| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US10000260B2 |
Systems and methods for pressure tolerant energy systems
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a pressure tolerant energy system. The pressure tolerant energy system may comprise a pressure tolerant cavity and an energy system enclosed in the pressure tolerant cavity configured to provide electrical power to the vehicle. The energy system may include one or more battery cells and a pressure tolerant, programmable management circuit. The pressure tolerant cavity may be filled with an electrically-inert liquid, such as mineral oil. In some embodiments, the electrically-inert liquid may be kept at a positive pressure relative to a pressure external to the pressure tolerant cavity. The energy system may further comprise a pressure venting system configured to maintain the pressure inside the pressure tolerant cavity within a range of pressures. The pressure tolerant cavity may be sealed to prevent water ingress. |
| US10000256B2 |
Bicycle sprocket
A sprocket is engageable with a chain having rollers. The sprocket includes a body and a tooth portion. The tooth portion has front and rear surfaces, a drive side surface and a non-drive side surface. The rear and front surfaces face in opposite axial directions. The drive side surface axially connects the front and rear surfaces on a downstream side. The non-drive side surface axially connects the front and rear surfaces on an upstream side. One of the front and rear surfaces has a first chamfered portion, which is formed in a radially outer portion of at least one tooth portion and tapered radially outward in the axial direction. The drive side surface has a first protrusion, which protrudes downstream in the drive rotation direction and is located radially outwardly from a contact position where the drive side surface contacts each of the rollers when the chain is driven. |
| US10000254B2 |
Bicycle pedal
A bicycle pedal comprises a pedal axle, a first pedal body, a second pedal body, a first cleat engagement member, a second cleat engagement member, a gripping member, and a biasing member. The gripping member is configured to be movably coupled to the first pedal body. The gripping member includes a first gripping portion configured to protrude from a first surface when viewed from an axial direction parallel to a rotational axis in a first state where the second pedal body is positioned at a first position relative to the first pedal body. The biasing member is configured to bias the gripping member such that, in response to a pivotal movement of the second pedal body from the first position to a second position, a tip end of the first gripping portion is moved toward the first surface when viewed from the axial direction. |
| US10000251B2 |
Motorcycle throttle lock cruise control
A cruise control for a vehicle having a mounted rotatable accelerator sleeve and throttle housing which is mounted to a handlebar. The cruise control mounts entirely to the accelerator sleeve and rotates in perfect unity with the throttle when it is rotated. The cruise control is mounted between the throttle housing and the rubber/plastic grip's inner end, directly onto the accelerator sleeve. When the single button of the cruise control is pressed, the cruise control engages and uses friction against the surface of the throttle housing to hold the throttle in place. The operator can force the throttle to rotate by overpowering the friction caused by the cruise control, or preferably, they can disengage the cruise control by pressing the single button again, resetting the cruise control to be engaged again by pressing the single button. |
| US10000250B2 |
Leaning vehicle with wheel speed sensor
A vehicle includes an up-side-down suspension and a wheel speed sensor and a sensor wire. A left lower restrictor is fixed to a left inner connector or a member that is displaced relatively together with the left inner connector in association with the operation of a left shock absorber above a left wheel speed sensor as seen from the direction of a left wheel axis. At least a portion of the left wheel speed sensor is situated farther inwards than an outer edge of a left front inner tube in relation to a left-and-right direction, is situated below a left lower imaginary line when the left shock absorber extends to its maximum extent, and is provided on the left inner connector between a left front imaginary line and a left rear imaginary line when seen from the direction of the left wheel axis. The left sensor wire extends so as to intersect the left lower imaginary line when seen from the direction of the left wheel axis. |
| US10000248B1 |
Rotatable robot foot with perpendicular soles
Example embodiments relate to a robotic device with at least two legs. Each leg includes a foot including a first sole and a second sole perpendicular to the first sole. Each leg additionally includes an ankle joint configured to rotate the foot from a first position in which the first sole is contacting a ground surface to a second position in which the second sole is contacting the ground surface. The robotic device includes a control system. When the foot of a given leg of the at least two legs is in the first position, the control system may determine to cause the foot of the given leg to switch from the first position to the second position, and may cause the ankle joint of the given leg to rotate the foot of the given leg from the first position to the second position. |
| US10000247B2 |
Crawler track
A crawler track includes a link and is driven in a direction of travel by a sprocket having a plurality of teeth. The link includes a pad, a first grouser, and a second grouser. The pad defines a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end, and a second end spaced apart from the first end along the direction of travel. The pad defines at least one opening extending through the pad between the first surface and the second surface, and the opening is operable to receive a sprocket tooth. The first grouser is positioned on the first surface proximate the first end of the pad, while the second grouser is positioned on the first surface proximate the second end of the pad. The first grouser and the second grouser extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the track. |
| US10000244B2 |
Tiltable cabin
A vehicle with a manual controlled hydrostatic pump and a pod that can be rotated between an open position and closed position without disconnecting operator controls in the pod from the manual controlled hydrostatic pump. The pod may also be physically isolated form the vehicle frame. |
| US10000243B2 |
Structural body of differing thicknesses, and method of manufacturing thereof
A structural body of differing thicknesses are provided that is made of resin, and a method of manufacturing thereof, that can improve quality in a case in which plate thickness changing portions extend in plural directions. A first panel portion and a second panel portion are connected by a first gradually changing portion. The first panel portion and a third panel portion are connected by a second gradually changing portion. The second panel portion and the third panel portion are connected by a third gradually changing portion. Further, an opening portion is formed to pass-through a door inner panel at a position where respective extensions of the first gradually changing portion, the second gradually changing portion and the third gradually changing portion intersect one another as seen in a plate thickness direction. |
| US10000242B2 |
Bottom rail assembly for trailers
A bracket molding formed on a bottom rail assembly of a trailer coupled to a sandwich panel sidewall, the bracket molding including: a sloped top surface configured to create a space below a bottom surface of the sandwich panel sidewall to allow contaminants to drain from beneath the sandwich panel sidewall; and a dam formed on the sloped top surface, the dam configured to seal out the contaminants from accumulating in the space below the bottom surface of the sandwich panel sidewall. |
| US10000239B2 |
Automobile vehicle body structure
A rear section upper face of a front side frame is connected to a front face of an inclined wall of a dashboard panel. An attachment bracket that is provided to a rear section lower face of the front side frame and that has a triangular shape in side view supports a support of a subframe. An outrigger is provided that has a vehicle width direction inner end connected to a front wall and a lower wall of the attachment bracket and to a vehicle width direction outer wall of the front side frame, and that has a vehicle width direction outer end connected to a front end of a side sill. |
| US10000235B2 |
Steering control device
The steering control device includes: current command value 1 calculation unit 11 which determines current command value 1 based on a vehicle speed and a steering torque; current command value 2 calculation unit 14 which determines current command value 2 based on a filtered differential value of the steering torque; and current drive unit 10 which drives motor 5 so that the value of the motor current matches the sum of current command values 1 and 2. When a first crossover frequency represents the crossover frequency of control open loop characteristics in the steering control device as obtained when current command value 2 is determined using a differential value of the steering torque which has not been filtered, the notch frequency of the notch filter is set to be greater than the mechanical resonance frequency of the steering control device and smaller than the first crossover frequency. |
| US10000226B2 |
Infant stroller apparatus
An infant stroller apparatus includes a first and a second leg frame respectively having a first and a second side segment respectively connected fixedly with a first and a second coupling part, and a handle frame having a third side segment fixedly connected with a third coupling part. The second and third coupling parts are respectively connected pivotally with the first coupling part. Moreover, the infant stroller apparatus includes a first latch operable to rotationally lock the handle frame with respect to the first leg frame, a second latch operable to rotationally lock the second leg frame with respect to the first leg frame, and a linkage assembly respectively connected with the third coupling part and the second latch such that a folding rotation of the handle frame relative to the first leg frame urges an unlocking displacement of the second latch. |
| US10000224B2 |
Handling device for the maintenance of agitator ball mills and method for maintaining an agitator ball mill
The invention relates to a method and handling device for the maintenance of agitator ball mills with a horizontally disposed grinding container. The handling device comprises a transport means and at least one holding unit for machine parts of an agitator ball mill, wherein the transport means is connected to the holding unit in a detachable manner. |
| US10000221B2 |
Pit cover
Disclosed is a pit cover and method of installing the same. The pit cover includes a plate having a hole defining an area. A block having a threaded hole may be affixed to a bottom surface of the plate such that the threaded hole aligns with the area. A support is associated with the foundation and a groove is defined by one of the pit cover or the support. A protrusion is defined by the other one of the pit cover or the support. The groove narrows from a first width towards a second width. The first width is disposed relative to the second width such that insertion of the protrusion into the groove causes an end of the protrusion to pass the first width prior to passing the second width. The protrusion interacts with the groove to align the pit cover at a predetermined position relative to the foundation. |
| US10000217B2 |
Notification-needed information presenting apparatus, notification-needed information presenting method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium
The present application provides techniques including a notification-needed information presenting apparatus that includes at least one information presenting unit capable of presenting information to an occupant of a vehicle, a notification-needed information acquiring unit that acquires notification-needed information, which is information that the occupant needs to be notified of through the information presenting unit in relation to operation of the vehicle, an occupant behavior determining unit that determines behavior of the occupant toward the information presenting unit, and a presentation controlling unit that controls the information presenting unit to present the notification-needed information to the occupant in accordance with the behavior of the occupant determined by the occupant behavior determining unit. |
| US10000216B2 |
Engaging and disengaging for autonomous driving
Aspects of the present disclosure relate switching between autonomous and manual driving modes. In order to do so, the vehicle's computer may conduct a series of environmental, system, and driver checks to identify certain conditions. The computer may correct some of these conditions and also provide a driver with a checklist of tasks for completion. Once the tasks have been completed and the conditions are changed, the computer may allow the driver to switch from the manual to the autonomous driving mode. The computer may also make a determination, under certain conditions, that it would be detrimental to the driver's safety or comfort to make a switch from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode. |
| US10000214B2 |
Vehicle controls including dynamic vehicle parameter determination
Apparatuses, methods, systems and controls including dynamic vehicle parameter determination are disclosed. One embodiment is a method of operating a vehicle system including a powertrain comprising a prime mover structured to propel the vehicle, and an electronic control system in operative communication with the prime mover and the transmission. The method includes estimating a plurality of coefficients of a vehicle loss model, evaluating a convergence criterion for the plurality of estimated coefficients, setting converged values of the plurality of coefficients if the convergence criterion is satisfied, determining a vehicle powertrain command utilizing the converged values of the plurality of coefficients, and transmitting a vehicle powertrain command to control operation of one or more powertrain components. |
| US10000213B2 |
Spare tire detection
A pressure of a spare tire of a vehicle is determined. Whether the spare tire is installed is determined based at least in part on the pressure. A vehicle subsystem is actuated based at least in part on whether the spare tire is installed. |
| US10000208B2 |
Vehicle control apparatus
A vehicle control apparatus detects position and speed of a host vehicle, detects position and speed of each of a stationary object and a moving object which are ahead of the host vehicle, calculates a passing position at which the host vehicle passes the moving object based on the position and the speed of the host vehicle and the position and the speed of the moving object, sets an area around the stationary object, and when the passing position is within the area, controls travel of the host vehicle to move the passing position out of the area. |
| US10000207B2 |
Vehicle hitch detection system and method
A vehicle hitch detection system is provided. The vehicle hitch detection system includes a camera arranged to capture images of a vehicle hitch and a controller processing the images to detect a powered hitch ornament connected to the hitch based on the processed images when an electrical hitch connection is detected. The controller may further control a driver assistance system based on the detected hitch ornament to enable or disable the system. |
| US10000200B2 |
Torque reserve in a hybrid system
Devices, methods, and systems including a controller for a hybrid system. The controller includes an electronic processor configured to receive inputs defining a current condition of the hybrid system. The inputs include an acceleration input and an engine speed input. The electronic processor is configured to determine a desired torque based at least in part on the acceleration input, determine an actual torque based at least in part on the engine speed input, and set a torque strategy to operate an internal combustion engine at a high efficiency level when the desired torque is different than the actual torque. |
| US10000198B2 |
Control system and control method
In a control system and a control method, an electronic control unit is configured to crank an engine by setting a clutch to a half engaged state in a state where operation of the engine is stopped during traveling. The half engaged state is a state where the clutch is engaged with a slip. The electronic control unit is configured to, after a rotation speed of the engine has reached an ignition permission rotation speed or higher, increase a transmitted torque capacity of the clutch to a transmitted torque capacity that satisfies the following conditions i) and ii): i) the transmitted torque capacity is larger than a transmitted torque capacity before the rotation speed of the engine has reached the ignition permission rotation speed; and ii) the transmitted torque capacity allows the clutch to be kept in the half engaged state. |
| US10000197B2 |
Mild hybrid powertrain controls
Mild hybrid powertrain controls and apparatuses, methods and systems including the same are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a mild-hybrid system comprising an engine, an electrical machine, power electronics, an energy storage system, and an electrical load. The system includes a controller structured to receive an electrical machine power command based upon a power allocation to the electrical machine, process the electrical machine power command with feedforward controls structured to compensate for an inaccuracy associated with the power electronics, process the electrical machine power command with proportional integral (PI) controls structured to compensate for a power loss associated with one or more electrical loads, provide a compensated machine power command based upon the processing with the feedforward controls and the processing with the PI controls, and output the compensated machine power command to control the electrical machine. |
| US10000194B2 |
Method, controller and system for monitoring brake operation
Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for monitoring a brake operation are disclosed. In accordance with one aspect, the brake operation monitoring system comprises a plurality of wheel speed sensors, a brake demand sensor; a plurality of stability sensors and a controller. The controller comprises wheel speed ports; a brake demand port; stability sensor ports; a communication port for receiving a plurality of messages; and a processing unit comprising control logic. The control logic receives a brake demand signal, at least one stability signal indicative of the cornering of the vehicle, and individual wheel speeds. The control logic calculates a master value to compare to individual wheel speed signals if the brake demand signal indicates no braking. |
| US10000188B2 |
Robotic vehicle with integrated mobility enhancement and mast deployment
An unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) includes a mast attached to a UGV body at a base end. The mast extends a predetermined distance to a mast head which can include a mast-head device. A flipper assembly includes at least one flipper arm which is rotatably mounted to the UGV body to help facilitate UGV stability and/or mobility. A flipper actuator causes the flipper arm to rotate about a flipper rotation axis. Movement of the mast between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration is selectively controlled by operation of the flipper assembly. |
| US10000186B2 |
Belt assembly including plus-two-point belt reminder
A plus-two-point belt system is disclosed. The plus-two-point belt system includes a longitudinal webbing anchored at a first end to a seat and fixed at a second end to a retractor. The webbing is extendable from the retractor to allow an occupant to slip their arm under the webbing to provide a supplemental restraint. The webbing includes first and second portions where the second portion is retractably coiled on the retractor and the second portion has at least one conductive marker. A sensor is provided to sense the marker and a processor is provided to set an alarm when the marker is not detected. |
| US10000184B2 |
Webbing take-up device
A webbing take-up device includes a spool that takes up webbing worn by an occupant, an input gear that is rotated by rotation force being transmitted, a spool gear that rotates the spool by being rotated, and a second clutch that is provided between the input gear and the spool gear, and that transmits rotation force of the input gear to the spool gear by being rotated by the input gear. The webbing take-up device further includes a sub clutch spring that is provided between the input gear and the second clutch, that transmits rotation force of the input gear to the second clutch when the input gear is rotated toward one side, and that shuts off transmission of rotation force of the input gear to the second clutch when the input gear is rotated toward another side. |
| US10000183B2 |
Belt retractor and method for tightening an unused vehicle belt
In a belt retractor (10) for a seat belt comprising a belt reel (12) onto which webbing (14) can be wound while being spring-loaded and comprising a tensioning device (16) which is adapted to act on the belt reel (12) in a winding direction (A), a control (18) is provided which is adapted to activate the tensioning device (16) when the seat belt is unloaded and not fastened. |
| US10000181B2 |
Pretensioner and safety belt assembly including the same
Disclosed are a pretensioner and a safety belt assembly including the same. The pretensioner includes an internal cylinder movably installed within an external cylinder with an outer surface thereof in contact with an inner surface of the external cylinder, a piston installed in the internal cylinder, a retracting member configured with one side connected to the piston and the other side configured to extend from the external cylinder and connected to a belt fastening a passenger, a gas generator configured to supply gas to the inside of the external cylinder to move the piston in a direction of pulling the retracting member, and a one-way restriction device configured to allow the piston to move with respect to the internal cylinder when the piston moves in the direction of pulling the retracting member and to restrict the piston to be within the internal cylinder when the piston moves in reverse direction. |
| US10000175B2 |
Driver airbag cover with emblem
A side airbag cover (20) having a top surface (22) upon which can be positioned a decorative emblem (30), the top surface (20) and emblem (30) are configured to break when subjected to a determinable force pressuring on an undersurface (25) of the cover (20), the undersurface (25) including a tear seam (40) which breaks when subjected to a determinable pressure or load, the emblem (30) having its own tear seam (50), wherein the emblem tear seam (50) is displaced laterally relative to an adjacent portion of the tear seam (40). |
| US10000174B2 |
Head protection airbag device
In a head protection airbag device equipped with an airbag, a boundary closing portion is disposed between a main inflation portion and an end-side inflation portion of the airbag at the time of completion of inflation so as to partition the main inflation portion and the end-side inflation portion; the boundary closing portion is provided with a distribution port that is configured to allow the inflating gas from the main inflation portion to flow to the end-side inflation portion, between the upper edge and the lower edge of the peripheral portion; and the boundary closing portion is equipped with a vertical closing portion disposed along a substantially vertical direction on the lower side, and an inclined closing portion that extends in an obliquely upward direction of the main inflation portion from the vicinity of the upper end of the vertical closing portion. |
| US10000172B2 |
Detecting hazards in anticipation of opening vehicle doors
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting hazards in anticipation of opening vehicle doors. Vehicle sensors (e.g., rear viewing cameras) can be used to detect and classify traffic, for example, as pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders, roller skaters, wheel chair, etc., approaching on the side of a vehicle. When there is a possibility of a vehicle occupant opening a door into approaching traffic, a warning can be issued in the vehicle cabin to alert vehicle occupants of the approaching traffic. In one aspect, a vehicle prevents a door from opening if opening the door would likely cause an accident. |
| US10000168B2 |
Vehicle electrical system and method for operating a vehicle electrical system
A vehicle electrical system includes a first system branch with a first nominal voltage U1, a second system branch with a second nominal voltage U2, at least one DC/DC converter configured to transmit energy between the first and second system branches, a first actuating unit to actuate the DC/DC converter(s), a first detection unit to detect an instantaneous voltage Uact,1 of the first system branch, and a comparison unit to compare the detected instantaneous voltage Uact,1 to a first upper voltage threshold value Uo,1 and to a first lower voltage threshold value Uu,1, wherein Uu,1 |
| US10000167B2 |
Wire harness
A wire harness includes a cable unit, and an indicator is provided on a back surface portion of an outer circumference surface of the cable unit, the back surface portion being positioned on an opposite side to a front surface portion that is visually recognizable from a direction in which the wire harness is visually recognizable to a worker in a state in which the cable unit is attached to a vehicle. |
| US10000166B2 |
Scoop for a water container built into the dividing wall
An arrangement for a motor vehicle including a dividing wall disposed between an engine compartment and a passenger compartment of the vehicle, a water container to collect the water running over the windscreen of the vehicle, and at least one collector to collect an overflow of water contained in the water container. The at least one collector is made up of a component forming an integral part of the dividing wall. |
| US10000163B2 |
Apparatus and method for restoring a camera mounting to a calibrated position
Various examples of an apparatus for mounting a camera on a vehicle are disclosed. The apparatus includes a first bracket having a first end configured for attaching to a camera and a second end configured for mounting to a vehicle and a second bracket separate from the first bracket configured for holding the camera in a calibrated position. The second bracket is capable of deforming upon an impact to the apparatus and returning the camera to a calibrated position upon replacement. |
| US10000162B2 |
Speaker device for vehicle, and vehicle having the speaker device
A speaker device for a vehicle includes a speaker unit, an enclosure mounted to a vehicle body accommodating the speaker unit, and provided with an inner space which is divided into a front space into which a front sound of the speaker unit is radiated and a rear space into which a rear sound of the speaker unit is radiated by a division member, a first path connecting the front space to a first division space provided in the vehicle body, a second path connecting the rear space to a second division space provided in the vehicle body, and a front sound outlet connecting the front space to an indoor space of the vehicle. |
| US10000159B2 |
Storage bin system for a motor vehicle
A storage bin system is provided for a motor vehicle. That storage bin system includes a first cargo compartment sidewall having a first storage cavity with a first rearwardly oriented access opening. Further, the storage bin system includes a first removable storage bin received and held in the first storage cavity. |
| US10000156B2 |
Vehicle mirror mount assembly
An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head, a mounting member and an attachment member. The mirror head includes a mirror casing and a reflective element. The mounting member includes an upper portion configured to mount at an interior structure of a vehicle. The attachment member includes a connection portion and a pivot element protruding from the connection portion. The attachment member is disposed at a lower portion of the mounting member. The mirror head is configured to adjustably attach at the pivot element. The mounting member is formed of a polymeric material, and at least the connection portion of the attachment member is formed of a metallic material. The connection portion of the attachment member may be insert molded in the lower portion of the mounting member. |
| US10000155B2 |
Method and device for reproducing a lateral and/or rear surrounding area of a vehicle
A method and a device are for detecting and reproducing a lateral and/or rear surrounding area of a vehicle with a trailer, so that the driver can monitor the surrounding area. The surrounding area is detected by at least one image capturing device which produces image data of the surrounding area. The image data is reproduced by at least one image reproducing device arranged in a field of vision of the vehicle driver. A characteristic of the reproduced image section is adapted dependent on an alignment of the trailer relative to the vehicle. |
| US10000154B2 |
Vehicle camera system having live video indication
A vehicle display displays a camera video having an indicator. The indicator is static on the display while the camera video is frozen on the display thereby notifying a viewer that the camera video is frozen and the indicator is dynamic on the display while the camera video is live on the display. |
| US10000153B1 |
System for object indication on a vehicle display and method thereof
Presence of an object can be indicated on a display of a vehicle. Multiple indicators can be displayed on the display of the vehicle, where each indicator corresponds to one of multiple portions of a drawing area associated with the display. Presence of the object can be detected within a travel direction of the vehicle. Location information of the object can be associated with one of the multiple portions of the drawing area. One of the multiple indicators that corresponds to the one of the multiple portions of the drawing area can be highlighted on the display as an alert of the presence of the object. |
| US10000148B1 |
Strap winding apparatus and method
A strap winding apparatus consisting of three separate components that are formed in individual molds from a material that will exhibit some elasticity when joining the components together, which components include a crank, drum and U-shaped frame, where the crank includes a straight body with a handle extending outwardly from one end, and with the other body end formed with a pivot for fitting into a drum end that includes a longitudinal slot with a crossing round hole that the crank body pivot end is fitted into to provide a pivot coupling that allows the handle to pivot around the drum end, and the drum opposite end is arranged for fitting through aligned holes formed through first and second sides of the U-shaped frame forming a pivot coupling in the second side hole that allows for turning of the crank to wind a cargo strap onto the drum, and includes a wedge and/or a flat section of a double backed adhesive for mounting a web of the U-shaped frame onto a mounting plate of a cargo strap tightener or onto a cargo strap. |
| US10000147B1 |
Retractable recreational vehicle skirting
A retractable recreational vehicle skirting. The skirting includes brackets configured to secure to a recreational vehicle (RV). The present invention further includes an elongated roller rod having a first end, a second end and a rounded sidewall. The first end and the second end are secured to the brackets so that the elongated roller rod rotates relative to the brackets about a longitudinal axis. The present invention further includes a skirt having an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. The upper edge is coupled to the rounded sidewall of the elongated roller rod. |
| US10000146B2 |
Adjustable and collapsible apparatus for loading and unloading pickup truck cargo beds
A loading apparatus for a tailgate-equipped cargo bed of a pickup truck features a cargo bed platform assembly, and a tailgate platform assembly pivotally connected to the rear end of the cargo bed platform assembly. The tailgate platform assembly is pivotable relative to the cargo bed platform assembly between a stowed position overlying the cargo bed platform assembly and a deployed position forming a rearward extension of the cargo bed platform. Between uses, the tailgate platform is storable in the cargo bed in a secured manner behind a closed tailgate. When needed, the tailgate is opened and the tailgate platform is folded down onto the open tailgate. An overall effective length of the apparatus is adjustable to fit different cargo bed sizes by extension of retraction of a longitudinal adjustment member that extends forwardly from the cargo bed platform to abutting against a front wall of the cargo bed. |
| US10000143B1 |
Debris catching system for a child seat
A debris catching system for positioning against a typical child seat used in vehicles uses a pair of panel members, each disposed against one of the sides of the child seat and cinched to the base of the child seat via a pair of strap systems with a third strap system stabilizing the panels against a medial section of a back member of the child seat. Each panel has one or more pockets to catch and hold debris therein with the panels and their pockets being made from a moisture impervious material. An optional panel can be attached to each of the above panels and slide with respect to such panels so as to be raisable to help block sun and other unwanted light from shining onto the occupant of the child seat. |
| US10000137B2 |
Hybrid vehicle with means for disconnection of a depleted auxiliary battery in order to allow for more rapid main battery charging
A sub DC/DC converter converts an output voltage of a charger into a level of an output of an auxiliary battery, and outputs the output voltage to a power supply line connected to a PLG-ECU and the auxiliary battery. A control unit interrupts a current path from the power supply line to the auxiliary battery when a voltage of the sub auxiliary battery is equal to or lower than a prescribed value. |
| US10000134B2 |
Wireless charging system for charging vehicular battery
A wireless charging system may be used to charge a battery in a vehicle via a receiving coil. The wireless charging system may include a coil charge device, a linear track, a linear motor, and a charge control module. The coil charge device includes a carriage and a transmitting coil positioned on the carriage. The linear track extends across a designated path. The coil charge device is positioned on and moveable along the linear track. The linear motor is operable to move the coil charge device along the linear track. The charge control module controls a position of the coil charge device along the designated path via the linear motor. |
| US10000129B2 |
Electric vehicle charging via grid and engine
A vehicle includes an engine, a traction battery, a generator coupled to the engine and battery, and a controller. The controller may be configured to, in response to a current flowing from a battery charge station to the battery being less than a maximum charge current, a selection of a fast charge mode, and a temperature of the engine being less than a predetermined temperature, operate the engine to generate a supplemental current to charge the battery. |
| US10000125B2 |
Power supply apparatus and method for hybrid vehicle
Provided are a power supply apparatus and method for a hybrid vehicle. The power supply apparatus is integrated with a power conversion device and an energy storage device in order to reduce a size and production cost of the power supply apparatus and includes a battery unit including a plurality of battery cells configured to store different levels of power and a power control unit configured to control the battery unit to integrally or selectively output the power of the plurality of battery cells based on whether an engine of the hybrid vehicle generates power. |
| US10000124B2 |
Independent steering, power, torque control and transfer in vehicles
Systems, apparatus and methods to multiple levels of redundancy in torque steering control and propulsion control of an autonomous vehicle include determining that a powertrain unit of the autonomous vehicle is non-operational and disabling propulsion operation of the non-operational powertrain unit and implementing torque steering operation in another powertrain unit while propelling the autonomous vehicle using other powertrain units that are configured to implement torque steering operation and propulsion operation. |
| US10000123B2 |
Hybrid vehicle
When such an abnormality that a battery voltage system voltage is brought into an overvoltage state during regenerative control of a motor occurs, a booster converter is shut down, a system main relay is brought into a non-arc state and turned off. Then, an engine is started when an operation of the engine is stopped. The booster converter is used to determine turning-off of the system main relay, and a battery-less travel is started thereafter. In this way, inconvenience that possibly occurs by starting the battery-less travel at a time when abnormality of the system main relay being stuck to be on occurs can be avoided. |
| US10000118B2 |
Clutch control device for four-wheel-drive vehicle
A vehicle clutch control device is provided for switching from a two-wheel drive traveling to a four-wheel drive traveling. The vehicle clutch control device includes a dog clutch that separates a rear wheel drive from a front wheel drive by releasing the dog clutch, an electronically controlled coupling that distributes a driving force of a transverse engine to left and right rear wheels in accordance with a clutch connection capacity, and a four-wheel drive control unit. The four-wheel drive control unit switches the drive mode to one of a disconnect two-wheel drive mode in which the dog clutch and the electronically controlled coupling are released, a connect four-wheel drive mode in which the dog clutch and the electronically controlled coupling are engaged, and a stand-by two-wheel drive mode in which the dog clutch is engaged while the electronically controlled coupling is released. |
| US10000117B2 |
Filler neck closure assembly
A capless filler neck closure for use with a vehicle fuel tank filler neck is disclosed. The capless filler neck closure includes an outer dust cover and an inner closure door each movable from a closed position to an opened position in response to insertion of a fuel nozzle into the capless filler neck closure for refueling of an associated vehicle fuel tank. |
| US10000112B2 |
Pelvic load management using integrated collapsible features in door trim panel
A door assembly for a vehicle includes a door panel and a door trim panel comprising a shaped pelvic load path energy-absorbing feature disposed on a door panel-facing surface of the door trim panel. The shaped pelvic load path energy-absorbing feature is defined by a plurality of stepped surfaces, which in turn may define as various cross-sectional shapes for the shaped pelvic load path energy-absorbing feature. |
| US10000110B2 |
Air conditioning system for motor vehicles
An air conditioning system for motor vehicles includes an air conditioner case having a drainage port, an evaporator installed within the air conditioner case, a drainage hose configured to discharge condensate water generated in the evaporator to the outside of a vehicle room, the drainage hose connected to the drainage port and drawn out to the outside of the vehicle room through a dashboard, and a connector means configured to rotatably connect the drainage hose to the drainage port of the air conditioner case so as to permit rotation of the drainage hose with respect to the drainage port when the drainage hose is twisted in an assembling process of the drainage hose. |
| US10000109B2 |
Vehicle air conditioning system
Air conditioning systems and methods for a vehicle having a start-stop engine system. The systems and methods cool the vehicle's passenger cabin when the vehicle's engine and air conditioning compressor are off. |
| US10000107B2 |
Vehicle air conditioner
A heat pump device 20 is operated so as to make a switch between multiple operation modes including a first dehumidification and heating operation mode in which a refrigerant discharged from a compressor is circulated through a downstream interior heat exchanger 31, a first pressure reducing valve 52, an upstream interior heat exchanger 32, and an exterior heat exchanger 33 in this order so that the heat exchanger 31 functions as a radiator and the heat exchanger 32 functions as a heat absorber, and a second dehumidification and heating operation mode in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is circulated through the downstream interior heat exchanger 31, a second pressure reducing valve 53, the exterior heat exchanger 33, and the upstream interior heat exchanger 32 in this order so that the heat exchanger 31 functions as a radiator and the heat exchanger 32 functions as a heat absorber. |
| US10000105B2 |
Ventilation duct for a motor vehicle
A ventilation duct for a motor vehicle includes an air inlet, a duct body, and a duct opening generally in a shape of a quadrilateral having first, second, third, and fourth sides. The duct opening further includes a generally L-shaped extension extending away from the first and second sides of the duct body, and a first seal attached to the L-shaped extension. The ventilation duct further includes an outlet generally in the shape of the quadrilateral of the duct opening. The outlet further includes an outlet assembly, a generally L-shaped seal extension, and a second seal affixed to the L-shaped seal extension. The outlet is installed in the duct body in a direction perpendicular to the airflow to maintain the seal around the assembly point. |
| US10000103B2 |
Method of controlling a vehicle active suspension system
A method of controlling a vehicle active suspension system may include, in response to an object being detected forward of the vehicle and a vehicle speed exceeding a threshold, identifying an object classification associated with the object. The method may further include actuating the active suspension system to induce a vibration signature in the vehicle based on the object classification such that a different identified object classification corresponds to a different vibration signature. |
| US10000101B2 |
Machine for fitting and removing a tyre and method for operating the machine
Described is a machine (1) for fitting and removing a tire from a corresponding wheel rim of a vehicle, comprising: a wheel-holder unit (4), which rotates about a first axis (A); at least one bead breaker tool (29), movable along a second axis (B) parallel to the first axis (A); a roller (2) rotating about a fourth axis (D) parallel to the first axis (A) and configured to move by rotation about a fifth axis (E) spaced from the fourth axis (D), between an active position where it is in contact with a tire tread of the wheel mounted on the wheel-holder unit (4), to a position of non-interference relative to the tire; at least one sensor (40) connected to the roller (2) for detecting a signal representing a force transmitted to the roller (2) by the tire; a removal tool (37), which is movable by rotation about a sixth axis (F) parallel to the first axis (A) and spaced from it, between a first position proximal to the first axis (A) and a second position distal from the first axis (A), which is movable in a direction parallel to the first axis (A) and movable towards and away from the sixth axis (F). |
| US10000096B2 |
Pneumatic tire
A pneumatic tire includes a plate-like member which is attached to a tread portion inner surface by at least two attaching portions arranged with a space in a tire circumferential direction, and has a space with respect to the tread portion inner surface between the two adjacent attaching portions, wherein a through hole penetrating toward the space is formed in the plate-like member, and wherein a support member capable of supporting the plate-like member is arranged in the space. |
| US10000091B2 |
Tire comprising a tread made up of several elastomeric compounds
A tire with radial carcass reinforcement comprising a crown reinforcement itself capped radially with a tread of which the tread pattern comprises at least two circumferential grooves. The tread is made up of at least three layers, a first layer forming the radially outer part of the tread of a first compound having an electrical resistivity per unit volume ρ1 such that log(ρ1) is less than 6, a second layer radially on the inside of at least three parts, at least the axially outer parts of a second compound having an electrical resistivity per unit volume ρ2 such that log(ρ2) is greater than 10, and at least part, radially extending the at least first elastomeric compound of the first layer, of a third elastomeric compound having an electrical resistivity per unit volume ρ3 such that log(ρ3) is less than 6, a third layer radially furthest towards the inside of at least five parts, at least the axially outer parts of a third elastomeric compound having a maximum value of tan(δ), denoted tan(δ)max, of less than 0.080, at least two parts of the second compound, and at least part of the third layer, that radially extends the at least one part of the second layer of the third elastomeric compound. |
| US10000090B2 |
Pneumatic radial tire for passenger vehicle
The present invention provides a pneumatic radial tire for a passenger vehicle, having: a cross sectional width SW and an outer diameter OD controlled under an appropriate SW-OD relationship; and an optimized configuration of a crown portion thereof. |
| US10000089B1 |
Multi-color marker
