| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09980675B2 |
System and method for biological applications using pre-determined sized nanoparticles
The invention features an apparatus for producing a fluid stream having plurality of nanoparticles in the fluid stream. The apparatus includes a source configured to provide a fluid stream having a first randomly sized distribution of a plurality of nanoparticles; a flow control zone configured to receive the fluid stream from the source and to control the fluid stream to produce a controlled fluid stream having a selected flow rate; a separation zone configured to receive and to separate the selectively controlled fluid stream into at least one separated fluid stream having a non-randomly sized distribution of nanoparticles; and a collection zone capable of receiving the separated fluid stream according to at least one non-random sized distribution of nanoparticles to produce at least one collected stream. The apparatus is configured for a continuous flow of the fluid stream. A size of a nanoparticle can be related to an intrinsic core diameter, a hydrodynamic diameter, and a combination of intrinsic core diameter and hydrodynamic diameter measurements. The nanoparticles can include non-magnetic nanoparticles, partially magnetic nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, superparamagnetic nanoparticles, and a combination of at least two different nanoparticle types. The invention also features methods for producing said fluid streams. The invention further features apparatus and methods for cancer confirmation and targeted therapeutic drug development. |
| US09980674B2 |
Real-time evaluation of CPR performance
A computer-implemented method for providing summary information for lifesaving activities is disclosed. The method involves sensing one or more activities that are repeatedly and cyclically performed on a victim by a rescuer; identifying a cyclical timing interval over which performance is to be analyzed for a integer number of cycles of the one or more activities, and gathering data from the sensing of the one or more activities during the time interval; generating, from analysis of the one or more activities, summary data that condenses data sensed for the one or more activities into a summary of the one or more activities; and providing, for display to a user, a visual summary of the performance of the one or more activities over the identified time interval. |
| US09980670B2 |
Sensor inserter assembly
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte, such as blood glucose. An inserter having a retractable introducer is provided for subcutaneously implanting the sensor in a predictable and reliable fashion. |
| US09980667B2 |
Non-invasive physiological sensor cover
A sensor cover according to embodiments of the disclosure is capable of being used with a non-invasive physiological sensor, such as a pulse oximetry sensor. Certain embodiments of the sensor cover reduce or eliminate false readings from the sensor when the sensor is not in use, for example, by blocking a light detecting component of a pulse oximeter sensor when the pulse oximeter sensor is active but not in use. Further, embodiments of the sensor cover can prevent damage to the sensor. Additionally, embodiments of the sensor cover prevent contamination of the sensor. |
| US09980660B2 |
Systems and methods for on-site and real-time electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI)
A non-transitory computer readable medium stores instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method that includes computing a transfer matrix representing a relative influence that each respective electrode location for measuring electrical potentials on a patient's body has on an estimation of electrical potentials for locations on a surface of interest prior to the measuring of electrical potentials at the respective electrode locations and receiving electrical potential measurements measured via a plurality of electrodes at respective electrode locations on the patient's body. The method also includes computing the estimation of electrical potentials for the locations on the surface of interest based at least in part on the received electrical potential measurements and the computed transfer matrix and generating image data representing the estimation of electrical potentials. |
| US09980658B2 |
Identifying living skin tissue in a video sequence with scaling for size or resolution
According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus for identifying living skin tissue in a video sequence, the apparatus comprising a processing unit configured to obtain a video sequence, the video sequence comprising a plurality of image frames; divide each of the image frames into a first plurality of frame segments; form a first plurality of video sub-sequences, each video sub-sequence comprising a frame segment from the first plurality of frame segments for two or more of the image frames; divide each of the image frames into a second plurality of frame segments, the second plurality of frame segments comprising a greater number of frame segments than the first plurality of frame segments; form a second plurality of video sub-sequences, each video sub-sequence comprising a frame segment from the second plurality of frame segments for two or more of the image frames; analyze the video sub-sequences in the first plurality of video sub-sequences and the second plurality of video sub-sequences to determine a pulse signal for each video sub-sequence; and analyze the pulse signals to identify areas of living skin tissue in the video sequence. |
| US09980654B2 |
Multi-focus physiologic sensing device for condensing light
A multi-focus physiologic sensing device for condensing light is disclosed, comprises a multi-focus condenser has one first ellipse reflection member, and one second ellipse reflection member is arranged at an end of the first ellipse reflection member. The first ellipse reflection member has a first focus point thereon. The second ellipse reflection member has two second focus points thereon. A boundary between the first ellipse reflection member and the second ellipse reflection member has a first confocal point. Two lighting elements are respectively arranged on the two second focus points to generate light sources, that focus light on the first confocal point through the second ellipse reflection member, and then the detected object reflects the detected light source back to the first confocal point. Then, the detected light source is passes through the sensor from the first focus. |
| US09980652B2 |
Mapping force and temperature for a catheter
A method for displaying information, including receiving measurements, with respect to an invasive probe inside a body of a subject, of probe parameters consisting of a force exerted by the probe on tissue of the subject and temperatures measured by sensors of the probe. The method further includes, responsively to the measurements, displaying in a single map on a display screen a graphical representation of a distribution of the temperatures in a vicinity of the probe and superimposing thereon a vector representation of the force. |
| US09980644B2 |
Remote comprehensive eye examination system
An ophthalmic technician is present with a patient in an exam room to operate eye examination equipment and transmit patient information to remote location. At that remote location, a skilled technician is present to provide the necessary optical care, and may operate the phoropter from the remote location. Using video and/or teleconferencing equipment and a phoropter located in the patient examination room along with management software, the system works to determine the final optical prescription for the patient. That information, coupled with findings from other devices which are integrated with the management software, and that the patient uses locally, are reviewed by a remote-based optometrist or ophthalmologist. |
| US09980643B2 |
Ophthalmologic apparatus
An ophthalmologic apparatus which is capable of preferably executing position matching between an eye and optical system is provided. An ophthalmologic apparatus of an embodiment includes an examination optical system, supporting part, driver, two or more imaging parts, analyzer and controller. The examination optical system is used for an examination of the eye. The supporting part supports a face of a subject. The driver moves the examination optical system and the supporting part relatively and three-dimensionally. The two or more imaging parts substantially simultaneously photograph an anterior eye part of the eye from different directions. The analyzer obtains a three-dimensional position of the eye by analyzing two or more photograph images acquired by the two or more imaging parts substantially simultaneously. The controller controls the driver based on the three-dimensional position to relatively move the examination optical system and the supporting part. |
| US09980642B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining physiologic perturbations of a patient
The present disclosure is related to a method and apparatus for determining a physiologic perturbation of a patient including acquiring a video sequence, including a plurality of video frames, of an eye of a patient, selecting at least one parameter of a plurality of parameters including a baseline pupil size, a maximum change in size of a pupil, an average velocity of constriction of the pupil, a maximum velocity of constriction of the pupil, latency of constriction of the pupil, and a velocity of re-dilation of the pupil, determining, using processing circuitry and based on the plurality of video frames, the selected at least one parameter of the plurality of parameters, and determining the physiologic perturbation of the patient based on the determined at least one parameter, where the least one parameter of the plurality of parameters is selected based on which physiologic perturbation of the patient is to be determined. |
| US09980638B2 |
Systems and methods for measuring refractive error and ophthalmic lenses provided therefrom
Systems and methods for providing identification factors for an individual wearer. Some or all of the identification factors when within a predetermined value provide a prescription and corrective ophthalmic lenses for a selected individual wearer, the corrective ophthalmic lens having at least one correction that is to the nearest 0.20 diopter, or is in a range between about the nearest 0.01 diopter and about the nearest 0.20 diopter. The prescription and corrective ophthalmic lenses are obtained by at least first analysis performed with a first instrument, a second analysis performed with a second instrument, and a third analysis performed with a third instrument, in which each instrument is different, and each analysis is different. |
| US09980636B2 |
Methods and systems using fractional rank precision and mean average precision as test-retest reliability measures
Disclosed herein are methods and systems of evaluating test-retest precision using fractional rank precision or mean-average precision, comprising: a) collecting a test and a retest result of each subject, wherein the results are described in feature space(s) and collected from a vision test machine; b) selecting, a first test result of a first subject; c) calculating distances from the first test result to the retest result of each subject; d) assessing, a similarity between the first test result and the retest result of each subject by ranking the distances in a non-descending order; e) assessing a rank precision for the first subject based on a rank of a distance from the first test result to the retest result of the first subject; f) repeating b), c), d), and e) for each subject; and evaluating, the test-retest precision based on the rank precision for each of the plurality of subjects. |
| US09980634B2 |
Minimally-invasive measurement of esophageal inflammation
The methods and apparatus of the present invention allow the evaluation of inflammation of the esophagus. Measurements may be utilized, for example, to diagnose a disease of the esophagus, to monitor inflammation of the esophagus, or to access the treatment of a disease of the esophagus. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a method for measuring esophageal inflammation comprising deploying a device into the esophagus of a subject, removing the device after a predetermined period of time, analyzing the device for a diagnostic indicator of esophageal inflammation and evaluating the diagnostic indicator to diagnose esophageal inflammation. |
| US09980628B2 |
Methods and systems for controlling an on/off switch
A control circuit for controlling a state of a switching circuit may include a first unit to sense and interpret a wireless signal or physical parameter as an “on” signal to transition the switching circuit to the “on” state, or as an “off” signal to transition the switching circuit to the “off” state, and to transfer a first digital signal or logic value and/or a second digital signal or logic value, which may respectively or combinatorially represent the “on” signal or the “off” signal, to a second unit via a first output and/or a second output of the first unit, respectively. The second unit may force a control input of the switching circuit to a logic value which is a function of the first digital signal or value and/or second digital signal or value and congruent with the state to which the switching circuit is to be transitioned. |
| US09980626B2 |
Solid chemical product dispensing using recycled fluid
Dispensing techniques utilize existing fluid to dispense a solid block of chemical product concentrate. The solid chemical product concentrate may include, for example, detergents, disinfectants, sanitizers, rinse agents, or other cleaning agents. The dispenser monitors and controls the concentration of the chemical product in a use solution. When the concentration of the use solution falls outside of a target range, the dispenser routes existing fluid from within the system to the dispenser, where it interacts with and dispense a solid chemical product concentrate, thus raising the concentration of the chemical product in the use solution. In a dishmachine application, the existing fluid may include post wash or rinse fluid from the dishmachine, or may include use solution from a sump, tank, or other use solution storage container. |
| US09980625B2 |
Dish washing machine
A dish washing machine is provided herein. The dish washing machine includes a switching assembly configured to change a direction of washing water sprayed by a spray unit. The switching assembly includes a switching unit configured to change the direction of the washing water. The switching assembly also includes a damping unit configured to lessen vibrations of the switching unit. Using this structure, the direction of the washing water is efficiently changed by the switching unit, and vibrations and noise are lessened. |
| US09980623B2 |
Cleaning trolley
The present invention refers to a cleaning trolley comprising a base plate supported by rolling members; at least four upright hollow profiles for fixing cross walls arranged on the base plate, wherein each cross wall consists of two separate wall elements removably arranged back-to-back to each other and fixed by said upright hollow profiles; and an upper frame for securing the at least four upright hollow profiles. Further, the invention provides a cleaning trolley comprising a primary section and a secondary section, each section having a base plate supported by rolling members, wherein the primary section and the secondary section are removably connected by a connection mechanism, which connection mechanism contains a pedal pivotably attached to the bottom side of the base plate of the secondary section, and its actuation releases claws which in connection position are engaged with the primary section. |
| US09980622B2 |
Cleaning device having a variable size and shape head
A cleaning device includes a base having a first side and a second side. A first deployment element pivotally connects to the first side of the base and is pivotable from a stowed position to a deployed position. A second deployment element pivotally connects to the second side of the base and is pivotable from the stowed position to the deployed position. In the stowed position the base, the first deployment element, and the second deployment element define a substantially rectangular perimeter. In the deployed position, the base, the first deployment element, and the second deployment element define a substantially trapezoidal perimeter. |
| US09980619B2 |
Cyclone dust collector and vacuum cleaning device having the same
In a cyclone dust collector and a vacuum cleaning device having the same, foreign substances can be prevented from being attached on an outer circumferential surface of a grill located at an outlet part, so that an inhalation force of the vacuum cleaning device can be prevented from being lowered. Also, foreign substances collected in the cyclone dust collector can be easily removed. The vacuum cleaning device includes: a cyclone dust collector, wherein the cyclone dust collector includes: a cyclone chamber in which air introduced through an inlet part is whirled and dust is separated from the air; an outlet part disposed so that the air from which the dust is separated is discharged from the cyclone chamber; and a grill that is rotatably disposed in the outlet part. |
| US09980616B2 |
Hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus
A hand vacuum cleaner wherein the central longitudinal axis of the air treatment member extends generally horizontally and the suction motor axis of rotation extends generally vertically. |
| US09980614B2 |
Base member for a shower door assembly
A shower door assembly includes a door panel having an inner surface to face a bathing enclosure, and a base member having an upper surface positioned between an inner side and an outer side. The base member inner side is positioned between the door panel inner surface and the base member outer side. The inner side at least partially defines a recess and is shaped to receive liquid from and divert liquid back to the bathing enclosure. A base for a moveable door has a substrate defining upper and lower surfaces extending between first and second edge regions, and a first leg section extending from the substrate lower surface and offset from the first edge region. The first leg section and the first edge region of the substrate cooperate to define a liquid diverter extending longitudinally to redirect flow away from the substrate upper surface. |
| US09980611B2 |
Multi-functional ladle
The invention relates to a multi-functional ladle, which comprises a head made of a soft material, and a handle made of a hard material which comprises a first folding portion and is connected with the head; wherein the head comprises a connecting portion to connect the head and the handle. The connecting portion comprises a second folding portion and a third folding portion, by which the multi-functional ladle can be configured to be a spatula or a ladle. The multi-functional ladle of the invention is ingeniously designed by utilizing the property of the material itself so that the ladle can be easily turned to a spatula or the spatula can be easily turned to a ladle. Therefore the multi-functional ladle can be configured into a tool with two functions. |
| US09980609B2 |
Insulated shipping bags
A collapsible insulated bag designed to allow items retained within an inner pouch thereof to remain within predetermined temperature ranges for predetermined periods of time and wherein the bags are designed to be easily compressed or compacted for storage or shipment to end users. The bags include at least an outer reflective layer, an intermediate open foam layer and the inner pouch layer. |
| US09980608B2 |
Portable fire pit barbeque combination
A portable device which integrates the functionalities of a fire pit and a barbecuing grill. The fire pit and grill are coupled to a transport cart to facilitate movement of the fire pit and grill to a desired location. In this respect, the transport cart may be configured to allow a user to transport the device across sand (e.g., when using the device at a beach) or across a parking lot (e.g., when using the device while tailgating in a stadium parking lot). Thus, the device easily allows for enjoyment of both a fire pit and a grill in remote locations. |
| US09980603B2 |
Field-ready oven
A field-ready oven has reinforced telescoped side walls that extend and hold a base, shelf, tray support and cover spaced apart. A low air intake and a semipermeable membrane deliver air and vapor fuel to catalyst pads on the shelf. Radiant heat from exothermic reaction is diffused over a bottom of a tray. Hot gas circulates around the diffuser and tray with a chimney effect before exhausting. A lid on the cover lifts for access to the tray. A fuel container in the oven forces fuel through a capillary restriction to limit fuel flow. A spring in the container is released to start fuel flow. |
| US09980602B2 |
Beverage maker
A beverage maker includes a body and a cover movably attached to the body. The body includes therein (among other components), a hot liquid generator (HLG) having a tank, an inlet for receiving liquid into the tank and an outlet, at least one heater in thermal communication with the liquid in the HLG tank, and a discharge port in fluid communication with the outlet of the HLG for discharge of the liquid. The cover is movably attached to the body between a closed position and an open position. At least one valve permits the discharge of the liquid via the discharge port in a closed position of the cover. The at least one valve is mechanically actuated by the cover in the open position of the cover to substantially prevent the discharge of the liquid via the discharge port. |
| US09980601B2 |
Device for frothing a liquid
A device for frothing a liquid includes a tube-shaped housing with an inner surface having a curved periphery. At least one inlet is arranged in a lateral area of the housing for letting in the liquid and a frothing gas, and may have a tangential orientation with respect to the curved periphery of the inner surface of the housing. End faces of the housing are open and function as outlets of the device, where a longitudinal axis of the housing may extend in a horizontal direction. Rings may be provided inside the housing for keeping a rotating flow inside the housing during a period of time which is sufficiently long for a frothing process to take place in an effective manner. |
| US09980600B2 |
Automatic cartridge ejection mechanism and brewing head assembly
According to embodiments described in the specification, a head assembly for a brewing apparatus is described. The head assembly includes a lid portion coupled to a fixed base portion and moveable between open and closed positions; a lock coupled to the lid portion and slideable between locked and unlocked positions; a lever with a first end connected to the lock, an axis point connected to the lid portion, and a second end; and a cover movably coupled to the lid portion and abutting the second end of the lever, such that pressure on the cover rotates the lid portion to the closed position, and rotates the lever so as to slide the lock into the locked position. |
| US09980593B2 |
Mailbox, mailbox protection apparatus, and method
An apparatus for use on a mailbox having a substantially vertical side, includes a first panel; a second panel; a hinge joining the first panel and the second panel; an angle limiter; and a mounting device for securing the apparatus to the mailbox. A mailbox is improved by mounting on the box an apparatus having a panel to provide a surface oriented to tangentially receive the impact of substantially horizontally-directed debris directed toward the mailbox. |
| US09980592B2 |
Compact mailbox kit
A mailbox kit having a compact shipping volume and methods of assembling such mailbox are disclosed. The mailbox kit includes a roof having an arched shape and opposing elongated roof bottom edges forming the bottom of the arched shape and a mailbox floor positioned under the roof such that the floor and the roof form a compartment. A mailbox left sidewall and right sidewall are positioned within the compartment formed by the roof and the floor. A mailbox front door, handle and flag may also be positioned within the compartment. The mailbox components include lap joint flanges to attach the components of the kit to form an assembled mailbox. |
| US09980589B2 |
Plate
A generally planar plate (1) for supporting food and drink is disclosed. The plate (1) including an oblong opening (2) relative to the major axis of the plate and through which the thumb may extend to grip the top of the plate (1) and by which the bottom of the plate (1) can be gripped by the splayed apart fingers of the hand of the user, to thereby provide a stable surface for supporting food and drink on top of the plate (1). |
| US09980586B2 |
Pillow protector
A pillow cover is provided that includes a first panel and a second panel perimetrically joined with the first panel such that inner surfaces of the first and second panels define a cavity having a void volume. The first and second panels are each made from a first material. An opening extends through the inner surface of the first panel and an outer surface of the first panel. The pillow cover includes a patch covering the opening. The patch is made from a second material that is different than the first material. |
| US09980585B2 |
Bed covering with alignment indicators and method of fabrication
A method of updating existing screen printing or other manufacturing processing in order to generate sheets and other bedding with marking indicators for proper alignment of the covering on a mattress, and the covering as produced. For a top sheet it would be marked along the top edge of the sheet as well as the body of the sheet which contacts the corners of the mattress at the foot of the bed, and for a fitted bottom sheet the markings would occur at each corner of the sheet which is associated with a corner of the mattress. Optional side indicators located between the corner indicators may also be included. The purpose is to provide a quick and easy identifier for locating the corners of the mattress with the sheet so that the sheet is quickly and easily placed symmetrically upon the mattress the first time. |
| US09980583B2 |
Mobile folding restaurant booth style bench
Mobile folding restaurant booth style benches are provided, which may be arranged in opposed pairs to form restaurant style booths. An individual bench incorporates a mechanism for shifting the weight of the bench between a mobile base, which may be supported by swivel casters, and a stationary base, which may be supported by non-slip feet, actuated by pivoting a bench seat down from a folded storage position to an unfolded seating position. The weight shifting mechanism may include an engagement member, which is initially spaced apart from an actuator at a folded angle of the seat, and which contacts and begins transmitting force and movement to the actuator at a partially unfolded angle of the seat. Preferably, the bench further includes a biasing component that biases the stationary base upward relative to the mobile base, a locking mechanism that resists a force provided by the biasing component to retain the bench seat in the unfolded seating position, contoured shells or other covers for the seat and a seat back, and a back panel extending vertically above the seat back. |
| US09980578B2 |
Body support cushion having multiple layers of phase change material
A body support cushion, e.g., mattress, has multiple foam layers, including a viscoelastic foam layer and a reticulated foam layer, and an outer cover. At least one of the foam layers and the outer cover each includes phase change material having latent heat properties that provide two intervals of dermal cooling. |
| US09980573B2 |
Head support
The present invention relates to a head support for supporting a patient's head while the patient is in a prone position. The head support comprises a body of compliant material whose shape provides a forehead support region, at least one further support region for supporting a lower portion of the patient's face, and a void which accommodates the patient's eyes, nose and mouth in use. According to one aspect of the invention, a viewing opening is provided which faces laterally and provides in use a line of sight from the exterior of the head support into the void, the viewing opening having a periphery which is an unbroken loop. |
| US09980571B2 |
Multi layered modular support system for lounge and other applications
A lounge having a matrix mat and a plurality of modules capable of being inserted into the matrix mat. The lounge may include a frame configured as a rigid frame, a modular frame, and combinations thereof. The modular frame may further include a tri-cable suspension. The tri-cable suspension may be attached to a dilator retractor mechanism. The modules may be a mushroom cap module, a spider spring module, a web module, a lighting module, an electronics module, and combinations thereof. |
| US09980567B2 |
Directional and gas permeable clear protective covering for permanent installation on stone countertops
A single direction gas permeable protective covering material for protecting solid stone surface countertop materials is provided. The protective covering material includes a core layer which is formed as an elongate thin sheet of material having uniform thickness. The protective covering material also includes an outer protective layer attached to a first side of the core layer and a dual layer adhesive system attached to a second side of the core layer. The protective covering material includes cone shaped pores therethrough that are gas permeable to allow for out-gassing of stone countertop materials. The protective covering material is designed to be permanently attached to a porous stone countertop material with the dual layer adhesive system to protect the countertop material from damage during daily use. |
| US09980563B1 |
Disposable cart
The present invention provides disposable mobile storage units and supply carts, their methods of assembly and use. More particularly, the invention relates to carts that are lightweight, reusable, collapsible, recyclable, and suitable for use in a wide variety of industries. |
| US09980562B2 |
Tray table apparatus
A tray table apparatus including a furniture support structure having a storage compartment, a tray table support assembly and a tray table coupled to the tray table. The tray table and the tray table support assembly are alterable between a first configuration having a first stowed position and a first deployed state and a second configuration having a second stowed position and a second deployed state. In the first and second stowed positions, the tray table and tray table support assembly are at least partially disposed within the storage compartment. In the first deployed state, the tray table is outside of the storage compartment and extends from a first side of the furniture support structure. In the second deployed state, the tray table is outside of the storage compartment and extends from a second side of the furniture support structure. |
| US09980560B2 |
Table leveler that levels a tabletop
A table leveler fastens underneath a top of a table and adjusts a level of the top of the table. The table leveler attaches between the top of the table and a riser and includes a body with a plurality of legs that extend outwardly and attach to an underside of the top of the table. An arm pivots about the body and moves the table leveler between a locked position and an unlocked position. |
| US09980553B2 |
Tool assembly comprising universal handle and interchangeable tool heads
A tool assembly includes an elongated handle and a locking system for attaching a tool head to the handle. The tool head can be a floor care tool or other accessory that can be attached to the handle such that the elongated length of the handle can aid in the use of the tool attached. The locking system includes a keyed locking collar for engaging at least a first portion of the tool head, and a locking cap rotatably positioned on the handle for engaging a second portion of the tool head. The handle can be extendable, such as by telescoping, and can also be overmolded. |
| US09980552B2 |
Wearable supports
A wearable support assembly is provided which includes a belt strap configured to be secured about a user's hips/waist and a carrier frame which is pivotally attached to the belt strap at two pivot points which are spaced apart along the belt strap to create a substantially lateral pivot axis when the belt is worn by the user, where the relative position of the two pivot points can be adjusted with respect to the belt, the carrier frame is located behind the user when the support assembly is worn by the user and the carrier frame spans the distance between each pivot point on the belt strap with a gap separating the belt strap and the carrier frame. |
| US09980550B2 |
Device and applicator for a cosmetic product
The invention relates to an applicator for applying a product to the nails or to the skin, comprising: a gripping portion, a stem extending from the gripping portion along a longitudinal axis X-X, and an applicator member fixed in a housing at the free end of the stem. According to the invention, the stem of the applicator has, along the axis X-X, a succession of noncircular cross sections that are angularly offset with respect to one another about said axis X-X so as to form a helical pattern. |
| US09980546B2 |
Card holder
A card holder for holding bank cards and presenting them in a staggered fashion, said card holder comprising a housing, said housing comprising main walls and side walls so as to define a space for housing bank cards. It further comprises an element having a plurality of steps. With the present card holder, the element being resilient. One end of the card holder comprises a cut out for bringing the bank cards to a position where the element is pushed below the bank cards and from where gravity move the cards to the staggered position, the bank cards resting on the steps. |
| US09980544B2 |
Water resistant protective case for portable electronic device
A water resistant device case includes a front and back assembly that mate to enclose an electronic device. The front assembly includes a rigid front frame, a touch screen cover bonded to the front frame, an inner bumper attached to the rigid front frame and an elastomeric main seal attached around a periphery of the rigid front frame. The back assembly includes a rigid back frame, an elastomeric over mold formed on an exterior of the back frame and an inner bumper attached to the rigid back frame. A snap tab attached to the rigid back frame mates with a snap hook on the front assembly to hold the front and back assemblies together when the device is enclosed within the case. A main water resistant seal is formed around a perimeter of the front and back assemblies by the elastomeric main seal on the front assembly being held against an inner surface of the rigid back frame. A secondary water resistant seal is formed around a perimeter of the front and back assemblies by an elastomeric secondary sealing member attached around a periphery of the rigid front frame that mates with an exterior surface of the back assembly to form a secondary water resistant seal. A closed cell foam is used to seal apertures associated with the device's audio inputs and outputs. |
| US09980543B2 |
Protective case for a device
A protective case for a portable computing device in accordance with one example includes a cavity in the case to be a plurality of electronic devices. The cavity includes a first recess to receive a first electronic device and a second recess to receive a second electronic device. The case also includes a cover removably coupled to the cavity. |
| US09980542B2 |
Securement apparatus for a portable electronic device
A securement apparatus for a portable electronic device including a body having a panel and a plurality of elastomeric retainers secured to and extending from the panel. Each retainer forming a loop defining an opening, the openings adapted to receive therein a corner of a handheld electronic device. A tether is connected to and extending from the body. A strap is secured to the tether. An attachment device is operably connected to the strap to secure the apparatus to a member. |
| US09980541B2 |
Multi-function wallet
A multi-function wallet is provided which is adapted in one mode for carrying and storage of non-flat items concurrently with and conventional flat items. Additionally the wallet or an engaged stand component is configured to securely yet removably engage a computing device with a viewable screen such as a smartphone, and hold it an multiple angles while in an inclined position so as to be easily viewable by a user. |
| US09980538B2 |
Eco loop closure fabric
A knitted textile fabric includes a first knitted fabric layer including a first set of yarns. The first knitted fabric layer has outwardly extending pile underlap loops at one face adapted for mated engagement with hooking elements of a hook component of a hook-and-loop fastener. The knitted textile fabric also includes a second knitted fabric layer having a second set of yarns attached to the first knitted fabric layer. The second set of yarns includes a plurality of filaments in which adjacent filaments are fused together and adjacent yarns are fused together. |
| US09980537B2 |
Locking tongue
A seat belt restraint system locking tongue (10) having a locking member (30) which moves to a locked position to clamp a webbing (3) inserted in a shoulder-side webbing insertion slot (12) to restrict movement of the webbing (3). A tongue body (11) includes a restricting portion (25) near the shoulder-side webbing insertion slot (12) to clamp the webbing (3) with the locking member (30) when the locking member (3) moves to the locked position. The length in the longitudinal direction of the webbing insertion slot (12), of a portion of the restricting portion (25) that contacts the webbing (3) to clamp the webbing (3) is smaller than the width of the webbing (3). The locking tongue prevents fraying of the webbing (3) and improves the clamping performance in the event of a vehicle crash. |
| US09980535B2 |
Method of manufacturing spray-on footwear
A method is provided for making footwear utilizing a spray-on material. The method can include spraying a spray-on fabric onto surfaces of a three dimensional last. The last can be produced using additive manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing, based on data corresponding to dimensions and contours of a consumer's foot, and/or preselected aesthetic footwear designs. The spray-on fabric is sprayed onto the surfaces of the last and allowed to cure to form a flexible, non-woven fabric upper. The upper can be removed from the last and turned inside out. With the upper turned inside out, a sole can be joined to the fabric upper to form the footwear. |
| US09980524B2 |
Woman's undergarment
An undergarment for women includes a main support portion and a slip portion joined with the main support portion to form a common, seamless waistline. |
| US09980520B2 |
Inhaler having a heater to selectably volatilise at least some components of a compostion
An inhaler comprising a reservoir of an inhalable composition, a heater to selectably volatilize at least some components of the composition, and a power source arranged to selectively supply electrical power to the heater when the user inhales from the inhaler. The power source is arranged to heat the heater to a temperature that will volatilize some, but not all of the components of the composition. |
| US09980519B2 |
Electronic cigarette and atomizing method thereof
An electronic cigarette includes an atomizer assemble which may be controlled by a button or airflow sensing. A button module and an airflow sensing module are integrated into the electronic cigarette. The user may directly smoke, and the airflow sensing module triggers the atomizer assemble to atomize tobacco tar to generate smoke. Alternatively, if the user wants to smoke, the user may press the button module. Because of the combination of the button module and the airflow sensing module, before the user puffs on the electronic cigarette, the user may press the button module, thus the atomizer assemble enters heating state and airflow channel is heated. In this way, when the user puffs on the electronic cigarette, the electronic cigarette may generate a lot of smoke. |
| US09980517B2 |
Top refillable electronic cigarettes
Certain aspects of present invention relate to a top refillable e-cigarette, having movable cylindrical e-cigarette assembly, stationary top connecting assembly, and air adjustment assembly. Stationary top connecting assembly is positioned on top of air adjustment assembly. Movable cylindrical e-cigarette assembly may be slid upwards to open an e-liquid refill port against stationary top connecting assembly so e-liquid is refilled at top. Movable cylindrical electronic cigarette assembly has an e-liquid storage tank inside, and a vaporizer body support threadedly connect to a mouthpiece assembly and a sliding base. Stationary top connecting assembly defining a vapor passage in the center of the stationary top connecting assembly configured to allow vaporized e-liquid from the vaporizer to pass through to the mouthpiece assembly. A vaporizer is positioned inside the stationary top connecting assembly. Air adjustment assembly is configured to allow a user to adjust amount of air intake to the top refillable electronic cigarette. |
| US09980516B2 |
Aerosol delivery device including a wave guide and related method
The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices that may include components configured to convert electrical energy to heat and atomize an aerosol precursor composition. An outer body may at least partially enclose the components. An illumination source may be configured to output electromagnetic radiation. A wave guide may be configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the illumination source and illuminate the aerosol delivery device. The wave guide may define an increasing width from a first longitudinal end at which the electromagnetic radiation is received to an opposing second longitudinal end. Thereby, the wave guide may directly transmit the electromagnetic radiation across the entirety of the second longitudinal end to provide substantially even illumination at the second longitudinal end while employing less material and reducing the volume of space occupied by the wave guide as compared to cylindrical embodiments of wave guides. Related methods are also provided. |
| US09980515B2 |
Mouthpiece assembly for an electronic cigar or cigarette
The present invention provides an atomization assembly for an electronic smoking device. The atomization assembly has a mouthpiece assembly and an atomizer assembly. The atomizer assembly has a heating wire extending axially within a lumen of the atomizer and is connected to a set of threads for connecting to a power source. |
| US09980514B2 |
Wire communication in an e-vaping device
An e-vaping device includes a liquid storage portion for storing an e-liquid; a memory device storing cartomizer information; a vaporizer including a heating element, the vaporizer being in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion and configured to vaporize e-liquid stored in the liquid storage portion; a power supply configured to provide power to the vaporizer; a controller configured to control provision of power to the vaporizer based on the cartomizer information; and a switching architecture configured to selectively prevent a flow of current through the heating element, when the memory device sends data to the controller. |
| US09980513B2 |
Atomizing nozzle and electronic atomizing inhaler
An atomizing nozzle of an electronic atomizing inhaler, includes a casing body, provided with a cap at the opening of the front end, with a gas-outlet aperture on the cap, and provided with a rear closure at the opening of the rear end, with a gas-inlet aperture on the rear closure; a liquid-container and a heater provided in the cavity formed by the casing body, the cap and the rear closure, an airflow-passage being provided between the casing body and the liquid-container; a liquid-guiding device closing the mouth part of the liquid-container, with no liquid-storage medium provided in the liquid-container; and a heater provided on the top of the rear closure, contacting the lower surface of the liquid-guiding device. An electronic atomizing inhaler is also provided. |
| US09980507B2 |
Stable concentrated liquid human milk fortifier
Disclosed are concentrated liquid human milk fortifiers including extensively hydrolyzed casein and a stabilizer system. The stabilizer system includes an OSA-modified corn starch in combination with a low acyl gellan gum. In one embodiment, the concentrated liquid human milk fortifier is hypoallergenic and includes extensively hydrolyzed casein as the sole protein source in combination with the OSA-modified corn starch and low acyl gellan gum. |
| US09980506B2 |
Nutritional compositions containing structured fat globules and uses thereof
The present disclosure relates to a lipid source for nutritional compositions, comprising an enriched lipid fraction which comprises structured fat globules. The enriched lipid fraction provides fat globules having a desired size and fatty acid composition and may be stabilized by components such as phospholipids, cholesterol, milk-fat globule membrane protein and combinations thereof. Additionally, the disclosure relates to methods of supporting lipid digestion in a pediatric subject by providing a nutritional composition comprising an enriched lipid fraction having structured fat globules that are more accessible to lipases. The chemical composition, size and structure of the fat globules may improve digestion. The disclosed nutritional compositions may provide additive and or/synergistic beneficial health effects. |
| US09980502B2 |
Chewing gum containing a cross-linked gelatin matrix gum base
A chewing gum product containing a cross-linked gelatin matrix gum base and a bulking agent of erythritol, mannitol, or mixtures thereof. The cross-linked gelatin matrix can make up all or a portion of the gum base and still be comparable to that of a traditional elastomeric chewing gum product in its elasticity, cohesiveness, and feel in the mouth. The chewing gum of the present invention is also more environmentally friendly because it can be digestible and partially replace the need for petroleum-derived elastomers. |
| US09980500B2 |
Liquid creamer composition comprising oleosomes as replacement for oil and method of using same
The present invention relates to a creamer composition, e.g. for use for addition into a coffee beverage, having good physical and chemical stability, in particular the invention relates to a liquid creamer composition including protein, oleosomes and optionally oil. The invention also relates to a beverage composition including the liquid creamer composition, and a method of making it. |
| US09980499B2 |
Streptococcus thermophilus lactic acid bacterium
The disclosure relates in one aspect to a fast acidifying lactic acid bacterium that generates a viscosity in fermented milk greater than about 62 Pa·s after 14 days of storage at 6° C.Further, the disclosure includes method for preparing and products of food, food additive, feed, nutritional supplement, or probiotic supplement, thereof. |
| US09980490B1 |
Method of disinfecting bacterial contaminated surfaces or removing bacteria from contaminated surfaces
Bacterial contaminated surfaces may be disinfected or bacteria removed from a bacterial contaminated surface by applying onto the surface an anti-bactericidally effective amount of an ammonium compound represented by the formula R1COO−X+ wherein R1 is a C7 to C11 hydrocarbyl group, optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyl or C1-C5 hydrocarbyl groups and X is ammonium. |
| US09980488B2 |
Weed control composition
The present invention relates to a composition comprising crystal of flumioxazin which shows a powder X-Ray diffraction pattern having diffraction peaks with 2θ values)(°) shown in Table 1 of the specification, the pattern being obtained by CuKα rays diffraction analysis, and one or more herbicidal compounds selected from the group B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5, B-6, B-7, B-8, B-9, B-10, B-11 and B-12 described in the specification. According to the present invention, a wide range of weeds can be controlled in a crop field, land under perennial crops, or non-crop land. |
| US09980487B2 |
Fused 11-membered compounds and agricultural/horticultural fungicides containing them
The invention relates to a compound or a salt thereof of formula [1], a fungicidal composition containing the compound or a salt thereof, a method for controlling plant disease occurring from phytopathogenic microorganism including the step of applying the fungicidal composition and a production method of the compound. |
| US09980485B2 |
Systemic mitigation of environmental stress on plants and the fruit thereof
