| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US10668520B2 |
Punch die
A punch die is provided and includes a punch body extending along an axial direction of the punch die and including a punch edge portion, a key, and a punch driver. The punch die also includes a punch guide configured to removably receive the punch body therein, the punch guide including an inner hollow that receives the punch body and a keyway that receives and guides the key. The punch die further includes a retainer collar detachably coupled to the punch guide and configured to permit the punch driver to pass therethrough and be movable along the axial direction. The punch guide includes a peripheral slot that intersects the keyway of the punch guide and the retainer collar includes a cylindrical projection and an engaging projection that is rotatable to engage the peripheral slot and to be releasably aligned with the keyway. |
| US10668516B2 |
Post-compression for springback reduction
A sheet metal material is stamped into a formed shape having a side wall between a central portion and a flange portion. The central portion is held between an upper pad and a die, and the flange portion is held between an upper binder and a lower binder. A post-stamping compression force is applied along a length of the side wall of the formed shape. For example, application of the post-stamping compression force includes moving the lower binder relatively toward the upper pad, such as by delaying a return of the upper pad during a portion of a return of the lower binder. During application of the post-stamping compression force, an outward force is applied against an inner surface of the side wall to insure any bowing of the side wall is in an outward direction. |
| US10668514B2 |
Plate width control device for material to be rolled
A plate width control device capable of improving the precision of the width of a material to be rolled is provided. In a rolling system, a plate width control device includes an arithmetic unit calculating an estimated value of a deviation amount of the width of the material to be rolled in the vertical rolling mill, and calculating an estimated value of an expansion amount of the width of the material to be rolled when a head end of the material to be rolled is caught in the horizontal rolling mill, and a control unit controlling a gap amount of the vertical rolling mill such that the deviation amount of the width of the material to be rolled is eliminated, and compensating for the gap amount of the vertical rolling mill when the head end of the material to be rolled is caught in the horizontal rolling mill. |
| US10668513B2 |
Pig receptacle
A pig receptacle is provided. The pig receptacle provides a first circular member and a second circular member attached to at least one elongated rod. The first circular member and the second circular member are sized so that they can receive a pig therethrough. A mesh cage is wrapped around the first circular member and the second circular member so that debris can be gathered during the pigging process. The mesh cage defines apertures that are sized so that large pieces of debris are held in an interior cavity formed by the mesh cage, while small pieces of debris can pass through. In this way, debris is transported through the pipeline and is not lost due to abnormalities in the flow rate through the pipeline. |
| US10668509B2 |
Method for preparing orders listing unit loads
A method is provided for preparing instructions that each list unit loads. The method includes: obtaining unit loads; inputting the unit 11 loads into a sorting system under the supervision of a control system; sorting the unit loads using a sorting system in accordance with the instructions from and under the supervision of the control system; and, for each instruction, providing, via the sorting system, unit loads listed in the instruction. The step of obtaining unit loads is followed by forming logistical units, each including one or more unit loads, on the basis of the instructions from and under the supervision of the control system. The inputting, sorting, and providing steps are carried out by handling the logistical units obtained. |
| US10668508B2 |
Method for switching between product types on a sorting system for sorting products such as vegetables and fruit and sorting system therefor
The invention relates to a method for switching between different products such as vegetables and fruit on a sorting system, a computer-readable medium and sorting system suitable therefor, the method comprising of:—receiving a switching signal during sorting of products of the first product type that products of the second product type have to be sorted;—the controller selecting sorting channels which are free of products of the first product type;—assigning at least some selected sorting channels to the second product type;—assigning sorting classes of the second product type to one or more of the assigned sorting channels; and—sorting products of the second product type in sorting channels assigned thereto during the emptying of sorting channels of the first product type. Preparatory emptying of some of the sorting channels optionally takes place prior to the switch-over. |
| US10668507B2 |
Sorting system for sorting products and method therefor
A sorting system for sorting products, in particular vulnerable products, such as apples and pears, and a method therefor. The sorting system comprises a singulator, a measuring system, and a sorting device provided with a number of sorting outlets, along with a control operatively connected to the measuring system and the sorting device, and provided with a classification system. The control is provided with a selection module configured to switch the sorting system between a basic configuration and a task configuration in which the selection module is configured to select sorting commands and to couple a sorting command to one or more of the available sorting outlets adaptable to the specific product properties by the control. A product allocation system is configured to distribute assessed products over the qualifying sorting outlets in the task configuration. |
| US10668506B2 |
Sorting conveyor with article removal device
A sorting device for sorting articles, comprising a conveyor which is movable in a conveying direction along a conveying path, the conveyor comprising a number of sorting units, each sorting unit comprising a carriage and at least one load-carrying element connected to the carriage for supporting articles, wherein the load-carrying elements are movable with regard to an associated carriage for unloading articles from the load-carrying elements at predetermined unloading positions, at least two of the sorting units being coupled together, a gap being formed between two adjacent load-carrying elements of two sorting units that are coupled together, the gap being covered by an intermediate element adapted to support an article, the sorting device comprising a stationarily arranged removal device for moving a selected article in a transverse direction off the conveyor at a predetermined removal position, wherein the removal device comprises a support element, the support element being movable along a longitudinal direction extending parallel to the conveying path, a first drive means being adapted to move the support element with a speed and in a transversal position corresponding to the selected article, the removal device further comprising a pushing element supported by the support element, a second drive means being adapted to move the pushing element in the transverse direction in order to remove the article from the conveyor. |
| US10668499B2 |
Method for coating ultrafine particles, system for coating ultrafine particles
The invention provides a method for dispersing particles within a reaction field, the method comprising confining the particles to the reaction field using a standing wave. The invention also provides a system for coating particles, the system comprising a reaction zone; a means for producing fluidized particles within the reaction zone; a fluid to produce a standing wave within the reaction zone; and a means for introducing coating moieties to the reaction zone. The invention also provides a method for coating particles, the method comprising fluidizing the particles, subjecting the particles to a standing wave; and contacting the subjected particles with a coating moiety. |
| US10668497B2 |
Substrate processing method and substrate processing device
In order to solve the problem of satisfactorily removing a resist from the surface of a substrate, the present invention is a substrate processing device (1) having a spin chuck (5) and an SPM feed unit (6) for feeding SPM to the substrate (W) held by the spin chuck (5), wherein the SPM feed unit (6) includes a mixing unit (30) for mixing an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution and hydrofluoric acid and producing a liquid mixture of hydrogen peroxide water and hydrofluoric acid, and an HF-mixed SPM production unit (14) for mixing the liquid mixture and sulfuric acid and producing HF-mixed SPM. |
| US10668495B2 |
Food article sprayer
The systems and methods described herein relate to basting food-related items. The food-related items may include baked goods, baking sheets, cake pans, cupcake pans, and the like. The food items may include pastries, baked good, pies, etc. The item to be basted, glazed, or otherwise deposited with a fluid is placed in a target area. A movable head is then able to move along a track and distribute a fluid over the fluid-related item. The item is stationary during the process. |
| US10668479B2 |
Paper shredder
A paper shredder includes a chassis on which an automatic paper feeding opening is defined, a paper shredding mechanism, a paper separating mechanism located adjacent to the automatic paper feeding opening, and a paper pickup mechanism located between the paper separating mechanism and paper shredding mechanism. The paper separating mechanism includes a first paper supporting board on which a fastening mechanism is provided and a paper separating board cooperating with the fastening mechanism. The paper pickup mechanism includes a holding bracket, a paper pickup roller axe, a plurality of paper pickup rollers sleeved on the axe, a second paper supporting board located below the plurality of rollers and secured onto the second paper supporting board, and a third paper supporting board located above a distal end of the second paper supporting board and connected with the paper separating mechanism. |
| US10668472B2 |
Fluid receptacles
A receptacle for minimizing evaporation of a fluid includes a single-piece body, a fluid-tight seal, a penetrable septum, and a lid coupled to the body. The body includes a first chamber having a first opening. The fluid-tight seal is affixed to a surface of the body that defines the first opening. The fluid-tight seal covers the first opening and is frangible. The septum covers the first opening and the fluid-tight seal. The lid has an opening axially aligned with the first opening. The septum comprises slits forming flaps The first chamber can be the only chamber containing a fluid, or the single-piece body may also include another chamber containing the fluid. The other chamber can be in fluid communication with the first chamber via a conduit. The fluid-tight seal can also cover the opening of the second chamber. |
| US10668470B2 |
Sorting particles using high gradient magnetic fields
This disclosure describes microfluidic devices that include one or more magnets, each magnet being operable to emit a magnetic field; and a magnetizable layer adjacent to the one or more magnets, in which the magnetizable layer is configured to induce a gradient in the magnetic field of at least one of the magnets. For example, the gradient can be at least 103 T/m at a position that is at least 20 μm away from a surface of the magnetizable layer. The magnetizable layer includes a first high magnetic permeability material and a low magnetic permeability material arranged adjacent to the high magnetic permeability material. The devices also include a microfluidic channel arranged on a surface of the magnetizable layer, wherein a central longitudinal axis of the microfluidic channel is arranged at an angle to or laterally offset from an interface between the high magnetic permeability material and the low magnetic permeability material. |
| US10668469B2 |
Biological sorting apparatus and method thereof
A biological sorting apparatus is disclosed, which includes a light-induced dielectrophoretic chip, a supporting platform, an injecting unit and a projection module. The light-induced dielectrophoretic chip is configured to generate an internal electric field to perform sorting on a fluid including first microparticles and second microparticles. The supporting platform is utilized to support the light-induced dielectrophoretic chip thereon and has an opening. The injecting unit is configured to inject the fluid into the light-induced dielectrophoretic chip. The projection module is disposed below the supporting platform and is configured to project a light pattern onto a projection area of the light-induced dielectrophoretic chip through the opening of the supporting platform, such that the light-induced dielectrophoretic chip produces a light-induced effect to change the internal electric field, thereby sorting out the first microparticles and the second microparticles. |
| US10668468B2 |
Micro-textured surface with integrated micro-mirrors for 3D multi-scale microscopy
A sample holding device for use in transverse illumination of a sample or sub-components of a sample comprising: a support substrate comprising a sample well adapted to contain and be compatible with said sample wherein said well is provided on at least one wall with an angled reflective surface adjacent said sample well which when in use directs a transverse light beam from a light source through a sample contained within said sample well to provide substantially transverse illumination of a sample contained therein and imaging the sample using a single objective. |
| US10668467B2 |
Microfluidic device for studying nematodes
A microfluidic device includes a substrate, a cover layer and one or more chambers disposed within the cover layer, the substrate or both. Each chamber has a first end, a second end, and a set of micro-pillars disposed therein. A first microchannel and second microchannel are disposed within the cover layer, the substrate or both, and connected to the first end and second end of the chamber, respectively. A first set of barriers is disposed within each first microchannel proximate to the first end of the chamber. A second set of barriers is disposed within each second microchannel proximate to the second end of the chamber. A third microchannel is disposed within the cover layer, the substrate or both, and connected to the chamber. A first port, second port and third port extend through the cover layer and connect to the first, second and third microchannels, respectively. |
| US10668466B2 |
Cuvette assembly having chambers for containing samples to be evaluated through optical measurement
The present invention is a cuvette assembly for use in optically measuring at least one characteristic of particles within a plurality of liquid samples. The cuvette assembly comprises a main body having internal walls and external walls, and a plurality of cuvettes within the main body at least partially being defined by the internal walls. Each of the plurality of cuvettes has a liquid-input chamber for receiving a respective one of the plurality of liquid samples, a filter, and an optical chamber for receiving a respective filtered liquid sample caused by passing the respective one of the plurality of liquid samples through the filter. Each of the optical chambers includes an entry window for allowing transmission of an input light beam through the filtered liquid sample and an exit window for transmitting a forward scatter signal caused by the particles within the filtered liquid sample. |
| US10668463B2 |
Methods for regenerating and rejuvenating catalysts
Methods for regenerating and/or rejuvenating catalysts, particularly dewaxing catalysts, as well as methods for performing dewaxing of diesel or distillate boiling range feeds with the regenerated and/or rejuvenated catalyst are provided herein. The regeneration and/or rejuvenation methods can include calcining spent catalyst followed by contacting the calcined catalyst with a solution comprising a complexing agent, which can restore hydrotreatment (HDT) activity and dewaxing activity of the spent catalyst such that it may be reused during hydroprocessing. |
| US10668461B2 |
Stepwise solidus synthesis method for a micro-mesoporous calcium aluminate catalyst
The present disclosure relates to the technical field of fine chemical engineering, and particularly discloses a stepwise solidus synthesis method for a micro-mesoporous calcium aluminate catalyst, comprising: mixing a calcium oxide-based powder with an alumina-based powder and an adhesion pore-enlarging agent; pelleting and molding the mixture; pyrolyzing and coking the pelleted and molded product in a rotary kiln reactor under the conditions including an outlet reaction temperature of 300° C.˜500° C. and a residence time of 0.2˜3.5 h; and subsequently carrying out a solidus reaction in an internal heating rotary kiln reactor under the conditions including an outlet reaction temperature of 900° C.˜1,500° C. and a residence time of 0.1˜5 h to produce calcium aluminate; decomposing and gasifying the pyrolyzed char in the calcium aluminate to promote the formation of pores, thereby producing micro-mesoporous calcium aluminate catalyst; wherein the weight ratio between the calcium oxide-based powder and the alumina-based powder is within a range of 12:(2˜15), the added amount of the adhesion pore-enlarging agent accounts for 0.1˜15% by weight of a total amount of the calcium oxide-based powder and alumina-based powder; wherein the weight of the calcium oxide-based powder is calculated based on calcium oxide, and the weight of the alumina-based powder is calculated based on alumina. The calcium aluminate catalyst prepared with the method provided by the present disclosure has advantages of large specific surface area, low density and high strength. |
| US10668457B2 |
Metatitanic acid particle, composition for forming photocatalyst, and photocatalyst
A metatitanic acid particle includes a metal having a hydrocarbon group, which is bonded to a surface of the metatitanic acid particle through an oxygen atom, and absorbs light having a wavelength of 450 nm and light having a wavelength of 750 nm, wherein an element ratio C/Ti between carbon C and titanium Ti in a surface of the metatitanic acid particle is from 0.3 to 1.2, and a reduced amount of C/Ti on the surface of the metatitanic acid particle before and after irradiation with an ultraviolet ray having a wavelength of 352 nm and at an irradiation intensity of 1.3 mW/cm2 for 20 hours is from 0.1 to 0.9. |
| US10668456B2 |
Titanium oxide particle, composition for forming photocatalyst, and photocatalyst
A titanium oxide particle includes a metal having a hydrocarbon group, which is bonded to a surface of the titanium oxide particle through an oxygen atom, and absorbs light having a wavelength of 450 nm and light having a wavelength of 750 nm, wherein an element ratio C/Ti between carbon C and titanium Ti in a surface of the titanium oxide particle is from 0.3 to 1.2, and a reduced amount of C/Ti on the surface of the titanium oxide particle before and after irradiation with an ultraviolet ray having a wavelength of 352 nm and at an irradiation intensity of 1.3 mW/cm2 for 20 hours is from 0.1 to 0.9. |
| US10668455B2 |
Heterogenized catalyst for acetylene dimerization
A catalyst and a process for using the catalyst are presented. The catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst and includes active metal halides bonded to functional groups. The functional groups are bonded to a polymeric backbone to form the structure supporting the catalyst. The catalyst is useful for the dimerization of acetylene to convert the acetylene to a larger hydrocarbon, and in particular to dimerize acetylene to vinylacetylene. |
| US10668454B2 |
Low pressure gas release hydrothermal and peroxide treatment of ODH catalyst
The preparation of an oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst comprising Mo, V, Nb and Te using a hydrothermal step. In some embodiments, the activity and reproducibility of the catalyst is improved by conducting the hydrothermal step while permitting gaseous products to leave the reactor. In some instances a condenser may be upstream of the outlet of the reactor. |
| US10668450B2 |
Supported indium oxide catalyst and process for methanol synthesis using the same