A multi-color writing marker may comprise a tubular marker barrel connected to a motor housing. The marker barrel may house a cartridge removably coupled to a drive shaft connected to a motor. The cartridge may include a plurality of reservoirs containing writing liquids of different colors. A marker tip may be mounted on a distal end of the cartridge. The marker tip supports a plurality of marker nibs corresponding to the number of cartridge reservoirs. Each marker nib may be in fluid communication with a corresponding reservoir. Actuation of the motor spins the cartridge and marker nibs while a user is simultaneous creating a design on the writing surface. |
| US10000086B2 |
Binding device
Disclosed is a binding device for binding a bundle of leaves in a binding element of a magnetic material, whereby this binding device is provided with a support for the binding element that is formed by a U-shaped profile with a base and two legs, whereby this binding device is provided with a heating element that is between the legs of the profile and makes contact with the base. The binding device is provided with a switch for switching the heating element with a magnet that is between the legs of the profile and can move towards the base of the profile, whereby the profile is provided with wings oriented towards the center of the profile that keep the magnet at a distance from the base and/or the heating element when the magnet moves towards the base of the profile. |
| US10000084B2 |
Ink set and recording method
An ink jet recording method includes forming a first ink layer by ejecting a first ink composition including water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a solid content including at least a coloring material on a recording medium; a first drying step of evaporating 80% by mass or more of water from the first ink composition in the first ink layer; forming a second ink layer by ejecting a second ink composition including water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a solid content including at least a coloring material on the first ink layer; and a second drying step of evaporating a volatile component of the recording medium after forming the second ink layer, in which, assuming r1 is “water-soluble organic solvent content/solid content” of the first ink composition and r2 is “water-soluble organic solvent content/solid content” of the second ink composition”, “r2/r1” is 2 or less. |
| US10000076B2 |
Drying device and inkjet printer system including drying device
A drying device includes a drying section to dry a recording medium; a cooling section to cool the recording medium conveyed from the drying section; and a duct to expel air inside the drying section to outside the drying device. The duct includes a joint section where the air from the drying section meets air from the cooling section meet. The air from the drying section containing moisture and solvent medium is cooled in the duct. |
| US10000073B2 |
Apparatus and method for printing on a curved glass surface
Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for printing on a convex or concave glass surface and for an apparatus for holding the one or more work pieces for printing. The invention operatively couples one or more curved pieces in a mounting fixture, wherein each of the one or more curved pieces comprise a convex surface or a concave surface. Furthermore, the invention accesses a flattened image of the convex outer surface or the concave inner surface of one or more generally curved pieces and disposes pigment on the convex surface or the concave surface of the one or more curved pieces according to the flattened image. Further embodiments may be directed towards printing on curved pieces such as glass eyes. |
| US10000072B2 |
Printer and printing jig
A printer includes a table, a print head, a detector, and a controller. The controller includes a storage to store initial print data including information of reference position marks, a reader to acquire, using the detector, positional information of position detection marks, a print data generator to modify the initial print data such that the reference position marks each coincide with an associated one of the position detection marks acquired by the reader, thus generating actual print data; and a printing controller to perform printing in accordance with the actual print data. |
| US10000066B2 |
Liquid discharge head, liquid discharge device, and liquid discharge apparatus
A liquid discharge head includes a nozzle, an individual liquid chamber, a common liquid chamber, a fluid restrictor, a circulation channel, a circulation fluid restrictor, and a plurality of laminated plate members. The nozzle discharges liquid. The individual liquid chamber is communicated with the nozzle. The common liquid chamber supplies the liquid to the individual liquid chamber. The fluid restrictor is disposed between the individual liquid chamber and the common liquid chamber. The circulation channel is communicated with the individual liquid chamber. The circulation fluid restrictor is disposed between the individual liquid chamber and the circulation channel. The plurality of laminated plate members constitutes the fluid restrictor, the individual liquid chamber, and the circulation fluid restrictor. A single plate member of the plurality of laminated plate members defines a fluid resistance value of the fluid restrictor and a fluid resistance value of the circulation fluid restrictor. |
| US10000064B2 |
Cartridge having contact parts for fastening cartridge to holder
Technology enabling stably attaching a cartridge having a fluid supply port and a waste fluid inlet to a fluid ejection device. The cartridge has a bottom wall with a fluid supply port for supplying fluid to the fluid ejection device, and a waste fluid inlet for recovering waste fluid from the fluid ejection device, a first side wall having a first contact part capable of contacting a first fastening member of the cartridge holder when the cartridge is installed in the cartridge holder, and a second side wall having a second contact part capable of contacting a second fastening member of the cartridge holder when the cartridge is installed in the cartridge holder. When looking at the cartridge from the bottom wall side, an imaginary first line passing through the first contact part and the second contact part passes between the fluid supply port and the waste fluid inlet. |
| US10000062B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting unit having nozzles able to eject a liquid to a medium, a wiping unit able to wipe the liquid ejecting unit, a waste liquid receiving unit which receives a waste liquid which is discharged by a maintenance operation for maintaining the liquid ejecting unit, at a position facing the liquid ejecting unit, and a collection unit which comes in contact with the waste liquid receiving unit to collect the waste liquid which is received by the waste receiving unit, in which the wiping unit comes in contact with the collection unit to wipe the waste liquid which is collected by the collection unit. |
| US10000060B2 |
Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus
A flow path forming substrate has a pressure generation chamber communicating with a nozzle opening; and a communication plate having a supply path communicating with a manifold common to and communicating with the pressure generation chamber. A recess of the manifold opens opposite to the flow path forming substrate. The recess has a first recess, and a second recess deeper than the first recess. Supply paths are open on a bottom surface of the first recess, and are arranged in a first direction between the first and second recesses. An inclined surface inclined toward the bottom surface of the second recess from the bottom surface of the first recess is provided along the first direction. The inclined surface is configured as alternately repeated first and second inclined surfaces with different angles. A pitch of adjacent second inclined surfaces is smaller than a pitch of adjacent supply paths. |
| US10000057B2 |
Controlling nozzles in a print head
Certain examples described herein relate to printing systems and methods of operating the same. In an example of a printing system, a nozzle diagnostic mechanism obtains information relating to a condition of a first nozzle set of a print head following a first period of an established printing operation, and a nozzle compensator receives information relating to the condition of the first nozzle set from the nozzle diagnostic mechanism. Based on the received information, the nozzle compensator then causes a second nozzle set of the print head to be operated in place of the first nozzle set of the print head during a second period of the established printing operation. In an example of a method of operating a printing system, status information that relates to a condition of a first nozzle set of a print head is determined during a print production operation. A second nozzle set of the print head is then caused, based on the status information determined, to be operated in place of the first nozzle set to continue the print production operation. |
| US10000052B2 |
Methods for rejuvenating an imaging member of an ink-based digital printing system
Disclosed herein are methods for an ink-based digital printing system, comprising providing an imaging member a reimageable surface layer disposed on a structural mounting layer, the reimageable surface layer comprising a fluorosilicone elastomer and an infrared-absorbing filler comprising carbon black, and a plurality of surface defects on the reimageable surface layer, wherein the surface defects comprises carbon black exposed through the fluorosilicone elastomer of the reimageable surface layer. The method also comprises applying a coating of rejuvenating oil comprising an amino-functional organopolysiloxane to the reimageable surface layer, whereby at least a portion of the plurality of surface defects are coated by the amino-functional organopolysiloxane, thereby rejuvenating the imaging member. |
| US10000051B2 |
System and method for removing three-dimensional printed parts from a platen using inductive heating and gravity
A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object facilitates removal of the three-dimensional object from the platen on which the object was formed. The method includes rotating the platen from a horizontally level position to a position at an angle to the level position to enable gravity to urge the three-dimensional object away from the platen and inductively heating the platen to melt support material at the boundary of the object and the platen to release the three-dimensional object from the platen. |
| US10000048B2 |
Taping tool having improved tape advance
A taping apparatus includes an elongate body portion having a moveable control member for controlling the advancement of tape and a head portion connected to the elongate body portion for advancing the tape. The head portion includes a first stop, a second stop, a guide extending from the first stop to the second stop, and a tape advance mechanism moveable along the guide. The tape advance mechanism and the control member are coupled to one another such that the tape advance mechanism is moveable in response to movement of the control member. The tape advance mechanism includes a rotatable cam and a needle that rotates with the cam. |
| US10000047B2 |
Method for manufacturing curved liquid crystal display panel
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a curved liquid crystal display panel, which comprises coating a sealing gum on a first or a second frame sealing region; filing liquid crystals between the two substrates and adhering the two substrates together; performing a first curing on partial sealing gum on a first set or a third set of frame bodies; bending the first set and the third set of frame bodies obtained after the first curing along the extension direction of the first set of frame bodies; performing a second curing on uncured sealing gum on the two bended substrates. |
| US10000046B2 |
Methods for creating thick laminate structures
Methods of creating thick composite structures are provided. The methods may be applied to two or more prepreg structures of composite materials to form laminate structures that are thicker than approximately five (5) inches without excessive exothermic events resulting in inconsistent cure and high residual stresses. The method may include heating a first sheet to achieve a specified increase in resin viscosity. In response to achieving the specified resin viscosity, a second portion of composite material may be applied to the first portion. The assembly may be heated to create a laminate structure which is chemically bonded with no interface. |
| US10000040B2 |
Floor panel, methods for manufacturing laminate panels and method for treating material sheets applied herewith
Floor panel of the type substantially consisting of a substrate and a top layer provided-thereon based on synthetic material. The top layer includes a printed decor and one or more material sheets provided with synthetic material. The floor panel also includes a balancing layer at the underside of the substrate, the balancing layer containing a synthetic material layer which is free from material sheets. Methods used to make the panels are disclosed. |
| US10000039B2 |
Multilayer interlayers having high Tg and high modulus
A multilayer interlayer structure having a low Mw/high Tg layer and a high Mw layer, the interlayer having a high E′ modulus and a higher Tg. The high Tg layer has a Tg of at least 50° C. and a weight average molecular weight of not more than 160,000. The high Mw layer has a molecular weight greater than 160,000. The interlayer structure has increased stiffness without having to increase its thickness, and has an increased Tg to enable the structure to be used in applications that require good modulus at outdoor temperatures. |
| US10000037B2 |
Transparent laminate and protective tool including the same
The purpose of the present invention is to prevent an increase in reflectance and a decrease in transmittance, retain the intact instantaneousness and ease of stripping, improve the releasability of the adhesive, avoid the generation of distortion due to the thickness of the adhesive, and ensure the visibility, by laminating filmy members (10) each equipped with a moth-eye structure (12). This transparent laminate (1) comprises a plurality of filmy members (10) which each comprise a base (11) and, disposed on at least one surface thereof, a structure (12) made up of recesses and protrusions which have been regularly arranged at a pitch not longer than the wavelengths of visible light. At least the ends of the filmy members (10) have been superposed, with a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (2) interposed therebetween. In the superposed filmy members (10), there is a space (14) between the opposed structures (12). |
| US10000028B2 |
Mechanical fastening nets and methods of making the same
A method of making a mechanical fastening net. The method includes providing a net having strands of polymer and open areas between the strands of polymer and molding a portion of the polymer in the strands of the net into upstanding posts to form the mechanical fastening net. A mechanical fastening net that includes a polymeric backing, a plurality of openings in the polymeric backing, and upstanding posts on at least one of the first or second major surface of the polymeric backing is also disclosed. The polymeric backing has a range of thicknesses ranging from minimum to maximum thickness, and for at least a portion of the polymeric backing, the minimum thickness of the polymeric backing is where it abuts one of the openings. |
| US10000026B2 |
Composite induction consolidation apparatus and method
A composite induction consolidation apparatus includes a base mandrel and a ferromagnetic base mandrel facesheet having a specific Curie temperature carried by the base mandrel. The base mandrel facesheet is adapted to support a composite part and allow ambient air pressure to compact the composite part against the base mandrel facesheet. At least one magnetic induction coil is provided in the base mandrel. |
| US10000024B2 |
Apparatus and method for control of three-dimensional printing
An apparatus for controlling 3D printing includes an output determiner configured to determine, after generating a first control command to output a 3D object, whether an additional 3D object is able to be output through an output task for the 3D object, and a control command generator configured to generate a second control command to output a not-yet-output part of the 3D object and the additional 3D object if it is determined that the additional 3D object is able to be output through the output task. |
| US10000015B2 |
Methods for making optical components, optical components, and products including same
A hermetically sealed optical component includes an optical material including an optical material comprising quantum dots sealed between glass substrates by a hermetic seal including a liquid crystalline polymer. |
| US10000014B2 |
Method for producing thermoplastic foam panels by means of at least two heating elements offset in parallel with each other
The present invention relates to a process for the production of at least two-layer thermoplastic foam sheets via thermal welding of at least two thinner thermoplastic foam sheets. In the process of the invention, at least two heating elements are conducted on mutually offset planes between the surfaces to be welded of the thinner thermoplastic foam sheets, and the foam sheets here do not touch the heating elements. The number of layers of the thermoplastic foam sheet is per se a result of the number of thinner thermoplastic foam sheets that are thermally welded to one another. If by way of example three thinner thermoplastic foam sheets are thermally welded to one another, a three-layer thermoplastic foam sheet is per se obtained, and if there are four thinner thermoplastic foam sheets the result is accordingly per se a four-layer thermoplastic foam sheet. |
| US10000011B1 |
Supports for sintering additively manufactured parts
To reduce distortion in an additively manufactured part, a shrinking platform is formed from a metal particulate filler in a debindable matrix. Shrinking supports of the same material are formed above the shrinking platform, and a desired part of the same material is formed upon them. A sliding release layer is provided below the shrinking platform of equal or larger surface area than a bottom of the shrinking platform to lateral resistance between the shrinking platform and an underlying surface. The matrix is debound sufficient to form a shape-retaining brown part assembly including the shrinking platform, shrinking supports, and the desired part. The shape-retaining brown part assembly is heated to shrink all of the components together at a same rate via atomic diffusion. |
| US10000008B2 |
Bracelet mold and method of use
A decorated strip of coated, heat-shrinkable, plastic sheet material is placed in a spiral slot formed in a silicone rubber mold. The spiral slot is defined by a spiral wall having a uniform wall thickness. Upon heating in an oven, the material shrinks, forming a resiliently expansible arc-shaped band that can be worn as a bracelet or wristband. |
| US10000006B2 |
Thermoforming mold device and a process for its manufacture and use
A thermoforming mold device (1) providing a piece with a thin wall starting with a sheet of thermoplastic material is provided. At least one (3) of two parts of the mold (3, 3′) comprises at least one means (4) of local deformation of a sheet (2′) in the mold (3, 3′) in its closed state, the at least one means (4) comprises a piece of hollow molding with a peripheral edge, which can be connected selectively to a source of suction and can be displaced between a folded position, in which the molding piece is situated in close proximity with the wall of the thermoformed piece, and a deployed position, in which the molding piece is applied under pressure with its peripheral edge against the wall of the thermoformed piece upholding the other part of the mold. |
| US10000005B2 |
Article vacuum formation method and vacuum forming apparatus
A vacuum forming apparatus is provided that forms an article having a covering bonded to the surface of a substrate in a molding space using a first mold and a second mold. The vacuum forming apparatus is provided with clamps for grasping the covering between the first and second molds arranged at the open positions. The clamps are movable between an interfering position, at which the clamps are located in the movement ranges of the first and second molds, and standby positions, at which the clamps are outside the movement ranges. After the covering is heated, the clamps grasping the covering move to the standby positions and stretch the covering. The first and second molds move to the closed positions and the article is molded between the first and second molds so that the stretched covering and the substrate are bonded to each other. |
| US09999998B2 |
Glass-resin laminate and method for producing same
A glass/resin laminate (A) including glass plates laminated on both sides of a polycarbonate layer through bonding layers made of a thermoplastic resin, each of the glass plates having a thickness of from 0.3 to 1 mm and having compressive stresses of at least 3 MPa on an entire surface thereof is provided. The glass/resin laminate (A) is obtainable by a process including a step (1) for disposing a bonding layer on one side of a polycarbonate film having a certain thickness, the bonding layer being made of a thermoplastic resin; a step (2) for stacking a glass plate on the bonding layer to prepare a laminate (B) with the polycarbonate film and the glass plate being laminated through the bonding layer; and a step (3) for preparing another similar laminate (B), placing both laminates (B) in a mold such that both polycarbonate films are confronted each other, and forming a polycarbonate layer between the confronted polycarbonate films. |
| US09999997B2 |
Metal-plastic composite and method for producing the same
A metal-plastic composite and method for producing the same are provided. The metal-plastic composite comprises: a metal substrate and a plastic body jointed to the metal substrate via a dual-snap-fit structure, in which the dual-snap-fit structure comprises: a micro-snap-fit structure disposed on the metal substrate and a macro-snap-fit structure formed by the micro-snap-fit structure and a surface of the metal substrate. |
| US09999985B2 |
Dynamically directed workpiece positioning system
In various embodiments, a dynamically directed workpiece positioning system may include a transport, a sensor positioned to detect a workpiece on the transport, a cutting member positioned along or downstream of the transport, and a computer system. The sensor may scan the workpiece as the workpiece is moved relative to the transport by a human operator or a positioning device. Based on the scan data, the computer system may generate commands to guide the human operator or positioning device in moving the workpiece to a desired position corresponding to a cut solution for the workpiece. Optionally, the computer system may cause the cutting member to be repositioned while the workpiece is being moved relative to the transport. Once the workpiece is in the desired position, the transport may be used to move the workpiece toward the cutting member. Corresponding methods and apparatuses are also disclosed. |
| US09999984B2 |
Circular cutting blade
A circular cutting blade is configured for cutting meat when turned about a rotation axis in a predetermined cutting direction. The cutting blade has a peripheral blade edge defined between the first and second sides and a plurality of circumferentially disposed cutting knives. Each cutting knife includes first and second knife sides and an arcuate knife edge that constitutes a portion of the peripheral blade edge. Each knife edge is titled and rises, relative to the rotation axis, between a first blade-edge location corresponding to a minor blade radius and a second blade-edge location corresponding to a major blade radius such that, when the circular blade is rotating in the predetermined cutting direction and cutting a work piece, the work piece first encounters the first blade-edge location of each cutting knife before encountering the second blade-edge location of that cutting knife. |
| US09999983B2 |
Chipping-proof inorganic solid-state material and chipping-proof edge tool
A chipping-proof nonmetal inorganic solid-state material is characterized in that the inorganic solid-state material has, in at least a part of a surface thereof, a surface structure in which a network of recesses and protuberances surrounded by the recesses are formed, the protuberances have an average width of 5 nm to 50 nm, a physical property of the surface structure differs from the physical property of an interior of the inorganic solid-state material lying below the surface structure, and there is no solid-solid interface between the surface structure and the interior of the inorganic solid-state material. |
| US09999979B2 |
Hair-cutting method
A method for the cutting of hair, in particular for the cutting of human head hair, wherein a slice of hair is taken up and is guided by a hand, namely the guide hand, with the slice of hair being pinched between two fingers, namely the guide fingers of the guide hand, and wherein the slice of hair is cut along the guide fingers using a cutting device that is actuated by another hand, namely the cutting hand. The guide hand is moved continuously or step-wise after the taking up of the slice of hair and the cutting of the slice of hair takes place at least partially during the movement of the guide hand or, in the case of step-wise movement, during and/or between the movement steps. |
| US09999978B2 |
Hairstyling scissors
The hairstyling scissors have a first scissor piece, a second scissor piece, and a pivot axis that connects the first and second scissor pieces, allowing those pieces to rotate mutually in an unimpeded fashion. The first scissor piece is a long narrow piece having a first blade section positioned ahead of the pivot axis, and a first handle section positioned on the gripping-side of the pivot axis with a first finger eyelet. The first handle section is bent over and beyond the pivot axis towards the first blade section. The second scissor piece is a long narrow piece having a second blade section positioned ahead of the pivot axis, and a second handle section positioned on the gripping-side of the pivot axis with a second finger eyelet. The second handle section is bent over and beyond the pivot axis into the side of the second blade section. |
| US09999976B1 |
System and method for instructing a device
A system and method of instructing a device is disclosed. The system includes a signal source for providing at least one visual signal where the at least one visual signal is substantially indicative of at least one activity to be performed by the device. A visual signal capturing element captures the at least one visual signal and communicates the at least one visual signal to the device where the device interprets the at least one visual signal and performs the activity autonomously and without requiring any additional signals or other information from the signal source. |
| US09999974B2 |
Robot
A robot includes a plurality of joints including a first joint and a second joint that rotates in a direction different from a rotation direction of the first joint, a plurality of arm members including a first arm member provided to be rotatable with respect to a base via the first joint, and a first angular velocity sensor provided in the first arm member or the first joint. A first inertial sensor is provided in the first arm member (or a portion that rotates together with the first arm member in the first joint). The plurality of joints are controlled on the basis of an output of the first inertial sensor. |
| US09999966B2 |
Torque wrench
The invention relates to a torque wrench, which has a lever tube (3) having a handle (4) and has an indicating body (9) for indicating a set torque. The indicating body can be a scale housing or a scale sleeve. The handle (4) has a connecting piece (18), which points toward the indicating body (9) and which has a groove (19) on the outer periphery. Coupling segments directed toward the connecting piece (18) and having an abutment edge are provided on the indicating body (9). The handle (4) and the indicating body (9) are coupled by means of a locking ring (16). The locking ring (16) has blocking bodies for this purpose, which interact with the groove (19) on the connecting piece (18) and the abutment edges of the coupling segments in a locking manner. The torque wrench according to the invention is distinguished by the modular handle system thereof and enables economical production by means of structurally identical series together with simple assembly processes. |
| US09999962B2 |
Method for laser cutting polycrystalline diamond structures
Methods of laser cutting polycrystalline diamond tables and polycrystalline diamond compacts are disclosed. Laser cutting of the polycrystalline diamond table provides an alternative to electrical-discharge machining (“EDM”), grinding with a diamond wheel, or lapping with a diamond wheel. Grinding or lapping with a diamond wheel is relatively slow and expensive, as diamond is used to remove a diamond material. EDM cutting of the polycrystalline diamond table is sometimes impractical or even impossible, particularly when the cobalt or other infiltrant or catalyst concentration within the polycrystalline diamond table is very low (e.g., in the case of a leached polycrystalline diamond table). As such, laser cutting provides a valuable alternative machining method that may be employed in various processes such as laser scribing, laser ablation, and laser lapping. |
| US09999958B2 |
Deep rolling tool for blade fatigue life enhancement
A device and methods are provided for deep rolling. In one embodiment, a deep rolling tool for applying compressive stress with rolling elements includes a fork having a base section and a plurality of fork arms, each fork arm extends outwardly from the base section and the fork arms are separated from one another to form an opening. The deep rolling tool may also include rolling elements, wherein each rolling element is mounted at the distal end of a fork arm, and the rolling elements are configured to apply a compressive stress to articles received by the deep rolling tool. |
| US09999957B2 |
Polishing head and polishing carrier apparatus having the same
A polishing head includes a substrate carrier to suck and to pressurize a substrate, and a retainer ring secured under the substrate carrier, the retainer ring surrounding a circumference of the substrate and including a cooling channel therethrough to circulate a coolant fluid. |
| US09999955B2 |
Polishing apparatus and polished-state monitoring method
A polishing apparatus capable of achieving a highly-precise polishing result is disclosed. The polishing apparatus includes an in-line film-thickness measuring device configured to measure a film thickness of the substrate in a stationary state, and an in-situ spectral film-thickness monitor having a film thickness sensor disposed in a polishing table, the in-situ spectral film-thickness monitor being configured to subtract an initial film thickness, measured by the in-situ spectral film-thickness monitor before polishing of the substrate, from an initial film thickness, measured by the in-line film-thickness measuring device before polishing of the substrate, to determine a correction value, add the correction value to a film thickness that is measured when the substrate is being polished to obtain a monitoring film thickness, and monitor a progress of polishing of the substrate based on the monitoring film thickness. |
| US09999954B2 |
Machine tool and method for controlling machine tool
A machine tool that can output an abnormal noise is provided. A machine tool includes: an input unit configured to receive an input of a setting for defining an operation mode of the machine tool; a storage unit configured to store sound generated during a normal operation of the machine tool and acquired in advance; a sound collection unit configured to collect sound in the machining area; a sound selection unit configured to extract a part of sound collected in the machining area in accordance with the setting input for outputting sound to the outside of the machine tool; and a sound output unit configured to output sound extracted by the sound selection unit to the outside of the machining area. |
| US09999952B2 |
Structure for reducing thermal displacement of machine tool structure
The present disclosure relates to a structure for reducing thermal displacement of a machine tool structure, and more particularly, to a structure for reducing thermal displacement of a machine tool structure capable of reducing thermal displacement of a structure in order to prevent processing precision from deteriorating due to deformation of a fixed structure by heat generated at a part where the fixed structure and a movable structure perform frictional motion together with each other. Accordingly, in order to resolve a technical problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a structure for reducing thermal displacement of a machine tool structure capable of preventing a structure from being deformed and distorted by reducing a temperature deviation over the entire structure by rapidly transferring heat to other parts when a temperature of a specific part of the structure is raised. |
| US09999948B2 |
Method for reconditioning a turbine blade
A method is provided for reconditioning a turbine blade. The turbine blade includes a blade airfoil which extends longitudinally and into the hollow inner space of which inserts can be inserted in the longitudinal direction of the blade for distribution and guiding cooling air which flows in the inner space. The inserts with a rib engage with sealing effect in a U-shaped sealing groove which is machined out on the inner wall of the blade airfoil and extend in the longitudinal direction of the blade. A damaged sealing groove is reconditioned by the sealing groove being removed from the inner wall of the blade airfoil, forming a slot, by an insertion strip, which is provided for sealing, being inserted into the slot, and by the insertion strip, which is seated in the slot, being connected in a materially bonding manner to the inner wall of the blade airfoil. |
| US09999945B2 |
Solder alloy
A solder alloy may include a Sn—Cu hypereutectic area having Cu in the amount of up to 7.6 weight percent, from 0.006 to 0.5 weight percent of Al, Al2O3, or a combination thereof. |
| US09999943B2 |
Method of manufacturing a mask
A method of manufacturing a mask includes forming a first hole in a base material using a laser, the first hole penetrating through the base material from a first surface to a second surface different than the first surface, and expanding the first hole using an etchant to form a second hole. |
| US09999942B2 |
Enclosure for laser cutting of human tissue
There is disclosed a system and method for laser cutting of human allograft tissue. One embodiment includes a laser canister having a housing fabricated with a sterilizable material. The housing defines an interior portion, an exterior portion, and a selectively operable opening into the interior portion. The selectively operable opening includes a hermetic seal to maintain a sterile environment from the exterior portion when the selectively operable opening is closed. The canister includes an infrared (IR) transmissive optical window disposed in the housing and configured to allow a laser beam to penetrate therethrough to the interior portion. The canister also includes an insert within the interior portion configured to support human allograft tissue in a sterile environment, the insert being removable from the housing to move the human allograft tissue into another sterile environment after the housing has been exposed to a non-sterile environment. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US09999937B2 |
Spot welding system, method and computer program capable of making pressurizing force applied to object to be pressed to be constant
A spot welding system 10 includes a spot welding gun having an opposite electrode 44, a movable electrode 48, and a drive part 52, a position detection part 54 that detects a position of the movable electrode 48, and a pressure change calculation part that calculates an amount of change between first pressurizing force at a first attitude and second pressurizing force at a second attitude based on a first position of the movable electrode 48 when the drive part 52 has been driven by a first pressurizing force command at the first attitude, a second position of the movable electrode 48 when the drive part 52 has been driven by the first pressurizing force command at the second attitude, and the first pressurizing force command. The first pressurizing force command and the first pressurizing force coincide with each other. |
| US09999935B2 |
Drilling tool, in particular reamer
A drilling tool, in particular a reamer, for drilling out a workpiece core bore to a nominal diameter by means of a main blade formed on a drill body is disclosed. The main blade has a radially external cutting edge which extends along a drill-body longitudinal axis as far as a blade corner arranged at the drill tip, wherein during the drilling-out operation, the drilling tool is drivable into the workpiece core bore with a rotary movement and a feed movement. The drilling tool has at least one groove blade which is arranged so as to precede the blade corner of the main blade in the direction of rotation of the tool. During the drilling-out operation, the groove blade produces a groove in the inner wall of the core bore drilling, the blade corner of the main blade being guided in the groove with an at least reduced cutting load. |
| US09999933B2 |
Double-sided high feed milling insert, high feed milling tool and method
A double-sided milling insert for high feed milling of metal workpieces includes upper and lower faces facing in opposite directions and convex clearance surfaces extending between the upper and lower faces. Each one of the faces includes a recessed support surface. The support surfaces are substantially parallel to each other and have a cavity therein for receiving a fastening device. Intersections of the convex clearance surfaces with the upper and lower faces form convex cutting edges when seen in a plan view. A rake face is provided adjacent the convex cutting edges. Each convex cutting edge is concave when seen in a side view and includes a substantially straight cutting edge portion on each side of a curved cutting edge portion when seen in plan view. A milling tool with a plurality of such inserts and a method of high feed milling using this tool are also disclosed. |
| US09999928B2 |
Setting system and tool
A setting system (20) for a tool (10) is described, and in particular for a rotary metal working tool, wherein the setting system (20) aligns at least one insert (14) of the tool (10). The setting system (20) comprises an adjusting unit (22), which cooperates with the insert (14), and actuating device (24), which includes at least one electric actuator (26) exerting an adjusting force on the adjusting unit (22). Furthermore, a tool (10) is described. |
| US09999926B2 |
Hydrothermal method for manufacturing silver nanowires
A method for manufacturing high aspect ratio silver nanowires is provided, wherein a total glycol concentration is <0.001 wt % at all times. |
| US09999924B2 |
Method and system for monitoring additive manufacturing processes
This invention teaches a quality assurance system for additive manufacturing. This invention teaches a multi-sensor, real-time quality system including sensors, affiliated hardware, and data processing algorithms that are Lagrangian-Eulerian with respect to the reference frames of its associated input measurements. The quality system for Additive Manufacturing is capable of measuring true in-process state variables associated with an additive manufacturing process, i.e. those in-process variables that define a feasible process space within which the process is deemed nominal. The in-process state variables can also be correlated to the part structure or microstructure and can then be useful in identifying particular locations within the part likely to include defects. |
| US09999923B2 |
Silver powder
A silver powder includes a large number of particles. The particles include polyhedral particles 2. The ratio P1 of the number of the polyhedral particles 2 to the total number of the particles is equal to or greater than 80%. Each polyhedral particle 2 has a body containing silver as a main component, and a coating layer covering a surface of the body and containing organic matter as a main component. Each polyhedral particle 2 has an aspect ratio of equal to or less than 3.0. The content P2 of the organic matter in the silver powder is preferably equal to or less than 0.5% by weight. The silver powder preferably has a median diameter D50 of equal to or less than 0.5 μm. The silver powder preferably has a tap density TD of equal to or greater than 5.0 g/cm3. |
| US09999920B2 |
Ultrahigh temperature elastic metal composites
A metal composite comprises: a matrix comprising periodic metal springs; and a filler material comprising one or more of the following: a carbon composite; a polymer; a metal; graphite; cotton; asbestos; or glass fiber; wherein the filler material is bounded to the matrix via one or more of the following: a mechanical interlocking; a chemical bond; a solid solution; or an active layer disposed between the periodic metal springs and the filler material. |
| US09999913B2 |
Roller hemming tool
A roller hemming tool having a main hollow body including a first end for fastening to a robot and a second end having a secondary body which, in turn, includes at least one roller. The tool also includes the following elements which are axially distributed therein: a load cell on the first end; a die in contact with the load cell; a first cylinder in contact with the die; a second cylinder to which the secondary body is fastened; an elastic means in contact with the first cylinder and the second cylinder; and a cap limiting the axial movement of the second cylinder. When in use, the roller continuously exerts pressure in an axial direction, said pressure being successively transmitted to the secondary body, the second cylinder, the elastic means, the first cylinder, the die and up to the load cell. |
| US09999910B2 |
Method for controlling a two continuous strands rolling plant
A slit plant comprises a rest bar (14), for regulating the transversal position of an inlet guide to the molder unit (12), a rolling unit for reducing the billet to a rolled section having two sections, a cutting box (13) for separating the two sections into two separate strands, one or more rolling units for rolling the two strands (1, 2), pairs of speed and/or section measurers (20, 21) downstream of the cutting box (13), a shear (15). The method for controlling the plant provides measuring the rolling speeds V1 and V2 of each of the two strands (1, 2) and/or of the respective sections A1 and A2 of the two strands (1, 2) downstream of the cutting box (13) by means of pairs of measurers; detecting the lengths of the two strands (1, 2) and calculating the difference in length thereof, based on which the plant, in a successive feedback step, is activated to decrease the difference in length between the two strands (1, 2). |
| US09999907B2 |
Cleaning process that precipitates yttrium oxy-flouride
A method includes immersing an article comprising a yttrium based oxide in an acidic cleaning solution comprising water and 1-10 mol % HF acid. A portion of the yttrium based oxide is dissolved by the HF acid. A yttrium based oxy-fluoride is formed based on a reaction between the HF acid and the dissolved portion of the yttrium based. The yttrium based oxy-fluoride is precipitated onto the article over the yttrium based oxide to form a yttrium based oxy-fluoride coating. The acidic cleaning solution may include a yttrium based salt, which may additionally react with the HF acid to form more of the yttrium based oxy-fluoride. |
| US09999903B2 |
Method for forming CNT (carbon nanotube) film
There is disclosed a method for forming a CNT film. In the method, the CNT film is formed by applying a dispersion liquid including CNT and a silica colloid onto a base material and drying the dispersion liquid. |
| US09999902B2 |
Non-sticky erasable media with overcoat
Exemplary embodiments provide an erasable medium having an overcoat layer on a photochromic layer to provide a non-adhesive surface for the erasable medium when exposed to high temperatures, wherein the overcoat layer can include a latex or a mixture of a latex and a wax. |
| US09999898B2 |
Applicator and application method
There is provided an applicator that applies a coating liquid onto the upper surface of a web, and an application method which are capable of sufficiently enhancing the evenness of a coating surface. The applicator includes: a bar which rotates while coming into contact with the upper surface of the continuously travelling web via the coating liquid; and a barrier plate which is provided on an upstream side of the bar in a travelling direction of the web and allows the coating liquid to flow in a direction toward the web between the barrier plate and the bar, in which, when a distance between the barrier plate and an end edge portion of the bar, which is closest to the barrier plate, is referred to as A and a distance between the barrier plate and the web is referred to as B, A is 0.5 mm to 5 mm, B is 0.5 mm to 5 mm, and B≤A is satisfied. |
| US09999897B2 |
Paint roller
Disclosed is a paint roller device comprising an inner hub and an outer hub spaced by a cage of wires and adapted for supporting a paint roll sleeve. A cylindrical retainer extends axially outwardly from the outer hub and is adapted to retain a ball therein, the cylindrical retainer being spaced radially inwardly from the periphery of the outer hub to define a gap between an inside surface of the paint roll sleeve when on the roller. The end of the paint roll sleeve on the paint roller device and an end of the retainer define a plane perpendicular to an axis of the roller, and at least a portion of the ball extends a predetermined distance axially outwardly from the plane. The gap between the sleeve and the cylindrical extension prevents paint from interfering with the ball. |
| US09999896B2 |
Piston pump with locking pistons
