Document Document Title
US09943401B2 Therapeutic device for pain management and vision
A therapeutic lens for the treatment of an epithelial defect comprises a layer of therapeutic material disposed over the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane to inhibit water flow from the tear liquid to the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane, such that corneal deturgescence can be restored to decrease corneal swelling and light scattering. The layer may cover and protect nerve fibers to decrease pain. The layer may comprise an index of refraction to inhibit light scatter from an anterior surface of the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane. The lens may comprise a curved anterior surface that provides functional vision for the patient when the epithelium regenerates. The layer of therapeutic material can be positioned on the eye in many ways, for example with a spray that is cured to adhere the layer to the exposed surface of the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane.
US09943396B2 Embolic protection during percutaneous heart valve replacement and similar procedures
Various devices are described to provide filtering of flow from the aorta to the left carotid artery and the right carotid artery. The filters can be brought into a desired position through one or more peripheral arteries. A single filter device can provide the desired filtering or a plurality of devices can be used. In particular a single filter device can span between the brachiocephalic artery and the left carotid artery. These filter devices can be used effectively to capture emboli generated during procedures on the heart so that emboli do not travel to the patient's brain where the emboli can cause a stroke or other adverse event. In particular, these filters can be used during percutaneous procedures on the heart, such as endovascular heart valve replacement.
US09943395B2 Deflectable intravascular filter
Single filter and multi-filter endolumenal methods and systems for filtering fluids within the body. In some embodiments a blood filtering system captures and removes particulates dislodged or generated during a surgical procedure and circulating in a patient's vasculature. In some embodiments a filter system protects the cerebral vasculature during a cardiac valve repair or replacement procedure.
US09943394B2 Hemostasis and closure methods utilizing mesh
A device for causing hemostasis includes a sheet of mesh stretchable between an expanded and a retracted configuration, a size of the sheet in the retracted configuration being selected to cover a target tissue site; a spring mechanism coupled to the mesh, the spring mechanism moving between an expanded configuration and a retracted configuration when the mesh is moved between the expanded and retracted configurations; and a plurality of hooks coupled to the mesh and oriented to extend into tissue to lock the mesh in position when the mesh is placed in a desired position over the target tissue site in the expanded configuration. The hooks are lockingly engaging the target tissue so that, after the hooks have lockingly engaged the tissue, the spring mechanism reverts to the retracted configuration drawing the engaged portions of tissue radially inward.
US09943392B2 Implants, tools, and methods for treatment of pelvic conditions
An adjusting and cutting tool including a distal end engageable with an elongate portion of an implantable article to facilitate manipulation of the elongate portion relative to a support portion of the implantable article and to facilitate cutting of the elongate portion. Also included is method of treating vaginal prolapse, the method including the steps of providing a multi-piece implantable article having at least one extension portion piece and a support portion piece, placing the support portion piece in contact with vaginal tissue, placing at least one extension portion piece in contact with tissue of a component of sacral anatomy, adjusting a position of the at least one extension portion piece relative to the support portion piece using a adjusting and cutting tool, and cutting the at least one extension portion with the adjusting and cutting tool.
US09943388B2 Substance inhalation system and method
A stand-alone chamber or multi-chamber inhalation system has at least two alternative vaporized test liquid supply systems for passive or self-administered delivery of vaporized test fluid and air to one or more test chambers based on operator selection of delivery on and off times in a passive mode or actuation of an actuator in the chamber by a test animal in a self-administered mode. In one case, a multiple inhalation chamber system has two or more separate test fluid delivery systems and provides options for selective passive uniform drug delivery to multiple chambers or selective delivery of two or more different drugs to different groups of chambers from different delivery systems so that two different drugs or different concentrations of delivered drugs can be tested simultaneously.
US09943387B2 Unmanned aerial vehicle-based system for livestock parasite amelioration
Parasites are detected and ameliorative actions taken using unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with sensors and equipment for dispensing treatment materials. Physical characteristic data obtained by the sensors is supplemented using a risk management module that increases the confidence level that the diagnosis of a particular parasite on an animal is correct. The risk management module may further be used to assess additional factors, such as the potential harm in applying a selected treatment, in the decision of whether or not to take ameliorative action.
US09943385B2 Manufacturing an inner structure for a ceramic implant and for a ceramic attachment element
A method for manufacturing an inner structure as an insertion geometry and/or as a rotation lock of a ceramic implant or of a ceramic attachment element. Thereby, a rotating disc for removing ceramic material is advanced in an advance direction of the rotating disc perpendicular to the rotation axis of the disc, into a proximally accessible surface of the ceramic implant or into an end surface of a ceramic attachment element.
US09943383B2 Biased pivoting slide orthodontic bracket
An orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body and a ligating slide. The bracket body includes an aperture and an archwire slot. The ligating slide is slidable relative to the archwire slot between an opened position and a first closed position and is pivotable to an angular position in a second closed position. The orthodontic bracket further includes a resilient member that is coupled to the ligating slide and is slidable in the aperture. The ligating slide defines a first height from the base surface having a first value, and in the second closed position, the ligating slide defines a second height from the base surface that is greater than the first value. The bracket body includes a slide support portion having at least one wing extending laterally therefrom. The wing is tapered in thickness. The slide support portion defines a pivot point about which the ligating slide is pivotable.
US09943382B2 Preventing interference between tooth models
Systems and methods are disclosed to prevent interference between two physical tooth models in a physical dental arch model by acquiring the coordinates of a plurality of points on the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models and digitally representing the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models by a mesh of points in three dimensions using the acquired coordinates. The meshes representing the surfaces of the two physical tooth models intersect at least at one point to form an overlapping portion. The method also includes calculating the depth of the overlapping portion between the two meshes to quantify the interference of the two physical tooth models.
US09943379B2 Laser-assisted periodontics
There is a need for a minimally invasive surgical treatment method for periodontitis for the removal of deep pockets, elimination of disease, creation of reattachment of the gingiva to the tooth surface and true regeneration of the attachment apparatus (new cementum, new periodontal ligament, and new alveolar bone) on a previously diseased root surface. The PerioLase® MVP-7™ including eGUI or another device capable of laser dosimetry, such as an original MVP-7™ type laser without the eGUI, achieves this with the LANAP protocol (laser-assisted new attachment procedure) and the LENAP protocol (laser excisional new attachment procedure).
US09943377B2 Methods, systems, and devices for causing end effector motion with a robotic surgical system
Various exemplary methods, systems, and devices for causing end effector motion with a robotic surgical system are provided. In general, a surgical tool can be configured to releasably and removably couple to a robotic surgical system. The robotic surgical system can include two motors configured to provide torque to the surgical tool to drive one single function of the surgical tool. In at least some embodiments, at least one of the two motors configured to cooperate with another motor to drive the single function of the surgical tool can be configured to drive a second function of the surgical tool.
US09943375B2 Wireless force sensor on a distal portion of a surgical instrument and method
A surgical instrument includes a distal portion. A force sensor is operatively mounted on the distal portion. The force sensor includes a wireless package, which wirelessly provides (1) identification information of the surgical instrument and (2) strain data related to the distal portion. A surgical end effector includes a jaw and the distal portion is on a non-contact portion of the jaw. The wireless package includes a surface acoustic wave strain sensor with identification information. The wireless package also includes a small folded antenna electrically coupled to the surface acoustic wave strain sensor with identification information. The identification information includes an identification of a type of surgical instrument and unique identification of the specific surgical instrument in the type of surgical instrument.
US09943374B2 Image guidance system for detecting and tracking an image pose
An image guidance system for tracking a surgical instrument during a surgical procedure. The image guidance system includes a plurality of cameras adapted to be located external to a surgical area for capturing images of optically visible patterns. A processing system receives and processes the images to recognize the patterns and triangulate the locations and orientations of each pattern relative to a camera. The processing system uses a reference dataset to recognize the patterns.
US09943372B2 Device having a wearable interface for improving laparoscopic surgery and methods for use thereof
A device for controlling an endoscope system for laparoscopic surgery. The device includes a wearable interface and an automated assistant for maneuvering an endoscope to a desired location, and at least one wearable operator. The wearable operator includes a transmitter that is in communication with at least one instrument. The system also includes a wireless receiver to receive signals from the transmitter and a computerized laparoscopy system that is in communication with the wireless receiver and that provides a visual depiction of a selected instrument.
US09943371B2 System for camera-based vital sign measurement
The present disclosure relates to the measurement of vital signs such as a respiratory rate or a heart rate. In particular, a system (1) for determining a vital sign of a subject (100), comprising an imaging unit (2) for obtaining video data of the subject, a marker (10, 20, 60, 61) directly or indirectly attached to a body of the subject, wherein the marker comprises a graphical pattern (11, 21), an image processing unit (3) for detecting said marker in said video data, and an analysis unit (4) adapted to extract a vital sign parameter related to the vital sign of the subject from said video data and to determine the vital sign from said vital sign parameter. Further aspects of the disclosure relate to a device and a method for determining a vital sign of a subject and a computer program for carrying out said method.
US09943368B2 Intense pulsed light apparatus capable of controlling enegy level with SCR
The present invention relates to an IPL apparatus that is used as a hair removing machine or cures skin ailments by periodically irradiating Xenon lamp light on the user's skin, the IPL apparatus comprises: a double-voltage unit which has a double-voltage capacitor, and outputs a high voltage by superposing an inputted supply voltage with a voltage charged in the double-voltage capacitor; a charging capacitor which charges energy for turning on a Xenon lamp by accumulating electric charges supplied from the double-voltage unit; a reference voltage generator which sets a charging voltage level charged in the charging capacitor; and a switch unit which is positioned between the double-voltage unit and the charging capacitor, and switches on and off the movement of the electric charges to the charging capacitor from the double-voltage unit by setting an output of the reference voltage generator to a control signal.
US09943367B2 System and method for monitoring ablation size
A system for monitoring ablation size is provided and includes a power source including a microprocessor for executing at least one control algorithm. A microwave antenna is configured to deliver microwave energy from the power source to tissue to form an ablation zone. An ablation zone control module is in operative communication with a memory associated with the power source. The memory includes one or more data look-up tables including data pertaining to a control curve varying over time and being representative of one or more electrical parameters associated with the microwave antenna. Points along the control curve correspond to a value of the electrical parameters and the ablation zone control module triggers a signal when a predetermined threshold value of the electrical parameter(s) is measured corresponding to the radius of the ablation zone.
US09943359B2 Limited reuse ablation needles and ablation devices for use therewith
A surgical instrument includes a reusable component and a limited-use component. The reusable component includes a first electrical contact. The limited-use component is releasably engagable with the reusable component. The limited-use component includes a second electrical contact configured to electrically couple to the first electrical contact to establish electrical communication between the reusable component and the limited-use component. The second electrical contact is movable from a first position, wherein the second electrical contact is positioned to electrically couple to the first electrical contact upon engagement of the limited-use component and the reusable component to one another, to a second position, wherein the second electrical contact is positioned to inhibit electrical coupling to the first electrical contact upon engagement of the limited-use component and the reusable component to one another.
US09943355B2 Smoke evacuation system for invasive surgical procedures
A smoke evacuation system for an open surgical site is disclosed which includes a filter cartridge assembly including a housing having an inlet port, a flow path extending from the inlet port, and a filter element disposed within the flow path, a flexible conduit having a proximal end connected to the inlet port of the filter assembly, and a smoke evacuator configured for detachable connection to a distal end of the flexible conduit for drawing smoke away from the surgical site and into the filter assembly through the conduit.
US09943354B2 Methods and devices for localized inhibition of inflammation by ablation
Provided herein are methods, systems, and devices for increasing IL-10 expression, inhibiting inflammation, and treating inflammatory conditions using thermal ablation.
US09943351B2 Woven retention devices, systems, packaging, and related methods
A kit for implanting a woven retention device into bone includes a woven retention device, a delivery tube, and a push rod. The woven retention device includes a distal end that is tapered to a distal tip, a proximal end for receiving a fastener, and a sleeve body between the distal and proximal ends. The delivery tube includes distal and proximal openings, and a compression portion over at least a distal end of the delivery tube. The push rod can be slideably received within the delivery tube and has a distal end for pushing the woven retention device through the distal opening of the delivery tube.
US09943350B2 Medical apparatus, and surgical method
A method for automated implantation of an implant or for an automated augmentation process of hard tissue and/or hard tissue replacement material using a sheath element is provided. The implantation apparatus includes a casing, a converter operable to generate mechanical vibrations the converter inside the casing and displaceable in a longitudinal direction relative to the casing, and a sonotrode coupled to an output location of the converter. A shaft portion with a retention structure is rotationally coupled to the casing and is equipped for cooperating with a rotationally asymmetric element of the sheath element to rotationally couple the casing to the sheath element. An axial coupling is equipped for locking the casing to the sheath element. The shaft portion, the axial coupling and the sonotrode are mutually arranged so that the distal end of the sonotrode may be introduced into a longitudinal opening of the sheath element.
US09943349B2 Orthopedic devices with a locking mechanism
Disclosed embodiments relate to an orthopedic device including a plate and a single-step self-locking mechanism. The plate includes one or more tapered apertures and a slot defined in a top surface of the plate, the slot extending from each aperture. The locking mechanism is slidably seated in the slot and is operable to be positioned in a first position along the slot where a portion of the locking mechanism extends over the aperture or positioned in a second position along the slot where the portion of the locking mechanism is fully retracted from the aperture.
US09943346B2 Lockable intramedullary fixation device
An orthopedic device is provided. The orthopedic device can include an intramedullary implant defining a longitudinal bore along a longitudinal axis. The intramedullary implant can define at least one bore formed along an axis for receipt of a fastener. The orthopedic device can include a fixation device receivable within the longitudinal bore. The fixation device can have at least one guiding bore formed along a guiding axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. The orthopedic device can include at least one collet received within the at least one guiding bore for positioning and locking the fastener at a variable angle relative to the guiding axis of the fixation device and the axis of the intramedullary implant.
US09943342B2 Methods for implanting a bone screw
A method for implanting a bone screw in a vertebra may first involve inserting the bone screw and a bone screw delivery mechanism through a proximal end of a guide tube along a first trajectory. A proximal end of the bone screw is attached to a distal end of the bone screw delivery mechanism, and a distal end of the guide tube is positioned adjacent the vertebra. The method may next involve advancing the bone screw and the bone screw delivery mechanism through a bend in the guide tube to cause the bone screw to exit the distal end of the guide tube along a second trajectory and contact the vertebra. The method may further involve rotating the delivery mechanism to cause the bone screw to screw into the vertebra and detaching the bone screw delivery mechanism from the bone screw.
US09943341B2 Retention plate member for a spinal plate system
A retention member for a spinal plate system where at least one or more segments of the retention member cover the head portion of a bone anchor member to inhibit movement of the bone anchor member that is inserted into the plate. The retention member allows for ease of insertion of the bone anchor member and once the bone anchor member is fully seated the retention member is in place.
US09943338B2 Coupling assembly for coupling a rod to a bone anchoring element, polyaxial bone anchoring device and modular stabilization device
A coupling assembly for coupling a rod to a bone anchoring element, and including a receiving part having a first end, a second end, and an accommodation space having an opening at the second end for inserting a head of the bone anchoring element, a pressure element insertable from the first end, positionable in the accommodation space, and configured to hold the head, the pressure element having at least one spring portion extending circumferentially around the pressure element and being radially compressible, and a rod receiving element separable from the pressure element, wherein in a first position, the spring portion is configured to engage an engagement structure at an inner wall of the receiving part to prevent movement of the pressure element towards the first end, and wherein the rod receiving element is configured to move the pressure element from the first position towards the second end.
US09943332B2 Insertion device systems and methods
An insertion device may include a device housing configured to be operatively engaged with and disengaged from a base, and engageable with an actuation device, the device housing having a carrier body supporting a piercing member. The carrier body moveable by a carrier body of the actuation device at least between a retracted position and an advanced position. The device housing having a section for supporting a portion of the carrier body of the device housing, the section moveable relative to the carrier body of the device housing to provide sufficient clearance to allow the carrier body of the device housing to be moved by the carrier body of the actuation device.
US09943330B2 Tissue-removing catheter with asymmetric window
A tissue-removing catheter for removing tissue from a body lumen includes an elongate catheter body configured for insertion into the body lumen and a tissue-removing element. A side opening in the distal portion of the catheter body is defined by opposite first and second side edges, a proximal edge extending between the first and second side edges, and a distal edge opposite the proximal edge and extending between the first and second side edges. The side opening window has a longitudinal axis extending between the distal and proximal edges. The tissue-removing element is configured to move between a tissue-removing position, in which the tissue-removing element is exposed through the side opening window, and a neutral position, in which the tissue-removing element is positioned inside the distal portion of the catheter. The distal edge is asymmetric about the longitudinal axis of the side opening window.
US09943329B2 Tissue-removing catheter with rotatable cutter
A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutting element. A radially innermost portion of the leading radial wall of a raised element of the cutting element may be spaced a radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is less than 66% of the radius of the annular cutting edge. The cutting element may be extendable through the window during operation such that as the cutting element is being rotated about its longitudinal axis, less than an entire radial portion of the leading radial wall passes through the window. A plurality of abrading members may be formed on at least the central portion of the inner surface of the cutting element to abrade hardened tissue as the cutting element is rotating about its longitudinal axis. A radially outermost portion of the leading radial edge of the raised element may be spaced apart radially from an inner surface of the cutting element.
US09943324B2 Surgical instrument, and medical kit for treating carpal tunnel syndrome
A surgical instrument providing a passage to upper and lower portions of the flexor retinaculum, comprises: a hollow cannular needle having an end capable of penetrating the skin; and a blunt rod which enters the cannular needle and moves under the skin in correspondence to the passage, wherein the cannular needle can move along the blunt rod moved under the skin so as to provide the passage to upper and lower portions of the flexor retinaculum.
US09943321B2 Methods and devices for removal of thromboembolic material
Methods and devices to remove thromboembolic material from the human body using rotational energy and aspiration are disclosed. A thromboembolic removal system includes an extraction device and drive unit. The extraction device is introduced to the treatment area and activated by the drive unit to separate, break apart, loosen or soften thromboembolic material and to facilitate its aspiration outside the patient.
US09943320B2 Femoral explant device
An apparatus for removal of a femoral implant may include a handle portion and a cutting blade opposite the handle portion. The cutting blade may include a cutting edge, wherein the cutting edge includes a non-linear shape to substantially match at least a portion of a profile of the femoral implant to be removed.
US09943318B2 Reciprocating rasps for use in an orthopaedic surgical procedure
Reciprocating rasps for the surgical preparation of the bone prior to the implantation of a glenoid or acetabular component with complex geometry are disclosed. Surgical methods for the use of such reciprocating rasps are also disclosed. Some of the methods include inserting a guide pin into the glenoid of the patient, advancing a reciprocating surgical rasp over the guide pin, reciprocating the surgical rasp so as to abrade bone tissue to form a cavity shaped to receive the glenoid component, and implanting the glenoid component in the cavity.
US09943316B2 Radial artery device
According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a vessel pressure control device configured for selectively applying pressure to a radial artery, the device comprising: a sensor configured to sense one or more parameters associated with blood flow through a portion of the radial artery; a pressure application element adapted to apply variable amounts of pressure to the portion of the radial artery; and a controller configured to apply logic and generate a signal to control the pressure application element in response to the one or more measured parameters, the signal controlling the pressure application element to modify or maintain the applied pressure so that at least some blood flow is maintained through the radial artery portion in an amount sufficient to reduce or prevent radial artery occlusion, and so that the applied pressure is sufficient to prevent bleeding from the portion.
US09943313B2 Detachable coil release system and handle assembly
A medical implant deployment system for placing an implant at a preselected site comprising a deployment system that includes a mechanical coupling assembly at the distal end of a delivery member that engages the proximal end of the implant and a release member having an extended configuration in which the release member cooperatively maintains the coupling assembly engagement with the implant proximal end and a retracted configuration where the release member allows the coupling assembly to disengage from the implant proximal end. An attachable handle assembly is provided to place the release member in the retracted configuration allowing the coupling assembly to disengage from the implant proximal end, thereby releasing the implant.
US09943308B2 Devices and methods for surgical suturing
An apparatus and a method for surgical suturing with thread management. An illustrative apparatus for tissue suturing includes a cartridge having a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis, a reciprocating needle drive, and an actuator capable of releasably engaging the needle drive to rotate the needle. A method for suturing tissue is provided that includes placing a suturing device having a cartridge containing a suturing needle to span at least one tissue segment, activating an actuator to cause rotational movement of the suturing needle through the at least one tissue segment, and deactivating the actuator to stop an advancing movement of the suturing needle to cause a suturing material to be pulled through the at least one tissue segment forming a stitch.
US09943307B2 Devices and methods for surgical suturing
An apparatus and a method for surgical suturing with thread management. An illustrative apparatus for tissue suturing includes a cartridge having a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis, a reciprocating needle drive, and an actuator capable of releasably engaging the needle drive to rotate the needle. A method for suturing tissue is provided that includes placing a suturing device having a cartridge containing a suturing needle to span at least one tissue segment, activating an actuator to cause rotational movement of the suturing needle through the at least one tissue segment, and deactivating the actuator to stop an advancing movement of the suturing needle to cause a suturing material to be pulled through the at least one tissue segment forming a stitch.
US09943295B2 Methods and systems for minimally invasive endoscopic surgeries
Methods and systems are provided for harvesting at least a portion of a blood vessel, such as the radial artery in the upper extremity and the saphenous vein in the lower extremity. In certain embodiments, an endoscopic surgical system includes a blunt tip trocar (BTT) for insertion into an incision in the extremity, a cannula for insertion through the BTT, a bisector/bipolar device, and an endoscope. The endoscope may have a dissection tip at its distal end for dissecting tissue from the blood vessel and, with the tip removed, may provide a visual field at its distal end. The endoscope is sized to fit into the cannula and provides visualization of the blood vessel during bisection with the bisector/bipolar device.
US09943290B2 Ultrasound probe and communication method thereof
Provided are an ultrasound probe and a communication method of the ultrasound probe capable of selecting an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and/or a wireless communication method that are most appropriate in an environment in which a plurality of ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses exist. A method of communicating with an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, performed by the ultrasound probe, includes operations of obtaining a plurality of pieces of information about ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses; displaying an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus list, based on the plurality of pieces of information about the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses; receiving an input for selecting an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus list; and wirelessly transmitting ultrasound image data to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, wherein the ultrasound image data is generated by the ultrasound probe.
US09943289B2 Color flow ultrasound imaging
An ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound transducer array that receives a set of echo signals produced in response to an ultrasound signal traversing flowing structure in a portion of a tubular structure of an object or subject in an imaging field of view. An image processor processes the set of echo signals and generates a structure image. A color flow processor processes the set of echo signals and generates a color flow image indicative of a flow of the flowing structure in the portion of the tubular structure, including a flow direction and a flow magnitude of the flowing structure. A color flow corrector corrects the color flow image for at least one of color noise artifact or color flash artifact, producing a corrected color flow image. A video processor displays the structure image and the corrected color flow image superimposed over the structure image.
US09943288B2 Method and system for ultrasound data processing
Methods and systems for ultrasound data processing are provided. One method includes acquiring channel ultrasound data from a plurality of channel connected to a plurality of elements of an ultrasound probe and storing the channel ultrasound data from the plurality of channels. The method further includes generating ultrasound images based on processing of the acquired channel ultrasound data and displaying the ultrasound images. The method also includes performing additional processing on the stored channel ultrasound data while the ultrasound images are displayed and displaying updated ultrasound images generated by the additional processing.
US09943286B2 Ultrasonographic images processing
A computerized method of adapting a presentation of ultrasonographic images during an ultrasonographic fetal evaluation. The method comprises performing an analysis of a plurality of ultrasonographic images captured by an ultrasonographic probe during an evaluation of a fetus, automatically identifying at least one location of at least one anatomical landmark of at least one reference organ or tissue or body fluid of the fetus in the plurality of ultrasonographic images based on an outcome of the analysis, automatically localizing a region of interest (ROI) in at least some of the plurality of ultrasonographic images by using at least one predefined locational anatomical property of the at least one anatomical landmark, and concealing the ROI in a presentation of the at least some ultrasonographic images during the evaluation. At least one anatomical landmark is imaged in the presentation and not concealed by the ROI.
US09943285B1 Disposable isolation/protective cover for stethoscopes
A disposable isolation/protective cover for a stethoscope comprising a bell, elongated connector body portion and two ear pieces wherein said isolation/protective cover is sealed on all sides except for the bottom permitting the stethoscope to be inserted therethrough; said cover material is made of acoustically transmitting and viral, bacterial and fluid impermeable material. A flap closes the stethoscope once inserted completely enclosing the stethoscope and preventing exposure of any kind.
US09943284B2 Information processing system, information processing method, and program
An information processing system including an information processing apparatus that receives captured radiographic images captured by a plurality of image capturing apparatuses each having a wireless communication function and a wired apparatus that connects to the information processing apparatus in a wired manner, the information processing system includes a setting unit that sets, in a case where one of the plurality of image capturing apparatuses is connected to the wired apparatus, the connected image capturing apparatus as a master unit of wireless communication, and a communication unit that receives, via the image capturing apparatus set as the master unit, a captured image of a different image capturing apparatus that is received through wireless communication by the image capturing apparatus set as the master unit from the different image capturing apparatus set as a slave unit of wireless communication.
US09943280B2 Breast tomosynthesis with flexible compression paddle
A method of breast image reconstruction includes positioning a breast on an imaging system support plate, compressing the breast with a flexible paddle, obtaining imaging data, estimating a breast thickness profile by at least one of placing markers on the breast, performing an image-based analysis of the obtained data, using an auxiliary system, and performing a model-based computation. The three dimensional reconstruction including using a thickness profile of the breast surface in at least one of an iterative reconstruction, a filtered back-projection reconstruction, and a joint reconstruction performed using information obtained from an ultrasound scan. A non-transitory medium having executable instructions to cause a processor to perform the method is also disclosed.
US09943279B2 Methods and systems for task-based data generation and weighting for CT spectral imaging
Various methods and systems for weighting material density images based on the material imaged are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for dual energy imaging of a material comprises generating an odd material density image, generating an even material density image, applying a first weight to the odd material density image and a second weight to the even material density image, and generating a material density image based on a combination of the weighted odd material density image and the weighted even material density image. In this way, the image quality may be improved without increasing a radiation dosage.
US09943278B2 Radioactive-emission-measurement optimization to specific body structures
A method for predefining a set of radioactive-emission measurement views, for radioactive-emission imaging after an administration of a radiopharmaceutical, the method being tailored to a specific body structure and optimized with respect to the information gained about the body structure and based on modeling body-structure, based on its geometry and anatomical constraints, which limit accessibility to the body structure.
US09943272B2 X-ray laser microscopy system and method
Improved system and method of X-ray laser microscopy that combines information obtained from both X-ray diffraction and X-ray imaging methods. The sample is placed in an ultra-cold, ultra-low pressure vacuum chamber, and exposed to brief bursts of coherent X-ray illumination further concentrated using X-ray mirrors and pinhole collimation methods. Higher resolution data from a sample is obtained using hard X-ray lasers, such as free electron X-ray lasers, and X-ray diffraction methods. Lower resolution data from the same sample can be obtained using any of hard or soft X-ray laser sources, and X-ray imaging methods employing nanoscale etched zone plate technology. In some embodiments both diffraction and imaging data can be obtained simultaneously. Data from both sources are combined to create a more complete representation of the sample. Methods to further improve performance, such as concave or curved detectors, improved temperature control, and alternative X-ray optics are also disclosed.
US09943269B2 System for displaying medical monitoring data
A first medical device can receive a physiological parameter value from a second medical device. The second physiological parameter value may be formatted according to a protocol not used by the first medical device such that the first medical device is not able to process the second physiological parameter value to produce a displayable output value. The first medical device can pass the physiological parameter data from the first medical device to a separate translation module and receive translated parameter data from the translation module at the first medical device. The translated parameter data can be processed for display by the first medical device. The first medical device can output a value from the translated parameter data for display on the first medical device or an auxiliary device.
US09943268B1 System, medical item including RFID chip, data collection engine, server and method for capturing medical data
A system includes a plurality of RFID chips affixed to a medical item, a data collection engine device, and a server device. The data collection engine wirelessly transmits power to a first one of the RFID chips and receives first medical data from the first RFID chip while the first RFID chip is activated by the power receiver. The data collection engine generates a first message indicative of the first medical data to be sent to the server device. The server device can determine aspects of the medical item such as position and risk states based upon the first medical data.
US09943266B2 Time-domain interference removal for heart rate measurements
Heart rate monitors are plagued by noisy photoplethysmography (PPG) data, which makes it difficult for the monitors to output a consistently accurate heart rate reading. Noise is often caused by motion. Using known methods for processing accelerometer readings that measure movement to filter out some of this noise may help, but not always. The present disclosure describes an improved front-end technique (time-domain interference removal) based on using adaptive linear prediction on accelerometer data to generate filters for filtering the PPG signal prior to tracking the frequency of the heartbeat (heart rate). The present disclosure also describes an improved back-end technique based on steering the frequency of a resonant filter in order to track the heartbeat. Implementing one or both of these techniques leads to more accurate heart rate measurements.
US09943265B2 Integrated sensor for medical applications
A sensing assemblage for capturing a transit time, phase, or frequency of energy waves propagating through a medium is disclosed to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing assemblage comprises a transducer and a waveguide. The transducer is coupled to the waveguide at a first location. A reflective surface can be coupled to the waveguide at a second location. The reflective surface is configured to reflect energy waves away from the reflective surface. An interface material that is transmissive to acoustic energy waves can be placed between the transducer and a waveguide to improve transfer.
US09943261B2 Method and apparatus for improving and monitoring sleep
A method performed by an apparatus for inducing a sound sleep to induce a sound sleep of an object who is sleeping includes: determining a first wake-up time of the object based on schedule information of the object; receiving bio-information of the object; determining a sleep state of the object from the bio-information of the object; changing the first wake-up time to a second wake-up time by taking into account the sleep state of the object; and outputting a wake-up alarm signal at the second wake-up time.
US09943260B2 Method for judgment of drinking using differential energy in time domain, recording medium and device for performing the method
An alcohol consumption determination method includes detecting a plurality of effective frames of an input voice signal; detecting a difference in signal of within the original signal of each of the effective frames; detecting average energy of the original signal and average energy of the difference signal for each of the effective frames; and determining whether alcohol has been consumed based on a difference between the average energy of the original signal and the average energy of the difference between the signals for each effective frame. Accordingly, it is also possible to determine, from a remote location, whether a driver or an operator remote has consumed alcohol and the degree of inebriation by using a difference signal energy method using a voice signal, thus preventing an accident caused by a operation vehicles and machines under the influence of alcohol.
US09943259B2 Space-saving magazining of analytical aids
An analytical magazine is proposed, which comprises a plurality of analytical aids accommodated in chambers. The analytical magazine is arranged to be accommodated in at least two orientations in an analytical system. The analytical magazine is furthermore arranged to provide the analytical system, in the orientations, in each case with a plurality of analytical aids. At least one sampling movement can be executed by means of the analytical aids. The analytical magazine is arranged to make a remagazining of the analytical aids possible.
US09943254B2 Biological component estimating apparatus, biological component estimating method, and computer program product
According to an embodiment, a biological component estimating apparatus includes a first acquiring unit and a first estimating unit. The first acquiring unit acquires a scattering coefficient distribution image having each pixel specified with a scattering coefficient of a measurement target region of a biological body for light including a wavelength range in a near infrared range. The first estimating unit estimates an amount of change in a biological component based on the scattering coefficient distribution image.
US09943253B2 System and method for improved audio perception
This invention describes methods of Audio Signal Personalized Enhancement for optimal listening to music. A combination of hearing test, audio signal compensation, and signal processing algorithms are implemented jointly in an audio Device. An audio signal is processed and tuned within the entire range of audible frequencies to actively compensate for both the characteristics of the listening device, and the specific hearing characteristics of the listener, resulting in a much improved music listening experience. A randomized self-test algorithm is used to analyze user's hearing ability in each ear within a preselected dynamic volume range at multiple frequencies spanning the audible spectrum.
US09943252B1 Medical device and method with improved biometric verification
The present invention is both a device and a method for verifying a subject's identity while using a medical device or undergoing a medical diagnostic or therapeutic procedure, particularly at home or at a remote location. The method and device can be used for inpatient and remote sleep and signal analysis with biometric identification. The present invention is further related to the devices and sensors used in executing the method, and includes various embodiments of a method of inpatient and remote sleep analysis.
US09943251B2 Stretch sensor device
The invention relates to a method for determining stretch values and movement of body parts, e.g. a foot, by analyzing stretch data from a stretch sensor. By analyzing data from the stretch sensor it is possible to determine stretch samples which are associated with particular motion phases. Thereby the stretch values determined from the stretch samples have a particular physical meaning since they are associated with particular motion phases.
US09943250B2 Freezing of gait (FOG), detection, prediction and/or treatment
A method and system for provoking gait disorders, such as freezing of gait; usable, for example, for diagnosing and/or treatment thereof. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, displays of situations calculated to cause freezing of gait are presented to a subject, optionally using virtual reality displays. Optionally or alternatively, incipit freezing of gait is identified using changes in gait parameters, and optionally used to guide attempts at causing freezing of gait. Optionally or alternatively, a portable device is provided which detects incipit freezing of gait and generates a corrective signal to the subject.
US09943246B2 System and method for assessing susceptibility of tissue using magnetic resonance imaging
A system and method for assessing magnetic susceptibility of tissue of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to acquire chemical-shift-encoded, water-fat separated data. From the water-fat separated data, separated water and fat images, as well as a magnetic field inhomogeneity map are used to estimate the magnetic susceptibility within tissue.