The invention relates to a process for methanol synthesis comprising the steps of providing a syngas feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon oxides selected from carbon dioxide or a mixture of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, wherein carbon dioxide represents from 1 to 50 mol % of the total molar content of the feed stream, carbon monoxide is contained from 0 to 85 mol % of the total molar content, and H2 is comprised from 5 to 95 mol % of the total molar content of the feed stream, and a catalyst comprising indium oxide (In2O3) on a support wherein the support comprises zirconium dioxide or is zirconium dioxide; putting in contact said stream with said supported catalyst at a reaction temperature of at least 373 K (99.85° C.) and under a pressure ranging of at least 1 MPa; and recovering the methanol effluents. The invention also relates to a supported indium oxide catalyst. |
| US10668447B2 |
High capacity regenerable graphene-based sorbent
A process of removing a volatile organic compound (VOC) from a gaseous environment, involving contacting a gaseous feedstream containing one or more VOC's, such as an odoriferous compound, an irritant, a contaminant or pollutant, for example, formaldehyde, with a sorbent under conditions sufficient to reduce the concentration of the VOC's in the gaseous feedstream. The sorbent is comprised of a functionalized graphene prepared by amination of graphene oxide. The sorbent is regenerated by adsorbate desorption under mild conditions of air flow. The process can be run through multiple adsorption-desorption cycles in a single fixed bed or swing bed configuration, and is applicable to purifying indoor air and ventilation air as well as reducing pollutants in industrial waste gas streams. |
| US10668443B2 |
Curing systems for materials that consume carbon dioxide and method of use thereof
The invention provides a curing system that is useful for curing materials that consume carbon dioxide as a reagent. The system has a curing chamber that contains the material to be cured and a gas that contains carbon dioxide. The system includes apparatus that can deliver carbon dioxide to displace ambient air upon loading the system, that can provide carbon dioxide as it is needed and as it is consumed, that can control carbon dioxide concentration, temperature and humidity in the curing chamber during the curing cycle and that can record and display to a user the variables that occur during the curing process. A method of curing a material which requires CO2 as a curing reagent is also described. |
| US10668439B2 |
Culture medium preparator comprising a vessel provided with a central stirrer put into rotation by a magnetic ring
A culture medium preparator includes a cylindrical vessel that terminates at the low part in a substantially hemispherical cap, a lid and a stirrer placed in the vessel. The stirrer includes a vertical tube placed in the center of the vessel, a plurality of blades put into rotation about the tube and magnetic masses at the periphery so that they are placed in proximity to the internal wall of the vessel. The preparator furthermore includes a magnetic ring in rotation about the internal wall at the same height as the magnetic masses. The magnets attract the magnetic masses, the magnetic ring being moved in rotation by a motor. In this way, the stirrer is driven in rotation without requiring mechanical elements placed inside the vessel, the absence of such elements facilitating the cleaning. |
| US10668437B2 |
Gas filling system
A system for allowing gas to flow into a liquid, the system comprising: a container having a bottom wherein the bottom comprises a gas inlet; a lid configured to cover the container; a gas providing mechanism configured to allow flow of the gas through the gas inlet into the liquid when contained in the container, and a locking mechanism configured to ensure flow of gas into the liquid only when the container is properly covered by the lid. Additional embodiments of the system are disclosed herein. |
| US10668427B2 |
Acid gas recovery method and system and iron ion analysis method and system
An acid gas recovery method includes removing acid gas from a target gas by bringing the target gas containing the acid gas into gas-liquid contact with an absorbent amine solution and causing the absorbent amine solution to absorb the acid gas; regenerating the absorbent amine solution by releasing the acid gas from the absorbent amine solution that has absorbed the acid gas; causing a chelate resin to adsorb iron ions from the absorbent amine solution by causing the absorbent amine solution to pass through the chelate resin; causing a regenerant solution to pass through a chelate resin having iron ions adsorbed thereon; regenerating the chelate resin and obtaining a regenerant solution containing the iron ions and quantitatively measuring the iron ions in the regenerant solution containing the iron ions and calculating a concentration of iron ions in the absorbent amine solution. |
| US10668421B2 |
Housing, fluid outlet seal part, housing cover, connection part of a device for separating at least one fluid from gas, and device and apparatus for separating a fluid
A housing of a device for separating fluid from gas has a first gas passage centrally arranged relative to an axis of the housing, a second gas passage arranged radially outwardly of the first gas passage, and a fluid outlet for fluid separated from the gas. The fluid outlet, relative to the axis, is arranged radially between first gas passage and second gas passage. A fluid outlet seal part of a fluid outlet sealing device is provided that is arranged fluidically between the second gas passage and the fluid outlet and interacts seal-tightly with a corresponding fluid outlet seal part of a connection part provided for connecting the housing with a connector device. The fluid outlet seal part of the fluid outlet sealing device has an annular seal section with a radially inwardly acting sealing surface and/or a radially outwardly acting sealing surface. |
| US10668419B2 |
Engine panel filter and housing system
A filter element and/or filter assembly such as for engine air filtration is provided that may include a filter housing, a pre-cleaner or cover, a primary filter element and optionally a secondary filter element. Different components may share a common seal to seal against unfiltered airflow. For example the secondary filter and the primary filter may use the same seal that may be carried by the primary filter. The secondary filter may also surround the primary filter. |
| US10668416B2 |
Granular filtration media mixture and uses in water purification
Provided is a granular filtration media comprising a mixture of granular filtration media and less than 5% of nanofibers based on the dry weight, method of making the same and uses of the same for removing contaminants from water, including metals, heavy metals, synthetic or natural organic matters, colloidal or suspended particles to improve the chemical safety and purity of water for the purpose of water purification, specifically, one embodiment of the present invention disclosed is use of the granular filtration media to remove particulate lead from high pH water. |
| US10668414B2 |
Intake bypass flow management systems and methods
Filtration systems having a normal filtration mode and an enhanced filtration mode are described. In some arrangements, the filtration system is an air filtration system having a primary air filter element, a pre-cleaner, and a pre-cleaner bypass valve. Based on feedback from an intake air quality sensor the bypass valve is either opened or closed to selectively route intake air through the pre-cleaner during sensed dirty air operating conditions (e.g., heavy dust or moisture concentrations). In other arrangements, the filtration system is a liquid filtration system (e.g., a fuel or oil a secondary filter. The filtration system selectively routes the liquid being filtered through the main filter, the secondary filter, or a combination thereof depending on a detected event or sensed characteristic of the liquid. |
| US10668407B2 |
Supercritical fluid chromatography laser wave mixing detection methods and apparatus
This invention relates to methods and apparatus of a combination of laser wave mixing technology with diagnostic flow technologies with embodiments describing supercritical fluid chromatography. The combination of these technologies along with minute detection levels have not yet been seen in the field. |
| US10668405B2 |
Multi-vessel filtration system for hazardous or radioactive waste water
Surface or submersible sluiceable systems are disclosed for use in removing hazardous contaminants or radioactive isotopes from a fluid stream, such as a fluid stream from the primary coolant loop or secondary loop of a nuclear reactor system, or a fluid stream from a spent-fuel pool or pond or hazardous or radioactive contaminants in ground water. Generally, this surface or submersible sluiceable system is adapted to be utilized in a surface skid or submersed in the fluid stream, and additionally the vessels are adapted to be sluiced and reused after use, resulting in a potentially stabilized, non-leaching final waste product with a substantially reduced volume for storage or disposal. The system can be utilized with standard ion exchange beads or preferably with inorganic granular media. |
| US10668404B2 |
Chromatography filter
A filter for a chromatography system includes a filter body having an exterior wall, a cavity, an interior wall surrounding the cavity and a channel extending between the exterior and interior walls. The channel passes a flow of a liquid from the cavity. The filter body is formed of a sintered metal oxide material and has a pore size that is less than a particle size to be filtered liquid. In some embodiments the filter body is formed of zirconium oxide or aluminum oxide. The filters reduce or eliminate the types of reactions that occur between conventional filter bodies and chromatographic solvents and samples. The filters can be used at different locations in a chromatography system to remove particles that may be present in sources of chromatographic solvents or introduced into the chromatographic system flow by chromatographic components, such as pumps, valves and other chromatographic system components. |
| US10668402B2 |
System and process for extraction of products from apple peel
The present document describes a system and a process for the extraction of several products from apple peel. There are several unit operations involved including an ultrafiltration unit, concentration unit, and a three stage counter current separator centrifuge wherein water is used as the solvent. The final products that are extracted from apple peel include pectin, syrup, fibers, as well as soluble and dried retenate fractions. |
| US10668400B2 |
Quench column aftercooler
A process for cooling quench effluent includes providing a quench column effluent to a quench column aftercooler condensate; cooling the quench column effluent to provide a quench column aftercooler condensate; and recirculating at least a portion of the quench column aftercooler condensate to the quench column aftercooler at a rate to prevent fouling of the quench column aftercooler. |
| US10668398B2 |
Curiosity revealing or animating a shaped cavity
The present invention comprises two or more rotatable three-dimensional bodies and a linkage between the bodies. By means of the linkage, the rotation of a first body causes a second body to rotate. In at least one of the rotational positions of the two or more bodies, the shapes of the bodies are designed to create a shaped cavity between a first body and a second body. The shaped cavity may be a tunnel, or the shaped cavity may be a recess or niche. As the at least two bodies are rotated, the shaped cavity may appear or disappear or may change shape, position, or orientation as the bodies are rotated. |
| US10668397B1 |
Wound materials toy with internal figures and user engagement crafts
An apparatus for a wound materials toy with internal figures and user engagement crafts may include a toy figure. The apparatus may include an elongated wrapping member selectably disposed around the toy figure. The elongated wrapping member, when disposed around the toy figure, may at least partially cover the toy figure. The apparatus may include a toy accessory detachably disposed on the elongated wrapping member. The elongated wrapping member, when disposed around the toy figure, may at least partially cover the toy accessory. |
| US10668395B1 |
Motion simulator
A motion simulator capable of preventing shaking of a riding part is disclosed. The motion simulator includes a riding part and a plurality of driving parts, wherein the plurality of driving parts include a first driving part, a second driving part and a third driving part, and the first driving part includes a first linear actuator configured to linearly reciprocate a first moving body, first movable link members each having a lower end portion hinged to the first moving body, a first fixed link member hinged to the first movable link members, a first support link member supporting one side of the first fixed link member and hinged at the lower end portion of the first fixed link member, and a second support link member supporting the other side of the first fixed link member. |
| US10668388B2 |
Collaborative diplomacy mechanics
A collaborative diplomacy mechanics system for an online game is described. A player selects an ally to be engaged in a combat mode of an online social game against an enemy. The profile of the selected ally is retrieved. An ally power up weapon is generated based on the profile of the selected ally. The ally power up weapon is applied against a combat unit of an enemy of a player in the combat mode. The ally power up weapon can also be applied on a combat unit of the player in the combat mode. |
| US10668387B2 |
User registration
An agent that may assist a service provider of gaming services with registering/signing up users, with accepting funds/money from a user and depositing these funds in a gaming account of the user for the user to play games with, and/or with receiving requests from a user to withdrawal funds from the user's account and paying the user the withdrawn funds. The agent may also assist a user in obtaining a report of an account of the user, the account being associated with a service provider that provides gaming services. |
| US10668385B2 |
Protecting against polymorphic cheat codes in a video game
Embodiments are directed towards protecting against polymorphic cheat codes in a video game environment. A detour analyzer analyzes game code in client memory for possible hooks to parasite code. For each detected hook to parasite code, hook and/or parasite information is determined to generate a hook/parasite signatures, which are sent to a remote network device. Based on the hook/parasite signatures a weighted combination of scores are generated that is useable to determine a probability value that the parasite code is cheat code. If the determined probability value indicates cheat code, the user of the client device may be banned from future game play. Additionally, the hook/parasite signature information may be used to update the data store to detect polymorphic changes in the cheat code. |
| US10668384B2 |
System using rule based techniques for handling gameplay restrictions
Systems and methods employing rule based techniques for handling virtual entity manifestation into gameplay modes in accordance with gameplay restrictions of the individual gameplay modes. The system may comprise a host server including one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules. The computer program modules may comprise a game module configured to execute an instance of the online game and to facilitate participation in one or more gameplay modes, a rule module configured to maintain rules corresponding to the restrictions for manifesting virtual entities into the individual gameplay modes, a creation module configured to create manifests including information corresponding to the rules for each gameplay mode, a determination module configured to determine which rules to apply to the virtual entities, and an application module configured to apply the rules according to the determinations. |
| US10668381B2 |
System and method for transparently styling non-player characters in a multiplayer video game
A system and method are provided for transparently styling non-player characters (“NPCs”) in multiplayer video games such that it is difficult to distinguish between human players and computer-controlled NPCs. NPCs may be styled to resemble human players in terms of both player profile attributes and gameplay actions such that players may not recognize NPCs as non-human, computer-controlled players. Additionally, or alternatively, NPCs and/or human players may be presented with a limited set of profile attributes that may reduce or eliminate the ability to distinguish between human players and NPCs, one or more profile attributes may be “anonymized,” and/or the ability to view player profiles of human players and/or NPCs may be disabled altogether. In certain gameplay sessions including real and/or practice gameplay sessions, human players may be prompted to select from among a predetermined set of playable characters having predefined profile attributes. |
| US10668380B2 |
Non-transitory storage medium having stored therein information processing program, information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing system
A game system (1) includes a player object state determination unit (721) that determines the state of a player object in a virtual space, a search range determination unit (722) that determines a search range for searching for a non-player object based on the state of the player object, a target-object presence determination unit (723) that determines whether the non-player object is present in the search range, and a target-object setting unit (724) that sets the non-player object as a target of a cap throwing process if it is determined that the non-player object is present in the search range. |
| US10668379B2 |
Computer-readable recording medium, computer apparatus, image display method
A three-dimensional virtual space is photographed by a virtual camera to generate a first image and a second image different from the first image. The first image synchronously displays the state of the virtual space, and the second image is displayed asynchronously with the first image. The first image and the second image are obtained by photographing the three-dimensional virtual space in parallel. |
| US10668378B2 |
Distributing shaders between client machines for precaching
Client machines are configured to compile shaders during execution of a program (e.g., a video game) that renders graphics on a display. These client machines may upload information—including a hardware configuration of the client machine, an application identifier (ID) of the program, and a set of shader IDs for compiled shaders—to a remote computing system, which catalogues the shader IDs, selectively requests compiled shader code from one or more of the client machines, and selectively prepares the compiled shader code for redistribution. Thereafter, a requesting client machine with a matching hardware configuration may receive compiled shader code from the remote system for a particular program, and may precache the compiled shader code for use during program execution. |
| US10668376B2 |
Electronic game device and electronic game program
An operation detector has a common operation portion in which the operation content is shared for a certain length of time after the start of the operation, and detects the start of either a slide operation associated with a command to move a three-dimensional character operated by a player in a virtual space, or a flick operation associated with another command. After the start of the operation is detected, in the common operation period, a model processor moves the three-dimensional character in the virtual space. After this, if the operation detector has detected a slide operation, the model processor moves the three-dimensional character without interruption in the movement processing in the common operation period. |
| US10668375B2 |
Server, control method therefor, computer-readable recording medium, and game system
A recording medium and server provide a game that improves the interest in and taste of a battle event and increases the interest in and real enjoyment of the entire game. The recording medium provides a game including a predetermined battle event comprising at least one battle. In a battle event of this game, game contents are displayed in a first field, and a player selects therefrom a game content to be used for a battle with an enemy character. The first field is replenished with another game content alternative to the selected game content as needed so that the player can further select an additional game content therefrom. |
| US10668374B2 |
System and method for binding global objects in a client-server architecture
Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to a computer-implemented method, a system, and an article for managing updates to environment objects within an online application. The method can include, for example, updating, by one or more computer processors on a server, an environment object for use within an online application on a client device to create an updated environment object, and transmitting, by the one or more computers processors on the server, a message to the client device using the online application that the environment object has been updated. A determination is made that the client device requires the updated environment object, and, based on the determination, the updated environment object is transmitted to the client device. |