A method for systemically mitigating environmental stress from heat or radiation on a fruit plant and the pre-harvested fruit thereof that comprises the steps of: preparing an agricultural composition wherein the composition comprises an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer, a C1-C4 alkyl ether of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer, and an alkyl polyglycoside; and intimately contacting root zone soil of soil containing a fruit plant with a bioefficaciously effective amount of the agricultural composition to systemically mitigate environmental stress on the plant and the pre-harvested fruit thereof from heat or radiation impacting the surface of the plant or fruit above the surface of the soil, whereby the agricultural composition is not substantially absorbed into the plant. |
| US09980483B2 |
Foaming alcohol compositions with selected dimethicone surfactants
Foaming alcohol compositions with selected dimethicone surfactants are disclosed. The dimethicone surfactants are PEG-8 to PEG-12 linear dimethicone surfactants and in particular PEG-10 linear dimethicone surfactant. The compositions are useful as antimicrobial products and in particular handcare or skincare products. |
| US09980480B2 |
Biocidal roofing granules, roofing products including such granules, and process for preparing same
Biocidal roofing granules are prepared by providing a mineral core and at least one biocidal photocatalytic metal oxide. A gel-forming inorganic coating medium is prepared and used to coat the mineral core to form a coating layer having a porous network on the mineral core, and the at least one biocidal photocatalytic metal oxide is disposed in the porous network. |
| US09980477B2 |
Vertical trap
A snap style vermin trap disposed on a planar platform having an enclosed bait chamber and a partially enclosed actuation chamber. The bait chamber and the actuation chamber are separated by a perforated vertical trip plate. A detachable housing resides about the platform. The snap trap mechanical components are housed in the bait chamber. The design prevents the vermin from ever reaching the bait or contaminating the bait chamber. The vertical trip plate disadvantages the vermin physically and the housing further prevents escape. |
| US09980476B2 |
Raccoon trapping module and raccoon trapping system
A raccoon trapping module which can be attached to an existing wildlife trapping cage to enable only raccoons to be trapped in the trapping cage, comprising at least a door which opens and closes an entrance of a horizontally long cage, a lock mechanism which locks the door in an open state, and a linkage member which is linked with a trigger member which performs a lock release operation of the lock mechanism, wherein a hollow housing is provided which is attached to an end part of the cage at the opposite side from the door, a surface of the housing at the door side has an arm insertion hole which enables a raccoon to insert a forearm, a baiting part in which bait is placed is provided inside of the housing within a range which a hand of the raccoon can reach when the raccoon inserts its forearm from the opening part, and a connecting member makes a linkage member perform a lock release operation of a lock mechanism by the action of a raccoon which takes bait from the baiting member. |
| US09980474B2 |
Elastomeric horseshoe and method of making same
A horseshoe for attaching a non-metallic horseshoe to a horse's hoof using an adhesive is described. In one example, the horseshoe includes a first layer composed of an elastomeric material, which forms a body of the horseshoe. The first layer may extend longitudinally from a ground-facing surface of the horseshoe to a portion of the hoof-facing surface of the horseshoe. A second layer is embedded at least partially in and on the first layer. The second layer forms at least a portion of the hoof-facing surface of the horseshoe. The second layer may include an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, and/or an aluminum powder. Also described is a method of making the elastomeric horseshoe. |
| US09980472B2 |
Bowfishing arrow
A bowfishing arrow and method of bowfishing. The bowfishing arrow includes a shaft having a main stem. A locking pin is slidably movable within a bore of the main stem. A fish point with a pair of pivoting barbs is secured to the distal end of the main stem. An outer sleeve is longitudinally movable with respect to the main stem and the locking pin is engaged with the outer sleeve to move with the outer sleeve. The barbs pivot between a shooting position, a locked position, and an unlocked position. When in the locked position, an end of the locking pin is clamped between cams preventing the barbs from pivoting to toward the unlocked position and the shooting position until the fish is landed. A one-handed maneuver is all that is required to release the arrow from the fish after it is landed. |
| US09980470B2 |
Antibody production
A transgenic non-human mammal containing a heterologous lambda light chain gene locus, and/or a heterologous kappa light chain gene locus, and/or a heterologous heavy chain gene locus, each of which can re-arrange so that immunoglobulin heavy and light chain genes are formed and expressed in B-cells following antigen challenge. |
| US09980469B2 |
Offshore aquaculture system
An offshore aquaculture system based on a semisubmersible platform having storage and maintenance facilities for supporting aquaculture with an attached framework, to which net covered rigid aquaculture cages are movably connected and controllably positioned according to sea conditions. The cages may be sunk or raised to protect the aquaculture products, and all maintenance and feeding is carried out by crew onboard the platform. |
| US09980458B2 |
System and method for controlling the position of a robot carriage based on the position of a milking stall of an adjacent rotary milking platform
A system includes a linear carriage track positioned adjacent to a rotary milking platform, a robot carriage positioned on the carriage track such that the robot carriage may move along the carriage track from a first linear position to a second linear position, and a controller. The controller determines a movement of a milking stall of the rotary milking platform from a first rotational position to a second rotational position. The controller further determines the second linear position of the robot carriage on the carriage track corresponding to the movement of the milking stall of the rotary milking platform. The controller also communicates a position signal to a carriage actuator coupled to the robot carriage and the carriage track. The position signal causes the carriage actuator to move the robot carriage along the carriage track from the first linear position to the second linear position in conjunction with the movement of the rotary milking platform. |
| US09980456B1 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH213573
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH213573. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH213573, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH213573 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH213573. |
| US09980452B2 |
Sweet corn line SHY-6RLAN014
The invention provides seed and plants of the sweet corn line designated SHY-6RLAN014. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of sweet corn line SHY-6RLAN014, and to methods for producing a sweet corn plant produced by crossing a plant of sweet corn line SHY-6RLAN014 with itself or with another sweet corn plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of sweet corn line SHY-6RLAN014, including the seed, pod, and gametes of such plants. |
| US09980447B2 |
Melon variety NUN 71504 MEM
The invention provides a new and distinct hybrid variety of melon, NUN 71504 MEM. |
| US09980445B2 |
Tomato line FIRXM13-4146
The invention provides seed and plants of tomato line FIRXM13-4146. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato line FIRXM13-4146 and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants. |
| US09980441B2 |
Landscape edging stake and method
A landscape edging stake includes a driving end, a penetration end and an edging engagement portion positioned between the driving end and the penetration end. The edging engagement portion includes a rib configured to engage an inner wall of an anchoring bore of an edging link. A ground engagement portion is positioned between the edging engagement portion and the penetration end and includes a helical groove or thread. |
| US09980438B2 |
Shearing tool
A method for operating a shearing tool that includes: operating a first switch to control a drive unit to drive a blade of a blade set; and operating a second switch to cause the drive unit to operate in an anti-binding mode in which a direction of an input to the drive unit is alternated at least twice. A shearing tool is also provided. |
| US09980429B2 |
Liquid applicator attachment for a seed planter
A liquid applicator having a main body adapted to removably, rigidly mount to a lower end of a shank of a row unit between the furrow opening discs and forward of the seed delivery apparatus relative to a direction of travel of the row unit. The main body supports a liquid conduit in fluid communication with a liquid source, the conduit disposed to deposit liquid into the seed furrow forward of the seed delivery apparatus. |
| US09980427B2 |
Systems and methods for sorting seedlings for planting
A germination facility includes a seedling growing system configured to grow a plurality of seedlings; and a seedling sorting device configured to receive spatially variable planting data regarding a planting area for planting the seedlings; receive seedling data regarding the plurality of seedlings; and arrange the plurality of seedlings in a planting container based on the seedling data and on the planting data. |
| US09980421B1 |
Non-clogging coulter assembly
A coulter assembly (10) includes a rotatable coulter blade (12) and a supporting assembly (14) having a parallel linkage arm assembly (34) and an active piston and cylinder assembly (58). The assembly (14) serves to maintain the blade (12) at a depth of at least about four inches, in order to prevent clogging of the assembly (10) during use. |
| US09986668B2 |
Metal retaining features for handheld electronic device casing
This invention is directed to mechanical and electromagnetic shielding features of an electronic device case. An electronic device case is formed of two housings, each housing having integrated snaps, channels, or other retaining features used to secure the housings together. The housings additionally include integrated retaining features used to secure electronic components within the device case. The housings and retaining features are formed of amorphous metals or other materials with high elasticities. Because the retaining features necessary to assemble the case and secure the electronic components to the case form integral parts of the housings, no external retaining features are required to assemble the electronic device in the case. |
| US09986667B2 |
Flexible thermal conduit for an electronic device
A flexible thermal conduit runs from a first housing portion of an electronic device to a second housing portion of the electronic device, to convey heat generated by an electronic component located in the first housing portion to a heat dissipation structure located in the second housing portion, where the second housing portion is flexibly coupled to the first housing portion, for example, by a hinge or other type of joint. The flexible conduit may include a plurality of layers of thin, flat thermally conductive material, which may be arranged to flex independently of each other in the region where the first and second housing portions are coupled. |
| US09986660B2 |
Conduction cooled autonomous gimbaled inertial measurement unit
Conductive cooled gimbaled inertial measurement units are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes an inertial measurement unit, a gimbal assembly in which the inertial measurement unit is disposed, the gimbal assembly having gaps between each gimbal of the gimbal assembly, the gaps including a gas to conduct heat from the gimbal assembly, and an isothermal dome at least partially surrounding the gimbal assembly, the isothermal dome having a cooling tube disposed on an external surface of the isothermal dome to transfer heat from the gimbal assembly via conduction. |
| US09986656B2 |
Multi-receptacle housing assembly
A multi-receptacle housing assembly that includes a clamping assembly and a cover. The clamping assembly defines a first clamping section, a second clamping section and a cover support section. The first clamping section is located along a first side of the clamping assembly and is configured to clamp to a projection of an electronic device housing. The second clamping section is located along a second side of the clamping assembly opposite the first side and is configured to receive and support a plurality of electric receptacles. The cover removably is connected to the cover support section of the clamping assembly at least partially covering the first clamping section and the cover support section. The cover defines an opening dimensioned to expose at least a portion of the second clamping section and the plurality of electric receptacles. |
| US09986654B2 |
High density telecommunications chassis with cable management
A telecommunications chassis is configured for receiving telecommunications equipment. The chassis defines a top, a bottom, a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side. The chassis defines a central longitudinal axis extending between the top and the bottom. A first pair of panels is located at the front side, a second pair of panels is located at the rear side, a third pair of panels is located at the right side, and a fourth pair of panels is located at the left side. Each panel defines a plurality of receptacles for receiving the telecommunications equipment. When mounted to a fixed surface, the chassis is rotatable relative to the fixed surface about the central longitudinal axis. Each panel is pivotable away from the other panel of the any given pair of panels about a pivot axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis. |
| US09986648B2 |
Heating element for SMD mounting
The present disclosure relates to SMD mounting. The teachings thereof may be embodied in heating elements having a mounting side for SMD mounting, the mounting side being available for placing onto a substrate, for example in the form of a circuit carrier, electronic assemblies with a circuit carrier and a component, and/or methods for producing an electronic assembly having a circuit carrier and a component placed on the circuit carrier. For example, a heating element may include: a mounting side for SMD mounting; a housing enclosing a cavity; and a reactive substance in the cavity that reacts exothermically at a reaction temperature T1. |
| US09986642B2 |
Method for manufacturing printed wiring board and printed wiring board
A method for manufacturing a printed wiring board includes forming, on a surface of an insulating layer, a patterned catalyst film including a catalyst for electroless plating such that the patterned catalyst film has a pattern corresponding to a conductor circuit, and applying electroless plating on the patterned catalyst film such that a conductor metal is deposited on the patterned catalyst film and that the conductor circuit is formed on the surface of the insulating layer. |
| US09986641B2 |
Circuit board
A circuit board includes a laminated body including a laminate of a plurality of insulating-material layers made of a flexible material. External electrodes are provided on the top surface of the laminated body. An electronic component is mounted on the external electrodes. A plurality of internal conductors, when viewed in plan in the z-axis direction, are overlaid on the external electrodes and are not connected to one another in regions in which the internal conductors are overlaid on the external electrodes. |
| US09986637B2 |
Substrate containing low-Dk-core glass fibers having low dielectric constant (Dk) cores for use in printed circuit boards (PCBs), and method of making same
An enhanced substrate for use in printed circuit boards (PCBs) includes low-Dk-core glass fibers having low dielectric constant (Dk) cores. In some embodiments, the low-Dk-core glass fibers are filled with a low Dk fluid, such as a gas (e.g., air, nitrogen and/or a noble gas) or a liquid. After via holes are drilled or otherwise formed in the substrate, silane is applied to the ends of hollow glass fibers exposed in the via holes to seal the low Dk fluid within the cores of the hollow glass fibers. In some embodiments, the low-Dk-core glass fibers are filled with a solid (e.g., a low Dk resin). For example, a hollow glass fiber may be provided, and then filled with a low Dk resin in a liquid state. The low Dk resin within the hollow glass fiber is then cured to a solid state. |
| US09986634B2 |
Circuit board via configurations for high frequency signaling
A circuit board comprises a plurality of layers, first and second reference conductive vias extending in a vertical direction through at least a portion of the plurality of layers, first and second signal conductive vias extending in the vertical direction between and spaced apart in a horizontal direction from the first and second reference conductive vias through at least a portion of the plurality of layers, and a dielectric region extending in the vertical direction between the first and second signal conductive vias. An air via extends in the vertical direction through the dielectric region between the first and second signal conductive vias. An anti-pad extends in the horizontal direction between the first and second reference conductive vias and surrounding in the horizontal direction the first and second signal conductive vias, the air via, and the dielectric region. |
| US09986632B2 |
Water cooling system
Disclosed is a water cooling system for a circuit board with heat generating components. The water cooling system includes a fin module, a water block, a liquid guiding tube and a fan. The fin module is installed on the circuit board and has a through hole; the water block is clamped between the fin module and the circuit board and has a side thermally coupled to the heat generating components, and further has a liquid inlet end and a liquid outlet end; the liquid guiding tube communicates with the liquid inlet end and the liquid outlet end and passes and is fixed into the through hole and thermally coupled to an inner wall of the through hole; and the fan is configured to be corresponsive to the fin module. Therefore, the water cooling system has the advantages of reduced volume and high cooling efficiency. |
| US09986630B2 |
Superconducting magnet winding structures for the generation of iron-free air core cyclotron magnetic field profiles
A superconducting air core cyclotron that replaces the iron core flutter field structure with an active superconducting wire structure with a superconducting main coil generating an isochronous field, and superconducting compensation coils generating the magnetic shield for the magnetic structure. |
| US09986625B2 |
Configurable lighting system
Apparatus, systems, and methods for controlling light output in a lighting system based on defined light profiles are provided. In one example implementation, a light fixture can include a first light emitting diode (LED) array having one or more LED light sources and a second LED array having one or more LED light sources. The light fixture can include a power circuit configured to provide power to the first LED array and the second LED array according to a power distribution among the first LED array and the second LED array. The light fixture can include one or more control devices configured to control the power circuit to adjust the power distribution among the first LED array and the second LED array based at least in part on a signal indicative of a real time clock and a defined light profile associated with a user identified to be present in a space illuminated by the light fixture. |
| US09986623B1 |
Occupancy and non-occupancy detection in the lighting system
Disclosed herein is a lighting system configured to obtain an indicator data of a RF signal generated at a number of times in an area. When each such time is a current time, the indicator data generated at the current time is compared with the indicator data generated at a preceding time to determine a rate of change, and the indicator data generated at the current time is compared with a baseline indicator data at an earlier time to generate a difference value. The lighting system is configured to determine an indicator data metric based on the rate of change and the difference value and compare the indicator data metric with one of a rising transition threshold or a falling transition threshold to detect one of an occupancy condition or a non-occupancy condition in the area. |
| US09986619B2 |
Linear solid-state lighting with electric shock prevention
A linear light-emitting diode (LED)-based solid-state lamp comprises an LED driving circuit, LED arrays, at least one rectifier, and an electric current flow control module. The LED driving circuit comprises a control loop compensation device with a control loop correction signal to precisely control an electric current to flow into the LED arrays. The electric current flow control module uses the control loop correction signal in a way that it detects and determines if the linear LED-based solid-state lamp is operated in a normal mode or in an electric shock hazard mode. When an electric shock hazard is identified, the electric current flow control module shuts off a return current flow from the LED arrays to reach the at least one rectifier, thus eliminating an overall through-lamp electric shock current. The scheme can effectively prevent a through-lamp electric shock from occurring during relamping or maintenance. |
| US09986617B2 |
Light-emitting diode electrical circuitry for illumination
A switch module mountable in a switch box including a switch with a first terminal connectable to the live wire input and a second terminal, a driver circuit with input from the second terminal of the switch and with an output connected to the live wire output. The driver circuit outputs electrical power to the lighting circuit over the live wire output to LED lamp fixtures. The switch module includes a controller connected to the driver circuit. The controller is configured to control at least one of voltage, current, pulse width and pulse duty cycle of the electrical power to the lighting circuit. |
| US09986612B2 |
Lighting control device, lighting system, lighting control method
The lighting control device includes a controller. The controller generates a second dimming signal corresponding to a measurement result of brightness of surroundings in the first mode and generates a second dimming signal corresponding to a first dimming signal in the second mode. The controller selects the first mode and start operating in the first mode when receiving the first dimming signal having a third duty cycle not falling within a range from a first duty cycle corresponding to an upper limit of the dimming level to a second duty cycle corresponding to a lower limit of the dimming level. The controller selects the second mode and start operating in the second mode when receiving the first dimming signal having a duty cycle falling within the range. |
| US09986610B1 |
Long-chain-tolerant decorative strings of independently illumination controllable LEDs
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a series-connectable decorative light string. High-voltage power is received via a first electrical connector at a first end of the decorative light string and is conducted to a complementary second electrical connector at a second end of the decorative light string. The decorative light string has a power converter that converts the received high-voltage power to low-voltage DC power for consumption by a plurality of lighting elements distributed along the decorative light string. Each of the plurality of lighting elements has an illumination controller. The plurality of lighting elements is wired in daisy chain fashion from the first electrical connector to the second electrical connector via data-in and data-out ports of each lighting element. The wire high-voltage power received by the first electrical connector can provide power to additional decorative light strings connected via the second electrical connector without resulting in degraded illumination. |
| US09986609B2 |
Lighting apparatus and lighting system
A lighting apparatus includes: a lighting device; and a controller which receives from a lighting setter, an instruction for causing the lighting device to operate in a predetermined mode, causes the lighting device to operate in the predetermined mode according to first control content, and subsequently receiving the instruction, causes the lighting device to operate in the predetermined mode according to second control content which is modified from the first control content based on first subjective information input to the lighting setter, the first subjective information indicating feedback of a user on the first control content. |
| US09986608B2 |
Lighting system and related method of operating a lighting system
The lighting system includes a voltage source for generating a constant direct current adapted to supply lighting modules, a number n of electronic switches, a current sensor connected in series with the voltage source to detect a measurement signal indicative of the current provided by the voltage source, and a control unit. The control unit generates the drive signals for the electronic switches. It varies the drive signals, such that: in a first instant, all lighting modules are connected to the voltage source; and during a sequence of instants, each time a different set of lighting modules is connected to the voltage source. It then determines the current flowing through all lighting modules as a function of the measurement signal detected in the first instant, and determines the currents which flow through the various lighting modules as a function of the measurement signals detected during the sequence of instants. |
| US09986606B2 |
Voltage adaptable driving signal converter
A voltage adaptable driving signal converter is disclosed, including a rectifying device, a pre-stage energy storing device, a DC-DC conversion device, a post-stage energy storing device, a control conversion device and a switch control device. The rectifying device, the pre-stage energy storing device, the DC-DC conversion device and the post-stage energy storing device are sequentially connected. The pre-stage energy storing device is coupled to a positive electrode of a power supply or to a grounding electrode. The post-stage energy storing device is coupled to and adapted to supply electrical power to a load to be driven. The control conversion device is coupled to the control line and the switch control device respectively. The switch control device is coupled to the post-stage energy storing device and the load respectively. With the above voltage adaptable driving signal, a low-voltage load can be driven by a high-voltage control signal, and a high-voltage load can be driven by a low-voltage control signal, or a load which is not convenient to be made into a high-voltage load can incorporate the voltage adaptable driving signal converter to become a high-voltage load, to achieve the matching between the switch control signal and the load. |
| US09986605B2 |
Systems and methods for output current regulation in power conversion systems
Systems and methods are provided for regulating a power conversion system. An example system controller includes: a detection component configured to receive an input voltage related to a diode connected to an inductor and output a first signal at a first logic level in response to the input voltage being larger than a predetermined threshold, a control logic component configured to receive the first signal, process information associated with the first signal, and output a modulation signal related to a modulation frequency in response to the first signal being at the first logic level, and a driving component configured to receive the modulation signal and output a drive signal to open and close a first switch at the modulation frequency. |
| US09986602B2 |
Enclosure for heating three dimensional structure
An enclosure for heating a three dimensional structure. The enclosure comprising a body defining a cavity therein. The cavity sized to receive a three dimensional structure. A plurality of heating blankets configured to heat the three dimensional structure to a substantially uniform temperature. At least one of the plurality of heating blankets comprises a conductor for receiving current and generating a magnetic field in response thereto, a first susceptor wire comprising an alloy having a first Curie temperature point and a second susceptor wire. The second susceptor wire comprising a second Curie temperature point that is different than the first Curie temperature point of the first susceptor wire. |
| US09986598B2 |
Temperature control apparatus including groove-routed optical fiber heating, substrate temperature control systems, electronic device processing systems, and processing methods
Substrate temperature control apparatus including groove-routed optical fibers. Substrate temperature control apparatus includes upper and lower members including grooves in one or both, and a plurality of optical fibers routed in the grooves. In one embodiment, the optical fibers are adapted to provide light-based pixelated heating. In another embodiment, embedded optical temperature sensors are adapted to provide temperature measurement. Substrate temperature control systems, electronic device processing systems, and methods including groove-routed optical fiber temperature control and measurement are described, as are numerous other aspects. |
| US09986595B2 |
Updating WLAN aggregation configuration
Techniques and apparatus for handling changes in wireless local-area network access point, WLAN AP, in an aggregation scenario are disclosed. An example method is performed in a first access node (30) in a wireless network, where the first access node (30) is serving a user equipment, UE, (40) for which communications between the UE (40) and a first WLAN AP are aggregated with communications between the UE (40) and the first access node (30), in cooperation with a first wireless termination (WT) that controls the first WLAN AP. The example method comprises: determining that communications between the UE (40) and the first WLAN AP should be replaced with communications between the UE (40) and the second WLAN AP; determining that the second WLAN AP is controlled by the first WT; and sending a reconfiguration message to the first WT, the reconfiguration message comprising an identifier of the second WLAN AP. |
| US09986588B2 |
Random access method and device
A random access method and device relate to the field of mobile communication, and solve the problem of triggering a random access procedure of a small cell. The method comprises a terminal detecting whether a small cell random access condition is satisfied at present; the terminal automatically initiating a random access procedure of a small cell when the small cell random access condition is satisfied. The technical scheme provided in the embodiments of the present document is applicable to the LTE system, and the random access mechanism of a small cell is achieved. |
| US09986584B1 |
Cross-TTI look-back scheduling
Disclosed is a method and apparatus to help manage data communication in a manner that increases downlink capacity. As disclosed, a base station may transmit, in a downlink traffic channel of a given sub-frame, bearer data to a particular wireless communication device (WCD). After transmitting the bearer data, the base station may transmit, in the downlink control channel of another sub-frame, a signaling message that directs the particular WCD to read the previously transmitted bearer data. The signaling message may include an indication of the given sub-frame having the previously transmitted bearer data. When the WCD receives and reads the signaling message, the WCD may use the indication as a basis to read the previously transmitted bearer data in accordance with the signaling message. |
| US09986582B2 |
Determination of communication control parameter based on communication schedule
A communication control parameter for communicating via one technology is determined based on a communication schedule used in another technology. In some aspects, interference between a wireless local area network and a wireless wide area network is mitigated by appropriate selection of the communication control parameter. In some aspects, enhanced media access control features of IEEE 802.11ah are employed to facilitate co-existence between radio technologies. For example, interference may be mitigated through the use of a restricted access window, a target wake time, sectorized antennas, scheduled control information transmissions, and rate selection for control information. |
| US09986578B2 |
Apparatus and methods for selective data network access
Wireless data network access architecture and methods enabling location-specific and/or user-specific provision of services or resources. In one embodiment, an end-user device makes a request for service within a wireless LAN (WLAN). A wireless access point (WAP) controller/policy server determines whether the user device meets criteria for a first user status or a second user status, and assigns the appropriate status to an identifier of the end-user device. When the user device is assigned the first user status, the user device is provided network access according to e.g., a first permissible bandwidth allocation. Otherwise, the user device is provided network access according to a second, different bandwidth allocation. The first and second user status may be assigned based on a location of the user device within e.g., a venue, a class of end-user device, end user application, an access pass associated with the user device, or yet other criteria. |
| US09986575B2 |
Method and node for controlling combining of radio signals from a user equipment
A method and controlling node (500) to control a signal combining operation performed on uplink radio signals transmitted from a User Equipment, UE, in a combined cell served by multiple radio nodes (502). Signal quality information (SQ) is received from the UE indicating a signal quality measured by the UE on a node-specific probing pilot signal (PS1-PS4) transmitted from each of the multiple radio nodes, and a subset (RN2-RN3) of the multiple radio nodes is selected based on the received channel quality information. The signal combining operation is then performing (204) on the uplink radio signals received by the selected subset of the multiple radio nodes. Thereby, the performance of the signal combining operation can be improved. |
| US09986570B2 |
Access point apparatus for configuring next generation wireless communication network and method of operating the access point apparatus
Disclosed are an access point apparatus for configuring a next generation wireless communication and a method of operating the access point apparatus. The access point apparatus for configuring the next generation wireless communication may include a verification unit to verify a first available band associated with at least one of a first band and a second band; and a configuration unit to configure a backbone network with another access point apparatus positioned within a predetermined distance, through the verified first available band. |
| US09986566B2 |
Apparatuses, computer readable medium, and method for multi-user request-to-send channel access in a wireless local-area network
Methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for MU-RTS and CTS are disclosed. An apparatus of a high-efficiency wireless local-area network (HEW) master station is disclosed. The HEW master station including processing circuitry configured to generate a packet to indicate a multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) and to indicate channels on which one or more HEW stations are to transmit a clear-to-send (CTS). The HEW master station further including a transceiver configured to transmit the packet to the one or more HEW stations, and receive clear-to-send responses to the packet on the one or more channels. An apparatus of a HEW station is also disclosed. The HEW station including circuitry configured to receive a packet that indicates a MU-RTS that indicates channels on which the HEW station is to transmit a CTS, and to determine whether to send the CTS. |
| US09986564B2 |
Method in a network control node
The present invention relates to a method in a network control node of a wireless communication system, said wireless communication system using a system frequency bandwidth for downlink transmissions from said network control node to one or more mobile stations of said wireless communication system; said method comprising the steps of: allocating K number of sets of physical resource units arbitrarily chosen within said system frequency bandwidth for downlink transmissions, wherein K is an integer equal to or larger than 1 and the number of physical resource units of each set is selected from a finite set of allowed values; jointly encoding the frequency positions of the K number of sets of physical resource units into a first unique combinatorial index q; and signalling said first combinatorial index q in the downlink. |
| US09986563B2 |
Dynamic allocation of network bandwidth
A bandwidth reallocation circuit can monitor data traffic to and/or from logical network segments (LNSs) of a segmented network. As the data traffic rate to and/or from individual LNSs changes, the bandwidth reallocation circuit can dynamically reallocate the total bandwidth among the LNSs to meet changing bandwidth needs. Thus, as some of the LNSs become busy with data traffic, network bandwidth can be temporarily borrowed for less active LNSs. This can result in more efficient use of the network bandwidth capacity of the network than has been achieved in the prior art, which can significantly increase the speed at which data can be uploaded and/or downloaded to the individual LNSs. |
| US09986560B2 |
Method for allocation of time transmission intervals
The present disclosure relates to a method for allocating Time Transmission Intervals, TTI, during Up Link, UL, transmissions in a shared radio cell environment. The present disclosure also relates to a network node for performing said allocation method. The allocation is performed by determining for each network node (10; 20A; 20B; 20C) in the shared radio cell environment which UEs (30) it serves and listens to. The TTIs are the allocated such that the UE transmission for UEs related to a network node (10; 20A; 20B; 20C) is coordinated by scheduling said UE transmission in the same TTI frame for a serving network node (10; 20A; 20B; 20C) and for one or more of listening network nodes (10; 20A; 20B; 20C) in the shared radio cell environment. |
| US09986559B2 |
TD LTE secondary component carrier in unlicensed bands
A method is provided for communication in a wireless telecommunication system. The method comprises adaptively designating, by a network element following a frame-based communication protocol, for use as a secondary component carrier in a carrier aggregation scheme, at least a portion of radio resources on an unlicensed band. |
| US09986556B1 |
Enhanced TTI bundling in TDD mode
A base station and a user equipment (UE) device may communicate over an air interface in a particular time division duplexing (TDD) configuration. The TDD configuration specifies a certain number of consecutive subframes for uplink communications and a certain number of consecutive subframes for downlink communications. A transmitter (either the UE device or the base station) may transmit data using transmission time interval (TTI) bundling with a bundle size of N. To select a set of N subframes to use to transmit the data, the transmitter may compare N to C, the number of consecutive subframes available to transmit the data. If N≤C, the N subframes in the set are consecutive subframes. If N>C, the set of N subframes includes C consecutive subframes and at least one additional subframe that is separated from the consecutive subframes by one or more subframes not in the set. |
| US09986554B2 |
Mobile communication system and radio base station
Embodiments disclosed herein at directed to appropriately conducting “Discard control” while “inter-eNB CA” is performed. In a mobile communication system of the invention, a radio base station (MeNB) is configured to transfer a PDCP-PDU transmitted by a gateway device (S-GW) to either a mobile station (UE) or a radio base station (SeNB). The radio base station (MeNB) is configured to start a given timer at the point when the PDCP-PDU is received from the gateway device (S-GW) while the “Inter-eNB CA” is performed. The radio base station (MeNB) is configured to, at the point when the given timer expires, give a notice on the expiration to the radio base station (SeNB). The radio base station (SeNB) is configured to discard a PDCP-PDU transferred by the radio base station (MeNB) in response to the notice. |
| US09986552B2 |
Radio communication device, radio communication method, and radio communication system having reduced interference
A radio communication device includes an information acquisition unit to acquire information of a frequency position at which predetermined indispensable information is allocated in a data area of a downlink subframe transmitted by an adjacent base station, and a transmission control unit to transmit a narrow band carrier in a data area of a downlink subframe of a current cell in a manner that the narrow band carrier does not overlap with the frequency position at which the predetermined indispensable information is allocated, the narrow band carrier having a narrower band than a donor band. |
| US09986546B2 |
Control and data channel radio resource configuration
According to some aspects, a base station may transmit a radio resources control (RRC) message to a wireless device. The RRC message may comprise configuration parameters for an enhanced physical downlink control channel (ePDCCH) associated with one or more subframes in a frame. The base station may transmit, via the ePDCCH, scheduling information for a packet. The base station may receive the packet according to the scheduling information, for example. |
| US09986545B2 |
Method for applying Physical Resource Block (PRB) bundling in wireless communications system and apparatus therefor
The present invention relates to a wireless communications system. In a wireless communications system according to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for applying a PRB (Physical Resource Block) bundling by a first cell includes the steps of: receiving the traffic information of a second cell; determining a resource for the first and the second cell to apply the same PRB bundling; and transmitting the information of the resource. |
| US09986544B2 |
Mechanism for 256-QAM capable user equipment to operate seamlessly with a node
Described is a UE to communicate with an eNB on a network, the UE comprising: an antenna to receive messaging from eNB indicating switching to 256-QAM scheme from an existing non-256-QAM scheme; and a table component for storing soft channel bits based on Nsoft such that the number and value of the soft channel bits for using the 256-QAM scheme is substantially equal to the number and value of the soft channel bits when the UE is not using the 256-QAM scheme. Described is an eNB comprising: an antenna to transmit messaging to a UE indicating switching to 256-QAM scheme from an existing non-256-QAM scheme; and an encoder to encode data using memory usage size based on Nsoft such that the number and value of the Nsoft for using the 256-QAM scheme is substantially equal to the number and value of the Nsoft when the eNB is not using the 256-QAM scheme. |
| US09986539B2 |
Multiplexing control and data information from a user equipment in MIMO transmission mode
A method and apparatus are provided for transmitting UCI through a PUSCH. The method includes coding data bits and UCI bits, respectively; multiplexing the coded data bits and the coded UCI bits; and transmitting the multiplexed bits. The PUSCH includes two TBs, and a number of coded modulation symbols per layer of the UCI is determined based on a value related to a number of bits in at least one code block of a first TB, a number of Single-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access symbols of the first TB, scheduled bandwidth for the first TB, a value related to a number of bits in at least one code block of a second TB, a number of Single-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access symbols of the second TB, scheduled bandwidth for the second TB, a number of bits of the UCI, and an offset of the PUSCH. |
| US09986527B2 |
Systems and methods of tracking locations visited by mobile devices to quantify a change from a time series of responses
Systems and methods including mobile devices determining their locations using location determination units, such as GPS receivers. A computing device generates a statistical measurement of location pattern changes in relation to a predetermined region for a predetermined period of time. The measurement is generated from a difference between the average response of exposed mobile devices and the average response of non-exposed mobile devices, where each response of a mobile device is computed by: determining a sequence of time instances of the mobile devices being at locations within the region, generating a time series of visitation measurements from the time sequence, applying at a time instance an anti-symmetric weight function having an exponential distribution to the time series to generate the response corresponding to the time instance, and summing the responses corresponding to time instances falling within the predetermined period of time as the response of the mobile device. |
| US09986523B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing synchronization by a cell based on network listening
The method and apparatus for synchronization are provided. The method thereof comprises receiving signal for synchronization from a source cell, performing synchronization to the source cell based on system information and/or a reference signal for synchronization and receiving and/or transmitting data at a timing based on the synchronization, wherein the reference signal is received via air interface. |
| US09986521B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting a primary synchronization signal in a wireless communication system
Systems and methods are provided for detecting a received synchronization signal. The method includes receiving, at a receiver, a signal from a transmitter and the signal includes the received synchronization signal. The method includes processing the received signal and a plurality of candidate synchronization signals to obtain a plurality of correlation signals. Each candidate synchronization signal is associated with one of the plurality of correlation signals. The method includes selecting, based at least in part on the plurality of correlation signals, one of the plurality of candidate synchronization signals. The selected candidate synchronization signal is correlated with the received synchronization signal. The method includes detecting the received synchronization signal based at least in part on (i) the received signal, and (ii) a characteristic obtained from the correlation signal that is associated with the selected candidate synchronization signal. |
| US09986519B2 |
Synchronization by difference between link layer and processor time stamps
A circuit includes a processor to store a beacon timestamp generated from a wireless network. An output port controlled by the processor causes an interrupt that initiates a capture of a link layer timestamp relative to the beacon timestamp. An input port on the processor receives the link layer time stamp. A synchronizer captures a processor timestamp relative to the beacon timestamp and determines a time offset value relative to the received link layer time stamp by computing a difference between the processor timestamp and the link layer timestamp. The time offset value is combined with the processor timestamp to synchronize the processor with respect to the beacon timestamp. |
| US09986517B2 |
Method for optimization of transmit power control
A technique is disclosed for reducing a number of transmissions of power control signals to a wireless device in a communication network. The technique is performed in the communication network or a network node and involves the determining if the wireless device is implementing a routine for discarding a power control signal. The technique further involves the reducing of the number of transmissions of power control signals to the wireless device based on the determining if the wireless device is implementing a routine for discarding a power control signal. |
| US09986515B2 |
Radio base station, user terminal and transmission power control method
The present invention is designed to enable uplink signal transmission power control that is suitable when non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is used on the uplink. The radio base station of the present invention has a decision section that decides whether or not to non-orthogonal-multiplex uplink signals of a plurality of user terminals, a transmission section that transmits, to a user terminal, switching information to command a switch to one of a first transmission power control method, which is used when the uplink signals are non-orthogonal-multiplexed, and a second transmission power control method, which is used when the uplink signals are not non-orthogonal-multiplexed, based on the decision in the decision section, and transmission power determining information, which is used to determine transmission power of the uplink signal, and a receiving section that receives the uplink signal with transmission power that is determined based on the switching information and the transmission power determining information. |
