| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09955979B2 |
Extramedullary resection guide and methods
A bone cut positioning system and associated method are disclosed. The bone cut positioning system can include a positioning assembly, including a femoral attachment member, including a tongue with at least one fixation aperture configured to be fixed to a distal end of a femur. The positioning assembly can further include a light emitter mounting member configured to receive a light emitter, a channel configured to receive a depth selector slide, and a varus-valgus adjustment member configured to adjust a position of the positioning assembly relative to the femur to achieve a desired varus-valgus angle. A flexion-extension adjustment member can be configured to adjust a flexion-extension position of the positioning assembly relative to a flexion-extension of a knee joint and a guide member can be configured to extend from the depth selector slide. |
| US09955978B2 |
Tissue compression device with multi-chamber bladder
Tissue compression devices including a multi-chamber bladder that is retained within the tissue compression device, with the multi-chamber bladder being positioned in a bladder orifice in a base of a compression device body. The multi-chamber bladder includes at least one upper chamber located above the base and at least one lower chamber located below the base. The lower chamber is located between the base and a selected location on a patient when the compression device is positioned over selected tissue such as, e.g., a radial artery, as described herein. |
| US09955977B2 |
Medical devices with detachable pivotable jaws
Medical systems, devices and methods are provided for engaging tissue, e.g. for clipping tissue, closing a perforation or performing hemostasis. Generally, the medical system including a housing, first and second jaws rotatable relative to the housing, a driver, and an elongate drive wire. The elongate drive wire may be disconnected from the driver, first and second jaws, and the housing, which are left in vivo engaged with the tissue. |
| US09955974B2 |
Inverted diverticulum treatment devices
A device for treating a diverticulum includes a containment device and a bushing. The containment device includes an elongate conduit. The bushing is in the conduit of the containment device. The bushing includes a heat-shrink material. The bushing has a first tubular shape including a first open end and a second open end. At least a portion of the diverticulum in an inverted state is positionable into the first open end. The bushing is configured to transform from the first tubular shape toward a second shape upon heating the heat-shrink material. The second shape includes at least a portion of the bushing radially inward relative to the first tubular shape. The bushing in the second shape is configured to hold the diverticulum in a radially compressed inverted state. |
| US09955967B2 |
Flexible shaft extender and method of using same
An extender for use in an electro-mechanical surgical system includes a surgical attachment that may be detachably coupled to an electro-mechanical driver device via a flexible shaft. The extender is a substantially rigid extender that includes a proximal end that may be detachably coupled to a distal end of the flexible shaft. The extender also includes a distal end that may be detachably coupled to the surgical attachment. The extender also includes at least one rotatable drive shaft configured to engage and be secured with a respective rotatable drive shaft of the flexible shaft such that rotation of the respective rotatable drive shaft of the flexible shaft by the electro-mechanical driver device causes the at least one rotatable drive shaft of the extender to rotate, thereby rotating a complementary connector of the surgical attachment so as to operate the surgical attachment. |
| US09955965B2 |
Switch block control assembly of a medical device
The present disclosure provides a surgical device, comprising: a jaw assembly defining a first longitudinal axis and including a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw; an elongated body defining a second longitudinal axis and coupled to a proximal end of the jaw assembly, wherein the jaw assembly is configured to articulate about an articulation axis transverse to the second longitudinal axis relative to the elongated body; a handle assembly coupled to a proximal end of the elongated body and comprising at least one motor mechanically coupled to the jaw assembly; and a control assembly coupled to the handle assembly, the control assembly including a first control button, a second control button, a first rocker device disposed about the first control button and configured to rotate thereabout, and a second rocker device disposed about the second control button and configured to rotate thereabout. |
| US09955962B2 |
Suture delivery tools for endoscopic and robot-assisted surgery and methods
A suture delivery tool releasably secures a self-retaining suture to permit delivery of the self-retaining suture to a surgical site in a patient through an access port. Suture delivery tools are disclosed suitable for manual operation and operation using robotically-assisted surgical systems. In some embodiments, a suture spool is part of a cartridge which is releasably attached to the suture delivery tool. Cartridges is, in some embodiments, replaced after deployment of the self-retaining suture and different cartridges having different self-retaining suture are, in some embodiments, selected and attached to the suture delivery tool as required for a procedure. |
| US09955959B2 |
Rotating retractor arm
A rotatable arm is provided which provides an ability to rotate a working end of an instrument such as a surgical retractor. Rotation of a key hub transfers torque to a drive hub which causes an extension or retraction of a lead screw along a center axis of the rotating arm. The extension or retraction forces a drive pin to bear against sides of helical slots of a driven tip, producing a rotation of the driven tip along a pitch line of the helical slots. The driven tip is connected to the working end such that the two rotate together. The rotatable arm has a low profile, a non-reversible torque transmission, and may be hermetically sealed. |
| US09955957B2 |
Methods and devices for manipulating and fastening tissue
A tissue displacing and fastening device is provided for manipulating and fastening tissue together. The device includes a tissue displacing elements, which displaces tissue. A fold is formed from the displaced tissue and the tissue is fastened together to secure the fold. |
| US09955955B2 |
Biopsy device with slide-in probe
An exemplary ultrasound biopsy device includes a probe and a holster. The probe is insertable into the holster to form a completed assembly. To assemble the probe to the holster, the probe is initially slid laterally onto the holster and then slid forward to latch the probe into engagement with the holster. The holster is coupled to a vacuum control module by one or more conduits and a power cable. The conduits and/or power cable may be retracted into the vacuum control module. The probe of the biopsy device includes a blade assembly at the distal end. The blade assembly comprises a blade that snaps onto a nosecone via a pair of resilient notched ends. A frictional fitting needle cover can be inserted over the needle and blade assembly to protect the user from the sharp blade. |
| US09955954B2 |
Tool for collecting a sample of animal tissue
The invention relates to a tool for collecting a sample of animal tissue, for interacting with collection mechanism including at least one cutting element capable of cutting out a sample and a pushing element movable with respect to the cutting element and capable of pushing the sample into post-cutting storage area. According to the invention, such a tool includes: a mechanism for driving the cutting element (21), a mechanism for driving the pushing element (23), and a mechanism for reversibly coupling the drive mechanism of the cutting element with the drive mechanism of the pushing element. |
| US09955953B2 |
Container and method for collecting, transporting and storing biological tissue samples
The invention refers to a container (1) for collecting, transporting and storing biological tissue samples, wherein the container (1) is filled with a first component (3) being a fixative and a second component (4) being a fluid, wherein the second component (3) has a lower specific gravity compared to the fixative (3), and is immiscible with the fixative (3). The second component (4) is stratified on top of the fixative (3) to form a protective film to prevent fixative fumes to escape from the container (1). The invention further relates to a method for collecting, transporting and storing biological tissue samples. The method comprises the steps of: filling a first component (3) being a fixative in a container (1), and filling a second component (4) being a fluid in the container (1) filled with the first component (3), wherein the second component (4) has a lower specific gravity compared to the fixative (3) and is immiscible with the fixative (3) so that the second component (4) is stratified on top of the fixative (3) to form a protective film to prevent fixative fumes to escape from the container (1). The method further comprises the step of placing a biological tissue sample into the first component (3) before or after the second component (4) has been filled into the container (1). |
| US09955952B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnostic device and correction method
An ultrasonic diagnostic device includes transmission circuitry, reception circuitry, and signal processing circuitry. The transmission circuitry causes an ultrasonic probe including a plurality of elements to transmit plane waves at a plurality of different deflection angles. The reception circuitry generates reception signal groups based on reflection waves that the individual elements included in the probe receive in response to the transmission of the plane waves. The signal processing circuitry acquires a plurality of complex images corresponding to the respective deflection angles and estimates wavefront distortion at the time of transmission using the complex pixel values of the complex images, and performs correction processing on the reception signal groups based on the wavefront distortion at the time of the transmission to generate image data based on the complex pixel values of the complex images for the respective deflection angles that are acquired from the reception signal groups after the correction processing. |
| US09955947B2 |
Device and method for shielding an ultrasound probe
A device and method for shielding an ultrasound probe are provided. The ultrasound probe includes a handle having an interior chamber with an open front end and a transducer assembly provided in the chamber. The transducer assembly converts acoustic energy received through the open front end to electrical signals. The ultrasound probe further includes a shielding portion provided between the transducer assembly and an exterior of the handle. |
| US09955944B2 |
Time reversal and phase coherent music techniques for super-resolution ultrasound imaging
Systems and methods for super-resolution ultrasound imaging using a windowed and generalized TR-MUSIC algorithm that divides the imaging region into overlapping sub-regions and applies the TR-MUSIC algorithm to the windowed backscattered ultrasound signals corresponding to each sub-region. The algorithm is also structured to account for the ultrasound attenuation in the medium and the finite-size effects of ultrasound transducer elements. A modified TR-MUSIC imaging algorithm is used to account for ultrasound scattering from both density and compressibility contrasts. The phase response of ultrasound transducer elements is accounted for in a PC-MUSIC system. |
| US09955943B2 |
Windowed time-reversal music technique for super-resolution ultrasound imaging
Systems and methods for super-resolution ultrasound imaging using a windowed and generalized TR-MUSIC algorithm that divides the imaging region into overlapping sub-regions and applies the TR-MUSIC algorithm to the windowed backscattered ultrasound signals corresponding to each sub-region. The algorithm is also structured to account for the ultrasound attenuation in the medium and the finite-size effects of ultrasound transducer elements. |
| US09955942B2 |
Ultrasonic method and apparatus for measuring or detecting flow behavior of a non-sinusoidal periodicity
A method and apparatus for automated detection of a general, non-sinusoidal type of periodicity in ultrasound Doppler signals from pulsatile blood flow is described. The method computes a measure of pulsatility from the power spectrum near the peaks of the fundamental and harmonic frequencies of the Doppler signal information. |
| US09955941B2 |
Quantified perfusion studies with ultrasonic thick slice imaging having a dual port memory
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system scans a plurality of planar slices in a volumetric region containing tissue which has been perfused by a contrast agent. The plurality of slices scanned are parallel to each other. Following detection of the image data of the slices the slice data is combined by projecting the data in the elevation dimension to produce an elevationally combined slice image. Combining may be by means of an averaging or maximum intensity detection or weighting process or by raycasting in the elevation dimension in a volumetric rendering process. The elevationally combined slice image is processed to produce a qualitative or quantitative measure of perfusion, such as an image with degrees of perfusion indicated by a range of brightness levels, an image of color perfusion parameters, or a perfusion curve or curve parameter indicating rate of perfusion. |
| US09955935B2 |
Radiography apparatus and method for controlling the radiography apparatus
A radiography apparatus and a method for controlling the radiography apparatus are provided. The radiography apparatus includes a radiographer configured to acquire a first radiation image of a subject before a contrast reagent is injected into the subject, and acquire a second radiation image of the subject after the contrast reagent is injected into the subject. The radiography apparatus further includes an image processor configured to calculate a difference between data of a pixel of the first radiation image and data of a pixel of the second radiation image, for each of pixels of the first radiation image, and acquire an image of the subject based the difference for each of the pixels of the first radiation image. |
| US09955932B2 |
Apparatus and method for tomosynthesis image acquisition
A method for image acquisition includes selectively concealing and exposing an x-ray source to a target object while the x-ray source travels along a first path and moving an x-ray detector along a second path in a first direction while the x-ray source is exposed to the target object. The method further includes moving the x-ray detector along the second path in a second direction generally opposite the first direction while the x-ray source is concealed from the target object. |
| US09955930B2 |
Sensor device and imaging system for detecting radiation signals
The present invention relates to a sensor device for detecting radiation signals. To enable high signal integrity and cost efficiency while maintaining the capability of being four-sidedly buttable, the proposed sensor device comprises a sensor array (22) comprising a plurality of detectors (11, 11a-d), a sensor element (14) for converting said received radiation signals (74, 74′) into a plurality of corresponding electric signals, an interposer element (16, 16a-d) extending laterally between a first side (28) and a second side (30), and an integrated circuit element (18, 18a-d). The interposer element (16, 16a-d) comprises a front surface (24) facing said sensor element (14) and a back surface (26) parallel to said front surface (24), wherein a front contact arrangement (36) is provided on said front surface (24) for directing said electric signals to a back contact arrangement (40) provided on said back surface (26). The integrated circuit element faces said back surface (26) and is electrically connected to said back contact arrangement (40). |
| US09955926B2 |
Distributed healthcare communication system
A graphical audio station of a nurse call system is operable to permit a user to perform one or more of the following functions: establish a two-way voice communication link with another computer device in another patient and/or with a another computer device located in another staff work area and/or with a wireless communication device carried by caregiver and/or with a telephone of the healthcare facility; broadcast a voice page to a group of other selected computer devices; compose and send a text message to a portable device that is carried by a caregiver and that has wireless communication capability; browse web pages and/or view multimedia content, such as videos, hosted on servers of the healthcare facility and/or that are accessible via the Internet; view and/or acknowledge and/or answer and/or cancel alerts or nurse calls originating in a plurality of patient rooms. |
| US09955922B2 |
Capsule device and methodology for discovery of gut microbe roles in diseases with origin in gut
This special gut microbe and chemical substance sampling technology, utilizing swallowable capsules, is for purpose of determining roles gut contents play in some 52 of most costly, in lives and dollars, of diseases with their known origin in the human gut. Gut microbes and substances are collected, analyzed, medicinal substances and objects deployed, and special provisions for attracting, capturing and preserving certain strains of microbes, and means for perturbing the gut environment and immune system are all intended to research, discover, and ultimately find both the causes and cures for the most devastating human diseases, and in the process, create gut microbiome profiles. |
| US09955919B2 |
Light-guiding devices and monitoring devices incorporating same
A monitoring device configured to be attached to the ear of a person includes a base, an earbud housing extending outwardly from the base that is configured to be positioned within an ear of a subject, and a cover surrounding the earbud housing. The base includes a speaker, an optical emitter, and an optical detector. The cover includes light transmissive material that is in optical communication with the optical emitter and the optical detector and serves as a light guide to deliver light from the optical emitter into the ear canal of the subject wearing the device at one or more predetermined locations and to collect light external to the earbud housing and deliver the collected light to the optical detector. |
| US09955917B2 |
Planar logic board for ablation catheter with force measurement functionality
A sensor connection element of a catheter or an electrode line, which has a plate-like substrate including at least one recess and layer-like electrical conductors with sensor connection faces and/or actuator connection faces on or beneath at least one sensor surface. |
| US09955916B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating the fluid content of a part of the body of a subject
There is provided a method for estimating the volume of fluid in part of the body of a subject, the method comprising obtaining a measurement of the circumference, c, of the part of the body of the subject; obtaining a measurement of the impedance of the part of the body of the subject using electrodes attached across the part of the body of the subject; and estimating the volume of fluid in the part of the body of the subject from the measurement of impedance and the measurement of the circumference c. An apparatus comprising a control unit configured to perform the method is also provided. |
| US09955911B2 |
Electrocardiography and respiratory monitor recorder
An electrocardiography and respiratory monitor recorder is provided. The recorder includes a sealed housing adapted to be removably secured into a non-conductive receptacle on a disposable extended wear electrode patch and an electronic circuitry comprised within the sealed housing. The electronic circuitry includes an electrocardiographic front end circuit electrically interfaced to an externally-powered micro-controller and operable to sense electrocardiographic signals through electrodes provided on the patch; the micro-controller operable to execute electrically interfaced to one or more respiratory sensors provided on at least one of the patch and the sealed housing, the micro-controller further operable to sample the electrocardiographic signals and to sample respiratory events detected by the one or more respiratory sensors upon receiving one or more signals from the one or more respiratory sensors; and an externally-powered flash memory electrically interfaced with the micro-controller and operable to store samples of the electrocardiographic signals and the respiratory events. |
| US09955910B2 |
Method of monitoring a surface feature and apparatus therefor
Dimensions of a surface feature are determined by capturing an image of the surface feature and determining a scale associated with the image. Structured light may be projected onto the surface, such that the position of structured light in the captured image allows determination of scale. A non-planar surface may be unwrapped. The surface may alternatively be projected into a plane to correct for the scene being tilted with respect to the camera axis. A border of the surface feature may be input manually by a user. An apparatus and system for implementing the method are also disclosed. |
| US09955906B2 |
System and method for selecting an audio file using motion sensor data
The present invention relates to a system and a method for selecting an audio file using motion data from a mobile computing device connected to or held by a user, the mobile computing device comprising or coupled to motion sensors. The method comprising steps of moving the mobile computing device, obtaining motion data from the motion sensors, computing from the motion data step data based on a number of steps taken by the user in a specific period of time, computing a metronome beat based on the step data and generating a metronome beat file, selecting a stored audio file having a predefined beat parameter matching the metronome beat of the metronome beat file, and playing the audio file. The present invention provides a technology solution delivered through a mobile computing device, such as smart phone, or other computing device, such as a laptop or a PC, a wrist or smart watch, or an accelerometer, pedometer or other external computing device having computer processor means, that improves the gait of people with Parkinson's disease. In use, the user's daily mobility is assessed through application software on a mobile computing device which is operable to calculate a required individually prescribed treatment for a user. The treatment is then delivered through speakers of the mobile computing device in the form of metronome therapy which is form of auditory cueing that is used to treat people with Parkinson's disease. |
| US09955905B2 |
Systems and methods for brain activity interpretation
The present invention provides a computer-implemented method, including: a. obtaining, in real-time, by a specifically programmed processor, electrical signal data representative of brain activity of a particular individual; b. processing, in real-time the electrical signal data representative of brain activity of a particular individual based upon a pre-determined predictor associated with a particular brain state, selected from a library of predictors containing a plurality of pre-determined predictors, wherein each individual pre-determined predictor is associated with a unique brain state, wherein the pre-determined predictor associated with a particular brain state includes: i. a pre-determined mother wavelet, ii. a pre-determined representative set of wavelet packet atoms, created from the pre-determined mother wavelet, iii. a pre-determined ordering of wavelet packet atoms, and iv. a pre-determined set of normalization factors, wherein the processing includes: i. causing, by the specifically programmed processor, the electrical signal data to be deconstructed into a plurality of pre-determined deconstructed wavelet packet atoms, utilizing the pre-determined representative set of wavelet packet atoms, wherein time windows of the electrical signal data are projected onto the pre-determined representative set of wavelet packet atoms wherein the projection is via convolution or inner product, and wherein each pre-determined representative wavelet packet atom corresponds to a particular pre-determined brain activity feature from a library of a plurality of pre-determined brain activity features; ii. storing the plurality of pre-determined deconstructed wavelet packet atoms in at least one computer data object; iii. causing, by the specifically programmed processor, the stored plurality of pre-determined deconstructed wavelet packet atoms to be re-ordered within the computer data object, based on utilizing a pre-determined order; iv. obtaining a statistical measure of the activity of each of the re-ordered plurality of pre-determined deconstructed wavelet packet atoms; and v. normalizing the re-ordered plurality of pre-determined wavelet packet atoms, based on utilizing a pre-determined normalization factor; and c. outputting, a visual indication of at least one personalized mental state of the particular individual, at least one personalized neurological condition of the particular individual, or both, based on the processing, wherein the individual pre-determined predictor associated with a particular brain state from within the plurality of pre-determined predictors is generated by the steps including: i. obtaining the pre-determined representative set of wavelet packet atoms by: a. obtaining from a plurality of individuals, by the specifically programmed processor, at least one plurality of electrical signal data representative of a brain activity of a particular brain state; b. selecting a mother wavelet from a plurality of mother wavelets, wherein mother wavelet is selected from an wavelet family selected from the group consisting of: Haar, Coiflet Daubehies, and Mayer wavelet families; c. causing, by the specifically programmed processor, the at least one plurality electrical signal data to be deconstructed into a plurality of wavelet packet atoms, using the selected mother wavelet; d. storing the plurality of wavelet packet atoms in at least one computer data object; e. determining, an optimal set of wavelet packet atoms using the pre-determined mother wavelet, and storing the optimal set of wavelet packet atoms in at least one computer data object, wherein the determining is via utilizing analysis Best Basis algorithm; and f. applying, by the specifically programmed processor, wavelet denoising to the number of wavelet packet atoms in the optimal set; ii. obtaining the pre-determined ordering of wavelet packet atoms by: a. projecting, by the specifically programmed processor, the at least one plurality of electrical signal data representative of a brain activity for each 4 second window of the data onto the pre-determined representative set of wavelet packet atoms; b. storing the projections in at least one computer data object; c. determining, by the specifically programmed processor, the wire length for every data point in the projection by determining the mean absolute distance of the statistical measure of the projections of different channels from their adjacent channels; d. storing the wire length data in at least one computer data object; and e. re-ordering the stored projections, by the specifically programmed computer to minimize a statistical value of the wire length value across each time window, and across all individuals within the plurality of individuals, and across the projections; and iii. obtaining the pre-determined set of normalization factors by: a. determining, by the specifically programmed computer, the mean and standard deviation of the values of the stored projections. |
| US09955904B2 |
Sensory system for improved balance control
A feedback device for measuring balance related information, and for producing a stimulation of the skin that encodes that information in a way that is useful to the wearer of the device. At least one sensor detects balance information and transmits at least one balance information signal to a signal processing subsystem. The signal processing subsystem converts the received balance information signal into at least one stimulation control signal. The signal processing subsystem then transmits the stimulation control signal to at least one stimulator, which provides stimulation to a wearer of the device reflecting the stimulation control signal received from the signal processing subsystem. |
| US09955899B2 |
Respiratory waveform analyzer
A respiratory waveform analyzer, operable to analyze a respiratory waveform, which is generated based on a temporal change of a concentration of a component in respiratory gas of a subject, includes: a respiratory gas concentration generator which generates a concentration signal based on an output signal from a sensor that is placed to measure the concentration of the component; a flatness calculator which calculates a flatness indicative of flat degree of the respiratory waveform based on a temporal change of the concentration signal; and a reliability calculator which calculates a reliability of the respiratory waveform based on the flatness and the concentration signal. |
| US09955896B2 |
Protective matrix for intracorporeal biosensors that improves gastrointestinal leak detection, detects air leaks after lung surgery, and measures cardiac output after heart surgery
The system and method may measure and monitor physiological changes in a body. In some embodiments, the system and method may measure the impedance at a site in the body. In some embodiments, the system and method identify, quantify, and localize leaks from a site following surgery, measure cardiac contractility, or lung compliance. In an embodiment, the system includes a measuring device with one or more sensors embedded in a porous matrix. Changes in the electrical properties of one or more sensors may be used to determine the presence of leaks from a site following surgery, measure cardiac contractility, or lung compliance, depending on the position of the device. |
| US09955893B2 |
Methods, systems, and apparatus for identification and characterization of rotors associated with atrial fibrillation
A system can include a near-field instrument to be placed inside a chamber of a heart, a far-field instrument to be placed in a stable position in relation to the heart, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to identify a unique pattern in electrogram information received from the far-field instrument when the near-field instrument is in one or more positions within the heart. When the unique pattern is detected, the control unit is configured to receive electrogram information from the near-field instrument. While recording electrogram information from the near-field instrument, the control unit is also configured to record voltage and complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE) characteristics of the tissue inside a heart chamber. This information combined with rotor information can be used to identify substrate versus non-substrate rotor characteristics. |
| US09955889B2 |
Registration maps using intra-cardiac signals
Cardiac catheterization is facilitated by generating first and second electroanatomic maps of a heart of a subject and designating common spatial locations that correspond to first electrical events on the first electroanatomic map and second electrical events on the second electroanatomic map. The common spatial locations of the first electroanatomic map and the second electroanatomic map are aligned to establish an aligned map, and using the location data on the aligned map to guide a probe to a point of interest. |
| US09955887B2 |
Wearable monitor
The present disclosure relates to a wearable monitor device and methods and systems for using such a device. In certain embodiments, the wearable monitor records cardiac data from a mammal and extracts particular features of interest. These features are then transmitted and used to provide health-related information about the mammal. |
| US09955885B2 |
System and method for physiological data processing and delivery
A system and method for secure physiological data processing and delivery are provided. A log of identifiers of physiological monitoring patches and of passwords is maintained in a secure database. Physiological monitoring data obtained using one of the patches is received by at least one server together with the identifier and the password associated with that patch. The received identifier and password are compared with the identifiers and passwords stored in the log. The received physiological monitoring data is stored in electronic medical records associated with the matching identifier. The password and the identifier associated with the physiological monitoring data are received from a user device over the data communications network. The received password and identifier are compared to the password and the identifier associated with the electrical medical records. The electronic medical records are provided by to the user device over the data communication network based on the comparison. |
| US09955884B2 |
Method and system of monitoring cardiac function based on patient position
A method of monitoring the cardiac function of a patient includes receiving a position input from a position sensor attached to the patient and classifying the position input into a position class. Cardiac waveform data is received for the patient and then the cardiac waveform data is compared to model waveform parameters for the position class. |
| US09955880B2 |
Estimating physiological parameters
A physiological parameter measurement device comprising a processor and a video processing module coupled to the processor to divide each of a plurality of frames of a video into a plurality of blocks, where the video is of a body part of a subject whose physiological parameter is to be determined. The video processing module further is to select a block having highest peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) from amongst the plurality of blocks. Further, the video processing module is to extract a photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal from the video based on a block identifier associated with the block. The physiological parameter measurement device further comprises a signal enhancement module coupled to the processor, to process the PPG signal to obtain an enhanced PPG signal for determining a value of the physiological parameter for the subject. |
| US09955878B2 |
Intravascular devices, systems, and methods having a core wire with embedded conductors
Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire with electrical conductors embedded within a core wire. In some instances, the electrical conductors are coupled to conductive bands adjacent a proximal portion of the guide wire and a sensing element adjacent a distal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided. |
| US09955877B2 |
Wearable wireless device applicable to the hand or foot, wireless system including the device and method for reducing the risk of different critical situations of hypoxia and/or bradycardia
A wearable, wireless, non-invasive device applicable to the hand or foot, a wireless system, and a method for reducing the risk of different critical situations of hypoxia and/or bradycardia possibly occurring in victims of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), Pierre Robin Sequence patients, preterm babies, and adults, and for the prevention of the sleep apnea, is based on use of a sensor and a computing algorithm sufficient to reduce false alarms and save lives. The device is worn on the hand or foot of a user. Part of the device may be placed on the proximal phalange of a finger or a foot, or even in the palm. The electronics of the device may be placed inside gloves or booties of different sizes to accommodate the hands or feet of different wearers. The device measures blood oxygen saturation and heart rate through a sensor that is preferably a pulse oximeter. |
| US09955872B2 |
Method of data acquisition for three-dimensional imaging
Described are embodiments of methods of obtaining three-dimensional (3D) surface data of an object scene such as an intra-oral cavity. For example, measured surfaces may include the enamel surface of teeth, the dentin substructure of teeth, gum tissue and various dental structures. The methods can also be applied in medical applications and other applications in which 3D measurement data are acquired with maneuverable 3D measurement devices. In certain embodiments, the measurement device is positioned and translated to enable 3D data to be acquired for a backbone 3D data set. Subsequent controlled motion of the measurement device enables additional 3D data to be acquired and accurately joined to the backbone 3D data set. |
| US09955867B2 |
Intrastromal surgery correcting low order and high order aberrations of the eye
A method of correcting wavefront aberrations of an eye includes determining a high precision conventional intrastromal corneal ablation profile based on a direct removal of the intrastromal corneal tissue. An expanded ablation volume profile is constructed based on the direct tissue removal profile and the expanded tissue volume is to be ablated instead to correct to the wavefront aberrations. The thickness of the ablated profile of a conventional ablation profile is expanded by an expansion factor (Nc−1)/(Nm−Nc), Nc is the index of refraction of the cornea and Nm the index of fill material. An expanded ablation volume filled with the fill material produces the effect of correcting wavefront aberrations as if a much smaller tissue volume were ablated without the fill material. |
| US09955866B2 |
Optical tomographic imaging apparatus
An optical tomographic imaging apparatus includes a first lens having a first focal length, a second lens having a second focal length longer that the first focal length, a scanning unit disposed at a focal position of the second lens, and an optical path branching unit disposed between the first and second lenses. An observation optical path located on a transmission optical path of the optical path branching unit, and an optical path of measurement light located on a reflection optical path of the optical path branching unit. The second lens is disposed on the optical path of the measurement light between the first lens and the scanning unit, such that an angle at which the measurement light scanned by the scanning unit is incident on the optical path branching unit is maintained substantially unchanged during scanning. |
| US09955860B2 |
Illuminated dental prop
The present invention relates to an illuminated dental prop for holding a patient's mouth open during dental procedures. The illuminated dental prop is completely disposed within the patient's mouth during use and includes a body portion and a lighting assembly that is selectively detachable from the body to allow for intense sterilization of the components after use. Under certain embodiments of the invention, the body portion and/or the lighting assembly will be disposable after a single use. |
| US09955857B2 |
Endoscope device
An endoscope device includes a flexible insertion portion; a flexible tube portion; a first bending portion; a second bending portion; an observation portion; a first drive portion bending the first bending portion; a second drive portion bending the second bending portion; a position detection portion detecting a position of a rigid distal end portion of a medical instrument; first and second bending detection portions detecting radii of curvature of axes of channels formed in the first and second bending portions and directions in which the channels are bent when an input signal generated by the position detection portion is received, respectively; and a control portion configured to control generating a second drive signal driving the second drive portion based on a first drive signal driving the first drive portion, and sending the second drive signal to the second drive portion while sending the first drive signal. |
| US09955855B2 |
Electrical connection piece for a video endoscope, video endoscope, and method for producing an electrical connection in a video endoscope
The invention relates to an electrical connection piece for a video endoscope having a hermetically closed video unit in a shaft of the endoscope, a video endoscope, and a method for producing an electrical connection in a video endoscope. The electrical connection piece according to the invention includes an at least partially flexible printed circuit board having conductive tracks, wherein the printed circuit board has a base surface with openings for contact pins of a hermetic feedthrough, and a flexible first arm and a flexible second arm that branch off in different, in particular opposite, directions from the base surface, wherein the first arm and the second arm each have a flat end surface at the respective ends facing away from the base surface, wherein the conductive tracks extend between the openings on the base surface and electrical contacting surfaces in the end surfaces. |
| US09955854B2 |
Endoluminal access devices and related methods of use
An endoluminal access system for accessing a body lumen includes a guide track which, when in an operative position, extends through a body lumen to a desired location therewithin and a modular device selectively coupleable to the guide track, the modular device including a drive mechanism for engaging the guide track to move the modular device along the guide track within the body lumen. A method of resecting tissue from a site within a body includes the steps of inserting a guide track to a desired location within the body lumen, coupling a modular device to a proximal end of the guide track and actuating a motor mounted within the modular device to drive the modular device distally along the guide track to the site, drawing tissue at the site into the modular device in combination with the steps of coupling together a portion of tissue adjacent to the site, resecting the tissue from the site and actuating the motor to drive the modular device proximally to withdraw the modular device from the body lumen. |
| US09955853B2 |
Distal end structure of endoscope
A distal end structure of an endoscope according to the present invention includes a distal end member formed of a metal material, an insulating ring provided in an annular shape around an insertion axis on a proximal end side of the distal end member, a cover formed of a flexible insulative material that covers the distal end member, a projecting section provided integrally with the insulating ring and projecting in a direction crossing the insertion axis, a through-hole provided in the cover and engaging with the projecting section, and a to-be-tom-apart section provided near the through-hole, in which force is applied to the to-be-torn-apart section to tear apart the cover along the insertion axis direction and remove the cover from the distal end member. |
| US09955851B2 |
Contact detecting apparatus, optical measurement apparatus, and contact detecting method
A contact detecting apparatus detects contact between a body tissue and a probe for emitting illumination light onto the body tissue and receiving return light of the illumination light scattered from the body tissue. The contact detecting apparatus includes: a laser light source that emits laser light to irradiate a specified region of the body tissue via the probe; a photoelectric conversion unit that converts light received via the probe into an electric signal; and a signal processing unit that determines whether or not there is contact between a distal end of the probe and the body tissue based on whether the electric signal includes a component of a beat signal caused by interference of the return light of the laser light scattered from each of a surface of the body tissue and a surface of the distal end of the probe. |
| US09955850B2 |
Domestic dishwasher having adjustable rack
A rack for a domestic dishwasher includes a frame and a base. The base can be swung and folded out in order to increase a loading volume of the rack. The base includes a first portion articulated to a first side of the frame via a first articulation, and a second portion articulated to a second side of the frame opposite the first site via a second articulation, and articulated to the first portion via a third articulation. The second portion is configured to change its length between the second and third articulations. |
| US09955847B2 |
Dishwasher
Provided herein are a dishwasher comprising a washing chamber arranged for holding soiled items to be washed, a filter, and a circulation pump, and methods of operating the same. The washing chamber may be arranged such that, when the flow of washing liquid passes through the washing chamber, soil is released from the items to be washed and caught in the flow. The filter may be such arranged that, when the flow of washing liquid with soil passes through the filter, soil is separated from the flow of washing liquid and caught at the filter. The dishwasher may further include a soil trap, which is located separate from the circulation flow, and a soil removing unit including a transport unit for transport of the soil caught at the filter into the soil trap. |
| US09955845B2 |
Method for operating a dishwasher
In a method for operating a dishwasher, a desorption process of a reversibly dehydratable dry material of a sorption-drying system is initiated at least at times. A parameter that influences the desorption process is hereby evaluated for determining an instant for performing the desorption process. |
| US09955844B2 |
Methods of operating dishwasher with illuminable user interface
A method of operating a dish treating appliance includes a user interface disposed along the top edge of a door for selectively opening and closing access to a treating chamber. The user interface can be illuminated and operating the user interface can include operating a user input mode when the door is open and a status mode when the door is closed. |
| US09955841B2 |
Removing debris from cleaning robots
A cleaning robot system includes a robot and a robot maintenance station. The robot includes a chassis, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot as directed by a controller, and a cleaning assembly including a cleaning assembly housing and a driven cleaning roller. The robot maintenance station includes a station housing and a docking platform configured to support the robot when docked. A mechanical agitator engages the roller of the robot with the robot docked. The agitator includes an agitator comb having multiple teeth configured to remove accumulated debris from the roller as the agitator comb and roller are moved relative to one another. The robot maintenance station includes a collection bin arranged to receive and hold debris removed by the mechanical agitator. |
| US09955840B2 |
Cleaning tool for a floor cleaning appliance
A cleaning tool for a floor cleaning appliance is provided, including a main body carrying a cleaning cover which is subject to wear, and including a signal transmitter which provides a wireless signal in dependence upon the degree of wear of the cleaning cover. To be able to detect in a cost-effective manner when a maximum admissible degree of wear of the cleaning cover is reached, the signal transmitter is of rigid construction and fixed to a movable carrying part, the carrying part being held on the main body and being movable from a normal position to an evasive position against a restoring force, the carrying part protruding further from the main body in the normal position than in the evasive position, and the carrying part and/or the signal transmitter contacting the floor surface to be cleaned when a maximum admissible degree of wear of the cleaning cover is reached. |
| US09955837B2 |
Dust collector for vacuum cleaner
A dust collector for a vacuum cleaner disclosed herein includes a first cyclone that is configured to separate dust from air introduced from a lower portion thereof with containing foreign materials and discharge the separated dust into a first dust storing unit, a second cyclone that is configured to separate fine dust from the air, from which the dust has been separated by the first cyclone, and discharge the separated fine dust into a second dust storing unit defined in a second case, and a lower cover that is coupled to the first case by a hinge so as to define a bottom surface of the first dust storing unit, the second dust storing unit and the first cyclone upon being closed, and discharge therethrough the foreign materials collected in the first dust storing unit, the second dust storing unit and the first cyclone upon being open. |
| US09955833B2 |
Vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner to suction dust by applying vibration includes a motor, an eccentric load applied to a rotating shaft of the motor which when rotated by a rotation of the rotating shaft produces vibration force, a vibration plate to apply the vibration force to an object to be cleaned, and a vibration transfer member to transfer vibration force to the vibration plate. |
| US09955831B2 |
Surface cleaning apparatus with an adjustable handle