| US10668367B2 |
System and method for uniquely identifying physical trading cards and incorporating trading card game items in a video game
A system and method for uniquely identifying physical trading cards and/or incorporating trading card game items in a video game is provided. In certain implementations, a unique code that identifies a trading card may be obtained. A graphical representation of the unique code may be generated based on a graphical coding scheme. The graphical representation of the unique code may comprise at least a part of: (1) a depiction of a game item that is usable in the video game; or (2) a border of the trading card. Content associated with the depiction of the game item may be obtained. The trading card may be generated based on the content associated with the depiction of the game item and the graphical representation of the unique code such that the generated trading card depicts the game item and the graphical representation of the unique code. |
| US10668366B2 |
Information processing method and smart cube
The present disclosure relates to an information processing method and a smart cube. The information processing method includes obtaining display information via a smart cube, wherein the smart cube includes a cube block having a plurality of outer surfaces each having at least one of a plurality of display screens, each one of the plurality of display screens is configured to display a piece of display content, the display information is configured to indicate positions of K display tiles and K pieces of display content corresponding to the K display tiles, each one of the K display tiles corresponds to one of the plurality of display screens, and K is smaller than a total number of the display screens on the smart cube; displaying the K pieces of the display content on the K display tiles based on the display information; detecting a turning of the smart cube; determining updated information based on the turning of the smart cube, wherein the updated information is the display information updated based on the turning of the smart cube; determining whether the display content displayed on at least one of the outer surfaces of the smart cube satisfies a preset condition based on the updated information; and triggering a preset operation when it is determined that the display content displayed on at least one of the outer surfaces of the smart cube satisfies the preset condition based on the updated information. |
| US10668364B2 |
Automatic card shufflers and related methods
Automatic card shufflers may include a card input mechanism for inputting cards into the card shuffler, a card storage device for receiving cards from the card input mechanism and temporarily storing cards within the card shuffler, and a card output mechanism for outputting cards from the card shuffler. |
| US10668359B2 |
Ski locking device
A ski locking device and method for securing a pair of snow skis equipped with snow brakes are provided. The ski locking device comprises a housing having a rear portion, and a lockable closure member connected to the housing. The housing and the lockable closure member are configured such that, when the ski locking device is in a closed position locking a pair of skis, with a slide surface of the first ski facing a slide surface of the second ski, the rear portion of the housing faces a first edge of the first ski and a second edge of the second ski. The lockable closure member encloses the snow brakes at a crossing point of the snow brakes. |
| US10668347B2 |
Sports training system
A sports training system includes an array of break beam sensors. Each sensor is configured to detect a passage of an object, such as a hockey puck, between adjacent posts and provide information for the passage to a controller communicatively attached to the array of sensors. A mobile application is configured to receive information from the controller and provide, for presentation to a user, passage statistics for the passages completed by one or more players. Servers are located in at least one data center. The servers are configured to receive and store the passage statistics and to provide access to the passage statistics. |
| US10668345B2 |
Hockey training devices
Hockey training devices generally include a frame, and a flexible band coupled to the frame. At least one spring may be coupled to at least one longitudinal end of the flexible band. A plurality of backstop structures may be coupled to the frame to extend substantially orthogonal to a top surface of the frame. A first rebounder wing may be coupled to a first side of the frame, and a second rebounder wing may be coupled to a second side of the frame. The first and second rebounder wings may each include a respective wing structure coupled to the frame, and a respective flexible band extending between a portion of the respective wing structure and either the frame or the first flexible band. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included. |
| US10668341B2 |
Golf club head with adjustable resting face angle
A golf club head includes a club body and a resting face angle adjuster. The club body includes a crown opposite a sole, a toe end opposite a heel end, a back end opposite a face, and a hosel. The sole includes a sole surface. The resting face angle adjuster includes an adjustment member having a keel surface, and a recess formed in the sole such that a portion of the sole surface at least partially bounds the recess. The adjustment member is disposed in the recess and positionable between a first adjustment position and a second adjustment position. In the first adjustment position, the keel surface is at a first distance relative to the portion of the sole surface. In the second adjustment position, the keel surface is at a second distance relative to the portion of the sole surface not equal to the first distance in the direction. |
| US10668340B2 |
Putter-type golf club head
A putter-type golf club head includes a striking face with a plurality of grooves having a variable depth profile and a variable pitch. Groove variation is tailored to correspond to the golf club heads' moment-of-inertia, mass, or another attribute. A surface treatment method includes selecting a variable depth profile and a variable pitch for a plurality of grooves and surface milling a striking face of a golf club head to form the plurality of grooves. |
| US10668339B2 |
Golf club head with back cavity protrusion
A golf club head including a body having a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, and a bottom portion. The body further includes a cavity in the front portion. The cavity having a protrusion and a step configured to receive a strikeplate, such that a gap exists between the strikeplate and the inner surface of the cavity. |
| US10668331B2 |
Ball with anomalies
A bouncy ball includes anomalies which, when bounced upon, causes the ball to bounce irregularly. The anomaly may comprise a solid protrusion formed integrally with an outer skin of the ball or a separate plug filled into a pocket formed in the outer skin. The shape of the protrusion may be partially spherical. The solid protrusion may also include elongate grooves, flat surfaces or any other desired shape, such as a star. The bouncy ball may also include a secondary bladder with inflatable anomalies. The secondary bladder is coupled to a generally spherical inner tube which may be formed with grooves to receive the secondary bladder. Outer skins may be coupled over the secondary bladder and inner tube. |
| US10668328B2 |
Golf ball having a hollow center
Golf balls including a spherical inner core shell layer formed from a thermoset or thermoplastic composition are provided. The shell layer has an outer surface, an inner surface, and an inner diameter to define a hollow center. A thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer is formed about the shell layer and optional intermediate layer(s) disposed between the shell layer and the outer core layer. A cover is formed about the outer core layer. |
| US10668326B2 |
Swimming goggles
Swimming goggles in accordance with the present invention comprises a first lens frame, a second lens frame, and a connection element, characterized in that: each of the first lens frame and the second lens frame is composed of a lens portion, a protective pad, and a frame portion. The lens portion comprises a lens, a peripheral surface, a circular groove, a positioning flange, and an embedding groove. The protective pad comprises a circular body, a face contact circumference, and a circular lip. The frame portion comprises a hard frame body and a soft frame foot. Therefore, the swimming goggles provide a wearer to select the first and second lens frames by free match for favorite colors and suitable degrees of myopia, as being a customized assembly, and provide a fit to a temple of an outline of the wearer for wearing comfort, water resistance reduction, and waterproof. |
| US10668325B2 |
Method and devices for enhancing speed, stride, and balance while walking and/or running
The method for engaging a person's sensorimotor complex includes providing a pair of lightweight sticks of equal length and weight; measuring a shoulder width from a first shoulder blade acromion of the person to a second shoulder blade acromion of the person; selecting from the plurality of devices a first lightweight stick and a second lightweight stick each having a length approximately equal to the width from the first shoulder blade acromion of the person to the second shoulder blade acromion of the person; grasping the first and second lightweight sticks with a respective first and second hands at a grasping position along the stick that is one shoulder width from a distal end of the stick; swinging the first and second hands back and forth between a first position and a second position; and walking while swinging the first and second hands back and forth. |
| US10668323B2 |
Pedaling vibrational apparatus
A pedaling vibrational apparatus includes a seat body, a pedal assembly, a gear plate assembly, a drive assembly and an eccentric assembly, like a lever structure. By treading the pedal assembly, the gear plate assembly drives the drive assembly to rotate. The drive assembly is connected with the eccentric assembly. A user can fully exercise muscles of the user's body during exercise, and a vibrational effect generated by the eccentric assembly can stimulate acupuncture points of the user's body to improve blood circulation. Left and right pedals of the pedal assembly can be treaded in turn to continuously drive a gear to rotate in a same direction so as to achieve an effect of acceleration and to enhance vibrations. |
| US10668322B2 |
Climbing machine
A climbing machine includes a base; two sets of two inclined parallel rails wherein each rail has one end secured to a joining portion of a handlebar and the base and the other end rested on the ground; two pedals slidably mounted on the rails respectively; two spaced first wheels mounted forwardly of the rails; a magnetic resistance controlling device configured to add difficulty to motion and including a conductive disc, a curved groove member releasably secured to an edge of the conductive disc, magnetic elements disposed on two inner walls of the curved groove member, an axle disposed in the base, and at least one roller rotatably mounted on the axle; and at least one first rope each extending from the first wheel to wind around the roller prior to attaching to the pedal. In response to rotating the roller, the conductive disc rotates. |
| US10668321B2 |
Motorless treadmill
There is provided a motorless treadmill. The motorless treadmill includes: a motorless track having a curved shape such that an inclination angle increases with respect to a ground surface toward a front end and a rear end, and configured to move around a closed path by a user's footsteps; and a pair of side covers disposed on two opposing sides of the motorless track, wherein the motorless track changes movement speed according to a location at which the user steps on the motorless track, and wherein, on at least one side cover of the pair of side covers, a speed-related indicator is disposed to indicate information related to the movement speed of the motorless track. |
| US10668318B2 |
Complementary knee and wrist supports
An exercise support structure includes a knee support having a tiered recess with a bottom wall, a lower circular tier, and an upper egg-shaped tier; and a wrist support having a tiered support structure with a bottom wall, a lower egg-shaped tier and an upper circular tier, where the knee support and the wrist support are complementary in shape and are interfittingly received in mated relation to form a block. The edges of the tiers may be beveled, forming a smooth transition therebetween. The structure may be made from a soft, durable resilient material, such as foam, silicone gel, rubber, synthetic rubber, or organic tree sap. |
| US10668313B2 |
Non-motorized treadmill having composite resistance module
A non-motorized treadmill includes a non-motorized treadmill body and a composite resistance module. The non-motorized treadmill body includes two rollers and a treadmill belt. The treadmill belt is wound around the two rollers. The composite resistance module includes a reluctance module and a fan wheel. The reluctance module includes a wheel body and a resistance member. The wheel body is mounted to one of the rollers. The resistance member is located close to the wheel body. One of the wheel body and the resistance member includes a metal member. The other of the wheel body and the resistance member includes a magnetic member. The fan wheel is connected to one side of the wheel body so that one of the rollers is subjected to magnetic resistance and wind resistance when rotated. |
| US10668310B2 |
Fire extinguishing system
The present invention relates to a fire extinguishing system comprising a fire extinguishing medium container (3), a first (5) and second (7) fire extinguishing sub-systems, and a valve assembly (9) fluidly connecting the fire extinguishing medium container (3) to each of the first (5) and second (7) fire extinguishing sub-systems. The fire extinguishing system (1) further comprises a first and a second detection conduit arrangement (19, 21) connected to the valve assembly (9) and arranged to activate the fire extinguishing system (1), wherein the valve assembly (9) comprises a valve chamber (33), a valve member (35) being movably arranged in the valve chamber (33), the valve member (35) having: i) a first force receiving surface (45) arranged to be subjected to a first force (F1) exerted by a force applicator of the first detection conduit arrangement (19), and ii) a second force receiving surface (47) arranged to be subjected to a second force (F2) exerted by a second force application arrangement of the second detection conduit arrangement (21). |
| US10668308B2 |
Filter mask having one or more malleable stiffening members
A filter mask for filtering air inhaled and exhaled from the mouth and nostrils while providing a secure fit and comfort to the wearer is provided. The filter mask has upper and lower edges which are provided with at least one malleable stiffener for conforming to the shape of the wearer's nose and cheek area and/or the lower jaw and chin area. In some embodiments, the filter masks further comprises a malleable stiffening member configured to conform the filter material to at least a chin portion and a jaw portion of the face. In some embodiments, the malleable stiffener can have a bend portion, which allows the wearer of the mask to know which part, center and side of the mask is to be properly placed on the nose and cheek area. The masks provide excellent filtration and provide a secure and comfortable fit to the wearer. |
| US10668307B2 |
Breathing apparatus
A safety breathing apparatus has a sensor for measuring the difference in pressure between two point in the gas delivered to a head unit. The sensor is used to measure the difference in the pressure of the gas supplied through the apparatus between the two points in the gas flow, and the pressure difference is then used to calculate the gas flow rate. |
| US10668306B2 |
Low water stannous fluoride plus zinc citrate dentifrice with improved stability, rheology, and efficacy
A dentifrice composition having a low water phase comprising effective amounts of polyphosphate and ionic active ingredients. |
| US10668304B2 |
Phantom for adaptive radiotherapy
A deformable radiotherapy phantom can be produced using an additive manufacturing process, based on a medical image of the patient. The deformable phantom can include dosimeters for measuring radiation dose distribution. A smart material can allow deformation in response to an applied stimulus. Among other things, the phantom can be used to validate radiation dose warping, a radiotherapy treatment plan, to determine a maximum acceptable deformation of the patient, to validate a cumulative accuracy of dose warping and deformable image registration, or the like. |
| US10668303B2 |
Devices and methods for measuring a radiation output rate and monitoring beam energy
A radiation treatment device may include a first dosimeter and a second dosimeter. Quantum efficiency of the first dosimeter may be lower than quantum efficiency of the second dosimeter. A method for monitoring beam energy may include receiving a first signal generated by a first dosimeter, receiving a second signal generated by a second dosimeter, receiving a third signal generated by the first dosimeter and receiving a fourth signal generated by the second dosimeter. The first signal and the second signal may be associated with a first radiation beam. The second signal and the fourth signal may be associated with a second radiation beam. The method may also include determining whether there is a difference between the beam energy of the first radiation beam and the second radiation beam based on at least one of the first signal, the second signal, the third signal or the fourth signal. |
| US10668301B2 |
Calibration of radiation therapy treatment plans for a system
A simple metric, the mean absolute dose deviation (“MADD”), for characterizing dose-volume histograms (“DVH”) is disclosed. The MADD facilitates the use and the comparison of DVHs. The MADD is defined as the average of absolute differences between all points of a DVH and a dose point of a specified reference dose range. The MADD is a generalized metric free from distribution assumptions, and it is directly applicable to all types of structures. |
| US10668298B2 |
Systems and methods of unattended treatment
In accordance with various aspects of the present teachings, systems and methods for applying treatment energy, e.g., electromagnetic radiation such as laser radiation in the visible and near infrared wavelengths, to body areas having bulges and fat deposits, loose skin, pain, acne and/or wounds. In some aspects, the systems and methods can enable relatively lengthy treatments to be performed by having the practitioner set-up and/or start the treatment, thereafter allowing the treatment to proceed safely and effectively without the continued presence of the practitioner. |
| US10668297B2 |
Magnetic stimulation (MS) coil arrangement
The present invention relates to a magnetic stimulation (MS) and preferably transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) coil arrangement designed for use as a placebo treatment. Accordingly, the purpose of the invention is to reduce or remove the effect of the magnetic field generated in use by a magnetic stimulation coil arrangement whilst the appearance presented remains as expected from a MS coil arrangement. The invention comprises a radially wound conductive element having a plurality of turns forming at least one winding. There is further provided at least one conductive magnetic field disrupting element at least partially positioned adjacent to the at least one winding for disrupting a magnetic field generated in operation by the at least one winding. The conductive magnetic field disruptive element accordingly attenuates the generated magnetic field beneath the coil arrangement. |
| US10668286B2 |
Neural stimulator
Methods and apparatus are disclosed relating to the stimulating of tissue including nerve tissue based on combinations of capacitors and resistors. Application and removal of voltage to an electrical circuit is taught as part of a method of creating voltage waveforms for nerve and other tissue with such waveforms creating neural signals. The electrical circuits taught may, include a first electrical node grounded through a first resistor; a second electrical node grounded through a second resistor; a first capacitor connected to both the first electrical node and the second electrical node; a second capacitor separating the second electrical node from a biological grounding point and direct current sources connected to the two nodes. |
| US10668281B2 |
Spinal cord stimulation device for gait training