US09943244B2 Waveform feature value averaging system and methods for the detection of cardiac events
Disclosed is a system for detecting pathophysiological cardiac conditions. The system comprises a diagnostic device that contains electronic circuitry that can detect a cardiac event such as an acute ischemia. The cardiac diagnostic device receives electrical signals from subcutaneous or body surface sensors. The cardiac diagnostic device includes a processor that computes QRS onset and offset points and fiducial points associated with T and U waves. The processor than baseline corrects the original signal/waveform by fitting a polynomial function to QRS offset points, and subtracting this function from the original waveform. Based on the baseline adjusted signal and/or the above mentioned fiducial points, the processor then computes averages of various waveform feature values, including a QRS measure sensitive to QRS curvature, T wave timing measures, ST segment deviation (difference between signal amplitudes at QRS offset and onset and/or minimum amplitude between QRS offset and peak T wave); and T/U wave amplitudes. These averages are computed by exponential averaging. From the exponential averages, the processor computes an average of the change in the averages over time. Based on the averages and the change in the averages, the processor applies an ischemia test to determine a likelihood of ischemia.
US09943236B2 Methods for guiding heart failure decompensation therapy
An implantable medical device system and associated method for use in guiding an acute decompensated heart failure therapy set an optimal fluid status measurement level. A physiological sensor signal sensed by an implantable medical device is used to compute the fluid status measurement. A target rate of change of the fluid status measurement is computed for guiding the therapy.
US09943234B2 Using respiration distress manifestations for heart failure detection
Systems and methods for diagnosing one or more respiration distress manifestations by implantably recognizing their occurrence and evaluating information about the same to provide an indication of present or impending worsening heart failure are discussed. Using information produced by an implantable respiration sensor circuit and an implantable physiological sensor circuit, such as at least one of a physical activity sensor circuit or a posture sensor circuit, an implantable or external processor circuit may detect a respiration disturbance and an associated subsequent arousal from stable state occurrence and thereafter evaluate over time arousal from stable state occurrences to provide the indication of present or impending worsening heart failure. In one example, information about a fluid level within a subject is used in determining the indication of worsening heart failure. In various examples, a regimen is initiated or adjusted in response to the indication of present or impending worsening heart failure.
US09943233B2 Automated measurement system and method for coronary artery disease scoring
Automated image analysis used in vascular disease characterization. Coronary vasculature in particular is automatically characterized in some embodiments for lesion complexity and related anatomical and/or functional parameters related to disease state. In some embodiments, a “virtual revascularization” model is used as a reference in disease state determinations. In some embodiments, disease parameters are determined for application by a disease characterization tool such as a SYNTAX Score calculator.
US09943232B2 Thermometry heating and sensing assembly
A thermometry apparatus includes a distal probe tip having a hollow interior. An insulating support is at least partially disposed within the interior of the distal probe tip. The insulating support is configured to receive at least one of at least one heating element and at least one temperature sensing element. According to one version, the insulating support is a flexible circuit strip configured to receive the at least one heating element(s) to protect the leads from damage and premature breakage.
US09943224B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
This invention provides an image processing apparatus which allows an operator to easily recognize relevance between morbid portions, which exist in a plurality of layers, according to a disease. An image processing apparatus according to this invention includes an ophthalmic feature acquisition unit which acquires ophthalmic features as anatomical features of the tomogram, a layer designation unit which designates at least two layers required to detect morbid portions corresponding to a disease of a predetermined type from a plurality of layers specified by the ophthalmic features, a morbid portion acquisition unit which detects morbid portions corresponding to the disease of the predetermined type respectively from the layers designated by the layer designation unit, and a composite display unit which generates a composite image by projecting the morbid portions respectively detected from the layers by the morbid portion acquisition unit onto a predetermined two-dimensional image, and displays the composite image.
US09943221B2 Medical, in particular dental, diagnostic device having image capture means
A medical, in particular dental, diagnostic device having means for image capture and a hand piece that has a window located in the optical path of the means for image capture, wherein there are means for heating the window formed by a resistance heater.
US09943217B2 Endoscope
An endoscope including an operation part having a forceps entrance, a distal end part having a flat end surface, an observation window base part formed on the flat end surface of the distal end part so as to protrude distally from the flat end surface, an observation window disposed on the observation window base part, and a forceps exit disposed on the distal end part, a forceps being inserted through a forceps entrance protruding from the forceps exit. The observation window base part has a flat surface, and an outer peripheral shape of the observation window base part is inclined and connects the flat end surface of the distal end part with the flat surface of the observation window base part.
US09943212B2 Dust suction device
A dust suction device includes: a housing having a plurality of inlets for the inflow of impurities formed thereon and an inner region of which is independently divided; and resilient actuating members, provided inside the inlets, for opening or closing the inlets by pressure applied from the outside.
US09943208B2 Method of maintaining commercial ware-washers
A method of maintaining commercial ware-washers includes sending a first exchange head to a designated location, receiving a second exchange head requiring repair, repairing the second exchange head, and sending the repaired second exchange head to a designated location. Each of the first and second exchange heads are capable of being removed from and installed on a commercial ware-washer without the use of tools.
US09943203B2 Autonomous vacuum cleaner
An autonomous vacuum cleaner having a bump detection system, the vacuum cleaner comprising a chassis having traction means for supporting the chassis on a surface and a cleaner head defining a dirty air inlet, and a body carried on the chassis and being movable relative to it in response to a collision with an obstacle, the body including at least one of an airflow generator for generating an airflow along an airflow path from the dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and a separating apparatus positioned in the airflow path to separate dirt from the air, wherein the vacuum cleaner further comprises sensing means for sensing relative movement between the chassis and the body.
US09943201B2 Floor suction device
A movable fluid collection device includes a mat assembly, a first conduit segment, and a second conduit segment. The mat assembly includes an absorption material and a low-friction sliding floor-contact material. The first conduit segment may include a loop of tubing having at least one fluid collection opening formed therein, and the second conduit segment connects the first conduit to a suction collection system.
US09943199B2 Hand-held vacuum cleaner
This invention relates to a hand-held vacuum cleaner (10). The vacuum cleaner is expected to have particular utility for cleaning locations which are difficult to reach with a conventional vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner (10) has a body (12) with a substantially planar base (22) upon which the vacuum cleaner can rest when not in use, the body having a carrying handle (20), a motor (14) and an impeller (16) located within the body, the vacuum cleaner also having a collector (26, 126) and a battery pack (18), the battery pack providing at least a part of the base (22). The motor and the battery pack are located between the base and the collector so as to lower the center of gravity and make the vacuum cleaner more comfortable for use, especially over long periods. Ideally, the center of gravity is close to the carrying handle, and between the carrying handle and the nozzle so that the vacuum cleaner is slightly “nose heavy”.
US09943197B2 Toilet maintenance devices and system
A toilet maintenance brush which may include an elongate handle having a guard end. A brush wand may be coupled to the guard end of the handle with the brush wand terminating with a brush head which may be used to clean a toilet bowl. A power supply may be in electrical communication with a light unit and with a fan unit having a fan blade. The fan blade may be rotatably driven by a motor and configured to circulate air onto the brush head.
US09943196B2 Sequentially activated multi-diaphragm foam pumps, refill units and dispenser systems
A sequentially activated multi-diaphragm foam pump for a foam dispenser includes a housing with a liquid pump portion and air pump portion secured. The liquid pump portion has a liquid inlet and valve, a liquid pump diaphragm, a liquid outlet and outlet valve. The air pump portion has a first and second air inlet and air inlet valve, a first and second air pump diaphragm, and a first and second air outlet. The foam pump also includes a mixing chamber that is in fluid communication with the liquid outlet, the first second air outlets. The liquid pump diaphragm, the first and second air pump diaphragms, operate in sequential order and the foamy mixture is dispensed through an outlet that is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber.
US09943188B2 Food cooker
A method and apparatus for charcoal cooking of food utilizing a cook base and a removable cover mating with the cook base. The cooker has a substantially sealed interior cooking chamber for cooking food and an exterior portion with one charcoal heat source near the bottom of the cook base and another charcoal heat source on top of the removable cover, thereby separating the food and the fire.
US09943187B2 Beverage machine with vibration inhibitor
A beverage preparation machine (1) has: a beverage preparation module (2) comprising a module interface (21′, 25, 26) and an auxiliary device (10) comprising a device interface (15, 16). The module and device interfaces being arranged for assembling the module (2) and the device (10) together. At least one of the module and device interfaces (15, 16, 21′, 25, 26) comprises one or more dampening members (21′) so arranged that the module (2) and the device (10) are in direct contact only via the dampening member(s) (21′) when the module (2) and device (10) are assembled together via the interfaces (15, 16, 21′, 25, 26).
US09943186B2 Rugged, one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame with integral wind screen applicable for elegant formal events
A rugged, one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame includes an integral wind screen and is configured for application in elegant formal events. The one-piece, portable and collapsible construction allows caterers and tailgaters to easily transport the frame to the desired location. The integrated wind screen allows the unit to be efficiently used in outdoor locations, such as by tailgaters and caterers. The insulating features can improve food service and decrease fuel consumption for the users. The hiding of conventional chafing dish frame components allows the unit to be associated with elegant formal events, increasing the usefulness to caterers.
US09943178B2 Food preparation table
A food preparation table includes a food item catchment system including a modular grate and catch pan arrangement positioned atop an upwardly facing surface of the table and including multiple catch pans, multiple frames and multiple grates, each of which is removable for cleaning of the upwardly facing surface and for cleaning of the catch pans, frames and grates.
US09943173B2 Pocketed spring comfort layer and method of making same
A comfort layer for a bedding or seating product has slow-acting pockets characterized by the individual springs of the comfort layer being pocketed with either semi-impermeable or non-permeable fabric. Each seam joining opposed plies of fabric around each of the coil springs of the comfort layer may be segmented, allowing air to flow between the segments, thereby increasing the luxury “feel” of the comfort layer. The method of making the comfort layer includes compressing the springs and creating pockets with a welding horn and an anvil.
US09943172B2 Mattress topper with varying flow resistance
A bed comprises a mattress and a topper resting atop the mattress and extending in longitudinal and lateral directions. The topper has a fluid flowpath having an inlet and an outlet. The flowpath exhibits a nonuniform resistance to fluid flow in at least one of the longitudinal and lateral directions. The bed also includes a blower connected to the inlet for supplying air to the flowpath. The resistance may be a monotonically varying resistance to fluid flow in at least one of the longitudinal and lateral directions and configured to preferentially drive fluid flow through the topper so that a larger proportion of the fluid flowing through the topper flows under a target region and a relatively smaller portion bypasses the target region.
US09943170B2 Structural laminates and their manufacturing
Products manufactured from a structural laminate generally include a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion fixedly coupled together such that the layers of the structural laminate are visible on at least one surface of the products. The second elongate portion is divided to produce a cut at an intermediate position such that at least one layer of the structural laminate is removed by the cut and an intermediate layer is exposed such that it is visible on an edge of the products. Additionally, a substrate is fixedly coupled to the elongate portions in an orthogonal orientation to layers in the structural laminate of the elongate portions. In some products, portions of the structural laminate are removed to produce voids in the surface, exposing intermediate features of the structural laminate.
US09943168B1 Ergonomic stadium seat
A portable seating apparatus includes a frame having first and second sides. A seat is disposed between the first and second sides of the frame. The seat is suspended between the first and second sides of the frame by multiple tension members such as straps. A first arm rest and first base member are positioned on the first side of the frame, and a second arm rest and second base member are positioned on the second side of the frame. One or more straps extends downwardly from each arm rest to support the suspended seat. In some embodiments, the first and second sides are hinged such that the seating apparatus may be folded for transport and storage. An arm rest hinge is disposed on each arm rest, and a base member hinge is disposed on each base member in some embodiments.
US09943164B2 Filter cleaning device
A filter cleaning device has an improved structure which is capable of effectively cleaning dust in a filter used in an air conditioner. The filter cleaning device includes: a filter; a brush unit movably installed at one side of the filter to separate dust from the filter; a brush movement unit configured so that the brush unit is movable along the filter; and brush guides installed at two sides of the brush unit to guide a movement of the brush unit. Each of the brush guides includes: a first guide groove formed so that the brush unit is moved to be in contact with the filter; and a second guide groove formed so that the brush unit is moved to be separated from the filter.
US09943162B1 Camp and rescue bag
A multipurpose rapid response rescue device comprising a throwable multipurpose camp and rescue bag that in one mode can be used as multi modal rapid response rescue device, which can be employed instantly to rescue a person in distress and in other modes can be used as a water pail or pillow with the camp and rescue bag containing a throwing weight and a rope therein with a one end of the rope secured to the camp and rescue bag so that when the camp and rescue bag is thrown to a remote area or person in distress and the other end of the rope is hand held the rope unfurls from the camp and rescue bag to provide for retrieval of the camp and rescue bag or an object secured thereto.
US09943160B2 Self grooming barber station
A barber station apparatus is disclosed for enhancing the ability of a user to perform self-grooming functions. The apparatus may include a base assembly, an elongated member, a mirror assembly, and a docking assembly. The assemblies may be coupled together in a manner that enables the apparatus to be collapsed for storage and adjusted for different heights and positions of a user. The base assembly may be integrated with an air pump (e.g., vacuum) and may include support elements to support the other assemblies. The elongated member may retract into the base assembly and may be coupled with the docking assembly and the mirror assembly. The docking assembly may include a storage unit for hair grooming devices and the mirror assembly may include multiple interconnected mirrors that can expand around a user to enable the user to have a 360° view of a portion of their body (e.g., head, torso).
US09943157B1 Swab applicator with dispensing passage
In some implementations, an applicator includes a container and an insert disposed in the container. The insert may include a flange extending radially outwardly from an elongate post, and a porous tip covering the flange. A passageway is provided to convey, via material comprising the porous tip, a substance contained in the container to an external surface of the porous tip for application.
US09943154B2 Drawing apparatus and drawing control method of drawing apparatus
A drawing apparatus includes a drawing unit that forms a nail design on a nail of an object by performing a plurality of processes and a processor that extracts a feature value of the object and controls the drawing unit.The processor acquires information on a performed process with respect to the nail of one object, whose nail is provided to be formed with the nail design, based on process management information in which the feature value with respect to each of a plurality of the objects and an information on the performed process with respect to the nail of each of the plurality of the objects are registered in association with each other and the feature value with respect to the one object, and determines a specific process to be performed to the nail of the one object, and causes the drawing unit to perform the specific process.
US09943151B2 Portable electronic device case
Systems and methods are involved with but are not limited to: a first case portion including a first interior portion, the first interior portion including a first layer, a support member, and a plurality of first protrusions, the support member pivotally coupled with the first layer to allow for pivotal movement of the support member about the first layer, the plurality of first protrusions coupled to the support member and extending therefrom, the plurality of first protrusions configured to affixedly engage with one or more smooth surface portions of a rear side portion of a portable device display assembly. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
US09943150B2 Lunch tote for storing food which is convertible into a serving tray
A lunch tote for storing food is disclosed which includes an outer cover having a perimeter and first and second ends. A sidewall extends upward from the perimeter and has a distal edge. A liner having an outer perimeter is attached to the outer cover to form a pocket having an opening formed therein. A cooling mechanism is positioned in the pocket and is enclosed in a moisture-absorbing/insulating cover. A first insulating layer is positioned between the outer cover and the liner. An intermediate layer is positioned above the first insulating layer. A closure mechanism is secured to a portion of the distal edge. The closure mechanism is movable from a closed position, wherein the lunch tote is a closed container, to an open position, wherein the entire lunch tote is convertible into a serving tray. The lunch tote further includes a pair of handles.
US09943149B2 Carrying cases
A carrying case includes a first compartment made of a rigid material, the first compartment defining an interior volume; and a second compartment coupled to the first compartment, the second compartment made of a flexible material, the second compartment defining an interior volume that is separate from the interior volume of the first compartment.
US09943144B2 Step-cut gemstone
A cushioned step-cut gemstone is disclosed. The gemstone may include a crown disposed above a girdle and a pavilion disposed below the girdle. The girdle may include twelve straight-edged facets defining four sides and four corners of the girdle, wherein the four sides each comprise one straight-edged facet and the four corners each comprise two straight-edged facets meeting at a corner midpoint. The crown may include a table and two or more rows of step-cut facets between the table and the girdle. The step-cut facets may include side step-cut facets shaped like elongated trapezoids and corner step-cut facets, and each step-cut row includes twelve step-cut facets.
US09943141B2 Convenient buckle
A buckle for binding two items together that includes a male plate and a female plate. The male plate further includes a locking member that is movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, wherein the locking member in the locking position interacts with the locking mechanism to lock the male plate to the female plate along a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the binding axis. The female plate includes a locking mechanism that includes two arms extending from opposing ends of the female plate respectively and is adapted to slidably receive the male plate therewithin to secure the male plate face-to-face to the female plate along a binding axis.
US09943139B2 Automatic lacing system
An article of footwear with an automatic lacing system is disclosed. The automatic lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The article further includes an automatic ankle cinching system that is configured to automatically adjust an ankle portion of the upper.
US09943131B1 Footwear airflow system
Footwear assembly comprising a foot bed in an interior area defined by an upper and positioned atop a sole assembly, wherein the foot bed has a plurality of air holes through the forefoot and/or arch portions, and has air channels connected to the air holes. A compressible convex pump in the foot bed's heel portion faces the sole assembly and is movable between expanded and compressed positions. In the expanded position, the pump supports a portion of the heel portion apart from the sole assembly to define an air chamber coupled to the air channels. Movement of the pump member from the expanded position to the compressed position causes the air chamber to collapse and forces air from the air chamber through the air channels and upwardly through the air holes into the interior area of the upper, wherein the pump member is biased toward the expanded position.
US09943130B2 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. Various warp or weft knitting processes, including circular knitting, may be utilized to form the textile element. The textile element may be removed from a circular-knit tubular structure having two textile elements.
US09943124B2 Flexible LED light arrays
Flexible LED light arrays particularly suitable for use in clothing and other articles are disclosed. The light arrays are disposed on flexible printed circuit boards (PCBs). The flexible PCBs include substantially sinusoidal metal contact traces, along which the LEDs are attached at an angle preselected to minimize stresses in the expected directions of bending. The flexible PCBs may have control electronics provided on separate, attachable control boards, which may be either flexible or rigid. The flexible LED light arrays may also be arranged in master-slave configurations with a number of arrays, in which one master control array or board is attached to a number of slave arrays and handles external communication for the slave arrays.
US09943122B2 Method and apparatus for rapid evacuation of injured persons from hostile environments
A system and method of evacuating a downed tactical operator from a hostile environment comprising adding an evacuation belt strap to a PALS grid on a body armor vest by using belt keepers. The evacuation belt strap is made by forming loops at the ends of the strap to function as handles to be grasped by rescuers of the downed operator.
US09943121B2 Wire guidance system and method of use
Disclosed are garments with selective wire management systems, as well as ports for adapting garments without selective wire management systems. Garments for wire management may include one or more ports which define an aperture through which headphone wire is passed. The ports provide both support to the headphone wire as well as to the garment, thereby preventing tearing of the garment more than is necessary to accommodate the wire. Further, ports may be selectively placed on a garment, as desired, to provide optimal entrance and exit placement of headphone wire. In addition to the ports, a channel may connect the ports, thereby selectively routing the wire along the garment.
US09943114B2 Aerosol-forming cartridge comprising a tobacco-containing material
There is provided an aerosol-forming cartridge for an electrically operated aerosol-generating system. The cartridge includes a base layer and at least one aerosol-forming substrate disposed on the base layer and including a tobacco-containing material with volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are releasable from the aerosol-forming substrate. The base layer and the at least one aerosol-forming substrate are in contact at a contact surface, which is substantially planar.
US09943113B2 Atomizer filtering large smoke particles and electronic cigarette thereof
An atomizer and an electronic cigarette. The electronic cigarette includes an electronic cigarette body. Sequentially provided on the electronic cigarette body are a mouthpiece cover, an atomizing component, and a battery component. The mouthpiece cover covers an end surface of the atomizing component. Provided within the atomizing component are an e-liquid storage space used for storing an e-liquid, an atomizing core used for atomizing the e-liquid and electrically connected to the battery component, and a smoke channel used for discharging smoke to the mouthpiece cover and extended along the axis of the atomizing component. At least two smoke outlet gaps in communication with the smoke channel are formed on the end surface of the mouthpiece cover. The smoke outlet gaps are extended from the center of the end surface of the mouthpiece cover towards the periphery of the end surface of the mouthpiece cover.
US09943110B2 Electronic cigarette and method for controlling atomization thereof
An electronic cigarette and a method for controlling atomization of the electronic cigarette are provided. The electronic cigarette includes an atomizer and a battery rod assembly. The atomizer is formed by detachably connecting a liquid cup assembly and an atomizer core. A control unit is provided to be electrically connected to the atomizer and the battery rod assembly. A conductive cartridge that is conductive is sleeved on the battery, and the suction nozzle and the conductive cartridge can be conducted. The control unit controls the battery to supply power to the atomizer to atomize cigarette liquid when detecting that the suction nozzle is conducted with the conductive cartridge, which effectively prevents an automatic operation of the atomizer and avoids a waste of the cigarette liquid and the energy while facilitating the user operation.
US09943109B2 Electronic cigarette
The present invention provides an electronic cigarette, including a cartridge, an atomizer device, and a cartridge fixing element to detachably connect the cartridge to the atomizer device. A cartridge body can be switched to be in a pre-mounting position and a mounting position to engage the cartridge fixing element. When in the pre-mounting position, a sealing element and a puncturing element of the cartridge are spaced by a certain distance or abut against each other, to ensure that a first sealing portion will not be punctured and E-liquid in the cartridge will not be contaminated before smoking. When in the mounting position, the installation of the cartridge is completed, a second sealing portion is punctured to communicate a liquid reservoir chamber with a liquid reservoir room, to allow the E-liquid in the liquid reservoir chamber to flow to the liquid reservoir room, and users can smoke.
US09943107B2 Cartomizer flavor enhancement
An electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may include flavor enhancements to improve or add to the flavor of an e-Cig. The e-Cig cartomizer may include a flavor sticker, shell, booster, or mouthpiece that provides additional flavor to the user. In addition, the flavor enhancements may also provide or further enhance the smell of the e-Cig.
US09943104B1 Portable storage container
According to various embodiments of the disclosed technology, disclosed is a kit for storing a substance and one or more tools for preparing the substance for recreational or medicinal use. The kit may include a body with a first end and a second end; a grinder compartment positioned next the second end of the body, where the grinder compartment is configured to rotate about the body; at least a first item compartment and a second item compartment located in the body for storing tools needed to prepare a substance for recreational or medicinal use; a storage compartment for storing the substance; and a sidewall attached to a side of the body such that the sidewall slides in an upward and downward direction.
US09943103B1 Hands-free support of elongated hand-held articles method and apparatus
The present invention provides for a grasping device intended for use by golfers to hold a cigar above the ground. The device is constructed from a length of wire formed as two halves of a golfing tool. The two halves are intertwined into opposing halves, forming an actuator that may be squeezed to open a cigar grasper. An end is suited for use to repair ball marks and divots on a golf course.
US09943101B2 Procedure and machine for reconstituting powders of vegetal origin
A procedure and machine for reconstituting powders of vegetal origin by lamination process, in which the machine includes a lamination device, a set of frontal and posterior drag rolls, a hot air insufflator, a thermal chamber and a conveyor, so that the vegetal mass is pressed by laminating rolls to obtain a pellicle of vegetal material that is deposited over the conveyor circulating inside a terminal chamber for drying the formed pellicle of vegetal material, which can be reinserted in industrial process.
US09943099B2 Juicer arrangements
An electrically powered juicer has a treatment module arranged to subject the expressed juice to a pasteurization or UHT process in order to prevent the rapid deterioration in quality of the expressed juice that otherwise occurs. The lifetime of the juice expressed by the juicer is considerably extended, allowing juice to be prepared in larger volumes than previously and thus negating the requirement for juicing on demand. The treatment module includes serially arranged heating means and cooling means, operative while the expressed juice is traversing a meandering pathway, and a thermostatically controlled element sited and configured to ensure that the heating operation is automatically repeated in the event that juice exiting the heating operation has not reached a predetermined temperature required for the pasteurization or UHT process.
US09943098B2 Edible energy composition with low caffeine
An energy composition includes a methylated xanthine, a choline derivative, and at least one flavorant in a sufficient amount to render the energy composition palatable. The energy composition may also include vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, preservatives, and the like.
US09943093B2 Apparatus for pasteurizing and cooling food products
An apparatus for pasteurizing and cooling food products comprises a pasteurizing tunnel, a first air processing unit associated with the pasteurizing tunnel, and a transfer unit for transferring the food products from the pasteurizing tunnel to a cooling tunnel comprising a second air processing unit, the pasteurizing tunnel comprising two thermally independent in-line sections consisting of a steam pasteurizing section and a pre-packaging section.
US09943088B2 Heat exchanger and method of making thereof
A heat exchanger includes an inner tube extending longitudinally along a central axis and having an inner surface bounding a product chamber and an outer surface having a plurality of channels disposed at circumferentially spaced intervals in alternating relationship with a plurality of fins about the circumference of the outer surface of the inner tube; and a longitudinally extending outer tube disposed coaxially about and circumscribing the inner tube in radially spaced relationship, the outer tube having an inner surface contacting the plurality of fins of the inner cylinder, the outer surface being welded to the fins at a plurality of weld locations.
US09943085B2 Fondant having a non-crystalline phase comprising isomaltulose and sucrose
The prevent invention relates to a fondant comprising a sugar system made up of a first non-crystalline phase and a second crystalline phase, wherein the non-crystalline phase contains isomaltulose and sucrose and wherein the crystalline phase contains isomaltulose. The invention also relates to a method for the production thereof, the use of the fondant as icing, coating or filling for baked goods and baked goods that are completely or partially coated with the fondant according to the invention.
US09943073B2 Indoor live bird capture system
A bird capture net which allows the use of quickly adjusting the height for capture and release is described, which includes height adjustable poles attached to bird netting.
US09943071B2 Length control system and method
A retractable leash device (e.g., for pets, children, or the like) having a length control system for limiting the extendable length of a main line is provided. The device includes a cover plate mounted on a wind-up spool and having at least one ridged channel that interacts with a length control switch during line extension to control the extendable length of the main line while simultaneously maintaining the retractability of the main line.
US09943069B2 Pet cat toy
An improved pet cat toy, including main body, where main body is made of textile material and has hollow interior, wall of main body is provided with first opening and second opening on different sides, first opening is provided with first outer interlayer that includes open seal and can open and close first opening, second opening is provided with perspective second outer interlayer, inner interlayer including open seal is disposed between first opening and second opening, interior of main body is divided into first cavity and second cavity, and catnip capable of being replaced is filled in first cavity and second cavity separately. The present utility model is reasonably designed, has simple structure, can expose part of catnip, and enhances attraction to pet cat and master thereof. Besides, internal catnip can be replaced in time and conveniently, enduringly keep the toy attractive, and the toy can be recycled, lowering cost.
US09943065B1 Dog boot
A dog boot is fabricated using a breathable substrate, preferably of durable material such as heavy nylon. Onto the substrate, various friction pads, wear pads, tensioning straps, and strategically located cushioning pads are attached. Specially configured slits ensure that a wide range of leg sizes relative to paw sizes may be accommodated, while easing application of the boot and eliminating any risk of bunching.
US09943064B2 Water dispenser for cats with accessories
A pet watering apparatus which can be refilled as water is removed by evaporation or by a thirsty animal, which apparatus has a vessel, overlaid by a platform having a base and at least one leg, which platform has at least 2 apertures therein of one size and a central smaller aperture therein. Disposed in one aperture is a bottle capable of holding water, having a modified Yorker cap thereon, disposed in an inverted position; the Yorker cap's spout having been cut off at about a 45 degree angle. A siphon filter may be disposed through the platform's central aperture to the vessel for connection to a pump to re-circulate water through the siphon for microbe removal. An optional water chiller may be deployed on the platform.
US09943062B1 Lettuce variety julian
The present invention provides novel lettuce cultivar Julian and plant parts, seed, and tissue culture therefrom. The invention also provides methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the lettuce plants of the invention with themselves or another lettuce plant. The invention also provides lettuce plants produced from such a crossing as well as plant parts, seed, and tissue culture therefrom.
US09943061B1 Soybean variety 5PUEE37
A novel soybean variety, designated 5PUEE37 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety 5PUEE37, cells from soybean variety 5PUEE37, plants of soybean 5PUEE37, and plant parts of soybean variety 5PUEE37. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety 5PUEE37 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety 5PUEE37, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety 5PUEE37, and methods of characterizing soybean variety 5PUEE37. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety 5PUEE37 are further provided.
US09943059B1 Alfalfa variety 54VR70
A novel alfalfa variety designated 54VR70 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing an alfalfa plant that comprise crossing alfalfa variety 54VR70 with another alfalfa plant. Methods for producing an alfalfa plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 54VR70 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the alfalfa seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Alfalfa seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing alfalfa variety 54VR70 or a trait conversion of 54VR70 with another alfalfa plant or population. Alfalfa populations derived from alfalfa variety 54VR70, methods for producing other alfalfa populations derived from alfalfa variety 54VR70 and the alfalfa populations and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
US09943050B1 Maize hybrid X18H540
A novel maize variety designated X18H540 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X18H540 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X18H540 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X18H540, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X18H540. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X18H540.
US09943045B2 Emitter and drip irrigation tube
An emitter is arranged inside a tube and has: an emitter main body that is constituted by a resin molded body that has at least a recessed part and a through hole; and a flexible film that is joined to at least one surface of the emitter main body and that forms a flow path by closing off the recessed part and an opening part of at least one part the through hole. The emitter has a discharge amount adjusting part that is for making adjustments in accordance with the water pressure inside the tube. When the pressure of an irrigation liquid that is inside the tube is at or above a set value, the film slackens, and the discharge amount adjusting part narrows the flow path of the liquid and reduces flow rate.
US09943041B2 Plant trellis base for a bucket
In order to support a plant in a bucket that has a top and outside rim, a trellis base having a base surface portion and a rim engagement portion is disclosed. These portions seat on the top and outside rim of the bucket and extend around and beneath the top and outside rim of the bucket. A bottom portion of a further extension wall carries a hold down means which when positioned beneath the top and outside rim of the bucket, anchors the trellis base on the bucket. An inward bias means to inwardly bias and maintain the hold down means in position can also be used. The base surface portion carries at least one removable upright trellis holding means to removably carry the plant trellis.
US09943038B2 Plant trimmer
A leafy plant trimmer that is operable by a single person has a basket that is rotated in relation to a stationary sling in order to trim plants placed within the basket. The basket and the sling are housed within a trimmer body that is pivotally connected to a pivot stand. The trimmer body can be rotated between a product loading position for filling the basket and an in-use position for trimming the plants within the basket. A motor housed in the trimmer body spins the basket through a drive shaft. The motor is electrically connected to a timer such that the trimmer can be operated at designated time intervals. Trimmings are expelled from the trimmer body through a debris hole and collected below. A first receptacle attachment and a second receptacle attachment are positioned below the trimmer body and allow a receptacle to be positioned for collecting the trimmings.
US09943036B2 Tagger for agricultural baler
A tagger assembly has a tagger for affixing labels onto a lineal object binding a bale of agricultural crop material. The tagger having an input port for receiving the lineal object and an output port for evacuating the lineal object, and at least one retaining element for tensioning the lineal object, more particularly for tensioning the lineal object when it is raised from an initial position close to the bale to a raised position further away from the bale, for affixing a label.
US09943033B1 Grass catcher apparatus for a riding lawnmower
An apparatus for mounting grass collection bags to a riding lawn mower includes a mounting assembly fixed to a riding lawn mower frame and a lid assembly for carrying removable grass clippings collection bags. The mounting assembly includes slotted brackets that are adapted to receive transverse base pins that are fixed to the lid assembly. An operator may hang the lid assembly by its transverse base pins on the mounting assembly slotted brackets in a hanging position and then rotate the lid assembly up into a raised, operating position. As the lid assembly is rotated to the raised, operating position, a releasable latch mechanism connected to the mounting assembly receives and captures the lid assembly latch pins. With this grass clippings collection unit, a single operator can install or remove the lid assembly, making it possible to rapidly reconfigure the mower for collecting clippings or for not collecting clippings.
US09943028B2 Double-disc ploughshare comprising an inner-lying depth guide wheel
In each case at least one double disc coulter 7, 8 and one depth control wheel 9 areas arranged on the frame 6 of a pneumatic precision seed drill. Seen from the direction of travel, this depth control wheel 9 is located between the two disc coulters 7, 8, whereby the two disc coulters 7, 8 and the depth control wheel 9 rotate in the same direction.
US09943026B2 Device for seed innoculation
A device for the inoculation of seeds is attached internally to a seed meter or a seed box on a planting machine. This is done to carry out the inoculation and treatment of seeds at the same time that they are being planted. The device has a reservoir where the inoculant is placed and then subsequently taken by the pump to the cylindrical mixture chamber. At the top of the cylindrical mixture chamber is a nozzle, which is located at the opposite side of where the seeds leave. They leave from the bottom of the device. There is a drive axle and a group of gears that move and give force to the blades that mix the seeds in the fluid located in the inner part of the chamber. The chamber is connected to the seed distributor disc and the flow of seeds is based on the seed distributor disc's consumption.
US09943024B2 Work vehicle
A work vehicle (1) comprises a mobile frame with a main shaft (2) and a set of support arms adjustable between a lateral operative position, in which the support arms extend laterally of the frame on either side of the main shaft, and an at least partially upward oriented transport position. The support arms have a plurality of mutually pivotable support arm parts which support work modules (11A . . . 11F) placed at a regular distance from each other in order to thereby perform work on a ground surface in the operative position. In the operative position a center of a first of the support arms is situated on a first side of the main shaft at a lateral distance from the main shaft, and in the operative position a center of a second of the support arms is situated on an opposite second side of the main shaft at a lateral distance from the main shaft.