A reconfigurable upright surface cleaning apparatus may include a cleaning unit including an air treatment member, a suction motor and a clean air outlet. The cleaning unit may be detachably connected to the surface cleaning apparatus. A reconfigurable air flow passage may include at least one portion that is alternatively configurable between a surface cleaning mode and an auxiliary cleaning mode. An adjustable handle may be provided on the cleaning unit and may be drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head. The handle may include a grip portion having at least one grip member and may be moveable between an extended position, in which the grip portion is spaced apart from the cleaning unit, and a retracted position, in which the grip portion is positioned proximate the cleaning unit. |
| US09955830B1 |
Device for holding male genitalia adjacent to a toilet seat
The device for holding male genitalia adjacent a toilet seat is an apparatus that may be installed temporarily on the front, inside edge of a toilet seat. When installed on a toilet seat, the apparatus provides support for a user's penis while the user is seated on the toilet. In so doing, the apparatus prevents the user's genitalia from touching water in the toilet or the toilet itself. The apparatus is easily installed by sliding U-shaped clips onto the front of the toilet seat. |
| US09955829B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling odors
Methods and apparatus for controlling odors in an enclosed space, such as a pit latrine, include providing an oxidizer, such as a catalytic heater and an optional mechanical ventilation unit, such as an inline fan, both flow connected to a vault (pit) of the latrine. The heater is also connected to a source of fuel, for example, propane. Fresh air is drawn through vents in the latrine housing and thereafter through toilets in the latrine and through the vault, providing oxygen for the reaction. The fan and/or oxidation process draws both fresh air and accompanying odorous compounds directly from the latrine and into the oxidizer wherein the odorous components are substantially destroyed. |
| US09955827B2 |
Multiple roll tissue holder
A multiple roll toilet tissue holder that includes: a first mounting arm; a second mounting arm; a first mounting slot extending from the first mounting arm; a second mounting slot extending from the second mounting arm; a first rod extending from the first mounting arm at a 90 degree angle; a second rod extending from the second mounting arm at a 90 degree angle; and a third rod in between the first mounting arm and second mounting arm, where the third rod is parallel and aligned with the first rod and second rod. The multiple roll toilet tissue holder may further include a magnetic portion at the center of the third rod, wherein the magnetic portion enables a division of the third rod and tissue holder into two halves. In one particular embodiment, the first rod and second rod are curved to help secure a toilet tissue roll in place. |
| US09955826B2 |
Foaming dispenser for toilet paper
An improved cleaning solution dispenser and method of use thereof. The apparatus comprises a casing and a cartridge. The casing comprises an external housing having a bottom portion with an outlet port, an air pump, and an injector connected to the air pump. The cartridge comprises an air tight reservoir containing a cleaning solution, a nozzle disposed on a bottom side reservoir, the nozzle having an opening disposed at an end point of the nozzle, and an injection point disposed at a top portion of the reservoir configured to receive the injector. The injector is configured to puncture a surface of the injection point. The air pump pumps air through the injector into the reservoir above the cleaning solution. The increased internal air pressure of the reservoir forces the cleaning solution through the nozzle. |
| US09955824B2 |
Shower door leveler
A shower door assembly including at least one door panel having a bottom surface, a bottom frame member including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion including two grooves on a lower side thereof, the bottom portion including two sidewalls each having a top edge engaged in one of the two grooves, the door panel adjacent to and above the top portion of the bottom frame member, wherein the bottom surface of the at least one door panel is in a plane divergent to a plane of a bottom surface of the bottom frame member. |
| US09955822B2 |
Adjustable nutcracker
A plier's nutcracker includes a hand tightening screw mounted through a threaded hole on one handle of a plier type nutcracker at a position adjacent to nutcracker's pivotal connection. The engagement of this hand tighten screw through tightening and untightening regulates the pressure the nut or object to be crushed shall receive in a cracking operation. The pressure shall result in either large broken hull pieces or hand-breakable cracks on the hull or shell effectively eliminating the scattering of shells and hulls in the cracking operation while keeping the kernel in one whole piece or fewer big pieces. Additionally, the engagement of the hand tighten screw creates a safe distance between the nutcracker handles to prevent fingers from being pinched in a cracking operation. |
| US09955818B2 |
Cooking device for a solid-fuel cooker including tubular fuel container and related methods
A cooking device may be for a solid-fuel cooker that includes a firebox for carrying solid-fuel therein and having a base and at least one sidewall extending upwardly from the base, and a cooking plate to be carried adjacent the firebox and defining a cooking surface. The cooking device may include a tubular fuel container for carrying the solid-fuel therein, and to be carried within the firebox and spaced inwardly from the at least one sidewall. The tubular fuel container has upper and lower open ends adjacent the cooking surface and the base of the solid-fuel cooker, respectively. The cooking device may also include a solid cover carried by the upper open end of the tubular fuel container. |
| US09955817B2 |
Cooking grate assembly and cooking apparatus
A grate assembly for cooking food products and a grilling apparatus which uses the grate assembly for supporting the food during cooking. The grate assembly comprises: (a) a lower grate element having a series of parallel peak structures with valleys therebetween and (b) an upper grate element having a series of parallel food support ribs which are sized and spaced such that each rib will be positioned over the top of a corresponding peak structure. The upper food contacting surfaces of the ribs will remain substantially rust-free at atmospheric and cooking conditions. |
| US09955816B2 |
Beverage preparation apparatus
A beverage preparation apparatus includes a milling unit which obtains powders by grating an object to be grated, a liquid storage tank which stores a liquid, a liquid supply path having one end connected to the liquid storage tank and having the other end provided with a supply port, a powder reception portion which is provided to be movable and receives powders obtained by the milling unit, and an agitation tank which has an opening portion opening upward and mixes the powders introduced through the opening portion from the moved powder reception portion and the liquid supplied through the opening portion from the supply port. The milling unit includes an outlet port which discharges the obtained powders into the powder reception portion and the outlet port is located below the opening portion. |
| US09955815B2 |
Extraction unit with multi-size cartridge cavity
An extraction unit (10) for extracting cartridges (1a; 1b) of two different dimensions (da, ha; db, hb) comprises a seat (14,20) for receiving any of these cartridges (1a; 1b) for extraction thereof in the seat. The seat is delimited by a first part (20, 30, 33) and second part (12,13,14) that are relatively movable between a cartridge extraction position and a cartridge loading and/or ejection position. The first delimiting part has a first member (30) and a second member (33) that are relatively movable between: —a first member position delimiting a cartridge cavity of a first depth (Ha) for receiving a cartridge (1a) having a first height (ha); and —a second member position in which the ca cartridge cavity has a second depth (Hb) different to the first depth (Ha) for receiving a cartridge (1b) having a second height (hb) different to the first height (ha). The unit (10) further comprises an actuator (21,25), in particular a motorized actuator having a motor (21), for relatively moving the first and second members (30,33) from the first to the second member position and/or vice versa depending on the dimension (da, ha; db, hb) of a cartridge (1a; 1b) to be received in the seat (30,33,14) and extracted. |
| US09955813B2 |
Variable transmission for closing a receptacle holder
A receptacle holding unit for a beverage preparation device includes a first part and a second part cooperating with the first part; a cavity for receiving a receptacle containing an ingredient; and a driving device for relatively moving the second part towards the first part into a closed position for securing such receptacle in the cavity and relatively apart from the first part into an open position for inserting of the receptacle into the cavity. The driving device has an actuator and a transmission that has a helicoidal ramp arrangement cooperating with a connector member for converting a translational movement into a rotational movement or vice versa. When the actuator actuates the transmission, the first and second parts are driven together or apart by the ramp arrangement cooperating with the connector member. |
| US09955811B2 |
Dine and draw child lap tray apparatus
A two-part tray apparatus that includes a base tray having a desk surface for drawing and writing and a food tray having four food compartments. A resilient bottom of the base tray may rest on a lap. The food tray is nestable into the base tray and is nonslideable relative to the base tray. The base tray includes a proximal side with no upwardly extending walls to make it easy for a child to write or draw on the desk surface. Strap units are included to anchor opposite ends of the tray apparatus or may be connected to each other to form a full length shoulder strap. |
| US09955810B1 |
Device for holding a stemmed glass
The present invention relates to a device for holding a stemmed glass and in particular to a holder attachable to a camping style chair or other structure. The device, in one embodiment has a holder with an opening for supporting a stemmed glass. A top piece is integral with the holder and is generally coplanar therewith. A bottom piece acts as a spring. In this regard, the bottom spring piece can be separated from the top piece wherein it can clamp onto a chair arm bar or other surface (round or flat). The top piece has an arched inside surface with two parallel rails. The bottom piece has a notch therein. In a second embodiment, a wire device is provided having a holder, a first arm, a second arm, a third arm and a lever. |
| US09955807B2 |
Adjustable drinking cups
The present invention relates to an adjustable drinking cup that limits the risk of aspiration by retaining a neutral neck position or by permitting a patient to tuck their chin while drinking. The adjustable drinking cup has a continuous wall formed by an exterior and interior surface that extends between a top and bottom end. The continuous wall forms a top and bottom opening. A plunger is received within the bottom opening. During use the patient fills the adjustable drinking cup with a liquid and after a predetermined amount of liquid is consumed the plunger is pressed upwards to raise the liquid to a predetermined position near the top opening. This is repeated each time a predetermined amount of liquid is consumed. |
| US09955803B2 |
Door for a refrigerated merchandiser
A door for a refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area. The door includes a door frame that is attachable to the case, and a glass panel assembly that is coupled to the door frame. The glass panel assembly includes a first glass panel and a second glass panel that is spaced apart from the first glass panel by a gap. The glass panel assembly further includes a conductive coating that is applied to the first glass panel, and a heater element that is coupled to the first glass panel and that is in electrical communication with the conductive coating. The door also includes a connector that extends through the first glass panel and the second glass panel and securable to the glass panel assembly, and the connector is configured to electrically connect the heater element to a power source. |
| US09955794B2 |
Support device for supporting a body, in particular a human body
Support device for supporting a body or a part of a body, in particular of a human body, comprising at least one deformable element with a first face and a second face opposite each other and provided with at least one detection means for detecting deformations of said deformable element, in which the detection means comprises: a substrate sheet (20), which is connected to one of the faces of said deformable element (6) extending parallel thereto and is provided with a plurality of metal windings (19) formed flat on at least one face of this substrate sheet, and a plurality of metal pellets (28), which are connected to the other face of said deformable element. |
| US09955792B2 |
Mobility assistance devices and related methods
Extendable mobility assistance devices for use with a bed are disclosed herein. The mobility assistance devices include base legs that are inserted between a mattress and a box spring and a support rail that extends upward from the base legs. The support rail has an adjustable longitudinal dimension. The support rail and base legs are configured to be reversibly arranged in a first orientation or a second orientation, for use on either side of a bed. |
| US09955788B1 |
Rope rocking chair
A rope rocking chair comprises at least two side panels, a brace members, rope members, armrests, and arcuate sections. The side panels are fixedly attached to each other via the brace members positioned substantially perpendicular to the at least two side panels and positioned apart by the brace members. The rope members are attached spatially apart to the side panels in a direction parallel to one of the brace members to provide a seating area. The armrest positioned at a middle section of each of the at least two side panels is provided for resting an arm of the user. The arcuate section configured at a lower section of each of the at least two side panels provides the back and forth rocking motion to the user seated on the seating area of the rope rocking chair. |
| US09955787B2 |
Composite core furniture items
A composite core furniture item can include a multi-layered core (optionally including both metallic and non-metallic layers) that provides exterior major surfaces for application of top and bottom wood veneer layers or other exterior veneer layers via a heat catalyzed adhesive or other bonding process. |
| US09955786B2 |
Legged furniture, and leg adjuster and leg adjuster set for use in same
In legged furniture having four or more legs and a load-receiving stage supported directly or indirectly by these legs, this legged furniture includes three main legs defining a triangular shape in a plurality of the legs and, assuming that the legged furniture is placed by using only the main legs, enabling a stable stationary attitude of the load-receiving stage, and a leg adjuster forming an extension portion of a sub leg other than the main legs and capable of expansion/contraction in a vertical direction and providing an expansion/contraction leg in cooperation with the sub leg and autonomously allows expansion or contraction of the expansion/contraction leg on the basis of a length of the main leg in accordance with the stationary attitude of the load-receiving stage. |
| US09955779B2 |
Folding table
Folding table, in particular for an aircraft, with a frame preferably to be installed in an armrest or in a side-panelling in the aircraft, with a support device for a table top, with a displacement device for displacing the support device along the frame from a stowed position to a deployed position, with a folding device for folding a support element of the support device from the deployed position to a use position, and with a drive device for assisting the displacement device in displacing the support device from the stowed position to the deployed position, wherein the drive device comprises a linear drive element which is connected to the displacement device via a cable pull device. |
| US09955778B2 |
Oral care implement and method of manufacturing an oral care implement
A method of manufacturing an oral care implement comprising: (a) providing a body comprising a handle portion and a head portion, the head portion having a hole extending there through from a first side to a second side; (b) providing a layer of first material on the handle portion and the head portion to form a subassembly comprising a handle section, comprising the handle portion and a first portion of the layer of first material, and a head section, comprising the head portion and a second portion of the layer of first material; and (c) then injection molding a second material onto the head section to form one or more oral care elements of the second material on the head section and a member of the second material in the hole, which member is unitary with the one or more oral care elements. |
| US09955776B2 |
Retractable fitness towel and holder
A retractable fitness towel holder includes an elongated flexible band for looping around a user's arm. A frame disposed on the band is held against the user's arm with a loop portion extending away from the user's arm. A retracting mechanism is biased to retract a cord coupled to the towel, and the towel is retractably suspended from the towel channel such that it extends through the loop portion and away from the holder. Pulling the towel through the loop portion and away from the frame, causes the cord to unspool from the retracting mechanism, and releasing the towel causes the retracting mechanism to re-spool the cord, thereby drawing the towel back through the loop portion to rest against the frame, holding the towel in place during exercise. |
| US09955768B1 |
Lip balm dispenser
A lip balm dispenser, comprising: a base portion; a cap portion; and a plug. The base portion may be removeably connected to the cap portion. The base portion may comprise an aperture, a base exterior, and a support structure. The plug may be configured to block the aperture. The support structure may comprise a support surface. The cap portion may comprise a mold portion and a cap exterior. The mold portion may be substantially conical in shape. When the base portion is coupled to the cap portion, the base exterior and the cap exterior may form a substantially heart-shaped lip balm dispenser. When the base portion is coupled to the cap portion, the substantially heart-shaped lip balm dispenser may also form an internal cavity defined by the mold portion and the support surface. The internal cavity may be configured to accept a heated lip balm through the aperture. |
| US09955767B2 |
Connecting element with dual engaging means
A connecting element with a dual engaging means that allows two different items of daily use to be connected together as a single article for the day to day convenience of the user is disclosed. The connecting element has the dual engaging means to secure two articles at a time. The connecting element is used as an engaging means and also as a closing means for respective articles. The connecting element has different geometric features at its either ends so that it is used as an engaging means and a closing means for the articles with different geometric features. |
| US09955765B2 |
Manually operated pump with a first actuation element
A manually operated pump and a method for pumping a preferably cosmetic liquid are proposed in which actuation is performed either by manual linear actuation or by swiveling actuation using a lever mechanism. The pump can be equipped with a locking device that blocks actuation of the pump in the locked state. The delivery head of the pump can be integrally formed with the swivel lever. Moreover, components of the pump can advantageously be provided with a flexible or elastic layer. |
| US09955764B2 |
Drawing device and method of drawing
A drawing device includes: a finger holding case including a plurality of walls (a bottom wall, left and right sidewalls, a rear wall, and a top wall) surrounding a finger insertion opening into which a finger having a nail to be drawn on is inserted as well as an opening exposing the nail and a finger presser to which a fluid is supplied in order prevent movement of the finger by applying pressure between the finger and the finger holding case and from which the fluid is discharged to stop applying pressure. When the finger presser is not preventing movement of the finger, one of the walls (the top wall or the bottom wall) of the finger holding case moves in order to expand a space between the finger holding case and the finger. |
| US09955762B2 |
Housing for encasing an electronic device
An apparatus for housing an electronic device includes a top member, a bottom member, and a compressible gasket seated in a channel in either the top member or the bottom member. The top member includes a perimeter portion defined by a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions. The top member further including a first clasping mechanism. The bottom member includes an inner surface, a back surface, and a perimeter portion surrounding the inner surface and the back surface. The perimeter includes a wall including a second clasping mechanism. |
| US09955760B2 |
Adaptive pivoting and impact reduction tip assembly for walking aids
An adaptive ambulatory support includes a shock absorbing and pivoting tip assembly attached to the staff of a walking aid, such as a cane, crutch or walker. The shock absorbing and pivoting tip assembly includes a shock absorber sandwiched between a lower portion and an upper portion. The shock absorber may be a bendable spring or elastic material. The tip assembly enables the shaft of the walking aid to dynamically pivot without the loss of adherence of the lower portion to the floor surface and simultaneous provides the adaptive shock absorbing capability in any angle during ambulation. |
| US09955751B2 |
Article of footwear incorporating foam-filled elements and methods for manufacturing the foam-filled elements
An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a plurality of support elements, and each of the support elements include a shell and a core. The shell defines an interior void and is formed from a polymer material that extends around substantially all of the void. The core has a shape of the void and is located within the void, with at least a portion of the core being a polymer foam material. The polymer foam material of at least two of the support elements may have different densities. |
| US09955749B2 |
Footwear having sensory feedback outsole
An article of footwear may include a sole structure fixedly attached to an upper defining an internal cavity configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The sole structure may include an exposed outer member configured to contact the ground, the exposed outer member including a first aperture, and a sensory feedback member disposed at least partially within the first aperture in the outer member, the sensory feedback member including a first end and a second end. The first end of the sensory feedback member may include a projection extending through the first aperture and configured to contact the ground. In addition, the second end of the sensory feedback member may include a plurality of flexible bristles extending through a portion of the sole structure and exposed to the internal cavity. |
| US09955747B2 |
Dissipative system for safety garments
A system and overshoe for dissipating charge from a human body standing on a surface and wearing the system. The overshoe further contains a sole and an overshoe body that is attached to the edge of the sole such that the sole has an inner surface that faces the overshoe side and an outer surface that is exterior to the overshoe. A conductive strip is folded around at least a portion of the edge of the sole and bonded to the sole by a first adhesive such that at least a portion of the conductive strip is exposed to the inner surface of the sole. A tape covers the seam between the conductive strip and the sole on an exterior portion of the overshoe and that is adhesively bonded to the seam by a second adhesive such that at least a portion of the conductive strip is exposed to the surface that the human body is standing on.The portion that is exposed to the surface that the human body is standing on is sufficient in area to yield a resistance of in the range of >104 to <108 Ohm when measured between the hands of the human body and the surface. |
| US09955745B2 |
Helmet with sliding facilitator arranged at energy absorbing layer
A helmet having an energy absorbing layer and a sliding facilitator is provided. The sliding facilitator is provided inside of the energy absorbing layer. A method of manufacturing a helmet having a sliding facilitator is further provided. The method includes providing an energy absorbing layer in the mold, and providing a sliding facilitator that contacts the energy absorbing layer. |
| US09955742B2 |
Health suit with improved health and tanning benefits in various weather conditions
A health suit for improving sweating and tanning in various weather conditions includes a transparent material that is configured to allow ultraviolet rays and infrared energy to pass through the material and penetrate the skin with minimal deflection or absorption by the material. The health suit may also include an anti-fog layer or other set of anti-fogging features, moisture absorbing material, and a heat retention feature to improve sweating and tanning in various weather conditions. |
| US09955738B2 |
Enhancement legwear with removable pads
Legwear is provided having at least two interior pockets in the calf area and ankle area of the legwear for inserting pads to enhance the physical structure of a person's leg between the knee and the ankle. |
| US09955733B2 |
Camera for an aerosol delivery device
An aerosol delivery device includes a housing, a cartridge coupled to the housing, a control component contained within the housing, and a camera system including a digital camera on the housing. The control component is configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery device in response to detection of airflow through at least a portion of the housing or cartridge. The digital camera is configured to capture images of an object or scene in a field of view thereof, with the images being transferrable locally to a memory configured to store the images, or externally to a computing device configured to store or display the images. |
| US09955732B2 |
Liquid storage device for cotton-free electronic cigarette
The present invention relates to a liquid storage device for a cotton-free electronic cigarette, comprising a liquid storage cup for storing cigarette liquid, and a liquid percolation piece having a plurality of liquid percolation holes; wherein the liquid storage cup has a cylindrical shape, an inner wall of a liquid outlet end of the liquid storage cup is provided with at least two locking members, the liquid percolation piece has a circular edge which engages with an internal circumferential surface of the liquid outlet end of the liquid storage cup, the liquid percolation piece is inserted into the liquid outlet end of the liquid storage cup and is passed through the at least two locking members to be locked. The liquid storage device ensures the smooth supply of cigarette liquid and prevents cigarette liquid leakage. The liquid storage device of the present invention can be easily and efficiently assembled. |
| US09955730B2 |
Electronic cigarette
An electronic cigarette is provided. The electric cigarette includes an electronic cigarette body. The electronic cigarette body is provided with a suction end, an atomizing assembly and a battery rod assembly. The atomizing assembly and the battery assembly are detachablely connected. An accommodating through hole is provided in the atomizing assembly, and the accommodating through hole communicates with an end surface where the atomizing assembly and the battery assembly are connected. An atomizing core for atomizing the cigarette liquid is movably inserted in the accommodating through hole and the atomizing core is in clearance fit with the accommodating through hole. Since the atomizing core is in clearance fit with the accommodating through hole, the atomizing core and the accommodating through hole are not integrated, which is convenient for the user to replace a damaged atomizing core and leads to easy operation and less waste. |
| US09955728B2 |
Battery assembly and atomizing assembly of electronic cigarette and electronic cigarette
A battery assembly of an electronic cigarette according to the present application is configured to form an electronic cigarette in combination with an atomizing assembly. The atomizing assembly is provided with a gas storage chamber configured to store cigarette-liquid odor to be detected. The battery assembly includes a sensor group and a microcontroller. After the sensor group detects the cigarette-liquid odor to be detected, the microcontroller is configured to control a circuit between the battery assembly and the atomizing assembly to be switched on in a case that the cigarette-liquid odor to be detected matches the preset odor information, to enable the electronic cigarette to work normally. Thus, the electronic cigarette has an identification function and can be normally used only when the battery assembly and the atomizing assembly of the electronic cigarette are matched. |
| US09955712B2 |
Rotary head extruder
An improved rotary head extruder incorporates an auger system comprising more than one auger to create asymmetrical, substantially cylindrical extruded products having a density within the range of about 3.0 to about 6.0 lbs./cu ft. A wide variety of fine particles such as flour and powder can be successfully introduced into and conveyed within a rotary head extruder to the die assembly, where the materials are cooked to form hard, dense extruded collets with randomly asymmetrical shapes. A transition piece at the downstream end of the augers allows for continuous, uniform flow to the die assembly, where cooking takes place. Using the equipment described, raw materials other than the typically used corn meal are produced, while maintaining the desired bulk density, texture, and crunch of random extruded products. |
| US09955708B2 |
Method of enhancing palatability of a dietary supplement to animal food
Fish oil is thickened using a thickening agent, such as one or both of silica and wax dispersed in the fish oil to thereby facilitate ease of delivery of the fish oil to an animal. The fish oil and the thickening agent form a viscous liquid blend that functions as a delivery medium of nutrients naturally present in the fish oil. The thickening agent is inert to the animal and chemically inert to the fish oil so that the naturally present nutrients of the fish oil are not substantially degraded by the thickening agent. The viscous liquid blend may also be used as a carrier liquid to deliver an added dietary supplement to the animal. |
| US09955707B2 |
Boiled sugar sweet comprising non-fructosylated α-galactooligosaccharides
The present invention concerns a hard candy comprising a mixture of sugars composed of glucose and non-fructosylated α-galacto-oligosaccharides in particular proportions. It also concerns a method of manufacturing said candies, as well as the utilization, for manufacturing a hard candy, of a composition that includes the aforementioned mixture. |
| US09955697B2 |
Weed control and fertilizer
A composition for weed control and fertilizer comprising an effective amount of iron hydroxyl ethylenediaminetriacetic acid, micromate, feed grade urea, a natural-based wetting agent, molasses desurgarized solubles, and water, and may further comprise glycerin, are provided. Methods for weed control and fertilization of plants comprising the steps of providing a composition comprising an effective amount of iron hydroxyl ethylenediaminetriacetic acid, micromate, feed grade urea, natural-based wetting agent, and molasses desurgarized solubles, and applying an effective amount of the composition to soil or a plant or a weed, are also provided. |
| US09955696B2 |
Ectoparasiticidal formulations
The invention provides an ectoparasiticidal formulation which comprises an ectoparasiticidal agent, preferably the pyrethroid tetramethrin, as the pesticidally-active ingredient, together with a crystallization inhibitor selected from the group consisting of alkyl-substituted pyrrolidones, and optionally, one or more organic solvents and/or co-solvents. Preferably, the crystallization inhibitor is N-octyl pyrrolidone, and the organic solvent, if present, preferably comprises diethylene glycol monoethyl ether. The ectoparasiticidal formulation surprisingly yields a significantly enhanced speed of kill. Methods for manufacturing the formulation, as well as methods for treating animals infested with ectoparasites, are also disclosed. |
| US09955695B2 |
Pediculicide/ovicide composition
The present invention relates to a pediculicide/ovicide composition and method of use thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a pediculicide/ovicide composition comprising a sesquiterpene alcohol and a suitable carrier. |
| US09955693B2 |
Method for controlling phytopathogenic filamentous fungi other than oomycete microorganisms
Phytopathogenic filamentous fungi other than oomycete microorganisms are controlled using at least one compound selected from among tetrazoyloxime derivatives represented by formula (I) and salts thereof. In formula (I), X represents a C1 to C6 alkyl group or the like, n represents an integer of 0 to 5, Y represents a C1 to C6 alkyl group, Z represents a hydrogen atom or an amino group or the like, Q represents a hydrogen atom or a C1 to C8 alkyl group or the like, R represents a halogeno group or a C1 to C6 alkoxy group, and m represents an integer of 0 to 3. |
| US09955692B2 |
Pyrazoles for controlling invertebrate pests
The present invention relates to novel pyrazoles of formula I. Moreover, the invention relates to processes and intermediates for preparing the pyrazoles of formula I, and also to active compound combinations comprising them, to compositions comprising them, and to their use for protecting growing plants from attack or infestation by invertebrate pests. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods of applying such compounds. The present invention also relates to seed comprising such compounds. |
| US09955690B2 |
Synergistic fungicidal mixtures for fungal control in cereals
A fungicidal composition containing a fungicidally effective amount of a compound of Formula I-V and at least one fungicide selected from the group consisting of epoxiconazole, prothioconazole, azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, penthiopyrad, isopyrazam, bixafen, boscalid, prochloraz, and chlorothalonil provides synergistic control of selected fungi. |
| US09955684B2 |
Coating composition for pathogen control in vegetables
Coating composition for applying to a vegetable plant structure such as a seed of a vegetable plant from which roots and shoots are capable of growing, wherein the said coating composition comprises an organic carrier material in particulate form and one or more biological agents that possess an activity against at least one or more pathogens of the said vegetable plant. |
| US09955677B2 |
Non-human animals having a humanized programmed cell death 1 gene
Non-human animals, and methods and compositions for making and using the same, are provided, wherein the non-human animals comprise a humanization of a Programmed cell death 1 (Pdcd1) gene. The non-human animals may be described, in some embodiments, as having a genetic modification to an endogenous Pdcd1 gene so that the non-human animals express a PD-1 polypeptide that includes a human portion and an endogenous portion (e.g., a non-human portion). |
| US09955673B1 |
Milk urea-N yield (MUNY) as a nutritional and environmental management tool for the dairy industry
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for optimizing a cost efficiency or a nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) for a feeding regimen of a herd of interest of milk-producing animals, for monitoring a urinary urea-N excretion (UUNE) for a herd of interest of milk-producing animals, and for monitoring a NUE for a herd of interest of milk-producing animals. The methods include use of a milk urea-N yield (MUNY) value or a ratio of MUNY to a protein yield (PY) in milk produced by the herd of interest. |
| US09955671B1 |
Animal training and indicating device
An animal training and indicating device (10) includes a housing (12) having an outer surface (14). A capacitive sensor (54) is operative to detect contact by a paw or nose of an animal with the outer surface. Responsive to the contact, the device is operative to provide an illumination of at least one light emitter (60, 62), an audible output from a speaker (28) and at least one wireless RF signal which can be received by a portable wireless device (76). |
| US09955670B2 |
Device for automatically feeding calves
Device for automatically feeding calves with a mixing container for mixing a liquid food product, a teat, a connection line, which connects the mixing container with the teat, a branch line, which branches off from the connection line at a branch point and connects the connection line with a pump and a controller for controlling the pump, where a sensor is arranged on the teat, which is connected with the controller and is designed to detect a movement and/or deformation of the teat, and the controller is designed to control the pump during detection of a movement and/or deformation of the teat such that liquid food product is delivered out of the branch line towards the branch point until liquid food product exits the teat. |
| US09955662B1 |
Soybean cultivar CL1561930
The present invention is in the field of soybean variety CL1561930 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety CL1561930 and its seed, cells, germplasm, plant parts, and progeny, and methods of using CL1561930 in a breeding program. |
| US09955660B1 |
Maize hybrid X13K464
A novel maize variety designated X13K464 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 X13K464 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13K464 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13K464, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13K464. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13K464. |
| US09955659B1 |
Maize hybrid X13K465
A novel maize variety designated X13K465 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 X13K465 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13K465 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13K465, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13K465. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13K465. |
| US09955657B1 |
Maize hybrid X13K478
A novel maize variety designated X13K478 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 X13K478 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13K478 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13K478, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13K478. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13K478. |
| US09955651B1 |
Maize hybrid X00K421HR
A novel maize variety designated X00K421HR 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 X00K421HR with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X00K421HR through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X00K421HR, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X00K421HR. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X00K421HR. |
| US09955650B1 |
Maize hybrid X05K656
A novel maize variety designated X05K656 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 X05K656 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X05K656 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X05K656, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X05K656. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X05K656. |
| US09955646B1 |
Rice cultivar L-207
A rice cultivar designated L-207 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of rice cultivar L-207, to the plants of rice L-207 and to methods for producing a rice plant produced by crossing the cultivar L-207 with itself or another rice variety. The invention further relates to methods for producing a rice plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic rice plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to rice cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from rice cultivar L-207, to methods for producing other rice cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from rice cultivar L-207 and to the rice plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid rice seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar L-207 with another rice cultivar. |
| US09955643B2 |
Maize hybrid X90H605
A novel maize variety designated X90H605 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 X90H605 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X90H605 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X90H605, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X90H605. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X90H605. |
| US09955642B1 |
Maize hybrid X13H123
A novel maize variety designated X13H123 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 X13H123 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13H123 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13H123, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13H123. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13H123. |
| US09955638B2 |
Watermelon variety NUN 31208 WMW
The invention relates to the field of Citrullus lanatus, in particular to a new variety of watermelon designated NUN 31208 WMW as well as plants, seeds and watermelon fruits thereof. |
| US09955634B1 |
Single fill point plant protector with integral vent
A fill tube for a water filled plant protector is formed by folding the top edge of the outer wall of the protector between the inner and outer walls and capturing the edge with the welds that create the vertical columns. The protector is filled through a port in the tube. Air is vented as the columns fill with water through the open top of each column. |
| US09955631B2 |
Unique extrusion manufacturing method and unique soil-packing garden-shaping system, having adjustable elevation-guiding system, impact-absorbing system, adjustable penetration-guiding system, adjustable border-strengthening system, and shape-hardening system
A unique soil-packing garden-shaping system comprises soil-packing garden-shaping wavy partitions for absorbing hammering forces and for packing and holding garden soil, impact-absorbing-strip grooves pressure-molded on the sides of the wavy partitions, impact heads extrudedly molded to the top of the wavy partitions for receiving hammering forced thereon, curved directional heads extrudedly molded to the bottom of the wavy partitions for penetrating into the ground at adjustable angles, wavy-partition couplers for coupling the wavy partitions, and multiple different color-coded impact-absorbing strips of multiple different highly flexible materials pressure-extrudedly molded in the grooves for absorbing the hammering force exerted on the impact heads, for limiting the bending degree of the wavy partitions, for pushing the wavy partitions back after bending to prevent the wavy partitions from breaking, for guiding the elevations of the wavy partitions over garden soil, for gradually hardening to strengthen and secure the shape of the wavy partitions, and for building garden shapes, never possible before. |
| US09955625B2 |
Seeding control system and method
A seeding control system and method to improve yield by minimizing overplanting and underplanting during planting operations. As the planter traverses the field, a precise seed placement map is created by associating the time of each seed pulse generated by the seed sensors with the location of a GPS unit. Based on the generated seed placement map, a stop-planting boundary is defined by previously planted seed or other field boundary such that when a swath of the planter crosses over the stop-planting boundary the swath controllers disengage the drivers of the corresponding seed meters to prevent planting of seeds. The swath controllers cause the drivers to reengage allowing planting to resume when the affected swaths pass out of the stop planting boundary. |
| US09961820B2 |
Component replenishment support method and component replenishment support system in component mounting line
Provided are a component replenishment support method, and a component replenishment support system of a component mounting line that are capable of preventing a decrease in facility operation rate due to component shortage, in which a component shortage time of each part feeder is predicted, a component replenishment work is started from the present time in a case where the component shortage time is earlier than the virtual work end time, a virtual work end time of the work target selection feeders in a case where the work is assumed to be performed in sequence of early time by using the part feeder within the warning consideration start time as a target is predicted, and a worker is warned of a man-hour lack to the selection feeder, in a case where the selection feeder of which the component shortage time is earlier than the work end time is present. |
| US09961819B2 |
Auxiliary adhesive dispensing apparatus
An auxiliary adhesive dispensing apparatus is connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) through an opening on a side surface of a shielding cover above the PCB, and the auxiliary adhesive dispensing apparatus includes a flow guiding groove, an adhesive-injection opening connected to an end of the flow guiding groove, and a fixing part connecting the flow guiding groove and the PCB. The auxiliary adhesive dispensing apparatus is connected to a PCB through an opening on a side surface of a shielding cover above the PCB. By means of the auxiliary adhesive dispensing apparatus, an adhesive dispensing operation can still be performed after a shielding cover is mounted, so that the adhesive dispensing operation can be performed after second-reflow soldering processing. |
| US09961815B2 |
Series of electronic components stored in a tape, manufacturing method for series of electronic components stored in a tape, and electronic component
A series of electronic components stored in a tape include a plurality of electronic components each arranged such that a first main surface faces a bottom surface of a cavity. In each electronic component, on a first side surface, a thickness in a width direction of a first terminal electrode at a first main surface side is smaller than a thickness in the width direction of the first terminal electrode at a second main surface side, and on a second side surface, a thickness in the width direction of a second terminal electrode at the first main surface side is smaller than a thickness in the width direction of the second terminal electrode at the second main surface side. |
| US09961814B2 |
Touch panel device and method for assembly of a touch panel display
A method includes providing a touch panel interposer, where providing the touch panel interposer comprises providing a touch panel device, applying a first adhesive layer to a cover side of the touch panel device, and applying a second adhesive layer to a display side of the touch panel device. The method further includes providing a touch panel display, where providing the touch panel display comprises applying a cover to the first adhesive layer, and applying a display panel to the second adhesive layer. |
| US09961808B2 |
Power electronics system
A power-electronics assembly includes a plurality of power modules each having a body, a power stage disposed in the body and having opposing major sides, and a coolant channel defined in the body at a location adjacent to one of the major sides. The modules are arranged in a stack such that the coolant channels are interleaved with the power stages. At least one of the bodies defines a passageway extending between adjacent channels to connect the adjacent channels in fluid communication. |
| US09961804B2 |
Cooling apparatus and electronic device
A cooling apparatus includes: a circulation path of coolant; a first pump provided in the circulation path, the first pump including a first inlet and a first outlet; a second pump connected to the first pump, the second pump including a second inlet and a second outlet; a first main pipe with one end connected to the first outlet; a second main pipe with one end connected to the second inlet; a connection portion connecting another ends of the first and second main pipe; a first bypass pipe connecting the first inlet and the connection portion; and a second bypass pipe connecting the second outlet and the connection portion, wherein the first main pipe and the second bypass pipe are connected in a same direction in the connection portion, and the second main pipe and the first bypass pipe are connected in the same direction. |
| US09961803B2 |
Cooling electronic devices in a data center
A data center cooling system includes a thermosiphon, an actuator coupled to the thermosiphon, and a controller. The thermosiphon includes an evaporator; a condenser; and at least one conduit coupled between the evaporator and the condenser to transport a working fluid between the evaporator and the condenser. The controller is coupled to the actuator and configured to operate the actuator to adjust a liquid level of the working fluid in the evaporator based, at least in part, on a parameter associated with a heat load of one or more data center heat generating computing devices. |