In order to make advanced gait training easy and effective, an electrical spinal cord stimulator for gait training used in gait training for those who have difficulty in walking due to hemiplegia includes: first and second electrodes attached to a rehabilitant; a detector which detects a gait-related physical movement of the rehabilitant; and an electrical sensory nerve stimulation generator which generates, according to a detection result of the detector, electrical stimulation to be applied through the first and second electrodes to a nerve root of a sensory nerve which communicates with a spinal cord. |
| US10668271B2 |
Lead stabilizer for deep brain stimulation
A surgically implanted lead stabilizer used to stabilize leads is described herein. A lead stabilizer may include a plate that is permanently or semi-permanently surgically installed on a patient's skull under their skin via screws. The plate may hold one or more lead in place. In further embodiments, the plate has two hinged halves that may be affixed fully closed or may include a slotted arm allowing the two hinged halves to be affixed partially open. The plate may include apertures through which electrical leads may pass. Example leads may be guided through one or more surface channels on the top surface of the plate causing the leads to lay flat along the patient's skull. In an example use, a burr hole may be formed in a patient's skull with one or more leads threaded therethrough; a surgeon may open a hinged half of a plate and clamp one or more leads within one or more of the lead holes of the plate, close the hinged halves partially or entirely, affix the plate to the skull, and snap the leads into the surface channels. |
| US10668264B2 |
Delivery adapter
A delivery adapter which may be used as an interface between a syringe and a catheter hub is described. |
| US10668262B2 |
Pellet implantation device and tool kit
Medicinal pellet insertion devices and kits including sterile loading sheaths and scalpels for making predetermined incisions are provided. The devices and kits can be used in the treatment of patients with controlled, sustained release medicinal pellets implanted by subcutaneous insertion. |
| US10668258B1 |
Intravascular devices, systems, and methods to address eye disorders
A method may include accessing an artery in communication with an ophthalmic artery of a subject, and advancing a microcatheter along the accessed artery so as to align a distal end of the microcatheter with an ostium of the ophthalmic artery, wherein the microcatheter includes a lumen having a guidewire positioned therein. In addition, the method includes proximally withdrawing the guidewire relative to the microcatheter so as to enable a distal portion of the microcatheter to assume a curved relaxed configuration, and cannulating the ostium with the distal portion of the microcatheter when the distal portion is in the curved relaxed configuration. |
| US10668257B2 |
Blow molded composite devices and methods
The present disclosure is directed toward a composite balloon comprising a layer of material having a porous microstructure (e.g., ePTFE or expanded polyethylene) and a thermoplastic polymeric layer useful for medical applications. The layers of the composite balloons become adhered through a stretch blow-molding process. Methods of making and using such composite balloons are also described amongst others. |
| US10668256B2 |
Balloon dilation assembly
A balloon dilation assembly for use in balloon valvuloplasty is disclosed, which includes at least three outer balloons arranged around a central balloon and fixed to the central balloon, wherein each balloon has a supply tube for inflation and flow channels are provided between each adjacent pair of outer balloons, whereby at least one of the outer balloons is shorter in length than the remaining outer balloons and the central balloon. |
| US10668253B2 |
Methods for exchanging devices
A method for replacing a first sheath, whose distal end is positioned inside a vessel and whose proximal end is positioned outside the skin of a patient, with a second sheath may involve inserting a dilator over a guidewire and into the first sheath until a distal end of the dilator and a distal end of the guidewire are positioned inside the vessel. The dilator may be hubless or include a removable hub, and may define an external channel configured to receive a second guidewire. The method may further involve removing the first sheath, thereby leaving the dilator and the guidewire in place. After removing the first sheath, a second sheath may be passed over the dilator and the guidewire until the distal end of the second sheath is positioned inside the vessel. The method may further involve removing the dilator and the guidewire, leaving the second sheath in place. |
| US10668252B2 |
Integrated vascular delivery system
An integrated vascular delivery system having a frame configured to receive a catheter insertable in a patient to deliver fluid at an insertion site. The frame includes a first hub, a second hub, and a pair of flexible lateral members extending between the hubs and including a tubular lateral member. The system also includes a fluidic channel that fluidically communicates with the catheter, wherein the fluidic channel passes through the tubular lateral member and at least one of the hubs, and includes a fixed turnabout portion in which fluid flows in a direction different from that within the catheter. The first and second hubs provide anchoring points on the patient distributed around the insertion site and on opposite ends of the catheter, thereby anchoring the frame to the patient and stabilizing the catheter. A method is provided for using an integrated vascular delivery system. |
| US10668248B2 |
Catheter insertion apparatus
A catheter is provided including a first lumen and a second lumen. A first member is disposed for relative movement within the first lumen and defines a cavity. A second member is disposed for relative movement within the second lumen. The cavity of the first member is configured for disposal of the second member. The catheter may include an elongated tubular body that includes the first lumen and the second lumen. The first member may have a distal portion that extends beyond the distal end of the body. The distal portion may include the cavity. The cavity may be defined by a member lumen. The first and second members may include tubular stylettes. The second member may include a guidewire. |
| US10668245B2 |
Catheter and manufacturing method of catheter
A catheter and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed, which can restrain a guide wire lumen and a dilation lumen from communicating with each other during thermal fusion-bonding while suppressing an increase in an outer diameter of a catheter shaft. A catheter has a catheter shaft in which a distal side shaft, an inner tube shaft, and a proximal side shaft are integrated with each other in a fusion region. The inner tube shaft has an opening portion which, opens outward and an arc-shaped portion which extends from the opening portion to a proximal side and which has only a portion of an entire circumference in a circumferential direction of the inner tube shaft. The fusion region includes the opening portion located on a distal side of a proximal end of the distal side shaft. |
| US10668238B2 |
Oscillating positive expiratory pressure device
An oscillating positive expiratory pressure apparatus having a housing defining a chamber, a chamber inlet, a chamber outlet, a deformable restrictor member positioned in an exhalation flow path between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet, and an oscillation member disposed within the chamber. The deformable restrictor member and the oscillation member are moveable between an engaged position, where the oscillation member is in contact with the deformable restrictor member and an disengaged position, where the oscillation member is not in contact with the deformable restrictor member. The deformable restrictor member and the oscillation member move from the engaged position to the disengaged position in response to a first exhalation pressure at the chamber inlet, and move from the disengaged position to an engaged position in response to a second exhalation pressure at the chamber inlet. |
| US10668237B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing ventilation to a patient
An apparatus to generate pressure support ventilation and a method to control pressure support ventilation. The apparatus comprises: at least one sensor adapted to measure at least one respiratory parameter; a flow generator adapted for coupling with a patient respiratory interface; and a controller, coupled to the at least one sensor and the flow generator. The flow generator is configured to provide a flow of breathable gas for pressure support ventilation to the patient respiratory interface. The controller is configured to control the pressure support ventilation with the flow generator. The controller is further configured with a rest mode and an exercise mode. The rest mode comprises a first value set of control parameters for the pressure support ventilation and the exercise mode comprises a second value set of control parameters for the pressure support ventilation. |
| US10668233B2 |
Non-heating type flavor inhalator and method of manufacturing flavor cartridge
A method of manufacturing a flavor cartridge for a flavor inhalator, the method comprising the steps of filling a predetermined amount of a flavor generating material capable of emitting a flavor component in a frame compressing the flavor generating material in the frame by applying pressure thereto by a pusher and fixing a lid to the frame, wherein the flavor generating material contains a tobacco material obtained by shredding or pulverizing tobacco leaf, and the lid has air permeability. |
| US10668226B2 |
System and method for measuring delivered dose
A flow sensor is provided to enable volumetric dose data to be acquired automatically by sampling flow rates of insulin measured by a flow sensor exposed to a flow manifold though which the insulin flows. The flow sensor preferably connects to a standard insulin pen on one end, and to a standard pen needle on the other end. Particular geometries and algorithms are utilized to accommodate the unique requirements of insulin flow determination during an injection event. |
| US10668225B2 |
Safety device for a pre-filled syringe and injection device
According to the invention a safety device for a pre-filled syringe comprises a substantially cylindrical and hollow support body and a hollow needle shield slideably arranged relative to the support body. The support body comprises at least one resilient arm and the hollow needle shield or a needle shield assembly comprises at least one curved actuation ramp. The curved actuation ramp protrudes in a lateral direction (L) perpendicular to a central axis (A) of the safety device. The curved actuation ramp comprises a first lateral dimension (L1) at a proximal end of the needle shield and a second lateral dimension (L2) exceeding the first lateral dimension (L1) at a distal end of the needle shield. The resilient arm engages the curved actuation ramp when the needle shield is slid relative to the support body. |
| US10668203B2 |
System and method for cardiopulmonary bypass using hypobaric oxygenation
A system for cardiopulmonary bypass, including: a cardiopulmonary bypass reservoir configured to store a blood; a pump in fluid communication with the cardiopulmonary bypass reservoir configured to provide pressure to the system; an oxygen source including a pressure regulator configured to regulate an oxygen pressure; an oxygenator fluidly connected to the pressure regulator of the oxygen source via an sweep gas inlet, wherein the sweep gas inlet is configured to have a subatmospheric pressure and the oxygenator is configured to oxygenate the blood; a vacuum regulator fluidly connected to the oxygenator via an sweep gas outlet, and configured to provide the subatmospheric pressure; a flow restrictor fluidly connected to the sweep gas inlet and configured to allow for a pressure drop from the oxygen source to the oxygenator; and an arterial filter fluidly connected to a blood outlet of the oxygenator and to the cardiopulmonary bypass reservoir. |
| US10668197B2 |
Resonant power transmission coils and systems
An improved wireless transmission system for transferring power over a distance. The system includes a transmitter generating a magnetic field and a receiver for inducing a voltage in response to the magnetic field. In various respects, the receiver is configured to be implanted in a body. The receiver may include a housing enclosing a receiving coil and associated electronic components, a covering around at least a portion of the housing, and at least two wires wrapped around the housing to form a plurality of turns. The covering may be formed of a ferrite material configured to both magnetically shield a respective portion of the internal volume of the housing and redirect incoming magnetic flux from the transmitter to improve efficiency. Methods of use are also provided. |
| US10668194B2 |
Fluid pump with volute shaped housing
The present invention relates to a fluid pump that comprises a housing having an inlet opening for receiving the fluid, an outlet opening for discharging the fluid and enclosing an impeller rotating inside the housing to pump the fluid from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and a motor assembly to drive the impeller. The housing is shaped to establish a single turn volute of 360° turn angle providing a first conveying channel located peripherally around the impeller from a fluid entry point at 0° turn angle to a fluid exit point at 360° turn angle of the single turn volute being connected to the outlet opening. The first conveying channel has a first cross section area in radial direction perpendicular to the rotational plane of the impeller, where a size of the first cross section area increases as a monotonic increasing function of the turn angle between entry point and exit point. |
| US10668192B2 |
Automatically switching different aspiration levels and/or pumps to an ocular probe
Methods and apparatuses for automatically switching different aspiration levels to an ocular probe are disclosed herein. The probe may be a phacoemulsification probe. A first aspiration level, supplied by a first pump, may be applied to the probe simultaneously with ultrasonic energy. A second aspiration level, supplied by a second pump, may be automatically switched from the first aspiration level. Control feed back of the pumps may be varied according to set thresholds. |
| US10668190B2 |
Multiphase gel
Disclosed are hydrogels polymerized with or around a solid biofunctional moiety, biodegradable or permanent, designed to be implantable in a mammalian body, intended to block or mitigate the formation of tissue adhesions, and intended to aid in functional healing. The hydrogels of the present invention are characterized by comprising multiphasic structural elements: a) at least one gel phase, b) at least one solid phase, c) optional polymeric chains connecting gel and solid phases, d) optional shape designs that provide for an interpenetrating geometry between gels and solids, e) optional shape designs that enhance a tissue-hydrogel interface, and f) optional shape designs that provide a biofunctional aspect. The hydrophobicity of the various phases is chosen to reduce tissue adhesion and enhance tissue healing. The morphology of the polymers comprising the gel phase is typically of high molecular weight and has morphology that encourages entanglement. Useful polymeric structures include branching chains, comb or brush, and dendritic morphologies. |
| US10668180B2 |
Apparatus and method for sterilizing medical devices
A sterilizing cabinet performs a method of processing a medical device, such as a used medical device or an otherwise non-sterile medical device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting a sterilization cycle from a plurality of available sterilization cycles. The sterilizing cabinet identifies a biological indicator associated with the selected sterilization cycle. The sterilizing cabinet prompts the user via a touch screen display to place the medical device and the biological indicator into a sterilization chamber of a sterilizing cabinet. The sterilizing cabinet performs load conditioning on the medical device in the sterilization chamber. The sterilizing cabinet then performs the selected sterilization cycle on the medical device in the sterilization chamber after completing the act of load conditioning. |
| US10668179B2 |
Systems and methods for powering a load
In an example, a power factor corrector (PFC) including a first PFC input, a second PFC input, and a PFC output. The first PFC input is configured to receive an input power from a power source. The second PFC input is configured to receive a signal from a feedback circuit. The PFC output configured to output a direct current (DC) power, which is based on the input power at the first PFC input and the signal at the second PFC input. The feedback circuit is coupled to the PFC output and the second PFC input. The feedback circuit is configured to provide the signal at the second PFC input based on an input parameter related to a condition that is sensible by a sensor. The condition is related to operation of a load. |
| US10668177B1 |
Systems and methods for autoclave operating evaluation and verification
Systems and methods are described for logging parameter data in autoclave operating cycles. The system has capacity to compensate the response delay to thereby accurately track the ambient gas parameters, such as temperature, pressure, humidity, sterilization gas density, within the autoclave during operation. By properly correcting for the thermal delay, the data accuracy of the measured gas temperature is thus greatly enhanced. Methods for evaluating and verifying autoclave operation cycle are also described. Furthermore, the system may also be used for autoclave pre-maintenance and performance trend analysis. |
| US10668176B2 |
Sterilization tray
A sterilization tray is disclosed herein. A medical instrument, such as an endoscope, may be placed into the sterilization tray, and the sterilization tray with the medical instrument disposed therein may be placed into a vacuum chamber of a sterilization system. The sterilization tray may also be used to transport the medical instrument to and from a point of care. Sterilization is performed with the instrument in the base component and the lid component disposed atop the base component. Transportation is performed with the instrument in the lid component and the base component disposed atop the lid component. |
| US10668173B2 |
Compositions and methods for the expression of CRISPR guide RNAS using the H1 promoter
The presently disclosed subject matter provides compositions and methods for the expression of CRISPR guide RNAs using the H1 promoter. In particular, compositions and methods are provided for the use of the H1 promoter to express CRISPR guide RNA (gRNA) with altered specificity of the 5′ nucleotide, as well as use of the H1 promoter sequence as a bidirectional promoter to express Cas9 nuclease and the gRNA simultaneously. Compositions and methods are also provided for the expression and regulation of gRNA expression in vivo through the use of RNA ribozymes and regulatable aptazymes. |
| US10668172B2 |
Treatment for exposure to nerve agent
The present application provides methods of preventing and treating the toxic effects of exposure to organophosphate agents. In embodiments, targeted cationic liposome complexes delivering nucleic acid molecules encoding butyrylcholinesterase and a polyproline rich peptide are administered. Suitably, the administration is via inhalation or via aerosol. Also provided are cationic liposome complexes and methods of making the complexes for such administration. |
| US10668169B2 |
Micelle composition for nucleic acid delivery using temperature-sensitive polymer and method for producing same
Provided are a micelle composition for nucleic acid delivery using a temperature-sensitive polymer, and a method for producing the micelle. For example, provided is a polyion complex comprising a temperature-sensitive copolymer and a nucleic acid, wherein the temperature-sensitive copolymer comprises a cationic block and a temperature-sensitive block, the cationic block optionally carrying a hydrophilic block linked thereto, and the polyion complex is obtained by mixing the temperature-sensitive copolymer with the nucleic acid under temperature conditions equal to or lower than the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the temperature-sensitive copolymer. |
| US10668166B2 |
Antibody-drug-conjugates comprising novel anthracycline-derivatives for cancer treatment
The present invention relates to novel anthracycline derivatives comprising two oxazolidine cycles and the preparation of said anthracycline derivatives. Furthermore, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) comprising the novel anthracycline derivatives and the use of such ADCs in the prevention and treatment of cancer are disclosed. |
| US10668165B2 |
Molecular constructs for treating tumors
The present disclosure provides various molecular constructs having a targeting element and an effector element. Methods for treating various diseases using such molecular constructs are also disclosed. |
