and uses a time division duplex (TDD) wireless frame, and the kSCC(n) is a previously determined value. |
| US09813211B2 |
Method and arrangement for pilot pattern based control signaling in MIMO systems
A radio base station, user equipment (UE), and method of control signaling in wireless communication systems. Control information is transferred from a base station to at least one UE, via a plurality of common pilot channels. A set of unique pilot sequences is predefined, and the base station assigns specific pilot sequences from the set of pilot sequences to specific common pilot channels, forming a pilot sequence assignment pattern representing specific control information. The UE, having knowledge of the relations between pilot sequence assignment patterns and control information, interprets the received pilot sequence assignment pattern as specific control information. The method is particularly well suited for broadcast type control information. |
| US09813210B2 |
Wireless communication method and wireless communication terminal using same
The present invention relates to a wireless communication method for suggesting a packet preamble structure for efficient communication in a wireless communication environment in which a legacy terminal and a non-legacy terminal are mixed, and a wireless communication terminal using the same.For this, the present invention provides a wireless communication method including: generating a packet including a first preamble and a second preamble, wherein a first symbol and a second symbol of the second preamble are modulated using binary phase shift keying (BPSK); and transmitting the generated packet and a wireless communication terminal using the same. |
| US09813209B2 |
Transmission of probing pilots in a shared radio cell
The present disclosure concerns radio communication. More particularly, the present disclosure inter alia introduces adaptive utilization of additional pilots, such as probing pilots, in a shared radio cell deployment. According to one embodiment, information on UE capabilities of UEs that are present in the shared radio cell is collecting (110). Based on the thus collected information it is also determined (120) whether there exists any UE that is capable of utilizing probing pilots (e.g. a Rel-12 UE or similar). In response to a determination that there exists at least one UE that is capable of utilizing probing pilots probing pilots are transmitted (130) to the UEs. |
| US09813208B2 |
Method and device for transmitting sounding reference signal in cooperative communication system
Disclosed is a method for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) in a cooperative communication system. The method comprises receiving, from a macro base station, SRS resource information indicating transmission resources of an SRS to be transmitted by a user equipment (UE); transmitting the SRS and uplink data based on a UE-specific SRS subframe configuration included in the SRS resource information when the SRS resource information includes the UE-specific SRS subframe configuration information; and transmitting the SRS and the uplink data based on a pre-stored cell-specific SRS subframe configuration when the SRS resource information does not include the UE-specific SRS subframe configuration information. When a destination of the SRS to be transmitted by the UE is selected as a base station related to the macro base station, the SRS resource information includes the UE-specific SRS subframe configuration information of the base station selected as the destination of the SRS. |
| US09813205B2 |
Uplink CoMP set selecting method and system, and device
Embodiments of the present application provide an uplink coordinated multipoint transmission (CoMP) set selecting method and system, and a device, which relate to the communications field, so that an uplink CoMP set of a cell or of user equipment (UE) served by a cell can be determined by means of exchange, between base stations, of at least channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) configuration information used for distinguishing cells. Technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application can implement sharing of control information and data information among multiple cells in a wireless communications system. |
| US09813203B2 |
Generation of a pilot signal in a base station
Technologies are generally described for generating pilot signal patterns in a base station, such as a small-cell base station, or a self-organizing network (SON) in a mobile communication system. Example devices/systems described herein may include one or more of a storage unit, a control unit and/or a communication unit in a base station. The storage unit may be configured to store a pilot signal pattern corresponding to a power variation between a first power level and a second power level. The control unit may be coupled to the storage unit and configured to generate a pilot signal in accordance with the stored pilot signal pattern. Further, the communication unit may be coupled to the control unit and configured to transmit the generated pilot signal such that any nearby mobile stations (or user equipment) can use the signal to perform cell selection or re-selection. |
