Document Document Title
US09931815B2 Coatings for metallic substrates
Coatings for substrates, such as superalloy substrates, are provided. The coating can include: 15 wt % to 45 wt % cobalt; 20 wt % to 40 wt % chromium; 2 wt % to 15 wt % aluminum; 0.1 wt % to 1 wt % yttrium; and nickel. The coatings may include nickel, cobalt, chromium and aluminum, and other optional additives to improve oxidation and corrosion resistance of the substrate without significant debit to its mechanical properties.
US09931814B2 Article and method for making an article
An article and a method for making shaped cooling holes in an article are provided. The method includes the steps of providing a metal alloy powder; forming an initial layer with the metal alloy powder, the initial layer having a preselected thickness and a preselected shape, the preselected shape including at least one aperture; sequentially forming an additional layer over the initial layer with the metal alloy powder, the additional layer having a second preselected thickness and a second preselected shape, the second preselected shape including at least one aperture corresponding to the at least one aperture in the initial layer; and joining the additional layer to the initial layer, forming a structure having a predetermined thickness, a predetermined shape, and at least one aperture having a predetermined profile. The structure is attached to a substrate to make the article.
US09931813B2 Bonding structure and method of fabricating the same
A bonding structure and a method of fabricating the same are provided. A first substrate having a first bonding element and a second substrate having a second bonding element are provided, wherein at least one of the first bonding element and the second bonding element is formed with an alloy. A bonding process is performed to bond the first bonding element with the second bonding element, wherein a diffusion liner is generated at the exposed, non-bonded surface of the bonding structure.
US09931812B2 Insulating paper for oil-immersed motors
There is provided insulating paper for oil-immersed motors used in an oil-immersed motor in a state where folding is applied to the paper, the motor operating in a state where it is immersed in a cooling oil, the paper including a polyester film and heat resistant sheets made from aromatic polyamide laminated to both front and back surfaces of the polyester film, the polyester film and the heat resistant sheets being bonded with an acrylic adhesive, wherein the acrylic adhesive contains polyisocyanate and a polybutyl acrylate having a weight average molecular weight of 400,000 or more in a proportion of the polyisocyanate of more than 3 parts by weight and 20 parts by weight or less based on 100 parts by weight of the polybutyl acrylate.
US09931810B2 Intermediate material of constant width for fabricating composite parts by a direct process
The invention concerns a process for preparing a ribbon of reinforcement strands or filaments associated on each of its faces with a polymeric binder, said ribbon having a given width substantially constant over its entire length, in which the strands or filaments extend in a direction parallel to the length of the ribbon, wherein it comprises the following steps: a) adjustment of the ribbon width to the desired width thanks to a dimensioning device, b) association of the ribbon on each of its faces with a polymeric binder allowing the assurance of a homogenous cohesion of the ribbon, such that the total weight of the binder does not exceed 25% of the total weight of the obtained ribbon, as well as the ribbons obtainable by such a process.
US09931805B2 Process for realising blanks for boxes to measure
A process for realizing blanks for the manufacture of boxes to measure, characterized in that it includes the following stages: —collecting at least a sheet of packing material from at least a store; —transferring it to a cutting station in which the sheet itself is cut so that a plurality of pieces is obtained therefrom, which plurality of pieces exhibits a common dimension and other dimensions which are different from one another according to predetermined ratios; —collecting the pieces, according to the dimensions of the box to be formed, in order to cut them into the predetermined dimensions, after joining, when necessary, one or more of said dimensionally homogeneous pieces so as to form a piece that is longer than the one available and suitable for constituting the “bottom” piece, which includes the bottom and at least two first opposite lateral walls of the box to be formed; cutting to measure said pieces and subjecting them singly to a first and a second marking in order to obtain weakened or folding lines in predetermined positions; —and after removal, if necessary, of corner portions of some pieces, carrying out the composition thereof in order to form a single body constituting the blank, flat, complete and ready to be folded and glued to form the box.
US09931802B2 Method and system for manufacturing a tyre tread with lugs
A method and system for manufacturing a tire tread with lugs, the tread having a tread base, and a number of lugs projecting upwards from the tread base; the method having the steps of: preparing a green-rubber blank tread of constant thickness; applying rubber blocks to the areas of the blank tread where the lugs are to be formed, each block varying lengthwise in cross section, so it is thinner at the center and thicker at the side; and curing the blank tread, together with the blocks, in a curing mold negatively reproducing the pattern of the tread.
US09931801B2 Partitioned rubber-coated fabric
In a rubber-coated fabric, a plurality of warp cords is included with a spacing d between, sides of adjacent warp cords, each of the warp cords being coated with a layer of rubber compound, A cut line may further be included that separates groups of the warp cords, each group having a predetermined number of the warp cords. The cut line, may be formed by between 2 and 6 adjacent cut line warp cords, wherein a distance dc, between any two sides of adjacent cut Hue warp cords may be no more than. 50% of d. The layer of rubber compound that coats- the rubber-coated fabric is thin enough to outline the cut line on a surface of the rubber-coated woven fabric.
US09931800B2 Method of producing tire having circumferential reinforcement layer with at least two spirally wound strips
A tire with a circumferential reinforcement layer formed by spirally winding rubber strips in the same direction from different positions arranged in the width direction of the tire. The rubber strips (12A and 12B) are arranged with spaces in a part or the entirety of the tire in the width direction; among those end portions of the rubber strips, at least medial end portions (12Bs and 12Ae) that are located on the equatorial plane side of the tire are arranged at positions where the medial end portions completely overlap with rib-form land portions (2a) in the width direction of the tire; and the width of the rib-form land portions overlapping with the medial end portions is defined as W and the width of the rubber strips is defined as G, wherein a relationship G
US09931798B2 Tire vulcanizing method and tire manufacturing method
The purpose of the present invention is to efficiently vulcanize a green tire. This tire vulcanizing method and tire manufacturing method for vulcanizing a green tire 2A formed on an outer surface 11s of a rigid core by putting in a vulcanizing mold together with the rigid core 3A. The method comprising: a preheating step S1 of preheating the rigid core accompanied by green tire 3A using a preheating device 5 arranged adjacent to the vulcanizing mold 4 prior to vulcanizing; a vulcanizing step S3 of vulcanizing the green tire accompanied by preheated rigid core 3A using the vulcanizing mold 4; and a cooling step S5 of cooling the rigid core accompanied by vulcanized tire 3B which has a vulcanized tire 2B made by vulcanizing the green tire 2A by use of a cooling device 6.
US09931797B2 Method for manufacturing optical film
A method for manufacturing an optical film includes molding a sheet-shaped rubber-containing thermoplastic resin composition discharged in a molten state from a die outlet of an extruder by inserting the composition between a pair of smoothing rollers including an elastic roller, wherein a melt viscosity η of the rubber-containing thermoplastic resin composition as measured at a temperature of the rubber-containing thermoplastic resin composition during the discharge from a die and a shear velocity of 122 sec−1 is 600 Pa·sec or more but 2000 Pa·sec or less; a surface temperature of the elastic roller is Tg−70° C. or higher but Tg−20° C. or lower; and η×V/P is 5000 or less, wherein V represents a line velocity (m/min) and P represents a pressure applied by the elastic roller (kgf/cm).
US09931791B2 Three-dimensional printing with multi-material support
Three-dimensional printer fabrication is improved receiving a digital model of an object, the digital model specifying two or more different build materials; prioritizing the two or more different build materials with a ranking; identifying exclusive locations in the plurality of layers where a surface layer of the object has one of the two or more different build materials; generating an external structure for the object according to one or more design rules; matching a first build material of the external structure to a second build material of the object at each of the exclusive locations; and generating tool instructions for fabricating the object and the external structure using at least the first build material and the second build material.
US09931790B2 Method and system for advanced transcatheter aortic valve implantation planning
A method and system for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) planning is disclosed. An anatomical surface model of the aortic valve is estimated from medical image data of a patient. Calcified lesions within the aortic valve are segmented in the medical image data. A combined volumetric model of the aortic valve and calcified lesions is generated. A 3D printed model of the heart valve and calcified lesions is created using a 3D printer. Different implant device types and sizes can be placed into the 3D printed model of the aortic valve and calcified lesions to select an implant device type and size for the patient for a TAVI procedure. The method can be similarly applied to other heart valves for any type of heart valve intervention planning.
US09931789B2 Method and apparatus for producing a large three-dimensional work piece
Method and apparatus for producing a large three-dimensional work piece. In a method for producing a three-dimensional work piece, a layer of raw material powder is applied onto a carrier (16) accommodated within a process chamber (12) by means of a powder application device (14), wherein a plurality of irradiation areas (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d) is defined on a surface of the carrier (16). Electromagnetic or particle radiation is selectively irradiated onto the raw material powder applied onto the carrier (16) by means of an irradiation system (20), the irradiation system (20) comprising a plurality of irradiation units (22), each irradiation unit (22) being associated with one of the irradiation areas (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d) defined on the surface of the carrier (16) and being configured to selectively irradiate electromagnetic or particle radiation onto the raw material powder applied onto the associated irradiation area (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d). Fresh gas is supplied to the process chamber (12) by means of a gas inlet system (30), and gas containing particulate impurities is discharged from the process chamber (12) by means of a gas outlet system (32) such that a gas flow pattern is generated within the process chamber, the gas flow pattern being configured such that each irradiation area (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d) defined on the surface of the carrier (16) is overflown with fresh gas which is supplied to the process chamber (12) via the gas inlet system (30) and which, after having overflown the irradiation area (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d), is discharged from the process chamber (12) as gas containing particulate impurities via the gas outlet system (32).
US09931781B2 Polymeric material for container
A formulation for producing a polymeric material including polypropylene, a chemical blowing agent, and optional components as described.
US09931777B2 Simple device for economically producing electrospun fibers at moderate rates
An apparatus for the production of electrospun fibers using an electrospinning solution comprising: at least one threaded rod having an exterior surface and having a longitudinal axis oriented vertically, a grounded collector, an electrospinning solution dispenser feeding electrospinning solution to the exterior surface of the threaded rod, and a high voltage power supply.
US09931775B2 Weight compensated molding machine
Wings are provided on mold components and linear ways are provided below these wings. A pad rides on each linear way below each wing. A force generator, such as a spring, is disposed between each wing and underlying pad. In this way the weight of the mold components is borne, at least in part, by the linear ways so that the weight on components that might otherwise sag is lessened.
US09931770B2 Process for producing plastic foam composite
A foam composite with a skin formed in one shot by charging plastic powders or minute particles together with polyolefin pellets that can be cross-linked and foamed in a mold, and heating the mold while rotating. The composite absorbs almost no moisture, having satisfactory strength, being excellent as an insulating material.Further, providing a covering of a non-foaming or a slightly foaming material to the pellet of polyolefin that can be cross-linked and foamed, and conducting the forming, foamed granules as a core, and a covering of a reinforcing member for the core.
US09931769B2 Automated rubber molding and de-molding
Molded rubber objects may be molded and de-molded by defining both a desired final form for the molded rubber object and a tab extending from the final form of the molded rubber object using a cavity in a mold. Rubber pellets may be dispensed in predetermined amounts at desired location(s) within the cavity to provide the rubber needed to form the molded rubber object. Heat and pressure may be applied to the mold to cause the rubber pellets to fill the cavity defining both the desired final form of the molded rubber object and the tab. After the heat and pressure has been applied, a gripping device may grasp the tab and move the tab in a direction and with sufficient force to peel the rubber object from the mold cavity. If desired, the tab may be removed from the molded rubber object.
US09931768B2 Conversion structure for a molding system
Disclosed herein, amongst other things, are various conversion structures for use in a molding system (100, 200). A non-limiting embodiment of the conversion structure includes a standard mold receiver (140, 157) and a mold conversion module (151A, 151B, 151C, 251A, 251B, 251C, 251D, 251E, 251F, 152A, 152B, 152C, 170A, 170B, 170C). The standard mold receiver (140, 57) and the mold conversion module (151A, 151B, 151C, 251A, 251B, 251C, 251D, 251E, 251F, 152A, 152B, 152C, 170A, 170B, 170C) are configured to cooperate, wherein the mold conversion module (151A, 151B, 151C, 251A, 251B, 251C, 251D, 251E, 251F, 152A, 152B, 52C, 170A, 170B, 170C) is receivable in the standard mold receiver (140, 157) for converting a molding configuration of a mold (120).
US09931764B2 Pocketformer with releasable grout ring and tendon, tail gauge and method for using
A pocketformer includes a pocketformer body having a tapered exterior surface. The exterior surface has at least one portion along a length thereof of substantially constant diameter. The pocketformer body has a feature for engaging an anchor base in a concrete structure prior to pouring concrete and a grout ring having a substantially constant inner diameter substantially equal in diameter to the at least one portion. The grout ring has an exterior surface shaped to cause retention of the grout ring in set concrete.
US09931763B2 System and method for controlling the peripheral stiffness of a wet ceramic extrudate
The present disclosure provides a method of stiffening an outer layer of a wet extrudate, where the extrudate has a honeycomb cellular structure. The method includes extruding the extrudate through an extrusion apparatus and directing a substantially uniform flow of fluid onto the outer layer of the extrudate. The method also includes increasing the temperature of a binder material of the extrudate to its gelation point and stiffening at least the outer layer of the extrudate.
US09931760B2 Functionalized polyorganosiloxanes or silanes for the treatment of lignocellulosic materials
The present invention relates to functionalized polyorganosiloxanes or silanes for the treatment of lignocellulosic materials.
US09931757B2 Cell cutting device for display devices and method of manufacturing the display device
A cell cutting device that cuts a mother substrate for display devices includes a fixing unit configured to move in a state where the mother substrate for display devices is fixed on the fixing unit, a cutter configured to perform a cutting process on the mother substrate for display devices and the cutter faces a surface of the mother substrate during the cutting process, a cutter driving unit driving the cutter in a state where the cutter is fixed thereon, and a buffer member arranged on another surface of the mother substrate to correspond to the cutter. The other surface is opposite the surface facing the cutter.
US09931755B2 Safety razor
A safety razor comprise a handle and a head portion. The handle has a first end portion and a second end portion. The head portion is removably coupled to the first end portion of the handle and has a guard, a replaceable blade, a replaceable lubrication member, and a cap. The lubrication member has one or more lubrication strips. The cap has one or more openings formed therein and a projection extending therefrom. The projection is configured to extend through the lubrication member, the blade, the guard, and into the handle to removably couple the head portion to the handle. The lubrication strips of the lubrication member extend through the openings of the cap. The safety razor can include a second lubrication member or a skin tensioning member.
US09931753B1 Methods and devices for automatic gait transition
Examples method and devices for automatic gait transition are described herein. In an example embodiment, a computing system may identify gaits for the robotic device to perform in response to receiving an input for the robotic device to move at a velocity. The system may determine criteria for selecting a gait from the identified gaits for the robotic device to perform based on sensor data of the environment (e.g., slope and terrain) and based on the state of the robotic device. The system may modify the set of criteria based on prior operation of the robotic device in respective environments similar to the environment. Responsive to determining the criteria for selecting a gait, the computing system may determine whether the identified gaits include a gait that enables the robotic device to move at the velocity according to the set of criteria, and provide instructions to operate based on the determination.
US09931745B2 Ergonomic hand tool holders and systems
An ergonomic hand tool holder that supports a tool for use, while being received comfortably in a user's hand in a natural resting angle relative to the wrist, defines forefinger and thumb rest areas on outwardly-facing surfaces of side regions of the holder body, and hand rest areas adapted to engage and rest against the “saddle” of a user's hand when the holder is held with the forefinger and thumb rest engaging the forefinger and thumb rest areas. The weight of the holder and its supported load is distributed to the dorsal saddle area of the user's hand, allowing the user's arm to bear the weight, while the user's wrist and fingers guide, rather than carry, the tool. An ergonomic system may also include a counterweight device adapted to move the combined weight the load toward the hand rest area engaging the dorsal saddle area.
US09931740B2 Multiple bit adapter
A universal multiple bit adapter is disclosed. The adapter is designed for compatibility with most of the available screws in the construction market including Philip screw, Roberson screw, Torx screw and nut drivers. The multiple bit adapter comprises a cylindrical enclosed housing chamber with plurality of openings to enable selective application of the elongated driver bits. The screw driver bits are made from hardened steel and housing chamber is made from any metal or plastic material. The multi-functional bit adapter unit further comprises a clip protection member to hold the elongated driver bits from rotating further during short repair maintenance. This convenient single unit is small, compact and easy to carry in a pocket and can be easily attached to a power tool like a drill or impact wrench.
US09931738B2 Special tool for jeep mounting knob screw
A special tool that can engage and manipulate a Jeep mounting screw commonly known as “Jeep Wrangler Hardtop Freedom Top Targa Mounting Knob Screw” Embodiments may include a handle that can contain indentations or ribs totally or partially extending its length for better grip. The handle abuts a flat head. A pair of screw engagement members are mounted on the flat head, separated, and spaced apart a pre-determined distance. The center region between the engagement members can be part of the flat head. Each engagement member is arc-shaped, or semi-circular in cross-section to fit into the knob screw head. The two engagement members are typically mounted in opposition and each extends approximately ⅓ the circumference of the head. This arrangement allows perfect engagement with the Jeep mount screw.
US09931737B2 Ratchet wrench with efficient driver changing function
A ratchet wrench with efficient driver changing function includes a wrench body having a head and a handle, a first slot passing through the first side and connected with a second slot; a ratchet ring, rotatable disposed in the first slot and having a polygonal inner hole for receiving a driver; a direction switching member, disposed in the second slot and having a rotating operation mode and a pressing operation mode; a ratchet block, disposed between the first slot and the second slot that when the direction switching member is at the rotating operation mode, the ratchet ring is driven unidirectionally; a top lid, fixed on the head; and a position limiting plate disposed between the top lid and the head that when the direction switching member is at the pressing operation mode, the position limiting plate engages or disengages the driver.
US09931735B2 Cutting elements and methods for fabricating diamond compacts and cutting elements with functionalized nanoparticles
A method of fabricating a diamond compact includes functionalizing surfaces of diamond nanoparticles with fluorine; combining the functionalized diamond nanoparticles with a non-group-VIII metal to form a particle mixture; and subjecting the particle mixture to high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) conditions to form inter-granular bonds between the diamond nanoparticles. A cutting element for an earth-boring tool includes a plurality of grains of diamond material; a plurality of diamond nanoparticles bonded to the plurality of grains of diamond material; and a non-group-VIII metal fluoride disposed within interstitial spaces between the grains of diamond material and the plurality of diamond nanoparticles. The cutting element is substantially free of a metal-solvent catalyst.
US09931733B2 Abrasive products and methods for finishing hard surfaces
A coated abrasive product includes green, unfired abrasive aggregates having a generally spheroidal or toroidal shape, the aggregates formed from a composition comprising abrasive grit particles and a nanoparticle binder, wherein the abrasive aggregates are dispersed within a polymer resin coating, and wherein the coated abrasive product is capable of superfinishing a metal surface having an initial Ra in the range of about 1.5 micro inches to about 12.5 micro inches prior to application of the coated abrasive product and after application the surface has an Ra of less than 1.0 micro inch.
US09931730B2 Automatic handling apparatus with positioning pins
Automatic handling apparatus having a suction-head sucking and holding a workpiece, an arm is connected to and moves the suction-head, and a stage on which the workpiece to be carried to the carrier holding hole is mounted, the suction-head has a movable section which is movable within a parallel plane to the suction-head body, the movable section to suck and hold the workpiece, and has positioning pins stretched in vertically lower direction and, at loading time, the workpiece held by the movable section into the carrier holding hole, the positioning pins are appressed against tooth-bottoms of a gear on the carrier outer periphery and movable section moving within the parallel plane. The carrier is pushed against the sun gear side to fix the carrier position and direction, and the held workpiece is carried into the holding hole. Consequently, the automatic handling apparatus load the workpiece into the carrier holding hole.
US09931729B2 Polishing pad with grooved foundation layer and polishing surface layer
Polishing pads with grooved foundation layers and polishing surface layers are described. In an example, a polishing pad for polishing a substrate includes a foundation layer having a pattern of grooves disposed therein. A continuous polishing surface layer is attached to the pattern of grooves of the foundation layer. In another example, a polishing pad for polishing a substrate includes a foundation layer with a surface having a pattern of protrusions disposed thereon. Each protrusion has a top surface and sidewalls. A non-continuous polishing surface layer is attached to the foundation layer and includes discrete portions. Each discrete portion is attached to the top surface of a corresponding one of the protrusions of the foundation layer. Methods of fabricating polishing pads with a polishing surface layer bonded to a grooved foundation layer are also described.
US09931727B2 Honing machine comprising a force sensor and telemetry signal and energy transmission
A honing machine (100) for honing rotationally symmetrical bore holes in workpieces has a honing spindle (120), which is movably mounted in a spindle housing (130), is rotatable about a spindle axis (122) by means of a rotary drive (140), can be driven in an oscillating manner parallel to the spindle axis by means of a lifting drive (150) and has at a tool-side end means for securing a honing tool arrangement (200), which has a tool body (220) carrying at least one honing element, which by axial displacement of a tool-side expanding element (330) that is axially displaceable inside the tool body can be infed radially in relation to a tool axis (214) and can be pressed by a pressing force against an inner side of a bore hole to be machined. Also provided is an expanding system with a machine-side expanding rod (310), which is guided inside the honing spindle (120), is axially displaceable by means of an expanding drive (320) in relation to the honing spindle and has a tool-side end portion (314), for coupling onto the tool-side expanding element (330). The honing machine has a control device (400) for controlling operating movements of the honing spindle and the expanding system and a force measuring system with a force sensor (500) for generating a sensor signal proportional to the pressing force and a transmission path for transmitting the sensor signal or a signal derived therefrom to the control device. The force sensor (500) is arranged in the region of the tool-side end portion (314) of the machine-side expanding rod (310) and is connected to the control device by way of a telemetric transmission path.
US09931726B2 Wafer edge trimming tool using abrasive tape
A wafer edge trimming tool includes an abrasive tape and a holding module configured to hold the abrasive tape against portions of an edge of a rotating wafer during a wafer edge trimming process.
US09931724B2 System and method for dispensing a minimum quantity of cutting fluid
Devices, systems, and methods are provided for controlling a quantity of cutting fluid dispensed for a cutting tool within a CNC or other machining system. The devices, systems, and methods may include controlling multiple fluids such that coolant, lubricant, or other fluids can be delivered at different locations, at different flow rates, have their flow rates changed independently, and/or have their flow rates changed dynamically during a machining operation. In some embodiments, a feedback loop or input may be provided to obtain and/or provide information regarding the machining operation—such as cutting force, cutting temperature, cutting friction, machining operation, tool in use, work piece geometry, and/or material—and automatically and/or independently modify the fluid flow rates. The fluid may be atomized with air or other gases to minimize the quantities of fluid used. Components in the system may be modular to allow the system to be used with existing and new machining technologies.
US09931719B2 Method for repairing a receiving hook for guide vanes
Disclosed is a method for repairing a receiving hook for guide vanes, wherein the receiving hook is arranged in a housing of a turbomachine. The method comprises removing first material in a region of the receiving hook, which region extends over the circumference of the housing and thereafter applying second material in or on a region which extends over the circumference of the housing. The application of second material is performed using localized heat.
US09931718B2 Metal plate joining method and apparatus
A pair of upper and lower pressure rollers 3, 4 is disposed so that their axes 15, 16 are tilted in a horizontal plane in respective directions opposite to each other with respect to a straight line perpendicular to a welding line of a joint portion J. The pressure rollers 3, 4 are positively driven by corresponding electric motors 63, 64 to thereby roll the joint portion. Thus, steps defined at the joint portion can be smoothed and a step gradient can be reduced to ensure a high degree of joint strength. Thus, it is possible to prevent a step portion from being interfolded into the base material of the meal plates 5, 6.
US09931716B2 Solder alloy, solder composition, solder paste, and electronic circuit board
A solder alloy is a tin-silver-copper solder alloy substantially consisting of tin, silver, copper, bismuth, nickel, cobalt, and indium. With respect to the total amount of the solder alloy, the content ratio of the silver is 2 mass % or more and 5 mass % or less; the content ratio of the copper is 0.1 mass % or more and 1 mass % or less; the content ratio of the bismuth is 0.5 mass % or more and 4.8 mass % or less; the content ratio of the nickel is 0.01 mass % or more and 0.15 mass % or less; the content ratio of the cobalt is 0.001 mass % or more and 0.008 mass % or less; the content ratio of the indium is above 6.2 mass % and 10 mass % or less; and the content ratio of the tin is the remaining ratio.
US09931714B2 Methods and systems for removing interstitial material from superabrasive materials of cutting elements using energy beams
A method of forming a cutting element for an earth-boring tool may include directing at least one energy beam at a surface of a volume of polycrystalline superabrasive material including interstitial material disposed in regions between inter-bonded grains of polycrystalline superabrasive material. The method includes ablating the interstitial material with the at least one energy beam such that at least a portion of the interstitial material is removed from a first region of the volume of polycrystalline superabrasive material without any substantial degradation of the inter-bonded grains of superabrasive material or of bonds thereof in the first region.
US09931711B2 Friction stir welding method
A friction stir welding method which permits advantageous production of a product which has a sound welded area without joint defects, by joining together two members formed of the same material or respective different materials selected from a cast aluminum alloy and 2000 series, 4000 series, 5000 series and 7000 series aminum alloys which are considered difficult to be joined together by the friction stir welding method. A termination tab member formed of a 1000 series, 3000 series, 6000 series or 8000 series aluminum alloy is disposed in abutting contact with end faces of joining portions of first and second members (in an abutting part), on the side of termination of the welding operation, and the friction stir welding operation is terminated after a probe of a rotary tool is moved from the joining portions of the two members into the termination tab member.
US09931705B2 Process for fabricating inductive heated solder cartridge
A method or process of fabricating a solder cartridge and solder cartridge made according to the process is disclosed. The solder cartridge made according to the process provides a self-temperature regulating solder tip for an inductive current soldering station having improved heater quality and stability with reduced manufacturing costs.
US09931704B2 Line-of-sight blower for a power tool
A power tool has a cutting element driven by a motor assembly, the motor assembly driving a fan for flowing air over the motor assembly. The power tool includes a foot plate configured to be supported on a workpiece, the foot plate defining an opening through which the cutting element extends, and at least one alignment opening arranged relative to the cutting element opening to allow the operator to visualize the cut line of the cut created by the cutting element. A motor housing is provided that supports the motor assembly on the foot plate, in which the motor housing defines a cavity substantially enclosing the motor assembly and arranged to receive airflow from the fan. A nozzle is defined in the motor housing that is configured to direct airflow from the cavity of the motor housing in an airflow line of action intersecting the at least one alignment opening.
US09931701B1 Hand tool support device and method
A hand tool support device includes an attachment bracket, at least one armband, at least one transfer rod, and a flexible connector. The attachment bracket is configured to be attached to a hand tool body of a powered hand tool having a hand tool grip configured to be held by a user. The hand tool body has a tool bit rotatable about and/or reciprocative along a tool axis. The armband is configured to receive a forearm of the user. The armband has an armband axis. The transfer rod extends between and couples the armband to the attachment bracket. The flexible connector is included at a lengthwise location of the transfer rod and enables movement of the armband axis relative to the attachment bracket, and absorbs at least one of torque, vibration, and shock on the gripping hand, wrist, and forearm of the user.
US09931700B2 Clamping device
A clamping device for clamping a workpiece or a tool or a tool holder to a machine component of a machine tool, including an axially movable tension rod, a clamping assembly which can be moved by the tension rod between a clamped position and a released position, a spring assembly dedicated to the tension rod for generating the clamping and draw-in force of the clamping assembly, and a releasing unit by which the clamping assembly can be moved by the tension rod against the force of the spring assembly into the released position. The spring assembly has a minimum of one spring unit with a plurality of flexible spring members disposed between a first and a second spring holder, with the first and second spring holders being secured against torsion relative to the tension rod.
US09931694B2 Casting nozzle for continuous casting
A casting nozzle to be used in a nozzle exchange (insert and/or removal) device of nozzle in continuous casting which comprises the nozzle which constitutes a tubular part provided with a channel, a rectangular flange or plate having the channel for casting, wherein the plate has an upper surface and a rear surface having two arcs, which are provided with a radius R arranged on the both sides of the plate in the perpendicular direction of a nozzle insertion (hereafter called X direction) and a supporting faces on both sides of the nozzle in the direction of a nozzle insertion (hereafter called Y direction), and a metal case for reinforcing and covering the flange or plate and the upper part of the tubular part.
US09931693B2 Filtering check valve for metal casting
A sleeve (10) allows flow against gravity of molten metal into a casting mold. The sleeve has a sleeve body (20) with a longitudinal axis that defines a flow conduit for the metal. A check valve (30) is positioned in the flow conduit, arranged for limited axial movement in the sleeve between a closed position and an open position, although it is operatively positioned to be in the closed position in the absence of the pressurized metal. The check valve has a spool (32) with an internal flow conduit, a top end of the conduit blocked by an end cap (40). Flanges (36, 38) on the spool provide the limited axial movement in the sleeve. When lifted into the open position, metal flows into the spool flow conduit and through a porous structure of the spool, causing laminar flow and filtering inclusions.
US09931692B2 Hoisting type continuous casting device, hoisting type continuous casting method, and solidification interface detection device
A hoisting type continuous casting device includes a keeping furnace, a first shape regulating member, an imaging section, an image analysis section, and a casting control section. The keeping furnace keeps a melt. The first shape regulating member is mounted in the vicinity of a molten surface of the melt kept in the keeping furnace and regulates a cross-sectional shape of a casting to be casted by the melt passing therethrough. The imaging section captures an image of the melt that has passed through the first shape regulating member. The image analysis section detects swinging motion in the melt from the image and determines a solidification interface based on presence or absence of the swinging motion. The casting control section changes a casting condition when the solidification interface determined by the image analysis section is not within a predetermined reference range.
US09931689B2 Manufacture of a rotor blade for a wind turbine
A method and manufacturing unit for producing a rotor blade (5) of a wind turbine (1) from at least a first rotor blade element (11, 11′, 12, 12′) and a second rotor blade element (11, 11′, 12, 12′). The first rotor blade element (11, 11′, 12, 12′) and the second rotor blade element (11, 11′, 12, 12′) are positioned in the desired relative arrangement with respect to each other such that a joint gap (13) remains between the first rotor blade element (11, 11′, 12, 12′) and the second rotor blade element (11, 11′, 12, 12′). Adhesive is introduced into the joint gap (13) for joining the first rotor blade element (11, 11′, 12, 12′) and the second rotor blade element (11, 11′, 12, 12′).
US09931688B2 Blind tack bolt with higher clamp-up strength
A blind tack fastener includes a pull stem having an elongated shaft with an extended tail portion. The blind tack fastener also includes a crush-initiating washer, a crush sleeve, and a swage collar, surrounding the elongated shaft of the pull stem. The elongated shaft has a breakaway groove configured to create a predictive fracture point below the head-end surface of the swage collar, such that a hole in the swage collar serves as a centering lead-in for a drill that can be used to remove the blind tack fastener.
US09931686B2 Protective cover for vibrating compactor and manufacturing method thereof
A box-shaped protective cover that covers an upper structural portion of a body of a vibrating compactor is manufactured by executing a cutting process for fashioning a single metal plate into a shape including a first planar portion, a second planar portion, an intermediate portion, and a plurality of side flaps, a bending process for bending or curving the side flaps and the intermediate portion, and a welding process for welding a side flap of the first planar portion to a side flap of the second planar portion.
US09931676B2 Tunnel-type machine for washing objects
A tunnel-type machine to wash objects comprises a containing structure which internally delimits a work volume and is provided with at least an entrance door to feed the objects in a loading direction. The work volume comprises at least two processing chambers contiguous in the loading direction, a single separation door is provided between the two processing chambers, and is mobile through a passage aperture of the containing structure. At least a front packing is provided between the two processing chambers, and at least an upper packing is provided at the passage aperture, and the separation door is configured to contact, in a closed and separated position of the two chambers, both the front packing and the upper packing.
US09931675B2 Substrate mark detection apparatus and substrate mark detection method
A substrate mark detection apparatus includes: a detecting module, configured to detect a depth at which a mark is embedded in a substrate to be detected and determine whether the substrate is valid or not according to the depth at which the mark is embedded in the substrate; an information extracting module, configured to parse the mark to obtain parsed information in a case where the substrate is valid, query pre-stored information corresponding to the mark, determine whether the parsed information conforms to the pre-stored information or not, and if yes, to extract the pre-stored information and output the pre-stored information; a sorting module, configured to remove the substrate in a case where the substrate is invalid or the parsed information does not conform to the pre-stored information.