| US09961802B2 |
Reducing condensation risk within liquid cooled computers
An approach is provided in which a manufacturing test scheduling system predicts a dew point forecast indoor a facility based upon outdoor weather data and indoor environment data. The manufacturing test scheduling system selects time slots in the dew point forecast based upon a pre-defined dew point threshold and, in turn, schedules tests of a liquid cooled computer system during the selected time slots. |
| US09961798B2 |
Package and a method of manufacturing the same
In various embodiments, a package may be provided. The package may include a chip carrier. The package may further include a chip arranged over the chip carrier. The package may also include encapsulation material encapsulating the chip and partially the chip carrier. A coolant receiving recess may be provided over the chip in the encapsulation material, wherein the coolant receiving recess is configured to receive coolant. |
| US09961795B2 |
Power supply system for shelving system
A power supply system for shelving system includes a support arm, and an electrical supply device mounted on the mounting plate. The support arm includes a mounting hole, and a mounting plate disposed in the mounting hole. The thickness of the mounting plate is less that the depth of the mounting hole. The electrical supply device includes a circuit board, and a first protection cover covering the circuit board. The circuit board is clamping between the mounting plate and the first protection cover. A side wall of the first protection cover opposite to the circuit board is flush with a side wall of the mounting hole. The assembly of the support arm can be completed without being affected by the electrical supply device as long as the end of the support art can be inserted into the punched hole as the side wall of the first protection cover opposite to the circuit board is flush with the side wall of the mounting hole. |
| US09961787B1 |
Multi-standard instrumentation chassis
Chassis for an automated test system including a housing and at least a first and a second backplane in the housing. The first backplane provides electrical connections for at least one functional module of a first type when engaged with the first backplane, while the second backplane provides electrical connections for at least one functional module of a second type different than the first type when engaged with the second backplane. The first and second backplanes include electrical circuitry to enable signals to be provided for the functional modules when engaged therewith. A bottom of the housing includes ducts to enable cooling of both types of functional modules when engaged with the housing. |
| US09961784B2 |
Manufacturing method of circuit substrate
A manufacturing method of a circuit substrate includes the following steps. The peripheries of two metal layers are bonded to form a sealed area. Two insulating layers are formed on the two metal layers. Two including upper and bottom conductive layers are formed on the two insulating layers. Then, the two insulating layers and the two conductive layers are laminated so that the two metal layers bonded to each other are embedded between the two insulating layers. A part of the two insulating layers and a part of the two conductive layers are removed to form a plurality of blind holes exposing the two metal layers. A conductive material is formed in the blind holes and on the remained two conductive layers. The sealed area of the two metal layers is separated to form two separated circuit substrates. |
| US09961783B2 |
Guided transport path correction
A printer deposits material onto a substrate as part of a manufacturing process for an electronic product; at least one transported component experiences error, which affects the deposition. This error is mitigated using transducers that equalize position of the component, e.g., to provide an “ideal” conveyance path, thereby permitting precise droplet placement notwithstanding the error. In one embodiment, an optical guide (e.g., using a laser) is used to define a desired path; sensors mounted to the component dynamically detect deviation from this path, with this deviation then being used to drive the transducers to immediately counteract the deviation. This error correction scheme can be applied to correct for more than type of transport error, for example, to correct for error in a substrate transport path, a printhead transport path and/or split-axis transport non-orthogonality. |
| US09961780B2 |
Method for manufacturing resin multilayer board
A method for manufacturing a resin multilayer board formed from a thermoplastic resin, which method allows for improvement in accuracy of the position of a component relative to the resin multilayer board, is provided. A method for manufacturing a resin multilayer board includes: a step of bonding a component to a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet having the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on a surface thereof; a step of opposing a thermoplastic resin sheet to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and fixing the component bonded to the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet and the thermoplastic resin sheet to each other by heating; a step of peeling the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet from the component fixed to the thermoplastic resin sheet; and stacking and thermally welding a plurality of thermoplastic resin sheets including the thermoplastic resin sheet to which the component has been transferred. |
| US09961776B2 |
Method of producing cured product and method of forming pattern
The present invention provides a photo-curable composition that requires a small mold-releasing force in a method of producing a cured product and also provides a method of producing a cured product with a small mold-releasing force. The method of producing a cured product includes applying a photo-curable composition onto a base material; pressing a mold to the photo-curable composition to form a pattern in the photo-curable composition; irradiating the photo-curable composition provided with the pattern with first light to generate a cured product having the pattern; and releasing the mold from the cured product, wherein a gas-generating region is formed from a gas-generating agent between the cured product and the mold; the gas-generating region is irradiated with second light to generate a gas in the gas-generating region; and the mold is released from the cured product after the generation of the gas or simultaneously with the generation of the gas. |
| US09961773B2 |
Printed circuit board assembly
A printed circuit board assembly includes: a first signal terminal row including a plurality of first signal terminals connected to a plurality of signal wirings of a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), respectively; a first ground terminal row spaced from the first signal terminal row and including a plurality of first ground terminals connected to a plurality of ground wirings of the FPCB, respectively; a second signal terminal row including a plurality of second signal terminals connected to a plurality of signal wirings of a printed circuit board (PCB), respectively; and a second ground terminal row spaced from the second signal terminal row and including a plurality of second ground terminals connected to a plurality of ground wirings of the PCB, respectively. The first ground terminal row is closer to an end portion of the FPCB than the first signal terminal row. |
| US09961769B2 |
Microelectronic substrate for alternate package functionality
The present disclosure relates to microelectronic substrates, such as interposers, motherboards, test platforms, and the like, that are fabricated to have overlapping connection zones, such that different microelectronic devices, such as microprocessors, chipsets, graphics processing devices, wireless devices, memory devices, application specific integrated circuits, and the like, may be alternately attached to the microelectronic substrates to form functional microelectronic packages. |
| US09961765B2 |
Security mesh and method of making
A method of making a security mesh comprises forming on a conductive substrate an alumina film having through-holes in which metal, e.g., copper, through-wires are formed. First surface wires are formed on one surface of the alumina film and second surface wires are formed on the second, opposite surface of the alumina film in order to connect selected through-wires into a continuous undulating electrical circuit embedded within the alumina film. The security mesh product comprises an alumina film having a continuous undulating electrical circuit comprising copper or other conductive metal extending therethrough. A stacked security mesh comprises two or more of the mesh products being stacked one above the other. |
| US09961763B2 |
Driving printed circuit board for display device and display device having the same
An electronic device connection unit includes a substrate and a plurality of signal pads on the substrate configured to send signals from an electronic device to a driving printed circuit board (PCB). One or more active ground pads on the substrate are configured to connect at least the driving PCB to a reference voltage of the electronic device. One or more dummy ground pads on the substrate are configured to connect to the reference voltage of the electronic device without extending onto the driving PCB. One or more connectors are connected to the one or more dummy ground pads, where each of the one or more connectors is configured to electrically couple at least a subset of the one or more dummy ground pads to the one or more active ground pads. |
| US09961761B2 |
Radiation imaging apparatus and imaging system
A radiation imaging apparatus, comprising a sensor panel in which a plurality of sensors configured to detect radiation are arrayed, a first circuit board that is arranged on the sensor panel and includes a circuit configured to read out a signal from each sensor, and a second circuit board that is arranged on the first circuit board and includes a circuit configured to read out a signal from each sensor, and whose radiant noise generation amount at a driving time of the circuit is larger than a radiant noise generation amount at a driving time of the circuit of the first circuit board, wherein the first circuit board is arranged between the sensor panel and the second circuit board. |
| US09961758B1 |
Packaging a printed circuit board having a plurality of semiconductors in an inverter
An electrical device configuration enables heat to be dissipated from a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) while handling electrical currents in excess of 200 amps. The semiconductor devices that convert input DC current to output AC current are mounted to a side of the PCB that is opposite the side of the PCB that receives the input DC current. A base plate that acts as a heat sink includes recessed areas to receive the semiconductor devices and enable the PCB to be positioned close to the base plate. Thermal vias are provided in the PCB to conductive heat from the semiconductor devices to the side of the PCB that receives the input current. Also, the busbars for receiving the input current are positioned to provide short resistive paths to the current to reduce the generation of heat by the current flowing in the PCB. |
| US09961756B2 |
Isotope production target chamber including a cavity formed from a single sheet of metal foil
A target chamber and a method for manufacturing the target chamber for a radioisotope production system is provided. The target chamber includes a cavity formed from a single sheet of metal foil enclosed by a cover. The cavity configured to contain a starting liquid and receive a particle beam that is incident upon the starting liquid thereby generating radioisotopes. |
| US09961753B2 |
XRF analyzer with a hand shield
A portable XRF analyzer includes a hand shield and a handle. In one embodiment, the XRF analyzer further comprises a power component spaced-apart from an engine component. The handle and the hand shield extend in parallel between the engine component and the power component, attaching the engine component to the power component. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer further comprises two housing portions, each integrally formed in a single, monolithic body formed together at the same time. The two housing portions are joined together to form an XRF analyzer housing. In another embodiment, the hand shield is shorter than the handle. |
| US09961751B2 |
Method of controlling light output of luminaire by a control terminal
Method of controlling light output (44) of a luminaire (40) using a control terminal (30), wherein the luminaire comprises at least one light source (46) and a control unit (42), the control terminal comprising a display. The method comprises the steps of sending, from the control terminal to the control unit, an interrogation (T1) of light output adjustment ability of the luminaire, receiving, from the control unit to the control terminal, information (T2) of light output adjustment ability of the luminaire wherein the information comprises at least three input values representing coordinates in a chromaticity diagram and defining an adjustment area in the chromaticity diagram, evaluating the information of light output adjustment ability from the luminaire, and displaying, on the display (32) of the control terminal, a light output control (50, 60), for adjustment of the color or color temperature of the luminaire, the light output control being single-variable or multi-variable depending on the evaluation of the information of light output adjustment ability received from the control unit. |
| US09961748B2 |
Vehicle lighting device and vehicle lamp
According to one embodiment, a vehicle lighting device includes a first circuit portion that has at least one light emitting element and a first resistor connected in series to the light emitting element; a second circuit portion that is connected in parallel to the first circuit portion and has at least a control portion; and a third circuit portion that is connected in series to the first circuit portion and the second circuit portion, and has at least one light emitting element.The control portion measures an input voltage and causes a current to flow through the third circuit portion in a case where the measured input voltage is a predetermined value. |
| US09961747B2 |
Control of a lighting system
The disclosure relates to a lighting system which can be controlled from a wireless device in dependence on complying with an access rule that the wireless device is determined to be within in a spatial region associated with the lighting system. The disclosure provides apparatus for securing against the lighting system being controlled from a device located outside the relevant region via a rogue relay device located in that region. The apparatus comprises a user location module configured to determine user location information indicative of whether a user is accompanying the wireless device in the region associated with the lighting system, and an access module which is configured with a further access rule: that it does not allow the control of the lighting system by the wireless device if the user location information is indicative of the wireless device being unaccompanied by a user. |
| US09961745B2 |
Printed LED rylene dye welcome/farewell lighting
An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a lighting device disposed on the vehicle. At least one detection sensor is configured to detect a proximity of an occupant and a controller is configured to identify an approach and a departure of the occupant. The controller is configured to control the lighting device to output a first emission of light in response to the approach and a second emission in response to the departure. |
| US09961743B2 |
Portable power and signal distribution system for a controllable system including multiple devices
A power supply assembly which can drive a number of different devices at different voltages. A rack holds a number of breaker modules, and each breaker module can connect to one or many breakout boxes. The breakout boxes are keyed to the breaker modules, so that the breaker boxes will not be energized with power unless they are the proper voltage and/or configuration to receive that power. The coil of a contactor in the breaker module is powered by a key wire that is connected through specified pins in the breakout box. Therefore, no power is ever provided to the breakout box unless it is of the proper voltage configuration. In addition, feeder power to the power supply assembly is provided over bolted connections, without any wire connections between the power feed and the circuit breaker. |
| US09961742B2 |
Multi-channel LED driver with overheating protection capabilities
An apparatus to drive a multi-channel light emitting diode (LED) array includes switching transistors connected to LED strings of the multi-channel LED array, error amplifiers connected to the switching transistors, each of the error amplifiers being configured to control current flowing through the LED string to have a target magnitude, and overheating protection circuits connected to the switching transistors, each of the overheating protection circuits being configured to regulate current flowing through a respective switching transistor to have a magnitude less than or equal to the target magnitude. |
| US09961736B2 |
LED driver circuits
In some implementations, a circuit includes a first diode and a second diode that are coupled in series. The device is configured to couple an alternating current (AC) power source to a first node between the first diode and the second diode. The circuit includes a first capacitor and a second capacitor that are coupled in series, and the device is configured to couple the AC power source to a second node between the first capacitor and the second capacitor. The circuit includes one or more light emitting diode elements coupled in parallel with the first capacitor and the second capacitor, and a battery coupled in parallel with the one or more diodes. |
| US09961734B2 |
Systems and methods for dimming control using TRIAC dimmers
System and method for dimming control of one or more light emitting diodes. An example system includes one or more signal processing components configured to receive a first signal associated with a TRIAC dimmer, process information associated with the first signal, determine whether the TRIAC dimmer is in a first condition or a second condition, generate a second signal based on at least information associated with the first signal, and send the second signal to a switch. The one or more signal processing components are further configured to, if the TRIAC dimmer is determined to be in the first condition, generate the second signal to cause the switch to be opened and closed corresponding to a modulation frequency. |
| US09961731B2 |
Luminaire with transmissive filter and adjustable illumination pattern
Illumination systems with selectively adjustable illumination patterns which reduce the need for a utility or luminaire distributer to stock luminaires with different illumination patterns and reduce the need for pre-planning installations. Implementations may allow scheduled dimming of luminaires, dimming in defined physical directions and scheduled adjustment of light patterns. The efficiency and/or color contrast of a luminaire may be improved by using wavelength shifting material, such as a phosphor, to absorb less desired wavelengths and transmit more desired wavelengths. A transmissive filter may reflect desired wavelengths such as red and green, while passing less desired wavelengths (e.g., blue) toward the wavelength shifting material which emits such as light of more desirable wavelengths. |
| US09961725B2 |
LED driver for high-speed optical communications based on linear modulations
This invention relates to a light emitting diode driving circuit (101) for use in an optical transmitter (100) comprising: a high-speed signal path (102) comprising a high-speed trans-conductance amplifier (114) configured for a linear transformation of an input signal to an output signal for linear modulation of a light emitting diode (110), and a low-frequency control path (103) configured for generating a trans-conductance (115) in dependence of a low-frequency component of the input signal (106), and wherein the low-frequency control path (103) is configured for controlling the trans-conductance (116) of the high-speed trans-conductance amplifier (114). |
| US09961717B2 |
Network node and terminal device for use in a communication network, methods of operating the same and computer program products
According to an aspect, there is provided a method of operating a terminal device in a communication network, the network defining an extended period that comprises a plurality of predefined periods, each predefined period corresponding to the time taken to transmit a predefined plurality of frames, the method comprising receiving information blocks, IBs, broadcast by a network node in the communication network, each IB indicating a value for a relative shift indication for the predefined period in which the IB is broadcast; comparing the value for the relative shift indication for a current predefined period to a value for the relative shift indication for a predefined period preceding the current predefined period; and determining whether the current predefined period is a particular one of the predefined periods in the extended period based on the result of the comparison. |
| US09961715B2 |
Systems and methods for data offload in wireless networks
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for radio resource control (RRC) signaling in wireless communication networks with data offload are provided. The radio configuration messages from a small cell to a dual connection UE may be sent by an overlay macro E-UTRAN node-B (eNB). The small cell may send the RRC messages to the macro-eNB first via a backhaul link, and the macro-eNB then transmits the messages to the UE. In some implementations, the radio configuration messages from a small cell to a dual connection UE may be sent directly from the small cell. In some other implementations, some of the RRC messages may be sent selectively to/from either the macro-cell or the small cell, or to/from both the macro-cell and the small cell. The type of RRC messages sent over the small cell and/or the macro-cell may be preconfigured or predetermined. |
| US09961713B2 |
Procedures to support network slicing in a wireless communication system
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for supporting network slicing. One apparatus includes a processor that receives a data packet to be transmitted via a mobile communication network, identifies an application category associated with the data packet, and requests a network connection corresponding to the identified application category. In some embodiments, requesting a network connection corresponding to the identified application category comprises transmitting a connection setup message indicating the identified application category. In certain embodiments, identifying the application category associated with the data packet comprises applying a category selection policy to the data packet, the category selection policy comprising one or more rules for selecting an application category based on data packet characteristics. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a transceiver that communicates with the mobile communication network supporting a plurality of application categories. |
| US09961711B2 |
Control device to control direct communication among communication terminals
Effective utilization and maintenance of direct communication are provided.A state monitoring unit monitors a state of a predetermined number of terminal groups. Each terminal group includes a predetermined number of first communication terminals, and a second communication terminal that performs direct communication with the first communication terminals while being connected to a base station, When the state comes to fail to satisfy a certain condition, a group structure control unit changes a structure of the terminal groups. For example, the state monitoring unit monitors a communication traffic volume of data communication passing through the second communication terminal in each of the predetermined number of terminal groups. Also, for example, the state monitoring unit monitors a state (communication quality, remaining battery level, and the like) of the first communication terminal and/or the second communication terminal. |
| US09961706B2 |
Methods and apparatus to improve a network connection via a connected vehicle
Methods are apparatus are disclosed to improve a network connection of a cellular-enabled device via a connected vehicle. An example method disclosed herein include receiving an indication that a first cellular-enabled device is within range of a cellular-enabled vehicle to which the first cellular-enabled device has a connection relationship. When a first signal strength between the cellular-enabled vehicle and a cellular network is greater than a second signal strength between the first cellular-enabled device and the cellular network, the cellular-enabled vehicle is instructed to establish a first connection between the cellular-enabled vehicle and the cellular network using a first subscriber identifier stored in the first cellular-enabled device. The cellular-enabled vehicle is instructed to establish a second connection between the cellular-enabled vehicle and the first cellular-enabled device, and routing first cellular data associated with the first cellular-enable device between the cellular network and the first cellular-enable device via cellular-enabled vehicle. |
| US09961705B2 |
Techniques for encoding beacon signals in wireless power delivery environments
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques for encoding beacon signals in wireless power delivery environments. More specifically, techniques are disclosed for encoding beacon signals to isolate client devices for wireless power delivery in wireless power delivery environments. The beacon signals can be encoded or modulated with a transmission code that is provided to selected clients in the wireless power delivery environment. In this manner, beacon signals from the select clients can be identified and the corresponding client devices isolated for wireless power delivery. In some embodiments, the transmission code can be a pseudorandom sequence that is used by the wireless power delivery clients to encode transmitted beacon signals. |
| US09961704B2 |
Wireless communication device, wireless communication method and base station
A wireless communication device, a wireless communication method, and a base station, the wireless communication device being used for device-to-device communication and including: a reception device, used for receiving paging signaling sent when in communication with another wireless communication device and preset conditions are satisfied for device-to-device communication, the paging signaling being used to supplement paging between the wireless communication device and the other wireless-communication device; paging based upon the paging signaling is used to confirm establishment of device-to-device communication between the wireless communication device and the other wireless-communication device. The wireless communication device, wireless communication method, and base station at least can enhance efficiency of device-to-device paging and thus also enhance efficiency of device-to-device communication. |
| US09961702B2 |
Method and system for contention queuing using a queue-based MAC protocol
A MAC protocol, useful for wireless local area networks (WLANs), is provided for improving throughput efficiency. The protocol includes three concurrent processes, and the channel is divided into a contention subchannel and a transmission subchannel. In the contention process, all nodes use the standard RTS/CTS mechanism operated on the contention channel to contend for a right of transmission. When one node gains the right, all the nodes store the contention result into their respective contention queue (CQ) buffers. In the transmission process, the nodes sequentially transmit their data over the transmission channel according to the order of the nodes stored in the CQ buffers. When one node finishes data transmission, the CQ buffers are updated. The contention process and the transmission process are connected by the queuing process, where each node dynamically updates its own CQ buffer according to the contention result and each instance of data transmission. |
| US09961695B2 |
Scheduling in mobile communications systems
There is provided embodiments relating to scheduling in mobile communications systems, and particularly to scheduling of delay tolerant data in mobile communications systems. A scheduling request relating to conditional data transfer of delay tolerant data is received. The delay tolerant data is scheduled for transmission such that the delay tolerant data is to be transmitted in conjunction with data already scheduled for transmission and utilizing available transmission resources non-utilized for transmission of the data already scheduled for transmission. |
| US09961692B2 |
Method and apparatus for communication link adaptation for interference-canceling receivers
Network-side and device-side methods and apparatuses improve transmit link adaptation for devices operating in a cellular network that have interference-canceling receivers. Own-cell link adaptation towards a device in a current transmission interval exploits a determined mapping between the interfering-signal cancelation efficiency of the device versus the interfering-signal transport format, in combination with actual knowledge of the transport format that will be used to make an interfering neighbor-cell transmission in the current transmission interval. For example, a serving radio node uses the known transport format of the interfering transmission, to accurately determine the expected cancelation efficiency for the device with respect to the interfering transmission, and uses the expected cancelation efficiency to obtain a more accurate estimate of the own-cell channel quality expected for the device in the current transmission interval. Link adaptation towards the device in the current transmission interval uses this more accurate estimate of own-cell channel quality. |
| US09961684B2 |
Multicarrier selection method and device
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a carrier selection method and device for multicarrier, to implement that an optimal carrier combination is obtained by searching. The method includes: acquiring an absolute radio frequency channel number ARFCN that is of each carrier of N carriers allocated to a receiving end and in each frame of a radio block, where N is a positive integer, and N≥2; respectively selecting, from the N carriers, a different carrier as an anchor carrier, and searching within a search range of the anchor carrier according to the ARFCN of each carrier in each frame of the radio block and a maximum carrier frequency spacing supported by the receiving end, to determine a carrier set of the anchor carrier; and selecting, from the carrier sets of anchor carriers of the N carriers, at least one carrier set as a carrier selection result. |
| US09961676B2 |
Method and apparatus for resource mapping of a physical downlink control channel
A method for resource mapping of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), including: determining the number of resource sub-blocks to which a predefined number of enhanced control channel elements (eCCEs) correspond, according to the size of a resource sub-block in one resource block (RB); determining the number of RBs onto which the predefined number of eCCEs are needed to be mapped, according to the number of resource sub-blocks to which the predefined number of eCCEs correspond; and mapping eCCEs within the PDCCH to RBs according to the number of RBs onto which the predefined number of eCCEs are needed to be mapped; wherein locations of resource sub-blocks to which the eCCEs or the predefined number of eCCEs within the PDCCH correspond are different in each of the RBs. |
| US09961674B2 |
Interference randomization of control channel elements
A method and a radio base station for interleaving control channel data to be transmitted in a telecommunications system are described. The method comprises grouping the control channel elements CCE1-CCEn into a first order of control channel symbol groups, adding symbol groups comprising dummy values or zeros to the first order of control channel symbol groups based on a number of available symbol group positions for the shared control channel, interleaving the first order of the control channel symbol groups resulting in an a second order, and mapping the second order of control channel symbol groups to the available control channel transmission resources. |
| US09961672B2 |
Radio communication system, radio station, radio terminal, communication control method, and non-transitory computer readable medium
A radio terminal (3) can perform carrier aggregation using a first cell (10) of a first radio station (1) and a second cell (20) of a second radio station (2). The first radio station (1) performs, with the radio terminal (3), radio resource control for the first cell (10) and the second cell (20) in order to perform the carrier aggregation. Further, the first radio station (1) transmits, to the second radio station (2), update information regarding an update to a configuration related to the radio resource control for the second cell (20). It is thus, for example, possible to prevent or reduce data transmission/reception failures which would otherwise occur while a configuration of radio parameters or the like is being changed by a radio terminal in carrier aggregation of a plurality of cells served by different radio stations. |
| US09961671B2 |
Method and system for device-to-device communication
A device-to-device user equipment (D2D-UE) and a method for use by a device-to-device user equipment (D2D-UE) is provided. The method comprises: determining, according to a non-UE specific resource allocation configuration, a plurality of available channels within a resource pool; selecting a primary channel of the plurality of available channels for the transmission of data; determining one or more transmission (TX) opportunities and one or more reception (RX) opportunities associated with the selected primary channel, wherein the transmit opportunities comprise a transmit subframe and an associated transmit resource block which are allocated for data transmission, and the reception opportunities comprise a transmit subframe which is not allocated for data transmission; transmitting a scheduling assignment (SA) on a TX opportunity of the TX opportunities; and receiving, an SA of another D2D-UE on an RX opportunity of the RX opportunities. |
| US09961670B2 |
Radio communication system, method, program, base station apparatus, multi-cell/multicast cooperation control apparatus
Disclosed is a radio communication system in which transmission parameters, such as MCS of MBSFN, the number of subframes, and a transmission power of a reserved cell, are adaptively output, based on a unicast traffic volume in a MBSFN area, a number of terminals, and a number of cells of the MBSFN area, so that a system throughput in the MBSFN area is maximized while satisfying an MBSFN quality requirement condition. |
| US09961665B2 |
GPS signal acquisition method and distributed base station
A method for acquiring a Global Positioning System GPS signal and a distributed base station are provided. The method includes that: a GPS signal is received via a GPS receiving module on a Radio Remote Unit RRU of a distributed base station, herein the GPS signal includes a clock signal and location information; the RRU transmits the received clock signal and location information to a Building Base band Unit BBU of the distributed base station; And the BBU computes to obtain an optimal clock provided for all devices of the present base station to use according to the received clock signal, and stores the received location information. |
| US09961660B2 |
Reactivating cells to improve positioning accuracy
A network access node (eNodeB for example) changing status from active to deactivated sends a message to a location server indicating the changed status. The location server collects from uplink messages indications of which of a plurality of cells have a deactivated status and stores this information in its local memory. Then the location server utilizes the stored indications to ensure that all cells in a list provided to a user equipment for location assistance will have an active status. In various embodiments: the message is sent only when the status is changed for energy saving purposes; a list of cells included in a location request message may have some deactivated cells so the location server sends a message to the eNodeB to activate deactivated cells in the list which is done prior to providing the list to a user equipment; and a partial-activation for a probing/beacon mode is disclosed. |
| US09961659B2 |
Method of handling frequency de-prioritization
A method of handling frequency de-prioritization for a communication device in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a first Radio resource control (RRC) connection reject message with a first deprioritization request indicating at least one first carrier frequency to be the lowest priority frequency, from a first public land mobile network (PLMN) of the wireless communication system, and determining the at least one first carrier frequency to be the lowest priority frequency only when the communication device selects or registers to the first PLMN. |
| US09961646B2 |
Devices and method using transmit power control and scheduling for LTE unlicensed band operation
An enhanced NodeB (eNB), user equipment (UE) and communication methods therebetween using an unlicensed channel of an unlicensed band are generally described. The eNB measures an interference power level (IPL) of the unlicensed channel at the eNB and determine a transmit power level (TPL) for a downlink transmission based on the IPL, the TPL decreasing with increasing IPL. Feedback including unlicensed channel conditions measured by the UE is used by the eNB to determine the UE-eNB proximity. The eNB determines whether to transmit the downlink transmission to the UE based on the IPL and the proximity; as the IPL increases, the eNB services increasingly proximate UEs until, when the IPL exceeds a predetermined threshold, the eNB does not service any UE using the unlicensed channel. The eNB schedules and transmits the downlink transmission to the UE using the transmit power level. |
| US09961640B2 |
Communication system and IoT system
A communication system and an IoT system are provided. The IoT system is applicable to a wireless network system including an access point. The IoT system includes a WiFi module and a GPIO device. The WiFi module is configured to connect to the access point. The GPIO device is configured to provide a plurality of wake-up signals to the WiFi module through a GPIO pin. A predetermined time period between any two of wake-up signals is greater than an interval between two delivery traffic indication messages from the access point. The WiFi module includes a timer and a power management unit, the power management unit drains power to transfer the WiFi module from a sleep mode to a normal mode after the timer receives the wake-up signal. |
| US09961638B2 |
Wireless device, a radio network node and methods for discontinuous reception in device to device communications
A wireless device and a method for controlling Discontinuous Reception (DRX) in the wireless device. The wireless device is capable of cellular and Device to Device (D2D) communication. The method comprises: when receiving a first uplink cellular communication grant, activating, for a first period of time (t1), a DRX-wake state for a cellular DRX configuration during which DRX-wake state the wireless device is configured to receive a second uplink cellular communication grant, and when receiving a first D2D communication grant, activating, for a second period of time (t2), the DRX-wake state for a D2D DRX configuration, wherein the D2D DRX configuration is separate from the cellular DRX configuration, and during which DRX-wake state the wireless device is configured to receive a second D2D communication grant. Thereby the wireless device is capable of controlling DRX using both the cellular DRX configuration and the D2D DRX configuration. |
| US09961637B2 |
Method for controlling energy consumption and user device
The present invention relates to networks and provides a method and network devices for energy conservation. The method may include detecting media traffic and media management traffic of a first service requested by a user device on a first bearer; segregating the media traffic and the media management traffic on the first bearer by creating a second bearer and transferring the media traffic or the media management traffic to the second bearer. Moreover, the method may include observing the bearer at which the media traffic was transferred, detecting that the media traffic has an inactive status and controlling the energy consumption at the user device based on the inactive status of the media traffic. |
| US09961636B2 |
Electronic device system, terminal device, electronic device system control method, and control program
An electronic device system of the present invention includes a first terminal device having a first wireless communicating section which performs wireless communication and a second terminal device having a second wireless communicating section which performs wireless communication and being configured to enter a sleep mode where an operation of part of circuits of the second wireless communicating section is stopped. The first wireless communicating section of the first terminal device generates and transmits a start notification signal which is not a modulated signal wave for releasing the sleep mode of the second terminal device. The second wireless communicating section of the second terminal device in the first sleep mode receives the start notification signal transmitted from the first wireless communicating section of the first terminal device and releases the sleep mode of the second terminal device depending on the value of the electric power of the start notification signal. |
| US09961629B2 |
Method and apparatus for modulating data and recording medium thereof
Provided are a method and apparatus for modulating data including a controller. The controller is configured to determine sizes of a first complex-number component and a second complex-number component of input data, and determine a cell to assign a sine wave to the input data, based on a difference between the sizes of the first complex-number component and the second complex-number component. |
| US09961628B2 |
Scan channel reduction to improve Wi-Fi system power
A system and method are disclosed that may selectively switch a station's association from a first AP to a second AP based, at least in part, on whether an indication of first RSSI values for the first AP is greater than an indication of second RSSI values for the second AP by more than a difference value. For some embodiments, the difference value may be dynamically adjusted based, at least in part, on the first RSSI values, on a connection history of the station, and/or on a user selection. |
| US09961627B2 |
Device and method for performing machine-to-machine communication
Disclosed are a method and a device for performing machine-to-machine communication. The method for performing communication according to the present invention comprises: a step of searching a second device for supporting machine-to-machine communication; a step of receiving an access network query protocol (ANQP) message from the found second device; a step of determining whether a mirroring service is supported based on the ANQP message received from the second device; a step of acquiring information on the service of the second device from the ANQP message if it is determined that the second device supports the mirroring service; and a step of determining either a first device or the second device as a group owner based on the acquired information on the service of the second device and the information on the service of the first device. |
| US09961626B2 |
Method and device for accessing an internet protocol multimedia subsystem type subsystem
The invention relates to a method for accessing an Internet protocol Multimedia Subsystem type subsystem, said subsystem. According to the invention, a device is firstly connected to a mobile communication network, as a visited network, said first network. The method comprises the following steps. The first network sends to the device a first message comprising current location data relating to a location where the device is currently present. The device analyzes whether at least one roaming rule associated with the current location data is or is not stored within the device. The at least one roaming rule includes, each, at least one parameter for accessing the subsystem. And if the device does store the at least one roaming rule associated with the current location data, then the device sends to the subsystem a second message including a request for connecting to the subsystem. The invention also pertains to a corresponding device. |
| US09961624B1 |
Network slice selection in wireless telecommunication networks
A wireless telecommunication system may utilize multiple network slices, each of which may implement a different core network. In order to route initial attach requests to appropriate network slices and corresponding core networks, a mobility management component sends a received initial attach request to a network slice selector. The network slice selector queries a selection policy function to obtain a designation of a particular network slice to which the attach request should be directed. The network slice selector then sends a redirect request to the mobility management component, instructing the mobility management component to resend the attach request to the designated network slice. |
| US09961614B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for geolocation platform mechanics
Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for geolocating a user and/or a user device, based on one or more location data sources. Some embodiments may include use of a user authentication process (e.g., a two-factor authentication service) to improve confidence in the determined location of a user device. In one embodiment, a user and/or a user device may be allowed or denied access to restricted access content based on the determined location of the device. |
| US09961613B2 |
Distraction prevention system for mobile devices
A system for minimizing driver distractions from a mobile device can include a blocking device and a blocking engine. The blocking device can include a first end, a second end, a cable, and a control board. The first end can include a first connector for coupling to a first port of a mobile device. The second end can include a second connector for coupling to a second port of a vehicle to receive a power signal from the vehicle. The cable can connect the first end to the second end. The control board can determine when movement of the vehicle exceeds a threshold value and transmit a launch signal. The blocking engine can receive the launch signal from the control board and launch a mobile application on the mobile device. |
| US09961611B2 |
Dynamic gateway selection in a wireless communications system
A method and apparatus for selecting a gateway to extend the communication range of a wireless communication device in a radio communication system are provided. A first communication device monitors transmissions from a second wireless communication device. The first device requests that the second device act as a gateway, receives an acknowledgement, and then can initiate a connection via the second device to the radio communication system. The connection uses a first receiver and a transmitter of the first device. The first device uses a second receiver to monitor the second device, and other wireless communication devices of the system, thereby dynamically maintaining a list of at least a primary gateway and a secondary gateway that are available for relaying a connection from the first device. |
| US09961606B2 |
Method of handling simultaneous communications and related communication device
A method of handling simultaneous communications comprises a first base station configuring a radio resource control (RRC) connection to a communication device; the first base station configuring a second base station as a secondary base station to the communication device; the second base station configuring a signalling radio bearer (SRB) to the communication device via the first base station; the second base station transmitting a second measurement configuration to the communication device; the second base station receiving a second measurement report corresponding to the second measurement configuration via the SRB from the communication device; and the second base station adding a secondary cell (SCell) of the second base station to the communication device, releasing a SCell of the communication device, or changing a primary secondary cell (PSCell) of the communication device via the first base station or via the SRB. |
| US09961604B2 |