| US09813198B2 |
Systems and methods for asynchronous re-modulation with adaptive I/Q adjustment
Various embodiments provide for systems and methods for signal conversion of one modulated signal to another modulated signal using demodulation and then re-modulation. According to some embodiments, a signal receiving system may comprise an I/Q demodulator that demodulates a first modulated signal to an in-phase (“I”) signal and a quadrature (“Q”) signal, an I/Q signal adjustor that adaptively adjusts the Q signal to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a transitory signal that is based on a second modulated signal, and an I/Q modulator that modulates the I signal and the adjusted Q signal to the second modulated signal. To increase the SNR, the Q signal may be adjusted based on a calculated error determined for the transitory signal during demodulation by a demodulator downstream from the I/Q modulator. |
| US09813197B2 |
Method and system for coverage enhancement of uplink VoIP
Apparatus and methods for improving a coverage of an uplink Voice over IP (VoIP) transmission of a wireless device are disclosed. A wireless device assigns a first hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process to a first VoIP packet of the wireless device. The wireless device then assigns a second HARQ process to a second VoIP packet of the wireless device. The wireless device then transmits the first and second VoIP packets to a base station. |
| US09813196B2 |
Terminal device, base station apparatus, integrated circuit, and communication method
Provided is a terminal device that communicates with a base station apparatus, the device including a transmission unit that performs transmission of a HARQ-ACK which corresponds to detection of transmission on a physical downlink shared channel, using a physical uplink control channel, based on a UL-DL configuration that is indicated by second information, in which, in a case where physical uplink control channel format 3 is configured for the transmission of the HARQ-ACK, whether or not a special subframe that is based on UL-DL configuration which is indicated by second information is excluded from determination of a codebook size of the HARQ-ACK is stipulated based on a special subframe configuration that is based on fourth information, and on a cyclic prefix in downlink. |
| US09813193B1 |
Error resilience for interactive real-time multimedia applications
An error resilience method comprising: using a computer, creating and storing, in computer memory, one or more FEC filter tables for use by the FEC filter for selectively forwarding a FEC packet; selectively forwarding a request for the FEC packet through a FEC filter based on the FEC table and a dynamic packet loss level at a receiver; limiting a re-transmission request for a particular packet through the FEC filter based on a number of re-transmission requests for the particular packet; and selectively skipping a key frame request based on a number of key frame requests received from a plurality receiver devices, wherein the method is performed by one or more special-purpose computing devices. |
| US09813191B2 |
Transmitting apparatus and modulation method thereof
A transmitting apparatus is disclosed. The transmitting apparatus includes an encoder to perform channel encoding with respect to bits and generate a codeword, an interleaver to interleave the codeword, and a modulator to map the interleaved codeword onto a non-uniform constellation according to a modulation scheme, and the constellation may include constellation points defined based on various tables according to the modulation scheme. |
| US09813188B2 |
Transmitting circuit, communication system, and communication method
A transmitting circuit includes: a multiplexer configured to output a third digital signal obtained by alternately synthesizing a first digital signal of a predetermined cycle length and a predetermined data rate with a second digital signal of the predetermined cycle length and the predetermined data rate; a first selector configured to output the first digital signal in a first state and output the third digital signal in a second state that is different from the first state; a second selector configured to output the second digital signal in the first state and output the third digital signal in the second state; a first driver circuit configured to output a signal corresponding to a signal output from the first selector; and a second driver circuit configured to output a signal corresponding to a signal output from the second selector. |
| US09813187B2 |
Timing for radio reconfiguration in a mobile communications network
A mobile communications terminal comprising a radio frequency interface configured to operate at least at a first configuration, and a controller, wherein said controller is configured to determine that a reconfiguration of the radio frequency interface is to be performed, determine a timing of the reconfiguration and reconfigure said radio frequency interface to operate at a second configuration at the determined timing, wherein said controller is configured to determine said timing based on the type of reconfiguration to be made. |