US09931673B2 Tray flip unloader
A mailpiece transfer apparatus uses a transfer box to unload a plurality of mailpieces from an open tray, while maintaining an orientation alignment of the flat items. The tray is placed in the transfer box, after which the transfer box, holding the tray, is rotated to cause the mailpieces to rest against a cover of the transfer box. The tray is then removed, and the transfer box rotated again, allowing the substantially flat items to rest against a bottom of the transfer box, but without the tray. The mailpieces are then guided to a next workstation. The mailpieces may be edged for delivery to the next workstation.
US09931672B2 Side tensioning system for retaining screen media in a vibrating-type screening machine
The present invention relates to side tensioning assemblies for retaining screen media to the side plates of a vibrating-type screening machine. The side tensioning assembly includes a tensioning rail and at least one angle box mountable to a side plate. At least one bolt assembly provided for fastening the tensioning rail to the side plate and to angle box. Bolt assembly is provided with is a shoulder bolt that is secured to a terminal end of the bolt. The angle box includes an aperture sized to allow the bolt assembly passage therethrough, and a movable plate with a cutout. The cutout is sized larger than the bolt but smaller than a nut. The movable plate has a bolt-securing position and a bolt-releasing position to allow access to the aperture in the angle box such that the bolt assembly can be detached from the angle box without being disassembled.
US09931671B2 Piezoelectric vibration actuator
There is provided a piezoelectric vibration actuator including: a flat cover member; a vibration portion including a vibration plate that is spaced apart from the cover member in parallel by a predetermined distance and a piezoelectric element that generates a vibration force by repeatedly expanding and contracting according to power applied from the outside; a weight portion disposed on the vibration portion to increase the vibration force of the piezoelectric element; and a binding member fixing the vibration portion and the weight portion.In addition, an enclosure portion is interposed between the weight portion and the vibration portion to enclose the center areas of the vibration portion, thereby making it possible to protect the piezoelectric element.
US09931667B2 Method for printing a wood material board and wood material board with printed decorative layer
Disclosed is a method for printing a wood material board, in particular a wood fiber material board, by means of a digital printing process. The method includes the steps of (a) printing at least one side of a wood material board by means of digital printing technology, forming a decorative layer; (b) applying a protective layer containing at least one resin, at least one radiation-curable varnish and/or at least one polyurethane to the decorative layer of the wood material board; and (c) pre-drying and/or pre-gelling the protective layer applied to the decorative layer of the wood material board.
US09931663B2 Coating apparatus and method of forming coating layer using the same
A coating apparatus includes: a nozzle having a nozzle front end configured to spray a coating solution and a head configured to store the coating solution; a movement axis configured to cause the nozzle to move back and forth in a straight line; a rotating connection member configured to connect the movement axis with the nozzle and allow the nozzle to rotate; a stage disposed under the movement axis; and a cleaning means disposed at an end of the movement axis, and having a nozzle front end insertion unit in a concave shape of the nozzle front end and a base fixing the insertion unit, wherein the nozzle is fixed in a normal direction of a surface of the stage by the movement axis, moves back and forth in an extension direction of the movement axis, and rotates with respect to the movement axis.
US09931661B2 Mask for depositing a thin film and a thin film deposition method using the same
A mask for depositing a thin film and a thin film deposition method using the same are disclosed. The mask includes pattern bars disposed on a frame. The pattern bars are moveable and are position to form a deposition pattern. The mask includes a pattern modification mechanism configured to move the pattern bars to a plurality of positions to modify the deposition pattern.
US09931658B2 System and method for determining process parameters for the robot-based spray application of viscous fluids
A system is disclosed for determining process parameters for the spray application of viscous fluids, which can include an application system, which can be actuated by predefining input parameters, for a viscous fluid having at least the components of metering device, fluid valve and application nozzle. The dynamic behavior of the application system can be dependent, with respect to the volume flow profile of the viscous fluid during the application, and also on predefinable control process parameters. Methods are disclosed for determining and applying process parameters for the spray application of viscous fluids with a system, and for controlling the spray application of an application system, which can be actuated by predefining input parameters, for a viscous fluid.
US09931654B2 Portable fluid dispersal device
The disclosure includes a system comprising a first chamber having pressurized gas, a compressor connected to the first chamber (which may be a bladder), and a second chamber connected to the first chamber. The second chamber includes contents. The system also includes an exit from the second chamber. The pressurized gas from the first chamber travels into the second chamber to force the contents out of the exit of the second chamber. The compressor increases the pressure of the gas in the first chamber.
US09931650B2 Shower having multi-channel jet outlet units
The invention relates to a spray device having a fluid outlet structure that forms a spray jet, said fluid outlet structure having a plurality of jet outlet units of which at least two are configured as multi-duct jet outlet units having in each case at least one first outlet duct and at least one second outlet duct fluidically separated from the first. Moreover, the spray device has a fluid guide which is designed to conduct a fluid supplied to the spray device selectively to the first outlet ducts or to the second outlet ducts. According to the invention, a minimum spacing (A12) between the outlet ducts of each particular multi-duct jet outlet unit (2) is smaller than a minimum spacing between the outlet ducts of in each case two multi-duct jet outlet units, and/or in at least one multi-duct jet outlet unit, a second outlet duct or a group of a plurality of second outlet ducts is arranged so as to surround a first outlet duct at least around a part of its circumference.
US09931649B2 Rotating high pressure air and water nozzle
A rotating high pressure air and water nozzle is disclosed. The nozzle includes a head adapted to rotate, a housing adapted to secure the head therein, and a plurality of passageways disposed through the head. In addition, the nozzle includes a supply port disposed at a first end of each of the passageways, where each supply port has a funnel shape adapted to direct fluid into each passageway to reduce hydraulic losses, and a discharge port disposed at an opposing end of each of the passageways adapted to discharge a jet of fluid. Each discharge port is offset from the respective supply port to cause the head to rotate when fluid flows through the passageways.
US09931647B2 Magnetic separator and release tool therefor
A magnetic separator for a central heating system comprises a housing, a separation chamber within the housing, and inlet and outlet ports extending from the housing. The inlet and outlet ports include push-fit connectors having collets surrounding the mouth of each of the inlet and outlet for releasing the connectors. The magnetic separator also has a release tool. The release tool has first and second bearing areas for bearing against the collets of the inlet and outlet connectors, and a handle region for enabling force to be applied, via the bearing areas, to both connectors simultaneously.
US09931645B2 Centrifuge basket for a screen centrifuge
The invention relates to a centrifuge basket for a screen centrifuge, in particular a screen helical-conveyor, a push-type or vibrating screen centrifuge, with an outer conical supporting basket (10, 20) and screen segments (12, 22, 32) enclosed in the supporting basket (10, 20), the supporting basket (10, 20) on its rear edge having an annular groove (17) into which the screen segments (12, 22, 32) are positively inserted, the screen segments (12, 22, 32) on their side facing the supporting basket (10, 20) having at least one clip (13, 23, 33) which is transversed by at least one screw (15, 25) and by means of which the screen segments (12, 22, 32) are detachably fixed on the front edge of the supporting basket (10, 20).
US09931643B2 Decanter centrifuge with wear-resistant accelerator inserts
A decanter centrifuge includes a rotatable bowl extending along a centrifuge axis of rotation, and a rotatable scroll conveyor with hub mounted coaxially within the bowl. A feed pipe passes centrally within the hub and leads into a feed chamber within the hub. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart nozzles extend radially outward from a round internal wall of the feed chamber to the outside surface of the hub and extend radially inward beyond the internal wall of the feed chamber. A plurality of discrete accelerator inserts are mounted on the internal wall of the feed chamber, wherein each insert is adjacently mounted between two nozzles and each nozzle is circumferentially fixed by abutment with the radially inward extensions of two of the spaced apart nozzles.
US09931641B2 Air purification device and method
The present invention is an air purification method and device. Due to the lower airflow resistance that the present invention induces, an exhaust fan or blower with motor of lower torque is adopted. Consequently, the whole air purification is operated at a lower noise level. Lower operational voltage is applicable for the high-voltage electrostatic precipitator device and provides a similar or superior performance and effectiveness for dust removal. The air purification device/system is designed with higher flexibility and of more compact in dimension and size. Dust is removed from the environment by a high voltage electrostatic precipitator. The airflow stream within a high-voltage electrostatic precipitator is such that the direction of the path of the airflow is changed at least twice.
US09931640B2 Magnetic filter systems and methods
Magnetic filter systems may be constructed with various arrangements of permanent magnets, including but not limited to checkerboard and spiral arrangements. When coupled to a conventional filter, exemplary magnetic filter systems capture ferrous particulates against the outer wall of the conventional filter by magnetic attraction, thereby reducing the number of particulates in a fluid stream and improving the quality of the filtered fluid.
US09931639B2 Blast media fragmenter
A fragmenter provides fragmentation of frangible blast media entrained in a subsonic flow. The flow is converged prior to reaching a fragmenting element, and the convergence may be followed by a constant cross-section area section. Immediately upstream and downstream of the fragmenting element may be an expansion area to reduce the potential of water ice buildup.
US09931632B2 Dispersion and accumulation of magnetic particles in a microfluidic system
A microfluidic system includes a magnetic source (150) and two chambers (110) that are connected by a channel. The chambers and the channel are filled with different fluids such that a non-zero surface tension is created at the associated fluidic interfaces. Moreover, the magnetic source (150) is arranged to provide at least two separate magnetic gradient regions (GR) and to allow for the attraction of magnetic particles (MP) present in one of the chambers into these different regions. The magnetic forces (F) generated by at least one of the gradient regions (GR) is strong enough to allow for pushing or pulling magnetic particles through the fluidic interfaces. The magnetic source may be realized by a permanent magnet (150) of hexahedral shape. A method achieves dispersion and re-accumulation of an ensemble of magnetic particles in the microfluidic system.
US09931620B2 Stabilized metal-exchanged SAPO material
Described are catalyst materials and catalytic articles comprising a metal exchanged SAPO material comprising a plurality of substitutional sites consisting essentially of Si(4Al) sites and substantially free of Si(0Al) sites. The materials and catalytic articles are useful in methods and systems to catalyze the reduction of nitrogen oxides in the presence of a reductant.
US09931617B2 Hydrotreatment catalyst comprising a support obtained from an alumina gel and method for preparing said catalyst
The present invention concerns a hydrotreatment catalyst comprising a support, at least one metal selected from group VIB and at least one metal selected from group VIII of the periodic table, the quantity of metal from group VIB, expressed as the oxides, being in the range 6% to 25% by weight with respect to the total catalyst weight, the quantity of metal from group VIII, expressed as the oxides, being in the range 0.5% to 7% by weight with respect to the total catalyst weight, the support comprising at least 90% by weight of alumina, in which said alumina is obtained from a mixed and extruded boehmite gel, and in which the specific surface area of said catalyst is in the range 60 to 250 m2/g.
US09931615B2 Exhaust gas oxidation catalyst for compressed natural gas combustion system
Disclosed is a catalyst composition for inhibiting the deactivation of a catalyst for purifying exhaust gas from a compressed natural gas combustion system, which contains platinum and palladium as precious metal components. Specifically, a catalyst for purifying exhaust gas from a compressed natural gas vehicle or a static combustion system is configured such that a ceramic substrate is impregnated with palladium-impregnated first alumina, platinum-impregnated second alumina, and a ceria component, wherein the first alumina is further impregnated with a cocatalyst selected from the group consisting of barium, nickel, lanthanum, samarium, and yttrium, thus significantly inhibiting the deactivation of the CNG lean burn engine catalyst.
US09931610B2 Carbon dioxide separating material and method for separation or recovery of carbon dioxide
Disclosed are a carbon dioxide separating material comprising a polyamine carrier in which a polyamine having at least two isopropyl groups on one or more of the nitrogen atoms is loaded on a support, and a method for separating or recovering carbon dioxide using the carbon dioxide separating material.
US09931606B2 Single-lever mixing cartridge
A single-lever mixing cartridge includes a head piece, which accommodates a bottom piece having at least one inflow channel and at least one outlet channel, and a disk control having a control disk that can be displaced via an at least pivotably mounted spindle relative to a passage disk which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner. At least all inlet channels are provided with at least one lip seal for sealing the bottom piece against the passage disk and/or against a fitting receiving the cartridge.
US09931603B2 Method and apparatus for extrusion processing of high fiber content foods
An extruder (20) is specifically designed for the production of animal feed products (e.g., aquatic feeds) containing substantial quantities of low-cost fibrous materials, such as rice byproducts, at high production rates. The extruder (20) includes an elongated barrel (22) with a screw assembly (24) within the barrel and an endmost extrusion die assembly (34). The screw assembly (24) includes an inlet screw assembly (42) and a processing screw assembly (44). The assembly (44) includes screw components (50-56) of differential pitch to present a long pitch inlet section (64) and a tight pitch discharge section (68). Materials passing through the screw assembly (24) are successively subjected to high levels of steam injection (STE) followed by high levels of friction and shear (SME), so that the STE/SME ratio is at least about 6/1.
US09931600B2 Compact interaction chamber with multiple cross micro impinging jets
A mixing assembly includes an inlet, an outlet and a mixing chamber, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet through a plurality of micro fluid flow paths in a direction perpendicular from the inlet. The micro fluid flow paths fluidly connect to the perpendicular inlet via a transition portion. The micro fluid flow paths are constructed radially inwardly to a concentration area in the mixing chamber. By directing multiple fluid flows to a concentrated area within the mixing chamber at high speeds, the energy dissipated at the point of collision is maximized, which helps to increase consistency and quality of mixing, and to reduce particle size of the fluid in the mixing chamber.
US09931595B2 Ferrierite composition for reducing NOx emissions during fluid catalytic cracking
Compositions for reduction of NOx generated during a catalytic cracking process, preferably, a fluid catalytic cracking process, are disclosed. The compositions comprise a fluid catalytic cracking catalyst composition, preferably containing a Y-type zeolite, and a particulate NOx reduction composition containing ferrierite zeolite particles. Preferably, the NOx reduction composition contains ferrierite zeolite particles bound with an inorganic binder. In the alternative, the ferrierite zeolite particles are incorporated into the cracking catalyst as an integral component of the catalyst. NOx reduction compositions in accordance with the invention are very effective for the reduction of NOx emissions released from the regenerator of a fluid catalytic cracking unit operating under FCC process conditions without a substantial change in conversion or yield of cracked products. Processes for the use of the compositions are also disclosed.
US09931592B2 Layered or mixed sorbent bed protective filtration device
A filtration device including a fluid-impermeable housing having a gas inlet and outlet, and containing within the housing first filter media particles of an extended surface area substrate and containing at least one metal impregnant, and second filter media particles of an extended surface area zirconium hydroxide substrate and zinc (hydr)oxide. The device may be used in atmospheres containing various harmful gases, and may provide particularly useful improvements in NOx breakthrough times compared to a device containing only the first filter media particles or only the second filter media particles.
US09931586B2 Method and device for filtration of air-containing oil
A method and device for removal of solid contaminants from an air-containing, contaminated oil by leading the oil to the inlet of a filter separating the contaminated oil in a solid phase, which is retained by the filter, and a liquid phase, which passes the filter and leaves as a filtrate through the outlet of the filter. An increased pressure is added on the filtrate outlet. The filtration is more efficient as disturbing air bubbles are avoided.
US09931585B2 Electrolytic device for contaminant removal and method
An electrolytic device comprising a housing includes at least first and second adjacent liquid flow-through channels. A barrier impermeable to ion flow and to bulk liquid flow is disposed between the first and second channels. A first electrode assembly is disposed adjacent to one end of the channels and a second electrode assembly is disposed adjacent the other end of the channels.Also, a contaminant removal method using the above electrolytic device. A first aqueous stream including contaminants flows through the first channel while passing a current between the first and second electrode assemblies to remove contaminants. Effluent from the first channel flows, with or without further treatment, through the second channel while passing current between said first and second electrode assemblies to remove further contaminants.
US09931579B1 Toy having multiple serial surprise reveals
A toy includes a number of play objects that constitute surprises or prizes that are serially revealed to the child as the child removes various layers of wrappings from the toy. Some play objects are located between layers of wrapping. Other play objects are tucked into outer recesses of a spherical shell which is covered by the wrappings, such that removing one of the layers of wrappings reveals one compartment containing one play object at a time. Once all of the wrappings have been removed, the shell comes apart into halves, thus revealing yet another play object. The play object within the shell can be a toy figure such as a doll, with other play objects that were previously revealed being clothing, accessories for the doll, or cards that contain information or other indicia that has a play relationship to the toy figure. The objects that are serially revealed bear a play relationship with one another.
US09931577B2 Servo of entertainment robot
The present invention discloses a servo of an entertainment robot that includes a servo main body and a servo plate. The servo main body includes a casing and an output shaft. The casing is a hexahedron. The servo plate is fixed to the output shaft of the servo main body. The servo plate includes a square drive plate. At least one surface of the servo main body includes a T slot having an opening at one end. The size of the T slot matches the size of the drive plate of the servo plate. Tools are not needed for assembling/disassembling during the assembling of entertainment robots, thereby reducing the complexity during assembling, lowering the assembly difficulty, simplifying the assembling process, increasing the joy of DIY, and providing more space for the users to bring into play their imaginations.
US09931574B2 Leadership role playing game and method therefor
The present disclosure describes novel systems and methods for teaching and exercising leadership skills and strategies including the use of a narrative-driven role playing game.
US09931568B2 Systems and methods for providing advertisements in a fantasy sports contest application
Systems and methods are presented for presenting advertisements to users of a fantasy sports contest application. Advertisements are displayed in conjunction with fantasy sports contest information and may be interactive in nature. The advertisements may be selected according to a user profile. The user profile may include information on the user's demonstrated interests, which may be determined using the user's preferences in the fantasy contest, prior television viewing habits, and other suitable information.
US09931567B2 Adjustable tension thumbstick
A thumbstick for a user input device comprises an adjustable tensioning mechanism configured to modify a tilt tension of a tiltable post. The thumbstick comprises a cap with a cylindrical stem that defines a first cavity. Abase is moveable with the tiltable post and comprises a cylindrical portion extending into the first cavity. The cylindrical portion defines a second cavity and comprises a protuberance projecting into the second cavity. An adjustment body within the second cavity comprises a recessed slot and a contacting surface at a distal end. The slot is configured to engage the protuberance to adjust the tilt tension of the tiltable post.
US09931566B2 Game system with interactive show control
An interactive game system that stage lighting style cues as part of the game, where the stage lighting cues cause external stage lighting equipment to create effects that are based on outputs from the game. Steerable lights can be steered to the player and sounds can be created that are directed to the player. A simulation system can also simulate the actions that occur. The computer assigns teams.
US09931559B1 Folding disc golf cart
A folding cart for disc golf has frame elements allowing the cart to be folded with the elements in close, parallel planes, for storage or transport. In various models, the folding cart has a bag carrier implemented especially for a disc bag, the bag carrier foldable into a parallel plane, a seat also foldable into a parallel plane, a hand-operated brake, and an electric motor drive for driving one of the wheels of the cart.
US09931556B2 Riding trainer
A horse shaped riding trainer and method of constructing a horse shaped riding trainer. The riding trainer includes a horse shaped riding structure, a convex shaped, rotating platform, and a post for mounting the horse shaped riding structure to the convex shaped, rotating platform.
US09931555B1 Training system for basketball player training
The invention is a training system used to train basketball players. The training system is specifically used for training players to make successful shots in the face of defensive player motion blocking and shot blocking/deflection tactics.
US09931550B1 Method of manufacturing golf club head having stress-reducing features
A method of manufacturing a golf club head including a plurality of structural connectors, and particularly solid rods proximate the face, is disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of preparing a wax of a golf club head body, the body including first and second through-holes, a hollow interior, and first and second receiving pockets, preparing waxes of first and second solid rods, inserting the first solid rod wax into the first through-hole and seating its lower end in the first receiving pocket, inserting the second solid rod wax into the second through-hole and seating its lower end in the second receiving pocket, bonding each of the first and second solid rods to the body with an adhesive material to form a combined wax mold, and casting a golf club head from the combined wax mold.
US09931549B1 Weighted golf club head having stress-relieving tubes
A golf club head comprising a body, an elevated weight bar, and a plurality of carbon tubes is disclosed herein. The body comprises a hollow interior, a face section, a sole section, and a crown section, and the elevated weight bar bridges at least a portion of the sole and may be formed separately from the rest of the body and then affixed to the body by welding or a mechanical fastener. In one embodiment, each of the carbon tubes extends from the crown section and terminates at the elevated weight bar, while in another embodiment each of the carbon tubes extends from the crown section to the sole section and passes through the elevated weight bar without making contact with the floating weight bar.
US09931548B2 Golf club head with polymeric insert
A golf club head includes a first portion joined to a second portion to at least partially define an interior club head volume. The first portion includes a wall defining an outer boundary of the club head volume, and a support rib extending from the wall to operatively stiffen the first portion. The second portion of the golf club head defines a slot that receives a portion of the support rib, and the support rib is adhered within the slot to join the first portion and the second portion.
US09931547B2 Golf club head with a body-conforming weight member
A golf club head includes a main body having a top portion, a bottom portion, a striking face, and an interior surface. A weight member is coupled to the interior surface of the main body. In an imaginary vertical plane that passes through the weight member, the interior surface of the main body comprises a first point and a second point. An imaginary line passes through the first point and the second point. A first imaginary boundary line and a second imaginary boundary line, both passing through the weight member and being perpendicular to the imaginary line, pass through the first point and the second point, respectively. Between the first point and the second point, the interior surface of the main body has an irregularity factor of at least 1.2 and the weight member comprises a distribution factor of at most 1.0 and a conformity factor of at most 0.07.
US09931543B2 Multi-layer core golf ball
Golf balls having a very high positive gradient multilayer core are provided. The multilayer core includes an outer core layer and a very soft, low compression inner core layer. The inner core layer is formed from an unfoamed composition and has a center hardness that is at least 40 Shore C points less than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer.
US09931537B2 Spinal harness apparatus and method for conducting activities requiring a neutral spinal position and spinal rigidity
A spinal harness apparatus including a strapping system and a rigid member that is worn by a user during activity. An anterior surface of the rigid member is effectively linear and planar. The anterior surface may make contact with a dorsum of the user at approximate levels of an external occipital protuberance of the user, spinous processes of mid-thoracic vertebrae of the user, and a median sacral crest of the user. The rigid member may be tubular and comprise an inner and outer component with which a total length of the rigid member may be telescopically adjustable while maintaining a linear and planar contact surface. The strapping system may comprise an adjustable belt and suspenders. The strapping system is to be adjustably affixed to the rigid member as well as worn about a torso of the user.
US09931536B2 Hip harness
This application discloses a hip joint apparatus, or hip harness, configured to align with the femoral head of a user's hip joint for application of pressure, while maintaining proper anatomic position of the femoral head—i.e., aligned behind the actalum—which in turn helps reduce the incident of labral tears and irritation caused when the user squats or lunges too deeply. Thus, the hip harness helps hold the femur head posteriorly from shifting forward during a squat or deep lunge, which in turn, may help to prevent labral tears and irritation. The hip harness apparatus comprises a primary waist belt configured for adjustable attachment around a waist of a user; a secondary thigh belt configured for adjustable attachment around the upper portion of a user's thigh; and a pressure pad, wherein the pressure pad is configured for adjustable attachment with the secondary thigh belt and wherein the pressure pad is configured in shape and size to abut a femoral head of an anterior portion of the user's hip joint.
US09931529B2 Push up device
A push up device includes a support device including a base for positioning on the floor, side supports and a top. A control device at the top includes a push up counter, a timer, and/or an audio signaling device. The support device includes adjustable arms which adjust the relative height between the top and the base. Hand supports extend from opposite sides of the support device. In one embodiment, the hand supports are removably mounted from the support device.
US09931527B2 Wall gap fire block device, system and method
Fire block devices for application to a wall component. The fire-block device can be a wall component that includes a fire-resistant material strip that expands in response to sufficient heat to create a fire-resistant barrier. In some applications, the fire-block wall component is positioned to extend lengthwise along and across a gap between wallboard members. The fire-block wall component may have a U-shaped central portion and a pair of side portions extending in opposite directions from the central portion. The fire-resistant material may be positioned on the central portion of the fire-block device. The central portion may be positioned within the gap such that the fire-resistant material expands in response to sufficient heat to create a fire-resistant barrier.
US09931524B2 Metal effect pigment with additive
A metallic effect pigment with an additive, the additive being applied on at least a portion of the metallic effect pigment. The additive comprises, as structural units, at least one carboxylic acid having at least 4 carbon atoms and also at least one polyglycol ether. The carboxylic acid and the polyglycol ether are bonded covalently to one another. The disclosure is also directed to a method for producing these metallic effect pigments, and to the use thereof, as well as to a printing ink comprising the pigments.
US09931523B2 RF power controller for ultrasound therapy system
An apparatus for driving and controlling ultrasonic elements includes a computer-based host unit that determines driving characteristics with which to drive the ultrasonic elements; a microprocessor-based controller that receives an output from the host and provides signals representing a frequency and/or an amplitude characteristic; a frequency control circuit receiving the frequency characteristic signal; an amplitude control circuit receiving the amplitude characteristic signal; an RF amplifier acting on an output from the frequency and/or the amplitude control circuits to provide an amplified output signal corresponding to the frequency and/or amplitude characteristic; a coupling circuit that couples the amplified output signal to the ultrasonic elements and provides a forward output signal to a first RF detector circuit and a reverse output signal to a second RF detector circuit; and an analog-to-digital converter that receives an output of the RF detector circuits and provides a corresponding converted output to the controller.
US09931513B2 Feed-through connector assembly for implantable pulse generator and method of use
A connector assembly, and its method of assembly, for use in a medical device for connecting an IPG to a connector assembly for connecting the IPG to a relatively large plurality of electrodes that can support 24 or more stimulation channels for stimulating one or more stimulation regions of a patient. Also the IPG and the stimulation system and the stimulation therapy utilizing the connector assembly.
US09931512B2 User interface for segmented neurostimulation leads
An external control device for use with a neurostimulation system having a plurality of electrodes capable of conveying an electrical stimulation field into tissue in which the electrodes are implanted is provided. The external control device comprises a user interface having one or more control elements, a processor configured for generating stimulation parameters designed to modify the electrical stimulation field relative to one or more neurostimulation lead carrying the electrodes. The external control device further comprises output circuitry configured for transmitting the stimulation parameters to the neurostimulation system.
US09931508B2 Neurostimulator devices using a machine learning method implementing a gaussian process optimization
Neurostimulator devices are described comprising: a stimulation assembly connectable to a plurality of electrodes, wherein the plurality of electrodes are configured to stimulate a spinal cord; one or more sensors; and at least one processor configured to modify at least one complex stimulation pattern deliverable by the plurality of electrodes by integrating data from the one or more sensors and performing a machine learning method implementing a Gaussian Process Optimization on the at least one complex stimulation pattern. Methods of use are also described.
US09931507B2 Package for a retinal prosthesis
The present invention is an improved hermetic package for a retinal prosthesis implanted in the human body. The retinal prosthesis includes a flexible circuit electrode array suitable to stimulate the retina while connected to a hermetic package on the outside of the eye, the hermetic package including a cover and a base where the cover is bonded to the base such that the cover and base form the hermetic package.
US09931506B2 Artificial retinal prosthesis system, optical device and retina chip
An artificial retinal prosthesis system comprises an extraocular optical device and an intraocular retina chip. The extraocular optical device receives an external image, converts it into an optical pulse signal, and generates light energy. The intraocular retina chip receives the optical pulse signal from the extraocular optical device and produces an electric simulation signal. The intraocular retina chip includes a solar cell module receiving and converting the light energy into electric energy as a power source of the intraocular retina chip. The artificial retinal prosthesis system uses an optical modulation method to convert an image signal into an optical pulse signal, transmits the optical pulse signal into the eyeball, and decodes the optical pulse signal intraocularly. Thereby, the signal light intensity is improved without affect the contrast ratio.
US09931503B2 Protein activity modification
A method of modifying cardiac tissue behavior, comprising applying a therapeutically effective electric field having an effect of modifying protein activation levels of at least one protein, and repeatedly applying the field at time intervals timed to increase the activation levels of the at least one protein beyond an activation level achieved by natural and/or paced excitation of the muscle without the application, to an extent about at least as high as a decay of the activation between applications of the field.
US09931502B2 Current output architecture for an implantable stimulator device
Disclosed herein are current output architectures for implantable stimulator devices. Current source and sink circuitry is divided into a plurality of stages, each of which is capable via an associated switch bank of sourcing or sinking an amount of current to or from any one of the electrodes of the device. The current source circuitry is distinct from the current sink circuitry, and the two share no common circuit nodes prior to connection to the electrodes. In other words, the current source circuitry and the current sink circuitry do not share a common node other than the electrodes. Each stage is preferably formed of a current mirror for receiving a reference current and outputting a scaled version of current to that stage's switch bank. The scalar at each stage can be set by wiring a desired number of output transistors in parallel.
US09931501B2 Implantable auditory prosthesis having isolated components
A magnet is completely encased within a body of a biocompatible implant. The body of the biocompatible implant is formed so as to allow for removal of the magnet after implantation in a recipient. The body includes a portion that is at least partially separable from the remainder of the body, either by application of a removing agent or a tool. The magnet can be removed and replaced. Thereafter, the body can be sealed or the magnet can be left exposed.
US09931492B2 Angioplasty device
The invention relates to an angioplasty device for treating stenoses or occlusions that facilitates the diagnosis and visualization of the stenosis and the treatment control having a duct dedicated to the injection of the contrast product.
US09931486B2 Catheter assembly
The invention provides a catheter (1) which is movable between an un-expanded and an expanded configuration by use of an advancing mechanism (20). The advancing mechanism facilitates safe and non-contaminated use of the catheter.
US09931483B2 Detection of periodic breathing during CPAP therapy
An improvement to a breathing therapy machine to detect and rate occurrences of periodic breathing and to alter the therapy delivered to a user of the device based on the rating.
US09931482B2 Neck seal for a gas treatment hood
A seal for a gas treatment hood assembly is disclosed. The hood assembly is placeable over a user's head for treating a user with a gas such as oxygen. The assembly may have a neck ring around a user's neck with an elastomeric, tubular neck seal with one end of the neck seal connected to the neck ring and the other end configured to fit around the user's neck. The neck seal may have a double sealing element construction and may also have variable thickness along a sidewall for enhanced structural properties and improved patient comfort. The seal and hood assembly may be used in providing oxygen to a patient in a hyperbaric chamber.
US09931481B2 Metered dose inhaler applicator
A metered dose inhaler (“MDI”) applicator is disclosed that includes a carrier, a housing, an adjuster and a lever. The carrier defines an aperture configured to receive a boot of a MDI. The housing is configured to be assembled with the carrier and to move in a vertical direction within the MID applicator relative to the carrier. The adjuster is configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when the adjuster is in the locked position, the adjuster is configured to prevent the carrier and the housing from moving in one or more directions relative to one another. The lever is pivotally connected to the housing and is configured to transfer a force applied to the lever to a canister of the MDI and to actuate the MDI to dispense an aerosolized medicine.
US09931480B2 Luer connection adapters for retractable needle syringes
A connector mountable to a syringe barrel has a proximal barrel-engaging portion, a distal luer fitment portion, and a fluid aperture therethrough. The barrel-engaging portion of the connector includes an axial ledge configured to abut the axial distal edge of a glass syringe barrel. The connector facilitates mounting a luer assembly to the barrel. The luer assembly may be a tip cap having a complementary luer fitment for connection to the luer fitment portion of the connector. The luer assembly may be a luer needle assembly having a complementary luer fitment for connection to the luer fitment portion of the connector. The connector and syringe may further include an immobile, compressible needle seal. The needle seal is adjacent to or engageable with the barrel-engaging portion of the connector. The syringe may be configured with a plunger capable of engaging a retractable needle.
US09931476B2 Disposable safety self-destruction insulin needle
The present invention discloses a disposable safety self-destruction insulin needle. The invention uses a sleeve-connected linkage structure and realizes an instant reset of the safety sleeve by means of the spring located in the middle axis so as to ensure that the needle tube is not exposed and preferably realizes a tilting and deflection of the self-destruction pressure base due to a plurality of flexible plates unevenly distributed on the inner wall in the needle base so as to finally ensure that the insulin needle cannot be used a second time, in so doing the safety self-destruction operation of the insulin needle is realized.