A piston pump with an improved arrangement by which a piston-forming element is movable relative to a piston chamber-forming element between locked and unlocked positions. The piston chamber-forming body has a collar member having an inner guide tube coaxially about an axis with a lug member extending radially inwardly therefrom and the piston-forming element has a slide tube coaxially radially inwardly of the collar member with the slide tube carrying motion control features for interaction and engagement with the lug member whereby relative axial and rotational movement of the piston-forming element relative to the piston chamber-forming body provides for the adoption of positions in which the pump is operable to dispense fluid and positions in which the pump is inoperative. |
| US09999892B2 |
Method and apparatus of processing whole tobacco plants
A method and apparatus are provided for processing whole tobacco plants. The method includes cutting the whole tobacco plants into segments in a segmenter assembly, classifying the segments by leaf characteristics, separating leaf material from a waste material stream of undesirable stalk and shatter material for each class of leaf characteristics and reclaiming portions of leaf material trapped in the waste material and recycling the reclaimed portions of leaf material to the segmenter assembly. The apparatus includes a stalk segmenter assembly, a processor assembly, a plurality of cleaning conveyor modules and a cyclonic separator system to reclaim small bits of leaf from the waste stream and return them through a rotary airlock to the segmenter assembly for reprocessing. |
| US09999890B2 |
Vial transport element and assembly
An element and a vial transport assembly made of a plurality of elements joined together to form a unitary row for storing and transporting vials and other such containers is disclosed. The elements are pivotally joined together to form the row, and a means for receiving and retaining a vial is removably seated on an inner face of the element. Complementary magnets arranged to secure adjacent elements in registration maintain the assembly in a closed position. |
| US09999888B2 |
Specimen container for urine and other liquids
A specimen container for urine and other liquids is provided having a container lid, an elastomeric septum, a cup, and a non-porous seal. The elastomeric septum covers a septum hole in the lid, and the non-porous seal is affixed to the lid such that it creates a liquid-tight boundary between the septum and the chamber within the bottle. The septum includes a depressed portion and an area of minimum thickness shaped to allow an implement to pass through the area of minimum thickness. The depressed portion may also include a pre-cut which allows the implement to pass through the septum more easily. |
| US09999885B1 |
Integrated functional and fluidic circuits in Joule-Thompson microcoolers
An apparatus includes a first substrate of a first material having a first bonding surface, and one or more fluidic channels open at a plane of the first bonding surface. The apparatus also includes a different second material disposed on the first substrate. The second material connects two different portions of the one or more fluidic channels. An outer surface of the second material is at the plane of the first bonding surface at positions between the two portions. The apparatus also includes a second substrate having a second bonding surface in contact with the first bonding surface, the second substrate configured to confine fluid flow within the one or more fluidic channels. In a Joule-Thompson cryocooler apparatus, the first material is a first thermally insulating material and the second material is a thermally conductive material and the second substrate is made of a second thermally insulating material. |
| US09999883B2 |
System and method for processing fluid in a fluidic cartridge
A system and method for processing fluid in a fluidic cartridge is provided. The system comprises a fluid pathway for passing a liquid sample therethrough from an upstream end to a downstream end, a sample processing chamber within the fluid pathway having an inlet valve upstream of the sample processing chamber, a downstream sample processing region within the fluid pathway downstream of the outlet valve and a bypass channel coupled to the fluid pathway at a junction between the outlet valve and the downstream sample processing region, the valve system configured such that surplus liquid downstream of the outlet valve may be evacuated through the bypass channel when the outlet valve is closed, thereby leaving a metered volume of liquid sample between the inlet valve and the downstream sample processing region. |
| US09999879B2 |
Formed ceramic substrate composition for catalyst integration
Disclosed herein are formed ceramic substrates comprising an oxide ceramic material, wherein the formed ceramic substrate comprises a low elemental alkali metal content, such as less than about 1000 ppm. Also disclosed are composite bodies comprising at least one catalyst and a formed ceramic substrate comprising an oxide ceramic material, wherein the composite body has a low elemental alkali metal content, such as less than about 1000 ppm, and methods for preparing the same. |
| US09999878B2 |
Tin-containing zeolitic material having a BEA framework structure
A process for preparing a tin-containing zeolitic material having a BEA framework structure comprising providing a zeolitic material having a BEA framework structure having vacant tetrahedral framework sites, providing a tin-ion source in solid form, incorporating tin into the zeolitic material via solid-state ion exchange, calcining the zeolitic material, and treating the calcined zeolitic material with an aqueous solution having a pH of at most 5. |
| US09999877B2 |
Cu-CHA/Fe-BEA mixed zeolite catalyst and process for the treatment of NOx in gas streams
The present invention relates to a catalyst, which may be used in selective catalytic reduction (SCR), said catalyst comprising one or more zeolites of the BEA structure type, one or more zeolites of the CHA structure type, and optionally one or more zeolites of the MFI structure type, wherein at least part of the one or more zeolites of the BEA structure type contain iron (Fe), wherein at least part of the one or more zeolites of the CHA structure type contain copper (Cu), and wherein at least part of the optional one or more zeolites of the MFI structure type contain iron (Fe). Furthermore, the present invention concerns an exhaust gas treatment system comprising said catalyst as well as a process for the treatment of a gas stream comprising NOx using said catalyst as well. |
| US09999875B2 |
Methods and materials for direct NOx decomposition in lean exhaust gases
A noble metal-free lanthanum transition metal perovskite catalyst material. The noble metal-free lanthanum transition metal perovskite catalyst material may include a two phase mixture of a lanthanum transition metal perovskite with an alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonate, a lanthanum transition metal perovskite doped with an alkali or alkaline earth metal, or a combination thereof. The lanthanum transition metal perovskite catalyst material provides direct decomposition of NOx into N2 and O2 without the presence of a noble metal and in the presence of excess O2. |
| US09999870B2 |
Nanostructured solar selective catalytic supports
A combined catalyst and catalyst support comprising: a nanostructured solar selective support to which at least one catalyst is affixed; the catalyst comprising at least one material that activates chemical reactions that produce fuels; the nanostructured solar selective support comprising material that is highly absorbing over a portion of the solar spectrum and exhibits low emissivity toward thermal radiation and/or has a surface textured to lower emissivity; the combined catalyst and catalyst support exhibiting at least one of a photochemical effect and a photothermal effect; wherein these effects cause the chemical reaction rates to increase with exposure to an increasing number of incident photons within the solar spectrum. |
| US09999869B2 |
High water-absorbent resin having crush resistance and method for manufacturing same
Disclosed are a surface-modified superabsorbent polymer and a method of preparing the same, wherein a superabsorbent polymer is surface-modified with the addition of a water-soluble salt having a multivalent cation and superhydrophobic microparticles, thereby improving attrition resistance, permeability and absorption speed without significantly deteriorating the other properties thereof. |
| US09999866B2 |
Preparation of templates for nucleic acid sequencing
The invention relates to methods of generating templates for a nucleic acid sequencing reaction which comprise: providing at least one double-stranded nucleic acid molecule, wherein both strands of the double-stranded nucleic acid molecule are attached to a solid support at the 5′ end, cleaving one or both strands of the double-stranded nucleic acid molecule, and subjecting the cleaved strand(s) to denaturing conditions to remove the portion of the cleaved strand(s) not attached to the solid support, thereby generating a partially or substantially single-stranded template for a nucleic acid sequencing reaction. |
| US09999863B2 |
Refrigerator
Provided is a refrigerator including: a main body; a storage compartment formed in the main body; a door that opens/closes the storage compartment; a general water tank in which general water supplied from an external water supply source is stored; a mixing tank in which general water supplied from the general water tank is mixed with carbon dioxide (CO2) so that carbonated water is made and stored; a dispenser that provides general water supplied from the general water tank to an outside and provides carbonated water supplied from the mixing tank to the outside of the refrigerator; and an ice-making machine that makes general ice by receiving general water from the external water supply source or the general water tank and makes carbonated ice by receiving carbonated water from the mixing tank, thereby providing general water, carbonated water, general ice, and carbonated ice through the dispenser. |
| US09999862B2 |
Rehydration capsule and method of using the same
A rehydration capsule, and a method of rehydrating media within such capsule, the capsule including a capsule body having an inlet and an outlet, a member proximate the inlet having at least an opening therethrough, a filter proximate the outlet, and a hollow flow tube corresponding to each of said at least one opening mounted to the member and having an inlet at one end aligned with the at least one opening and having at least one opening through its body. |
| US09999856B2 |
Methods for electroelution of biomolecules
A method of eluting biomolecules, such as nucleic acids from a biological sample by electroelution is provided. An example of a method includes various steps, such as loading the biological sample to a device comprising a housing, at least two conductive redox polymer electrodes operationally coupled to the housing and a biomolecule impermeable layer disposed on at least one of the electrodes. The loading of sample is followed by initiating an electrical connection to generate an electric field strength sufficient to elute biomolecules from the biological sample; and eluting the biomolecules from the biological sample. |
| US09999855B2 |
Microfluidic processing of target species in ferrofluids
Disclosed are systems, devices, methods, and other implementations, including a device to detect at least one target species in a sample, with the device including a microfluidic channel configured to receive the sample containing the at least one target species and a biocompatible ferrofluid in which the at least one target species is suspended, a detector to determine the at least one target species in the sample, and at least two of electrodes positioned proximate the microfluidic channel, the at least two electrodes configured to generate controllable magnetic forces in the sample containing the ferrofluid when a controllable at least one electrical current is applied to the at least two electrodes. The generated controllable magnetic forces causes the at least one target species to be directed towards the detector. Also disclosed are devices for separating target species in a ferrofluid, and for focusing target species suspended in a ferrofluid. |
| US09999848B2 |
Dual bag filter
A dual bag filter is provided where a replaceable filter element resides in and is sealed to a filter housing. The filter element has a mounting ring, an inner bag, and an outer bag. The inner bag is sized such that it has more surface area than the outer bag and is constrained by the outer bag. The inner bag is formed from a filter medium of different densities such that when the inner bag is crumpled, fluid flow is not restricted. |
| US09999847B2 |
Vibrating inclined plate box settlement separator
The invention involves a vibrating inclined plate box settlement separator, which is used for the liquid-solid separation, particularly applicable to high-efficiency settling concentration and separation of solid particles from liquid or water. The separator consists of an upper box and a lower tapered hopper. The upper box and the lower tapered hopper are connected securely to each other and sealed. The upper box is a rectangular or square steel-structured box with two supporting platforms on both of its sides, on which several spring assemblies are installed. The inclined plate box modules which can independently vibrate are installed on the spring assemblies. The feed box is placed on top of or inside the upper box. An overflow collect chute is welded on the side of the box frame opposite to the feed box. |
| US09999844B2 |
Cold trap
A cold trap is provided between a vacuum chamber and a vacuum pump. The cold trap includes a cold panel and a cold panel chamber that surrounds the cold panel in an exhaust passage. The cold panel includes an expansion panel outside the cold panel chamber. The expansion panel is located in the vacuum chamber. |
| US09999842B2 |
Hybrid contact tray for a mass transfer column
A hybrid Contact tray for a mass transfer column is provided. The tray has a deck for passage of liquid along a liquid flow path thereon. The deck also has a plurality of orifices for passage of ascending vapor through the tray deck. The contact tray includes a cross-current vapor-liquid mixing section having a first portion of the plurality of orifices and a co-current vapor-liquid mixing section having at least one co-current mixing device associated with a second portion of the plurality of orifices. The co-current mixing device includes a conduit having: a vapor inlet in fluid communication with one or more of the second portion of orifices; a froth inlet in fluid communication with the liquid flow path; a fluid outlet; and a packing material within a co-current flow path of vapor and liquid within the conduit disposed after the vapor and froth inlets and before the fluid outlet. |
| US09999841B2 |
Construction toy element and set
In a first aspect, a construction toy element is provided and includes a body and a first circumferential row of arms extending from the body. The body has an axis, and has a first axial end and a second axial end. A first circumferential row of arms extends from the body. Each arm includes a root end and a free end, and has a first connecting member thereon that is configured for connecting the construction toy element to another construction toy element. The root end projects from the body in a direction that is angled towards one of the first and second axial ends relative to a normal direction to a surface of the body. |
| US09999834B2 |
Methodology for equalizing systemic latencies in television reception in connection with games of skill played in connection with live television programming
A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment. |
| US09999833B2 |
Hand-held controllers with capacitive touch sensors for virtual-reality systems
There is provided a hand-held controller for a virtual-reality system. The hand-held controller includes a user-input surface and a grip coupled to the user-input surface. The user-input surface includes a first user-input key situated on the user-input surface. The first user-input key includes a first capacitive touch sensor to detect a finger of a user hovering above the first user-input key and contacting the first user-input key. |
| US09999827B2 |
Self-balancing skateboard with strain-based controls and suspensions
A self-balancing electric vehicle may include a platform having first and second foot placement sections rigidly coupled to each other, and a pair of coaxial, motorized wheels independently mounted between the first and second foot placement sections. The first and second wheels may be coupled to the platform via spring suspensions. Rider presence and turning intentions may be determined based on strain induced in the platform by the rider. The strain may be detected by one or more strain gauge systems. One of the strain gauge systems may be configured for use in a steering control circuit, and may include a strain gauge sensor mounted diagonally with respect to a long axis of the platform, such that the strain gauge detects only twist-induced strain. |
| US09999826B2 |
Virtual golf simulation device and method for providing stereophonic sound for weather
Disclosed herein are a virtual golf simulation device and method for providing stereophonic sound for weather conditions configured such that it is possible for a user to visually and aurally recognize a weather condition, such as wind, when the user plays a round of virtual golf on a virtual golf course using the virtual golf simulation device, and, in particular, the direction or intensity of the wind is expressed via multi-channel stereophonic sound, whereby it is possible to provide a high level of realism even without actually blowing air. |
| US09999822B2 |
Golf swing training device
An easily assembled and disassembled portable golf swing training device includes plural interconnected elongated, linear rods and arms for the development of proper golf club takeaway, backswing and downswing mechanics. The position of the golf club during the swing is compared with generally accepted swing parameters, and club positions not within acceptable limits are evidenced by easily detected golf club contact with one or more of the device's arms which are all adjustable in length and position depending upon individual golfer characteristics, and which are pivotally mounted, padded and flexible to avoid injury as well as damage to the inventive device or to a golf club. The configuration of the various rods and arms is established to provide the golfer an inside-to-out club head path during the downswing to provide for a draw of the ball, or to shape the shot from right to left for a right hand golfer. |
| US09999813B2 |
Metal wood club
A golf club head including a body having a face, a sole, a crown, and a skirt joining the face, sole and crown, the body having a center of gravity, wherein the body includes an open end and a terminal end, the terminal end opposite the open end, a weighted insert having a heavy end and a lighter end, the lighter end opposite the heavy end, wherein the cavity is configured to receive the weighted insert through the open end, wherein the cavity is configured to receive the weighted insert through the open end in both a first configuration and a second configuration, and wherein said weighted insert comprises a slideable flange. |
| US09999811B2 |
Golf club or other ball striking device having stiffened face portion
A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, has a head that includes a face configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face, the body being adapted for connection of a shaft proximate a heel thereof. The face has a thickened portion including an annular tapered area that tapers in thickness between an upper boundary and a lower boundary and encloses an elevated area bounded by the upper boundary. The upper and/or lower boundary defines a shape having two lobes, each with an outer edge with a convex profile, and a connecting portion extending between the lobes, such that the connecting portion is defined by two outer edges extending between the outer edges of the lobes, wherein at least one of the outer edges of the connecting portion has a concave outer profile. |
| US09999810B2 |
Baseball/softball and method of processing thereof
A baseball/softball comprises a core and a cover, wherein the core is wrapped with a layer of fiber material, and the layer of fiber material is wrapped and glued with the cover. A method of processing baseball/softball comprises wrapping the core with the layer of fiber material, placing the core and the layer of fiber material into a cover material, placing the core, the layer of fiber material outside the core and the layer of cover material outside the layer of fiber material into a mold; molding the layer of cover material into the cover through a vulcanization process, gluing a vulcanization melting layer formed on inner wall of the cover to the layer of fiber material, and finally taking the finished product out of the mold. From the perspectives of smell, touch and visual sense, the product has good simulation effect of baseball/softball and better service effect. |
| US09999805B2 |
Analyzing team game play interactions using gaze data
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for capturing, over the course of a sports match, gaze data for each participant on a team, identifying a team-level key performance indicator (KPI) associated with a sports domain to which the sports match corresponds, and generating KPI data corresponding to the KPI. A graph may then be constructed based at least in part on the KPI data, where each node in the graph may represent a player on the team or an object of interest, and each edge connecting adjacent nodes may be weighted to indicate a degree of interaction between the nodes connected by the edge. KPI data may be aggregated across multiple sports domain KPIs and analyzed to assess team performance characteristics during the sports match. Report data indicative of team performance for different game scenarios, and optionally including recommendations for improving team performance in such scenarios, may be generated. |
| US09999804B2 |
Dynamic sampling in sports equipment
Analysis of sporting equipment characteristics may be analyzed using dynamic sampling rates. For example, analyzing a golf swing may include the use of one or more sensors providing data at various sampling rates. According to some aspects, the sampling rate may be dynamically modified upon determination of one or more golf equipment characteristics, environmental conditions, player characteristics and the like. In one example, a sampling rate processor may dynamically select a sampling rate at which data is sampled from one or more sensors. In some examples, by dynamically selecting the sampling rate, an analysis may be tailored to various types, and portions of a golf swing, in addition to producing power consumption by the analysis instruments in the golf club system. According to other aspects, triggering conditions for modifying a sampling rate may be determined from a population of one or more previous golf swings performed by a user. |
| US09999803B1 |
Orthopedic hand linear and rotation
A pair of therapeutic devices intended for use by persons in rehabilitative, physical or occupational therapy following hand and wrist surgeries or injuries with both of these devices being customized to better fit the needs of the recovering individual, and both provide superior control, monitoring, and feedback than do conventional therapy exercises. |
| US09999796B2 |
Supplemental weight stack for an exercise machine
A supplemental weight stack is disclosed. The supplemental weights add a weight load to an exercise machine in increments less than the main weight increments. The supplemental weights can be stacked horizontally and can be designed such that when engaged, each supplemental weight acts upon an engagement mechanism. The user selects the supplemental weight by acting upon an adjustment mechanism, which, in turn, actuates the engagement mechanism. |
| US09999791B2 |
Stove top fire extinguishing device
An apparatus is disclosed for extinguishing a stovetop fire over a stovetop having a first burner, the apparatus including a container detachably mountable to a microwave positioned above the stove top, the container having a closure retained in a closed position on the container. A supply of fire suppressant material is retained within the container when the closure is in the closed position. A heat responsive actuator is disposed on the container. When the container is mounted to the microwave over the first burner, and the fire actuates the heat responsive actuator, the closure moves to an open position and at least a portion of the supply of fire suppressant material falls toward the first burner. |
| US09999789B2 |
Temperature distribution determining apparatus
The invention relates to a temperature distribution determining apparatus for determining a temperature distribution within an object caused by applying energy to the object. A temperature distribution measuring unit (6, 7) measures a spatially and temporally dependent first temperature distribution in the object (3), while the energy is applied to the object (3) such that the object (3) is heated to a temperature within a first temperature range, and a temperature distribution estimating unit (5) estimates a spatially and temporally dependent second temperature distribution in the object (3) within a second temperature range, which is different to the first temperature range, based on the spatial and temporal dependence of the measured first temperature distribution. Since temperature distributions can be obtained not only in the first temperature range, but also in the second temperature range, the overall temperature range, in which the temperature distribution can be determined, can be increased. |
| US09999787B1 |
Beam limiting device for intensity modulated proton therapy
To overcome the difficulties inherent in conventional proton therapy systems, new techniques are described herein for synchronizing the application of proton radiation with the periodic movement of a target area. In an embodiment, a method is provided that combines multiple rescans of a spot scanning proton beam while monitoring the periodic motion of the target area, and aligning the applications of the proton beam with parameters of the periodic motion. For example, the direction(s) and frequency of the periodic motion may be monitored, and the timing, dose rate, and/or scanning direction and spot sequence of the beam can be adjusted to align with phases in the periodic motion. |
| US09999786B2 |
Radiation emitting apparatus, radiation therapy apparatus, and collimator drive control method
A radiation emitting apparatus includes a radiation source to generate radiation, a first collimator to define a maximum radiation field of the radiation; a second collimator to regulate the radiation field and direction of irradiation; a swing portion that swings in two directions orthogonal to each other; a displacement detector to detect displacement of the second collimator relative to a reference point; a drive mechanism to drive the swing portion; a control unit to control the drive mechanism; and a storage unit included in the control unit to store one or more parameters related to mechanical movement of the swing portion. The control unit generates feedforward control information based on an inputted target swing angle, a detected displacement, and the one or more parameters stored in the storage unit, and outputs a drive signal containing the feedforward control information to the drive mechanism. |
| US09999784B2 |
Skin treatment system and method
A system (101) for treatment of an epithelial tissue layer (3) is provided. The system comprises a reservoir (107), for containing an amount of a flowable medium, arranged to enable the medium, when contained in the reservoir, to be in contact with a surface (5) of the epithelial tissue layer, a light source (109) for generating a laser beam (11) during at least a predetermined pulse time, and an optical system for focusing the laser beam into a focal spot (15), and for positioning the focal spot in a target position. The target position of the focal spot is within the reservoir and within the medium, when contained in the reservoir, and the dimension of the focal spot and the power of the generated laser beam are such that, in the focal spot, the laser beam has a power density, which is above the characteristic threshold value for the medium, above which, for the predetermined pulse time, a laser induced optical breakdown event occurs in the medium. A method for treatment of an epithelial tissue layer is also provided. |
| US09999779B2 |
Cell, tissue and organ protection using a magnetic field
Methods and apparatus are provided for applying low magnetic fields (<400 G) to mammalian cells, tissues and organs for protection from the damaging effects of ionizing radiation and other oxygen dependent injuries that involve the radical pair mechanism. The magnetic fields are generated by fixed magnets or active magnets and used to enhance the survival of healthy cells during radiation treatment for cancer, to protect workers from radiation within nuclear power plants, to protect astronauts from radiation during long space voyages, to increase working time in exposed environments, to provide a safe room in hazardous locations, and to protect normal tissue during radiation treatment and in medical imaging modalities that use ionizing radiation (X-ray, CT, mammography). The method described herein may also be used to mitigate the damaging effects of reperfusion, stroke, oxygen toxicity, inflammation, autoimmune disease, and the like by applying protective magnetic fields. |
| US09999778B2 |
Non-magnetic high voltage charging system for use in cardiac stimulation devices
A cardiac defibrillator comprises electrical wires or terminals (24) connected with or configured to connect with defibrillation electrode pads (22), and an electrical circuit (32, 32a, 32b) including an electrical storage element (52) and a piezoelectric transformer (50) arranged to charge the electrical storage element to a voltage effective for delivering a cardiac defibrillation shock. The electrical circuit is configured to discharge the electrical storage element across the electrical wires or terminals to deliver a cardiac defibrillation shock to the electrical wires or terminals. |
| US09999777B2 |
Cermet feedthrough in ceramic multilayer body
One aspect generally relates to a composite, having a layer sequence. The layer sequence includes as layers a first layer, including a first ceramic, and first layer surface, a second layer, including a second ceramic, superimposing the first layer surface. The layer sequence includes a hole, connecting through each layer of the layer sequence; and a cermet. The cermet includes a first part and a second part. The first part is included by the hole. The second part is included between the first layer and the second layer. The cermet is in one piece. |
| US09999773B2 |
Implantable neurostimulator-implemented method utilizing multi-modal stimulation parameters
Multi-modal stimulation therapy may be utilized in which two or more stimulation therapies having different stimulation parameters may be delivered to a single patient. This can preferentially stimulate different nerve fiber types and drive different functional responses in the target organs. The stimulation parameters that may vary between the different stimulation therapies include, for example, pulse frequency, pulse width, pulse amplitude, and duty cycle. |
| US09999772B2 |
Systems and method for deep brain stimulation therapy
A system and method for performing deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy are provided. The method and system include pre-operatively acquiring at least one pre-operative image of the brain with at least one imaging sub-system and determining a location of a Nucleus Basalis of Meynert (NBM) for therapy in the at least one pre-operative image, and intra-operatively acquiring at least one intra-operative image of the brain after obtaining an access opening through the skull. The method and system further provide performing surgical planning based on the pre-operative image in the intra-operative image, advancing a lead having DBS electrodes on the lead to a target position proximate to or within the NBM area, and coupling the lead to an implantable pulse generator (IPG) configured to deliver DBS pulses through the DBS electrodes to the NBM. Further, the IPG is configured to deliver DBS pulses for treating symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease. |
| US09999768B2 |
Respiratory rectification
A means for treating breathing disorders by stimulating respiratory muscles or nerves to entrain respiratory systems while leaving respiratory drive intact. Embodiments of the invention employ frequency analysis to determine if appropriate stimulation energy is being applied. |
| US09999767B2 |
Esophageal stimulation system
System for generating a distally traveling synthetic esophageal motion within a subject's esophagus. Includes: elongated member sized and configured for nasal or oral placement into the esophagus; series of stimulators mounted/mountable on and distributed along a length of elongated member, for stimulating portions along an esophageal length spanning between esophagus LES and UES, and include at least two longitudinally spaced electrodes, chargeable to opposite polarities; and signal generator for generating and sending sequences of stimulating signals to stimulators, to evoke a plurality of local esophageal contractions as distally traveling synthetic esophageal motion along the esophageal length. Also disclosed is an implant suitable for use in generating a distally traveling synthetic esophageal motion within a subject's esophagus, for example, suitable for use in the disclosed system. Exemplary applications include for treating an esophagus exhibiting different physiological conditions or/and characteristics, for example, of suspended esophageal peristaltic motility. |
| US09999766B2 |
Device for verifying the electrical output of a microcurrent therapy device
A device and method verifies the electrical output of a microcurrent therapy device. The current and/or voltage of an electrical pulse, being supplied to an electrode adapted to contact tissue, is measured by a control unit. The current and/or voltage is supplied by the control unit according to a predefined waveform. Any difference in the current or voltage of the electrical pulse being supplied with respect to the current or voltage of the predefined waveform is detected. |
| US09999755B2 |
Conformable tissue expander
The present invention provides a tissue expander (10) comprising a self-inflating core (12) having a non-inflated state and an inflated state and a coating (14) surrounding said core (12), wherein said core (12) comprises two or more segments (16) of dried compacted material of height H joined to each other by conformable linking portions (18) of height h where H is greater than h. the conformable linking portions (18) allow for the expander (10) to be conformed to a desired profile either before or after insertion under the skin of a patient. |
| US09999752B2 |
Multi-conduit balloon catheter
A suctioning and irrigating sinus balloon catheter is provided for treating a patient's paranasal sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities and choana. The catheter has a number of fluid carrying conduits to provide irrigation, suction and inflation/deflation to the distally mounted balloon. The catheters have sufficient stiffness and column strength that the balloon carrying distal segment of the catheter can be pushed into the prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, choana or sinus to be excised. Some catheters can be hand bendable by the surgeon. Some catheters provide the capability of threading an endoscope through one of the conduits. The methods use the balloon catheters to dilate prepared openings to selected parts of the sinus system, to dilate natural ostia and ducts of the sinus system, choana, and/or to dilate sinus cavities to remove them. |
| US09999751B2 |
Adjustable nose cone for a catheter positioning system
Various embodiments enable an introducer for a catheter to be rotated around an axis and/or traversed backward and/or forward along the axis. In various embodiments, positioning of an introducer may be enabled by an introducer support configured to be rotated around an axis and/or extended or retracted along the axis. The introducer may be manually operated and/or operated by motors in a nose cone of a catheter positioning system. In various embodiments, a portion of the introducer support may be configured to flex. In other embodiment, positioning of an introducer may be enabled by an adjustable nose cone of a catheter positioning system. |
| US09999747B2 |
System for facilitating intranasal guidance
A sphenocath including a sheath assembly including a sheath hub with a sheath tube extending therefrom with a passage extending from a proximal end of the sheath hub to a distal end of the sheath tube; a catheter assembly including a catheter hub with a catheter tube extending therefrom with a passage extending from a proximal end of the catheter hub to a distal end of the catheter tube; wherein the catheter assembly passes through the sheath assembly with a portion of the catheter hub engaging a portion of the sheath hub to limit relative rotation between the hubs while permitting relative axial movement such that in an initial non-extended position the distal end of the catheter tube is proximate to the distal end of the sheath tube. A system further including a guidewire is also provided. |
| US09999746B2 |
High flow catheters
A catheter that comprises a hub, an elongated conduit, and at least one lumen therein. The lumen includes a proximal lumen section, a distal lumen section, and an intermediate lumen section extending between the proximal and distal lumen sections. The cross-sectional dimension of the intermediate lumen section is less than the cross-sectional dimension of the distal lumen section. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional dimension of the intermediate lumen section is less than the cross-sectional dimension of the proximal lumen section. In certain embodiments, the lumen tapers from the dial and/or proximal lumen sections to the intermediate lumen section. |
| US09999736B2 |
Device and external functional means and treatment apparatus for the treatment of medical fluids
The present invention relates to a device comprising at least one fluid reception chamber and at least one hydrophobic filter means, wherein a vertical through the hydrophobic filter means does not have a point of intersection with a fluid level of fluids present in the fluid reception chamber. It further relates to an external functional means as well as a treatment apparatus. |
| US09999735B2 |
Safety needle device with snap feature and method of making same
The present invention safety device is a one-piece needle assembly that has a base and a housing pivotally connected to the base. The base has a distal portion to which a needle is fitted. At the base there is formed longitudinally along its distal portion a catch mechanism that may be in the form of an anchor projection. At the back wall of the housing there is extended another catch mechanism that may be configured in the form of two clasping fingers. Also providing in the housing is an integral hook. As the housing and the base are pivoted relative to each other, and as the needle makes contact with the hook, the respective catch mechanisms at the base and the housing also make contact with each other, resulting in the coupling of the catch mechanisms and the coupling of the needle to the hook. As a result, the catch mechanisms are interlocked and the needle is fixedly retained by the hook within the housing. The catch mechanisms may also be configured as a hook and a latch in the form of a rib with an opening whereto the hook is fixedly coupled. The catch mechanisms may further be configured as respective interlockable pairs of loops and bosses. The gauge of the needle may be determined by the color of both the base and the housing, which are molded as a unitary single unit. |
| US09999734B2 |
Injection device
In an injection device a rotary indicator element (20) indexes angularly between a pre-firing position to an injection complete position to create a visual and audible/tactile signal as the drive plunger (28) arrives at or near its fired position. The indicator element (20) has a saw tooth profile which co-operates with respective abutments (34, 40) on the plunger and a housing part of the device to control and energize indicator movement. |
| US09999733B2 |
Safety syringe
The safety syringe includes a barrel having a clamping slot, a large sealing ring and a zero line; a plunger having a pull pawl and an annular convex clamping disc, an avoiding seams; a rubber plug; a needle connector having annular clamping pawls, an inner sealing ring and a pullback ring; and a locking body made of a polymer material with elasticity and having a sealing disc, a sealing ring, a clamping ring and a checking ring. The sealing disc, large sealing ring, sealing ring and inner sealing ring are engaged to constitute a sealing structure. When the clamping ring meshed with the pull pawl is dragged to retract inwards, the sealing ring and pullback ring are engaged to pull the needle connector to retract, and the checking ring is plugged into the inner cavity of the clamping pawls to fix the clamping pawls in the clamping slot. |
| US09999732B2 |
Drug injection device with particular optical window elements for unambiguous legibility of dose value
An arrangement comprising an optical element and an indication member for a drug delivery device is provided. The indication member comprises a plurality of indicia. The optical element comprises an imaging section and a light-transmissive non-imaging section, wherein the indication member is movable with respect to the optical element such that the indicia can be successively moved into a display position relative to the optical element. The imaging section is configured such that, when a first indicium is arranged in the display position, the first indicium is imaged by the imaging section into an imaging solid angle. The non-imaging section is configured such that light defining a second indicium is deflected by the non-imaging section such that the second indicium cannot be identified by a user in the imaging solid angle on a viewing side of the optical element. |
| US09999726B2 |
Vented dispensing device and method
Disclosed is a fluid dispensing device that includes at least one reservoir to hold the therapeutic fluid, at least one other unit requiring communication with ambient air, at least partly, to operate, and at least one housing defining an interior to retain the at least one reservoir and the at least one other unit. The at least one housing has at least one vent port formed on one or more of its walls. The at least one vent port is adapted to direct or communicate air to maintain pressure equilibrium between the air pressure in the interior of the at least one housing and the ambient air pressure outside the at least one housing, and provide communication with the ambient air to the at least one other unit requiring air to enable operation of the at least one other unit. |
| US09999724B2 |
Patch-like infusion device
A system and method for a patch-like, self-contained substance infusion device (700) which can be attached to a skin surface via an adhesive contact surface. A push button (780) activation assembly can then be used to remove an interlock (730), allowing a disk or Belleville spring (735) assembly to apply an essentially even and constant pressure to the contents of a fluid reservoir assembly (710). This allows the release of one or more spring-loaded patient needles (760) into the skin surface, and establishes a fluid communication path between the patient needles (760) and the pressurized fluid reservoir contents thereby delivering an infusion into the skin. The push button (780) activation assembly further allows the release of one or more improved safety mechanisms (794) after use. |
| US09999720B2 |
Drug reconstitution and delivery device and methods
Devices and methods are provided for drug delivery. The device may include a housing having a first compartment containing a drug in a dry, solid form, a second compartment containing a liquid carrier for the drug, and an expansion member located within or adjacent to the first or second compartment. The second compartment may be fluidly connectable to the first compartment by a rupturable barrier or mechanical valve. The device may also include an actuation system configured to expand the expansion member to rupture the rupturable barrier or open the mechanical valve and permit the liquid carrier to flow into the first compartment and mix with the drug to form a reconstituted drug solution. |
| US09999719B2 |
Clamp for an IV pump
A clamp assembly for an IV pump, or similar device, is disclosed. Disclosed embodiments include a clamp having a first lever arm with a first clamping end and a second lever arm having a second clamping end. A central axle connects the first lever arm and the second lever arm and allows the first clamping end and the second clamping end to pivot away from and towards each other. A biasing spring biases the first clamping end towards the second clamping end. Also disclosed is a bracket that is connected to the first lever arm and has a pump mounting portion that allows an IV pump, or similar device, to be mounted thereon. |
| US09999717B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting vascular access disconnection
A system for detecting whether a vascular access has been interrupted in an arrangement in which two catheters or needles are present in a blood vessel, fistula or graft. A fluid line leading to a pump is connected via a first connector to a first indwelling catheter, and a fluid line leading from a pump is connected via a second connector to a second indwelling catheter. Each connector is equipped with an electrode in contact with the lumen of the connector, the electrodes electrically connected to an electronic circuit that measures the impedance or conductivity of fluid between the first connector and second connectors via a fluid path through the blood vessel, fistula or graft. An electronic controller receives the impedance or conductivity data and processes the data to determine whether a vascular access disconnection has occurred. The processing may involve filtering the signal received by the controller, and/or setting provisional flags for a disconnection event that may be cleared if the signal changes before the expiration of a counter. |