US09943021B2 Row digger
The Row Digger provides a tool that enables an operator of the Row Digger to remove dirt piles interfering with irrigation between crop field furrows and irrigation trenches. The Row Digger includes a frame capable of moving from a transportation position to an operation position. The Row Digger also includes a plurality of digger arms extending from a central hub and each terminating in a corresponding digging disc. The central hub is connected to the frame at a hub angle and is capable of rotation about a hub axis. Each digging disc is also connected to the corresponding digger arm at a disc angle. Each digging disc enters a crop furrow and utilizes the slopes of the ridges to create the rotation required about the hub axis and ensure a path of travel for the digging discs that removes the impeding dirt piles.
US09949419B2 Linear motion device and electronic component mounting apparatus
A linear motion device includes: a linear motion mechanism having: a beam elongated in one horizontal direction; a guide member disposed in the beam to extend in the one direction; a moving member disposed to be movable along the guide member; and a moving mechanism that moves the moving member. The beam includes a metallic tubular body formed with an opening portion penetrating the metallic tubular body in the one direction and a tubular reinforcing portion formed of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic and formed in close contact with an inner surface of the metallic tubular body.
US09949416B2 Protection for implanted gold surfaces
An implantable device includes an exterior gold surface and a thin film disposed on the exterior gold surface and forming a barrier between the exterior gold surface and an implanted environment, in which the thin film includes molecules with a head portion, the head portion attached to the exterior gold surface.
US09949414B2 Cooling system for two-dimensional array power converters
Disclosed herein is a cooling system for two-dimensional array power converters. The cooling system includes: a plurality of power converters arranged in two-dimension; a compressor configured to generate compressed air; vortex tubes each installed in the respective power converters, the vortex tubes configured to generate low-temperature air based on compressed air from the compressor; valves installed between the compressor and the vortex tubes; temperature sensors each installed in the respective power converters to measure temperature inside the power converters; and a controller configured to determine whether to supply the low-temperature air into the power converters by using the vortex tubes, based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensors, and to control the valves depending on a result of the determination.
US09949413B2 Heat-dissipating structure for VSD, and control method and device
A heat-dissipating structure for a variable speed drive (VSD), a VSD device having the heat-dissipating structure, and a method for controlling the heat-dissipating structure. The heat-dissipating structure comprises: an electronic element array, having a first end and an opposite second end, electronic elements in the array producing heat during operation; a heat-dissipating fan, disposed at the first end of the array and used to conduct cooling air to flow between the first end and the second end to cool the electronic elements in the array; and a control apparatus, for controlling operation of the fan, the control apparatus controlling the fan so that the fan rotates at a first rotation direction within a first time period to conduct the cooling air to flow from the second end to the first end, and rotates at a second rotation direction contrary to the first rotation direction within a second time period to conduct the cooling air to flow from the first end to the second end.
US09949408B2 Blank card with scalable airflow impedance for electronic enclosures
In one embodiment, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding faceplate is configured to mount to a line-card slot of a multi-line-card electronic enclosure having an airflow cooling system. A perforation pattern in the faceplate defines an array of perforations in the faceplate, while a flow control sheet affixed to the faceplate and covering an adjustable percentage of the array of perforations in the faceplate from 0-100%, where an amount of airflow impedance caused by the perforations for the airflow cooling system is based on the percentage of the array of perforations covered by the flow control sheet.
US09949407B1 Computer system with partial bypass cooling
A rack-mountable computer system includes a horizontal divider that divides a chassis interior of the computer system into a first level and a second level. One or more heat-producing components are mounted on the first level and a plurality of heat-producing components are mounted on the second level. The horizontal divider includes one or more openings that allow air flowing in the first level to mix with air flowing in the second level. Combined air including the air flowing in the second level and at least a portion of the air flowing in the first level cool a portion of the plurality of heat-producing components mounted in the second level downstream from the one or more openings in the horizontal divider.
US09949406B2 Electronic equipment enclosure
An electronic equipment enclosure includes a frame structure and a customizable side air dam kit. The frame structure includes a front frame, a rear frame, front-to-back frame members connecting corners of the front and rear frames together, reinforced bracket structures located near ends of the cross members, and extruded horizontal mounting rails parallel to, but inward from, the front-to-back frame members. The ends of the horizontal mounting rails are connected to the reinforced bracket structures. Panels are installed in longitudinal slots in the front-to-back frame members and horizontal mounting rails, each of which is extruded. The customizable side air dam kit includes a framework of horizontal and vertical frame pieces, adapted to connect to the frame structure, and a customizable air dam panel supported by the framework. A plurality of the frame pieces are provided to an installer for use in constructing the framework to fit the specific frame structure.
US09949405B2 Electrical device
An electrical device may include a housing, a printed circuit board arranged in the housing, an electrical component arranged in electrical contact with the printed circuit board, and a clamp. The clamp may be configured to bias the electrical component against a cooling structure disposed in the housing and hold the printed circuit board in the housing relative to the housing. The clamp may include a clamp snap-in structure forming at least part of a snap-in connection with the housing.
US09949401B2 In-wall information networking system
A vent-free, fan-less pre-configured Information Technology component cluster suitable for in-wall mounting is provided which maintains proper operational temperature of all components within the cluster.
US09949398B2 Backplane and communications device
A backplane and a communications device are disclosed. The backplane includes: at least one fixing plate, multiple connectors, and multiple flexible cables, where signal connection is implemented between corresponding connectors by means of the flexible cables, each of the connectors is provided with a housing and multiple signal pins installed on the housing, and the housing is installed on the fixing plate and is provided with a jack for insertion of a connector of a subcard in the communications device; one end of each signal pin is inserted into the jack, and the other end is connected to each flexible cable. When the communications device provided with the backplane transmits a high-rate signal, transmission quality and a transmission rate are relatively high.
US09949395B2 Electronic device adopting key-waterproof structure and method for waterproofing key thereof
An electronic device and a method of waterproofing a key thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a body, a display device disposed in the body, a key disposed in the body, and a key-waterproof structure including an insert-injected product that includes an insert-injected sealing area, and a bonding area where a silicon-not-attached portion is formed. The method includes assembling a flexible printed circuit board, to which a key is attached, through a silicon-not-attached portion of an insert-injected product, which is made by insert-injecting a bracket and silicon rubber, and bonding the silicon-not-attached portion.
US09949394B2 Motor vehicle internal combustion engine control apparatus
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a motor vehicle internal combustion engine control apparatus which is constructed as a waterproof structure capable of having a long life while minimizing an increase in surface area of a case and a cover, thereby enabling miniaturization, decrease in cost, and increase in reliability to be satisfied. The motor vehicle internal combustion engine control apparatus is equipped with a substrate, a connector, and a case and cover which enclose the substrate, a waterproofing adhesive being disposed at a junction part between the cover and the case. Recessed portions are disposed at the junction part between the case and the cover. The sidewalls of one of the recessed portions are inserted into the other of the recessed portions to form a gap which is folded a plurality of times between the case and the cover and extends between the inside and the outside of the case and cover, said gap being formed so that the size of the gap on the outer side is formed to be larger than the size of the gap on the inner side. The gap is configured to be fluid-tight by the waterproofing adhesive filled in the gap.
US09949382B2 Method for manufacturing rigid-flexible multilayer wiring board and collective board
A method for manufacturing a rigid-flexible multilayer wiring board includes a step of forming a release layer such that the release layer covers a flexible portion forming region of a principal surface of a first thermoplastic resin sheet, a step of conducting surface modification on the principal surface of the first thermoplastic resin sheet while using the release layer as a mask, a step of laminating a second thermoplastic resin sheet such that the second thermoplastic resin sheet covers the release layer to form a laminate including the first and second thermoplastic resin sheets, a step of press-bonding the laminate, a step of forming a cut from at least either one of upper and lower surfaces of the laminate toward an outline of the release layer when seen in a plan view, and a step of removing a portion surrounded by the cut.
US09949380B2 Manufacturing method of electronic component, electronic component, and manufacturing apparatus of electronic component
A manufacturing method of an electronic component including a circuit component provided with plural first electrodes in an end, and a substrate provided with plural second electrodes includes: pressing a part of a second surface of an inside of a second edge of the circuit component in the end to the substrate by a press attaching surface of the press attaching tool with an adhesive arranged between the circuit component and the substrate; making a part of the adhesive reach the second surface to cover at least a part of the second edge by the pressing; and curing the adhesive between the end and the substrate and the part of the adhesive covering the at least the part of the second edge.
US09949379B2 Flexible printed circuit board and method for manufacturing same
A flexible printed circuit board includes a substrate, a circuit pattern formed on the substrate, and a protective coating layer formed on the substrate by applying and curing a coating solution to cover and protect the circuit pattern. A method for manufacturing forming a circuit pattern on a substrate and forming a protective coating layer for covering and protecting the circuit pattern by applying a coating solution on the substrate. The circuit pattern may be securely attached to the substrate, and damage and deformation of the circuit pattern due to repeated bending or warping of the substrate may be prevented, ultimately improving operational reliability.
US09949377B2 Electronic devices with internal moisture-resistant coatings
A moisture-resistant electronic device includes at least one electronic component at least partially covered by a moisture-resistant coating. The moisture-resistant coating may be located within an interior of the electronic device. The moisture-resistant coating may cover only portions of a boundary of an internal space within the electronic device. A moisture-resistant coating may include one or more discernible boundaries, or seams, which may be located at or adjacent to locations where two or more components of the electronic device interface with each other. Assembly methods are also disclosed.
US09949372B2 Printed wiring board and method for manufacturing the same
A printed wiring board includes a laminate, a wiring layer formed on first main surface of the laminate and including conductor pads, via conductors including first and second via conductors and formed in the laminate such that each via conductor has diameter gradually reducing from the first main surface toward second main surface of the laminate, and conductor post formed on the first via conductors such that each conductor post includes a metal foil and a plating layer formed on the metal foil. The via conductors are formed such that the first via conductors are positioned in an outer edge portion of the laminate and have minimum-diameter-side surfaces positioned to form a same plane with the second main surface of the laminate and that the second via conductors are positioned in a central portion of the laminate and have minimum-diameter-side surfaces recessed from the second main surface of the laminate.
US09949371B2 Resin composite electrolytic copper foil, copper clad laminate and printed wiring board
The problem of the invention is to provide a resin composite electrolytic copper foil having further improved heat resistance and improved plate adhesion strength when plated after desmear treatment in the work process of an additive method. The solution is to form a roughened surface having a plurality of minute projections, a surface roughness (Rz) within a range of 1.0 pm to 3.0 pm and a lightness value of not more than 30 on one surface of an electrolytic copper foil (A), and form a layer of a resin composition (B) containing a block copolymerized polyimide resin (a) having a structure that imide oligomers of a first structural unit and a second structural unit are bonded alternately and repeatedly on the roughened surface.
US09949368B2 Resin substrate and electronic device
A resin substrate includes an insulating substrate, and first and second signal conductors that partially extend in parallel or substantially in parallel with each other along a signal transmission direction. The first signal conductor includes a parallel portion that extends in parallel or substantially in parallel with the second signal conductor along the signal transmission direction, and a first connection portion. In a portion where the first signal conductor and the second signal conductor extend in parallel or substantially in parallel with each other, the first signal conductor and the second signal conductor are disposed at a same position in the thickness direction of the insulating substrate, and the first connection portion is disposed at a different position from the second signal conductor in the thickness direction and a width direction of the insulating substrate.
US09949366B2 Touch panel
A touch panel includes a protective cover with a lower surface herein, and an active region and a periphery region defined on the lower surface. A first sensing structure is disposed on the lower surface and covers the active region. A shelter layer is disposed on the lower surface and in the periphery region, wherein the shelter layer includes a highlight region and a highlight contrast region, a first pattern is disposed in the highlight region, and a non-transparent layer with a second pattern is disposed in the highlight region, wherein the first pattern is overlapped by the second pattern.
US09949364B2 Assembly methods and apparatus for electrically stable connectors
Assembly methods and apparatus for electrically stable connectors are described herein where a conductive wire assembly generally comprises an insulative substrate having a length, one or more conductive elements formed along a first direction upon the substrate, an insulative coverlay formed upon the one or more conductive elements, and at least one opening or window defined through the insulative coverlay exposing a portion of the one or more conductive elements. A conductive coating is formed upon the insulative coverlay such that the conductive coating is in contact with the portion of the one or more conductive elements through the at least one opening or window and the conductive coating may have at least one region removed along a second direction in proximity to the at least one opening or window such that one or more conductive pads are formed and are electrically isolated from a remainder of the conductive coating.
US09949357B2 Embedding an integrated venting system into a printed circuit board
The embodiments relate to a method for integrating a venting system in a circuit board. Three or more interconnected accesses (VIAs) are formed in a printed circuit board (PCB). The VIAs are interconnected by routing a bi-planar channel spanning through the VIAs. The channel includes at least two sections, including a first channel section at a first plane extending from the first VIA to the second VIA and a second channel section at a second plane extending from the second VIA to the third VIA. The first and second sections are at different planar levels.
US09949356B2 Electrode for a plasma arc cutting torch
An electrode for a plasma arc torch is provided with features for improving electrode wear. An emissive insert is received into a cavity formed along one end of the torch body. A portion of the emissive insert is separated from the torch body by a sleeve positioned along the insert near the emission surface of the insert. The sleeve can operate to slow the erosion of the electrode body and thereby improve overall electrode life.
US09949353B1 Method for controlling light presentation of a light system during playback of a multimedia program
A method for controlling light presentation of a light system is proposed to include steps of: (a) performing, by a media renderer, playback of a multimedia program; and (b) controlling, by the media renderer during the playback of the multimedia program in step (a), the light system to change light presentation thereof according to a light-timing file set that is prepared prior to step (a), and that indicates time points at which the light system is to change light presentation thereof during playback of the multimedia program.
US09949352B2 Illuminating device
An illuminating device may include optical sources, a diffusion plate having emission regions corresponding to the optical sources, and a control unit configured to control lighting-up/lighting-out and an emission intensity of the optical sources based upon a schedule when carrying out performance on an optical travel by the diffusion plate. The emission regions each may have a predetermined length and extend in a longitudinal direction of the diffusion plate. In the schedule, a light-up/light-out state of each optical source and an emission intensity of an optical source to be lit up are set based upon an average illuminance in an illuminance distribution of the diffusion plate by combining illuminances of lights emitted from the emission regions. For realizing a temporal change of the average illuminance set, the light-up/light-out state of each optical source and emission intensity of the optical source to be lit up in each time point are set.
US09949351B2 Method for controlling mobile terminal and program for controlling mobile terminal
A method for controlling a mobile terminal that controls lighting devices that illuminate spaces, the terminal including a display and a memory. The method causes a computer of the terminal to obtain current time information, rearrange scene icons, using the memory that stores scenes indicating illumination states established by the lighting devices and scene time information indicating times of the scenes, while associating the scenes and the scene time information with each other. The scene icons correspond to the scenes based on the current time information and the scene time information. The rearranged scene icons are displayed on the display, and, when a scene icon is selected, a control signal for controlling the lighting devices is transmitted to the lighting devices, so that the spaces are illuminated in an illumination state indicated by a scene corresponding to the selected scene icon.
US09949350B2 Use of position data to determine a group monitor
A method for selecting a lighting control group monitor does not require special device network configuration steps during manufacturing. The selected lighting control group monitor is determined based on a location of the lighting control group monitor relative to other lighting system elements within the lighting control group. One lighting system element most centrally located within the lighting control group is selected as the lighting control group monitor. A lighting control group network table listing an entry for each of the lighting system elements is modified such that the entry corresponding to the lighting control group monitor is the first entry in the lighting control group network table. The lighting control group network table is sent to the lighting control group monitor and the lighting control group monitor sends the lighting control group network table to the other lighting system elements in the lighting control group.
US09949349B2 Lighting control apparatus, lighting control method, and lighting control system
Disclosed are a lighting control apparatus, a lighting control method, and a lighting control system. The lighting control apparatus makes communication with lighting devices, registers at least one of the lighting devices according to received signal strengths of the lighting devices, and controls the registered lighting device. The lighting control apparatus easily registers and controls the lighting devices.
US09949344B1 Computing-device lighting schemas
This disclosure describes systems, devices, and techniques for causing an accessory device to present predefined lighting sequences. In some instances, the accessory device is a battery-powered device that includes a wireless radio, an actuatable button, and one or more lighting elements. The accessory device may receive a lighting-sequence schema specifying how to illuminate the lighting elements as well as trigger event upon which to present the lighting sequence. The accessory device may store the received schema and, upon identifying the specified trigger event, may present the corresponding lighting sequence on the lighting elements.
US09949343B2 Illumination control methods and apparatuses and devices having photographing function
Illumination control methods and apparatuses and various devices having a photographing function are disclosed. An example illumination control method comprises: determining a to-be-adjusted region that needs optical parameter adjustment in a photograph framing image; determining, according to light source modulation information carried in received imaging rays corresponding to the to-be-adjusted region, at least one external light source that needs to be illumination controlled; determining illumination control instruction information of the to-be-adjusted region; and sending the illumination control instruction information to the at least one external light source determined, so as to instruct the at least one external light source to perform at least one optical adjustment according to the illumination control instruction information. Imaging quality and photographing effect can be improved thereby.
US09949336B2 Organic light emitting diode device having electrode with Ag—Mg alloy
An organic light emitting diode device includes a first electrode, a second electrode opposite the first electrode, and an emission layer between the first and second electrodes. The first electrode includes a Ag—Mg alloy including a greater amount of Ag than Mg.
US09949331B1 Automated luminaire identification and group assignment
The disclosed devices, systems, and methods may be used to automatically identify, locate, and assign luminaires into groups such that lighting systems may be more efficiently configured, used, and maintained especially in large buildings, etc. For example, a wink function may be used with a system of sensors which are capable of detecting light patterns from individual and groups of luminaires to form virtual maps of luminaire locations which may be correlated with actual luminaire floor plans to efficiently identify, locate, and group the luminaires.
US09949326B2 Predictive LED forward voltage for a PWM current loop
A light system is disclosed. The light system includes a light emitting diode (LED) and a shunt transistor having a current path connected to the LED. A ramp generator circuit generates a ramp voltage. An amplifier has a first input terminal connected to the LED, a second input terminal coupled to receive the ramp voltage, and an output terminal connected to a control terminal of the shunt transistor.
US09949322B2 Method for operating an electric arc furnace and melting plant having an electric arc furnace operated according to said method
In a method for operating an electric arc furnace operated with an alternating voltage, a structure-borne sound signal occurring on a wall of the electric arc furnace is detected, from which structure-borne sound signal a parameter characterizing the flicker properties of the electric arc furnace is calculated. At least one process variable of the electric arc furnace is controlled on the basis of the calculated parameter. An electric arc furnace operated according to the method is used in and for a melting plant.
US09949320B2 Container processing device
A heating device (1) of a container processing device includes a main turret (2) which supplies a container (10) to high-frequency induction heating element (3) for providing a heat treatment to the container (10) so that the container (10) is sucked by bottom suction device (21), a container supply turret (5) which supplies the container (10) to the main turret (2); and an auxiliary turret (4) provided in a receiving area of the main turret (2). The auxiliary turret (4) is configured to center the container (10) towards the bottom suction device (21) in the receiving area.
US09949319B2 Pane having an electric heating layer
A pane having an electric heating layer is described, including: a first pane having a surface; at least one electric heating layer that is applied to at least part of the surface and has at least one uncoated zone; at least two busbars, provided for connection to a voltage source, which are connected to the electric heating layer such that a current path for a heating current is formed between the busbars; and n separating lines which electrically subdivide the electric layer into m segments. The segments are arranged in the form of strips around the uncoated zone such that the current path for the heating current is at least partially guided around the uncoated zone and the segments have equal width and the sum of widths of segments is equal to the width of the electric heating layer.
US09949317B2 Overlapping basic service set (OBSS) indication in a high-efficiency wireless local-area network (HEW)
An apparatus, computer readable medium, and method for overlapping basic service set (OBSS) indication in a high-efficiency wireless local-area network (HEW). An apparatus of a high-efficiency wireless local-area network device is disclosed. The apparatus including transceiver circuitry and processing circuitry configured to receive a frame and determine whether the frame is a frame transmitted from a basic service set (BSS) or a frame transmitted from an OBSS based on one or more media access control (MAC) addresses of the frame. The MAC address may include an indication of a BSS of the HE wireless device. If the HE wireless device is an access point, then a second part of the MAC address may be a predetermined pattern, the second part of the MAC address may be a formula applied to a first part of the MAC address, or an individual/group bit of the MAC address may be set.
US09949312B2 Method and apparatus for updating measurement identity and system
A method and apparatus for updating a measurement identity and a system. The method includes: checking each measurement identity in a measurement identity list included in a pre-stored measurement configuration variable by terminal equipment after performing connection reconfiguration or connection re-establishment; and removing the measurement identity from the measurement configuration variable by the terminal equipment, if reporting configuration associated with the measurement identity includes a measurement event related to a frequency at which a cell belonging to a secondary cell group of the terminal equipment is operating and a measurement object related to the measurement event no longer satisfies a requirement of the measurement event or a cell for comparing in the measurement event no longer exists. With the method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, meaningless measurement by the terminal equipment is reduced, power consumption is lowered, and interference on normal communications is reduced.
US09949311B2 Apparatus, system and method for VoLTE call continuity
A system, apparatus and method to maintain continuity of a Voice over Long Term Evolution (LTE) (VoLTE) call. The system includes a first user equipment (UE) configured to perform a (VoLTE) call and a second UE configured to perform the VoLTE call with the first UE. The UE's are configured to maintain continuity of the VoLTE call by determining when one of a first dedicated bearer linked to a first default bearer of the first UE or a second dedicated bearer linked to a second default bearer of the second UE is lost and transmitting a signal to an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) server that prevents release of the determined dedicated bearer, the signal further triggering a re-activation of the determined dedicated bearer.
US09949310B2 Apparatuses and methods for coordinating operations between circuit switched (CS) and packet switched (PS) services with different subscriber identity cards, and machine-readable storage medium
A wireless communications device includes a radio frequency (RF) module and a baseband chip. The baseband chip is configured to initiate a mobile originated (MO) call through the RF module with a first subscriber identity card when the RF module is occupied by performing a packet switched (PS) data service with a second subscriber identity card, arbitrate a first protocol stack handler to suspend or terminate the PS data service associated with the second subscriber identity card in response to initiating the MO call associated with the first subscriber identity card, and arbitrate a second protocol stack handler to make the MO call associated with the first subscriber identity card when the PS data service associated with the second subscriber identity card is suspended or terminated.
US09949302B2 Automatic wireless communication protocol toggling
In general, this disclosure is directed to techniques for toggling communication connections based on signal strengths. A first computing device receives an indication of a user input to send data packets to a second computing device. Responsive to receiving the indication, the first computing device determines a signal strength of a first wireless communication connection, comprising one of a cellular network connection or a wireless local area network connection, to the second computing device, and determines whether the signal strength satisfies a threshold signal strength level. Responsive to determining that the signal strength does not satisfy the threshold signal strength level, the first computing device automatically establishes a second wireless communication connection, including a mesh network using a different wireless communication protocol than the first wireless communication connection, to the second computing device, and sends the data packets to the second computing device via the second wireless communication connection.
US09949301B2 Methods for fast, secure and privacy-friendly internet connection discovery in wireless networks
A method and system for verifying Internet connectivity at an access point in a fast, secure, and privacy-friendly manner. During operation, the system may perform passive network discovery, challenge response discovery, and/or active discovery to verify Internet connectivity for a mobile device. Passive network discovery involves the mobile device using a public key of a server to decrypt a time value to verify Internet connectivity. The mobile device receives the encrypted time value as part of the server's signed timing information in an overloaded WiFi beacon frame. Challenge response discovery involves the mobile device sending an encrypted challenge to servers, and a server returns a correct response to the challenge to confirm Internet connectivity. Active discovery involves a mobile device sending HTTP GET requests to a randomly selected set of servers without including a user agent, and a server may send an HTTP REPLY to confirm Internet connectivity.
US09949299B2 Emergency radio communications system incorporating integral public safety radio bridging capability
A communication system and method is provided for handling emergencies wherein public safety radios are used to directly communicate with normally incompatible radios used by organizations such as schools. The system includes a radio communication bridge that is selectively activated by emergency personnel to contact an organization undergoing an emergency. The bridge is activated via a TCP/IP command over an IP network or alternatively sent by a pre-programmed digital radio. Computer software or firmware at communication endpoints, emergency responder locations, and at an emergency call center facilitates functionality of the system to include emergency notifications, dissemination of information associated with a particular emergency, and the status of the system to include activation and deactivation of the radio bridge.
US09949294B2 Client-driven dynamic channel adaptation in wireless networking
A client station (STA), when operating in a wireless network, receives data sent by an access point (AP) on a first channel comprising at least one subchannel. During reception of the data on the first channel, the STA monitors channel availability of an additional set of one or more subchannels. In response to a detected availability of at least one newly-available subchannel, the STA sends at least one notification to the AP identifying STA-side availability of the newly-available subchannel(s). The STA subsequently receives data from the AP on the newly-available subchannel(s), which is sent in response to the at least one notification. The AP, when communicating data to the STA, receives the at least one notification from the STA and, in response thereto, initiates data transmission on one or more of the newly-available channel(s).
US09949290B2 Bandwidth determination for multiple user transmission in a high efficiency wireless LAN
The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for determining a bandwidth for Multi-User (MU) transmission in a High Efficiency WLAN (HEW). According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for transmitting by a Station (STA) to an Access point (AP) an uplink Physical layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) frame in a WLAN may be provided. The method may include receiving a trigger frame including bandwidth information, the trigger frame eliciting a transmission of the uplink PPDU frame including a data unit of the STA and at least one data unit of at least one other STA, and transmitting the data unit of the STA in the uplink PPDU frame, based on an available bandwidth of the STA and a bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth information included in the trigger frame.
US09949289B2 Methods and apparatus for enabling further L1 enhancements in LTE heterogeneous networks
A network element in a first cell in a wireless telecommunication network is provided. The network element comprises a processor configured such that the network element provides uplink and downlink grants in the first cell, wherein the first cell is a low-power cell within the coverage area of a second, high-power cell, and wherein the first cell acts as a secondary cell and the second cell acts as a primary cell in a carrier aggregation mode, and wherein at least one uplink control signal is received by one of only the first cell or both the first cell and the second cell.
US09949287B2 Downlink transmission method in heterogeneous network, control device, base station and heterogeneous system
The present invention provides a downlink transmission method in a heterogeneous network, a control device, a base station, and a heterogeneous system. The method includes: when one or more micro base stations need to schedule an edge user in an almost blank subframe ABS, determining, by a control device, at least one micro base station that needs to transmit information to the edge user jointly with a macro base station from the one or more micro base stations; and instructing, by the control device, the macro base station and the micro base station that needs to transmit information to the edge user jointly with the macro base station, to transmit information to the edge user in the ABS. Embodiments of the present invention can avoid a resource waste of the macro base station, and enhance system performance.
US09949279B2 Selection of transmission mode based on radio conditions
A network node for selecting transmission mode towards a wireless device in a wireless communications network is provided. The wireless communications network comprises a first cell and a second cell. The wireless device is connected to the first cell, which first cell is served by the network node. The network node obtains (301) information about respective downlink signal strength from the first cell to the wireless device, and the second cell to the wireless device. The network node selects (302) transmission mode towards the wireless device based on absolute signal strength and a difference in signal strength between the first cell and the second cell. The difference is calculated based on the obtained information. Publ.
US09949278B2 Dynamic power amplifier backoff
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate mitigating effect of non-linear distortion from a power amplifier on a spectral mask margin. Power limit indications can be analyzed in scheduling mobile devices. Mobile devices with power limits can be scheduled on inner subbands. Other mobile devices can employ remaining portions of an allocated spectrum. Further, mobile devices can evaluate and establish a power amplifier backoff based upon the subband scheduling.
US09949274B2 Adaptive rate and reach optimization for wireless access networks
A method controls a wireless network, which includes a controller and a plurality of network elements. The method includes determining interference in the wireless network using radio-link measurements, generating an interference matrix identifying the interference in the wireless network, and generating an adjacency matrix based on the interference matrix identifying locations having unacceptable levels of interference in the wireless network. The method also includes allocating channels and corresponding transmission powers in the wireless network to reduce the unacceptable levels of interference. The method is performed at predetermined fixed time intervals and when a new network element is added to the wireless network.
US09949271B2 Smart congestion control for RRC idle mode in LTE systems
A UE initiates an MMTEL service in RRC Idle mode in a mobile communication network. The UE acquires access control information from a base station. The access control information comprises SSAC configuration information, ACB parameters information, and ACB bypass information. The ACB bypass information indicates whether ACB is applicable to MMTEL service type. The UE then performs SSAC check for the MMTEL service based on the access control information. The UE also performs ACB check for the MMTEL service if ACB is applicable to the MMTEL service. Otherwise, the UE bypasses the ACB check for the MMTEL service. The selective ACB mechanism can prioritize or deprioritize services based on operator's requirement.
US09949265B2 Control channel in a wireless communication system
A base station receives channel state information from a wireless device. The base station transmits to the wireless device one or more data packets on a data channel employing a first precoding matrix identifier. The base station transmits one or more control packets on a control channel to the wireless device employing a second precoding matrix.
US09949261B2 Method and apparatus for conveying resource assignment for multiple system bandwidths
Techniques for supporting communication with user equipment (UEs) of different types on a plurality of system bandwidths are described. UEs of each type may operate on one or more available system bandwidths. Resources assigned to a UE may be conveyed by a resource allocation field of a control message sent to the UE. The resource allocation field may have different configurations (e.g., different sizes and/or interpretations) for different system bandwidths. In one design, the resource allocation field and the control message sent to the UE have different sizes for the plurality of system bandwidths. A base station may determine the size of the resource allocation field based on a system bandwidth selected for the UE. In another design, the resource allocation field may have a same size but different interpretations (e.g., different resource mappings) for the plurality of system bandwidths.
US09949259B2 System and method for transmitting data payload in WB SC, aggregate SC, duplicate SC, OFDM transmission frames
An apparatus for wireless communications is disclosed. The apparatus includes a processing system configured to generate a frame having a preamble, a header, and a data payload, wherein the preamble, the header, and the data payload are decodable by a first device when operating according to a first protocol, wherein the preamble and the header are decodable by a second device when operating according to a second protocol, the data payload not being decodable by the second device when operating according to the second protocol; and an interface configured to output the frame for transmission.
US09949245B2 Method, base station, and user equipment for implementing carrier aggregation
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, a base station, and a user equipment for implementing carrier aggregation. The method includes: determining, by a primary base station, to add a cell for a user equipment UE; and sending, by the primary base station, a first message to the UE, where the first message is used to instruct the UE to add the cell, the first message includes configuration information of the cell and an identifier or index of a base station to which the cell belongs, and the base station to which the cell belongs is a secondary base station. In the embodiments of the present invention, under the control of the primary base station of the UE, a cell of another base station can be added for the UE, so as to implement carrier aggregation between base stations, thereby further increasing user throughput of the UE.
US09949238B2 Method and apparatus for data transfer in a packet-switched network
Apparatus for and methods of enabling a gateway node of a first packet-switched data network to select a first channel for transferring a tunnelled data packet to a destination packet data protocol address of a mobile node provided service in the first network are disclosed. The gateway node is configured to select the first channel from a plurality of channels configured to transfer data packets to the destination packet data protocol address of the mobile node, and the selection is performed by matching a packet data protocol address, associated with a data packet received by the gateway node, to one or more data packet filters associated with the plurality of channels.
US09949237B2 Method and apparatus for facilitating machine gateway operation
An apparatus (20) for providing facilitation of mobile gateway operation may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured, with the processor, to cause the apparatus to perform at least causing provision of configuration instructions (210) to one or more machines (42) where the configuration instructions define at least a discontinuous reception period and beaconing instructions for the one or more machines relative to machine communications utilizing network defined resources, and causing provision of connection information (220) to a mobile terminal (10) to identify connection parameters that correspond to the configuration instructions provided to the one or more machines where the connection information enables establishment of communication between the mobile terminal and the one or more machines. A corresponding method is also provided.
US09949235B2 Wireless paging mode for low-power operation
Method and apparatus for generating and receiving a paging signal are provided. The paging signal may be received by a wireless device in a low-power state. The paging signal may include a target identification (ID) that may be associated with the wireless device. If the target ID is associated with the wireless device, the wireless device may leave the low-power state, enter an active power state and communicate with other wireless devices. The wireless device may include power harvesting circuitry to convert RF energy from the paging signal into power to operate a portion of the wireless device.
US09949233B2 UE based CSFB enhancement
A mobile station for notification of a circuit switched event. The mobile station includes a circuit switched modem, a packetized data modem, a radio, and a tune away controller. The circuit switched communicates circuit switched data over a circuit switched network. The packetized data modem communicates packetized data over a packetized data network. The radio couples the packetized data modem to the packetized data network via a packetized data radio link, and couples the circuit switched modem to the circuit switched network via a circuit switched radio link. The tune away controller is coupled to the circuit switched modem and to the packetized data modem, and indicates tune away events over the packetized data network and notice the mobile station to process the circuit switched event, where the tune away controller directs switching of the radio between the packetized data radio link and the circuit switched radio link.