US09931473B2 Safety pen needle assembly
In one aspect, a safety pen needle assembly is provided which includes a hub having an open proximal end, a needle fixed to the hub having a distal end, and a shield moveably mounted to the hub so as to be movable relative to the hub to selectively cover the distal end of the needle. An interface is defined between the shield and the hub which is sufficiently sealed so as to define a sterility barrier which prevents ingress of contaminants through the interface. At least one sterility barrier is mounted directly to, and across, an open proximal end of the hub and an open distal end of the shield.
US09931471B2 Auto-injector
Auto-injector for administering a dose of a liquid medicament includes a housing to contain a syringe with a hollow needle and a stopper for sealing the syringe and displacing the medicament (M), the housing having a distal end (D) and a proximal end (P) with an orifice to apply against an injection site. A spring means, upon activation, can push the needle from inside the housing through the orifice and past the proximal end (P), operate the syringe to supply the dose of medicament (M), and retract the syringe with the needle after delivering the medicament (M). An activating means can lock the spring means in a pressurized state prior to manual operation and capable of, upon manual operation, releasing the spring means for injection.
US09931470B2 Selectable single dose auto-injector and methods of making and using same
An auto-injector device for administering a liquid pharmaceutical composition, in which an end-user can select between doses that the device is capable of delivering. The end-user choices that translate into the selected doses can be based on end-user perceived severity of symptoms, end-user weight and other such factors. In some embodiments the auto-injector is configured to administer the one chosen dose only. In other embodiments, the auto-injector can deliver second and subsequent doses up to full dose of the pharmaceutical composition disposed in the injector. The auto-injector can provide visual, audio, and tactile feedback, alone or in combination, to the user to indicate the dose selected, instructions for use, and when the dose has been administered.
US09931465B2 Compact flow regulating device
There is provided a compact flow restriction device having a housing and tubing, the housing holding the tubing within it, the tubing reducing liquid pressure from a higher pressure at a first tubing end to a second pressure at a second tubing end, the housing adapted to be worn by a patient and the liquid delivered to said patient at the second end at the second pressure.
US09931463B2 Infusion channel identifiers
Infusion channel identifiers are generated and used that identify infusion channels transporting medication from an infusion pump to a patient. The infusion pump includes a user interface device, a controller, and at least one infusion device. At a first user interface of the user interface device, data associated with an infusion channel is received. Based on the data, the controller generates an infusion channel identifier identifying the infusion channel. On the first user interface, the infusion channel identifier is displayed. At a second user interface of the user interface device, the infusion channel identifier, a beginning time of a desired provision of the medication to the patient, and a time duration of the desired provision is received. The controller actuates the infusion device and the infusion channel at the beginning time for the time duration. The infusion device delivers, via the infusion channel, the medication to the patient.
US09931462B2 Electro-osmotic pumps with electrodes comprising a lanthanide oxide or an actinide oxide
The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to methods, devices, and systems for fluid delivery to a subject using pumps, for example, non-gassing, direct current (DC), electro-osmotic pumps. In some embodiments, delivery of an aqueous fluid may be achieved by contacting the aqueous liquid with an electro-osmotic pump comprising (i) a cathode (e.g., a cathode comprising porous carbon coated with a cerium oxide-comprising coating), (ii) an anode (e.g., an anode comprising porous carbon coated with a cerium oxide-comprising coating), and (iii) a ceramic membrane (e.g., a ceramic membrane formed by fusing uncoated silica spheres, phosphosilicic-acid-coated fused silica spheres, or borosilicic-acid-coated fused silica spheres, wherein the fused spheres are randomly packed between the cathode and the anode) and/or optionally applying (a) a constant potential difference or constant voltage between the anode and the cathode of from about 0.1 V to about 3 V between the anode and the cathode of from about 0.1 V to about 3 V such that the aqueous liquid is pumped or (b) constant current to cause a potential difference between the anode and the cathode of from about 0.1 V to about 3 V such that the aqueous liquid is pumped.
US09931460B2 Smart connection interface
A method and apparatus for a connection interface between a reservoir or syringe, infusion set tubing, and an infusion pump is provided. The reservoir, a base and a cap are connected to form an integrated unit that is capable of being inserted and secured in an infusion pump housing. The cap and the infusion pump are each provided with at least one sensor or at least one detectable feature, arranged to interact with at least one corresponding detectable feature or sensor on the other of the cap and infusion pump device, to detect one or more of the presence, position or other characteristic of the cap when the cap is aligned or coupled with the infusion pump housing. The detectable feature and sensor may be magnetic, RF, mechanical, optical or any combination.
US09931458B1 Multi chamber flexible bag and methods of using same
A method of preparing a pharmaceutical product in a single multiple chamber flexible bag. A pharmaceutical product is introduced in a liquid state into a first chamber of the flexible bag through a first port. The pharmaceutical product is lyophilized within the first chamber of the flexible bag to provide a lyophilized pharmaceutical product. The flexible bag has a second chamber and the first chamber and the second chamber are separated by a breakable seal. The second chamber further includes a reconstituting solution for reconstituting the lyophilized pharmaceutical product in the first chamber. A user may apply pressure to the flexible bag to break the seal and mix the lyophilized pharmaceutical product and the reconstituting solution to order to administer the pharmaceutical product to a patient.
US09931454B2 Dialysis machine having auto-connection system with roller occluder
A medical fluid or dialysis system includes an auto-connection mechanism that connects connectors from the supply bags to dialysis cassette ports or cassette supply lines. The system provides for multiple, e.g., four, supply bags, which can be connected to a manifold of the auto-connection mechanism. Tip protecting caps that protect the supply line ends and cassette ports or cassette supply line ends are made to be compatible with the auto-connection mechanism. The auto-connection mechanism removes all the caps and connects the supply lines to the cassette. At least one roller occluder is provided that occludes the supply tubing prior to the tip protecting caps being removed. The roller occludes prevent medical dialysis fluid from spilling out of the supply lines between the time that the caps are removed and connection to the cassette is made.
US09931453B2 Dialysis agent a containing acetic acid and acetate salt, and a two-part dialysis agent using thereof
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a dialysis agent A, which is able to set the total acetate ion content in the dialysate to a low value, excellent in storage stability of glucose, able to reduce the acetic acid odor, and able to suppress the corrosion of the dialysate delivery system and the dialysis machine, as well as to provide a two pack type dialysis agent utilizing the dialysis agent A.In the dialysis agent A used in the preparation of a bicarbonate dialysate, which is used as one part of a two pack type dialysis agent, it becomes possible to prepare a bicarbonate dialysate having the total acetate ion concentration of between 2 mEq/L or more and less than 6 mEq/L by allowing to include glucose, acetic acid and acetate salt and to satisfy the molar ratio of 1:0.5 to 2 of acetic acid and acetate salt, and include acetic acid and acetate salt in a total amount of between 2 mEq or more and less than 6 mEq in the dialysis agent A required to prepare 1 L of the bicarbonate dialysate. Moreover, according to the dialysis agent A, in addition to the excellent stability of glucose, it is possible to reduce the acetic acid odor, and furthermore possible to suppress the corrosion of the dialysate delivery system and the dialysis machine.
US09931452B2 Treatment solution delivery in an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus
Blood treatment apparatus and methods of using the same are described herein that include two or more intermediate containers located between a treatment solution source and a port through which the treatment solution is to be delivered with the blood treatment apparatus. The weight of the intermediate containers is measured and used to control the refilling and emptying of treatment solution in the intermediate containers.
US09931449B2 Electrical breast pump and system
An electrical breast pump may include a permanently unobstructed continuous passageway across the diaphragm and a rolling diaphragm that is movable between a vent orientation and a vacuum orientation, or a vent piston configured to actuate a closure between a vent orientation and a vacuum orientation so that a pressure chamber is selectively in direct communication with atmospheric pressure.
US09931443B1 Hemostatic injection needle coated with crosslinked chitosan having catechol group and oxidized catechol group
The present invention relates to a hemostatic injection needle coated with a chitosan in which a catechol group and an oxidized catechol group are introduced and cross-linked. The hemostatic injection needle according to the present invention can suppress bleeding during and after injection, and thus can be effectively used for injection not only into coagulopathy patients, including diabetic patients, patients under anticancer treatment, and haemophilia patients, who have a low hemostatic ability, but also into patients showing blood rejection responses, and children.
US09931441B2 Specially designed magnesium-aluminum alloys and medical uses thereof in a hemodynamic environment
The present invention relates generally to specially designed magnesium-aluminum (“Mg—Al”) alloys and medical uses thereof in a hemodynamic environment, and, more particularly to devices for sealing an opening formed through biological tissue (such as blood vessels) made from such specially designed magnesium-aluminum alloys.
US09931440B2 Biocompatible self-lubricating polymer compositions and their use in medical and surgical devices
The invention comprises self-lubricating polymer compositions that are especially useful in medical devices and valves and gaskets of medical devices. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer compositions comprise a thermosetting or thermoplastic silicone elastomer in combination with a lubricity enhancing polyfluoropolyether fluid or hydrocarbon-based synthetic oil. In other preferred embodiments, the polymer compositions contain only biocompatible components. The improved anti-friction properties of the self-lubricating polymers can be demonstrated over a course of insertion and withdrawal cycles, where conventional polymers have changing and mostly increasing force required for each insertion and withdrawal, while the polymer compositions of the invention remain stable.
US09931439B2 Modifiable medical grafts and related methods and apparatuses
Described are medical graft materials and devices which can be usefully modified with liquid additives such as cell suspensions, bioactive agents, or combinations of these. The medical graft materials and devices can have a first outer surface and a second outer surface and can define an internal chamber between the first outer surface and the second outer surface. The medical graft materials and devices can also have at least one region of the graft material interrupting the chamber and surrounded by the chamber. Also described are methods for making and using these medical graft materials and devices.
US09931436B2 Methods and devices to stimulate the follicular niche using adipose derived regenerative cells and adipose tissue
The present invention concerns a cell-enriched fat graft and methods of making and using the same. The present invention also provides a kit for making and using the cell-enriched fat graft of invention.
US09931435B2 Medical implants with reservoir(s), and materials preparable from same
Described is a medically useful article comprising a three-dimensional body including one or more implantable substances, wherein the body defines one or more reservoirs for receiving amounts of a biocompatible wetting liquid. In certain embodiments the body is disruptable upon wetting with the biocompatible liquid to form a conformable implantable material such as a putty, paste or more flowable wetted implant material. Also described are methods for manufacturing such medical materials, and methods for using such medical materials to treat patients.
US09931432B2 Chemical gradients
In one aspect, apparatuses for providing chemical gradients are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus described herein comprises a conduit having a first end and a second end, one or more microchannels disposed in the conduit and extending from the first end toward the second end, and a fiber coiled around the exterior of at least one microchannel, wherein the fiber comprises an active agent that is operable to diffuse into the interior of the microchannel.
US09931428B2 Ophthalmic compositions
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for eye and contact lens care. More particularly, the invention relates to ophthalmic compositions which contain at least one bioflavonoid component for ocular care, preserving ophthalmic solutions and/or disinfecting contact lenses.
US09931426B2 Air purification device, a lighting device and a luminaire
An air purification device (100), a lighting device and a luminaire are provided. The air purification device comprises an air inlet (132), an air outlet (134), a photocatalytic volume (150), a first solid state light emitter (102) and a second solid state light emitter (122). The air inlet receives an air flow (140). The photocatalytic volume comprises a photocatalytic material and the air flow flows through the photocatalytic volume to contact some air with the photocatalytic material. The photocatalytic volume is between the air inlet and the air outlet. The photocatalytic material is a catalyst under the influence of UV light in photoreactions between gasses in the air flow. The first solid state light emitter emits UV light towards the photocatalytic volume. The second solid state light emitter emits deep blue light towards the photocatalytic volume. The deep blue light has a peak wavelength in between (400) nanometer and (450) nanometer.
US09931418B2 Compositions for the delivery of RNA and drugs into cells
Provided is a co-polymer of formula A-L-D, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein A is a linear, branched or dendritic polyamine; D is a lipid; and L is a linker comprising a water soluble polymer; wherein L is connected to A at a first end through a first covalent bond and connected to D at a second end through a second covalent bond.
US09931415B2 Pyrrolobenzodiazepine-antibody conjugates
Conjugates of an antibody that binds to CD25 with PBD dimers.
US09931413B2 Tetrameric cytokines with improved biological activity
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for forming cytokine-antibody complexes using dock-and-lock technology. In preferred embodiments, the cytokine-MAb DNL complex comprises an IgG antibody attached to two AD (anchor domain) moieties and four cytokines, each attached to a DDD (docking and dimerization domain) moiety. The DDD moieties form dimers that bind to the AD moieties, resulting in a 2:1 ratio of DDD to AD. The cytokine-MAb complex exhibits improved pharmacokinetics, with a significantly longer serum half-life than either naked cytokine or PEGylated cytokine. The cytokine-MAb complex also exhibits significantly improved in vitro and in vivo efficacy compared to cytokine alone, antibody alone, unconjugated cytokine plus antibody or cytokine-MAb DNL complexes incorporating an irrelevant antibody. In more preferred embodiment the cytokine is G-CSF, erythropoietin or INF-α2b.
US09931410B2 Nanoparticles for targeted delivery of multiple therapeutic agents and methods of use
Provided herein are compositions that contain a nanoparticle containing a plurality of polymers, wherein at least a fraction of the polymers comprise a hydrophobic polymer, a topoisomerase inhibitor, and a Pt-containing chemotherapeutic agent, where the polymers self-assemble in an aqueous liquid to form the nanoparticle, and where the Pt-containing chemotherapeutic agent and the topoisomerase inhibitor are present within the hydrophobic core of the nanoparticle in a ratio of between about 24:1 to about 1:24. Also provided are methods of reducing the proliferation of a cancer cell and methods of treating cancer in a subject that include the use of these compositions. Also provided are methods of making these nanoparticles.
US09931408B2 Bio-orthogonal drug activation
The invention relates to a Prodrug activation method, for therapeutics, wherein use is made of abiotic reactive chemical groups that exhibit bio-orthogonal reactivity towards each other. The invention also relates to a Prodrug kit comprising at least one Prodrug and at least one Activator, wherein the Prodrug comprises a Drug and a first Bio-orthogonal Reactive Group (the Trigger), and wherein the Activator comprises a second Bio-orthogonal Reactive Group. The invention also relates to targeted therapeutics used in the above-mentioned method and kit. The invention particularly pertains to antibody-drug conjugates and to bi- and trispecific antibody derivatives.
US09931406B2 Pharmaceutical composition comprising amide derivative inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and non-metallic salt lubricant
Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amide derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a non-metallic salt lubricant, which can be used as an effective cancer cell-growth inhibitor owing to its enhanced storage stability with no quality changes over time.
US09931405B2 Pharmaceutical compositions for gastrointestinal drug delivery
A novel pharmaceutical composition, which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of active principle(s) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or enantiomer or polymorph thereof, optionally one or more release controlling agent(s) and pharmaceutical acceptable excipient(s) thereof, wherein the composition is formulated to increase the residence time of the said pharmaceutical composition and/or active principle(s) in the gastrointestinal tract. A novel pharmaceutical composition comprising at least two entities wherein one entity is an immediate release/fast release and the other is controlled release. A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least two entities wherein one entity is an immediate release/fast release and the other is bioadhesive. A pharmaceutical composition comprising: at least two entities wherein one entity is controlled release and the other is bioadhesive All the three compositions are formulated to increase the residence time of active principle(s) in the gastrointestinal tract. A multilayered composition with active in a layer which provides immediate release or controlled release of active principles and layer providing increased residence time in the GI tract.
US09931403B2 Non-aqueous patch
Non-aqueous patches comprising lidocaine, which is not dissolved and is present in a crystalline state, have poor permeability to the skin. Therefore, non-aqueous patches have a high concentration of lidocaine. It is pointed out that lidocaine has an adverse effect on the heart. Prolonged use of a high concentration of lidocaine causes side effects, such as shock, rubor, and irritating sensation. External preparations comprising more than 5 mass % of lidocaine are designated as powerful drugs, and cannot be used as household (nonprescription) medicine. Provided is a non-aqueous patch that is effective to relieve muscle pain, the non-aqueous patch comprising lidocaine and/or its reactant, and a dissolving agent composed of an organic acid and a polyalcohol, which are contained in a base.
US09931402B2 Compositions for the treatment of solid tumors
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical combination that comprises an IGF1R inhibitor and an mTOR inhibitor for the treatment of cancer in a subject; a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a combination; the use of such a combination for the preparation of medicament for the treatment of cancer; a kit comprising such a combination as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use; and a method of treating cancer in a subject, especially a human.
US09931401B2 Combination comprising anti-fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) antibody and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor
The present invention provides a combination of an antibody binding to a fibroblast growth factor receptor, and another agent.
US09931394B2 Soluble HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimers
The present application relates to novel HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins which may be utilized as an HIV-1 vaccine immunogens, antigens for crystallization and for the identification of broad neutralizing antibodies. The present invention encompasses the preparation and purification of immunogenic compositions which are formulated into the vaccines of the present invention.
US09931392B2 Glycosylation method
The invention relates to microbial host cells engineered to produce glycoconjugate vaccines by stable integration of an acceptor protein and an oligosaccharyltransferase into the host's genome, wherein expression of the oligosaccharyltransferase is regulated.
US09931390B2 Recombinant Lactococcus lactis expressing Escherichia coli colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I) fimbriae and their methods of use
The present disclosure relates generally to therapeutic compositions comprising recombinant bacteria. Further, the disclosure elaborates upon methods of utilizing the taught therapeutic compositions to treat autoimmune and inflammatory disease. The present teachings also relate to the disclosed recombinant bacteria and methods of producing the recombinant bacteria utilized in the compositions and methods. Further taught herein are dietary supplements and food additive compositions comprising the taught recombinant bacteria.
US09931389B2 Genetic attenuation of plasmodium by B9 gene disruption
Disclosed herein are mutant Plasmodium-species parasites that are genetically attenuated (GAP). They retain the ability to infect a host and invade host hepatocytes but subsequently their development is completely arrested within the liver stage of Plasmodium development and the parasites do not reach the blood stage of development. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising genetically attenuated Plasmodium sporozoites as well as methods of using the same are likewise provided.
US09931387B2 Cancer vaccine for cats
The present invention provides a nucleic acid, or an immunogenic composition thereof, that comprises a sequence encoding a cat telomerase deprived of telomerase catalytic activity, or a fragment thereof. The present invention also provides methods for triggering an immune response in a cat and methods for treating or preventing a tumor in a cat using the immunogenic composition of the invention.
US09931384B2 Identification of CD8+ T cells that are CD161hi and/or IL18Rαhi and have rapid drug efflux capacity
This invention provides, among other things, methods for the identification and isolation of viable putative long-lived antigen-specific memory CD8+ T cell subsets (CMhi and EMhi) with high surface expression of CD161 and/or IL-18Rα and the capacity to rapidly efflux the fluorescent dye Rh123.
US09931382B2 Treatment of ophthalmic conditions
Ophthalmic conditions such as presbyopia, myopia, and astigmatism can be corrected by the use of a molding contact lens in combination with a pharmaceutical composition suitable for delivery to the eye. The molding contact lenses are preferably commercially available and are not specifically designed for orthokeratology. The agents in the pharmaceutical compositions such as hyaluronase allow the cornea of the eye to be molded in order to correct the refractive error of the eye. The contact lenses and the pharmaceutical composition induce a change in the radius of curvature of the anterior surface of the cornea, thereby correcting the refractive error of the eye. One advantage of the inventive technique is that the patient with his or her own individual visual needs guides the treatment until the patient near and far visual needs are met. The present invention also provides for kits, which contain molding contact lenses, pharmaceutical composition suitable for delivery to the eye, and instructions, useful in the inventive system.
US09931381B2 Methods of comprising serratia peptidase for inhibition and treatment of biofilms related to certain conditions
Physiologically acceptable anti-biofilm compositions comprising Serratia peptidase and optionally one or more of bromelain, papain and a fibrinolytic enzyme. Additional components can include antimicrobials, antibiotics, antifungals, herbals, chelating agents, lactoferrin and related compounds, minerals, surfactants, binders, and fillers useful for the inhibition and treatment of gastrointestinal biofilms in humans. Physiologically acceptable anti-biofilm compositions containing these enzymes are useful in the inhibition, reduction and/or treatment of biofilms such as in the ear, vagina, joints, bones, gut, surgical sites and other locations, and are useful for the inhibition, reduction and/or treatment of associated systemic symptoms caused by biofilm associated microorganisms.
US09931380B2 Medicament for treating olfaction disorder
The object of the present invention is to provide an olfactory disturbance therapeutic agent that is effective in repairing or regenerating olfactory epithelium that suffered damages such as scratches and can be administered for a long time.The object of the present invention is achieved by an olfactory disturbance therapeutic agent including at least one active ingredient that is selected from among a group consisting of insulin, insulin analogs, and insulin secretagogues. Preferably, the olfactory disturbance therapeutic agent is used for people with olfactory disturbance who have, or are at risk of having, impaired insulin secretion or insulin resistance, or for people who could suffer an iatrogenic increase in blood sugar level or a disturbance in a balance of adrenocortical hormone stemming from a long-term use of steroid as olfactory disturbance treatment.
US09931379B2 Oxyntomodulin analogs and methods of making and using same
Provided are oxyntomodulin analogs. The peptide analogs have at least two cysteines. The two cysteines are separated by six amino acids such that they can be crosslinked using suitable crosslinking moieties. The crosslinked peptides have long half-lives and/or efficacy. For example, peptide analog compositions are used for inducing weight loss and/or reducing blood glucose levels.
US09931378B2 Method of immunotherapy for treatment of human papillomavirus infection
A method of treating human papillomavirus (HPV), by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a primary cell-derived biologic to a patient infected with HPV, and inducing an immune response to HPV. A method of overcoming HPV-induced immune suppression of Langerhans cells (LC), by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a primary cell-derived biologic to a patient infected with HPV, and activating LC. A method of increasing LC migration towards lymph nodes, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a primary cell-derived biologic to a patient infected with HPV, activating LC, and inducing LC migration towards lymph nodes. A method of generating immunity against HPV, by administering an effective amount of a primary cell derived biologic to a patient infected with HPV, generating immunity against HPV, and preventing new lesions from developing.
US09931371B2 Angiopoietin-like 4 and a method of its use in wound healing
A method and a pharmaceutical composition for increasing wound healing in an individual in need thereof, the method comprising administering an angiopoietin like 4 (ANGPTL4) polypeptide or a therapeutically active fragment thereof.
US09931364B2 Tube feed packages and methods for using same
Nutritional compositions that mimic whole foods and methods of using the nutritional compositions are provided. The nutritional compositions may include an increased number and variety of fruits and vegetables, an increased variety of macronutrient sources and an increased amount of other components that are found in whole foods. The nutritional compositions may also include ethnicity-specific meals and organic ingredients and provide emotional appeal to the patient and/or the patient's caregiver. Methods of administering such nutritional compositions to patients in need of same are also provided.
US09931358B2 Direct compression polymer tablet core
The present invention provides a tablet core which comprises at least about 95% by weight of an aliphatic amine polymer. The invention also provides a method of producing a tablet core comprising at least about 95% by weight of an aliphatic amine polymer resin The method comprises the step of compressing the aliphatic amine polymer to form the tablet core. The tablet core can further include one or more excipients. In this embodiment, the method of producing the tablet core comprises the steps of: (1) hydrating the aliphatic amine polymer to the desired moisture level; (2) blending the aliphatic amine polymer with the excipients in amounts such that the polymer comprises at least about 95% by weight of the resulting blend; and (3) compressing the blend to form the tablet core. The present invention further relates to a coated tablet comprising an aliphatic amine polymer core wherein the coating is a water based coating.
US09931350B2 Anti-infective and osteogenic compositions and methods of use
Cationic steroidal antimicrobials (“CSAs” or “ceragenins”) and methods of making and using the same. Particularly advantageous uses include treating infections in patient and sub-patient populations, especially those having a bone disease, a broken bone, a bone infection, or a bone implant.
US09931346B2 Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and Sigma receptor ligands combinations
The invention refers to a synergistic combination comprising a Sigma ligand of general formula (I), and a Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI), a medicament comprising said active substance combination, and the use of said active substance combination for the manufacture of a medicament, particularly for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of pain.
US09931345B2 Transient protection of normal cells during chemotherapy
This invention is in the area of improved compounds, compositions and methods of transiently protecting healthy cells, and in particular hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) as well as renal cells, from damage associated with DNA damaging chemotherapeutic agents. In one aspect, improved protection of healthy cells is disclosed using disclosed compounds that act as highly selective and short, transiently-acting cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK 4/6) inhibitors when administered to subjects undergoing DNA damaging chemotherapeutic regimens for the treatment of proliferative disorders.
US09931344B2 Layered sustained-release microbeads and methods of making the same
A layered microbead suitable for incorporating into a non-prescription consumable product is disclosed. The layered microbead may include a core and at least one active ingredient layer encapsulating the core. The active ingredient in the core can be different from the active ingredient in the encapsulating layer. The active ingredient in the core can be selected to counteract or enhance the effect of the active ingredient in the encapsulating layer. The layered microbead can further incorporate microspheres of active ingredient surrounded by polymer material. Method of manufacturing microspheres and microbeads are also described.
US09931339B2 Substituted pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxalines for cancer therapy
Compounds, including quinoxaline derivatives of formula I, for use in the treatment of cancer are described. In general, the compounds inhibit the import of proteins and transcription factors such as Kpnα, AP-1, P65, NFAT into the nucleus of a cell by inhibiting the nuclear import protein, Kpnβ1. Cancer cells have elevated levels of Kpnβ1 and the inhibition of their nuclear import activity induces cell apoptosis. The administration of an effective amount of any one of the compounds results in cell apoptosis in cancer cells, while non-cancer cells are substantially unaffected by the inhibition of Kpnβ1's nuclear import activity.
US09931335B2 Desethylhydroxychloroquine for the treatment of diseases associated with inflammation
Compositions and methods are provided for inhibiting or treating the early and established stages of inflammatory diseases by administration of an effective dose of the desethylhydroxychloroquine (DHCQ). A benefit of the methods is the ability to deliver a dose of agent that is effective in treating inflammation while sparing the individual from retinal toxicity.
US09931333B2 Compositions and methods for treating or preventing atrial fibrillation
The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing atrial fibrillation (AF). In particular, the present invention provides administration of muscarinic receptor antagonists (e.g., M2-selective muscarinic receptor blockers), administered alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents (e.g., beta-adrenergic receptor blockers) to treat and/or prevent atrial fibrillation.
US09931328B2 Topical retinoid compositions
The present application relates to topical compositions. In particular, the present application relates to a topical composition comprising retinoid as active agent, and pharmaceutically acceptable excipient(s), and a process of preparing such compositions. Further, the present application relates to method of using topical compositions for the treatment of skin disorders such as acne, rosacea, psoriasis etc.
US09931324B2 Indolizine derivatives and their use in neurodegenerative diseases
The present invention relates to indolizine compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, useful as antagonists of P2X7, and for the treatment of P2X7-related disorders.
US09931323B2 Cyclic ether pyrazol-4-yl-heterocyclyl-carboxamide compounds and methods of use
Cyclic ether pyrazol-4-yl-heterocyclyl-carboxamide compounds of Formula I, including stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R2 is a cyclic ether and X is thiazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyridinyl, or pyrimidinyl, are useful for inhibiting Pim kinase, and for treating disorders such as cancer mediated by Pim kinase. Methods of using compounds of Formula I for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US09931322B2 Treatment of BRCA1-defective cancer or resistant cancers
Provided herein are methods of treating cancer in a subject, by administering COH29 ((N-(4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylthiazol-2-yl)-3,4-dihydroxybenzamide)). The methods of treating include treating a BRCA1-defective subject, a PARP1 inhibitor-resistant subject or a DNA-damaging anti-cancer agent resistant subject. The methods include treating cancer by administering COH29 and a DNA-damaging anti-cancer agent in a combined synergistic amount.
US09931321B2 Therapeutic agent for dyslipidemia
The present invention addresses the problem of providing a pharmaceutical combination composition and drug combinations for the prevention and/or treatment of dyslipidemic conditions such as atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, low HDL blood disease in mammals including humans. A pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and/or treatment of dyslipidemia, etc. which comprises (a) a compound represented by the general formula (1) (in the formula, each symbol is the same as defined in the specification) or a salt thereof or a solvate thereof and (b) a cholesterol absorption inhibitor (1).
US09931319B2 Carboxamide derivatives
The present invention provides a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; a method for manufacturing the compounds of the invention, and its therapeutic uses. The present invention further provides a combination of pharmacologically active agents and a pharmaceutical composition.
US09931318B2 Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors for cognitive and motor rehabilitation
The present invention provides methods of improving cognitive and motor deficits associated with central nervous system (CNS) disorder or condition in an animal. The methods comprise a general administration of phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors and optionally training the animal under conditions sufficient to produce an improvement in performance.
US09931316B2 Antiviral activity from medicinal mushrooms and their active constituents
Compounds having unique antiviral properties found in mushroom mycelium and their analogs are extracted, concentrated, isolated or manufactured to create compositions useful in preventing the spread and proliferation of various viruses afflicting animals, particularly viruses harming humans, pigs, birds, bats and bees. Such compounds and compositions can be used individually or in combination with known medicines or natural products to improve health.
US09931314B2 Method for treating skin cancer
A method for treating skin cancer including the steps of applying an isothiocyanate functional surfactant to an area affected by skin cancer, wherein the isothiocyanate functional surfactant comprises at least one isothiocyanate functional group associated with an aliphatic and/or aromatic carbon atom of the isothiocyanate functional surfactant.
US09931313B2 Methods of treating proliferative disorders with malate or derivatives thereof
The present invention relates to methods, compositions, and diagnostic tests for treating and diagnosing proliferative disorders, such as cancel-, that result in dysregulation of malic enzyme 2. In particular, the methods and compositions include monotherapy with malate, or a derivative thereof, as well as combination therapy, such as malate, or a derivative thereof, combined with another therapeutic agent, such as a malic enzyme 2 inhibitor, an antineoplastic agent, a glycolysis inhibitor, an antiangiogenic agent, an immunomodulatory agent, an antibody, or a cytokine.
US09931302B2 Enzyme delivery systems and methods of preparation and use
This invention relates to coated digestive enzyme preparations and enzyme delivery systems and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the preparations. This invention further relates to methods of preparation and use of the systems, pharmaceutical compositions and preparations to treat persons having ADD, ADHD, autism, cystic fibrosis and other behavioral and neurological disorders.
US09931298B2 Liposome loading
Provided herein is technology relating to incorporation of drugs into liposomes and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods for incorporating drugs into liposomes using a weak base and related compositions.
US09931295B2 Stabilized pharmaceutical composition
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pharmaceutical composition containing a stable azole-based compound, which is useful as an antifungal agent. According to the present invention, the above-mentioned object can be achieved by adding magnesium hydroxide carbonate, triethylamine, arginine, or another such basic substance to an azole-based compound that is unstable in acids. The above-mentioned pharmaceutical composition is stable enough that the compound will not degrade if the temperature, humidity, or other such conditions should change during production or storage. Also, this composition is useful as a therapeutic agent for deep mycoses because systemic administration is possible by applying it to an oral agent or an injection.
US09931294B2 Stable skin care composition having cosmetically acceptable oils
A skin care composition including a cosmetically acceptable oil, from about 0.25% to about 7.0%, based upon the weight of the composition, of a polyglyceryl fatty acid ester surfactant having an hydrophile-lipophile balance value of from about 9 to about 12, and a sunscreen active. The composition is stable.
US09931292B2 Oral care whitening compositions
Described herein are whitening compositions comprised of a peroxide component, and an adhesion system, which effectively provide whitening using a remarkably low level of peroxide. Methods of making and using these compositions are also described herein.
US09931289B2 Cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulation
The present invention relates to a cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulation comprising a hyaluronate crosspolymer and one or more of (a) azelaic acid or an ester thereof; (b) one or more of black cumin seed oil, chaulmoogra oil, magnolia bark extract and manuka oil; and (c) resveratrol or a derivative thereof. Uses of the formulation for skin treatments, promoting collagen production and regulating cellular turnover are also described.
US09931288B2 Composition comprising an aqueous medium
The present invention relates to a composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable aqueous medium, at least one monosaccharide or a polysaccharide containing up to six sugar units, a polyol and a betaine, said composition being free of potassium sorbate. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises sucrose, 1,3-propanediol and cocoyl betaine, said composition being free of potassium sorbate. The invention also relates to an article comprising such a composition, and also to a cosmetic process for treating keratin materials by applying such a composition and/or such an article.
US09931287B2 Simple micro-particulate suspension of behentrimonium chloride with favorable distributive and adsorptive properties
A personal care composition for hair and skin applications includes an aqueous solution consisting essentially of aggregates of behentrimonium chloride and dihydroxypropyl PEG-5 linoleammonium chloride. The composition forms micro particles or aggregates of behentrimonium chloride that exhibits surprising distributive properties in aqueous solution of a nature beneficial to its application to hair or skin surfaces.