| US09999714B2 |
Catheter system and intravascular blood pump having said catheter system
A catheter (20), which can be part of an intravascular blood pump, possesses a kink sensor which extends over the total length of the catheter and comprises an optical fiber (28A). The optical fiber is attached to an evaluation device (100) which evaluates a preset light quantity transmitted through the optical fiber as to whether a part of the light quantity is coupled out of the optical fiber along the length of the optical fiber. This is interpreted as a kink event and displayed. The optical fiber preferably utilized for the kink sensor is the optical fiber of an optical pressure sensor. |
| US09999713B2 |
Device and a method for augmenting heart function
A device, a kit and a method are presented for permanently augmenting the pump function of the left heart. The basis for the presented innovation is an augmentation of the physiologically up and down movement of the mitral valve during each heart cycle. By means of catheter technique, minimal surgery, or open heart surgery implants are inserted into the left ventricle, the mitral valve annulus, the left atrium and adjacent tissue in order to augment the natural up and down movement of the mitral valve and thereby increasing the left ventricular diastolic filling and the piston effect of the closed mitral valve when moving towards the apex of said heart in systole and/or away from said apex in diastole. |
| US09999711B2 |
Sustained variable negative pressure wound treatment and method of controlling same
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing reduced or negative pressure, and more particularly cyclical reduced pressure, to treat a wound. The system can include a wound dressing, a fluid collection container, a suction source, filters, and conduits. In addition, the system can include a control device and sensors. The sensors may be configured to monitor certain physiological conditions of a patient such as temperature, pressure, blood flow, blood oxygen saturation, pulse, cardiac cycle, and the like. Application of cyclical reduced pressure between two or more values below atmospheric pressure may be synchronized with the physiological conditions monitored by the sensors. Certain embodiments of the system utilize an air reservoir and one or more valves and pressure sensors or gauges to allow for rapid cycling of the level of reduced pressure within the wound dressing between two or more reduced pressure values. |
| US09999706B2 |
Implantable devices having antibacterial properties and multifunctional surfaces
Implantable devices having antibacterial activity for preventing periprosthetic infections and for improving osteointegration capacity are provided. Methods for making and using such devices are also provided. |
| US09999704B2 |
Amphiphilic degradable polymers for immobilization and sustained delivery of biomolecules
The invention provides a novel approach to controlled delivery of biomolecules (e.g., lipids and proteins) by employing novel amphiphilic polymers that are effective delivery vehicles. These unique amphiphilic polymers may be employed as controlled delivery vehicles or tissue engineering scaffolds wherein the delivery of lipophilic or amphiphilic bioactive molecules can be achieved. An amphiphilic biodegradable polymer platform is disclosed herein for the stable encapsulation and sustained release of biomolecules, such as S1P. |
| US09999701B2 |
Lung volume reduction therapy using crosslinked non-natural polymers
One aspect of the invention relates to a hydrogel comprising a non-natural polymer comprising a plurality of pendant nucleophilic groups and a crosslinker comprising at least two pendant electrophilic groups. Another aspect of the invention relates to a hydrogel comprising a non-natural polymer comprising a plurality of pendant electrophilic groups and a crosslinker comprising at least two pendant nucleophilic groups. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method for reducing lung volume in a patient comprising the step of administering a hydrogel composition as described herein. Further, hydrogels of the invention may be used to achieve pleurodesis, seal brochopleural fistulas, seal an air leak in a lung, achieve hemostasis, tissue sealing (e.g., blood vessels, internal organs), or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the compositions and methods described herein are intended for use in the treatment of patients with emphysema. |
| US09999699B2 |
Chip sanitizing device
A chip sanitizing device comprises an area that is substantially enclosed and includes a sanitizing unit comprising a germicidal bulb and a power source. One or more chips is placed within the device and after the germicidal bulb is activated the one or more chips is sanitized. In another embodiment of the invention a chip rack is modified to include a sanitizing unit comprising a germicidal bulb, a power source and a fan stored in a housing attached to the chip rack. The slots are modified to contain openings to allow ultraviolet light to reach the chips sitting atop the rack. The ultraviolet light may sterilize microorganisms such as germs and bacterium found on chips. A fan is used to provide circulation and may increase the likelihood of germs and bacteria coming into contact with the ultraviolet light. In a further embodiment of the invention a lid is provided that substantially covers the chip rack and stores the sanitizing unit. In a further embodiment, the inner surfaces of a lid or housing may be covered with reflective material to increase the likelihood that the ultraviolet light comes into contact with germs or bacteria. |
| US09999698B2 |
Olfactory display
An olfactory display includes a housing and a plurality of fragrance chambers formed in the housing. In each fragrance chamber, a solid-like fragrance source is accommodated and an airflow source is provided to send air into the fragrance chamber from an air intake port. An auxiliary airflow source that emits odorless air is also provided in the housing. The airflow source and the auxiliary airflow source are operated alternately or simultaneously. In response to a user operating an adjustment knob of a controller, operating time periods and stopping time periods of the airflow source and the auxiliary airflow source are changed, or the number of operating times is changed within a predetermined operating time period. A mixing ratio of the fragrance and the odorless air may also be adjusted by changing a voltage value of an alternating voltage to be applied to a piezoelectric device of the airflow source. |
| US09999696B2 |
Compact system with high homogeneity of the radiation field
The invention relates to a system for treating gases and/or liquids with radiation or for detecting radiation in gases and/or liquids, including at least one optical system and a reactor. The reactor has a hollow body shape which includes lateral surfaces, connecting parts, and an inner chamber which may be open to the front and rear sides, through which a medium flows or in which the medium is present. The reactor is designed, at least partially, in the form of a radiation reflector and is divided into first and second functional areas. This enables a particularly homogeneous radiation distribution in the inner chamber of the reactor, which increases the efficiency of the treatment or detection. Also, due to this arrangement, the system is more compact. |
| US09999694B2 |
Multimodal silica-based nanoparticles
The present invention provides a fluorescent silica-based nanoparticle that allows for precise detection, characterization, monitoring and treatment of a disease such as cancer. The nanoparticle has a range of diameters including between about 0.1 nm and about 100 nm, between about 0.5 nm and about 50 nm, between about 1 nm and about 25 nm, between about 1 nm and about 15 nm, or between about 1 nm and about 8 nm. The nanoparticle has a fluorescent compound positioned within the nanoparticle, and has greater brightness and fluorescent quantum yield than the free fluorescent compound. The nanoparticle also exhibits high biostability and biocompatibility. To facilitate efficient urinary excretion of the nanoparticle, it may be coated with an organic polymer, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The small size of the nanoparticle, the silica base and the organic polymer coating minimizes the toxicity of the nanoparticle when administered in vivo. In order to target a specific cell type, the nanoparticle may further be conjugated to a ligand, which is capable of binding to a cellular component associated with the specific cell type, such as a tumor marker. In one embodiment, a therapeutic agent may be attached to the nanoparticle. To permit the nanoparticle to be detectable by not only optical fluorescence imaging, but also other imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), computerized tomography (CT), bioluminescence imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radionuclides/radiometals or paramagnetic ions may be conjugated to the nanoparticle. |
| US09999692B2 |
Radiolabelling process
The present invention relates to a novel composition comprising 1-amino-3-[18F]-fluorocyclobutanecarboxylic acid ([18F]-FACBC) wherein said composition has certain superior properties in comparison with known compositions comprising [18F]-FACBC. Also provided by the invention is a method to obtain said composition. |
| US09999688B2 |
Methods for treating and diagnosing blinding eye diseases
This invention relates to, in part, methods and compositions that are useful for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a blinding eye disease, including in the discovery of drugs that are efficacious against these diseases. Diseases include, for example, age related macular degeneration and reticular pseudodrusen disease, and the methods described herein include, for example, the method named delayed near infrared analysis (DNIRA). |
| US09999687B2 |
Fluorescent imaging agents
Provided is a family of intramolecularly quenched imaging agents for use in both in vivo and in vitro imaging that contain at least one enzymatically cleavable oligopeptide and two fluorophores or a fluorophore and a quencher. When subjected to proteolytic cleavage, at least one fluorophore is unquenched and becomes capable of producing a fluorescent signal upon excitation with light of an appropriate wavelength. Also provided are in vivo and in vitro imaging methods using such imaging agents. |
| US09999686B2 |
Dental cleaning composition
The present invention relates to oral compositions for identifying plaque comprising a dental disclosing agent composition for revealing the presence of dental plaque in a person's mouth. The composition comprises a natural colorant derived from annatto seed and a colorant that stains plaque and when added to annatto seed extract results in a color having a wave length of 500 nm to 580 nm and. |
| US09999684B2 |
Methods of treating neurodegenerative disorders
The present disclosure is directed to adeno-associated viral vector monoclonal antibody constructs and compositions thereof, methods of improving locomotor function after spinal cord injury, methods of treating neurodegenerative diseases. |
| US09999683B2 |
Method for identifying and treating a patient having tumor lesions comprising administering a gene therapy retroviral vector particle comprising a mutated HSV-thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) polynucleotide
Nucleic acid sequences encoding improved Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinases are provided, including their use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The thymidine kinases may be mutated using conservative mutations, non-conservative mutations, or both. Also provided are gene therapeutic systems, including viral and retroviral particles. |
| US09999682B2 |
Method for preparing chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles for protein immobilization
A method for preparing chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles for protein immobilization includes forming ferrous ferric oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles by co-precipitation and coating the nanoparticles with chitosan in the presence of glutaraldehyde. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles can be coated by dispersing ferrous ferric oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles into a solution comprising chitosan and acetic acid, adding a surfactant, adding excess 50% glutaraldehyde solution, and washing the nanoparticles with a solvent. The chitosan coated ferric oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles can be used to immobilize proteins or other biomolecules. |
| US09999681B2 |
Peptidomimetic compounds and antibody-drug conjugates thereof
This invention relates to peptidomimetic linkers and anti-body drug conjugates thereof, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and to their use in therapy for the prevention or treatment of cancer. |
| US09999680B2 |
Conjugates comprising cell-binding agents and maytansinoids as cytotoxic agents
The invention provides linker compounds containing a disulfide group, and maytansin-derived cytotoxic compounds that are useful for forming a CBA-drug conjugates, and conjugates so formed. Such conjugates and/or cytotoxic compounds may be effective for treating a range of diseases, such as cancer, with a relatively high activity at a relatively low, non-toxic dose. |
| US09999678B2 |
C6-C18-acylated derivative of hyaluronic acid and method of preparation thereof
The invention relates to a method of preparation hydrophobized hyaluronic acid (Formula I) and further to a method of encapsulating biologically active substances into the nanomicelles of hydrophobized hyaluronan serving as carriers of biologically active hydrophobic substances. The hydrophobization of hyaluronan is carried out through an esterification reaction of hyaluronan with long-chain carboxylic acids, the latter being activated by a halogenide derivative of 2,4,6-trichlorobenzoic acid or by another organic chloride. In an aqueous environment, water-soluble hydrophobized derivatives can form nanomicelles in which nonpolar substances can be bound by means of non-covalent physical interactions. The core of a nanomicelle is formed by hydrophobic acyl functional groups while the shell of a nanomicelle is formed by hyaluronic acid. The encapsulation of the substances into nanomicelles can be performed by means of the solvent exchange method or by means of sonication. Hyaluronic nanomicelles support the penetration of bound substances in topical applications and enable the bound substances to be transferred into the individual cells. The nanomicelles obtained from hydrophobized hyaluronan derivatives are usable in cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. |
| US09999674B2 |
Compositions comprising apomorphine and organic acids and uses thereof
The present invention provides stable liquid or semi-solid pharmaceutical compositions of apomorphine, more particularly composition comprising apomorphine and an organic acid, which are useful in treatment of neurological or movement diseases or disorders, e.g., Parkinson's disease, or conditions associated therewith. |
| US09999670B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising benzyl alcohol
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising benzyl alcohol and polyoxyethylene derivatives of sorbitan esters of carboxylic acids that are useful for the delivery of anti-psychotic drugs. |
| US09999666B2 |
Uses of conjugates of GM-CSF and IL-7 to treat viral infections
In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to conjugates comprising GM-CSF and IL-7 and uses related thereto, e.g., enhancing the adaptive immune system. Typically the GM-CSF and IL-7 are connected by a polymer linker, e.g., polypeptide. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to nucleic acids encoding these polypeptide conjugates, vectors comprising nucleic acid encoding polypeptide conjugates, and protein expression systems comprising these vectors such as infectious viral particles and host cells comprising such a nucleic acids. |
| US09999663B2 |
Immunogenic formulation containing recombinant live BCG that express antigens of metapneumovirus (hMPV), in a suspension prepared from a lyophilisate, without requiring an adjuvant, suitable for pharmaceutical use
The present invention relates to an immunogenic formulation to be used in mammals against human Metapneumovirus (hMPV), consisting of a lyophilisate of 1×109 ufc/ml of recombinant BCG that expresses the viral protein P of hMPV (of genogroups A1, A2, B1 and B2). The vaccine is derived from the full or partial product of the P gene of hMPV, capable of being used, stabilised and administered in solution without requiring adjuvants. The preparation can also contain combinations of the aforementioned formulations. The formulation is stabilised by means of lyophilisation (conservation range of between 4° C. and 8° C.) in order to be subsequently reconstituted in an adjuvant-free saline solution prior to use. |
| US09999662B2 |
Influenza vaccine and therapy
The present invention is directed generally to M1 polypeptides that can be utilized as vaccines and/or antigens for generation of anti-M1 polypeptide antibodies for prophylactic treatment of individuals who are susceptible to infection by influenza virus. The anti-M1 polypeptide antibodies of the invention are useful for treatment of individuals infected with influenza virus, or useful for prophylactic treatment of individuals who are susceptible to infection by influenza virus, or for immune-suppressed individuals who cannot generate an effective antibody response. |
| US09999658B2 |
Method for treating pain and method for screening pharmaceutical compositions having an anti-pain effect
The present invention relates to a method for treating pain in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering an effective amount of a nucleic acid to the subject, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a PTEN nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present invention also provides a method for screening pharmaceutical compositions having an anti-pain effect, wherein the pharmaceutical compositions can stimulate the upregulation of PTEN. |
| US09999656B2 |
Treatment of short bowel syndrome patients with colon-in-continuity
Intestinal absorption is enhanced in short bowel syndrome patients presenting with colon-in-continuity by treatment with a GLP-2 receptor agonist, such as teduglutide. |
| US09999655B2 |
Use of MKS inhibitor peptide-containing compositions for treating non-small cell lung cancer with same
Pharmaceutical compositions, systems and methods for treating a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) solid tumor comprising a population of tumor cells are described. In some aspects, administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutic amount of a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence YARAAARQARAKALARQLGVAA (SEQ ID NO: 1) or functional equivalent thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, is effective to inhibit a kinase activity in the population of tumor cells and to reduce cancer cell proliferation, to reduce tumor size, to reduce tumor burden, to induce tumor cell death, to overcome tumor chemoresistance, to enhance tumor chemosensitivity, or a combination thereof. |
| US09999654B2 |
Composition with increased bioavailability of orally administered embryo-peptides and process for its obtainment
The invention refers to a composition standardized in heterologous embryo-peptides, used as a dietary supplement and to a process for its obtainment. The composition consists of heterologous embryonic extract, standardized in embryo-peptides, maltodextrin, selenium yeast, chromium yeast, zinc chelated in embryo-peptides, pyridoxine, mixture of cationic peptides, formed by enzymatic hydrolysis of vitellus and egg white remaining after chicken embryo harvesting, with antitrypsin and endocytosis promoting activity, sodium taurocholate, expanded silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, methylparaben and propylparaben. The process of obtainment consists of the following steps: obtaining and disintegration of biological material, diluting with sterile water, homogenization and dissociation of embryonic growth factors from their soluble receptors; embryo-peptides concentration through tangential ultrafiltration; embryo-protein denaturation and mixing of embryo-peptides with denatured proteins; obtainment of cationic peptides and their addition and of others components over the mixture embryo peptides-embryo proteins, homogenization and spray-drying of the final mixture. |
| US09999650B2 |
Peptide and peptidomimetic inhibitors
The present invention provides inhibitors and/or antagonists of plasma kallikrein. Also provided are methods of utilizing the inhibitors as therapeutics. |
| US09999646B2 |
Method of treating inflammation, allergy and asthma with a purified extract (ATC1) isolated from Pseudolysimachion rotundum var. subintegrum containing abundant amount of active ingredient
The present invention relates to inventive novel industrialized method for preparing purified extract containing more abundant active ingredients such as catalpol derivatives from the extract of Pseudolysimachion rotundum var subintegrum than that prepared by the conventional preparation method disclosed in the prior art and the therapeutics or functional health food comprising the purified extract for treating and preventing inflammatory, allergic or asthmatic disease. The purified extract showed more potent anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy and anti-asthma activity than that prepared by the conventional preparation method disclosed in the prior art through various in vivo tests such as inhibition test on the reproduction of eosinophil, the release of immunoglobulin and inflammatory chemokines in plasma and bronchoalveolar fluid as well as the suppression of airway hyperresponsiveness and goblet cell hyperplasia in a OVA-sensitized/challenged mouse model. |
| US09999644B2 |
Dietary supplements for treating ADHD and related disorders
Provided herein are compositions, methods of use thereof and kits comprising same for prophylaxis, alleviating or treating a subject with, or experiencing symptoms associated with, attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) and related disorders. Specifically, the compositions comprise a magnesium mineral, vitamin D and at least one botanical component, in amounts such that the supplement is effective for preventing, alleviating and/or treating a child, teen or adult subject with ADD/ADHD and related disorders or one or more symptoms associated with ADD/ADHD and related disorders. |
| US09999638B2 |
Subpopulations of spore-like cells and uses thereof
Subpopulations of spore-like cells expressing specific cell surface and gene expression markers are provided. In one embodiment, the cells express at least one cell surface or gene expression marker selected from the group consisting of Oct4, nanog, Zfp296, cripto, Gdf3, UtF1, Ecat1, Esg1, Sox2, Pax6, nestin, SCA-1, CD29, CD34, CD90, B1 integrin, cKit, SP-C, CC10, SF1, DAX1, and SCG10. Also provided are methods for purifying a subpopulation of spore-like cells of interest from a population of spore-like cells, and methods for inducing differentiation of the isolated spore-like cells into cells of endodermal, mesodermal or ectodermal origin. The spore-like cells can be used to generate cells originating from all three germ layers and can be used to treat a patient who has a deficiency of functional cells in any of a wide variety of tissues, including the retina, intestine, bladder, kidney, liver, lung, nervous system, or endocrine system. |
| US09999632B2 |
Inhibition of pancreatic lipase
The present invention provides the use of an alginate Io inhibit pancreatic lipase. The use may be directed to the control of weight in animals including human beings. Preferably the fraction of guluronate dimers in the alginate is at least 0.5. |
| US09999627B2 |
Methods of treating erectile dysfunction
An active agent for use in a method of, or for use in the preparation of a medicament for, treating or inhibiting the development of erectile dysfunction and/or incontinence following pelvic radiation treatment in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering said subject an active agent in a treatment effective amount, is described. The active agent has the general structure of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. |
| US09999626B2 |
Mineral amino-acid complexes of active agents
The present invention provides compounds of Formula I and related compositions and methods. |
| US09999622B2 |
Pyrazolothiazole compound and medicine comprising same
The invention provides a pyrazolothiazole compound of the formula [I], or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: The compound of the invention has JAK1 inhibitory activity, and thus, immunosuppressive effect, anti-inflammatory effect and anti-proliferative effect, and is useful in the treatment of the diseases, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis and vasculitis, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and eosinophilic sinusitis, nasal polyp. |
| US09999618B2 |
Dosing regimens for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases using pharmacological chaperones
The present invention provides dosing regimens for administering pharmacological chaperones to a subject in need thereof. The dosing regimens can be used to treat disorders caused by improper protein misfolding, such as lysosomal storage disorders. |
| US09999616B2 |
Substituted bicyclic compounds as bromodomain inhibitors
The invention relates to substituted bicyclic compounds, which are useful for inhibition of BET protein function by binding to bromodomains, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and use of the compounds and compositions in therapy. |
| US09999615B2 |
Autotaxin inhibitor compounds
Described herein are compounds that are autotaxin inhibitors, methods of making such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds in the treatment of conditions, diseases, or disorders associated with autotaxin activity. |
| US09999613B2 |
2H-chromene derivatives as analgesic agents
The invention relates to the use of the compound of general formula 1 or its spatial isomers as an analgesic drug. The compounds have high activity, low toxicity, may be used in medicine. |
| US09999612B2 |
PPARs agonist activity enhancing drug
A lifestyle disease improving drug is disclosed that enhances PPARα, δ and γ agonist activities that includes a compound having the lactone structure in accordance with the chemical formula 6-alkyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one, the alkyl containing 4, 5, or 6 carbons. Methods for enhancing PPARα, γ and δ agonist activities in vertebrates or medically treating a vertebrate are disclosed. The methods include providing a composition of an active ingredient, the lifestyle disease improving drug, in a biologically acceptable medium and administering an effective amount of the composition to a vertebrate. |
| US09999607B2 |
Lipid comprising polyunsaturated fatty acids
The present invention relates to extracted plant lipid, comprising fatty acids in an esterified form. |
| US09999605B2 |
Preparation for treatment of a non-oral treatment site comprising an active chlorine compound and amino acids
A kit of parts for use in prevention and/or treatment of a non-oral treatment site, such as, sores, wounds, ulcers or the like, or a fistula or otitis. The kit of parts comprises a first aqueous component comprising one or more amino acids, and a second aqueous component comprising an active halogen compound, wherein the pH of the first component and/or the second component is about 9 to 11.5. There is also provided a treatment preparation prepared from the components and uses thereof in the prevention and/or treatment of a non-oral treatment site, such as, sores, wounds, ulcers or the like, or a fistula or otitis. |
| US09999600B2 |
Nanoparticle compositions
The present invention provides, among other things, nanoparticle compositions including a plurality of nanoparticles, each of which is comprised of a biodegradable or biocompatible polymer arranged in a nanoparticle structure defining an internal lumen and an external surface and one or more of a preparation of hydrophilic cellular components and a preparation of hydrophobic cellular components. In some embodiments, the preparation of hydrophilic cellular components is encapsulated within the internal lumen and the preparation of hydrophobic cellular components is associated with the external surface. Various methods of making and using disclosed nanoparticle compositions are also provided. |
| US09999596B2 |
Controlled release hydrogels
Formulations and methods for their preparation including a hydrogel including a crosslinked matrix comprising a polymer, and a one or more liposomes containing a therapeutic agent. |
| US09999591B2 |
Immunogenic composition against Campylobacter jejuni
The inventive subject matter relates to an immunogenic composition against Campylobacter jejuni comprising isolated capsule polysaccharide from selected pathogenic Campylobacter jejuni strains. The inventive subject matter also relates to methods of using the polysaccharide compositions in inducing and anti-C. jejuni immune response. |
| US09999588B1 |
Topical skin care formulations and methods of using same
A natural and dual-functioning topical skin care composition for exfoliating and moisturizing the skin. The compositions include undissolved, water-soluble Camu Camu particles as an exfoliant in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The compositions are anhydrous or substantially free of water to retain the exfoliant Camu Camu particles in the composition as it is applied and rubbed onto the skin. The compositions provide a rinse-free way to exfoliate the skin with the application of minute amounts of water to dissolve the vitamin C enriched Camu Camu particles of the compositions that may then be absorbed into the skin. |
| US09999582B2 |
Combinations of preservatives for hair colors
An agent for coloring keratinic fibers, particularly human hairs, includes in a cosmetic carrier (a) at least one preservative from the group of sorbic acid, 2-hydroxydiphenyl, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid, dibromohexamidine, 10-undecylenic acid, hexetidine, triclocarban, triclosanum, 4-chloro-3,4-dimethylphenol, imidazolidinyl urea, hexamethylenetetramine, 1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-1-(imidazole-1-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-2-butanone, 1,3-Bis-(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethyl-2,4-imidazolidinedione, 1-hydroxy-4-methyl-6-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)-2-pyridone, bromochlorophene, 3-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)phenol, 5-chloro-2-methyl-3(2H)-isothiazolone, 2-benzyl-4-chlorophenol, 2-chloroacetamide, chlorohexidine, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-oxazolidine, 1-phenoxy-propane-2-ol, hexamidine, 5-ethyl-1-aza-3,7-dioxabicyclo-[3.3.0]-octane, chlorphenesin, sodium hydroxymethyl amino acetate, benzyl hemiformal, 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate, methylisothiazolinone and ethyl lauroyl arginate, and (b) at least one oxidation dye precursor and/or at least one direct dye. A second object of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a colorant of the first object of the invention. |
| US09999580B2 |
Skin tightening compositions
The present disclosure relates to cosmetic compositions that provide immediate skin-tightening and long-lasting improvements to the skin for the treatment of, for example, eye bags, facial wrinkles, and other age-related skin imperfections. The compositions comprise: (a) a first film former sodium silicate; (b) at least one second film former; (c) at least one polyvalent silicate thickener; (d) at least one anionic associative polymeric thickener; (e) at least one plasticizer; and (f) optionally at least one cosmetic powder. |
| US09999578B2 |
Translucent and syrupy cosmetic composition
Disclosed is a stable cosmetic composition having a syrupy texture while not being sticky, and translucent (or even transparent) appearance. Further disclosed is a method of preparation of such composition, as well as a method of its use. |
| US09999575B2 |
Container with a spittoon
A container is provided that includes a top cover, a bottom cover, a body portion configured to engage the top cover and the bottom cover to substantially enclose an internal space defined by the body portion, wherein the body portion includes an intermediate wall that divides the internal space into a first compartment and a second compartment, and a spittoon disposed within the second compartment. |
| US09999574B2 |
Method for producing a pacifier teat, and pacifier teat
A method for producing a pacifier teat, and a pacifier teat with a teat section which forms a hollow space and which is adjoined by a stem, wherein an elastic hollow body comprising the teat section and the stem is injection molded or pre-formed by a dipping method, and opposite wall sections of the pre-formed hollow body are connected to each other in the region of the stem. |
| US09999571B2 |
Uniform-distribution filling mechanism for medicinal powder
A uniform-distribution filling mechanism for medicinal powder includes a metering disk, a powder storage ring, and a lateral powder blocker. One end of the blocker is provided with a pointed tip, and the other end thereof is provided with a sloping stage. The middle portion of the metering disk is provided with a support shaft, said shaft and the blocker being connected one to the other by means of a support arm. Medicinal powder enters via the pointed tip of the blocker, is evenly agitated, exits via the sloping stage of the blocker, and is evenly dispensed. Thus, the powder is able to enter one side of the blocker and come out the other side thereof such that the powder is evenly dispensed and then uniformly distributed onto the metering disk. This ensures that powder holes of a same group on the metering disk are filled with medicinal powder uniformly and with precision, thereby ensuring that capsules are filled uniformly and consistently with medicinal powder, thus increasing the success rate when filling capsules. |
| US09999569B2 |
Needle valve and connectors for use in liquid transfer apparatuses
The invention is a needle valve and connectors for use in liquid transfer apparatuses. The needle valve of the invention is not the conventional type of needle valve known in the art that comprises a threaded valve stem, which allows very accurate control of the flow through the valve, and that uses elastic materials, such as rubber, as a sealing component. The needle valve of the invention comprises two components: the first component is a hollow needle having a smooth exterior surface and a port at the side of the cylindrical shaft, the second component is a seat made of rigid material e.g. plastic with low friction properties. |
| US09999567B2 |
Systems and methods for nasal irrigation
Systems and methods for nasal irrigation are provided in which a nasal irrigation device includes a source of saline solution, an effluent receptacle, a nasal interface, a vacuum source, a fluid passageway to communicate the source of saline solution with the effluent receptacle through the nasal interface and a nasal cavity of a user, and a switch and valve assembly for selectively controlling the vacuum source and flow of the saline solution through the fluid passageway. The source of saline solution is disposed relative to the device to provide gravitational inducement of the saline solution to the nasal interface in engagement to the device user's nostrils. A combination of the gravitational inducement and a relative vacuum from the effluent receptacle generates a fluid flow for irrigating, cleansing and massaging the nasal cavity and ostia of the user. The entire device is assembled as a hand-held device for convenient lifting and disposal against the user's nostrils. |
| US09999565B2 |
Steam shower system and device
A steam shower system, includes a steam enclosure, including a front plate, a rear wall, and a steam chamber; a steam mixing valve with a steam control dial; a mixed water line; a steam nozzle assembly with a stem nozzle head; a steam vent, including a perimeter wall, including a perimeter wall and a perimeter ledge; a steam deflector; a steam barrier; a vacuum air vent, which is optionally hidden behind the steam control dial; and aromatherapy device, including an aromatherapy aperture and receptor with a container for aromatic liquid; such that the steam vent is configured to emit steam from the steam chamber. |
| US09999564B2 |
Back massaging apparatus
In a back massaging apparatus capable of projecting a massaging mechanism forward and returning the same to an original normal position, a motion amount is to be sufficient. The back massaging apparatus provided in a chair-type massaging machine includes: a massaging mechanism having: left and right paired massaging members each of which is provided with a treatment unit performing a massaging operation; and a drive unit transmitting a massaging operation to the massaging members; and a projection amount variable mechanism which moves the massaging members so that a projection amount of the treatment unit in the back and forth direction is varied. |
| US09999560B2 |
Device for dialysis and stimulation of a patient and method
A device and method for carrying out dialysis and stimulation of a patient at the same time, in which an inflatable/deflatable cuff applies the stimulation. |
| US09999559B2 |
Infant warming device with integrated touch screen and display isolation mounting
In an infant warming device, an isolation mounting system supports the weight of an integrated touch screen assembly during transport and during transport, but does not apply any forces normal to the plane of the display that would weaken the adhesive bonds between the touch screen cover glass and the touch screen, and the touch screen and the display, which could cause separation of the integrated touch screen. |
| US09999558B2 |
Piece of furniture, such as an adjustable bed, having an adjustable platform
An adjustable bed having a mattress support platform and a fixed frame base with wheels. A lift mechanism interconnects the mattress support platform and the fixed frame base to displace the mattress support platform between a fully collapsed position and a fully elevated position. The lift mechanism includes leg members pivotally connected with the fixed frame base and with the mattress support platform. A force multiplying actuating linkage interconnects an actuator and the fixed frame base. The actuating linkage includes a driving link and an intermediate link. The driving link has a first end pivotally mounted to the fixed frame base and a second end pivotally connected to the actuator. The intermediate link is pivotally connected to the driving link, and is pivotally engaged with one of the leg members and a stabilizing link. The stabilizing link interconnects one of the leg members and the fixed frame base. |
| US09999557B2 |
Robotic mobility device
A mobility device, including a base, a first omnidirectional wheel mounted at a first side of a forward portion of the base to rotate about a first axis, a second omnidirectional wheel mounted at a second side of the forward portion of the base to rotate about the first axis, a third wheel mounted at a rearward portion of the base to rotate about a second axis, a drive system to move the first omnidirectional wheel, the second omnidirectional wheel, and the third wheel according to input received indicating a desired motion of the mobility device, a seat for a user of the mobility device, and a linear actuator coupling the seat to the base to drive the adjustable seat in a vertical direction according to the input received indicating the desired motion of the mobility device. |
| US09999549B2 |
Method of making prefastened refastenable disposable absorbent articles
Aspects of the methods according to the present disclosure relate to the fabrication of refastenable pant diapers wherein discrete chassis are advanced in a machine direction such that the lateral axis is parallel with the machine direction. First side panels are then refastenably connected with the first waist region, and second side panels are permanently connected the second waist regions of the discrete chassis. The methods disclosed herein connect chassis with discrete lengths of side panel material and/or connection zone material, and forms a continuous web of articles formed by intermittently spaced chassis and intermittently spaced side panels bridging the gap between the intermittently spaced chassis. The chassis are then folded in the cross direction parallel to a lateral centerline and the first and second side panels are subsequently bonded together. The article is then subjected to knife cut adjacent the bonded regions to create discrete, pre-fastened refastenable pant diapers. |
| US09999545B2 |
Modular anti-fog goggle system
Modular, anti-fog goggle system comprising: lens with an anti-fog heating element and electrical contact, a semi-rigid anterior body comprising an inner peripheral engagement receptacle for receiving the lens within the body, the lens being releasably retained by a removable lens retaining member preferably comprising a tongue releasably interconnected with a groove in the body, the anti-fog element on the lens being releasably connected with a battery preferably retained within the body, the releasable electrical connection being reinforced by the tongue and groove interconnection, a flexible posterior interface being adapted for interposition between the removable lens retaining member and a user's face, and strap means adapted for holding the goggle on the user's head or helmet and reinforcing the interconnection between the removable lens retaining member and the body. |
| US09999541B2 |
Positioning device for eye surgery and procedures
The invention provides a positioning device for use in an examination, procedure or surgery of the eye. The positioning device includes an incurvate body with an upper peripheral edge having a first arc length, a lower peripheral edge having a second arc length, and a curved lateral portion therebetween. The lower peripheral edge has an arc length that is longer than the first arc length, as well as one to eight indentations of a size effective to receive a surgical instrument. The incurvate body of the positioning device of the invention is configured to engage at least a portion of the eye posterior to the corneal limbus and beneath which the pars plana is located. The positioning device can also include a handle pivotably attached to the incurvate body. The positioning device can be used to stabilize the eye as well as assist in accurate positioning of instruments during eye examination, procedure or surgery involving the anterior or posterior segment of the eye. |
| US09999540B2 |
Dropper of eye drops
A dropper of eye drops comprises an eye drops storage for storing eye drops, which has an opening at the top and an eye drop outlet at the bottom; an elastic seal assembly installed inside the eye drop storage and forming a space for storing the eye drops together with the eye drop outlet; a pressing device installed at the top of the eye drop storage and configured to press the elastic seal assembly so as to compress the space for storing the eye drops, such that the eye drops are dropped out of the eye drop outlet. The dropper of eye drops eye drops by means of pressing the pressing device, and thus can be operated simply and safely, time- and energy-saving, and avoid waste. In addition, the dropper of eye drops has a simple design in structure and is convenient for use. |
| US09999539B2 |
Thermal eye pod assembly
A thermal eye pod assembly for use in efficiently heating and/or cooling a plurality of thermal eye patch members, as desired. A portable thermal eye pod assembly for use in efficiently treating a user's recurring ophthalmic conditions, accelerating a user's healing process, and providing a user with a relatively faster means of pain relief. |
| US09999538B2 |
Obstructive sleep apnea and snoring prevention dental appliance
Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a dental appliance for treating/preventing sleep apnea and snoring. The dental appliance may be a wedge-shaped device designed to be positioned between the lower and upper jaw, wherein the device is thicker within a front area of the mouth and thinner within a back area of the mouth. The device may include upper and lower teeth channels to accommodate the teeth and a plurality of breathing ports positioned between the upper and lower teeth channels, the breathing ports being configured to allow a user to breathe through the ports while the appliance is in use. The appliance may force the mouth and airway into an unnaturally open position without requiring the lower jaw to be displaced forward. A tongue rest may extend through the device to support the tongue, while simultaneously providing slight upward pressure on the tongue to further open the airway. |
| US09999537B2 |
Convex supporting device
A base plate comprising an adhesive wafer and a convex supporting device. An ostomy appliance comprising a base plate with an adhesive wafer and a convex supporting device. |
| US09999535B2 |
Ostomy wafer
An ostomy wafer (1) comprising a proximal surface in an axial direction facing the user during use provided with an adhesive layer (7), a distal surface (5) in the axial direction facing away from the user during use provided with a backing layer, coupling means for attaching a collection bag, an opening having an inner radial boundary defining a stoma receiving opening, and an outer radial boundary defining the peripheral edge of the ostomy wafer. Furthermore, the wafer is provided with a reinforcement structure (6). |
| US09999531B2 |
Variable scale stent deployment device
A variable scale medical implant deployment device comprising a variable inner diameter scale sleeve insert is provided. Also described are kits containing the variable scale medical implant deployment device and methods for deploying a medical implant into a body lumen using a variable scale medical implant deployment device. |
| US09999528B2 |
Stent with embedded pressure sensors
A stent including a wire tube and at least one pressure sensor in electrical contact with the wire tube. The pressure sensor includes a diaphragm in communication with a reservoir of liquid, a channel in fluid communication with the reservoir of liquid, and at least one pair of electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the channel, wherein deflection of the diaphragm causes fluid to move from the reservoir into the channel. |