| US10668156B2 |
Active-ingredient-containing solid dispersions based on diethylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymers
Described are solid dispersions of hydrophobic active ingredients and cationic copolymers of N,N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate in a weight ratio of the monomers of from 35:65 to 55:45. Also described are the preparation and use of such solid dispersions for pharmaceutical dosage forms. |
| US10668153B2 |
Boron neutron capture therapy system
A boron neutron capture therapy system has a neutron beam irradiation device, a patient restraint/placement portion, a three-dimensional diagnostic device, an irradiation table, a position adjustment mechanism, and a control unit. The boron neutron capture therapy system performs position determination with a sufficient degree of accuracy at the time of the boron neutron capture therapy. Further, the control unit, using the movement of the irradiation table, performs collision avoidance processing that changes the movement of the irradiation table before the patient restrained on the patient restraint/placement portion receives injury by colliding with the irradiation port, and thus, collision between the patient and the irradiation port can be avoided. |
| US10668152B2 |
Use of anti-PD-1 antibody in combination with anti-CD27 antibody in cancer treatment
This disclosure provides methods for treating cancer in a subject comprising administering to the subject an anti-PD-1 antibody and an anti-CD27 antibody. In some embodiments, the cancer is colorectal cancer, rectal cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, ovarian cancer, head and neck cancer, or any combination thereof. |
| US10668150B2 |
IL33 form, mutated forms of IL33, antibodies, assays and methods of using the same
The present invention provides isolated IL-33 proteins, active fragments thereof and antibodies, antigen binding fragments thereof, against IL-33 proteins. Also provided are methods of modulating cytokine activity, e.g., for the purpose of treating immune and inflammatory disorders. |
| US10668143B2 |
Meningococcus serogroup X conjugate
The invention provides a conjugate of a Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X capsular polysaccharide and a carrier molecule. The conjugate is typically made by (a) oxidising a primary hydroxyl group in the capsular polysaccharide, to give an oxidised polysaccharide with an aldehyde group; and (b) coupling the oxidised polysaccharide to a carrier molecule via the aldehyde group, thereby giving the conjugate. The conjugate may be part of an immunogenic composition. This composition may comprise one or more further antigens, particularly capsular polysaccharides from serogroups A, W135, C and Y and conjugated forms thereof. The composition may be in an aqueous formulation. The composition is useful as a vaccine, e.g. for raising an immune response in a mammal. The invention also provides processes for making the conjugate. |
| US10668140B2 |
Non-toxigenic Clostridium difficile spores for use in oral vaccination
Described are non-toxigenic Clostridium difficile strains and spores. Also described are vaccines comprising the Clostridium difficile spores. Further described are methods of preventing or treating a Clostridium difficile infection in a subject in need thereof. |
| US10668139B2 |
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccine
This invention provides a protein-A or protein-G treated Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M.hyo) antigen that is compatible with antigens from other swine pathogens, wherein the M.hyo antigen is an M.hyo culture supernatant. |
| US10668138B1 |
Peptides and combination of peptides for use in immunotherapy against pancreatic cancer and other cancers
The present invention relates to peptides, proteins, nucleic acids and cells for use in immunotherapeutic methods. In particular, the present invention relates to the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to tumor-associated T-cell peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumor-associated peptides that can for example serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions that stimulate anti-tumor immune responses, or to stimulate T cells ex vivo and transfer into patients. Peptides bound to molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), or peptides as such, can also be targets of antibodies, soluble T-cell receptors, and other binding molecules. |
| US10668135B2 |
Methods of treating or preventing periodontitis and diseases associated with periodontitis
The present disclosure describes methods for preventing or treating periodontitis or diseases associated with periodontitis. The present disclosure also describes methods of screening for compounds that can be used to prevent or treat periodontitis or diseases associated with periodontitis. |
| US10668132B2 |
Use of CGRP antagonist compounds for treatment of psoriasis
A method for treating, remedying, or preventing psoriasis by administering a therapeutically effective dose of at least one CGRP antagonist compound in a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation. The method for treating, remedying, or preventing psoriasis by administering topically and to the pre-psoriatic rim a therapeutically effective dose of at least one CGRP antagonist compound in a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation. |
| US10668128B2 |
Targeting G3BP proteins to accelerate nerve regeneration
Methods for using a peptide to effectively increase axon growth in both naive and injury-conditioned neurons. |
| US10668126B2 |
Combinatorial therapies for the treatment of neoplasias using the opioid growth factor receptor
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for treating neoplasias in an animal or human comprised of a carrier and therapeutically effective amounts of at least one chemotherapeutic agent along with the biotherapeutic endogenous pentapeptide Met-enkephalin, referred to as opioid growth factor. Also provided are methods of treating neoplasias in an animal or human in need of such treatment, comprising the administration to the animal or human therapeutically effective amounts of a pharmaceutical composition comprised of a carrier and therapeutically effective amounts of at least one neoplasia-treating agent, such as a chemotherapeutic agent or radiation, along with opioid growth factor. |
| US10668124B2 |
Compositions comprising kakadu plum extract or acai berry extract
A method of reducing inflammation in skin is disclosed. The method can include topically applying to skin in need thereof a composition comprising 0.001 wt. % to 5 wt. % of a kakadu plum fruit extract to reduce TNF-α production in human epidermal keratinocytes of the skin, and 0.001 wt. % to 5 wt. % of an acai berry fruit extract to reduce TNF-α production in human epidermal keratinocytes of the skin, wherein topical application of the composition reduces inflammation in the skin. |
| US10668119B2 |
Attenuated reovirus
Compositions and methods are provided that relate to an attenuated reovirus exhibiting oncolytic activity toward cancer cells while displaying reduced lytic activity toward non-malignant cells. Exemplified is an attenuated human reovirus derived from persistently infected fibrosarcoma cells that lacks wild-type reovirus S1 and S4 genes and consequently lacks a detectable reoviral outer capsid .sigma.1 protein and expresses a mutated reoviral outer capsid .sigma.3 protein. |
| US10668115B2 |
Stable probiotic composition containing Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 and method of detection thereof
Disclosed is a stable probiotic composition containing Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 exhibiting increased viability over wide range of pH and the use of flow cytometry method to enumerate the viable count of Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 under various environmental conditions. |
| US10668114B2 |
Use of gram negative species to treat atopic dermatitis
Pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed that includes a therapeutically effective amount of a purified viable Gram negative bacteria and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical compositions are formulated for topical administration. Methods of treating atopic dermatitis using these pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed. |
| US10668113B2 |
Formulation for targeting cancer in humans and canines using venom
The present invention provides formulation/composition comprising phytonutrients with natural chlorotoxins for targeting cancer, infection, inflammation and pain without any side effects and a method for synthesizing the same. The raw materials are cleaned and dried and to prepare coarse powder of 40 mesh size, extracted with solvent (comprising water:alcohol in a ratio of 40:60) in a ratio of 4:1 with overnight soaking. Prior to cold extraction, the mixture is macerated for 4 hours. The mixture is refluxed for 2 hours at 80° C. The addition of ethanol, maceration and refluxing steps are repeated three times and above solvent is added, if required. The residue is checked for complete extraction after every refluxing step. The extract/residue is filtered and concentrated under vacuum. The extract/residue is vacuum tray dried at 70-80° C. for 12 hours. The extract/residue is scraped and dried lumps of the extract/residue are milled. The extract/residue is sieved and packed. |
| US10668111B2 |
Use of umbilical mesenchymal stem cells for treating pulmonary fibrosis
The present invention relates to treatment of pulmonary fibrosis with umbilical mesenchymal stem cell. |
| US10668105B2 |
Methods of preparing and using novel stem cell compositions and kits comprising the same
The present invention provides novel stem cell compositions having significant therapeutic and practical advantages, as well as methods of preparing and using such compositions for the treatment and prevention of injury and disease in patients. The invention may be applied to stem cell populations isolated from a wide variety of animals, including humans, and tissues. In particular applications, the invention is used to prepare a stem cell composition from a collagen-based tissue, such as adipose tissue, isolated from a patient, and the stem cell composition is subsequently provided to a site of actual or potential injury in the patient. The invention further includes related kits comprising the stem cell compositions, which are remarkably stable and retain viability and efficacy during storage and shipment. |
| US10668104B2 |
Brown adipocyte modification
Methods and therapeutics are provided for treating metabolic disorders by increasing activation of brown adipose tissue. Generally, the methods and therapeutics can increase activation of brown adipose tissue to increase energy expenditure and induce weight loss. In one embodiment, a method for increasing activation of brown adipose tissue includes modifying brown adipocytes to express a gene that activates brown adipocytes, such as uncoupling protein 1. In another embodiment, a method for increasing brown adipose tissue activation includes increasing the number of brown adipocytes. This can be accomplished by inducing proliferation of adipocytes in vivo or expanding adipocytes ex vivo, transplanting adipocytes into brown adipose tissue depots or elsewhere and inducing differentiation of adipocyte progenitor cells, such as MSCs, adipocyte progenitor cells, pre-adipocytes and adipocyte precursor cells. |
| US10668099B2 |
Methods and compositions for treating conditions associated with infection and/or inflammation
The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating and preventing conditions characterized by infection and/or inflammation, especially of the eyes, ears, nose, and/or throat. The methods of the invention involve administering hypohalous acid to the patient, such as in the form of a composition described herein. |
| US10668097B1 |
Testosterone enhancing compositions and methods
A composition for the enhancement of free testosterone is provided, the composition comprising: vitamin B6; vitamin B12; zinc; L-citrulline; fenugreek seed extract; an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) stimulating component, comprising: ancient peat extract, and apple fruit extract; eurycoma root extract; and boron. A method of increasing free testosterone is provided, the method comprising administering to an individual an effective dose of a composition comprising: vitamin B6; vitamin B12; zinc; L-citrulline; fenugreek seed extract; an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) stimulating component, comprising: ancient peat extract, and apple fruit extract; eurycoma extract; and boron. |
| US10668096B2 |
Nicotinoyl riboside compositions and methods of use
The invention relates to compositions of nicotinoyl ribosides and nicotinamide riboside derivatives and their methods of use. In some embodiments, the invention relates to methods of making nicotinoyl ribosides. In some embodiments, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions and nutritional supplements containing a nicotinoyl riboside. In further embodiments, the invention relates to methods of using nicotinoyl ribosides and nicotinamide riboside derivatives that promote the increase of intracellular levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in cells and tissues for improving cell and tissue survival. |
| US10668091B2 |
Antibacterial agent against multidrug-resistant gram-positive bacteria and external agent
To provide a multidrug-resistant Gram positive bacteria antibacterial agent containing as an active ingredient a novel component to which multidrug-resistant bacteria are not resistant, and an external agent containing the same. The multidrug resistant Gram-positive bacteria antibacterial agent according to the present invention contains an amphipathic compound having an HLB value of greater than 9.5 and 20 or less and an acyl group as an active ingredient. The external agent according to the present invention contains the multidrug resistant Gram-positive bacteria antibacterial agent. |
| US10668085B2 |
Thermo-kinetic mixing for pharmaceutical applications
Compositions and methods for making a pharmaceutical dosage form include making a pharmaceutical composition that includes one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients by thermokinetic compounding into a composite. Compositions and methods of preprocessing a composite comprising one or more APIs with one or more excipients include thermokinetic compounding, comprising thermokinetic processing the APIs with the excipients into a composite, wherein the composite can be further processed by conventional methods known in the art, such as hot melt extrusion, melt granulation, compression molding, tablet compression, capsule filling, film-coating, or injection molding. |
| US10668084B2 |
Intranasal lower dosage strength testosterone gel formulations and use thereof for treating anorgasmia or hypoactive sexual desire disorder
The present invention relates to lower dosage strength pernasal testosterone gel formulations for intranasal administration and treatment methods for using the lower dosage strength pernasal testosterone gel formulations for treating a female subject with anorgasmia and/or hypoactive sexual desire disorder. |
| US10668082B2 |
Vaginal inserted estradiol pharmaceutical compositions and methods
Disclosed herein is, among other things, a soft gel vaginal pharmaceutical composition and dosage form containing solubilized estradiol for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) and female sexual dysfunction (FSD). |
| US10668067B2 |
Pyridine sulfonamides
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I), as defined in the specification, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels, in particular Nav 1.7. The compounds are useful for the treatment of diseases treatable by inhibition of sodium channels such as pain disorders, cough, or itch. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of the present invention. |
| US10668062B2 |
Oxabicycloheptanes and oxabicycloheptenes for the treatment of diabetes
A method of increasing the insulin sensitivity of a mammalian cell by contacting the cell with a protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) inhibitor having the structure (I). |
| US10668056B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition comprising indole derivatives, process for preparation and use thereof
The invention provides well-defined and stable pharmaceutical compositions comprising indole derivatives of general formula 1, a process for the preparation of di-hydrochloride salts comprising a high content of the pharmacologically active isomer suitable for industrial production, and use of these in pharmaceutical compositions. The invention further provides a method for use of said compounds for the treatment of cancer. The invention also provides methods to use these compounds in conjunction with other therapies commonly used for treating cancer diseases. |
| US10668053B2 |
Tolerogenic synthetic nanocarriers to reduce or prevent anaphylaxis in response to a non-allergenic antigen
This invention relates to methods for reducing or preventing anaphylaxis to non-allergenic antigens with compositions comprising immunosuppressants, and related compositions. |
| US10668052B2 |
Combinations of isomers of dihydrotetrabenazine
This invention relates to the use of combinations of stereoisomers of dihydrotetrabenazine for the treatment of movement disorders, such as Tourette's syndrome. |
| US10668050B2 |
Compositions, methods and kits for treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome
A method of treating a patient comprises orally administering a solid oral dosage form comprising a core comprising a non-ionic polymer matrix, a first amount of ondansetron dispersed within the matrix, and a salt dispersed within the matrix, wherein the first amount of ondansetron ranges from about 9 mg to about 28 mg; a first seal coat surrounding the core, wherein the first seal coat is comprised of a non-ionic polymer matrix; and an immediate release drug layer surrounding the first seal coat and comprising a non-ionic polymer and a second amount of ondansetron dispersed therein, wherein the second amount of ondansetron ranges from about 3 mg to about 8 mg, wherein release of ondansetron from the solid oral dosage form provides exposure to ondansetron for a minimum period of 16 hours so as to result in a reduction in frequency of vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, or a combination thereof. |
| US10668048B2 |
Compounds for inhibiting bacterial growth via phosphatidylglycerol binding
Antibacterial small molecule compounds, termed liptins, bind to phosphatidylglycerol in bacterial plasma membranes. The small molecule compounds comprise a three-dimensional complementary binding pocket for phosphatidylglycerol, disrupting membrane function in a bacteriostatic or bactericidal manner. Methods of inhibiting bacterial growth and/or treating Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacterial infection using such compounds are also disclosed. |
| US10668045B2 |
Topical massage oil and cream containing CBD, CBN, curcumin and Boswellia resin
An example method of treating a medical issue includes applying a composition to a skin area corresponding to a location afflicted with the medical issue. The composition includes a blend of Cannabidiol (CBD) oil and Cannabinol (CBN) oil fortified with curcumin from turmeric, Boswellic acid, and polycyclic terpenes from Boswellia serrata. The medical issue includes at least one of osteoarthritis, joint pain associated with natural causes or injury, reduced joint function and flexibility after injury or other causes, and photo-aging. A composition including a blend of pure CBD oil and CBN oil fortified with curcumin from turmeric and Boswellic acid along with polycyclic terpenes from Boswellia serrata is also disclosed. |
| US10668044B2 |
Blended cannabis compounds and methods of making the same
Blended, processed marijuana and/or hemp cannabis compounds and methods of making the same are provided. In particular, the compound includes one or more species of cannabis mixed in various ways with other ingredients in order to produce a new matter, food product, oil, or drink, in the form of gummies, creams, salves, tablets, capsules, pastes, gelatin suppositories, crystals, ointments, jellies, e-juices, powders, pills, syrups, drops, patches, chewing gums, dried whole or partial plant parts, and dusts, such that it is safe for mammals and provides assistance in dealing with various ailments and diseases. |
| US10668042B2 |
Methods of reducing the risk of cardiovascular events in a subject
In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods reducing the risk of cardiovascular events in a subject on statin therapy by administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising about 1 g to about 4 g of eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester or a derivative thereof. |
| US10668040B2 |
Treatment of urea cycle disorders in neonates and infants
Nitrogen scavenging drugs such as glycerol phenylbutyrate can be administered safely to infants and toddlers with urea cycle disorders by adjusting the dosage based on one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of urinary-PAGN and plasma PAA:PAGN ratio. |