Radio network information management method and network device
Embodiments disclose a radio network information management method and a network device. A radio network information management method is disclosed, where the method includes determining that a user equipment UE exists in a first mobility management unit, and determining radio network information of the first mobility management unit according to measurement statistic information of the UE in the first mobility management unit. It is therefore implemented that a granularity of acquiring and managing radio network information in a cell is per mobility management unit, and for a complex cell coverage environment, difference a neighboring cells between different areas of the cell and difference about interference between different areas of the cell are specified. The embodiments further disclose a network device. |
| US09961598B2 |
Optimized measurement report order for inter-RAT handover
To carry out inter-RAT handover to the strongest neighbor cell, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus determines a measurement configuration relating to handover from a cell of a source RAT to a cell of one or more target RATs. The apparatus detects trigger events associated with a first cell and a second cell of the one or more target RATs and a serving cell of the source RAT based on the measurement configuration. The apparatus may prioritize the second cell over the first cell in response to the detected trigger events, e.g., based on the received signal strength of the cells. The apparatus may generate a MRM for each of the first cell and the second cell. The MRM for the second cell may be sent to the serving cell before the MRM for the first cell is sent to the serving cell. |
| US09961596B2 |
Determination of a capability of a user equipment
A method for determining a capability of a user equipment. The user equipment is served by a non-shared network in a first place. The non-shared network is configured to transmit a message to the user equipment, the message including information on at least two PLMN identities. The user equipment is configured to deliver a response message from which it is determined if the response message includes information field reserved for at least one PLMN identity in the transmitted message. On a basis of an existence of the information field in the response message it can be determined that the user equipment supports network sharing. In other case it is determined that the user equipment is not supporting network sharing. A network node and a system implementing at least part of the method are also described. |
| US09961595B2 |
Method of handling coverage enhancement in wireless communication system
A method of handling coverage enhancement for a user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system includes determining whether the UE is in an enhanced coverage mode according to the number of repetitions of a downlink transmission based on which the UE successfully decodes a system information block (SIB); and performing an uplink transmission with repetitions or without repetitions based on whether the UE is in the enhanced coverage mode. |
| US09961594B2 |
Terminal device, base station device, communications system, and communications method
A terminal device includes a wireless communication unit performing wireless communication; a connection control unit connecting to a first base station device to wirelessly communicate with the first base station device via the wireless communication unit, the first base station serving as a primary, the connection control unit connecting to a second base station device to wirelessly communicate with the second base station device via the wireless communication unit, the second base station device serving as a secondary; a detection unit determining whether quality of wireless communication between the terminal device and the first base station device is in a low state based on a predetermined condition; and a signal transmission control unit wirelessly transmitting via the wireless communication unit, a predetermined signal toward at least either the first or second base station device when the quality is determined to be in the low state by the detection unit. |
| US09961593B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for handover to circuit switched domain
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus, and system for a handover to a circuit switched domain. The method includes: selecting an MSC capable of both CSFB and SRVCC for a UE; and selecting, if a location service of a CS domain triggers an SRVCC procedure for the UE when the UE has a VOIP service in progress, the MSC capable of both CSFB and SRVCC in the SRVCC procedure, so that the UE, after being handed over to the CS domain, accesses the MSC and implements the location service of the CS domain. The apparatus includes: a first selecting module and a second selecting module. The system includes a UE and the apparatus. The embodiments of the present invention enable the UE with the VOIP service in progress to be correctly handed over to the CS domain and implement the location service. |
| US09961582B2 |
Configuration of coordinated multipoint transmission hypotheses for channel state information reporting
A system and method for providing an eNodeB with the flexibility to configure a Channel State Information (CSI) report to match a specific Coordinated Multipoint (CoMP) transmission hypothesis, which is a candidate for a downlink transmission to a User Equipment (UE) is disclosed. A UE receives, from the eNodeB, a configuration message that specifies a CSI report. The CSI report is specified by a particular interference hypothesis and a particular desired signal hypothesis corresponding to data transmission over at least one effective channel characterized by a specific reference signal. The UE estimates interference according to the interference hypothesis, and/or estimates at least one effective channel by performing measurements on the specific reference signal, and determines a CSI report based on the interference estimation and on the estimated effective channel. The UE also transmits the CSI report to the eNodeB. |
| US09961581B2 |
Status prohibition timer disabling for partial status report
Apparatus and methods, in one or more aspects, provide for status report management of received data packets at a wireless device. The wireless device may determine that a first status report, generated in response to identifying a number of missing data packets within a sequence of a plurality of data packets received at the UE, includes information associated with fewer than the number of missing data packets. The wireless device may transmit the first status report. The wireless device may also disable a status prohibition timer in response to the transmitting based on the determination. The wireless device may transmit a second status report including information associated with a remainder of the number of missing data packets not included in the first status report. |
| US09961580B2 |
Mobile terminal devices and methods of performing radio measurements
A mobile terminal device includes a processing circuit and a receiver circuit. The processing circuit is configured to determine if a multimedia data stream associated with a mobile communication network is received, identify a set of reception timing occasions of the multimedia data stream, and calculate an alternate radio measurement schedule based on the set of reception timing occasions. The receiver circuit is configured to receive the multimedia data stream and perform one or more radio measurements according to the alternate radio measurement schedule if the multimedia data stream is received while the mobile terminal device is in an idle radio connection state, and perform one or more radio measurements according to a default radio measurement schedule if no multimedia data stream is received while the mobile terminal device is in the idle radio connection state. |
| US09961578B2 |
Method and system for analyzing radio performance during over-the-air operations
An apparatus for identifying failed or suspect RF transmitting devices while the devices are in normal operation transmitting over-the-air RF signals, each of the RF transmitting devices including an identifier and being mobile, portable or stationary, includes an RF signal sensor receiving the RF signals and responsive thereto, an analyzer, and a GUI. The analyzer measuring signal parameters and determines operating characteristics of a device therefrom, determining the identifier, if each RF signal conforms to packet structure specifications, and bit-field information of each RF signal to discern therefrom a transmission type, measures RF frequency offset, correlates the bit-field information with the RF frequency offset utilizing the identifier; and repeats the last three steps to determine a range of RF frequency offset deviations over time. The GUI displays the range in a form used to identify an RF frequency offset range of the RF transmitting device. |
| US09961575B2 |
Predicting channel state
A process of wireless communication for obtaining channel quality information alignment includes predicting a channel state of a future downlink subframe of a signal. The process also includes providing a base station with a set of parameters based on the predicted channel state. For example, a user equipment (UE) can obtain a recommended transport block size (RTBS) from the predictor process, and return the RTBS to the base station as one of the set of parameters. |
| US09961572B2 |
Augmentation, expansion and self-healing of a geographically distributed mesh network using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology
An apparatus is provided including an unmanned aerial vehicle and a transformer monitoring device, particularly for use in a smart grid network system to support a wireless mesh network in the smart grid network and to collect metering data relating to electricity usage in the smart grid network. The transformer monitoring device is configured to receive signaling containing data from one or more network devices in a smart grid network and transmit signaling containing data to the one or more network devices in the smart grid network, and also to receive signaling containing metered usage data from at least one electric meter associated with a building receiving electricity from a transformer in the smart grid network. |
| US09961570B2 |
Wireless communication device, wireless communication system, wireless communication method, and program
There is provided a wireless communication device including a control-message creation/transmission-instruction unit which sends notification information via a wireless communication network and also sends response information in the case of receiving notification information sent from another device, a reception/interpretation processing unit which receives, from another device which has received the notification information of the wireless communication device, response information of such other device and also receives the notification information sent from such other device, and an operation mode determination unit which determines, based on operation mode determination information included in the notification information of such other device or the response information of such other device, that the wireless communication device is caused to operate as one of a master device and a slave device. |
| US09961565B2 |
Method for millimeter wave beam tracking
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may receive a request to perform directional signal strength measurements and provide location data associated with the WTRU. The WTRU may transmit directional signal strength measurements, based on the request and the location data associated with the WTRU, to facilitate generation of a directional radio environment map (DREM). The WTRU may receive a request to switch to a new transmission and reception beam pair based on the DREM. |
| US09961559B2 |
Accurate short range positioning with wireless signals
Positioning determination of a communication device in a wireless communication network is supported by a positioning device receiving [230] tight synchronization signals from a master positioning cell; determining [232] therefrom a plurality of time differences between their actual and theoretical times of arrival; synchronizing [234] a positioning cell clock based on the received tight synchronization signals adjusted by the time differences; and emitting [236] to the communication device a positioning signal at a time determined by the synchronization. The positioning signal includes an identifier of the positioning cell, and it is transmitted so as not to interfere with positioning pilot signals transmitted by the wireless communication network. The positioning device may alternatively receive synchronization signals from another positioning cell instead of a master positioning cell. |
| US09961551B2 |
Authorized access to vehicle data
Disclosed in some examples are methods, systems, and machine readable mediums which provide for controlled access of vehicle information by trusted authority systems. These systems may allow for police and other authority figures to utilize the onboard systems of the vehicle or obtain other information about the vehicle and occupants while safely in their own vehicles prior to an initial encounter with the vehicle and occupants. |
| US09961549B2 |
Right object acquisition method and system
A batch rights objects (ROs) acquisition method and system is provided to enable a mobile terminal to acquire multiple rights objects in a batch processing manner. A rights object acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes transmitting a rights object request message requesting one or more rights objects of content objects from a mobile terminal to a rights issuer; creating, at the rights issuer, a rights object response message containing at least one of rights objects indicated by the rights object request message and at least one signature in response to the rights object request message; and transmitting the rights object response message from the rights issuer to the mobile terminal. |
| US09961546B2 |
System and method for rapid authentication in wireless communications
Various methods and communications devices to improve association and handoff performance of a wireless network are provided. By way of example, a modified state machine that permits reduced security requirements for authentication in order to achieve fast authentication is employed. The modified state machine providing fast authentication remains compatible with the classic state machine implementing the wireless fidelity (WiFi) standard. |
| US09961545B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for authentication during fast initial link setup
Systems, methods, and devices for authentication during fast initial network link setup within wireless communication systems are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for wireless communication is provided. The method includes generating an aggregated message, the aggregated message comprising a pairwise master key identifier (PMKID) and an extensible authentication protocol re-authentication protocol (EAP-RP) frame. The method further includes transmitting the aggregated message. |
| US09961544B2 |
Personalized media delivery
The disclosure includes a system including media assets and an access system. The media assets include standard media and restricted media. The restricted media is different from the standard media. The access system receives an accessory identifier from a client device communicatively coupled to an accessory associated with the accessory identifier. The access system further authorizes access for the client device to the restricted media based at least in part on the accessory identifier. The standard media is accessible to the client device regardless of the access system receiving the accessory identifier. The restricted media is not accessible to the client device when the access system has not received the accessory identifier. |
| US09961542B2 |
Method and system to enable secure communication for inter-eNB transmission
The embodiments herein provide a method and system for creating a secure connection for a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless network including a UE, carrier aggregated with at least one first serving frequency served by a first eNB and at least one second serving frequency served by a second eNB. A unique non-repetitive security base key associated with the second eNB is generated using a freshness parameter and security key associated with the first eNB. The use of a different freshness parameter for each security base key derivation avoids key stream repetition. Further, a user plane encryption key is derived based on the generated unique non-repetitive security base key associated with the second eNB for encrypting data transfer over at least one data radio bearer. |
| US09961537B2 |
Wireless communication device, information processing method and recording medium
The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, an information processing method, and a recording medium for the same. The wireless communication device according to the invention a checking section for checking ID information, set to a communication network by automatic setting or user's selection setting, of communication network IDs of one or more communication network devices accessible by the wireless communication device at current place, and checking a web address for a place corresponding to the checked network ID; and a processing section for changing a web address, for an output object, pre-set on a web browser program into the web address for the place corresponding to the checked network ID while interlocking with the web browser program equipped in the wireless communication device. |
| US09961536B2 |
System and method for implementing histogram controlled mobile devices
A communication network and software for its implementation that controls a mobile device based on historical user activity is provided. The mobile device communicates with a server and includes a function that is dependent on the user activity. The server senses the user activity over time and produces a histogram of that activity. The rate at which the server attempts to sense the user activity depends on the histogram. An application might change the function depending on the result of detecting the user activity and the rate at which it does so. |
| US09961534B2 |
Program and information processing apparatus
To judge whether there is roaming, a computer is caused to perform a position information acquisition procedure to acquire position information of the computer, a connection carrier information acquisition procedure to acquire connection carrier identification information for identifying a communication carrier of a communication network to which the computer is connected at the position where the position information was acquired, and a log information generation procedure to generate log information in which the position information and the connection carrier identification information are associated with each other. |
| US09961528B2 |
Methods and systems for registering detection of electronic devices
Methods and systems for registering detection of electronic devices are provided. First, a first signal is wirelessly received by an electronic device, wherein the first signal is broadcasted by a first electronic device, and the first signal at least includes identification data and specific information corresponding to the first electronic device. The specific information includes motion information of the first electronic device, or specific data generated based on the motion information. Then, a registration process is performed for the first signal by first determining whether the specific information conforms to predefined information. When the specific information conforms to predefined information, the identification data corresponding to the first electronic device is registered. Signals having the registered identification data will be further processed in the electronic device. |
| US09961524B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient security management of disaster message in mobile communication system
The present invention relates to a public warning system (PWS) in a mobile Communication network, and the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for resolving a security problem occurring in the PWS with a protocol and actions between other network entities, and managing same. A user equipment (UE), according to the present invention, saves a public key and a public key index pair of a cell broadcast center (CBC), verifies the CBC which has transmitted a digital signature when the digital signature is received from a subject that transmits a public warning, and resolves a security problem related to a public security system so as to receive a message by the public warning system. As a result, according to the present invention, when the public warning message is received in environments such as an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN), a universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN), or a GSM/EDGE radio access network (GERAN), the subject that has sent the public warning message is verified by the user equipment, thereby enabling the user equipment to perform an action appropriate to the warning message in an emergency disaster situation. |
| US09961518B2 |
Systems and methods for messaging using a broadband connection
Systems and methods for sending and receiving text, or data, messages between wireless communication devices and wireline-messaging devices utilize a broadband connection to the wireline premises as the signaling channel. A message application server sends messages directly to wireline-messaging devices through a digital network, such as the Internet. Such systems and methods include wireline-messaging devices integrated with premises telephones connected to a PSTN, in which the telephones are adapted with thin client software to send and receive data messages. |
| US09961517B2 |
Push to talk system with wireless interface
A communication system includes a headset including a microphone and an audio speaker installed on the headset, the headset including an RF transceiver configured to perform wireless communication with a two-way radio having a push-to-talk communication channel. The RF transceiver is further configured to perform wireless communication with an information handling system. The headset includes processing electronics configured to process an input signal from the microphone and output a first processed signal to the RF transceiver and to process an input signal from the RF transceiver and output a second processed signal to the speaker. A remote control unit is configured to perform wireless communication with the headset, the remote control unit including a remote control unit interface disposed thereon for selectively configuring the headset to function as an audio interface for the push-to-talk communication channel and an audio interface for the information handling system. |
| US09961514B2 |
Effective presence for push-to-talk-over-cellular (PoC) networks
A system and method for providing effective presence for Push-to-talk-over-Cellular (PoC) networks, wherein one or more servers performs an effective presence delivery method that reduces presence notifications delivered to mobile units participating in advanced voice services, while ensuring that the presence notifications relevant to the mobile units are available when the advanced voice services are invoked by the mobile units. The presence notifications are used to indicate a change in network presence of the mobile units. In addition, the presence notifications are used to indicate a change in self-availability status of the mobile units. |
| US09961513B2 |
Device, system and method of wireless communication
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of wireless communication. For example, a wireless communication unit may include a Multi Media-Access-Control (MAC) Address Station-Management-Entity (MM-SME) managing a plurality of MAC entities having a respective plurality of MAC addresses. The wireless communication unit may transmit a frame including a Multi-MAC-Addresses-Element (MMAE), which includes two or more MAC addresses of the plurality of MAC addresses and a control field defining at least one common communication attribute to be applied to the two or more MAC addresses. |
| US09961510B2 |
Protocols for multiple user frame exchanges
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for multi user bar protocols and frames. According to certain aspects, an apparatus is provided for wireless communications. The apparatus generally includes a processing system configured to determine that a plurality of devices have a first capability and generate a multi-user (MU) packet that solicits an immediate response from a plurality of the devices, wherein the immediate response comprises an acknowledgment (ACK) or block ACK (BA) and an interface configured to output the MU packet for transmission. |
| US09961505B2 |
Radio communication terminal and radio communication method
A radio communication terminal receives position information showing a position of another radio communication terminal. The radio communication terminal obtains, from the position information, a terminal ID of the radio communication terminal, and a beacon ID for identifying the predetermined location nearest to the radio communication terminal. The radio communication terminal accepts the predetermined location designated by a user. The radio communication terminal determines as a communication partner terminal, the other radio communication terminal that is nearest to the accepted predetermined location based on the terminal ID and the beacon ID. The radio communication terminal performs communication with the determined communication partner terminal. |
| US09961503B2 |
Wireless relay station for radio frequency-based tracking system
System and methods of tracking a position of a mobile device with an electromagnetic signal-transmitting antenna include receiving electromagnetic signals from the transmitting antenna of the mobile device by a plurality of receiver antennae of a base station and by one or more receiver antennae of a relay station. The relay station transmits to the base station timing information associated with the electromagnetic signals received by the one or more receiver antennae of the relay station. The base station computes a position of the transmitting antenna of the mobile device based on timing information computed from the electromagnetic signals received by the plurality of receiver antennae of the base station and on the timing information received from the relay station. |
| US09961501B1 |
Method and system for correcting GPS-based Position information using local correction information in a network of moving things
Systems and methods are described that use anchors to correct satellite-based geographic positioning data in a network of moving things. A plurality of anchor nodes using low-cost, non-differential GPS capable receiver may be used to correct positioning information of a plurality of other nodes of a network of moving things. Nodes in the network may share correction information produced by the anchor nodes with neighboring nodes, enabling other nodes of the network to correct positioning information produced by their own receivers of satellite-based geo-positioning information. |
| US09961499B2 |
Mobile device reminder/controller system
A mobile device management system includes a mobile device, a locator unit, and an operation unit. The locator unit includes a transmitter and is disposed on or in the mobile device. The operation unit is configured to receive the wireless signal. The units are configured to determine a distance between the locator unit and the operation unit and to cause a notification device to perform a notification when the distance is greater than a threshold signal strength value. The mobile device can also be configured to send a wireless signal to the locator unit when the mobile device receives a call or a message. The operation unit can be used to control the mobile device. A method using the system can help a person remember to retrieve the mobile device, to know to pick up a phone call, or to control a mobile device remotely. |
| US09961496B2 |
Methods and systems for context based anomaly monitoring
Various embodiments include methods, and computing devices configured to implement the methods, for anomaly monitoring using context-based sensor output correlation. A computing device may obtain output of a first sensor and may determine that an anomaly is likely to occur based on the obtained output of the first sensor. The computing device may transmit a message indicating that the anomaly is likely to occur, causing receiving computing devices to begin logging output of sensors of the receiving computing devices. The computing device may determine whether the anomaly did occur. If the anomaly did occur, the computing device may transmit a sensor output request. Nearby computing devices may receive this sensor output request and may transmit collected sensor data to the first computing device. The first computing device may receive the sensor output collected by the various receiving devices and may correlate the first sensor output with the received sensor output. |
| US09961491B1 |
Generating geofences
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating geofences. One of the methods includes receiving, at a mobile device, a signal emitted by a merchant device associated with a merchant. If the signal is emitted by a merchant device associated with a merchant and the distance between the mobile device and the merchant device satisfies a threshold, a notification is provided on the mobile device indicating proximity of the merchant associated with the merchant device. |
| US09961490B2 |
Application Provisioning System
Systems and methods for provisioning applications include storing an application identifier in association with location information in a database that is accessible by a user device. The user device then detects that it is located at a location included in the location information. In response to detecting that it is located at the location, the user device determines an application that is included on the user device and that is identified by the application identifier that is associated with the first location. The user device then automatically provides the application for display to a user. In some embodiments, the application may be automatically provided by automatically launching the application on the user device, and that application may be automatically closed if the user device leaves the location or the application is not used for a predetermined amount of time. |
| US09961488B2 |
Systems and methods to track locations visited by mobile devices and update keyword values based on neighbor relations and distances among locations
Systems and methods including mobile devices determining their locations using location determination units, such as GPS receivers. Locations of the mobile devices and predefined locations/regions that have been visited by the mobile devices during a period of time are efficiently organized into a location graph that identifies the neighbors of predefined locations, distances to neighbors, and visitation counts of mobile devices to the predefined locations during the period of time. Keyword values for keywords representing user attributes are assigned to mobile devices and the predefined locations. Based on the location graph, the keyword values are propagated via the location graph, from neighbors to predefined locations, from mobile devices to predefined locations, and from predefined locations to mobile devices, to incrementally improve the accuracy of the keyword values over a number of time periods. |
| US09961485B2 |
Communication device
A communication device may perform a predetermined communication using a first type communication link via a wireless interface with the target device being a first type device, determine, by using attribute information, which of the first type device or a second type device the target device is, execute an authentication of the target device being the second type device, disconnect the second type communication link without executing an authentication of the target device in a case where it is determined that the target device is the first type device, and perform the predetermined communication using the first type communication link via the wireless interface with the target device being the first type device in a case where the first type communication link is established between the communication device and the target device being the first type device after the second type communication link has been disconnected. |
| US09961482B2 |
Portable electronic equipment which wirelessly receives a sound signal from a terminal and transmits a control signal for controlling the terminal
A portable electronic equipment including a main body configured to be worn on a user's neck; a user input unit on the main body; a short-range wireless chipset loaded in the main body and configured to perform wireless communication with a host media device; and a controller configured to sense, via a sensor, whether or not the user is wearing the main body on their neck, and selectively control the short-range wireless chipset to perform the wireless communication with the host media device via a designated profile supported by the host media device and a function implemented by the host media device. |
| US09961479B2 |
Method and apparatus for registering devices in gateway
A method and apparatus for a master gateway to register a device in a smart home network system. The method includes selecting performance parameters related to the device measured by at least two gateways including the master gateway; collecting, from the at least two gateways, at least one first information item about the performance parameters measured for the device capable of being registered in the at least two gateways; creating second information used to register the device, based on the at least one first information item, by the at least two gateways; and instructing one of the at least two gateways to register the device, based on the second information. The present invention relates to a sensor network, Machine Type Communication (MTC), Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, and technology for the Internet of Things (IoT). The present invention may be applied to intelligent services based on the above technologies, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, and security and safety services. |
| US09961478B2 |
Internet of things electronic signal aggregator and repeater
The present disclosure is directed to logging random “chirps” of IoT devices and rebroadcasting these chirps to other devices on demand. An apparatus consistent with the present disclosure includes a transmitter to communicate with a network of wireless-communication-enabled devices. The apparatus also includes a receiver to detect communications transmitted from the wireless-communication-enabled device. Further, the apparatus includes control unit logic to tally the number of electrical signals emitted from each wireless-communication-enabled device. In addition, the apparatus includes memory to store the number of emitted electrical signals. The apparatus further includes a power unit electrically coupled to the transmitter, receiver, and memory. |
| US09961472B2 |
Acoustic beacon for broadcasting the orientation of a device
A method for determining the orientation of a loudspeaker relative to a listening device is described. The method simultaneously drives each transducer to emit beam patterns corresponding to distinct orthogonal audio signals. The listening device senses sounds produced by the orthogonal audio signals and analyzes the sensed audio signal to determine the spatial orientation of the loudspeaker relative to the listening device. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US09961466B2 |
Audio signal processing apparatus and method for binaural rendering
The present invention relates to an audio signal processing apparatus and an audio signal processing method to perform binaural rendering. To this end, provided are an audio signal processing apparatus to perform binaural filtering an input audio signal, including: a first filtering unit configured to filter the input audio signal by a first lateral transfer function to generate a first lateral output signal; and a second filtering unit configured to filter the input audio signal by a second lateral transfer function to generate a second lateral output signal, wherein the first lateral transfer function and the second lateral transfer function are generated by modifying an interaural transfer function (ITF) with respect to the input audio signal and an audio signal processing method using the same. |
| US09961465B2 |
Method for improving speaker performance and terminal device
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for improving speaker performance and a terminal device, when a speaker is being driven, an algorithm parameter that matches the speaker is selected, to resolve a problem that adjustment and control performance is reduced because of a difference in speaker models, and can effectively improve performance of a speaker. The method includes obtaining an identity of a speaker, where the identity is used to identify the speaker; obtaining an algorithm parameter corresponding to the speaker from a preset algorithm parameter library according to the identity of the speaker, where the preset algorithm parameter library comprises algorithm parameters of speakers of at least two models; sending the algorithm parameter corresponding to the speaker to a smart speaker power amplifier module, so that the smart speaker power amplifier module drives the speaker according to the algorithm parameter corresponding to the speaker. |
| US09961462B2 |
Method and system for checking an acoustic transducer
An acoustic transducer and audio system are checked for operability continuously during operation without interfering with their operation. An inaudible test signal is added on top of a normal audio signal of an electronic device. A mix of the test signal and the normal audio signal is converted to a digital signal which is processed by a type of Fourier transformation, e.g. the Goertzel algorithm, to derive the magnitude of the digital signal at the test signal frequency. The derived magnitude is used to gain knowledge about the functionality of the acoustic transducer and its electrical connection to the electric device, as well as a common audio path. |
| US09961459B2 |
Method for improving audio experience for a user of an audio device
A method for improving audio experience for a user of an audio device is provided. The method includes establishing a communication channel between the audio device and a remote client; detecting a peripheral audio device in the vicinity of the audio device; establishing a temporary communication channel between the peripheral audio device and the remote client; and transferring, via the temporary communication channel, audio data between the peripheral audio device and the remote client. |
| US09961457B2 |
RF antenna and hearing device with RF antenna
The present disclosure relates to an RF antenna adapted to receive and/or transmit electromagnetic RF signals within a first frequency range enclosing a first frequency of resonance of the RF antenna, the RF antenna comprising: an electrically conductive antenna element having a feed for electrically connecting to an RF transmitter and/or an RF receiver; an electronic component adapted to receive and/or provide one or more electric signals from/to an electronic circuit within a second frequency range not overlapping the first frequency range; and one or more electric leads electrically connected to lead the one or more electric signals between the electronic component and the electronic circuit, each of the one or more electric leads being electrically connected to the electronic circuit through a respective inductor adapted to reflect and/or attenuate signals within the first frequency range and pass signals within the second frequency range. |
| US09961454B2 |
Optical electro-mechanical hearing devices with separate power and signal components
A device to transmit an audio signal comprises at least one light source configured to transmit the audio signal with at least one wavelength of light. At least one detector is configured to detect the audio signal and generate at least one electrical signal in response to the at least one wavelength of light. A transducer is supported with and configured to vibrate at least one of an eardrum, an ossicle or a cochlea. Active circuitry is coupled to the transducer to drive the transducer in response to the at least one electrical signal, so as to provide the user with high quality sound. |
| US09961452B2 |
MEMS microphone package
In one embodiment a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone package includes a multiple layer substrate, an upper acoustic port formed through a plurality of upper layers of the multiple layer substrate and exposing an upper surface of a membrane portion, a lower acoustic port formed through a plurality of lower layers of the multiple layer substrate and exposing a lower surface of the membrane portion, a ring trench formed through at least one of the plurality of upper layers and exposing a metal ring, a MEMS die located above the ring trench, a copper pillar ring extending between the metal ring and the MEMS die, and a solder pillar ring positioned on a first surface of the copper pillar ring, the copper pillar ring and solder pillar ring attaching the MEMS die to the metal ring. |
| US09961450B2 |
Piezoresistive microphone and method of fabricating the same
A piezoresistive microphone includes a substrate, an insulating layer, and a polysilicon layer. A first pattern is disposed within the polysilicon layer. The first pattern includes numerous first opening. A second pattern is disposed within the polysilicon layer. The second pattern includes numerous second openings. The first pattern surrounds the second pattern. Each first opening and each second opening are staggered. A first resistor is disposed in the polysilicon and between the first pattern and the second pattern. The first resistor is composed of numerous first heavily doped regions and numerous first lightly doped regions. The first heavily doped regions and the first lightly doped regions are disposed in series. The first heavily doped region and the first lightly doped region are disposed alternately. A cavity is disposed in the insulating layer and the substrate. |
| US09961447B2 |
Micro speaker
A speaker comprises a permanent magnet (2) and a coil (8) positioned around the permanent magnet (2) and attached to a membrane (10), wherein the membrane comprises an elastomer of thickness less than 0.3 mm and with a Young's modulus below 100 MPa. |
| US09961443B2 |
Microphone signal fusion
Provided are systems and methods for microphone signal fusion. An example method commences with receiving a first and second signal representing sounds captured, respectively, by external and internal microphones. The internal microphone is located inside an ear canal and sealed for isolation from outside acoustic signals. The external microphone is located outside the ear canal. The first signal comprises a voice component. The second signal comprises a voice component modified by at least human tissue. The first and second signals are processed to obtain noise estimates. The voice component of the second signal is aligned with the voice component of the first signal. The first signal and the aligned voice component of the second signal are blended, based on the noise estimates, to generate an enhanced voice signal. Prior to aligning, the voice component of the second signal may be processed to emphasize high frequency content, improving effective alignment bandwidth. |
| US09961436B2 |
Headset comprising heart rate measurement unit
Disclosed are an earpiece and a headset comprising an earpiece, where the earpiece is configured to be arranged at least partly in an ear of a user. The earpiece comprising a heart rate measurement unit for measuring the heart rate in/at the ear of the user; a receiving member configured for accommodating and/or receiving a detachable speaker unit of the headset; and a detachable speaker unit which is configured to be inserted and/or attached and removed and/detached from the receiving member of the earpiece. |
| US09961435B1 |
Smart earphones
A set of earphones or other wearable or portable audio equipment may be configured to play relevant sound signals from a speaker provided within a cavity mounted about an ear of a user. The earphones may include one or more microphones for capturing acoustic energy within a vicinity of the earphones, or may be in communication with one or more external microphones. Where one or more of the microphones captures acoustic energy that includes a plurality of sound signals, the signals may be processed to identify one of the signals that is relevant to the user. The relevant signal may be reconstructed and amplified from the speaker, and all other signals may be ignored or attenuated. The signals may be further processed to determine any additional information regarding sources of the signals, including whether such signals are within a vicinity of the user, or may pose a risk to the user. |
| US09961433B2 |
Case with inductive charging system to charge a portable device
A case for a portable listening device includes a rechargeable battery and a first and a second charging system. The first charging system is configured to charge the portable listening device and the second charging system is configured to wirelessly charge a portable electronic device positioned outside of the case adjacent to an exterior charging surface. |
| US09961432B2 |
Race progress apparatus
A portable unit usable by a person when carrying out an exercise is described. The unit is programmable with details of a virtual athlete and their performance in a specific race, to enable the user to race against the virtual athlete. The unit informs the user through headphones of the progress of the virtual athlete during a race being carried out by a user. The unit may also be programmable with periodic encouragement messages for a user. |
| US09961431B2 |
Earbud case with wireless radio shutdown feature
A case for a portable listening device includes a lid and a lid sensor to detect if the lid is in an open or a closed position. The case further includes circuitry configured to turn on a wireless radio within the portable listening device when the lid sensor detects the lid is moved from the closed position to the open position. |
| US09961424B1 |
Audio cabinet and control panel
Our audio cabinet includes a recess in a cabinet wall in which is seated a control panel comprising a rigid plate bent to form a first planar section and a second planar section connected together by a slanted planar section. An exposed face surface of the slanted planar section includes at least one socket for inserting a plug of a cable. The rigid plate has a configuration that is complementary to the configuration of a perimeter of the recess so the plate fits within the recess with the exposed face surface facing the one side of the enclosure. With the plate seated in the recess the socket faces the one side of the enclosure and the exposed face of the slanted section is offset a predetermined distance from said one side to provide clearance for the plug to be inserted into the socket. The dimensions of the recess and angles of the plate are arranged such that an inserted plug is protected from contact with the floor if the audio cabinet is toppled over. |
| US09961423B2 |
Loudspeaker module applied inside terminal
Disclosed is a loudspeaker module applied inside a terminal, wherein, the terminal comprises a terminal housing, and the loudspeaker module is fixed inside the terminal. The loudspeaker module comprises a loudspeaker unit and a module housing for accommodating and fixing the loudspeaker unit. A closed space formed by the loudspeaker unit, an outer wall of the module housing, and the terminal housing is a rear sound cavity. By means of the loudspeaker module provided in the present invention, the usable space inside the terminal can be converted into the rear sound cavity, so that the space of the rear sound cavity is enlarged, and the acoustic performance of the loudspeaker module can be effectively improved. Therefore, the present invention makes full use of the inside space of the terminal to realize the thinning of the loudspeaker module without changing the inside space of the terminal, and achieves good acoustic performance. |
| US09961421B2 |
Microphone stand adjusting structure
A microphone stand structure allows an upper frame rod to be elevated automatically for adjustment to a proper elevation after a locking seat is released. A pressure rod is received and mounted in a hollow main frame rod and includes an extensible member having a top end supporting a bottom end of the upper frame rod movably inserted into the hollow main frame rod such that the whole stand height can be selectively fixed simply locking the locking seat. |
| US09961419B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication system, and communication method