US09931276B2 Fluid transfer devices and methods of use
Some embodiments disclosed herein related to a device for transferring precise amounts of fluid from at least one source container to a at least one target container. In some embodiments, the fluid is first transferred from the source container (e.g., a vial) through a connector to an intermediate measuring container (e.g., a syringe). In some embodiments air can pass through an air inlet and enter the vial to compensate for the volume of fluid withdrawn from the vial. An air check valve or a bag or a filter can prevent the fluid from escaping through the air inlet. The precisely measured amount of fluid can then be transferred from the intermediate measuring container to the target container (e.g., an IV bag). In some embodiments the connector can include a source check valve and a target check valve to direct fluid first from the source container to the intermediate measuring container and then from the intermediate measuring container to the target container. Some embodiments of the device can include a motor and a controller for automatically actuating a plunger of the syringe to transfer the desired amount of fluid.
US09931275B2 Anti-reflux vial adaptors
In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor comprises a housing member, a connector configured to couple the adaptor with a vial, and an extractor channel formed in the housing member. The extractor channel is configured to facilitate withdrawal of fluid from the vial when the adaptor is coupled to the vial. In some embodiments, an anti-reflux valve is positioned within the extractor channel. The anti-reflux valve can be configured to impede or obstruct fluid returning to a fluid source after withdrawal of the fluid from the fluid source.
US09931269B2 Air pump for use in intermittent pneumatic compression therapy having a digital display
A digital display air pump includes a rectangular, box-shaped body having a standard AC power cord extending from it, two air supply output ports, and a control and information panel located on its front side with user-operated buttons, a digital display for showing air pressure and alarm codes, a variable air pressure set dial, and status lights. Within the hollow interior of the body is an air compressor, a dual-output electromechanical valve having to two air output tubes, an air pressure sensor, an AC power connection, an internal loudspeaker, and an electronic circuit board controlling the digital display air pump's function. The air supply output ports, an extension of the air tubes within the body, supply air to Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (“IPC”) Therapy device garments through flexible air supply tubes.
US09931268B2 Reduced pressure treatment system having blockage clearing and dual-zone pressure protection capabilities
A method of treating a tissue site is provided. The method includes applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site with a reduced pressure source. A source pressure is monitored at the reduced pressure source, and a differential pressure is determined between the source pressure and the desired tissue site pressure. If a blockage is present between the reduced pressure source and the tissue site, the differential pressure is limited to a first maximum differential pressure. If no blockage is present between the reduced pressure source and the tissue site, the differential pressure is limited to a second maximum differential pressure.
US09931267B2 Portable mat
A device or system useful for temporarily reducing the appearance of cellulite and increasing local circulation, including a base with an array of protrusions having a size, shape, durometer and spacing selected to indent a user's skin under pressure. A user may position the device such that the protrusions are in contact with skin or separated from the skin by thin fabric, and then apply pressure to cause the protrusions to indent but not penetrate the skin.
US09931266B2 Visual rehabilitation systems and methods
The system can include a display device, a processor, and a computer readable medium having instructions for a visual rehabilitation program to perform a visual rehabilitation method including causing the display device to visually present to a user one or more images.
US09931261B2 Medical pendant box body
A medical pendant box body is disclosed. The medical pendant box body has a first panel and a second panel, and a first post and a second post extending along a longitudinal direction of the medical pendant box body. The medical pendant box body also has an upper base plate and a lower base plate. The first panel is attached to the first post and the second panel is attached to the second post. The upper base plate is attached to an upper edge of each of the first and second panels, and the lower base plate is attached to a lower edge of each of the first and second panels. A snap-fit portion is disposed at a side edge portion of at least one of the first panel and the second panel.
US09931258B2 Medical line manager
A siderail assembly comprises a siderail and a medical line manager. The siderail includes a siderail body having a first surface, a second surface, and a side surface extending between about the first surface and about the second surface. The medical line manager is integrated into at least one of the first surface, the second surface, and the side surface of the siderail. The medical line manager includes a first side, a second side, and a bottom extending between about the first side and the second side. The medical line manager is configured to receive and removably retain at least one medical line therein.
US09931255B2 Handle device for foldable wheelchairs
A handle device for use with a collapsible wheelchair, the wheelchair positionable between a first working position and a second collapsed position. The wheelchair having first and second generally horizontal handlebars extending rearward to facilitate movement of the wheelchair. The handle device comprising first and second substantially “L”-shaped members, each “L”-shaped member having a lower portion and an upper vertically oriented portion. The lower portion is adapted to receive the respective first and second horizontal handlebars therein. The upper portion extends substantially perpendicular to the lower portion, wherein the upper portion of each member upwardly extends beyond a height of the chair allowing the user to grasp each member without flexion of the torso.
US09931254B2 Powered mobility device with tilt mechanism having multiple pivots
A powered wheelchair 100 with a tilt mechanism having multiple pivots that allows the wheelchair 100 to be driven and steered with or without the use of hands. The wheelchair 100 has two spaced apart drive wheels 101, each mounted to a separate shaft 104 that is independent of the other drive wheel. A drive controller drivingly coupled to the shafts 104 and the drive controller is housed within a base 102 that is pivotally situated on the shafts 104. A seat 103 mounted on a tilt mechanism enables the seat to tilt in a forward, backward, left and right direction as a result of the user displacing their body weight in either of those directions. The tilt mechanism includes three pivots, a primary pivot P1, secondary pivot P2 and tertiary pivot P3. The primary pivot P1 pivotally connects the base 102 to the shafts 104. The secondary pivot P2 is situated above and adjacent the base 102 so that the respective ends of the rod 105 are pivotally connected to the base 102.
US09931250B2 Absorbent pads comprising zones of differential absorbent capacity
An folded absorbent sanitary pad having a higher basis weight of superabsorbent polymer in correspondence with the folding lines which helps reducing the risk of side leakage.
US09931249B2 Reduced-pressure, deep-tissue closure systems and methods
A reduced-pressure, deep-tissue closure device for applying a closing force on a deep tissue includes a contractible matrix that is formed with a first plurality of apertures and which has a first side and a second, inward-facing side. The contractible matrix is for disposing proximate to the deep tissue. A reduced-pressure source is fluidly coupled to the contractible matrix and operable to deliver reduced pressure to the contractible matrix. When under reduced pressure, the contractible matrix grips the deep tissue adjacent the contractible matrix and provides a closing force on the deep tissue. A system and method are also presented.
US09931248B2 Non-invasive vision enhancement
A method and system are provided for enhancing vision. The method includes capturing a first image by a first camera. The method further includes capturing a second image by a second camera. The method also includes combining the first image and the second image to form a combined image. The method additionally includes projecting the combined image on at least one eye of a user by a wearable image projection device. The combined image represents a wide screen image having a field of view greater than any of the first image and the second image taken individually.
US09931246B2 Steerable laser probe
A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation structure having an actuation structure distal end and an actuation structure proximal end, a flexible housing tube, and an optic fiber disposed within an inner bore of the handle and the flexible housing tube. An extension of the actuation structure distal end relative to the actuation structure proximal end may be configured to gradually curve the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber. A retraction of the actuation structure distal end relative to the actuation structure proximal end may be configured to gradually straighten the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber.
US09931243B2 Delivering ocular implants into the eye
A method of deploying an ocular implant into Schlemm's canal of an eye. The method includes the steps of inserting a distal end of a cannula through a cornea of the eye and into an anterior chamber of the eye, the cannula having a distal opening extending from the distal end and through a side wall; placing the distal opening of the cannula into fluid communication with Schlemm's canal; advancing the ocular implant distally through the cannula with a delivery tool engaged with the ocular implant, a proximal portion of the ocular implant engaging the delivery tool proximal to a distal portion of the delivery tool; and disengaging the ocular implant and the delivery tool when the proximal portion of the ocular implant reaches the cannula distal opening. The invention also includes a system for practicing the method.
US09931242B2 Intraocular lens injector assembly including a shuttle and method of using same
An intraocular lens (IOL) injector assembly comprising an injector body having a shuttle reception opening defined at least in part by a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and a shuttle comprising a first wing including a first portion of a shuttle lumen wall and a second wing including a second portion of a shuttle lumen wall. The first wing and the second wing are coupled together by a hinge. When in a closed state, the first portion of the shuttle lumen wall and the second portion of the shuttle lumen wall define at least a portion of an operative shuttle lumen. The shuttle and sidewalls are configured such that the first wing and the second wing interfere with the first sidewall and the second sidewall, respectively, as the shuttle passes through the shuttle reception opening, such that the closed state of the shuttle is attained.
US09931241B2 Steam-generative warming device
A steam-generative warming device 10 having a steam generating element 30 that releases steam in association with heat generation accompanying the oxidation of an oxidizable metal. The steam generative warming device 10 contains a capsaicin analog and a menthol in a capsaicin analog/menthol mass ratio of 1/300 to 1/20000. It is preferred that the capsaicin analog be present in an element adapted to be brought into direct contact with the user's skin and the menthol be present in an element adapted not to be brought into contact with the user's skin.
US09931236B2 Physiotherapeutic, ambulatory, and mobility vest
A physiotherapeutic device has a waist tensioning system and a spine support system that enable correction and/or maintaining postural stance for individuals suffering from poor posture and/or neurodegenerative disease. The device provides a posture support and retention system during episodes of postural instability to enable individuals to maintain posture and balance while performing functions. The device includes a garment with shoulder straps extending from the tensioning system to generate force vectors in a direction opposite of those generated by traditional shoulder straps. A rigid support member is disposed in the garment to run parallel with the spinal column. The shoulder straps and waist straps tie into an anchor located on a portion of the garment directly over the support member. The connected components work in concert to actively and passively adjust tension and apply pressure to straighten shoulders and improve the upper back support.
US09931234B2 Plantar fasciitis sleeve having targeted compression
A foot sleeve is taught that has generalized sleeve compression from an elastic foot sleeve but also has targeted additional compression in the arch and above the heel across the Achilles tendon by a polymeric pressure sensitive adhesive tape applied as an X under the foot arch and in a preferred embodiment also across the Achilles tendon, just above the heel.
US09931232B2 Stent delivery system
Stent delivery systems and methods for making and using stent delivery systems are disclosed. An example stent delivery system may include an inner member. A sheath may be disposed about the inner member. The sheath may include a compressible coil. A stent may be disposed between the inner member and the sheath. A membrane may extend between the inner member and the sheath. The membrane may be configured to be disposed on the stent. An outer member may be disposed over the sheath.
US09931226B2 Spinal implants and instruments
An intervertebral spacer inserter includes a sleeve having a longitudinal axis, a hollow sleeve bore extending through the sleeve along the longitudinal axis, a sleeve tip end and an opening of a passage disposed in the sleeve tip end. The passage extends into the sleeve to the sleeve shaft along a passage axis that intersects the longitudinal axis at an angle less than about 90°. A sliding tip with an elongated slot is in contact with the sleeve tip end and is moveable with respect to the sleeve tip end between a first position with the opening accessible through the elongated slot and disposed adjacent a first end of the elongated slot and a second position with the opening accessible through the elongated slot and disposed adjacent a second end of the elongated slot opposite the first end.
US09931224B2 Self-pivoting spinal implant and associated instrumentation
An intervertebral implant includes an insertion end, an opposing engagement end, and first and second opposed main surfaces configured to contact respective adjacent vertebral endplates. Each of the first and second main surfaces has an anterior edge, a posterior edge, and extends between the insertion and engagement ends. Anterior and posterior walls are formed between the first and second main surfaces and along the respective anterior and posterior edges and converge at the insertion and engagement ends. A slot is formed at the engagement end and extends continuously between and at least partially along the anterior and posterior walls. A post is positioned within the slot, spaced from at least one of the anterior and posterior walls and extending at least partially between the first and second main surfaces. The post includes a plurality of exposed facets and is configured for engagement with a pivotable insertion instrument.
US09931213B2 Acetabular cup and insertion handle
A hip joint apparatus is described. The apparatus has an acetabular cup designed for both seated engagement within a patient's acetabulum, and articulatory reception of a matingly shaped femoral component, wherein the dome of the acetabular cup has holes configured for accepting wires and variable angle locking screws to facilitate attachment of the acetabular cup to the acetabulum, and wherein the rim of the acetabular cup has holes configured for accepting wires to provide provisional stability to the acetabular cup. The apparatus also has an insertion handle with a graspable portion and a mating portion, the mating portion attached to the graspable portion and configured for engaging with the rim of the acetabular cup, thereby coupling the insertion handle to the acetabular cup.
US09931210B2 Variable angle blade augment
A variable angle blade augment including an augment component and a blade component. The blade component includes a buttress portion and a neck portion, with the neck portion having a body segment and a face segment that is contoured for mating engagement with an outer surface of the acetabular shell. The augment component has a first opening sized and shaped to receive insertion of the body segment, and which is also sized to accommodate selective adjustment of, when the body segment is positioned in the first opening, linear and angular orientations of the blade component relative to the augment component. Additionally, the body segment has a length that is sized to facilitate direct contact of the face segment with the acetabular shell when the variable angle blade augment is in an assembled configuration. Further, cement can be injected into the internal cavity to unitize the connection between the acetabular shell and the blade component.
US09931205B2 Low-profile prosthetic valve structure
A prosthetic valve assembly that includes a stent, a tissue sleeve and an anchoring mechanism. By loading the three components of the valve assembly into a delivery catheter in a series formation, such that no two components are located within each other, the size of the delivery catheter can be reduced.
US09931204B2 Transcatheter heart valve replacement systems, heart valve prostheses, and methods for percutaneous heart valve replacement
A transcatheter heart valve prosthesis configured in accordance herewith includes an expandable frame having a plurality of commissure posts extending therefrom, a radially expandable inflow member attached to the plurality of commissure posts, and a locking mechanism operably coupled to a wire. The wire is at least partially slideably disposed within a channel formed in a wall of the inflow member and the locking mechanism is configured to permit the wire to be advanced within the channel to thereby transition the inflow member into a deployed configuration that at least partially engages tissue at the native heart valve.
US09931200B2 Ophthalmic devices, systems, and methods for optimizing peripheral vision
The present invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for optimizing peripheral vision. In particular, methods are disclosed which include utilizing particular characteristics of the retina in optimizing peripheral vision. Additionally, various IOL designs, as well as IOL implantation locations, are disclosed which optimize peripheral vision.
US09931197B2 Suspensory graft fixation with adjustable loop length
A suspensory fixation device has an elongated anchor member adapted to be transversely situated at the exit of a bone tunnel. A graft supporting loop member formed of a pair of parallel suture limbs extending from a bight portion is suspended transversely from the anchor member and has a loop length which is adjustable so the graft ligament can be supported in the bone tunnel at varying distances from the anchor member. When a graft ligament is attached to the saddle end of the loop member, the length of the loop member may be shortened by simply pulling distally on the pair of limbs at one end of the loop member to pull the graft ligament into the bone tunnel a predetermined distance or until it bottoms out at the floor of the bone tunnel. When tension is applied to the loop member by the graft pulling the loop proximally, the bight portion of the suture automatically locks the graft supporting loop member in place.
US09931192B2 Continuous indentation lateral lobe apparatus and method
A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for creating continuous defects or indentations in lobes of a prostate.
US09931190B2 Protective device for the head and ears of an animal
A protective cover device for an animal's head includes a first portion for securement around the animal's neck, behind the occiput and at or near the smallest diameter of the neck, and a second portion for covering the animal's ears that is fastened forward of said first portion and at or near the throat or jaw of the animal. The device may be a flexible/generally-flexible panel with supplemental shaping, stiffening, and/or adjustment systems to cup/fit the ears, to prevent the ears from sliding out of the device, and/or to prevent foreign objects such as cheat-grass or fox-tail, ticks, or insects from reaching the ears. Stiffeners may be added along or beside the central axis, around the front edge, and/or near the animal's ears, to shape and hold the second portion in a configuration protective of the animal ears and not easily rolled-up or pushed off by a paw/foot.
US09931188B2 Dental color key
A dental color key having at least two different color patterns or samples with different tooth colors. The entire surface area of the color key (10) may be smaller than the buccal and/or labial surface area, that is to say the vestibular surface area of two teeth, and the color patterns or samples (12) are attached adjacent to one another and particularly mounted to one single tooth.
US09931185B2 Power varying pedal
A system and method for providing variable power is disclosed. The system includes a power supply which provides power to at least one instrument. A pedal comprises a variable resistor that is configured to produce a resistance value within a predetermined range based on an amount of pressure which is being applied to the pedal. The voltage being supplied to the instrument is varied in accordance with the resistance value produced at the pedal.
US09931180B2 Dental powder/liquid material-containing preparation accommodation bag and dispensing method for same
A dental powder/liquid material-containing preparation accommodation bag, which suppresses entrainment of air in mixing a powder material and a liquid material for dispensing, is provided. A powder material 8 is accommodated in a powder material accommodation chamber 3 of a bag body 2, while a liquid material 9 dissolving the powder material 8 and changing into a pasty form, in cooperation with the powder material 8 is accommodated in a liquid material accommodation chamber 4 partitioned from the powder material accommodation chamber 3 by a weakened section 7. The weakened section 7 is ruptured by applying a pressing force to the bag body 2. As a result, the powder material accommodation chamber 3 and the liquid material accommodation chamber 4 communicate, to feed the liquid material accommodated in the liquid material accommodation chamber 4 into the powder material accommodation chamber 3. Then, the powder material 8 and the liquid material 9 changing into the pasty form are pressed within the powder material accommodation chamber 3 from the surfaces of the bag body 2 for dispensing.
US09931177B2 Digital splint
A method of producing a dental splint comprising the steps of: obtaining a set of 3D surface data, the 3D surface data representing a surface of a patient's oral situation, and generating a support structure model in dependence on the 3D surface data, and producing the dental splint in dependence on the support structure model, wherein a 3D distance map image of the 3D surface data is used to generate the support structure model.
US09931171B1 Laser treatment of an eye structure or a body surface from a remote location
An integral laser imaging and treatment apparatus, and associated systems and methods that allow a physician (e.g., a surgeon) to perform laser surgical procedures on an eye structure or a body surface with an integral laser imaging and treatment apparatus disposed at a first (i.e. local) location from a control system disposed at a second (i.e. remote) location, e.g., a physician's office. In some embodiments, communication between the integral laser imaging and treatment apparatus and control system is achieved via the Internet®. Also, in some embodiments, the laser imaging and treatment apparatus is further configured to provide photodynamic therapy to a patient.
US09931170B2 Methods, systems, and devices for moving a surgical instrument coupled to a robotic surgical system
Various exemplary methods, systems, and devices for moving a surgical instrument coupled to a robotic surgical system are provided. In general, a robotic surgical system can include a movement assembly configured to facilitate movement of surgical instrument coupled to the robotic surgical system, e.g., coupled to an electromechanical arm of the robotic surgical system. The movement can include translational movement of the surgical instrument in which the instrument is selectively advanceable and retractable in opposed directions, e.g., proximal direction and distal direction, up vertically and down vertically, etc. The translational movement can be along a shaft of the instrument such that the movement assembly can be configured to selectively translate the instrument along a longitudinal axis of the shaft.
US09931167B2 Minimally invasive surgical instrument to provide needle-based therapy
A surgical instrument is provided that includes a first input mechanism having axial slots formed in a periphery and a second input mechanism having helical slots formed in a surface. The instrument also includes an insert having pins extending from a surface thereof, the insert coupled to the second input mechanism such that the one or more pins extend into the helical slots, and a surgical device coupled to an end. The surgical device is moved in a first degree of freedom in response to a mechanical driving force applied to both the first input mechanism and the second input mechanism, respectively, and the surgical device is moved in a second degree of freedom in response to a mechanical driving force applied to the second input mechanism while the first input mechanism is held stationary.
US09931162B2 Delivery devices with coolable energy emitting assemblies
Systems, delivery devices, and methods to treat to ablate, damage, or otherwise affect tissue. The treatment systems are capable of delivering a coolable ablation assembly that ablates targeted tissue without damaging non-targeted tissue. The coolable ablation assembly damages nerve tissue to temporarily or permanently decrease nervous system input.
US09931156B2 Electrosurgical instrument
An electrosurgical instrument for the treatment of tissue includes a longitudinal instrument shaft having a central axis, an end effector at the distal end of the shaft, the end effector including at least one element movable between a first and a second position. An actuator includes a handle which reciprocates movement between a first and second actuator position, and an actuation wire associated with the actuator for movement. Movement of the actuator causes the wire to move the element between its first and second positions, the wire running longitudinally of the shaft offset on one side from the central axis of the shaft. Compensation wire is associated with the actuator, the compensation wire running longitudinally of the shaft and being offset on the opposite side of the central axis of the shaft to that of the actuation wire.
US09931150B2 Anchor delivery system
An anchor delivery tool is described. The tool includes a shaft and a handle coupled to a proximal portion of the shaft. The handle includes a hub, with a knob and a nose cone coupled to the hub. The knob and nose cone may be spring loaded so as to selectively retain a length of suture disposed therebetween. The tool further includes an anchor, such as a suture anchor, coupled to a distal portion of the shaft.
US09931147B2 Articular fracture fixation system and method
Provided herein is an osteosynthesis device for articular fracture fixation, more particularly for fixation of shoulder, knee, elbow, ankle and wrist fractures. The osteosynthesis device comprises an articular supportive plate for supporting the articular surface of a long bone, said articular supportive plate comprising (i) at least one pin receiving feature for receiving a pin or a screw; and (ii) at least one fin projecting from a first side of said articular supportive plate, said fin being provided with one or more pin receiving features for receiving a pin or screw. Further provided herein are systems for articular fracture fixation, and methods of fixating an articular fracture in a long bone using such systems.
US09931144B2 Flexible bone screw
A flexible bone screw for insertion into the intramedullary cavity of a fractured bone facilitates enduring fixation of the fracture. The flexible bone screw includes a substantially smooth shaft and a threaded portion positioned at one end of the shaft, wherein the outer diameter of the threaded portion is greater than the shaft diameter and the length of the threaded portion is about 20% of the overall length of the flexible bone screw or less.
US09931141B2 Method and apparatus for joint fusion
A system for implanting an implant screw into one or more bones of a patient, such as the sacrum and the ilium, can include a rod and a screw. The screw can be generally hollow and have a blunt distal end. The rod can include a threaded and pointed distal end that is inserted through the rod to drive the screw through the bones. Once the screw is at a desired position, the rod can be removed such that the sharp driving edge used to seat the screw does not remain in the bone. The system can further include an extraction tool having a generally hollow body sized to be inserted over the rod and a distally located screw engagement portion configured to engage the screw to adjust positioning of the screw after it is initially seated.
US09931140B2 Multi-planar axial spinal rod connector
A multi-planar axial spinal rod connector includes a first portion, a second portion, and a connector assembly. The first portion defines a longitudinal axis and defines a first passage. The first passage is sized and configured to slidably receive a first spinal rod. The second portion defines a second longitudinal axis and defines a second passage. The second longitudinal axis is different from the first longitudinal axis. The second passage is sized and configured to slidably receive a second spinal rod. The connector assembly is configured to fix the first and second portions relative to one another such that the first and second longitudinal axes define an angle relative to one another.
US09931138B2 Orthopedic extendable rods
Embodiments herein are generally directed to extendable rods for use in orthopedic assemblies. In some embodiments, these implants may be used in conjunction with procedures to treat spinal deformities, including, but not limited to, early onset scoliosis.
US09931137B2 Fixation device
A fixation device comprises a first body having a threaded end, a longitudinal axis, and a bore perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A second body is received in the bore. The second body has an exterior thread and an interior passage for receiving a pin or wire. The second body has a wire locking device for retaining the pin or wire. An advance nut engages the exterior thread. The advance nut abuts the first body for moving the wire locking device away from the first body when the advance nut is turned, for tensioning the pin or wire.
US09931134B2 Methods of using high intensity focused ultrasound to form an ablated tissue area containing a plurality of lesions
A device and method for ablating tissue is disclosed comprising the steps of acquiring an anatomical image of a patient, correlating the image to the patient, guiding an ablating member within the patient while tracking the position of the ablating member in the patient, positioning the ablating member in a desired position to ablate tissue, emitting ablating energy from the ablating member to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ablating member from the patient.
US09931130B2 Medical instrument
A medical instrument effectively suppresses a situation in which the edge of a blade springs immediately after completion of incision, excision, or the like. The medical instrument (1) includes manipulation members (14) that are held by a user, elastic members (11) that are respectively secured on one end of the manipulation members, and intersect each other at one end thereof, and opening-closing members (15) that are respectively secured on the other end of the manipulation members (14), and intersect each other at a pivot (13), functional parts (15a) for implementing a gripping operation, a holding operation, a cutting operation, or the like being respectively provided at one end of the opening-closing members (15), the functional parts (15a) being opened and closed by adjusting a pressing force applied to the manipulation members (14), the opening-closing members (15), the manipulation members (14), and the elastic members (11) being configured so that the pressing force applied to the manipulation members (14) and an opening-closing amount of the functional parts (15a) have a linear proportional relationship during a period in which the functional parts (15a) are operated.
US09931129B2 Small fragment retrieval device
A medical device for retrieving small fragments from within a patient's anatomy includes a collection wire configured for entering the patient's anatomy. The collection wire includes a distal end with a plurality of tips that are configured to attract stone fragments from the patient's anatomy.
US09931123B2 Surgical clip applier
A surgical clip applier with scissor-type operating handle and clip applying cartridge in which handle has housing of upper and lower shells that defines socket for receiving cartridge, includes a lever arm actuated linear translator for linear reciprocating movement delivered to the cartridge, and an anti-backup mechanism for full forward and release strokes of the handle, and in which cartridge includes jaws for applying clips, safety means to ensure opening of jaws for each cycle, a puller bar for receiving motion from handle and timing of jaw operation to clip feed, a magazine for feeding clips to jaws in proper sequence, and a lockout mechanism to render applier inoperative after using last clip.
US09931120B2 Staple chamber assembly and linear surgical stitching device using said staple chamber assembly
A linear surgical stapler includes an upper staple cartridge receiving half-section, a lower staple cartridge receiving half-section and a staple cartridge assembly. The staple cartridge assembly includes a cutting groove in which a reciprocating movement cutter is mounted. The cutter includes a bottom surface and a knife blade located at a far end of the cutter. The staple cartridge assembly includes a restricting member mounted therein and an elastic stopper. The elastic stopper abuts against the restricting member when the staple cartridge assembly is in an initial state. The restricting member breaks away from the staple cartridge assembly when the staple cartridge assembly is in a firing complete state, thereby preventing the cutter from sliding towards the far end of the staple cartridge. As a result, misfiring throughout the whole operation of the linear surgical stapler is prevented.
US09931118B2 Reinforced battery for a surgical instrument
A battery assembly is disclosed which includes a housing and one or more battery cells position in the housing. The battery assembly further comprises features configured to absorb an impact force and protect the battery cells. The battery assembly further comprises features configured to accommodate the thermal expansion of the battery cells.
US09931116B2 Buttress composition
A tissue buttress is provided on at least a first and second jaw of a surgical stapling apparatus. The tissue buttress comprises an electrophilic component and a nucleophilic component. At least a portion of the tissue buttress may be disposed within either or both of the staple pockets and staple forming pockets, securing the tissue buttress to at least one of the staple jaws.
US09931114B2 Method and apparatus for passing suture through tissue
A suture passer comprising: a hollow tube, the hollow tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end; and a clamping rod slidably received in the lumen of the hollow tube, the clamping rod comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being bifurcated into a first arm and a second arm, one of the first and second arms extending distally of the other of the first and second arms and including a clamping surface; wherein at least one of the first arm and the second arm comprises a friction-enhancing surface for facilitating manipulation of a suture via engagement of the suture with the friction-enhancing surface.
US09931112B2 Methods for fastening tissue
Endoscopic devices and methods used for fastening multiple tissue layers, such as, for example, an endoscopic fundoplication procedure, are disclosed. The endoluminal device includes a tissue fastener, a flexible needle having means for grasping and releasing a portion of the tissue fastener, and a deflector for deflecting and guiding the needle toward the multiple tissue layers.
US09931101B2 Catheter
A catheter includes a sheath that is inserted into a lumen; a drive shaft that transmits mechanical drive force; a hub that moves the drive shaft; an outer tube that is provided in the sheath on a proximal side and comprises a first connector at a proximal portion; an inner tube that can move inside the outer tube; a second connector that can be connected to and disconnected from the first connector and can receive the inner tube; a sheath connection portion that connects the sheath and the outer tube; and a protective tube that protrudes toward a distal side further than the inner tube, accommodates the drive shaft, can be inserted into the outer tube and the sheath, and can be pulled out of the outer tube together with the hub and the inner tube as the second connector is disconnected from the first connector.
US09931100B2 Method and device for locating wireless fetal monitoring probes in set area
The invention relates to a method and device for locating wireless fetal monitoring probes in a set area. The method comprises the following steps: instructions are sent via a plurality of wireless base stations to instruct the wireless probes in the action scopes of the wireless base stations to send base station signal intensity data tables; the wireless probes search all receivable base station signals, establish the base station signal intensity data tables; operations are carried out based on the received current base station signal intensity data tables and base station signal intensity data tables of reference points to obtain a distance reference table; the position of one with the smallest distance value is selected to be regarded as the current position of the corresponding probe. The method and the device have the benefits of quickly locating each wireless probe and avoiding loss of monitoring data.
US09931098B2 Post acquisition calibration
A method of operating a tomographic imaging system whereby a plurality of radiographic images of an object are captured at a first orientation of the system's source and detector. After the radiographic images are captured and stored, geometric calibration data for the system is measured, corresponding to the first orientation of the system. A three dimensional image of the object is reconstructed using the measured geometric calibration data corresponding to the first orientation.
US09931089B2 Radiation irradiation apparatus
A radiation irradiation apparatus includes a radiation source that irradiates, with radiation, a subject to be examined, a camera that obtains a photographic image of the subject to be examined by performing photography on the subject to be examined, a monitor that displays the photographic image, a housing that houses the radiation source, the camera and the monitor with a display direction of the photographic image directed in a second direction opposite to a first direction that is an irradiation direction of the radiation and a photography direction of the photographic image, and plural grasp units that project in directions different from the first and second directions and are attached to positions of the housing facing each other.
US09931087B2 X-ray reduction system
An x-ray system including an x-ray source, a detector having an input area, a monitor configured to display detected images, means for determining a location of a Region of Interest (ROI) of a patient on the displayed image; and a collimator having means for projecting the region of interest (ROI) on a selected fraction of the input area exposed by the x-ray source, the collimator movable in a plane parallel to the detector input area, the collimator includes a plurality of holes having different sizes, each one of the holes configured for projecting the selected fraction of the exposed area for a different zoom of the detector.
US09931081B2 Apparatus and method for ECG motion artifact removal
The invention proposes an apparatus for reducing motion artifact in an ECG signal of a patient. The apparatus comprises a calculating unit configured to calculate a mean value beat from the ECG signal; a first obtaining unit configured to obtain a residual signal based on the ECG signal and the mean value beat calculated from the ECG signal; a filtering unit configured to perform filtering of the residual signal with one or more cut off frequencies; a second obtaining unit configured to obtain a modified ECG signal based on the filtered residual signal and the mean value beat; and a determining unit configured to determine the one or more cut off frequencies of the filtering based on an acceleration signal representative of motion status of the patient. By using the proposed apparatus, motion artifacts can be greatly removed from the ECG signal and the quality of the ECG signal can be therefore improved.
US09931080B2 Catheter
Provided is a catheter that includes a catheter tube and a temperature sensor. The catheter tube includes a tip-flexible part and a base end part. The base end part includes a first base end section having rigidity higher than the tip-flexible part, and a second base end section having rigidity lower than the first base end section. The tip-flexible part has an axial length from 40 mm to 100 mm, the first base end section has an axial length from 200 mm to 400 mm, and the second base end section has an axial length from 200 mm to 900 mm. A value of the rigidity of each of the first and the second base end sections decreases linearly from the first base end section to the second base end section, in a region around a boundary between the first base end section and the second base end section.
US09931070B2 Urine measurement device and method
A urine handling system capsule (105) for releasing an oil mixture in the lumen of a urine handling system, the capsule (105) comprising a capsule wall defining a space filled with an oil mixture, wherein the oil mixture comprises 90-100% of an oil selected from the group consisting of silicone fluids and mineral oils or a mixture thereof, and having a viscosity of at most 600 cSt, and wherein the capsule wall is made of a water-soluble material. A urine measurement system (101) comprising an oil mixture arranged in the luminal space of the measurement system. A method for inhibiting impairment of functionality and measurement accuracy in a urine measurement system comprising applying an oil mixture to the inner surfaces of the urine measurement system. Use of an oil mixture in treatment of luminal surfaces of a urine handling system.