| US10668024B2 |
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles for biomedical applications
A submicron structure includes a silica body defining a plurality of pores that are suitable to receive molecules therein, the silica body further defining an outer surface between pore openings of said plurality of pores; and a plurality of anionic molecules attached to the outer surface of the silica body. The anionic molecules provide hydrophilicity to the submicron structure and are suitable to provide repulsion between other similar submicron structures, and the submicron structure has a maximum dimension less than one micron. |
| US10668023B2 |
Colonic drug delivery formulation
A delayed release coating comprising a mixture of a first material selected from starch; amylose; amylopectin; chitosan; chondroitin sulfate; cyclodextrin; dextran; pullulan; carrageenan; scleroglucan; chitin; curdulan and levan, and a second material which has a pH threshold at about pH 5 or above, is used to target release of a drug from a core to the intestine, particularly the colon. |
| US10668017B2 |
Perivascular drug delivery system
The present technology provide compositions that are drug delivery systems for the sustained release of anti-stenotic drugs for the treatment and prevention of occlusion of blood vessels, particularly after perivascular surgery. The compositions include a hydrogel, unimolecular micelles dispersed within the hydrogel, and an effective amount of anti-stenotic drug dispersed within the unimolecular micelle. The hydrogel may be a di-or tri-block copolymer comprising one block of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and one or two blocks of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). The unimolecular micelle may include three domains: a dendritic polymer core, hydrophobic block polymers (e.g., PVL, PVCL, and/or PCL) attached to the core and PEG attached to the hydrophobic block polymers. |
| US10668016B2 |
Complexes of abiraterone acetate, process for the preparation thereof and pharmaceutical compositions containing them
The present disclosure relates to pharmaceutically acceptable complex formulae comprising complexes of Abiraterone acetate and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, process for the preparation thereof and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The complex formulae of the present disclosure have improved physicochemical properties which results in reduced food effect which allows significant dose reduction and the abandoning of the requirement of taking the drug on an empty stomach. |
| US10668009B2 |
Topical skin care formulations comprising plant extracts
A method for treating a person's skin is disclosed. The method includes topically applying to the skin a composition comprising from 0.001% to 20% by weight of an aqueous, alcoholic, or aqueous-alcoholic extract from Tetracentron sinense, wherein the extract from Tetracentron sinense reduces oxidation in the skin or reduces MMP-1 activity in the skin. |
| US10668001B2 |
Skin care composition and method of making a skin care composition
A customized skin care composition. The skin care composition includes a base composition comprising one of an aqueous alcohol composition or an aqueous emulsion. The skin care composition further includes at least two booster compositions selected from the group consisting of a first grade exfoliating agent; a second grade exfoliating agent, the second grade exfoliating agent providing greater exfoliating than the first grade exfoliating agent; a first grade whitening agent; a second grade whitening agent, the second grade whitening agent providing greater whitening than the first grade whitening agent; a first grade anti-aging agent; and a second grade anti-aging agent, the second grade anti-aging agent providing greater anti-aging effects than the first grade anti-aging agent. The base composition and the at least two booster compositions have been mixed to form a composition that is stable and has efficacious concentrations of active ingredients corresponding to skin conditions of a consumer. |
| US10667999B2 |
Tinting shampoos
The disclosure relates to an agent for the dyeing of keratinic fibers, in particular human hair, containing in a cosmetic carrier(a) at least one direct-acting dye,(b) at least one amphoteric surfactant, in particular at least one alkyl betaine, and(c) at least one alkyl polyglycoside, in particular at least one alkyl polyglucoside,wherein the weight-related total amount of amphoteric surfactant (b) in the agent, based on the weight of the agent, is less than the weight-related total amount of alkyl polyglycoside (c) or equal to the weight-related total amount of alkyl polyglycoside (c). The disclosure also relates to the use of the agent for the dyeing of keratinic fibers, and to a method in which the agent for the dyeing is applied to the keratinic fibers. |
| US10667997B2 |
Thickened oxidation composition
The present disclosure relates to an oxidising agent composition (M2), a packaging unit (kit of parts) comprising an agent for oxidative hair dyeing (M1) (dye component) and the oxidising agent composition (M2), a method for oxidative hair dyeing with use of the oxidising agent composition (M2), and the use of the oxidising agent composition for oxidative hair dyeing, for oxidative bleaching or lightening, and as fixing agent in a method for permanent shaping. |
| US10667996B2 |
Cosmetic or dermatological composition comprising a merocyanine and an oily phase comprising at least one isosorbide ether
The present invention relates to an in particular cosmetic or dermatological composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable support: a) at least one merocyanine of formula (1) or (2), b) at least one oily phase comprising at least one isosorbide ether. The present invention also relates to a non-therapeutic cosmetic process for caring for and/or making up a keratin material, comprising the application, to the surface of the said keratin material, of at least one composition as defined above. The invention also relates to a non-therapeutic cosmetic process for limiting the darkening of the skin and/or improving the colour and/or uniformity of the complexion, comprising the application, to the surface of the keratin material, of at least one composition as defined previously. The invention also relates to a non-therapeutic cosmetic process for preventing and/or treating the signs of ageing of a keratin material, comprising the application, to the surface of the keratin material, of at least one composition as defined previously. |
| US10667986B2 |
Apparatus for treating the human or animal body with mechanical strokes
The invention relates to an apparatus for treating a human or animal body by mechanical strokes, wherein an applicator for being placed on the patient's body surface has a basically oblique front area portion in an angle between 30° and 60° to the stroke direction. |
| US10667975B2 |
Single and dual column patient positioning support structure
A surgical table for supporting a patient over a floor and including a base assembly, a support column assembly and a patient support structure. The base assembly supported on the floor and including a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a member extending along a base longitudinal axis between the first and second ends. The support column assembly moveably coupled with the base assembly and configured to translate between the first and second ends of the base assembly along the member extending therebetween, the support column assembly being the only support column assembly coupled with the base assembly. The patient support structure including a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, the second end of the patient support structure supported off of the support column assembly in a cantilevered fashion. |
| US10667965B2 |
Medical file and first aid assembly
A medical file and first aid assembly for storing medical files along with first aid supplies includes a storage case that is carried by a trainer of a sports team. The storage case has a plurality of trays that is pivotally positioned therein for storing first aid supplies. A file accordion is movably coupled to the storage case for storing medical history of each player on the sports team. In this way the trainer has access to medical history of each player for safely applying first aid to each player. A communication unit is coupled to the storage case and the communication unit is in electrical communication with an extrinsic communication network thereby facilitating inventory of the first aid supplies to be tracked and remotely ordered for re-supply. |
| US10667963B2 |
Nonwoven thermal bonding pattern with low fuzz
A nonwoven extending in a machine direction and a perpendicular cross-machine direction and having fibers bonded by a pattern of thermal bonds. The thermal bonds comprise larger bonds having an individual area of at least 1.0 mm2, in particular at least 1.5 mm2; and smaller bonds having an individual area of less than 1.0 mm2, in particular from about 0.10 mm2 to about 1.0 mm2. There are at least as many smaller bonds as larger bonds, the ratio of the number of smaller bonds may be in particular about two. |
| US10667953B2 |
Instrument for examination of ear and removal of ear wax
An instrument for use with an otoscope to examine an ear and remove cerumen (i.e., ear wax) from an ear canal includes a speculum having a channel extending between a tip and a rear with the tip having a first side and a second side opposite the first side and a curette having a through hole a first end connected to the first side of the speculum, and a second end connected to the second side of the speculum. |
| US10667950B2 |
System and method for improving the accomodative amplitude and increasing the refractive power of the human lens with a laser
A system and method for increasing the amplitude of accommodation and/or changing the refractive power of lens material of a natural crystalline lens is provided. Generally, there is provided methods and systems for delivering a laser beam to a lens of an eye in a plurality of patterns results in the increased accommodative amplitude and/or refractive power of the lens. There is further provided a system and method of treating presbyopia by increasing both the flexibility of the human lens and the depth of field of the eye. |
| US10667947B2 |
Intraocular drug delivery
An ab externo method of placing an intraocular implant into an eye can include advancing a needle, in which the implant is disposed, into the eye through conjunctiva and sclera of the eye. The implant can include a drug deliverable to the eye. The implant can thereafter be released to be anchored in the eye and elute the drug to the eye. |
| US10667945B2 |
Contact lens tool kit and method of using
A contact lens tool kit for placement of a contact lens on an eye is provided. The tool kit may include a contact lens tool. The contact lens tool may include an outer edge for selectively engaging a contact lens. The tool kit may also include a lens housing for containing a contact lens, the lens housing selectively engageable with the tool. Engagement of the tool and the lens housing permits reception of the contact lens by the contact lens tool and disengagement of the two permits removal of the contact lens by the tool. The lens housing may include a removable seal for draining solution through an aperture of the contact lens tool or lens housing. |
| US10667939B2 |
Leg protector and shoe sole for same
The present disclosure relates to a leg protector. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, disclosed is a leg protector which can protect a wearer's foot and leg and is made of an elastic material, the leg protector comprising: a bottom plate part for supporting a wearer's foot; and a protection part connected to the upper side of the bottom plate part, extending upward therefrom, and formed to cover at least a part of the side and rear portions of the wearer's foot and leg, wherein the protection part includes, on both the left and right sides of the ankle portion thereof, an opening part through which regions corresponding to the wearer's malleoli are exposed to the outside. |
| US10667937B2 |
Magnetorheological medical brace
The magnetorheological (MAR) medical brace includes a flexible outer shell that fits around the anatomical area to be braced and a plurality of adjustable straps for securing the shell onto the anatomical area. The shell encases a MAR pack filled with magnetorheological fluid or gel. A plurality of magnets is attached to or encased in the shell to provide magnetic field acting on the MAR pack. The interaction of the magnetic field with the MAR pack adjustably increases or decreases the stiffness of the shell depending on the strength of the magnetic field. A control mechanism is provided for selective adjustment of the magnetic field and other functions. |
| US10667936B2 |
Bypass device for the transpyloric conducting of gastric content into or through the duodenum, and applicator for putting same in place
The invention relates to a transpyloric device for accepting chyme from the stomach and conducting said chyme on in a bypass-like manner through a patient's duodenum; said device is held in place by balloon segments which sit on a preferably radially collapsible and self-erecting transpyloric conducting element; the filling level of the balloon segments, and thus the axial sealing force acting primarily on the shoulder surfaces of the pylorus or the surrounding area thereof, can be adjusted by the user, and the force applied to the stomach and duodenum structures adjoining the pylorus is reduced to a level that is permanently bearable for the organs even when the filling pressure of the segments rolling against each other is elevated. The invention also relates to an applicator for putting a bypass device of said type in place in the region of the transition from the stomach to the duodenum. |
| US10667935B2 |
Methods for making conjugates from disulfide-containing proteins
The invention provides methods to prepare protein conjugates from proteins having at least two cysteines. In one embodiment, a protein with a disulfide linkage is reduced to provide two free cysteines for reaction with a 1,3-dihaloacetone or similar reactant, linking the sulfur atoms of the two cysteines together. The ketone inserted between the sulfur atoms is then used to form a Schiff base to an aminated payload molecule, thus conjugating the protein to a payload. In another embodiment, two cysteine residues are tied together by reaction with a 1,3-dihaloacetone or similar reactant. The linkage between the sulfur atoms in each case holds the protein or peptide in a constrained conformation, while also providing a convenient place for attaching a payload with good specificity and efficiency. |
| US10667934B2 |
System for loading a transcatheter valve prosthesis into a delivery catheter
A tool for use in loading a transcatheter valve prosthesis within a delivery catheter includes a body portion, a pivotable element and a biasing element. The body portion includes a central passageway extending form a proximal end to a distal end of the body portion. The central passageway is configured to receive a distal portion of a delivery catheter therethrough. The pivotable element is attached to the body portion and is configured to secure a tether during loading of a transcatheter valve prosthesis within the delivery catheter. The biasing element compresses the pivotable element against the body portion such that the pivotable element holds a second end against the delivery catheter and secures the tether thereto. The pivotable element may be two or more pivotable elements. |
| US10667929B2 |
Method and system for aligning a prosthetic device
An improved method of determining prosthetic alignment utilizes a system which includes multiple movable laser units and an integrated scale to measure angles and other variables of an uninjured leg of a patient based on anatomical landmarks, compare those to angles and variables of an amputated side, and make adjustments to a prosthetic device utilized for the amputated side based on the comparison to ensure proper alignment. For example, the amount of tilt to the side of the prosthetic socket, the amount of tilt to the front and back of the prosthetic socket, the amount of tilt of the prosthetic foot on the sagittal plane, the displacement of the prosthetic foot on the sagittal plane, the rotation of the prosthetic foot on the transverse plane, and the height of the prosthetic device can thereby be adjusted based on measured parameters of the uninjured leg to ensure proper alignment. |
| US10667928B2 |
Prosthetic limb and prosthetic limb attachment for swimming
A prosthesis including a socket configured to receive a residual limb, a pylon attached to the socket, the pylon comprising at least one fin, and an artificial foot attached to an end portion of the pylon. |
| US10667927B2 |
Expandable fusion cage system
An expandable fusion cage system includes an expandable fusion cage having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a hinge portion coupling the lower portion and the upper portion at their distal ends. Positioned between the upper and lower portions is an expansion element that when moved in the proximal direction causes the cage to expand at its proximal end. The system can also include inserter instruments, expandable distraction instruments, and bone funnels. |
| US10667926B2 |
Femoral implant revision tool
An osteotome suitable for cutting through cancellous bone that is holding an orthopaedic implant requiring revision within a cavity of a bone, comprises a cylindrical waveguide connectable to a source of ultrasonic vibrations at its proximal end and a blade having a hollow part-cylindrical cross-section and a cutting edge at its distal tip. The respective longitudinal axes of the waveguide and the blade cross at an angle of about 30°, and the waveguide and blade taper and curve smoothly together where they meet. The osteotome is dimensioned such that a first antinode of the ultrasoncic vibrations is located at a proximal end of the waveguide, a second antinode is located at the distal tip of the blade and a node is located where the waveguide and blade meet. The osteotome cuts readily through cancellous bone when ultrasonically energized. |
| US10667925B2 |
Adjustable interbody fusion device and method of use
Interbody fusion devices, interbody fusion device systems, insertion tools, methods for assembling an interbody fusion device, and methods a method for inserting a medical device between two vertebral bodies are disclosed. The interbody fusion device includes a body member with a pivot cylinder, a superior member with a pivot channel that is configured to engage the pivot cylinder, and a movement mechanism for moving the superior member relative to the body member. The interbody fusion device systems may include an interbody fusion device and an insertion tool. Also disclosed is a method of assembling an interbody fusion device. In addition, a method for inserting a medical device between two vertebral bodies in a spine is disclosed. |
| US10667923B2 |
Sacro-iliac joint implant system and method
A sacro-iliac implant includes a body having a proximal portion and a distal tip. The proximal portion includes an inner surface and a uniform diameter. The inner surface includes a first mating surface engageable with a first instrument surface and a second mating surface engageable with a second instrument surface. Systems, constructs, instruments and methods are disclosed. |
| US10667920B2 |
Total knee prosthesis with ceramic-on-ceramic friction torque and mobile ceramic plate
A total knee prosthesis to be implanted in a human patient includes a femoral element having a longitudinal axis, a tibial plateau having a longitudinal axis and a mobile plate. The mobile plate is interposed between the femoral element and the tibial plateau to form two joints with them wherein: a) the surfaces of mutual friction of the femoral element with the mobile plate and the surfaces of mutual friction of the tibial plateau with the mobile plate are entirely constituted by one and the same massive ceramic material; and b) the mobile plate includes two condylar bowls, and the femoral element includes two condyles, the condyles and the condylar bowls each having surfaces of mutual friction spaced apart from each other by a distance smaller than 100 μm when the longitudinal axes of the femoral element and the tibial plateau form an angle of 0° to 75°. |
| US10667919B2 |
Anterior cruciate ligament substituting knee implants
The present disclosure provides knee prostheses that replicate at least a portion of the function of an individual patient's anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). An exemplary knee prosthesis includes a femoral component configured to be implanted on the distal end of the patient's femur and a tibial component configured to be implanted on the proximal end of the patient's tibia. In extension, the femoral component and the tibial component may cooperate to limit anterior movement of the tibial component relative to the femoral component. In flexion, the femoral component may be free to rotate relative to the tibial component. |