| US09986514B2 |
Method and apparatus of signaling and procedure to support uplink power level determination
Method and apparatus are disclosed for determining a physical uplink power level for transmissions on a physical uplink channel. In one embodiment, a random access channel (RACH) uplink message is transmitted. The RACH uplink message includes a RACH message power level and/or a downlink pathloss figure. A downlink message including a power offset value is received. The physical uplink power level is set for transmissions on the physical uplink channel based on the power offset value. In another embodiment, a RACH uplink message is transmitted and a downlink message including a relative power offset value is received. The physical uplink power level for transmissions on the physical uplink channel is then set based on the relative power off set value. |
| US09986512B2 |
Method and apparatus for mitigating interference
A system that incorporates aspects of the subject disclosure may perform operations including, for example, receiving a first signal operating at a first carrier frequency, receiving a second signal operating at a second carrier frequency, the first carrier frequency differing from the second carrier frequency, generating a combined signal based on the first signal and the second signal, measuring power levels in the combined signal, averaging at least a portion of the power levels to generate an average power level, determining a threshold according to the average power level, and monitoring interference in the combined signal according to the threshold. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09986510B2 |
Method and network side network element for improving downlink transmit power and storage medium
The embodiment of the present document discloses a method for improving downlink transmission power. The method includes: when a network side network element determines that a downlink subframe in a radio frame is an almost blank subframe, assigning a maximum value among numerical values corresponding to a user level parameter to the user level parameter, and assigning a maximum value among numerical values corresponding to a cell level parameter to the cell level parameter; and determining downlink transmission power according to the user level parameter value and the cell level parameter value. The embodiment of the present document further discloses a network side network element for improving downlink transmission power and a storage medium. |
| US09986509B1 |
Advance remote failure notification (ARFN)
In one embodiment, circuitry on a device is configured to detect a power failure of the device, inform a cellular modem of the device of the power failure, and supply capacitive reserve power to the cellular modem in response to the power failure. The cellular modem of the device may then send, using the capacitive reserve power, a cellular detach message into a cellular network, where the detach message has an indication that causes a receiving device to send a notification of the power failure to a configured endpoint device. |
| US09986500B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating WLAN selection by a mobile node
Apparatus, and an associated method, by which to facilitate selection of a WLAN through which a mobile node communicates. Selection takes into account the geographic positioning of the mobile node. The mobile node ascertains its geographic positioning by monitoring cellular-positioning signals. And, availability of WLANs through which to communicate is ascertained by detecting signals broadcast by the WLANs. |
| US09986497B2 |
Method and device for message processing between communications systems
A method includes: acquiring a first report message of an operation event in a source system; acquiring a second report message of the operation event in a target system; and correlating the first report message with the second report message according to the first user equipment identifier and the second user equipment identifier, and performing event statistics collection according to the correlated first report message and second report message. |
| US09986494B2 |
Small cell discovery method and system, base station, and user equipment, and communication apparatus
Disclosed is a small cell discovery method, the method including: a base station of the current service cell receives a physical cell identifier and a status parameter transmitted by a base station of a non-service cell adjacent to the current service cell, the status parameter being used to indicate a mode of transmitting an air interface signal by the base station of the non-service cell; the base station of the current service cell transmits the physical cell identifier and the status parameter to a user equipment. Also, disclosed are a base station, a user equipment and a small cell discovery system. |
| US09986493B2 |
Method for transiting status of network node upon request of user equipment in multi-radio access technology environment, and apparatus therefor
A method for scanning for a base station (BS) of a second radio access technology (RAT) by a user equipment (UE) connected to a first RAT in a multi-RAT environment includes receiving information about one or more BSs of the second RAT adjacent to the UE, from an interworking entity (IWE) of the first RAT which manages interworking between the first RAT and the second RAT, and transmitting an awake request message to a specific BS among the BSs of the second RAT in a listening interval of the specific BS to which the UE desires to access, if a status of the specific BS is an idle mode, wherein listening interval information is included in the received information about the BSs of the second RAT. |
| US09986491B2 |
Method for scanning for access points in wireless LAN system
Disclosed is a method for scanning for an access point in a wireless LAN system. An active scanning method comprises the steps of: transmitting a probe request frame to an access point; and receiving, from the access point, a probe response frame corresponding to the probe request frame. The probe response frame may include time information of a beacon transmitted after the probe response frame. Thus, the efficiency of a wireless channel can be improved in a wireless LAN system. |
| US09986487B1 |
Relay control system notification of inter-cell interference coordination (ICIC) to a donor base station
A donor base station in a wireless communication network exchanges first user data with a wireless relay using a standard communication throughput. A relay control system in the wireless communication network exchanges data with the wireless relay over the donor base station and the neighboring base station. The relay control system detects Inter-Cell Interference Coordination (ICIC) between the wireless relay and the neighboring base station and in response, the relay control system identifies the donor base station serving the wireless relay and signaling the donor base station of the ICIC between the wireless relay and the neighboring base station. The donor base station receives the signaling and reduces the standard communication throughput of the wireless relay. The donor base station then exchanges second user data with the wireless relay using the reduced communication throughput. |
| US09986483B1 |
Handoff target selection based on media type
An LTE base station facilitates handoffs in an LTE communication system. The LTE base station is configured to exchange session communications with a UE and receive session information transmitted from an LTE communication control system, the session information including a media type of the communication session and a vector associated with the UE. The LTE base station is further configured to identify a plurality of candidate base stations within a proximity threshold to a path of the vector associated with the UE, poll the plurality of candidate base stations for capability information, process the capability information to determine a set of the candidate base stations that support the media type of the communication session, select a target base station for a handoff from the set of the candidate base stations that support the media type, and instruct the UE to initiate the handoff to the target base station. |
| US09986480B2 |
Communications related methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus for efficiently communicating network connectivity information in a communications system are described. Two types of signals with different characteristics, e.g., long range synchronous beacons, e.g., LTE-D beacons, and short range asynchronous beacons, e.g., WiFi beacons, are used in combination to advertise network connectivity information and accelerate the acquisition of a routing path for a communications device to a device serving as a gateway for a infrastructure network. Reception of a first type signal triggers monitoring for a second type signal, and a received second type signal communicates information used to determine a communications path to a gateway device. |
| US09986478B2 |
Enhanced Wi-Fi-cellular mobility
In some embodiments, a user equipment device (UE) may be configured to perform handover of a communication session from a first packet data network (PDN) to a second PDN. The UE may include a radio and processing circuitry coupled to the radio and configured to interoperate with the radio. The radio may include one or more antennas for performing wireless communications over at least a first packet data network (PDN) (i.e., packet-switched network) and a second PDN. The UE may be configured to communicate over the first PDN according to first context information that was assigned to the UE and initiate a handover operation from the first PDN to the second PDN. In response to initiating the handover operation, the UE may communicate over the second PDN using the first context information for at least a first time duration. |
| US09986477B2 |
Channel quality information feedback techniques
Various embodiments are generally directed to improved channel quality information feedback techniques. In one embodiment, for example, an evolved node B (eNB) may comprise a processor circuit, a communication component for execution by the processor circuit to receive a channel quality index for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), the channel quality index associated with a defined reference resource, and a selection component for execution by the processor circuit to select a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for transmission over the PDSCH of user equipment (UE) data in one or more resource blocks, the selection component to compensate for a difference between a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) overhead of the defined reference resource and a CRS overhead of the one or more resource blocks when selecting the MCS. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09986475B2 |
Method and system for managing wireless connectivity in a communication system
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method, including applying a voice quality model to network performance information associated with a voice over internet protocol call session to generate a measure of voice quality associated with a first wireless radio access network wirelessly coupling a mobile device and a communication network, detecting a trigger condition for a measurement reporting according to the measure of voice quality, a first signal of the first wireless radio access network, and a second signal of a second wireless radio access network, and detecting a trigger condition for a measurement report according to the measure of voice quality, a first signal of the first network, and a second signal of a network. The measurement report can be transmitted to the first wireless radio access network responsive to detecting the trigger condition for the measurement reporting. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09986472B2 |
System and method for configuring a universal device to provide desired network hardware functionality
A method and system for automatically configuring and transforming a universal device into a feature specific device to provide desired network hardware functionality for a plurality of different conventionally single purpose devices. The universal device receives data configured for handling by a network hardware device capable of providing desired network hardware functionality. Based on the data received, the universal device identifies the desired network hardware functionality from network hardware functionalities. The universal device selects one or more virtual ports capable of providing the desired network hardware functionality. The universal device automatically configures and transforms itself into a feature specific device to provide the desired network hardware functionality by implementing the selected one or more virtual ports to handle the data received. |
| US09986471B2 |
Wireless mesh network repair system
A wireless mesh network repair system includes a first wireless communication device that is configured to provide a first wireless communication path that provides for the transmission of wireless communications between first and second devices and to provide a notification of a change in the first wireless communication path that will prevent the transmission of the wireless communications between the first and second devices on the first wireless communication path. The system further includes at least one second wireless communication device that is configured to receive the notification from the first wireless communication device, and in response, determine a second wireless communication path that will provide for the transmission of wireless communications between the first and second devices, adjust a second wireless communication device communication range, and provide for the transmission of wireless communication signals between the first and second devices on the second wireless communication path. |
| US09986467B2 |
Node and method for a combined single radio voice call continuity and a packet switched handover
Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a base station, user equipment and Mobility Management Entity, and corresponding methods, for providing handling during a combined Single Radio Voice Call Continuity and Packet Switched Handover procedure. |
| US09986466B2 |
Anycast-based content delivery with mobility support
A system may identify a first intermediary device responsible for delivering an anycast stream in a first service area associated with a first foreign agent, identify an active anycast stream, identify a second foreign agent associated with a mobility event, identify a second intermediary device responsible for delivering the active anycast stream in a second service area associated with the second foreign agent, receive an indication that the second intermediary device is different from the first intermediary device, establish a content tunnel between the first foreign agent and the second foreign agent, and route communications associated with the active anycast stream over the content tunnel. |
| US09986464B2 |
Equitable and cooperative bandwidth pooling for a shared media event
An approach is provided for pooling bandwidth provided by mobile devices in an ad hoc group. Based on information in data plans provided by wireless carriers to the mobile devices, amounts of data that will be unused at the end of respective billing cycles are estimated. Based on the estimated amounts, contributions of data from the mobile devices are determined. Based on capabilities of the mobile devices, time periods during which the respective mobile devices are subscripted for providing at least some of the respective contributions of data are determined. Hand-offs among the mobile devices are coordinated to provide a cooperative usage of the bandwidth among the mobile devices which minimizes redundant streaming or downloading of content to more than one of the mobile devices. The streamed or downloaded content is presented to the ad hoc group of mobile devices. |
| US09986461B2 |
On-demand radio coordination in a software-defined network
A network includes network components configured to perform a method for on-demand radio coordination. The method includes determining a congested radio node in a plurality of radio nodes in the network in response to congestion information received from a network device. The method includes generating a cluster of radio nodes associated with the congested radio node. The method also includes optimizing radio resources of the radio nodes in the cluster to produce cluster optimization results configured to alleviate congestion of the congested radio node. The method further includes transmitting the cluster optimization results to the radio nodes in the cluster to alleviate the congestion. |
| US09986460B1 |
Adjusting acknowledgment transmissions based on carrier aggregation
Carrier aggregation may occur in wireless networks when multiple carriers from either contiguous frequency bands or non-contiguous frequency bands are aggregated together as component carriers. Wireless computing devices (WCDs) may use these aggregated component carriers as a single, logical channel for wireless communication. Such a WCD may determine that an amount of carrier aggregation used by a wireless interface of the WCD has increased. The WCD may receive data packets from a correspondent device by way of the wireless interface, and the WCD may transmit, in response to receiving the data packets, acknowledgment packets to the correspondent device by way of the wireless interface. Possibly based on the amount of carrier aggregation increasing, the WCD may reduce an extent of the acknowledgment packets transmitted to the correspondent device. |
| US09986447B2 |
User equipment and protocol and methods for device-to-device communication
Embodiments of a UE and methods for D2D communication are generally described herein. The UE may transmit, as part of an in-network communication session, a D2D discovery status message. The D2D discovery status message may indicate an initiation or termination of a D2D discovery operation at the UE and may indicate if the UE is announcing or monitoring part of the D2D discovery operation. The D2D discovery operation may be at least partly for configuring a D2D communication session between the UE and one or more other UEs. The UE may transmit, as part of the D2D discovery operation, a D2D discovery signal for reception at one or more other UEs. The UE may transmit and receive D2D packets over a direct link to a second UE as part of the D2D communication session. |
| US09986445B2 |
Location registration method and apparatus of terminal in mobile communication system
A location registration method of a terminal in a mobile communication system is provided. The method transmitting a location registration request message to a network, waiting, when a reject message is received from the network in response to the location registration request message, until a radio connection with the network releases completely, and transmitting, when the radio connection is released, a new location registration request message to the network. |
| US09986444B2 |
Method and apparatus for feeding back aggregated channel state information in cooperative multipoint communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for feeding back aggregated CSI using multiple CSI-RS setting information in a wireless communication system which supports CoMP. The method of a terminal feeding back aggregated CSI for cooperative transmission in the wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes the steps of respectively receiving first CSI-RS setting information and second CSI setting information for a first base station and a second base station participating in the cooperative transmission; receiving a first CSI-RS and a second CSI-RS setting information; calculating first CSI and second CSI using the first CSI-RS and the second CSI-RS; and transmitting the aggregated CSI calculated on the basis of the first CSI and the second CSI, wherein the first CSI-RS and the second CSI-RS can be transmitted on the same subframe. |
| US09986441B2 |
Cellular backhaul coverage algorithms
Systems and methods for designing cellular backhaul networks are disclosed. The system can include an Adaptive Graph Minimum Spanning Tree (AG-MST) algorithm to identify and connect stranded cellular sites at minimum cost. The system can compare pending bids for new connections such as, for example, new microwave or fiber optic links at stranded sites to provide new connectivity. The system can design a network that connects the maximum number of stranded sites at the minimum average cost per site. |
| US09986433B2 |
Wireless application protocol gateway
A method for providing application service is provided. The method discloses that a user is authenticated according to a received application service acquisition request from a user mobile phone, and when the user authentication is passed, the application service acquisition request is sent to an application server, so that the application server provides an application service to the user mobile phone according to the application service acquisition request. The application server does not need to authenticate the user mobile phone by performing an authentication operation on the user mobile phone through a wireless application protocol gateway, thus being capable of reducing the workload of the application server. |
| US09986432B2 |
Method and system for providing security from a radio access network
The disclosure relates to a security method and system in a telecommunications network comprising a radio access network system and a core network system. The radio access network system is configured to provide a wireless radio interface for at least one user device, wherein a shared secret key is stored in both the user device and the core network system. At least one vector is received from the core network system comprising one or more values derived from the shared secret key. At least one of an authentication procedure and a key agreement procedure is performed in the radio access network system for the user device over the wireless radio interface using the one or more values of the received vector for establishing a connection between the user device and the radio access network system. |
| US09986431B2 |
Method and apparatus for direct communication key establishment
A method, performed by a User Equipment device, UE, for obtaining a key for direct communication with a device over an air interface, wherein the UE has previously acquired a transaction identifier received from a Bootstrapping Server Function, BSF, in a Generic Bootstrapping Architecture, GBA, procedure, is provided. The method comprises storing the transaction identifier, sending the transaction identifier to the device and requesting key generation for direct communication with the device. If the transaction identifier is invalid, the method further comprises receiving from the device a device identifier and key generation information, deriving a session shared key from at least the key generation information, and deriving a direct communication key from at least the session shared key and the device identifier. |
| US09986428B2 |
Security management in M2M area network
The disclosure is related to a machine to machine (M2M) device and a security management method thereof. The M2M device includes an identification circuit. The identification circuit may be configured to encrypt data collected from a sensor with a device identification (ID) of the M2M device and at least one subscriber ID of the identification circuit and to generate a data packet in a predetermined communication standard format by including the encrypted data in a payload of the data packet. |
| US09986421B2 |
Secure virtual transfer of subscriber credentials
To virtually transfer subscriber identity module (“SIM”) credentials from an active device to an inactive device in order to share carrier network access, temporary identifiers and SIM credentials are transferred using secure connections and an optional public-private key pair with encryption at the transport layer. In an example, a carrier identification (“ID”) server receives a temporary identifier, such as a temporary international mobile subscriber identity (“TIMSI”), from an inactive device via a carrier network. The carrier ID server authenticates the inactive device using the TIMSI by issuing a network challenge. Next, the carrier ID server verifies with an active device associated with the inactive device that the active device distributed the TIMSI. After authenticating and verifying with both devices, the carrier ID server activates the inactive device by allowing the TIMSI to behave as virtual SIM credentials on the carrier network. |
| US09986420B2 |
Validating cell access mode
An example method includes receiving at a User Equipment (UE) a value for an Access Mode identifier and a value for a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) identifier in one or more cell advertisements, selecting a cell based on the or more cell advertisements, and reporting in a message the value of the Access Mode identifier and the value CSG identifier for the cell advertisement of the cell selected. A core network element receives a first Access Mode identifier value and a first CSG identifier value, these first values associated with a cell advertisement of a cell selected by a UE; receives a second Access Mode identifier value and a second CSG identifier value, these second values reported by the cell selected by the UE; performs a comparison of first and second Access Mode identifier value and/or first and second CSG identifier values; and takes action based on the comparison. |
| US09986417B2 |
Global mobility infrastructure for user devices
A mobility database is updated with new data relating to a location of a user as the user enters a new operating environment upon leaving a prior operating environment. The new data includes mobility and environmental data relating to a third-party. The third-party data is relevant to the user and to operation of a mobile device. The mobility and environmental data are based on a relationship that the third party has with the user's mobility environment. The mobile device is configured for operation, based on previously collected real-time mobility data relating to the user and devices associated with the user. The devices include the mobile device. The mobile device is activated for subsequent operation, based on the collected real-time mobility data. Operation of the activated mobile device is controlled, based on the new data in the mobility database and other data being acquired in real time. |
| US09986415B2 |
Method for saving standard format page and server
Provided is a method for saving a standard format page. The method includes: generating a standard format page which includes a first filling entry, the first filling entry having a default filling value and being configured to be filled with a PLMN identity of a visited place; transmitting the standard format page to the first mobile terminal located at the visited place; receiving a first standard format page transmitted by the first mobile terminal, the first standard format page being a standard format page in which the first filling entry has been filled with the filling value; and identifying and saving the first standard format page. The present disclosure further provides a server for saving a standard format page. |
| US09986408B1 |
Method for providing a coherent network of apps for mobile devices
A generator for mobile apps provides an easy to use template for creating multiple apps that all share a coherent navigation system and infrastructure in order that all of the apps function as a network that can be accessed by installing just one of the apps. Multiple users of the generator create their own apps and offer the apps to users of mobile computerized devices. When a user of a mobile device downloads just one of the apps, they are provided with access to the entire network of apps, without having to download and install each of the apps separately. This is particularly useful for location-based apps, content apps, and commerce apps. |
| US09986405B1 |
Context-dependent emergency situation report
A method for context-dependent emergency reporting includes receiving at a processor of a cellular phone a signal indicative of detecting a contextual cue. The exemplary method also includes receiving at the processor of the cellular phone a signal indicative of detecting a confirmatory cue. The exemplary method further includes the processor of the cellular phone identifying an emergency in response to detecting both the confirmatory cue and the contextual cue; and, in response to identifying the emergency, the processor of the cellular phone alerting a pre-registered recipient of the emergency via a wireless communication module of the cellular phone. |
| US09986403B2 |
System and method
The invention relates to a system provided with —a first apparatus provided with means which can be activated by a cause in order to send a signal to a communication apparatus; and —a communication apparatus provided with ⋅means for receiving the signal; and ⋅means for establishing contact with an emergency response center. The communication apparatus is provided with means which can be activated by reception of the signal and with which the communication apparatus can request data from the first apparatus. The communication apparatus is also provided with assessing means for performing an assessment of the data. The means for establishing contact with the emergency response center can be activated subject to the assessment. |
| US09986401B2 |
Systems and methods for emergency vehicle proximity warnings using digital radio broadcast
Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating an emergency alert message from a digital radio broadcast transmission system of a mobile vehicle to a digital radio broadcast receiver system. A digital radio broadcast signal including first and second data is broadcasted using the digital radio broadcast transmission system to end-user digital radio broadcast receivers. The first data includes an emergency code, and the second data includes an emergency alert message. The digital radio broadcast signal is transmitted at a predetermined frequency that is recognized by the receivers as an emergency notification frequency. The digital radio broadcast signal can be decoded only by receivers located within a localized area in a proximity of the transmission system. The receivers are configured to automatically tune to the emergency notification frequency to receive the digital radio broadcast signal and render the second data based on a detection of the emergency code within the signal. |
| US09986400B2 |
Leader and follower management system for wearable devices
A wearable computing device identifies a gesture made by the user of the wearable computing device. The wearable computing device sends an offer to a second wearable computing device, where the offer is to follow the user. The wearable computing device receives an indication of acceptance of the offer from the second wearable computing device, where the acceptance of the offer comprises an identified gesture made by the user of the second wearable computing device. The wearable computing device sends information related to at least the current location of the wearable computing device to the second wearable computing device. |
| US09986396B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing information about a call recipient at a user device
A method and apparatus are to provide status information about a call recipient and information about other users located in a same area as the call recipient. A method for providing information about the call recipient by a user device includes initiating a call transmission to the call recipient; receiving forwarding information corresponding to the call transmission; and outputting information about the call recipient and information about users located in a same area as the call recipient, based on the forwarding information. |
| US09986395B2 |
Method and system for bundling multiple services through a mobile platform
A telecommunications service provider agrees to a pre-paid plan including phone, text and data services, which it provides to a user through her mobile device. The provider's computer system then sends a notification to the user's mobile device that refers to benefits and contains a launch prompt. When the launch prompt is selected by the user, an application program is automatically launched in the mobile device, or a browser in the mobile device is automatically navigated to a website, which prompts the user to identify herself using minimum personal information (e.g., first and last name, date of birth and postal code.) In response, the mobile device is then signaled by the computer system of the telecommunications service provider to display to the user an offer of i) a pre-bundled group of, or ii) an individually selectable variety of, products or services (the benefits.) Other embodiments are also described. |
| US09986394B1 |
Voice-based messaging
Techniques for enabling a system to create a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message or a short message service (SMS) message from a spoken message are described. A system may receive audio data corresponding to a spoken message. The system may determine a recipient of the spoken message as well as a device associated with the recipient. The system may determine the type of messaging supported by the device. Based on the messaging capabilities, the system generates either a MMS message or a SMS message. The MMS message may include a message payload including a portion of text corresponding to content of the message as well as audio data embedded in the message payload. The SMS message may include a message payload including a portion of text corresponding to content of the message as well as a link to message content audio data stored by the system. |
| US09986385B2 |
Safety of a mobile communications device
Systems and methods for improving safety of a multi-function portable personal communications device can include determining a first position of the personal communications device, after a predetermined time interval, determining a second position of the personal communications device, determining the distance between the first position and the second position, determining the time interval in which the personal communications device moved from the first position and the second position, calculating an average velocity of the personal communications device based on the first position, the second position and the time interval and, if the average velocity of the personal communication device exceeds a predetermined value, sending an alert or inhibiting a function of the personal communications device. Other systems and methods that improve safety are also disclosed. |
| US09986384B1 |
Providing information to a mobile device based on an event at a geographical location
A system, method, and computer readable medium for providing information to a mobile device based on an event comprising detecting an occurrence of the event, determining if the event is a specific event and if the event occurred at or near a geographical location and sending an alert of the event to at least one mobile device if the event is the specific event, if the event occurs at or near the geographical location, and if the at least one mobile device is located at or near the geographical location. |
| US09986379B2 |
Zone-based away messages
One embodiment provides a system for generating shopping incentives for users based on purchasing patterns of the users. The system performs operations including determining one or more zones within a venue based on wireless signals transmitted by one or more wireless sensors. The operations further include, for at least one zone, determining a current state associated with the zone, monitoring the zone, and, in response to detecting a device entering the zone, notifying the device of the current state associated with the zone. Each zone is assigned to a zone owner. A current state associated with a zone is based on a real-time location of a device carried by the zone owner. |
| US09986368B2 |
Loop avoidance in middle-node-to-middle-node registration in M2M networks
A first machine-to-machine, M2M, node registering with a second M2M node avoids registration loops using a method that begins with obtaining (710) identifiers for each M2M node with which the second M2M node is registered. The first M2M node refrains (735) from registering with the second M2M node if an identifier for the first M2M node is among the identifiers, registers (725) with the second M2M if the second M2M node is not registered with other M2M nodes, and otherwise: (a) retrieves (740) identifiers for each M2M node with which any M2M on the obtained list is registered, (b) registers (755) with the second M2M node in the event that no identifiers are retrieved, and, (c) if the identifier for the first M2M node is retrieved, refrains (765) from registering with the second M2M node. Steps (a), (b), and (c) may be repeated for identifiers retrieved in step (a). |
| US09986364B2 |
Endpoint mixing system and playing method thereof
The present invention provides an endpoint mixing (EM) system and playing method. The EM playing method includes the following steps: S0) providing a plurality of microphones corresponding to a plurality of sounding bodies in an initial environment, an endpoint environment of which the type and size correspond to those of the initial environment, a plurality of sound simulation devices, and a motion tracking device; S1) a plurality of microphones synchronously recording the sounds of a plurality of corresponding sounding bodies into audio tracks respectively; the motion tracking device synchronously recording the motion states of a plurality of sounding bodies into motion state files; S2) a plurality of sound simulation devices synchronously moving in the motion states of the corresponding sounding bodies recorded in the motion state files, and synchronously playing the audio tracks recorded by the corresponding microphones respectively, thereby playing EM. |
| US09986362B2 |
Information processing method and electronic device
The present disclosure provides an information processing method and an electronic device. The method comprises: obtaining an audio signal in an output signal; determining N channel signals in the audio signal, where N is a positive integer; determining whether the audio signal needs to be adjusted or not; and adjusting, when the audio signal needs to be adjusted, an output parameter of at least one of the N channel signals respectively, and outputting the N adjusted channel signals via an audio output device, such that the N adjusted channel signals correspond to a sound source position of the audio signal. The above method according to the present disclosure can solve the technical problem that the audio signal cannot be adjusted in real time and achieve a technical effect of automatic adjustment of the audio signal. |
| US09986360B1 |
Auto-calibration of relative positions of multiple speaker tracking systems
A system that automatically calibrates multiple speaker tracking systems with respect to one another based on detection of an active speaker at a collaboration endpoint is presented herein. The system collects a first data point set of an active speaker at the collaboration endpoint using at least a first camera and a first microphone array. The system then receives a plurality of second data point sets from one or more secondary speaker tracking systems located at the collaboration endpoint. Once enough data points have been collected, a reference coordinate system is determined using the first data point set and the one or more second data point sets. Finally, after a reference coordinate system has been determined, the system generates the locations of the one or more secondary speaker tracking systems with respect to the first speaker tracking system. |
| US09986356B2 |
Audio surround processing system
An audio surround processing system receives an audio source signal having at least two audio channels and generates a number of additional surround sound signals in which an amount of artificially generated ambient energy is controlled in real-time at least in part by an estimate of ambient energy that is contained in the audio source signal. The system may divide the audio source signal into two sets of components; a first set of components and a second set of components. The first set of components may be in a range of frequency that is less than a range of frequency of the second set of components. An ambience estimate control coefficient may be generated using the transformed first set of components. An overall gain may be determined using the ambience estimate control coefficient. The overall gain may be used in generation of the additional surround sound signals. |
| US09986354B2 |
Pre-mold for a microphone assembly and method of producing the same
A microphone assembly is provided, wherein the pre-mold comprises a bent leadframe and a mold body, wherein the mold body is mold to at least partially encapsulate the bent leadframe to build the pre-mold comprising a cavity for accommodating a microphone, and wherein the pre-mold comprises a through-hole transmissive for sound waves. |
| US09986353B2 |
Earphones with ear presence sensors
An electronic device may be coupled to an accessory such as a pair of earphones. The earphones may have ear presence sensor structures that determine whether or not the ears of a user are present in the vicinity of the earphones. The earphones may contain first and second speakers. When both the first and second speakers are located in the ears of the user, the electronic device may perform functions such as playing audio content. When one of the speakers has been removed from the ears of the user while the other of the speakers remains in the ears of the user, the electronic device can take actions such as pausing the playback of audio content, switching from stereo to monophonic playback, or stopping the playback of content. Suitable actions such as increasing audio drive strength may be taken when both speakers have been removed from the ears. |
| US09986349B2 |
Magnetic user interface controls
A device includes a magnetic field source that generates a rotationally asymmetric magnetic field, a magnetic field sensor that generates a signal that is indicative of a position of the magnetic field sensor in the rotationally asymmetric magnetic field, and a processor coupled to the magnetic field sensor. The processor is configured to process the signal from the magnetic field sensor to control one or more operational settings of the medical device. |
| US09986341B2 |
Electroacoustic converter
An electroacoustic converter includes a piezoelectric film whose principal surface expands and contracts according to an electric field, a viscoelastic support which is in close contact with the principal surface of the piezoelectric film, a pressing member which presses the piezoelectric film to the viscoelastic support, and an expandable pressing sheet which is tensioned and in close contact with the surface of the piezoelectric film opposite to the viscoelastic support to press the piezoelectric film and the viscoelastic support. In a section in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the principal surface of the piezoelectric film, the piezoelectric film has a flat portion which is held by the pressing sheet and the viscoelastic support in a portion thereof excluding a pressed portion by the pressing member, and an inclined portion which is connected to the pressed portion and the flat portion and extends in a direction of intersecting the pressed portion. With this, an electroacoustic converter having excellent acoustic characteristics and stab resistance is provided. |
| US09986337B2 |
Transmit audio in a target space
Implementations disclosed herein relate to transmitting audio in a target space relative to an electronic device using a directional speaker and non-directional speaker. In one implementation, a directional speaker or non-directional speaker is selected to transmit audio based on a target space for the audio. The audio may then be transmitted from the selected speaker. |
| US09986334B2 |
Bone-conduction sound transmission device and method
Embodiments of the invention disclose a bone-conduction sound transmission device and method. The device comprises a signal output module for providing a digital audio signal, a signal conversion and emission module for converting the digital audio signal into a vibration signal and emitting the vibration signal, a signal detection module, for detecting the vibration signal for at least one position in the transmission path from the signal conversion and emission module to a receiving end, and a signal feedback module which is configured to calculate an attenuation coefficient of the vibration signal at each of the positions, determine a compensation signal based on the attenuation coefficient and compensate for the vibration signal generated from the signal conversion and emission module with the compensation signal. |
| US09986333B1 |
Flush-fitting sound output device
A sound output device which can be fitted flush to match shape and contour of a desired housing device includes an arc-shaped shell as the housing, a mainboard, at least one first sound output unit, at least one second output unit, and at least one conductive distance piece. The arc-shaped shell defines sound output holes. The first sound output unit is located on one side of the mainboard close to the at least two sound output holes. The at least one second output unit is located above the conductive distance piece on the side of the mainboard close to the sound output holes. The conductive distance piece elevates the at least one second sound output unit to the same level as that of the first sound output unit, or to some other level required for the particular shape of the arc-shaped shell. |
| US09986332B2 |
Sound pick-up apparatus and method
To improve, when area sound pick-up is performed to collect sounds from a sound source in a target area, the sound quality of the collected sounds. The present invention relates to a sound pick-up apparatus that performs area sound pick-up. The sound pick-up apparatus calculates a sound volume level of a mixing signal to mix with a target area sound on the basis of power of estimated noise obtained by estimating background noise included in an input signal input from a microphone array, and power of a non-target area sound, adjusts a sound volume level of the input signal, and a sound volume level of the estimated noise to mix with the mixing signal on the basis of the sound volume level of the calculated mixing signal, and generates and outputs a mixed target area sound with which the input signal that is adjusted to have the calculated sound volume level and the estimated noise that is adjusted to have the calculated sound volume level are mixed. |
| US09986331B2 |
Method and apparatus for selecting main microphone
A terminal monitors a working state parameter of a main microphone arranged on the terminal; judges whether the working state parameter satisfies a preset rule; and prompts a user that an audio input signal is abnormal or selects a main microphone satisfying the preset rule as an audio input according to a judgment result. |
| US09986328B2 |
Electronic device with changeable acoustic properties
Apparatus including: an acoustic transducer, and a sound channel coupled to the acoustic transducer, the sound channel including an element having a shape that is electrically controllable, wherein the shape of the element is electrically controllable to change the acoustic properties of the sound channel. |
| US09986326B2 |
Signal processing device and signal processing method
A signal processing device includes a noise analysis unit for analyzing a frequency component of a noise signal obtained by converting a collected sound into an electrical signal, a plurality of filtering units for carrying out predetermined filtering operations on the noise signal on the basis of an analysis result, and an output control unit for temporally varying a synthesis rate of outputs of the plurality of filtering units according to a change in the analysis result of the noise analysis unit. When the analysis result of the noise analysis unit changes, one filtering unit starts a predetermined filtering operation by characteristics different from those of other filtering units that carry out predetermined filtering operations on the noise signal according to the change in the analysis result of the noise analysis unit. |
| US09986324B2 |
Earphones with activity controlled output
The present disclosure relates to an earphone apparatus and method. The earphone apparatus includes an earpiece, including a speaker, configured for arrangement relative to a user's ear for listening to audio from the speaker, a bio-sensor, a motion sensor, and a controller configured to determine an activity state of the user based on aggregated sensor data from the bio-sensor and the motion sensor over time, and to control audio output to the user based on the determined activity state. |