| US09813177B2 |
Data-modulated pilots for phase and gain detectors
Methods, systems, and devices are described for mitigating an unwanted increase in a coding rate of a wireless communication signal. A plurality of symbols including a transmitted codeword is received. The plurality of symbols including a first group of data symbols with a first modulation and coding scheme and a second group of data modulated pilot symbols with a second modulation and coding scheme. Applicable demodulation schemes are adaptively switched for each group of the plurality of symbols. The second group of data modulated pilot symbols are used in lieu of pilot symbols. The second modulation and coding scheme is a more reliable modulation and coding scheme than the first modulation and coding scheme. |
| US09813171B1 |
Satellite radio transfer method
A method for adding a new radio receiver to a subscriber account includes the steps of: receiving a request to add a new radio receiver to the subscriber's account; selecting a new radio receiver to be added to the subscriber's account, the new radio receiver comprising an electronic serial number specific to the radio receiver; automatically establishing, by the transfer program, a communications link with a radio provider; automatically communicating, to the radio provider by the transfer program via the communications link, a request to add, to the subscriber's account, the electronic serial number specific to the radio receiver; and automatically confirming, with the radio provider via the communications link, that the new electronic serial number specific to the radio receiver has successfully been added to the subscriber's account. |
| US09813168B2 |
Self-interference signal cancellation device and method
The present invention discloses a self-interference signal cancellation device. The device includes a first self-interference cancellation unit, configured to: obtain a first analog signal by coupling a transmit signal output by an analog transmit processing module; perform analog-to-digital conversion on the first analog signal, to obtain a first digital signal; perform interference reconstruction according to the first digital signal, to obtain a first digital interference cancellation signal; and cancel, according to the first digital interference cancellation signal, a self-interference signal included in a digital signal output by a first analog-to-digital conversion module, to obtain a first output signal, and output the first output signal to a digital receive processing module. In the present invention, after interference cancellation is performed by using the first digital interference cancellation signal and the digital signal output by the first analog-to-digital conversion module, a self-interference signal introduced during transmission can be canceled. |
| US09813166B2 |
Gateway apparatus, wireless communication providing method thereof, and network system
A gateway apparatus for wireless communication is provided. The gateway apparatus includes an interface to which a plurality of electronic devices within a first range connect wirelessly, and a controller configured to provide a communication connection using a frequency band to each of the plurality of electronic devices so that each of the electronic devices connected to the interface is enabled for wireless communication, to split the frequency band into a plurality of bands respectively corresponding to the plurality of electronic devices connected to the interface when it is determined that communication interference occurs between the electronic devices, and to allocate the split bands to the respective electronic devices to control the electronic devices to perform communications through the split bands. |
| US09813163B2 |
Integrated coherent receiver having a geometric arrangement for improved device efficiency
Disclosed herein is a monolithically integrated coherent receiver chip which has a geometric arrangement of the on-chip components that significantly improves the performance and the manufacturability of a coherent receiver module for Dual Polarization Quadrature Phase Shift Keyed (DP-QPSK) applications and other optical coherent detection systems. The coherent receiver chip comprises two optical hybrids, three optical inputs and eight electrical outputs with the two optical hybrids oriented perpendicular to the optical inputs and the electrical outputs which are widely spaced and arranged in a co-linear fashion that simplifies module design and assembly. The proposed geometric arrangement also replaces any optical waveguide crossings with vertical electrical-optical crossings and includes electrical transmissions which are used to minimize channel skew. The proposed configuration also has the additional benefit of improved thermal management by separating the module's trans-impedance amplifiers. |
| US09813159B2 |
Method for setting maintenance association MA, apparatus, and system