A communication apparatus includes: a data generating unit that generates write data to be sent to any other communication apparatus at an arbitrary timing; a communication unit that repeatedly sends a read request to the other communication apparatus until the write data is generated and, at the same time, repeatedly receives a read response sent from the other communication apparatus in response to the read request; and a data acquisition unit that acquires read data, which is sent along with the read response by the other communication apparatus, when the read data is generated at an arbitrary timing by the other communication apparatus. |
| US09961416B2 |
Method and apparatus for set-top-box activation
A method performed by a set-top box operating on a network includes generating an indicia containing a media access control address of the set-top box and a first uniform resource locator which is displayed for scanning by a companion device. The set-top-box receives entitlements for activation if the entitlements were previously granted. If the entitlements were not previously granted, the set-top box receives a second uniform resource locator with which it generates an updated indicia which is displayed for scanning by the companion device. The set-top-box then receives entitlements for activation of the set-top box if initiation of the subscription occurs. The set-top box removes the updated indicia from display and uses the entitlements to active the set-top box to receive multimedia content on the network. |
| US09961412B2 |
Cellular communication system for broadcast communication
A cellular communication system is described for supporting broadcast transmission in at least one of a plurality of communication cells. The cellular communication system comprises at least one base station (210) capable of broadcasting content to at least one wireless communication unit (226) via at least one relay node (RN) (224), wherein the at least one base station (210) is arranged to supplement the broadcast transmission with at least one augmented unicast transmission associated with the broadcast content. |
| US09961410B1 |
Systems and methods for conflict detection based on user preferences
Systems and methods for detecting a conflict between viewing selections of two users before viewing a media asset. In some aspects, the method comprises receiving an audio input through an audio channel, detecting a first utterance from a first user and a second utterance from a second user in the input of the audio channel, parsing the first utterance and the second utterance, analyzing the first utterance and the second utterance to determine context about the first media asset and the second media asset, and presenting a conflict to the users to display on the media asset. |
| US09961409B2 |
Reception device, reception method, broadcasting device, broadcasting method, and link application control system
There is provided a reception device configured to receive content broadcast via a broadcasting network, the reception device including an application execution unit configured to execute a link application that is able to change a layout of a screen with reference to a video of the received content, and an application control unit configured to control the application execution unit based on application control information relating to the link application so that activation of the link application is restricted. |
| US09961408B2 |
Apparatus, systems and methods for video output brightness adjustment
Systems and methods are operable to increase brightness output from a display. An exemplary embodiment detects a predefined user action of a remote control, and then increases brightness of a currently presented image that is being presented on the display in response to detecting the predefined user action so that an ambient lighting level in the vicinity of the display is increased. |
| US09961404B2 |
Media fingerprinting for content determination and retrieval
Audio fingerprinting and other media matching technologies can be used to identify broadcast media, such as television shows and radio broadcasts. A user device can record image, audio, and/or video information and upload information to a matching service that is able to use matching technology to identify the media and provide supplemental content or information to the user. The user might receive information identifying a product in an advertisement, identifying an actor on screen in a movie at a particular time, or other such information. In some embodiments, the user can receive access to a digital copy of the captured media, such as the ability to download a copy of a program in which a user expressed interest. Since a user might capture media information after the point of interest, a device can buffer a window of recently captured media in order to attempt to identify the intended media. |
| US09961402B1 |
Managing advertising attributes for channels in an internet-based content platform
An internet-based content platform that includes subscribable channels is provided. The internet-based content platform provides channels to end users. The internet-based content platform allows a channel curator to identify a paid channel where the paid channel is associated with a plurality of media items. The internet-based content platform allows a channel curator to indicate a subscriber set of advertising attributes for the paid channel and a non-subscriber set of advertising attributes for the paid channel. The internet-based content platform associates the subscriber set of advertising attributes and the non-subscriber set of advertising attributes with the paid channel. |
| US09961401B2 |
Media content crowdsource
The provisioning of media content to computing devices that might not normally have access thereto. Example types of media or media content may include advertising media, broadcast media, social media, news media, and others. |
| US09961400B2 |
Real-time DVR programming
Techniques for real-time DVR programming employ secure instant message protocol in a DVR environment. An embodiment sends an instant message to the DVR which causes the DVR to open a new secure connection with the service provider for synchronizing data on the DVR with updated programming data from the service provider. Another embodiment uses an already established connection with an instant message server for synchronizing data on the DVR with updated programming data from the service provider. |
| US09961399B2 |
Method and apparatus for organizing and bookmarking content
An approach is provided for creating user-defined folders for organizing content accessible through a set-top box and for creating multiple bookmarks per set-top box program for use during programming playback. |
| US09961398B2 |
Method and device for switching video streams
Disclosed is a method and device for switching video streams. The method comprises: acquiring video streams of a video in response to receiving a playback request for the video sent by a terminal, the video streams comprising: a video stream with a first group of pictures (GOP) frame number and a video stream with a second GOP frame number; sending the video stream with the first GOP frame number to the terminal, searching for a third key frame in the video stream with the first GOP frame number, and extracting a decoding time stamp (DTS) of the third key frame; searching the video stream with the second GOP frame number for a frame having an identical DTS; determining whether the frame is a fourth key frame in response to finding the frame having the identical DTS; and sending the video stream with the second GOP frame number to the terminal. |
| US09961397B2 |
Centralized broadband gateway for a wireless communication system
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a centralized broadband gateway for a wireless communication system, including a router/gateway module which receives encoded compressed audio/video (A/V) streams and distributes the encoded compressed audio/video A/V streams; multiple audio/video decoders which receive the encoded compressed A/V streams from the a router/gateway module, decode the encoded compressed A/V streams, and output uncompressed A/V streams; and an integrated Wireless High Definition Multimedia Interface (WHDMI) which receives the uncompressed A/V streams from the multiple audio/video decoders and transmits the uncompressed A/V streams wirelessly to media devices, without deploying individual media processors at each media device. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09961396B2 |
Storing and accessing segments of recorded programs
An apparatus for recording multimedia content transmitted over a network including a reception interface for receiving the multimedia content from the network, a user input interface for receiving user inputs, and a storage resource including executable instructions including a recording module for recording the multimedia content in accordance with the user inputs. The user inputs also include a multimedia selection signal for indicating the multimedia content to be recorded, and a segmenting signal for indicating a size of at least one of a plurality of segments in which the multimedia content is recorded. |
| US09961394B2 |
Display apparatus, controlling method thereof, and display system
A display apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive an image, a display configured to display the image, a communicator configured to perform communication with an external server and receive On-Screen Display (OSD) configuration information, and a controller configured to, when an OSD event occurs, extract an OSD configuration element from the displayed image, determines whether the extracted OSD configuration element matches the received OSD configuration information, and in response to determining that the extracted OSD configuration element matches the received OSD configuration information, obtain information regarding the displayed image from the extracted OSD configuration element. |
| US09961391B2 |
Multimedia device and method for driving the same
A multimedia device includes a distance sensor which measures a viewing distance, a controller which controls an output timing of a video signal and an output timing of an audio signal based on the viewing distance, an audio device which outputs a sound in response to the audio signal, and a display device which outputs an image in response to the video signal. |
| US09961385B2 |
News production system with program schedule modification feature
In one aspect, an example method involves: accessing, by a computing device, a program schedule of a news program; accessing, by the computing device, data associated with an election; using, by the computing device, the accessed data to make a determination that a status of the election satisfies each condition in a condition set; responsive to making the determination that the status of the election satisfies each condition in the condition set, modifying, by the computing device, the program schedule at least by inserting into the program schedule a record that corresponds to the election; and displaying, by the computing device, the modified program schedule. |
| US09961383B2 |
Methods and apparatus for business-based network resource allocation
Methods and apparatus for optimizing the distribution and delivery of content within a content-based network based on e.g., business or revenue considerations. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network that utilizes a Global Session Resource Manager (GSRM). The GSRM processes subscriber program viewing requests to identify options available to fulfill the request (including, e.g., providing free on-demand (FOD), standard definition on-demand (SVOD), and/or high definition on-demand (HDVOD) content), and evaluate these options to determine the one that optimizes network revenue or profit. The GSRM performs this identification and evaluation process by considering various parameters including network resource (e.g., bandwidth) availability, and different revenue and profit implications for different classes of service, the individual or collective demographic or other profile of network subscribers, and other business or operational rules programmed by the operator of the network. Business methods based on such network optimization are also described. |
| US09961379B2 |
Priori scheduling of multiple assets within a collection of asset delivery opportunities
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for constructing a schedule well before the time of an asset delivery opportunity that associates a collection of one or more assets, potentially from multiple advertisers or asset providers, that are planned to play in each asset delivery opportunity. Specific rules for each device also determine which asset each will play, thereby ensuring that campaigns of total asset delivery and asset delivery pacing are approximately fulfilled. This scheduling can be accomplished using marketing data associated with each user device and can be prepared in a practicable period of time using reasonable processing resources. |
| US09961374B2 |
Pause and replay of media content through bookmarks on a server device
A method, apparatus, and system of pause and replay of media content through bookmarks on a server device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of a server device includes authenticating a user of a client device, communicating a media content to the client device through a network, processing a pause request of the client device to pause the media content, storing a bookmark location indicating a current playback location of the media content in the client device on the server device, processing a play request of the user to play the media content from the bookmark location (e.g., the play request may be received from a different client device of the user), and communicating the media content from the bookmark location to the user. |
| US09961372B2 |
Adaptive disabling of deblock filtering based on a content characteristic of video information
A method of adaptively disabling deblock filtering of video information including determining a content characteristic of the video information, and adaptively disabling deblock filtering of the video information based on the content characteristic. The content characteristic may be a content complexity, such as an average of minimum sums of absolute differences of pixel values determined during motion estimation, or the mean square error of the video information, or the number of bits used for coding the video content. The content characteristic may be other than complexity, such as motion vector information. A video information processing system including a video processing circuit which processes video information and which determines a content characteristic of the video information, and a deblocking filter circuit which adaptively disables deblock filtering of the video information based on the content characteristic. |
| US09961369B2 |
Method and apparatus of disparity vector derivation in 3D video coding
A method and apparatus for three-dimensional video encoding or decoding using the disparity vector derived from an associated depth block are disclosed. The method determines an associated depth block for a current texture block and derives a derived disparity vector based on a subset of depth samples of the associated depth block. The subset contains less depth samples than the associated depth block and the subset excludes a single-sample subset corresponding to a center sample of the associated depth block. The derived disparity vector can be used as an inter-view motion (disparity) vector predictor in Inter mode, an inter-view (disparity) candidate in Merge mode or Skip mode. The derived disparity vector can also be used to locate a reference block for inter-view motion prediction in Inter mode, inter-view candidate in Merge or Skip mode, inter-view motion prediction, inter-view disparity prediction, or inter-view residual prediction. |
| US09961367B2 |
Spatial prediction method, image decoding method, and image coding method
A spatial prediction method capable of reducing the complexity of spatial prediction includes: detecting an edge (E) overlapping the current block by obtaining a horizontal gradient (Gy) and a vertical gradient (Gx) between pixels within a block adjacent to the current block; calculating an integer slope of the edge; determining, for each pixel position within the current block, a sub-pel position being an intersection between (i) a line that has the integer slope and passes through the pixel position and (ii) a boundary of the adjacent block; and predicting, for each pixel position, a pixel value at the pixel position based on a pixel value interpolated in the sub-pel position, wherein the boundary of the adjacent block is a row or a column that is the closest to the current block, among rows or columns of pixels included in the adjacent block. |
| US09961366B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method that prohibits bi-prediction based on block size
The present technology relates to an image processing apparatus and method capable of preventing an increase in a cost of the apparatus. A setting unit sets identification information for identifying a correspondence relationship between a size of a block of an image and changing of a prediction method applied to the block, and an inter-prediction unit generates a prediction image according to the identification information. An encoder codes the block by using the prediction image so as to generate a coded stream. In addition, the encoder transmits the coded stream and the identification information. The present technology is applicable to, for example, a case of coding/decoding an image, and the like. |
| US09961363B2 |
Inter-layer prediction method for multi-layer video and device therefor
An inter-layer prediction method and device for a multi-layer video. The inter-layer prediction method includes the steps of: generating a restored picture in a reference layer through the predictive coding of the reference layer, determining when there is a restored picture in the reference layer for the time corresponding to a current picture in an enhancement layer for coding or decoding of the current picture in the enhancement layer, and performing inter-layer prediction by referencing a picture in the enhancement layer or a restored picture in the reference layer, depending on whether there is restored picture from the same view in the reference layer. |
| US09961360B2 |
Motion vector list constructing method and system for video coding
The present invention discloses a motion vector list constructing method and system for video coding. The motion vector list constructing method for video coding includes: obtaining a motion information candidate list that is based on a spatially neighboring block and a time-domain corresponding block and that is of a current prediction block; obtaining sub motion information candidates that are of multiple sub blocks of the current prediction block and that are based on inter-view corresponding blocks of the multiple sub blocks of the current prediction block; determining availability of the sub motion information candidates of the multiple sub blocks; and updating the motion information candidate list by using one sub motion information candidate of at least one available sub motion information candidate. |
| US09961355B2 |
Encoding and decoding selectively retrievable representations of video content
A system and method disposed to enable encoding, decoding and manipulation of digital video with substantially less processing load than would otherwise required. In particular, one disclosed method is directed to generating a compressed video data structure that is selectively decodable to a plurality of resolutions including the full resolution of the uncompressed stream. The desired number of data components and the content of the data components that make up the compressed video data, which determine the available video resolutions, are variable based upon the processing carried out and the resources available to decode and process the data components. During decoding, efficiency is substantially improved because only the data components necessary to generate a desired resolution are decoded. In variations, both temporal and spatial decoding are utilized to reduce frame rates, and hence, further reduce processor load. The system and method are particularly useful for real-time video editing applications. |
| US09961354B2 |
Video codec and motion estimation method
The invention provides a video codec. In one embodiment, the video codec is coupled to an outer memory storing a reference frame, and comprises an interface circuit, an in-chip memory, a motion estimation circuit, and a controller. The interface circuit obtains in-chip data from the reference frame stored in the outer memory. The in-chip memory stores the in-chip data. The motion estimation circuit retrieves search window data from the in-chip data with a search window, and performs a motion estimation process on a current macroblock according to the search-window data. The controller shifts the location of the search window when the current macroblock is shifted, marks a macroblock shifted out from the search window as an empty macroblock, and controls the interface circuit to obtain an updated macroblock for replacing the empty macroblock in the in-chip memory from the reference frame stored in the outer memory. |
| US09961353B2 |
Method and device for decoding a scalable stream representative of an image sequence and corresponding coding method and device
Different implementations are described, in particular, implementations for coding and decoding a scalable stream comprising a base layer and at least one enhancement layer. For example, one method provides for decoding a first part of the enhancement layer relating to a group of blocks into decoded enhancement data which comprise at least one item of information for identifying at least one region of the reconstructed at least one image and obtaining residues for at least one block of the group of blocks from a second part of the enhancement layer. |
| US09961351B2 |
Palette mode coding
A device for decoding video data may be configured to determine a block of the video data is coded using a palette-based coding mode; determine a sample of the block of video data is coded using a copy from top mode or an index mode; and decode a greater than zero flag to indicate whether a run value is greater than zero, wherein the run value specifies a number of samples subsequent to the sample that have a same mode as the sample. |
| US09961350B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatic discovery of elements in a system of encoders
A method and system is provided for automatic discovery of elements in a system of encoders optionally controlled by a statmux controller. Discovery is implemented by sniffing a multicast IP address used by the elements of the system to communicate metadata. |
| US09961348B2 |
Rate control for video splicing applications
Rate control techniques are provided for encoding an input video sequence into a compressed coded bitstream with multiple coding passes. The final coding pass may comprise final splices with non-overlapping frames that do not extend into neighboring final splices. A final splice in the final coding pass may correspond to at least one non-final splice in a non-final coding pass. A non-final splice may have overlapping frames that extend into neighboring final splices in the final coding pass. The overlapping frames in the non-final splice may be used to derive complexity information about the neighboring final splices. The complexity information about the neighboring final splices, as derived from the overlapping frames, may be used to allocate or improve rate control related budgets in encoding the final splice into the compressed coded bitstream in the final coding pass. |
| US09961345B2 |
Encoding and reconstruction of residual data based on support information
Decoder processor hardware reproduces a support plane including a set of support values. The set of support values is derived from combining a sequence of multiple original sets of values. The decoder processor hardware receives compensation information. The decoder processor hardware utilizes the compensation information to produce preliminary renditions of the multiple original sets of values based on the set of support values. Encoder processor hardware processes a sequence of original sets of values. The encoder processor hardware utilizes the values of the original sets in the sequence to produce a set of support values, the set of support values representing a baseline to reproduce a rendition of each of the original sets of values. The encoder processor hardware generates reconstruction data to include data corresponding to the set of support values, the reconstruction data indicates how to reconstruct the original sets of values using the set of support values. |
| US09961344B2 |
Motion picture encoding apparatus and method thereof
Provided is a video encoding apparatus, including a signal separator to separate a differential image block into a first domain and a second domain, based on a boundary line included in the differential image block, the differential image block indicating a difference between an original image and a prediction image with respect to the original image, a transform encoder to perform a transform encoding with respect to the first domain using a discrete cosine transform (DCT), a quantization unit to quantize an output of the transform encoding unit in a frequency domain, a space domain quantization unit to quantize the second domain in a space domain, and an entropy encoder to perform an entropy encoding using outputs of the quantization unit and the space domain quantization unit. |
| US09961342B2 |
Display device on/off detection methods and apparatus
Display device ON/OFF detection methods and apparatus are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include measuring, with a first sensor, a first temperature value associated with the media device. Example methods disclosed herein also include measuring, with a second sensor, a second temperature value corresponding to an ambient temperature in an environment including the media device. Example methods disclosed herein further include comparing the first temperature value to the second temperature value to make a first determination indicating whether the media device is ON or OFF. |
| US09961339B2 |
Calibration rig and calibration method for dual-head gamma camera
A calibration rig and calibration method for an imaging system includes a base and a holder extending from the base, the holder including a fixture configured to hold a radioactive source material in a two-dimensional geometric configuration and a radioactive source material disposed in the fixture. |
| US09961337B2 |
Flexible display device and computer with sensors and control approaches
Embodiments of a flexible electronic visual display device and a flexible mobile computer having such a display device are disclosed. The basic electronic visual display device comprises a flexible display device, at least one control system, at least one three-dimensional sensor, a flexible housing containing the electronic components, and an adjustment means for the housing. In some embodiments, the flexible display device can have additional sensors of various types, a projector, a wireless communication interface, and a wireless power supply. For independent use some embodiments of the flexible electronic visual display device can also comprise an electronic module including at least one processor and at least one data memory, and also at least one electrical energy storage device being contained in the housing as well. This permits the flexible electronic display device to provide a broad range of functionalities and application possibilities, and to assume novel functionalities and applications. |
| US09961335B2 |
Pickup of objects in three-dimensional display
A pickup device and method for an object in three-dimension display are disclosed. The device comprises a gaze point information acquisition module for acquiring a first location information about a gaze point of an eye of a user with respect to the user; and an object determination module for determining an object picked up by the user according to a second location information about the user in a display space, motion posture information about the user, the first location information and distribution information about objects in the display space. A technical solution of the present application determines an object picked up by a user by means of the location of a gaze point of an eye, making it natural and convenient to pick up an object in a three-dimension display space. |
| US09961334B2 |
Simulated 3D image display method and display device
A simulated 3D image display method is provided for a display device. The method includes capturing at least two images of a scene for 3D scene reconstruction; extracting depth and color information from the at least two images of the scene for 3D scene reconstruction; continuously tracking movement of a user to determine a relative position between the user and the display device; and, based on the relative position, reconstructing the image of the scene corresponding to a current viewpoint of the user from a plurality of view images of a plurality of viewpoints generated based on the at least two images and using an interpolation algorithm for display on a display screen of the display device. |
| US09961333B1 |
System and method for light field projection
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for projecting a light field. One light field projection system includes a screen and a projection unit. On the screen, there is a plurality of convex reflective elements arranged in a two-dimensional array. The projection unit has a light source. The projection unit also has a modulator to modulate light from the light source. The projection unit further has one or more movable mirrored elements to reflect light from the light source toward the screen to sequentially scan the plurality of convex reflective elements. The projection unit also has a control system that determines a light modulation scheme used by the modulator. The light modulation scheme provides that the light reflected from the light source toward the screen to sequentially scan the plurality of convex reflective elements forms a light field that is concurrently viewable from a plurality of perspectives. |
| US09961332B2 |
Peripheral field-of-view illumination system for a head mounted display
A display system for a head mounted device that illuminates the peripheral regions of the user's field of view to enhance an immersive experience. The system may use peripheral light emitters to the left and right of one or more central displays. Peripheral light emitters may provide lower resolution images, or only with vertical resolution, corresponding to the user's lower resolution vision in these peripheral regions. Reflective surfaces and lenses may be used to direct peripheral light into desired shapes and patterns. Rendering of peripheral light colors and intensities at each peripheral pixel may use approximations for improved performance since users may not be sensitive to precise color values in the peripheral regions. |
| US09961322B2 |
Apparatus and method for eliminating noise in stereo image
Apparatus and method for eliminating noise in stereo image are disclosed, the method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprising, obtaining a first image captured by a first sensor unit and a second imaged captured by a second sensor unit; calculating a pixel difference of the second image relative to a first image based on a predetermined reference point; determining a pixel amount of the second image to be calibrated using a reference pixel difference and the pixel difference; and generating a driving signal for driving an Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) actuator using the pixel amount to be calibrated. |
| US09961321B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method having function for reconstructing multi-aspect images, and recording medium
A video is generated from multi-aspect images. For each frame of the output video, a provisional video is created with provisional images which are used to designate a position of a target object on which to focus and to acquire a depth map showing a depth of the object, and which are reconstructed using default values from LFIs as the frames. Then, information designating coordinates of focal positions of the target object on the provisional video is acquired. A list creator acquires the depth value of the target object using a depth map created from the LFI of the current frame, and records this in a designation list after obtaining the reconstruction distance from the depth value. A corrector corrects the designation list. A main video creator creates and outputs a main video with reconstructed images focused at a focal length designated by the post-correction designation list as frames. |
| US09961320B2 |
Image display apparatus and control method thereof
The image display apparatus is connected, directly or via a recording apparatus, to an image capturing apparatus, and includes a first acquisition unit configured to acquire recording process information on an image recording process for recording, with the image capturing apparatus or the recording apparatus, moving image data generated by capturing an object with the image capturing apparatus and audio data representing audio that is input to a microphone during a shooting period of the moving image data, and a reduction unit configured to execute a sound reduction process for reducing a sound output from the image display apparatus, in a case where the image recording process is executed, based on the recording process information. |
| US09961319B2 |
Image processing apparatus and control method thereof
Provided is an image processing apparatus capable of applying a pseudo-illumination effect to an image while suppressing a drop in image quality, and a control method for such an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus generates a correction signal for correcting sharpness of an image on the basis of illumination characteristics of the virtual light, and applies the correction signal to the image. |
| US09961317B2 |
Multi-projector alignment refinement
A method of aligning two portions of an image, the portions being projected by projectors on a surface to form respective projected portions of the image, a calibration pattern being embedded in each of the two portions, the method comprising capturing from the surface an image of the pattern from the projected portions, the calibration pattern extending across a combined projection area of the projectors; locating an overlap area according to locations of calibration points; determining projector image coordinates dependent upon locations in the overlap area; and aligning the two portions of the image according to the locations of control points and the locations in the overlap area. |
| US09961309B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and projection apparatus
A projected image including at least an image of an overlapping region, on which a first video and a second video are superimposed, is obtained. A correction value for each unit region is determined based on the projected image and an image of a corresponding region in the first video. The corresponding region corresponds to the overlapping region, and the unit region is divided from the overlapping region. Projection-position adjustment based on the correction value is applied to the first video in each unit region. |
| US09961308B2 |
Multispectral image capture device comprising a filter wheel
A multispectral image capture device includes a filter wheel (4) and an image sensor. The filters (41-46) are located close to a focusing plane of a light beam used to form the images, and at least one of the filters is more angularly narrow than the optical field of the image sensor. The production of the filter is thereby facilitated. Advantageously, the filters are closer to one another in the wheel such that multiple filters are in the optical field of the sensor simultaneously. Each multispectral image can be captured more quickly than when each filter covers the entire optical field of the sensor. |
| US09961305B2 |
Method and system for video stitching
Disclosed are a method and a system for video stitching. After it is determined that initial mounting of cameras in a M×N video stitching scene is completed, a reference image is selected from M×N images corresponding to M×N cameras; where both M and N are positive integers, at least one of M and N is larger than 1, and a rotating mirror is set in front of a camera lens of each camera; an image whose position does not meet a requirement among respective images except for the selected reference image is adjusted by controlling a rotating mirror corresponding to the image to rotate according to the selected reference image; and video stitching is performed according to an adjustment result. |
| US09961304B2 |
Ultrasonic image processing apparatus and method
Disclosed herein is an ultrasonic image processing method and apparatus. The ultrasonic image processing method includes acquiring volume data by radiating ultrasonic waves to an area around the uterus, extracting at least one object candidate group based on the acquired volume data, and displaying the at least one extracted object candidate group on a screen. The ultrasonic image processing apparatus includes a data acquisition unit acquiring volume data of an area around the uterus using ultrasonic waves, a data processing unit extracting at least one object candidate group based on the acquired volume data, and a display unit displaying the at least one extracted object candidate group on a screen. |
| US09961302B1 |
Video conference annotation
In one embodiment a method for chatting during a video conference session is implemented on a computing device and includes: displaying a shared presentation from an ongoing video conference session, detecting selection of at least one target participant from among participants of the video conference session, receiving an outgoing graphical annotation of the shared presentation via user input, and sending the outgoing graphical annotation for display as an overlay on top of the shared presentation to a video conference participant device associated with the target participant. |
| US09961300B2 |
Conversation communication system and conversation communication method
In a conversation communication system, a facial image of the communicator is stored, a distance between the communicator and a display and the direction of the face of the communicator are detected. It is determined whether or not the conversation communication is to be continued according to the detected distance and the detected facial direction. When the detected facial direction is a direction facing the display from the front, the conversation communication is to be continued. On the other hand, in a case where the detected facial direction is different, when the detected distance increases afterward, if any of the following conditions (1) and (2) is satisfied, the conversation communication is terminated: (1) the distance is undetectable; and (2) the detected facial direction is, for equal to or longer than a preset period of time, maintained at the direction different from the direction facing the display from the front. |
| US09961297B2 |
Method and system of rotation of video frames for displaying a video
A system, article, and method of rotation of video frames for displaying a video. |
| US09961294B2 |
Video display method and user terminal for generating subtitles based on ambient noise
A video display method of a user terminal, includes determining whether ambient noise measured when a video is played is in an allowable range, and generating subtitles based on a voice signal included in the video in response to the ambient noise being determined to be out of the allowable range. The method further includes displaying the generated subtitles with the video. |
| US09961292B1 |
Imaging sensor with amplifier having variable bias and increased output signal range
A pixel circuit includes a photodiode, and a transfer transistor coupled to the photodiode. A floating diffusion is coupled to the transfer transistor coupled to transfer image charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion. An amplifier circuit includes an input coupled to the floating diffusion, an output coupled to generate an image data signal of the pixel circuit, and a variable bias terminal coupled to receive a variable bias signal. A reset switch is coupled between the output and input of the amplifier circuit to reset the amplifier circuit in response to a reset signal. A variable bias generator circuit is coupled to generate the variable bias signal in response to a reset signal to transition the variable bias signal from a first bias signal value to a second bias signal value in response to a transition of the reset signal from an active state to an inactive state. |
| US09961291B2 |
Pixel acquisition circuit, image sensor and image acquisition system
Disclosed are a pixel acquisition circuit, an image sensor, and an image acquisition system. The pixel acquisition circuit includes a photodetection unit, filter-amplification unit, sample and hold unit, and activation control unit. The photodetection unit outputs a first electrical signal corresponding to a light signal illuminating thereon. The filter-amplifier unit is connected to the photodetector, and amplifies and filters out the signal component below a frequency threshold on the first electrical signal, to output a second electrical signal. A threshold comparison unit determines whether the second electrical signal is greater than a first threshold and/or less than a second threshold and, if so, generates an activation instruction signal. In response to receiving an activation instruction signal, the activation control unit instructs the sample and hold unit to acquire and buffer the first electrical signal, and sends a transmission request to an interface bus connected to the sample and hold unit. |
| US09961287B2 |
Image sensor
An image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixels in a matrix including rows and columns. The matrix being divided into a plurality of groups and each of the plurality of groups includes two or more different columns, a binning sampling unit configured to sample outputs of unit pixels in each of the plurality of groups and output binning sampling signals, and an analog-digital conversion block including first and second analog-digital conversion units corresponding to the columns. The first analog-digital conversion units convert the binning sampling signals. When the first analog-digital conversion units convert the binning sampling signals, the second analog-digital conversion units are turned off. |
| US09961279B1 |
Blooming free high dynamic range image sensor read out architecture using in-frame multi-bit exposure control
A pixel circuit includes a transfer transistor coupled between a photodiode and a floating diffusion to selectively transfer image charge accumulated in the photodiode to the floating diffusion. A selection circuit is coupled to select one of a first transfer control signal, a second transfer control signal, or a third transfer control signal to control the transfer transistor. The selection circuit is coupled to output the first transfer control signal in response to a precharge enable signal during a read out operation of a different row than a row in which the transfer transistor is included, to output the second transfer control signal in response to a sample enable signal during a read out operation of the row in which the transfer transistor is included, and output the third transfer control signal to partially turn on the transfer transistor during an idle state of the pixel circuit. |
| US09961277B2 |
Infrared focal plane array heat spreaders
In one embodiment, an infrared (IR) sensor module includes an IR sensor assembly, including a substrate, a microbolometer array disposed on an upper surface of the substrate; and a cap disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and hermetically enclosing the microbolometer array. A base is disposed below the substrate, and a heat spreader having a generally planar portion is interposed between a lower surface of the substrate and an upper surface of the base. In some embodiments, the heat spreader can include a material having an anisotropic thermal conductivity, e.g., graphite. |
| US09961275B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for operating a kinetic typography service
The present inventive subject matter is drawn to method, system, and apparatus for generating video content related to an audio media asset. In one aspect of this invention, a method for operating a kinetic typography service on the audio media asset stored in a computer memory is presented, where a set of subtitle items belonging to the audio media asset is obtained; a plurality of preset animation items are produced; generating a plurality of video frames by applying a transformation effect of a preset animation to a corresponding subtitle item; and producing a video media asset. |
| US09961259B2 |
Image generation device, image display system, image generation method and image display method
An image generation unit uses a plurality of captured image data and vehicle body data of a vehicle to continuously generate a virtual perspective image indicating the vehicle body of the vehicle and the periphery of the vehicle as seen from a virtual perspective (VP) positioned within the cabin of the vehicle. An image control unit alters the angle in a plan view of the line of sight of the VP in a manner such that the line of sight circles the surroundings of the vehicle, and moves the position of the VP in the front-back direction of the vehicle. |
| US09961255B2 |
Image capturing apparatus, control method thereof, and storage medium
An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor; a readout unit that reads out an added signal and that independently reads out the signal of the first photoelectric conversion portion; a calculation unit that calculates a signal corresponding to a signal of the second photoelectric conversion portion by subtracting the signal of the first photoelectric conversion portion from the added signal; a correlation calculation unit that performs correlation calculation for the signal of the first photoelectric conversion portion and the signal corresponding to the signal of the second photoelectric conversion portion; and a subtraction unit that subtracts, from the result of the correlation calculation on an object image by the correlation calculation unit, a correction value for correcting noise caused by obtaining the signal corresponding to the signal of the second photoelectric conversion portion. |
| US09961251B2 |
Methods for adjusting control parameters on an image capture device
A computer-implementable method of adjusting a control parameter of an image capture device includes detecting, determining, and transmitting. At an interactive display device, a substantially continuous user selection of values of a control parameter of the image capture device is detected from user manipulation of a continuously-variable input control of the interactive display device. A rate of change is determined of the user selected values of the control parameter during user manipulation of the continuously-variable input control. Based upon at least the determined rate of change, it is determined whether to transmit each of the selected values. The selected values are sequentially transmitted to the image capture device, via a communications network, where the selected values are determined to be transmitted. Each of the transmitted values is transmitted as an interim control parameter value, and the transmitted values are adapted to adjust the control parameter of the image capture device. |
| US09961249B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing a wireless, portable, and/or handheld, device with safety features
An apparatus, including a processing device, a camera for obtaining a view, a picture, or video, a display device for displaying information, the view, picture, or video obtained by the camera, and a global positioning system for determining a position or a location of the apparatus. The global positioning system determines a position or location of the apparatus. The apparatus identifies a municipal subdivision in which the apparatus is located, identifies a nearest police department, fire department, hospital, hotel, point of interest, or individual, generates a report containing information regarding the identified nearest police department, fire department, hospital, hotel, point of interest, or individual, located in the municipal subdivision, and contact information for the nearest police department, fire department, hospital, hotel, point of interest, or individual, and provides at least a portion of the information contained in the report via the display device. |
| US09961237B2 |
Display management for high dynamic range video
A display management processor receives an input image with enhanced dynamic range to be displayed on a target display which has a different dynamic range than a reference display. The input image is first transformed into a perceptually-quantized (PQ) color space, preferably the IPT-PQ color space. A color volume mapping function, which includes an adaptive tone-mapping function and an adaptive gamut mapping function, generates a mapped image. A detail-preservation step is applied to the intensity component of the mapped image to generate a final mapped image with a filtered tone-mapped intensity image. The final mapped image is then translated back to the display's preferred color space. Examples of the adaptive tone mapping and gamut mapping functions are provided. |
| US09961236B2 |
3D color mapping and tuning in an image processing pipeline