US09949230B1 Base station identification based location quality data determination
Determining a location quality based on base station identification is disclosed. The location quality can be based on an error attributed to a location determined based on historical data related to an identified base station. Application of supplemental data to the historical base station data can improve location quality by reducing the error. Supplemental data can comprise Voronoi data, geographic data, historical UE density data, historical UE timing advance data, or combinations thereof. Voronoi data can be associated with an area less than a service area of the base station. Geographic data can indicate areas where UEs are not likely to be located. UE density data can indicate probably UE locations. Timing advance data can indicate annular regions where a UE should be located. As such, the supplemental data can constrain a location determined for a UE and correspondingly can reduce error associated with the location.
US09949229B2 Electronic device
To improve the usability of an electronic device, the electronic device includes: a first communication unit located near a user; a receive unit configured to receive data through communication via a body of the user or near field communication between a second communication unit located in a member used by the user and the first communication unit; and a recording unit configured to record data pertaining to the member when communication is established between the first communication unit and the second communication unit.
US09949227B2 Location determination
A method and apparatus for location determination by a WLAN station is disclosed. The method can include a first WLAN station receiving a packet sent by a second WLAN station, deriving a channel quality metric for a channel between the first WLAN station and the second WLAN station, comparing the channel quality metric to a threshold, and calculating a distance between the first WLAN station and the second WLAN station in an instance in which the channel quality metric satisfies the threshold.
US09949222B2 Cellular base station and method of operation
A method of operation of a base station in a cellular communications network, in which user equipment devices in a cell served by the base station need to be synchronized with the cell on the uplink in order to transmit data, and in which Radio Resource Control, RRC, connected user equipment devices can be kept synchronized with the cell on the uplink or not synchronized. The method comprises making a determination as to whether a specified condition within the cell served by the base station is fulfilled, and, in response to the determination as to whether the specified condition within the cell is fulfilled, determining whether RRC connected user equipment devices should be kept uplink synchronized with the cell, or whether RRC connected user equipment devices should be allowed to become not synchronized on the uplink. Signals are transmitted to user equipment devices to affect whether or not the RRC connected user equipment devices are kept uplink synchronized with the cell, in response to determining whether RRC connected user equipment devices should be kept uplink synchronized with the cell, or whether RRC connected user equipment devices should be allowed to become not synchronized on the uplink.
US09949219B2 Power harvesting
Techniques for forming a wireless RF power harvesting and data network are described. An example electronic device includes an antenna array, a processor, and instructions to direct the actions of the processor. The instructions control the processor to perform a registration process for a power harvesting device. The registration process is to obtain information that enables the transmission of a targeted power packet to the power harvesting device through beamforming. The instructions also direct the processor transmit the targeted power packet to the power harvesting device.
US09949217B2 Transmit power control method and system in mobile communications device
A method of transmit power control in a mobile telecommunications device is provided. One of a plurality of signal paths providing different output power and different gains is assigned in a first gain adjustment and a first power measurement in a current time slot. The same one of the signal paths is assigned in at least a second gain adjustment and a second power measurement in the same current time slot.
US09949216B2 Power consumption optimization for cellular communication via power amplifier biasing
This disclosure relates to optimizing power consumption for cellular communication based on transport block size in combination with channel condition measurements via power amplifier biasing. According to one embodiment, an indication of a transport block size to be used for uplink communication with a base station may be received. It may be determined that the transport block size provides more robust communication characteristics than required for current channel conditions. A power amplifier (PA) bias current for uplink communication with the cellular base station may be selected based at least in part on determining that the transport block size provides more robust communication characteristics than required for the current channel conditions. In particular, PA bias current selection may be biased to reduce power consumption at a cost of greater non-linearity based on the transport block size providing more robust communication characteristics than required for the current channel conditions.
US09949214B2 Method for reporting buffer status and communication device thereof
There is provided a method for reporting buffer status. The method may comprise: establishing a first MAC entity for a first eNodeB and a second MAC entity for a second eNodeB; identifying the first MAC entity on which an uplink data is to be transmitted among the first and second MAC entities, if the uplink data becomes available to be transmitted; and triggering a buffer status report (BSR) for the first MAC entity.
US09949213B2 Physical downlink control channel power coordination
There is provided physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) power coordination. A first transmission point (TP1) and a second transmission point (TP2) are associated with a common physical cell identity (PCI). TP1 and TP2 are controlled by a network node. The network node schedules a first user equipment (UE1) on a first PDCCH allocating a first set of control channel elements (CCEs). TP1 and TP2 adjust power on at least one CCE in the first set of CCEs allocated to UE1. TP1 adjusts power on at least one CCE in a second set of CCEs. The second set of CCEs is allocatable by a second PDCCH for the network node to schedule at least a second user equipment (UE2). TP1 and TP2 decrease the number of CCEs in the first set of CCEs allocated to UE1.
US09949210B2 Remedying power drain via a coverage map
A system and method for managing mobile communications device connectivity and communication behavior monitor device location relative to known communication-mode coverage areas and cause or suggest changes in device connectivity or behavior based on a power-drain map to preserve device battery power. The power-drain map provides, in an embodiment, a pairing of locations, available communication modes, and expected power drains when a given device employs each available communication mode. In general, behavioral modifications include preemptive or delayed downloading as well as switching networks or network types among other types of behavior.
US09949203B2 Wireless access method and related device and system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless access method and a related device and system, where the method includes: reading, by a terminal device, access point information stored in an external near field communication tag; and acquiring, by the terminal device, one piece of target access point information according to the read access point information, and establishing, according to the target access point information, a wireless connection to an access point to which the target access point information belongs.
US09949202B2 Access network discovery and selection function (ANDSF) using policy validity conditions and area update policy instructions
According to the invention in a first aspect, there is provided a communication device (114, 200) configured to form part of a telecommunications network and to carry out an access network discovery and selection function, ANDSF. The communication device comprises a receiver (204) configured to receive a request for access network policy information relating to a user equipment, UE, (100, 300) and current UE location data. The communication device comprises a policy information unit (214) configured to determine primary information comprising access network policy information for the UE based at least in part on the current UE location data. The policy information unit is further configured to determine secondary information specifying one or more further UE locations at which the UE should make a further request for access network policy information. The communication device comprises a transmitter (202) configured to transmit the primary and secondary information towards the UE.
US09949201B2 Systems and methods for regulating weather information collection
Systems and methods for regulating weather information collection are provided. In one embodiment, a method for managing the collection of weather information comprises: determining whether or not a weather data processing system is in a state open to receiving weather information; communicating to a first aircraft when the weather data processing system is in a state open to receiving weather information; and upon receiving weather information at the weather data processing system from the first aircraft, transmitting a signal indicating that the weather data processing system is not in a state open to receiving weather information.
US09949200B2 Centralized beacon management service
A centralized beacon management service includes a beacon database for storing beacon information for different enterprises. The beacon database includes tables that associate beacons deployed by enterprises with beacon information. The beacon information can include information for commissioning the beacons and payload data to be broadcast by the beacon to client devices within communication range of the beacon. Based on proximity sensing data provided by a client device, beacon information is retrieved and sent to the client device over a communication channel (e.g., WiFi, cellular) established with the client device.
US09949187B2 Mobile wireless terminal and control method
A mobile wireless terminal is provided that controls a timing or a position in which handover is conducted between a plurality of access points, the terminal includes an antenna that receives a radio wave from an access point, a wireless communication interface that measures the radio wave, a processor, and a memory. The processor stores first and second received powers from respective first and second access points in the memory, conducts handover where a difference acquired by subtracting the first received power from the second received power is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, estimates a first available bandwidth before the handover and stores it in the memory, estimates a second available bandwidth after the handover and stores it in the memory, and controls a timing when handover of the mobile wireless terminal is conducted based on an available bandwidth difference between the first and second available bandwidths.
US09949185B2 Facilitating mobile service anchor management
Mobile service anchor management (MSAM) is facilitated. MSAM is an anchor management function/system for radio frequency (RF) access configuration/reconfiguration over the downlink, and uplink separated novel frequency division duplex systems. One method comprises determining, by a MSAM system comprising a processor, that a mobile device communicatively coupled to a first network device is associated with a region in which the first network device fails to have line of sight communication with the mobile device; and assigning, by the mobile service anchor management system, the mobile device to a second network device determined to have the line of sight communication for the region. Millimeter watt (mmW) BS devices and devices that operate on other RF bands can be utilized.
US09949183B2 Method and apparatus for performing radio measurements in autonomous gaps in multi-connectivity scenarios
In one aspect of the teachings herein, a wireless device operating in a multi-connectivity configuration with respect to an associated wireless communication network applies asymmetrical blanking to two or more of its multi-connectivity connections in conjunction with acquiring system information for a target cell during one or more measurement gaps. “Blanking” as used here implies an interruption in downlink reception, or an interruption in uplink transmission, or both, and arises as a consequence of the measurement gaps used by a wireless device to make measurements on target-cell signals. Asymmetrical blanking results in, for example, the wireless device sending more or less acknowledgment/non-acknowledgment, ACK/NACK, signaling on one of the connections relative to another one of the connections, when acquiring the target-cell system information. In some embodiments, asymmetrical blanking is triggered and/or configured by the network, while in other embodiments it is triggered and/or configured by the wireless device.
US09949182B2 Cell reselection method, device, and system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a cell reselection method, device, and system, where the method includes: receiving a broadcast message sent in a first cell by a base station, where the broadcast message includes information about a set of second cells; when it is determined, according to the information about the set of the second cells, that a target reselection cell is a second cell, determining, according to second-cell reselection parameter information, time for performing cell reselection; or when it is determined, according to the information about the set of the second cells, that a target reselection cell is not a second cell, determining, according to first-cell reselection parameter information, time for performing cell reselection.
US09949178B2 Carrier aggregation sCell selection for LTE-A
Systems and methods for Secondary Cell (sCell) selection for wireless devices operating according to a carrier aggregation scheme in a cellular communications network are disclosed. In one embodiment, a network node obtains a list of potential sCells for a wireless device. The network node blindly selects an sCell for the wireless device from the list of potential sCells. The network node then configures the wireless device with the selected sCell. Blindly selecting the sCell for the wireless device makes it possible to avoid the use of measurement gaps and reduce throughput loss, according to some embodiments.
US09949176B2 Wireless communication apparatus and method
A wireless communication device executes first and second virtual transmission nodes in a wireless communication network. The wireless communication device includes a database for storing identification information of the first and second virtual transmission nodes, and a centralized service unit for accessing the database. When a handover from the first virtual transmission node to the second virtual transmission node occurs, the first virtual transmission node requests the centralized service unit to check whether the second virtual transmission node is co-located in the wireless communication device, and forwards buffered data packets to the second virtual transmission node internally without IPsec processing.
US09949175B2 Radio access network control method and radio access network
In radio access network (RAN) 1 of the present invention, the configuration of radio network controller (RNC) 4 is physically separated into control plane controllers (CPE) 41a-41b for controlling signalling and user plane controllers (UPE) 42a-42c for controlling user data. User plane controllers 42a-42c report their own status information (traffic information/used channel bandwidth information/alarm information) to control plane controllers to which they belong, and control plane controllers 41a-41b manage the status information of the user plane controllers for each of user plane controllers subordinate thereto.
US09949174B2 Method and nodes for handling a UEs access to networks
Methods, devices, computer programs and carriers comprising computer programs for handling handling a User Equipments, UE, access to networks are provided. A method performed by a mobility node 105 comprises, when the UE 101 accesses the current visited network 100v, transmitting 302, 401, through the visited network to a subscriber server 108 in a home network 100h of the UE 101, a request for access information for the UE 101. The request comprises network information which indicates the current visited network 100v and at least one potential visited network which the UE 101 can access. The method further comprises receiving 304, 403, from the subscriber server 108, the requested access information for at least some of the networks indicated in the request. The access information comprises allowed network IDs and corresponding allowed RATs for at least some of the networks indicated in the request which the UE 101 is allowed to access. When the UE 101 should access one of the potential visited networks, the mobility node determines 405, based on the previously received access information, if the UE 101 is allowed to access the potential visited network.
US09949173B2 Circuit switched/packet switched (CS/PS) coordination in a shared network
The embodiments herein relate to a method in a RAN node for determining which operator that should serve a device when it has been handed over from a source network to a target shared network. When the device has been handed over to the target shared network, the RAN node transmits, to a non-registered CN node in a non-registered domain, a request for an identity of the device. The RAN node transmits a request, to CN nodes in a registered domain, for a serving operator which has registered the device. The RAN node receives information indicating the serving operator. The RAN node determines that the same serving operator which served the identified device in the registered domain should also serve the device in the non-registered domain.
US09949169B2 Control flow enhancements for LTE-unlicensed
Control flow enhancement for LTE-U operation. Aspects include enhancements to control flow processing for floating TTI operation for unlicensed cells including ePDCCH processing, aperiodic CSI reporting, DRX operation, and extended TTIs at the end of a transmission burst. The described aspects also include enhancements for reference signal configuration for unlicensed cells, processing of joint grants for multiple unlicensed cells, ePDCCH processing for partial subframes, and multi-channel DRS operation.
US09949160B2 Inter-frequency bias compensation for time difference measurements in position determinations
A method for use in determining a position of a mobile device in a wireless communication network includes acquiring, by the mobile device, a first positioning signal transmitted at a first frequency and a second positioning signal transmitted at a second frequency that is different than the first frequency. The mobile device performs a first measurement of a time difference of arrival between the first positioning signal and the second positioning signal. In certain implementations, in response to a determination to not apply an inter-frequency bias compensation to the first measurement for inter-frequency related delays corresponding to the first frequency, the second frequency, or both the first frequency and the second frequency, the mobile device sends the first measurement and a first measurement description to a server to determine the position of the mobile device. The first measurement description indicates that the first measurement has not been compensated for the inter-frequency related delays.
US09949158B2 Method and apparatus for controlling measurement gaps of serving cells in mobile communication system
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a measuring method of terminal and a measurement information configuration method of a base station in a mobile communication system, and provides a measuring method and a measuring apparatus of a terminal and a configuration method and a configuration apparatus of a base station for configuring information in the terminal, the measurement method comprising the steps of: transmitting, to the base station, the terminal equipment information message including information for configuring measurement gaps with respect to a plurality of frequency bands; receiving from the base station, the measurement gap configuration information set on the basis of the information included in the terminal information message; and measuring according to the measurement gap configuration information.
US09949156B2 Efficient ranging
Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for efficient ranging, for example, in a neighbor aware network (NAN). According to certain aspects, an apparatus for wireless communications is provided. The apparatus generally includes a processing system configured to determine a period that at least one second apparatus is scheduled to be awake, generate a first frame for transmission to the second apparatus during the period, determine ranging information based on a time difference between transmission of the first frame and receipt of a second frame in response to the first frame, and generate a third frame including the ranging information; a transmit interface configured to output the first and third frames for transmission; and a receive interface configured to obtain the second frame. By exchanging ranging information in already scheduled wake-up periods and in existing frame, power consumption and signaling overhead may be reduced.
US09949152B2 Method and measurement system for testing multiple mobile phones in parallel
A method for testing multiple mobile phones performs the testing of a receiving characteristic of each mobile phone in a cyclical sequence of several first measuring tasks. The receiving characteristic of multiple mobile phones in multiple first measuring tasks is tested in parallel.
US09949151B2 HF testing equipment and method for testing D2D-enabled mobile communications terminals
HF testing equipment for testing mobile communications terminals emulates the D2D communications capabilities of at least two mobile communications terminals. Using this equipment, interfering radio transmissions that may occur as a result of randomly selected frequency resources are replicated to test the effect thereof in a mobile communications terminal. A channel model of a transmission channel is emulated, and distortion is impressed on the data signal to be transmitted by means of the model. One baseband data signal in the frequency domain is thus obtained for each transmission channel, and this data signal contains the effects of a particular transmission channel on an undistorted data signal. The various baseband data signals are linked together, e.g., by complex multiplication, and transformed into the time domain. A receipt signal for a mobile communications terminal to be tested, produced by taking account of transmission channels and the accompanying channel distortion, is thus emulated.
US09949150B2 Wireless communication system, base station device, move control node, and method of wireless communication
The wireless communication system of the present invention includes a base station and a mobility management node. The base station sends at least one information from among location information of the base station and information about the size of a cell of the base station, to the mobility management node. The mobility management node receives at least one information from among the location information of the base station and the information about the size of the cell of the base station, from the base station.
US09949142B2 Small cell self-validation and provisioning without using backhaul
Small cell provisioning and validation may be performed, for small cells, in a small cell cluster, based on wireless cellular network connections (i.e., without requiring the use of a backhaul connection). In some implementations, the small cells may communicate with one another using direct Device-to-Device (D2D) communications. The D2D communications may be used to further enhance the network connectivity (i.e., to the cellular network and the OAM server) and to transmit test traffic during performance of the validation functions.
US09949135B2 Visual representation of signal strength using machine learning models
Information about a signal device is received at a first location in a first physical environment. The signal device broadcasts a signal to a computing device. A first indication is received from the computing device. The first indication includes a first strength of signal of the signal device received by the computing device. Whether the first strength of signal is above a threshold is determined. A second location is determined. The second location is where the computing device is located when the first strength of signal is above the threshold. The second location is within the first physical environment. A first visual representation of the first physical environment is displayed. The first visual representation includes one or more of the following: the signal device at the first location, at least one physical item found in the physical environment, a broadcasting power of the signal device, and the second location.
US09949134B2 Method and system for providing service from TDD cell to terminal
The disclosure discloses a method for providing a service from a Time Division Duplex (TDD) cell to a terminal, which includes: configuring a cell of which frequency bands can interfere a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) uplink frequency band and a cell of which frequency bands can interfere an FDD downlink frequency band in cells provided by an eNB as an uplink cell only for transmitting uplink data and a downlink cell only for transmitting downlink data respectively on an eNB of a TDD system in advance, and storing configuration information of the uplink and downlink cells in the eNB; transmitting the configuration information of the uplink and downlink cells to a UE by the eNB; receiving, by the UE, the configuration information of the uplink and downlink cells, and transmitting data with the eNB by at least one of the uplink and downlink cells. The disclosure further discloses a system for providing a service from a TDD cell to a terminal, so as to not only avoid interference between the frequency bands of the FDD and TDD systems and implement coexistence of the FDD and TDD systems, but also fully utilize spectrum resources, ensure the high utilization rate of the spectrum resources and save resources.
US09949132B2 Near field communication (NFC) device and method for selectively securing records in a near field communication data exchange format (NDEF) message
A method and device for selectively securing records in a Near Field Communication Data Exchange Format (NDEF) message in a Near Field Communication (NFC) device are provided. The method includes generating a record by setting a first field to ‘0’ and setting a second field to a predefined value, wherein the record indicates a beginning of at least one record to be secured in the NDEF message; and placing the record in the NDEF message, wherein, at least one record preceding the record is unsecured and at least one record following the record is secured.
US09949129B1 Location-specific data sharing
In one embodiment, a device in a network receives data associated with a particular location. The device determines when the device is at the particular location by monitoring a local position of the device relative to the particular location. The device identifies a node in the network as being co-located with the device at the particular location. The device shares the data with the identified node based on the device and the node being co-located at the particular location.
US09949120B2 Methods and systems for enabling communication with a receiver device in a network
This application discloses a data transfer method for transferring information concerning a service set associated with a communication network. An electronic device obtains a plurality of data packets that comply with a specific data format corresponding to a network access protocol, and each data packet includes a respective header that further includes at least one data field. A service set identifier (SSID) data set is arranged in the at least one data field of the plurality of data packets according to a link layer data structure. The SSID data set at least includes a SSID and a SSID password, and identifies a wireless network that transmits the plurality of data packets and is accessible when the SSID password is verified. The data packets that include the SSID data set are encrypted, and to a receiver device that is communicatively coupled to the electronic device via the identified wireless network.
US09949119B2 Method and system for assessing a message in a decentralized communication network
A method for assessing a message transmitted between at least: two parties via a previously unknown third party in a decentralized communication network, wherein all parties share a common trust architecture, includes publishing, on-behalf-of indication and public, security information of the third party; publishing, the message of the first party; evaluating the published information to extract published content of the first party by the second party as intended receiver of the message; verifying a real-world-identity of the third party and/or the signature of the third party based on the previously received trust information and/or based on the self-certifying name and the public security information of the third party; checking a trust information chain according to the common trust architecture from the second party to the third party; and assessing the content of the first party based on the checked trust chain.
US09949116B2 Method and apparatus for establishing SSID-based connection between terminal device and gateway device
The present application provides a method for interconnection between a terminal device and a gateway device. When the terminal device detects that the terminal device and the gateway device meet a first connection condition and that it is the first time the terminal device is to be connected to the gateway device, acquiring, from the gateway device, a first common SSID preset in the gateway device; and when authentication performed by the terminal device on the acquired first common SSID succeeds, sending a second common SSID preset in the terminal device to the gateway device, so that when authentication performed by the gateway device on the second common SSID succeeds, a common SSID-based connection is established between the terminal device and the gateway device. So using the method, processing of interconnection between a terminal device and a gateway device takes a short time and a process is relatively simple.
US09949112B2 System to protect a mobile network
A system is described for controlling a mobile telecommunications device, in which the mobile device includes an enforcer which can be controlled by the telecommunications network. The telecommunications network signals the enforcer in order to gain control of the mobile device. The enforcer may be a hardware component within the mobile telecommunications device and in particular is coupled between the baseband and applications processors. The system allows a telecommunications network to gain control of a device in the event that the device is corrupted by rogue or malicious software and behaves in a way deleterious to the network.
US09949111B2 Apparatuses, methods and systems for interfacing with a trusted subscription management platform
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are provided for implementing a trusted subscription management platform. The platform allows the remote creation, distribution and management of virtual subscriber identity module cards stored in a plurality of concurrent embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Cards (eUICCs). The eUICCs may be virtualized through a secure software module integrated within a mobile station or in a distant server. These eUICCs may be deployed in both hardware and software instances within the mobile station (or the distant server). In some embodiments, use of the trusted subscription management platform provides a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) server module that facilitates the transmission of voice and data over Internet protocol services integrated within a phone application of the mobile station.
US09949107B2 Method and system for detecting an input to a device
System and method for detecting an input for an apparatus inside a vehicle, wherein at least one moving user device generates a changing electromagnetic field. A detection unit detects at least one field parameter of the electromagnetic field, wherein the detected field parameter is a function of the geometric arrangement of the user device relative to the detection unit. A radio signature of the user device is determined based on the detected field parameters, and a signature sequence is determined based on a sequence of time-sequentially determined radio signatures of the user device. The determined signature sequence is then assigned to an input gesture, and whereby, based on the input gesture, a signal is generated and output.
US09949104B1 Crash detection and severity classification system implementing emergency assistance
A crash detection system is disclosed that utilizes a mobile computing device to detect a vehicular accident via one or more sensors integrated into the mobile computing device. The system monitors the sensor metrics measured by one or more sensors and generates an event sensor profile that may include the plurality of sensor metrics and additional status data, such as an indication of whether the mobile computing device was located within a vehicle when the event occurred. By comparing the plurality of sensor metrics to other crash sensor metrics, a determination may be made whether the event requires emergency assistance, which may be confirmed by determining whether the data included in the event sensor profile meets one or more exception conditions. If the event requires emergency assistance and an exception condition is not met, the mobile computing device may place a call to the appropriate emergency response personnel.
US09949100B2 Method and apparatus for facilitating remote participance in a community
A method and apparatus are provided for facilitating remote participance in a community. A method may include causing an anchor terminal located at a first location to use a proximity-based wireless communication technology to participate in an ad hoc community formed at least in part by the anchor terminal and one or more further terminals at the first location using the proximity-based wireless communication technology to communicate with each other. The method may further include causing the anchor terminal to maintain a connection to a structured network, thereby enabling a remote terminal to participate in the community. The method may additionally include, in an instance in which the remote terminal participates in the community, causing the anchor terminal to serve as a gateway between the terminals participating in the community at the first location and the remote terminal. A corresponding apparatus is also provided.
US09949099B1 Method and apparatus of providing data service mobility
A method and apparatus of accessing a data service in a wireless communications network is disclosed. An example may include receiving a call identifying an application accessed by a mobile station, and verifying whether the accessed application is installed on the mobile station. The example may further include transferring a notification message to the mobile station based on the accessed application.
US09949097B1 Sharing SIM functionality between devices
Various implementations provide techniques and devices for a donor device to allow a beneficiary device to use a subscriber identity of a donor subscriber identification module (“SIM”) card when the donor SIM is coupled and to and active on the donor device. In an implementation, the donor device receives a request from the beneficiary device to communicate using the donor SIM. In some implementations, the request is sent via a donor application installed on both the donor device and beneficiary device. If the request is acceptable, the donor device establishes a wireless telephone call via a wide-area network (“WAN”) on behalf of the beneficiary device and authenticates the wireless telephone call on the WAN using the identity associated with the donor SIM. In some implementations, audio data of the wireless telephone call is encrypted and exchanged via a communication link between the donor device and the beneficiary device.
US09949096B2 Navigation device, system for inputting location to navigation device, and method for inputting location to the navigation device from a terminal
A navigation device, a system for inputting a place, and a method for inputting a place to the navigation device implement inputting a place to a navigation device communicating with a terminal device, searching for and extracting place-associated information from text received by the terminal device. If the place-associated information is extracted from the text, the implementation carries out transmitting, by the terminal device, the text or the place-associated information detected from the text to the navigation device; and setting, by the navigation device, a place obtained on basis of the place-associated information to a destination.
US09949095B2 Floor control method and apparatus
An embodiment floor control method includes receiving, by a mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT) server over an Long Term Evolution network, a first message sent by a user equipment (UE), where the first message includes an identifier of a group to which a talker corresponding to the UE belongs and a parameter indicating that an event type is a floor request, generating, by the MCPTT server, a second message according to the floor control policy and the first message, and sending the second message to the UE. The method includes receiving a response message of the second message sent by the UE, generating a first instruction message according to the response message of the second message, where the first instruction message is used to instruct a media resource function entity to perform uplink voice switching on a media plane, and sending the first instruction message to the media resource function entity.
US09949094B2 Apparatus and method for sending and receiving broadcast signals
A broadcast signal transmitter is provided that includes an Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoder configured to error correction process Physical Layer Pipe (PLP) data; a bit interleaver configured to bit interleave the PLP data; a framer configured to generate a signal frame comprising the PLP data, the signal frame comprising a preamble and at least one subframe; a pilot inserter configured to insert Scattered Pilots (SPs) into the signal frame; and an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) modulator configured to perform Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)-modulation on the signal frame. An SP pattern of the SPs is defined by Dx and Dy, the Dx being a separation of pilot bearing carriers in a frequency direction and the Dy being a number of symbols forming one scattered pilot sequence in a time direction. The amplitude of the SPs is determined from a SP boosting parameter and the SP pattern of the SPs.
US09949093B2 System, method, and computer program product for managing a network based on feedback
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for managing a network based on feedback according to one embodiment. In use, the method includes establishing a network, and connecting at least one device to the network. Additionally, the method includes receiving feedback from the at least one device. Lastly, the network is managed based on the feedback form the at least one device. Additional systems, methods, and computer program products are also presented.
US09949091B1 Path storage and recovery using wireless devices
Embodiments of the present disclosure include an efficient method for presenting a traversed path. The method disclosed can be used to track individuals or provide directions for the individual to return using a path already traversed, so that the individual does not get lost. The method comprises determining a location for an individual by receiving a device identifier (e.g., distinctive combination of numbers and/or characters uniquely identifying a receiving device associated with the individual) and location information, received from one or more beacons, from the receiving device. The method comprises determining a first location associated with the receiving device based on the location information and/or the device identifier. The method comprises determining different locations associated with the individual as the individual moves. The method comprises, upon receiving a request for a traversed path, displaying instructions to reach the point of origin (e.g., first location).
US09949090B2 Location tracking system and method
Provided is a location tracking system and a method of operating the location tracking system. The location tracking system selects either an indoor location tracking mode or an outdoor location tracking mode according to whether a user is currently indoors or outdoors and tracks the location of the user. The location tracking system tracks an indoor location of the user using access point (AP) signal intensity information and a step detection technique when tracking the location of a user in the indoor location tracking mode, and tracks the outdoor location of a user using a global positioning system (GPS) and a step detection technique when tracking the location of the user in the outdoor location tracking mode.
US09949089B2 Position management system, position management apparatus, and position management method
A position management system includes a first receiving unit configured to receive a radio wave according to a predetermined wireless communication standard from a first device when the movement of a second device is detected; a second receiving unit configured to receive second position information including latitude and longitude information from an IMES transmitting device when the movement of the second device is detected; and an acquiring unit configured to measure an intensity of the received radio wave, estimate a position of the second device based on the intensity, and acquire first position information indicating the estimated position. The second receiving unit receives a radio wave from GPS when the second device moves outdoors where communication with the IMES transmitting device is not possible, and sets latitude and longitude information, which is measured based on the radio wave received from the GPS, as the second position information.
US09949088B1 Network system with scheduled breaks
A method and system for scheduled breaks are described. A network computer system receives provider data corresponding to a position of a computing device of a service provider. The system determines a service state of the provider between an open state, an occupied state, and a pause state, indicating the provider is unavailable for a remaining duration of time. In response to receiving a service request specifying a service location and a determination that the provider is in the pause state, the system estimates a time of arrival at the service location based at least on the remaining duration of time for the pause state and the position of the computing device. Based on the estimated time of arrival, the system selects the provider to fulfill the service request and transmits data corresponding to the service request to the computing device of the service provider.
US09949087B2 Method and system for providing information about time zone of a wireless communication device
A method and mobile device configured to display time zone information of a destination mobile device to which the mobile device connects based on time zone information of the mobile device and the destination mobile device.
US09949077B1 Systems and methods for communicating with remote users
A messaging system comprises memory for storing contact information and location information for a plurality of users, referred to hereafter as “participants,” who may be dispersed across a wide geographic area. When a user desires to solicit images from a particular geographic region of interest, the user provides inputs indicative of such region, and messaging logic then automatically determines which participants are within the region of interest based on the stored location information. Using the contact information, the messaging logic then initiates communication with the identified participants in order to solicit images of the region of interest. In response, willing participants may capture and return images as may be desired. Thus, the system facilitates the process of finding people at or close to an event of interest, communicating with such people to solicit images of the event or the effects of the event, and then collecting such images.
US09949076B2 Network elements, wireless communication system and methods therefor
“Spoof” paging messages including the TMSI of a user equipment (129) known to be a vicinity are transmitted with a relatively high periodicity in an indoor cluster of presence nodes (113-121) and the node which receives the paging response from the user equipment is recorded, thus giving an indication of presence (and location) with a fine granularity. An additional presence node (125) having a different LAC from the macrolayer (123) is located at the entrance to the indoor cluster so that the TMSI and IMSI of the user equipment can be obtained. The invention can advantageously be employed in a retail store where a fine granularity in tracking subscriber movements around the store is desired. To conserve the user equipment's battery life, spoof paging messages are not sent to those user equipments which enter the vicinity on a regular basis, such as employees of the retail store.
US09949075B2 Wireless tracking of power tools and related devices
A method of communicating with at least one power tool device using a power distribution box. The power distribution box includes a power-line adapter, a gateway device, and alternating current (AC) power outlets. The method includes receiving alternating current from an external power source and distributing the AC power received from the external power source to the AC power outlets. The method also includes receiving from the gateway device wireless communication from a power tool, transmitting by the power-line adapter the data from the wireless communication to an external network, and receiving information regarding the power tool device.
US09949073B2 Wireless service provider management of geo-fenced spaces
A wireless provider system can manage services provided to a plurality of electronic wireless devices based upon geo-fenced spaces defined by respective sets of points in space. A wireless provider system can provide wireless access service to the plurality of electronic wireless devices. The wireless provider system can detect that a particular electronic wireless device of the plurality of electronic wireless devices is within a particular geo-fenced space. In response to this detecting, the system can identify at least one service associated with the particular geo-fenced space. The wireless provider system can, in response to the identifying, modify the wireless access service provided to the wireless device by attaching the at least one service to the particular electronic wireless device.
US09949072B2 Wireless service provider management of geo-fenced spaces
A wireless provider system can manage services provided to a plurality of electronic wireless devices based upon geo-fenced spaces defined by respective sets of points in space. A wireless provider system can provide wireless access service to the plurality of electronic wireless devices. The wireless provider system can detect that a particular electronic wireless device of the plurality of electronic wireless devices is within a particular geo-fenced space. In response to this detecting, the system can identify at least one service associated with the particular geo-fenced space. The wireless provider system can, in response to the identifying, modify the wireless access service provided to the wireless device by attaching the at least one service to the particular electronic wireless device.
US09949064B2 Electronic device and operating method thereof
An electronic device, according to various example embodiments of the present disclosure, may include: a housing; a display disposed to be exposed through one surface of the housing; at least one fastener formed on at least one surface of the housing and configured to be attached to, and detached from, an external electronic device; a communication circuit disposed inside the housing and configured to establish a communication connection with the external electronic device; and a processor disposed inside the housing, wherein the processor is configured to: determine whether the electronic device is connected with the external electronic device through the communication circuit; determine the type of the connected external electronic device when the electronic device is connected with the external electronic device; display, on the display, at least one preset function corresponding to the determined type of the external electronic device among a plurality of functions of the electronic device; and provide a function selected from the at least one function displayed on the display.
US09949062B2 Method, computer-readable storage device and apparatus for predictive messaging for machine-to-machine sensors
A method, computer-readable storage device and apparatus for generating a predictive message in a communications network are disclosed. For example, the method receives at least one machine-to-machine communication in the communications network, stores the at least one machine-to-machine communication in a database of the communications network, analyzes the at least one machine-to-machine communication, and generates the predictive message based upon the at least one machine-to-machine communication that is analyzed.
US09949060B2 System allowing or disallowing access to resources based on sensor and state information
A system and method is provided for using information broadcast by devices and resources in the immediate vicinity of a mobile device, or by sensors located within the mobile device itself, to ascertain and make a determination of the immediate environment and state of the mobile device. This determination may be used to control and manage the actions that the device is asked to carry out by or on behalf of the user.