| US09999524B2 |
Prosthetic feet and foot covers
Prosthetic feet and foot covers that provide a more natural appearance and improved performance are provided. A foot element for a prosthetic foot can extend from a heel end to a toe end and include a heel, arch, forefoot, and toe regions. The forefoot region can be wider than the arch and heel regions. The toe region can include a U-shaped cut out to define a big toe. Various features of the foot element can guide rollover of the foot through the big toe during use. A foot cover can be designed to receive a prosthetic foot including such a foot element. The foot cover can have a region of increased flexibility at a transition between the forefoot region and toe region. The foot cover can also have a padded area extending from the heel region across a lateral part of the arch region and forefoot region. |
| US09999523B2 |
Frictionless vertical suspension mechanism for prosthetic feet
A vertical suspension system for a prosthetic foot includes a first member operatively coupleable to an amputee's residual leg. The suspension system can also include a second member coupleable to a prosthetic foot. One or more upper leaf springs and one or more lower leaf springs extend between and are attached to the first and second members such that at least one of the ends of each leaf spring is rotationally fixed to the first or second members, where the upper an lower leaf springs are spaced apart from each other. |
| US09999521B2 |
Bio-mechanical prosthetic finger with H-shaped rocker
The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a prosthetic finger assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a coupling tip and a distal ring coupled with the coupling tip. The assembly further includes a proximal ring coupled with the distal ring. A rocker formed in an H-shape with a first end forming a first split prong and a second end forming a second split prong may extend between the coupling tip and the proximal ring. The coupling tip, distal ring, proximal ring, and H-shaped rocker may all be hingedly connected such that movements of the residual finger within the proximal ring articulate the distal ring together with the rocker to articulate the coupling tip. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US09999519B2 |
Instruments and methods for orthopedic implant assembly
Instruments and a surgical instrument system adapted for manipulating the position of implants within a spinal disc space to enable sequential addition of two or more implants during a surgical procedure, particularly a spinal surgery, and more particularly a spinal surgery selected from posterior and transforaminal interbody fusion surgery. The system permits controlled manipulation of an initially inserted implant within the disc space to allow for insertion of at least one additional implant adjacent the initial implant. |
| US09999516B2 |
Implant device having a non-planar surface
In various embodiments, an implant for interfacing with a bone structure includes a web structure including a space truss. The space truss includes two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes and the web structure is configured to interface with human bone tissue. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes accessing an intersomatic space and inserting an implant into the intersomatic space. The implant includes a web structure including a space truss. The space truss includes two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes and the web structure is configured to interface with human bone tissue. |
| US09999513B2 |
Shoulder prosthesis assembly
The present application concerns a shoulder prosthesis assembly. The shoulder prosthesis assembly comprises a humeral stem including a first articulating coupling means, a base portion of a substantially disc shaped geometry including a second articulating coupling means. Said first articulating coupling means and said second articulating coupling means connect the stem to the base portion. The ratio between the circumference of the disc shaped base portion and the peripheral thickness of the disc shaped base portion is at least 18:1. |
| US09999512B2 |
Knee joint prosthesis and related method
The present invention provides a uni-compartmental knee joint prosthesis (1) which includes a tibial component (2) and a femoral component (3). The tibial component (2) has a fixation portion (10) adapted to be fixed to an upper end of a prepared tibia (T) in a patient, and a bearing portion (30) presenting an articulation surface (32) formed from a ceramic material, wherein the bearing portion (30) is adapted for movement relative to the fixation portion (10). The femoral component (3) is adapted to be fixed to a lower end of a prepared femur (F) in a patient, and comprises a body portion (50) presenting an articulation surface (56) formed from a ceramic material for engagement with the articulation surface (32) of the tibial component (2). The articulation surfaces (32, 56) of the tibial and femoral components are adapted for essentially congruent engagement over a full range of movement of the prosthesis. |
| US09999511B2 |
Knee prosthesis
A tibial insert includes a base and a post extending from the base along a longitudinal axis. The post has a medial surface, a lateral surface, and a height along the longitudinal axis. The medial surface has a medial section, and the lateral surface has a lateral section oriented substantially parallel to the medial section. The medial section and the lateral section each have a width in a substantially anterior-posterior direction that is sufficient to enable varus/valgus constraint over a flexion/extension range from extension to about 90 to 120 degrees of flexion when the tibial insert is mated with a femoral component. The tibial insert further configured such that the medial bearing surface extends further in an inferior direction than the lateral bearing surface and a bottom point of the medial bearing surface is disposed closer to an anterior end portion of the medial bearing surface than a posterior end portion of the medial bearing surface. |
| US09999509B2 |
System and method for fabricating a body part model using multi-material additive manufacturing
A method for physically reconstructing a body part using multi-material additive manufacturing includes receiving image data of the body part in the form of arrays of voxels, each array of voxels representing image data pertaining to cross-section of the body part, translating the image data in the arrays of voxels to printable bitmap images representing combinations of modeling materials for reconstructing the body part, and dispensing the combinations of modeling materials responsive to the bitmap images in a layerwise manner. |
| US09999506B2 |
System and method for treating valve insufficiency or vessel dilatation
A medical device configured for placement in a blood vessel, in which an elastic tube extends between first and second expandable anchoring stents. The elastic tube is constructed of a resilient material that deflects outward in response to increased blood pressure of a heart beat and that moves back inward as the blood pressure drops, thereby aiding the heart's pumping action. |
| US09999505B2 |
Method for stabilizing a cardiac valve annulus
A method for stabilizing a cardiac valve annulus is provided. The method includes intravascularly delivering a prosthesis to a region of a cardiac valve, expanding the prosthesis to secure the prosthesis to the region of the cardiac valve, and reducing the inner diameter of the prosthesis to form the region of the cardiac valve into a predefined shape. |
| US09999502B2 |
Transcather valve prosthesis
A heart valve system, the system including a radially self-expandable tubular body, a valve, and a tubular fabric. The tubular body having an inflow end and an outflow end and including a plurality of struts with at least one motion buffer component integrated in the tubular body. The valve being coupled to the tubular body and including a plurality of valve leaflets. The fabric being disposed over an outer surface of the tubular body and over an outer surface of the motion buffer component. Additionally, when the outflow end of the tubular body moves radially inward from movement of the valve leaflets, the motion buffer component being configured so as to not move radially inward with the outflow end of the tubular body. |
| US09999501B2 |
Valve prosthesis
Heart valve prostheses are provided having a self-expanding frame that supports a valve body comprising a skirt and a plurality of coapting leaflets. The self-expanding frame includes an inflow section, a valve section, and an outflow section. The outflow section forms attachment loops in a collapsed configuration to attach the frame to a delivery system. |
| US09999500B2 |
Anti thrombogenic heart valve and medical implements
Disclosed herein are heart valves made from a polymeric material, such as silicone. Specifically exemplified are heart valve embodiments made from a one or two-pieces of material, or which have low thrombogenic potential. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating such valves. Furthermore, also disclosed are systems for testing performance of heart valves. |
| US09999498B2 |
Intraocular lens structure
The invention provides an intra ocular lens structure (IOL) for placement in the capsular bag and securing the IOL in an opening in an anterior part of a capsular bag, with an anterior capsular bag flap surrounding said opening, said IOL having an anterior side which in use when the IOL is implanted in an eye is directed towards a cornea of the eye, and a posterior side which in use when the IOL is implanted in an eye is directed towards a retina of the eye, said IOL comprising an optical structure, at least two posterior supports for when the IOL is implanted in the capsular bag residing in the capsular bag extending away from said optical structure, said posterior supports adapted for in use providing support surfaces for a posterior surface of an anterior capsular bag flap, and at least two anterior supports for when the IOL is implanted in the capsular bag residing outside the capsular bag extending away from said optical structure, said anterior supports adapted for in use providing support surfaces for an anterior surface of an anterior capsular bag flap. |
| US09999495B2 |
Ligament reconstruction fixation system
The present disclosure relates to an assembly for fixing a ligament in bone. The assembly includes a suspension member and an implant having a mechanism for fixedly receiving the suspension member and at least partially suspending the suspension member and the received bone graft within the implant, allowing for bony in-growth. A method of fixing a ligament in bone is also disclosed. |
| US09999493B2 |
Axial lengthening thrombus capture system
Systems and methods can remove material of interest, including blood clots, from a body region, including but not limited to the circulatory system for the treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), cerebrovascular embolism, and other vascular occlusions. |
| US09999487B2 |
Method for creating a virtual jaw image
A method for generating a virtual jaw image includes performing a movement recording method to obtain a movement record which comprises producing at least one position data record over a defined time. A position data record describes a spatial position of a lower jaw to an upper jaw at a specific time. Surface sections of the upper and lower jaw are scanned at the defined time during the movement recording method to obtain a spatial relation of the surface sections during the defined time. Digital upper and lower jaw images are recorded. A position data record of a virtual position of the digital lower jaw image is assigned to the digital upper jaw image. A position data record is selected to obtain a selected position data record. The digital lower and upper jaw images are virtually aligned based on the selected position data record to produce the virtual jaw image. |
| US09999486B2 |
Spring mechanism for power device
A spring mechanism for an electromagnetic drive unit converts or translates the movement and/or actuation of the electromagnet into a desired movement of the workpiece and enables simple and efficient tuning of the workpiece movement. The spring mechanism includes a housing, a spring connected to the housing, wherein at least a section of the spring is movable with respect to the housing, a drive shaft that includes a first end having a magnet and a second end for attachment to a workpiece, and an adjustable tuning element connecting the drive shaft to the movable portion of the spring. In one embodiment, the spring may be a flat spring, and the movable section may be a positioned between a pair of cutouts defined in the spring. In one embodiment, the adjustable tuning element is connected to the spring such that the adjustable tuning element places the movable portion of the spring under a degree of tension. |
| US09999483B2 |
Orthodontic arch wire bracket with interchangeable locks including variable tooth positioning control and method of using same
An interchangeable lock is applied to a bracket, consisting of a lock designed for use in orthodontic treatment which is used in conjunction with an orthodontic bracket having a base bonded to the tooth in which the interchangeable lock should be frontally inserted. This same lock permits additional adjustments of the arch wire in regards to inclination, angulation or torque as there always be three walls forming a U-shaped slot, allowing the position of the arch wire to be controlled in relation to its inclination and angulation while maintaining the position of the bracket in relation to the tooth. It is possible to identify, modify and control the position of the tooth by contact adjustment with the arch wire at any time during treatment without the need to remove the arch wire or change or adjust the bracket. |
| US09999482B2 |
Archwire assembly with non-linear crimpable orthodontic stop and method of manufacture
An archwire stop defines a non-linear path through the stop that results in a bend moment between an orthodontic stop and the portion of an orthodontic archwire passing through the stop. The bend moment is accommodated by elastic deformation of the archwire and stop, resulting in a predictable frictional engagement between the stop and the archwire that is useful in maintaining a stop mounted on an archwire during packaging, shipping and handling in a clinical setting. A non-linear path through an archwire stop may be created by a non-linear tubular stop or may be created by appropriate internal features of the stop. The non-linear path through the stop may be selected so that the frictional engagement is greatest toward the free ends of the archwire, preventing the stop from sliding off the ends of an archwire, while permitting adjustment of the stop at the front of the mouth during patient treatment. |
| US09999480B2 |
Mounting device for a stand device and mounting system including the mounting device
A mounting device for a stand device for arrangement in the operating room and to position or displace a medical apparatus in the operating room, in particular by means of a rotational movement, incorporates a mounting apparatus, which extends along an axis of rotation in a longitudinal direction and has a cavity, which in particular is cylindrical and which is oriented in the longitudinal direction, for accommodating a rotatably supportable connection component of the stand device, in particular a spindle; and an adjustment apparatus for arranging the connection component in a position, which can be predefined, in relation to the mounting apparatus; wherein the mounting device forms a rotational coupling for supporting the connection component on the mounting apparatus, which rotational coupling can be adjusted about the axis of rotation. The invention further relates to a mounting system including such a mounting device. |
| US09999478B1 |
Anesthetic cable protector
A medical safety device for holding and protecting medical circuitry connected between a medical patient and medical equipment is provided. The device can include an outer shell with an exterior sidewall and an interior sidewall defining an open interior. The outer shell can include a door that can be opened to allow access to the interior of the shell. The outer shell can include at least one latch for selectively securing the door in a closed position. The exterior shell can include connecting components for connecting the device to a hospital or surgical bed frame. The interior of the outer shell can include a grooved section having one or more grooves. The grooves can be configured to hold and retain different types of medical circuitry, such as cords, wires, tubes and the like. |
| US09999477B2 |
Manipulator system
A manipulator system including a manipulator that includes an insertion part having a main section and a bending section, a bending-section driving portion, and a linear member inserted through a sheath fixed to the main section at one end thereof, the linear member connecting the bending section and the bending-section driving portion through the main section and transmitting a driving force generated by the bending-section driving portion to the bending section; an operation input unit via which an operation instruction to the bending section is input; a sheath-tension detecting portion that detects the tension in the sheath; a compensation-value setting portion that sets a compensation value for a bending control signal on the basis of the tension in the sheath, and a control unit that generates the bending control signal and sends the bending control signal corrected with the compensation value to the bending-section driving portion. |
| US09999472B2 |
Methods and systems for indicating a clamping prediction
End effectors with closing mechanisms, and related tools and methods may be particularly beneficial when used for minimally invasive surgery. An example surgical tool comprises a first and second jaw movable between a closed grasped or clamped configuration and an open configuration. The tool further comprises a soft grip mode for grasping the tissue at a first force during which a separation parameter between the jaws is measured, and a therapeutic clamping mode in which the jaws clamp on the body tissue at a force greater than the grasping force. The methods comprise grasping the body tissue between jaw members, measuring the separation parameter between jaws, indicating on a user interface the separation parameter for comparison to a desired separation parameter, and then releasing the body tissue for repositioning or therapeutically clamping the body tissue in response to the separation parameter indication. |
| US09999471B2 |
Male medical implement cleaning device
A cleaning device for a medical implement having a male protrusion. The cleaning device including a housing defining an inner cavity by and having an inner wall that encloses the inner cavity and an opening. The inner wall has a recess near the opening to the housing. The recess has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the opening. The cap further includes a movable piston having a forward end and rearward end surrounded by a flexible flange that extends outward to abut the inner wall near the recess of the housing. The rearward end of the movable piston configured to contact couple with a distal end of the male protrusion to move the piston toward a distal end of the housing opposite the opening of the housing to provide a portion of the cleaning solution to the male protrusion. |
| US09999469B2 |
Package for elongated sharp-edged tools
Package for elongated sharp-edged objects, in particular for tools useful for surgical applications, which are secured in a fixed position in a package consisting at least partially of plastic, wherein the package comprises an a first enlarged package part which defines an interior into which the object that is to be protected and secured protrudes with its sharp edges in a noncontact manner and a second package part in which the shaft of the object is accommodated and held in a fixed position by holding elements. |
| US09999467B2 |
Multiple treatment zone ablation probe
An energy delivery probe and method of using the energy delivery probe to treat a patient is provided herein. The energy delivery probe has at least one probe body having a longitudinal axis and at least a first trocar and a second trocar. Each trocar comprises at least two electrodes that are electrically insulated from each other, and each electrode is independently selectively activatable. An insulative sleeve is positioned in a coaxially surrounding relationship to each of the first trocar and the second trocar. The probe also has a switching means for independently activating at least one electrode. The method involves independently and selectively activating the first and second electrodes to form an ablation zone, then repeating the ablation by delivering energy to a second set of electrodes, producing one or more overlapping ablation zone, and eliminating the need to reposition the ablation probes. |
| US09999464B2 |
Device and methods for renal nerve modulation monitoring
Systems and methods for monitoring and performing tissue modulation are disclosed. An example system may include an elongate shaft having a distal end region and a proximal end and having at least one modulation element and one sensing electrode disposed adjacent to the distal end region. The sensing electrode may be used to determine and monitor changes in tissue adjacent to the modulation element. |
| US09999459B2 |
Vacuum mixing device for bone cement and method for mixing bone cement in said device
The application relates to a vacuum mixing device for bone cement, where the monomer is pressed into a mixing container due to the surrounding vacuum and a gas volume present in the monomer container. |
| US09999457B2 |
Orthopedic fastener
An orthopedic fastener has a head and a shank. The shank has a leading end portion adjacent a distal tip and a trailing end portion adjacent a head. An intermediate portion is positioned between the leading and trailing end portions. At the intermediate portion, the shank increases in diameter. The leading end portion has a first thread which includes one or more self-tapping cutting grooves extending adjacent the distal tip and through a plurality of the first threads. The intermediate portion has second threads extending toward the head from the leading end portion. The second threads of the intermediate portion are larger in outer diameter than the first threads in the leading end portion. The intermediate portion has one or more cutting grooves traversing at each of a leading transition at the leading end portion and at a trailing transition. |
| US09999455B2 |
Spine fixing apparatus
A spine fixing apparatus including: a plate fixed to a spine; screws inserted into the spine by being coupled to the plate; a rotation member for rotary motion at a predetermined location between the screws; and sliding members provided at opposite sides of the rotation member and disposed between the rotation member and the screws. The rotation member can push the sliding members such that the sliding members rectilinearly move to cover upper surfaces of the screws. The spine fixing apparatus can facilitate the locking and unlocking of the screws by switching between lock and unlock modes, and can be firmly fixed to a spine. The plate has a window that enables an operator to identify a surgical region with naked eye. The window also allows the operator to easily bend the plate into a suitable shape for a patient's spine, and closely fix the plate to the spine. |
| US09999453B2 |
Femoral neck fracture implant
A bone fixation system comprises an elongated implant shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a central longitudinal axis and including a first channel extending from the proximal end to a side opening formed in a side wall of the implant shaft along a first channel axis. The bone fixation system further comprises a bone plate having a first plate portion and a second plate portion, the first plate portion having a first opening extending therethrough along a first opening axis and the second plate portion having a second opening extending therethrough along a second opening axis, the second opening being configured to receive the implant shaft therethrough to permit insertion thereof into a head of a bone. |
| US09999450B2 |
Inserter and method for securing an implant to a spinal process with a flexible fastening system
A surgical instrument includes a body, a securement arm, a clamp lock, and a tensioning assembly. The body defines a longitudinal axis and has proximal and distal portions. The distal portion defines a recess. The securement arm is coupled to the body and translatable along the body in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis between first and second position. The clamp lock is pivotally coupled to the distal portion of the body. The clamp lock is pivotable between secured and unsecured configurations. The tensioning assembly translatable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis between proximal and distal position. The tensioning assembly configured to draw a flexible band to tension the flexible band about a bony element. |
| US09999448B2 |
Methods and devices for polyaxial screw alignment
Devices and methods for aligning the components of polyaxial screws are described herein. In one embodiment, an alignment instrument includes an elongate frame having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of connection caps slidably disposed along the elongate frame. Each connection cap can removably couple to a polyaxial screw extension tube and selectively lock relative to the elongate frame such that a distance between the plurality of connection caps and an angular orientation of each connection cap relative to the elongate frame is maintained. The instrument can also include a transverse angle indicator to indicate an angular orientation of the elongate frame in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongate frame. The device can, for example, capture the orientation of a plurality of polyaxial screws during spinal surgery such that the screws can be returned to the same orientation after manipulation to correct a spinal deformity, etc. |
| US09999446B2 |
System and method for replacement of spinal motion segment
A system for flexibly stabilizing a vertebral motion segment of the facet joint by connecting a first vertebra and a second vertebra is disclosed. The system includes an elongate connection element with end portions interconnected by a flexible coupling member. The system includes first and second attachment portions for connecting the connection element to the vertebrae. A first resilient member is positioned between the first end portion and the first attachment portion, and a second resilient member is positioned between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion. |
| US09999444B2 |
Depth controlled Jamshidi needle
A precision depth guided instrument, such as a Jamshidi needle, is provided for use in various surgeries related to the vertebrae. The instrument includes an outer cannula, an inner cannula and a stylet. After the cortical bone of a vertebra is penetrated by the outer cannula of the instrument, the depth of penetration of the inner cannula is adjusted by rotation of the inner cannula. The inner cannula is then moved further into the vertebrae, and a stop mounted on the outer cannula controls the depth of penetration of the inner cannula. The correct depth of penetration is determined by radiography prior to the procedure. |
| US09999436B2 |
Membrane removing forceps
A membrane removing forceps may include a first forceps jaw having a first forceps jaw distal end and a first forceps jaw proximal end and a second forceps jaw having a second forceps jaw distal end and a second forceps jaw proximal end. The membrane removing forceps may include one or more abrasive surfaces configured to raise a portion of a membrane. A surgeon may raise a portion of a membrane by grazing the portion of the membrane with one or more abrasive surfaces of a membrane removing forceps. The surgeon may grasp the raised portion of the membrane with the first forceps jaw distal end and the second forceps jaw distal end. The surgeon may then remove the membrane by peeling the membrane apart from an underlying tissue. |
| US09999434B2 |
Brake mechanism and medical manipulator provided with same
A medical manipulator is provided with a brake mechanism. The brake mechanism is provided with a brake rotor and a brake shoe which can contact the outer periphery of the brake rotor. On the outer periphery of the brake rotor, a first gear is provided along the circumference. On the portion of the brake shoe which is opposite of the outer periphery of the brake rotor, a second gear is provided which can mesh with the first gear. |
| US09999426B2 |
Detachable motor powered surgical instrument
A stapling system configured to be operably engaged with a surgical device is disclosed. The stapling system comprises a staple cartridge carrier, a staple cartridge body, staples, drivers, a sled, an anvil, a housing removably attachable to the surgical device, and a drive system. The drive system comprises a rotatable shaft and a translatable drive member. The translatable drive member is selectively movable through the stable cartridge body when a rotary motion is applied to the rotatable shaft. The translatable drive member is configured to advance the sled to motivate the drivers to deploy the stables into tissue. The stapling system further comprises an electric motor operably engaging the rotatable shaft to selectively apply the rotary motion to the rotatable shaft. The electric motor is configured to receive power from a power supply only when the housing is attached to the surgical device. |
| US09999424B2 |
Means and method for reversibly connecting an implant to a deployment device
The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for reversibly coupling an implant to a deployment device. |
| US09999423B2 |
Translatable articulation joint unlocking feature for surgical stapler
An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an articulation joint. The end effector is operable to manipulate (e.g., staple) tissue. The articulation joint couples the end effector with the shaft assembly and permits the end effector to deflect away from the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. The articulation joint comprises a locking assembly, which is operable to selectively lock the angular position of the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis. The locking assembly comprises a first locking member and a second locking member. The first locking member is unitarily secured to the end effector. The second locking member is movable along a first axis to selectively engage the first locking member to thereby selectively lock the angular position of the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. The first axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. |
| US09999422B2 |
Apparatus and methods for achilles tendon repair
Apparatus and methods for Achilles tendon repair are described where an elongate tendon repair assembly may be introduced into a single incision to access the damaged tissue. The assembly may define a channel for receiving a portion of the tendon and which may provide support to the tissue during repair. One or more retractable needles each carrying a length of suture may be deployed within the channel for piercing through the tendon and a cinching member may secure each of the suture lengths for tensioning the suture against the damaged tendon. Once the suture lengths have been deployed, the needles may be retracted and the device removed from the incision. |
| US09999418B2 |
Medical device having a position indicator
A medical device is described, the medical device comprising a moveable member, moveable between a first position and a second position; an actuating member coupled to the moveable member, directly or indirectly, for manipulating the moveable member, that is for causing the movement of the moveable member; and an indicator mechanism coupled, directly or indirectly, to the actuating member, said indicator mechanism comprising at least two components that interact to produce an indication; the indicator and actuating member being cooperatively operable such that the interaction between the at least two components of the indicator mechanism occurs automatically to automatically indicate advancement of the moveable member to the second position from the first position upon a predetermined actuation of the actuating member. |
| US09999416B2 |
Methods and apparatus for internal hip distraction
This present invention relates to medical procedures and force application distraction devices for internal joint distraction. |
| US09999415B2 |
Auxiliary apparatus for minimally invasive surgery and method to use the same
An auxiliary apparatus for MIS including an in vivo device and an in vitro device to stretch a surgery target is provided. The in vitro device comprises an in vitro magnet field-generating element. The in vivo device comprises an in vivo magnet-anchoring element to the surgery target. The in vivo magnet moves and/or rotates according to the direction change of the external magnetic field, which is generated by the in vitro magnet field-generating element, and thereby the surgery target can move in a controlled speed and/or rotate in a controlled angle according to the direction change of the external magnetic field. A method to control the auxiliary apparatus is also provided. |
| US09999414B2 |
Retraction devices and methods of its use and manufacture
Rib refraction devices and methods of its use and manufacture are disclosed. A retraction device may include a first frame portion and a second frame portion. The second frame portion may be attached to the first frame portion. The second frame portion may mechanically move between a first position and a second position with respect to the first frame portion. The retraction device may also include a first blade being pivotally attached to the first frame portion and comprising a flexible material. The retraction device may also include a second blade being pivotally attached to the second frame portion and comprising a flexible material. |
| US09999411B2 |
Vascular closure device with a plug having a variable expansion rate and method for using the same
A vascular closure device, having an insertion sheath and a vascular closure implant positioned at least partially in the insertion sheath. The vascular closure implant may have an anchor element, the anchor element including an expandable material, a first puncture contact portion, a bend portion connected to the first puncture contact portion, the bend portion including a bend, and a second puncture contact portion connected to the bend portion. The vascular closure implant may also include a plug element coupled to the bend portion of the anchor element. The anchor element may be formed of an expandable material having the same or a different expansion rate than a material forming the plug element. The vascular closure device may additionally include a locator tube having a vessel locator positioned at least partially in the locator tube. The vessel locator may also have an elongated member that includes a superelastic material. |
| US09999410B2 |
Systems and methods for sequential mixing of activator in bioadhesive delivery device
A sealant delivery device includes a delivery tube, a bioadhesive container, and an adapter. The delivery tube includes proximal and distal ends. The bioadhesive container holds a sealant activator and a sealant precursor separated from each other. The adapter is interposed between the delivery tube and the bioadhesive container. The adapter includes a first channel member that couples a first lumen of the delivery tube to the sealant activator, and a second channel member that couples the first lumen to the sealant precursor. The adapter provides separation of the sealant activator and the sealant precursor until a position distal of the bioadhesive container. |
| US09999404B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized in comprising: an ultrasonic probe for transmitting/receiving ultrasound to/from a subject; a reception beamformer for applying reception beamforming to ultrasonic echo signals obtained by the ultrasonic probe based on a plurality of different sound velocities; a spatial frequency analyzing section 81 for applying spatial frequency analysis to each of data obtained by the reception beamforming based on each of the plurality of different sound velocities; and a sound-velocity setting section 84 for setting a sound velocity corresponding to one of the results of spatial frequency analysis corresponding respectively to the plurality of different sound velocities that has a highest intensity for a given spatial frequency, as optimal sound velocity in the reception beamforming. |
| US09999401B2 |
Determining the velocity of a fluid with the aid of an imaging method
A method for determining the velocity of a fluid in a volume to be imaged of an examination object with the aid of an imaging method is described. Attenuation values are acquired based upon image data of the volume to be imaged, depending on location and time. A temporally and spatially delineated region is specified based upon the acquired attenuation data, in which the acquired attenuation data behaves approximately linearly. Subsequently, temporal and/or spatial gradients and/or a combination of a temporal and a spatial gradient are determined based upon the attenuation values associated with the temporally and spatially delineated region. Finally, the velocity of the fluid is calculated based upon the determined temporal and/or spatial gradients or from the combination of a temporal and a spatial gradient and from the temporal gradient. A fluid velocity determining device, non-transitory computer readable medium and a computed tomography system are also described. |
| US09999396B2 |
Exercise physiological sensing system, motion artifact suppression processing method and device
An exercise physiological sensing system, a motion artifact suppression processing method and a motion artifact suppression processing device for obtaining a stable exercise heart rate signal of a user during exercise are provided. The exercise physiological sensing system includes a bone conduction body, a signal-to-noise ratio analysis module, and a computation module. The bone conduction body has a physiological sensor. The physiological sensor detects a physiological signal from a detected area of the user. The signal-to-noise ratio analysis module is coupled to the physiological sensor and detects a quality stability of the physiological signal. The computation module is coupled to the signal-to-noise ratio analysis module and generates the stable exercise heart rate signal according to the physiological signal. Accordingly, the exercise physiological sensing system can effectively improve the stability of the detected physiological signal during exercise. |
| US09999395B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting user action
Provided is an apparatus and method for detecting a user activity using a mobile terminal. The apparatus includes a sensing data collection unit to collect sensing data, a location determination unit to determine a location of the mobile terminal using the sensed data, and an action determination unit to determine an activity of a user that is using the mobile terminal based on the collected sensing data and the determined location of the mobile terminal. |
| US09999390B2 |
Method and system for measuring urea
A body-mountable urea sensing device includes an electrochemical sensor embedded in a polymeric material configured for mounting to a surface of an eye. The electrochemical sensor includes a working electrode, a reference electrode, and a reagent localized near the working electrode that selectively reacts with urea. A potentiometric voltage between the working electrode and the reference electrode is related to a concentration of urea in a fluid to which the electrochemical sensor is exposed; the voltage is measured by the body-mountable device and wirelessly communicated. |
| US09999389B2 |
Activity meter, activity amount measurement device, portable terminal, information sharing assistance device, information sharing system, activity assistance device, and activity assistance system
An activity meter (100) includes (i) a sleep level judging section (112) for repeatedly detecting a sleep level of a user and (ii) a notifying section (113) for automatically notifying the user of specific information only during a period during which a most recent sleep level is less than a predetermined level. |
| US09999388B2 |
Hand-held device for the endurance training and the determination of endurance metrics
A method and device for determining respiratory airflow metrics during a single inspiratory breath and using those metrics to calculate indicators of aerobic capacity and athletic endurance as well as a method and device for strengthening the respiratory muscles. |
| US09999382B2 |
Measurement of a fluorescent analyte using tissue excitation
An apparatus and method for noninvasive measurement of a fluorescent analyte concentration in the blood of a patient by exciting the blood and the analyte at two wavelength ranges and measuring the emission spectrum of the fluorescent analyte when (i) the difference of emission intensities at the excitation wavelength ranges of the fluorescent analyte is greater than that of background fluorophores, and (ii) when blood absorbance at the two excitation wavelength ranges is similar. An apparatus and method for measurement of a fluorescent analyte concentration in the blood of a patient is provided. |
| US09999380B1 |
Segmented magnets
A variety of wearable magnetic assemblies are provided that are configured to produce magnetic fields having high field magnitudes and/or high field gradients. Such magnetic assemblies include a plurality of magnetic segments arranged in a linear array. Individual magnetic segments of the magnetic array can each include multiple magnetic elements. An individual magnetic segment can include elements that have similar shape, size, composition, and relative location to elements of neighboring magnetic segments while having magnetic moments that are antiparallel to the magnetic moments of corresponding elements of the neighboring magnetic segments. These wearable magnetic assemblies are configured to exert forces on magnetic particles disposed in a portion of subsurface vasculature to attract, slow, speed, separate, or otherwise influence the magnetic particles in various applications. The magnetic particles can be configured to bind to an analyte of interest. |
| US09999376B2 |
Determining body postures and activities
A method and wireless sensor device for determining body postures and activities. In one aspect, a method includes receiving sensor data. The method also includes detecting and classifying a body transition of a body based on the sensor data. The method also includes detecting if there is activity of the body based on the sensor data. If there is activity, the method also includes classifying the activity. If there is no activity, the method also includes classifying a rest position of the body based on the sensor data and based on a previous body transition. |
| US09999373B2 |
On-airway pulmonary function tester
A compact, on-airway, respiratory gas analyzer for performing pulmonary function tests incorporates an IR spectroscopy light guide having a curved, rather than linear, sample chamber that lies transverse to a direction of respiratory gas flow. Cooperating with the sample chamber is an impact plate that functions to steer respiratory and test gases impinging on the impact plate into the curved sample chamber. A source of IR energy is at one end of the sample chamber and an electro-optical sensor responsive to IR energy is disposed at an opposite end of the chamber. The respiratory gas analyzer also includes gas flow paths and valving for carrying out lung capacity and lung diffusion tests. |
| US09999371B2 |
Integrated system for intravascular placement of a catheter
An integrated catheter placement system for accurately placing a catheter within a patient's vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises a system console, a tip location sensor for temporary placement on the patient's chest, and an ultrasound probe. The tip location sensor senses a magnetic field of a stylet disposed in a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is disposed in the vasculature. The ultrasound probe ultrasonically images a portion of the vasculature prior to intravascular introduction of the catheter. The ultrasound probe includes user input controls for controlling use of the ultrasound probe in an ultrasound mode and use of the tip location sensor in a tip location mode. In another embodiment, ECG signal-based catheter tip guidance is included in the integrated system to enable guidance of the catheter tip to a desired position with respect to a node of the patient's heart. |
| US09999355B2 |
Device, system and method for determining vital signs of a subject based on reflected and transmitted light
A device, system and method for determining vital signs of a subject is presented that improves accuracy and reliability, the device comprising a detection unit for contactless detection of light in at least two different wavelength ranges from a region of interest of a subject, wherein said detection unit is configured to detect a first light portion in a first wavelength range from light reflected from said region of interest in response to illumination by a first light source and to detect a second light portion in a second wavelength range from light transmitted through said region interest in response to illumination by a second light source, wherein said detection unit is configured to detect said first light portion and said second light portion simultaneously in response to illuminations that are at least temporarily simultaneous and wherein said first wavelength range and said second wavelength range are different. A processing unit is provided for deriving plethysmography, PPG, signals from the detected light for said at least two different wavelength ranges. An analysis unit is provided for deriving a desired vital sign from the PPG signals for at least two different wavelength ranges. |
| US09999352B2 |
System and method for determining a hydration level of a tissue region