| US10667918B2 |
Hip joint device and method
A hip joint prosthesis adapted to be implanted in a hip joint of a human patient is provided. The hip joint prosthesis comprises a first area and a second area, and wherein said first area comprises a first material adapted to be elastic and said second area comprises a second material adapted to be elastic, and wherein said first material is adapted to be more elastic than said second material. |
| US10667916B2 |
Lamina plate assembly
Lamina plate assemblies, systems, and methods thereof. A lamina plate assembly may be configured to provide lamina support following laminectomy, for example, in cervical and lumbar cases. The lamina plate assembly may include a generally elongate body having a first free end, a second free end, and a posterior portion disposed between the first free end and the second free end. Different embodiments of securing portions are used to secure the lamina plate assembly to a vertebra. |
| US10667915B2 |
Spinal spacing implant, spinal spacer assembly, expander and insertion instrument, kit and methods of assembly and use
Spinal spacing implants, spinal spacer assembly, expander and insertion instruments, kits and methods of assembly and use are disclosed. The spinal implant replacement instrument kit including a distraction instrument, a spacer inserter, and a spinal implant. A distraction instrument includes a first inserter member, a second inserter member, a first arm coupled to the first inserter member, a second arm coupled to the second inserter member, a distraction system coupled to the first arm and second arm, a first handle coupled to the first arm and the distraction system, and a second handle coupled to the second arm and the distraction system. Spinal spacing implants, spinal spacer assemblies, and methods of assembling and using the implants assemblies, and instruments are also disclosed. |
| US10667909B2 |
Inverting temporary valve sheath
A percutaneous device including a temporary valve attached to a sheath, the sheath having an inverting section for delivery and removal thereof from a blood vessel. The sheath is inverted for delivery, housing the valve between inverted layers thereof. To deploy said valve, the sheath is everted to position the temporary valve on an outer surface thereof. The temporary valve and sheath are reversibly movable between inverted and deployed configurations. Upon eversion, the temporary valve assumes a radially expanded canopy shape having an outer diameter selected to contact the vessel wall and allow blood flow in only one direction. The temporary valve may be removed by releasing one end of the valve from the sheath, flattening the temporary valve along the longitudinal axis of the sheath. Also provided is a temporary valve system comprising a dilator for inverting and everting the sheath, said dilator being removably connected to the sheath. |
| US10667908B2 |
Prosthetic valve with S-shaped tissue anchors
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to prosthetic valves and methods of use thereof. In one implementation, a prosthetic valve may include an annular valve body and a plurality of ventricular anchoring legs configured to extend radially outward from the annular valve body. At least one ventricular anchoring leg may include a first concave portion situated between the valve body and a terminal end of the leg, and a second concave portion situated between the first concave portion and the terminal end of the leg. The first concave portion may face radially outward, while the second concave portion may face radially inward. At least one of the first concave portion and the second concave portion may be angularly aligned with a point of connection between the at least one leg and the valve body. |
| US10667903B2 |
Bioanalogic intraocular lens
A bioanalogic implantable ophthalmic lens (“BIOL”) capable of replacing the natural crystalline lens (NCL) in its various essential functions after the NCL having been removed and BIOL implanted into the posterior eye chamber and placed into the capsular bag vacated from the NCL. At least the posterior surface of the lens has a convex shape and is made from a transparent flexible hydrogel material. At least the anterior and posterior optical surfaces are defined by rotation of one or more conic sections along the main optical axis and the surfaces defined by the rotation will include a plane perpendicular to the axis and conical surface symmetrical by the axis. |
| US10667901B2 |
Flipping-type graft fixation device and method with low flipping distance
A graft retention device has an elongated body with a first and second ends and a midpoint therebetween. A pair of elongated slots formed through the body defines a tang therebetween. A graft retention loop is disposed over the tang and is slidable therealong. A trailing line connects to the body adjacent the slots and extends therefrom through the graft retention loop toward the first end. Tension applied to the trailing line thus tends to urge the graft retention loop away from the first end and toward the midpoint. |
| US10667899B1 |
Endoluminal graft system and method of implanting the same
An endoluminal graft system comprising an endoluminal graft including a framework and a flexible fabric surrounding the framework, a deflection means configured for placement through an opening to a branching vessel, and a delivery catheter configured to position the endoluminal graft within a primary vessel. A method of implanting the endoluminal graft includes positioning the endoluminal graft within a primary vessel with a leading edge of the endoluminal graft adjacent to an opening to a branching vessel. A deflecting means is positioned through the opening to the branching vessel adjacent to the leading edge of the endoluminal graft. The endoluminal graft is then advanced along the length of the primary vessel with the deflection means engaging the leading edge of the endoluminal graft to form a scallop along the leading edge of the endoluminal graft. |
| US10667896B2 |
Bioabsorbable left atrial appendage closure with endothelialization promoting surface
The disclosure pertains to percutaneously deliverable bioabsorbable closure devices for an ostium of a left atrial appendage which devices promote endothelialization across the ostium and then are bioabsorbed to leave little or no foreign residue, methods of manufacturing such bioabsorbable closure devices, and the use thereof. |
| US10667894B2 |
Anal incontinence disease treatment with controlled wireless energy supply
A anal incontinence disease treatment apparatus comprises an operable restriction device implanted in a patient and engaging the colon or engaging the rectum to form a restricted fecal passageway in the colon or the rectum. A source of energy external to the patient's body and a control device for releasing wireless energy from the source of energy from outside the patient's body are provided, wherein the released wireless energy is used in connection with the operation of the restriction device. |
| US10667893B2 |
Methods for whitening teeth
In a tooth whitening method, a whitening composition is applied to at least one tooth. The whitening composition is maintained on the at least one tooth for a first time period. After the first time period, a light radiation is directed toward the at least one tooth for a second time period. The first time period has a duration greater than 50% of a total duration of the first and second time periods. The whitening composition is removed from the at least one tooth. |
| US10667888B2 |
Nozzle for oral irrigator device including a dynamic nozzle actuator with responsive materials
A nozzle (12) for an oral irrigator device (10) having a guidance tip (34) with an orifice at one end, and a dynamic nozzle actuator (64) positioned within said guidance tip. The orifice (36) is configured to expel a fluid as one of a jet, a spray, or any combination thereof. The dynamic nozzle actuator (64) comprises at least one responsive material adapted for being energized and configured to implement at least one dynamic actuation of an effective channel (62) for dynamically influencing at least one of (i) a direction of fluid expelled from the orifice (36), (ii) an angle of fluid expelled from the orifice (36), (iii) a cross-sectional width of fluid expelled from the orifice (36), and (iv) any combination thereof. |
| US10667887B2 |
Video-assisted margin marking for dental models
Tools are described for preparing digital dental models for use in dental restoration production processes, along with associated systems and methods. Dental modeling is improved by supplementing views of three-dimensional models with still images of the modeled subject matter. Video data acquired during a scan of the model provides a source of still images that can be displayed alongside a rendered three-dimensional model, and the two views (model and still image) may be synchronized to provide a common perspective of the model's subject matter. This approach provides useful visual information for disambiguating surface features of the model during processing steps such as marking a margin of a prepared tooth surface for a restoration. Interactive modeling tools may be similarly enhanced. For example, tools for margin marking may synchronize display of margin lines between the still image and the model so that a user can interact with either or both of the visual representations, with changes to a margin reflected in both displays. |
| US10667886B2 |
Dental end forming burr
A dental burr for preparing tooth for fabrication may include a shank designed to engage with a dental handpiece; and a burr body extending from the shank. The burr body may have a lip distal from the shank, the lip defining an opening into a cavity within the burr body, the cavity being sized to accommodate a tooth; and an indented edge extending from an area of the burr body proximate to the lip to the lip, wherein an exterior surface of the indented edge, the lip, and an inner surface of the cavity be an abrasive surface. The burr body may also have at least one debris vent extending therethrough. |
| US10667884B2 |
Body-space drainage-tube debris removal
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a debris removal system is provided for a body-space drainage system having one or more body tubes with a body tube lumen disposed therein. The debris-removal system comprises an elongated cleaning member and a cleaning head adapted to be advanced distally at least a portion of a length of the body tube lumen to dislodge debris therein. A collapsible sheath can be used to maintain a sterile field in the body tube lumen while the cleaning member is being used by enclosing at least a portion of the cleaning member that is not contained within the body tube lumen, and permitting external digital manipulation of the cleaning member through the sheath to advance and/or retract the cleaning member, and cleaning head, in the body tube lumen. |
| US10667882B2 |
Illuminated suction apparatus
An illuminated suction apparatus including a hand-held surgical device combining a high-performance illumination waveguide with suction. This device would be useful in a wide array of various surgical procedures including open and minimally invasive orthopedics. |
| US10667881B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a surgical light
In a method for controlling a surgical light, the luminance distribution is determined spatially selectively in a measured field and the illuminated field size is adapted to the size of the surgical field while taking account of the luminance distribution. |
| US10667868B2 |
System and methods for performing surgery on a patient at a target site defined by a virtual object
System and methods for performing surgery at a target site defined by a virtual object. A surgical navigation system includes a patient tracker to be attached to a patient. A localizer cooperates with the patient tracker and generates localizer data associated with the target site during the surgery. The surgical navigation system also includes a vision device to generate image data associated with the target site and surfaces surrounding the target site. A navigation computer in communication with the localizer and the vision device is configured to determine a region to be avoided outside of the target site based on the localizer data and the image data. In some cases, a second virtual object is generated to define the region to be avoided so that a surgical instrument used during the surgery avoids the region. |
| US10667862B2 |
Laser-based surgical systems and related methods
According to one aspect, a medical system may include a laser source for providing laser energy. The medical system may also include a fluid source containing a fluid for absorbing the laser energy to generate heat. The medical system may further include a medical device operatively coupled to the laser source and the fluid source. The medical device may include a shaft having a distal end, and a cap at the distal end of the shaft. The cap may include a lens and a reflector for deflecting the laser energy toward the lens. The lens may be configured to emit the laser energy from the cap toward a target. |
| US10667857B2 |
Tissue extraction devices and methods
Tissue may be cut and extracted from an interior location in a patient's body using a probe or tool which both effects cutting and causes vaporization of a liquid or other fluid to propel the cut tissue through an extraction lumen of the cutting device. The cutting may be achieved using an electrosurgical electrode assembly, including a first electrode on a cutting member and a second electrode within a cutting probe or tool. Thus, over a first cutting portion, radio frequency current may help cut the tissue and over a second or over transition region, the RF current may initiate vaporization of the fluid or other liquid to propel the tissue from the cutting device. |
| US10667854B2 |
Endovascular near critical fluid based cryoablation catheter and related methods
An endovascular near critical fluid based cryoablation catheter for creating an elongated lengthwise-continuous lesion in tissue can comprise an elongated shaft, a flexible distal tissue treatment section, and a distal tip. A plurality of flexible tubes can extend through the distal treatment section to transport a near critical fluid to and from the distal tip. The distal treatment section can also include a flexible fluid-sealed cover or barrier layer surrounding the delivery tubes. The cover and tubes can collectively define a space which is filled with a fluidic thermally conductive media. The thermally conductive media, fluid delivery tubes, and the cover can be arranged such that a flow of the near critical fluid through the tube bundle transfers heat between a target tissue and the distal treatment section of the catheter thereby creating the elongated lengthwise-continuous lesion in the tissue. |
| US10667853B2 |
Cable-lock for orthopedic cables
A cable-lock device includes a housing, having a length-axis between a distal end for accepting a cable and a proximal end for exiting a cable, including a first bore parallel to the length-axis of the housing and configured to allow passage of the cable, a second bore off-center from and parallel to the first bore including a tappet axially displaceable in the second bore and parallel to the length axis of the housing, and a third bore oblique to the first bore which intersects with the first bore including a locking roller axially displaceable in the third bore with a predetermined angulation to the length-axis of the housing, a resilient structure which exerts a force on the locking roller in the direction of the intersection of the first bore and the third bore, and a fastener unit at the proximal end of the third bore. |
| US10667851B2 |
Prosthetic sternum device with manubrium
A prosthetic sternum device with a manubrium includes a plate and a device for attachment to ribs. Each of the devices for attachment to ribs includes an end for rigid connection to the plate and an end provided with a device for engaging with a rib. The plate further includes, in the upper region of same, two elements. Each element rigidly connects a pin and includes a polyaxial joint shaped to allow the multidirectional mobility of the pin. |
| US10667848B2 |
Apparatus and method for percutaneously extending an existing spinal construct
Apparatus and devices for percutaneously extending an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. The additional spinal construct comprises a rod connector that includes an elongate additional rod integrally attached thereto. The additional rod is placed through an access port in a first orientation generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the access port and rotated to a different second orientation generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the access port. During such rotation the additional rod is moved subcutaneously beneath the skin of the patient from the existing spinal rod to an additional bone engaging implant. In another arrangement, the extension of an existing spinal construct in a minimally invasive procedure comprises a rod connector having an offset support for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed laterally interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct. |
| US10667846B2 |
Device for fixating a rod to a bone
A device (1) for fixating a rod (10) on a bone with a tulip, with a pedicle screw (2) and with a tightening screw (5). The rod clamp (6) is pivotable to the tightening screw and can follow transverse motions of the rod (10). This increases the stability of the entire structure, particularly in the application in spine surgery. |
| US10667844B2 |
Method and apparatus for spinal stabilization
A method and apparatus of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae of a patient includes advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebrae. A proximal portion of the stabilization device is positioned such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae by contacting a surface of the superior vertebrae. |
| US10667843B2 |
Gripper head for grabbing a tick and a tick gripper
A gripper head for grabbing and fixing a tick comprises two facing gripping jaws, wherein the gripper head can adopt a state with open gripping jaws and a state with closed gripping jaws. The gripper head further comprises a holder comprising a closing spring for holding the two gripping jaws, wherein the gripping jaws are configured such that each of them has a curved outer side and a flat inner side, the closing spring acts on the two gripping jaws, and in the closed state of the gripping jaws the flat inner sides of the two gripping jaws lie on each other such that a closed body is formed. The gripper head is design to be accommodated and fastened to a tick gripper. |
| US10667839B2 |
Tissue removing device
Tissue can be removed from a patient with a catheter or other medical device having a cutting member. A source of suction can be coupled to the device for suctioning removed tissue through a lumen in the device and out of the patient's body. |
| US10667835B2 |
Ultrasonic surgical instrument with end effector having restricted articulation
An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide comprises a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section comprises a plurality of body portions aligned along the longitudinal axis and a flexible locking member. The flexible locking member is operable to secure the body portions in relation to each other and in relation to the shaft. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis. |
| US10667833B2 |
Guidewire with an atraumatic clot-circumventing configured distal end for use in an endovascular medical system
An endovascular medical system for use with a clot located in a target vessel. The system including a guidewire formed by a core wire. The guidewire extending in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to an opposite atraumatic clot-circumventing configured distal end; and a lateral direction of the atraumatic clot-circumventing configured distal end of the guidewire being defined transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guidewire. The atraumatic clot-circumventing configured distal end is designed to prevent injury to an inner wall of the target vessel and prohibit insertion of any portion of the guidewire into a perforator vessel. |
| US10667832B2 |
Medical retrieval devices and related methods
A medical device may include a shaft and an end-effector extending distally of the shaft. The end-effector may be expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The end-effector may include a proximal nose and a distal body. The proximal nose may have a radial dimension smaller than a radial dimension of the distal body in the expanded configuration. The end-effector may include a plurality of legs and a transition point of each leg may be located between the nose and the distal body along a common plane normal to the shaft. The shaft may include proximal ends of the legs wrapped about one another. |
| US10667830B2 |
Collagen stimulation device and methods