US09931067B2 Device and method for determining analyte levels
Devices and methods for determining analyte levels are described. The devices and methods allow for the implantation of analyte-monitoring devices, such as glucose monitoring devices that result in the delivery of a dependable flow of blood to deliver sample to the implanted device. The devices include unique architectural arrangement in the sensor region that allows accurate data to be obtained over long periods of time.
US09931063B2 Sensor for measuring motor function, a plastic band, and a device for measuring motor function
This invention provides a sensor or its related art to be easily used for measuring motor function of living body. This invention relates to a sensor for measuring motor function, which includes a magnetic field generator attached to one of two predetermined positions in a living body changing mutual distance caused by an action of the living body to have a coil board generating a magnetic field by electrification, and a magnetic field detector attached to the other of the two predetermined positions in the living body to detect the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator and have the coil board generating an electric current having a magnitude corresponding to a strength of the magnetic field as detected. Furthermore, each of the magnetic field generator and the magnetic field detector is provided with plastics covering a whole coil board thereof.
US09931061B2 Method and apparatus for forming a stoma and a balloon catheter
A balloon catheter comprises a catheter and a balloon located on the distal end of the catheter. A pair of stimulating electrodes for receiving a constant current stimulating signal when the balloon is inflated with an electrically conductive medium and a plurality of sensing electrodes for producing voltage response signals are located on the catheter. The voltage response signals are indicative of the values of the transverse cross-sectional area of the balloon adjacent the sensing electrodes. A first lumen accommodates the inflating medium to and from the balloon, and a second lumen accommodates electrically conductive wires to the stimulating and sensing electrodes. A pressure sensing element is located in a protective housing in the second lumen, and communicates through a communicating opening in the protective housing and through a communicating port in the catheter with a hollow interior region of the balloon. The balloon catheter may also be provided with a guide wire engaging element for engaging a guide wire externally of the balloon catheter.
US09931059B2 Hip surgery systems and methods
Orthopedic systems and methods are provided for use in preparing joints for implants. Specifically, hip preparation systems and methods are disclosed which can include a surgical orientation device. The hip preparation systems and methods can be used, for example, to orient the hip during the procedure, determine the orientation of an anatomical plane or planes, and orient a prosthetic component or components.
US09931054B2 Low dead space liquid trap
A low dead space liquid trap includes: a tube, having an inlet, an outlet, and an aperture disposed between the inlet and the outlet at a bottom of the tube, wherein the tube defines a channel extending in a first direction between the inlet and the outlet, the channel having a cross section perpendicular to the first direction; a reservoir disposed beneath the aperture of the tube; and a gas permeable membrane extending across the channel at an angle greater than zero with respect to the cross section of the channel.
US09931051B2 Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and medical image diagnosis apparatus
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present embodiments comprises a gantry device, a front light source and an exterior casing of the gantry device. The gantry device has a bore serving as a space where a magnetic resonance image is captured, with the gantry device being configured to acquire, when a subject placed on a couchtop has been moved into the bore by a couch device configured to move the couchtop, a magnetic resonance signal from the subject. The front light source is provided in surroundings of a front opening, with the front opening being an opening of the bore positioned at front of the couch device. The exterior casing of the gantry device, with a portion of the exterior casing being illuminated by light emitted from the front light source, is made of a transparent or translucent material.
US09931047B2 Neuromodulation catheters with nerve monitoring features for transmitting digital neural signals and associated systems and methods
Neuromodulation catheters with nerve monitoring features for transmitting digital neural signals and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A neuromodulation catheter configured in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a handle and an elongated shaft attached to the handle. The shaft can have a proximal portion and a distal portion configured to be moved within a lumen of a blood vessel of a human patient. The neuromodulation catheter can further include an array of contacts at the distal portion of the shaft and a digitizer at the handle or the shaft. The contacts can be configured to detect analog neural signals from within the blood vessel. The digitizer can be configured to receive the analog neural signals from the contacts, digitize the analog neural signals into digital neural signals, and transmit the digital neural signals to a read/write module external to the patient.
US09931046B2 Intravascular catheter with peri-vascular nerve activity sensors
An intravascular catheter for peri-vascular nerve activity sensing or measurement includes multiple needles advanced through supported guide tubes (needle guiding elements) which expand with open ends around a central axis to contact the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the needles to be advanced though the vessel wall into the perivascular space. The system also may include means to limit and/or adjust the depth of penetration of the needles. The catheter also includes structures which provide radial and lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes open uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall. The addition of an injection lumen at the proximal end of the catheter and openings in the needles adds the functionality of ablative fluid injection into the perivascular space for an integrated nerve sending and ablation capability.
US09931044B2 Method and apparatus for pressure measurement
Methods and apparatus for measuring pressure in a patient are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is a pressure measurement system comprising a pressure source, a compliant bladder, a catheter in communication with the pressure source, pressure sensors, and a controller configured to determine a pressure within the compliant bladder. The pressure measurement system can inflate the compliant bladder with gas or air to determine a pressure within a patient. In one embodiment, the pressure measurement system measures pressure within a peritoneal cavity.
US09931037B2 Systems and methods for processing and transmitting sensor data
Systems and methods for processing, transmitting and displaying data received from an analyte sensor, such as a glucose sensor, are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for transmitting data between a first communication device associated with an analyte sensor and a second communication device configured to provide user access to sensor-related information comprises: activating a transceiver of a first communication device associated with an analyte sensor at a first time; and establishing a two-way communication channel with the second communication device; wherein the activating comprises waking the transceiver from a low power sleep mode using a forced wakeup from the second communication device.
US09931035B2 Hand-held medical-data capture-device having variation amplification and interoperation with electronic medical record systems via an authenticated communication channel
In one implementation, an apparatus estimates body core temperature from an infrared measurement of an external source point using a cubic relationship between the body core temperature and the measurement of an external source point is described, estimates temperature from a digital infrared sensor and determines vital signs from a solid-state image transducer, or determines vital signs from a solid-state image transducer and estimates body core temperature from an infrared measurement of an external source point using a cubic relationship between the body core temperature and the measurement of an external source point; after which the estimated and/or determined information is transmitted to an external database.
US09931031B2 Meibomian gland dysfunction
Provided herein are methods of diagnosing meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), determining the severity of meibomian gland dysfunction in a subject, evaluating efficacy of treatment of MGD in a subject, selecting a subject for treatment of MGD, and selecting a subject for participation in a clinical study.
US09931028B2 Replacement light assembly
A light assembly for a hand-held medical diagnostic instrument. The light assembly includes a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, a light source mounted to the top surface, and the bottom surface having first and second electrical terminals. The light assembly further includes a circuit board disposed inclined to the substrate, the circuit board having first and second electrical terminals, a first connector mounting and electrically connecting the first electrical terminal of the substrate to the first electrical terminal of the circuit board, a second connector mounting and electrically connecting the second electrical terminal of the substrate to the second electrical terminal of the circuit board, a heat sink, and a thermal conductor thermally connecting at least one of the first and second electrical terminals of the substrate to the heat sink.
US09931027B2 Video processor
A video processor that is connectable to an endoscope and an external light source device that supplies illumination light to a light guide of the endoscope includes: a connection detector that detects a presence/absence of connection between the video processor and the light guide of the endoscope; an internal light source unit that supplies the illumination light to the light guide of the endoscope; a communication controller that performs communication with the external light source device, and obtains device data of the external light source device; and a utilized light source determination unit that determines a light source that supplies the illumination light to the light guide of the endoscope in accordance with a detection result of the connection detector or a state of obtainment of the device data of the communication controller.
US09931020B2 Surgical instrument with a via
A surgical instrument, such as an endoscope, having a hermetically sealed housing for accommodating, optical and/or electrical devices therein. The housing having a wall with a via provided in the wall to electrically connect an electrical contact formed on the inside of the wall with an electrical contact formed on the outside of the wall, wherein the via has a penetration in the wall, and the penetration is filled with a filling material to form a hermetically sealed housing, wherein the electrical contacts are formed as at least one electrically conductive conductor path on the inside of the wall and on the outside of the wall, wherein one conductor path on the inside of the wall, and one conductor path on the outside of the housing are connected to each other by means of the via, and wherein the filling material of the via consists of metal or solder.
US09931019B2 Tube assembly for an endoscope
The invention relates to a tube assembly for an endoscope comprising a disposable tube that surrounds a working channel and preferably also a flushing channel and fixing means for fixing the disposable tube to the endoscope. Said fixing means have a fixing unit which is used to fix the disposable tube on the distal end of the endoscope in a rotationally and axially fixed manner. The endoscope fixing means also have a guide device which is used to displaceably fix the disposable tube on respective sections of the endoscope that are at a distance from the distal end of said endoscope.
US09931018B2 Fabric care device
A fabric care device comprising a body having first and second ends for attaching respective first and second fabric care attachments, wherein at least one of the first and second ends is adapted to detachably attach one of the first and second fabric care attachments. An attachment for a fabric care device selected from the group consisting of a depiller, a delinter, a fabric pile restorer, and a brush.
US09931017B2 Washing apparatus and method with spiral air flow for drying
An apparatus and method for washing and drying objects includes a rotating washing fluid sprayer having several nozzles to direct washing fluid, e.g., water, at an object being washed in a chamber. A drying fluid is directed at the object in the chamber to dry the object. The drying fluid, e.g., air, is directed in a spiral pattern against the object to urge washing liquid away from the object to dry the object and to push the drying liquid away from edges of the object. The air may be directed at the object simultaneously with the water to increase the energy with which the water impinges on the object and to urge dirt from the object being washed.
US09931014B2 Surface cleaning apparatus
A surface cleaning apparatus includes a fluid delivery system having a manifold with a plurality of release openings for delivering a cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned. The manifold further includes an elongated hollow tube with at least one open end and at least one plug closing the at least one open end of the tube
US09931013B2 Manually guided floor cleaning machine
A manually guided floor cleaning machine is provided, including a chassis with a front end and a rear end in relation to a straight ahead forward travel direction, a wheel arrangement, which is arranged on the chassis in the region of the rear end, and a cleaning head, which is pivotably arranged on the chassis in the region of the front end, wherein there is provided a steering rod device, which is articulated on the cleaning head, which is supported on the chassis and which extends upwardly in a direction away from the chassis toward the rear end.
US09931011B2 Cleaning robot and method for controlling the same
A cleaning robot includes a main body; a plurality of pad assemblies mounted on the bottom of the main body for doing cleaning; a drive assembly for applying drive power for each of the plurality of pad assemblies; and a detection unit for detecting an obstacle. The drive assembly adjusts slopes of the plurality of pad assemblies individually based on the height of the obstacle.
US09931009B2 Autonomous-travel cleaning robot
Provided is a self-propelled cleaning robot that can efficiently clean a flat surface even if a step is formed. The self-propelled cleaning robot that self-travels on a structure to clean a flat surface of the structure, the structure being installed in an outdoor location, the robot includes: a robot main body (2) in which a self-propelled moving mechanism (4) is provided; a cleaning unit (10) that is provided in a front portion and/or a rear portion of the robot main body (2); and a controller (30) that controls activation of the moving mechanism (4). At this point, the controller (30) includes an attitude controller (35) that detects an attitude of the robot main body (2), the attitude controller (35) includes a floating detection sensor (36) that detects floating in one of the front portion and the rear portion of the robot main body (2), and, when the floating detection sensor (36) detects the floating in one of the front portion and the rear portion of the robot main body (2), the controller (30) controls the activation of the moving mechanism (4) such that the cleaning unit (10) passes through a place where the floating is detected after the floating is eliminated.
US09931008B2 Cleaning robot and control method thereof
A cleaning robot and a control method thereof include a main body traveling on a floor, and a first sub-cleaning tool and a second sub-cleaning tool mounted at left and right sides of the main body so as to be protruded from the inside to the outside of the main body and selectively performing cleaning Insertion of at least one of the first sub-cleaning tool and the second sub-cleaning tool is controlled when the main body is rotated under the condition that an obstacle is detected. Side brushes of the sub-cleaning tools are inserted into the main body according to the rotation direction of the main body when the main body is rotated during traveling, thus preventing collision with the obstacle.
US09931002B2 Cleaning cloth with soap
A soap holding cleaning cloth with soap holding pockets located thereon. The cleaning cloth further comprises a top layer overlying a bottom layer of absorbent fabric with a compartment formed there between. The compartment segmented into adjacent pockets for holding various soap elements. Each pocket has an opening that allows the user to place a bar of soap into the cloth. The opening of each pocket has a fastener to close the pocket, so that the soap bar remains inside the cloth.
US09931001B2 Soap dispenser
The present invention provides a housingless liquid soap dispenser, comprising: a) an elongated chamber in which liquid soap is contained, wherein the length of the chamber is at least 25 cm and its width or diameter is ranging from 28-45 mm; b) a shoulder protruding laterally from the chamber at an upper end thereof; c) a neck portion extending upwardly from the shoulder; d) a manual pumping device fitted on top of the neck portion and in fluid communication with the chamber; and e) a discharge tube extending from the pumping device for dispensing a dose of liquid soap from the chamber. The shoulder has a slanted profile for enhancing the stability of the dispenser after its installation in removable abutting relation with, but not coupled to, a planar support surface of a countertop or a sink, such that the shoulder rests on top of the support surface while the chamber is inserted by a maximum extent through an aperture formed in the support surface.
US09930994B1 Electrically-powered butter hut
The electrically powered butter storage device is adapted for use in storing butter. The electrically powered butter storage device is designed to cool and warm butter while it is being stored within the electrically powered butter storage device. The electrically powered butter storage device is adapted to use one or more commonly available butter dishes that may or may not have a lid. Each of the one or more butter dishes are placed upon one or more electrically controlled heating and cooling elements which can be used to chill or warm the individual butter dishes as desired. The electrically powered butter storage device comprises a housing, one or more temperature elements, a control system, a fan, and a power connection.
US09930992B2 Cooking apparatus and systems with air purge and heaters
A cooking apparatus comprises a heated compartment to warm cooking media that may be packaged in metal containers or the like. The heater system includes at least one heater disposed at a location to heat the bottom of the unused cooking medium container. The heater system may also include at least one heater disposed at a location to heat at least one side of the unused cooking medium container. A cooking apparatus comprises at least one supply reservoir, a fluid motive device, various enclosed cooking medium conductors or lines, a three-way valve that introduces air for purging the lines, and a cooking medium receiving system.
US09930991B2 Customized grill lid system
A customized grill lid system, including a grill lid removably coupled to a grill where an inside of the grill lid defining a grilling area below which grill racks are positioned, is described. An example system comprises an aluminum skin having a shape conforming to the grill lid and is shaped to fit over the grill lid, with a printed plastic layer positioned on an exterior of the metal skin that supports customized printing in color. A gasket may be positioned along at least part of an edge of the skin, such that the skin is a distance away from the grill lid so as to create a gap between an exterior of the grill lid and an interior side of the metal skin.
US09930990B1 Heat emitting pan lid
The disclosed device is a heat-emitting lid for use on top of a standard cooking pan. The device comprises a body including a heat element that radiates heat downward during use. By radiating heat downward, the food item within the pan may be cooked or browned more evenly by heating simultaneously from the top and bottom.
US09930989B2 Apparatus for brewing beverages
In a beverage brewing apparatus and method for brewing a beverage from a ground ingredient, a filter is configured for containing the ground ingredient. A distribution system is coupled in fluid communication with a source of liquid. A showerhead is disposed above the filter and is coupled in fluid communication with the distribution system for receiving liquid from the source of liquid. The showerhead is rotatable about a rotation axis thereof and has an exit nozzle through which liquid delivered to the showerhead by the distribution system exits the showerhead for delivery to the filter. The exit nozzle is located other than at the rotation axis of the showerhead such that liquid is channeled into the filter in a generally circular pattern upon rotation of the showerhead.
US09930987B2 Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a beverage
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, are provided. The system can include one or more hopper assemblies configured to provide a controlled dose of beverage material to a brew chamber. The system can also include a water input system configured to wet the ground beverage material as the grinds enter the brew chamber and substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. Further, the system can include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles.
US09930983B2 Hat holding device
Described is a hat holding device having a pair of arms pivotally secured to a housing such that the arms can pivot towards or apart from one another. The opposing ends of the arms attach to gripping members adapted to support the brims of one or more hats arranged in a stacked configuration. A rectangular loop is disposed around the arms of the hat holding device and is used to maintain the holding device in a closed or open configuration. The arms include exterior ridges therealong and are curved such that they are further apart from one another at the gripping member ends. By sliding the loop along the arms and towards the gripping members, the gripping members are forced together in a closed configuration and the ridges resist movement of the loop once positioned. Further provided is a hook pivotally secured to the housing for hanging the device.
US09930981B2 Cup lid apparatus
A cup lid for use with a drinking cup containing a liquid, the cup having a base and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base, the sidewall including an inner surface, a top end, and a rim extending along the circumference of the top end. A first part lying in a first plane and having a top surface. Means on said first part for releasably mounting said first part to the top end of the cup to form a substantially liquid tight seal between the cup lid and the cup. A second part depends radially outwardly from said first part and lies in a second plane. A longitudinal axis and a distal end on said second part. Means on the second part for movement relative to said first part. Compartment means is formed between the inner surface of the cup and the second part for allowing liquid in the cup to flow into the compartment and out of the compartment. The second part comprises baffle means for shielding the liquid in the compartment means from substantial interference with most of the liquid outside the compartment means during movement of the cup whereby spillage of liquid out of the cup is minimized. Hinge means on the second part and traversing the second part for preventing the tearing of the second part during the movement of the second part. A tab on said first part for movement from a first position where the tab is mounted on the rim of the cup to prevent the liquid from escaping from the compartment and a second position where the tab is not mounted on the rim to allow the liquid to escape from the compartment. A reservoir located on the bottom surface of the lid and comprising a hollow inside volume which is covered when the tab is in the first position and which is at least partially covered when the tab is in the second position. A structure is on the top surface of the second part which interferes with the flow of the liquid as it moves into the compartment and out of the compartment. A clasp located on the bottom surface of the first part of the cup lid. The clasp comprises means for releasably holding the distal end of the second part when the second part is moved from it second position near the bottom surface of the first part.
US09930980B2 Beverage container
A beverage container includes a container body, a plurality of sensors arranged to determine information associated with liquid contained in the container body, and a processor operably coupled with the plurality of sensors for determining a beverage consumption routine of a user based on the information determined by the plurality of sensors.
US09930977B1 Plane pillow
An inflatable pillow, having a predetermined shape when inflated, such that the bottom face of the pillow sits securely on an airplane table tray, the pillow's back face, above the arm space, leans fully against the seat back that the table tray is mounted on, providing lateral stability for the upper region of the pillow, unique over the prior art, and an angled front face upon which the confined traveler can lean forward from their seated position and get full support for their upper torso and head so they can comfortably rest or sleep. The pillow is composed of flexible, air-retentive material and has a valve for inflating and deflating the pillow. In its deflated state the pillow is compact enough to fit in most carry-on bags for ease of transport and storage. A simple bellows is provided with the pillow for inflating the pillow. An arm space is provided behind the pillow along the table tray for the users forearms to be folded there, allowing the user to lean onto the front face of the pillow and hug the pillow, providing physical and psychological security for the passenger.
US09930975B2 Suspension apparatus
Suspension apparatus (1) for a sales item (2), in particular for a drinking bottle (2′), having a suspension opening (4) for suspending the suspension apparatus (1), having a base part (5) which has a holding opening (6) for carrying the sales item (2), and having side parts (8) which, together with the base part (5), form a recess (11) for receiving a portion of the sales item (2), which portion projects through the holding opening (6), wherein an insert part (13) for displaying product and sales information is arranged in the recess (11) such that it can be exchanged.
US09930974B2 Cooling device
A cooling unit having, on two sides, supporting C-shaped lateral frames. The lateral frames are formed from frame profiles having a rear-sided vertical profile and a lower and an upper forward-projecting horizontal profile. A rear wall group having a heat-insulating outer covering is mounted on the vertical profiles, a base group is mounted on the lower horizontal profile and an upper group is mounted on the upper horizontal profile, and the groups surround a cooling chamber from behind, below and above. The construction has at least the outer covering of the rear wall group arranged on the inner side, facing the cooling chamber, of the vertical profile.
US09930972B2 Play platform
The legless, planar, rectangular platform may consist of a top that will be the primary play surface. In addition to the rectangular platform, additional members may be included. A front member may be attached to the primary platform and may run along the width of the invention. A second member, considered one side of the invention, may be attached in like manner to the primary platform as the front member, as well as being attached at a 90 degree angle to the front member with slots for drawers. The four members when attached together may form a rectangular shaped structure to which the primary flat member is attached. Removable bins may also be included. Each bin may attach along the periphery of the primary flat platform for ease of access and secure storage. Each bin may be comprised of five (5) members; a bottom and four (sides).
US09930962B2 Side-locking sliding rail assembly having an auto-opening mechanism
A side-locking sliding rail assembly for a drawer consisting of a fixed rail, a movable rail, an intermediate rail, a sliding device, a locating member, a hook block, an actuation member, at least one first compression spring, a second compression spring and an auto-opening mechanism carrier plate. The drawer can be temporarily secured in a position, subject to engagement of a pawl of a locating rod of the locating member with one of a series of sloping teeth along the auto-opening mechanism carrier plate, if the drawer is not accurately fully closed. Thereafter, the user can apply a pressure to push the drawer backward to the fully closed position avoiding rebound toward the open position. The arrangement of a second compression spring prevents tilting of the locating member, so that the locating rod will not be permitted to move forward when in the guide-in channel.
US09930949B2 Bag expanders
The expander includes side walls positionable against a bag interior, members articularly connected together and to the side walls, and an arcuate enabling diamond shaped mechanism connected between the members and the side walls to provide a selected expanding and contracting amongst the members and the side walls. The members are in a folded condition when the bag is compressed and, with the aid of an expansion motivator such as a rubber band, spring and the like, the bag is expanded to its deployed condition.
US09930944B2 Case, electronic device coupled to case, and method of controlling electronic device
A case for an electronic device including a coupling member detachably coupled to at least a part of the electronic device. A cover, which has one or more folded positions ranging between an opened state and a closed state, the cover extends from the coupling member in a to cover a display of the electronic device, and at least one Force Sensing Resistor (FSR) sensor disposed in the cover to generate an interrupt based on a pressure applied thereto. The at least one FSR sensor includes one or more inner FSR sensors disposed on an inner surface of the cover, and one or more outer FSR sensors disposed on an outer surface of the cover.
US09930936B2 Quick release buckle belt for improving efficiency in security screening procedure and method thereof
The present invention relates to a quick release buckle belt, comprising a strap and a buckle. The buckle includes a connecting piece and a buckle body. The connecting piece is firmly secured to one end of the strap, and the connecting piece is substantially made of non-metal materials. One end of the buckle body is configured to fasten or unfasten another end of the strap. Another end of the buckle body is configured to quickly attach to or detach from the connecting piece. The buckle body is made of metal materials unacceptable for metal detectors at security checkpoints. Therefore, a user who wears such belt needs to do before walking through the metal detectors is to remove the buckle body, without taking off the strap and the non-metallic connecting piece which is acceptable for the metal detector at security checkpoint.
US09930934B2 Article of footwear with a segmented plate
An article of footwear including a sole having a first plate and a second plate. The first plate extends from a forefoot portion of the article of footwear to a heel portion of the article of footwear. The second plate extends from the forefoot portion of the article of footwear to a midfoot portion of the article of footwear. The first plate and the second plate may be spaced apart from one another and may improve an amount of energy return while turning by increasing a rigidity of the sole.
US09930931B2 Lacing system and method for securing the ends of cords and laces
A system and method for connecting two loose shoelace ends, or for connecting two loose lace or cord ends in any lacing situation. A specific lace or cord orientation is used along with a heat-shrinkable tubular connector in order to easily and securely connect the two ends of the laces or other such cords.
US09930928B2 Sole for a shoe
Improved soles for shoes, in particular for sports shoes, are described. A sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, is provided, said sole having a cushioning element that includes randomly arranged particles of an expanded material and a control element. The control element is free from expanded material and reduces the shearing motions in a first region of the cushioning element compared to shearing motions in a second region of the cushioning element.
US09930926B2 Contoured support insole
A contoured insole especially advantageous for users with medium to high arches is disclosed. It comprises a generally foot-shaped base extending from a heel end to a toe end, which comprises a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the base preferably further comprises two indentations formed integrally therein in a forefoot area and a heel area. A forefoot pad and a heel pad are secured to each of said indentations. Preferably, the base is made from a polyurethane foam. The pads are made from rubber or synthetic rubber. A top sheet is coextensive with and secured to the top surface of the base. The top sheet is generally a fabric which preferably has antimicrobial characteristics. In use, the foot of the wearer, with or without a sock or stocking thereon, rests upon the top sheet in the foot-receiving compartment of a user's shoe.
US09930923B2 Article of footwear having a textile upper
An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may have apertures formed by omitting stitches and non-textile elements on the lateral side and in the heel area. Various warp or weft knitting processes, including circular knitting, may be utilized to form the textile element.
US09930921B2 Drinking arrangement
The invention discloses a drinking arrangement for location within a diver's helmet, which includes a container being adapted to contain a hydration fluid; support means for supporting the container within the helmet; a supply line being adapted to supply flow of the hydration fluid from the container; and a mouthpiece for normally sealing the supply line and being adapted to selectively dispense hydration liquid therefrom.
US09930920B2 Method for securing extension lashes during an eyelash extension procedure
A method of extending eyelashes is described herein. Specifically, an adhesive-based method of extending eyelashes is disclosed. The method can comprise wearing a ring on a first hand and manipulating forceps with a second hand. The ring can comprise a bowl, while the bowl can comprise eyelash adhesive. In addition, the method can comprise attaching a first side of an eye patch to a surface, attaching a tape on a second side of the eye patch, and supporting a plurality of loose extension lashes on the tape. The extension lashes on the tape can be removed with forceps. A portion of the eyelash extension can be dipped into the eyelash adhesive within the ring. Lastly, the method can comprise attaching the eyelash extension to a natural lash on a user.
US09930918B2 Hands-free suctioning device
Medical gloves are disclosed with one or more channels running from a cuff of the glove to the tip of one or more fingers. The channel may extend at least partially around the fingertip and may comprise a one or more orifices positioned at least partially around the fingertip. A suction source may be coupled to the channel to provide suction at the orifices.
US09930917B2 Break-proof assembly for wire of temperature control switch of heated clothing
A break-proof assembly for wires of a temperature control switch of a heated clothing is revealed. Several first wires are extended from a switch body of the temperature control switch of the heated clothing and connected to second wires respectively while the second wires are connected to a heating plate of the heated clothing. A first end of a protective pad is connected to an edge of the switch body and extended toward a second end thereof to cover a part of the first wire outside the switch body. Thereby the first wires and the edge of the switch body are connected to one part to prevent breakage of the first wires caused by wear between the edge of the switch body and the first wires. Therefore the heated clothing can be washed directly in a washer and convenience in use is improved.
US09930916B2 Flocked shapewear garments
Disclosed herein are flocked shapewear garments. The flocked shapewear garments comprise a fabric, an elastomeric coating, and flocking fibers embedded in the elastomeric coating.
US09930915B2 Smoking articles and use thereof for yielding inhalation materials
The present invention describes articles, such as smoking articles, that can provide an inhalable substance in a form suitable for inhalation by a consumer. The article comprises a cartridge with an inhalable substance medium therein, control housing that includes an electrical energy source and an electrical power source, and a heating member that may be located in either the cartridge or the control housing. The control housing further may include puff-actuated current actuation components and current regulation components.
US09930914B2 Seamless oral pouch product
An oral pouch product has no seams or fewer seams than conventional pouch products. The pouch includes a seamless or single seam tube of a hosiery web material. An elastomeric thread is placed inside the tubular enclosure. One end of the tube is sealed and connected to one end of the elastomeric thread. A filling material, in one example including tobacco products or other plant materials, is also placed inside the tubular enclosure. The second end of the tubular enclosure is then fixed and connected to a stretched end of the elastomeric thread. The thread and attached ends of the enclosure are then sheared away and simultaneously released so that the ends of the tube are drawn inside the tubular space of the tubular enclosure.
US09930913B2 Carton for displaying articles attachable to a flip sign
A carton for displaying articles attachable to a flip sign is disclosed, which includes a box structure having a back panel, a bottom panel, a top panel, a pair of side panels, a top front panel, a bottom front panel, a first inner panel and a second inner panel, the first inner panel having a pair of slots configured to receive a pair of tabs on an outer free edge of the second inner panel. The first and second inner panels rest adjacent to the back panel upon placing a plurality of articles within a recess, which is formed between the top front panel, the bottom front panel, the back panel, and the pair of side panels.
US09930911B1 Water pipe bowl assembly
A water pipe bowl assembly includes a hollow adapter having a connector and an opposed insert, and a bowl support extends radially outward from hollow adapter between the connector and the insert. A hollow bowl fixture is positioned on the bowl support and over the insert, and includes inwardly-directed upper flange encircling the closed outer end of the insert, an inwardly-directed lower flange encircling the inner end of the insert, and a smoke-collection chamber between the upper and lower flanges through which the insert extends from the inner end to the closed outer end. The upper flange and the closed outer end of the insert form a bowl for receiving a substance to be smoked and a smoke-inhalation pathway from the bowl to the smoke-collection chamber, and the opening through insert is for transferring inhalation smoke from the smoke-collection chamber to the hollow adapter.
US09930910B2 Rods for use in smoking articles
A rod for use in a smoking article is provided, the rod including a gathered sheet of homogenized tobacco material circumscribed by a wrapper. The sheet may include one or more aerosol-formers and have an aerosol-former content of greater than 5% on a dry weight basis or of between 5% and 30% by weight on a dry weight basis. The rod may include a continuous element to which one or more additives have been applied, which is incorporated into the gathered continuous sheet of homogenized tobacco material. A method of forming the rod includes providing a continuous sheet of homogenized tobacco material; gathering the continuous sheet transversely relative to the longitudinal axis thereof; circumscribing the gathered continuous sheet with a wrapper to form a continuous rod; and severing the continuous rod into a plurality of discrete rods. The sheet is preferably crimped or otherwise textured.
US09930908B2 High protein nutritional compositions and methods of making and using same
Nutritional compositions having high amounts of protein and low ratios of omega-6:omega-3 fatty acids, and methods of making and using the nutritional compositions are provided. The nutritional compositions include an increased amount of protein, and a low ratio of omega-6:omega-3 fatty acids to provide a patient with adequate amounts of protein for the preservation of lean body mass, while reducing inflammation associated with administration of pro-inflammatory drug formulations such as propofol. The nutritional compositions also help to avoid potential complications associated with overfeeding of an enterally-fed patient being treated, or having been treated, with high fat medications such as propofol. Methods of making and using such nutritional compositions are also provided.
US09930906B1 Protein beverages
Provided herein are protein beverages. In particular, provided herein are protein beverages that are thickened, stable, and ready to drink beverages designed for consumption by subjects (e.g., subjects having a need for thickened beverages). In some embodiments, the subjects are subjects having dysphagia.
US09930905B2 Method of reducing E. coli or Salmonella contamination of agricultural products
The present invention relates to a composition comprising lyophilized Lactobacilli and a plant-based food, wherein the composition is substantially free of animal products. The present invention also relates to methods of treating plant-based food by administration of a Lactobacilli and a plant medium composition. Methods of using the Lactobacilli and plant-based food composition to treat E. coli or Salmonella infection in an animal in need thereof and methods of using the Lactobacilli and plant-based food composition to reduce E. coli or Salmonella contamination in an agricultural product are also provided.
US09930898B2 Pasteurization system and method
A pasteurization system includes a liquid inlet configured to receive a liquid to be pasteurized. The system also includes a pump coupled to the liquid inlet for pressurizing the liquid. Further, the system includes a counter flow heat exchanger coupled to the liquid inlet and the pump, the counterflow heat exchanger configured to heat the liquid to a predetermined temperature for at least a predetermined time and configured to exchange heat between a flow of liquid in a first direction in a first channel with the flow of liquid in a second direction opposite the first direction in a second channel. A heating section that heats the liquid flow is integrated into the heat exchanger and heats at least a portion of the first channel or the second channel.
US09930894B2 Method for preparing decorative cakes
A method and template for preparing small, tender cakes is provided. The method includes preparing sheet cakes and slicing them into sleeves of cake. Frosting is template and frozen, and then rolled around the narrow cake leaf. Fillings may be added inside the cake leaf before rolling. The cake is then rolled similarly to maki-style sushi, sliced into shorter segments, and presented vertically on a serving dish. Decorations and additional frosting may be used.