In accordance with one aspect of the present technique, a method is disclosed. The method includes applying a mechanical perturbation to a tissue region using a displacement device. The method further includes calculating a compression impedance of the tissue region in response to applying the mechanical perturbation. The method further includes retracting the displacement device and calculating a retraction impedance of the tissue region in response to retracting the displacement device. The method also includes determining a hydration level of the tissue region based on at least one of the compression impedance and the retraction impedances. |
| US09999350B2 |
Reduced glare surgical microscope and associated devices, systems, and methods
Devices, systems, and methods for glare reduction in surgical microscopy are provided. A method of operating a surgical microscope may include: receiving light reflected from the surgical field at an image sensor; processing the received light to generate image data; identifying portions of the image data representative of glare; and controlling an optical element to limit the transmission of light associated with the glare. A surgical microscope may include: an image sensor configured to receive light reflected from the surgical field, a computing device, and an optical element. The computing device may be configured to: identify portions of the light received at the image sensor associated with glare and generate a control signal to limit the transmission of the light associated with the glare. The optical element may be configured to selectively limit the transmission of the light associated with the glare in response to the control signal. |
| US09999346B2 |
Background reduction apparatuses and methods of ocular surface interferometry (OSI) employing polarization for imaging, processing, and/or displaying an ocular tear film
Background reduction apparatuses and methods of Ocular Surface Interferometry (OSI) employing polarization are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT) and can be used to evaluate and potentially diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in at least one image. The at least one image can be processed and analyzed to measure a tear film layer thickness (TFLT), including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). |
| US09999344B2 |
Endoscope
An endoscope includes a lens unit, a diaphragm for brightness adjustment, a diaphragm for type determination and an image pickup device. The diaphragm for type determination has an image formation portion an image of which is formed in a light receiving section, a position and a number of the image formation portion provided for the diaphragm for type determination differing according to a plurality of adapters. The endoscope further includes a CPU that determines a type of an adapter by determining a position and a number of the image formation portion an image of which is formed in the light receiving section. |
| US09999343B2 |
Endoscope system
The invention provides an endoscope system for the early detection of suture failure. Parts of the large intestine separated by the resection of a tumor are sutured by using a suturing member 167. A sutured portion is imaged. An oxygen saturation image 180 is generated by imaging the oxygen saturation of the sutured portion based on image information obtained by the imaging. The generated oxygen saturation image 180 is displayed on a display device 14. In the case of suture failure, a low oxygen region 180a is displayed in the oxygen saturation image. |
| US09999341B1 |
Footwear-cleaning device
The footwear-cleaning device is a device that is adapted to clean footwear via the use of a compressed air source and/or a pressurized water source. The footwear-cleaning device is an accessory that is attached downstream of or integrated into an air or water supply. The footwear-cleaning device has at least one stationary brush that protrudes perpendicular from the base of the accessory unit. A manually operated on/off valve regulates the passing of either compressed air or water under pressure into at least one tubular hose, which feeds into at least one stationary brush. The at least one stationary brush is attached to the base of the unit. The manually operated on/off valve is engaged and disengaged via a removable handle that is positioned perpendicular to the base of the unit as it sits on the ground. |
| US09999339B2 |
Non-integrated bulk dispenser and method of operating a dishwasher having same
A removable non-integrated treating chemistry dispensing cartridge assembly may emit a signal in response to a predetermined amount of treating chemistry being detected and in response to a predetermined amount of illumination being detected. |
| US09999338B2 |
Filter assembly for a dishwasher appliance
A filter assembly for filtering a wash fluid to be circulated by a circulation pump in a dishwasher appliance is provided. The filter assembly defines an axial direction and includes a first filter member including a first filter panel and defining a first discharge opening, and a second filter member including a second filter panel and defining a second discharge opening. The second filter panel is spaced from the first filter panel along the axial direction and configured in series flow with the first filter panel. The filter assembly further includes a circumferentially continuous discharge chamber disposed radially outward of the first filter member and the second filter member, the discharge chamber in fluid communication with the first filter member through the first discharge opening and in fluid communication with the second filter member through the second discharge opening. |
| US09999335B2 |
Surface maintenance machine with a head adjustment mechanism
Embodiments include a mechanism for leveling or providing pad assistance to surface maintenance machines. The surface maintenance machine can include a frame, a plurality of wheels, a head assembly, and a head adjustment mechanism. The head adjustment mechanism can be positioned in line with and operatively coupled to a first portion of the head assembly, such that the first portion of the head assembly can be moved towards or away from the surface by adjusting the position of a fastener in a slot. Such embodiments are useful for leveling the head assembly to maintain an even degree of burnishing or providing pad assistance. Embodiments include methods of using such mechanisms for leveling or providing pad assist to surface maintenance machines. |
| US09999331B2 |
Domestic cleaning appliance
A domestic appliance such as a cyclonic vacuum cleaner includes a component such as separating apparatus, carried by a chassis. A catch is provided and is operable to release the component from the chassis. The component and the chassis are able to move slightly with respect to each other. When the appliance is lifted, lugs on the separating apparatus move into slots on the chassis so as to inhibit release of the catch when the appliance is lifted. Thus, accidental release of the separating apparatus from the chassis is avoided. |
| US09999329B2 |
Aspiration nozzle of vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner having same
The present invention relates to an suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner having same, the suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner of the present invention comprising: an suction main body having an suction portion for air suction formed thereon; an suction flow channel that is attached to the nozzle main body, and into which the air aspirated through the suction portion flows; an interlocking lever that is coupled in such a manner that enables rotation on both sides of the suction flow channel; an adsorption portion that is connected to one end of the interlocking lever, and provided so as to confront an suction hole formed on the suction flow channel; and a cleaning member provided on one side of the nozzle main body by coupling to the other end of the interlocking lever, wherein the air flowing through the suction hole rotates the interlocking lever by adsorbing or separating the adsorption portion to/from the suction flow channel, and the cleaning member moves in an up-down direction as the interlocking lever rotates. |
| US09999324B2 |
Liquid-dispensing pad
A liquid-dispensing pad has a perforated generally elastic film forming a front wall, a liquid-impervious plastic rear wall, a weld peripherally securing the front wall to the rear wall, and a liquid-retaining core between the front and rear walls. The perforated film is a coextruded film having an elastic inner layer turned toward the core and an inelastic outer cover layer turned away from the core. This cover layer forms an outer face of the liquid-dispensing pad and is composed of polyolefin. A thickness of the cover layer is less than 15 μm, and a thickness ratio of the elastic inner layer to the inelastic outer cover layer is at least 10:1. |
| US09999321B2 |
Dicer
A dicer is provided with a power output shaft in the container, and deceleration components and cutter disks on the output shaft. The cutter disks comprises a slicing cutter disk and a dicing cutter disk, a block in the container cover, a handle in the slicing cutter disk, and through-holes in the dicing cutter disk. The dicer is able to cut food into pieces with the same shape and size, and the dicing effectiveness is substantially perfect. The deceleration components have simple structure, which occupy small space and are convenient for household use. The handle is provided on the slicing cutter disk to facilitate detachment of the slice cutter disk for cleaning, and a through-hole is defined in the dicing cutter disk to facilitate detachment of the cutter disk for cleaning. The block makes the slicing cutter disk stable when rotating, to facilitate dicing. |
| US09999319B2 |
Processor
In order to provide a processor in which a reception space occupied by a body thereof may be decreased when it is not used, a container may be mounted on and detached from the body without being hindered, visibility of an inner portion of the container may be improved, and noise generated at the time of an operation may be decreased, a soundproofing cover is mounted on the body so as to cover the container, is detachable from the body to be completely separated from the body, and has an internal space closed by closure of an opening of one end thereof by the body. One end portion of a first vacuum tube is disposed to be exposed to an upper surface of the body and is connected to one end portion of a second vacuum tube. |
| US09999316B2 |
Beverage substance cartridge, water filling apparatus, beverage producing equipment, beverage producing system and beverage producing method
A beverage substance cartridge, a tea filtering apparatus, a beverage producing equipment, a beverage producing system and a beverage producing method are provided to efficiently solve the problems of slow tea leaf extraction, long wait time for tea drinker, low tea water temperature and bad tea water taste. The water filling apparatus of the beverage producing equipment fills hot water into the bottom of the beverage substance cartridge near the side wall of the cartridge body, and forms vortex in the beverage substance cartridge which speeds up extraction efficiently. Furthermore, inside convex edges are set at the side wall of the beverage cartridge and hot water temperature is high enough to strengthen extraction effects and then realize rapid brewing effects in the tea brewing equipment. The beverage producing equipment can be widely applied in offices and homes. |
| US09999315B2 |
Beverage production methods with multi chambered basket units
Various beverage preparation machines having a multi-chambered basket unit are shown. The basket unit can be configured to accept multiple cartridge configurations. For example, some embodiments are configured to receive a first cartridge configuration in a first chamber of the basket unit and a second configuration in a second chamber of the basket unit. In various embodiments, the basket unit can rotate to allow selective accessibility of the first and second chambers. This can facilitate loading the cartridges into the appropriate chamber, such as loading the first cartridge configuration into the first chamber and the second cartridge configuration into the second chamber. |
| US09999314B1 |
Cold brew beverage brewing systems
A cold brew coffee apparatus has a first container, a second container, a centerpiece connector, and a filter. Preferably the filter is positionable within the first container such that it divides the filter interior volume from the remainder of the first container interior volume. Preferably, cold brew infusion occurs when water in the first container interior volume passes through the water-permeable barrier and soaks coffee grounds within the filter interior volume to form a soluble coffee extract. An alternative cold brew coffee apparatus includes only a single brew chamber and a filter. |
| US09999313B2 |
Motorized drapery apparatus, system and method of use
An architectural covering is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure and a plurality of idler attachment elements and a drive element positioned over the rotatable drive element. The rotatable drive element is connected to a wall, ceiling or other structure by brackets. In one arrangement a drive shaft having at least one bearing is then attached to the brackets such that the rotatable drive elements rotate upon the bearings. This arrangement provides an efficient, simple and convenient manner of attaching a rotatable drive element to brackets for mounting. |
| US09999311B1 |
Zipper puller device
The zipper puller device is configured for use with the pull tab of a zipper. The pull tab is further defined with a recovery aperture. The zipper puller device is an extension structure. Specifically, the zipper puller device extends the reach of an individual such that a hard to reach zipper may be secured by the individual without assistance. The span of the extension provided by the zipper puller device is adjustable. The zipper puller device comprises an ergonomic handle, a telescopic shaft, and a hook. The telescopic shaft attaches the hook to the ergonomic handle. The hook attaches to the recovery aperture. The handle manipulates the hook when the zipper puller device is in use. The span of the length of the telescopic shaft is adjustable. |
| US09999310B2 |
Hanger system, method and apparatus
A hanging system is disclosed. The hanging system is especially adapted to couple with travel bags of various sizes for holding garments and accessories in place when traveling or commuting. A second embodiment includes a hangar accessory which allows the hanging system to be mounted from a standard hanging rod. |
| US09999308B1 |
System for securing bedclothes to a mattress and method
A system for securing bedclothes to a mattress includes a bottom sheet which is shaped and dimensioned to fit over the top surface of the mattress. The bottom sheet has four corners which include a first corner and a diagonally opposite second corner, and a third corner and a diagonally opposite fourth corner. The second corner has a second corner aperture, and the fourth corner has a fourth corner aperture. A first strap is shaped and dimensioned to connect the first corner to the second corner. The first strap has a first end which is permanently connected to the first corner, and a second end which is configured to pass through the second corner aperture and fold back and connect to itself. A second strap is shaped and dimensioned to connect the third corner to the fourth corner. The second strap has a first end which is permanently connected to the third corner, and a second end which is configured to pass through the fourth corner aperture and fold back and connect to itself. |
| US09999304B2 |
Lumbar support cushion
A lumbar support cushion can include a ridged section, right and left protruding side supports, top right and top left protrusions, and a top cutout located between the top right and top left protrusions, which can allow a person sitting against the cushion to experience increased support on the person's lower back. The features of the cushion may promote a healthy sitting posture, proper spine alignment, and may reduce or prevent pain in the lower back. Also disclosed is a method for configuring a support contour of a cushion. |
| US09999301B2 |
Modular pallet racking system
A pallet racking system includes a plurality of pallet shelves connected to a plurality of columns and a plurality of suspension hanging systems coupled to the plurality of columns. Each suspension hanging system is coupled to and configured for supporting a storage unit therebelow. The suspension hanging systems are slidable relative to the plurality of pallet shelves such that the sliding movement of a suspension hanging system relative to an adjacent suspension hanging system defines an aisle space therebetween. |
| US09999298B1 |
Lap desk with mouse pad and device slot
A lap desk includes within its planar work surface a mouse pad and a slotted port for securing an electronic device such as a tablet, e-reader or cellular telephone in an upright and useable position. The mouse pad is substantially flush with the work surface and disposed in a right hand or left hand position for right- or left-handed users. The slotted port is inclined slightly so that the user can view and engage the device's screen while working with other objects on the lap desk. The slotted port may vary in width for electronic devices of various sizes; its depth and thickness accommodating most hand-held electronic devices without obscuring their screens. In one embodiment, the mouse pad and slotted port are molded into a module bearing a flange which can be inserted into a congruently sized aperture in any surface. |
| US09999296B1 |
Laptop PC stand
A laptop PC stand is disclosed, comprising: a carrier unit, an extension unit and a rotation support unit; the carrier unit and the extension unit being arranged side by side to form a platform carrying a laptop PC, the carrier unit having a placement surface with a partial area concave and forming a housing space, and a first side and a second side; the extension unit being adjacent to the second side, being disposed with a plurality of tracks extending into the carrier unit, and disposed with at least a stop block, the stop block standing on the extension unit when flipped; the rotation support unit coupled to the first side, and after rotation, being located inside the housing space or standing on the first side; the rotation support unit having a first clamping element and a second clamping element, able to move towards the same or opposite direction. |
| US09999294B2 |
Multiple work surface pullout unit
A unique multiple work surface pullout unit that increases space utilization by providing multiple work surfaces for performance of multiple tasks marginally within the space allocated for one. Floors and structural walls, in addition to the framing elements of existing cabinets and counters may provide significant structural support/support frame function for a multiple work surface pullout unit. The multiple work surface pullout unit comprises at least two, generally rectangular in shape, work surfaces of appropriate dimension for the intended use of each work surface; a pair of primary slides and a pair of secondary slides, and means of connecting pairs of slides, identified herein as a pair of rails. Compact size is achieved in part by limiting load-bearing service to the primary slides. Said comprising components are configured and connected such that the work surfaces can move either together as a unit or independently and in either the same or opposite direction. Said pullout unit can be undocked (moved from storage area in the frame) to a useful exposure for a designated task and work surfaces in said pullout unit can be moved independently into and out of the work position for each work surface. Good design will accommodate simultaneous use of work surfaces. |
| US09999291B1 |
Putrello lift assist work belt
A Putrello lift assist work belt used for manual conveyance that includes a contoured weight bearing ledge that when structurally coupled with the back support belt and shoulder straps form a Putrello lift assist work belt system able to transfer substantial weight of the load being carried by manual conveyance to the hips and legs thus relieving stress and strain on the users back and arms. The elements and attributes of the Putrello lift assist work belt combine to form a manual conveyance lifting system that provides excellent rigidity and resistance to leverage force that results from having a heavy object extended and positioned in front of one's body thus preventing injury to the back, shoulders, and arms. |
| US09999290B2 |
Personal load-carrying system
Personal load-carrying systems are described. Embodiments include a waist belt having a pocket within which a support panel sets. An upper portion of the support panel resides in a sleeve coupled to a backpack or ballistic garment. The support panel thus supports some of the weight of the backpack or ballistic garment and transfers the load to the waist belt. Embodiments include personal load-carrying systems in which a backpack and ballistic garment use the same waist belt and support panel, and are interchangeable thereupon. Variations include personal load-carrying systems in which a ballistic garment and backpack are worn simultaneously. |
| US09999289B2 |
Shoulder straps for backpacks
A backpack with improved shoulder straps includes a set of fold-over panels formed respectively on the shoulder straps, wherein each of the fold-over panels extends from an inner side of the shoulder strap on which it is formed, folds over the shoulder strap, and attaches to an outer side of the shoulder strap on which it is formed. The improved shoulder straps mitigate chafing around the neck of a user. |
| US09999288B2 |
Cosmetic or dermatological system with automatic adjustment of the properties of a preparation as a function of data transmitted by a transmitter external to the system
A cosmetic or dermatological system includes a receiver of data related to current and/or future surrounding conditions transmitted by a data transmitter external to the system, a packaging and dispenser device containing one or more compositions from which a preparation is delivered, an adjustment system that is coupled to or suitable for coupling to the packaging and dispenser device, and that enables at least one characteristic of the dispensed preparation to be varied, and a processor for automatically controlling the adjustment system as a function of the received data or for informing the user, as a function of the received data, about an action to be exerted on the adjustment system. |
| US09999287B2 |
Packaging container with smearing component
The present invention relates to a packaging container with a smearing component, which includes a container body, a smearing component, a sealing cap and a buckle. The sealing cap engages with the container body and the container body is entirely sealed by the sealing cap. The smearing component is rotatably arranged around an opening end of the container body. A part of the buckle plug is fixed on the container body, the other part thereof matches with an end of the smearing component, and the smearing component is positioned in an axial direction by the buckle plug and the container body. The advantages of the packaging container can be achieved by the smearing component being arranged on a rolling rod of the liquid outlet of the container body and the smearing component being positioned on the container body in the axial direction by means of the buckle plug. |
| US09999283B2 |
Collapsible luggage and a method for its use
A collapsible luggage includes a lower part forming an open-topped box having a substantially rigid bottom and a substantially rigid sidewall substantially perpendicular to the bottom. The collapsible suitcase includes a collapsible upper part having a plurality of panels, each panel of the plurality of panels having a top edge, and a bottom edge pivotally joined to the upper edge of the sidewall so that each panel may be rotated between a deployed position substantially parallel to the sidewall and a collapsed position with the panel folded into the interior of the lower part, at least one substantially rigid corner brace attached to one of the panels, and at least one fastener that attaches each corner brace to the interior surface of a second panel, adjacent to the first panel, of the plurality of panels. |
| US09999282B2 |
Method for preparing pieces of fabric; pieces and bag derived from application of the method
Bag having at least one of its sides produced from a piece of fabric secured to a piece of bubble wrap; securing being achieved by coating one face of the piece of fabric with adhesive then applying a piece of bubble wrap, either via its bumpy face or via its smooth face. Attachment is performed by sewing, laminating or bonding a second piece of fabric to the first piece of fabric so as to sandwich a piece of bubble wrap between these two pieces of fabric. |
| US09999280B2 |
Interactive bracelet for practicing an activity between user devices
A system may include a first bracelet having physical buttons that are touched in a defined sequence and for a length of time to complete a shared activity across a group of bracelets. The first bracelet may communicate a signal that includes information identifying completion of the shared activity. A second bracelet may receive a signal that programs physical buttons such that they may be touched for the length of time to complete the shared activity by repetition of the defined sequence. |
| US09999273B2 |
Sole for footwears capable of recovering part of the energy produced during deambulation
A sole for footwear capable of recovering part of the energy produced during deambulation including: at least one energy harvesting means, including: a tubular body, fixed in use, having a first and a second end and a movable part slidable in the tubular body; the energy harvesting means being provided, in use, for generating electrical energy following the sliding of the movable part with respect to the tubular body that is fixed in use, during the deambulation; at least one actuator group for the energy harvesting means, including at least one fluid-dynamic circuit including: at least one first and one second tank including a fluid, the first tank being housed at a rear area of the sole and the second tank being housed at a front area of the sole; at least one first and one second joining conduit in fluid connection between the first tank and the first end of the at least one tubular body, and the second tank and the second end of the tubular body, respectively, where, the first tank has a configuration in plan view which is substantially elongated and curved. |
| US09999272B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for protectively supporting an object
A protective support device for supporting an object, such as a pilot's helmet, protectively encloses and supports the object. The device includes an inner shell formed of a compressive material and of an inflatable bladder. The inner shell is positioned within an outer shell, such as a bag formed of a cloth, or other, material. An object to be supported is placed within the inner shell, and the inflatable bladder of the inner shell is inflated. Inflation of the inner shell encloses and surrounds the object. |
| US09999271B2 |
Helmet lock
A helmet locking system utilizing an arrangement of two enlarged members, a pass-through locking member, and a length of cable. A fixed enlarged member is permanently mounted to the cable and a detachable enlarged member engages with the pass-through locking member which is positioned on the cable's end opposite to the fixed enlarged member. The locking system does not require keys or a combination. Pass-through locking member is threaded through the D-ring of a helmet. Detachable enlarged member is then fixedly fitted onto the pass-through locking member. The detachable enlarged member is then placed into a motorcycle's storage compartment which is then closed and locked thereby securing the helmet to the motorcycle. |
| US09999265B2 |
Adjustable privacy gown
A privacy gown includes a first panel, a second panel, and a plurality of connectors. The second panel has a different size and shape from the first panel. The plurality of connectors is coupled to both the first and the second panels for removably and fixedly coupling the first and second panels together in an assembled position. The second panel has a portion with a width that is greater than a width of the first panel along at least part of a length of the second panel. The second panel overlaps the first panel along the sides thereof when in an assembled position. The second panel has at least two different width positions for fixing the width of the privacy gown during use. |
| US09999262B2 |
Bra and garment with bra portion
In one embodiment, a garment having a cup portion with two cups, a body portion integrated with the cup portion, and a band are disposed on the garment such that is extends beneath the cup portions. The band is either on the body portion or adjacent the body portion. The garment also has support structures with a configuration, each following proximately a contour of the lower part of its respective cup, wherein a portion of the support structure is formed on and fixed to the band and a portion of the support structure extends on the body of the garment and is attached thereto. As such the support structure configuration is approximately arcuate. The garment also has additional control regions. The control is provided by fabric or materials that have less stretch than the body fabric from which the body of the garment is made. |
| US09999250B2 |
Vaporizer related systems, methods, and apparatus
An electronic cigarette (e-Cig) or personal vaporizer device generates a vapor that is inhaled by a user. Liquid in a cartridge is vaporized or atomized by a heating element that heats the liquid. When the e-Cig is activated, and the user provides suction, the liquid to be vaporized is drawn out of the cartridge, through a wick, and is atomized by the wick into a cavity containing the heating element. The heating element may be directly written onto substrate. Various sensors may be employed to optimize the liquid usage. |
| US09999243B2 |
Exhausted tobacco lozenge
An exhausted-tobacco lozenge provided herein includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix, exhausted-tobacco fiber, and one or more additives (e.g. nicotine or a derivative thereof) dispersed in the soluble-fiber matrix. In some cases, an exhausted-tobacco lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. In some cases, soluble fiber in exhausted-tobacco lozenge provided herein can include maltodextrin. The exhausted-tobacco lozenge is adapted to release the nicotine or a derivative thereof from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity of an adult tobacco consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making exhausted-tobacco lozenges provided herein includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, exhausted-tobacco fiber, one or more additives (e.g., nicotine), and less than 15 weight percent water while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 150° C. and portioning the molten mixture into a plurality of exhausted-tobacco lozenges. In some cases, the ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder. |
| US09999242B2 |
Production of expanded nuts
A method of producing expanded nuts, the method comprising the steps of: (a) immersing a plurality of nut kernels in an aqueous liquid thereby hydrating at least a portion of each kernel; and (b) gun puffing the hydrated kernels causing at least one of expansion and blistering of at least an outer surface of the nut kernels. There is also disclosed a method of method of producing expanded nuts, the method comprising the steps of: (a) immersing a plurality of nut kernels in an aqueous liquid at a pressure of at least 100 MPa thereby hydrating at least a portion of each kernel; and (b) dehydrating the hydrated kernels causing at least one of expansion and blistering of at least an outer surface of the nut kernels. |
| US09999241B2 |
Conveyor belt seal
A conveyor belt is formed from a loop of material having opposite first and second side edges, and which when laid flat has opposite planar surfaces extending between the first and second edges. First and second sealing protrusions extend outwardly from the outer surface of the loop of material and extending continuously around the outer surface of the loop of material. In use, the sealing protrusions contact a hopper of a food patty forming machine to prevent the leakage of food material from the hopper. |
| US09999233B1 |
Low moisture barrier film
The present invention relates to a flat, multilayered, low moisture, barrier, laminated thermoplastic film with an absorptive food contact layer coated with a flavoring and/or coloring agent, which can be formed on automatic stuffing machinery into a sealed tube in a continuous manner for use as a food casing. This film has an absorptive food contact layer, an oxygen barrier layer, and a polyethylene outer layer. The coloring and/or flavoring agent on the absorptive layer is released onto the surface of encased foodstuff during cooking and processing. |
| US09999232B1 |
Gambrel
A gambrel for hanging an animal to be butcher or skinned, the gambrel having an adjustable length suspension bar from which lines extend to be wrapped around the legs of the animal to be butchered or skinned. The adjustable length suspension bar consists of one elongated member inserted into another elongated member. Each elongated member has a slot through which each end of a gambrel suspension line is extended into and retained within each elongated member so that the geometry of the gambrel suspension line remains the same when length of the adjustable length suspension bar is changed to accommodate different sized animals. |
| US09999231B2 |
Device and method for making an irregular dough product
A press assembly for forming a food product where the press assembly includes a cutting die including a body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The proximal end has an irregular shape and a sharp edge configured to cut the food product into the irregular shape. The body has an interior surface surrounding an interior space. The press assembly further includes a pressure plate arranged within the interior space. The pressure plate includes a pressing surface including a first zone and a second zone surrounding and extending from the first zone at a taper angle such that an outer end of the second zone is recessed from an inner end adjacent the first zone. The cutting die and the pressure plate cooperate to press and cut the food product. The food product is also described. |
| US09999228B2 |
Pans for baking and/or cooking pizza pies, bread, other dough related products, and/or like food products, and methods for making the same
Conventional pans used for baking pizza pies, bread, and other dough related products have only a few shapes. Almost all such pans are limited to geometric shapes such as circular, rectangular, or square. The limited number of shapes is primarily due to the nature of the dough which shrinks when cooking. Disclosed are pans which include a frame having a bottom wall, an outer wall upwardly extending from the bottom wall, and a rim outwardly extending from the outer wall. A support surface is configured to support the food product within the outer wall of the frame. A plurality of holding elements upwardly extend from the support surface within the outer wall and are configured to at least partially pierce and hold the food product on the support surface, substantially against shrinkage, in a desired shape. Such pans can be designed to produce food product in essentially any desired shape. |
| US09999224B2 |
Antimicrobial reverse thermal gel and methods of forming and using same
Antimicrobial polymers, composition including the polymers, and methods of forming and using the polymers and compositions are disclosed. The compositions have reverse thermal gelling properties and transform from a liquid to a gel—e.g., near or below body temperature, such as a skin temperature in an operating room. The polymers and compositions can be applied to a surface, such as a surface of skin proximate an incision site prior to surgery, to provide a relatively sterile area near the site. |
| US09999223B2 |
Herbicidal composition comprising glyphosate, glufosinate or their salts
The present invention relates to a herbicidal composition which comprises: a) at least one herbicide A selected from glyphosate, glufosinate and their salts, and b) a herbicide B which is 3-[5-(difluoromethoxy)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-4-ylmethylsulfonyl]-4,5-dihydro-5,5-dimethyl-1,2-oxazole [common name: pyroxasulfone]. The present invention relates in particular to a herbicidal composition comprising: a) at least one herbicide A selected from glyphosate, glufosinate and their salts, b) a herbicide B which is 3-[5-(difluoromethoxy)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-4-ylmethylsulfonyl]-4,5-dihydro-5,5-dimethyl-1,2-oxazole [common name: pyroxasulfone], and c) at least one further herbicide C, which is selected from the herbicide groups C.1 to C.8: C.1 herbicides of the group of acetolactate synthase inhibitors (ALS inhibitors), C.2 herbicides of the group of protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors (PPO inhibitors), C.3 herbicides of the group of auxines, C.4 herbicides of the group of 4-hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate-dioxygenase inhibitors (HPPD inhibitors), C.5 herbicides of the group of phytoene desaturase inhibitors (PDS inhibitors), C.6 herbicides of the group of photosystem II inhibitors (PSII inhibitors), C.7 herbicides of the group of microtubulin inhibitors, and C.8 herbicides of the group of inhibitors of the synthesis of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA inhibitors). |
| US09999214B2 |
Head harness for tree-stand users
A head harness for use by hunters who are already secured by a torso-type safety harness when sitting in a tree stand. The head harness comprises a headband or headband-incorporating cap worn by the hunter, a connector at the rear of the headband, and a receiver secured to the tree at a height corresponding to the hunter's head when sitting in the tree stand. The receiver and connector are configured to mate, with a connection that resists the nodding motion of the hunter's head if the hunter begins falling asleep, thereby helping to prevent falls from the tree stand that would be initiated in the direction of the nodding head. |
| US09999211B2 |
Insect traps and monitoring system
A discrete and safe automated insect monitoring system includes a housing, an interior chamber within the housing, and a light source arranged within the housing to illuminate at least a portion of a floor surface of the interior chamber. A multi-pixel optical sensor is arranged within the housing so that a field of view of the sensor comprehends a substantial portion of the floor surface. A processing circuit arranged within the housing receives optical data from the multi-pixel optical sensor, analyzes the optical data to detect the intrusion of an insect or other object into the interior chamber by comparing most recently received optical data to previously received optical data, and generates an indication in response to detecting the intrusion of an insect or other object. Detection and/or classification results can be wirelessly forwarded to another device, to alert appropriate personnel. |
| US09999210B1 |
Micro external adjustable spool braking system
A device has a spool rotatable about an axis in a reel, and a braking structure that effects a braking force against rotation of the spool, the braking force being adjustable by changing a proximity of the braking structure relative to the spool. The device includes at least one tap in a fixed relationship with respect to the braking structure, and a brake dial accessible outside the reel and providing a threaded portion that accepts the at least one tap, the brake dial being rotatable to change the proximity of the braking structure relative to the spool by movement of the tap. |
| US09999208B2 |
Method of producing infertile fish and egg-producing aquatic animals and of delivering compounds into eggs and embryos
Methods for the production of reproductively sterile fish and aquatic animals for aquaculture, the aquarium trade, and control of invasive species are described. The methods include disruption of gonadal development through the administration of compounds that lead to the failure of fertile gonadal development. Compounds may be delivered to the eggs prior to fertilization or water activation or post fertilization and water activation by contacting unfertilized or pre-water-activated fertilized eggs or fertilized eggs in an immersion medium including the compound of interest. Compounds may be conjugated with a molecular transporter compound effective for chorionic transport of the conjugate. The compounds may be antisense Morpholino oligomers that are capable of effectively suppressing the expression of the dead end gene or other essential genes for germ cell development in fish and other egg-producing aquatic animals. |
| US09999205B1 |
Method creating a picture or logo on the bottom of an aquarium
The invention is a kit to produce a logo or picture on the bottom of an aquarium through the use of color stones. The method begins by creating or finding the picture. Next one converts the picture into areas. Each area has only one distinct color. The third step is to form an outline that encloses each of the areas. The next step is to transfer the outline from the logo to the surface. This surface can be the bottom of an aquarium or a separate surface. The fifth step is to form partitions on the outline on the surface. The partitions must be sufficiently deep to hold a least one layer of stones or sand. The last step is to place colored stones or colored sand within the partitions. |
| US09999204B2 |
Device for combating the varroa mite in a bee brood
The invention relates to a device for combating the varroa mite in a bee brood, comprising at least one middle wall that can be inserted in particular into a beehive and that is provided with brood cells for female bees, the device having an electrical heating device that has a resistance heating element embedded in the middle wall and a control device connected to the latter which is designed such that an automatically running heating process can be initiated with a temporally pre-determined heat-up phase that lasts until a temperature of 39° C. to 45° C., preferably 39° C. to 42° C., is reached at the bottom of the brood cells in the region of the resistance heating element and then with a subsequent phase of maintaining this temperature for a predetermined period of time. |
| US09999202B2 |
Abrasion resistant omnidirectionally reflective retractable pet leash
A flexible abrasion resistant omnidirectionally reflective retractable pet leash has an omnidirectionally reflective pet leash housed within a retractable housing device. The omnidirectionally reflective pet leash reflects an incoming light beam back in the same direction as it was emanated. The reflected light beam provides accurate illumination of the pet leash and the location of the pet during dusk or nighttime hours. This retractable pet leash is created by surrounding a central braided rope of nylon or polyethylene fibers with a cylindrically braided reflective sleeve. The braided reflective sleeve is composed of braided narrow width reflective strips each comprising a plurality of reflective threads worked together to form a weave. Due to the braided weave of the reflective threads and the arrangement of the microscopic reflectors light incident thereon from virtually any angle is reflected back to its source. Advantageously, the fabric remains supple, facilitating extension and retraction of the leash. The braided construction enables the pet leash to reflect light omnidirectionally over a large angle of acceptance, thereby providing an improved measure of safety for both the pet and the pet handler. |
| US09999199B1 |
Pet toy with edible formulation
A pet toy with edible formulation may include a substantially spherical housing comprising a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere which are releasably couplable. An edible formulation may be bonded to an internal sidewall inside at least one of the first and second hemispheres, such that the edible formulation is accessible by releasing the first hemisphere from the second hemisphere. |
| US09999192B1 |
Soybean cultivar 50281686
A soybean cultivar designated 50281686 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 50281686, to the plants of soybean cultivar 50281686, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 50281686, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 50281686. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 50281686. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 50281686, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 50281686 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US09999186B2 |
Soybean variety 01059533
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01059533. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01059533. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01059533 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01059533 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09999185B1 |
Inbred corn line 2EEXX1039
An inbred corn line, designated 2EEXX1039, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line 2EEXX1039, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line 2EEXX1039 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line 2EEXX1039 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line 2EEXX1039, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line 2EEXX1039 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods. |
| US09999183B2 |
Soybean cultivar S140174
A soybean cultivar designated S140174 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S140174, to the plants of soybean cultivar S140174, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S140174, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S140174. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S140174. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S140174, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S140174 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US09999179B2 |