US09949050B2 Calibration method and system
The present invention concerns a method for calibrating an array of receivers (rj), each receiver being configured for receiving a signal transmitted by at least one transmitter (si), and echoes of the transmitted signal as reflected by one or more reflective surfaces (w), said method comprising the following steps: sorting said echoes, by assigning each echo to a reflective surface or to a combination of reflective surfaces (w) calibrating said array of receivers (rj) based on said sorting.
US09949041B2 Hearing assistance device with beamformer optimized using a priori spatial information
A hearing assistance system includes an adaptive binaural beamformer based on a multichannel Wiener filter (MWF) optimized for noise reduction and speech quality criteria using a priori spatial information. In various embodiments, the optimization problem is formulated as a quadratically constrained quadratic program (QCQP) aiming at striking an appropriate balance between these criteria. In various embodiments, the MWF executes a low-complexity iterative dual decomposition algorithm to solve the QCQP formulation.
US09949039B2 Hearing system having improved high frequency response
The present invention provides hearing systems and methods that provide an improved high frequency response. The high frequency response improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the hearing system and allows for preservation and transmission of high frequency spatial localization cues.
US09949034B2 Sound field spatial stabilizer
In a system and method for maintaining the spatial stability of a sound field a balance gain may be calculated for two or more microphone signals. The balance gain may be associated with a spatial image in the sound field. Signal values may be calculated for each of the microphone. The signal values may be signal estimates or signal gains calculated to improve a characteristic of the microphone signals. The differences between the signal values associated with each microphone signal may be limited although some difference between signal values may be allowable. One or more microphone signals are adjusted responsive to the two or more balance gains and the signal gains to maintain the spatial stability of the sound field. The adjustments of one or more microphone signals may include mixing of two or more microphone. The signal gains are applied to the two or more microphone signals.
US09949033B2 Planar sensor array
A method (500) for constructing a three-dimensional (3D) wave field representation of a 3D wave field using a two-dimensional (2D) sensor array (110), said method comprising: acquiring 3D wave field signals using a 2D array (110) of sensors (340, 350), said 2D array (110) of sensors (340, 350) comprising omnidirectional sensors (340) and first order sensors (350) arranged in a 2D plane; digitizing said acquired 3D wave field signals; computing even coefficients of spherical harmonics dependent upon said digitized 3D wave field signals acquired by said omnidirectional sensors (340); computing odd coefficients of said spherical harmonics dependent upon said digitized 3D wave field signals acquired by said first order sensors (350); and constructing a 3D wave field representation dependent upon said computed even and odd coefficients for said acquired 3D wave field signals.
US09949032B1 Directivity speaker array
Some embodiments provide a directivity speaker array, comprising multiple driver assemblies, which is configured to provide audio signal patterns, which include audio content, to one or more listeners where the signal patterns are associated with at least a certain threshold directivity across a range of frequencies in which the array can transition between the providing audio signal patterns via beamforming of signals generated by multiple driver assemblies and via an individual driver assembly, based on overlapping frequency ranges at which such provided audio signal patterns are associated with at least the certain threshold directivity. A driver assembly can include a release duct which progressively releases an audio signal generated by a coupled driver, via perforations in a perforated surface, as the signal propagates along a surface of an enclosure of the duct such that an intensity of the audio signal is maximized along the particular axis of propagation.
US09949030B2 Acoustic device
An acoustic device that is adapted to be worn on the body of a user. The acoustic device has an array of acoustic transducers comprising at least three acoustic radiating surfaces, and a controller that is adapted to provide array control signals that independently control the relative phases and amplitudes of each of the transducers.
US09949027B2 Systems and methods for handling silence in audio streams
Systems and methods for handling silence in audio streams are disclosed. In one aspect, a transmitter detects a halt in an audio stream. After detection of the halt in the audio stream, the transmitter embeds a silence signal into the audio stream and transmits the silence signal to associated receivers. The associated receivers may respond to the embedded silence signal by “playing” silence or by using the silence signal to activate a silence protocol. In either event, the associated receivers do not receive the original audio halt and do not produce an unwanted audio artifact.
US09949024B2 Method and apparatus for controlling output based on type of connector
A method of controlling the output according to a type of connector and an electronic device adapted to the method are provided. The method includes determining whether a first, second and third external connector is inserted into a receptacle, via a circuit connected to the receptacle, wherein the receptacle is configured to receive the first, second or third external connector, each of the first and second connector includes a first number of contacts, and the third external connector includes a second number of contacts less than the first number of contacts; providing an audio output signal to the first external connector in a first manner when the first external connector is inserted into the receptacle; providing an audio output signal to the second external connector in a second manner which differs from the first manner when the second external connector is inserted into the receptacle; and providing an audio output signal to the third external connector in a third manner which differs from the first and second manners when the third external connector is inserted into the receptacle.
US09949022B2 Underwater communication systems, underwater speakers, underwater microphone assemblies and methods
Underwater communication systems, underwater speakers, underwater microphone assemblies and associated methods are described. According to one aspect, an underwater speaker includes a housing, a transducer member coupled with the housing and positioned to contact a body of water, wherein the transducer member is configured to vibrate to generate sound pressure waves within the body of water which comprise content which is audible to humans within the body of water, and an exciter coupled with the transducer member and configured to impart forces to the transducer member to cause the vibration of the transducer member to generate the sound pressure waves in the body of water as result of a received electrical signal which comprises the content.
US09949018B2 Distributed mode louspeaker damping oscillations within exciter feet
There is provided a flat panel loudspeaker comprising a resonant panel, an exciter comprising a foot generally cylindrical in shape, coupled to the resonant panel and defining an inner region of the resonant panel. The exciter is drivable to vibrate the resonant panel via the foot, whereby to produce a sound. A stiffness of the resonant panel in the inner region is greater than a stiffness of the resonant panel in a region of the resonant panel outside the inner region. Additionally or alternatively, the flat panel loudspeaker further comprises a damping member in contact with the inner region of the resonant panel and arranged inside the foot to generally brace against the vibration of the resonant panel so as to damp a response of the resonant panel in the inner region to a vibration from the exciter.
US09949015B1 Wireless headset carrying case with wireless transmitter
A case for a wireless electronic listening device (e.g., a pair of wireless earbuds) is configured to house a pair of wireless earbuds and charge the earbuds when they are in the case. The case is further configured to receive media received by the wireless earbuds and transmit the media to a non-wireless output device connected to the case. The case may further include its own wireless radio that can wirelessly communicate audio to the wireless earbuds when the earbuds are not in the case. The case may further include an input port to receive an audio signal from a non-wireless source and may be configured to wirelessly transmit the audio received from the source to the wireless earbuds.
US09949013B2 Near field gesture control system and method
An earpiece includes an earpiece housing, a processor disposed within the earpiece housing, and a gesture based interface operatively connected to the processor and configured to detect changes in an energy field associated with user gestures. The processor is configured to interpret the changes in the energy field to determine the user gestures.
US09949012B2 Line control device of earphone
A line control device of an earphone includes an upper cover; a middle cover being detachably and fixedly connected to the upper cover, wherein, an arranging space for arranging a control panel is enclosed between the upper cover and the middle cover; and a lower cover being fixedly connected to the middle cover, wherein, shielding parts are formed on the edges at both sides of the middle cover, and the shielding parts are used for sealing the gaps between the upper cover and the lower cover.
US09949011B2 Earphone keeper
An earphone keeper having a jack clip to attach to an audio jack, several earphone clips to attach to respective speaker housings of a pair of earphones, and securement features that releasably couple the earphone clips to the jack clip, is disclosed. More particularly, an embodiment includes a magnet in the jack clip to magnetically attract soft magnetic inserts in the earphone clips such that the speaker housings are releasably retained at the audio jack and cable portions of the earphones resist tangling. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US09949009B2 Wireless in-ear headphones
A headphone system including a first earpiece, a second earpiece, and a coupler. The headphone system receives a wireless signal having audio content from an external audio source and reproduces at least a portion of the audio content using the first and second earpieces. The first earpiece includes a power source connector to be removably connected to an external power source, a first energy storage device coupled to receive power from the power source connector, and a first power transfer device coupled to receive power from the power source connector. The second earpiece includes a second power transfer device for receiving power from the first power transfer device and a second energy storage device coupled to receive power from the second power transfer device. The coupler is to hold the first and second earpieces together with the first and second power transfer devices in a power transfer configuration.
US09949006B2 Earphone device
An earphone device includes a housing having a driver unit, and a sound guide tube mounted on a front surface of the housing to protrude from the front surface, in which the sound guide tube is disposed at a position deviated from a center position of the housing.
US09949005B2 Customizable headset
A headset worn by workers in retail stores and similar commercial settings is disclosed. The headset includes an ornamental bezel. The bezel may be attached to the headset body to provide distinguishing characteristics to the headset.
US09949004B2 Sound and vibration transmission device
An apparatus capable of transmitting sound and vibrations to a user is described. The apparatus may also generate an electromagnetic field sufficient to stimulate the user's energy system. The apparatus includes a support structure configured to support at least a part of the user's body; a transducer coupled to the frame of the support structure in a manner which allows the transducer to move in relation to the frame; and an audio signal source for transmitting audio signals to the transducer. The transducer is capable of receiving and responding to audio signals having a wide range of audio frequencies when the apparatus is in use.
US09949002B2 Apparatus control device and apparatus control method
An apparatus control device includes a first communicator which communicates with a mobile terminal, a second communicator which communicates with a plurality of electrical apparatuses, a setter which sets correspondence information in which identification information of the mobile terminal is associated with identification information of an electrical apparatus controllable by the mobile terminal, and a controller which controls, when the first communicator receives a control request to control a target electrical apparatus from the mobile terminal, communication of the second communicator such that the second communicator transmits a control command to the target electrical apparatus if the identification information of the mobile terminal is associated with identification information of the target electrical apparatus, and such that the second communicator does not transmit the control command to the target electrical apparatus if the identification information of the mobile terminal is not associated with the identification information of the target electrical apparatus.
US09948998B1 Providing content related to a selected channel for presentation to a user via a client device
A system may receive an entity identifier for a user. The entity identifier may identify an entity that is associated with a category. The system may identify channel(s) for the category by obtaining data for the user, and analyzing the data to determine a score for each channel. The system may use the scores to select one or more of the channels. The system may provide content related to the selected channel(s) to a client device of the user, and the user may interact with the content via the client device.
US09948995B2 Methods and apparatus for supporting sharing of content between mobile communications devices and home based devices
Methods and apparatus for allowing a telephone user to share captured audio and/or video with a set top box user are described. The methods and apparatus of the present invention can be implemented without the need for a called party to support video conferencing and/or have a computer system. In various embodiments a telephone call is used to first contact a party to who content from a telephone may be streamed, e.g., in real time. Assuming the contacted party is interested a video session is established with a STB or other device corresponding to the called party and video content delivered from the cell phone. Audio may also be streamed with the video and/or the initial telephone call is maintained while video content is delivered allowing for bi-direction communication via the calling party and called party's telephones.
US09948993B2 Information processing apparatus and information processing method
Transmission and reception of a stream are appropriately performed between a plurality of information processing apparatuses. An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit and a control unit. The acquisition unit acquires information for use in determination for controlling transmission and reception of a stream performed between a plurality of information processing apparatuses in accordance with the Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) CERTIFIED Miracast specification. Also, the control unit controls the transmission and reception of a stream on the basis of the acquired information (information for use in determination for controlling transmission and reception of a stream).
US09948987B2 Systems and methods for providing predefined category-based channel lists
Various embodiments facilitate generation, distribution, and presentation of category-based predefined channel lists. In one embodiment, an electronic program guide (“EPG”) manager is provided for execution on a receiving device, such as a set-top box. The EPG manager receives from a program distributor a predefined channel list that includes multiple channels that carry related programming. The channel list includes an associated category and indicators of the multiple channels, the multiple channels each carrying at least some programming in the associated category. The EPG manager presents to a user at least some of the multiple channels in an electronic program guide. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US09948986B2 Service guide information transmission method, service guide information reception method, service guide information transmission device, and service guide information reception device
One embodiment of the present invention provides service guide information transmission and reception methods and devices. The service guide information transmission method according to the one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: generating service guide information including information on broadcast services and content; encoding the generated service guide information; and transmitting the encoded service guide information.
US09948985B2 Method and apparatus for network association of content
Methods and apparatus for perform association of stored content downloaded over a network with a unique identification. In one embodiment, the content is stored locally, and the association is performed in a secure manner using network or source-specific information (e.g., the organization identification or “orgID” of the bearer network or MSO). This association is used to ensure that the content stored on the playback device can be accessed for viewing only when the playback device is connected to the same network from which the content was obtained. Use of the orgID allows the content association and protection functionality to be implemented in existing networks with only minor software changes.
US09948984B2 Content publishing for personalized content aggregation platform
Network devices provide, to a content source device, an uplink user interface to describe and upload video content. The network devices receive, via the uplink user interface, descriptive information for the video content and generate, based on the descriptive information received via the uplink user interface, a unique content identifier for the video content. The network devices incorporate, based on the descriptive information, a listing of the video content into a catalog of content available to users of a content distribution network. The network devices receive, from the content source device, the video content and receive, from a user device, a request to view the video content that includes the unique content identifier. The network devices provide, to the user device, a link to enable the user device to access the video content via the content distribution network.
US09948981B2 Upstream signal capture and processing in a subscriber device
An upstream signal capture device includes a signal capture circuit having a first port and a second port. The first port of the signal capture circuit is arranged for coupling to a diplexer. The upstream signal capture device also includes an amplifier having a first port and a second port, the first port of the amplifier coupled to the second port of the signal capture circuit, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) having a first port and a second port, the first port of the ADC coupled to the second port of the amplifier. The upstream signal capture device further includes a digital threshold detector having an input and output, the input of the digital threshold detector coupled to the second port of the analog-to-digital converter, and a memory configured to capture samples of the upstream signal. When using the upstream signal capture device to capture an upstream signal, a portion of an upstream signal is diverted into an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). A portion of the upstream signal is converted into a digital signal, and when the digital signal exceeds a threshold, the signal is captured in a memory.
US09948980B2 Synchronizing audio content to audio and video devices
In one general aspect, a method can include receiving, by a computing device, a selection of a group of devices that receive content under control of the computing device, and identifying a first device and a second device included in the group of devices. The computing device and each device included in the group of devices can be connected to a network. The first and second devices can be available to receive content, under the control of the computing device, from a server connected to the network that is remote from the group of devices and the computing device. The method can include providing an indication that the content be provided to the first device by the server and providing an indication that at least a portion of the content be provided to the second device synchronously with the providing of the content to the first device.
US09948977B2 System, method, and apparatus for determining presentation time for picture without presentation time stamp
Presented herein are system(s), method(s), and apparatus for determining the presentation time for a picture without a presentation time stamp. A first and second picture are decoded. The first picture is a reference picture for the second picture. The presentation time for the second pictures is computed as a function of a presentation time and a decode time for the first picture.
US09948975B2 Systems and methods for programming a remote control device
A method for programming a first remote control device associated with a first electronic device that includes receiving, by the first electronic device, a first electronic command signal issued from a second remote control device. The first electronic command signal includes a key code indicative of a first key entry on the second remote control device. The first electronic device accesses a key code database, which stores a plurality of key code sets, and each of the plurality of key code sets has a plurality of key codes for controlling at least one electronic device. The first electronic device compares the received first key code to the key code database to identify matching key code sets including the first key code. The first electronic device analyzes the matching key code sets to identify a preferred next key entry, and prompts a user of the second remote control device to press a key on the second remote control device corresponding to the identified preferred next key entry.
US09948974B2 Device pairing
An electronic device includes an imaging device to capture image data. At least one processor is configured to: process the image data to determine whether the image data includes a graphic that changes over time, and pair the electronic device with a second electronic device in response to a determination that the image data includes the graphic that changes over time.
US09948960B2 Digital broadcasting system and data processing method that carries broadcast data using IP packets
A digital broadcasting system and a method of processing data are disclosed, which are robust to error when mobile service data are transmitted. To this end, additional encoding is performed for the mobile service data, whereby it is possible to strongly cope with fast channel change while giving robustness to the mobile service data.
US09948952B2 Broadcast signal transmitting device and broadcast signal receiving device
A broadcast signal transmitting apparatus is provided. The broadcast signal transmitting apparatus includes a first encoder, a second encoder and a transmitter. The first encoder generates a video stream of a frame compatible 3-Dimensional Television (3DTV) service. The second encoder generates signaling information for signaling the video stream. The transmitter transmits a broadcast signal comprising the video stream and the signaling information. The signaling information includes first information indicating whether the video stream includes a frame packing arrangement supplemental enhancement information (SEI) message, service type information indicating that a service type of the video stream is a High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) frame compatible 3DTV service, and a plurality of component descriptors indicating a type of component stream with respect to the video stream. Each of the plurality of component descriptors includes: component tag information, first stream content information, second stream content information, and component type information.
US09948947B2 Motion vector calculation method
When a block (MB22) of which motion vector is referred to in the direct mode contains a plurality of motion vectors, 2 motion vectors MV23 and MV24, which are used for inter picture prediction of a current picture (P23) to be coded, are determined by scaling a value obtained from averaging the plurality of motion vectors or selecting one of the plurality of the motion vectors.
US09948944B2 Image coding apparatus and image coding method
To use both intraframe prediction coding and interframe prediction coding, and at the same time restrict a transfer volume of reference data used in motion detection in interframe prediction coding. In a coding apparatus that compression-codes moving images, both intraframe prediction coding and interframe prediction coding are applied and prediction coding is carried out using a prediction image produced by the coding system deemed to have the higher coding efficiency.
US09948943B2 Image processing system for processing combined image data and depth data
A combination of image data and depth data is supplied defining luminance and/or color for image positions in an image and distance to objects visible at said image positions respectively. The image data and the depth data are compressed by a compressor (120) and decompressed by a decompressor (16). The depth data is dilated before said compressing, to move an edge between a region of image positions with a relatively smaller distance and a region of image positions with a relatively greater distance towards the region of image positions with a relatively greater distance.
US09948942B2 Image decoding method, image coding method, image decoding apparatus, image coding apparatus, and image coding and decoding apparatus
An image decoding method for decoding a bitstream including a coded signal resulting from coding tiles and slices into which an image is partitioned, the method including decoding the coded signal, wherein each of the slices is either a normal slice having, in a header, information used for an other slice or a dependent slice which is decoded using information included in a slice header of another slice, and when the normal slice starts from a position other than a beginning of a first tile, a second tile coded next to the first the does not start from the dependent slice.
US09948941B2 Circuit, method and video decoder for video decoding
A circuit for decoding a video, comprising: at least one entropy transcoder configured to perform at least one entropy transcoding on a received bit stream, to generate transcoded streams, wherein the entropy transcoding includes transcoding syntax for the bit stream; at least one main decoding unit configured to perform at least one transcoded stream decompression and pixel decodings on a frame of the transcoded streams.
US09948940B2 Encoding apparatus, decoding apparatus, encoding method, and decoding method
The plurality of encoders respectively transmit encoded information including an encoded image obtained by encoding one image among the plurality of images obtained by partitioning a captured image, and time information corresponding to the one image. At least any one of the plurality of encoders transmits identification information for respectively identifying the plurality of images. A decoding apparatus includes a plurality of decoders. One decoder calculates a playback time for each of a plurality of images based on a scheduled playback time at which a real time according to a scheduled playback time of the plurality of images, which is calculated by each decoder, is later than a real time according to a scheduled playback time of the other images. Encoding with which synchronized partitioned video images can be transmitted in real time in a cost-effective IP network without needing devices such as a conversion device can be performed.
US09948937B2 Apparatus, a method and a computer program for video coding
There is disclosed an apparatus, a method and a computer program for video coding. The apparatus comprises a selector configured for selecting a pixel for prediction; a projection definer configured for determining a projection of said pixel to a set of reference pixels; and a prediction definer configured for selecting one or more reference pixels from said set of reference pixels on the basis of said projection, and using said selected one or more reference pixels to obtain a prediction value for said pixel to be predicted.
US09948934B2 Estimating rate costs in video encoding operations using entropy encoding statistics
A component of an entropy encoding stage of a block processing pipeline (e.g., a CABAC encoder) may, for a block of pixels in a video frame, accumulate counts indicating the number of times each of two possible symbols is used in encoding a syntax element bin. An empirical probability for each symbol, an estimated entropy, and an estimated rate cost for encoding the bin may be computed, dependent on the symbol counts. A pipeline stage that precedes the entropy encoding stage may, upon receiving another block of pixels for the video frame, calculate and use the estimated rate cost when making encoding decisions for the other block of pixels based on a cost function that includes a rate cost term. The symbol counts or empirical probabilities may be passed to the earlier pipeline stage or written to a shared memory, from which components of the earlier stage may obtain them.
US09948933B2 Block adaptive color-space conversion coding
In general, this disclosure describes techniques for coding video blocks using a color-space conversion process. A video coder, such as a video encoder or a video decoder, may determine whether to use color-space conversion for a coding unit and set a value of a syntax element of the coding unit to indicate the use of color-space conversion. The video coder may apply a color-space transform process in encoding the coding unit. The video coder may decode the syntax element of the coding unit. The video coder may determine whether a value of the syntax element indicates that the coding unit was encoded using color-space conversion. The video coder may apply a color-space inverse transform process in decoding the coding unit in response to determining that the syntax element indicates that the coding unit was coded using color-space conversion.
US09948930B2 Template matching for JVET intra prediction
A method of decoding JVET video, comprising defining a coding unit (CU) template within a decoded area of a video frame, the CU template being positioned above and/or to the left of a current decoding position for which data was intra predicted, defining a search window within the decoded area, the search window being adjacent to the CU template, generating a plurality of candidate prediction templates based on pixel values in the search window, each of the plurality of candidate prediction templates being generated using different intra prediction modes, calculating a matching cost between the CU template and each of the plurality of candidate prediction templates, selecting an intra prediction mode that generated the candidate prediction template that had the lowest matching cost relative to the CU template, and generating a prediction CU for the current decoding position based on the intra prediction mode.
US09948927B2 Using an optical interface between a device under test and a test apparatus
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for device testing via an optical interface. In one instance, the apparatus may comprise a test controller to operate a camera to generate an image to capture test data displayed on a screen of a device under test. The test controller may be configured to extract the test data from the image, analyze the test data, and generate feedback information for the device under test, based at least in part on a result of the analysis of the test data. The camera may be included in the apparatus and communicatively coupled with the test controller. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09948926B2 Method and apparatus for calibrating multiple cameras using mirrors
Method and apparatus for calibrating multiple cameras. A first mirror and a second mirror are arranged opposite each other. An object is disposed between the first mirror and the second mirror. Calibration of the multiple cameras is performed using a figure of the object formed on the second mirror via reflection from the first mirror and the second mirror.
US09948925B2 Modulator for stereoscopic image device and stereoscopic image device using same
The present invention relates to a modulator for a stereoscopic image device, comprising: two spaced substrates; two electrodes provided between the substrates; and a liquid crystal unit provided between the electrodes, wherein at least one of the two substrates is divided into a plurality of electrodes, each of which is formed to be insulted, such that a plurality of different voltages can be applied.
US09948924B2 Image generating apparatus and display device for layered display scheme based on location of eye of user
An image generating apparatus and a display device for a layered display scheme based on a location of an eye of a user are provided, wherein the image generating apparatus may generate layer images for a three-dimensional (3D) image based on information related to pixels matched based on the location of the eye of the user.
US09948919B2 Stereoscopic 3D camera for virtual reality experience
Embodiments are disclosed for embedding calibration metadata for a stereoscopic video capturing device. The device captures a sequence of stereoscopic images by a plurality of image sensors and combines the captured sequence of stereoscopic images into a stereoscopic video sequence. The device further embeds calibration information into the stereoscopic video sequence in a real time as the sequence of stereoscopic images is being recorded. The calibration information can be used to correct distortion caused by hardware variances of individual video capturing devices. The corrected stereoscopic videos can be used to provide a virtual reality (VR) experience by immersing a user in a simulated environment.
US09948918B2 Method and apparatus for stereoscopic focus control of stereo camera
A stereoscopic control method includes: establishing a specific mapping relation between a specific disparity value and a specific set of a first focal setting value of a first sensor of a stereo camera and a second focal setting value of a second sensor of the stereo camera; and controlling stereoscopic focus of the stereo camera according to the specific mapping relation. Besides, a stereoscopic control apparatus includes a mapping unit and a focus control unit. The mapping unit is arranged for establishing at least a specific mapping relation between a specific disparity value and a specific set of a first focal setting value of a first sensor of a stereo camera and a second focal setting value of a second sensor of the stereo camera. The focus control unit is arranged for controlling stereoscopic focus of the stereo camera according to the specific mapping relation.
US09948917B2 Self tracking system and its operation method
It is described an autonomous system for tracking an individual, comprising: wheeled vehicle; 3D depth camera, distance and/or touch sensors; at least two motors, each to drive one or more wheels respectively from both sides, left and right, of the mentioned vehicle; data processing module, comprising a decision unit configured to: if the 3D depth camera detects that the distance between the system and the individual to follow is inferior to a predetermined limit, decrease the speed of the two motors; if the 3D depth camera detects that the person to be followed exceeds a predetermined limit on the left or right of a horizontal predefined point, increase the engine speed on the right, slowing the speed of the left engine, or vice versa.
US09948913B2 Image processing method and apparatus for processing an image pair
An image processing method and apparatus are provided. The image processing method may include determining whether stereoscopic objects that are included in an image pair and that correspond to each other are aligned on the same horizontal line. The method includes determining whether the image pair includes target objects having different geometric features from those of the stereoscopic objects if the stereoscopic objects are not aligned on the same horizontal line. The method includes performing image processing differently for the stereoscopic objects and for the target objects if the image pair includes the target objects.
US09948911B2 Method and apparatus for efficient depth image transformation
Disclosed are a system, apparatus, and method for depth camera image re-mapping. A depth camera image from a depth camera may be received and a depth camera's physical position may be determined. The depth camera's physical position may be determined relative to an other physical position, such as the physical position of a color camera. The depth camera image may be transformed according to a processing order associated with the other physical position.
US09948902B1 Video camera and sensor integration
Video camera and sensor integration, in which an event is detected at a property based on sensor data and, based on the detected event, multiple cameras are controlled to operate in a tracking mode. One or more moving objects are detected in images captured by the cameras and metadata related to capture of the one or more moving objects is determined. Tracking operations of the cameras is coordinated based on the metadata.
US09948900B2 Method for the configuration of cameras and the like
The present invention relates to a system 1 comprising network-enabled surveillance cameras (PLC1-10, OfficeC1-OfficeC20 and SCC1-10). These cameras can be configured via the network with respect to a plurality of parameters such as their resolution “RES”, frame rate FR and microphone sensitivity μ.A method for configuring these cameras is disclosed, wherein a central unit CU determines values for a plurality of configuration parameters for each of a plurality of network-enabled cameras, camera groups are automatically formed among the plurality of network-enabled cameras on the basis of the configuration parameter values, camera representations are displayed to the user based on the grouping, a user input for changing the assignment of a camera from a first group to a second group is detected, a reconfiguration instruction for changing at least one configuration parameter based on the group assignment is automatically generated in response to said user input and the reconfiguration instruction is sent to the camera via the network.
US09948899B1 Method and system for determining whether an individual takes appropriate measures to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections
A system and method that caregivers, central monitoring companies and other persons to monitor whether individuals entering patients' rooms take appropriate steps to mitigate the spread of healthcare associated infections to the patients receiving healthcare services. In one non-limiting the system and method determine whether an individual who has entered the room of a patient has wash his or her hands prior to approaching the patient. A live video feed from the monitored rooms can be displayed on a centralized monitoring primary display which can be located remote to the monitored rooms. When it is determined that an individual in a specific room from the monitored rooms is approaching a patient and has not washed his or her hands an alert, notification and/or a live video feed for the specific room can be displayed on a centralized monitoring alert display which can also be preferably located remote to the monitored rooms.
US09948898B2 Using aerial imaging to provide supplemental information about a location
Aerial images, such as images from satellites or other aerial imaging devices, may be used to assist in responding to the occurrence of events (such as vehicle accidents or other emergency events) or conditions. In one implementation, an alert may be received indicating a condition or event associated with a user device. In response, an aerial image associated with the location of the user device may be requested. The alert may be responded to based on the received image. Aerial imaging may also provide views of the road ahead of a driver that terrain, topography, or darkness may otherwise impede. Image recognition may provide analysis of a hazard, condition, or occurrence at a scene that the aerial imaging system has captured and transmitted in response to a request.
US09948896B2 System and method for capturing and delivering video images
Disclosed herein is a system and method for providing, over a network, updated and accurate video segments of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. At least one camera forms a part of the system receiving a set of instructions to capture a video segment of a predetermined duration at predetermined time intervals. Users of the system request video segments or video streamed from a selected camera, which is subsequently transmitted by the system, over a network, for viewing by the user. The services of the system may be provided at a domain server, a local remote server, at a customer's location, or may be cloud based.
US09948890B1 Communication device
The communication device which includes a TV phone pausing visual data selecting implementer, a TV phone implementer, a TV phone pausing visual data transferring implementer, and a digital camera implementer.
US09948882B2 Method and system for toasted video distribution
The systems and methods disclosed transmit a composite channel to a receiver. The composite channel may be a static channel that contains different original channels of content in different locations on a displayed page, or may be a dynamic channel that is processed by the receiver to display a multiple different video streams on a single display device.
US09948880B2 Asynchronous multimode focal plane array
A multimode pixel of a pixel array is provided. The multimode pixel includes a photodetector, an image sensing circuit, a pulse detection circuit, and an image readout path coupled between the image sensing circuit and at least one readout conductor of the pixel array to transmit image signals from the image sensing circuit to the at least one readout conductor. The multimode pixel further includes a pulse readout path different from the image readout path, wherein the pulse readout path is coupled between the pulse detection circuit and the at least one readout conductor to transmit pulse data from the pulse detection circuit to the at least one readout conductor, and wherein the image readout path is controlled independently from the pulse readout path.
US09948879B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image capturing apparatus
An image processing apparatus for processing signals read out from an image sensor that includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions for each of a plurality of micro-lenses, and can read out signals for each row selectively by either an addition readout operation, or a divisional readout operation. The image processing apparatus includes a first processing unit to perform offset correction on signals of a first row read out by the addition readout operation using signals in two or more rows that were read out by the addition readout operation before the first row, and a second processing unit to perform offset correction on signals of a second row read out by the divisional readout operation using the signals of the second row and a predetermined value.
US09948877B2 Solid-state imaging apparatus and imaging system having first and second metal members arranged in different directions
Provided is a solid-state imaging apparatus, including: a first amplifier and a second amplifier; a coupling capacitor including a first electrode and a second electrode; a first metal member configured to connect an output terminal of the first amplifier and the first electrode; and a second metal member configured to connect an input terminal of the second amplifier and the second electrode, wherein, in a cross section perpendicular to a line that runs from the second electrode toward the input terminal of the second amplifier, the first metal member is arranged in at least two directions out of directions relative to the second metal member that are above, below, to the left of, and to the right of the second metal member.
US09948874B2 Semi-global shutter imager
This disclosure is directed to an image sensor. The image sensor includes a two-dimensional pixel array divided into a plurality of blocks, each of the plurality of blocks comprising pixels arranged in at least two different rows and two different columns, and a shutter mechanism that exposes the plurality of blocks sequentially, with all pixels in each block being exposed synchronously.
US09948870B2 Interactive guest image capture using video wall/floor/ceiling displays for selections of background scenes, and selection/distribution of customized souvenir portfolios including merged images/sound
Systems and methods for creating and distributing professional quality pictorial souvenirs giving the illusion that guests of a facility were imaged at other locations, including making initial arrangements with guests, showing selections of background scene images at video displays and flashing chroma key images interspersed with frames of the scene images, taking key guest images in synch with the flashed key images, extracting guest image content from the key guest images and merging into selecting scene images, showing preview merges images for guest selection and providing souvenir portfolios that include merged images to guests or designees after making financial arrangements, including for payment to third parties for copyright content included in the souvenirs and with advertisers for promotional material included in the souvenirs.
US09948869B2 Image fusion method for multiple lenses and device thereof
An image fusion method for multiple lenses and device thereof, which includes the following steps: taking parallax images with different focal distances through a plurality of lenses; analyzing feature points of the parallax images; calculating the matching relationships among the feature points of the parallax images; moving each of the parallax images according to the matching relationships to adjust the same image portion of each parallax image to the same image position; fusing the moved result of the parallax images to generate a fusion image; and removing unnecessary images configured in the edge of the fusion image to generate a corrected fusion image. Therefore, the image fusion method for multiple lenses and device thereof can make the result of the image fusion better.
US09948868B2 Multi-point spectral system and multi-point spectral module to be mounted on, clipped on or connected to an image capturing module of an electronic device easily
A multi-point spectral system includes an imaging lens, an image capturing module and a multiwavelength filter (MWF) disposed between the imaging lens and the image capturing module. The MWF has a plurality of narrow-bandpass filter (NBPF) units arranged in an array, and each of the plurality of NBPF units has a respective predetermined central transmitted wavelength. The multi-point spectral system is provided to capture plural spectral images of a scene, which contain spectral or color information of the scene. The multi-point spectral system may utilize the information of the plural spectral images to recognize features revealed at the scene.
US09948867B2 Apparatus, method, and computer-readable storage device for generating composite image
An apparatus including a processor comprising hardware, wherein the processor is configured to: perform a selection operation of selecting one or more pickup images among a time-sequential series of pickup images; perform a correction operation to correct a brightness of the one or more pickup images selected by the selection operation; and generate a composite image based on: one or more pickup images among the series of pickup images not selected; and a result of the correction operation.