| US09986321B1 |
Speaker module
The present invention provides a speaker module including a housing with an inner cavity. The housing includes a side wall and a sounding hole formed through the side wall. The speaker module further has a speaker unit mounted in the inner cavity; a cover plate arranged in the inner cavity for dividing the inner cavity into a front cavity communicating with the sounding hole and a back cavity opposite to the front cavity; and a case with a volume covering the cover plate and arranged in the back cavity. The cover plate is provided with a through hole communicating the front cavity with the volume. |
| US09986320B2 |
Portable guitar amplifier
A portable amplifier is disclosed. In embodiments, the portable amplifier comprises a cabinet that opens and closes on a diagonal to contain all internal components, and optimizes sound quality. In embodiments the portable amplifier can be connected to an extension cabinet in order to provide an additional speaker. The portable amplifier can function on AC or DC power, and features user-friendly lighted ports and controls. The amplifier can feature AINiCo speakers and a three-spring reverb tank. The portable amplifier can be optimized for weight and power to achieve output of about 4 to about 5 watts per pound. |
| US09986319B2 |
MEMS sensor
A MEMS sensor is disclosed. The MEMS sensor includes a housing having an acoustic port, a base plate forming an accommodation cavity together with the housing, a MEMS chip accommodated in the accommodation cavity, and a control mechanism having a first working position and a second working position. At the first working position, the acoustic port communicates the accommodation cavity with an external space of the housing, while at the second working position, the control mechanism isolates the accommodation cavity from the external space of the housing. |
| US09986318B2 |
Optical routing
For optical routing, a processor detects an optical data packet communicated over at least one optical subcarrier of a plurality of optical subcarriers. The processor further detects each of the plurality of optical subcarriers over which the optical data packet is carried. The processor generates a label including one or more asserted optical subcarrier values corresponding to each of the plurality of optical subcarriers over which the optical data packet is carried. In addition, the processor routes the optical data packet from the optical switch based on a routing action associated with the label. |
| US09986312B2 |
Passive wireless sensors for turbomachines and method of operating the same
A machine includes a first machine substrate and a second machine substrate and a monitoring system for the machine. The monitoring system includes a sensor subsystem including a sensor substrate integral with the first machine substrate and at least one sensor electromagnetic structure coupled to at least a portion of the sensor substrate. The at least one sensor electromagnetic structure includes at least one sensor conducting sub-component. The at least one sensor electromagnetic structure is configured to regulate electromagnetic fields incident thereto in response to at least one measurement characteristic of a machine measurand. The sensor subsystem is configured to obtain at least one measurement characteristic of the machine measurand proximate a machine sensing position. |
| US09986302B2 |
Transmission apparatus, transmission method, reception apparatus, and reception method
The present technology relates to a transmission apparatus, a transmission method, a reception apparatus, and at reception method that enable a plurality of transport protocols to coexist.The transmission apparatus generates transport protocol selection information used for selecting a transport protocol to be used in a specific service from a plurality of transport protocols conforming to a predetermined standard, and transmits, together with the transport protocol selection information, a content provided by the specific service according to the transport protocol set in the transport protocol selection information. The present technology is applicable to, for example, IP packet broadcasting. |
| US09986299B2 |
Scheduled programming recommendation system
A scheduled programming recommendation system narrows down a user's electronic program guide to a short list of about a dozen recommended programs. The list is customized to the user's own interests according to a point scoring algorithm that compares program data with data from the user's viewing history. The content receiver is programmed to offer alternatives to users while engaged in a program, or within a short time interval near the end of a program. If the user switches to another ongoing program, there is an option to start the new program at the beginning. This option is made possible by a feature of the scheduled programming recommendation system that automatically records recommended programs in a background memory location, separate from the user's recorder memory space. Only recommended programs are automatically recorded. Access to recorded content is provided exclusively via the recommended list. |
| US09986298B2 |
Multimedia mobile personalization system
A multimedia mobile personalization system provides a remote control that detects a user's electronic tag, e.g. an RFID tag. The remote control notifies a multimedia device of the user's identity. The multimedia devices tailors it operations to the user's preferences stored locally. Multimedia content such as broadcast or recorded television programs, music play lists, and the like could be sorted, displayed, or restricted, depending on the user identifier. |
| US09986295B2 |
Automatic contact information transmission system
According to one aspect, a DVR sends a user's contact information over a network to a third party. Upon determining that a television program or advertisement contains a special tag that is associated with a third party, the DVR displays, to the user, a prompt that invites the DVR user to allow the DVR to send the user's contact information to the third party. If the user gives permission for the DVR to send the contact information to the third party, then the DVR sends the contact information to the third party (e.g., over the Internet). |
| US09986291B2 |
Content reproduction method and device
A method for managing license information for playback of content, includes transmitting certificate information of a storage device to a license serve, updating a certificate revision list received from the license server on the basis of the certificate information, receiving encrypted license information allowing the content to be played through a first session established between the storage device and the license server, the first session being identified by session identification information, and decrypting the encrypted license information and storing the decrypted license information to a secure region. |
| US09986280B2 |
Identifying reference content that includes third party content
A reference verification module identifies content items stored in a content repository that include at least a portion of the content included in a reference content item provided by an entity. The reference verification module classifies the reference content item based on the uneven distribution of the percentages of the identified content items that include each of the claimed portions. Specifically, if the average difference between the percentage of content items that include a given portion and the percentages of the remaining content items is above a threshold, then the reference verification module classifies the reference content item as having a higher than threshold likelihood of including third party content. |
| US09986279B2 |
Discovery, access control, and communication with networked services
Particular embodiments permit a computer program running within a security sandbox to discover and communicate with networked services for example print servers, or remote control programming interfaces for TVs, stereos, and game boxes. The sandbox allows the computer program to originate unicast connections to a limited set of hosts but otherwise provides no access to the network. Particular embodiments may require no prior install, zero configuration, no account names or passwords, and yet resists spam. This is achieved by using centralized global infrastructure to coordinate the communications rather than local multicast, anycast, or datalink broadcast. |
| US09986277B2 |
Systems and methods to select targeted advertising
Systems and methods to select targeted advertising for display are disclosed. An example method to select targeted advertising for display includes identifying an advertisement corresponding to the first product, identifying a saturation metric for the advertisement, determining a net effectiveness metric based on an opportunity metric and the saturation metric, the opportunity metric being based on a difference between an expected consumption of a first product by the household and actual consumption of the product by the household, and delivering the advertisement to the household via a media transmission when the net effectiveness metric is greater than a threshold. |
| US09986276B2 |
Authentication system and method of operating the same
Provided are an authentication system and a method of operating the authentication system. The authentication system allows network cameras to authenticate an image storage device as a client. The authentication system includes an authentication preprocessing unit provided in the client to calculate and store an offset time representing a difference between time information of the client and time information that is received from a network camera in response to a time information request to the network camera, and an authentication processing unit provided in the network camera to authenticate the client by receiving authentication information including the offset time from the client in response to an authentication request of the client. |
| US09986272B1 |
Methods and apparatus to determine a duration of media presentation based on tuning session duration
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to monitor media presentation to determine a period of media presentation based on tuning session period are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include determining a first tuning session based on a period of time between channel changes of a first media presentation device, determining first presentation session data within the determined first tuning session, determining a model relating the first tuning session with the first presentation session data, determine a second tuning session for tuning data from a second media presentation device, selecting the model for the second tuning session, based on a match of a first duration of the second tuning session and a second duration associated with the model, and estimating second presentation session data for the second tuning session based on the model. |
| US09986270B2 |
Reception and transmission of trigger information for application program control
Disclosed herein is a reception apparatus for receiving AV content, including: a receiver configured to trigger information for controlling processing associated with an application program to be executed in conjugation with a progress of the AV content; a holder configured to hold the application program; and a controller configured to control a state of a first application program depending on whether first trigger information for specifying processing associated with the first application program held in the holder as a subject of control has been received in synchronization with a predetermined reception timing. |
| US09986263B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding image information
The present invention relates to a deblocking filtering method, a method for inducing bs (boundary strength) therefor, and a method and an apparatus for encoding/decoding using the same. The method for inducing the bS of the present invention comprises the steps of: inducing a boundary of a deblocking filtering unit block as a unit block for applying the deblocking filtering; and setting the bS according to each bS setting unit block within the deblocking filtering unit block, wherein the bS setting step can set a bS value for a target boundary corresponding to a boundary of the deblocking filtering unit block as the bs setting unit block. |
| US09986262B2 |
Reference frame selection technique for error resilience of video codec using multiple reference frames
The present invention relates to a reference frame selection technique for an error resilience of video codec using multiple reference frames. The reference frame selection technique for an error resilience of video codec using multiple reference frames according to the present invention comprises the steps of: performing a motion estimation individually in each of the multiple reference frames so as to search a reference macroblock of the macroblock to be coded; checking the degree of match between the reference macroblock region found by the motion estimation and the intra-coded macroblock of the reference frame; and selecting the motion vector (MV) of the reference macroblock which is relatively best matched to the intra-coded macroblock of the reference frame from among the reference macroblocks found in each of the multiple reference frames. |
| US09986258B2 |
Efficient encoding of multiple views
A new method of encoding multiple view image information into an image signal including adding to the image signal a first image of pixel values representing one or more objects captured by a first camera; adding to the image signal a map comprising for respective sets of pixels of the first image respective values, representing a three-dimensional position in space of a region of the one or more objects represented by the respective set of pixels, and adding to the image signal a partial representation of a second image of pixel values representing one or more objects captured by a second camera, the partial representation including at least information of the majority of the pixels representing regions of the one or more objects not visible to the first camera. |
| US09986257B2 |
Method of lookup table size reduction for depth modelling mode in depth coding
A method and apparatus of depth coding using depth modelling mode 1 (DMM1) are disclosed to reduce the wedgelet pattern table size. In one embodiment, a size-reduced wedgelet pattern for a reduced wedgelet pattern table is generated by excluding at least one non-corner adjacent-edge sample for adjacent-edge partition or at least one opposite-edge sample for opposite-edge partition from starting positions or from ending positions. The reduced wedgelet pattern table may also include at least one omitted wedgelet pattern in at least one wedgelet direction category. For the adjacent-edge partition, the starting positions and the ending positions may correspond to every other even non-corner adjacent-edge samples in a first and a second adjacent edges respectively. For the opposite-edge partition, the starting positions correspond to every other even opposite-edge samples in a first opposite edge and the ending positions include all opposite-edge samples in a second opposite edge. |
| US09986255B2 |
Method and device for video encoding or decoding based on image super-resolution
A method for video encoding based on an image super-resolution, the method including: 1) performing super-resolution interpolation on a video image to be encoded using a pre-trained texture dictionary database to yield a reference image; in which the texture dictionary database includes: one or multiple dictionary bases, and each dictionary basis includes a mapping group formed by a relatively high resolution image block of a training image and a relatively low resolution image block corresponding to the relatively high resolution image block; 2) performing motion estimation and motion compensation of image blocks of the video image on the reference image to acquire prediction blocks corresponding to the image blocks of the video image; 3) performing subtraction between the image blocks of the video image and the corresponding prediction blocks to yield prediction residual blocks, respectively; and 4) encoding the prediction residual blocks. |
| US09986247B2 |
Method and apparatus for line buffer reduction for video processing
A method and apparatus of line buffer reduction for context adaptive entropy processing are disclosed. The context formation for context adaptive entropy processing depends on block information associated with one or more neighboring blocks. When a first neighboring block is on an upper side of a horizontal region boundary or on a left side of a vertical region boundary of the region, the block information is replaced by replacement block information to reduce or remove line buffer requirement for storing the block information of neighboring blocks on the other side of the region boundaries from the current block. The context adaptive entropy processing is CABAC encoding, CABAC decoding, CAVLC encoding, or CAVLC decoding. |
| US09986244B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting scene cut frame
Provided are an apparatus and a method for detecting a scene cut frame. The apparatus and a method for detecting a scene cut frame includes an image selector configured to select input images by n image frames while shifting an input image at h frame intervals; a candidate frame detector configured to detect a candidate frame from the selected n image frames using at least one of a plurality of codecs and a plurality of scene cut detecting algorithms; and a final frame detector configured to detect a frame having a count value higher than a threshold value as a final scene cut frame by performing histogram analysis based on the detected candidate frame, wherein the h and the n are a real number greater than zero and the h is smaller than the n. |
| US09986239B2 |
Image encoding apparatus, image encoding method, and recording medium
Provided is an image encoding apparatus capable of encoding a region important to a user with high quality. An update interval index calculation unit calculates an update interval index representing an index having a long update interval in an entire update tile overlapping the update region for each update region. An importance region specification unit specifies an important region, from each update region by using the update interval index. An quality control unit allocates a code amount, which is larger than a result obtained by dividing the total target code amount per one frame proportionally according to a ratio of an area of an entire important region with respect to an area of an entire update region, as a target code amount of the entire important region and specifies a quality value of the entire important region on the basis of the target code amount. |
| US09986238B2 |
Intra prediction mode mapping method and device using the method
The present invention relates to an intra prediction mode mapping method and a device using the method. The intra prediction mode includes: decoding flag information providing information regarding whether an intra prediction mode of a plurality of candidate intra prediction modes for the current block is the same as the intra prediction mode for the current block, and decoding a syntax component including information regarding the intra prediction mode for the current block in order to induce the intra prediction mode for the current block if the intra prediction mode from among the plurality of candidate intra prediction modes for the current block is not the same as the intra prediction mode for the current block. Thus, it is possible to increase the efficiency with which are images are decoded. |
| US09986230B2 |
Display device and terminal device
To provide a plural-viewpoint display device having an image separating optical element such as a lenticular lens or a parallax barrier, which is capable of achieving a high image quality by suppressing deterioration in the display image quality caused when a block division driving method is employed, and to provide a terminal device, a display panel, and a driving method thereof, which can be preferably used for those devices. A pixel group configured with pixels for displaying a right-eye image includes a pixel connected to a data line phase-deployed in the first phase of a block division driving method, and a pixel connected to a data line phase-deployed in the third phase, and a pixel connected to a data line phase-deployed in the second phase. In this manner, it is designed to have no deviation in the phase deployment orders in the pixel groups for each viewpoint. |
| US09986222B2 |
Image processing method and image processing device
Provided is an image processing method in an image processing device for performing image processing on first and second perspective images forming a 3D display image and specified via selection from a group of images obtained by capturing a subject from at least three different perspectives. Adjustment processing is performed on the first perspective image based on a prescribed reference position and a capturing position related to the first perspective image, and shifts the subject in the first perspective image to a position in which the subject would appear if the capturing position were the reference position. Adjustment processing is performed on the second perspective image based on the reference position and a capturing position related to the second perspective image, and shifts the subject in the second perspective image to a position in which the subject would appear if the capturing position were the reference position. |
| US09986220B2 |
Auxiliary data in 3D video broadcast
A system for transferring 3D video information has a transmitter (100) to broadcast a signal (104) to a receiver (110). The 3D video information includes auxiliary data for display in an overlay area on the 3D video data, like subtitles. The 3D video data has a left view and a right view arranged in a 2D frame in a main arrangement, e.g. side-by-side. An auxiliary left and right view of the auxiliary data are arranged in an auxiliary data stream according to a 2D transmission format in an auxiliary arrangement that corresponds to the main arrangement, e.g. also side-by-side. In addition, a 2D version of the auxiliary data and auxiliary disparity data indicative of the disparity to be applied to the 2D version of auxiliary data when overlayed on the left view and the right view is included in the transport stream. Advantageously the receiver may use a suitable version of the auxiliary data based on the receiver processing architecture. |
| US09986218B2 |
Electronic apparatus, method of changing a moving image data section, and program
Disclosed is an electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus includes a creation unit to combine first section data in moving image data with other content data to create a composite moving image content, a reproduction unit to reproduce the moving image data, an operation reception unit to receive a predetermined operation input by a user during reproduction of the moving image data, and a control unit to extract second section data including a reproduction position of the moving image data at a time when the predetermined operation input is received and control the creation unit so that the creation unit changes the first section data in the composite moving image content into the second section data, the second section data being different from the first section data. |
| US09986216B2 |
Aberration correction apparatus, imaging apparatus and aberration correction method
An aberration correction apparatus includes an aberration information acquisition unit which acquires aberration information from an imaging lens; a spectroscopic characteristic information acquisition unit which acquires spectroscopic characteristic information of an imaging device which performs a photoelectric conversion of an optical image that is formed in the imaging lens; and an aberration information correction unit which performs a correction according to the spectroscopic characteristic information with respect to the acquired aberration information. |
| US09986212B2 |
Visual inspection device
A visual inspection device includes a body having a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion. The device also includes a flexible cable having a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion, and a camera assembly coupled to the second end portion of the flexible cable. The camera assembly includes an image sensor operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable. The device further includes a display supported by the support portion of the body. The display is electrically connected to the flexible cable to display image date from the image sensor. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery pack removably coupled to the body. |
| US09986211B2 |
Low-power always-on face detection, tracking, recognition and/or analysis using events-based vision sensor
Techniques disclosed herein utilize a vision sensor that integrates a special-purpose camera with dedicated computer vision (CV) computation hardware and a dedicated low-power microprocessor for the purposes of detecting, tracking, recognizing, and/or analyzing subjects, objects, and scenes in the view of the camera. The vision sensor processes the information retrieved from the camera using the included low-power microprocessor and sends “events” (or indications that one or more reference occurrences have occurred, and, possibly, associated data) for the main processor only when needed or as defined and configured by the application. This allows the general-purpose microprocessor (which is typically relatively high-speed and high-power to support a variety of applications) to stay in a low-power (e.g., sleep mode) most of the time as conventional, while becoming active only when events are received from the vision sensor. |
| US09986208B2 |
System and method for determining location of a device using opposing cameras
System and method for determining location of a device using opposing cameras are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes activating a front-facing camera and a back-facing camera of the device, capturing a first pair of images from a first orientation using the front-facing camera and the back-facing camera, where the first pair of images includes a first front image and a first back image, monitoring the device being rotated to a second orientation, capturing a second pair of images from the second orientation using the front-facing camera and the back-facing camera, where the second pair of images includes a second front image and a second back image, and determining a location of the device using the first pair of images and the second pair of images. |
| US09986205B2 |
Method and device for detecting video conference hotspot scenario
A method and apparatus for detecting a hotspot scene of a video conference are provided. The method includes: a plurality of video receivers recognize in real time and perform statistics on specific behavior, including at least one of a discussion behavior, screen watching behavior and handclap behavior, of various viewers at a video conference site according to video data at video conference site; the video receivers judge, according to statistics, whether a frequency at which or a time length for which various viewers at video conference site perform the specific behavior, exceeds a first preset value; the video receivers send the video sender time period of the video played at video conference site, for which a result of the judgment is that the first preset value is exceeded; and the video sender determines a hotspot scene of the played video according to the time periods sent by the video receivers. |
| US09986203B2 |
System and methods for facilitating virtual presence
A virtual presence system includes a display having a structural matrix configured to arrange a plurality of spaced pixel elements. A plurality of spaced pixel elements collectively form an active visual area wherein an image is displayable. At least one image capture device is disposed within the active visual area for capturing an image. |
| US09986202B2 |
Spectrum pre-shaping in video
Information bits may be superimposed onto a transmitted image while reducing or minimizing the effects of the superimposed information bits on the transmitted image signal's frequency spectrum or image quality. A placement of superimposed information bits onto pixels of an image signal to be transmitted may be determined by testing a placement functions to determine whether the spectrum and/or image quality of the image signal with the superimposed information bits placed according to a placement function meets system criteria. Successive placement functions may be tested until an acceptable placement function is found. The information bits may be superimposed onto complete pixels or the information bits may be superimposed onto one or more least significant bits (LSBs) of each of the selected pixels. A transmitter may transmit superimposition information associated with a transmitted image to a receiver. A receiver may use the superimposition information to extract the information bits. |
| US09986200B1 |
Method and video conversion system of updating video setting
A switching method of video setting for a video conversion system includes generating a static metadata change flag when a static metadata change event is detected, repeating an output video after the static metadata change flag is generated, updating a video setting according to a static metadata corresponding to an input video when the output video is repeated, and converting the input video into the output video according to the video setting to display the output video. |
| US09986198B2 |
Receiving device, receiving method, transmitting device, and transmitting method
Disclosed herein is a receiving device including: a first receiving section configured to receive audio visual contents capable of a download reservation and transmitted in non-real time; a recording section configured to record the audio visual contents that have been downloaded; an obtaining section configured to obtain an application program for executing a process related to the audio visual contents; and an executing section configured to execute the process related to the audio visual contents on a basis of control information included in the application program. |
| US09986196B2 |
Semiconductor device and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes an image processing unit that calculates two types of image data from one image data and outputs the calculated image data, a data combination unit that combines the two type of data supplied from the image processing unit and outputs the combined data to one terminal, an output buffer that adjusts an output timing of the combined data according to an instruction supplied from bus arbitration means for arbitrating a bus, and a data distribution unit that outputs the combined data output from the output buffer to the bus in a form of the combined data, or distributes the combined data and outputs the distributed data to the bus according to an external combination distribution instruction. |
| US09986194B2 |
Solid state imaging device and imaging system
A solid state imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion unit that generates a signal based on an incident light by photoelectric conversion; a transfer unit that transfers the signal from the photoelectric conversion unit; a ramp wave generating unit that has an input node where the signal is transferred and that generates a ramp wave whose voltage changes with time at a slope based on a potential of the input node; a detection unit that detects a change in a relationship between the ramp wave and a threshold voltage; a ramp wave reset unit that resets the ramp wave voltage upon detection of a change in the relationship; a control unit that causes the detection unit to repeatedly detect a change in the relationship; and a digital value acquisition unit that acquires a digital value corresponding to the number of repetitions for which a change in the relationship is detected. |
| US09986193B2 |
Image pickup circuit, CMOS sensor, and image pickup device
Disclosed herein is an image pickup circuit including: amplifying means for amplifying a charge corresponding to an amount of light received by a photodetector, and outputting a pixel signal; ramp signal generating means for generating a ramp signal whose voltage drops with a fixed slope from a predetermined initial voltage; and comparing means for comparing the pixel signal output by the amplifying means with the ramp signal output by the ramp signal generating means. A reference potential of the pixel signal output by the amplifying means and a reference potential of the ramp signal output by the ramp signal generating means are at a same level. |
| US09986191B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and image capturing system
An image capturing apparatus performs a global electronic shutter operation in which a plurality of pixels are exposed during the same exposure period. In a first period, charge is accumulated by a photoelectric conversion unit. In a second period, accumulation units of a plurality of pixels accumulate charge. A ratio of saturation charge quantity of the photoelectric conversion unit to saturation charge quantity of the accumulation unit has a certain relationship with a ratio of a length of the first period to the sum of the length of the first period and the length of the second period. |
| US09986190B2 |
Imaging apparatus, method of driving imaging apparatus, and apparatus using the imaging apparatus
Provided is an imaging apparatus, including: a photoelectric conversion element; an amplifier transistor configured to output a voltage corresponding to electric charges generated by the photoelectric conversion element; a load transistor configured to supply a bias current to the amplifier transistor; and a voltage supply unit configured to input one of a first voltage and a second voltage, which have different voltage values, to a control node of the load transistor via an input capacitor. In the imaging apparatus, a current value of the bias current to be supplied by the load transistor at a time when the second voltage is input to the control node via the input capacitor is larger than a current value of the bias current to be supplied by the load transistor at a time when the first voltage is input to the control node via the input capacitor. |
| US09986189B2 |
Pixel sensors and imaging devices for providing multiple sub sample images within a single frame
A pixel array includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns; and a group control line connected to each pixel of a first group of pixels from among the plurality of pixels, the first group of pixels including pixels from at least two different rows from among the plurality of rows, the first group of pixels each being configured to begin an exposure period based on a first signal received from the group control line, the exposure period being a period during which a pixel accumulates charges in response to light incident on the pixels. |
| US09986174B2 |
Electronic apparatus and for notifying predetermined time point during movie recording and method for controlling the same
A user easily recognizes, during the recording of a movie to which a predetermined effect is intended to be applied, a time point at which an effect-applied part starts or ends. An electronic apparatus includes an image capturing control unit configured to perform control to record a movie including at least a first recording period for applying a specific effect is applied and a second recording period to which the specific effect is not applied, and the second recording period is a period contiguous to the first recording period, in one recording period, and a display control unit configured to perform control to display, during recording the movie, an information display related to a time point at which the first recording period switches to the second recording period or a time point at which the second recording period switches to the first recording period, during recording the movie. |
| US09986173B2 |
Surround-view camera system (VPM) online calibration
A system and method for providing online calibration of a plurality of cameras in a surround-view camera system on a vehicle. The method provides consecutive images from each of the cameras in the surround-view system and identifies overlap image areas for adjacent cameras. The method identifies matching feature points in the overlap areas of the images and estimates camera parameters in world coordinates for each of the cameras. The method then estimates a vehicle pose of the vehicle in world coordinates and calculates the camera parameters in vehicle coordinates using the estimated camera parameters in the world coordinates and the estimated vehicle pose to provide the calibration. |
| US09986162B2 |
Compact wide field-of-view optical imaging method capable of electrically switching to a narrow field of view
An optical system that images a scene at two different fields of view, with switching between fields of view enabled by switchable mirrored surface is disclosed. A voltage change across the switchable mirror element generates a change in the reflection and transmission properties of the element, such that the element switches between a mirror state and a lens state. When nested in an annular reflective optic system of a given field of view, the switching element enables the opening of an additional optical path through the center of the reflective optics where a set of refractive optics are assembled into an imaging system for a second field of view. This dual field-of-view system changes field of view with no mechanical movement. |
| US09986161B2 |
Image capturing control apparatus and method for controlling the same
An image capturing control apparatus configured to switch between a first mode in which a specific setting relating to image capturing is automatically performed and a second mode in which the specific setting is performed based on an amount of user operation and a control unit configured to perform control, in a case where the first mode is switched to the second mode by a user operation before the image capturing preparation instruction is received, the second mode is not switched to the first mode based on a release of the image capturing preparation instruction, and in a case where the first mode is switched to the second mode by a user operation during the image capturing preparation instruction is being received, the second mode is switched to the first mode based on the release of the image capturing preparation instruction is being received. |
| US09986159B2 |
Technique for reducing the power consumption for a video encoder engine
Raw video data is captured, processed, and then stored within a set of buffers. An encoder engine is configured to encode the video data for storage. A feedback controller dynamically adjusts the clock frequency of the encoder engine based on the number of buffers currently occupied by the video data. The feedback controller is tuned so that the clock frequency of the encoder engine will be increased when the number of buffers occupied by video data increases, and the clock frequency of the encoder engine will be decreased when the number of buffers occupied by the video data decreases. |
| US09986155B2 |
Image capturing method, panorama image generating method and electronic apparatus
An image capturing method, a panorama image generating method and an electronic apparatus are provided in this disclosure. The image capturing method includes steps of: calculating feature points within a first image shot by the electronic apparatus; calculating a maximal rotation angle of the electronic apparatus rotating along a direction according to a distribution of the feature points within the first image; and, shooting a second image automatically when the electronic apparatus has been rotated through the maximal rotation angle along the direction. |
| US09986153B2 |
Adjusting motion capture based on the distance between tracked objects
The technology disclosed relates to adjusting the monitored field of view of a camera and/or a view of a virtual scene from a point of view of a virtual camera based on the distance between tracked objects. For example, if the user's hand is being tracked for gestures, the closer the hand gets to another object, the tighter the frame can become—i.e., the more the camera can zoom in so that the hand and the other object occupy most of the frame. The camera can also be reoriented so that the hand and the other object remain in the center of the field of view. The distance between two objects in a camera's field of view can be determined and a parameter of a motion-capture system adjusted based thereon. In particular, the pan and/or zoom levels of the camera may be adjusted in accordance with the distance. |
| US09986152B2 |
Intelligently capturing digital images based on user preferences
Systems, methods, and computer program products to perform an operation comprising receiving image data provided by an image sensor, identifying, based on a facial recognition algorithm applied to the image data, a first face in the image data, identifying a plurality of rules applicable to capturing images based on the image data, and upon determining that a first rule of the plurality of rules restricts depiction of the first face in an image: performing a predefined operation to restrict depiction of the first face in the image data provided by the image sensor, and subsequent to performing the predefined operation to the image data, generating an image for output based on the image data, wherein the generated image does not depict the first face. |
| US09986148B2 |
Image capturing terminal and image capturing method
Provided is an image capturing method and an image capturing terminal. The terminal includes a first camera module, a second camera module, and a processing module. The first camera module and the second camera module are used for framing concurrently a same scene. The resolution of an image outputted by the first camera module is greater than the resolution of an image outputted by the second camera module. The processing module detects and analyzes on the basis of the contrast ratios of different frames of images, and controls the second camera to automatically focus on a determined focus. The processing module also is used for determining a focus for the first camera module on the basis of focus information of the second camera module, controlling the first camera module to focus directly on the basis of the determined focus and to capture an image while focused on the focus. |
| US09986147B2 |
Focus detection device and image-capturing apparatus
A focus detection device includes: a plurality of first pixels having first color filters, via which a pair of first signals, to be used for split-pupil phase detection, are output; a plurality of second pixels having second color filters, via which a pair of second signals, to be used for the split-pupil phase detection, are output; a phase difference detection unit that detects a phase difference manifested by the first signals or a phase difference manifested by the second signals; and a defocus amount calculation unit that calculates a defocus amount by using a first conversion coefficient corresponding to the first color when the phase difference detection unit has detected the phase difference manifested by the first signals and by using a second conversion coefficient corresponding to the second color when the phase difference detection unit has detected the phase difference manifested by the second signals. |
| US09986145B2 |
Communication apparatus, control method of communication apparatus, and recording medium
A communication apparatus capable of participating in a network formed by a relay apparatus, the communication apparatus includes a data communication unit configured to establish communication with a data processing apparatus via a first network, and perform data communication with the data processing apparatus, a reception unit configured to receive a notification indicating whether the data processing apparatus has formed the first network as the relay apparatus, from the data processing apparatus, and a control unit configured, if a notification indicating that the data processing apparatus has formed the first network as the relay apparatus is received by the reception unit, to perform control to restrict transmission or reception of data via an Internet. |
| US09986144B2 |
Portable devices with adjustable optical arrangement
A portable device comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first front surface and a first back surface. The first portion comprises an image sensor and a first imaging optical arrangement lying in imaging connection with the image sensor and defining a first field of view with a wide angle of view. The second portion comprises a second imaging optical arrangement. The first and the second portions are movably coupled to allow adjustment of the device to a closed position with the second portion lying against the first back surface, with the second imaging optical arrangement aligned with the first imaging optical arrangement, whereby the first and the second imaging optical arrangements define a second field of view, and to open positions with the second portion lying outside the first field of view. |
| US09986143B2 |
Camera module with a base having a protrusion
The present invention relates to a camera module, the module including: a PCB; an image sensor mounted on the PCB and formed with an image pickup device; a base mounted on the PCB and including a plated portion formed at a lower center with an opening mounted with an IR filter; a lower spring plate formed with a conductive material; a spacer arranged on an upper surface of the lower spring plate and forming a staircase structure by a rib wrapping a periphery of the lower spring plate to supportively apply a pressure to the lower spring plate; a lens actuator including a bobbin, and a yoke; an upper spring plate coupled to an upper surface of the lens actuator; and a cover attached to an upper surface of the upper spring plate. |
| US09986141B2 |
Extension photoflash light and camera system using the same
An extension photoflash light and a camera system using the same are provided. The extension photoflash light to be externally mounted on a mobile device with a photographing function comprises a HID lamp, a mounting mechanism, a light sensing circuit and a control circuit. The mounting mechanism is for mounting the extension photoflash light. The light sensing circuit is disposed on the mounting mechanism. The control circuit is coupled to the HID lamp and the light sensing circuit. When a camera program is executed, a specific block on a flat panel display of the mobile device emits a light signal. The control circuit controls the light sensing circuit to detect the light signal of the specific block, and decodes a decoding message according to luminance of the detected light signal, and controls the HID lamp to perform flashing at a specific timing according to the decoding message. |
| US09986140B2 |
Utilizing metadata for automated photographic setup
In an approach for utilizing photographic metadata for automated photographic setup, a computer receives photographic metadata. The photographic metadata is contained within an image file. The computer transmits configuration information to one or more photographic devices in a photographic setup. The configuration information is based on the photographic metadata. The computer receives a configuration update from the one or more photographic devices in the photographic setup. The computer determines whether the one or more photographic devices in the photographic setup are configured correctly, based on at least comparing the configuration update to the photographic metadata. |
| US09986127B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method for a printing apparatus
An image processing apparatus for a printing apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes a recording position acquiring device for acquiring recording positions of a reference image printed by a reference print head and a target image printed by a target print head, a positional deviation amount calculating device for calculating a deviation amount due to a skew with respect to the recording positions of the reference image and the target image, and a positional deviation interpolation image converting device, when there is a remainder of the deviation amount and the predetermined intervals, for adding a weight based on the remainder, and adding a smaller weight than the weight to the reference image or the target image without a remainder and adjoining the reference image or the target image with the remainder, thereby converting the image into a width direction positional deviation interpolation image. |
| US09986126B2 |
Communications apparatus