US09930893B2 Inhibitors of DXP synthase and methods of use thereof
Novel inhibitors of DXP synthase and methods of use thereof are disclosed.
US09930884B2 Nonwoven antimicrobial scrub pad
An abrasive article comprising a nonwoven substrate material impregnated with a first and second formulation. The first and second formulations have broad spectrum antimicrobial effectiveness against one or more microbial organisms. The first and second formulations include the same or different polymer compositions, which include one or more antimicrobial agents and abrasive particles uniformly dispersed in the polymer compositions.
US09930882B2 Turkey carrier and its method of manufacture
A turkey carrier and method of manufacture of a turkey carrier are described. The turkey carrier may be assembled from a single strip of material, a buckle, and a strip of comfortable padding. The assembled turkey carrier comprises two loops (a small loop and a large padded adjustable loop) and an intermediate area. During use, the intermediate area between the small loop and the large loop of the carrier is positioned under the turkey's legs, typically above the spurs of a male turkey, so that the two loops are on opposite sides of the turkey's legs and the larger loop is inserted through the smaller loop and pulled tight to secure the legs leaving the larger padded loop to be used as a wrist strap. The carrier is designed to tightly secure the turkey's legs while simultaneously providing the user with a comfortable method of transporting the turkey.
US09930881B2 Corrugated fish screen with continuous flow refugia
A fish screen is presented having a porous surface made of two or more corrugations (e.g., elongated convex shapes) having an at least partially porous surface. The incorporation of a porous area on the corrugations allows increasing the total porous surface area compared to an underlying diversion area. The porous area is a magnification of an underlying diversion area, which reduces the fluid pressure (e.g., impingement forces) acting on the porous area of the screen. The valley between each pair of corrugations is solid, not porous. The solid valley(s) provide two important functions; they provide multiple small solid surface flow channels over the screen surface. These solid channels protect small or weak swimming aquatic organisms from impingement on the screen. That is, once organisms reach the solid channel, they may move along the solid channel free of impingement until they reach the edge of the screen.
US09930876B2 Side planing bobber
The prospective invention is a side planing bobber when attached to the users fishing line the invention will side plane out to the right or left from a straight line on a surface of water when trolling by the user.
US09930870B2 Method for inducing artificial ovulation and spawning of fresh-water eels
According to an example, artificial ovulation and spawning of freshwater eels may be induced to promote artificial ovulation without employing intraperitoneal injection, by feeding a feminization-inducing material (e.g., 17β-estradiol) for inducing feminization during a predetermined period into a raising bath in which broodfish are raised and, when an ovulation induction period arrives, adding pituitary extracts of catadromous fish as an artificial ovulation-promoting substance to the bath. Raising water of the raising bath may be prepared by selectively setting fresh water, brackish water and seawater conditions, a feminization-inducing material for inducing complete feminization of broodfish of the freshwater eels is fed to the raising bath, including the raising water under a fresh water condition, and pre-treatment for feminization is performed. Subsequently, the raising water is set to a seawater condition and the ovulation-inducing substance is fed to the raising water, thereby inducing ovulation and spawning of the broodfish.
US09930869B2 Stackable package and system for holding and transporting honeybees
A package and system for holding and transporting small living beings, particularly, insects such as honeybees and the like, configurable in a robust, sturdy three-dimensional shape for handling and transport by mail and commercial carriers, which prevents stinging from within the package, allows escape of smaller accompanying insects such as hive beetles, is interlocking with others of the packages and strong enough to support other packages and items thereon; that provides for air flow through and about the package for heat dissipation for proper honeybee environment; that accommodates food and separately carrying a queen bee; and that can be easily and quickly broken down into a non-operational, generally flat configuration for initial sale, transport, and storage.
US09930867B2 Pet fountain diffuser
A water diffuser that extends from the discharge outlet of a pet fountain, for receiving water from the outlet of the pet fountain's water pump, wherein the diffuser includes a perforate tubular diffuser section that can be releasably coupled or otherwise anchored to part of the fountain by a connecting or coupling section that preferably is tubular and imperforate. The diffuser can include a water treatment disposed within the diffuser that is dispensed or released into water flowing through the diffuser. The diffuser may also include a filter for removing contaminants from water flowing through the water. Where used together with a water treatment, the filter can be disposed within the diffuser upstream of the water treatment for filtering water flowing through the diffuser before treating the flowing water.
US09930862B2 Milking system shut-off and sensors
A method comprises receiving a flow of milk at an inlet of a manifold. The inlet comprises a first end coupled to a hose that receives a flow of milk from a teat cup and a second end terminating in a chamber of the manifold. The manifold comprises one or more other inlets and a plurality of outlets. The plurality of outlets includes one or more milk collector outlets and one or more drain outlets. The method proceeds by causing the flow of milk to be directed to a corresponding milk collector outlet by causing a shut-off valve corresponding to the inlet to open, and by causing a drain valve corresponding to the inlet to close. The method concludes by causing the flow of milk to be directed to a corresponding drain outlet by causing the drain valve corresponding to the inlet to open.
US09930861B2 Milking box with robotic attacher
A system comprises a milking box, a robotic attacher, a sensor, and a controller. The milking box has a stall to accommodate a dairy livestock. The stall comprises a first exit gate on a first side of the stall leading to a first sorting region and a second exit gate on a second side of the stall leading to a second sorting region. The robotic attacher extends from the rear between the hind legs of the dairy livestock. The sensor identifies the dairy livestock within the milking box stall. The controller selects and opens the first exit gate or the second exit gate based at least in part upon the identity of the dairy livestock in order to direct the first dairy livestock into either the first sorting region or the second sorting region.
US09930859B2 Lettuce line SV2767LD
The invention provides seed and plants of the lettuce line designated SV2767LD. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of lettuce line SV2767LD, and to methods for producing a lettuce plant produced by crossing a plant of lettuce line SV2767LD with itself or with another lettuce plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of lettuce line SV2767LD, including the gametes of such plants.
US09930854B1 Soybean cultivar CL1563238
The present invention is in the field of soybean variety CL1563238 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety CL1563238 and its seed, cells, germplasm, plant parts, and progeny, and methods of using CL1563238 in a breeding program.
US09930851B1 Soybean cultivar CL1462947
The present invention is in the field of soybean variety CL1462947 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety CL1462947 and its seed, cells, germplasm, plant parts, and progeny, and methods of using CL1462947 in a breeding program.
US09930849B1 Maize inbred PH44WJ1
A novel maize variety designated PH44WJ1 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH44WJ1 with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH44WJ1 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 PH44WJ1 or a locus conversion of PH44WJ1 with another maize variety.
US09930847B1 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV346136
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV346136. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV346136, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV346136 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV346136 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV346136.
US09930846B1 Soybean cultivar CL1462706
The present invention is in the field of soybean variety CL1462706 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety CL1462706 and its seed, cells, germplasm, plant parts, and progeny, and methods of using CL1462706 in a breeding program.
US09930843B1 Hybrid corn variety X13512
The invention provides seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated X13512. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety X13512, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety X13512 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 X13512.
US09930831B2 Mower deck grass collector chute
A mower deck grass collector chute includes an inlet connected to a side discharge opening in a mower deck, and a tubular portion that extends upwardly and rearwardly to an outlet. The inlet is positioned under the horizontal deck surface and has a curved surface extending forwardly under the mower deck around the perimeter of a first cutting chamber. A forward end of the curved surface may be in front of the first cutting chamber.
US09930825B2 Appartus for resizing one or more particles
A device for coating items is provided. The device includes a hopper configured to hold particles of coating. The device also includes a spout including a first end and a second end. The spout is coupled to the hopper at the first end and is configured to receive the particles of coating from the hopper. The device also includes a distribution device coupled between the hopper and the spout and configured to distribute the particles of coating from the hopper into the spout at the first end of the spout. The device also includes a size adjuster device coupled to the second end of the spout. The size adjuster device is configured to resize the particles of coating and to discharge the particles of coating.
US09930824B2 Self-propelled agricultural machine with dual driving modes
A windrower has a first dual-path steering mode, causing a left drive wheel and a right drive wheel to concurrently rotate, wherein the rotation of the left drive wheel is in a direction opposite that of the rotation of the right drive wheel and the position of tailwheel casters are not controlled but are permitted unconstrained rotation. The windrower also has a second tailwheel steering mode non-overlapping in operation with the dual-path steering mode, causing the left drive wheel and the right drive wheel to rotate concurrently in only a same direction and the tailwheel casters are steered based in part on tailwheel caster steer position information received from a sensor.
US09930821B2 Agricultural vehicle support frame
An Agricultural vehicle has a frame supported by a front pair of wheels and a back pair of wheels, wherein the back pair of wheels are steerable and wherein each wheel of the back pair of wheels is connected to the frame via a respective intermediate support element that is pivotable with respect to the frame in such a manner that the back pair of wheels are movable between a first position wherein the back pair of wheels defines a first track width and are positioned at a first distance from the front pair of wheels, and a second position wherein the back pair of wheels defines a second track width and are positioned at a second distance from the front pair of wheels, wherein the first track width is larger than the second track width and wherein the first distance is smaller than the second distance.
US09936620B2 Component mounting method
A component mounting apparatus includes a component supply device that intermittently feeds a carrier tape, in which components are stored in a plurality of pockets formed with a uniform pitch, based on a predetermined feed pitch to supply the components stored in the pockets to a component suction position, and picks up the components supplied to the component suction position to mount the components onto a board, an imaging unit that images the pockets, and a control unit that measures a formation pitch of the pockets based on obtained image data, and changes a feed pitch of the carrier tape from the predetermined feed pitch to the formation pitch of the pockets when the measured formation pitch of the pockets and the predetermined feed pitch are different from each other, and the component supply device intermittently feeds the carrier tape based on the changed feed pitch.
US09936619B2 Electronic circuit component mounter
An electronic circuit component mounter equipped with a moving type component supply device which supplies electronic circuit components to a component holding tool and which is moved together with the component holding tool. In a state with passage-equipped component case is attached to the head main body, a dropped component catch plate is positioned below the rotational axis path of a suction nozzle and catches dropped components, while the raising/lowering of the suction nozzle is allowed at the component mounting position by opening and components are mounted on a board. Further, a sheet is affixed that prevents the movement of dropped components, and a dropped component catch plate is attached/detached to/from the head main body together with passage-equipped component case, and dropped components are removed in a state removed from the head main body.
US09936616B2 Electric power convertor
An electric power converter includes a stacked semiconductor unit formed by stacking semiconductor modules and cooling tubes, and a case. The case has a rear wall portion, a front wall portion, and a pair of side wall portions. The rear wall portion has an opening hole formed in a shape that an outer profile of the cooler fits inside. The stacked semiconductor unit has a closing member joined to a rear-most cooling pipe that is disposed on a rear side to close the opening hole, a refrigerant introducing pipe extended rearward from the closing member, and a refrigerant discharging pipe extended rearward from the closing member. The refrigerant introducing pipe and the refrigerant discharging pipe, and the closing member are connected in close contact with each other, and the closing member and the case are in close contact by a seal section.
US09936615B2 Power pole isolated heat pipe inverter assembly
A power pole inverter is provided. The power pole inverter includes a housing assembly, a capacitor assembly, a number of arm assemblies, a number of heat sinks, and a support assembly. The housing assembly includes a number of sidewalls. The housing assembly sidewalls defining an enclosed space. The capacitor assembly is coupled to the housing assembly. Each arm assembly includes a plurality of electrical components and a number of electrical buses. Each the electrical bus includes a body with terminals, each the terminal structured to be coupled to, and in electrical communication with, the capacitor assembly, each arm assembly including a neutral terminal. Each arm assembly is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, the capacitor assembly. The support assembly includes a non-conductive frame assembly. The support assembly is structured to support each the heat sink in isolation.
US09936614B2 System and method for automated open loop fan control
An information handling system includes a pressure transducer and a fan controller. The pressure transducer produces a pressure reading in response to airflow through the information handling system. The fan controller is configured to communicate with the pressure transducer, the fan controller to operate a fan of an information handling system at a first duty cycle, to receive a first pressure reading from the pressure transducer, to determine a first airflow amount for the first duty cycle based on the first pressure reading, to create a first updated airflow-duty cycle table based on the first airflow amount at the first duty cycle, and to update a temperature control algorithm based on the first updated airflow-duty cycle table.
US09936606B1 Liquid immersion cooler
A liquid immersion cooler including: a refrigerant tank that stores a silicone oil-based insulating refrigerant immersing an electronic device; a circulation passage that is provided between the refrigerant tank and a refrigerant cooler, and through which the silicone oil-based insulating refrigerant flows; and a pump that is arranged on the circulation passage, and circulates the silicone oil-based insulating refrigerant between the refrigerant tank and the refrigerant cooler.
US09936601B2 Cable management assembly for rack mounted equipment
A cable management assembly for managing cabling of equipment is provided. The cable management assembly may be utilized to manage the movement of cables attached to the enclosures when the enclosures are pulled into and out of the front of a structure during servicing. The cable management assembly may comprise one or more detachable cable support members that form a helix having a first attachment end and a second attachment end. The first attachment end may be attached to an enclosure and the second attachment end may be attached to a rear back plate assembly. The detachable cable support members include a plurality of flat segments having a generally elongated planar configuration or a curved configuration. A combination of planar and curved segments may be secured together forming a loop. A plurality of loops may be secured together forming the assembly.
US09936596B2 Apparatus, system and method for resource distribution
A system for the distribution of resources. The system includes a housing including at least one water vapor distillation device, at least one power generating device, at least one source water reservoir, at least one product water reservoir, and at least one energy storage device.
US09936595B2 Wire retention cover for printed circuit boards in an electronic device
A wire retention cover for an antenna mounting arrangement within an electronic device is configured to be positioned over an edge of a printed circuit board and protect the antenna wires and connectors on the connector side thereof. A non-connector side portion or leg of the cover includes one or more slots for receiving antenna wires. A connector side portion or leg of the cover includes raised and lowered portions. The raised portions are configured to cover and protect antenna wire connections to the PCB.
US09936593B2 Device with a rotatable display
The description relates to devices, such as computing devices having displays that can be rotated through a range of travel. The device can counter-balance the display to create a near weightless feel for the user when repositioning the display.
US09936586B2 Attaching apparatus for chip-on-films
An attaching apparatus for chip-on-films includes: a base; a rotary table; a first driving device configured to drive the rotary table to rotate around the axis of the rotary table; a TCP side adhesive-attaching mechanism configured to attach a conductive film onto a chip-on-film on a carrier located in the TCP adhesive-attaching region; a PCB side adhesive-attaching mechanism configured to attach a conductive film onto a chip-on-film on a carrier located in the PCB adhesive-attaching region; and a pre-pressing mechanism configured to pre-press conductive films attached on a chip-on-film on a carrier located in the pre-pressing region. The rotary table is in a first operating position, a second operating position, a third operating position and a fourth operating position successively during a rotation around its axis. When the rotary table is in any one of the operating positions, there is always one carrier in each region of the base.
US09936581B1 Mechanical and electrical interconnects between conductive threads in fabrics to PCB, FPC, and rigid-flex circuits
An electrically interconnected assembly is a technology enabler for mechanical and electrical interconnects between conductive threads, such as those within fabrics and textiles, to electrical connection points, such as contact pads on a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible printed circuit (FPC), and/or rigid-flexible circuit board. The electrically interconnected assembly uses an anisotropic conductive coated fabric to make an electrical and mechanical interconnect in fabrics or textiles. All fabrics or textiles can be anisotropic conductive coated and cut into sheet form or supplied in roll form.
US09936579B2 Low profile packaging and assembly of a power conversion system in modular form
Embedded PCB (printed circuit board) is used for the packaging and assembly of a low profile power conversion system module that can be employed in space constrained environment of small computer/electronic systems. The low profile power conversion system module includes an embedded PCB, a power silicon device embedded within the PCB, a magnetic component which is either embedded within the PCB or disposed on the PCB, and input/output terminals disposed on the side of the embedded PCB. The embedded PCB and the magnetic component are thin planar shaped to save vertical space. The low profile power conversion system module can be placed inside a cavity formed in the system PCB to save even more vertical space.
US09936577B1 Dual-channel flexible circuit bridge connector and dual graphics card system using the same
The present disclosure illustrates a dual-channel flexible circuit bridge connector and a dual graphics card system using the same. The dual-channel flexible circuit bridge connector includes a dual-channel flexible circuit board, a first connection interface and a second connection interface. The dual-channel flexible circuit board includes, in a sequential order, a first insulating layer, a first circuit layer, a second insulating layer, a ground layer, a third insulating layer, a second circuit layer and a fourth insulating layer. The first connection interface and the second connection interface can be used to link two graphics cards spaced apart by a non-fixed distance, thereby forming a bridging status. Therefore, the dual graphics card system can manipulate two graphics cards to perform parallel computation, so as to achieve better efficiency in computing process and graphics display.
US09936575B2 Resin multilayer substrate and component module
A resin multilayer substrate includes a first resin layer, a conductive pattern that covers a portion of the first resin layer, a conductive via connected to the conductive pattern, and a second resin layer that is overlaid on the first resin layer. The second resin layer includes an opening through which the conductive pattern is partially exposed. As seen in plan view, the opening includes an inner peripheral edge including a first portion that is spaced from the conductive via by a first distance, and a second portion that is spaced from the conductive via by a second distance. The conductive pattern has a length that starts from the inner peripheral edge of the opening to outside and extends under the second resin layer. The length of the conductive pattern at the second portion is greater than the length of the conductive pattern at the first portion.
US09936573B2 Tamper-respondent assemblies
Methods of fabricating tamper-respondent assemblies are provided which include a tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure. The tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure includes a tamper-respondent sensor. The tamper-respondent sensor includes, for instance, at least one flexible layer having opposite first and second sides, and circuit lines forming at least one resistive network. The circuit lines are disposed on at least one of the first or second side of the at least one flexible layer, and have a line width Wl≤200 μm, as well as a line-to-line spacing width Ws≤200 μm. In certain enhanced embodiments, the tamper-respondent sensor includes multiple flexible layers, with a first flexible layer having first circuit lines, and a second flexible layer having second circuit lines, where the first and second circuit lines may have different line widths, different line-to-line spacings, and/or be formed of different materials.
US09936570B2 Interconnect topology with staggered vias for interconnecting differential signal traces on different layers of a substrate
An interconnect topology is disclosed that includes a plurality of interconnections, each of which is coupled together using a via, where at least two of the vias are staggered with respect to each other. In one embodiment, the interconnect topology comprises a substrate, multiple signal traces routed through the substrate on multiple layers, and a plurality of vias, where each via couples a pair of the signal traces to form an interconnection between different ones of the multiple layers, and where a pair of vias comprise a first via to carry a positive differential signal via and a second via to carry a negative differential signal that are coupled to signal traces to form a differential signal pair. The differential first and second vias are staggered with respect to each other.
US09936561B2 Flexible LED screen
A flexible LED screen includes a flexible printed circuit board having a front surface and a rear surface, a plurality of SMT-LEDs mounted on the front surface of the flexible printed circuit board, and a plurality of integrated circuits mounted on the rear surface of the flexible printed circuit board.
US09936560B2 Organic EL panel control device, light source device, organic EL panel control method, program, and recording medium
The present invention aims to provide an organic EL panel control device, a light source device, and an organic EL panel control method, capable of inhibiting the change (shift) in color temperature of white light produced by an organic EL panel to be controlled. The organic EL panel control device according to the present invention includes a luminance control unit. The luminance control unit controls, among a plurality of organic EL elements with different emission colors in an organic EL panel to be controlled, luminances of organic EL elements other than a reference organic EL element having a shortest luminance life in such a manner that, with reference to a luminance of the reference organic EL element, white light produced by additive color mixture of different colors of light emitted from the plurality of organic EL elements has the same color temperature as a previously set color temperature.
US09936559B2 Light-emitting device
A light-emitting device (10) includes a first light-emitting region (100) and a second light-emitting region (200). The first light-emitting region (100) emits a light ray having a first color by making a first light-emitting layer group including at least two or more kinds of light-emitting layers emit light. In addition, the second light-emitting region (200) emits a light ray having the first color (for example, daylight color, natural white color, white color, warm white color, or incandescent color) by making a second light-emitting layer group including at least two or more kinds of light-emitting layers emit light. In addition, at least one kind of light-emitting layer included in the second light-emitting layer group emits a light ray having a different spectrum peak from all of the light-emitting layers included in the first light-emitting layer group. Therefore, the color-rendering properties of light emitted from the light-emitting device (10) are improved.
US09936554B2 Television backlight driving device and the driving method thereof
The present invention discloses a television backlight driving device and the driving method thereof, the said television backlight driving device comprises: an AC-DC module and an LED driving module; when a power is on, the said AC-DC module transforms an input supplied AC power into a DC power before supplying to the backlight LED lightstrip; comparing to the existing backlight driving methods, there is no second process of DC-DC needed, saving a system cost of the power, and improving an efficiency of the system; when the LED driving module determines the detection current larger than the preset current but smaller than the first threshold, a constant-current output for LED current is controlled by adjusting the duty ratio; when the detection current is larger than the first threshold or smaller than the preset current, the LED driving module feeds back the detection current to the AC-DC module; the AC-DC module then controls the DC voltage according to the detection current; different methods for adjustment may save a power consumption, as well as achieving an effect of stabling the current output; it owns a simple circuit structure, and a high system reliability.
US09936552B1 System having a driver with voltage supply using an auxiliary winding of a transformer
In one example, a system includes a controller, a transformer including at least a primary winding and an auxiliary winding, a voltage supply, and a driver. The controller is configured to output an indication of a target current or a target power. The voltage supply is configured to receive an electrical current having a constant average current over time from the auxiliary winding and to output variable electrical current for supplying the controller. The voltage supply includes a capacitor for storing energy and a current sink for consuming a current. The driver is configured to selectively energize the primary winding for supplying one or more load devices based on the target current or the target power and selectively energize the primary winding for operating the voltage supply based on an indication of a voltage at the voltage supply.
US09936551B2 LED driver for powering an LED unit from an electronic transformer
An LED driver comprising a power converter for powering an LED unit and a control unit for controlling the power converter is provided. The power converter comprising an input terminal for receiving a rectified AC supply voltage, and an output terminal for supplying a current to the LED unit, and the control unit comprising an input for receiving a supply signal representative of the supply voltage and an output for providing a control signal to the power converter. The control unit is further arranged to: determine the control signal for controlling the power converter based on the supply signal, and control the power converter to supply the current to the LED unit based on the control signal, the current being amplitude modulated in synchronism or in phase with the rectified AC supply voltage.
US09936547B2 Multi-mode control for solid state lighting
A multi-mode control scheme for an LED lamp system uses the detected firing angle of an AC input voltage waveform to select from multiple regulation modes. In operation, a current controller compares the detected firing angle to one or more specified thresholds and selects the appropriate regulation scheme based on the comparison result. When the detected firing angle is less than a first firing angle threshold, the controller employs a current shaping regulation mode. When the detected firing angle is greater than a second firing angle threshold, the controller employs a switching cycle-I Peak modulation regulation mode. And when the detected firing angle is greater than the first firing angle threshold and less than the second firing angle threshold, the controller employs a hybrid regulation mode.
US09936546B2 Methods and apparatuses for operating groups of high-power LEDs
A method of driving a number of high-power light-emitting diodes (LEDs) which are divided into two or more groups, each group being separately energizable by a corresponding one of the power supplies, includes: a) energizing or deenergizing a supply current from the corresponding one of the power supplies into a first one of the groups; b) waiting for a predetermined wait time period; and c) repeating step a) and b) for a second one of the groups. Besides, a supply unit for performing the method comprises a control input, a control unit, and at least two power supplies for correspondingly feeding the two or more LEDs groups.
US09936545B2 LED voltage driver circuit
A light emitting diode (LED) voltage driver circuit includes an input terminal to which a voltage is applied, a ground terminal, an input capacitor whose one end is connected to the input terminal and the other end, which is different from the one end, is connected to the ground terminal, wherein the input capacitor is charged by a voltage difference between the voltage applied to the input terminal and a voltage of the ground terminal, and a buck converter circuit connected to the input capacitor and the input terminal and configured to output power to an LED, wherein the voltage charged in the input capacitor is supplied as an input voltage of the buck converter circuit.
US09936543B2 Display device
A display device includes a circular display panel, an encapsulation substrate on the circular display panel, and an optical element interposed between the circular display panel and the encapsulation substrate, the optical element including a light guide member having a ring shape to correspond to a boundary of the circular display panel, the light guide member configuring a boundary of the optical element.
US09936539B2 Seat heater
A seat heater that is a seat including: a planer heating element that has a plurality of electric heating wires on its upper surface and that includes a fiber layer; a cushion member that locates over a lower surface of the planer heating element; and a skin that locates above the planer heating element, wherein the planer heating element has, in voids of the fiber layer, a silica aerogel that is a silica porous body having pores with a mean pore diameter of 10 nm to 68 nm.
US09936538B2 Radiator element
The invention relates to a an electric radiator element having multiple heating zones for the production of energy-efficient eco-design applications, radiator heating flanges and radiator heating pipes in the low-voltage range, having integrated radiators which increase the heating output of a heater resistor without the additional consumption of energy.
US09936536B2 Communication service for machine-to-machine devices
When machine-to-machine (M2M) devices attach to a mobile communication network, the associated communication session can be treated differently than the attachment of other devices. For example, upon determining that a subscriber device that attaches to a communication network is an M2M device and has completed a given network transaction, the M2M device can be immediately detached without waiting on expiration of an inactivity timer. As another example, upon determining that a subscriber device that attaches to a communication network is an M2M device, the M2M device can be excluded from various signaling procedures such as load-balancing procedures.
US09936529B2 Method for performing or supporting D2D communication in wireless communication system and apparatus therefor
Disclosed are a method for performing or supporting D2D communication in a wireless communication system and an apparatus therefor. The method for enabling a D2D terminal to perform D2D communication according to the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving polling interval information allocated to transmit a polling signal for the D2D communication from a base station; and transmitting the polling signal to the base station within the allocated polling interval. The polling signal comprises an identifier of the D2D terminal, an identifier of a target D2D terminal selected through a search, and an indicator for indicating the execution of D2D communication.
US09936526B2 Systems and methods to authenticate a request to modify or access information related to an asset in association with a transfer of management
Systems and methods are described to enable management of an asset to be transferred from a first entity to a second entity such that an Information Manager that stores information for the asset can authenticate the management transfer when the second entity requests the Information Manager to access or modify the stored information for the asset. Authentication is enabled using a token assigned to the asset by the Information Manager which is provided to the first entity by the Information Manager, transferred from the first entity to the second entity following the transfer of management and provided to the Information Manager by the second entity to enable authentication of the request by the second entity to access or modify the stored information for the asset. In an embodiment, the asset may be a WiFi access point or Bluetooth beacon and the Information Manager may be a National Emergency Address Manager.
US09936523B2 PRACH signals with different bandwidths
The present disclosure concerns radio communication. More particularly, the present disclosure concerns random access procedures used in communication between user equipments (UEs) and radio network nodes, such as evolved NodeB's. According to one exemplary embodiment disclosed herein, a method in a UE 10 comprises transmitting 110, 130 two or more Physical Random Access Channel, PRACH, signals, where the two or more PRACH signals have different frequency bandwidths. Hereby it is made possible to improve the resource utilization during the random access procedure.
US09936521B2 User equipment configured to provide synchronization information for sidelink D2D Communications using allocated resource units
A signal structure for use in D2D communications is described. In one embodiment, a preamble for automatic gain control at the receiver end is included in the transmitted signal. Techniques for scheduling of D2D transmissions using carrier sensing multiple access (CSMA) and a power control schemes for interference management are also described.
US09936515B2 Communication control method
A communication control method pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention is for controlling dual connectivity communication which uses a master base station that establishes RRC connection with a user terminal and a secondary base station that provides a supplementary wireless resource to the user terminal. The communication control method comprises: a step in which the master base station receives, from the user terminal, a measurement report which includes measurement results found for each cell in the user terminal; and a step in which the secondary base station receives, from the master base station, a supplementary request for requesting the allocation of resources to the user terminal. In the step for receiving a supplementary request, the master base station includes, in the supplementary request, measurement results for a cell of the secondary base station which is included in the measurement results, and transmits the same.
US09936510B2 Method and apparatus for establishing condition under which network assistance information is provided
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program code with the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine whether criteria that defines at least one condition under which assistance information is to be provided to a network has been satisfied; and cause the assistance information to be provided to the network in an instance in which the criteria has been satisfied.
US09936506B2 Method for receiving or transmitting uplink signal in wireless communication system and apparatus therefor
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an MTC UE performs frequency retuning in order to perform uplink transmission through different subbands in consecutive first and second subframes, wherein positions of symbols, used for frequency retuning within the range of last n symbols of the first subframe to first n symbols of the second subframe, are determined according to priority between uplink signals to be transmitted.
US09936501B2 Method and apparatus for reducing latency of LTE uplink transmissions
A method and apparatus reduce latency of Long Term Evolution (LTE) uplink transmissions. A Downlink Control Information (DCI) message can be transmitted in a first subframe. The DCI message can indicate a resource assignment and a modulation and coding scheme and indicating a plurality of cyclic shifts from which a User Equipment (UE) may select one cyclic shift for transmission in a second subframe on an uplink carrier. A data packet can be received on a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) in a resource indicated by the resource assignment and modulation and coding scheme, and using a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) based on a selected cyclic shift in the second subframe on the uplink carrier.
US09936500B2 Transmitting acknowledgement messages using a staggered uplink time slot
A downlink communication is transmitted/received in at least one downlink time slot. In response to the received downlink communication, an acknowledgement message is received/transmitted in an uplink time slot a fixed integer number of uplink time slots after transmission/reception of the received downlink communication. The uplink and downlink time slots are staggered by substantially a half of a time slot.
US09936497B2 Node scheduling method and system and device
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a node scheduling method, where the method includes: configuring, for a node, a working period matched with a performance indicator of the node, where duration of the working period is an integer multiple of duration of a super frame, and the super frame is a super frame corresponding to a beacon frame in a network in which the node is located; and sending, to the node, an updated beacon frame that includes information about the working period, so that the node acquires the information about the working period from the updated beacon frame, receives a working beacon frame, establishes a super frame corresponding to the working beacon frame until the working period ends, and then repeats the receiving a working beacon frame and establishing a super frame corresponding to the working beacon frame until the updated beacon frame is received again.
US09936493B2 Traffic optimization in a communications network
A method for optimizing network traffic that is delivered to a client via a RAN is disclosed. The method includes: receiving, at a first node, a request for content transmitted by the client, including an indication pertaining to a first traffic optimization functionality into the request, and forwarding the modified request to a second node located upstream. At the second node, receiving the request and forwarding the request to a server. At the second node, receiving downlink traffic related to the request, optimizing the downlink traffic, and forwarding the downlink traffic to the first node. In optimizing the downlink traffic, the second node omits traffic optimization functionality corresponding to the first traffic optimization functionality. The first node then receives the downlink traffic, optimizes the downlink traffic, and forwards the optimized downlink traffic to the client.
US09936492B2 Methods and systems for multi user uplink compatibility with legacy devices
Methods and apparatus for multiple user uplink are provided. In one aspect, a method of transmitting a physical layer convergence protocol data unit on a wireless medium includes generating a first portion and a second portion of the physical layer convergence protocol data unit, transmitting the first portion at a first data rate, the first portion decodable by a first and second sets of devices, and transmitting the second portion at a second data rate higher than the first data rate, the second portion decodable by the second set of devices.
US09936486B2 Method and user equipment for reporting demodulation reference signal information and method and base station for receiving demodulation reference signal information
The present invention provides a method and a user equipment for reporting a demodulation reference signal pattern preferred by the user equipment among demodulation reference signal patterns of which locations of demodulation reference signals, demodulation reference signal densities and the like are defined differently within a predetermined time-frequency resource region, and a method and a base station for receiving the report of the preferred demodulation reference signal pattern.
US09936472B2 Method and apparatus for counting devices related to broadcast data services
Methods and apparatuses are provided that include counting devices for broadcast data services. The devices can be counted based on registrations received from the devices. This registration count can additionally or alternatively be used to determine whether further counting is desired. In addition, base stations can transmit counting requests to the devices using a paging message or other message such that idle mode devices can receive the counting requests. The idle mode devices can respond to the requests or send autonomous counting report by switching to an active mode for the purpose of responding or another purpose.