US09948865B2 Image processing apparatus, imaging device, and image processing method
An image processing apparatus is intended to find, even when shooting a subject having a depth, respective reflection characteristics of portions of the subject with high accuracy, and includes a high-luminance region extraction unit which extracts high-luminance regions having a higher luminance than a predetermined threshold value in a plurality of image signals obtained by irradiating the subject with light emitted from a known light source and shooting reflected light from the subject at a plurality of viewpoints, a local region extraction unit which extracts local regions respectively most focused on in the portions of the subject using the plurality of high-luminance regions, and a reflection characteristic estimation unit which estimates a reflection characteristic of the subject using respective light source characteristics of the high-luminance regions in the local regions.
US09948863B2 Self-timer preview image presentation method and apparatus, and terminal
A preview image presentation method includes acquiring, by a terminal, an image captured by a camera; and presenting, on a screen of the terminal, a first preview image and a second preview image that are generated according to the image, where a size of the second preview image is less than a size of the first preview image. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, on an existing basis of displaying a first preview image in a full screen manner, a second preview image that is smaller than the first preview image may be presented additionally, so that a user can adjust photographic composition according to the second preview image, thereby enhancing a photography effect and improving user photography experience.
US09948857B2 Method and device for generating images
Disclosed are devices and methods for generating an image. A device according to an aspect of an example embodiment includes: a first camera configured to acquire a first black-and-white image; a second camera configured to acquire a first color image; a first electronic circuit configured to generate a second black-and-white image using the first color image; a second electronic circuit configured to determine information representing positional relationships between pixels in the first black-and-white image and pixels in the second black-and-white image; and a third electronic circuit configured to generate a third black-and-white image based on the first black-and-white image, the second black-and-white image, and the determined information.
US09948855B2 Method and device for controlling a camera capable of pan and tilt control
The present invention relates generally a method and device for controlling a camera capable of pan and tilt control, and more specifically a method and device for controlling adjustments of the field of view of such camera.
US09948854B2 Electronic device, imaging system and control method thereof for dual lens shooting
An imaging device adapted to be detachably disposed on an electronic device is provided. The imaging device includes a shell, an imaging module, a communication module and a touch element. The shell has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The imaging module having a lens is disposed inside of the shell, and the lens is exposed on the first surface of the shell. The communication module is disposed in the shell and an end of the communication module is signally connected to the imaging module. The touch element is connected to the shell and movably contacts a sensing unit of the electronic device. Moreover, an imaging system and a control method thereof are also provided.
US09948845B2 Device for multi-angle photographing in eyeglasses and eyeglasses including the device
A device for multi-angle photographing in eyeglasses and eyeglasses including the device are disclosed. The device includes a camera mounted on the eyeglasses and configured to capture an image, at least two motors configured to drive the camera to move, and at least two mobile platforms, each of which is provided with a plurality of limiting stoppers. The camera is connected between respective limiting stoppers of the at least two mobile platforms through the at least two motors, and is driven by the motors to move between the limiting stoppers of the mobile platforms to implement multi-angle photographing. Thus the camera can be moved between the limiting stoppers at different levels, to realize multi-angle and multi-gesture photographing and viewfinding in the horizontal and vertical directions.
US09948843B2 Super resolution bore imaging system
A super resolution bore imaging system is disclosed for imaging a cylindrical bore. The system includes a controller, a photodetector configuration having a known pixel geometry, and an imaging arrangement that images bore surface segments onto the photodetector. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to acquire respective combinable sets of raw bore segment image data using the pixels of the photodetector configuration positioned, relative to the bore segment, at respective imaging-Z coordinates which are separated along the bore axial direction by a subpixel shift. In some embodiments, the pixel geometry is configured to provide super resolution along the circumferential direction without a change in position along the circumferential direction between acquiring the respective sets of image data. The controller combines the sets of raw image data to form a super resolution image data for the bore segment.
US09948840B2 Optical driving apparatus, lens apparatus, and image pickup apparatus
An optical driving apparatus (401) is removably attached to a lens apparatus (201), and includes an attachment portion (403) that is attachable to the lens apparatus, a driver (404, 405) that electrically drives an operation member (204) that manually moves an optical system of the lens apparatus in an optical axis direction, and a controller (402) that controls the driver based on an instruction via an input portion (408), and the controller allows an operation of the driver when the optical driving apparatus is attached to the lens apparatus, and limits the operation of the driver when the optical driving apparatus is not attached to the lens apparatus.
US09948838B2 Articulated desktop magnifier
Disclosed is a magnifier that is adapted to rest upon a table. The magnifier includes an articulated camera arm that permits an associated camera to be pointed in a number of different directions. This permits the camera to focus upon, and enlarge, both distant and nearby objects. The magnifier also includes pivotal support legs. The legs have a first locked position to support the magnifier upon a table and a second position wherein the legs are locked in position adjacent the housing of the magnifier. This permits the magnifier to be readily transportable and stowable to accommodate the needs of the user.
US09948836B2 Electronic apparatus with rotationally-operated member
An electronic apparatus which reduces the size of an operating ring in a radial direction while ensuring good operability using a click mechanism of the operating ring. A rotary member which rotates integrally with the operating ring has click holes formed on an inner peripheral side of concave portions and convex portions formed alternately in an outer peripheral portion. As the operating ring is rotationally operated, a ball is repeatedly engaged with and pulled out from the click hole to generate a click feel on the operating ring, and the concave and convex portions are repeatedly detected to detect a rotating direction and a rotationally-operated amount of the operating ring. The click holes, concave portions, and convex portions are formed in the rotary member such that the click holes and the concave portions are not aligned in a direction perpendicular to a rotation center of the rotary member.
US09948833B2 Apparatus and method for synchronizing data of electronic device
Methods and apparatuses are provided for synchronizing data by an electronic device. A first operation characteristic of a first image sensor of the electronic device and a second operation characteristic of a second image sensor of the electronic device are identified. At least one of a first access period of a first row of the first image sensor and a second access period of a second row of the second image sensor is changed, based on a difference between the first operation characteristic and the second operation characteristic, to synchronize the first access period and the second access period. The second row corresponds to the first row. Image data corresponding to the first row is acquired through the first image sensor based on the synchronized first access period. Image data corresponding to the second row is acquired through the second image sensor based on the synchronized second access period.
US09948832B2 Methods and apparatus for synchronized image capture in a device including optical chains with different orientations
Camera device including multiple optical chains, e.g., camera modules, some of which have different orientations relative to the base of the camera device and methods of using such a camera device are described. The orientation of the camera modules within the camera device is taken into consideration when determining the direction in which lines of the sensors of the individual camera modules are read out. Information with regard to the read out direction to be used with particular camera modules is stored in some embodiments and used to control the readout of sensors, e.g., sensors which use a rolling shutter to capture images of a scene area. The sensors may have the same field of view or overlapping fields of view.
US09948824B2 Image compressing device, image forming apparatus, image compressing method, and recording medium
An image compressing device includes: a histogram creating unit configured to create a histogram regarding an input image; an original type recognizing unit configured to recognize an original type of the input image using the histogram; and an image compressing unit configured to perform a compression process for creating a high-compressed image file from the input image and to control a compression mode of the compression process depending on at least the original type recognized by the original type recognizing unit.
US09948823B2 Device discovery using broadcast technology
Techniques described herein automatically discover the IP address of a first network device such as but not limited to a multifunction printer. Such techniques use a unique identifier of the first network device, such as for example a multifunction printer serial number. Such unique number is used in the configuration of a second network device, such as for example a Digital Front End/External Print Controller that may need the IP address of the first network device. The unique number may be entered once into the second network device or may be received from the first network device through a data interface by the second network device. Techniques then may use any available broadcast technology such as but not limited to Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to determine from available network devices which network device therefrom has the same unique number, thereby obtaining the IP address of the first network device.
US09948819B2 Information processing system, information processing apparatus, and data process control method
Disclosed is an information processing system including one or more computers. The information processing system includes a first acquisition part configured to acquire data that are stored from a terminal apparatus into a predetermined storage via a network from the predetermined storage via the network, a second acquisition part configured to acquire parameter information based on the acquired data, a selector configured to select a data process to be executed, and a process information generator configured to generate process information serving as information for executing the data process based on the acquired data, the acquired parameter information, and the selected data process.
US09948815B2 Image reading apparatus configured to make adjustments when set to read two sides of a document
There is provided a control method for an image reading apparatus including a document conveyance unit configured to convey a document, a first reading unit configured to read a first surface of the document conveyed by the document conveyance unit, and a second reading unit configured to read a second surface of the document conveyed by the document conveyance unit, includes setting a two-sided reading mode for reading the first surface and the second surface of the document, and starting initial adjustment operation of the second reading unit in response to setting of the two-sided reading mode.
US09948814B2 Scanning device
The disclosure provides a scanning device including a flatbed scanner and an ADF. The flatbed scanner includes a first body, a transparent substrate disposed on top surface of the first body, a first film disposed on top surface of the transparent substrate, and an image capturing module disposed under bottom surface of the transparent substrate. The ADF includes a second body, a backplane disposed at bottom of the second body for covering top surface of the flatbed scanner, a paper passage disposed inside the ADF, and a second film. An open portion is configured in the paper passage corresponding to top surface of the transparent substrate, and results communication between the paper passage and top surface of the transparent substrate. The second film is disposed at paper entrance of the open portion. Wherein, the first film and the second film are not overlap on top surface of the transparent substrate.
US09948813B2 Time-varying barcode in an active display
Embodiments of the present invention provide barcode sequences in an active display for information exchange. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for communicating information between electronic devices via a barcode image sequence. In a typical embodiment, a barcode image sequence is displayed on the display screen of a first electronic device. A second electronic device reads and decodes the barcode image sequence. The second electronic device displays an acknowledgement on the display screen of the second electronic device. The acknowledgement is read by the first electronic device.
US09948812B2 Scanner and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing programs therefor
When an image on an original document placed on the original document table is scanned, a scanning device is moved along the original document table, starting from a first position, while an image on the original document fed by the automatic document feeder is scanned, the scanning device located at a second position. When an original document sensor detects the original document at a particular position in the automatic document feeder, the scanning device is moved to the second position, while when the original document sensor does not detect the original document at the particular position after scanning of the original document placed on the original document table has completed and before the scanning device is returned to the first position, the scanning device is located at the first position, on condition that the controller executes the first scanning process and a continuous scanning mode is effected.
US09948811B2 Illuminating device, image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
An illuminating device (210) according to an embodiment of the invention included in an image reading apparatus (100) and an image forming apparatus (D) includes light source portions (211a1), (211b1), (211a2) and (211b2), light-guiding members (213a) and (213b) for illuminating an illumination target (G) from an elongated light emitting face (M) that extends in a longitudinal direction (Y), by guiding light from the light source portions, and holding members (216a) and (216b) for holding the light-guiding members. The holding members include holding portions (2161a) and (2161b) for removably holding the light-guiding members, and tilted portions (2162a) and (2162b) that reflect light emitted from the light emitting face (M), the tilted portions extending from a front end on the light emitting face (M) side of the holding portions, obliquely widening with increasing distance from the light-guiding members.
US09948805B2 Image reading device, image forming system, and program
An image reading device having a mark formed on front and back of a sheet by an image forming device, and including a first scanner which reads the mark and a second scanner provided at a downstream side of the first scanner and which reads the mark, includes: a position adjusting unit configured to adjust front and back positions of the mark on the basis of a print position of the mark read by at least one of the first scanner and the second scanner; and a monitoring unit configured to monitor front and back misregistration of the mark on the basis of the front and back positions of the mark adjusted by the position adjusting unit.
US09948794B2 Remote control terminal apparatus, remote control system, remote control method, and non-transitory computer readable medium
Provided is a remote control terminal apparatus including a controller that brings the remote control terminal apparatus into a state in which remote control on a remote control target apparatus is possible when a distance between the remote control terminal apparatus and the remote control target apparatus is less than a threshold value, and a notification unit that notifies other terminal apparatuses that the remote control is possible when the remote control is possible.
US09948792B2 Methods and apparatus for enhancing ringback tone quality during telephone communications
A system for enhancing tonal quality for ringback signals in a telecommunications network by adjusting audio processing during an alerting interval of a telecommunications session (e.g. during a telephone call). The system may be embodied in a telecommunications switching device and include a ringback manager process that provides the ability to adjust audio processing (e.g., by signaling to in-path equipment) which enhances the tonal quality of the ringback signal. As an example, a telephone system (e.g. equipment associated with establishment and operation of telephone communications sessions) can disable or attenuate operation of voice quality enhancement processing such as echo cancellation, noise reduction, adaptive level control, and the like, during the ringback or alerting interval or period of a telephone call so that the ringback tone provided to the calling party is not distorted by such processing.
US09948791B2 Sharing group notification
A method, computer program product, and apparatus are disclosed. The method includes determining whether a shared balance threshold has been breached, and notifying a member of a sharing group, in response to a determination that the balance threshold has been breached. The shared balance threshold is for the sharing group, which includes a number of members.
US09948782B2 Hybrid cloud architecture with optimized local delivery
A system and method for optimized rendering of contact center services in a hybrid operations environment. A processor in a first operations environment receives a message transmitted by a first contact center resource relating to a contact center service. The message is forwarded to the processor by an edge device coupled to a second operations environment different from the first operations environment. The edge device is configured to hide from the message identification of a location of the contact center resource. Despite such hiding, the processor identifies the location of the first contact center resource based on identification information that the processor retrieves from the message. The processor selects a second contact center resource based on the identified location of the first contact center resource for providing the contact center service.
US09948781B2 Interaction request processing according to client pre-configured schedule
An apparatus is provided and includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that when executed from a non-transitory physical medium by the processor cause the processor to detect when a request for interaction that is configured for a scheduled processing is received or otherwise registered at a service access point associated with a contact center, identify schedule data from the request and add the schedule data along with a request identification and a location identifier to a scheduling and reporting application, consult a contact center interaction routing system in response to determining that the scheduled interaction request is to be processed, and route or cause processing of the interaction request based on the schedule data. According to one embodiment, the schedule data includes a scheduled time and date for processing the request.
US09948773B2 Conveying device information to application server servicing computing device associated with a communication
When authorized, a user of a computing device, such as a smart phone, may place a communication using an originating number that is different from the number assigned to the computing device. An IMS application server that handles requests for the computing device associated with the originating number is notified when the telephone number assigned to the computing device is used by a different computing device. The notification to the IMS application server might include, but is not limited to device information, location information, and the like. After being notified of the communications terminated by other computing devices that are associated with the device number, accurate call records may be provided regarding the communications involving the originating number.
US09948768B1 Method and system for accessing call information communicated over a cellular telephone network
A method for accessing call information communicated between a source terminal and a target terminal over a carrier network is provided. The method includes receiving, at a real-time duplication server (RTDS), context information specified by a user of the source terminal that defines information to be communicated to the target terminal prior to establishment of an audio/visual call between the source terminal and target terminal. The method also includes converting, by the RTDS, the context information into a visual representation of the context information; and communicating, by the RTDS, the visual representation of the context information to a user.
US09948767B2 Rejecting or accepting a phone call
In an embodiment, rejecting or accepting a phone call is disclosed. In an embodiment, a device is disclosed. The device comprises a processor, a storage comprising a set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the processor, causes the device to in response to received call present at a user interface of the device a first option and a second option of the call. In response to a first selection between the first option and the second option, the device initiates a lag time of pre-determined length before performing the first selection; and in response to a second selection between the first option and the second option, performs the second selection.
US09948765B2 Electronic device with wearable part and operation method thereof
An electronic device includes a main body including at least one display, a wearable part connected to at least a part of the main body, a detector that detects information of a fastening position of the wearable part, and at least one processor that performs a function corresponding to the fastening position detected by the detector. A method for operating an electronic device including a wearable part connected to at least a part of the a main body includes detecting information of a fastening position of the wearable part, and performing a function corresponding to the detected fastening position. Various other embodiments are disclosed.
US09948763B2 Portable device and method for restricting use of portable device
A method for restricting a use of a portable device is provided. The method includes receiving an input for selecting an icon displayed on a screen of the portable device, the icon corresponding to an application for executing a concentration improvement mode that restricts the use of the application, setting a restriction time for the concentration improvement mode, deactivating the selected icon in the concentration improvement mode, and blocking a notification message provided by the application corresponding to the selected icon in the concentration improvement mode.
US09948761B2 Non-transitory computer-readable medium and portable device
A non-transitory computer-readable medium having a computer program readable by a computer of a portable device connectable to an image input device and image output device and including a memory storing external programs activated by the computer program, the computer program causes the portable device to perform: receiving a user operation on a first screen including first objects corresponding to the external programs; determining the designated program when the first object is designated; when the designated program has a first function of executing processing for the input data, instructing the image input device to execute an input operation and performing first post-processing; and when the designated program has the second function of enabling a user to designate the output data, performing pre-processing and controlling the image output device to execute output operation for the output data.
US09948754B2 System and method for decoding asynchronously transmitted packets
A method for decoding a set of packets asynchronously on same nominal carrier frequency transmitted over a common communication medium, receives a signal including a combination of the set of packets modified with noise of the common communication medium, each packet includes a preamble common to all packets in the set and a payload unique for at least some packets in the set. The method determines, using a sparse recovery, a frequency offset of the transmission of each packet from the carrier frequency, a time offset of the transmission of each packet from a common point in time, and a channel gain corresponding to the transmission of each packet over a channel in the common communication medium and decodes the payloads of the packets in the set using the frequency offsets, the time offsets, and the channel gains.
US09948752B2 Default data packet routing in a NFC device
A method includes receiving a data packet transmitted by a near field communications (NFC) device at a NFC controller. Whether the data packet includes application identifier routing information is determined, and based thereupon the data packet is routed to a default application identifier routing address based on a look-up table lacking an application identifier routing address associated with the application identifier routing information. Whether the data packet includes protocol routing information is determined based upon the data packet lacking the application identifier routing information, and the data packet is routed to a default protocol routing address based upon the look-up table lacking a protocol routing address associated with the protocol routing information, using the NFC controller. The default application identifier routing address is different than the default protocol routing address.
US09948746B2 Request processing according to degradation monitoring
In an approach for adjusting an order of actions to process a request, a processor receives a request that includes a set of actions to be performed in a first order. A processor receives monitored information of a service utilized to perform at least one action of the set of actions. A processor compares the monitored information to previously stored information. A processor determines that at least one aspect of the service is experiencing decreased performance based on the comparison. A processor identifies a first action of the set of actions corresponding to the at least one aspect of the service experiencing decreased performance. A processor adjusts the request, such that the request includes the set of actions to be performed in a second order, wherein the second order includes the first action is in a different position. A processor causes the adjusted request to be processed.
US09948741B2 Distributed health-check method for web caching in a telecommunication network
A distributed health-check method for web caching in a telecommunication network, wherein a plurality of web caching nodes are coordinated to monitor a set of origin servers where web content is generated. The method includes associating to each user of the telecommunication network requesting the web content buckets as logical containers for holding the web content requested; generating a list of users of the telecommunication network requesting the web content; and performing the plurality of web caching nodes a number of health-checks to the set of origin servers to download the requested web content. A filtering of the set of origin servers is performed for grouping in different areas of interest and the number of health-checks are performed by a limited number of caching nodes receiving the web content requests. The limited number of caching nodes selected belonging to a specific area of interest of the set of origin servers monitoring them.
US09948737B2 Managing notifications pushed to user devices
In one embodiment, a first computing device receives a communication from a second computing device. If the communication is a keep-alive ping from the second computing device for a network connection between the first computing device and the second computing device, then the first computing device sends a response to the ping to the second computing device using a secondary processor of the first computing device.
US09948732B2 Method for providing status messaging service in electronic device and the electronic device thereof
An electronic device provides a status messaging service. The electronic device includes a communication module, a display module, and a processor that is configured to acquire a status message of the electronic device, and during a service discovery operation, add the acquired status message to a session initiation protocol (SIP) Options message and transmitting the SIP Options message. A method includes acquiring a status message of the electronic device, and adding the acquired status message to a session initiation protocol (SIP) Options message and transmitting out the SIP Options message during a service discovery operation.
US09948729B1 Browsing session transfer using QR codes
A method for browsing session transfer which includes: communicating by a head mounted device (HMD) with a first browser, the first browser displaying a browser session; responsive to the first browser creating a first session QR code, capturing by the HMD the first session QR code; communicating by the HMD with a second browser; responsive to the second browser creating a second session QR code, capturing by the HMD the second session QR code; merging by the HMD the first session QR code with the second session QR code into a merged QR code; transmitting by the HMD the merged QR code to the second browser; and responsive to the second browser loading the merged QR code, the second browser displaying the browser session from the first browser. Also included is a system and computer program product.
US09948725B2 Multipath TCP subflow establishment and control
Techniques for electronic devices to control a multipath transmission control protocol (MPTCP) connection. An MPTCP connection between two endpoints may be established. The MPTCP connection may include at least one MPTCP subflow. At least one of the endpoints may be configured to act as a master with respect to the MPTCP connection. The master may perform one or more control operations on the MPTCP connection, while if one of the endpoints is not a master, that endpoint may not perform control operations on the MPTCP connection. The control operations may include initiating or establishing new MPTCP subflows or modifying a priority level of one or more MPTCP subflows of the MPTCP connection.
US09948719B2 Sharing hardware resources between electronic devices upon mutual magnetic attachment of the electronic devices
A mobile electronic device may comprise a wireless transceiver and at least one magnetic connector. The mobile electronic device may further comprise connectedness detection circuitry operable to dynamically detect a connection event at each of the at least one magnetic connector. A processor, coupled to the connectedness detection circuitry, may be operable to: automatically establish a wireless communications link, via the wireless transceiver, with another electronic device upon detection, by the connectedness detection circuitry, of the connection event at a predetermined set of the at least one magnetic connector evidencing a magnetic attachment of the mobile electronic device to the other electronic device; and access, via the wireless communications link, a hardware resource of the other electronic device. The at least one magnetic connector may be a plurality of magnetic connectors. The predetermined set of magnetic connectors may be all of the magnetic connectors or a subset thereof.
US09948718B2 Operation control device and operation control method
In an operation control device as a first device communicably connected to at least one second device and in an operation control method, a main controller performs a process of acquiring second device-operation information via a communication unit, a process of acquiring past second device-operation information from a storage unit, a process of selecting past second device-operation information based on similarity between current second device-operation information and the past second device-operation information acquired from the storage unit by an information acquisition unit, and a process of determining operation currently performed by the first device based on past first device-operation information stored in the storage unit while being associated with the selected past second device-operation information.
US09948717B2 Vehicle-mounted communication device, inter-vehicle communication system, and communication method
A vehicle-mounted communication device for transmitting uplink data as data generated in a vehicle includes a first wireless communication unit configured to establish an uplink connection to a second vehicle-mounted communication device, a second wireless communication unit configured to establish a downlink connection to a third vehicle-mounted communication device, an authentication unit configured to authenticate the third vehicle-mounted communication device, an address management unit configured to assign a network address to the third vehicle-mounted communication device, and an address translation unit configured to perform translation of the network address assigned from the second vehicle-mounted communication device and the network address used by the vehicle-mounted communication device.
US09948702B2 Web services documentation
A method for distributing documentation for an application service includes receiving, at an endpoint configured to provide an application service, a documentation request from a requester, preparing a response that includes documentation corresponding to the application service, and transmitting the response to the requester. The method may also include receiving, at the endpoint, a service request for the application service and responding to the service request. The documentation may conform to a requested format.
US09948699B1 Scoring content based on social interaction
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage medium, for identifying a set of items of digital content displayed to a user; processing the set of items to identify a set of boost items, items within the set of boost items to be prominently displayed, processing comprising: receiving a close-ties score associated with a respective item, the close-ties score representing a relationship between the user and other users associated with the respective item and an importance of a social circle associated with the item to the user, determining that the close-ties score associated with the respective item exceeds a threshold close-ties score, and in response to determining that the close-ties score exceeds the threshold close-ties score, adding the respective item to the set of boost items; providing instructions for boosting a display of items in the set of boost items in a page displayed to the user.
US09948698B2 Web services documentation
A method for distributing documentation for an application service includes receiving, at an endpoint configured to provide an application service, a documentation request from a requester, preparing a response that includes documentation corresponding to the application service, and transmitting the response to the requester. The method may also include receiving, at the endpoint, a service request for the application service and responding to the service request. The documentation may conform to a requested format. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed herein.
US09948693B2 Generic cloud service for publishing data to be consumed by RSS readers
Data from applications is published using a web feed document such as according to the Really Simple Syndication (RSS) protocol. The applications can be information technology (IT) services, such as an Application Performance Management program and a Service Desk program, which are used by an organization. The data is received at an Application Programming Interface (API) and stored in a database in a format which is usable by the web feed document. For example, the data can provide a parameter name, parameter label, severity and user type which are associated with placeholder elements in the web feed document. The user type may be used to restrict the publishing of certain parameters to certain users based on their business roles in an organization. The feed server may provide additional details in response to the user selecting a hyperlink in the web feed document.
US09948691B2 Reducing input processing latency for remotely executed applications
Disclosed are various embodiments for reducing input processing latency for remotely executed applications. An application is executed in a hosted environment, and a video signal generated by the application is encoded into a media stream. The media stream is sent to a client by way of a network. User input data for the application is obtained from the client computing device by way of the network. The user input data is processed server side, rather than client side, at a latency-compensating processing rate.
US09948690B2 Caching media in a media fling system
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a content (e.g., media) transfer or fling platform system and method. In a media fling platform system, media items may be cached at a rendering device prior to any selection of media items to fling. The determination of which media to cache may be based on a variety of factors including a user fling history, a currently viewed media item, and a navigation point in the media files. A fling request may take priority over caching, and the fling request may interrupt any caching processes.
US09948688B2 Grid encoded media asset data
Metadata can identify temporal segments of content associated with a media asset and can identify asset data types. In response to a request for a particular asset, a central office may identify a data type and a temporal segment based on metadata associated with the request.
US09948685B2 Smart home system using portable device
A smart home system using a portable device in which a gateway function is installed in the portable device to provide a smart home service using a multiplex gateway, and a control method thereof is provided. The smart home system includes one or more portable devices and one or more home appliances located in a home, each of the one or more portable devices and one or more home appliances having a gateway, a home network to interconnect the one or more portable devices and the one or more home appliances, and a master device selected from among the one or more portable devices or the one or more home appliances, the master device activating the gateway thereof to connect the home network with an external communication network, wherein the master device transfers a home appliance control command to a corresponding one of the one or more home appliances.
US09948684B2 Multi-access gateway for direct to residence communication services
Different residences can be communicatively linked to a communication backbone via a multi-access gateway, where each residence comprises an adapter through which a set of IP devices directly connect to the multi-access gateway via IPSec compliant communication channels. The multi-access gateway can connect each of the IP devices to remotely located resources. Telecommunication services can be provided to the IP devices in the residences for fees. The multi-access gateway can controls specifics of the telecommunication services, which can include emergency (e.g., 911) services, home control services, and residential administration services. Any of the telecommunication services can be initiated, modified, or terminated by a carrier maintaining the multi-access gateway on a per residence basis for any of the different residences.
US09948678B2 Method and system for gathering and contextualizing multiple events to identify potential security incidents
A method and system for aggregating and correlating disparate and unrelated events to enable faster security event detection. A plurality of event logs generated by a number of disparate, unrelated, independent components of a fault-tolerant server and platform-specific data are contextualized through the use of a security context map, enabling unrelated events to be correlated to identify security incidents indicative of security threats. User- or system-generated rules may then be applied to the contextualized data to enable more sophisticated security breach identification.
US09948675B2 Identity-based internet protocol networking
A network architecture that eliminates anonymous traffic, reduces a threat surface, and enforces policies is described herein. A method based on this network architecture includes receiving, by a processor, an IP packet entering a network, inserting, by the processor, an identity-based internet protocol (IBIP) shim between a header and a body of the IP packet and incorporating, by the processor, an identity of a source and a destination of the IP packet in the shim.
US09948674B2 Splicing into an active TLS session without a certificate or private key
An origin server selectively enables an intermediary (e.g., an edge server) to shunt into and out of an active TLS session that is on-going between a client and the origin server. The technique allows for selective pieces of a data stream to be delegated from an origin to the edge server for the transmission (by the edge server) of authentic cached content, but without the edge server having the ability to obtain control of the entire stream or to decrypt arbitrary data after that point. The technique enables an origin to authorize the edge server to inject cached data at certain points in a TLS session, as well as to mathematically and cryptographically revoke any further access to the stream until the origin deems appropriate.
US09948668B2 Secure host communications
A trusted device includes a secure interface and a host interface, the secure interface being isolated from the host interface by an isolated environment. A user provides a communication to the trusted device via the secure interface. A processor of the isolated environment encrypts the communication and transmits the encrypted communication to a read file of the host interface. A host device connected to the trusted device via the host interface receives the encrypted communication. The host device transmits the encrypted communication to a second host device that is connected to a second trusted device via a second host interface. The second host device transmits the encrypted communication to a write file of the second host interface. A processor in an isolated environment of the second trusted device decrypts the communication and provides the decrypted communication to a second user via a secure interface of the second trusted device.
US09948664B2 Method and system for correlation and management of distributed and heterogeneous events
Event processing is a vital aspect of modern information systems, but is poorly supported and homogenous in nature. The present disclosure recognizes that any detector speaks a language of events. This language of events can be translated into a “Universal Language” such that events from multiple arbitrary detectors may be compared together. The present disclosure uses regular expressions to explore possible relations and patterns across events and across time. The present disclosure further describes a hierarchical architecture such that the events from peer detectors are aggregated and collated and only conglomerate events, those events matching inter- or intra-detector behaviors, are propagated upstream in the hierarchy. Ultimately, this architecture offers a means to merge the event data from an arbitrary number of heterogeneous detectors into a meaningful stream of events that reflect wider breadth of knowledge, improved scalability, and provide a wider context for expression of patterns through the use of regular expressions.
US09948661B2 Method and apparatus for detecting port scans in a network
A method and an apparatus for detecting a port scan in a network are disclosed. For example, the method extracts statistics from a message, detects the port scan for a source internet protocol address, determines whether a port scan record exists for the source internet protocol address, creates a port scan record for the source internet protocol address that is extracted when the port scan record does not exist, determines an elapsed time when the port scan record does exist, wherein the elapsed time is determined as a difference between the time stamp that is extracted and a recorded time stamp, sets the recorded time stamp to be the extracted time stamp when the elapsed time is less than an intra-scan time, and determines the port scan has ended for the source internet protocol address when the elapsed time is not less than the intra-scan time.
US09948658B2 System and method for authorizing and validating user agents based on user agent location
An embodiment of a method includes receiving a request from a user agent to use a communication network, determining that the user agent is not recognized on the communication network, and requiring submission of location information prior to allowing the user agent to use the network. An embodiment of a system includes a recognition module configured to determine whether the communication device is recognized in response to a request to use a communication network from the communication device, a notification module configured to notify the communication device that the communication device is not recognized, wherein notification that the communication device is not recognized indicates that location information must be submitted prior to the communication device using the communication network; and a location update module configured to receive submitted location information and update the location of the communication device based on the location information.
US09948657B2 Providing an enterprise application store
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for providing an application store are presented. In some embodiments, a request for a software application may be received at an application store. Subsequently, the software application may be configured, at the application store, based on a single sign-on credential. The configured software application then may be provided, by the application store, to at least one recipient device associated with the single sign-on credential.
US09948656B2 Indirect user authentication
As disclosed herein, a computer program product, executed by a computer, includes receiving, from a user, a request for access to a shared system, wherein the request comprises a user identifier and a user password corresponding to the user, and determining privileges corresponding to the shared system using the user identifier. The computer program product further includes requesting, from an identity manager, a shared identifier and a shared password corresponding to the shared system, receiving, from the identity manager, the shared identifier and the shared password, and using the shared identifier and the shared password to enable the user to use the shared system.
US09948654B2 Method for accessing a plurality of services by a mobile terminal user, and related secure device
The invention relates to a method for enabling the user of at least one mobile terminal to access a plurality of services, said method consisting of: creating (E1) a user account containing user identification data; installing (E2) a software application for accessing the plurality of services on said mobile terminal; creating (E5) an image containing at least one software application identifier on the mobile terminal using the software application; decoding (E6) the data contained in the image using a secure entity for managing the software application; and authorizing (E8) or not authorizing (E9) the access of the user to the plurality of services based on the decoded data.
US09948652B2 System for resource-centric threat modeling and identifying controls for securing technology resources
Systems, computer program products, and methods are described herein for identifying threat vectors and implementing controls for securing resources within a network. The present invention is configured to determine one or more threat vectors associated with the resource; determine one or more controls associated with each of the one or more threat vectors associated with the resource; determine whether the one or more controls associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors is capable of detecting the access by an external computing device via at least one of the one or more types of access; and dynamically generate a graphical representation of the resource and the one or more threat vectors based on at least the received analysis request.
US09948648B1 System and method for enforcing access control to publicly-accessible web applications
A method for enforcing access control to a web application. The method includes generating a computationally-secure pseudo-random password, associating the generated computationally-secure pseudo-random password with an application username of at least one web client, and storing, in a user account credential store module, the generated computationally-secure pseudo-random password and the associated application username. The method also includes requesting, via a web proxy connected to the at least one web client, access to a protected page offered by the web application, intercepting, by the web proxy, a login page from the web application, and inserting, by the web proxy on behalf of the at least one web client, the stored generated computationally-secure pseudo-random password and the associated application username into the login page. The method also includes forwarding the login page with the inserted computationally-secure pseudo-random password and the associated application username to the web application to complete, by the web proxy, an authentication process with the web application to allow the at least one web client to access the protected page offered by the web application.