Enclosure temperature control system
An enclosure temperature control system utilizes a renewable power source and a thermal sink to reduce the overall power requirements from a power grid. A renewable power source, such as a solar panel may provide power that drives the components required to maintain the greenhouse temperature within upper and lower limits, including a HVAC system and/or a heat transfer system coupled with a thermal sink. The thermal sink includes a phase change material that releases heat when it solidifies and this heat can be used to heat the greenhouse. Likewise, the phase change material absorbs heat during the day to reduce the temperature within the greenhouse. A heat transfer system may be coupled with the phase change material and a solid conductor component within the tank of a phase change material may increase thermal transfer rate. |
| US09999175B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatus for multi-row agricultural implement control and monitoring
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring and controlling an agricultural implement, including seed planting implements. Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for detecting seeds being conveyed by seed conveyor. Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring and controlling deposition of secondary crop inputs such as fertilizer and insecticide. |
| US09999171B2 |
Agricultural tillage implement fold sequence control
An agricultural tillage implement with a hydraulic system coupled to actuators of foldable wing sections and to actuators of wheel assemblies associated with each wing section. The hydraulic system having a wing sensor detecting an inner wing section being folded and at least one valve coupled to the wing sensor. The valve being activated by the wing sensor enabling a hydraulic fluid flow to the actuators associated with the wheel assemblies of the wing sections causing the wheel assemblies associated with the wing sections to thereby retract. |
| US10004168B2 |
Feeder exchanging device
A feeder exchanging device capable of exchanging feeder provided with fixed blade and movable blade for cutting top film that is peeled from bottom tape as components are supplied to a component mounter. The feeder exchanging device comprises robot hand that includes pair of arms on which claws capable of clamping feeder are formed, and sliders that move robot hand in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions, with an actuator (rod actuator) for driving movable blade provided on robot hand. |
| US10004161B2 |
Electronic module with laterally-conducting heat distributor layer
An electronic module is provided in which a chip is disposed over a substrate and electrically connected to the substrate by a plurality of electrical connect structures disposed between the chip and the substrate. A heat distributor, fabricated of a thermally conductive material, is disposed between the chip and the substrate and sized to extend beyond an edge of the chip to facilitate conduction of heat laterally out from between the chip and substrate. The heat distributor includes openings sized and positioned to allow the electrical connect structures to pass through the heat distributor without electrically contacting the heat distributor. The heat distributor is electrically isolated from the electrical connect structures, the chip and the substrate. In one implementation, the heat distributor physically contacts a thermally conductive enclosure of the electronic module to facilitate conduction of heat from between the chip and substrate to the enclosure. |
| US10004159B2 |
Water-cooling radiator unit and device thereof
A water-cooling radiator unit and a device thereof. The water-cooling radiator unit includes a main body, a working fluid, a first plate body, a second plate body and a pump. The main body is composed of a first sheet body, a second sheet body and a third sheet body stacked on and assembled with each other to form a flow way set, a conversion sink, a first sink and a second sink. The conversion sink and a partitioning section together divide the main body into a first portion and a second portion. A first flow guide passage and a second flow guide passage are formed on outer side of the conversion sink. The wall faces of the first flow guide passage and the conversion sink of the second portion and the second flow guide passage are respectively formed with multiple first, second and third orifices. |
| US10004156B2 |
Heat radiation fin structure
A heat radiation fin structure includes a main body, composed of a plurality of stacked laminations, and each the lamination has at least one heat dissipation section and at least one heat absorption section. The heat dissipation section is composed of a plurality of extended portions, which are outwardly extended from the heat absorption section. Two adjacent laminations are crossly stacked or arranged, such that a plurality of passages are formed in the extended portions, and the heat dissipation section is connected to the heat absorption section. With these arrangements, the heat radiation fin structure can generate a vortex flow when a cooling air flow is blown through the heat radiation fins and further to achieve greatly improved heat dissipation efficiency. |
| US10004147B2 |
Method for the diffusion soldering of an electronic component to a substrate
A diffusion soldering method for joining an electronic component to a substrate is provided. The joining surfaces are designed such that cavities are formed in a joining gap between the component and substrate. The formation of such cavities can be provided, e.g., by depressions in a mounting surface of the component and/or in a contact surface of the substrate, the depressions being cup-shaped and/or defining channels that surround columnar structural elements, the end faces of which define the mounting surface and/or contact surface. The cavities are designed such that solder material can leak into the cavities when the component during a heating process to achieve a desired width of the joining gap. This allows for the formation of a narrow-width joining having a diffusion zone that bridges the joining gap upon soldering. In this manner, a diffusion solder connection can be produced even using standard solder. |
| US10004146B1 |
Method for manufacturing light emitting device
A method for manufacturing a light emitting device includes: joining a light transmissive substrate and light emitting elements with top surfaces of the light emitting elements facing a bottom surface of the light transmissive substrate; separating the light transmissive substrate into a plurality of light transmissive pieces such that one or more of the light emitting elements remains in a state joined to one of the light transmissive pieces after separation; mounting the light emitting element joined to the light transmissive piece on a mounting unit, with a bottom surface of the light emitting element facing a top surface of the mounting unit; removing a portion of the light transmissive piece such that a top surface of the light transmissive piece becomes a predetermined shape; and providing a light reflective member around the top surface of the light transmissive piece that remains after the portion of the light transmissive piece is removed. |
| US10004144B2 |
Connector module
A connector module includes a substrate including stacked magnetic layers, a first principal surface, and a second principal surface opposite to the first principal surface, a surface mount connector mounted on mounting electrodes on the first principal surface of the substrate, external mounting electrodes disposed on the second principal surface of the substrate, and inductors inside the substrate and each connected at a first end thereof to a corresponding one of the mounting electrodes and connected at a second end thereof to a corresponding one of the external mounting electrodes. |
| US10004143B2 |
Printed wiring board and method for manufacturing printed wiring board
A printed wiring board includes a first circuit substrate having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side, and a second circuit substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface on the opposite side such that the first circuit substrate is laminated on the third surface and that the first surface and the third surface are opposing each other. The second circuit substrate has a mounting area on the third surface and includes pads positioned to mount an electronic component in the mounting area and a connection wire structure connected to the pads, and the first circuit substrate includes through-hole conductors extending from the first surface to the second surface and connected to the pads through the connection wire structure and has an opening portion formed through the first circuit substrate such that the opening portion is exposing the pads formed in the mounting area. |
| US10004142B1 |
Circuit board assembly having a secondary circuit board abutting a primary circuit board, with at least one sensor disposed on the secondary circuit board
A circuit board assembly includes a primary circuit board extending in a first plane and configured to control electrical distribution and a secondary circuit board extending in a second plane, different from the first plane, with the primary and secondary circuit boards spaced from and substantially parallel with one another, and with the secondary circuit board abutting the primary circuit board such that the primary and secondary circuit boards are electrically coupled to one another. The circuit board assembly further includes at least one sensor disposed on the secondary circuit board and electrically coupled to the secondary circuit board such that the at least one sensor is electrically coupled to the primary circuit board through the secondary circuit board, with the secondary circuit board positioning the at least one sensor in proximity with the at least one magnet for detecting the position of the at least one magnet. |
| US10004141B2 |
Kitchen appliance operable by electric motor, data memory element, and combination of a kitchen appliance operable by electric motor and a data memory element
A kitchen appliance operable by electric motor includes a housing, which has an outer surface, and a data transmission interface designed to interact with a data memory element. The data transmission interface is formed in an outer surface of the housing by metal contact elements, which are arranged adjacent to each other and which each have a contact surface and form part of the outer surface. Further, a data memory element for transmitting data to a kitchen appliance operable by electric motor includes a plurality of contact elements that are separate from each other and optionally a contact surface. Further, a combination of a kitchen appliance operable by electric motor and a data memory element, which can be detachably connected to the kitchen appliance, can transmit data of the data memory element to the kitchen appliance while the data memory element is connected to the kitchen appliance. Further, a combination of a kitchen appliance operable by electric motor and a data memory element, which can be handled as an individual part, can bring the data memory element into contact with the kitchen appliance for data exchange. |
| US10004139B2 |
Flexible printed circuit board of light guide module and cut-out structure thereof
A flexible printed circuit board of a light guide module and a cut-out structure thereof. The flexible printed circuit board is made by cutting an FPC material and is formed after folding and unfolding. The flexible printed circuit board includes two light emitting plates and an extension strip. The two light emitting plates each has a connection portion. The extension strip is integrally connected between the two connection portions. Two ends of the two light emitting plates and the extension strip have two fold lines respectively, so that the extension strip is disposed between the two light emitting plates along an extension direction to separate the two light emitting plates away from each other. |
| US10004138B2 |
Touch panel and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed are an optical member, a display device including the optical member and a method of fabricating the optical member. The display device includes a light source; a wavelength conversion member into which light generated from the light source is incident; and a display panel into which light is incident from the wavelength conversion member. The wavelength conversion member includes a receiving part having a pipe shape; a matrix in the receiving part; and a plurality of wavelength conversion particles disposed in the matrix to convert a wavelength of the light generated from the light source. |
| US10004136B2 |
Satellite-based ballistic missile defense system
A satellite-based missile defense system includes a neutron beam transmission tube, a beam generator disposed within the neutron beam transmission tube and operable to emit neutron beamlets from a neutron source. A first collimating plate is disposed within the neutron beam transmission tube and downstream from the beam generator. A second collimating plate is disposed within the neutron beam transmission tube and downstream from the first collimating plate. Neutron beams can be used to create gamma radiation and which can in-turn disable electronic equipment, such as that found in enemy aircraft, missile guidance systems, communication systems and/or the like. |
| US10004134B2 |
Reflector lamp
In various embodiments, a reflector lamp having a longitudinal axis is provided. The reflector lamp may include: a reflector which has a contour and a neck, with a pin base resting at the end of said neck, a light source arranged in the reflector, wherein the light source is fastened in the reflector with the aid of a mounting clip, which simultaneously adjusts the light source, wherein the mounting clip comprises three sections, namely a first section which holds the light source, a second section which serves for the adjustment in the neck and a third section which is used for the base connection. |
| US10004131B2 |
Methods and systems for controlling an electrical load
An electronic dimming ballast or light emitting diode (LED) driver for driving a gas discharge lamp or LED lamp may be operable to control the lamp to avoid flickering and flashing of the lamp during low temperature or low mercury conditions. Such a ballast or driver may include a control circuit that is operable to adjust the intensity of the lamp. Adjusting the intensity of the lamp may include decreasing the intensity of the lamp. The control circuit may be operable to stop adjustment of the intensity of the lamp if a magnitude of the lamp voltage across the lamp is greater than an upper threshold, and subsequently begin to adjust the intensity of the lamp when the lamp voltage across the lamp is less than a lower threshold. Subsequently beginning to adjust the intensity of the lamp may include subsequently decreasing the intensity of the lamp. |
| US10004129B2 |
Extending coverage in an outdoor lighting system by using a mobile device and short-range wireless communications
A method and system to extend the coverage of Outdoor Lighting Networks (OLNs) through the use of authorized mobile devices travelling around to establish a virtual connectivity link (i. e., storing data and, when in reach, using short-range wireless communication protocols) between isolated light points (or groups of light points) and connected light points so that lighting commands and data can be exchanged between the two sets of lighting points is disclosed. |
| US10004128B2 |
Grid connected coordinated lighting adapter
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for systems and methods that employ a control component and/or power source integrated in an LED based light source to control and/or power the LED light source wirelessly. In embodiments, the LED based light source may take the form of a standard light bulb that plugs into a standard lighting socket or fixture. |
| US10004124B1 |
Electroluminescent display device
Disclosed is a display device having a display panel including pixels, a pixel circuit of each of the pixels comprising a capacitor connected between a first and second node, a driving transistor connected to the second node, a third node, and a first supply voltage, a first transistor supplying the first supply voltage or a reference voltage to the first node, a second transistor supplying the reference voltage to the second node, a third transistor supplying a data voltage to the first node, a fourth transistor forming a current path between the second and third nodes, a fifth transistor supplying the reference voltage or a reset voltage to the fourth node, a sixth transistor supplying the reference voltage to the first node, a seventh transistor forming a current path between the third and fourth nodes, and a diode connected to the fourth node and a second supply voltage. |
| US10004123B1 |
Failure detection and alerting circuit for a differential mode surge protection device in an LED driver
An apparatus and a method monitor the status of a thermal protection device within a surge protection device (SPD). A monitoring circuit connected to a monitor output signal of the SPD is responsive to the presence of a time-varying voltage on the monitor output signal. The time-varying voltage is present during a selected half of each AC cycle when the thermal protection device is intact such that the SPD is no longer providing surge protection. The time-varying voltage is not present when the thermal protection device is no longer intact. When the time-varying voltage is not present for a selected duration, the monitoring circuit illuminates a light-emitting diode (LED) to indicate that the thermal protection device has failed. |
| US10004118B1 |
LED control circuit and method therefor
In an embodiment, an LED control circuit may include a first circuit configured to form a reference signal having a waveform of a rectified ac signal. The LED control circuit may also include a first regulator circuit configured to regulate a first LED current from a first LED during a first portion of the reference signal to have a waveshape that follow the reference signal waveform but not receive the first current during a second portion of the reference signal. The LED control circuit may also include a second regulator circuit configured to regulate a second current from the first LED and from a second LED during the second portion of the reference signal to have a waveshape that follows the reference signal waveform. |
| US10004117B2 |
Amplifier for a constant-current LED driver circuit and constant-current LED driver IC device
Embodiments of an amplifier for a constant-current light-emitting diode (LED) driver circuit and a constant-current LED driver integrated circuit (IC) device having the amplifier are described. In one embodiment, an amplifier includes a folded cascode input stage including chopping switch circuits configured to perform frequency chopping to reduce an input offset of the amplifier and a rail-to-rail output stage connected to the folded cascode input stage. The rail-to-rail output stage includes slew rate enhancement circuits. |
| US10004116B2 |
Lighting device, headlight device with the same, and vehicle
A lighting device includes a power converter and a controller. The power converter includes a transformer having primary, secondary and tertiary windings, and a switching device electrically connected in series with the primary winding. The controller is configured to measure a signal simulating a primary current flowing through the primary winding based on a voltage occurring across the tertiary winding and detect timing for turning the switching device off based on the signal simulating the primary current. |
| US10004115B2 |
Electronic oven with reflective energy steering
An electronic oven with a set of variable reflectance elements for controlling a distribution of heat in the electronic oven and associated methods are disclosed herein. The electronic oven includes a chamber, an energy source coupled to an injection port in the chamber, and a set of variable reflectance elements located in the chamber. In some of the disclosed approaches the variable reflectance elements are nonradiative. A control system of the electronic oven can be configured to alter the states of the variable reflectance elements to thereby alter and control the distribution of energy within the chamber. |
| US10004113B2 |
Heating wire arrangement for ceramic heater
Provided is a heating wire arrangement for a ceramic heater, which is an arrangement of a heating wire on a ceramic substrate in a ceramic heater and emits heat. The heating wire arrangement for the ceramic heater includes a heating wire that is a metal wire member extending in a longitudinal direction and is two-dimensionally arranged on a virtual two-dimensional (2D) plane that is substantially parallel to a top surface of the ceramic substrate.Thus, a uniform heat density may be maintained and a rapid temperature ramp-up may be enabled, unlike a conventional heating wire of a three-dimensional (3D) type. |
| US10004109B2 |
Method and apparatus for recovering data unit in wireless communication system
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for recovering data units in a wireless communication system. The method of recovering data units in a wireless LAN comprises the steps of: determining a channel state of at least one secondary channel band for a predetermined time after an STA has failed to transmit a first PPDU; and transmitting, at the STA, a second PPDU through a recovery channel band determined on the basis of the channel state, wherein the first PPDU is data transmitted through a primary channel and at least one secondary channel, and the recovery channel band may include, from among the primary channel band and at least one secondary channel, a secondary channel that is in an idle state. |
| US10004107B2 |
Discontinuous reception alignment in dual connectivity networks
A 3GPP LTE protocol enhancement realizes the full benefit of discontinuous reception (DRX) in Long Term Evolution networks by coordinating and aligning DRX operations for conserving power and timing overhead. A dual connectivity enabled User Equipment (UE) comprising a processor and transceiver is configured to align DRX configuration between counterpart Evolved Node Bs (eNB)s, wherein counterpart eNBs are a Master eNB (MeNB) and a Secondary eNB (SeNB) simultaneously connected to the UE, communicate system frame timing and system frame number (SFN) information between the counterpart eNBs, align DRX start offset (drxStartOffset) values for the counterpart eNBs according to the communicated system frame timing and SFN information to compensate for offsets in system frame timing, and allow the start of a DRX ON duration at specific frame or sub-frame times determined by the drxStartOffset values, after the expiration of a DRX inactivity timer. |
| US10004103B2 |
Communications system
A communication system is disclosed comprising an X2 gateway, a number of base stations, and a mobile device. The base stations are able to establish X2 connections directly with each other or via the X2 gateway. Various procedures are disclosed to determine how X2 connections should be established based on compatibility of the respective base stations with the X2 gateway. |
| US10004102B2 |
Automatic configuration of a wireless distribution system extended network
Methods, systems, and computer readable media may be operable to facilitate the automatic configuration of a network device within a wireless distribution system (WDS) extended network. Upon the boot of a network device such as a network extender, the network device may search for an access point through the transmission and reception of wireless communications. Once an access point is found, the network device may attempt to connect to the access point and may self-configure as either a station or a station operating as an access point. The network device may make the determination whether to operate as an access point based upon one or more network and/or device parameters associated with the identified access point, and may switch between station and station-access point modes based upon the link connecting the network device to the access point. |
| US10004101B2 |
Mobile communication system, user terminal, and processor
A UE 100-1 and a UE 200-2 perform D2D communication that is direct device to device communication. The UE 100-1 transmits a D2D termination preliminary notification indicating that termination of the D2D communication is wished to the UE 100-2 during the D2D communication. The UE 100-1 terminates the D2D communication after transmitting the D2D termination preliminary notification. |
| US10004099B2 |
Efficient discontinuous reception in a mobile network
A method of extended DRX paging includes a base station that transmits extended DRX configuration information and a User Equipment (UE) receives the extended DRX configuration from the base station. The UE determines a first number of frames that are included in a hyper-frame based at least in part on the extended DRX configuration information and selects a hyper-frame number. The hyper-frame number is based at least in part on the extended DRX configuration information. The UE maintains a hyper-frame count and the hyper-frame count is incremented after each hyper-frame. The UE then goes into sleep mode and the UE determines a wake up time before a standard DRX cycle that occurs during the selected hyper-frame. The UE may also determine a first wake up time and a second wake up time based on the selected hyper-frame number and synchronization error between a first cell and a second cell. |
| US10004098B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data using a plurality of carriers in mobile communication system
A bearer reconfiguration method performed by a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system supporting a multi-bearer is provided. The bearer reconfiguration method includes, if the UE performs a bearer reconfiguration from a single bearer to the multi-bearer, reordering Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) Protocol Data Units (PDUs) received through the multi-bearer, using a timer after a completion of the bearer reconfiguration, and processing the reordered PDCP PDUs into at least one PDCP Service Data Unit (SDU). The method may also include, if the UE performs bearer reconfiguration from the multi-bearer to the single bearer, reordering PDCP PDUs received through the multi-bearer, using a timer until a predetermined condition is satisfied, and processing the reordered PDCP PDUs into at least one PDCP SDU. |
| US10004089B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling random access opportunity in mobile communication system
A base station infers a random access failure rate depending on a random access collision of terminals performing random access and controls a random access opportunity of a terminal that fails the random access by using the random access failure rate of each terminal. Also, information for the controlled random access opportunity is transmitted to the terminal that fails the random access. |
| US10004080B2 |
Channel quality measurements for downlink resource allocation
A method for reporting channel quality from a user equipment (UE) to a base station is described. The UE derives a channel quality for each of a plurality of downlink resources. The UE transmits channel quality reports in a pattern of time intervals by rotating through the plurality of downlink resources in different time intervals of the pattern, wherein a channel quality report is not transmitted by the UE in each time interval of a frame. |
| US10004078B2 |
Network node, wireless device and methods therein for controlling a radio communication using carrier aggregation
A network node (600), a wireless device (602) and methods for controlling a radio communication using carrier aggregation. The wireless device (602) sends (6:1) UE capabilities to the network node (600), indicating a maximum capability limit per component carrier and a total maximum capability limit across all component carriers to be used in the radio communication. The network node (600) further selects (6:2) a number of component carriers to be used by the wireless device, and configures (6:3) radio features on the selected component carriers based on the received UE capabilities. The network node (600) then signals (6:4) the selected number of component carriers and the configured radio features to the wireless device (602) for use in the radio communication (6:5). Thereby, the network node (600) can utilize the full capabilities of the wireless device (602) when configuring the radio features while still respecting both the maximum capability limit per carrier and the total maximum capability limit. |
| US10004072B2 |
Wireless device for improving operating efficiency
A wireless device and an associated wireless device are proposed. The wireless device includes a first receiving circuit, a second receiving circuit and a detector. The first receiving circuit is arranged to receive signals in a first band. The second receiving circuit is arranged to selectively receive signals in the first band or signal reception in a second band according to a first control signal, wherein the second band is different from the first band. The detector is arranged to detect existence of a transmission signal in the second band to set the first control signal. |
| US10004063B2 |
PDSCH transmission method and apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention provide a PDSCH transmission method and apparatus. The method includes: detecting a downlink control channel for scheduling a PDSCH; determining a resource allocation scheme of the PDSCH according to a DCI format of the downlink control channel for scheduling the PDSCH and an attribute of a carrier for carrying the PDSCH; and decoding the PDSCH according to the resource allocation scheme of the PDSCH and a transmission scheme of the PDSCH. The embodiments of the present invention provide an effective solution to PDSCH transmission. |
| US10004060B2 |
Scheduling systems and methods for wireless networks
In one embodiment, a method is performed by a base station in a wireless network. The method includes receiving from a user device a request to reconfigure already-active uplink semi-persistent scheduling (SPS). The already-active uplink SPS grants the user device a resource block allocation (RBA) and a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for periodic uplink transmissions. The already-active uplink SPS includes a time-interval parameter, the time-interval parameter specifying a time interval between the periodic uplink transmissions. The request includes information related to a proposed adjustment of the time-interval parameter. The method further includes reconfiguring the already-active uplink SPS. The reconfiguring includes modifying the time-interval parameter based, at least in part, on the information. |
| US10004058B2 |
Reducing the effects of interference experienced by a communication device
Disclosed are methods for allowing a wireless communication device (or “user equipment” or “UE”) to receive signaling information when there is a power imbalance between a primary cell (“Pcell”) and a New Carrier Type (“NCT”) secondary cell (“Scell”). In one aspect, the UE reduces its downlink bandwidth to cover only a carrier of the Pcell, receives control signaling information, if present, and then increases its bandwidth to cover carriers of both the Pcell and Scell. |
| US10004056B2 |
Requesting a location of a user
A user sends a location request to a user of a group that requests the user's current location. For example, one family member may send a location request to another family member that is part of their family group for their current location. The user receiving the request may accept the location request or reject the location request. When the location request is reject, the requesting user is not provided with the current location information of the user. When the location request is accepted, the requesting user is provided with the current location information of the user. In addition to providing the location information to the requesting user, the location may also be shared with other members of the group. For example, a message may be sent to each of the family members that are part of the group that informs them that a member has updated their location. |
| US10004051B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling traffic of electronic device
An apparatus and a method for controlling traffic of a second electronic device, which interworks with a first electronic device, in the first electronic device is provided. The method includes detecting occurrence of an event which needs to be notified to the second electronic device, determining a time to notify the occurrence of the event based on a driving time of the second electronic device, and transmitting an event occurrence notification signal to the second electronic device at the determined notification time. |
| US10004043B2 |
Method for controlling electric power in wireless communication system supporting change in purpose of wireless resource and apparatus therefor
The present invention proposes a method for controlling electric power of a user equipment in a wireless communication system supporting change in use of a radio resource, and an apparatus therefor. Specifically, the method comprises a step of receiving, from a base station, a transmission power control (TPC) command for a first radio resource set and a second radio resource set, wherein the first radio resource set is configured to dynamic changes of a use of radio resources in the first radio resource set, the second radio resource set is configured to prevent dynamic changes of a use of wireless resources in the second radio resource set, and different open-loop control parameters are applied to the first radio resource set and the second radio resource set and the same closed-loop control parameters are applied to the first radio resource set and the second radio resource set. |
| US10004041B2 |
Communication apparatus performing communication operation based on a detected temperature, control method thereof and storage medium
A communication apparatus comprises: a communication unit configured to communicate data with an external apparatus; a detection unit configured to detect a temperature of the communication apparatus; and a control unit configured to cause the detection unit to detect a temperature of the communication apparatus, perform, in a case where the detected temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature, a first communication operation performed without suspending the data transfer, and perform, in a case where the detected temperature is higher than or equal to the predetermined temperature, a second communication operation performed while suspending the data transfer, wherein the control unit sets, based on a communication state of the communication unit, a suspension time of the data transfer when performing the second communication operation. |
| US10004036B2 |
Managing power consumption in tree-based TDMA multi-hop wireless networks
Method for managing power consumption in tree-based, Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA), multi-hop wireless networks. The method includes at each node set the steps of: relinquishing its initial role in the network if a condition related to the power consumption of the node is not met; and adopting a new role in the network according to a TDMA protocol of said network; wherein the node stops emitting beacons to a child node thereof and/or stops acknowledging beacons from a parent node, and wherein each node has a lower power consumption in this new role than it had in its initial role. |
| US10004035B2 |
Method of managing data transmission for wireless system
A method of managing data transmission for a receiving terminal of a first wireless system wherein the first wireless system coexists with at least one second wireless system includes receiving a transmission schedule of each of the at least one second wireless system; determining a usable time period for the first wireless system according to the transmission schedule of each of the at least one second wireless system; and sending a clear to send (CTS) to self signal or a power saving signal to indicate an interruption of the usable time period according to a length of the usable time period. |
| US10004027B2 |
Access control method and apparatus
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an access control method and apparatus. The method includes: generating, by a network device, an access control message that includes an access control parameter, where the access control message is used to instruct user equipment to determine, according to the access control parameter after receiving the access control message, whether to initiate access, and the access control parameter includes an access control parameter based on a traffic class or an access control parameter based on an access class; and sending, by the network device, the access control message to the UE. The technical solutions of the present disclosure may reduce a signaling burden on a network and may enable the network device to provide more precise and flexible control of the UE. |
| US10004022B2 |
Handover signaling using an MBSFN channel in a cellular communication system
A method of handover signaling in a cellular communication system is disclosed. Prior to a user equipment (UE) undergoing a cell-to-cell transition, a target node transmits handover-related signaling in one or more Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (M8SFN) subframes in order to reduce handover delay. The cellular communication system includes a source node configured to transfer a handover (HO) request to the target node. The (HO) request corresponds to a (UE) presently being served by the source node. The target node is configured to transmit (HO) information to the (UE) over at least one MBSFN subframe in response to the (HO) request. |
| US10004021B2 |
System and method for providing services to a user equipment in an inter-national location
Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for one of restricting at least one service and providing one of the at least one service and a differential service to a subscriber, the method comprising steps of: receiving a connection request from a user equipment [102]; determining a location status of the subscriber, wherein the location status comprises one of an intra-national location and an inter-national location; generating one of a positive response in an event a source IP address is identified in a pre-stored list of source IP address and a negative response is in an event the source IP address is not identified in the pre-stored list of source IP address; and one of restricting the at least one service and providing one of the at least one service and the differential service to the subscriber. |
| US10004019B2 |
RAN for multimedia delivery
A method is disclosed for delivering a packet data flow across a radio access network (RAN), comprising: receiving, at an upstream gateway node, an Internet Protocol (IP) data flow; sending, from the upstream gateway node, the IP data flow to a RAN; receiving, at the upstream gateway node, a congestion control message from the RAN based on a request for retransmission of the IP data flow at the RAN to a user equipment (UE); and performing, at the upstream gateway node, IP flow control of the IP data flow based on the congestion control message. |
| US10004016B2 |
MME reselection method and MME
An MME reselection method and an MME are provided, so that UE can use a correct MME in time to execute an access request procedure. The method includes: receiving an access request message sent by user equipment UE, where the access request message carries identity information of the UE (801); determining, according to the identity information of the UE, a type of an MME that the UE needs to access (802); reselecting a second MME according to the type of the MME that the UE needs to access (803); and forwarding the access request message to the second MME, so that the second MME executes an access request procedure of the UE (804). The embodiments of the present invention is applicable to the field of communications technologies. |
| US10004015B2 |
Communications system
A target communications device receiving from a source communications device a notification that a user communications device is to be handed over from that source communications device, provides the source communications device with multiple component carrier information for use by the user communications device. The multiple component carrier information includes information indicating to the user communications device which of the multiple component carriers is to be used for initial access. The multiple component carrier information may be component carrier indexes. Communication devices may exchange component carrier indexes during a setup or updating procedure such as an X2 setup or updating procedure. |
| US10004014B2 |
Wireless communication device as context forwarding entity
The invention relates to network nodes, a wireless communication device, WCD, and methods therein for handover. The method in the WCD comprises obtaining, from a source network node, information comprising at least part of a WCD Context related to the WCD. The method further comprises connecting to a target network node, and forwarding the obtained information to the target network node, enabling the target network node to derive the WCD Context based on the information. |
| US10004012B2 |
Special handling of low priority cells
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided low priority cells. In one aspect there is provided a method, which may include performing, by a user equipment, monitoring of at least a second carrier during times not associated with measurement gaps, when the second carrier is designated as a low priority carrier. |
| US10004011B2 |
Mobility state enhancements
In a cellular communications network, a measurement report is requested to enable handover conditions to be established. In one approach, a measurement report is based on satisfaction of an event. Signalling for this measurement report includes one or more parameters on the basis of which the event is defined, including a trigger time defining a time period over which the event should be satisfied for the report to be triggered. In one approach, speed dependent scaling is applied to a parameter other than the trigger time, in the defined event. In another approach, a handover scenario, concerning the nature of the cell in which the user equipment is operational, and optionally that of a neighboring cell, governs the definition of a trigger event. |
| US10004010B2 |
User equipment selection for detecting physical cell identifier confusion
Measurement reports are received from a plurality of user equipment (UE) in communication with a first base station on a network. The measurement reports include data characterizing physical cell identifiers (PCIDs) of neighboring base stations and signal strengths associated with the neighboring base stations. Relative positions of the plurality of UEs are determined based on the received measurement reports. The plurality of UEs are associated into one or more groups comprising UEs having similar relative positions. A UE is selected from each of the one or more groups for transmission of a request to resolve at least some of the neighboring base station cell global identities (CGIs). At least one of the receiving, determining, associating, and selecting are performed by at least one data processor forming part of at least one computing system. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described. |
| US10004009B2 |
Device and method of handling a handover
A communication device for handling a handover comprises a storage device for storing instructions and a processing circuit coupled to the storage device. The processing circuit is configured to execute the instructions stored in the storage device. The instructions comprise receiving a handover command via a radio resource control (RRC) connection on a first cell from a first base station (BS); synchronizing to a downlink (DL) of a second cell indicated in the handover command; transmitting a handover complete message to the second cell in response to the handover command without performing a random access (RA) procedure to the second cell, if the handover command indicates no need to perform the RA procedure to the second cell; and determining that the handover is successful, when detecting a Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) on a DL channel from the second cell in a first time period. |
| US10004006B2 |
Secondary base station bearer change
A secondary base station method, secondary base station, master base station method, master base station and computer program products are disclosed. The secondary base station method comprises: upon it being determined that the secondary base station is to perform a protocol layer re-establishment, permitting continued transmission of data packets to user equipment over the secondary base station bearer. In this way, service interruption can be minimized since pending data packets may continue to be transmitted while the re-establishment takes, which minimizes service interruption and reduces the number of data packets which will need to be retransmitted. |
| US10004005B2 |
Fast reselection from a current cell to a higher-priority cell in wireless communication
A method and mechanism for operating user equipment to enable efficient reselection from a first cell conforming to a first wireless standard to a second cell conforming to a second wireless standard. The second standard may require a higher transmission rate for packet-switched data than the first standard. While camping on the first cell, the user equipment makes measurements of received power from the second cell. A reselection timer is started when a measurement is detected that is sufficiently strong. In response to an access state transition to a non-active protocol state (such as UMTS-PCH), the UE saves the timer value. When data becomes available for transmission, an additional measurement is made on the second cell, and reselection to the second cell may be performed immediately if the additional measurement and the saved timer value pass one or more reselection criteria. |
| US10004002B2 |
Method for D2D radiocommunication