A communication apparatus may determine whether specific apparatus identification information for identifying a specific external apparatus is stored in a memory in a case where the specific apparatus identification information is received via a second interface from the specific external apparatus, shift an operating state of the communication apparatus from a non-parent station state to a parent station state in a case where it is determined that the specific apparatus identification information is stored in the memory, receive a wireless connection request from the specific external apparatus via a first interface after the operating state has been shifted from the non-parent station state to the parent station state, and form the wireless network in which the communication apparatus operates as the parent station and the specific external apparatus operates as a child station, in a case where the wireless connection request is received from the specific external apparatus. |
| US09986123B2 |
Information processing apparatus, system, and method for achieving embedding process capable of accepting various condition settings
There is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: a storage unit configured to store a plurality of process modules including a first process module for performing an embedding process by which information is embedded in image data; a setting unit configured to set a condition for performing the embedding process by the first process module; and a controlling unit configured to control a workflow in which one or more processes respectively performed by the process modules, including the first process module, are sequentially performed; wherein the first process module performs the embedding process under the set condition in response to detecting that image data input to the first process module in controlling the workflow is in a preset image format. |
| US09986121B2 |
Image forming apparatus and condensation reduction method that remove condensation with simple configuration, and recording medium therefor
An image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit, a fixing unit, a time setting unit, and a control unit. The image reading unit moves a running body having an onboard optical system. The fixing unit heats toner transferred onto the print medium and applies pressure on the heated toner with respect to the print medium to fix the toner. The time setting unit sets an estimated time when use of the image forming apparatus starts. The control unit controls the image reading unit, the fixing unit, and the time setting unit. The control unit, prior to the set estimated start-of-use time by a predetermined period set in advance, activates the image reading unit to detect whether condensation has occurred in the optical system, heats the fixing unit in response to a detection of occurrence of condensation, and stops the heating before the estimated start-of-use time. |
| US09986117B2 |
Image processing device, control method for the same, and program
An object of the present invention is to control a Reprint function/Resend function so as not to confuse a user of an image processing device in a case where a job complete delete function is enabled. An image processing device having a reperform function to reperform an already-performed job and a delete function to delete data used in an already-performed job by overwriting the data used in the already-performed job by real data, the image processing device including a job security setting unit configured to set whether to enable the delete function, and in the case where the delete function is set to be enabled by the job security setting unit, the already-performed job is not reperformed by the reperform function. |
| US09986116B2 |
Image scanning apparatus
An image scanning apparatus includes a document table that forms a document mounting surface, a cover body that covers and uncovers the document table, and a hinge mechanism which has an angle retainer that retains an opening angle of the cover body and which allows the cover body to be lifted up and down. The hinge mechanism includes a case that is inserted into an insertion portion provided in the document table so that the case is displaceable in lift up/down directions of the cover body. The case includes an arm portion which extends in a direction that includes a lift up/down direction component and which is elastically deformable in a direction that intersects the lift up/down directions. The arm portion elastically contacts a contact portion provided in the insertion portion so that the cover body is retained in position in the lift up/down directions. |
| US09986113B2 |
Information processing apparatus and nontransitory computer readable medium
An information processing apparatus includes a controller. If images related to devices that have been identified are superimposed on one another, the controller causes information about one or plural cooperative functions that use functions of the devices to be displayed. |
| US09986111B2 |
Medium storing programs executable by terminal apparatus and terminal apparatus
There is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing programs executable by a terminal apparatus provided with a display having a display surface and a touch sensor arranged on the display surface to detect touch operations. The programs, when executed by a processor, cause the terminal apparatus to execute: displaying an edit-target image on the display surface; display a region instruction image on the display surface, in response to a first operation on a position of the edit-target image detected by the touch sensor, the region instruction image indicating a designated region on the edit-target image; and editing the designated region of the edit-target image, in response to a change of the first operation to a second operation detected by the touch sensor. |
| US09986110B2 |
System and method for proximity based generation of custom user interfaces
A system and method for document processing includes a controller configured for digital control of multifunction peripheral operations. The controller detects a portable data device and receives configuration data through a near field communication interface. The controller selectively enables of document processing operations of the MFP as specified by received configuration data. The controller generates an active display on a touch screen control panel in accordance with the received configuration data and receives user selection data via the active display on the touch screen control panel. The controller commences a document processing operation in accordance with received user selection data. |
| US09986108B2 |
Image processing system, image forming device, and image forming method for exclusive image processing
An image processing system includes a portable terminal and an image forming device. The image forming device receives a reading instruction for an image from the portable terminal and transmits data based on the reading instruction to the portable terminal. On condition that the portable terminal was located or is located within a range available for short-range wireless communication of the image forming device, the image forming device and the portable terminal share information which is able to exclusively possess a reading instruction for an image from the portable terminal to the image forming device, and the portable terminal transmits the reading instruction for an image to the image forming device that shares the information which is able to exclusively possess the reading instruction. |
| US09986106B2 |
Color patch generation apparatus and image forming apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable medium
A color patch generation apparatus includes a printing unit that prints color patches for first color space acquisition in a certain region of a plurality of sheets of paper by a certain number of patches and in a certain patch size, and prints color patches for second color space acquisition in a region different from the certain region of at least one of the plurality of sheets of paper by a certain number of patches and in a patch size smaller than the certain patch size. |
| US09986105B2 |
Color reproduction analyzing apparatus, image forming apparatus, color reproduction analyzing method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium stored with program for color reproduction analyzing apparatus
A color reproduction analyzing apparatus includes: a specific area extractor that extracts a specific area on which an error is supposed to occur as an error factor area when image data for image forming for forming an image on paper and read image data generated by reading the image on the paper are received and compared; and a color reproduction analyzer that obtains pixel values of a desired color in a position corresponding to the image data for image forming and the read image data, excludes the error factor area, and compares pixel values of the image data for image forming and the read image data to analyze a color reproduction. |
| US09986103B2 |
Advanced policy and charging control methods, network nodes and computer programs for sponsored data connectivity by peers
In a method for providing a service requiring data connectivity between at least two user terminals (100, 500), a first PCRF (400) determines (s20) that there is no available data quota associated with a first user terminal (500) for the data connectivity required for the service to be provided. The first PCRF (400) notifies (s30) an AF (300) about the determination, which in turns notifies (s40) an application service provider (200). The application service provider (200) requests (s50) a second user terminal (100) to sponsor the data connectivity of the first user terminal (500) so as to permit the data connectivity required for the service to be provided. The invention also relates to network nodes for participating in providing such services, and to user terminals and computer programs. |
| US09986101B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for connecting or coupling analog audio communications systems over a wireless packet data network
An automated telecommunications system includes a first system operable to receive PSTN compatible audio frequency signals, to decode and interpret said incoming signals according to the type of call and call format, and transmit digital messages to a second system over a packet data network. Said second system receives and interprets digital messages incoming from the first system, encodes and regenerate outgoing audio frequency signals. The system may be bidirectional and operate over a packet based data network, such as for example an IP based wireless data network. The functionality of said first and second systems may be combined at a single location and interface with a VoIP system at either or both ends and allows PSTN and VoIP communications to share the same packet data stream over a wireless network connection. |
| US09986088B2 |
Automated MDN line transfer
A computer device may include logic configured to detect a mobile directory number (MDN) subscriber line transfer triggering event; identify a first user device associated with the MDN subscriber line, wherein the first user device corresponds to a connected device with respect to the MDN subscriber line; and identify a second user device associated with the MDN subscriber line, wherein the second user device corresponds to a non-connected device with respect to the MDN subscriber line. The logic may be further configured to determine that the MDN subscriber line is to be transferred from the first user device to the second user device based on the detected MDN subscriber line transfer triggering event and transfer the MDN subscriber line from the first user device to the second user device, in response to determining that the MDN subscriber line is to be transferred. |
| US09986086B2 |
Mobile terminal and method of operating the same
A mobile terminal and a method of operating the mobile terminal are provided. The mobile terminal includes a sensor configured to sense a motion of the mobile terminal, and a communication interface configured to receive, from a wearable device corresponding to the mobile terminal, information of a motion of the wearable device, the motion of the wearable device being sensed during a time period from a start time requested by the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal further includes a controller configured to determine whether the motion of the mobile terminal and the motion of the wearable device have a correlation of a level or greater, and unlock the mobile terminal, in response to the controller determining that the motion of the mobile terminal and the motion of the wearable device have the correlation of the level or greater. |
| US09986085B2 |
Mobile device and method of executing application based on particular zone
Provided is a mobile terminal that executes an application in a predetermined area, and a method performed by the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal that executes the application in the predetermined area may include a memory; a location finder configured to obtain location information of the mobile terminal; a communicator configured to communicate with a server; and a controller configured to receive, via the communicator, the application that is executable in a predetermined area corresponding to the obtained location information and an operating system (OS) for executing the application from a server that corresponds to the obtained location information, and to install the application and the OS in the memory. |
| US09986081B2 |
Multilayer mobile app interface
Systems and techniques to display app content are disclosed. In various embodiments, an indication is received to save an application page. An image of the application page and associated application state information are stored. The image and state information may be used to provide a user-navigable interface that enables a user to navigate back to the saved page. |
| US09986076B1 |
Closed loop calling process in an automated communication link establishment and management system
Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a closed loop calling process that selects and maintains an optimized list of prospects to use in calling sessions, using historical information stored concerning past contact activity relating to the prospects. For each prospect, information is stored concerning the status of the prospect, attention appropriate for the prospect, a date before which the prospect should not be contacted, and information concerning next steps to be taken with respect to the prospect. In addition, methods and systems are disclosed for automatically integrating an automated calling system with a customer relationship management system, contact management system, and/or task management system, so that historical information stored concerning past contact activity and automated calling sessions relating to contacts is automatically updated in the customer relationship management system, contact management system, and/or task management system. |
| US09986075B2 |
Mobile device including a substantially centrally located earpiece
A mobile device includes a housing. The mobile device further includes a first earpiece accessible via a first aperture in a first side of the housing. The mobile device further includes a second earpiece accessible via a second aperture in a second side of the housing, where the second aperture is located substantially in the center of the second side. |
| US09986069B2 |
Devices and methods to compress sensor data
Devices and methods to compress sensor data are generally described herein. An exemplary wearable device to compress sensor data may include a sensor including circuitry to sense sensor data, and a communication circuit to receive, from a remote device, a detected link quality of a low-power communication channel used to communicate with the remote device. The communication circuit further to transmit compressed data to a remote device over the low power communication channel. The wearable device may further include a compressible sensor data module to apply a compression algorithm to compress received sensor data based on the detected link quality to provide the compressed sensor data. |
| US09986065B2 |
Secure remote actuation system with dynamic constraints
A secure remote actuation system includes a remote input receptor that receives one or more user inputs from a user, a cloud-based network stores the one or more acceptable inputs, a network device obtains the one or more user inputs from the remote input receptor, the network device obtains the one or more user inputs from the remote input receptor while the user is using the user interface, a cloud-based network compares the one or more user inputs to the one or more acceptable inputs, the acceptable inputs at least partially derived from dynamically changing environmental parameters, and a remote device is controlled based on the comparison of the one or more user inputs to the one or more acceptable inputs. |
| US09986064B2 |
Adaptable applications in a client/server architecture
Adapting web-based applications in a client/server web-based architecture is provided. At least a first version and a second version of a client/server application is provided. An adaptable application platform monitors a client and a server in a client/server web-based architecture for one or more performance characteristics. If one or more configurable performance characteristics exceeds a threshold, the adaptable application platform switches dynamically between executing the first version to executing the second version. The first version is server preferring and the second version is client preferring. |
| US09986062B2 |
Quality of service for distribution of content to network devices
A gateway device configured to receive IP video content may select and use transmission methods that maintain a certain quality of service for delivering the content. A transmission method may be selected based on a network to which the client device is connected. The gateway device may select a network through which the content is to be delivered depending on a variety of factors including bandwidth availability, client compatibility, quality of service provided and the like. A gateway device may further be configured to convert multicast transmissions to unicast, to provide dynamic storage of content for pre-positioning and other purposes and/or to provide other functions. |
| US09986061B2 |
Programming a data network device using user defined scripts
Exemplary embodiments for programming a network device using user-defined scripts are disclosed. The systems and methods provide for a servicing node to receive a request for a network session between a client device and a server, receive a user defined class and a user defined object configuration from a node controller, and use the information to instruct an object virtual machine to generate at least one user defined object. The servicing node can then apply the at least one user defined object to a data packet of the network session, where the user defined object allows a user to configure the network device with user-defined instruction scripts. |
| US09986057B2 |
UI framework support for portal systems
A system includes reception of a request from a client for application code to execute in a first Web page, determination that the application code is associated with a first UI framework, change of one or more Uniform Resource Locators of the application code to reference a portal server, change of one or more Uniform Resource Locators of the application code which are associated with the first UI framework to reference a first memory location of the portal server, the first memory location storing a plurality of files of the first UI framework, transmission of the changed application code to the client, and transmission to the client of a script to direct calls associated with the first UI framework to the portal server. |
| US09986055B2 |
Page update reminding method, system, and device
A method for reminding a page update is provided. The method includes: receiving by a proxy server a request from a user for visiting a page of a third-party website via a mobile terminal; obtaining by the proxy server the page of the third-party website according to the request and providing by the proxy server the page to the mobile terminal; entering by the mobile terminal an update reminding markup state after receiving an instruction of the user; receiving and marking by the mobile terminal a region selected by the user in the page and feeding back the selected region to the proxy server; and notifying by the proxy server the user in a predetermined manner when content in the selected region of the page is updated. |
| US09986054B2 |
Enhanced push notification for alerts
Embodiments are directed towards enhanced push notifications for mobile computers. Message data and notification information may be obtained from an application server. A target client computer may be determined based on the notification information. If, the target client computer may be available on the network, a push notification message may be generated based on the notification information and the message data and communicated to the target client computer. Also, the message data may be communicated to the target client computer rather than waiting until a user to access the push notification message on the target client computer. Alternatively, if the target may unavailable on the network, the message data may be archived at the network computer enabling the message data to be communicated to the target client computer if the target client computer becomes available on the network. |
| US09986052B1 |
Methods and systems for notifying callee availability
Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for connecting two users when a caller places a call but a callee rejects the call or fails to answer in a predetermined period of time. The calling application may terminate the call attempt and request status updates regarding the called party to determine when the callee is available for a follow-up call. The system may gain insight into when a user is available based on the user's presence in a messaging or social networking app, activity in a third-party application unrelated to the call, or the power status of the user's device. When it is determined that the callee is available, a notification may be sent to the caller informing the caller that it is a good time to call back. The techniques may also be used in reverse, informing the callee of when the caller is available for a return call. |
| US09986049B2 |
Systems and methods for selection of a best server for real-time packet transmission
The present invention relates to systems and methods for best server selection for real-time data transmission are provided. The systems and methods include an access controller, and an application which receives information of a selection of several best servers with which to transmit real-time packets to. The application sends a request to the access controller for server information before call initiation. The access controller identifies servers with the same ISP, and then selects a regional server within this group of same ISP servers. Subsequently the geo optimizer identifies servers closest to the application from among the regional servers. The respective loads of each of the closest servers are analyzed to select only servers that are likely to provide satisfactory quality of service. A monitor within the central IDC is able to measure load conditions of each server and provide this load information to the access controller. |
| US09986046B2 |
Multiple cloud services delivery by a cloud exchange
In some examples, a network data center comprises a cloud-based services exchange point comprising a network, the cloud-based services exchange point operated by a cloud exchange provider that operates the network data center; and a programmable network platform comprising at least one programmable processor configured to receive a service request that specifies a plurality of cloud services provided by respective cloud service provider networks operated by respective cloud service providers, wherein the service request further specifies a topology for the plurality of cloud services; and provision, responsive to the service request, the cloud-based services exchange point to forward service traffic for the plurality of cloud services according to the topology for the plurality of cloud services. |
| US09986037B2 |
Method and aircraft server system for communication with a personal electronic device in an aircraft
An aircraft server system includes a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly emit and receive radio frequency signals in the passenger cabin of an aircraft, and a plurality of virtual network server units, each configured to remotely control one or more virtual network clients on one of a plurality of personal electronic devices, PEDs, wirelessly connected to the aircraft server system. |
| US09986026B2 |
Network communication system and virtualization method thereof
A network communication system and a virtualization method are provided that make it easy to increase/decrease traffic and to develop a network service. A communication system provided on a network boundary includes an edge network (100) including a plurality of nodes, a network control server (110) that can control the nodes in the edge network, and a service server pool (120) in which a plurality of service servers (SM1 to SM n) for respectively providing a plurality of network services are set, wherein the network control server sets a route between a predetermined node in the edge network and each service server, corresponding to each of the plurality of network services. |
| US09986024B2 |
Method and device for performing remote task using guest device
A method whereby a host device accesses a remote server and performs a task is disclosed, the method including receiving a task command regarding the remote server; searching for a guest device capable of communicating with the host device and the remote server; determining a task performing pattern based on a found guest device and details of the task; and, according to the determined task performing pattern, performing the task via the host device and one or more devices selected from among found guest devices. |
| US09986021B2 |
Service transmission method and device
Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a service transmission method and device. The service transmission method may include: determining, by a user terminal, whether a service of the user terminal is a service needing global cooperation; transmitting, by the user terminal, the service with a global Base Band Unit (BBU) pool mode if the service of the user terminal is the service needing the global cooperation; and transmitting, by the user terminal, the service with a non-global BBU pool mode if the service of the user terminal is the service, which does not need the global cooperation. |
| US09986016B2 |
Download manager integration with a cloud storage platform
Download manager integration with a cloud storage platform is described. In one or more implementations, a web page is navigated to using a web platform. User input to the web page to download content referenced in the web page is detected. For example, the web page may include a download link that is selected by the user to download content such as a media file, word processing file, and so forth. In response to detecting the user input to download the content, a download manager automatically, and without any additional user input, initiates a download of the content to a cloud storage database that is remote from the computing device. |
| US09986015B2 |
Desktop assistant for multiple information types
A method and system for providing an aggregate view of information that a user may need is provided. A desktop assistant system collects information items that a user may need such as scheduling information and recently received messages. The desktop assistant system may also identify documents that the user may need and contacts with whom the user may need to communicate based on analysis of the collected scheduling information and the collected messages. The desktop assistant system then displays indications of the collected scheduling information, the collected messages, the identified documents, and the identified contacts so that the user has an integrated view of the needed information items. |
| US09986007B2 |
Ownership identification, signaling, and handling of content components in streaming media
A content server comprising a processor coupled to the receiver configured to obtain a media content component, identify an ownership of the media content component, and generate a Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) (DASH) Media Presentation Description (MPD) indicating storage locations of segments of the media content component, indicating instructions for displaying the segments of the media content component, and indicating ownership of the media content component, a receiver coupled to the processor and configured to receive a request from a client for the media content component, and a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured to transmit the DASH MPD indicating the ownership of the media content component to the client in response to receiving the request. |
| US09986005B2 |
Media playback method and apparatus in multiple media devices
A media playback method and apparatus, and a recording medium for storing program sources of the method, and the media playback method of playing media in a media device in sync with at least one other media device are provided. The method includes determining a media playback time based on a communication delay time with each of other media devices with which a communication channel is established, generating a media playback command message for each of the other media devices based on the determined media playback time and the communication delay time with each of the other media devices, transmitting the media playback command message to the other corresponding media device, and performing media playback at the media playback time. The present invention has an advantage of playing back the same media in multiple media devices, synchronously. |
| US09986003B2 |
Mediating content delivery via one or more services
A device for receiving streaming data includes a broadcast or multicast middleware unit configured to receive the streaming data via a second service and a proxy unit configured to be disposed between the middleware unit and a client application, the proxy unit further configured to receive an indication of whether the streaming data is to be received via a first service or the second service, when the indication indicates that the streaming data is to be received via the first service: disable the middleware unit; and receive the streaming data via the first service, and when the indication indicates that the streaming data is to be received via the second service: activate the middleware unit to receive the streaming data via the second service, wherein the second service comprises at least one of a broadcast service or a multicast service; and receive the streaming data from the middleware unit. |
| US09986000B1 |
Systems and methods for recording and storing media content
In an example, a method for recording media content using a mobile device includes establishing a communication session between a control system and the mobile device over a communication network and receiving, by a mobile device, a trigger signal transmitted by a control system over a communication network. The method also includes, responsive to the trigger signal, recording media content using a camera of the mobile device. The method further includes storing the recorded media content in a memory of the mobile device, terminating the recording, and, after terminating the recording, uploading the stored multimedia from the mobile device to a server. After uploading the media content to the server, the method includes receiving a signal indicating that the multimedia was successfully uploaded. The method still further includes, responsive to the signal, deleting the media content from the memory. |
| US09985996B2 |
Decoupling audio-video (AV) traffic processing from non-AV traffic processing
A device for decoupling audio-video (AV) traffic processing from non-AV traffic processing may include a first processor and a second processor. The first processor may be configured to establish a network connection with a client device, determine whether the network connection is associated with AV traffic, transfer the network connection to a second processor when the network connection is associated with AV traffic, and process non-AV traffic associated with the network connection when the network connection is not associated with AV traffic. The second processor may be configured to receive the network connection from the first processor and process the AV traffic associated with the network connection. |
| US09985991B2 |
HTTP password mediator
A method and system for password mediation including identifying an HTTP request issued by a client application executing on a client device, the HTTP request indicating an operation to be performed for a user of the client application at a destination system, obtaining user credentials using the HTTP request, requesting security information for the user with respect to the destination system, determining whether the user is allowed to perform the operation based on the security information, and upon determining that the user is allowed to perform the operation, modifying the HTTP request based on the security information and sending the modified HTTP request to the destination system. |
| US09985989B2 |
Managing dynamic deceptive environments
A deception management system to detect attackers within a dynamically changing network of computer resources, including a deployment governor dynamically designating deception policies, each deception policy including names of non-existing web servers, and levels of diversity for planting the names of non-existing web servers in browser histories of web browsers within resources of the network, the levels of diversity specifying how densely the name of each non-existing web server is planted within resources of the network, a deception deployer dynamically planting the names of non-existing web servers in the browser histories of the web browsers in resources in the network, in accordance with the levels of diversity of the current deception policy, and a notification processor transmitting an alert to an administrator of the network in response to an attempt to access one of the non-existing web servers. |
| US09985987B1 |
Honeypot computing services that include simulated computing resources
The disclosure relates to provisioning honeypot computing services using a simulation state database to simulate a set of computing resources. One example includes a system that receives a mutating request associated with honeypot credentials, updates a simulation state database associated with the honeypot credentials at least based on the mutating request and generates a simulated mutating response based at least on the simulation state database that simulates a response to the mutating request. The system can also receive a query request associated with the honeypot credentials, query the simulation state database at least based on the query request, and generate a simulated query response based at least on the simulation state database that simulates a response to the query request. |
| US09985984B1 |
Dynamic defense and network randomization for computer systems
The various technologies presented herein relate to determining a network attack is taking place, and further to adjust one or more network parameters such that the network becomes dynamically configured. A plurality of machine learning algorithms are configured to recognize an active attack pattern. Notification of the attack can be generated, and knowledge gained from the detected attack pattern can be utilized to improve the knowledge of the algorithms to detect a subsequent attack vector(s). Further, network settings and application communications can be dynamically randomized, wherein artificial diversity converts control systems into moving targets that help mitigate the early reconnaissance stages of an attack. An attack(s) based upon a known static address(es) of a critical infrastructure network device(s) can be mitigated by the dynamic randomization. Network parameters that can be randomized include IP addresses, application port numbers, paths data packets navigate through the network, application randomization, etc. |
| US09985982B1 |
Method and apparatus for aggregating indicators of compromise for use in network security
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at a security analysis device a plurality of indicators of compromise (IOCs) associated with an entity, sorting at the security analysis device, the IOCs based on a time of occurrence of each of the IOCs, creating a representation of transitions between the IOCs at the security analysis device, and generating at the security analysis device, a feature vector based on the representation of transitions. The feature vector is configured for use by a classifier in identifying malicious entities. An apparatus and logic are also disclosed herein. |
| US09985981B2 |
Monitoring traffic in a computer network
A computer-implemented method, computerized apparatus and computer program product for monitoring traffic in a computer network. The computer network comprises a plurality of devices configured to apply a transformation function on a target port identifier of a requested transmission by an application program executing thereon and direct the transmission to a different target port per the scrambled identifier thereby obtained. The transformation function depends on at least one parameter shared among the plurality of devices and applying thereof is conditioned on the application program requesting transmission being listed in a list of authorized application programs. Attempts to access invalid ports as defined by the transformation function are identified and an action for mitigating a security threat ascribed thereto is provided. |
| US09985979B2 |
Method and system for detecting threats using passive cluster mapping
An approach for detecting network threats is disclosed, that may involve receiving network traffic, plotting the network traffic in a n-dimensional feature space to form a network map, generating a client signature at least by placing new client points in the map, setting a threshold, and generating an alarm if one or more client activity points exceed the threshold. In some embodiments, the network map and the client signature are updated using sliding windows and distance calculations. |
| US09985968B2 |
Techniques to authenticate a client to a proxy through a domain name server intermediary
Techniques to authenticate a client to a proxy through a domain name server intermediary are described. In one embodiment, for example, a client apparatus may comprise a data store and a network access component. The data store may be operative to store a network configuration file, the network configuration file containing a client-specific secret. The network access component may be operative to transmit a communication request from the client device to a proxy server, the communication request directed to a destination server distinct from the proxy server, and to receive a response to the communication request from the destination server based on a determination by the proxy server that the client is authorized to use the proxy server, the determination based on the client having previously sent an encoding of a client-specific secret to a domain name server embedded within a lookup domain of a domain name request. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09985967B2 |
Gateway, client device and methods for facilitating communication between a client device and an application server
According to a first aspect, it is presented a method, executed in a gateway, the gateway being arranged to facilitate communication between a client device and an application server. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a client request from the client device, the client request comprising at least a portion being bound for the application server; sending an application server request to the application server; receiving an application server response from the application server, the application server response indicating a need to provide authentication; establishing at least one authentication credential using an authentication server for a connection between the client device and the application server; and sending a client response to the client device, the client response being based on the application server response and comprising the at least one authentication credential. An associated gateway, client device, vehicle, computer program and computer program product are also presented. |
| US09985966B2 |
Anonymous signature scheme
Technologies are generally described for providing an anonymous signature scheme. In some examples, a method performed under control of an end device ma 320 include receiving public parameters from a central system; generating an enciphering function based at least in part on the received public parameters; calculating parameters for a signature based at least in part on the generated enciphering function; and transmitting, to a verifying device, the signature that includes a message, a key of the end device and the calculated parameters for the signature. |
| US09985964B2 |
Systems and methods for providing block chain-based multifactor personal identity verification
Block chain-based multifactor personal identity verification may be provided. Verification addresses may be established on a block chain by: associating identifiers with individuals having previously verified personal identities, assigning verification addresses on a block chain to the individuals, and recording identifiers and biometric data associated with the individuals at corresponding verification addresses. Block chain-based multifactor personal identity verification using the verification addresses may be performed by: receiving one or more identifiers in connection with one or more requests to verify an identity of one or more individuals, extracting the biometric data associated with the one or more individuals from the corresponding verification addresses, and verifying the identity of the one or more individuals upon receiving matching biometric data and private keys. |
| US09985958B2 |
Segmentation, handshaking, and access control solutions for Opendots technology
Apparatus, methods, and systems described herein are for segmentation, handshaking, and access control solutions for Opendots technology. One embodiment described a charging pad that includes a plurality of conductive strips, switches, and decipher circuitry. A switch is coupled to the plurality of conductive strips whereas the decipher circuitry is coupled to the plurality of conductive strips and the switch. In response to contact with one conductive strip of the plurality of conductive strips, the decipher circuitry determines whether a security password has been received. The switch allows a voltage higher than a threshold voltage level to be supplied to an external device if the security password is received by the decipher circuitry. However, the switch can also prevent a voltage higher than a threshold voltage level to be supplied to an external device if the security password is not received by the decipher circuitry. |
| US09985956B2 |
Client authentication
A client authentication system receives authentication requests associated with a web page in response to a client computing system requesting access to the web page. The authentication system determines whether a storage device contains configurations for the authentication requests. The authentication system configures client authentication for the client authentication requests in view of whether the storage device includes the configurations for the authentication requests. The GUI allows control to change the client authentication configuration for at least one of the authentication requests. |
| US09985948B2 |
Image forming apparatus, information processing system, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
An image forming apparatus includes: a communicating unit which communicates with a portable terminal device and an external device; a storage control unit which controls to store transfer destination information of the external device to which information from the portable terminal device is allowed to be transferred in a storage unit; a determining unit which determines whether a request from the portable terminal device is the request to the external device indicated by the transfer destination information stored in the storage unit; and a communication control unit which controls the communicating unit to transfer the request from the portable terminal device to the external device indicated by the transfer destination information when the determining unit determines that the request is the request to the external device indicated by the transfer destination information. |
| US09985946B2 |
System, apparatus and method for safety state management of internet things (IoT) devices
In one embodiment, a device includes: at least one processor; at least one sensor to sense an environmental condition; and a storage to store instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, enable the device to: receive an encrypted nonce from a safety controller; decrypt the encrypted nonce using a value obtained from an entropy multiplexing seed tree generated by the device based at least in part on an initialization seed value received from the safety controller; responsive to decryption of the nonce, update a portion of a shared memory associated with the device to identify a safety state of the device; and encrypt a second nonce using the value obtained from the entropy multiplexing seed tree and send the encrypted second nonce to the safety controller. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09985944B2 |
Method and apparatus for user authentication
A method and apparatus for authenticating a user is provided, the method includes: receiving an authentication request sent from a user device by a user; providing basic information in response to the authentication request, wherein the basic information comprises information related to a social networking service used by the user; generating authentication information based on the basic information, wherein the authentication information comprises a question and a corresponding answer; sending the question to the user device and receiving feedback information from the user device; and generating an authentication result by verifying whether the feedback information is consistent with the answer, and sending the authentication result to the user device. The method and apparatus address the issue of forgotten answers to security questions used in user authentication. |
| US09985941B2 |
Password management system
An embodiment of the invention may include a method, computer program product and computer system for password management. The embodiment may include a computing device that creates a password inventory. The password inventory may be a list of one or more passwords, where each of the one or more passwords corresponds to a password key. The embodiment may update the password inventory without input from a user. The embodiment may receive a first login request from a first device. The embodiment may transmit information detailing a first password key to the first device, where the first password key corresponds to a first password from the list of one or more passwords. The embodiment may receive information detailing a first entered password from the first device. The embodiment may determine whether the first entered password is identical to the first password from the list of one or more passwords. |
| US09985940B2 |
Management of encryption within processing elements
A streaming environment includes at least a first processing element of a first compute node and a second processing element of a second compute node. A tuple encryption operation is determined of the first processing element and the second processing element. The first processing element includes a first encryption key for encrypting the tuples as the leave the first processing element. An encryption workload is measured of the tuple encryption operation of a processing workload of the use of the first encryption key of a transfer of the stream of tuples. A threshold of the tuple encryption operation is determined. The second processing element is migrated to the first compute node and fused to the first compute node with the first processing element. The tuple encryption operation is removed from the first processing element. |
| US09985939B2 |
Server system, method of controlling server system, and storage medium, for providing a service based on authorization information
In a case in which information about authorization that is identified based on an authorization token issued in an old authentication system satisfies a condition, the old authorization token is updated with a new authorization token. |
| US09985935B2 |
Systems and methods for secure online communication
Systems and methods safeguarding online chat privacy via Uncode keywords encoding that are likely to carry the intent of messages within a conversation between two or more parties. Input of a set of keywords is obtained in chronological order from a conversation between two or more parties for the computing of hash values based on a word's influence on subsequent words in the conversation, and generating a ranked order of the keywords from highest to lowest hash value corresponding to keywords that are likely to carry intent of a conversation. Automatic deletion of messages on each participating devices after every transaction enhances privacy and security. A different Unicode cipher table can be used for each message, device, group, or user, where homomorphic encryption is used for protection of the Unicode cipher table by not exposing encryption keys in unencrypted states when sharing among devices. |