US09948646B1 Machine type communication interworking function proxy
A method of establishing connectivity between a mobile network operator (MNO) and a machine type communications (MTC) service provider. A machine type communications interworking function (MTC-IWF) Proxy is hosted on an IPX network service. MTC-IWF Proxy is connected to a MTC-IWF of the MNO and is also connected to a Service Capacities Center (SCS) of the MTC service provider. MTC-IWF Proxy connects to the MNO and the MTC service providers via trigger-service provider (Tsp) interface. Identity mapping services are provided between a first set of subscriber identifiers used by the MNO and a second set of subscriber identities used by the MTC service provider. The MTC-IWF Proxy hides the internal topology and relays signaling protocols used over a Tsp interface, thus enabling the MTC service providers and MNOs communicate without modifying their internal signaling protocols.
US09948642B2 Multi-modal biometric identification
At least two biometric measurement signals are generated by contact with a single individual. At least one feature is extracted from each signal of the at least two biometric measurement signals, the extracted features are combined to generate a combined biometric signal. The combined biometric signal is compared with a defined biometric signal associated with a known individual, responsive to the combined biometric signal matching the defined biometric signal, a signal is transmitted indicating that the single individual is the known individual. The biometric measurement signals can be collected by a biometric identification device worn or carried by the single individual. The processing may be done by the biometric identification device or a remote server.
US09948639B2 System and method for issuing OTP application in face-to-face confirmation manner
The present invention relates to a system and method for issuing an OTP application in a face-to-face confirmation manner, and the system includes at least one or more service provider devices for transmitting OTP application issuance request information, including information on recognition of a terminal device tagged on a reader provided for each service provider or entering a previously set service area, to an integrated service device; and the integrated service device for registering secure storage medium identification information as medium identification information for OTP authentication and transmitting an OTP installation guide to the terminal device if the recognition information is the secure storage medium identification information, and transmitting the OTP installation guide to the terminal device if the recognition information is terminal device identification information, in which the terminal device can be a terminal device of a user seeing a service provider face-to-face.
US09948638B2 System and method of secure personal identification
A system and method for securely and automatically identifying users to an inquirer for purposes of obtaining user identifying information is described. The system consisting of at least one client device associated with a user, at least one inquiring device associated with a host, a client information server and a network. The system allows computer based systems to automatically authenticate the identities of a plurality of users entering a physical space and obtain information pertaining to user preferences. The inquiring device may enable transactions with the user based on the authentication. The authentication may be enhanced by capturing biometric data from the user by the inquiring device as well as identifying known associates physically present with the user at the time of authentication.
US09948636B2 Securing a computing device accessory
Various embodiments are disclosed that relate to security of a computer accessory device. For example, one non-limiting embodiment provides a host computing device configured to conduct an initial portion of a mutual authentication session with an accessory device, and send information regarding the host computing device and the accessory device to a remote pairing service via a computer network. The host computing device is further configured to, in response, receive a pairing certificate from the remote pairing service, the pairing certificate being encrypted via a private key of the remote pairing service, and complete the mutual authentication with the accessory device using the pairing certificate from the remote pairing service.
US09948635B2 Generalized certificate use in policy-based secure messaging environments
Within a secure messaging environment, a determination is made that a request to send a message has been generated by a message sender. A message protection policy configured to process the message within the secure messaging environment is identified. The message protection policy specifies that, within the secure messaging environment, a secured digital certificate, other than a digital certificate of the message sender, is configured with an associated private key to digitally sign the message on behalf of the message sender. Based upon the message protection policy, a determination is made to digitally sign the message using the private key of the secured digital certificate. The message is signed on behalf of the message sender using the private key of the secured digital certificate.
US09948629B2 Systems and methods of sharing information through a tag-based consortium
The invention provides one or more consortia of networks that identify and share information about users and/or user devices interacting with the consortia. User devices may be identified, at least in part, by tag-based computer information. Computers and other devices accessing the Web carry device tags with date and time information describing when they were issued by a security tag server. A server time stamp may be inserted into time based computer tags such as a cookies indicating when they were created. Such time stamp information can be encrypted and analyzed during future attempts to access a secure network such as a customer attempting to log into an online banking account. When the time stamp information from the tag is compared to other selected information about the user, device and/or account, including but not limited to last account log-in date/time or account creation date, the invention may be used to detect suspicious activity. The invention may be use for identity-based applications such as network security, the detection of fraudulent transactions, identity theft, reputation-based communities, and law enforcement.
US09948627B1 Secure electronic document delivery system
The secure electronic document delivery system enables a sender to identify file information and recipient information to be sent to a recipient. The system utilizes an authentication system requiring access to two different authentication messages, both access to electronic mail and access to a message sent to the recipient's phone. The two authentication messages are transmitted via two different communication paths thus requiring the recipient to access two different types of communications. Without accessing both messages, the recipient cannot access the document identified by the sender.
US09948625B2 Encrypted group communication method
Embodiments herein include, for example, a method, comprising: generating a shared symmetric key to begin a communication session among a group of users by a first user; distributing, by the first user, the generated shared symmetric key to each user in the group of users; communicating within the communication session among a group of users, where each user encrypts a message to the group of users to be distributed through the communication session using the generated shared symmetric key, and each user decrypts a message received from the communication session using the generated shared symmetric key.
US09948623B2 Reoccurring keying system
A secure communication system or method are disclosed that may employ a constant level of trust between participants and a security management entity. As part of the constant level of trust, a communication policy may cause participants to request key validation every time the participant wishes to take an action that requires use of a key. In this manner, the participant may regularly communicate with the security management, and this regular communication can be further used to implement key renewal and/or rollover procedures.
US09948617B2 Secure software updates
Improved techniques to update software in electronic devices that are already in use are disclosed. In one embodiment, software can be updated in a secure and controlled manner using cryptography. The authenticity of the updated software as well as its appropriateness for the particular electronic device can be confirmed prior to update. The software can also be updated on a per module basis. In one embodiment, a server hosts software updates for various electronic devices, and supplies the appropriate software update to the electronic devices via a data network.
US09948616B2 Apparatus and method for providing security service based on virtualization
An apparatus for providing security services based on virtualization, the apparatus including: a host virtual machine in which a host operating system that controls a general execution environment is operated; a secure virtual machine, which is separated from the host virtual machine, and in which a secure operating system operates independently of the host operating system; and a virtual machine monitor portion configured to allocate the host virtual machine and the secure virtual machine by virtualization, in which the host virtual machine and the secure virtual machine may access system resources only through the virtual machine monitor portion, and the virtual machine monitor portion classifies user input signals received from a user, and transmits the received user input signals to the host virtual machine and the secure virtual machine.
US09948614B1 Remote device initialization using asymmetric cryptography
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for remotely initializing at least one device in communication with a local host device utilizing an asymmetric cryptographic authorization scheme. According to various embodiments, at least one remote device sends an authorization request including a random value to the local host device. The local host device returns an approval response to the remote device, where the approval response includes the random value encoded utilizing a private key. The remote device is then initialized (e.g. powered on or placed in an active state) upon verification of the encoded random value utilizing a public key that is paired with the private key.
US09948612B1 Secure single sign on and conditional access for client applications
Methods and systems for implementing single sign on (SSO) and/or conditional access for client applications are described herein. The system may comprise an identity provider gateway, and the system may authenticate a user of the client application using the identity provider gateway. In some aspects, a secure communication tunnel may be established between the client application and the identity provider gateway, and the secure communication tunnel may use, for example, a client certificate. The identity provider gateway may grant or deny the client application access to one or more resources based on information associated with the client certificate.
US09948608B2 Systems and methods for using an HTTP-aware client agent
Systems and methods are described for using a client agent operating in a virtual private network environment to intercept HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) communications. Methods include: intercepting at the network layer, by a client agent executing on a client, an HTTP request from an application executing on the client; modifying the HTTP request; and transmitting, via a transport layer connection, the modified HTTP request to a server. Additional methods may comprise adding, removing, or modifying at least one cookie in the HTTP request. Still other methods may comprise modifying at least one name-value pair contained in the HTTP request. Corresponding systems are also described.
US09948605B2 Network traffic classification
Some aspects as described herein are directed to mirroring, in upstream and/or downstream data traffic for a particular connection, markings of data packets (e.g., DSCP and/or other markings) that have been received in downstream data traffic for that same connection. A trusted device in the network may control the markings, rather than a less-trusted endpoint device and/or a less trusted software application operating in any device.
US09948604B2 Hybrid business process application for accessing multiple content management repositories
Hybrid, configurable business process applications can be used in conjunction with features of a content management system. For example, a first content management system installation executes a workflow instance based on a business process application whose definition is maintained in by the first content management system installation and synchronizes a workflow state of the workflow instance to a second content management system installation using a mirrored workflow state in which both content of the workflow state and metadata characterizing parameters of the workflow state are mirrored from the first content management system repository to the second content management system repository such that a content item retained in the second content management system repository is accessed for use in the workflow instance via the mirrored workflow state at the second content management system repository. Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture are described.
US09948599B2 Announcing new users of an electronic communications system to existing users
Announcing new users of an electronic communications system includes receiving an indication of a new user of an electronic communications system. The new user has an identifier for the electronic communications system. Existing users of the electronic communications system that are known to the new user are identified. The identified existing users are sent a message notifying the identified existing users of the identifier of the new user. The identified existing users may be enabled to add the identifier of the new user to participant lists used by the identified existing users. The new user may be enabled to add identifiers of the identified existing users to a participant list of the electronic communications system used by the new user.
US09948596B2 Systems and methods for relaying messages in a communications system
The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for relaying messages in a communications system. In one aspect, a method is performed at a server having one or more processors and memory storing instructions for execution by the one or more processors. The method includes: (1) obtaining a plurality of incoming messages; (2) identifying one or more messages having popularity above a first threshold of popularity from among the plurality of incoming messages, the one or more messages obtained from a first user; (3) receiving a feedback message from a second user about at least one of: the first user and a first message of the one or more messages; and (4) sending the feedback message from the second user to a plurality of users, where the plurality of users track at least one of: the first user and the first message.
US09948595B2 Methods and apparatus for inserting content into conversations in on-line and digital environments
Content is inserted into conversations hosted on a takeoff site using creatives that provide lures and links to other material that users engaged in the conversation might find helpful and relevant. Such insertions are made in a contextually meaningful fashion through the use of a matching and decision process that determines best candidate creatives and an appropriate time and place for their insertion into the conversation.
US09948589B2 System for and method of organizing contacts for chat sessions on an electronic device
While texting, a user is able access, share, and control rich media without leaving the texting application. The rich media are provided directly within the executing texting application. The texting application includes an embedded widget for controlling the rich media. Rich media includes, among other things, video clips, streaming audio, a map application, a movie-time application, a social movie-site application, a dynamically controllable image, or promotional media. Different mobile devices executing the texting applications communicate through a server that allows additional functionality, such as syncing the play of video clips and hosting and pushing the promotional media.
US09948588B2 System and method for detecting unwanted content
A system and method for detecting unwanted electronic content, such as spam. As a user operates an application to send messages, several metrics are tracked to allow the system to analyze her activity. Illustrative metrics may include, but are not limited to, block count (e.g., how many other users have blocked her), block rate (e.g., the rate at which other users block her), peer symmetry (e.g., percentage of her messages that are to other users that have her in their address book), message uniqueness (e.g., how unique her messages are from each other), peer uniqueness (e.g., how unique the addressees of her messages are), and message rate (e.g., the rate at which she sends messages). Periodically, metrics may be compared to corresponding thresholds. Depending on whether a threshold is crossed, and which threshold is crossed, she may be banned from using the application or placed on a watch list.
US09948585B2 Split-architecture message processing system
A message processing device with a split-architecture is described that allows for flexible control over data flow while enabling optimal processing based on available system resources. In one particular example, messages are processed in two stages prior to transmission to a destination. A cursory evaluation of each message determines whether a deeper level of processing is to be performed using additional resources. Then, messages capable of transmission with no perceivable delay may be transmitted directly, whereas messages to be processed using greater resources are directed to a workflow pipeline engine for more expensive processing at a later stage. The result is a low latency system allowing for efficient resource management, whose architecture is scalable and readily extendible, for example, to increase resources available during periods of high data flow.
US09948583B2 Channel based communication and transaction system
System and methods are provided for receiving identification information from remote user devices associated with users. The identification information serves to obtain corresponding stored user profiles. Primary communication channels are generated for each user based upon their profiles. Each such primary channel is limited to communication with, and facilitates electronic communication between, a single corresponding enterprise data source, and users. For each respective primary channel in a subset of the primary channels of a first user, a corresponding plurality of sub-channels is generated based upon their profile. Each such plurality of sub-channels forms a corresponding hierarchical tree with the corresponding primary channel as root node and the sub-channels as child nodes. A sub-channel in a hierarchy of sub-channels enables secure bidirectional communication between (i) the remote user device associated with the first user and (ii) the enterprise data source associated with the primary channel of the hierarchy.
US09948582B2 System and method for performing follow up based on user interactions
A system and method for follow up management comprising determining if a user has a repository record, extracting information from the repository record associated with the user, and acting on information stored in the repository record. The method may be practiced on a system for managing online interaction comprising a business rules engine a follow up repository, and a follow up engine.
US09948581B2 Allow hidden and silent observers in a group conversation
A method to enable a participant within a plurality of participants in an online group conversation to add at least one additional participant as an observer to the online group conversation is provided. The method may include receiving a request to add the observer to the online group conversation. The method may include adding the observer to the online group conversation. The method may also include detecting a message being sent from the added observer. The method may include redirecting the detected message to the enabled participant. The method may also include displaying the redirected message in a user interface (UI) to the enabled participant. The method may further include detecting a modification or a deletion of the displayed redirected message by the enabled participant. The method may include sending the message to the plurality of participants, whereby the sent message is in an original format or a modified format.
US09948580B2 Techniques to replicate data using uploads from messaging clients
An apparatus may include a messaging server component operative to determine a sharing event for a data item, the sharing event associated with a source client device with a local storage of the data item. The apparatus may request that the source client device upload the data item to a destination storage device in response to a determination that network storage of the data item is scheduled for relocation from a source storage device to the destination storage device. The apparatus may include a storage management component operative to determine that the network storage of the data item is scheduled for relocation from a source storage device to a destination storage device and de-schedule the relocation of the data item.
US09948579B1 NIC-based packet assignment for virtual networks
In some examples, a computing device includes one or more processors configured to execute a plurality of virtual machines; and a network interface card (NIC) coupled to the one or more processors and configured to receive configuration data defining a plurality of receipt queues of the NIC and associated with respective virtual machines of the plurality of virtual machines. The NIC is further configured to assign, based on respective virtual machine identifiers of packets received by the NIC, the packets to the plurality of receipt queues associated with the respective virtual machines.
US09948574B2 Bit indexed explicit replication packet encapsulation
Methods and network devices are disclosed for multicast forwarding. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at a node a multicast message comprising a message header, where the message header comprises an incoming message bit array and a set identifier value associated with the incoming message bit array. The method further comprises selecting a first forwarding table entry, the first forwarding table entry comprises a set identifier value matching that of the message header. The method further comprises comparing at least a portion of the incoming message bit array to a corresponding portion of a neighbor bit array of the first forwarding table entry, determining that for at least one relative bit position a corresponding destination node is both a destination for the message and a reachable destination from a first neighboring node, and forwarding a copy of the message to the first neighboring node.
US09948569B2 Station-side terminal apparatus, and path switching method
A station-side terminal apparatus comprises terminal devices and a terminal device sorting unit. The terminal devices includes: a buffer unit; a subscriber-side terminal apparatus sorting unit configured to transmit a unicast packet addressed to a switch-target subscriber-side terminal apparatus to the switch queues, and transmit a packet addressed to a plurality of subscriber-side terminal apparatuses to the broadcast queue, and transmit a unicast packet addressed to a non-switch-target subscriber-side terminal apparatus to the through queue; and a scheduler unit configured to read a packet from the switch queues, the broadcast queue, and the through queue. The terminal device sorting unit is configured to transmit a received unicast packet to the terminal device, and transmit a received packet addressed to a plurality of subscriber-side terminal apparatuses, to each of the terminal devices.
US09948568B2 Packet size control using maximum transmission units for facilitating packet transmission
A system and method of facilitating packet transmission comprises a first node, a second node, and an intermediate node. The intermediate node receives a first packet, from the first node, determines a packet size, determines a maximum transmission unit (MTU) size, and determines whether the packet size is greater than the MTU size, sends a second packet to the first node specifying the MTU size to the first node. The first node records a destination mark at the first node, including the MTU size and an identifier of the second node, fragments the first packet into a plurality of fragmented packets, and sends each of the plurality of fragmented packets to the intermediate node. The intermediate node receives each of the plurality of fragmented packets, from the first node, and sends the fragmented packets to the second node.
US09948566B2 Selective network traffic throttling
Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems a management server receiving, from a switch, an indication of network congestion at the switch. The indication includes one or more contributors to the network congestion. In response to the indication of network congestion, the management server identifies one or more hosts running the identified contributor(s) and transmits an instruction to the host(s) to restrict network traffic originated by the contributor(s). For example, the restriction may include a reduction in the contributor's I/O queue depth. If the reduction in traffic does not remedy the congestion, the management server may receive a further indication of congestion and further instruct the host(s) to restrict identified contributor network traffic. For example, the contributors may have their I/O queue depth reduced exponentially until congestion is relieved. Upon receiving an indication that the congestion is relieved, the management server instructs the host(s) to remove the restriction on network traffic.
US09948559B2 Software receive side scaling for overlay flow re-dispatching
A method of re-dispatching packets at a packet forwarding element that includes a hardware dispatch unit and a multi-core processor. The method, at a first core, receives a packet of a particular packet flow from the hardware dispatch unit. The packet is dispatched from the hardware dispatch unit to the first core based on a hardware implemented hashing algorithm. The first core identifies a plurality of header fields of the packet that uniquely identifies the particular packet flow when the packet includes overlay network encapsulation. The first core performs a software implemented hashing algorithm on the identified plurality of header fields of the packet to calculate a hash value. The hardware implemented hashing algorithm and the software implemented hashing algorithm generate the same hash value when performed on the same plurality of values. The first core re-dispatches the packet to a second core based on the calculated hash value.
US09948556B2 Systems and methods for externalizing network functions via packet trunking
The methods and systems described herein provide a mechanism to externalize network functions through a direct link between a network switch and an external packet processor. The network switch is configured to receive a packet directed to a destination node via a first network interface. The network switch is also configured to forward the received packet to a packet processor, via a second network interface, over a direct physical link between the network switch and the packet processor. The packet is forwarded with an identifier for a virtualized network function executing on the packet processor and a destination MAC address of the packet is different from a MAC address of the packet processor.
US09948555B2 Data processing
A method of routing messages includes receiving a request message from an originating device to be forwarded to one of a plurality of target devices, the request message having a first network address as a source address identifying the originating device. The first network address of the request message is dynamically mapped to a second network address of a selected target device, and the first and second network addresses are stored in association with each other as address mapping information. The method also includes forwarding the selected target device using the second network address. The routing device receives from the target device an error message in relation to the request message, and identifies the originating device which originated the request message using the address mapping information and the second network address of the target device which issued the error message.
US09948552B2 Cloud-based services exchange
In general, a cloud-based services exchange (or “cloud exchange”) for interconnecting multiple cloud service providers with multiple cloud service customers is described. The cloud exchange may enable cloud customers to bypass the public Internet to directly connect to cloud services providers so as to improve performance, reduce costs, increase the security and privacy of the connections, and leverage cloud computing for additional applications. In this way, enterprises, network carriers, and SaaS customers, for instance, can integrate cloud services with their internal applications as if such services are part of or otherwise directly coupled to their own data center network.
US09948550B2 Method, apparatus, and system for routing and forwarding
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for routing and forwarding. The method includes: receiving, by a network controller, a routing request message sent by a requesting routing node, where the routing request message carries a content name of requested content; determining, by the network controller according to a network topology diagram and registration information of the requested content, a proper forwarding path; and delivering, by the network controller, routing information to each routing node on the forwarding path. In the embodiments of the present invention, a network controller is introduced, and registration information and a network topology diagram are stored in the network controller, so that the network controller may be used to determine a forwarding path of a content request packet, which reduces blindness of routing and forwarding of the content request packet in an ICN network and improves efficiency of routing and forwarding.
US09948549B2 Producing routing messages for voice over IP communications
A process and apparatus to facilitate communication between callers and callees in a system comprising a plurality of nodes with which callers and callees are associated is disclosed. In response to initiation of a call by a calling subscriber, a caller identifier and a callee identifier are received. Call classification criteria associated with the caller identifier are used to classify the call as a public network call or a private network call. A routing message identifying an address, on the private network, associated with the callee is produced when the call is classified as a private network call and a routing message identifying a gateway to the public network is produced when the call is classified as a public network call.
US09948544B2 Localizing and placement of network node functions in a network
The invention enables placement and use of a network node function in a second network node instead of using the network node function in a first network node. The network node function is e.g. a server function or a router function. The second network node is typically located in or close to the client device or to the network of an operator servicing a client device to enable optimization of client-server communication and optimization of the load on the client-server communication in the network. Client requests transmitted to the first network node may be redirected to the second network node.
US09948535B2 Methods and systems for congestion-based content delivery
The various embodiments described herein include methods and/or systems for content delivery based on network congestion. In one aspect, a method of congestion-based content delivery includes receiving, via a network, a first request for content from a client device. The method also includes prioritizing a first type of content item over one or more other types of content items based, at least in part, on a degree of congestion of the network. The method further includes, in response to the first request, providing to the client device one or more content items of the first type in accordance with the prioritizing.
US09948531B2 Predictive prefetching to reduce document generation times
In a system in which documents are generated dynamically in response to user requests, historical data is collected regarding data retrieval subtasks, such as service requests, that are performed to generate such documents. This data is used to predict the specific subtasks that will be performed to respond to specific document requests, such that these subtasks may be initiated preemptively at or near the outset of the associated document generation task. In one embodiment, the historical data is included within, or is used to generate, a mapping table that maps document generation tasks (which may correspond to specific URLs) to the data retrieval subtasks that are frequently performed within such tasks.
US09948527B1 Synthetic resource records
Provided are methods and systems for using synthetic resource records to configure and manage web applications and various online services. A user is provided with the ability to setup a single synthetic resource record for their domain such that all of the associated dependent resource records are automatically configured and added to the domain as well. The methods and systems provided utilize synthetic resource records as a way of logically grouping resource records into “human readable” sets of resource records. Through synthetic resource records, users are able to address common configuration issues without having to know the technical specifications of associated zone files or resource records. Additionally, users can complete a variety of configuration tasks related to setting-up web applications without having to look-up resource record values from external sites (e.g., from the domain host).
US09948526B2 Information management method
A server apparatus receives a device ID indicating one electrical home appliance among one or more electrical home appliances and a gateway ID indicating that the one electrical home appliance belongs to a same owner, a same group, or a same home as the one or more electrical home appliances, determines whether or not the one electrical home appliance is a newly connected electrical home appliance, using a management database that manages device IDs indicating the one or more electrical home appliances and the gateway ID, and when it is determined made that the one electrical home appliance is a newly connected electrical home appliance, provides an information device, which is associated with the gateway ID and which differs from the one electrical home appliance, with notification information for confirming whether or not it is to be permitted to collect the log information from the one electrical home appliance.
US09948521B2 Architecture for data center infrastructure monitoring
A central infrastructure monitoring system includes an asset configurator; and a plurality of data center infrastructure monitoring systems each associated with a respective data center of a plurality of geographically distributed data centers that include one or more physical infrastructure assets of a plurality of physical infrastructure assets for enabling system operation within the respective data center. The data center infrastructure monitoring systems are coupled to the central infrastructure monitoring system. The asset configurator is configured to define templates of standard attributes for the plurality of infrastructure assets based on information about the plurality of infrastructure assets of the plurality of data centers, generate infrastructure asset data that logically represents the plurality of physical infrastructure assets based on the defined templates, and associate, via the infrastructure asset data, the physical infrastructure assets within an infrastructure asset hierarchy indicating connections and interdependencies between the plurality of infrastructure assets.
US09948520B2 Efficiently determining network topology
A method allows each individual node in the multi-node computing system to detect the topology of the computing system. Each individual node detects its own connections with neighboring nodes directly connected to the individual node, and sends out a topology packet on all of its interfaces with a local topology change indicator that increments with each topology packet sent out. Each individual node stores their own topology table with an entry for each node from which it has received a topology packet, including the local topology change number which enables the node to determine whether a received topology packet is more recent than data already stored in the topology table. Each node updates its topology table with new topology data, forwards new topology data, and sends back acknowledgements to a source node only upon receiving acknowledgements from all other nodes.
US09948519B2 Systems and methods for establishing a packet data network connection for a wireless communication device
Embodiments are directed to establishing only a single PDN connection for a CIoT device using, for example, minimum NAS signaling and default parameters in the serving node. Thus, the existing session management signaling from the CIoT device may be eliminated, and instead the core serving node may establish a single PDN connection or PDP context based on default values, subscription information, and other information locally available in the serving node or available in the network when the CIoT device attaches to the network.
US09948518B2 Low latency flow cleanup of openflow configuration changes
One or more processors receive a notification of a failure of a first delivery device of a plurality of delivery devices of an OpenFlow network, to deliver a data packet. One or more processors determine the flows of flow tables belonging to delivery devices that are affected as a result of the failure of the first delivery device. The flows are determined by accessing an index of flow mappings maintained in cache storage in which at least one of the affected flows includes a pattern of information fields and actions that match a pattern of information fields and actions of the data packet, and one or more processors send instructions to the delivery devices of the network to perform an asynchronous activity on respective flow tables of the delivery devices that include the flows affected as a result of the failure of the first delivery device.
US09948515B2 Automatic configuration of host networking device networking interface without user interaction
A host networking device networking interface is automatically configured. The interface is initially configured to operate in a single-link mode in which multiple network communication lanes of the interface cooperatively provide a single communication link. If a signal is not present on any communication lane, then the interface is configured to operate in a multiple-link mode in which each lane provides a separate and different communication link, and is operated in the multiple-link mode. If a signal is present on every communication lane, and if the single communication link has been established with another networking device over all the lanes, then the interface is operated in the single-link mode. If a signal is present on every communication lane, but if the single communication link has not been established over all the lanes, then the interface is configured to operate in the multiple-link mode and is operated in the multiple-link mode.
US09948513B2 Managing servers with quality of service assurances
Aspects of an embodiment of the invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for managing the energy efficiency of servers providing multi-class computing services with Quality of Service (QoS) assurance. Computing resources are clustered into at least three groups, where each group has a separate power management policy (PMP). A plurality of requests are received from a plurality of devices, and are sorted into at least three service classes based on the requests' QoS criteria. Each request is assigned to one of at least three service queues based on the request's service class, and each service group is processed by a group of computing resources. The power management policies are configured such that each group of computing resources may service requests at an energy efficient point while meeting the QoS criteria of the service class.
US09948511B2 Network operating system client architecture for mobile user equipment
A network operating system agent can operate to facilitate communications to a network device and a managing server of self-organizing network devices to exchange contexts between an application managed by a user equipment device and the network device. Relationships between self-organizing devices and applications of a user equipment device can be extended so that the network devices are context aware of the application settings. In response to detecting the user equipment device communicating via the network devices, a set of user equipment device parameters and a set of application settings of the application can be communicated to the network devices. The application settings can be modified according to the a set of radio network performance settings of the self-organizing network devices with the user equipment device based on the set of user equipment device parameters and the set of application settings of the application.
US09948508B2 Inherent power-over-data bus signaling for secure operating mode switching
A method for changing an operating mode of a processing unit of a network node is described. The processing unit is connected to a communication and supply line for providing data communication and for providing a supply voltage. The method includes an establishing of a communication connection of the processing unit of the network node via the communication and supply line, a determination of a change of the supply voltage of the communication and supply line by the processing unit, and a setting of an operation mode of the processing unit based on the determined change of the supply voltage.
US09948507B2 Backchannel communications for initialization of high-speed networks
One embodiment provides a network controller. The network controller includes a modulation module. The modulation module includes a high rate (HR) bit sequence generator configured to generate a first high rate bit sequence, encoder circuitry configured to encode a first low rate bit stream, the first low rate bit stream comprising backchannel information, and modulation circuitry configured to modulate the encoded first low rate bit stream onto the first high rate bit sequence. The network controller further includes transmit circuitry configured to transmit the modulated first HR bit sequence to a link partner during a link initialization period.
US09948505B2 Systems and methods for integrating a device with a software-defined networking controller
The disclosure is directed towards systems and methods for integrating a device with a software-defined networking (SDN) controller. A device intermediary to a plurality of clients and a plurality of servers can receive a request to establish a communicative connection between an SDN controller and the device. The request can be based on a device package including a device model, a device script configured to integrate the device with the SDN controller and including one or more function call definitions, a functional profile including a default value for at least one parameter of the device, and a plurality of device-level configuration parameters specifying values of parameters utilized by the device. The device can receive a request to configure one or more functions of the device. The request can configure the functions generated by the SDN controller based on the device package.
US09948504B2 Method for configuring a node
This invention relates to a method for configuring a limited node in a network, said limited node being able to receive data only within limited reception opportunities, the method comprising at a first node: (a) detecting that an update of a network configuration parameter value for the limited node is required; (b) deciding on whether to change a limited node behavior from a first behavior based at least partly on communication characteristics of the limited node, said change of behavior including increasing reception opportunity at the limited node; (c) depending on decision at step (b), triggering delivery of a request of behavior change to the limited node during a first reception opportunity; (d) triggering delivery of the updated network configuration parameter value to the limited node during a second reception opportunity of the limited node.
US09948503B2 Gateway redundancy protocol for communications networks
Each of a first group of gateway nodes of a communications network operates as a primary gateway identified by a respective unique gateway identification number (GWID), and each of a second group of gateway nodes operates as a backup gateway. Each gateway node has an assigned backup priority level with respect to each GWID. The gateway nodes are interconnected via a common local network. In the event that a primary gateway node becomes non-operational, the backup gateway that is assigned the highest priority level with respect to the GWID of the non-operational primary gateway assumes operation as the primary gateway identified by that GWID. Upon restoration of the non-operational gateway node, the gateway node operates as a backup gateway in place of the gateway node that assumed its operation as the primary gateway. A gateway node operates as a primary gateway for only one respective GWID at a time.
US09948500B2 Method and apparatus of performing simultaneous multi-agent access for command execution through a single client
One example procedure of managing agents via a session client may include selecting multiple endpoint devices to manage, establishing a connection to a server, and identifying at least two agent identifiers identifying multiple agents corresponding to the multiple endpoint devices. The procedure may also include transmitting a session setup command to the server including the at least two agent identifiers and receiving a confirmation that a session has been established between the session client and the multiple agents of the multiple endpoint devices.
US09948499B2 Location of unidirectional handover relationships
A management system includes a first management device storing information regarding: objects monitored by the first management device, objects monitored by a second management device and relationships between objects monitored by the first management device and objects monitored by the second management device. The first management device requests such information from the second management device. Using the information stored by the first management device and the information requested from the second management device, the first management device ascertains at least one relationship between at least one object monitored by the first management device and at least one object monitored by the second management device and which is stored either just by the first management device or just by the second management device.
US09948497B2 System for and method of automatically discovering and configuring NIDs
A system for and method of automatic discovery and configuration of network interface devices is presented. A network interface device (NID) may be included a pre-configured maintenance entity end point (MEP), whereby upon use, the NID may begin sending at least one discovery message to a provider edge device, each discovery message including an organizationally unique identifier. The provider edge device may strip the discovery message(s) to determine the message content, which may then be forwarded to a NIS management system. The NID management system may then identify an identification number of the NID, determine where the NID is installed and send any configuration data to the NID via the provider edge device to configure the NID.
US09948496B1 Determining a transit appliance for data traffic to a software service
Disclosed is a system and method for optimization of data transfer to a software service. In exemplary embodiments, a computer-implemented method for determining a transit appliance for data traffic to a software service through one or more interconnected networks comprising a plurality of network appliances, comprises determining performance metrics for each of the plurality of network appliances to at least one IP address associated with the software service, and selecting a transit appliance for data transfer to the IP address, the selected transit appliance based at least in part on the performance metrics.
US09948495B2 Safe state for networked devices
A method placing a device in safe state is disclosed. The method includes initiating a safe state for a device. In one embodiment, an operational functionality of the device is disabled. A safe state message at an interface of the device may be received. The interface may be designated as a management interface. Information may be received at the management interface, wherein the information manages the device. The method may also include disabling a non-management interface of the device, wherein the non-management interface is an interface that does not receive a safe state message. The method may further include shutting down a non-management interface of the device, wherein the non-management interface is an interface that does not receive a safe state message. A normal state for the device may be initiated, wherein in the normal state the device restores the operational functionality of the device.
US09948494B2 Method to save data usage in mobile devices based on prior history
A mobile device includes a network connection device capable of forming a communication connection to a cellular network and to a wi-fi network and communicating with an application server and an application capable of communicating through the both cellular and wi-fi networks device to a remote device. The mobile device also includes a context module that records and analyzes information about a user's interactions with data provide to the device by the remote device. The context module modifies an API call between the application and the application server based on analysis of prior usage of the application and a current communication connection of the network device.
US09948485B2 Three phase and polarity encoded serial interface
A high speed serial interface is provided. In one aspect, the high speed serial interface uses three phase modulation for jointly encoding data and clock information. Accordingly, the need for de-skewing circuitry at the receiving end of the interface is eliminated, resulting in reduced link start-up time and improved link efficiency and power consumption. In one embodiment, the high speed serial interface uses fewer signal conductors than conventional systems having separate conductors for data and clock information. In another embodiment, the serial interface allows for data to be transmitted at any speed without the receiving end having prior knowledge of the transmission data rate. In another aspect, the high speed serial interface uses polarity encoded three phase modulation for jointly encoding data and clock information. This further increases the link capacity of the serial interface by allowing for more than one bit to be transmitted in any single baud interval.