The processing of RGB image data can be optimized by performing optimization operations on the image data when it is converted into the YCbCr color space. First, a raw RGB color space is converted into a YCbCr color space, and raw RGB image data is converted into YCbCr image data using the YCbCr color space. For each Y-layer of the YCbCr image data, a 2D LUT is generated. The YCbCr image data is converted into optimized CbCr image data using the 2D LUTs, and optimized YCbCr image data is generated by blending CbCr image data corresponding to multiple Y-layers. The optimized YCbCr image data is converted into sRGB image data, and a tone curve is applied to the sRGB image data to produce optimized sRGB image data. |
| US09961234B1 |
Replaceable item authentication
A replaceable item for a host device, such as a print substance cartridge for a printing device, stores multiple identities. For each identity, the replaceable item stores multiple authentication values, or passwords. The replaceable item selects an identity, and in response to a request for an authentication value from the host device, sends the requested authentication value for the selected identity. |
| US09961231B2 |
Image processing method that attempts decoding of additional information using a plurality of decoding methods, and apparatus therefor
An image processing method is provided for acquiring additional information from image information obtained by shooting a printed product on which the additional information is multiplexed by at least one of a plurality of different multiplexing methods, the method comprising: attempting decoding of the additional information from the image information by a plurality of different decoding methods corresponding to the plurality of different multiplexing methods; and outputting, by a unit, the additional information successfully decoded. |
| US09961228B2 |
Image processing apparatus and control method thereof
Provided is an image processing apparatus and control method thereof that enable image data from which a plurality of images can be generated to be browsed efficiently. In the case where a first image switching operation has been made through an input unit, a display is switched to display an image generated from a different image file from an image file used to generate an image currently being displayed, and in the case where a second image switching operation has been made through the input unit, the display is switched to display a different image generated from an image file used to generate the image being displayed. |
| US09961225B2 |
Information processing system, information processing apparatus, and information processing method
An information processing system includes a storage storing flow information in association with application identification information, for each application for executing a sequence of processes, the flow information defining program identification information and an execution order of the programs; a storage storing screen information in association with the application identification information for each application; a transmitter for sending, to a device, the screen information associated with the application identification information, when a first request including the application identification information is received from the device; a receiver for receiving a second request including information relating to the electronic data specified by a user in the screen displayed on the device; an acquirer for acquiring the flow information associated with the application identification information; and an executor for executing the programs identified by the program identification information, in the execution order, to execute the sequence of processes. |
| US09961224B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method, and recording medium
An information processing apparatus includes a moving body detector configured to detect approach of a moving body within a range of a predetermined detection distance, a status controller configured to restore, upon detection of the approach of the moving body, the information processing apparatus to a predetermined electric energy mode, an operation detector configured to detect an operation of a user, a storage part configured to store history information indicating the approach of the moving body and history information indicating the operation of the user, a computing part configured to re-compute the predetermined detection distance based on a restoration time required for restoring the information processing apparatus to the predetermined electric energy mode, and the history information stored in the storage part, and a setting part configured to set the re-computed predetermined detection distance in the moving body detector. |
| US09961223B2 |
Image forming apparatus, and method for controlling image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus that shifts to a power saving state, includes a printing unit, a printing control unit configured to control the printing unit, and a power supply unit configured to supply power to the printing control unit when the image forming apparatus returns from the power saving state, wherein the printing control unit, to which power is supplied by the power supply unit, executes initialization of the printing unit in a case where a printing screen for performing a printing function is set as a initial screen to be displayed when the image forming apparatus returns from the power saving state, and wherein the printing control unit does not execute initialization of the printing unit in a case where a selection screen for selecting the printing function is set as a initial screen to be displayed when the image forming apparatus returns from the power saving state. |
| US09961220B2 |
Recording apparatus and image reading apparatus
A recording apparatus includes a rotating body that opens and closes an apparatus main body which is provided with a recording portion that performs recording on a medium and rotates between a first posture that is a closed posture and a second posture that is an open posture, a biasing unit that biases the rotating body in an opening direction, and a biasing release unit that releases an action of a biasing force applied by the biasing unit to the rotating body in a range from a third posture, which is a posture between the first posture and the second posture, to the second posture. |
| US09961219B2 |
Information processing apparatus that supplies important function identification information, non-transitory computer readable recording medium that records a program causing an information processing apparatus to supply important function identification information, and information processing system including an information processing apparatus that supplies important function identification information
A function identification information acquisition circuit acquires function identification information for identifying a particular function from one or more electronic apparatuses executing a plurality of functions, the function identification information being associated with one of apparatus identification information for identifying the one or more electronic apparatuses and user identification information for identifying one or more users registered in the one or more electronic apparatuses. An important function selection circuit selects a function with high importance from the plurality of functions based on the acquired function identification information. An important function identification information supply circuit supplies important function identification information to one of an electronic apparatus identified by the apparatus identification information that is not associated with the important function identification information and an electronic apparatus in which user identification information that is not associated with the important function identification information is registered. |
| US09961217B2 |
Electronic apparatus with instruction reception unit receiving instruction indicated by user and computer-readable medium with program
An instruction position specifying unit which specifies a position of an indicator, a target detecting unit which detects a mark of a medium, an instruction reception unit which receives an instruction corresponding to a position which is indicated by a user using the indicator based on the detected mark, and a processing unit which performs a process corresponding to the received instruction are included. |
| US09961216B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing system, and image processing method for generating a setting screen to be displayed by an information terminal according to an equipment configuration of the image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive first setting information from an information terminal; a providing unit configured to provide a setting screen for setting second setting information to the information terminal, based on the received first setting information; and an image processing unit configured to execute image processing based on the received first setting information and the second setting information set by the setting screen. |
| US09961215B2 |
Communication apparatus, method for controlling communication apparatus, and storage medium, for selecting an apparatus in a wireless network
A communication apparatus is configured to accept input of a condition for selecting a communication apparatus to connect to, receive, from a first communication apparatus that is operating as a base station in a wireless network, information on the first communication apparatus and information on a second communication apparatus that is participating in the wireless network established by the first communication apparatus, and display, from among the first communication apparatus and the second communication apparatus, a communication apparatus or communication apparatuses that meet the condition input via the input unit, based on the received information. |
| US09961214B2 |
Image shooting apparatus for adding information to image
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an image shooting apparatus includes an imaging unit, a transmission unit, and a processor that is configured to acquire an image captured by the imaging unit to generate a shot image and control the transmission unit to transmit, to an information acquiring apparatus, (i) the shot image, and (ii) instruction information for instructing the information acquiring apparatus to acquire supplementary information, with a shooting instruction. The supplementary information is information which is acquired by a sensor of the information acquiring apparatus and which is to be added to the transmitted shot image. |
| US09961209B2 |
Codec selection optimization
Methods and apparatuses provide for listing codecs for offers and for providing an effective listing of codecs for answers. For example, a method relating to offers is provided which includes receiving an incoming offer that lists a plurality of codecs, determining for each of the plurality of codecs whether one or more related codecs are not listed in the incoming offer, generating an outgoing offer that lists the plurality of codecs and the one or more related codecs that were determined not to be listed in the incoming offer, and transmitting the outgoing offer. |
| US09961208B2 |
Schemes for emphasizing talkers in a 2D or 3D conference scene
The present document relates to methods and systems for setting up and managing two-dimensional or three-dimensional scenes for audio conferences. A conference controller (111, 175) configured to place a plurality of upstream audio signals (123, 173) associated with a plurality of conference participants within a 2D or 3D conference scene to be rendered to a listener (211) is described. The conference controller (111, 175) is configured to set up a X-point conference scene with X different spatial talker locations (212) within the conference scene; assign the plurality of upstream audio signals (123, 173) to respective ones of the talker locations (212); determine a degree of activity of the plurality of upstream audio signals (123, 173); determine a dominant one of the plurality of upstream audio signals (123, 173); and emphasize the dominant upstream audio signal (123, 173). |
| US09961204B1 |
Monitoring agent oversight of artificial intelligence content in a contact center
Embodiments provide an oversight mechanism using eye tracking to monitor a human agent's review of artificial intelligence generated contact in a contact center communication session. Content generated by an artificial intelligence engine for each session can be presented to the human agent through a user interface for review by the human agent. While the generated content is being presented, an eye tracking system associated can monitor review of the generated content by the human agent. An indication of the human agent's level of attention to the generated content can be generated based on monitoring the review of the content by the human agent. The indication of the human agent's level of attention can be stored in a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the human agent. One or more reports can be provided based on the KPIs. |
| US09961203B2 |
Quality assurance configuration for remote agent communication
An apparatus includes a data storage device that stores remote agent quality assurance code and communication session code. Further, the apparatus includes a data capture device that captures data associated with a remote agent positioned in proximity to the data capture device. In addition, a processor receives a request from an agent routing platform for a service provided by the remote agent through a communication session between the remote agent and a user requesting the service. The processor executes the remote agent quality assurance code to determine that at least a portion of the captured data is non-compliant with the one or more quality assurance policies provided by the agent routing platform. Further, the processor executes the remote agent quality assurance code to provide one or more indicia of non-compliance. |
| US09961197B2 |
System, method and apparatus for authenticating calls
The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for authenticating calls that is a robust Anti-vishing solution. The present invention can identify Caller ID spoofing, verify dialed number to detect man-in-the middle and verify called party against dialed digits to detect impersonation. This solution can handle calls coming from any phone any where with little impact on user experience. Two separate solutions are tailored for smart phones (communication devices capable of running application software) and traditional phones to reduce the impact to user experience while providing robust verification. |
| US09961196B2 |
System for text assisted telephony
A method of and system for facilitating a captioned conversation between a hard of hearing user using a hard of hearing user's captioned device and a hearing user, the method including the steps of establishing communication between the captioned device and a hard of hearing user's phone device that is independent of the captioned device, and establishing communication between the captioned device and a relay for communicating a text communication from the relay to the captioned device, the text communication including a text transcript corresponding to a hearing user's voice signal transmitted to the hard of hearing user's phone device from a hearing user's phone device. |
| US09961194B1 |
Systems and methods for authenticating a caller at a call center
A system for authenticating the identity of a caller (i) receives a phone call from a caller, where the phone call is initiated through an application on a remote computer device associated with the caller, and where the phone call includes one or more phone authentication credentials; (ii) determines a preliminary identity of the caller based upon the one or more phone authentication credentials; (iii) receives online authentication credentials from the application on the remote computer device; (iv) determines a confirmed identity of the caller based, at least in part, upon the one or more online credentials and the preliminary identity of the caller; and (v) displays the confirmed identity of the caller to a user answering the phone call. As a result, the user and/or the system do not need to perform additional authentication before providing service to the caller. |
| US09961193B2 |
Enhanced caller-ID information selection and delivery
Technologies relating to enhanced Caller ID information selection for a caller associated with a call and delivery of the selected enhanced Caller ID information to a callee associated with the call include one or more processors selecting, according to selection criteria, one or more enhanced Caller ID information items from a collection of available enhanced Caller ID information items pertaining to the caller that are stored across one or more databases of enhanced Caller ID information. |
| US09961192B1 |
Contact workflow testing and metrics generation
An interactive contact workflow system provides a graphical representation of a contact workflow in a graphical user interface (GUI) of an interactive contact run-time environment. The interactive contact workflow system receives a request to load response data for a previously recorded interaction with the contact workflow, retrieves the response data from a data store of stored response data, and receives a request to execute a first instruction block of the contact workflow within the interactive contact run-time environment. The interactive contact workflow system then executes the first instruction block by providing the first audio prompt of the first instruction block to an audio output interface of the client device, and provides a response from the response data to the first instruction block as a response to the first audio prompt. |
| US09961190B2 |
System and method for performing mobile telephone calling and/or messaging operations in-game during computer game application execution
The present application provides a system and method for providing telephony functions for operation during a computer game application execution. In particular, a system and method for performing mobile telephony calling and/or messaging operations in-game during computer game application execution is provided. In the disclosure, a mobile telephony user interface is provided and operated in conjunction with a computer game user interface presenting a game environment to a gamer. Mobile telephony operations are provided by way of the mobile telephony user interface in a manner that at least substantially avoids interrupting gamer perception of ongoing game play and gamer interaction with the game environment. |
| US09961185B2 |
Establishing an authenticated wireless connection between short-range wireless terminals more conveniently
A method, system and computer program product for establishing a wireless connection based on a touch screen of a wireless device. The wireless device includes a slide-out processing section for determining, in response to a slide-out from an edge of the touch screen, a first slide-out parameter for determining by the other wireless device an object to be connected, and broadcasting the first slide-out parameter. The wireless device further includes a slide-in processing section for determining a slide-in parameter in response to a slide-in from the edge of the touch screen and reception of a second slide-out parameter directionally transmitted from the other wireless device. Furthermore, if the determined slide-in parameter matches the second slide-out parameter, then the slide-in processing section establishes a wireless connection between the wireless device and the other wireless device. As a result, an authenticated wireless connection between short-range wireless terminals can be established more conveniently. |
| US09961184B2 |
Case of portable terminal and method for controlling smart key of portable terminal
A portable terminal case and a method for controlling a smart key of a portable terminal are provided. The portable terminal case may include a cover unit for covering and protecting a rear side of a portable terminal and a coupling unit for connecting with a connector exposed on a rear side of the portable terminal. A seating surface for receiving a smart key may be formed in an inner side of the cover unit and the coupling unit may include a communication port for communicating with the portable terminal and a power port for receiving power, which are electrically connected to the smart key received in the seating surface. |
| US09961182B2 |
Communications system providing data transfer using selective wireless communications formats and related methods
A communications system may include a plurality of electronic devices each configured to wirelessly communicate via an NFC format and another wireless communications format(s). A first electronic device may have an NFC transfer parameter associated therewith, and may be configured to establish an NFC link with a second electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices when in proximity therewith, designate data to be transferred to the second electronic device, and determine whether the designated data complies with the NFC transfer parameter. Based on a determination that the designated data complies with the NFC transfer parameter, the first electronic device may be configured to transfer at least some of the designated data via the NFC link, and otherwise transfer at least some of the designated data to the second electronic device over a separate wireless communications link using the at least one other wireless communications format. |
| US09961181B2 |
Systems and methods for customizing mobile applications based upon user associations with one or more entities
Systems and methods for customizing mobile applications are provided. The systems and methods may include storing one or more computers, an identifier associated with (i) a user and (ii) an entity with whom the user is affiliated; receiving a mobile application request; facilitating delivery of a mobile application to a mobile device associated with the user; receiving the identifier; and directing a delivery of customization information for customizing the mobile application of the mobile device, the customization information associated with one or both of the user or the entity with whom the user is affiliated. |
| US09961175B2 |
Smart device case with sound speaker
At least one speaker is provided on a tab which is held at least partially within a case. The case also holds a smart device. A slot in the case allows for the tab with at least one speaker to slide into and out of the case. The tab can slide out of the case and deployed, and the at least one speaker can emit sound from the smart device. A power source can also be provided within the tab to power the speakers. A sound signal to the speakers can be carried by a wired interconnection to the smartphone or by wireless transmission to the speaker on the tab. In one embodiment multiple smart devices with speakers according to this invention work together by transmitting a sound signal from one smart device to a speaker associated with another smart device, either directly or through the other smart device. |
| US09961165B2 |
Quality of experience for communication sessions
A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and computing system is provided for managing quality of experience for communication sessions. In an implementation, a method may include determining a participant focus metric for each of a plurality of participants of a communication session. The method may also include identifying one of the plurality of participants of the communication session as having sufficient capacity to support the communication session based upon, at least in part, the participant focus metric for each of the plurality of participants of the communication session. The method may also include selecting the one of the plurality of participants having a sufficient capacity to support the communication session as a selected focus for the communication session. The method may further include adaptively implementing a centralized communication session architecture utilizing the selected focus. |
| US09961164B2 |
DNS overriding-based methods of accelerating content delivery
An exemplary method accelerating content delivery via DNS overriding may comprise the steps of generating a routing table for a content delivery network (CDN), the routing table map one or more edge server IP addresses to each of one or more geographic regions, transmitting the routing table to one or more DNS server computers, receiving a request from a registrant of a domain name to subscribe the domain name to the CDN, and designating said domain name as subscribed to the CDN in a DNS zone for the domain name. |
| US09961159B2 |
Efficient content delivery over wireless networks using guaranteed prefetching at selected times-of-day
A method for content delivery includes defining a guaranteed prefetching mode, in which content is continuously prefetched from a content source to a communication terminal of a user so as to maintain the communication terminal synchronized with the content source. One or more time-of-day intervals, during which the user is expected to access given content, are identified. During the identified time-of-day intervals, the given content is prefetched from the content source to the communication terminal using the guaranteed prefetching mode. |
| US09961157B2 |
Adaptive compression management for web services
Embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatuses for adaptive compression management for web services are presented. In an embodiment, a method may include receiving a request for a web-service data operation. The method may also include identifying, using a data processing device, a network performance statistic for characterizing a data link between a web server and a web client. Additionally, the method may include determining, using the data processing device, a data size threshold in response to the network performance statistic. The method may also include determining, using the data processing device, whether to compress data associated with the web-service operation in response to the data size threshold. |
| US09961156B2 |
Healthcare semantic interoperability platform
A system and method for efficiently linking local databases having different data formats or standards into a network, wherein a content based router is provided between each of the databases and a network “party line” bus and translates data from the respective database into a common canonical form or format so that all information within the network between the content based routers complies with the common canonical form and are validated according to single standard or mechanism, for example when information first enters the network. Also provided is a tracking or audit mechanism whereby each item of information provided with a unique network identifier when it first enters the network, and is also provided with or associated with a local identifier from each local database that originates or accesses the information item and router identifiers of the content based routers corresponding to those local databases. |
| US09961153B2 |
System and method to determine the presence status of a registered user on a network
The invention relates to a presence status determination system and a computer implemented method to determine the presence status of a first user registered in a network and to communicate this presence status to a second user, who would like to make contact with the first user. An input device for a presence status determination device records a predetermined first presence status component determined by the first user and forwards the first presence status component to the presence status determination device (20). A contact person registration device records the identity of the second user and reports the identity to a relationship determination device. The relationship determination device determines, with the aid of a computer, a second presence status component, which considers the social proximity between the first user and the second user. The presence status determination device determines the presence status of the first user taking into account the first presence status component and the second presence status component. Then a presence status communications device communicates the determined presence status of the first user to the second user. |
| US09961150B2 |
Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for information processing device, information processing device, and method for controlling information processing device
An information processing device may search for a communicable communication device which is a communication device capable of communication. The information processing device may display, in a case that a communicable communication device is detected, a device image and an interface image associated with each other on a display unit of the information processing device. The device image may indicate the detected communicable communication device. The interface image may indicate the communication interface corresponding to the detected communicable communication device. The information processing device may display, in a case that a plurality of communicable communication devices is detected, a plurality of device images corresponding to the plurality of detected communicable communication devices and a plurality of interface images corresponding to the plurality of detected communicable communication devices in one display screen on the display unit. |
| US09961145B1 |
Multi-tier storage system having front-end storage tier implemented utilizing software-defined storage functionality
An apparatus in one embodiment comprises a multi-tier storage system having at least a front-end storage tier and a back-end storage tier. The storage system comprises a software-defined storage controller configured to implement the front-end storage tier as a unified memory cluster accessible to respective processors of a plurality of compute nodes. The software-defined storage controller is implemented using at least one processing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory. The unified memory cluster in some embodiments comprises portions of respective memories of at least a subset of the compute nodes. The portions of respective memories of at least a subset of the compute nodes may comprise, for example, respective flash memories of those compute nodes, or respective dynamic random access memories of those compute nodes. Other illustrative embodiments include systems, methods and processor-readable storage media. |
| US09961142B2 |
Data storage method, device and distributed network storage system
A method, device and system disclosed used in storage technique, comprising: splitting a file of size M into k blocks, that is to say, each block is of size M/k; issuing the above k blocks across k different storage nodes in the distributed network storage system in a distributed manner; using the k blocks, constructing n−k independent blocks via linear coding method, and satisfying the property that any k of the n encoded blocks can be used to reconstruct the original data in the file, which means the linear coding method is a kind of Maximum-Distance Separable (MDS) code; distribute the n−k encoded blocks to the rest n−k different storage codes in the distributed network storage systems. |
| US09961140B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and information recording medium
A timing at which communication is to be attempted subsequently is set such that a timing when an information processing apparatus is incommunicatable with a communication counterpart and communication is not carried out is later than a timing when a condition different from the condition that the information apparatus is incommunicatable with a communication counterpart is satisfied and communication is not carried out. When communication with a server is impossible, a timing is set later by a time period than the communication timing as a new communication timing but sets, if a predetermined condition different from a condition that communication with the server is impossible is satisfied, a timing later by a time period, which is shorter than the time period, than the communication timing as a new communication timing. |
| US09961138B2 |
Fiber-based distributed data center architecture
Systems and methods use a fiber-based network to provide both network access services such as Internet, television, phone, and wide area networking services as well as distributed data processing services. Distributed computing nodes are provided in broadband gateways at homes and other premises in a fiber-based network to realize a distributed data center architecture. In a specific example, a provider deploys a number of broadband gateways in the homes of homeowners who agree to pay for network access (e.g., Internet, phone, television, etc.) that is received over a fiber-based (preferably point-to-point) network at the broadband gateways in the homes. Those broadband gateways also separately provide distributed workload processing. Providing both network access and distributed workload processing makes the deployment and use of the fiber-based network more economically and technically feasible. |
| US09961136B2 |
Distributing application traffic to servers based on dynamic service response time
A service gateway processes a service request received from a host based on a dynamic service response time of a server. In an exemplary embodiment, the service gateway relays a service request to a server over a service session between the service gateway and the server; receives a service response from the server; calculates a dynamic service processing time for the service request from a service request time and a service response time; compares the dynamic service processing time with an expected service processing time; updates a server busy indicator for the server in response to the comparing, where the server busy indicator is maintained at the service gateway; and processes future service requests in accordance with the server busy indicator at the service gateway. |
| US09961135B2 |
System and method to balance servers based on server load status
A method, system, and computer program product for balancing servers based on server load status, include: receiving from a server a service response to a service request, the service response including a result from a processing of the service request and a server status indicating a computing load status of the server; obtaining the server status from the service response; receiving a next service request from a host, the next service request comprising a Uniform Resource Locator (URL); determining that the server is configured to process the URL; determining whether the server status indicates that the server is available to process the next service request; and in response to determining that the server status indicates that the server is available to process the next service request, sending the next service request to the server. |
| US09961132B2 |
Placing a user account in escrow
Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for placing a user account in escrow to remove it from an administered account. An employee and/or an employer can select to remove a user account from an administered account associated with the employer. To ensure that the each party, the employer and employee, has an opportunity to retain their content stored in the removed user account, the user account can be placed into escrow, requiring login credentials of both the user and the administrator (employer) to access the user account. The user account can therefore not be accessed unless both the employer and employee each login to the account at the same time. By placing the user account in escrow, both parties can be assured that they can access the content items in the user account, and that the other party cannot access the content without their knowledge. |
| US09961131B2 |
Enhanced reliability for client-based web services
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and software for providing enhanced reliability for web services. In an implementation, a proxy service supports web services provided by a client application to at least an online service. While the client application is temporarily disconnected from the proxy service, the proxy service monitors for web services activity to occur in association with the web services provided by the client application to at least the online service. In response to the client application reconnecting to the proxy service after having been temporarily disconnected from the proxy service, the proxy service communicates activity information to the client application indicative at least of whether or not to query the online service with respect to the web services activity. |
| US09961126B2 |
Managing data access on a computing device
Managing data access on a computing device by receiving at a first computing device first webpage-related content received from a second computing device via a communications network, storing the first webpage-related content in a locally-accessible data storage medium that is locally accessible to the first computing device, causing an agent executed by the first computing device to access the first webpage-related content from the locally-accessible data storage medium, intercepting an attempt by the agent to receive second webpage-related content via the communications network, and providing the second webpage-related content to the agent from the locally-accessible data storage medium. |
| US09961124B2 |
High picture quality video streaming service method and system
The present invention relates to a high picture quality video streaming service method and system. The high picture quality video streaming service system according to the present invention includes: a content server for generating a first encoding video by encoding an original video with at a constant bit rate, generating a second encoding video by encoding the original video by using 1/N of the length of a first encoding video Group Of Pictures (GOP) and 1/N of a frame rate with constant Quantization Parameters, generating a streaming video by using the first encoding video and the second encoding video, and downloading the first encoding video and transmitting the streaming video in real time; and a user terminal for downloading and playing the first encoding video, or generating and playing a video for playback by recombining frames of the first encoding video and frames of the streaming video. |
| US09961121B2 |
System and method for making and maintaining connections and providing and transmitting information between governmental persons or candidates and the audience
A system for making and maintaining connections and providing and transmitting information between governmental persons or candidates and the audience, comprising a processor connected to a network; a database connected to the processor; a governmental person user interface operable to interact with the processor and the database; an audience user interface operable to interact with the processor and the database; wherein the processor is able to obtain information associated with a governmental person from the governmental person user interface; obtain information associated with a governmental person from a third party source; obtain information associated with an audience user; store the information obtained in the database. |
| US09961115B2 |
Cloud-based analytics to mitigate abuse from internet trolls
An approach is provided in which an information handling system creates a first language profile corresponding to a first user account in response to determining that the first user account generated a first offensive message. The information handling system computes an accumulated risk score of the first user account based on correlating the first language profile to a second language profile corresponding to a second user account that generated a second offensive post. The accumulated risk score is based on a first risk score of the first user account and a second risk score of the second user account. In turn, the information handling system generates a notification in response to determining that the accumulated risk score reaches a risk threshold. |
| US09961113B2 |
Soft website block override
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for overriding a soft website block. One of the methods includes receiving, from a user device, a request to access a resource, determining, using a first policy group for the user device, that the user device should be prevented from accessing the resource, providing, to the user device and based on determining that the user device should be prevented from accessing the resource, instructions for the presentation of a user interface including a user credentials field, receiving user credentials from the user device, determining that the user credentials are the same as credentials used to log onto the user device, and allowing the user device access to the resource. |
| US09961112B2 |
Method and apparatus for enforcing realtime access controls for endpoints
An approach is described for provisioning and enforcing realtime granular access controls for endpoints. The approach involves enforcing realtime access controls, via a privileged access management appliance, of a plurality of accessors, endpoints, and approvers, to provide for securing, controlling, auditing, and reporting of access to endpoints. |
| US09961111B2 |
Assured federated records management
A record is managed by obtaining from an external system on which a stored object comprising the record is stored a property of the stored object as stored on the external system. A stored property associated with the record is compared with the obtained property of the stored object. In the event the comparison does not match, responsive action is taken. |
| US09961105B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring virtual networks
The disclosed computer-implemented method for monitoring virtual networks may include (1) identifying a virtual network containing at least one virtualized switching device that routes network traffic from a source port within the virtual network to a destination port, (2) providing, within the virtualized switching device, a set of software-defined network rules containing criteria for identifying packets having at least one predetermined property associated with a security policy, (3) intercepting, at the source port, a packet destined for the destination port, (4) determining that at least one characteristic of the packet satisfies at least one of the rules, and (5) in response to determining that the characteristic of the packet satisfies at least one of the rules, forwarding a copy of the packet to a virtual tap port that analyzes the packet for security threats. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09961103B2 |
Intercepting, decrypting and inspecting traffic over an encrypted channel
A network-based appliance includes a mechanism to intercept, decrypt and inspect secure network traffic flowing over SSL/TLS between a client and a server. The mechanism responds to detection of a session initiation request message from the client, the message being received following establishment of a TCP connection between the client and server. The mechanism responds by holding the session initiation request message, preferably by creating a fake socket to a local process, and then diverting the request message over that socket. The TCP connection is then terminated, and the mechanism initiates a new session in initiation request message, all while the original session initiation request message continues to be held. The server responds with its server certificate, which is then used by the mechanism to generate a new server certificate. The new server certificate is then returned to the requesting client as the response to the session initiation request message. |
| US09961102B2 |
Detection of stack pivoting
Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device that can be configured to receive a function call for a function, determine a current stack pointer value for the function call, and determine if the current stack pointer value is within a pre-defined range. The electronic device can include a stack pivoting logging module to log a plurality of function calls. The electronic device can also include a stack pivoting detection module to analyze the log of the plurality of function calls to determine, for each of the plurality of function calls, if the current stack pointer value is within a pre-defined range. |
| US09961097B2 |
System for remote access of a user premises
A home security and control system for monitoring and controlling an external environment such as a home environment comprising: an Internet browser connectable to an extranet; an extranet located external to the home environment and accessible via the Internet browser; a communications server located in the extranet and adapted to interconnect on demand with one of a series of connection gateways located in predetermined home environments; and a connection gateway located in the home environment adapted to control and/or monitor the operation of at least one security device in the home environment; wherein upon accessing a predetermined address by the Internet browser on the extranet, the communications server connects to a predetermined one of the connection gateways to control and/or monitor the operation of the security device. The extranet can ideally be implemented as a Virtual Private Network (VPN) across an Internet substrate. |
| US09961094B1 |
Symptom detection using behavior probability density, network monitoring of multiple observation value types, and network monitoring using orthogonal profiling dimensions
One network monitoring system maintains information regarding historical activity and emergent activity of the network. Comparison of recent with historical activity allows the system to determine whether recent activity is within the realm of normal. The system maintains data structures representing a p.d.f. for observable values of network parameters. Another network monitoring device includes data structures for maintaining information regarding historical and emergent activity of a network. This network monitoring device maintains those data structures including information regarding historical and emergent activity of a network only for those source/destination pairs, and only for those nodes, for which maintaining that information would be substantially meaningful. Yet another network monitoring system includes data structures for maintaining information regarding historical and emergent activity of a network that maintains those data structures only for those combinations of more than one of those multiple profile dimensions for which maintaining that information would be substantially meaningful. |
| US09961091B2 |
Apparatus and method for characterizing the risk of a user contracting malicious software
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to identify specified network interactions initiated by a client machine. The specified network interactions are compared to normative values to produce a promiscuity score indicative of the risk of the client machine contracting malicious software. Depending upon the promiscuity score, prophylactic actions are optionally applied to the client machine. |
| US09961088B2 |
Systems and methods for geolocation-based authentication and authorization
Systems and methods are provided for controlling the authentication or authorization of a mobile device user for enabling access to the resources or functionality associated with an application or service executable at the user's mobile device. The user or user's mobile device may be automatically authenticated or authorized to access application or system resources at the device when the current geographic location of the user's mobile device is determined to be within a preauthorized zone, e.g., based on a predetermined geo-fence corresponding to the preauthorized zone. A security level or amount of authorization credentials required to authorize a user for data access may be varied according any of a plurality of security levels, when the current or last known geographic location of the user's mobile device is determined to be outside the preauthorized zone. |
| US09961085B2 |
Linking identities in a network entity
A network entity that allows collaboration among end users of a collaborative application by using different identifiers. The network entity receives an authentication request from a collaborative application to authenticate an end user. The network entity uses a first identifier of the end user that is associated with the network entity to verify that end user is permitted to use the collaborative application and informs the collaborative application that the end user is permitted to use the collaborative application. The network entity receives from the collaborative application a second identifier of the end user that is not associated with the network entity. The second identifier is linked to the first identifier. The network entity allows the second identifier to be used to authenticate the user with the collaborative application without the need to use the first identifier when a collaborative session is begun. |
| US09961084B2 |
Computer readable storage media for tiered connection pooling and methods and systems for utilizing same