| US09985932B2 |
Secure data parser method and system
A secure data parser is provided that may be integrated into any suitable system for securely storing and communicating data. The secure data parser parses data and then splits the data into multiple portions that are stored or communicated distinctly. Encryption of the original data, the portions of data, or both may be employed for additional security. The secure data parser may be used to protect data in motion by splitting original data into portions of data that may be communicated using multiple communications paths. |
| US09985928B2 |
Dynamic link aggregation
At least two Ethernet sub-interfaces are established on a first Ethernet interface and a second Ethernet interface of a first device, and each Ethernet sub-interface is assigned to a VLAN. The Ethernet sub-interfaces on the same Ethernet interface are assigned to different VLANs, and Ethernet sub-interfaces of the first Ethernet interface and the second Ethernet interface which belong to the same VLAN are added into a link-aggregation group to establish an aggregated link with a second device. |
| US09985927B2 |
Managing content delivery network service providers by a content broker
A system, method, and computer readable medium for managing network storage provider and CDN service providers are provided. A content broker component obtains client computing device requests for content provided by a content provider. The content broker processes the client computing device requests and determines whether a subsequent request for the resource should be directed to a network storage provider or a CDN service provider as a function of the updated or processed by the content broker. |
| US09985925B2 |
Apparatus and methods for bandwidth saving and on-demand data delivery for a mobile device
A method for reducing data bandwidth usage in wireless communication comprises receiving a request from a mobile device to provide the an e-mail message; sending a request to the an e-mail server for delivery of the e-mail message; analyzing the e-mail message delivered from the e-mail server to determine if a size of the e-mail message is above a threshold value, and if not expanding the e-mail content to be above the threshold value; acknowledging to the mobile device the existence of the e-mail message and its respective size; and delivering to the mobile device header content of the e-mail content, thereby only a small fraction of the data corresponding to the e-mail message is actually delivered to the mobile device. |
| US09985921B2 |
Bridging relationships across enterprise and personal social networks
A user interface (UI) may be provided that allows a user to connect a first identity in a first social community to another identity in another social community by allowing the user to specify the first identity and another identity. Responsive to a user utilizing the UI, the user may be presented with an option to identify connections in the first social community according to a criteria with members associated with another identity in said another social community. A list of identified connections may be presented. |
| US09985916B2 |
Moderating online discussion using graphical text analysis
Embodiments relate to moderating an online discussion. A method for moderating an online discussion between a plurality of participants is provided. The method receives expressions from a participant during an online discussion. The method generates a graph of expressions of the participant. The method performs a graphical text analysis on the graph to determine a likelihood of the participant to have a problematic behavior. The method performs a moderating action responsive to the likelihood exceeding a threshold likelihood. |
| US09985910B2 |
Adaptive flow prioritization
A method for communication includes receiving and forwarding packets in multiple flows to respective egress interfaces of a switching element for transmission to a network. For each of one or more of the egress interfaces, in each of a succession of arbitration cycles, a respective number of the packets in each of the plurality of the flows that are queued for transmission through the egress interface is assessed, and the flows for which the respective number is zero are assigned to a first group, while the flows for which the respective number is non-zero are assigned to a second group. The received packets that have been forwarded to the egress interface and belong to the flows in the first group are transmitted with a higher priority than the flows in the second group. |
| US09985901B2 |
Apparatus, system and method of wireless communication to a plurality of stations
Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, devices, systems and methods of wireless communication to a plurality of wireless stations. For example, a wireless station may be configured to assign to a plurality of data units a respective plurality of increasing sequence numbers (SNs); and to transmit one or more directional transmission sequences in one or more respective directions over a directional frequency band. |
| US09985896B2 |
Caching of service decisions
Some embodiments provide a method for processing a packet received by a managed forwarding element. The method performs a series of packet classification operations based on header values of the received packet. The packet classifications operations determine a next destination of the received packet. When the series of packet classification operations specifies to send the packet to a network service that performs payload transformations on the packet, the method (1) assigns a service operation identifier to the packet that identifies the service operations for the network service to perform on the packet, (2) sends the packet to the network service with the service operation identifier, and (3) stores a cache entry for processing subsequent packets without the series of packet classification operations. The cache entry includes the assigned service operation identifier. The network service uses the assigned service operation identifier to process packets without performing its own classification operations. |
| US09985895B1 |
Decremental autocorrelation calculation for streamed data using components
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computing system program products for decrementally calculating autocorrelation for streamed data in real time. Embodiments of the invention include decrementally calculating one or more components of autocorrelation at a specified lag in an adjusted computation window based on the one or more components of an autocorrelation at a specified lag calculated for a previous computation window and then calculating the autocorrelation at the specified lag for the adjusted computation window using the components. Decrementally calculating autocorrelation avoids visiting all data elements in the adjusted computation window and performing redundant computations thereby increasing calculation efficiency, saving computing resources and reducing computing system's power consumption. |
| US09985892B1 |
System and method for providing congestion notification in layer 3 networks
A system and method is provided for sending congestion notification messages through L3 networks and implementation of QCN in L3 switches. For example, according to this system and method, an L3 switch receives one or more data packets, and determines, based on the received one or more data packets, whether the L3 switch is congested. If the L3 switch is congested, it generates a congestion notification message, the congestion notification message including an Internet Protocol (IP) header, the IP header identifying a source of the one or more received data packets as its destination. The L3 switch sends the congestion notification message to the source of the one or more received data packets using information in the IP header. |
| US09985890B2 |
Identifying a local congestion control algorithm of a virtual machine
At an application executing in conjunction with a vSwitch in a host system, using a processor assigned to the vSwitch in the host system, a flow of a number of packets is received from a VM. At the application, a set of CWND values is computed using a corresponding set of congestion control algorithms. At the application, a determination is made whether any of the CWND values in the set of CWND values match the number of packets in the flow within a tolerance value. In response to a CWND value in the set of CWND matching the number of packets in the flow within the tolerance value, a conclusion is drawn that a type of the congestion control algorithm which computed the matching CWND value is the type of a local congestion control algorithm implemented within the VM. |
| US09985887B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a low latency transmission system using adaptive buffering estimation
One aspect of the present invention discloses a network system capable of transmitting and processing audio video (“A/V”) data with enhanced quality of service (“QoS”). The network system includes a transmitter, a transmission channel, an adjustable decoder buffer, and a decoder. The transmitter contains an encoder able to encode A/V data in accordance with encoding bit rate recommendation from SQoS and packets loss notifications. The transmission channel, in one example, transmits A/V data from the transmitter or the receiver. The adjustable decoder buffer, in one aspect, is able to change its storage capacity or buffering size in response to the adaptive latency estimate. Upon fetching at least a portion of the A/V data from the adjustable decoder buffer, SQoS updates the adaptive latency estimate based on the quality of the decoded A/V data. |
| US09985885B1 |
Aggregating common portions of forwarding routes
Common portions of forwarding routes in a routing table may be aggregated. A hash table may store common portions of forwarding routes in shared entries that include route aggregation maps. When a network packet is received, a shared entry may be identified that includes a common portion that is a longest matching portion of the destination address. The route aggregation map in the shared entry may then be evaluated to select a forwarding route described by the route aggregation map that matches a longest portion of the destination address subsequent to the common portion of the shared entry. The network packet may then be forwarded according to the selected forwarding route. |
| US09985883B2 |
Name-based routing system and method
An advanced routing system and protocol (referred to herein as “Route Exchange” or “REX”) hides familiar IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and replaces traditional routing logic with words and relationships between named elements. Among other things, this makes IP routing tables significantly easier to understand. In addition, a single routing scheme can be used for any combination of private networks, public networks, IPv4 addressing models, and IPv6 addressing models. Underneath the words lie real IP addresses that move the packets from place to place. These routing addresses abstract away the underlying network. |
| US09985882B2 |
Packet data routing
Measures, including methods, systems, non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums and computer programs for use in routing packet data. At a network switching device, a data packet is received from a device located upstream of the network switching device. The received data packet comprises routing data associated with a routing decision which has been taken for the data packet upstream of the network switching device. The routing data comprises an abstract media access control (MAC) address corresponding to a next hop destination for the data packet located downstream of the network switching device. At the network switching device, the abstract MAC address in the data packet is replaced with a real MAC address of the next hop downstream destination. At the network switching device, the data packet is forwarded towards the next hop downstream destination. |
| US09985880B2 |
Routing method reducing the consequences of microloops
The invention concerns a method for routing a packet in a packet switching network in disconnected routing mode, implemented by a router, comprising the following steps:—receiving (E1) the packet;—reading (E2) a field, called the longevity field of the packet, intended to be decremented when traversing a router;—decrementing (E5) the value of the longevity field using a step of a predefined value, called the decrementation step;—deciding (E6) on the routing of the packet on the basis of the value of the decremented longevity field, the packet being destroyed (E7) when said value is less than or equal to zero; the method further comprising, prior to the step of decrementing, the following steps:—obtaining (E3) at least one item of information from a group of items of information comprising an item of information relative to routing conditions of the packet and an item of information relative to parameters of the packet;—determining (E4) the value of the decrementation step on the basis of at least the obtained information. |
| US09985877B2 |
Customer premises equipment virtualization
A system is described that improves network function virtualization. The system facilitates an access point, such as a customer premises equipment, to utilize functionality of another access point when providing communication service to a device at a customer premises. The other access point may be a customer premises equipment at a neighboring premises. The access point may utilize the neighboring access point in case the access point is in a power saving state. Alternatively or in addition, the access point may use the other neighboring access point based on bandwidth availability, processing capability, memory capacity, or other attributes, or a combination thereof of the neighboring access point. In yet another example, the access point may utilize the neighboring access point in case of a failure in connection between the access point and a network provider. |
| US09985874B2 |
Network traffic split among multiple paths
A transmitter includes a buffer programmed to queue packets and a computing device having a processor and a data storage medium. The computing device is programmed to generate at least two sub-packets from each of the plurality of packets stored in the queue. For each sub-packet, the computing device is programmed to identify a plurality of transmission opportunities. Each transmission opportunity is associated with one of a plurality of networks. The computing device is further programmed to select among the plurality of transmission opportunities and transmit the sub-packet over the network associated with the selected transmission opportunity. |
| US09985872B2 |
Router with bilateral TCP session monitoring
A router is specially configured to implement a bilateral TCP state machine to monitor the status of TCP sessions based on TCP sequence numbers in both forward session packets and return session packets received by the router for a TCP bi-flow session. Among other things, the router may determine the status of a TCP session, for example, based on statistical information such as the number or rate of errors detected (e.g., the number of dropped packets, duplicated packets, out-of-sequence packets, and/or out-of-window packets). Each router is typically configured to collect and store status information and optionally also to use the status information in making intelligent routing decisions, such as, for example, deciding whether or not to forward a particular packet, deciding whether to reconfigure a bi-flow routing session, or updating routing table information used for routing packets. |
| US09985860B2 |
Selection and display of polled and streamed electric power system measurements
Combining and analyzing streamed and polled electric power delivery system information is disclosed herein. A system therefore includes a plurality of IEDs in communication with the electric power distribution system and configured to provide streaming and/or polled data via a communications network. An analysis engine in communication with the communications network receives selected streaming information and requested polled information, analyzes such streamed and polled information, and provides a display of such streaming and polled information to a user. |
| US09985857B2 |
Network-based early packet loss detection
A packet loss notification in a video transmission may be performed by a network device. The network device may receive a first video packet sent from a first client to a second client. The network device may determine that the first video packet has been lost. The network device may determine a video packet receiving port number of the first client. The network device may receive a second video packet sent from the second client to the first client. The network device may determine that the second video packet includes a destination port number that matches a video packet receiving port number of the first client. The network device may modify the second video packet by adding packet loss information indicating that the first video packet has been lost. The network device may send the modified second video packet to the first client. |
| US09985852B2 |
Methods and arrangements for traffic indication mapping in wireless networks
Embodiments may implement a new hierarchical data structure for traffic indication mapping to facilitate transmissions for wireless communications devices. Many embodiments comprise MAC sublayer logic to generate and transmit management frames such as beacon frames with a partial virtual bitmap based upon the hierarchical data structure for traffic indication mapping. In some embodiments, the MAC sublayer logic may store the traffic indication map and/or the traffic indication map structure in memory, in logic, or in another manner that facilitates transmission of the frames. Some embodiments may receive, detect, and decode communications with frames comprising the partial virtual bitmap based upon the hierarchical data structure. In some embodiments, indications of buffered data for pages, super-blocks, blocks, sub-blocks, and/or stations may be inverted. In several embodiments, a new association identifier (AID) structure is defined for the new hierarchical data structure for traffic indication mapping. |
| US09985851B2 |
Controlling reporting by an instrument encapsulation module encapsulating an application program on a user terminal
A method includes performing operations as follows on a processor that include receiving metrics reported by user terminals via a data network. The metrics indicating a measured operation of an application program processed by the user terminals. The operations further include determining when a collection of the metrics received from across the user terminals satisfies a rule for modifying metric reporting, and communicating a metric reporting modification command to the user terminals, based on the collection of the metrics received from across the user terminals satisfying the rule for modifying metric reporting, to control future metrics reported by the user terminals for the measured operation of the application program. Related computer program products and systems are disclosed. |
| US09985850B2 |
Providing mobile device management functionalities
Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for providing mobile device management functionalities are presented. In various embodiments, a mobile device management agent may monitor state information associated with a mobile computing device. The monitored state information may be analyzed on the mobile computing device and/or by one or more policy management servers. In some instances, the one or more policy management servers may provide management information to the mobile computing device, and the management information may include one or more commands (which may, e.g., cause the mobile computing device to enforce one or more policies) and/or one or more policy updates. Subsequently, one or more policies may be enforced on the mobile computing device based on the monitored state information and/or based on the management information. |
| US09985846B1 |
Assistant for management of network devices
Management of devices on a wireless network is described. An assistant device can determine how a user used resources and/or devices outside of an environment. Based on how the user used those resources and/or devices, configuration settings of local devices within the environment can be updated to provide new resources or settings. |
| US09985844B2 |
Method and appratus for measuring a throughput of a backhaul network
Provided is a method for measuring a throughput of a backhaul network. The method includes: estimating an available bandwidth of a backhaul network; determining the sizes (P) of packet trains by using the estimated available bandwidth; and calculating a virtual throughput of the backhaul network by using at least one parameter by transmitting N packet trains having the determined sizes to the backhaul network (N is a natural number that is equal to or greater than 2). |
| US09985839B2 |
Systems, apparatus, and methods of event monitoring for an event candidate within a wireless node network based upon sighting events, sporadic events, and benchmark checkpoint events
Enhanced monitoring for an event candidate, as performed by a master node in a wireless node network with a server and at least one ID node, generally has the master node detecting a first signal broadcast by the ID node; identifying the event candidate as a first sighting event when detecting the first signal; generating and reporting event data representing the first sighting event (e.g., an ID node identifier, timing, and signal strength information); identifying the event candidate as a sporadic event related to the ID node when (1) there is no identified first benchmark checkpoint event related to the ID node and (2) there is no detected subsequent signal broadcast by the ID node within a gap time period from when the latest signal from the ID node was detected; generating and reporting event data representing the sporadic event (e.g., timing and signal strength information) if the master node identifies the sporadic event; determining a signal strength average value for certain subsequent successive ID node signals including the first signal as long as an elapsed time between each of the subsequent successive signals is less than the gap time; identifying the event candidate as a first benchmark checkpoint event representing the state of the ID node based upon the signal strength average value; and generating and reporting event data representing the benchmark checkpoint event (e.g., timing and signal strength information). |
| US09985838B2 |
Mass MAC withdrawal for EVPN-DCI using virtual ESI
The techniques described are directed to providing mass withdrawal of media access control (MAC) routes for network devices in an Ethernet virtual private network data center interconnect (EVPN DCI). MAC routes to reach the learned MAC addresses are stored in routing tables with corresponding top-of-rack Ethernet segment identifier (TOR-ESI) values that represent the Ethernet segments from where the MAC addresses were learned. A provider edge (PE) network device may configure and advertise a virtual Ethernet segment identifier (vESI) that includes a plurality of TOR-ESI values. As Ethernet segments of the data center become unavailable, the corresponding TOR-ESI values may be withdrawn from the vESI to form an updated vESI. In this way, MAC routes having a TOR-ESI value that was withdrawn from the vESI may be removed from the routing tables in each of the network devices. |
| US09985829B2 |
Management and provisioning of cloud connected devices
A method for provisioning of a device or a group of devices discovery and registration service comprises receiving availability messages from unbound devices, receiving a request for the service, correlating the service identifying data to the device identifying data, selecting candidate unbound devices, prompting the user to select an unbound device, or an unbound group of devices, receiving a selected unbound device, or a selected unbound group of devices, from the user, sending a machine generated code to an output device associated with the selected unbound device or group of devices, prompting the user to confirm ownership of the selected unbound device or group of devices, by entering the machine generated code, receiving, from the user, a human entered code, comparing the machine generated code to the human entered code, and based on the comparison, selectively binding the selected device, or the selected group of devices, to the service. |
| US09985828B2 |
System and method for enhancing server media throughput in mismatched networks
An information handling system includes a transmission queue and a media client module. The media client module is in communication with the transmission queue. The media client module receives a disk command, stores a first number of packets in the transmission queue in response to the disk command, and transmits the first number of packets to a server associated with the disk command. The media client module also receives a restart message, stops transmission of the first number of packets in response to the restart message, calculates a delay between burst of packets and sets a second number of packets based on the restart message, stores a second number of packets in the transmission queue, and transmits the second number of packets to the server. |
| US09985827B2 |
Automated generation of deployment workflows for cloud platforms based on logical stacks
A method implemented in a data center management node including obtaining, from memory, a physical stack describing a configuration of platform components across multiple operating platforms on a data center infrastructure, generating, by a processor, a graph describing correlations between the operating platforms and the data center infrastructure based on a platform library, wherein the platform library describes configurations of the platform components for each of the operating platforms separately, generating, by the processor, one or more logical stacks based on the graph, wherein the one or more logical stacks indicate deployable configurations of the operating platforms without depicting the platform components, and representing the logic stack to a user. |
| US09985824B2 |
Systems and methods for increasing robustness of a system with a remote server
Systems and methods for increasing robustness of a system with a remote server are provided. Some methods can include a first system remotely controlling a second system, detecting a failure in the first system or in a communication link between the first system and the second system, and temporarily removing control of the second system from the first system. |
| US09985823B1 |
Method and system for mitigating correlated failure modes
A system is provided for mitigating partially correlated failure modes to increase application availability. The system includes a plurality of nodes connected by a computer network, each node configured to run an instance of the same application, a failure analysis engine configured to maintain current availability statistics for the nodes of the system, calculate current mean time to failure (MTTF) for the system as a function of the current time from the availability statistics, and compare the current MTTF to a plurality of threshold values, each of the threshold values corresponding to one or more actions to be taken to increase application availability, and a failure prevention engine that performs the one or more actions to increase application availability. |
| US09985822B2 |
Service chain management method, delivery node, controller, and value-added service node
A service chain management method, a delivery node, a controller, and a value-added service node are provided. An ingress delivery node of a service chain receives a detection packet for detecting the service chain, where the service chain includes at least one value-added service node, and the detection packet carries status information of each value-added service node; and the ingress delivery node determines whether the service chain is in a normal running state according to the detection packet. By using the present invention, management on a service chain can be implemented, thereby improving reliability of the service chain. |
| US09985820B2 |
Differentiating among multiple management control instances using addresses
A network adapter includes one or more ports and circuitry. The ports are configured to connect to a communication network. The circuitry is coupled to a network node that includes multiple hosts, and is configured to exchange management packets between a control server and a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) that runs at least first and second BMC instances that are assigned respective different first and second IP addresses or MAC addresses and are associated respectively with first and second hosts, and to exchange, over the communication network via the one or more ports, data packets between the hosts and one or more remote nodes. |
| US09985816B2 |
Dual carrier modulation with single carrier reception
A method of a wireless terminal configured to operate in a wireless network using at least one wideband channel is disclosed.The wireless terminal is configured to operate in a narrowband within the wideband channel. The network comprises at least one other wireless terminal configured to operate in the entire wideband channel, and at least one access point (AP). The AP is configured to support transmission and reception over the entire wideband channel, wherein the wideband channel is dividable into a plurality of resource units.The method comprises receiving a trigger from the AP, wherein the trigger comprises an indication of a first resource unit and a second resource unit of the plurality of resource units on which the AP will transmit data intended to the wireless terminal using a dual carrier modulation (DCM) transmission and measuring a signal quality of the first and second resource units by measuring, in a frequency of the wideband channel which corresponds to the first and second resource unit, a reception quality of data transmitted from the AP to the at least one other wireless terminal.The method also comprises determining which of the first and second resource units has a highest signal quality based on the measured signal quality and receiving the DCM-transmission on the resource unit determined to have the highest signal quality.Also disclosed is an arrangement of a wireless terminal and an access point, a method of an access point, an access point, a wireless terminal and a computer program product. |
| US09985815B2 |
Signal processing chain switching
A signal processing device including a first signal processing chain having a first output signal; a second signal processing chain comprising a second output signal with a higher accuracy than the first output signal; a controller configured to switch, based on a desired accuracy, whether to switch between the first and second signal processing chains as a path for an original input signal; and a modifier configured to modify the original input signal, the first output signal, or the second output signal to generate a modified input, a modified first output, or a modified second output signal when the controller switches between the first and second signal processing chains. |
| US09985808B2 |
Methods and apparatus for managing interference across operators
Aspects of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and techniques for managing interference across operators. A base station identifies a first region of a first frequency spectrum assigned to a first operator, wherein uplink and downlink subframe configurations for Time Division Duplex (TDD) communications using the first region and a first region of a second frequency spectrum assigned to a second operator are synchronized between the first and second operator. The base station further identifies a second region of the first frequency spectrum, wherein uplink and downlink subframe configurations for TDD communications using the second region and a second region of the second frequency spectrum are not synchronized between the first and second operator. The base station communicates with one or more user equipments using the first and second region of the first frequency spectrum. |
| US09985803B2 |
Methods and apparatus for processing digital composite signals
Embodiments include methods and devices for processing a digital composite signal generated at a first sampling rate. The signal includes at least first and second carrier-bands arranged to define a first inner gap between the carrier-bands. The first inner gap includes at least a first gap between the highest frequency of the first carrier-band and the lowest frequency of the second carrier-band. The digital composite signal has a predetermined instantaneous bandwidth that is lower than a sampling bandwidth. An outer gap located outside the instantaneous bandwidth and within the sampling bandwidth is determined. The first inner gap is reduced to define a second inner gap, where a width of the second inner gap is related to a width of the outer gap. The resulting folded digital composite signal is decimated to a second sampling rate lower than the first sampling rate thereby creating a decimated folded digital composite signal. |
| US09985800B2 |
VPN usage to create wide area network backbone over the internet
A wide area network using the internet as a backbone utilizing specially selected ISX/ISP providers whose routers route packets of said wide area network along private tunnels through the internet comprised of high bandwidth, low hop-count data paths. Firewalls are provided at each end of each private tunnel which recognize IP packets addressed to devices at the other end of the tunnel and encapsulate these packets in other IP packets which have a header which includes as the destination address, the IP address of the untrusted side of the firewall at the other end of the tunnel. The payload sections of these packets are the original IP packets and are encrypted and decrypted at both ends of the private tunnel using the same encryption algorithm using the same key or keys. |
| US09985796B2 |
Smart sensor adaptive configuration systems and methods using cloud data
A cloud server associated with a plurality of home-control network, downloads sensor data, Internet data, and data from network devices outside the user's home-control network, and analyzes the data to control water valves and leak detectors within the user's home-control network. |
| US09985793B2 |
System and method for detecting prepaid internet connection and a charging mechanism for same
A system for detecting and charging for internet connection provided to a computer device, the computer device configured to detect any internet connection available comprising an internet access adjustment facilitator arranged to receive requests for prepaid internet connection access from the computer device; and capable of facilitating the linking of the computer device to a designated prepaid internet account for purposes of charging; wherein upon detection by the software that the internet connection is a prepaid internet connection, access and caching of any Internet content will be chargeable to a designated prepaid internet account from the at least one prepaid internet account; and upon detecting that the internet connection is any other type of internet connection, the computer device caches any Internet content accessed by the user for synchronization with other computer devices in the system linked to the designated prepaid account. |
| US09985788B2 |
Method and an apparatus for securely signing application data
The invention provides a method and apparatus for the secure electronic signing of electronic documents and data. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining a first digital representation in a high level first data format of the set of application data; generating a second digital representation in a low level second data format of the application data whereby the low level second data format is different from the high level first data format; presenting an analog representation of the set of application data to a user, whereby the second digital representation is a precise and accurate representation of said analog representation; obtaining an indication whether the user approves the analog representation for signing; if the indication indicates that the user approves the analog representation for signing, generating the first digital signature over the second digital representation using a first signature key associated with the user. |
| US09985780B2 |
Hash value generating device that performs round processing of a hash algorithm
A hash value generating device for generating a hash value based on the KECCAK algorithm includes a θ processing unit, a ρ processing unit, a π processing unit, a χ processing unit, and an ι processing unit for performing processing of five steps θ, ρ, π, χ, and ι, included in round processing of the KECCAK algorithm. The θ processing unit includes a θ1 processing unit for performing column sum calculation processing and a θ2 processing unit for performing column sum addition processing. In the round processing, the π processing unit performs processing before the θ2 processing unit and the ρ processing unit performs processing, and the ρ processing unit performs processing on a lane after rearrangement processing by the π processing unit. |
| US09985779B2 |
Encrypted text matching system, method, and computer readable medium
An encrypted text matching system is provided. The system is configured to generate first auxiliary data and second auxiliary to verify matching between a first encrypted text that is and a second encrypted text based on a Hamming distance between plaintexts; perform one-way conversion on at least part of the first auxiliary data; perform one-way conversion on intermediate data that is generated based on a difference between the first encrypted text and the second encrypted text and on the second auxiliary data; and determine, by using a result of the one-way conversion performed on the intermediate data as well as using the first auxiliary data that underwent the one-way conversion, whether a Hamming distance between plaintexts is equal to or less than a predetermined certain value, the Hamming distance corresponding to the difference between the first encrypted text and the second encrypted text. |
| US09985778B2 |
Single wire system clock signal generation
This specification describes an integrated circuit comprising: a single wire interface; a clock circuit configured to detect a voltage from the single wire interface and to generate a clock signal having a frequency that is based on the detected voltage; and a digital system coupled with the single wire interface and the clock circuit. The digital system is configured to: receive a data signal from the single wire interface; power the digital system using a power signal from the single wire interface; and perform one or more operations clocked by the clock signal. |
| US09985773B2 |
Techniques for performing half/full-duplex operations in wireless communications
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to communicating using multiple connectivity in a wireless network. A device can communicate with first cell served by a first access point over a first connection and with a second cell served by a second access point over a second connection. Moreover, the device can determine whether to perform a half-duplex operation or a full-duplex operation for communicating with the first cell served by the first access point over the first connection. The device can further determine whether to perform a half-duplex operation or a full-duplex operation for communicating with the second cell served by the second access point over the second connection. |
| US09985768B2 |
Method and apparatus for selecting multiple transport formats and transmitting multiple transport blocks simultaneously with multiple H-ARQ processes
A method and apparatus for selecting multiple transport formats and transmitting multiple transport blocks (TBs) in a transmission time interval simultaneously with multiple hybrid automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) processes in a wireless communication system are disclosed. Available physical resources and H-ARQ processes associated with the available physical resources are identified and channel quality of each of the available physical resources is determined. Quality of service (QoS) requirements of higher layer data to be transmitted are determined. The higher layer data is mapped to at least two H-ARQ processes. Physical transmission and H-ARQ configurations to support QoS requirements of the higher layer data mapped to each H-ARQ process are determined. TBs are generated from the mapped higher layer data in accordance with the physical transmission and H-ARQ configurations of each H-ARQ process, respectively. The TBs are transmitted via the H-ARQ processes simultaneously. |
| US09985758B2 |
User terminal, radio base station, radio communication method and radio communication system
A user terminal that communicates with a plurality of cell groups (CG), each group being formed with one or more cells to use different frequency bands. The user terminal receives downlink signals transmitted from each cell, and selects at least one cell, from cells to which uplink control signals can be allocated, and which are configured in each CG, and controls the cell as a cell to transmit an uplink control signal. When information to indicate cross-carrier scheduling (CCS) is include in a downlink control signal, the user terminal decides whether or not the cell having received the downlink control signal and the cell to transmit the uplink control signal are the same, and determines the resource to allocate to the uplink control signal based on this decision. Thus, maintaining system performance even when CCS and uplink control signal transmission in secondary cells are employed at the same time. |
| US09985756B2 |
Multicarrier-based data transmission method and apparatus in mobile communication system
A multicarrier-based data transmission method and an apparatus for use in a mobile communication system are provided. A Radio Network Temporary Identity (RNTI) reception method of a terminal in a wireless communication system supporting inter-evolved Node B (eNB) carrier aggregation includes receiving cell information on at least one activated cell under control of an eNB, configuring first and second RNTIs allocated by the eNB, monitoring the at least one activated cell for the first RNTI, and monitoring a primary cell among the at least one activated cell for the second RNTI. |
| US09985751B2 |
Node device used in disruption/delay/disconnect tolerant network and communication method
A node device (1A) receives a second ACK list in communication with an adjacent node (1B) and updates a first ACK list and a first summary vector on the basis of the second ACK list. The first summary vector, which indicates messages stored in a message buffer of the node device (1A), is transmitted to the adjacent node (1B) prior to transmission of the messages in the communication with the adjacent node (1B). The first ACK list indicates ACK messages recognized by the node device (1A). The second ACK list indicates ACK messages recognized by the adjacent node (1B). Each ACK message represents a message of arrival at an ultimate destination node via a DTN (100). In this way, for example, a copy having the same content as a message having arrived at an ultimate destination node can be prevented from being scattered in the Disruption Tolerant Network (DTN). |
| US09985748B2 |
Apparatus and method for sending and receiving broadcast signals
Disclosed herein is a broadcast signal transmitter. A broadcast signal transmitter according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first BICM unit configured to FEC-encode the data of a core layer, a second BICM unit configured to FEC-encode the enhanced layer data, an LDM injection unit configured to combine the core layer data and the enhanced layer data and to output Layered Division Multiplexing (LDM) data, a time interleaver configured to time-interleave the LDM data, a framing unit configured to generate a signal frame including a preamble for carrying signaling information and the LDM data, and a waveform generation unit configured to generate a broadcast signal by performing OFDM modulation on the signal frame. |
| US09985746B2 |
Transmitter and receiver devices and methods thereof
The present disclosure relates to a transmitter device and a receiver device. The transmitter device comprises a processor which is communicably coupled with a transmitter unit. The processor is configured to receive a set of Z data streams and select K data streams with the same channel quality from the set of Z data streams for transmission, where K≤Z. Thereafter for each information word and for each data stream k=0, . . . , K−1 the processor encodes, scrambles and superposes so as to obtain a first signal sU. Further, for each information word and for each data stream k=0, . . . , K−1 the processor interleaves, encodes, scrambles and superposes so as to obtain a second signal sV. The first signal sU and the second signal sV are combined by the processor into a single signal s for transmission. The transmitter unit of the transmitter device is configured to transmit the transmission signal s over a radio channel. |
| US09985745B2 |
Vector signaling with reduced receiver complexity
Methods and apparatuses are described to determine subsets of vector signaling codes capable of detection by smaller sets of comparators than required to detect the full code. The resulting lower receiver complexity allows systems utilizing such subset codes to be less complex and require less power. |
| US09985744B2 |
Wireless receiver
Described herein is a wireless receiver configured to receive wireless signals containing data packets transmitted according to an undetermined communications protocol selected from at least a first communications protocol and a second communications protocol. Without necessarily decoding the data packets, for example according to either the first or the second communication protocol, the described wireless receiver is able to concurrently detect presence of signal transmission in the first communications protocol or the second communications protocol. In some arrangements, the described wireless receiver may be configured to differentiate between the first communications protocol and the second communications protocol. The ability of the wireless receiver to detect presence of signal transmission by other wireless devices may provide intelligence to an associated wireless transmitter of any concurrent signal transmission so as to minimize interference. |
| US09985738B2 |
Uplink interference mitigation by adapting open cell transmission power
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for interference mitigation of an open-access node. The method includes determining, at the open-access node, whether uplink interference from a mobile entity is above a threshold. The method includes adjusting a transmission power to trigger a hand-in of the mobile entity in response to determining the uplink interference is above the threshold. The method includes handing-in the mobile entity from a first cell in response to adjusting the transmission power. The method includes redirecting the mobile entity to a second cell different from the first cell. |
| US09985729B2 |
Management of frame priorities in fibre channel
A first device transmits a first Fiber Channel frame with a first priority to a second device. The first device receives a second Fiber Channel frame from the second device, where the second Fiber Channel frame has a second priority indicated by the second device. The first device determines whether to adopt the second priority indicated by the second device or whether to continue to use the first priority for transmitting subsequent Fiber Channel frames to the second device. |
| US09985728B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting visibility frame according to setting of sleep mode in visible light communication system
An apparatus and method for determining whether to output a visibility frame by a Visibility Light Communication (VLC) device according to a setting of a sleep mode is provided. The method includes receiving a sleep mode request message; and transmitting a response message indicating a sleep mode period in response to the received sleep mode request message, wherein the response message includes information indicating at least one first window period in which data transmission and reception are stopped, information indicating at least one second window period in which data transmission and reception can be performed in a normal state, and setting information for determining whether to transmit a visibility frame during at least a period of the sleep mode period. |
| US09985727B2 |
Feedback controlled Raman amplification in optical system