US09936470B2 Radio access networks
Among other things, a communication system comprising remote units, a reference timing source, a controller, a controller clock, and a remote unit clock. The remote units exchange radio frequency (RF) signals with mobile devices. The reference timing source is synchronized with a coordinated universal time (UTC) or a Global Positioning System (GPS). The controller clock is synchronized with the reference timing source and provides timing information to the controller. The remote unit clock is synchronized with the controller clock and provides timing information to a remote unit. The controller and the remote unit are configured to transmit time stamp messages to synchronize the controller clock and the remote unit clock, by avoiding contention between time stamp transmissions and baseband data transmissions or between time stamp transmissions of different remote units to the controller.
US09936467B2 Reporting power headroom for aggregated carriers
A method for reporting power headroom-related information for a plurality of aggregated carriers. The method includes reporting in a bitmap the power headroom-related information for a number of the aggregated carriers that is less than or equal to the total number of aggregated carriers, wherein the power headroom-related information is one of a power headroom for at least one of the aggregated carriers and a path loss for at least one of the aggregated carriers.
US09936463B2 Method for detecting a terminal by a base station, base station, and network entity
The application discloses a method implemented by a first base station, including: obtaining, first receive power information, where the first receive power information is receive power information of receiving a signal transmitted by user equipment served by a second base station; determining, according to the first receive power information, a relationship between the user equipment and a coverage area of the first base station; and notifying the second base station of the relationship. Thus, when user equipment approaches a network covered by a first base station, a second base station may know a relationship between the user equipment and the coverage area of the first base station, so as to perform a network handover for the user equipment or establish a wireless connection between the user equipment and the first base station. The embodiments of the present invention further provide a corresponding base station.
US09936460B2 Wireless communication terminal device, wireless communication method and integrated circuit for controlling transmission power of sounding reference signal (SRS)
A radio terminal is provided that can provide a flexible transmission power control for an SRS without restrictions due to the transmission power control of a PUSCH, for the purpose of enabling use of an SRS for various purposes in a HetNet CoMP environment. The radio terminal receives a control signal including a transmission power control command (TPC command) to be applied to an aperiodic sounding reference signal (A-SRS), through a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), updates a transmission power value of the A-SRS using the TPC command, and transmits the A-SRS using the updated transmission power value in accordance with a transmission request included in a control signal indicating assignment of a physical downlink data channel (PDSCH) or assignment of a physical uplink data channel (PUSCH).
US09936457B2 Ensuring battery reserve for mobile communication
A usage history for a mobile device is determined. The usage history is based upon historical analytics for a user. A battery reserve in the mobile device is monitored. Whether a threshold battery reserve for a battery in the mobile device, based upon the monitored battery reserve, is determined. In response to determining that a threshold battery reserve for the battery in the mobile device has been met, a power save mode is implemented for the mobile device to reduce battery consumption by the mobile device based on the determined usage history. The power save mode includes utilizing at least one of a battery partition and a second battery.
US09936456B1 Power consumption management based on enabling and disabling wireless chains
Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate power consumption management of a station by enabling and disabling wireless chains. A station may determine minimal QoS requirements for supporting a WLAN service at the station. The station may determine and utilize a minimal number of WLAN chains needed to support the WLAN service while meeting the minimal QoS requirements. In embodiments, an internal temperature of the station may be monitored, and when the internal temperature of the station exceeds a temperature threshold, one or more WLAN chains of the station may be disabled to reduce power consumption by the station.
US09936455B2 Systems and methods for reducing electromagnetic radiation emitted from a wireless headset
Systems and methods for reducing the emission of radiation by wireless headsets during sleep mode are provided. One system comprises a mobile device and a wireless headset. The mobile device includes a transmission module for transmitting data or voice signals over a microwave frequency band. The wireless headset comprises a transceiver that enables the wireless headset to wirelessly communicate with the mobile device during a time when the mobile device and wireless headset are linked within a personal area network (PAN). The wireless headset is configured to receive instructions from the mobile device to enter a sleep mode, wherein the transceiver is turned off during the sleep mode.
US09936448B2 Method for transmitting and receiving data in wireless communication system and apparatus for performing the same
A method for transmitting and receiving data in a wireless communication system, performed by a first device, includes transmitting a first message including device connection information to at least one second device via a first network, receiving a response with respect to the first message from the at least one second device via the first network, transmitting a connection request message for requesting wireless connection of a second network to the at least one second device via the first network on the basis of the response, the connection request message including information regarding connection of a network indicating the second network, receiving a connection response message corresponding to a response with respect to the connection request message from the at least one second device via the first network, and transmitting and receiving data to and from a second device via the second network.
US09936447B2 Control of services at a cell level or a sector level
A device may connect to a base station included in a service provider network. The base station may serve a geographic area where the device is located. The device may receive service information associated with the base station. The service information may correspond to the geographic area served by the base station, and may include an access state associated with a service. The access state may indicate a manner in which the device is permitted to access the service via the base station. The device may provide information associated with the access state to cause the device to access the service in accordance with the access state.
US09936445B2 Session setup in an energy-efficient cellular wireless telecommunications system
The invention relates to a telecommunications system comprising at least a plurality of SA-cells. The invention provides a method for a terminal to facilitate establishment of a data connection between the terminal and at least one of the SA-cells. The method includes steps of, while the terminal is in an idle mode, the terminal transmitting an information request message (IRM) for the plurality of SA-cells and receiving, from each SA-cell of one or more SA-cells of the plurality of SA-cells, a message comprising at least information indicative of a strength with which the each SA-cell received the IRM. The method further includes the step of, at least partially based on the messages received from the one or more SA-cells, the terminal selecting an SA-cell of the plurality of SA-cells for establishing the data connection between the terminal and the selected SA-cell.
US09936444B2 Exchanging configuration information wirelessly
Methods and systems for wireless stations to wirelessly exchange configuration information using the vendor specific field of management frames (e.g. Wi-Fi™ probe request frames, Wi-Fi™ beacon frames or Wi-Fi probe response frames). Each wireless station can then use the configuration information to configure itself for a particular application or task. For example, the wireless stations may use the configuration information to determine the appropriate topology of a collection of wireless stations for the application or task. Using the management frames to exchange configuration information allows the wireless stations to exchange configuration information without being fully connected to a wireless network. This then allows the wireless stations to exchange configuration information while they are operating in a low-power mode (e.g. in a mode where the network stack is disabled).
US09936440B2 Systems and methods for automatic transmission rate control in a vehicle-based wireless network
Techniques for distributing content to mobile computing devices, such as in the context of a vehicle-based wireless network, are described. In some examples, a collection of vehicle-mounted devices forms a cooperative wireless network to distribute content items throughout the network. The devices in the network automatically and independently vary the transmission rates in order to optimize or at least improve throughput, network connectivity, and/or range. Each device may determine a utilization level of a wireless communication channel. If the utilization level is below a threshold level, the device increases the transmission data rate of its transceiver, thereby decreasing range. If the utilization level is above a threshold level, the device decreases the transmission data rate of its transceiver, thereby increasing range.
US09936438B2 System and method for handling stray session requests in a network environment
An example method is provided in one example embodiment and may include receiving a session request for a user equipment (UE) at a node, wherein the session request includes a timestamp for the UE and a retry count; determining if the session request is a stray session request; and maintaining session information for an existing session for the UE at the node if the session request is a stray session request. The method can include identifying the received session request as a stray request if the timestamp received in the request is less than a timestamp stored for an existing session for the UE. The method can also include identifying the received request as a stray request if the timestamp received is equal to the timestamp stored for the existing session and if the retry count received is less than or equal to a retry count stored for the session.
US09936437B2 Method and device for transmitting data in WLAN system
Disclosed are a method and a device for transmitting data in a WLAN system. The method for transmitting data comprising the steps of: assigning a relay device an R-BSS AID resource for being allocated to a terminal connected an R-BSS from a main access point; and allocating, by the relay device, an AID to the terminal connected to the R-BSS within the R-BSS AID resource.
US09936436B2 Apparatus and method for setting wireless mesh network and computer-readable recording medium
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for setting a wireless network among a plurality of beacon devices constituting a mesh network and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for carrying out the method, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for measuring quality of service (QoS), which is a reference for setting a network path, and setting a path of a mesh network using the QoS, and a recording medium storing a computer program for carrying out the method.
US09936435B2 Call flow system and method for use in a VoIP telecommunication system
A method of establishing a communication link between a mobile terminal of a wireless network and a subscriber of a network, such as an enterprise network, and/or a residential network.
US09936429B2 Method and apparatus for setting up SCTP connection and X2 interface in wireless communication system
A method for processing, by a gateway, an X2 message in a wireless communication system, the method includes receiving, by the gateway, an X2 setup request message and first target information from a first eNodeB (eNB); transmitting, by the gateway, the received X2 setup request message to a second eNB based on the received first target information; receiving, by the gateway, an X2 setup response message and second target information from the second eNB; and transmitting, by the gateway, the received X2 setup response message to the first eNB based on the received second target information.
US09936428B2 Wireless local area network offloading through radio access network rules
Methods, systems, and devices are described for Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) offloading through radio access network rules. In one embodiment of a method of wireless communication, a mobile device may determine that Radio Access Network (RAN) assistance information is unavailable, the RAN assistance information including a first set of thresholds for switching a Packet Data Network (PDN) connection of the mobile device from a WLAN to a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN). The mobile device may further access a second set of thresholds based at least in part on the determining, and the mobile device may determine to switch the PDN connection from the WLAN to the WWAN based at least in part on the second set of thresholds.
US09936417B2 Method and system for optimizing bandwidth utilization in an in-home network
Methods and systems for optimizing bandwidth utilization in an in-home network may comprise determining usage and/or quality of communication links operating in accordance with first and second communication protocols in a multi-protocol wired and wireless network. Data communication may be routed from a first communication link operating in accordance with the first communication protocol to a second communication link operating in accordance with the second communication protocol, based on the determining. The first communication protocol may comprise a multimedia over cable alliance (MoCA) standard and the second communication protocol may comprise an IEEE 802.11x standard. The determining and routing may be performed by a MoCA network controller. The first communication protocol may comprise an IEEE 802.11x standard and the second communication protocol may comprise a MoCA standard. The rerouting may increase bandwidth usage efficiency and/or data throughput of the network. The determining and rerouting may be performed dynamically.
US09936414B2 Enabling long-term-evolution/wifi coexistence
Systems and methods for improving Long Term Evolution (LTE)-WiFi coexistence in a network, including configuring one or more LTE nodes for asynchronous access and synchronous transmission to bridge LTE and WiFi access modes. A channel is reserved for LTE transmission in the one or more LTE nodes, and a supplementary WiFi module is provided in the one or more LTE nodes for sensing the channel for occupancy and for broadcasting a reservation signal on the channel prior to the LTE transmission. Contention window sizes are scaled linearly by increasing the contention window sizes proportionally to a subframe collision rate to maintain throughput fairness to the WiFi, and synchronous transmission from the one or more LTE nodes to one or more User Devices (UEs) is performed by activating the unlicensed carrier for a reserved time period.
US09936413B2 Radio measurement collection method and radio terminal
A radio measurement collection method using UE configured to perform a process of retaining a measurement log including a measurement result of a radio environment according to a measurement configuration set by a measurement configuration message received from a network includes a step S109 in which the network transmits a UEInformationRequest message to request a transmission of the measurement log to the UE, and a step S110 in which the UE transmits a UEInformationResponse message to transmit the measurement log to the network. In step S110, the UE transmits the UEInformationResponse message to the network even when the measurement log is not retained.
US09936411B2 Method for radio resource measurement in wireless access system supporting carrier aggregation, and apparatus supporting same
The present invention relates to methods for making radio resource measurements in synchronized cells when quasi co-location is applied, and to apparatuses supporting same. A method for a terminal for making radio resource measurements (RRM) in a wireless access system according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise the steps of: receiving an upper level signal comprising a reference signal for channel state information (CSI-RS) of a first cell, and quasi co-location (QCL) information for a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) and/or CSI-RS of a second cell; receiving the CRS and/or CSI-RS of the second cell on the basis of the QCL information; and measuring a first RRM for the first cell by means of the CRS and/or the CSI-RS of the second cell.
US09936410B2 Method and device for reporting channel quality information
A method and a device for reporting channel quality information are provided by the present invention, the method comprising that: measuring, by a user equipment (UE), Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS) according to the configuration information of the CSI-RS, to acquire a downlink channel transport matrix (101); determining, by the UE, Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) of a frequency domain reporting unit according to the number of CSI-RS ports and the corresponding transmission scheme of the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) used when determining the CQI, and the downlink channel transport matrix acquired by measurement (102); reporting, by the UE, the determined CQI to network side (103). The present invention can realize measurement and reporting of CSI-RS-based channel quality information on the basis of non-Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI) feedback transmissions.
US09936408B2 Communication method in consideration of carrier types and apparatus for same
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for a terminal to receive a downlink signal in a wireless communication system and to an apparatus for same, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a base station, a first piece of information indicating the start point of a multicast broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) signal, receiving an MBSFN subframe having a plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, and receiving the MBSFN signal from an OFDM symbol indicated by the first piece of information in the MBSFN subframe.
US09936404B2 Methods and apparatuses for fast recovery
The invention introduces a method and an apparatus for fast recovery. The fast recovery method comprises: evaluating data download qualities of non-current RATs (Radio Access Technologies) to obtain a candidate RAT list; determining whether a PS (Packet Service) download quality of a current RAT becomes worse; and if the PS download quality of the current RAT becomes worse, selecting one RAT from the candidate RAT list and switching to the selected RAT. The method and the apparatus for fast recovery introduced by the invention realize the seamless RAT switch and maintain the continuous data transmission.
US09936402B2 Methods and systems for managing relays in LTE based communication networks
Methods and systems for managing relays in LTE based communication networks. Embodiments herein use of a packet handler node and an additional radio interface in the UE, enabling the creation of an overlay network on top of an existing LTE network. The overlay network helps in the transfer of data between the UE and the AS even when the UE is not directly connected to the LTE network by encapsulating the data from the out-of-coverage UE within the IP packet of at least one nearby relay UE connected to the LTE network and is then forwarded to the LTE core network. The out-of-coverage UE uses the additional radio interface to send packets to the relay UE.
US09936401B2 Systems and methods for high rate OFDM communications
Messages transmitted between a receiver and a transmitter are used to maximize a communication data rate. In particular, a multicarrier modulation system uses messages that are sent from the receiver to the transmitter to exchange one or more sets of optimized communication parameters. The transmitter then stores these communication parameters and when transmitting to that particular receiver, the transmitter utilizes the stored parameters in an effort to maximize the data rate to that receiver. Likewise, when the receiver receives packets from that particular transmitter, the receiver can utilize the stored communication parameters for reception.
US09936400B2 Channel selection in a shared communication medium
Techniques for channel selection in a shared communication medium are disclosed. A communication apparatus may include one or more transceivers, a processor, and memory coupled to the processor and configured to store data and/or instructions. The one or more transceivers may be configured to monitor signaling on a plurality of available channels associated with a communication medium. The processor may be configured to determine an interference level for each of the plurality of available channels based on the monitored signaling, determine that the interference level for each of the plurality of available channels is greater than a first threshold, determine whether a triggering condition is met, and select the first channel of the plurality of channels as an operating channel for a primary radio access technology based on the triggering condition being met, the first channel having an interference level that is greater than a second threshold.
US09936395B2 Communication system, communication device, program and communication control method
There is provided a communication system comprising: a first communication device that senses a communication environment surrounding the first communication device; a second communication device that acquires sensed data sensed by the first communication device; and a third communication device that determines availability of usage of a second communication service using a part or whole of a spectrum assigned to a first communication service based on the sensed data transmitted from the second communication device.
US09936394B2 Method for processing data after unlicensed spectrum is released, and user equipment
A method for processing data after an unlicensed spectrum is released, and user equipment are disclosed. The method includes: when user equipment determines that a base station has released an unlicensed spectrum, monitoring, by the user equipment, release time for which the unlicensed spectrum is released a release time for which the unlicensed spectrum is released; when the release time does not exceed a time threshold, pausing, by the user equipment, a data processing process attached to the unlicensed spectrum, and resuming the data processing process after the base station re-acquires the unlicensed spectrum; and when the release time exceeds the time threshold, terminating, by the user equipment, the data processing process attached to the unlicensed spectrum, and selecting a licensed spectrum to start a new data processing process, or after the base station re-acquires the unlicensed spectrum, starting a new data processing process.
US09936393B2 Method of radio resource scheduling in unlicensed spectrum and related apparatuses using the same
The disclosure is directed to a method of radio resource scheduling in an unlicensed spectrum and related apparatuses using the same method. In one of the exemplary embodiments, the method would include not limited to transmitting a node control information which may include an occupancy pattern of a radio resource of the unlicensed spectrum before receiving an occupancy notification; transmitting an equipment control information which comprises the occupancy pattern of the radio resource of the unlicensed spectrum before receiving the occupancy notification; transmitting a packet data by using the radio resource of the unlicensed spectrum before receiving the occupancy notification; and receiving the occupancy notification which informs an availability of the radio resource of the unlicensed spectrum.
US09936390B2 Method and apparatus of triggering applications in a wireless environment
Receive a first device identifier from a first computing device; determine whether the first device identifier matches the second device identifier stored in a database at the second computing device; locate first user data associated with the first device identifier in the database of the second computing device based on a match; transmit the first user data to the first computing device based on a location of the first user data associated with the first device identifier; select an application to automatically launch on the first computing device based on application information within the first user data; update a user data list with the first user data, wherein the user data list is associated with the application and is stored at the second computing device; and launch the application on the first computing device, wherein the application uses second user data determined from the user data list.
US09936389B2 Methods and systems for preventing a user input device from controlling user equipment
Methods and systems for preventing a user input device from controlling the user equipment are described herein. The method includes receiving, over a first communication path, by a user equipment, data indicative of a first request to restrict control by the user input device over the user equipment. The method includes disregarding a first command from the user input device response to receiving the first request. The method includes receiving, over the first communication path, data indicative of a second request to restore control by the user input device over the user equipment. The method includes receiving a second command from the user input device, the second command intended to alter a second setting of the user equipment, in response to receiving the second request. The method includes altering the second setting of the user equipment in response to receiving the second request and the second command.
US09936387B2 System and method for administration and operation of one or more mobile electronic communications devices
A system for managing mobile electronic communications devices includes a user directory database configured to hold authentication data associated with at least one user, an authentication authority communicatively connected to the user directory database, an administration server configured to send and receive command messages with at least one mobile electronic communications device, a messaging server configured to send and receive communications messages with at least one mobile electronic communications device, and the authentication authority, administration server, and messaging server are configured to send and receive data via a data communications network. The authentication authority accepts or denies authentication data for a user received from at least one mobile electronic communications device, stores status information corresponding to authenticated users in the user directory database, and stores an association between each authenticated user and each mobile electronic device that sent authentication data for an authenticated user in the user directory database.
US09936384B2 Systems and methods for providing security to different functions
Methods and systems are provided that use smartcards, such as subscriber identity module (SIM) cards to provide secure functions for a mobile client. One embodiment of the invention provides a mobile communication network system that includes a mobile network, a mobile terminal, a server coupled to the mobile terminal via the mobile network, and a subscriber identity module (SIM) card coupled to the mobile terminal. The SIM card includes a first key and a second key. The first key is used to authenticate an intended user of the mobile terminal to the mobile network. Upon successful authentication of the intended user to the mobile network, the mobile terminal downloads a function offered from the server through the mobile network. The second key is then used by the mobile terminal to authenticate the intended user to the downloaded function so that the intended user can utilize the function.
US09936380B2 Predictive pairwise master key caching
A client device is authenticated in a wireless local area network using a pairwise master key when the client device associates to a first access point. A set of neighbor devices to the client device is generated. The set includes less than a total number of access points in the wireless local area network. The pairwise master key is distributed to the neighbor devices such that the pairwise master key is not distributed to access points outside of the set of neighbor devices. Data representing the set of neighbor devices for the client device is maintained.
US09936379B2 Mobile device and method of information transmission
A mobile device and information transmission method are provided. The information transmission method is applied to the mobile device in M2M communication and includes the steps of determining whether a base station and the mobile device support transmission of capability information of the mobile device by a General Extension Message; and determining whether the capability information of the mobile device is changed when the base station and the mobile device support transmission of the capability information by the General Extension Message, wherein when the capability information of the mobile device is changed, the changed capability information is tied up with a Registration Message and transmitted to the base station by the General Extension Message.
US09936378B2 Device and method of handling non access stratum procedure
A communication device of handling a Non Access Stratum procedure comprises instructions of accessing a first network by using the first IMSI; transmitting a first NAS request message to the first network by using the first IMSI; receiving a NAS response message comprising a timer value and a cause value from the first network; starting a timer for the first IMSI with the timer value; not transmitting a second NAS request message to the first network by using the first IMSI, if the timer is running for the first IMSI; changing from the first IMSI to the second IMSI without removing the USIM; keeping the timer running, after changing to the second IMSI; accessing a second or the first network by using the second IMSI; and transmitting a third NAS request message to the second or the first network by using the second IMSI, when the timer is running.
US09936376B2 Adaptive D2D discovery operations
First and second level discovery messages for device-to-device discovery are determined to be going to be transmitted, resource(s) are requested for transmission of at least the second level discovery message, and allocated resource(s) of a second type are received. The first level discovery message is transmitted on either a selected resource of the first type or a selected one of the allocated resource(s). The second level discovery message is transmitted on a selected one of the more allocated resource(s) of the second type, A first level discovery message is received on a resource of either a first type or a second type. It is determined whether the received message is of interest or not and if the message is of interest, then it is determined whether a second level discovery message is available and if so, the second level discovery message is received on a resource of the second type.
US09936374B2 Radio communication apparatus, radio communication method, computer-readable medium, slave device, and master device
In CE4, a communication terminal transmits data including a latency_off value “1”. After receiving the data, an environment information measuring apparatus transmits data since a latency counter value is “0”. The latency counter value becomes “2” and a latency_off counter value becomes “1”. In CE5, the communication terminal transmits data including a latency_off value “0”. Since each of the latency counter value and the latency_off counter value is not “0”, the environment information measuring apparatus does not receive the data from the communication terminal. The latency counter value becomes “1” and the latency_off counter value becomes “0”. In CE6, since the latency_off counter value is “0”, the environment information measuring apparatus receives the data from the communication terminal.
US09936369B2 System and method for differential peak signaling
A system and method of operating a device in a wireless communication network including a plurality of user equipment UEs and a BS, including a first device generating a signaling message defining resource elements (REs) as an encoded time slot (TS) and subcarrier pairing. A subset of the REs is encoded, such as to create a discovery signal configured to enable discovery of the first UE by a second UE or the BS. The UE is configured to engage in device-to-device communications, including device centric UEs operable in 5G networks.
US09936368B2 Method and system for discovery of devices in a wireless network with partial coverage
A method at a wireless device outside of base station control, the method comprising: transmitting a device presence signal for a predetermined time period; and listening for a network presence signal sent in response to the device presence signal. Further, a method at a wireless device, the method comprising: listening for a device presence signal; and transmitting a network presence signal in response to the device presence signal.
US09936364B2 Mobile device wireless identifier assignment for emergency calls
An emergency caller location system uses enterprise Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) location systems to provide more accurate location information on an emergency caller. A cellular telephone modifies its WLAN identifier, such as its Media Access Control (MAC) address, in response to a user initiating an emergency call. The MAC address is modified based on an identifier known to the cellular network, such as the phone number, subscriber name, International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI), International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI), and/or International Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID). The cellular telephone may additionally modify the probe timer of the WLAN interface to enhance the ability of the WLAN location system to determine the location of the device.
US09936363B2 Multi-standard in building mobile radio access network
A multi-standard indoor mobile radio access network having a centralized device is provided. In one embodiment of the present invention, a centralized device is configured to transmit a wake-up signal to a wireless device once the wireless device has entered a service area, wherein the wake-up signal triggers the downloading and/or opening of an application on the wireless device configured to determine whether a 911 call has been made. If a 911 call has been made, the application transmits a notification signal to the centralized device. In response thereto, the centralized device transmit location information of the wireless device to an emergency responder. The centralized device also transmits a “ping” to the wireless device during predetermined periods of time in order to keep the application open and/or installed on the wireless device.
US09936361B1 Filtering incoming messages of a dedicated short range communication system
Systems and methods for filtering received messages of a dedicated short range communications (DSRC) system are provided. A receiver module receives messages from at least one of a remote vehicle and an infrastructure system. A processing module determines at least one of a central processing unit (CPU) usage and a messages received frequency (MRF) of the DSRC system, determines a received signal strength (RSS) of a received message, determines whether the RSS of the received message is greater than a RSS threshold, and processes the received message in response to the RSS of the received message being greater than the RSS threshold. An RF filter control module adjusts an RSS threshold in response to at least one of the CPU usage being greater than a threshold CPU usage, the MRF being greater than a maximum threshold MRF, and the MRF being less than a minimum threshold MRF.
US09936355B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program
An information processing apparatus including a control unit configured to perform control to detect leaving of a user from the information processing apparatus and transmit at least part of context information exchanged with the user until then to another apparatus. The information processing apparatus can improve user-friendliness by detecting behavior of a user and linking data with each other in advance between equipment to be operated by the user.
US09936354B2 Communication coverage navigation
A processor may be configured to access mapping data for a route to a destination, as well as information associated with a mobile device that may include usage data of the mobile device, a user profile associated with the mobile device, or demographic data associated with a user of the mobile device. The route to the destination may be displayed along with an indicator of the predicted coverage for the mobile device along the route.
US09936348B2 Techniques for establishing and using associations between location profiles and beacon profiles
In one embodiment, techniques are provided to establish and use semantic associations between location profiles and ambient profiles. One or more location profiles are selected from a location database. A first plurality of ambient profiles is selected for a first area surrounding one or more geographic locations of the location profiles. One or more patterns are extracted from the first plurality of ambient profiles and are used to generate associations between location profiles and ambient profiles in an association database which semantically associates location profiles with ambient profiles independent of geographic location. The associations may be used, among other things, to service requests from mobile devices and/or update ambient profiles or location profiles.
US09936344B2 Managing location sharing requests
Systems, methods, devices and computer-readable storage mediums are disclosed for managing location sharing requests. In various implementations, a requesting device or a server computer in communication with the requesting device, receives a location sharing request associated with a user and, in response, sends a notification to a companion device associated with the user. A location of the companion device is received from the companion device together with a list of one or more devices associated with the user that are paired with the companion device and a connection status for at least one of the one or more paired devices. The connection status indicates if there is a direct communication link established between the paired device and the companion device. A notification is sent to each disconnected paired device based on the connection status. Each disconnected device that is worn or carried by the user responds with their location.
US09936339B1 System and method of using spatial and temporal signals to identify and prevent attacks
Systems and methods according to aspects of the invention verify requests for information over a network. Computing devices communicating over a network transmit numerous signals with various types of information including spatial information, temporal information, device-specific information, and transmission specific information. This information may be used to generate statistical records of valid request for information. Various combinations of these signals may be used to determine whether a request for information is a valid request based on the statistical records associated with the signals. Where a request for information has been verified, the system and method may provide the information. Where the request for information has not been verified, the system and method may deny the request for information. Thus the system and method may be used to prevent and block scraping and spamming attacks.
US09936333B2 Location and contextual-based mobile application promotion and delivery
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for selecting one or more mobile device applications using context data describing the current environment of a mobile device and application metadata describing environment conditions where applications are more likely to be relevant, in order to improve the experience of discovering, downloading, and installing mobile device applications. According to one embodiment, a method comprises associating metadata with mobile device applications automatically receiving context data representing a current geographical location from a mobile phone, searching the metadata to determine which applications are likely of interest based on the current geographical location, and transmitting notification data to the mobile phone indicating the determined applications.
US09936330B2 Methods for exchanging data amongst mobile applications using superlinks
In one embodiment, a server receives a first URL link from a first mobile device of a first user. In response to the first URL link, the server determines whether a first mobile application that is associated with the URL link has been installed at the first mobile device. If the first mobile application has not been installed at the first mobile device, interactive data of the first user with respect to the first URL link is collected and stored in an event database of the server. If the first mobile application has been installed at the first mobile device, first data that is associated with the first URL link is retrieved from the link database and a second URL link is generated, the second URL link including the first data embedded therein. The second URL link is transmitted to the first mobile device.
US09936324B2 System and method for generating spatial sound using ultrasound
A novel system and method for spatial sound generation is disclosed. A system and method for generating bodiless mid-air speakers includes the steps of: generating a modulated signal by modulating an ultrasonic carrier signal with an audio signal, determining a phase delay value for each ultrasonic transducer of an array of ultrasonic transducers with respect to one or more focal points, and driving each such ultrasonic transducer with the modulated signal in accordance with the phase delay value determined for each ultrasonic transducer to generate audible sound at the one or more focal points.
US09936322B2 Method for implementing surround sound using a plurality of vehicles
The present inventive concept relates to a method for implementing surround sound system using a plurality of vehicles, which implements the surround sound by outputting a sound source corresponding to a surround sound node of itself according to a synchronization signal after each vehicle located in a local area (AVN system: Audio, Video, Navigation system) identifies the surround sound node of itself based on its position.
US09936321B2 Method and device for applying dynamic range compression to a higher order ambisonics signal
Dynamic Range Control (DRC) cannot be simply applied to Higher Order Ambisonics (HOA) based signals. A method for performing DRC on a HOA signal comprises transforming the HOA signal to the spatial domain, analyzing the transformed HOA signal, and obtaining, from results of said analyzing, gain factors that are usable for dynamic compression. The gain factors can be transmitted together with the HOA signal. When applying the DRC, the HOA signal is transformed to the spatial domain, the gain factors are extracted and multiplied with the transformed HOA signal in the spatial domain, wherein a gain compensated transformed HOA signal is obtained. The gain compensated transformed HOA signal is transformed back into the HOA domain, wherein a gain compensated HOA signal is obtained.
US09936320B2 Test device and test method for microphone arrays
A transfer function calculation unit is configured to calculate a transfer function from a sound source installed in a predetermined target direction to each microphone of a microphone array, and a determination unit is configured to determine whether or not the microphone array is normal on the basis of a difference amount between a transfer function to each microphone and a predetermined ideal transfer function to each microphone.
US09936314B2 Insert member for a hearing device
An insert for a hearing device is disclosed. The insert member is a flexible sealing part configured to be inserted into the ear canal of a hearing device user. The insert member comprises at least one through-going hole permeable for sound generated by the hearing device, the sound being transmitted through the insert member to an eardrum of the hearing device user or the at least one through-going hole being configured to allow an acoustically active part of the hearing device to be releasably fastened thereto. The insert member comprises a bag structure containing a non-hardened shapeable material and wherein an opening for receiving a hardening member is provided in the bag structure. The non-hardened shapeable material is configured to be hardened by means of a temperature increment and/or electromagnetic radiation, such as UV radiation or a chemical reaction.
US09936313B2 Hearing aid system with positioning tool
A hearing aid attachment system includes a positioning tool and an interconnection unit. An upper surface of the interconnection unit has a second shape that matches a corresponding first shape of a cavity in the lower surface of the positioning tool so that the upper surface fits into the cavity with a second front surface of the positioning tool against and radially outside the front side of the interconnection unit, with the connection portion of the positioning tool connected to the connecting portion of the interconnection unit. The positioning tool is further configured to be removable from the interconnection unit without removing the interconnection unit from the skin.
US09936312B2 Acoustic output device with antenna
A hearing aid includes: a hearing aid component configured to be arranged at a head of a user, and away from an ear canal of the user, the hearing aid component configured to provide a signal to an earpiece; the earpiece configured to be arranged at the ear of the user, and configured to provide an acoustic output to the user; and a coupling element configured for coupling the hearing aid component and the earpiece, the coupling element having a tube and an electrically conducting element; wherein the electrically conducting element in the coupling element of the hearing aid is configured to operate as a part of an antenna for wireless communication, and wherein the electrically conducting element is configured for electromagnetic signal emission and/or electromagnetic signal reception.
US09936310B2 Wireless stereo hearing assistance system
A hearing assistance system having an audio signal wireless transmission unit for transmitting a stereo audio signal with left and right ear channels, a first ear unit for being worn at a user's ear and having a hearing instrument and a wireless audio signal receiver unit, the hearing instrument providing the first receiver unit with information as to which ear of the user the hearing instrument is being worn and information as to whether, or not, there is a like second ear unit. The first receiver unit is adapted to decide, depending on the received information as to which ear the first hearing instrument is fitted and whether a second ear unit is worn at the other ear, to receive one of the right and left ear channels, and, in absence of a stereo channel, to supply the respective mono channel of the audio signal to the first hearing instrument.