Systems and methods for tiered connection pooling are disclosed herein, which may be used in a method of fulfilling user requests in an enterprise computing system. The method involving generating, by a processing unit, a first connection pool comprising one or more previously used authenticated connections with a resource; generating, by the processing unit, a second connection pool comprising one or more unused authenticated connections with the resource; and generating, by the processing unit, a third connection pool comprising one or more unauthenticated connections with the resource; receiving, by the processing unit, a request from the user device to access the resource, the resource requiring authentication for access; and fulfilling, by the processing unit, the request based on a connection from the first, second, or third connection pool. |
| US09961073B2 |
Dynamic certificate generation on a certificate authority cloud
Techniques are disclosed for dynamically generating a digital certificate for a customer server. A customer server creates a certificate profile and receives an associated profile identifier from a certificate authority (CA). The customer server installs an agent application received from the CA. The agent application generates a public/private key pair and an identifier associated with the customer server. The agent application sends a signed request to the CA that includes the profile identifier, server identifier, and the public key corresponding to the key pair. Upon receiving the credentials, the CA generates a dynamically updatable certificate. Thereafter, if the customer changes information associated with the certificate (or if external conditions require a change to the certificate, such as a key compromise or change in security standards), the CA may generate an updated certificate based on the certificate profile changes and the public key. |
| US09961071B2 |
Native application single sign-on
In an example embodiment, a virtual private network (VPN) connection is established between a client device and an authentication service. Then a request is received from a third-party application on the client device, with the request being for a third-party service. A log-in page is requested from the third-party service, with the log-in page including one or more log-in fields usable to enter credential information. The log-in page is then modified to hide the one or more log-in fields. Credentials corresponding to a user of the client device and also corresponding to the third-party service are then obtained. The modified log-in page is sent to the client device via the VPN connection. A log-in submission is received from the third-party application. The credentials corresponding to the user and to the third-party service are sent to the third-party service to log-in the user to the third-party service. |
| US09961066B1 |
Method and apparatus for limiting traffic rate to an origin server
A method and an apparatus of limiting a rate at which traffic is received at an origin server are described. A first request for a resource at an origin server is received at a proxy server from a client device. A first response that includes a refresh instruction, a first refresh time, and a first cryptographic token that is not valid until a first predetermined time is reached is transmitted to the client device. The refresh instruction is to cause the client device to request the resource after the first refresh time has elapsed. A value of a first counter is incremented. As a result of the refresh instruction a second request for the resource is received from the client device. The second request includes the first cryptographic token. Responsive to determining that the first cryptographic token is valid, fulfilling the request. |
| US09961065B2 |
Computerized method and system for managing an email input facility in a networked secure collaborative exchange environment
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for managing an email input facility in a networked secure collaborative computer data exchange environment, wherein a secure email input facility for accepting non-secure email from outside the exchange into the secure collaborative computer data exchange environment, wherein the non-secure email is received and the non-secure email and/or the content delivered thereby is stored as secure content in a location of the secure exchange server related to at least one of the sender of the email, the subject line of the non-secure email, the destination address of the email within the exchange, and the content of the email. |
| US09961064B2 |
Ad hoc communications
Ad hoc communications are established between unknown contacts. For example, in today's mobile communications environment, there are many instances in which a user of smart phone may wish to send a message to an unknown user's smartphone. An ad hoc communication thus allows messaging with an unknown user. |
| US09961062B2 |
Centralized authentication server for providing cross-domain resources via a rest-based tunnel
In various example embodiments, an authentication server provides a secure communication pathway between a client device and a service provider. The authentication server has been previously authenticated with the service provider and establishes a tunnel for receiving requested information from the service provider. The tunnel is implemented according to Representational State Transfer (“REST”) principles, so the client device can send one or more REST requests to the authentication server, which then redirects such requests to the service provider via the established tunnel. In addition, the client device may be previously authenticated with the authentication server such that the client device does not need to explicitly authenticate to the service provider each time information is requested. In some embodiments, the authentication server may be in communication with intermediary servers, which, in turn, are also authenticated with the service provider, and requests for information are routed through the intermediary servers. |
| US09961061B2 |
Node for use by a network, a system for interconnecting multiple networks and methods of operating the node and system
There is provided a method of operating a node (512, 520, 1102) for use by a first network (502, 504), the first network (502, 504) applies an authentication process to allow a subscriber access to a network, wherein authentication information used in the authentication process is derived using a key associated with a subscriber identity of a subscriber, the key being stored in either a location within the first network (502, 504) or external to the first network (502, 504). The method includes storing (400) information regarding the locations at which keys associated with subscriber identities are stored, receiving (402) a request for authentication information, the request indicating the subscriber identity to which the request for authentication information relates, retrieving (404) information regarding the location at which the key associated with the subscriber identity is stored using the subscriber identity, and routing (406) the request for authentication information according to the retrieved information. |
| US09961060B2 |
Embedded universal integrated circuit card supporting two-factor authentication
A module with an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) can include a profile for the eUICC. The profile can include a first and second shared secret key K for authenticating with a wireless network. The first shared secret key K can be encrypted with a first key, and the second shared secret key K can be encrypted with a second key. The module can (i) receive the first key, (ii) decrypt the first shared secret key K with the first key, and (iii) subsequently authenticate with the wireless network using the plaintext first shared secret key K. The wireless network can authenticate the user of the module using a second factor. The module can then (i) receive the second key, (ii) decrypt the second shared secret key K, and (iii) authenticate with the wireless network using the second shared secret key K. The module can comprise a mobile phone. |
| US09961058B2 |
System and method of message routing via connection servers in a distributed computing environment
A system and method of message routing messages via connections in a distributed computing environment. The method includes providing a platform server, a set of intermediary servers, and a set of edge servers. The method includes receiving, by a port at the platform server, a first data message from a first end-point device over a first persistent connection. The message has been routed through a an intermediate server over a second persistent connection. The method includes receiving a second data message from a second end-point device over a third persistent connection where the second data message has been routed through another intermediate server over a fourth persistent connection. The method includes servicing, by a processor at the platform server, the first data message and the second data message where the intermediate servers manage connectivity between the end-point devices and the platform servers. |
| US09961057B2 |
Securing a cryptographic device against implementation attacks
Methods of securing a cryptographic device against implementation attacks, are described. A disclosed method comprises the steps of obtaining a key (230) from memory of the cryptographic device; providing the key and a constant input (210) to an encryption module (240); deriving an output (250) of encrypted data bits using the encryption module (240); providing the output (250), the key (230) and an input vector (270) to a key update module (260); and using said key update module (260) to modify the key based on at least a part (270a) of the input vector (270) to derive an updated key (230a). This prevents the value of the key from being derived using the updated key or by using side-channel attacks because the input is constant for all keys. Additionally, by altering the input vector, the updated key is also altered. |
| US09961056B2 |
Method of deniable encrypted communications
Embodiments herein provide, for example, a method that includes generating a deniability key; downloading an encrypted blob from a server, where the encrypted blob includes a server-stored symmetric key and is encrypted with a user password; and decrypted the encrypted blob with a locally-stored symmetric key and the user password, where the sever-stored symmetric key: encrypts a message before transmitting the message to an intended recipient, and decrypts a received message, where the deniability key encrypts a deniable message before transmitting the message to an intended recipient, and where the message and the deniable message are transmitted in a random order to the intended recipient. |
| US09961051B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing security packet in electronic device
An electronic device that may process a security packet is provided. The electronic device includes a first processor configured to transmit a security context and a second processor configured to process a packet to which security is applied using the security context. |
| US09961049B2 |
Protecting documents using policies and encryption
A system protects documents at rest and in motion using declarative policies and encryption. A document at rest includes documents on a device such as the hard drive of a computer. A document in motion is a document that is passing through a policy enforcement point. The policy enforcement point can be a server (e.g., mail server, instant messenger server, file server, or network connection server). |
| US09961044B2 |
Routerless identification code assignment system and method
A system and method for uniquely self-identifying a controller functionally connected to a communication network of at least two controllers, the system comprising the at least two controllers, each controller having a random code generator configured for generating a resident identification code, a transmitter, a receiver and a volatile memory. The transmitter is configured for broadcasting the resident identification code to the communication network. The receiver is configured for receiving an external identification code broadcasted from another controller and storing the external identification code in the volatile memory. The external identification code is compared to the resident identification code and if a match exists, the resident identification code is replaced by another resident identification code determined in the controller. The resident identification code is broadcasted to the communication network otherwise. |
| US09961038B2 |
Posting content to social medium
A computer-implemented method of posting content to a social medium comprises receiving content posted by a user along with an associated posting time which indicates when the user selected an option to post the content to the social medium; determining that publication of the content posted by the user is dependent on a trigger; and in response to determining that publication of the content is dependent on the trigger, storing the content with the associated posting time and suspending publication of the content until the trigger is satisfied such that the posting time published with the content indicates a time prior to transmission of the content from an electronic device to a server for publishing. |
| US09961037B2 |
Bi-directional multi-channel social media brokering
The present disclosure provides a detailed description of techniques used in systems, methods, and in computer program products for bi-directional social media broker services that connect multiple social media sites using a common management framework. The claimed embodiments address the problem of efficiently scaling and managing bidirectional interaction with multiple social media publishing channels. More specifically, the claimed embodiments are directed to approaches for a computing platform having multiple message broker modules that enable bi-directional communication of messages between a common resource manager and a plurality of social media sites. The message broker modules can receive messages in a unified message format from the common resource manager, queue the messages for asynchronous processing, translate the messages from the unified message format to a site-specific format, and deliver the translated messages to multiple social media sites. |
| US09961032B2 |
Extended email functionality
Enhancing email is disclosed. An email message is received. An enhancement associated with the email message is processed. Content of the email message is stored in a common email database including email data accessible by a plurality of platform users. Access to the email data is provided via a platform that provides enhanced messaging functions to the platform users. The content of the email message is transmitted via a conventional email system. The content of the email message is accessible both via the platform and by an email client accessing the conventional email system. |
| US09961030B2 |
Method and system for sender-controlled messaging and content sharing
A messaging and content sharing platform that allows for sender-controlled permissions and rules. During operation, a sending device can receive user input to set permissions and rules for an object to be sent to a receiving device. The permissions and rules control how the object will be managed after leaving the sending device. A receiving device receives the object and complies with the permissions and rules associated with the object. Other features of the platform include a hierarchical view for group messaging, an attachment-only view of messages, large file attachments, and the ability to allow users to access external services such as social networking websites without logging in. |
| US09961028B2 |
Automated image consolidation and prediction
A method and system for automatically consolidating images and generating associated predictions is provided. The method includes periodically monitoring email addresses for emails stored on an email server and subsequently locating an email comprising an image automatically captured from a remotely located video retrieval device locally storing the image. The image is automatically downloaded and extracted for the email. A date and time associated with the image is validated and the image is stored within a server. Metadata associated with the image is updated and the updated metadata is associated with external attributes associated with a location of the remotely located video retrieval device. |
| US09961026B2 |
Context-based message creation via user-selectable icons
Technologies for generating a text message from user-selectable icons include a wearable computing device that determines a context associated with the wearable computing device. The wearable computing device determines user-selectable icons from predetermined user-selectable icons based on the context associated with the wearable computing device. Each of the user-selectable icons may have one or more textual meanings associated therewith for text message generation. The determined user-selectable icons may be displayed on a display of the wearable computing device. |
| US09961025B2 |
Method and system that streams real-time, processed data from remote processor-controlled appliances
The current document is directed to systems and methods that stream real-time, processed data from remote processor-controlled user appliances, including personal computers, tablets, mobile phones, and laptops, to application programs for display, analysis, and other purposes and to other data-consuming devices and systems. In one implementation, a real-time processed-data streaming system includes instrumentation within remote, processor-controlled user devices, data collection at geographically distributed data-collection centers, consolidation of event messages generated by the geographically distributed data-collection centers within consolidation systems, processing of the consolidated event messages within one or more processing centers, and streaming of processed data, in the form of various types of processed-data-containing messages, to consumers of the data, including application programs that render the data for display on electronic display devices. |
| US09961024B2 |
Enhanced acknowledgement handling in communication packet transfer
Described herein are methods, systems, and software for handling packet buffering between end users and content servers, such as content delivery nodes. In one example, a method of operating a content server includes generating first and second data packets for first and second content requests. Once generated, the method provides storing the first packets in a packet buffer and transferring the first packets to a first user device. Upon transfer, the first packets are deleted from the packet buffer and replaced with the second packets. |
| US09961016B2 |
Method and apparatus for a mobile node to connect different access routers while maintaining a consistent network address
In a Proxy Mobile IPv6 (PMIP) network, a mobile node can roam between different access networks while maintaining a consistent IP address for session continuity. To provide access to a user's home LAN resources, even when the user's mobile node is not directly attached to the home LAN, a local mobility anchor and mobility access gateway are configured to authenticate the mobile node credentials and if authorized, to provide access to the user's LAN resources by via data tunnels and routing table reconfigurations. |
| US09961013B2 |
Simple integration of on-demand compute environment
Disclosed are a system and method of integrating an on-demand compute environment into a local compute environment. The method includes receiving a request from an administrator to integrate an on-demand compute environment into a local compute environment and, in response to the request, automatically integrating local compute environment information with on-demand compute environment information to make available resources from the on-demand compute environment to requestors of resources in the local compute environment. |
| US09961011B2 |
System and method for supporting multi-tenancy in an application server, cloud, or other environment
In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for supporting multi-tenancy in an application server, cloud, on-premise, or other environment, which enables categories of components and configurations to be associated with particular application instances or partitions. Resource group templates define, at a domain level, collections of deployable resources that can be referenced from resource groups. Each resource group is a named, fully-qualified collection of deployable resources that can reference a resource group template. A partition provides an administrative and runtime subdivision of the domain, and contains one or more resource groups. Each resource group can reference a resource group template, to bind deployable resources to partition-specific values, for use by the referencing partition. A tenant of the application server or cloud environment can be associated with a partition, or applications deployed therein, for use by that tenant. |
| US09961007B2 |
Device-initiated codec rate change during a voice call
A method for initiating a codec rate change during a VoIP call by a wireless communication device is disclosed. The method can include the wireless communication device establishing a first codec rate for use in the VoIP call during a call establishment phase; using the first codec rate to encode voice data for transmission during a first portion of the VoIP call; determining a channel quality while using the first codec rate; determining that the channel quality satisfies a threshold for requesting a codec rate change; requesting a codec rate change from the first codec rate to a second codec rate in response to the channel quality satisfying the threshold; and using the second codec rate to encode voice data for transmission during a second portion of the VoIP call. |
| US09961003B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing congestion management for a wireless communication network
A method and apparatus for providing a congestion management of a wireless communication network are disclosed. For example, the method projects dynamically a trend for a network element of the wireless communication network, using a functionality metric associated with the network element of the wireless communication network, and determines if there is a potential congestion in accordance with the trend. The method then provides a notification of the potential congestion, if there is a potential congestion for the network element of the wireless communication network. |
| US09961001B2 |
System and method for categorizing packet flows in a network
A scheme for of categorizing packet flows through a network node, e.g., a proxy or router. In one embodiment, packets of a particular flow arriving at the node are monitored for determining whether there is a specific packet traffic pattern associated with the particular flow. Responsive to the determining, appropriate techniques may be utilized for recognizing the specific packet traffic pattern as belonging to a category of packet flow, e.g., ABR video flow. |
| US09960997B2 |
Method and system for data aggregation in an industrial communication protocol
A method and system for interacting with data frames passing through a module connected to an industrial network is disclosed. Each module includes an aggregation unit located on the network interface above the physical layer. To transmit data, the aggregation unit reads a header from a dynamic data packet to determine if the module is a participant module for the packet. If so, the aggregation unit inserts data from the module into the data packet and transmits the packet to another module. To receive data, the aggregation unit reads a header from the data packet to determine whether the data packet includes data for the module. If so, the aggregation unit reads the data and passes the data packet to another module. If the aggregation unit determines that a data packet is not intended for the module, the data packet is passed to another module with no further interaction. |
| US09960993B2 |
Packet network linear protection systems and methods in a dual home or multi-home configuration
A packet network linear protection method, a network, and a node in a dual or multi-home configuration include designating each of a plurality of home nodes in the dual or multi-home configuration as a working home or a protect home; designating each link between each of the plurality of home nodes and an end node in the dual or multi-home configuration as active or standby; operating a protection switch state machine based on an associated linear protection protocol at each of the plurality of home nodes and the end node; communicating protection messages to each of the plurality of home nodes from the end node; and communicating protection states in an associated protection switch state machine by each of the plurality of home nodes to other home nodes and to the end node. |
| US09960990B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring and managing communication paths
Presently disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring and managing communication paths in data centers. One embodiment takes the form of a method that includes associating an end-to-end communication path with one or more service-level parameters, where a plurality of PLCCs are interconnected along the end-to-end communication path. The method also includes receiving a low-signal-level indication from at least one PLCC on the communication path, and responsively (i) selecting at least one responsive action based at least in part on the one or more service-level parameters and (ii) taking the at least one selected responsive action with respect to the end-to-end communication path. |
| US09960986B2 |
Providing notifications to devices based on real-time conditions related to an on-demand service
A system and method for providing notifications is described. The system accesses a notification database that stores a plurality of notification entries. Each notification entry includes notification text, location information, and condition information. For each of a plurality of devices, information is received that includes a current location of that device and a current status associated with that device. At least one device is determined to meet the condition information of a notification entry based on the received information. A notification corresponding to the notification entry is transmitted to the at least one device. |
| US09960984B2 |
Device performance monitoring
A computing device performance monitor may be configured to collect performance metric information regarding one or more monitored computing devices, and may assign condition point values to each metric. The performance monitor may generate a total of the condition point values, and use the total to determine an appropriate response. |
| US09960981B2 |
Communication device, communication method, program, and communication system
There is provided a communication device that performs communication through a bus, including: a transmitting and receiving unit configured to transmit and receive a signal to and from at least one other communication device; and an error detection unit configured to, when the transmitting and receiving unit transmits and receives the signal, detect whether an error has occurred in the signal using a specific error detection method according to transmission and reception of the signal. The signal is transmitted and received between a first communication device, which is the communication device having a communication initiative through the bus, and a second communication device, which is the communication device configured to perform communication under control of the first communication device. |
| US09960980B2 |
Location monitor and device cloning
Embodiments described herein provide various techniques for monitoring electronic devices at various locations, and cloning behaviors of specific electronic devices across locations and times. Device monitor and control systems may be configured to detect changes in the operational settings of electronic devices at monitored locations, and to transmit control signals to control corresponding electronic devices at other locations. In some cases, separate device monitor and control systems may operate at different locations, where each system may monitor and control a set of local devices and communicate device status detection signals, control signals, and the like to other device monitor and control systems at other locations. In some examples, central device monitor and control systems may operate at network hubs, such as satellite base stations, cable head-ends, and/or central computer servers, to coordinate the device monitoring and cloning of device behaviors between multiple locations. |
| US09960977B2 |
Techniques to identify application foreground / background state based on network traffic
Techniques to identify application foreground/background state based on network traffic are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a traffic monitoring component and a traffic analysis component. The traffic monitoring component may receive monitored network traffic over a monitored time period. The traffic analysis component may receive a foreground activity profile, the foreground activity profile comprising one or more signals for distinguishing between foreground activity of one or more profiled applications and background activity of the one or more profiled applications; determine one or more active foreground applications in the monitored network traffic based on the foreground activity profile, wherein determining the one or more active foreground applications comprises determining that at least a portion of the monitored network traffic comprises background activity; and log that the one or more active foreground application were active during the monitored time period. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09960974B2 |
Dependency mapping among a system of servers, analytics and visualization thereof
Analytics and visualization for logical dependency mapping of computer servers may be provided. Data collected from computer servers is received and analyzed to discover logical dependencies among the computer servers, for example, to discover communications between one or more of operating systems, middleware and applications associated with the computer servers. The computer servers may be grouped into one or more dependency groups based at least on a user-defined grouping criterion. The one or more dependency groups and their logical dependencies may be output. |
| US09960971B1 |
Web service selector component
An apparatus, method, and a computer program are provided. In one embodiment, a request is transmitted to a selector module for an available web service and a response is received from the selector module for a web service server. The response includes an endpoint uniform resource indicator to allow a client module to transmit a web service request to an appropriate web service server. |
| US09960969B2 |
Playback device connection
Techniques for automatically configuring necessary parameters of a device to be coupled to a network with minimum human intervention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wired and/or wireless Ad-hoc network is established to facilitate communications among a group of devices. When a new device is added to the network, a rudimentary communication path is initially established between one of the devices in the network and the new device such that necessary parameters (e.g., SSID, WEP security, channel frequency) can be exchanged for the new device to function properly in the network. To ensure the parameters are exchanged in a secure fashion, an additional public security procedure can be used between the two devices. |
| US09960966B2 |
Methods and systems for managing VPN tunnels
The present invention discloses methods and systems for managing VPN tunnels. A VPN concentrator establishes a first aggregated VPN connection and a second aggregated VPN connection with a first host and a first network device respectively. When the first aggregated VPN connection comprises a first plurality of VPN tunnels, the VPN concentrator applies uplink and downlink bandwidth limits to each of the plurality of VPN tunnels. Similarly, when the second aggregated VPN connection comprise a second plurality of VPN tunnels, the VPN concentrator applies uplink and downlink bandwidth limits to each of the plurality of VPN tunnels. The first host encapsulates a first data packet in a first encapsulating packet and transmits the first encapsulating packet to a VPN concentrator using a first aggregated VPN connection. When the VPN concentrator receives the first encapsulating packet, the VPN concentrator decapsulates the first data packet from the first encapsulating packet and encapsulates the first data packet in a second encapsulating packet. The VPN concentrator then transmits the second encapsulating packet to a first network device using a second aggregated VPN connection. |
| US09960964B2 |
System, method and apparatus to manage services in a network
System, method and apparatus to manage services in a network are provided. The system includes at least one administration node and a plurality of application nodes, which are connected to each other. A first application node from the plurality of application nodes upon receiving at least one instruction from one of the at least one administration node initializing a first process, and the first application node retrieves configuration information from one of the at least one administration node. The configuration information includes a group name, a cluster name, and a service name related to the first process from a database of one of the at least one administration node. After retrieving the configuration information from said corresponding administration node, the first application node assigns, a name which includes the group name, the cluster name, the service name along with a process name, to the first process. |
| US09960962B2 |
Building automation system with smart communications controller for building equipment
A smart communications controller for building equipment includes an equipment port connected to the building equipment and a plurality of autoconfiguration objects. Each of the autoconfiguration objects is configured to perform a protocol testing process for a particular communications protocol. The protocol testing process includes automatically determining whether the communications protocol is used by the building equipment connected to the equipment port. The smart communications controller further includes an autoconfiguration manager configured to cause the autoconfiguration objects to iteratively perform their protocol testing processes until the communications protocol used by the building equipment is identified. The smart communications controller further includes an equipment controller configured to use the identified communications protocol for the building equipment to generate protocol-specific control signals for the building equipment. |
| US09960961B2 |
Methods and apparatus for radio access network resource management
Systems and techniques for managing interaction between a network operator and entities managing resources and instances in a virtual radio access network. A radio access network resource manager comprises a database mapping cells to resources and instances associated with the cells, and one or more interfaces between the network operator and the entities managing resources and instances. The radio access network manager mediates commands and information received from the network manager and from the entities managing resources and instances, translating cell-level commands and information from the network manager to commands and information relating to associated resources and entities, and translating resource and instance-level information and requests from the entities managing resources and instances to cell-level information and requests to the network operator. |
| US09960960B2 |
Remote management systems and apparatuses for CWMP and methods for improving performance of remote management thereof
A remote management system for Customer premises equipment WAN Management Protocol (CWMP) is provided. The remote management system includes at least one CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) and one server coupled to the CPE via a network. The CPE transmits a request to the server via the network. The server processes the request from the CPE according to a processing order, wherein the server provides a table which contains forecasted processing times for commands of a plurality of data models compatible with the CWMP. Upon receiving the request, the server generates a command configuration document according to the request, forecasts and obtains a first processing time corresponding to the command configuration document, and then dynamically adjusts and arranges the processing order for processing the request in the server according to the first processing time and a maximum waiting time corresponding to the request. |
| US09960959B2 |
Methods and systems for transmitting information between electronic devices
Various embodiments of methods and systems for establishing communication over a wireless communication network between a master device and a partial function device. The master device and partial function device can use a separate communication channel during setup or configuration for communicating over the wireless communication network. The separate communication channel can be, for example, an audio-based channel or optical-based channel. |
| US09960953B2 |
Bypass switch for redundant in-line network switch appliance
Systems of redundant in-line network switch appliances are described. In an embodiment, a system includes a primary network switch appliance and a secondary network switch appliance communicatively coupled in-line between nodes on a computer network. A tool, for example for network monitoring, is communicatively coupled to the primary network switch appliance. In use, when the primary network switch appliance is in a first state, a bypass switch of the primary network switch appliance is configured to complete a communication path between the tool and a node on the computer network via a switching fabric of the primary network switch appliance. When the primary network switch appliance is in a second state, the bypass switch is configured to complete a communication path between the tool and the node on the computer network via the secondary network switch appliance, bypassing the switching fabric of the primary network switch appliance. |
| US09960951B1 |
System, method, and medium for determining a failure of a network element
Embodiments detect issues in an outside plant utilizing a connectivity trail that indicates network elements (NEs) starting at the headend and ending at a distribution tap that serves one or more customer premise devices associated to a customer account. Embodiments determine a failed NE that serves the highest number of customers for which a trouble is reported to a ticketing system. Embodiments avoid reporting downstream child NEs that may be performing poorly due to the upstream failed parent NE. Embodiments associate the one or more customer premise devices, and a customer account with respective NEs of the connectivity trail, perform operational metric tests to determine whether a customer premise device associated with a customer account has failed, determine when an NE of the connectivity trail has failed. Embodiments also include rebooting the failed NE and/or notifying a ticketing system accordingly. |
| US09960947B2 |
Compensation circuit of power amplifier and associated compensation method
A compensation circuit of a power amplifier includes a varactor, a voltage sensor and a control circuit. The varactor is coupled to an input terminal of the power amplifier. The voltage sensor is arranged for detecting an amplitude of an input signal of the power amplifier to generate a detecting result. The control circuit is coupled to the varactor and the voltage sensor, and is arranged for controlling a bias voltage of the varactor to adjust a capacitance of the varactor according to the detecting result. |
| US09960942B2 |
Low complexity method for reducing PAPR in FRFT-OFDM systems
The invention relates to a method for reducing the PAPR in FRFT-OFDM systems, which belongs to the field of broadband wireless digital communications technology. The method is based on fractional random phase sequence and fractional circular convolution theorem, which can effectively reduce the PAPR of the system. The method of the invention has the advantages of simple system implementation and low computational complexity. In this method, the PAPR of the system can be effectively reduced while maintaining the reliability of the system. When the number of candidate signals is the same, the PAPR performance of the present method was found to be almost the same as that of SLM and better than that of PTS. More importantly, the present method has lower computational complexity than that of SLM and PTS methods. |
| US09960939B1 |
Transmitter and method for transmitting a bluetooth packet
Embodiments discloses a transmitter for transmitting a Bluetooth packet in an enhanced data rate format. The Bluetooth packet includes a GFSK modulated segment, a Guard segment and a DPSK modulated segment. The transmitter comprises a first multiplexer configured to select a phase signal from a Guard phase signal, a received GFSK phase signal and a received DPSK phase signal based on time; a second multiplexer configured to select a amplitude signal from a Guard amplitude signal, a received GFSK amplitude signal and a received DPSK amplitude signal based on time, a phase to frequency converter communicatively coupled to the first multiplexer and configured to convert the selected phase signal into converted frequency signal. The transmitter further comprises a phase lock loop, a digital to analog converter and a power amplifier. |
| US09960934B2 |
Channel estimation for FBMC modulation
Channel estimation with reduced overhead in a filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC) system is enabled by use of frequency-time blocks each comprising a pilot field with two pilot symbols and data symbols outside the pilot field. In embodiments, nearest neighbors of the pilot field are populated with data symbols which fulfill one or more symmetry relations enabling approximate interference cancellation. In a first embodiment, the pilot field consists of two frequency-consecutive and time-coinciding positions; the pilot field may be time-initial in a transmission or may be located in the interior of the transmission. In a second embodiment, a block comprises two frequency-coinciding and time-consecutive pilot symbols; the pilot field may be frequency-initial in a transmission or may be located in the interior of the transmission. |
| US09960928B1 |
System and method for topic-based eventing for flexible system management
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes establishing a connection between a client and a messaging fabric of a conductor element associated with a video system; creating a plurality of nodes for system management events; and receiving a subscription request for a particular one of the system management events. The particular subscription request and system management event is authenticated and authorized by use of an identifier associated with the particular subscription request and system management event. |
| US09960920B2 |
Systems and methods for certification of data units and/or certification verification
In some implementations, a data unit may be hashed to generate a hash. A cryptographic structure, such as a Merkle tree or other cryptographic structure, maybe generated based on the hash and published on a block chain or distributed ledger. A proof associated with the data unit may be provided. The proof may allow for independent verification that the data unit is certified. Responsive to obtaining the data unit as at least one data unit to be verified, the data unit may be hashed. The associated proof may be obtained, where the obtained proof includes an index describing a position of the hash among one or more other hashes in the published cryptographic structure. The cryptographic structure may be reconstructed based on the index of the proof. Certification of the data unit may be verified by proving that the hash belongs to a root of the published cryptographic structure. |
| US09960917B2 |
Matrix multiply accumulate instruction
A method is described. The method includes iteratively performing for each position in a result matrix stored in a third register, multiplying a value at a matrix position stored in a first register with a value at a matrix position stored in a second register to obtain a first multiplicative value, where the positions in the first register and the second register are determined by the position in the result matrix and performing an exclusive or (XOR) operation with the first multiplicative value and a value stored at a result matrix position stored in the third register to obtain a result value. |
| US09960912B2 |
Key management for a rack server system
A system and method for providing security key exchange and management prior to the operating system of the server and also provides for executing various security functions to prevent a virus or malicious software from propagating through the server and the network. The system and method utilize the BIOS firmware and baseboard management controller (BMC), which are more secure since they do not rely on open source code for software plug-ins from the user layer. As a result, a secure code can be created for key management with a globally unique identifier (GUID). The system and method provides for a network manager to easily and flexibly manage multiple security keys for a rack server system. |
| US09960911B2 |
System and method for securing wireless communication through physical layer control and data channel
A system for securing wireless communication between a transmitter and a receiver through a physical layer control and a data channel is disclosed. The transmitter includes a pseudo random sequence generator module and an encryption module. The pseudo random sequence generator module receives a protocol input, and an additional input. The pseudo random sequence generator module initializes an initial state with the protocol input and the additional input to obtain a pseudo random sequence code. The encryption module receives a ciphering key and encrypts the pseudo random sequence code with the ciphering to obtain an encrypted secure scrambling code to secure the system through the physical layer control and the data channel. |
| US09960907B2 |
Instruction for Performing SIMD affine transformation
Instructions and logic provide general purpose GF(28) SIMD cryptographic arithmetic functionality. Embodiments include a processor to decode an instruction for a SIMD affine transformation specifying a source data operand, a transformation matrix operand, and a translation vector. The transformation matrix is applied to each element of the source data operand, and the translation vector is applied to each of the transformed elements. A result of the instruction is stored in a SIMD destination register. Some embodiments also decode an instruction for a SIMD binary finite field multiplicative inverse to compute an inverse in a binary finite field modulo an irreducible polynomial for each element of the source data operand. Some embodiments also decode an instruction for a SIMD binary finite field multiplication specifying first and second source data operands to multiply each corresponding pair of elements of the first and second source data operand modulo an irreducible polynomial. |
| US09960905B2 |
Cryptographic processing device and cryptographic processing method
A cryptographic processing device includes a processor that generates a first encrypted polynomial, a receiver that receives cryptographic information representing a fourth encrypted polynomial, and cryptographic information representing a second random number, the fourth encrypted polynomial including a first operation result that is a result of an operation of a fifth vector and a sixth vector, the first operation result being obtained by a second encrypted polynomial and a third encrypted polynomial, wherein the second encrypted polynomial is obtained based on the first encrypted polynomial, the second random number, and a second polynomial that corresponds to a third vector obtained by adding zero to the second vector, and the third encrypted polynomial is obtained based on the fifth vector obtained by adding zero to a fourth vector. The processor generates a second operation result that is a result of an operation of the second vector and the fourth vector. |
| US09960902B1 |
Temporal change in data-crossing clock phase difference to resolve meta-stability in a clock and data recovery circuit
An example method of clock and data recovery in a receiver includes generating data samples and crossing samples of a received signal based on a data clock signal and a crossing clock signal, respectively, which are derived from a sampling clock signal; adjusting a phase of the sampling clock signal using a clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit based on the data samples and the crossing samples; adjusting relative phase between the data clock signal and the crossing clock signal from a first phase difference to a second phase difference that is less than ninety degrees; and reverting the relative phase between the data clock signal and the crossing clock signal to the first phase difference after a threshold time period. |
| US09960901B2 |
Clock synchronization using sferic signals