An optical communication link that includes two nodes interconnected by an optical channel that comprises optical fiber(s), and that is used to communicate an optical signal comprising multiple optical signal wavelengths. The first node provides an optical signal onto the optical channel towards the second node, or receives an optical signal from the optical channel from the second node. A Raman pump provides Raman pump power into the optical fiber of the optical channel to thereby perform Raman amplification of the optical signal in the optical fiber. The second node determines a quality measurement of at least of optical wavelength signals transmitted by the first node to the second node. The second node also transmits information from the quality measurement back to the first node. A controller at the first node controls at least one parameter of the Raman pump in response to this transmitted information. |
| US09985726B1 |
Systems and methods for a preemptive controller for photonic line systems
Systems and methods for an optical controller in an optical network for photonic control include monitoring signal output of the optical controller for fluctuations on a signal, wherein the optical controller may operate with one or more upstream optical controllers in the optical network which may cause the fluctuations; and initiating a control loop by the optical controller on the signal based on the monitored fluctuations. The initiating is based on one or more thresholds used to differentiate actions of the one or more upstream optical controllers of the plurality of optical controllers from one or more of fiber faults, natural fluctuations in fiber plant, and natural fluctuations in hardware. |
| US09985723B2 |
Fiber optic cabinet and network system with back-up connectivity
A fiber optic network (10) includes a mobile switching center (MSC) (12) which distributes fiber optic signals to one or more remote cabinets (40, 42, 44). The remote cabinets (40, 42, 44) distribute signals to one or more customers. The cabinets (40, 42, 44) receive service from the MSC (12) or from a temporary service provider, such as a vehicle (500), in the event of a catastrophic failure of the MSC (12). The cabinets (40, 42, 44) include equipment which allows patching to a temporary service provider through a patch panel (200), and sub-racks (154, 156, 158) and supporting cabling (134, 136) to provide service to each of the cabinets in the network. |
| US09985720B2 |
Method and system for an internet protocol LNB supporting sensors
An Internet protocol low noise block downconverter (IP LNB) assembly, which is within a satellite dish assembly, may be operable to collect information received from one or more sensors that are integrated within or coupled to the IP LNB assembly. The IP LNB assembly may provide data and/or services associated with the satellite dish assembly based on the collected information received from the sensor(s). The collected information may be stored locally or remotely. The sensor(s) may comprise a camera, an atmospheric sensor, a motion sensor, a directional sensor, an insolation sensor, an acoustic sensor and/or a seismic sensor. The IP LNB assembly may communicate, to at least a user, one or more alarms based on temporal or spatial changes in the collected information. The sensor(s) may perform infrared (IR), cosmic radiation, ultraviolet (UV), far infrared (FIR), terahertz (THz) radiation, millimeter wave (MMW) and/or microwave sensing. |
| US09985718B2 |
Methods for providing distributed airborne wireless communications
Embodiments of methods for providing distributed airborne wireless communications are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of providing wireless communication services includes: receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal from a first area by a distributed airborne communication payload, wherein the distributed airborne communication payload is comprised of sections located on respective ones of a plurality of airborne platforms; relaying the RF signal along the sections located on different airborne platforms; and transmitting the RF signal to a second area. |
| US09985716B2 |
Method and system for a wireless multi-hop relay network
In a wireless multi-hop relay network arranged in a tree topology, the base station and one or more relay stations are associated as a virtual base station (VBS). The base station and each relay station have a unique virtual base station identifier (VBS-ID) associated with the path defined by the base station and the one or more relay stations. A relay station in the branch uses its VBS-ID for communicating with an attached subscriber station (e.g. a mobile station) such that communications between the base station and subscriber station occur via the VBS. Subscriber station data communications are relayed between the base station and the one or more relay stations over the VBS via a tunnel connection. The VBS is auto configurable. Mobility for subscriber stations and 10 relay stations is provided through reconfiguration of VBS's. |
| US09985709B2 |
Method for reporting channel state information for three-dimensional beamforming in wireless communication system and device therefor
A method for transmitting channel state information (CSI) for 3-dimensional multi-input multi-output (3D-MIMO) beamforming by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, and the UE therefore are discussed. The method includes, for example, receiving a reference signal from a base station supporting a 2-dimensional (2D) antenna array; determining the CSI using the reference signal; and transmitting the determined CSI to the base station. The CSI comprises a channel quality indicator (CQI). The CQI is determined using a codeword-to-layer mapping rule. A codeword-to-layer mapping rule for a first dimension is different from a codeword-to-layer mapping rule for a second dimension. The first dimension and the second dimension each correspond to a horizontal or vertical direction in the 2D antenna array. |
| US09985708B2 |
System and method for channel state related feedback in multi-user multiple-input-multiple-output systems
System and method for dimension reduction and for channel and interference condition feedback in a Multi-User Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MU MIMO) wireless communication system. The method for dimension reduction includes determining a number of virtual antennas, vk, for beamformees pertaining to a multi user (MU) transmission group, reducing the dimension of said matrix by selecting a sub-set of antennas or by Eigen mode selection and sending a reduced dimension candidate transmit beamforming matrix or an effective channel matrix to a beamformer. The method for channel and interference condition feedback Interference condition includes sending to a beamformee metric indicative of the interference level from other streams. |
| US09985706B1 |
Hierarchichal beam management
Information associated with a communication service need of the user is received from a user of a client computer system. A set of communication service requirements that indicate satellite resources required to satisfy the communication service need of the user are computed based on the received information, and transmitted to a server computer system. A first beam plan that satisfies the set of communication service requirements is received from the server computer system. The first beam plan includes information on satellite beams and spectra for allocation to the user when the first beam plan is deployed to provide a communication service to the user that satisfies the communication service need of the user. Instructions are transmitted to the server computer system to deploy the first beam plan. Information is received from the server computer system indicating that the first beam plan is deployed. |
| US09985705B2 |
Apparatus and method for beamforming in wireless communication system
An apparatus and a method for generating a frame for communication using beamforming in a wireless communication system are provided. A method for transmitting a signal in a transmitting stage includes determining a beam change time of a region for transmitting information in a frame, and transmitting the information to a receiving stage over the region for transmitting the information by considering the beam change time. The frame includes a plurality of regions divided based on a type of the information transmitted to the receiving stage, and the plurality of the regions includes different beam change times. |
| US09985702B2 |
Broadcast signal transmission method, broadcast signal transmission apparatus, broadcast signal reception method, and broadcast signal reception apparatus
Disclosed is a transmission scheme for transmitting a first modulated signal and a second modulated signal in the same frequency at the same time. According to the transmission scheme, a precoding weight multiplying unit multiplies a precoding weight by a baseband signal after a first mapping and a baseband signal after a second mapping and outputs the first modulated signal and the second modulated signal. In the precoding weight multiplying unit, precoding weights are regularly hopped. |
| US09985701B2 |
Signaling and frame structure for massive MIMO cellular telecommunication systems
Techniques are disclosed relating to signaling and frame structure for massive MIMO communication systems. In some embodiments, an apparatus is configured to receive an uplink pilot symbol from a mobile device over a first channel and receive uplink data from the mobile device over the first channel, where the uplink data is included in one or more orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols at a symbol rate. In these embodiments, the apparatus is configured to, determine channel information based on the pilot symbol, precode downlink data based on the channel information, and transmit the precoded downlink data to the mobile device. In these embodiments, a transition interval between receiving the uplink pilot symbol and beginning to transmit the precoded downlink data corresponds to less than five OFDM symbols at the symbol rate. This may facilitate reciprocity-based precoding for fast-moving mobile devices, in some embodiments. |
| US09985699B1 |
NFC center
The present invention includes systems and methods for a near field communication (NFC) center that stores NFC information for various NFC devices and products. The NFC information is supplied by the device or product itself or from the manufacturer of the device or product. A user is then able to obtain the NFC information through their user mobile device from the NFC center. With the NFC information, the user can manage one or more NFC devices in real time. |
| US09985694B2 |
Methods and systems for contactless battery discharging
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for contactless battery discharging. One embodiment takes the form of a contactless power-transfer system that includes a wireless-communication interface, a controller connected to the wireless-communication interface, a magnetic-resonance circuit, a power-conditioning circuit connected to the magnetic-resonance circuit, and a load element connected to the power-conditioning circuit. The controller is configured to determine that a smart-battery system is in a discharge-needed state and responsively transmit, via the wireless-communication interface, a battery-discharge command instructing the smart-battery system to generate an oscillating magnetic field. The magnetic-resonance circuit is configured to couple with the generated oscillating magnetic field and responsively output a corresponding power signal. The power-conditioning circuit is configured to receive the power signal from the magnetic-resonance circuit, rectify the received power signal, and output the rectified power signal. The load element is configured to receive the rectified power signal from the power-conditioning circuit. |
| US09985693B2 |
Integrated circuit including multiple transmitters and near field communication system including the circuit
An integrated circuit for near field communication (NFC) is provided. The integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate; a first transmitter disposed on the semiconductor substrate and configured to operate in a first NFC card mode, an NFC reader mode, and a peer-to-peer mode; a second transmitter disposed on the semiconductor substrate and configured to operate in a second NFC card mode; first transmitting pins connected to the semiconductor substrate and configured to transmit an output signal of the first transmitter to a first NFC antenna; second transmitting pins connected to the semiconductor substrate and configured to transmit an output signal of the second transmitter to a second NFC antenna; and a logic circuit disposed on the semiconductor substrate and configured to receive a control signal, and control an operation of the first transmitter and an operation of the second transmitter based on the control signal. |
| US09985689B2 |
Method and apparatus for coordinating multiple power line networks
A method and an apparatus for coordinating multiple power line networks are provided. The method includes: obtaining, by a central coordinator of a first power line network of multiple power line networks, signaling timeslot information of a second power line network; and determining, according to the signaling timeslot information, whether a predetermined signaling timeslot of the first power line network conflicts with a signaling timeslot of the second power line network, and if the predetermined signaling timeslot conflicts with the signaling timeslot of the second power line network, determining, according to a predetermined backoff rule, a contention-free timeslot as a signaling timeslot of the first power line network. Signaling timeslots of different networks can be staggered as sequential as possible, which ensures non-confliction of the signaling timeslots, thereby avoiding signal interference and attenuation in a shared network. |
| US09985688B2 |
Method for processing a signal coming from a transmission channel
A method is for processing a channel analog signal coming from a transmission channel. The method may include converting the channel analog signal into a channel digital signal, and detecting a state of the transmission channel based on the channel digital signal to detect whether the transmission channel is, over an interval of time, one or more of linear and time invariant and linear and cyclostationary. |
| US09985687B2 |
Communication system and method of data communications
A communication system includes a carrier generator, a first modulation circuit, a pulse generator, a first transmission line, and a second transmission line. The carrier generator is configured to generate a first carrier signal and a reference clock signal. The first modulation circuit is coupled to the carrier generator, and configured to generate a first modulated signal based on a first data signal and the first carrier signal. The pulse generator is coupled to the carrier generator, and configured to generate a pulse train signal based on the reference clock signal. The first transmission line is configured to carry the modulated signal, and configured to cause a delay to the first modulated signal. The second transmission line is coupled to the pulse generator, configured to carry the pulse train signal, and configured to cause a delay to the pulse train signal. |
| US09985686B2 |
Non-linear precoding with a mix of NLP capable and NLP non-capable lines
The method includes organizing a plurality of subscriber lines into a first group of subscriber lines and a second group of subscriber lines, the first group of subscriber lines at least including all the subscriber lines of the plurality of subscriber lines that do not support non-linear precoding operation and the second group of subscriber lines including the remaining subscriber lines of the plurality of subscriber lines; scaling first signals to be transmitted over respective ones of the first group of subscriber lines to confine respective intermediate transmit power levels at the input of a modulo unit and further to bypass or make ineffective the operation of the modulo unit; and processing the so scaled first signals and second signals to be transmitted over respective ones of the second group of subscriber lines through the first and second precoding stages. |
| US09985684B2 |
Passive equalizer capable of use in high-speed data communication
A passive equalizer is provided. The passive equalizer includes a first resistive element, a first inductive element, a second resistive element, and a first variable capacitor. The first resistive element is coupled between an input node and an output node. The first inductive element and the second resistive element are coupled in series between the output node and a first voltage supply node. The first variable capacitor is coupled between the input node and a first node located between the first inductive element and the second resistive element. |
| US09985682B2 |
Broadband isolation low-loss ISM/MB-HB tunable diplexer
Embodiments of a tunable radio frequency (RF) diplexer and methods of duplexing transmission and receive signals are disclosed. In one embodiment, the RF diplexer includes a first hybrid coupler, a second hybrid coupler, and an RF filter circuit, and a phase inversion component. Both the RF filter circuit and the phase inversion component are connected between the first hybrid coupler and the second hybrid coupler. In some embodiments, the phase inversion component is provided by the RF filter circuit, while in other embodiments, the phase inversion component is provided separately. The phase inversion component is configured to provide a differential phase shift. The benefit of introducing the differential phase shift is that it provides increased isolation and broadband isolation between the different frequency bands being diplexed by the RF diplexer. |
| US09985681B2 |
Front end circuit, module, and communication device
A module comprising: a first transmit filter that passes a transmission signal of a first band; a first receive filter that passes a reception signal of the first band; a second transmit filter that passes a transmission signal of a second band; a second receive filter that passes a reception signal of the second band; a third transmit filter that passes a transmission signal of a third band; and a third receive filter that passes a reception signal of the third band, wherein a transmit band of the first band overlaps with at least a part of a receive band of the second band, a receive band of the third band does not overlap with the transmit band of the first band or a transmit band of the second band, and the third receive filter is located between the first receive filter and the second receive filter. |
| US09985674B2 |
SIM card connector and mobile terminal having the SIM card connector
A SIM card connector includes a base, signal spring, a detection apparatus, and a controller. The detection apparatus includes a fixed contact and a detection spring. An action of a SIM card can be detected by means of separation or union between the fixed contact and the detection spring. A trigger part of the detection spring can press against a surface of the SIM card to move a movable end of the detection spring. A power supply of the signal spring can be cut off before the SIM card is separated from the signal spring, and the power supply of the signal spring can be switched on after the SIM card presses against the signal spring. |
| US09985672B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for evaluating performance based on real-time data for proximity and movement of objects
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media are disclosed for providing analytics for evaluating performance using real time data on movement and proximity of tagged objects. In one embodiment, a method is provided for evaluating a player that includes correlating at least one tag to the player; receiving blink data transmitted by the at least one tag; and determining tag location data based on the blink data. The method further includes receiving player role data; comparing the tag location data to player dynamics/kinetics models based at least in part on the player role data; determining player location data based on the comparing the tag location data to the player dynamics/kinetics models; and determining player performance information based on comparing the player location data to stored player location data. |
| US09985670B2 |
Wireless communication device and power measurement device equipped with the same
The present invention provides a wireless communication device that can receive a high frequency signal with a high sensitivity by reducing the noise received from a DC-DC converter, as well as a power measurement device equipped with such a wireless communication device. According to an embodiment, a wireless communication device includes: a switching-type DC-DC converter; a balun configured with a coil to output a differential signal based on a wirelessly received high frequency signal; a low noise amplifier driven by an output voltage of the DC-DC converter to process the differential signal output from the balun; and a ground voltage line that couples the low noise amplifier to a ground voltage source. The ground voltage line includes partial ground voltage lines that are arranged to face each other with the balun interposed therebetween. |
| US09985668B2 |
Relay apparatus, relay system, and relay method
A relay apparatus comprises: a distributor configured to separate an input signal that includes a plurality of signals of mutually different frequencies for each of the frequencies and output signals separated for each frequency; and a combiner configured to combine signals output from the distributor, generate at least two signal groups each consisting of signals of mutually different frequencies, and output at least one signal group of the at least two signal groups. |
| US09985666B2 |
Transmission device, reception device, broadcast signal processing method, and broadcast receiver
A transmission device includes a first converter, a second converter, a generation component, and a transmitter. The first converter converts a first analog signal, which is a broadcast signal of a specific polarity, into a first digital signal. The second converter converts a second analog signal, which is a broadcast signal whose polarity is different from the specific polarity, into a second digital signal. The generation component generates a third digital signal that includes information of the first and second digital signals. The transmitter transmits the third digital signal generated by the generation component. |
| US09985664B2 |
Random delay generation for thin-film transistor based circuits
Circuits and circuit elements configured to generate a random delay, a monostable oscillator, circuits configured to broadcasting repetitive messages wireless systems, and methods for forming such circuits, devices, and systems. The present invention advantageously provides relatively low cost delay generating circuitry based on TFT technology in wireless electronics applications, particularly in RFID applications. Such novel, technically simplified, low cost TFT-based delay generating circuitry enables novel wireless circuits, devices and systems, and methods for producing such circuits, devices and systems. |
| US09985660B2 |
Media controller
A data processing device comprising: a jitter buffer for receiving data packets; a media decoder configured to decode the data packets so as to form a stream of media frames, each frame comprising a plurality of samples; a media consumer having an input buffer for receiving the stream of media frames and being configured to play media frames from the input buffer according to a first frame rate; a buffer interface configured to monitor the input buffer so as to detect when the number of samples at the input buffer of the media consumer falls below a predetermined level and, in response, generate a play-out request; and a media controller configured to, responsive to each of the generated play-out requests, play-out one or more data packets to the media decoder so as to cause media frames of the stream to be delivered into the input buffer at a rate commensurate with the first frame rate. |
| US09985659B2 |
Error correction processing circuit in memory and error correction processing method
A method for correcting error in a memory comprises setting a protected scope for at least part of unit data to be written in the memory according to an operation voltage of the memory; implementing error correction encoding for protected data corresponding to the protected scope among the unit data; and writing the unit data in the memory while matching them with parity data generated as a result of the error correction encoding. |
| US09985658B2 |
Decoding of product codes
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data and in an iterative process until decoded data is output or a predetermined number of full iterations have occurred: C1 decoding all first subsets of the data, determining whether to stop decoding the data after the C1 decoding, incrementing a half iteration counter to indicate completion of a half iteration, C2 decoding all second subsets of the data two or more times in each half iteration using two or more C2-decoding methods in response to a determination that a second subset is not decoded successfully using a first C2-decoding method, determining whether to stop decoding the data after the C2 decoding, incrementing the half iteration counter to indicate completion of another half iteration, and outputting the set of decoded data in response to a determination that all subsets of the data are decoded successfully. |
| US09985653B2 |
Methods and systems for soft-decision decoding
At least one example embodiment discloses a method of soft-decision Wu decoding a code. The code is one of a generalized Reed-Solomon type and an alternant type. The method includes obtaining a module of the code. The module is a sub-module of at least a first extension module and a second extension module. The first extension module is defined by a set of first type constraints and the second extension module is defined by a set of second type constraints. The first type constraints are applicable to a first interpolation algorithm and a second interpolation algorithm and the second type constraints are applicable to the first interpolation algorithm. The method further includes determining a basis for the first extension module and converting the basis for the first extension module to a basis for the module. |
| US09985652B2 |
System and method for dynamic scaling of LDPC decoder in a solid state drive
In some embodiments of the present invention, a data storage device includes a controller and a memory. The data storage device further includes an LDPC encoder and decoder, with the decoder implementing a dynamic precision-rescaling technique for improving performance. In one embodiment, the technique works by rescaling the binary representations of the input log-likelihood ratios (LLRs) and messages upon activation of decoder-state-based triggers. Various triggering functions are introduced, e.g., checking if the number of output LLRs smaller than a certain limit crosses a threshold, checking if the weight of a syndrome crosses a threshold, etc. This technique offers an improvement in the performance of the decoder. |
| US09985650B2 |
Digital down converter
A digital down converter includes a low resolution mixer, a decimation filter, and a high resolution mixer. The low resolution mixer is configured to receive a digitized radio frequency signal, and apply a first down conversion to the radio frequency signal to produce an intermediate frequency signal. The decimation filter is coupled to the low resolution mixer. The decimation filter is configured to receive the intermediate frequency signal, and reduce a sampling rate of the intermediate frequency signal to produce a decimated intermediate frequency signal. The high resolution mixer is coupled to the decimation filter. The high resolution mixer is configured to receive the decimated intermediate frequency signal, and apply a second down conversion to the decimated intermediate frequency signal to produce a down converted signal. |
| US09985649B1 |
Combining hardware and software approaches for inline data compression
A technique for managing data storage applies both inline software compression and inline hardware compression in a data storage system, using both types of compression together. The data storage system applies inline software compression for compressing a first set of newly arriving data and applies inline hardware compression for compressing a second set of newly arriving data. Both sets of data are directed to a data object, and the data storage system compresses both sets of data without first storing uncompressed versions thereof in the data object. |
| US09985647B2 |
Encoder and decoder design for near-balanced codes
Methods of encoding a near-symbol balanced (NSB) sequence may include selecting, with a controller, a constraint based on an amount of bits, determining, with the controller, a plurality of sections in a codebook based on permutations defined by the selected constraint, and partitioning, with the controller, a section among the plurality of sections into a plurality of partitions until each of the plurality of partitions include a number of entries equal to or less than a predetermined number of entries. |
| US09985645B2 |
Techniques for improving mismatch shaping of dynamic element matching circuit within delta-sigma modulator
A delta-sigma modulator includes a receiving circuit, a loop filter, a quantizer, a dynamic element matching circuit and a digital to analog converter. The receiving circuit is arranged for receiving a feedback signal and an input signal to generate a summation signal. The loop filter is arranged for receiving the summation signal to generate a filtered summation signal. The quantizer is arranged for generating a digital output signal according to the filtered summation signal. The dynamic element matching circuit is arranged for receiving the digital output signal to generate a shaped digital output signal for shaping element mismatch. The digital to analog converter is arranged for performing a digital to analog converting operation upon a signal derived from the shaped digital output signal to generate the feedback signal to the receiving circuit, wherein clock signals used by the quantizer and the dynamic element matching circuit have different frequencies. |
| US09985643B2 |
Level shifter, digital-to-analog converter, and buffer amplifier, and source driver and electronic device including the same
A level shifter, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and a buffer amplifier, and a source driver and an electronic device including the same are provided. The source driver includes a level shifter configured to receive digital bits and provide a level-shifted output signal; a DAC including a resistor string configured to provide a plurality of gradation voltages formed by an upper limit voltage and a lower limit voltage being received through one end and the other end, and an N-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) switch and a P-type MOS (PMOS) switch configured to be controlled by the level-shifted output signal and output a gradation voltage corresponding to the level-shifted output signal; and an amplifier configured to amplify a signal provided by the digital-to-analog converter, and the lower limit voltage is provided to a body electrode of the NMOS switch. |
| US09985640B1 |
Programmable sequence controller for successive approximation register analog to digital converter
The disclosure includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) comprising a successive approximation register (SAR) unit including a capacitive network to take a sample of an analog signal and a comparator to approximate a digital value based on the analog signal sample via successive comparison. The disclosure also includes a programmable sequencer. The sequencer includes a control memory containing control signal states indicating control signals to operate the SAR unit. The sequencer also includes a program memory including sequence instructions defining a duty cycle for the SAR unit by referencing the control signal states in the control memory. The sequencer also includes a processing circuit to apply control signals according to the control signal states in an order defined by the sequence instructions to manage a sequence of operations at the SAR unit according to the duty cycle to control the ADC. |
| US09985639B2 |
Detection and mitigation of non-linearity of phase interpolator
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide non-linearity detection and mitigation for a phase interpolator of a controlled oscillator circuit, such as a PLL. A bit stream output of a phase detector of the oscillator circuit is segmented according to multiple phase positions of the phase interpolator, forming a bit stream for each of the multiple phase positions. Each bit stream of each phase position is analyzed, and phase position errors may be detected and mitigated based on the contents of the bit streams. |
| US09985638B2 |
Wideband direct modulation with two-point injection in digital phase locked loops
A digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) modulation apparatus and method provides a wideband phase-modulated signal output. An exemplary modulator circuit uses an oscillator in a phase-locked loop. The circuit receives a wrapped-phase input signal, unwraps the wrapped-phase input signal to generate an unwrapped-phase signal, and differentiates the unwrapped-phase signal. The wrapped-phase input signal and the differentiated unwrapped-phase signal are both injected into a feedback loop of the modulator circuit. The feedback loop may include a multi-modulus frequency divider with a frequency divisor that is temporarily incremented or decremented to cancel out abrupt phase jumps associated with the wrapped-phase to unwrapped-phase conversion. |
| US09985635B2 |
Hybrid architecture for signal processing and signal processing accelerator
Systems and methods for configuring circuitry for use with a field programmable gate array (FPGA) are disclosed. The circuitry includes an array of signal processing accelerators (SPAs) and an array of network nodes. The array of SPAs is separate from a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the array of SPAs is configured to receive input signals from the FPGA. The array of network nodes controllably route the input signals to the array of SPAs. |
| US09985633B1 |
Systems, methods and apparatus for voltage clamping
A voltage clamping system includes: (a) a first electronic device connected to a first power source and having a signal output node, a voltage clamp high node, and a voltage clamp low node, wherein the voltage clamp high node and the voltage clamp low node are coupled to a second power source different than the first power source; and (b) a second electronic device powered by the second power source and having a signal input node coupled to the signal output node of the first electronic device. The signal output node of the first electronic device is passively clamped, with low distortion, approximately rail-to-rail with respect to the second power source such that the second electronic device is protected from damage due to excessive voltage levels. |
| US09985632B2 |
Minimizing information leakage from combinatorial logic
An apparatus, system and method are disclosed to block and replace intermediate combinatorial transitions that are correlated with secret data, also referred to as glitches, with random intermediate combinatorial transitions that are uncorrelated with the data being processed. |
| US09985630B2 |
Method and a switch device for producing an electrical signal in response to mechanical force
A switch device for producing one or more electrical signals in response to mechanical force includes a body-part (101) and one or more electric transducers (102-105) connected to the body-part and arranged to produce the one or more electrical signals in response to mechanical force directed to the body-part. The body-part includes a cavity (106), and a wall constituting the bottom of the cavity is capable of being bent by mechanical force directed to the wall from the opposite side with respect to the cavity. The one or more electric transducers are located in the cavity and arranged to produce the one or more electrical signals when the bottom of the cavity is bent. The switch device can be built, for example, into a working plane of an electrical instrument so that a plate constituting the working plane constitutes also the body-part of the switch device. |
| US09985629B2 |
Method to lockout a touch screen interface
A method for locking out a portion of a touch screen interface in response to an inadvertent touch comprises steps to detect multiple touches on the portion of the touch screen interface; determine that the multiple touches are incompatible; initiate a lockout time period in response to the determination and reinitiate the lockout time period in response to a subsequent touch during the lockout time period. |
| US09985628B2 |
Organic electroluminescence module and smart device
An object of the present invention is to provide an organic EL module that achieves a reduction in size and thickness, that has a high touch-sensing accuracy, and that is applicable to smart devices, and a smart device equipped with the same. The organic EL module of the present invention includes: an organic EL panel having a connecting electrode; and an electrical connecting unit laminated on the organic EL panel, wherein the electrical connecting unit has a flexible substrate and a capacitive sensing circuit provided on the flexible substrate and having a land, the electrical connecting unit is provided on a light-emitting surface side of the organic EL panel, the electrical connecting unit has a light-permeable part and a bent part formed by making two or more cuts in at least one side of the light-permeable part, and the land constituting the sensing circuit and the connecting electrode of the organic EL panel are electrically connected to each other at the bent part. |
| US09985626B2 |
Bidirectional GaN switch with built-in bias supply and integrated gate drivers
A DC-AC converter is disclosed. The DC-AC converter generates an output AC signal, and has an input DC-AC converter which generates a first AC signal, a transformer device which receives the first AC signal and generates a second AC signal, and a first bidirectional switch which selectively connects a first transformer output terminal and a first output terminal. The DC-AC converter also has a first capacitor which powers the first bidirectional switch, a first charging circuit which charges the first capacitor, and a second bidirectional which selectively conduct connects a second transformer output terminal and a second output terminal. The DC-AC converter also has a second capacitor which powers the second bidirectional switch, and a second charging circuit which charges the second capacitor. Each of the bidirectional switches includes series connected transistors between first and second input/output terminals, and a transistor driver which drives the transistors. |
| US09985622B2 |
Comparator, solid-state imaging device, electronic apparatus, and driving method
A comparator includes: a first amplifying unit that includes a differential pair configured with a pair of transistors which are first and second transistors, and amplifies a difference of signals input to each of the gate electrodes of the first and second transistors, to output; a second amplifying unit that amplifies the signal output from the first amplifying unit; a third transistor that connects the first transistor to a power source voltage; a fourth transistor that connects the second transistor to the power source voltage; a fifth transistor that connects a connection point of gate electrodes of the third transistor and the fourth transistor to a drain of the third transistor; and a sixth transistor that connects a connection point of gate electrodes of the third transistor and the fourth transistor to a drain of the fourth transistor. |
| US09985621B2 |
Output circuit and integrated circuit
An output circuit has: a first driver circuit configured to receive a voltage of an input terminal and output a first voltage to an output terminal; a first comparison circuit configured to compare a first reference voltage with a voltage of the output terminal; a second driver circuit configured to receive the voltage of the input terminal and output a second voltage to the output terminal and become an off state according to a comparison result of the first comparison circuit; a second comparison circuit configured to compare a second reference voltage different from the first reference voltage with the voltage of the output terminal; and a third driver circuit configured to receive the voltage of the input terminal and output a third voltage to the output terminal and become an off state according to a comparison result of the second comparison circuit. |
| US09985617B2 |
Circuit for generating at least two rectangular signals with adjustable phase shift and use of said circuit
A circuit for generating at least two rectangular signals with adjustable phase shift, comprises a frequency divider circuit that receives a clock signal as input and provides a signal as output, at least two comparators that receive, respectively, a first threshold voltage and at least a second threshold voltage at one input, and a ramp signal, synchronized with the clock signal, at a second input, the at least two threshold voltages allowing the value of the phase shift between the at least two rectangular signals to be adjusted, and at least two D-type flip-flops that receive, respectively, the output signal from the first comparator and the output signal from the second comparator at their clock inputs, and the output signal from the frequency divider circuit at their D-input. |
| US09985613B2 |
Flip-flop
A single-phase flip-flop comprising: a master latch comprising: a first circuit to generate a master latch signal in response to a first master logic operation on a flip flop input signal and a first clock signal, and a second circuit to generate a master output signal in response to a second master logic operation on the first clock signal and master latch signal; a slave latch comprising: a third circuit to generate a slave output signal in response to a first slave logic operation on the first clock signal and one of the master output signal and an inverted slave output signal; and wherein the master latch is configured to capture the flip-flop input signal during a first portion of the first clock signal and the slave latch is configured to capture the master output signal during a second portion of the first clock signal. |
| US09985610B2 |
Semiconductor device and a method of operating the same
A semiconductor device includes a power gating circuit including a synchronous reset flip-flop, a retention circuit including a retention flip-flop, a clock management circuit configured to provide an operation clock to the power gating circuit and the retention circuit, and a power management circuit configured to transmit a power gating control signal to the power gating circuit, the retention circuit, and the clock management circuit. The power gating circuit is activated to signal entry to a power reduction mode. The retention circuit retains states of the semiconductor device. Upon exit from the power reduction mode, the power management circuit is configured to complete a reset operation of the power gating circuit before signaling the retention circuit to cancel a retention state and restore the states of the semiconductor device. |
| US09985606B2 |
Acoustic wave filter, duplexer, and module
An acoustic wave filter includes: series resonators connected in series between input and output terminals; and lines connected in parallel to the series resonators, wherein at least one of the lines includes: a first resonator including a piezoelectric substance, and first lower and upper electrodes sandwiching the piezoelectric substance in a c-axis orientation direction of the piezoelectric substance; a second resonator that is connected in series to the first resonator, and includes another piezoelectric substance, and second lower and upper electrodes sandwiching the another piezoelectric substance so that one of the second lower and upper electrodes in the c-axis orientation direction have an electric potential equal to that of one of the first lower and upper electrodes in the c-axis orientation direction; and a capacitor connected in parallel to one of the first and second resonators and not connected in parallel to another one of the first and second resonators. |
| US09985604B2 |
Quartz crystal blank and quartz crystal resonator unit
A rectangular quartz crystal blank having long sides substantially parallel to a Z′ axis of the quartz crystal blank, and short sides substantially parallel to an X axis of the quartz crystal blank. The quartz crystal blank includes a first center region, a second region and a third region that are adjacent to the first region along a long-side direction, and a fourth region and a fifth region that are adjacent to the first region along a short-side direction. A thickness of the second region and a thickness of the third region are smaller than a thickness of the first region, and/or a thickness of the fourth region and a thickness of the fifth region are smaller than the thickness of the first region, and 13.84≤W/T≤14.33, where W is a length of a short side and T is a thickness. |
| US09985603B2 |
Quartz crystal blank and quartz crystal resonator unit
A rectangular quartz crystal blank having long sides substantially parallel to a Z′ axis of the quartz crystal blank, and short sides substantially parallel to an X axis of the quartz crystal blank. The quartz crystal blank includes a first center region, a second region and a third region that are adjacent to the first region along a long-side direction, and a fourth region and a fifth region that are adjacent to the first region along a short-side direction. A thickness of the second region and a thickness of the third region are smaller than the thickness of the first region, and/or a thickness of the fourth region and a thickness of the fifth region are smaller than the thickness of the first region, and 12.26≤W/T≤13.02, where W is a length of a short side and T is a thickness. |
| US09985602B2 |
Radio frequency device with compensation of permittivity dispersion of the substrate and adjustment method
The invention relates to a device for transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency signals comprising at least one antenna and/or at least one filter realised in printed technology on a dielectric substrate. According to the invention, this device is equipped with means for compensating the permittivity dispersions of the substrate. For this purpose, the device comprises a circuit for measuring the dielectric permittivity of the substrate able to deliver a measured permittivity value and adjustment means able to adjust the impedance of the antenna and/or the frequency response of said filter according to said measured permittivity value. |
| US09985598B2 |
Frequency compensated oscillator design for process tolerances
A continuous or distributed resonator geometry is defined such that the fabrication process used to form a spring mechanism also forms an effective mass of the resonator structure. Proportional design of the spring mechanism and/or mass element geometries in relation to the fabrication process allows for compensation of process-tolerance-induced fabrication variances. As a result, a resonator having increased frequency accuracy is achieved. |
| US09985585B2 |
Radio frequency circuit, transmitter, base station, and user terminal
The application provides a radio frequency circuit, including: a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit is configured to receive a first signal and a second signal; split the first signal into a third signal and a fourth signal, and split the second signal into a fifth signal and a sixth signal; adjust a phase of the fifth signal to obtain a seventh signal; and combine the seventh signal and the third signal into an eighth signal. The second circuit includes a primary power amplifier branch and a secondary power amplifier branch, and the primary power amplifier branch is configured to process the fourth signal and the sixth signal, and the secondary power amplifier branch is configured to process the eighth signal. |
| US09985584B2 |
High-frequency semiconductor amplifier
According to one embodiment, a high-frequency semiconductor amplifier includes an input terminal, an input matching circuit, a high-frequency semiconductor amplifying element, an output matching circuit and an output terminal. The input terminal is inputted with a fundamental signal. The fundamental signal has a first frequency band and a first center frequency in the first frequency band. The input matching circuit includes an input end and an output end. The input end of the input matching circuit is connected to the input terminal. The high-frequency semiconductor amplifying element includes an input end and an output end. The input end of the high-frequency semiconductor amplifying element is connected to the output end of the input matching circuit. The high-frequency semiconductor amplifying element is configured to amplify the fundamental signal. |