The present invention relates to a method for setting a maintenance association (MA), an apparatus, and a system. A correspondence between an MA and a maintenance association end point (MEP) and a correspondence between the MEP and an optical network unit (ONU) are set on an optical line terminal (OLT), where the MA includes an MA virtual local area network VLAN, the MEP includes an MEP VLAN; and the method for setting an MA includes: sending, by the OLT, a configuration message to the ONU to which an MEP belongs, where the configuration message carries an MEP whose MEP VLAN has a valid value and an MA whose MA VLAN has an invalid value. |
| US09813155B2 |
Bi-directional transmission over an elliptical core optical fiber
Systems and methods for optical communication are disclosed that include communicating data using one or more transceiver pairs coupled to a spatial-multiplexer (S-MUX); performing bi-directional transmissions over an elliptical core optical fiber to a spatial-demultiplexer (S-DEMUX) using spatial modes to communicate data in either direction between two transceiver pairs with low crosstalk and without optical circulators or wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM); and communicating data from the S-DEMUX with g one or more transceiver pairs. |
| US09813154B2 |
Bidirectional data communications cable
A bidirectional data communications cable is disclosed. The cable includes first connector, second connector, and cable housing coupled to the first and second connectors. The first connector includes a controller configured to determine whether the first connector is connected to a data source or data sink. If connected to a data source, the controller configures a switch circuit to route a data signal from the data source to an optical modulator for modulating an optical signal for transmission from the first to the second connector via an optical fiber. If connected to a data sink, the controller configures the switch circuit to route a data signal from an optical demodulator to the data sink, the optical demodulator receiving an optical signal modulated with the data signal from the second connector via an optical fiber. The second connector is configured similar to the first connector. The cable housing encloses the optical fibers. |
| US09813152B2 |
Method and system for optoelectronics transceivers integrated on a CMOS chip
Methods and systems for optoelectronics transceivers integrated on a CMOS chip are disclosed and may include receiving optical signals from optical fibers via grating couplers on a top surface of a CMOS chip, which may include a guard ring. Photodetectors may be integrated in the CMOS chip. A CW optical signal may be received from a laser source via grating couplers, and may be modulated using optical modulators, which may be Mach-Zehnder and/or ring modulators. Circuitry in the CMOS chip may drive the optical modulators. The modulated optical signal may be communicated out of the top surface of the CMOS chip into optical fibers via grating couplers. The received optical signals may be communicated between devices via waveguides. The photodetectors may include germanium waveguide photodiodes, avalanche photodiodes, and/or heterojunction diodes. The CW optical signal may be generated using an edge-emitting and/or a vertical-cavity surface emitting semiconductor laser. |
| US09813151B2 |
Free-space optical communication module for small satellites
Communication bottlenecks, particularly in the downlink direction, are a common problem for many CubeSat developers. As described herein, a CubeSat module for a CubeSat comprises an optical transmitter to transmit data to a remote terminal, a receiver to acquire an optical beacon from a remote terminal, and a fine-pointing module operably and directly coupleable to a coarse-pointing module of the CubeSat. The fine-pointing module is configured to point the optical transmitter toward the remote terminal with an accuracy range that overlaps with an accuracy range of the coarse-pointing module of the CubeSat so as to establish a communications link between the CubeSat and the remote terminal over a low-Earth-orbit (LEO) distance. |
| US09813147B2 |
Systems and methods for automatically re-ranging a satellite terminal
Systems and methods are provided for automatically re-ranging a satellite terminal. A satellite system may comprise a satellite comprising an inroute channel and an outroute channel, and a terminal configured to receive an outroute signal from the satellite on the outroute channel and transmit an inroute signal to the satellite on the inroute channel. The satellite terminal may automatically determine when to perform ranging by monitoring the quality of the outroute signal; monitoring the quality of the inroute signal; and determining if there has been a sustained degradation in the monitored inroute signal quality or the monitored outroute signal quality. |
| US09813146B2 |
Method and system for monitoring, management and maintenance of an internet protocol LNB