US09936308B2 Hearing aid apparatus with fundamental frequency modification
A hearing aid apparatus includes a frequency analysis device configured to determine an instantaneous fundamental frequency value of a speech signal for a time portion of the speech signal. A statistical evaluation device is configured to determine an average fundamental frequency value of the speech signal over several time portions. A hearing aid apparatus further includes a fundamental frequency modifier that is configured to modify the instantaneous fundamental frequency value to a modified fundamental frequency value such that a difference or a quotient of the instantaneous fundamental frequency value is changed to the average fundamental frequency value according to a specific function. Thereby, a frequency range may be modified within which the fundamental frequency value varies. The hearing aid apparatus further includes a speech signal generator that is configured to generate, on the basis of the modified fundamental frequency value, a speech signal modified with regard to the fundamental frequency.
US09936307B2 Hearing aid communication system and hearing aid communication method thereof
A hearing aid communication system and a hearing aid communication method thereof are disclosed. The hearing aid communication method includes the steps of: determining whether a sound-providing apparatus is providing a sound signal; when the sound-providing apparatus is providing a sound signal, establishing a connection with a hearing aid; receiving the sound signal from the sound-providing apparatus for transmission to the hearing aid; and when the sound-providing apparatus stops providing the sound signal, breaking the connection with the hearing aid.
US09936302B2 Miniature sounder
Some embodiments of the present invention provide miniature sounder which includes a frame and a vibration system and a magnetic path system fixedly connected to the frame. The magnetic path system includes a lower clamping board, a primary magnet disposed on the lower clamping board, secondary magnets disposed on the lower clamping board and arranged around the primary magnet, and a cushion provided on the lower clamping board and located outside the secondary magnets, a gap being provided between two adjacent secondary magnets. The vibration system includes a voice diaphragm, a voice coil which drives the voice diaphragm to vibrate and generate a sound, and a vibrating diaphragm which elastically supports the voice coil. The vibrating diaphragm includes a first connecting portion connected to the voice coil, a second connecting portion connected to the cushion, and a corrugated rim connecting the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.
US09936298B2 MEMS component including a sound-pressure-sensitive diaphragm element and piezosensitive signal detection
For a MEMS component, in the layer structure of which at least one sound-pressure-sensitive diaphragm element is formed, which spans an opening or cavity in the layer structure and the deflections of which are detected with the aid of at least one piezosensitive circuit element in the attachment area of the diaphragm element, design measures are provided, by which the stress distribution over the diaphragm surface may be influenced intentionally in the event of deflection of the diaphragm element. In particular, measures are provided, by which the mechanical stresses are intentionally introduced into predefined areas of the diaphragm element, to thus amplify the measuring signal. For this purpose, the diaphragm element includes at least one designated bending area, which is defined by the structuring of the diaphragm element and is more strongly deformed in the event of sound action than the adjoining diaphragm sections.
US09936297B2 Headphone audio and ambient sound mixer
A headphone set can enable the substantially simultaneous output of two or more audio sources to a user. The audio from the multiple sources may be mixed so that a listener can hear and understand audio received from multiple audio sources. Thus, in certain embodiments, a user can consume media and also engage in conversation with other users or listen to ambient sounds, such as a telephone ringing or an alarm. Further, a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, can mix audio from multiple sources enabling a user to consume audio from the device while also listening to ambient sound or audio received from a source other than the device, using currently-available headphones.
US09936296B1 Device, system, and method for multimedia communications
A device for multimedia communications is disclosed herein. The device for multimedia communications includes a power supply, a stereo communication link, a left headset earpiece, and a right headset earpiece. The stereo communication link is configured to communicate at least one of audio signals and video signals over a left channel to the left headset earpiece and over a right channel to the right headset earpiece. The left and the right headset earpieces feature speakers and displays for playing audio and video signals together or independently.
US09936293B2 Sound reproduction apparatus, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a sound reproduction-correction method
According to one embodiment, a loudspeaker is provided in a case of an earphone. The case closes an external auditory canal extended from a tympanum of a listener. The earphone has an opening toward the external auditory canal. In an apparatus for generating a sound reproduction to the loudspeaker, a storage unit stores a correction filter in which a maximum of a gain at a frequency band lower than or equal to 10 kHz is larger than a maximum of a gain at a frequency band higher than 10 kHz. An acquisition unit acquires a first sound reproduction signal. A correction unit generates a second sound reproduction signal by convoluting the correction filter with the first sound reproduction signal. An output unit outputs the second sound reproduction signal to the loudspeaker.
US09936292B2 Spatial audio apparatus
An apparatus comprising: an input configured to receive at least one audio signal from a further apparatus; an input configured to receive at least one audio signal associated with the apparatus; an orientation/location determiner configured to determine a relative orientation/location difference between the apparatus and the further apparatus; an audio processor configured to process the at least one audio signal from the further apparatus based on the relative orientation/location difference between the apparatus and the further apparatus; and a combiner configured to combine the at least one audio signal from the further apparatus having been processed and the at least one audio signal associated with the apparatus.
US09936291B2 Spherical microphone array including a sound diffracting structure with cavity
A spherical microphone array that includes a sound-diffracting structure having a closed three-dimensional shape of at least one non-regular, regular or semi-regular convex polyhedron with congruent faces of regular or non-regular polygons and at least two omnidirectional microphones disposed in or on the sound-diffracting structure on an oval line whose center is disposed on a center line that subtends the center of one of the faces of the regular polygons.
US09936289B2 Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone array with dedicated amplifiers
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) acoustic sensors are implemented with dedicated preamplifiers. Provided implementations can comprise an array of MEMS acoustic sensor elements each having a dedicated preamplifier. A summation node can add outputs of each preamplifier and an analog to digital converter (ADC) can receive the summed outputs. Other implementations can comprise an array of MEMS acoustic sensors each having dedicated preamplifiers. Some of the preamplifiers receive an invert signal and an ADC can subtract inverted signals from non-inverted signals.
US09936280B1 Headphones system and method
A machine washable headband including a headphones system that is waterproof when submerged up to about one meter deep for up to about thirty minutes, the headphones system including a battery compartment, an electronics and control compartment, an inductive charging antenna, and a pair of speakers.
US09936271B2 System and method for pet behavioral identification
A system and method for behavioral analysis of a household pet. The system includes a sensor unit having at least one 3D accelerator sensor attached to the pet, a control unit connected with the 3D accelerator sensor and configured to collect acceleration data indicative of selected movements from the sensor. The control unit being configured to perform an initial analysis of the collected sensor data. The system further includes an analysis unit communicating with the control unit, the analysis unit configured to upload the collected sensor data and to receive additional data pertaining at least to the household environment and to the pet's historical condition and to define the pet's condition accordingly by neutralizing the additional data effects, wherein the data collection rate from the sensor is selected in accordance with at least the initial analysis results.
US09936267B2 System and method for decreasing an initial buffering period of an adaptive streaming system
System and methods for selecting one of the alternative streams of encoded media from a group of alternative streams of encoded media for use during start-up of playback of the encoded media in accordance with embodiments of this invention are disclosed. The systems and methods begin by determining an estimated stability period for a current bandwidth of a communicative connection between the playback device and a remote system providing the alternative streams of encoded. A test process is then performed on the streams of encoded media to select one of streams of encoded media that provides portions of said encoded media such that an underflow condition does not occur during the estimated stability period. The streaming of encoded media is then commenced by requesting the portions of encoded media be transmitted from the remote server using the selected stream.
US09936260B2 Content reproduction method and apparatus in IPTV terminal
An IPTV terminal is provided. It is possible to provide an additional service allowing a user to watch video content, in addition to a service for reproducing an audio file, by extracting metadata on the audio file if a reproduction command of the audio file is input, searching for the video content related to the audio file based on the extracted metadata, and receiving and reproducing the video content.
US09936259B2 Systems and methods for rendering text onto moving image content
A method for rendering text onto moving image content. The method comprises receiving a request to translate dialog associated with moving image content, transmitting an interface, transmitting a time-stamped transcription, and receiving a translation of the dialog.
US09936256B2 Receiver, reception method, transmitter and transmission method
Disclosed herein is a receiver including: a reception section adapted to receive AV, namely audio and visual content; a registration section adapted to register related content relating to the AV content based on control information included in an application program executed in response to the AV content; and a presentation control unit adapted to exercise control in such a manner that if the registered related content is selected, the selected related content is presented.
US09936255B2 Methods and apparatus to determine characteristics of media audiences
Methods and apparatus to determine characteristics of media audiences are disclosed. An example method includes creating a constraint matrix based on a first activity associated with a first characteristic of a population, the first activity associated with a second characteristic of the population, and a first combination associated with at least one of the first activity, the first characteristic, and the second characteristic. The example method includes creating a combination total set based on a first measurement for the first activity associated with the first characteristic and a second measurement for the first activity associated with the second characteristic. The example method includes computing a first entropy probability based on the constraint matrix and the combination total set. The example method includes estimating a first portion of the population that matches the first combination based on the first entropy probability.
US09936251B2 Television channel display device and method thereof
An Internet Protocol television system includes a set-top box that receives requests to display video streams being transmitted to a household. In response to the request, the set-top box provides a list of the video streams to a display device. The list includes options to terminate transmission of one or more of the streams. This allows a user to determine which video streams should be transmitted when bandwidth limitations are reached.
US09936250B2 Methods and apparatus to adjust content presented to an individual
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to adjust content presented to an individual are disclosed. An example method includes measuring, via sensors, responses of an individual to content during a first time, determining response classifications based on a comparison of the responses and respective thresholds, determining a first mental classification of the individual based on combining the response classifications, determining a baseline during the first time, measuring additional responses to the content during a second time, determining additional response classifications based on a comparison of the additional responses to respective additional thresholds, adjusting the baseline based on the additional responses in the second time, determining a second mental classification of the individual based on combining the additional response classifications, determining a mental state of a user based on a similarity of the first mental classification and the second mental classification, and modifying the content based on the mental state.
US09936249B1 Methods and apparatus to measure audience composition and recruit audience measurement panelists
Methods and apparatus to measure audience composition and recruit audience measurement panelists are disclosed. An example media device includes a memory including machine readable instructions, and a processor to execute the instructions to implement an analyzer to detect and decode a first code embedded in a video stream of media being presented by the media device. The first code contains first audience measurement data associated with the media. The instructions further implement a media output modifier to provide a second code for display in response to detecting the first code. The second code includes information that, when the second code is scanned with a portable device other than the media device, is to direct the portable device to a website to provide additional audience measurement data.
US09936248B2 Media content output control
Control, based upon one or more pre-determined and user-configurable criterion, the loudness or intensity of audio as output by a television or handheld mobile device.
US09936247B2 Method and apparatus for requesting data, and method and apparatus for obtaining data
Disclosed herein are methods and apparatuses for requesting and obtaining data, in which time information is generated by use of a first device, and a data request command requesting data output by a second device is generated at a time point indicated by the time information. The generated data request command is transmitted, wherein the data request command includes the time information.
US09936245B2 Digital television and method of providing graphical user interface using the same
A digital television (DTV) and a method of providing a GUI using the DTV are disclosed. The method of providing a GUI in a DTV comprises: first displaying an image on a display unit provided on the DTV; receiving a display command of a first GUI; and second displaying the image and the first GUI such that a different spatial depth is formed between the image and the first GUI according to the received display command.
US09936242B2 Merging content channels
A method for merging content channels is disclosed. The method includes identifying, by a processing device, target channels to merge into a result channel, wherein the result channel is formed in view of at least one set of users of the target channels viewing at least one of a same set or a similar set of content items from the target channels. The method further includes subscribing, by the processing device, the users of the target channels to the result channel and associating, by the processing device, the set of the content items of the target channels with the result channel.
US09936241B2 Method and apparatus for providing dynamic channel and content provisioning
An approach for implementing a content provisioning platform for accurate provisioning of one or more dynamic multicast data channels (e.g., eMBMS) for initiating multicast transmission of contents. The approach includes analyzing content usage data to determine content consumption trend data associated with a topic in a service area. The approach also includes selecting a content package based on the topic, the content consumption trend data, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the approach includes provisioning a dynamic multicast data channel for initiating a multicast transmission of the content package to a plurality of devices in the service area.
US09936240B2 Dynamic adjustment of electronic program guide displays based on viewer preferences for minimizing navigation in VOD program selection
Items of video content offered for viewing on a video-on-demand (VOD) platform of a digital TV service provider are each assigned a respective title and hierarchical address corresponding to hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories within which the title for the video content is to be categorized. The title is listed in a location of an electronic program guide (EPG) using the same categories and subcategories as its hierarchical address. Any TV subscriber can access the EPG and navigate through its categories and subcategories to find a title for viewing on the TV. The EPG dynamically adjust its display listings of each level of categories, subcategories, and titles in order to minimize the number of remote control keypresses needed for a viewer to navigate to a title of interest. In one basic form, the EPG display is reordered by listing more frequently visited categories or subcategories first, and other less frequently visited categories or subcategories lower on the listing or out-of-sight on another page of the display.
US09936237B2 Method and apparatus for distributing geographically restricted video data in a television system
A method for distributing geographically restricted video data in an internet protocol television system, the method including but not limited to determining at a television server computer at least three geographic restriction zones for the geographically restricted video data and instructions to determine at least three different duration time delays for each of at least three geographic restriction zones, wherein the at least three geographic restriction zones are based on physical proximity of a television client device to a geographic origin of the geographically restricted video data.
US09936234B2 Methods and apparatus to facilitate gathering of audience measurement data based on a fixed system factor
Methods and apparatus to adaptively gather audience information data are disclosed. The disclosed methods and apparatus monitor system factor(s) and select one or more sensors from a plurality of sensors positioned to gather audience measurement data based on the monitored factor(s). Thus, the disclosed methods and apparatus adapt to the conditions they face by selecting an amount and/or type of audience measurement data they gather.
US09936233B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving processes of a broadcast signal
A broadcast transmission apparatus is disclosed. The broadcast transmission apparatus includes a delivery object generator configured to generate at least one Delivery Object which is included in a content component of a service and recovered individually, a signaling information generator configured to generate signaling information providing discovery and acquisition of the service and the content component, and a transmitter configured to transmit the at least one Delivery Object and the signaling information through a unidirectional channel.
US09936228B2 System and method for asynchronous uploading of live digital multimedia with guaranteed delivery
A system for asynchronous uploading of live digital multimedia with guaranteed delivery is provided. The system comprises a video encoder and a remote server, wherein the video encoder includes instructions for acquiring video and audio, encoding the video and audio, creating a manifest file, storing the manifest file, adding the manifest file to an upload queue, creating a segment file, storing the segment file, adding the segment file to the upload queue, initiating at least one upload worker thread, taking a first file from the upload queue, attempting to transmit the first file to the remote server, determining if an instability with the connection to the remote server exists, and, if so, repeating the attempting and determining steps, executing a data integrity test on the first file upon a successful upload of the first file, and repeating, if the data integrity test fails, the attempting, determining, and executing steps.
US09936227B2 Entropy coding of motion vector differences
An entropy decoder is configured to, for horizontal and vertical components of motion vector differences, derive a truncated unary code from the data stream using context-adaptive binary entropy decoding with exactly one context per bin position of the truncated unary code, which is common for horizontal and vertical components of the motion vector differences, and an Exp-Golomb code using a constant equi-probability bypass mode to obtain the binarizations of the motion vector differences. A desymbolizer is configured to debinarize the binarizations of the motion vector difference syntax elements to obtain integer values of the horizontal and vertical components of the motion vector differences. A reconstructor is configured to reconstruct a video based on the integer values of the horizontal and vertical components of the motion vector differences.
US09936225B2 Coefficient coding harmonization in HEVC
Coefficient coding for transform units (TUs) during high efficiency video coding (HEVC), and similar standards, toward simplifying design while enhancing efficiency. Elements of the invention include coefficient coding for TUs with up-right diagonal scans being modified, and selectively applying multi-level significance map coding.
US09936224B2 Method and apparatus for intra mode coding
A method and apparatus of predictive Intra coding of a block are disclosed. In one embodiment according to the present invention, a same set of Intra prediction modes is used for PUs corresponding to different block sizes including a 4×4 block size and at least one other block size. In another embodiment of the present invention, the number of Intra prediction modes in the set is reduced by removing at least one Intra prediction mode from the set. For example, when the set of 35 Intra prediction modes is used, intraPredMode corresponding to 18, 34, or 26 can be removed. The current Intra prediction mode can be coded predictively based on said one or more neighboring PUs, wherein the current Intra prediction mode is predicted using 2 most probable modes (MPMs) and 32 remaining modes. The 32 remaining modes can be represented using 5-bit fixed length codes.
US09936219B2 Method and apparatus for processing video signals
According to the present invention, a method for processing video signals can determine an interview motion vector of a current block using an interview motion vector of a temporal neighboring block in consideration of a global motion vector. The present invention can obtain an accurate interview motion vector according to obtaining the temporal neighboring block of the current block in consideration of a motion change according to output sequence information and accordingly, can increase the accuracy of inter-prediction.
US09936217B2 Method and encoder for video encoding of a sequence of frames
A method and encoder for video encoding a sequence of frames is provided. The method comprises: receiving a sequence of frames depicting a moving object, predicting a movement of the moving object in the sequence of frames between a first time point and a second time point; defining, on basis of the predicted movement of the moving object, a region of interest (ROI) in the frames which covers the moving object during its entire predicted movement between the first time point and the second time point; and encoding a first frame, corresponding to the first time point, in the ROI and one or more intermediate frames, corresponding to time points being intermediate to the first and the second time point, in at least a subset of the ROI using a common encoding quality pattern defining which encoding quality to use in which portion of the ROI.
US09936216B2 Video-encoding method and video-encoding apparatus using prediction units based on encoding units determined in accordance with a tree structure, and video-decoding method and video-decoding apparatus using prediction units based on encoding units determined in accordance with a tree structure
Provided are a method and apparatus for encoding a video and a method and apparatus for decoding a video. The encoding method includes: splitting a picture of the video into one or more maximum coding units; encoding the picture based on coding units according to depths which are obtained based on a partition type determined according to the depths of the coding units according to depths, determining coding units according to coded depths with respect to each of the coding units according to depths, and thus determining coding units having a tree structure; and outputting data that is encoded based on the partition type and the coding units having the tree structure, information about the coded depths and an encoding mode, and coding unit structure information indicating a size and a variable depth of a coding unit.
US09936214B2 Geospatial media recording system
A computer implemented geospatial media recording system which receives a global positioning signal from a global positioning system, a video stream from a video recorder and an audio stream from an audio recorder and encodes the global positioning system signal as global positioning data continuously embedded at intervals in the video stream or the audio stream at a frequency at the upper end or outside of the human audible range as a combined data stream which by operation of a geospatial media program can be concurrently displayed as a video in a first display area with a geospatial representation in second display area on a display surface with a plurality of coordinate location indicators located in the geospatial representation each at the coordinate location associated with the global positioning data embedded in the video.
US09936212B2 Video encoding device, video decoding device, video encoding method, video decoding method, and program
A video encoding device includes: pixel bit length increasing means for increasing a pixel bit length of an input image based on pixel bit length increase information; transform means for transforming output data of the pixel bit length increasing means; entropy encoding means for entropy-encoding output data of the transform means; non-compression encoding means for non-compression-encoding input data; multiplexed data selection means for selecting output data of the entropy encoding means or output data of the non-compression encoding means; and multiplexing means for multiplexing the pixel bit length increase information in a bitstream, wherein a pixel bit length of an image corresponding to the output data of the entropy encoding means and a pixel bit length of an image corresponding to the output data of the non-compression encoding means are different from each other.
US09936210B2 Moving picture coding apparatus and moving picture decoding apparatus
A video encoder (70) for coding moving pictures comprising a buffer (16c) with a plurality of memory areas capable of storing frames composed of top fields and bottom fields, a motion estimation unit (19) operable to code, field by field, inputted pictures performing moving estimation and moving compensation by referring, field by field, to the picture data stored in a memory area, a motion compensation unit (16d), a subtractor (11), a transformation unit (13) and a quantization unit (14), a memory management unit (71) operable to manage, frame by frame, a plurality of memory areas, an inverse quantization unit (16a) and inverse discrete cosine transform unit (16b) operable to decode picture data in coded fields and store the picture data in the decoded field in any of the plurality of memory areas under the management by the memory management unit (71).
US09936208B1 Adaptive power and quality control for video encoders on mobile devices
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for improving encoding techniques for mobile devices by adaptively controlling a resolution or frame rate of content to reduce power consumption while maintaining image quality. For example, a local device may determine when the content may be downscaled without degrading a final image quality and may downscale the content prior to encoding and transmitting the encoded content to a remote device. The remote device may decode and upscale the content to the original resolution prior to displaying the content on a display. As downscaling the content is not power intensive, the local device may reduce a power consumption associated with encoding and transmitting the content to the remote device while maintaining the final image quality of the content.
US09936206B2 Distributed encoding of a video stream
A method includes receiving input at a computing device, where the input indicates a value of a local encoding parameter, indicates a value of a remote encoding parameter, and identifies a first subset of streams and a second subset of streams. The first subset and the second subset correspond to renditions of a video stream. The method further includes sending, to a media server, the first subset and the value of the remote encoding parameter, where the first subset includes a particular rendition of the video stream generated using a lossless encoding scheme, and wherein the media server is configured to generate the second subset of streams based on the value of the remote encoding parameter and based on the particular rendition.
US09936202B2 Method and apparatus for processing a video signal
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for encoding or decoding a video signal. The method for processing a video signal according to the present invention uses a merging mode in which prediction information on a neighbor unit is used instead of transmitting prediction information on the present unit, so as to improve coding efficiency. In this case, the number of available candidate units for merging among the units in a predetermined position is determined, and information for the merging mode is acquired on the basis of the number of the available candidate units for merging. The unit to be merged is determined using the information for the merging mode, and prediction information on the unit to be merged is acquired. The prediction value for the present unit is acquired using the prediction information on the unit to be merged, and the present unit is restored using the acquired prediction value.
US09936200B2 Rice parameter update for coefficient level coding in video coding process
Techniques are described for updating a value of a Rice parameter used to define Golomb codes for coefficient level coding. The Golomb codes defined by the Rice parameter may be used to code a remaining absolute value of a coefficient level for at least one coefficient in a coefficient group (CG). According to the techniques, the value of the Rice parameter is updated based on a selection of a minimum of either a maximum value of the Rice parameter or a variable increment of the value of the Rice parameter. The variable increment is determined based on the value of the Rice parameter and an absolute value of the coefficient level for the current coefficient being coded. Techniques are also described for adjusting the value of the Rice parameter used to define Golomb codes for coefficient level coding based on whether a transform is applied to a transform block.
US09936199B2 Encoding and decoding perceptually-quantized video content
Compared to traditional gamma-coded video, perceptually quantized video provides greater flexibility for the transmission and display management of high-dynamic range video, but it does not compresses as efficiently using existing standard codecs. Techniques are described to improve the coding efficiency of perceptually coded video by applying a color cross-talk transformation after the RGB/XYZ to LMS transformation. Such a transform increases luma and chroma correlation for color appearance models, but improves perceptual uniformity and overall coding efficiency for wide color gamut, HDR, signals.
US09936193B2 Device for generation of colored virtual three-dimensional images
A device for generation of three-dimensional images in the observer's eye using at least one two-dimensional display and an optical system with an adjustable focal length. The display generates planar images corresponding to the different depths of the designed three dimensional (3D) image and the images are then directed to at least one mirror or lens with the adjustable focal length synchronized to the particular image. The optical system generates virtual images at different virtual planes in such a way that the eye receives a complete 3D virtual image.
US09936192B2 Image processing method and apparatus
An image processing method and apparatus for a three-dimensional (3D) display device that may process image data for a first panel to generate an image for a second panel based 3D display device, is provided.
US09936191B2 Cockpit display systems and methods for generating cockpit displays including enhanced flight visibility indicators
Cockpit display systems and methods are provided for generating cockpit displays including symbology useful in assessing whether enhanced flight visibility requirements are satisfied during approach and landing. In one embodiment, the cockpit display system includes an Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) sensor configured to monitor a region forward of the aircraft for runway reference features, a cockpit display device on which an EFVS image is generated utilizing EFVS sensor data, and a controller coupled to the EFVS sensor and to the display device. The controller determines an enhanced flight visibility requirement for a runway approached by the aircraft, and then visually indicates on the EFVS image whether the enhanced flight visibility requirement is currently satisfied by, for example. generating an enhanced flight visibility indicator (EFVI) graphic on the EFVS image visually identifying a ground location beyond which the appearance of a runway reference feature satisfies the enhanced flight visibility requirement.
US09936190B2 Optical modulation device including liquid crystals, a driving method thereof, and an optical display device using the same
An optical modulation device is provided. The optical modulation device includes first and second plates facing each other, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second plates, and first and second electrodes. The liquid crystal layer includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. The first plate includes a first aligner. The second plate includes a second aligner. A first alignment direction of the first aligner and a second alignment direction of the second aligner are substantially parallel to each other. The first and second electrodes extend to cross each other. The first and second electrodes are insulated from each other. The second electrode extends to cross the second alignment direction. An angle θP formed between a vertical axis of the second alignment direction and an extending direction of the second electrode is a value between 5° and 45°.
US09936183B2 Playback device
A client (1) is provisioned with a content selection unit (13) for referencing description information (26), selecting content to be played in a certain period, and at the same time, and selecting content to be played at the next period from an id of a subset that is the same as the subset selected at the period, a request execution unit (14) for requesting the transmission of the selected content, and a content playback unit (15) for continuously playing the content transmitted in response to the request.
US09936181B2 Method and apparatus for projection of BIM information
A system for projecting an image, including layout information, on a surface in a building under construction has a projector mounted on a moveable support for supporting a worker at a work position in the building. The projector projects an image on a surface above the moveable support in response to an image signal defining the image to be projected. The image indicates the location of connectors, anchors, and holes to be affixed to, or cut through, the surface. A system determines the two dimensional position of the projector in the building, and a distance measuring system for determines the distance from the projector to said surface. A processor, responsive to a memory having stored building plan images, provides an image signal to the projector adjusted for the two dimensional location of the projector and for the distance from the projector to the surface.
US09936180B2 Projector and method for controlling the same
A projector calculates an input-output characteristic for converting a tone value of an input image so as to perform display in a given projectable luminance range in a display absolute luminance range of an input signal, in accordance with the brightness of the projection surface. An output signal is generated from the input signal and projected, based on the calculated input-output characteristic. With the disclosed projector, image data having an input luminance range that is different from the output luminance range can be appropriately displayed.
US09936177B2 Seamless tiled displays
A tile and tiled display system having at least two adjacent tiles each having a display screen with display pixels which are picture elements, whereby for colored displays each pixel is comprised of a plurality light emitting or light modulating elements. Each of the tiles has at least one first substrate of a first material and at least one first layer of a second material fixed to the first substrate where the thickness of the at least one first layer is less than the thickness of the first substrate; the coefficient of thermal expansion of the first substrate is less than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the at least one first layer and the distance between the at least two tiles is less than the size of a pixel on the display screen. The first substrates of adjacent tiles can be brought in mechanical contact.
US09936176B2 Image protection device and adjustment method
An image projection device includes: a light source for emitting a light beam; a mirror unit that includes a mirror for reflecting the beam and projects an image onto a surface by rotating the mirror about a rotational axis to scan the beam; and a controller for determining, according to a function representing a relationship between a shift amount, an emitting time of the beam, a position on the surface irradiated by the beam emitted at the emitting time, and a shift angle of the mirror from its position when it is not driven, the emitting time corresponding to a target position. The shift amount is a shift amount of a position of the beam incident on the mirror or a shift amount of a position of the source relative to an optical axis of light incident on the mirror without the shift amount and perpendicularly intersecting the rotational axis.
US09936171B2 Network fraud prevention via registration and verification
An apparatus for controlling fraud in a satellite signal delivery system. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a receive antenna for receiving at least one satellite signal, and a module, coupled to the receive antenna, for selectively delivering the at least one satellite signal to at least one receiver via an output of the module, wherein the module creates an association between the module and the at least one receiver upon installation of the at least one receiver to the output, such that the module delivers the at least one satellite signal to the at least one receiver only when the association is present.
US09936170B2 View handling in video surveillance systems
A content analysis engine receives video input and performs analysis of the video input to produce one or more gross change primitives. A view engine coupled to the content analysis engine receives the one or more gross change primitives from the content analysis engine and provides view identification information. A rules engine coupled to the view engine receives the view identification information from the view engine and provides one or more rules based on the view identification information. An inference engine performs video analysis based on the one or more rules provided by the rules engine and the one or more gross change primitives.
US09936167B2 Imaging device, imaging method, image processing device, and recording medium storing imaging program
An imaging device, an imaging method, and a recording medium storing an imaging program are provided. Each of the imaging device, imaging device, and the recording medium storing the imaging program outputs image data of an object on an image output unit, stores multiple levels of luminosity of the object in a memory in association with a plurality of set values that are referred to when image processing is performed on image data, specifies the level of luminosity of the object, selects one of the set values stored in the memory based on the level of luminosity specified by the specifying, and performs image processing on the image data output from the image output unit, based on the set value selected by the selecting.
US09936165B2 System and method for avatar creation and synchronization
A video communication system that replaces actual live images of the participating users with animated avatars. A method may include initiating communication between a first user device and a remote user device; receiving selection of a new avatar to represent a user of the first user device; identifying a new avatar file for the new avatar in an avatar database associated with the first user device; determining that the new avatar file is not present in a remote avatar database associated with the remote user device; and transmitting the new avatar file to the remote avatar database in response to determining that the new avatar file is not present in the remote avatar database.
US09936164B2 Media control method and device
A media control method and device are presented. The method includes obtaining media information and receiving a session request sent by the user equipment; obtaining, according to a media object identifier carried in a media control policy, attribute information of a media object corresponding to the media object identifier carried in the media control policy, from the media information, and obtaining a session identifier and channel information that are corresponding to the media object identifier carried in the media control policy, from the session request; and sending a media operation instruction included in the media control policy, the obtained attribute information of the media object, and the obtained channel information to the user equipment that sends the session identifier, where the media operation instruction is used to instruct the user equipment to operate the received attribute information of the media object and the received channel information.
US09936163B1 System and method for mirror utilization in meeting rooms
A video-enabled communication system that includes a processor, coupled with a camera, the camera acquiring an image of an object of interest during a video communication session and a computer readable medium, coupled with the processor, comprising instructions that cause the processor to select a reflected image of the object of interest for use in providing image information to a remote endpoint for display to another participant, wherein the reflected image is a reflection of the object of interest in a mirror having a line-of-sight to the camera.
US09936161B1 Video visitation for the cognitive and/or dexterity impaired
Providing video visitation with cognitive and/or dexterity impaired individuals may call for limiting functionality of a personal cognitive and/or dexterity impaired individual communication and/or media device, such as by an operating system of the personal device. The personal device may play audio and video, accept video communications in response to touching of a screen of the personal device, and establish a video communication in response to such touching of the screen. Providing the video visitation may also include receiving a request to initiate a video communication over the personal device with a cognitive and/or dexterity impaired individual, such as may be requested via a visitor communication and/or media device. Whereupon, an audible message may be played by the personal device, indicating the request, and the video communication between the personal device and the visitor device may be established in response to touching of the screen of the personal device.
US09936158B2 Image processing apparatus, method and program
The present invention enables automatic generation of an image in which only an impressive color is kept, without requiring a complicated operation. A digital camera 100 divides an image obtained by an imaging unit 20 into regions based on color information and luminance information, and determines a characteristic object in accordance with a characteristic degree of each region into which the image is divided. Further, a region for keeping a color is set in which the color of the characteristic object is to be kept. A color conversion process is then performed so as to keep the color of the characteristic object in the region for keeping a color, and to change colors of the other regions to an achromatic color.
US09936156B2 Volume adjusting apparatus and method
The present invention consists of a volume adjusting apparatus and method which automatically regulates a volume output of an electronic device. The volume adjusting apparatus comprises a microprocessor for detecting the volume output of the electronic device, a memory unit for storing the volume output received in the microprocessor, a wireless transmitter for transmitting a plurality of command signals to the electronic device and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit further configured to transmit via the wireless transmitter the plurality of command signals to the electronic device. At least one recall button installed with the volume adjusting apparatus enables a user to maintain the same average volume across all channels. The method effectively ensures a volume consistency by adjusting the volume on a current television channel based on the volume of previous channel of the electronic device.
US09936155B2 Apparatus and method for configuring access in a wireless network
According to one embodiment, a method for access configuration in a wireless network includes acquiring authentication information of a digital device and information needed to access an Access Point (AP) of the digital device, from a Radio Frequency IDentifier (RFID) tag, and accessing the AP.