A system and method involve using sferic signals to synchronize clocks and/or determine relative receiver positions within a communications network. A sferic signal is detected, encoded, and then identified. A time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) for the sferic signal is then calculated. A clock error estimate is determined from the TDOA. The clock error estimate is then used to synchronize clocks and/or determine relative receiver positions. |
| US09960898B2 |
Radio frequency front-end circuit
A radio frequency front-end circuit includes a duplexer, a phase adjustment circuit, and a low noise amplifier. The phase adjustment circuit is connected between an Rx filter of the duplexer and the low noise amplifier. The phase adjustment circuit executes phase adjustment such that a quadrant in which an impedance ZLNA(fn) at a particular frequency different from a fundamental frequency of a reception signal when looking at the low noise amplifier side from the Rx filter is present and a quadrant in which an impedance ZRX(fn) at the particular frequency when looking at the Rx filter side from the low noise amplifier is present are not in a conjugate relation in terms of phase. |
| US09960896B2 |
Method and apparatus for sending hybrid automatic repeat request feedback for component carrier aggregation
Techniques for sending hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback for transmissions received via a plurality of aggregated component carriers are disclosed. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) receive a plurality of codewords via a plurality of component carriers and decodes the codewords. The component carriers are grouped into a plurality of groups, and the WTRU may generate a bundled positive/negative acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) for each group of component carriers. The WTRU may be assigned a plurality of uplink control channel resources and may implement a channel selection scheme for indicating the ACK/NACKs. The WTRU selects one of the uplink control channel resources, and sets the HARQ feedback based the ACK/NACKs or bundled ACK/NACKs in a way that a different uplink control channel resource is selected and HARQ feedback bits are set differently based on the ACK/NACKs or bundled ACK/NACKs. Each physical uplink control channel (PUCCHs) may be mapped to a particular antenna. |
| US09960894B2 |
Pilot patterns for OFDM systems with multiple antennas
The present invention relates to orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) communication systems with four transmit antennas and one or more receive antennas, and in particular to methods for inserting scattered pilots (SPs) into the transmit signals of such OFDM systems, for estimating channel properties on the basis of the scattered pilots, a multi-antenna OFDM transmitter, and an OFDM receiver. In this context, it is the particular approach of the present invention to keep the same SP pattern like in the single-transmitter case, to partition the pilots into as many subsets as there are transmitters (transmit antennas), and to interleave these subsets both in time and in frequency. In this manner, the granularity of pilots of the same subset is reduced. This offers increased flexibility in designing the scattered pilot patterns and greater accuracy of the estimated channel properties. |
| US09960890B2 |
Superposition coding based preamble designs for co-existing radio access technologies
Methods, systems, and devices are described for wireless communication at a device. A device may distinguish a preamble sent from a device configured for a first RAT (e.g., WLAN, Wi-Fi, etc.) from a preamble sent from a device configured for a second RAT (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-U, etc.). A wireless device associated with a second RAT may transmit a dual-use preamble over a contention-based frequency channel. The dual-use preamble may function as a valid preamble for a first RAT and may be received and decoded by devices associated with the first RAT in addition to devices associated with the second RAT. The dual-use preamble may also include a signature associated with the second RAT. The signature may be embedded with the preamble such that it minimizes interference with the valid preamble and be detected by devices associated with the second RAT. |
| US09960887B2 |
Method and apparatus of signal transmission and reception in a filter bank multiple carrier system
The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). Provided is a method of transmitting signals in an FBMC/OQAM system. Data symbols transmitted in category-2 data symbols or category-3 data symbols are determined according to interference from all of adjacent OQAM data symbols and an intrinsic interference coefficient of category-2 data symbols interference experienced by category-3 data symbols in a user data block, so that transmission symbols in the category-3 data symbols composed of transmitted data symbols and interference include target data symbols of the category-3 data symbols and target data symbols of the category-2 data symbols. A transmitting device transmits the data symbols of the category-3 data symbols and data symbols transmitted in category-2 data symbols together with other data symbols in the user data block. |
| US09960884B2 |
System and method for channel state information feedback in wireless communications systems
A system and method for channel state information feedback in wireless communications systems are provided. A method for reporting channel information includes determining, at a user equipment, a channel information type for first channel information to be reported to a communications controller, determining the first channel information conditioned on previously reported channel information and on the channel information type, and reporting the first channel information, the channel information type, or a combination thereof, to the communications controller. |
| US09960880B2 |
Signal sending method and device
The present disclosure discloses a signal sending method and device. The method includes: receiving, by a base station, an uplink pilot signal sent by authorized user equipment, and determining a direction vector parameter and a first channel fading parameter of a channel calculating, according to the direction vector parameter and the first channel fading parameter, a first signal beamformer parameter, determining a transmission area of an artificial noise signal according to the direction vector parameter, and calculating a second signal beamformer parameter; and processing a to-be-transmitted signal by using the first signal beamformer parameter and the second signal beamformer parameter, and transmitting the processed signal. In this way, in a non-target direction, energy leakage of the secrecy signal to the authorized user equipment is relatively small, and transmitted artificial noise signals are concentrated in an area with a relatively high secrecy signal leakage risk. |
| US09960875B2 |
Base station, communication system and method thereof
The present disclosure provides a base station, a communication system and a method thereof. The communication system includes three base stations adjacent to each other, and each base station serves at least one UE. The method includes: acquiring, by each base station, a channel matrix of a channel from the base station to an adjacent base station; calculating an interference alignment-based transmission precoding matrix for each base station based on the channel matrices of the channels between the base stations; and precoding, by each base station, data to be transmitted with the interference alignment-based transmission precoding matrix. |
| US09960872B2 |
Systems and methods for performing a soft-block of a queue based on a size of a remaining period of a guard band
A network device including first and second queues, a determination module, a counter module, a comparison module and a blocking shaper. The determination module determines a size of the second frame. The counter module determines an amount of time remaining in a guard band and converts the amount of time to a size representative of the time remaining in the guard band. The guard band refers to a period of time leading up to a window. The first frame is scheduled to be forwarded from the first queue during the window. The comparison module compares the size of the second frame to the size representative of the time remaining in the guard band and generates a result based on the comparison. The blocking shaper, based on the result, determines whether to permit or block transmission of the second frame from the second queue during the guard band. |
| US09960871B1 |
Method and apparatus for securing clock synchronization in a network
Aspects of the disclosure provide a method that includes receiving a first packet through a network at a first device. The first packet includes a first message generated according to a precision time protocol and a first encapsulation that encapsulates one or more fields of the first message. Further, the method includes security-verifying the first packet based on the first message and the first encapsulation, and processing the first message according to the precision time protocol after the first packet is security-verified. |
| US09960868B2 |
Identification of broadcast source associated with unknown fingerprint
An end user can sample a radio or television broadcast, generate a user representation of the broadcast sample, and send the user representation to a comparison system, which also receives known representations of content broadcast by multiple different stations. The known representations are stored in a continuous fashion, and represent actually broadcast content. The comparison system identifies the source of the broadcast sample by comparing the user representation to the known representations associated with each of the different stations using a bit count method, such as the Hamming distance. By comparing two representations of content that was actually broadcast, a broadcast source can be identified without requiring the use of watermarks, timestamps, or a database of discreet content items. |
| US09960866B1 |
Method and apparatus for signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimation
A method and apparatus are provided. The method includes receiving a signal sequence and a noise sequence, determining a first absolute value sum approximation of a receive power of the signal sequence, determining a second absolute value sum approximation of a noise power of the noise sequence, and determining a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) based on the first absolute value sum approximation and the second absolute value sum approximation. |
| US09960864B2 |
Electronic device with over-the-air wireless self-testing capabilities
An electronic device may be provided with wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry may include antennas. The antennas may include phased antenna arrays for handling millimeter wave signals. Antennas may be located in antenna signal paths. The antenna signal paths may include adjustable components such as adjustable filters, adjustable gain amplifiers, and adjustable phase shifters. Circuitry may be incorporated into an electronic device to facilitate wireless self-testing operations. Wireless self-testing may involve use of one antenna to transmit an over-the-air antenna test signal that is received by another antenna. The circuitry that facilitates the wireless self-testing operations may include couplers, adjustable switches for temporarily shorting antenna signal paths together, mixers for mixing down radio-frequency signals to allow digitization with analog-to-digital converters, and other circuitry for supporting self-testing operations. |
| US09960860B2 |
Cover accessory including electromagnetic wave suppression function for wireless communication device
Provided is a cover accessory for a wireless communication device, includingan electromagnetic suppressing pattern layer on a surface adjoining at least one surface on which an electromagnetic wave is irradiated from the wireless communication device, wherein the electromagnetic suppressing pattern layer includes a first dielectric layer and a frequency selective surface (FSS) pattern with a unit cell having electromagnetic surface resistance periodically repeated thereon, and the FSS pattern is provided by etching the first dielectric layer to inject an FSS pattern material or by printing the FSS pattern material on the first dielectric layer. |
| US09960859B2 |
Anti-electromagnetic interference unit
An anti-electromagnetic interference unit is provided, and the anti-electromagnetic interference unit is used to avoid that electromagnetic interference affects a NFC antenna module. The anti-electromagnetic interference unit comprises a plurality of EBG structures. Each EBG structure comprises a central body and at least one channel. The at least one channel is extended from the body, and extending shape of the at least one channel is a structure with a plurality of meanders. |
| US09960858B2 |
Positional information transmission system, positional information transmitter, and positional information transmitting method
A novel positional information transmission system includes a plurality of positional information transmission units. The positional information transmission unit includes a close-range wireless communication unit that performs close-range wireless communication and a sonic wave transmission unit that transmits positional information as a sonic signal used for detecting a position of a receiver that receives the sonic signal based on information transmitted by the close-range wireless communication unit. |
| US09960856B2 |
System and method for optical receiver
A receiver is provided, including a signal acquiring unit, a signal diversity unit that is connected to the signal acquiring unit, a signal combination unit that is connected to the signal diversity unit, and a digital-signal acquiring unit that is connected to the signal combination unit. The receiver can receive a dual-polarization signal and can eliminate SSBI from the dual-polarization signal. |
| US09960852B2 |
Device for data transmission
Devices are provided including an SFP interface and a further interface for wire-based data transmission. A conversion circuit converts between SFP interface signals and wire-based interface signals. The interfaces and the conversion circuit may be, but need not be, provided on a same circuit board. |
| US09960851B2 |
Multi-mode fiber node
In a first configuration, circuitry of a fiber node may be configured to modulate an optical carrier by an analog upstream electrical signal received via the electrical network. In a second configuration, the circuitry may be configured to digitize the analog upstream electrical signal to generate a digitized upstream signal, and modulate the optical carrier with the digitized upstream signal. An optical receiver of the fiber node may be configured to convert a downstream optical signal to a downstream electrical signal. In the first configuration, the downstream electrical signal may be a first analog signal and the circuitry may be configured to output the first analog signal into the electrical network. In a third configuration, the downstream electrical signal is a digitized waveform and the circuitry is configured to convert the digitized waveform to a second analog signal and output the second analog signal into the electrical network. |
| US09960850B2 |
Reducing leaked downlink interference signals in a remote unit uplink path(s) in a distributed antenna system (DAS)
Methods and systems for reducing leaked downlink interference signals in a remote unit uplink path(s) in a distributed antenna system (DAS) are provided. In a remote antenna unit (RAU) disclosed herein, a downlink interference signal may be leaked from a downlink path to an uplink path in the RAU. In this regard, an adjustment circuit is provided in the downlink path of the RAU to suppress the downlink interference signal. A control system is provided in the DAS to monitor the leaked downlink interference signal and control the adjustment circuit in the RAU to minimize the leaked downlink interference signal in the uplink path. By providing the adjustment circuit in the RAU and the control system in the DAS to minimize the leaked downlink interference signal in the uplink path, it is possible to reduce interferences between downlink and uplink communications signals without increasing costs of the RAU. |
| US09960844B1 |
Electrically testing an optical receiver
An example photodiode emulator circuit includes: a first current source circuit; first and second transistors having sources coupled together and coupled to an output of the first current source circuit, a drain of the second transistor coupled to a first node; a third transistor coupled between a drain of the first transistor and a replica load circuit; a second current source circuit coupled to the first node; a capacitor coupled between the first node and electrical ground; and a fourth transistor having a source coupled to the first node and a drain that supplies an output current. |
| US09960843B2 |
Nonlinear spatially resolved interferometer (NL-SRI) for characterizing optical properties of deployed telecommunication cables
Using pump-probe measurements on multi-span optical links may result in the determination of one or more of the following: 1) wavelength-dependent power profile and gain evolution along the optical link; 2) wavelength-dependent dispersion map; and 3) location of regions of high polarization-dependent loss (PDL) and polarization-mode dispersion (PMD). Such measurements may be a useful diagnostic for maintenance and upgrade activities on deployed cables as well as for commissioning new cables. |
| US09960839B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving reference signal in mobile communication system using beamforming
A method for transmitting a reference signal by a Base Station (BS) in a mobile communication system using beamforming includes determining beamforming information for transmission of a Reference Signal (RS) Transmit (Tx) beam, wherein at least one of a Tx period and a beam width of the RS Tx beam is determined differently based on a size of Receive (Rx) areas in which a plurality of Tx beams are received in coverage of the BS; and transmitting the RS Tx beam to related Rx areas depending on the determined beamforming information. |
| US09960836B2 |
Method and system for satellite using multifunctional motherboard
A satellite is configured for use in space so as to receive RF signals, convert them to a different frequency range, and retransmit the converted RF signals. The satellite comprises a payload area supporting a motherboard structure with a plurality of frequency converters supported on it. The frequency converters are each connected with an antenna system of the satellite so that each of them receives a respective RF input signal. A local oscillator source supported on said motherboard structure generates a local oscillator signal, and a motherboard in the motherboard structure receives the local oscillator signal and transmits it through the motherboard to each of the frequency converters. The frequency converters each convert the respective RF input signal to a respective RF output signal using the local oscillator signal and transmit the RF output signal to the antenna system so as to be transmitted wirelessly. |
| US09960830B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing beam in beamforming system
A pre-5th-generation (5G) or 5G communication system for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-generation (4G) communication system such as long term evolution (LTE) is provided. In a beam update method of a terminal, measuring a beam reference signal (BRS) transmitted from a base station, determining whether a beam measurement information transmission condition is satisfied, if the beam measurement information transmission condition is satisfied, transmitting beam measurement information to the base station, receiving information about a base station transmitting beam from the base station, and updating information about a terminal receiving beam based on the received information about the base station transmitting beam. |
| US09960829B2 |
Channel state information feedback method and apparatus
The present invention discloses a channel state information feedback method and apparatus. User equipment determines a PMI and a CQI, and a feedback expression manner of the PMI and the CQI, where the feedback expression manner includes a first or a second feedback expression manner, and sends the PMI and the CQI to a network device in the determined feedback expression manner of the PMI and the CQI, where the first feedback expression manner includes: using T CQI values to express CQI of M codewords, and using one PMI value to indicate one PMI, where T is less than M, and there is at least one CQI value that can express CQI of at least two codewords; and the second feedback expression manner includes: using M CQI values to express CQI of M codewords. The present invention may be applied to a scenario in which an antenna quantity increases. |
| US09960820B2 |
Contactless data transfer systems and methods
Data may be transferred from a communication subsystem of a first device to a communication subsystem of a second device contactlessly, at high speed, and without intervention by host processors of either device. Devices may be programmed or personalized at the factory or warehouse, and may personalized at a warehouse or at a point of sale while in the box. Various modes of operation and use scenarios are described. Portions of the devices themselves, or a transmission path between the devices may be shielded against snooping by a material which degrades an EHF signal passing therethrough. |
| US09960819B2 |
Systems and methods for multi-mode inductively couples communication
A method for inductively coupled communication is described. The method includes determining an operational mode for inductively coupled communication. The method also includes performing the operational mode by combining a transmit power amplifier (PA) output replica and a PA output copy at a signal combining block of a receiver. The PA output replica reflects effects of channel properties. The PA output copy is unaffected by the channel properties. |
| US09960817B2 |
Communication device, communication method, program and communication system
A communication device includes: an electromagnetic-wave generating unit for outputting an electromagnetic wave; and a transmitting/receiving unit for transmitting data by modulating the electromagnetic wave in accordance with data and receiving data transmitted from the other device by demodulating the electromagnetic wave outputted by the electromagnetic-wave generating unit or the electromagnetic wave outputted by the other device as the other party of communication, wherein the transmitting/receiving unit transmits attribute information indicating communication ability of the device and receives attribute information indicating communication ability of the other device, and the electromagnetic-wave generating unit reduces power of the electromagnetic wave to be outputted after receiving the attribute information. |
| US09960815B2 |
Wireless power delivery and data link
An electromagnetic induction wireless transceiver system including: a magnetic antenna; an electric antenna including first and second plates, the first plate being connectable to a body; and a power driver configured to produce a modulating signal used to drive the magnetic antenna and the electric antenna to produce electromagnetic induction fields, wherein the transceiver when connected to a body in a first location is configured to transmit power to a second electromagnetic induction wireless transceiver connected to a second location a distance from the first location, wherein the first and second locations are connected through magnetic and electric near-field coupling. |
| US09960813B2 |
System and method for communicating between near field communication devices within a target region using near field communication
Systems and methods for communication between near field communication devices within a target communication region using near field magnetic induction is disclosed. One method comprises generating a near field detectable signal at an active node having a power level sufficient to enable communication with a plurality of near field communication nodes located within the target communication region. Information is modulated onto the near field detectable signal using at least one of the near field communication nodes. The modulated information is detected at the active node. The information is then relayed on the near field detectable signal from the active node to at least one of the plurality of near field communication nodes within the target communication region. |
| US09960808B2 |
Guided-wave transmission device and methods for use therewith
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission device that includes a transmitter that generates a first electromagnetic wave to convey data, the first electromagnetic wave having at least one carrier frequency and corresponding wavelength. A coupler couples the first electromagnetic wave to a transmission medium having at least one inner portion surrounded by a dielectric material, the dielectric material having an outer surface and a corresponding circumference, wherein the coupling of the first electromagnetic wave to the transmission medium forms a second electromagnetic wave that is guided to propagate along the outer surface of the dielectric material via at least one guided-wave mode that can include an asymmetric mode, wherein the at least one carrier frequency is within a microwave or millimeter-wave frequency band and wherein the at least one corresponding wavelength is less than the circumference of the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09960802B2 |
Devices and methods related to interfaces for radio-frequency modules
Systems, apparatuses and methods are disclosed providing signal conditioning circuits configured to condition RF signals, and an interface in communication with the signal-conditioning circuits, the interface including M inputs and N outputs, each of the quantities M and N greater than 1. The interface is configured so that each of at least two of the M inputs is coupled to a separate output through a separate switch. |
| US09960800B2 |
Cradle assembly for vehicle capable of connecting with mobile terminal
Disclosed is a cradle assembly for a vehicle capable of connecting with a mobile terminal, including a cover unit configured to open or close an accommodation space defined in a dashboard panel by pivoting, a binding unit attached to a lower end of the cover unit so as to fix an upper end of the mobile terminal, and a support unit configured to support the mobile terminal in a state in which a lower end of the mobile terminal is seated therein. Whether or not the cover unit is pivotable is determined based on whether or not the mobile terminal is electrically connected to the vehicle. |
| US09960799B2 |
Mobile phone case to reduce exposure to microwave radiation
A case containing DNA material protect the user from non-ionizing radiation emitted from a mobile phone, while protecting the phone from physical damage. The DNA material absorbs the radiation emitting from the transmitter of the mobile phone. Layers of DNA material along with non-organic layers are advantageously combine to increase the absorption. The DNA material may be used form the case or be provided and an insert to a prior art case. |
| US09960798B2 |
Apparatus and method for tuning frequency
A frequency tuning apparatus includes: a frequency tuner configured to tune an oscillation frequency of an oscillator based on target information extracted from a mapping table in correspondence to a target frequency, and oscillation information collected from the oscillator; and a frequency compensator configured to compensate for a compensation error between the tuned oscillation frequency and the target frequency based on an offset table. |
| US09960794B2 |
Over the air acquisition of radio frequency impairment information
Systems and methods for providing indications about the TX RF non-linear impairments are disclosed. In accordance with some implementations, a first device (UE or base station) estimates EVM indications for the signal and determines if the EVM indications is above a threshold. The first device may transmit the estimated TX non-linearity indications such as AM-AM, AM-PM, Volterra coefficients, and/or other performance metrics to a second device, that transmitted the signal, when it is determined that the EVM indications is above the threshold. Systems and methods for wireless communication impairment correction are also disclosed wherein, in accordance with some implementations, a first device receives estimated TX non-linearity indications such as AM-AM, AM-PM, and/or Volterra coefficients from a second device and performs non-linear correction of a transmit signal for the second receiver device based at least in part on the EVM indications. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described. |
| US09960785B1 |
Dual-input analog-to-digital converter for improved receiver gain control
A latency associated with a receiver circuit, e.g., radio receiver circuit, can be reduced by applying digital data from an analog signal received by a receiver, e.g., a radio receiver, to an automatic gain control circuit without first using a decimation and digital filtering process, which can minimize or eliminate significant latency associated with the decimation and filtering process. |
| US09960781B1 |
Current mode analog-to-digital converter (ADC)
A current-mode analog-digital conversion (ADC) circuit directly samples and digitizes an input signal in the current domain; the input signal may be a current signal or a photonic signal. Input capacitors may be coupled to the current source by a series of switches and configured to store a target charge. The target charge may be compared to a reference voltage by comparators of the system to generate digital output. The current-mode ADC circuit may be adapted to flash, successive-approximation, and pipeline architectures, or embodied in a photonic receiver incorporating current-mode ADC circuits configured to sample and digitize photonic signals. |
| US09960780B1 |
Current source noise cancellation
At least some embodiments are directed to a system that comprises a differential switch network comprising first and second output nodes, first and second transistors coupled to the network, and first and second resistors coupled to the first and second transistors. The DAC also comprises a voltage source coupled to the first resistor and a ground connection coupled to the second resistor. The DAC further includes a capacitor coupled to the first and second transistors and to the second resistor. |
| US09960772B2 |
Semiconductor device including logical blocks, wiring groups, and switch circuits
A semiconductor device of an embodiment includes: a logical block including at least one first input terminal; at least two first output terminal; a first wiring line group; a second and third wiring line groups including a plurality of shorter wiring lines than wiring lines of the first wiring line group; a fourth and fifth wiring line groups; a first to fourth switch circuits; a first logical element including second and third input terminals connected to at least one of wiring lines of the fourth wiring line group, and a second output terminal connected to one of the at least two first output terminals; and a second logical element including fourth and fifth input terminals connected to at least one of the wiring lines of the fifth wiring line group, and a third output terminal connected to another of the at least two first output terminals. |
| US09960769B2 |
Power-domain optimization
One example discloses an apparatus for power management, including: a circuit having a first power-domain and a second power-domain; wherein the first and second power-domains include a set of operating parameter values; a circuit controller configured to incrementally sweep at least one of the operating parameter values of the first power-domain; a circuit profiler configured to derive a total power consumption profile of the circuit based on the circuit's response to the swept operating parameter value; wherein the circuit controller sets the operating parameter values for the first and second power-domains based on the total power consumption profile of the circuit. |
| US09960764B2 |
Half bridge driver circuits
GaN-based half bridge power conversion circuits employ control, support and logic functions that are monolithically integrated on the same devices as the power transistors. In some embodiments, a low side GaN device communicates through one or more level shift circuits with a high side GaN device. Both the high side and the low side devices may have one or more integrated control, support and logic functions. |
| US09960755B2 |
Low voltage switching gate driver under a high voltage rail
A switching gate driver and method of operating the gate driver is described. The gate driver includes a first voltage source, and a clamping voltage source configured to have a voltage that is less than that of the first voltage source. There is also a current path, for initial charging of a gate voltage of the switching gate, between the first voltage source and a ground source; and a comparator which is configured to clamp the gate voltage to the clamping voltage source as it approaches the voltage of said clamping voltage source. |
| US09960752B2 |
Switchable termination with multiple impedance selections
Multiple termination impedance values are provided in a switchable termination circuit so as to accommodate multiple transmission line characteristics. In one example, a termination matching circuit includes first and second nodes, a series interconnection of a first switch and a first impedance coupled between the first and second nodes, and another series interconnection of a second switch and a second impedance coupled between the first and second nodes. First and second control circuits respectively control the first and second switches such that a selectable impedance is provided between the first and second nodes through selective activation of the first and second switch devices by the first and second control circuits. In another example, additional nodes and resistors are provided to provide further termination impedance values. |
| US09960751B2 |
Piezoelectric vibrator, electronic apparatus, and vehicle
A piezoelectric vibrator includes a piezoelectric substrate including a first surface, a second surface that is opposites to the first surface, and a connection part that connects the first surface and the second surface to each other, and a pair of excitation electrodes disposed respectively on the first surface and the second surface. The connection part includes a plurality of protruding parts disposed in an area between the excitation electrode and an outer edge of the piezoelectric substrate. Top parts of the protruding parts are arranged so that the closer to the outer edge the top part is, the closer to the second surface the top part is, and lower parts of the protruding parts adapted to connect the adjacent protruding parts to each other are arranged so that the closer to the outer edge the lower part is, the closer to the second surface the lower part is. |
| US09960750B2 |
Apparatus for reconfigurable directional couplers in an RF transceiver with controllable capacitive coupling
Provided herein are apparatus and methods for reconfigurable directional couplers in an RF transceiver. Reconfigurable directional couplers can be reconfigured and designed to provide high directivity using configurable capacitors to effect a mutual coupling and using lumped components or delay lines to effect a phase shift. Depending on the embodiment, the reconfigurable directional coupler can include capacitors, inductors, and switching components. The coupler can be designed for multi-band operation with an adjustable coupling factor conducive to semiconductor process integration. The coupler can have variable phase shifters to achieve a desired level of directivity in the coupler. |
| US09960749B2 |
Intra-band combiner-divider and multisystem combining platform
Embodiments of the present application provide an intra-band combiner-divider and a multisystem combining platform, and the intra-band combiner-divider includes: a first-level duplexer, an intra-band combination unit, an intra-band division unit, and a second-level duplexer. In the embodiments of the present application, two ends of the intra-band combiner-divider are connected to the first-level duplexer and the second-level duplexer, so that the intra-band combiner-divider can separately process uplink and downlink signals, thereby reducing PIM of a communication system and improving receiver sensitivity of a base station. |
| US09960747B2 |
Integrated filter and directional coupler assemblies
Integrated filter and electromagnetic coupler assemblies. In certain examples, an integrated filter and electromagnetic coupler assembly includes a filter having a capacitance and a series inductance, the series inductance being connected between an input port and an output port of the integrated filter and electromagnetic coupler assembly, and combination of the capacitance and the series inductance being selected to provide the filter with a passband and a stopband. The integrated filter and electromagnetic coupler assembly further includes a coupling element positioned physically proximate the series inductance and extending between a coupled port and an isolation port of the integrated filter and electromagnetic coupler assembly, the integrated filter and electromagnetic coupler assembly being configured to provide at the coupled port a coupled signal via inductive coupling between the series inductance and the coupling element responsive to receiving an input signal at the input port. |
| US09960738B1 |
Peaking amplifier frequency tuning
A tunable peaking amplifier circuit including: an input node, an output node, and a feedback node; a first input amplifier having an input connected to the input node and an output connected to the feedback node; a second input amplifier having an input connected to the input node; a coupling capacitor connected between an output of the second input amplifier and the feedback node; an amplifier having an input connected to the feedback node and an output connected to the output node; a feedback circuit including: a base feedback amplifier having an input connected to the output node and an output connected to the feedback node; and a tunable feedback amplifier having an input connected to the output node and an output connected to the feedback node; and a tuning circuit for varying a transconductance of the feedback circuit to adjust an operational frequency of the peaking amplifier circuit. |
| US09960736B2 |
Control systems and methods for power amplifiers operating in envelope tracking mode
Control systems and methods for power amplifiers operating in envelope tracking mode are presented. A set of corresponding functions and modules are described and various possible system configurations using such functions and modules are presented. |
| US09960733B2 |
Stress compensated oscillator circuitry and integrated circuit using the same
A stress compensated oscillator circuitry comprises a sensor arrangement for providing a sensor output signal SSensor, wherein the sensor output signal SSensor is based on an instantaneous stress or strain component σ in the semiconductor substrate, a processing arrangement for processing the sensor output signal SSensor and providing a control signal SControl depending on the instantaneous stress or strain component σ in the semiconductor substrate, and an oscillator arrangement for providing an oscillator output signal Sosc having an oscillator frequency fosc based on the control signal SControl, wherein the control signal SControl controls the oscillator output signal Sosc, and wherein the control signal SControl reduces the influence of the instantaneous stress or strain component σ in the semiconductor substrate onto the oscillator output signal Sosc, so that the oscillator circuitry provides a stress compensated oscillator output signal. |
| US09960730B2 |
Self-ballasted apparatus for solar tracking
A frame for mounting a plurality of solar tracking units is provided. The frame comprises a plurality of leg assemblies interconnected by trusses to provide a stable structure that is ballasted by the frame's own weight, rather than relying on external ballast such as concrete blocks. Each leg assembly is provided with a shaft with a mounting end for mounting a solar tracking unit. Each solar tracking unit includes an armature assembly and at least one motor for controlling the orientation and position of a solar panel mounted thereon. Solar tracking assemblies, each comprising the frame and plurality of solar tracking units, can be assembled in an array using connectors spacing the assemblies, thus providing enhanced stability. Each of the assemblies can be provided with a local control unit for controlling each individual solar tracking unit, and a global control unit may be used to control the local control units. |
| US09960729B2 |
Solar tracker, sun tracking method, solar power generator, and controller
A solar tracker comprises: a measuring section which measures the quantity of electric power generated by a solar panel; a solar position getting section which gets information about the theoretical solar position; a driving section which changes the orientation of the solar panel; a dither control section which measures a solar position; a positional shift measuring section which measures a solar positional shift between the measured solar position and the theoretical solar position. The driving section corrects the theoretical solar position based on the estimated attitude error and controls the orientation of the solar panel based on the theoretical position corrected. |
| US09960728B2 |
Rotating electric machine winding temperature estimation device and rotating electric machine winding temperature estimation method
A winding temperature estimation device for a rotating electric machine includes a rotating electric machine including a stator, which has a winding, and a rotor, a coolant supply part configured to supply a coolant, a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the coolant, a heat reduction amount calculation part configured to calculate a heat reduction amount of the winding using the temperature of the coolant and a heat resistance between the coolant and the winding, a heating value calculation part configured to calculate a heating value due to a loss of the winding, and a winding temperature calculation part configured to calculate a temperature of the winding using the heat reduction amount from the winding and the heating value due to the loss of the winding. |
| US09960727B2 |
Stall diagnosis apparatus for motor of air conditioning actuator
A stall diagnosis apparatus for a motor of an air conditioning actuator includes: a resistor connecting from a first door actuator of a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system of a vehicle to the ground; a resistor connection circuit connecting from a VCC power terminal to the resistor; a switch disposed on the resistor connection circuit; a first circuit and a second circuit branched from a motor connection circuit connecting from the VCC power terminal to a motor of the first door actuator through a motor driver and the resistor connection circuit, respectively; a current sensing circuit unit including an input terminal connected to the first circuit and the second circuit and outputting a current signal corresponding to a voltage value between the motor connection circuit and the resistor connection circuit; and a controller for controlling the motor and determining whether or not the motor is stalled. |
| US09960726B1 |
Electric drive power converter with low distortion dead-time insertion
An electric drive system of an electrified vehicle has a power converter with phase leg switching devices controlled by pulse-width modulation to supply multi-phase AC to an electric traction motor. Dead-time intervals are inserted into gate drive signals for the switching devices without introducing any significant distortion in the output of the converter. A direction of current flow between a phase leg and the motor is detected. When the current direction is positive, lower gate signals for a lower switching device in the phase leg have a delayed rising edge and an advanced falling edge while upper gate signals are unmodified. When the current direction is negative, upper gate signals for an upper switching device in the phase leg have a delayed rising edge and an advanced falling edge while lower gate signals are unmodified. |
| US09960724B2 |
Driving system for hybrid electric vehicles and method of controlling phase of pulse width modulation carrier signal in the same
A driving system for hybrid electric vehicles includes a DC/DC converter configured to convert low-voltage DC power of a vehicle battery into high-voltage DC power according to a first PWM signal generated based on a first PWM carrier signal; a first inverter configured to convert the high-voltage DC power into first AC power according to a second signal generated based on a second PWM carrier signal, and drive a first driving motor according to the first AC power; a second inverter configured to convert the high-voltage DC power into second AC power according to a third PWM signal generated based on a third PWM carrier signal, and drive a second driving motor according to the second AC power; and a PWM phase controller configured to separately control phases of the first to third PWM carrier signals according to an operation mode of each of the first and second driving motors. |
| US09960711B2 |
Single phase inverters cooperatively controlled to provide one, two, or three phase unipolar electricity
The systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide single phase inverters that may be cooperatively controlled to provide one, two, or three phase unipolar electricity. In an embodiment, a solar panel may be connected to a DC to DC converter and a unipolar power converter. In an embodiment, the unipolar power converter output may be a single phase signal approximating a desired voltage waveform and frequency, offset from the ground electrical potential such that the voltage output signal may be always positive, thus “unipolar”. In an embodiment, the unipolar power output of each string of solar panels may be connected to a dedicated, predetermined phase of a load, such as a three phase grid system. In an embodiment, the DC output of a DC to DC converter may be connected in parallel with other DC to DC converters and other unipolar converters. |
| US09960710B2 |
Automotive vehicle inverter control apparatus
In an automotive vehicle inverter control apparatus of the related art, a limp-home mode is provided, but six power sources including transformers are required for respective gate circuits of the respective IGBT drive circuits. Therefore, a reduction in size and a reduction in weight cannot be achieved, and a demand of the improvement of mountability or the improvement of fuel consumption as described above cannot be satisfied. A power semiconductor module and the drive circuit include three unit semiconductor modules and three unit drive circuits corresponding to a three-phase alternating current, and power supply units of the unit drive circuits are provided independently, whereby the limp-home mode is provided and in addition, the number of power supply units may be reduced, so that the reduction in size and the reduction in weight are achieved. |
| US09960708B2 |
Apparatus and method for an active-switched inverter using multiple frequencies
An inverter apparatus and method are provided for converting direct current to alternating current. The inverter circuit includes a first switch sub-circuit configured for electrical communication with a power source and switching at a first frequency. The inverter circuit further includes a second switch sub-circuit in electrical communication with the first switch sub-circuit. The second switch sub-circuit is configured for electrical communication with a load and switching at a second frequency different from the first frequency. |
| US09960706B1 |
Synchronization rectification device
A synchronization rectification device is connected with a secondary side of a transformer of a power supply and an output capacitor. The synchronization rectification device includes a rectification switch, a voltage-controlled switch module and a rectification controller. The rectification switch is connected between the secondary side and the output capacitor. The voltage-controlled switch module connected with the secondary side has a voltage-division capacitor and receives a secondary voltage generated by the secondary side. The rectification controller is connected with the rectification switch and the voltage-controlled switch module. When the secondary voltage rises to a switching voltage value below a first voltage value, the rectification controller controls the rectification switch to be turned off. After the rectification switch is turned off, the voltage-controlled switch module is turned off, and the voltage-division capacitor receives the secondary voltage. |
| US09960704B2 |
Circuit arrangement with a rectifier circuit
In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes receiving by a drive circuit electrical power from a voltage tap of a first rectifier circuit that includes a load path and a voltage tap, and using the electrical power by the drive circuit to drive a second rectifier circuit that includes a load path. The load path of the first rectifier circuit and the load path of the second rectifier circuit are coupled to a common circuit node. |