US09948484B2 Method and apparatus for direct conversion receiver correcting direct current offset
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for direct current offset calibration of a direct conversion receiver, a Direct Current (DC) offset calibration apparatus of a direct conversion receiver includes a plurality of variable gain amplifiers for amplifying an input signal based on a gain control value, a DC offset monitoring unit for monitoring a DC offset for an output signal of the plurality of variable gain amplifiers, a plurality of variable Digital to Analog Converters (DACs) for controlling a current applied to each of the plurality of variable gain amplifiers according to a current control code, and a DC offset cancellation unit for determining a current control code set which minimizes the DC offset value per preset gain control value, and thus the DC offset can be precisely cancelled without being affected by external factors such as a signal modulation method and heat and performance degradation of the receiver can be prevented.
US09948480B2 Media access control filtering apparatus for high speed switching and operating method thereof
A media access control (MAC) filtering method is provided. The MAC filtering method includes setting a variable of condition on a target frame to be re-transmitted, with a relay control logic; receiving data from a physical layer; storing the received data in a relay buffer; determining whether to re-transmit the receive data; monitoring a transmission state of a MAC control logic and transmitting the received data while the MAC control logic is not used, to prevent data collision, when as a result of the determination that the receive data needs to be re-transmitted; and storing information that the received data is being transmitted, into a transmit state memory in the MAC control logic, when the received data is transmitted.
US09948479B2 Identification graph theory
Apparatuses, techniques, and methods for a security and/or automation system are described. In some cases, these may include detecting a presence of a person at a location; determine a first identification datum associated with the person; calculating a first probability of identification based at least in part on the first identification datum; determining an identity of the person based at least in part on the first probability; and initiating an action based at least in part on the determined identity.
US09948478B2 Online system and method for using the same
The present invention relates to a home appliance which can communicate with an outside of the home appliance, an online system and a method for using the online system including the same. According to embodiments of the present invention, a method for using an online system may be provided including the steps of log in a server by transmitting user information to the server through an external terminal, selecting a laundry machine of which course updating is desired through the external terminal and transmitting the same to the server, receiving updatable course information from the server, and displaying the information on the external terminal, selecting an updating desired course through the external terminal, and transmitting selected course information to the server, and updating the laundry machine with the selected course through the server.
US09948475B2 Providing assistance to a base station from user equipment
In accordance with some embodiments, a user equipment or mobile station may provide assistance to the eNB or base station so that eNB or base station can more effectively provide settings to the user equipment. Because the user equipment may have more in depth knowledge about the conditions that exist at the user equipment, efficiencies may be achieved by providing information to the eNB from which the eNB can better set various settings on the user equipment, including those related to power saving and latency.
US09948472B2 Protocol independent multicast sparse mode (PIM-SM) support for data center interconnect
Techniques are described for utilizing Protocol Independent Multicast Sparse Mode (PIM-SM) to transport BUM (broadcast, unknown unicast, and multicast) traffic in a Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) underlay of a data center, where the BUM traffic is received on active-active, multi-homed Ethernet virtual private network (EVPN) interconnects between multiple physical data centers. For example, the techniques may readily be applied to support usage of PIM-SM where provider edge (PE) routers of the EVPN operate as gateways between the EVPN and the VXLAN spanning the data center interconnect.
US09948471B2 Tamper-resistant non-volatile memory device and integrated circuit card
A non-volatile memory device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a memory array that includes non-volatile memory cells; a read circuit that, in operation, selects, from the memory array, non-volatile memory cells corresponding to one of resistance value ranges, and obtains pieces of resistance value information about resistance values of the selected non-volatile memory cells; a computation circuit that, in operation, calculates a binarization reference value by using the pieces of resistance value information; and an identification information generation circuit that, in operation, generates individual identification information. The read circuit, in operation, obtains first digital data in accordance with relationships between each of the pieces of resistance value information and the binarization reference value. The identification information generation circuit, in operation, obtains second digital data uncorrelated with the resistance values, and generates the individual identification information by using the first digital data and the second digital data.
US09948469B2 Method for identifying audio device
A method for identifying an audio device, in which a mobile device starts to monitor pull out or insert of an audio device, when the mobile device connects the audio device, the mobile device starts to record, the audio device is identified as an audio smart key device in the case that characteristic data is received in a first preset time, and data is sent to the audio smart key device; turns off recording in the case that the characteristic data is not received in the first preset time; the audio smart key device is powered on and initialized, it sends audio data to the mobile device, subsequently, if the audio smart key device receives data sent from the mobile device in a second preset time, it processes the data; if the audio smart key device does not receive the data sent from the mobile device, the audio smart key device turns off; when the mobile device disconnects the audio device, the mobile device turns off recording and the audio device turns off. According to the present invention, a mobile device can identify a type of an audio device which is inserted into the mobile device, the mobile device sends data after ensuring that the audio device is an audio smart key device, thus, the method can prevent from any noise in the earphone, so the users can feel better.
US09948464B1 Multi-port PUF circuit based on NMOS zero temperature coefficient point
The present invention discloses a multi-port PUF circuit based on NMOS zero temperature coefficient point, comprising an input register, a deviation current source, a arbiter and a disturbing module used to construct a multi-port PUF circuit; the input register comprises m D-flip-flops; the deviation current module comprises m deviation current cells; the arbiter comprises 2n current sensitive amplifiers; the disturbing module comprises n 2-input XOR gates; wherein an input challenge used to configure deviation current generation module can update IDs without replacement of hardware. In addition, it has a capability of producing a multi-bit IDs in one clock cycle. Post-layout simulation results show that the PUF circuit is provided with excellent uniqueness and randomness with reliability up to 98.2% across temperature variation from −40° C. to 125° C., and supply voltage variation from 1.08V to 1.32V; it can be applied in information security field.
US09948459B2 Multiple encrypting method and system for encrypting a file and/or a protocol
The present invention relates to a multiple encrypting method, for encrypting a file and/or a protocol and generating encryption keys. Comprising the steps of: uploading at least one of a file and a protocol by a file uploading unit; generating random numbers by a random number generation unit; arranging the random numbers to form at least one key and at least one initialization vector respectively by a key generation unit and an initialization vector generation unit; encrypting the file and/or the protocol from the file uploading unit via using AES encryption by an encryption unit, so as to generate an encrypted file and/or an encrypted protocol; saving the key and the initialization vector respectively in a first storage unit and a second storage unit; Repeating the above steps at least one time.
US09948456B2 System and method for interactive session provision
Systems and methods applicable, for instance, in interactive session provision. One or more nodes and/or other computers might, for example, provide to one or more other nodes and/or other computers the ability to employ certain software for an interactive session. A node and/or other computer providing the ability might, for instance, provide to a node and/or other computer receiving the ability software to be used in the interactive session, and/or one or more appropriate keys. A node and/or other computer that has received the ability might, for example, lose the ability with interactive session termination.
US09948455B2 Management of group secrets by group members
A method of adding a new device (221) to a device group (210), the device group (210, 220) including a plurality of devices, wherein each device in the device group possesses a device group key and device keys of all other devices in the device group for encryption of messages, except its own device key. The method includes: establishing a secure connection between the new device (221) and a first device (211) in the device group (210); sending, by the first device (211) in the device group (210), the device group key and device keys of all other devices (212, 213, . . . , 21N) in the device group (210) to the new device (221); distributing, by one of the other devices (212, 213, . . . , 21N) in the device group (210), the device key of the first device (211) in the device group (210) to the new device (221); generating and distributing, by one of the devices (211, 212, 213, . . . , 21N) in the device group (210), a device key of the new device (221) to all other devices (211, 212, 213, . . . , 21N) in the device group (210). This approach is also generalized to k-resilient schemes.
US09948452B1 Adapter that converts enhanced long range navigation (eLORAN) to precision time protocol (PTP)
A method and system are provided for converting an enhanced Long Range Navigational (eLORAN) signal to a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) signal. Network devices can be located within buildings and not have access to a GPS signal directly from a GPS satellite. Network devices may also be located in a line of sight of a GPS satellite but may lose the GPS signal. An adapter is provided that takes an eLORAN signal, when a GPS signal is lost or not available, and converts the signal into a PTP and other signals to act as timing, synchronization, and syntonization inputs into the network devices. In some cases, the network devices can have a PTP client to receive the PTP signal, one pulse per second signal, and a ten (10) megahertz frequency signal. In other cases, the network devices do not have a PTP client, but can receive a time of day message, one pulse per second signal, and the 10 megahertz frequency signal.
US09948446B2 Telecommunications device comprising an electrical balance duplexer and method for balancing the electrical balance duplexer
The present disclosure relates to a telecommunications device. The telecommunications device includes an electrical balance duplexer connected to an output node of a transmission path, an input node of a receive path, an antenna, and a tunable impedance. The electrical balance duplexer is configured to isolate the transmission path from the receive path by tuning the tunable impedance. The telecommunications device also includes a tuning circuit for tuning the tunable impedance. The tuning circuit includes amplitude detectors for measuring voltage amplitudes, phase detectors for measuring voltage phase differences, an impedance sensor for measuring an input impedance of the electrical balance duplexer, and a processing unit operatively connected to the detectors, the impedance sensor, and the tunable impedance. The processing unit is configured to calculate an optimized impedance value. The processing unit is also configured to tune the tunable impedance towards the optimized impedance value.
US09948442B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting control information in a wireless communication system
A method for transmitting control information via a PUCCH in a wireless communication system and an apparatus for performing the method are provided, the method including joint-coding a plurality of pieces of control information to obtain a single code word; obtaining a first modulated symbol sequence from the single code word; obtaining a plurality of second modulated symbol sequences corresponding to each slot in the PUCCH from the first modulated symbol sequence; cyclically shifting the plurality of second modulated symbol sequences in a time domain to obtain a plurality of third modulated symbol sequences; performing a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) precoding process on the plurality of third modulated symbol sequences to obtain a plurality of complex symbol sequences in a frequency domain; and transmitting the plurality of complex symbol sequences via the PUCCH.
US09948440B2 Apparatus and method for allocating channel state information-reference signal in wireless communication system
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a technology for allocating a Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS) in a wireless communication system. Embodiments of the present invention provides an apparatus and method for allocating CSI-RSs to resource areas, in which, under the condition of a subframe in which the CP is an extended CP, and the duplex scheme is TDD, if CSI-RSs for maximum 8 antenna ports are allocated, the CSI-RSs are allocated to the 8th and 9th symbols (symbol No. l=7 and 8), wherein each CSI-RS for every two antenna ports is allocated to the same RE while being discriminated from each other by an orthogonal code and neighbor CSI-RS allocated REs in the frequency axis are spaced by an interval of three REs.
US09948439B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving common channel information in wireless communication system
Methods and apparatus are provided for transmission and reception of common channel information in a mobile communication system using multi-antenna-based beamforming. A number of beams to be used for transmission to a terminal is determined at a base station. The common channel information is generated corresponding to the number of beams. The common channel information is transmitted from the base station to the terminal through one of the beams.
US09948437B2 Method and apparatus for inter-cell interference coordination in a wireless communication system
A method of performing interference management by a base station (BS) in a wireless communication system. The BS receives, from another BS, an interference management message including a silenced subframe pattern of the another BS. The BS transmits, to a user equipment (UE), a radio resource configuration (RRC) message including subframe set information for interference measurement, and receives, from the UE, channel state information (CSI) feedback including a result of the interference measurement. The subframe set information is configured based on the silenced subframe pattern of the another BS, and the subframe set information restricts the interference measurement of the UE to specific subframes.
US09948433B2 User equipment and base station
Techniques for controlling HARQ processes in uplink communication to implement low latency communication are disclosed. One aspect of the present invention relates to user equipment, comprising: a transmission and reception unit configured to transmit and receive radio signals to/from a base station; and an HARQ process control unit configured to control multiple HARQ processes for uplink communication with the base station, wherein the HARQ process control unit asynchronously transmits uplink data from the multiple HARQ processes to the base station in accordance with a predetermined transmission method allowing the base station to identify a transmitting HARQ process of received uplink data.
US09948432B2 Methods and apparatuses for signaling in dynamic time division duplex systems
The present invention relates to a method in a UE served by a network node, a method in the network node, the UE, and the network node. The network node is applying dynamic TDD with flexible subframes. The method comprises receiving (900) from the network node information configuring the user equipment with a TDD reference configuration, and determining (910) in which subframe to signal HARQ information based on the TDD reference configuration. The method further comprises monitoring (930) a set of DL subframes indicated to the user equipment by the network node for explicit signaling messages that may be transmitted by the network node in the set of downlink subframes, and receiving (940) an explicit signaling message in response to monitoring. The explicit signaling message designates a subframe in which the UE shall receive a DL signal. The method also comprises preparing (950) to receive the DL signal in the designated subframe.
US09948431B2 Techniques for managing soft buffers in wireless communications
Various aspects described herein relate to managing a soft buffer for decoding hybrid automatic repeat/request (HARQ) based transmissions in wireless communications. A legacy soft buffer size of a legacy soft buffer can be determined for decoding HARQ based transmissions in legacy communications, where the legacy communications are based on a first transmission time interval (TTI) of a first duration. Ultra low latency (ULL) communications can be received, where the ULL communications are based on a second TTI that is less than the first duration. A ULL soft buffer size for a ULL soft buffer for decoding HARQ based transmissions in the ULL communications can be determined. Contents of the ULL soft buffer can be managed based at least in part on the ULL soft buffer size.
US09948427B2 High speed add-compare-select for Viterbi decoder
System and method of comparing-selecting state metric values for high speed Viterbi decoding. In an Add-Compare-Select (ACS) unit, a select control signal is produced by Boolean operations on comparator decision signals and used to control a multiplexer structure. The comparator decision signals can be generated in parallel by an array of comparators comparing all possible pairs of a set of state metrics values. The Boolean operations are predefined through Boolean algebra that uses the decision signals as variables and complies with restriction imposed by the selection criteria, e.g., to select an minimum or maximum value of the set of state metrics values. The Boolean operations are performed by a logic module implemented using basic logic gates, such as AND, OR and NOT. As a result, the multiplexer structure that receives the set of input values can output the optimum value responsive to the select control signal.
US09948426B2 Apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals, apparatus for receiving broadcast signals, method for transmitting broadcast signals and method for receiving broadcast signals
The present invention provides a method of transmitting broadcast signals. The method includes, encoding, by an encoder, data in plural PLPs (Physical Layer Pipes); processing, by a framing and interleaving block, the encoded data in the plural PLPs, wherein the processing the encoded data further includes: time interleaving, by a time interleaver, the encoded data in the plural PLPs, frame mapping, by a framer, the time interleaved data onto at least one signal frame, and frequency interleaving, by a frequency interleaver, data in the at least one signal frame; and waveform modulating, by a waveform generation block, the frequency interleaved data in the at least one signal frame and transmitting, by the waveform generation block, broadcast signals having the waveform modulated data.
US09948424B2 System and method for reducing blind decoding complexity in OFDMA-based systems
A base station comprising a transmitter configured to transmit a downlink frame. The downlink frame comprises a resource allocation region, and the resource allocation region comprises a set of resource allocation messages comprising at least one resource allocation message. All or a subset of the resource allocation messages each comprise one or more fields with an indicator, interpreted from a particular field or a combination of some or all of the one or more fields, to indicate a number of resource allocation messages intended for a particular subscriber station in the resource allocation region.
US09948423B2 Variation-tolerant wavelength division multiplexing receiver and transceiver, and associated methods
A variation-tolerant receiver includes a plurality of receiver resonators configured to demultiplex a multiplexed modulated signal received from at least one wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) transmitter having a plurality of transmitter resonators and wherein operationally each of the receiver resonators has a receiver resonance linewidth not exceeding a minimum spacing between two adjacent transmitter resonances of the transmitter resonators, the receiver resonances collectively spanning a free spectral range of one of the receiver resonators such that the variation-tolerant receiver achieves gapless spectral response. A method passively compensates transmitter-receiver channel mismatch in a transceiver by: separating a broadband carrier into a plurality of narrowband transmitter carriers; modulating the narrowband transmitter carriers to form a plurality of modulated signals; multiplexing each of the modulated signals to form a multiplexed modulated signal; and demultiplexing the multiplexed modulated signal onto a plurality of receiver channels.
US09948419B2 Method and apparatus for determining propagation delay in a communications network
A method and apparatus for determining propagation delay of a first path and or of a second path which connect a first transceiver unit associated with a first clock to a second transceiver unit associated with a second clock in a communications network. The apparatus comprises a control unit configured to cause the first transceiver unit to transmit a first signal to the second transceiver unit over the first path and to receive a reply to the first signal from the second transceiver unit over the second path, and to transmit a second signal to the second transceiver unit over the second path and to receive a reply to the second signal from the second transceiver unit over the first path. The apparatus further comprises a receiving unit configured to receive a first time reference representing the time of transmission of the first signal from the first transceiver unit, a second time reference representing the time of receipt of the first signal at the second transceiver unit, a third time reference representing the time of transmission of the reply to the second signal from the second transceiver unit and a fourth time reference representing the time of receipt of the reply to the second signal at the first transceiver unit. The apparatus further comprises a determining unit configured to determine a propagation delay of the first path and or of the second path using the first time reference, the second time reference, the third time reference and the fourth time reference.
US09948417B2 Broadcast transmission device, method by which broadcast transmission device processes data, broadcast reception device and method by which broadcast reception device processes data
A broadcast transmission device and a method by which the broadcast transmission device processes data are disclosed. The method by which the broadcast transmission device processes data, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: encapsulating emergency alert information as a link layer packet; error-correction-encoding data of the link layer packet in a physical layer; building a signal frame including the error-correction-encoded data; and transmitting a broadcast signal including the built signal frame, wherein the link layer packet includes a header and a payload, the header includes header information for signaling the payload, the payload includes the emergency alert information, and the header information includes indication information indicating that the link layer packet is a packet for an emergency alert and type information indicating the type of emergency alert information.
US09948414B2 WTRU measurements handling to mitigate in-device interference
A method for performing measurements in a device with at least two radio access technologies (RATs) is disclosed. The method may include establishing a first measurement schedule on a first RAT, and establishing a first transmission schedule for a second RAT. The method may further include changing at least one of the first measurement schedule or the first transmission schedule to prevent measurements of the first measurement schedule from occurring contemporaneously with transmissions of the first transmission schedule. Transmissions from the second RAT may interfere with measurements on the first RAT. The method may include transitioning from the first measurement mode to a second measurement mode based determining the second RAT is operating on potentially interfering frequency.
US09948409B2 Phase and amplitude signal sensing circuit for radio frequency (RF) transmitters
A radio frequency (RF) transmitter for self-sensing power and phase of an RF signal is provided. A local oscillator (LO) is configured to generate a LO signal. A power amplifier is configured to generate the RF signal from the LO signal, wherein the LO and RF signals are periodic signals sharing a waveform and a frequency. An IQ de-modulator is configured to down convert the LO signal and the RF signal into an in-phase (I) signal and a quadrature (Q) signal, wherein direct current (DC) voltages respectively of the I and Q signals define power and phase of the RF signal. A method for self-sensing power and phase of an RF signal, and a radar system within which the RF transmitter is arranged, are also provided.
US09948402B2 Method and system for large silicon photonic interposers by stitching
Methods and systems for large silicon photonic interposers by stitching are disclosed and may include, in an integrated optical communication system including CMOS electronics die coupled to a silicon photonic interposer, where the interposer includes a plurality of reticle sections: communicating an optical signal between two of the plurality of reticle sections utilizing a waveguide. The waveguide may include a taper region at a boundary between the two reticle sections, the taper region expanding an optical mode of the communicated optical signal prior to the boundary and narrowing the optical mode after the boundary. A continuous wave (CW) optical signal may be received in a first of the reticle sections from an optical source external to the interposer. The CW optical signal may be received in the interposer from an optical source assembly coupled to a grating coupler in the first of the reticle sections in the silicon photonic interposer.
US09948399B2 Methods and apparatus for removing beat interference from splitters/combiners
Methods and apparatus for removing beat interference from the splitting and/or combining of signals. In one embodiment, an active splitter/combiner receives multiple input optical signals from downstream communication resources via a number of individual point-to-point links. Each input optical signal is converted to an electric signal (which, unlike the input optical signals, do not share a characteristic wavelength). The resulting electrical signals can be combined without introducing beat interference. Once combined, the resulting aggregate signal is converted back to an optical format for transmission via the optical network. Various other aspects of the present disclosure are directed to active splitting of optical signals.
US09948397B2 Data mapping method and device for optical transport network
A data mapping method and a data mapping device for an optical transport network are provided. The method includes: mapping packet service data or constant bit rate data to a Super Optical Channel Data Unit (ODUS) and mapping the ODUS to a Super Optical Channel Transport Unit (OTUS); distributing the OTUS to a plurality of electrical lane signals, dividing the plurality of electrical lane signals into one or more groups and mapping the one or more groups of electrical lane signals to corresponding Super Optical Channels (OChSi), wherein rates of the ODUS and the OTUS are both N times of 100 Gb/s, a rate of the OChSi is M times of 100 Gb/s, tributary slot sizes of the ODUS and the OTUS are both 100 Gb/s, where N is a positive integer equal to or greater than 2, i is a positive integer, and M is a positive integer equal to or greater than 1 but less than N. The present document enables an operator to deploy a beyond-100 G optical transmission system more flexibly, without being limited to select a fixed rate, and improves the spectrum utilization rate of fiber as well as the flexibility and the compatibility of a system.
US09948394B1 Power optimization in visible light communication positioning
Embodiments of apparatuses and methods of power optimization in VLC positioning are disclosed. In one embodiment, a mobile device may include image sensors configured to receive visible light communication signals, a memory configured to store the visible light communication signals, and a transceiver configured to receive positioning assistance data of a venue, and a controller configured to: decode one or more light fixtures within a field of view of the mobile device to obtain corresponding light fixture identifications, determine a motion of the mobile device with respect to the one or more light fixtures based on the light fixture identifications and the positioning assistance data of the venue, and switch the image sensors of the mobile device to a reduced duty cycle state based on the motion of the mobile device with respect to the one or more light fixtures within the field of view of the mobile device.
US09948391B2 Techniques for determining a light-based communication receiver position
Techniques are disclosed for determining a light-based communication (LCom) receiver position. The techniques can be used to determine the position of a receiver relative to a specific luminaire within the field of view (FOV) of the receiver camera. The relative position may be calculated by determining the distance and the orientation of the receiver relative to the luminaire. The distance relative to the luminaire may be calculated using the observed size of the luminaire in an image generated by the receiver camera, the image zoom factor, and actual geometry of the luminaire. The orientation relative to the luminaire may be determined using a fiducial associated with the luminaire that can be used as an orientation cue. Once the position of a receiver relative to a luminaire is determined, the absolute position of the receiver may be calculated using the absolute position of the luminaire.
US09948389B2 Optical carrier selector system and method
An optical carrier selector system is provided for selecting a wanted carrier signal from a multi-carrier signal comprising a plurality of carrier signals. The optical carrier selector system comprises a series of optical filter devices. Each optical filter device of the series comprises an input port for receiving a signal comprising two or more carrier signals, each optical filter device being configured to filter out an unwanted carrier signal. Each optical filter device also comprises an output port for outputting at least the wanted carrier signal and any remaining signals that have not been filtered out by that particular optical filter device, and a drop port for outputting the unwanted carrier signal that is being filtered out by the respective optical filter device. By outputting from a drop port the unwanted carrier signal that is being filtered out by the respective optical filter device, this has the advantage of enabling the operation of the optical carrier selector system to be monitored for proper operation, and controlled or adjusted if necessary.
US09948388B2 Network management device and network management system
There is provided a network management device to manage a network on which an existing optical path is operated, the network management device including: a first receiver configured to receive data related to a measurement result of signal quality of a first optical signal having a first wavelength on the existing optical path; a second receiver configured to receive a request for adding a second optical signal having a second wavelength to the existing optical path; at least one memory configured to store a procedure; and at least one processor configured to execute the procedure of estimating a variation quantity in the signal quality of the first optical signal when the second optical signal is added to the existing optical path based on the data related to the measurement result, when the request is received, and determining whether to add the second optical signal based on results of the estimating.
US09948387B2 Path computation based on dynamic performance monitoring systems and methods in optical networks
The present disclosure provides dynamic performance monitoring systems and methods for optical networks to ascertain optical network health in a flexible and accurate manner. The present invention introduces accurate estimations for optical channel performance characteristics based either on existing channels or with a dynamic optical probe configured to measure characteristics on unequipped wavelengths. Advantageously, the dynamic performance monitoring systems and methods introduce the ability to determine physical layer viability in addition to logical layer viability.
US09948386B1 Method of configuring an optoelectronic system for accommodating different fiber optic cable lengths
An optoelectronic configuration method is provided. The method includes determining a baseline link budget value for the VCSEL. The method applies a constant input value to a VCSEL and monitors the output of the VCSEL. The method calculates a first link budget value from the inputs and outputs of the VCSEL and compares the first link budget value with the baseline link budget value to determine either a pass state of the VCSEL or a fail state of the VCSEL. If a fail state of the VCSEL is determined, the method may iteratively apply modified inputs to the VCSEL until the desired relationship between the first link budget value and the baseline link budget value is obtained.
US09948379B2 Base station signal matching device
A base station signal matching device is a base station signal matching device mounted in a distributed antenna system for amplifying a received base station signal and transmitting the amplified base station signal to a user terminal. The base station signal matching device includes a first unit for generating first and second branch base station signals by using a power division function based on the base station signal, and transmitting the second branch base station signal to a third unit, and a second unit for matching the first branch base station signal to be suitable for signal processing of the distributed antenna system.
US09948377B1 System and method for spatial beamforming modulation
A transmitter includes a plurality of antennas for beamforming with different angles of departure (AoD), an information interface to receive a sequence of symbols including a first symbol and a second symbol and a modulator to cause the plurality of antennas to form a transmission beam with an AoD selected according to a value of the first symbol and modulated according to a value of the second symbol.
US09948372B2 System and methods for null steering in a multicarrier system
A system and methods for cancelling spatial interference associated with an original multi-carrier signal carrying at least one data transmission sent by a transmitter to an antenna array comprising a plurality of antennae and having a receiver operatively associated therewith, the system receiving a plurality of received signals respectively including interference and the original signal as received by a respective individual antenna from among the plurality of antennae, the system comprising a spatial nulling device for generating a cleaner signal by reducing at least one spatial component of the interference; and a signal manipulator operative to manipulate a derivative of the received signal so as to cause the at least one data transmission to be more concentrated in a subset of frequency bands in which the spatial nulling device is more effective and to be less concentrated in frequency bands which do not belong to the subset of frequency bands.
US09948369B2 Method and apparatus for implementing transparent multi-user multiple-input multiple-output transmission
Disclosed are a method and apparatus for implementing transparent multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) transmission. The method comprises: pairing at least two user equipments (UEs) according to channel estimation matrices of the UEs; configuring power of a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) of each paired UE, and configuring power of data (DATA) of each paired UE; and jointly generating a beamforming weight W according to the channel estimation matrix of each paired UE, and performing beamforming according to the power of the DMRS, the power of the DATA and the beamforming weight W, so as to generate a signal to be sent.
US09948368B2 Proactive MIMO relaying in wireless communications
A wireless communication system with directional transmission for simultaneously relaying communications between an access point (AP) and multiple radio nodes in the network which are in a first category that supports multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) capability, or a second category having different signal processing capabilities. Utilizing a superframe, which is a modification of an existing protocol, a relaying service period (SP) controls multiple simultaneous training and data transmission frames. The AP selects a relay device from the radio nodes based on metrics selected from signal strength, estimation of air time, category of radio node, AoA/AoD, power connectivity. This allows data to be communicated in a MIMO hop from said AP to the selected relay device, with a multi-user (MU) MIMO hop from the selected relay device and a destination radio node (client).
US09948367B2 Methods and apparatus for acknowledging multiple user uplink transmissions
Methods and systems for acknowledging multi-user transmissions on a wireless network include receiving a multi-user transmission comprising a first message from the first device and a second message from the second device, generating a first media access control protocol data unit, the first media access control protocol data unit acknowledging the first message and including a destination address field identifying the first device, generating a second media access control protocol data unit, the second media access control protocol data unit acknowledging the second message and including a destination address field identifying the second device, generating an aggregated media access control protocol data unit (A-MPDU) comprising the first media access control protocol data unit (MPDU) and the second media access control protocol data unit (MPDU); and transmitting the aggregated media access control protocol data unit (A-MPDU) on the wireless network.
US09948364B2 Recursive sub-block decoding
Embodiments of the invention provide a decoder for decoding a data signal received through a transmission channel in a communication system, said transmission channel being represented by an upper triangular matrix, said signal carrying transmitted symbols, each symbol carrying a set of information bits, wherein said decoder comprises: a processing unit (213) configured to determine at least one sub-block decoding parameter given a target quality of service metric; A sub-block decoding unit (214) configured to divide said data signal into a number of sub-vectors based on said at least one sub-block decoding parameter in accordance with a division of said upper triangular matrix into a number of sub-matrices, said sub-block decoding unit (214) being further configured to determine at least one estimate of each sub-vector of transmitted symbols from said sub-vectors, and determine an estimate of the transmitted symbols from said estimates.
US09948363B2 Configurable receiver architecture for carrier aggregation with multiple-input multiple-output
A wireless communication system and method that includes configurable Carrier Aggregation (CA) and/or Multiple-input Multiple-output (MIMO) operational modes. In CA, multiple carriers (i.e., channel bundling) are aggregated and jointly used for transmission to/from a single terminal. Downlink inter-band carrier aggregation increases the downlink data rates by routing two signals, received in different frequency bands, simultaneously to two active receivers in the RF transceiver. MIMO utilizes two additional receivers as diversity paths and the frequency generation can be shared between main and diversity path for each carriers.
US09948361B2 Micro-route selection beam forming
Methods, systems and apparatuses for selecting beamforming parameters based on selected micro-routes are disclosed. One method includes characterizing at least one wireless link between a first node and a second node of a wireless network, including identifying a plurality of micro-routes between the first node and the second node, selecting a micro-route from the plurality of micro-routes for each of a plurality of antenna arrays of at least one of the first node or the second node, yielding a plurality of selected micro-routes, selecting beam forming parameters for each of the plurality of antenna arrays based on the plurality of selected micro-routes, and communicating at least one stream between the first node and the second node through the plurality of selected micro-routes of the plurality of antenna arrays.
US09948360B2 Base station, wireless communication terminal, wireless communication system and wireless communication method
Disclosed are a base station, a wireless communication terminal, a wireless communication system, and a wireless communication method. The base station can be used in coordinated multi-point transmission and comprises: a channel quality obtaining unit for obtaining uplink channel quality between a user equipment and a coordinated base station; a channel quality determination unit for comparing the obtained uplink channel quality with a quality threshold to determine whether the uplink channel quality is good or bad; a feedback control unit for determining, according to a determination result, whether to allow the user equipment to feed back channel state information to the corresponding coordinated base station; and a sending unit for sending information, about how to feed back the channel status information, to the user equipment. When the determination result is that the uplink channel quality is better than channel quality represented by the quality threshold, the feedback control unit determines to allow the user equipment to feed back the channel status information to the corresponding coordinated base station; when the determination result is that the uplink channel quality is poorer than the channel quality represented by the quality threshold, the feedback control unit determines not to allow the user equipment to feed back the channel status information to the corresponding coordinated base station.
US09948357B2 Seamless tethering setup between phone and laptop using peer-to-peer mechanisms
The subject technology discloses configurations for determining, at a first computing device, if a second computing device is within a predetermined distance of the first computing device. The subject technology then establishes, at the first computing device, a wireless near field communication (NFC) connection with the second computing device. Information for configuring a wireless tethering connection with the second computing device is then transmitted over the wireless NFC connection. Further, the subject technology receives, over the wireless NFC connection, confirmation that the wireless tethering connection has been configured.
US09948354B2 Magnetic coupling device with reflective plate and methods for use therewith
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a coupling device including a receiving portion that receives a radio frequency signal conveying data from a transmitting device. A magnetic coupler magnetically couples the radio frequency signal to a transmission medium as a guided electromagnetic wave that is bound by an outer surface of the transmission medium. A cap includes a dielectric portion that secures the transmission medium adjacent to the magnetic coupler and a reflective plate that reduces electromagnetic emissions from the magnetic coupler. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09948353B2 Device for decreasing interference in cable bundle and method thereof
Disclosed is a device and method for decreasing interference in a cable bundle. The device includes a plurality of concentration devices, an interference measurer, and a concentration device. Each concentration device accesses an uplink and provides a network service to a terminal through a cable bundle in an access section. An interference measurer is connected between the cable bundle and the terminal. The interference measure is configured to measure an interference signal by measuring a signal transmitted to the terminal through the cable bundle, calculate an interference coefficient for generating a quasi-interference signal, and transmit the same to the concentration devices. The concentration devices is configured to calculate an additional signal for offsetting an interference signal by using the interference coefficient, add the additional signal to the original signal, and transmit the additional signal to the cable bundle.
US09948350B2 Multi-mode radio frequency circuitry
Circuitry includes a first RF power amplifier, a second RF power amplifier, a third RF power amplifier, a first bias signal generator, and a second bias signal generator. The first RF power amplifier and the second RF power amplifier are each configured to amplify RF signals for transmission in a first carrier network. The third RF power amplifier is configured to amplify RF signals for transmission in a second carrier network. In a first mode, the first bias signal generator provides a bias signal to the first RF power amplifier and the second bias signal generator provides a bias signal to the second RF power amplifier. In a second mode, the first bias signal generator and the second bias signal generator each provide a portion of a bias signal to the third RF power amplifier.