An Internet protocol low noise block downconverter (IP LNB) assembly, which is within a satellite dish assembly, may be operable to determine one or more baseline settings of the satellite dish assembly. The IP LNB assembly may monitor, periodically or aperiodically, one or more current settings that may correspond to the determined one or more baseline settings to identify deviations of the one or more current settings from the baseline settings. The results of the monitoring may be communicated to a satellite service provider. The satellite service provider may provide maintenance and/or service management for the satellite dish assembly based on the communicated results of the monitoring. The IP LNB assembly may determine a location setting via a GNSS module and determine an alignment setting via a directional sensor in the IP LNB assembly. The IP LNB assembly may determine a received signal strength based on a RSSI. |
| US09813145B2 |
Communications bandwidth enhancement using orthogonal spatial division multiplexing
Systems and methods are described herein for communications bandwidth enhancement using Orthogonal Spatial Division Multiplexing (OSDM). For example, large sparse antenna arrays may be able to distinguish between signals emitted by multiple nearly collocated antennas, even if the signals have the same frequency, polarization, and coverage. Thus, the use of a large sparse antenna array may be able to resolve/isolate individual antennas on a single platform, allowing for OSDM, analogous to Orthogonal Frequency Divisional Multiplexing (OFDM). Using OSDM, multiple antennas on the same vehicle are able to reuse the same frequencies/polarizations without interference, thereby increasing spectrum availability while still providing the same transmitter power spectral density and total RF power emission. |
| US09813144B2 |
System for managing mobile internet protocol addresses in an airborne wireless cellular network
The Aircraft Mobile IP Address System provides wireless communication services to passengers who are located onboard an aircraft by storing data indicative of the individually identified wireless devices located onboard the aircraft. The System assigns a single IP address to each Point-to-Point Protocol link which connects the aircraft network to the ground-based communication network but also creates an IP subnet onboard the aircraft. The IP subnet utilizes a plurality of IP addresses for each Point-to-Point link thereby to enable each passenger wireless device to be uniquely identified with their own IP address. This is enabled since both Point-to-Point Protocol IPCP endpoints have pre-defined IP address pools and/or topology configured; each Point-to-Point Protocol endpoint can utilize a greater number of IP addresses than one per link. Such an approach does not change IPCP or other EVDO protocols/messaging but does allow this address to be directly visible to the ground-based communication network. |
| US09813138B1 |
Enhanced multiple input, multiple output detection in wireless local area networks
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A wireless communication device may receive multiple data streams from one or more users, associate the multiple data streams with different user groups, and identify modulation symbols for the users after reducing signal contribution from modulation symbols associated with different user groups. For example, the device may receive a signal including multiple spatial streams, partition the data streams into different user groups, and determine a set of sequences from channel characteristics associated with the respective user groups. The wireless communication device may then apply the sequences to the received signal and to values associated with the channel characteristics. Subsets of values may be selected following the application of the sequences, and from the subsets of values, the wireless communication device may identify the sets of modulation symbols associated with one or more of the user groups. |
| US09813137B2 |
Diversity receiver front end system with flexible routing
Diversity receiver front end system with flexible band routing. A receiving system can include a plurality of amplifiers, each one of the plurality of amplifiers disposed along a corresponding one of a plurality of paths between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system and configured to amplify a radio-frequency (RF) signal received at the amplifier. The receiving system can further include an input multiplexer configured to receive one or more RF signals at one or more input multiplexer inputs and to output each of the one or more RF signals to one or more of a plurality of input multiplexer outputs to propagate along a respective one or more of the plurality of paths. The receiving system can further include an output multiplexer configured to receive one or more amplified RF signals propagating along the respective one or more of the plurality of paths at one or more respective output multiplexer inputs and to output each of the one or more amplified RF signals to a selected one of a plurality of output multiplexer outputs. The receiving system can further include a controller configured to receive a band select signal and, based on the band select signal, control the input multiplexer and the output multiplexer. |
| US09813135B2 |
Systems and methods for communication of channel state information
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a technique for communicating Channel State Information (CSI) feedback. In some aspects, the CSI feedback is communicated in a very high throughput (VHT) wireless communications system. |