The present disclosure relates to a method of a first radio device in non-network assisted device-to-device (D2D) communication with a second radio device using a first frequency resource and a first communication protocol. The method comprises determining that the first radio device is within coverage of a cellular network. The method also comprises connecting to the cellular network. The method also comprises sending a message to the second radio device, informing said second radio device that the first radio device is within coverage of the cellular network. The method also comprises receiving a message from the cellular network comprising information about a second frequency resource and a second communication protocol. The method also comprises initiating a handover of the D2D communication from the first frequency resource and communication protocol to the second frequency resource and communication protocol. |
| US10003998B2 |
Systems and methods for reduced overhead in wireless communication systems
Systems and methods are disclosed which implement one or more overhead reduction technique, if channel conditions favorable to implementation of overhead reduction are present. The one or more overhead reduction technique may have one or more restriction corresponding to the channel for which the overhead reduction technique is implemented. The one or more overhead reduction technique implemented may include time-domain bundling, frequency-domain bundling, and pattern adaptation. Pattern adaptation may include pattern code-domain reduction, pattern timing-domain reduction, and pattern frequency-domain reduction. |
| US10003987B2 |
Method for transmitting data to a wireless device in a communications network which applies a combined cell deployment
The embodiments herein relates to a method in a communications network. A first probing pilot signal is transmitted from a first network node to a wireless device. The first probing pilot signal is unique for the first network node. A second signal is transmitted from the first network node to the wireless device. The second signal is unique for the first network node. The first probing pilot signal together the second signal enables identification of that the first network node is suitable to transmit data to the wireless device. A first and second set of channel state parameters is transmitted from the wireless device to the central network node which identifies that the first network node is suitable to transmit data to the wireless device since it is substantially close to the first network node. |
| US10003983B2 |
Integrated circuit for spreading response signal
A radio communication apparatus receives control information on one or more control channel elements (CCEs) with consecutive CCE number(s). The radio communication apparatus first-spreads a response signal with a sequence defined by a cyclic shift value that is determined among a plurality of cyclic shift values from an index of physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), which is associated with a first CCE number of the one or more CCEs, and second-spreads the first-spread response signal with an orthogonal sequence that is determined among a plurality of orthogonal sequences from the index. One of cyclic shift values used for an orthogonal sequence is determined from an index of the PUCCH, which is associated with an odd CCE number, and another one of the cyclic shift values used for the same orthogonal sequence is determined from an index of the PUCCH, which is associated with an even CCE number. |
| US10003982B2 |
Method and apparatus for telemetry system data rate optimization
A method for transmitting data, the method including receiving data from one or more data units, determining a total data rate based on data obtained from the one or more data units, determining an optimum data rate for packet transmission based on minimizing overhead data included in the packet transmission where, when the total data rate exceeds a predetermined threshold, a first portion of data is automatically removed from the data obtained from the one or more data units for placement in a data storage buffer and a second portion of the data obtained from the one or more data units remains in the packet transmission such that the total data rate is decreased and transmitting the second portion of the data obtained from the one or more data units at the optimum data rate. |
| US10003979B2 |
Method for generating signal for reducing interference in user-centralized virtual cell in cloud wireless connection network environment, and apparatus therefor
A method for generating a signal for reducing interference in a user-centralized virtual cell, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: transmitting a reference signal to a terminal within a user-centralized virtual cell; receiving, from the terminal, a first channel measurement report message including channel information measured by the terminal on the basis of the reference signal; exchanging, with the first channel measurement report message, a second channel measurement report message that another base station within the user-centralized cell receives from another terminal other than the terminal, thereby sharing a channel measurement report message with the another base station; and generating a signal for reducing the interference on the basis of the first channel measurement report and the second channel measurement report message. |
| US10003978B2 |
Mobile communication system, radio base station, radio mobile station and mobile communication method
A mobile communication system that includes a first communication system, which features a user terminal that is present in a moving object, a first radio base station that forms a cell in the moving object, and a first core network that is connected with an external network, and a second communication system, which features a radio mobile station that is provided in the moving object, a second radio base station that forms a cell on the path of the movement of the moving object, and a second core network that is connected with the second radio base station. The first radio base station and the radio mobile station are connected via a user-plane interface and a control-plane interface between the radio base stations and the core networks. |
| US10003976B2 |
Resource selection method and apparatus
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a resource selection method and an apparatus, which are applied to the communications field, and can resolve a collision problem occurring, and improve transmit quality of a discovery signal of a terminal. The method comprises: obtaining, by the terminal, a transmit probability of a discovery signal, where the transmit probability is a probability that the terminal starts to transmit the discovery signal on a predetermined discovery frame by using a discovery resource pool; generating, by the terminal, an indication signal corresponding to the transmit probability; and if the indication signal is a transmit indication signal, starting to transmit, by the terminal, the discovery signal on the predetermined discovery frame by using the discovery resource pool. The present disclosure is applicable to frequency-time resource selection by a terminal for transmitting a discovery signal. |
| US10003973B2 |
Aircraft wireless network for fixed aircraft components
A method and apparatus for managing security in a wireless network for fixed aircraft components, having a wireless access point located in the aircraft and defining the boundaries of the wireless network, a wireless remote node fixedly located within the aircraft and communicating with the wireless network, and a fixed security node. |
| US10003972B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for application aware access control for communication on a mobile network
A user equipment (UE) is configured to receive, from a network, a first access control message and a second access control message. The first access control message corresponds to a first access control service, and the second access control message corresponds to a second access control service. The first and second access control messages include access control information for controlling access to the network for at least one application on the UE. The UE is also configured to determine a combined access level for the at least one application based on the first and second access control messages and to limit access to wireless communications for the at least one application based on the combined access level. |
| US10003971B2 |
Compartmentalized multi-factor authentication for mobile devices
Techniques for obtaining compartmentalized authenticated access to a feature on an electronic mobile device comprising a camera are presented. The techniques may include obtaining data representing a printable authentication pattern, wherein the printable authentication pattern encodes access information, storing in electronic persistent memory the access information in association with data representing the feature, receiving, at the mobile telephone, a user request to access the feature, capturing, using a camera of the mobile device, an image of an input pattern printed on to a substrate, decoding the input pattern to obtain captured information, determining, by retrieving the access information, that the captured information matches the access information, and providing access to the feature on the mobile device as a consequence of at least the determining. |
| US10003968B2 |
Apparatus and system effectively using a plurality of authentication servers
A communication apparatus including: a plurality of physical ports to be coupled to different terminals via a network; a plurality of authentication processing units configured to execute an authentication process; and a controller configured to determine which one of the physical ports on which a packet was received from a terminal, to specify a preset authentication process corresponding to the determined physical port on which a packet was received, and to distribute the specified authentication process of the packet from the terminal to an authentication processing unit for executing. |
| US10003961B2 |
Wireless communication system and wireless terminal device
A wireless communication system includes a terminal capability information reception unit to receive and extract terminal capability information, the terminal capability information indicating at least one of an uplink frequency bandwidth as a capability of a wireless terminal device and a downlink frequency bandwidth as a capability of the wireless terminal device; a terminal category setting unit to identify a terminal category to which the wireless terminal device belongs, based on the terminal capability information; and a link setting unit to set a link between a base station and the wireless terminal device and to transmit a control signal depending on the link setting between the base station and the wireless terminal device, based on the terminal category set by the terminal category setting unit. |
| US10003960B2 |
Systems and methods for restricting a mobile communication device
A system and method for restricting cell phone use while operating a vehicle. The operation and functionality of a subject mobile communication device (MCD) is restricted during operation of a subject vehicle. A control/monitor communication device (controller) installs a functionality restriction application (FRA) on the subject MCD and registers the MCD to a server. The registration process associates a specific vehicle and specific functionality restrictions with the subject MCD. The vehicle may be associated with the subject MCD via an on-board module (OBM) integrated with an on-board diagnostic device of the vehicle. When the vehicle is operational, the OBM transmits a signal to the server. The server accesses the registration information and transmits a signal to the associated MCD. The signal activates the FRA as well as communication functionality so that if the subject MCD is within a threshold distance of the OBM it is restricted as specified. |
| US10003957B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting location privacy protection in wireless access system supporting small cell environment
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for allocating and updating an identifier in order to protect the location privacy of a user equipment (UE), and apparatuses for supporting the same. As an embodiment of the present invention, a method for protecting the location privacy of a UE in a wireless access system may comprise the steps of: receiving, from a mobility management entity (MME), an access acceptance message including a globally unique temporary identifier (GUTI) assigned so as not to expose an IMSI of the UE and update period information indicating an update period of the GUTI; determining whether to update the GUTI on the basis of the update period information; transmitting a GUTI update request message to the MME when the update period indicated by the update period information is reached; and receiving a GUTI update message including a new updated GUTI, in response to the GUTI update request message. |
| US10003954B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributive mobility management
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for managing the mobility of a terminal in a mobile agent according to a method for distributive mobility management, and the method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a step for detecting a change in location information of a terminal according to the movement of the terminal and storing the changed location information in a first storage unit; a step for storing, in a second storage unit, an index of the first storage unit in which the changed location information is stored; and a step for transmitting, to another mobile agent, an index value stored in the second storage unit at a point in time at which a predetermined condition is satisfied, and initializing the second storage unit. |
| US10003952B2 |
Device to-device (D2D) discovery
A method of operating a first wireless communication device to perform D2D discovery includes obtaining multiple discovery message detection results, and determining a D2D discovery status of a second wireless communication device based on the multiple discovery message detection results. Using multiple discovery message detection results to determine the D2D discovery status of the second wireless communication device significantly increases the reliability of D2D discovery, thereby increasing the likelihood that a device available for D2D communication will be detected, while reducing the likelihood of false detections. |
| US10003950B2 |
ID kits for personal automation, and charging units therefor
An ID kits for personal automation comprise: a wireless communication module for performing wireless communication with an external wireless communication device; a microcomputer for performing an operation according to a program configured according to a signal of the wireless communication device via the wireless communication and outputting the result of the performance to the wireless communication module; and a first battery for supplying power to the microcomputer, wherein each ID kit is given a unique number, which is then registered with only one wireless communication device, and thus can wirelessly communicate only with the registered wireless communication device. |
| US10003942B2 |
Automatic friend connection within a social network
A computer-implemented method for recommending a friend for a network utilizing a host site. The method includes obtaining, using a processor system, a first audio recording from a first user device associated with a first member having a first member profile affiliated with the host site and a second audio recording from a second user device associated with a second member having a second member profile affiliated with the host site. Determining if the first and second user are in proximity by comparing the first and second audio recordings; and based on a determination that the first and second users are in proximity, initiating steps for associating the first member profile with the second member profile via the host site. |
| US10003941B2 |
Electronic device and its wireless network connection method
A wireless network connection method for an electronic device is provided, in which a first signal is transmitted to additional electronic device and is utilized to identify the electronic device. When the additional electronic device identifies the electronic device through the first signal, it establishes wireless communication between the electronic device and the additional electronic device. A second signal is transmitted to the additional electronic device. The second signal is an audio signal to instruct the additional electronic device to maintain the wireless communication. |
| US10003940B1 |
Call forwarding and routing back to phone after contact list update
A call is received by a device without, or with limited, information about the calling party. The call is then forwarded to another device where more calling party information is determined (such as by using the automated number information (ANI) protocol) or a database of information associated with phone numbers). These additional data are sent to the device of the called party and are used to populate a contact list on the device with these additional data. Then the call is forwarded to the called party again, and the device of the called party now reports the data stored in the contact list in response to receiving the call. |
| US10003938B2 |
Easy location sharing
Systems and methods for sharing location information during a message conversation are provided. An electronic device detects a location-sharing request from a first participant of a message conversation to share first participant location information with a second participant. The device then enables the second participant to obtain the first participant location information during a predetermined location-sharing time period. In response to detecting interaction by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period, the device extends the predetermined location-sharing time period. |
| US10003937B2 |
Text messaging to and from cable services system devices
Routing of short message service (SMS) communications from a networked communication device to a networked cable television (CATV) services system device (e.g., set-top box STB) is provided. SMS messages may be sent to a user's wireline phone, mobile phone, or other communication device as identified by a unique identification number (UIN). Upon identifying if the intended destination device is operative to receive SMS messages or if a provision has been made to route an incoming SMS message, the SMS message may be routed to a networked cable services system device (e.g., a set-top box or CATV-enabled telephone) associated with an account of the intended destination device. The cable services system device may receive an SMS message and may be operative to render the message on a display. In addition, the device may also be operative to send SMS messages. |
| US10003933B2 |
Method and apparatus for synchronizing mobile station media flows during a collaborative session
A method and apparatus are described for synchronizing mobile station (i.e., wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU)) media flows during a collaboration session. Inter-WTRU transfer request messages, flow addition request messages and session update request messages may be exchanged between a plurality of WTRUs and a session continuity control application server (SCC-AS). Each of the messages may include a session description protocol (SDP) attribute line containing time synchronization information (e.g., a presentation time offset (PTO) information element (IE), a media flow group identity (ID) and a synchronization tolerance IE). The SCC-AS may update the time synchronization information and include the updated information in messages it sends to the WTRUs, which may re-synchronize their respective media flows based on the updated time synchronization information. |
| US10003931B2 |
Method for retrieval of unrecalled information from digital advertisement
Proposed is a method for retrieval of unrecalled AD which was missed by the viewer from fixing it in a specific APP by pushing an activation button on the mobile electronic device at the time of visual demonstration seen by the viewer. The method consists of the opening an owner's account on the Internet server linked with the APP; composing a listing of the sequential groups of the visual digital signals; activating the system within a certain time “t” after completion of a selected portion of the series of digital signals which includes the AD being sought, reproducing the listing of the sequential groups of visual digital signals on the mobile electronic communication device, selecting a group that corresponds to the unrecalled AD; and reproducing the selected group on the mobile electronic communication device for viewing the unrecalled AD. |
| US10003929B2 |
Location based assisting apparatuses, methods and computer readable mediums
An apparatus includes at least one processor and a transceiver. The at least one processor is configured to execute computer readable instructions to: acquire first location information representing locations of a plurality of user terminals, second location information representing a location of at least one vehicle, and third location information representing a location of a destination of the plurality of user terminals; and determine a route from the location of the at least one vehicle to the location of the destination based on the first location information, the second location information and the third location information, wherein the route includes the location of each of the plurality of user terminals. The transceiver is configured to transmit the route to the plurality of user terminals. |
| US10003921B2 |
Method and apparatus for searching for proximity service so as to provide proximity service
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for supporting a proximity service (ProSe) of a first network entity in a wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention comprises the steps of: a first network entity receiving a request for location information related to a first terminal; transmitting a paging message to the first terminal when the first terminal is in an idle state; receiving a first response message corresponding to the paging message; and transmitting a second response message corresponding to a service request on the basis of the first response message. |
| US10003920B2 |
Notifications based on device presence
An architecture is provided that can facilitate and/or transmit notifications based upon device presence techniques in connection with a wireless communications network. For example, when certain mobile devices register with a particular network entity (e.g., a femtocell) that services a particular target location (e.g., place of residence), then such registration can be leveraged to indicate presence at the target location. Accordingly, notifications can be delivered to custodian devices that indicate the presence information if certain predetermined conditions or criteria are satisfied. |
| US10003916B2 |
Method and system for determining a means of communication between mobile electronic devices
A mobile application for most appropriate means of communications enables the user to locate a contact and determine the most appropriate way to reach the contact. The user may populate the user's contact list with information such as the names of contacts, their cellphone numbers, and their e-mail addresses. When preparing to communicate with someone on the contact list, the user causes a query to be sent to the contact's electronic device, which in turn sends a GPS query to acquire location information and sends it to the user. The user's application uses the location information to determine the nature of the contact's location and displays an icon corresponding to the type of location, such as a school, a library, a vehicle, or a restaurant. The user may select a communication method which is appropriate for the type of location or pursue some other course of action. |
| US10003915B2 |
Frame time synchronization in a wireless local area network
A position location system based on a wireless local area network such as an IEEE 802.11 network is described. The system determines position of mobile tags attached to assets or people. IEEE 802.11 enabled zone tags are installed to assist in positioning. The system aligns frame timing of zone tags to that of an associated basic service set (BSS). The system computes the frame timing offsets between adjacent BSSs, and utilizes the frame timing offsets in scheduling range measurements between zone tags and mobile tags. A set of zone tags which are in close proximity of a first zone tag and able to receive signals from the first zone tag is identified. Frame timing of all zone tags in a network are aligned. |
| US10003914B2 |
Communication device and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium
A communication device may include an NFC interface, a processor, and a memory storing computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions may be stored in a computer readable storage medium and instruct the communication device to store, in a case where a state of the communication device is a first state, first data in the NFC interface and to store, in a case where the state of the communication device is a second state, the second data in the NFC interface. The NFC interface may establish a first communication link between the communication device and a first external device and transmit the first data to the first external device via the first communication link. The NFC interface may establish a second communication link between the communication device and a second external device and transmit the second data to the second external device via the second communication link by using the NFC system. |
| US10003907B2 |
Processing spatially diffuse or large audio objects
Diffuse or spatially large audio objects may be identified for special processing. A decorrelation process may be performed on audio signals corresponding to the large audio objects to produce decorrelated large audio object audio signals. These decorrelated large audio object audio signals may be associated with object locations, which may be stationary or time-varying locations. For example, the decorrelated large audio object audio signals may be rendered to virtual or actual speaker locations. The output of such a rendering process may be input to a scene simplification process. The decorrelation, associating and/or scene simplification processes may be performed prior to a process of encoding the audio data. |
| US10003906B2 |
Determining and using room-optimized transfer functions
A device for determining room-optimized transfer functions for a listening room serving for room-optimized post-processing of audio signals in spatial production, is configured to analyze room acoustics of the listening room and to determine, based on the analysis of the room acoustics, the room-optimized transfer functions for the listening room where the spatial reproduction by means of a binaural close-range sound transducer is to take place. The spatial reproduction of the audio signals by means of the binaural close-range sound transducer may then be emulated using known head-related transfer functions und using the room-optimized transfer functions, wherein a room to be synthesized may be emulated based on the head-related transfer functions, and wherein the listening room may be emulated based on the room-optimized transfer functions. |
| US10003904B2 |
Method and device for processing binaural audio signal generating additional stimulation
Disclosed is a binaural audio signal processing device. The binaural audio signal processing device includes a binaural renderer and an extra exciter. The binaural renderer receives an audio signal, and outputs a binaural-rendered audio signal by performing binaural rendering on the received audio signal. The extra exciter generates a stimulation to a body of a user, wherein the stimulation corresponds to the binaural-rendered audio signal. |
| US10003903B2 |
Methods for determining relative locations of wireless loudspeakers
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for determining relative locations of wireless loudspeakers and performing channel mapping thereof. An audio processing component utilizes sounds produced by wireless loudspeakers during setup/installation procedures, which are received by a microphone at locations in an acoustic space, to determine an amount of time between when the audio signal is initially transmitted and when the microphone signal is received. The audio processing component also utilizes wireless timing signals provided by a wireless transceiver, at locations in the acoustic space, to wireless loudspeakers and then back to the wireless transceiver to determine an amount of time between transmission and reception by the wireless transceiver. The timing delays are used to determine the locations of the wireless loudspeakers in the acoustic space. Based on the determined locations, the audio processing component generates indications of correct or incorrect wireless loudspeaker placements, and performs audio channel mapping. |
| US10003896B2 |
Method of exchanging data packages of different sizes between first and second portable communication devices
A method of exchanging data packages between first and second portable communication devices over a bi-directional wireless communication channel, where at least one of the first and second portable communication devices comprises a hearing instrument, includes: generating, by the first portable communication device, a plurality of data packages that includes a first data package, wherein a first subset of the plurality of data packages belongs to a first packet category comprising audio data, and a second subset of the plurality of data packages belongs to a second packet category without audio data; and transmitting the plurality of data packages from the first portable communication device to the second portable communication device; wherein a size of the data packages in the second subset belonging to the second packet category is smaller than a size of the data packages in the first subset belonging to the first packet category. |
| US10003875B2 |
Phantom power supply device
A phantom power supply device supplies a power supply current to a condenser microphone from a positive terminal of the first DC power supply through a hot and cold supply resistors in the hot and the cold signal line, and includes a remote control switch. A negative terminal, being connected in series to a negative terminal of the first DC power supply in a voltage-adding manner, of the second DC power supply is connected to the switch, and an added voltage of the first and second DC supply is fed to the current drive element on the condenser microphone by an ON operation of the remote control switch. This configuration enables the LEDs connected in series mounted on the condenser microphone to be lit up with enough light emitting luminance even when a low voltage, such as 12 V, is selected as a phantom power supply voltage. |
| US10003867B2 |
Disjoint path computation systems and methods in optical networks
Systems and methods for computing disjoint paths in a network considering continuity constraints include, responsive to a request for disjoint paths in the network which are subject to the continuity constraints, initializing a plurality of variables associated with a graph defining the network where edges constitute nodes and vertices constitute links; determining a first path through the graph; determining an auxiliary directed graph based on the first path; and determining a second path through the auxiliary directed graph, wherein the second path is determined by considering entry into cut edges, exit from cut edges, and a destination in the auxiliary directed graph and the plurality of variables are adjusted based on the entry, the exit, and the destination to address the continuity constraints. This approach concept applies to not just continuity constraints but to any constraints, which are non-additive in nature; the objective function is still additive for Shortest Path First (SPF). |
| US10003862B2 |
Wireless sensor reader
A wireless sensor reader is provided to interface with a wireless sensor. The wireless sensor reader transmits a narrowband, fixed frequency excitation pulse to cause the wireless sensor to generate a ring signal. The ring signal corresponds to the value of the physical parameter being sensed. The wireless sensor reader receives and amplifies the ring signal and sends the signal to a phase-locked loop. A voltage-controlled oscillator in the phase-locked loop locks onto the ring signal frequency and generates a count signal at a frequency related to the ring signal frequency. The voltage-controlled oscillator is placed into a hold mode where the control voltage is maintained constant to allow the count signal frequency to be determined. The low power, simple circuitry required to generate the excitation pulse allows the reader to be a small, battery operated unit. Alternative methods of frequency determination are also disclosed. |
| US10003860B2 |
Method and apparatus related to variable duration media segments
A method and apparatus for an adaptive bit rate system. The method may include streaming media content at a server, determining a discontinuity in the streaming media content based on boundaries corresponding to changes in the streaming media content, and dividing the streaming media content into a plurality of variable duration segments, wherein a duration of one of the plurality of variable duration segments is to be adjusted based on the determined discontinuity to cause the one of the plurality of variable duration segments to end at the determined discontinuity in the streaming media content. The method may further include transmitting the plurality of variable duration segments of the streaming media content from the server. |
| US10003859B2 |
Distribution device and distribution method
A distribution device includes a distribution unit that distributes a content including a control program to a user terminal. The control program causes the user terminal to execute an acquisition procedure for acquiring an area of the content, the area being displayed by a browser program, as a viewable area, a determination procedure for determining whether or not a display area where a video is displayed, the display area being included in the content, is located in the viewable area, and a playback procedure for starting playback of the video if the display area is located in the viewable area and the situation of the user terminal is a predetermined situation. |
| US10003858B2 |
Provisioning commercial-free media content
Provisioning commercial-free or break-free media content. Example types of media or media content may include advertising media, broadcast media, social media, news media, and etc. In a satellite broadcast television implementation, subscribers may be provided the ability to search for and optionally access commercial-free programming. |
| US10003854B2 |
Method and system for content recording and indexing
The present invention relates to a method for a control point of initiating actions on a device in a communication network comprising at least two control points both adapted to control said device. Further, the present invention relates to a method for a device of initiating actions on said device in a communication network comprising at least two control points both adapted to control said device. Further, the present invention relates to a control point of initiating actions on a device in a communication network comprising at least two control point both adapted to control said device. Further, the present invention relates to a device in a communication network comprising at least two control points both adapted to control said device based on action requests received from a control point along with control point identification. |
| US10003853B2 |
System and methods for verifying and displaying a video segment via an online platform
A first set of questions to elicit a response from a first user may be obtained. In response to a selection of at least one question from the first set of questions, a first video segment may be obtained. A first capture date when the first video segment was captured may be obtained. The first capture date may be verified that it is within a threshold time period. If the first capture date is verified, the first video segment may be associated with a first profile associated with the first user. At least a portion of the first profile including the first video segment may be displayed via the online platform. A first selection may be received from a second client computing platform associated with a second user viewing the first profile. The first selection may indicate a binary interest for the first user based upon the first profile. |
| US10003852B2 |
Methods and apparatus for enabling synchronized content presentations using dynamically updated playlists
Methods and apparatus for allowing parties, e.g., individuals, at different locations to participate in an on-demand content delivery session are described. Dynamically updateable playlists are used to control content delivery to the session participants in a synchronized manner. Content may be delivered to different session participants from different servers with a different playlist corresponding to each session participant being used to control content delivery to the session participant's host platform, e.g., set top box. Either party may update the playlist with, optionally, each of the content delivery servers being controlled by a different or local copy of the jointly updateable play list. Thus, an inviting party and one or more joining parties are able to participate together in an on-demand session. While the participants may be served by the same or different content delivery servers, the parties are able to share images, audio, and/or video in a synchronized manner. |
| US10003850B2 |
Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same
A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. |
| US10003849B1 |
Personalized video on demand channels
Video on Demand (VOD) content is enjoyed by consumers, but its selection and delivery is often tedious for consumers and uses large amounts of bandwidth for service providers. By providing VOD channels that consumers may freely navigate, service providers not only improve the user experience for consumers, but may reduce the bandwidth needed to request and send navigation commands. VOD channels provide VOD content to consumers according to criteria and preferences set by the consumer, and allow navigation within a VOD channel, between separate VOD channels, and between menus and linear channels. Channel guides and viewing features are tailored for VOD channels to further improve the user experience. |
| US10003844B2 |
Automated retrieval of social media tags
Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate the retrieval of a social media tag associated with a content stream. A social media tag associated with a content stream received by a customer premise equipment (CPE) device may be detected and identified, and the social media tag may be presented to a user. The social media tag may be presented to a user along with the underlying multimedia content associated with the content stream, and/or may be delivered to a user device or account. A user interface including the identified social media tag may be presented to a user, and the user may be given the option to receive messages associated with the identified social media tag. Messages associated with the identified social media tag may be updated and presented to the user along with the underlying multimedia content. |
| US10003842B2 |
Auto video preview within a digital magazine
A computer implemented method enables presenting interesting and informative preview video of a video content item in a digital magazine. The method comprises steps of receiving a video content item from a content provider, e.g., a 2-minute video advertisement for a car from an advertiser, and analyzing the video content item. The video content item is segmented into multiple segments based on the analysis, e.g., scene changes detected with the video frames of the video content item. One or more segments are selected, e.g., based on their associated visual quality, and are combined to generate a preview video, e.g., a 10-second long video highlighting new features of the car. One or more transition segments can be added between segments to enhance user experience with the preview video. The preview video is provided to a client device for display and auto playback. |
| US10003840B2 |
System and method for providing watch-now functionality in a media content environment
Described herein are techniques for streaming digital media content, such as music, video, or television content. In accordance with an embodiment, the system includes support for watch-now functionality. A media play logic at a media device controls playback of media content and advertisements as received from a media server, and can be configured for regular media play, or extended media play. Periodically, for example when input is received from a user to skip to a next media option for playback, the user can be prompted to watch an advertisement, in return for extended media play. Upon receiving an election by the user to watch the advertisement in return for extended media play, the media application plays the advertisement, and configures the media play logic for an extended period of advertisement-free media play. |
| US10003836B2 |
Systems and methods for improving accuracy in media asset recommendation models based on users' levels of enjoyment with respect to media assets
Methods and systems for determining an error value based on the user's expected level of enjoyment with respect to a specific media asset based on the user's level of enjoyment of other media assets, as determined using a model. User preference information is received from two data spaces that are managed by different content providers. User preference information from the two data spaces is normalized and an indication of similarity between two media assets is determined. The user's level of enjoyment with respect to a media asset is compared to an expected user's level of enjoyment with respect to the media asset received from a model and an error value is determined based on the comparison. |
| US10003834B1 |
Enhanced trick mode to enable presentation of information related to content being streamed
Described herein is an example apparatus for displaying information associated with content while streaming the content to a display device. The apparatus includes a memory having a database stored therein. The database stores metadata relating to the content. The metadata includes a trick mode index, trick mode images and a database of information associated with segments of the content. The apparatus also includes a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. In operation, in some embodiments, the processor streams the content for display on the display device. The processor implements a trick mode operation upon receiving an appropriate user request. During implementation of the trick mode operation, the processor receives command input requesting information associated with the content. Then, responsive to such command input, the processor retrieves information from the database of information associated with a segment of the content being featured on the display device when the command input was received, and displays the retrieved information on the display device. |
| US10003832B2 |
Selecting and providing of supplemental content for video transport stream
A method and system to facilitate localized replacement of one or more commercials or other instances of base content in a video feed with replacement-media delivered in a separate broadcast TV transport stream. A local TV station that broadcasts to an area covering a video program distributor (VPD) includes supplemental content, such as replacement commercials, within its broadcast in a manner that standard broadcast-TV receivers would disregard but that a equipment at the VPD will receive and process. The equipment at the VPD thus receives the local broadcast from the TV station and extracts from the broadcast the included supplemental content. And equipment at the VPD inserts the extracted supplemental content in place of one or more instances of base content in a transport stream that the VPD receives separately from a video-program source, so as to establish a modified transport stream for delivery to end-user TV receivers. |
| US10003831B2 |
Scheme for determining the locations and timing of advertisements and other insertions in media
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores one or more computer programs adapted to cause a processor based system to execute steps that include analyzing an image, identifying one or more faces in the image using a face recognition technique, designating at least one of the identified faces collectively as a first area of interest, and determining whether an insertion area exists in the image where additional content can be inserted without obstructing the first area of interest. Another computer program is adapted to cause a processor based system to execute steps that include determining whether the insertion area can be divided into two or more regions based on color. Methods and processor based apparatuses that perform one or more of these steps are also disclosed. |
| US10003830B1 |
Controller to manage streaming video of playback devices
Methods and apparatuses to manage network resources across a group of playback devices that share the same resources to control video quality across the group of playback devices are provided. A controller collects information about a plurality of playback devices wherein the playback devices share a network resource. The controller also collects information regarding the network resource. The controller allocates the network resource to deliver one or more requested video segments to one or more playback devices based on the information collected from the plurality of playback devices and the information collected regarding the network resource. By providing a controller that is aware of the available network resources and the specifications of the playback devices, the network resource can be managed in a way that improves the quality of experience for end users across all the playback devices while maximizing the efficiency of the network resources. |