| US09985583B2 |
System and method for testing photosensitive device degradation
The performance of photosensitive devices over time may be tested by configuring a photosensitive device test system that includes a light source plate that exposes photosensitive devices within a container to a specified light intensity. The light intensity may be adjusted by a programmable power source according to one or more thresholds. A test may last for a set duration with performance measurements being taken at predetermined intervals throughout the duration. Feedback from the photosensitive device test system may be recorded to determine whether to increase light intensity, to stop testing, to continue testing, and whether one or more environmental conditions should be altered. Measurements may be sent to a client for analysis and display to a user. |
| US09985581B2 |
Solar cell module
A solar cell module comprises: a solar cell panel; a terminal box mounted to the back surface of the solar cell panel, which is one surface thereof; a frame mounted to the edges of the solar cell panel; and a metallic first cover composed of a base section for covering the back surface of the terminal box, which is one surface thereof, and of an affixation section affixed to a frame which composes the frame. |
| US09985580B2 |
Solar junction box for solar panel
A solar junction box for a solar panel having a semiconductor layer including at least one photovoltaic cell and a foil electrically connected to the at least one cell, the solar panel having a glass layer above the semiconductor layer and a back sheet below the semiconductor layer includes a housing having walls defining a cavity. The housing is mounted at an edge of the solar panel. A terminal is received in the cavity and is configured to be terminated to the foil. An edge flap extends from the housing. The edge flap has an edge seal configured to be applied to the edge of the solar panel to seal the foil at the edge of the solar panel. |
| US09985579B2 |
Mounting assembly for mounting a solar panel
A mounting assembly for mounting a solar panel to a surface includes a mounting base. The mounting base supports a fastener. A module mount has a module mount sidewall supporting the fastener. The module mount is movable with respect to the fastener when the fastener is received through the module mount opening. A first distance between a bottom surface of the module mount and a top surface of the mounting base is adjustable. A mounting clamp has a mounting clamp sidewall defining a mounting clamp opening through which the fastener is received. The mounting clamp is movable with respect to the fastener when the fastener is received through the mounting clamp opening such that a second distance between a bottom surface of the mounting clamp and a top surface of the module mount is adjustable. The solar panel is mounted between the mounting clamp and the module mount. |
| US09985575B2 |
Height adjustment bracket for roof applications
A roof mount system supports a solar panel above a roof and includes a base positioned on the roof and a first fastener connected to the base and extending away from the roof and moveable along the base in a direction generally parallel to the roof. A first clamp supports a bottom surface of a solar panel frame and adjusts the height of the solar panel above the roof by moving the first clamp along a first fastener in a direction perpendicular to the roof. A second clamp is connected to a second fastener and moves with respect to the first clamp perpendicular to the roof. The solar panel is clamped between the first clamp and the second clamp portion. A protrusion extends from the first or second clamp to form an electrical bond between the solar panel frame and the respective first or second clamp. |
| US09985574B2 |
Modular strap mount for solar panels
A method and apparatus for mounting a solar collector panel by itself or supported within a frame, to a surface comprising: a strap assembly, a first attachment device attached to and between the panel or frame and the strap assembly; and a second attachment means for attaching the strap assembly to the surface. The strap assembly comprises a plurality of straps attached end to end. The first attachment device could be a bolt, a screw, adhesive, etc. Alternatively, there could be a support between the panel or frame and the strap assembly. The second attachment means may be: a nail, a spike, adhesive, bolting to a stud attached to the surface, welding, ballast, adhesive tape or combinations of these. |
| US09985573B2 |
Building construction surface element and building construction / building construction surface arrangement and method to manufacture same
A building construction surface element includes a PV-panel and, spaced therefrom, a building construction element including a mounting plate spaced from and facing the backside of the PV-panel and a thermal insulation plate. Spacers define for an interspace between the backside of PV module and the topside of the mounting plate. Building construction surface elements are used to finish building surfaces. As such building surfaces may possibly not be covered by an integer number of the building construction surface elements, dummy building construction surface elements may be provided which do not have a PV module, but whereon a more easily tailorable PV module fake is applied. By combining building construction surface elements with appropriately tailored dummies the building construction surface may be completely covered, thereby providing for a homogeneous optical appearance. |
| US09985571B2 |
Motor driver circuit and process of matching received, determined voltages
An apparatus includes a control circuit that includes a configuration register and configured to receive a configuration setting across an external bus. The configuration setting encodes a first voltage state for the apparatus. The control circuit includes an input configured to be coupled to an external electrical device. The control circuit is configured to determine a value of the external device that maps to a second voltage state for the apparatus. The control logic is configured to transition the apparatus to a safe mode upon a determination that the first voltage state does not match the second voltage state. |
| US09985570B2 |
Motor control apparatus
A motor control apparatus that estimates a temperature of a temperature estimation target element at a time of energizing the motor and drives a motor by controlling an electric power is provided. The motor control apparatus includes a primary delay arithmetic unit that outputs a primary delay response as an amount of temperature change, a sensor value adder that adds a sensor value of a temperature sensor to the amount of temperature change, an offset adder that adds an offset temperature to an output of the sensor value adder, a response constant determination portion that determines the gain and the time constant, and an offset temperature determination portion. At least one of the response constant and the offset temperature is changed according to a supply voltage or an input voltage. |
| US09985561B2 |
Method and apparatus for feeding electric energy into an electric supply grid
The invention relates to a method for controlling a generator of electric energy that is connected to an electric supply grid on a grid connection point, comprising the following steps: incorporating at least one grid characteristic of the electric supply grid related to the grid connection point, and controlling the generator in such way that it feeds power into the electric supply grid depending on the incorporated grid characteristic. |
| US09985559B2 |
Control apparatus for rotating machine
A control apparatus controls a rotating machine including a stator having groups of phase windings, to control current application to the groups. The control apparatus includes power converters converting received power to AC power and supplying the AC power to the rotating machine, a harmonic component cancellation section reducing a harmonic component superimposed on a fundamental wave component by a cancellation process in an estimated-rotating coordinate system for at least one of voltage and current of each system, when a unit of a group of components controlling current application to a specific group of the windings is defined as a system, an induced voltage estimation section estimating an induced voltage based on information common to the systems including a voltage value and a current value calculated by the cancellation process, and a magnetic-pole-position estimation section estimating a magnetic pole position of a rotor based on the estimated induced voltage. |
| US09985555B2 |
Piezoelectric driving device, robot, and driving method of the same
A piezoelectric driving device includes a piezoelectric body; an electrode provided on the piezoelectric body; and a driving circuit which applies a driving voltage to the electrode, wherein the piezoelectric body has a thickness of 0.05 μm to 20 μm, and the driving voltage is a voltage obtained by adding an offset voltage to a fluctuating voltage. |
| US09985550B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing loop inductance
A method for use in reducing an inductance of a circuit including a commutation loop defined at least in part by a source conductor and a return conductor between a first component and a second component is described. The method includes disposing a conductive inductance reducer within the commutation loop. The conductive inductance reducer includes an electrically conductive material and an insulator. |
| US09985548B2 |
Communication circuit for flyback power converter with synchronous rectifier
A method for communicating with a power converter comprises initiating a communication sequence by sensing a first distortion of a sensed waveform during a discharge period of a first power transfer cycle of the power converter. The sensed waveform is proportional to a secondary current of the power converter. At a primary side of the power converter, a data bit is received from a secondary side of the power converter, by sensing a second distortion to represent one state of the data bit and sending an absence of the second distortion to represent another state of the data bit. The secondary distortion is applied to the secondary current during the discharge period of a subsequent power transfer cycle. |
| US09985547B2 |
Insulation-type synchronous DC/DC converter
A synchronous rectifier controller is provided on a secondary side of an insulation-type synchronous DC/DC converter and controls the synchronous rectifier transistor. A driver circuit controls the synchronous rectifier transistor. A photo coupler connection terminal is coupled to an input side of the photo coupler. An error amplifier amplifies an error between a voltage detection signal according to an output voltage of the DC/DC converter and its target voltage, and to draw a current according to the error from an input side of the photo coupler via the photo coupler connection terminal. |
| US09985546B2 |
Method and apparatus for obtaining soft switching in all the switching elements through current shaping and intelligent control
A method is shown to create soft transition in selected topologies by preserving the leakage inductance energy during the dead time and using several techniques to supplement the energy require to discharge the parasitic capacitance of the primary switchers and obtain zero voltage switching. One technique consists in a current pulse injection across the synchronous rectifiers during the dead time and prior the turn off of the synchronous rectifiers. A second technique consist in tailoring the magnetizing current through frequency modulation to increase the energy in the leakage inductance and use that energy to discharge the parasitic capacitance of the primary switchers and at lighter load to have a magnetizing current which exceeds the current through the output inductor at the end of the dead time. The third technique is interleaving two converters and sharing a couple inductance in a way to lower the current through each output inductor under the level of the magnetizing current at its lowest amplitude. The fourth technique is controlling the turn off timing of the primary switchers and turn on timing for the secondary synchronous rectifier and in this way to control the energy in the leakage inductance during the dead time in order to build enough energy in the leakage inductance to discharge the parasitic capacitances of the primary switchers to zero. In a given application we may use one or several of these technique function of the operating conditions. |
| US09985545B2 |
DC-to-DC converter, power converter, power generation system, and method for DC-to-DC conversion
A DC-to-DC converter includes a first switching circuit, a second switching circuit, a transformer positioned between an AC side of the first switching circuit and an AC side of the second switching circuit, an inductance element positioned between the transformer and at least one of the AC side of the first switching circuit and the AC side of the second switching circuit, and control circuitry that operates the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit. The control circuitry sets a predetermined operation ratio of the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit to each other, and adjusts, based on the predetermined operation ratio, a first operation period of the first switching circuit and a second operation period of the second switching circuit. |
| US09985544B2 |
Electronic switch
An electronic switch for switching a load, having a current path which runs between an operating voltage connection and a load connection and to which a power transistor and a current sensor sensing the load current are connected, and having a control or regulating device which controls the power transistor on the basis of the load current, wherein the control or regulating device is connected to the secondary circuit of a converter circuit having a transformer, the primary circuit of which is connected to the operating voltage connection via a controlled switch arrangement. |
| US09985538B2 |
Over current protection in a variable output power supply
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a switch mode power supply may include a transformer, a controller configured to generate a periodic switching signal, a switching transistor coupled between a sense node and the transformer, primarily configured to prevent or permit current flow in the transformer primary winding in accordance with the switching signal, a sense resistor coupled to the switching transistor at a sense node, and a limit circuit configured to obtain a voltage of the sense node at a particular point of the switching period as an indicator of the primary winding current, detect a duration of a demagnetizing interval, and generate a limit signal, based on the sense node voltage and the demagnetizing interval, indicating a power supply output current exceeding a limit threshold. |
| US09985537B2 |
Primary sensing of output voltage for an AC-DC power converter
A method for estimating an output voltage of a power converter comprises sensing a voltage waveform representative of the output voltage; and detecting a first gap and a second gap. The first gap is between a time when the sensed voltage waveform crosses a first voltage reference and a time when the sensed voltage waveform crosses a second voltage reference at a voltage offset below the first voltage reference. The second gap is between a time when the sensed voltage waveform crosses a third voltage reference and a time when the sensed voltage waveform crosses the second voltage reference, the third voltage referenced at a predetermined voltage above the second voltage reference. Responsive to the first gap exceeding a threshold, a tracking error is computed based on the first gap; and responsive to the first gap not exceeding the threshold, the tracking error is computed based on the second gap. |
| US09985536B2 |
Current resonant power supply device
A first switch and a second switch connected in series to both terminals of a DC power source. A signal generation circuit generates a feedback signal based on the DC voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit, and outputs the feedback signal, the feedback signal for turning the first and second switches on and off. A burst oscillation circuit that generates a burst oscillation signal based on a feedback signal and turns the first switch element and the second switch element on and off based on the burst oscillation signal when the standby state is detected. The burst oscillation circuit comprises a capacitor and a rapid charge circuit. When this device returns from standby state to normal state, the rapid charging circuit charges the capacitor after the feedback signal exceeds the cancellation threshold voltage. |
| US09985533B2 |
Control circuit having adaptive blanking time and method for providing the same
A control circuit can include: a blanking time control circuit configured to generate a blanking control signal according to a peak current of a main switch of a power stage circuit of a flyback converter; a sampling time control circuit configured to generate a sampling time control signal according to the blanking control signal and a feedback voltage signal; and a voltage detection circuit configured to receive the feedback voltage signal and the sampling time control signal, and to determine the time of detecting the feedback voltage signal according to the sampling time control signal to obtain a detection signal for controlling the main switch, where the voltage detection circuit stops detecting the feedback voltage signal when the blanking control signal is active, and the period during which the blanking control signal is active is adjustable along with the peak current. |
| US09985532B1 |
Pulse frequency modulation mode transitions for single stage power converter
A switching power converter controller is provided that transitions between constant voltage pulse frequency modulation operation and constant current operation responsive to a comparison of a peak voltage for the constant voltage pulse frequency modulation operation and a peak voltage for the constant current operation. |
| US09985528B2 |
Power converter with hysteretic buck-boost architecture and method therefor
In one form, an apparatus comprises a buck-boost converter circuit, a ripple emulator circuit, a ripple based controller circuit, and a switch control circuit. The buck-boost converter circuit includes a plurality of switches to be coupled to an inductor, and is configured to generate a regulated output voltage responsive to an input voltage. The ripple emulator circuit is configured to emulate inductor current ripple for a buck phase and a boost phase of the buck-boost converter to provide an emulated inductor current ripple. The ripple based controller circuit is configured to generate a hysteretic control signal responsive to the emulated inductor current ripple and the output voltage. The switch control circuit is configured to generate control signals for driving the plurality of switches responsive to the hysteretic control signal and a clock signal. |
| US09985526B1 |
Switching regulator with self biasing high voltage swing switch stack
A switching voltage converter is disclosed. The voltage converter includes a controller configured to generate first and second control signals, and a switch stack including six serially connected switches configured to receive a plurality of fixed voltages and the first and second control signals. The switch stack is configured to generate a voltage signal at a switch node based on the fixed voltages and on the control signals. In addition, the voltage signal is controlled to be substantially equal to a first fixed supply voltage or substantially equal to a second fixed supply voltage according to the first and second control signals, and an output filter connected to the switch node and configured to generate an output voltage based on the voltage at the switch node. |
| US09985524B2 |
DC/DC conversion device and load-drive control system
A DC/DC conversion device that includes three-level power conversion circuits in a plurality of phases. The DC/DC conversion device includes voltage detectors 21 and 22 that detect at least two voltages (Efc and EfcL) of an input DC voltage, a first divided voltage, and a second divided voltage; and a voltage control unit 3 that controls an output voltage of three-level power conversion circuits 12a and 12b. At least one phase (the power conversion circuit 12b) of the three-level power conversion circuits 12a and 12b operates as an imbalance-reduction phase that executes imbalance-reduction control such that one (EfcL) of the first and second divided voltages is divided into half of the input DC voltage Efc. |
| US09985522B1 |
Digital control algorithm using only two target voltage thresholds for generating a pulse width modulated signal driving the gate of a power MOS to implement a switch mode power supply
A method and system are provided for digitally controlling a switch mode power supply without using analog-to-digital converters by providing an SMPS output in feedback to first and second comparators along with upper and lower reference voltage thresholds to detect excursion counts at dedicated counters which identify how many times an SMPS output voltage exceeds the upper and lower reference voltage thresholds during each cycle of a fixed frequency PWM signal, where the excursion counts are evaluated with a non-linear multi-step digital control loop detection sequence to generate duty cycle adjustment instructions for controlling each duty cycle of the fixed frequency PWM signal. |
| US09985521B1 |
Voltage system
A voltage system includes a switch device configured to regulate an output voltage at an output port of the voltage system; a pull-up device configured to pull up the output voltage of the voltage system while the pull-up device is activated; and a control device configured to activate the pull-up device when the output voltage is lower than a reference voltage. |
| US09985512B2 |
Large magnetically geared machines
An electrical machine is provided comprising a first rotor, wherein the first rotor includes a support structure, a second rotor, a stator and, wherein the first rotor, second rotor and stator are arranged concentrically about a shaft, and at least one of the second rotor and the stator is adapted to accommodate the support structure. An electrical machine is also provided comprising a shaft having an axis, at least one first rotor, at least one second rotor, at least two stators and, wherein the first rotor, second rotor and stators are arranged axially along the shaft and extend from the axis. |
| US09985511B2 |
Linear actuator with coil winding portions having opposing current flow directions
A linear actuator for linearly positioning a recording head in a data storage mechanism. The disclosed linear actuator includes an electrically conductive coil having first and second parts that are both wound in the same rotary direction about an axis, and a magnet spaced from the electrically conductive coil by an air gap. Transmission of an electric current through the first part of the electrically conductive coil in a first current flow direction about the axis and through the second part of the electrically conductive coil in an opposite second current flow direction about the axis induces linear movement of one of the electrically conductive coil and magnet relative to the other of the electrically conductive coil and magnet. |
| US09985508B2 |
Vibrating motor
A vibrating motor is provided in the present disclosure. The vibrating motor includes a shell providing an accommodating space, a vibrating system accommodated in the accommodating space, and a flexible circuit board. The vibrating system includes a coil assembly, and the flexible circuit board includes a fixing part fixed to the shell, a connecting part connected to the coil assembly, and a flexible connecting arm connected between the fixing part and the connecting part. |
| US09985507B2 |
Permanent magnet type motor
To provide a permanent magnet type motor having reduced torque ripple, in which torque ripples for electric angle sixth order and twelfth order are both reduced with a small skew angle.Driving is performed such that phases of currents flowing in two sets of three-phase armature windings 26-1 and 26-2 are different from each other by 20 degrees to 40 degrees in electric angle. A rotor 11 is composed of m stages of rotor component units arranged in the axial direction. The m stages of rotor component units are skewed to have a stage-skew structure such that a skew angle θ (unit: degree) between the adjacent units satisfies 26/m≤θ≤43.2/m (m is an integer equal to or greater than 2) in electric angle. |
| US09985505B2 |
Rotor of rotating electric machine
A second core block is stacked on a first filler-vestige-accommodating steel sheet along a rotational axis and has a plurality of second magnet insertion holes. Each of the plurality of second magnet insertion holes is defined by a second inner wall. Each of a plurality of second permanent magnets is inserted into each of the plurality of second magnet insertion holes. Each of second spaces is provided between each of the plurality of second permanent magnets and the second inner wall. The filler fills the second spaces. The plurality of second magnet insertion holes have a plurality of second filler injection portions, respectively, via which the filler is injected into the plurality of second magnet insertion holes. The first filler-vestige-accommodating steel sheet has a plurality of first hole portions opposite to the plurality of second filler injection portions, respectively. |
| US09985502B2 |
Reducing high frequency losses in an electric machine
An electric machine has a stator defining an interior cavity and a rotor supported to rotate in the interior cavity of the stator. The rotor has a rotor core with a plurality of permanent magnets arranged around a perimeter of the rotor core. The magnets define a cylindrical, radially facing outer surface. An electrically conductive shield is provided on and covering the cylindrical outer surface of the permanent magnets. A containment sleeve resides around the rotor core, the permanent magnets and the shield and defines an exterior cylindrical surface of the rotor. The containment sleeve is configured to retain the magnets to the rotor core during operation of the electric machine. |
| US09985500B2 |
Induction motor with transverse liquid cooled rotor and stator
An electric machine with fluid cooling. The electric machine includes a stator, the stator having a stator winding and a stator core having a plurality of stacked magnetic laminations, each of the laminations of the stator core having a plurality of apertures overlapping to form a plurality of stator fluid channels, a stator fluid channel of the plurality of stator fluid channels being not entirely axial. The electric machine further includes a rotor, the rotor having a shaft and a rotor core having a plurality of stacked magnetic laminations, each of the laminations of the rotor core having a plurality of apertures overlapping to form a plurality of rotor fluid channels, and a rotary fluid coupling in fluid communication with the rotor fluid channels. The rotor and the stator are configured to form a magnetic circuit comprising an air gap between the rotor and the stator. |
| US09985492B2 |
Stator pressed with winding head support
A stator for an electrodynamic machine, in particular an electric motor, contains a stator packet with a first stator end and a second stator end. Furthermore, the stator assembly contains at least one web insulation with at least one winding support element to accommodate a stator coil. A heat conductive support device with at least one support element is provided, whereby the support element is at least partially disposed in the winding support element. |
| US09985485B2 |
Magnet insert design for rotor lamination
A number of variations may include a product comprising a magnet holder for a rotor lamination comprising: a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the first and second portions are linear and constructed and arranged to hold a magnet and wherein the third portion extends outward from approximately a center location between the first and the second portions, and wherein the third portion is constructed and arranged to carry a load from a centrifugal force of the magnet. |
| US09985484B2 |
Surface groove patterns for permanent magnet machine rotors
A permanent magnet electric machine includes a rotor configured to rotate about an axis. The rotor is comprised of axially stacked sections. Each section is comprised of axially stacked laminations that define a pattern of axial grooves on an outer surface of the rotor to reduce torque ripple. The pattern is different for at least two of the sections. The pattern for each section may alternate with respect to poles of the rotor. |
| US09985483B2 |
Electro-dynamic machine, system and method
One embodiment is a unique Vernier machine comprising a rotor and a stator. The rotor comprises a back portion and a plurality of permanent magnets. The stator comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic arm structures, a plurality of ferromagnetic pole structures extending from each of the ferromagnetic arm structures in a direction toward the permanent magnets, and a plurality of conductive windings disposed about respective ones of the plurality of ferromagnetic arm structures. The ferromagnetic pole structures are structured to collect magnetic flux from the permanent magnets. The ferromagnetic pole structures of each of said ferromagnetic arm structures are spaced apart from one another according to a non-uniform pattern such that the ferromagnetic pole structures of a given ferromagnetic arm structure have substantially the same angular position relative to the permanent magnets radially opposite from the ferromagnetic pole structures of the given ferromagnetic arm structure. |
| US09985482B2 |
Wireless power transmission control device, wireless power transmission system, and wireless power transmission control method
In order to stably supply power even under a condition such that variations in a transmission environment occur constantly and irregularly in a wireless power transmission, a wireless power transmission control device of the present invention includes: a data collection means for obtaining data indicating the characteristics of a transmission medium for wireless transmission of power via a receiving antenna provided in a movable body; a data prediction means for deriving predicted transmission characteristics that predict a change in the characteristics of the transmission medium by using the data and for calculating a control parameter corresponding to the predicted transmission characteristics; and a parameter control means for controlling the movable body and the receiving antenna by using the control parameter. |
| US09985479B2 |
Information collection circuit and information collection module
An information collection circuit includes a control circuit, which collects information of a measurement subject from a detection circuit, and a rectification circuit, which rectifies electromotive force. A first switch, coupled between the rectification circuit and the control circuit, becomes conductive based on DC voltage generated by the rectification circuit. A second switch, coupled between the control circuit and a battery, becomes conductive based on a control signal provided from the control circuit. The second switch is non-conductive when the control circuit is inactive. The control circuit is activated by a first power voltage supplied via the first switch to control the second switch to become conductive, and is operated based on a second power voltage supplied from the battery via the conductive second switch. |
| US09985477B2 |
Power transmitting apparatus, power receiving apparatus, control methods therefor, program, and computer-readable storage medium
A power transmitting apparatus transmits power by a first wireless power transmission method, transmits power by a second wireless power transmission method, detects a wireless power transmission method supported by a power receiving apparatus, and determines whether power is transmitted to a first power receiving apparatus by the first power transmission method or the second power transmission method, based on a detected wireless power transmission method supported by the first power receiving apparatus and a detected wireless power transmission method supported by a second power receiving apparatus. |
| US09985470B2 |
Uninterruptable power supply system with fault clear capability
The present invention provides an uninterruptable power supply system and method with a first AC source providing three-phase AC power, a DC source providing DC power, and a power converter receiving AC power from the first AC source and/or DC power from the DC source and delivering two wire DC power to a load via a DC output line. One pole of the DC output line is connected to the neutral reference of the four-wire AC-power supply line. The system may include a bypass device for passing power from its output side to the DC output line with the bypass device and the power converter being connected in parallel to the DC output line. The bypass device may include at least one switching unit, which receives AC power at its input side, and a control unit to supply pulsed power from an AC power supply. |
| US09985467B2 |
Control device of power storage apparatus, wind power generation system, and control method of power storage apparatus
A control device of a power storage apparatus according to an embodiment includes a wind speed acquiring device, a power generation output detector, a capacity detector, and a controller. The wind speed acquiring device acquires a wind speed. The power generation output detector detects a power generation output of a wind power generation apparatus connected to a power system. The capacity detector detects a remaining capacity of the power storage apparatus that stores at least a portion of a power in the power generation output and supplies at least a portion of the stored power to the power system. The controller controls storage and supply of the power to suppress a variation in a combined output obtained by combining the power generation output and the power stored or supplied by the power storage apparatus, based on the wind speed, the power generation output, and the remaining capacity. |
| US09985466B2 |
Optimized battery charging method based on thermodynamic information of battery
Disclosed is an optimized battery charging method based on thermodynamic information of a battery. Thermodynamic information on a material structure of a battery, for instance, entropy of the battery is extracted. Boundary points at which state transitions of the battery material are determined using the thermodynamic information extracted. Phases of the battery are identified based on the boundary points determined. The most appropriate charging patterns adapted to each of the phases identified are determined. A charging algorithm for charging the battery can be constructed by combining the most appropriate charging patterns determined. This charging algorithm is applied to the charging of the battery. |
| US09985465B1 |
Systems, devices, and/or methods for managing electrical energy
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, which comprises a multi point power charger. The multi point power charger is coupleable to an electrical energy source. The multi point power charger constructed to emit a plurality of directional beams. Each of the plurality of directional beams is directable toward a determined direction of an electronic device that is chargeable via the multi point power charger. |
| US09985460B2 |
Miniaturized highly efficient wireless power transfer elements using multiple layers of resonators and/or tunable capacitors
Novel and advantageous systems and methods for wireless power transfer (WPT) via multiple-resonator conformal strongly coupledmagnetic resonance (CSCMR) are provided. Instead of using a single loop as a resonator, multiple resonators can be used. This leads to lower operating frequency (e.g., 30% decrease), extended WPT range (e.g., 20% increase), and higher WPT efficiency compared to single-resonator systems of the same size. |
| US09985459B2 |
Wireless charging system with user determined removal
A wirelessly chargeable device, such as a smartphone, and a wireless-charging device are provided. The wirelessly chargeable device and the wireless-charging device comprise holding means for generating an attractive force between the wirelessly chargeable device and a charging surface of the wireless-charging device, so as to prevent displacement of the wirelessly chargeable device when placed on the charging surface, and processing means operative to release the wirelessly chargeable device from the charging surface in response to determining that a user intends to remove the wirelessly chargeable device from the charging surface. Advantageously, the wirelessly chargeable device may to be placed on a charging surface which is substantially vertical when in operation, effectively eliminating the need for manually securing the wirelessly chargeable device in order to prevent the wirelessly chargeable device from falling. |
| US09985455B2 |
Characterization and intelligent charging of electronic cigarettes
An electronic cigarette includes a smart battery that is capable of communicating data to a charging pack, resulting in customized charging of the smart battery for optimal performance. |
| US09985454B2 |
Power source device having standby power-cutoff function, and method for controlling same
Disclosed is a power source device having a standby power-cutoff function, which is to be used to charge a battery. The power source device comprises: a micro-USB connector (24) for connecting to the power source unit (20) of a smartphone when the battery of the smartphone or the like is to be charged; and a power generation unit (32) supplying DC charging power to the smartphone (20) from an AC input power source. The present invention includes: a control unit (33) having at least one microprocessor for controlling the overall operation and functioning of a power source device (30); a power supply/cutoff unit (34) supplying/cutoff the AC input power to the power generation unit (32) according to the control of the control unit (33); and a current-sensing unit (CT) connected so as to monitor the current from the power supply/cutoff unit (34), provide the control unit (33) with the current, and provide an indication of the charging state of the battery. The power source unit (20) of the smartphone also includes a first backflow-preventing unit (22) connected between the battery (21) and the control unit (33) so as to prevent the DC power from the power source device (30) from being directly applied to the battery (21) during charging, and the power source device (30) further includes a second backflow-preventing unit (31) which is connected between the DC charging voltage output terminal of the power generation unit (32) and the power supply voltage (Vc) of the control unit (33). |
| US09985450B2 |
Relay for use with multiple power sources
Provided herein is a relay architecture for selecting between multiple power sources. In one approach, a first relay and first power source are electrically coupled to a first terminal. A second relay and second power source are electrically coupleable to a second terminal and to the first relay. A load is electrically coupled with at least one of the following in the case that a load voltage is below a predetermined threshold: the first terminal, the second terminal, and a third power source, wherein a power supply is provided to the load by the first power source in the case that the first power source is coupled to the first terminal. The power supply is provided to the load by the second power source when the second power source is coupled to the second terminal and the first power source is disconnected from the first terminal. |
| US09985449B2 |
Communication method, power adapter and terminal
The present disclosure provides a communication method, a power adaptor, and a terminal. The method includes: receiving, by a terminal, handshake information from a power adaptor before the terminal receives a charging current or a charging voltage from the power adaptor; determining, by the terminal, an initial charging parameter according to the handshake information; and sending, by the terminal, the initial charging parameter to the power adaptor to instruct the power adaptor to charge the terminal according to the initial charging parameter. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, before the power adaptor charges the terminal, the terminal receives the handshake information from the power adaptor, and determines the initial charging parameter according to the handshake information. |
| US09985448B2 |
Electric storage device protection apparatus, electric storage apparatus, starter battery, and method of protecting electric storage device
An electric storage device protection apparatus includes switches arranged between an electric device and an electric storage device and connected in parallel to each other, and each of which being configured to be switched to be in an open state and a closed state, a rectifier component connected in series to one of the switches between a pair of common connection points of the switches, and a controller configured to perform a process to make the one of the switches that is connected to the rectifier component to be in the closed state and make another one of the switches to be in the open state when determining that the electric storage device is in a state where a voltage of the electric storage device becomes higher than a reference range. |
| US09985445B2 |
Charging/discharging control circuit, charging/discharging control device, and battery apparatus
To suppress an increase in the number of components in a charging/discharging control device and a battery apparatus which perform charging/discharging of a plurality of secondary batteries connected in series. A first charging/discharging control circuit receives an overdischarge signal generated based on the turning OFF of a discharging control switch therein and generates a power-down signal, based on the overdischarge signal to power-down a first battery voltage monitoring circuit. A second charging/discharging control circuit receives the power-down signal therein and power-down a second battery voltage monitoring circuit, based on the power-down signal. |
| US09985442B2 |
Wireless power transfer receiver having closed loop voltage control
An apparatus for wirelessly receiving power via a wireless field generated by a transmitter includes a resonator configured to generate electrical current to power or charge a load based on a voltage induced in the resonator in response to the wireless field, a first variable capacitor electrically coupled to the resonator and configured to adjust a first capacitance of the first variable capacitor responsive to a first control signal, a second variable capacitor electrically coupled to the resonator and configured to adjust a second capacitance of the second variable capacitor responsive to a second control signal, and a control circuit configured to adjust and apply the first control signal and the second control signal to the first variable capacitor and the second variable capacitor, respectively, to adjust a resonant frequency of the resonator and a voltage output to the load based on an electrical characteristic indicative of a level of power output to the load. |
| US09985440B1 |
Balancing an electrical load, associated with power supply modules of an N+A power supply system, between power sources
A system may include a power source selector device connected to a plurality of power sources. The system may also include multiple power supply modules (PSMs). A first PSM, of the multiple PSMs, may be connected to a first output of the power source selector device. A second PSM, of the multiple PSMs, may be connected to a second output of the power source selector device. The first output of the power source selector device may be different from the second output of the power source selector device. The system may also include a controller device connected to the power source selector device and each of the multiple PSMs. |
| US09985438B2 |
Optimization method for independent micro-grid system
The present application discloses a method for optimized design of an independent micro-grid system, the independent micro-grid system comprising diesel generators, wind powered generators, a photovoltaic array, and an energy storage battery, the optimization method referring specifically to a multi-objective optimization design model based on the independent micro-grid system. In terms of the optimization planning design model, the method takes into account a combined start-up mode for a plurality of diesel generators and a control strategy for coordinating between the energy storage battery and the diesel generators, such that the usage rate of renewable energy in the independent micro-grid is higher, and operations more economical and environmentally friendly. Regarding the stability of the system optimization planning design model, the method takes into account the reserve capacity needed for stability of the independent micro-grid. In terms of the solving algorithm of the optimization planning design model, the method employs a multi-objective genetic algorithm based on NSGA-II to implement multi-objective problem-solving, thereby allowing a multi-objective optimization of the three major objectives of economy, reliability, and environmental friendliness of an independent micro-grid system. |
| US09985435B2 |
Power sharing for DC microgrids
Techniques for power sharing in DC networks using virtual impedance frequency droop control are provided. In one aspect, a method for power sharing in a DC network having multiple electrical energy generation sources connected to at least one load includes the steps of, at each of the electrical energy generation sources: generating a controllable DC voltage; superimposing a controllable AC signal on top of the DC voltage; regulating the AC signal using virtual impedance frequency droop control; and determining a desired DC voltage output using the regulated AC signal. The DC voltage can then be regulated to match the desired DC voltage output. A system for power sharing in a DC network is also provided. |
| US09985434B2 |
Multi-terminal DC power systems employing autonomous local control methods
A multi-terminal DC power system includes: a DC network connecting together multiple terminals. Each terminal is represented by one of: a voltage source converter having a capacitor at an interface to the DC network, wherein a difference between a converter-side current and a network-side current charges the capacitor, and a current source converter having an inductor at an interface to the DC network, wherein a difference between a converter-side voltage and a network-side voltage drives current through the inductor. A local controller for each terminal directly controls the converter-side current of each voltage source controller and the converter-side voltage of each current source converter, independent of the terminals, leaving network-side currents and voltages to be determined by the network, resulting in simplified terminal control and avoidance of the need for high-speed communication among all terminals at all times. |
| US09985432B2 |
Circuit for protection against overvoltages
A circuit for protection against overvoltages includes an input side to which an input voltage can be applied, an output side at which an output voltage can be tapped, an overvoltage protection element which is connected in parallel with the input side and which is configured to, when an overvoltage pulse occurs at the input side, conduct at least part of the overvoltage pulse away via a first current path, and a protective transistor which is connected in parallel with the output side. When an overvoltage pulse occurs at the input side, the protective transistor changes from a closed mode into an open mode forming a second current path parallel to the first current path along the protective transistor so that substantially the rest of the overvoltage pulse can be conducted away via the second current path. |
| US09985431B2 |
Bidirectional current limiter
Embodiments are directed to a current limiter having an inrush limiting stage and a discharge limiting stage. The inrush limiting stage is communicatively coupled in series with the discharge limiting stage. The inrush limiting stage is configured to receive a first input current in a first direction, perform an inrush limiting operation on the first input current and pass an inrush limited output current in the first direction to the discharge limiting stage. The discharge limiting stage is configured to pass the inrush limited output current substantially unchanged in the first direction. The discharge limiting stage is further configured to receive a second input current in a second direction, perform a discharge limiting operation on the second input current and pass a discharge limited output current in the second direction to the inrush limiting stage. The inrush limiting stage is further configured to pass the discharge limited output current substantially unchanged in the second direction. |