Device for safely and precisely causing micro-injuries to the dermis to stimulate collagen production a skim remodeling. Specifically, needles on the device pierce the epidermis and basal cell layer into the dermis. The device incorporates safety features for the operator to be able to operate the device with one hand while keeping the other had free during procedures. Additionally, the device incorporates single use safety controls to help prevent cross contamination between patients. |
| US10667826B2 |
Surgical saw blade with deformable lock teeth and method of manufacturing
A surgical saw and complementary blade. The blade has lock teeth that are more ductal than the cutting teeth. The saw coupling assembly has an anvil and a press. The saw coupling assembly holds the blade to the saw by compressing the saw lock teeth between the anvil and the press so as to result the coining of the lock teeth. |
| US10667816B2 |
Vascular coupling device
Implementations of the present disclosure relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for anastomosing vascular systems in medical procedures. A pair of similar or identical coupling devices may be disposed at the ends of two vessels, either natural or synthetic. The coupling devices may be capable of hermaphroditically connecting to one another to provide a simple and secure connection which promotes growth of the vessels between the bio-absorbable coupling devices. |
| US10667815B2 |
Tissue grasping devices and related methods
A tissue gripping device is formed from a shape-memory material, and has a base section, a first arm, and a second arm disposed opposite the first arm, each arm having a first end coupled to the base section and a free end extending from the base section. The arms of the tissue gripping device are configured to resiliently flex toward a relaxed configuration in a distal direction as the tissue gripping device is moved from a pre-deployed configuration toward a deployed configuration. The tissue gripping device is usable in a method for gripping tissue. The method includes positioning the tissue gripping device near target tissue and moving the tissue gripping device from a pre-deployed configuration toward a deployed configuration in order to grip the target tissue. |
| US10667813B2 |
Adapter with centering mechanism for articulation joint
A joint assembly of an adapter defines a first longitudinal axis and includes first and second hinges, first and second rings, a joint cover, and a biasing mechanism. The joint cover has first and second cover portions. The first ring is pivotally coupled to the first hinge and the first cover portion is pivotally coupled to the first hinge to define a first joint center. The second ring is pivotally coupled to the second cover portion and the second hinge is pivotally coupled to the second ring to define a second joint center that is spaced from the first joint center. The first and second joint centers define a cover axis of the joint cover. The biasing mechanism is engaged with the first ring and the joint cover to bias the joint cover towards an aligned configuration in which the cover axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis. |
| US10667812B2 |
Modular powered electrical connection for surgical instrument with features to prevent electrical discharge
An apparatus includes a body assembly, a modular shaft assembly, and a coupling detection assembly. The body assembly includes a control circuit, a battery pack operable to power the control circuit, and a first electrical contact assembly. The modular shaft assembly includes a second electrical contact assembly that is configured to operatively engage the first electrical contact assembly when the modular shaft assembly selectively couples with the body assembly. A detection trigger member is configured to activate a detection activation member such that the detection activation member communicates a first detection signal to the control circuit when the modular shaft assembly selectively couples with the body assembly. The control circuit is configured to verify operative engagement between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact in response to the control circuit receiving the first detection signal. |
| US10667805B1 |
Steerable suture retriever
A positioning and retrieval device manipulated by carrying element coupled to an handle and driven by an actuator that allows for axial movement and rotational movement of a capturing portion on the carrying element. |
| US10667798B2 |
Surgical tool handle assemblies and related methods
A surgical tool handle assembly can include a handle body and a tool locking mechanism. The handle body can have a tool receiving end for receiving a mating end of a surgical tool. The tool locking mechanism can be configured to securely engage the surgical tool mating end, thereby locking the surgical tool to the handle. The locking mechanism can include a ramp feature, a locking cam, and an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism can be configured to actuate the cam to engage the ramp feature as the cam engages the tool mating end to lock the tool to the handle. A surgical kit and a method of locking a surgical tool to a tool handle are also disclosed. |
| US10667796B2 |
Method and system for registering a medical image with a graphical model
An ultrasound imaging system and method includes accessing a graphical model of a representative patient, accessing a medical image of an anatomical structure, and registering the medical image with the graphical model to generate a composite image. The imaging system and method includes displaying the composite image and simultaneously displaying an unregistered medical image of the anatomical structure with the composite image. The unregistered medical image has at least one of a higher resolution and a larger form factor than the registered medical image. |
| US10667792B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, ultrasonic image processing apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus control method
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment performs ultrasonic scans having a plurality of times of ultrasonic transmission and reception as a basic unit, and acquires reception signals respectively for reception rasters allocated with respect to a predetermined region of a subject. The apparatus generates first signals corresponding to the reception rasters respectively by performing adding processing or low-pass filtering having a time of the ultrasonic scan as a unit with respect to the reception signals respectively acquired for the reception rasters, and acquires power information of a moving body in the predetermined region based on a second signal to be obtained by performing an MTI filtering with respect to the first signals. The apparatus acquires velocity information of the moving body based on a third signal obtained by performing the MTI filtering with respect to the reception signals respectively acquired for the reception rasters. |
| US10667789B2 |
Laser assisted ultrasound guidance
An instrument monitoring apparatus includes a guide and sensing component configured to be attached to an ultrasound probe. The guide and sensing component includes a source of illumination configured to project a light beam into a light plane; and a light receiver aligned with the light plane and configured to quantify an amount of light reflected from an object in the light plane to the light receiver by receiving the amount of reflected light and converting it to an electrical signal. A control component includes a processor configured to receive the electrical signal from the light receiver, and based on a magnitude of the amount of light represented by the electrical signal, determine whether the object is sufficiently within the light plane. The processor instructs output of a first signal when it is determined that the object is sufficiently within the light plane. The processor instructs output of a second signal that is distinct from the first signal, when it is determined that the object is not sufficiently within the light plane. |
| US10667788B2 |
Ultrasound imaging pickup apparatus
Reception beamforming is executed using delay times that complexly vary in accordance with differences between transmission conditions. An irradiation area 32 of a transmission beam is calculated, and the lengths of segments, using which delay times are calculated, are set in accordance with the positional relationships between the calculated irradiation area 32 and reception scanning lines 31. For example, the reception scanning lines 31 are divided into areas A to C, and the lengths of segments 40b in the outer area B located outside of the irradiation area 32 are set shorter than the lengths of segments 40a and 40c in the inner areas A and C. |
| US10667786B2 |
Ultrasound imaging apparatus and method for segmenting anatomical objects
An ultrasound imaging apparatus (10) for segmenting an anatomical object in a field of view (29) of an ultrasound acquisition unit (14) is disclosed. The ultrasound imaging apparatus comprises a data interface (32) configured to receive a two-dimensional ultrasound data (30) of the object in the field of view in an image plane from the ultrasound acquisition unit and to receive a three-dimensional segmentation model (46) as a three-dimensional representation of the object from a segmentation unit (36). An image processor (34) is configured to determine a two-dimensional segmentation model (50) on the basis of the three-dimensional segmentation model and a segmentation plane (48), wherein the segmentation plane and an image plane of the two-dimensional ultrasound data correspond to each other. The image processor is configured to adapt a contour of the two-dimensional segmentation model to the two-dimensional ultrasound data on the basis of pattern detection and where the image processor is configured to provide annotated two-dimensional image data (42) on the basis of the two-dimensional ultrasound data and the adapted segmentation model aligned to the two-dimensional ultrasound data. |
| US10667785B2 |
Scanning mechanisms for imaging probe
The present invention provides scanning mechanisms for imaging probes using for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes include adjustable rotational drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to an imaging assembly containing either optical or ultrasound transducers which emit energy into the surrounding area. The imaging assembly includes a scanning mechanism having including a movable member configured to deliver the energy beam along a path out of said elongate hollow shaft at a variable angle with respect to said longitudinal axis to give forward and side viewing capability of the imaging assembly. The movable member is mounted in such a way that the variable angle is a function of the angular velocity of the imaging assembly. |
| US10667784B2 |
Component-based catheter lab intravascular ultrasound system
A componentized intravascular ultrasound system is disclosed that flexibly integrates with a catheter lab infrastructure for acquisition and display of intravascular information in a catheter lab environment. The system includes a patient interface module (PIM) adapted to hold a catheter having an imaging probe located near a distal end, a control panel, a monitor for displaying images and patient data, and a processing unit. The processing unit is communicatively coupled to the PIM, the control panel, and the monitor. Furthermore the processing unit adapted to: coordinate operation of the PIM, the control panel, and the monitor; and generate images from image data provides by the PIM. The PIM, control panel and monitor are independently positionable with regard to one another. |
| US10667783B1 |
Stethoscope with sound recognition capacity
The stethoscope with sound recognition capacity is an electric stethoscope. The stethoscope with sound recognition capacity comprises a stethoscope and a sound processing device. The stethoscope is a traditional medical device used to listen for audible sounds inside a patient. The stethoscope of the stethoscope with sound recognition capacity performs this traditional function. The sound processing device is an electrical circuit housed within the stethoscope. The sound processing device: a) converts the audible sounds captured by the stethoscope into an electrical signal; b) processes the electrical signal to extract diagnostic information; c) processes the extracted diagnostic information to identify one or more conditions of diagnostic relevance found in the patient; and, d) makes an audible spoken announcement of the one or more conditions of diagnostic relevance. |
| US10667781B2 |
Reference detector normalization using generator current feedback
A CT system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening to receive an object to be scanned, a high-voltage generator, an x-ray tube positioned on the gantry to generate x-rays through the opening, and a pixelated detector positioned on the gantry to receive the x-rays. The system includes a computer programmed to cause the x-ray tube to generate x-rays, at a given high-voltage generator voltage (kV), toward a sub-set of detector pixels when no object is present within the opening, measure an output of the sub-set of detector pixels for a given number of views during the x-ray generation and for a total integration time, and determine a calibration factor based on the measured output and based on a generator feedback current measured during the total integration time. |
| US10667779B2 |
Operation device and x-ray imaging unit
An operation device (200) for remotely operating an X-ray imaging device (1) includes an operation unit (280), a grip detection unit (240), which determines whether an operation received by the operation unit (280) is a normal operation or an erroneous operation, and a control unit (230), which transmits an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the X-ray imaging device (1). The control unit (230) transmits the signal when the grip detection unit (240) determines that the operation is a normal operation. The operation device is prevented from causing an erroneous operation of its target device. |
| US10667774B2 |
X-ray CT apparatus
An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes a photon counting detector and processing circuitry. The photon counting detector includes a plurality of detection areas arranged in a channel direction and a column direction and is configured to output detection signals corresponding to the quantity of photons incident thereto, the detection areas each including a plurality of detecting elements. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate a heat generation amount for each of the detection areas on the basis of the detection signal corresponding to the incident photons detected in the detection area, to determine a control amount on the basis of the heat generation amount calculated for each of the detection areas, and to control temperature in each of the detection areas by using the determined control amount. |
| US10667773B2 |
Mobile medical imaging robot
A mobile medical imaging robot is disclosed. The robot comprises a medical imaging device, and a vehicle configured to carry the medical imaging device. The vehicle is motorized so as to move on a surface, such the floor of an examination room. The robot further comprises a cable designed to link said vehicle to a wall of a room, such as a medical examination room. In at least one non-limiting embodiment, motorized robot movements along the surface are controlled manually by a user. |
| US10667771B2 |
Nuclear medicine imaging systems and methods having multiple detector assemblies
Nuclear medicine (NM) imaging system includes a plurality of detector assemblies that each have a movable arm and a detector head that is coupled to the movable arm. The movable arm is configured to move the detector head toward and away from an object. The NM imaging system also includes at least one processor configured to determine a body contour of the object and determine an acquisition configuration using the body contour. The acquisition configuration includes at least three of the detector heads positioned in a dense group that borders the body contour. The detector heads in the dense group are primary detector heads. The at least one processor is also configured to move at least one of the object or one or more of the primary detector heads so that the primary detector heads are in the dense group near the object. |
| US10667770B2 |
Intra-oral imaging
An probe body comprising:one or more light sources; one or more light sensors; an x-ray detector configured to detect, using at least one of the one or more light sensors, light from a scintillator for converting extra-orally applied x-rays to light; and a lower energy light detector configured to detect, using at least one of the one or more light sensors, light from an object illuminated by at least one of the one or more light sources. |
| US10667767B2 |
Systems and methods for selecting bowtie filter configuration
An imaging system is provided including a selectable pre-object filter module, a detector, and a processing unit. The selectable pre-object filter module is configured to absorb radiation from the X-ray source to control distribution of X-rays passed to an object to be imaged. The selectable pre-object filter module has plural pre-object filter configurations providing corresponding X-ray distributions, and is selectable between the plural configurations to provide a selected pre-object filter configuration for a scan of the object. The detector is configured to receive X-rays that have passed through the object. The processing unit is operably coupled to the selectable pre-object filter module and the detector, and is configured to identify an anatomy to be imaged, determine a corresponding image quality and radiation dose for each of the plural pre-object filter configurations; and select the selected pre-object filter configuration based upon the determined corresponding image qualities and radiation doses. |
| US10667766B2 |
Method and system for monitoring multiple patient parameters on a touchscreen
Handheld patient-monitoring device is provided that includes a touchscreen having a display area. The touchscreen is configured to present a first chart section in the display area of the touchscreen. The device is also configured to detect an input gesture on the touchscreen that is indicative of a swipe along the touchscreen. The device is also configured to replace, in response to detecting the input gesture, the first chart section with a second chart section such that the second chart section is presented in the display area and the first chart section is not presented in the display area. The second chart section has at least one parameter region that displays information relating to a respective patient parameter. Replacement of the first chart section with the second chart section is visually indicated to the user. |
| US10667765B2 |
Automated smart watch assistance in the event of cardiac arrest
A method, computer system, and a computer program product for automated smart watch assistance is provided. The present invention may include detecting a distress signal from a sensor of a distressed user device. The present invention may then include broadcasting a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) request based on detecting the distress signal from the sensor of the distressed user device. The present invention may then include receiving a response to the broadcasted CPR request based on an altered direction of travel of a responding user device. The present invention may finally include establishing a connection between the distressed user device and the responding user device. |
| US10667764B2 |
Mobile patient alarm display
This disclosure describes example alarm notification systems that can enable a clinician to respond to an alarm notification received via a computing device, which may have more advanced functionality than a pager. The clinician device may be a mobile device, such as a cellphone or smartphone, tablet, laptop, personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like. The clinician device may communicate with a remote server to obtain patient data generated by a patient device at the point-of-care (such as a bedside device or patient-worn monitor). This patient data may be continuous monitoring data for one or more patients. A mobile application (optionally a browser application) on the clinician device can enable the clinician to view continuous monitoring data for multiple patients, as well as view and respond to alarms and alerts, all from the clinician device, regardless of location. |
| US10667763B2 |
Processing device, method, and recording medium for graphical visualization of biological information
A biological information processing device includes a controller programmed to obtain biological information indicating a body condition, and associate different kinds of the biological information with respective specific graphical elements. Each of the respective specific graphical elements constitute a respective specific appearance of a graphical figure, with one of the respective specific graphical elements representing a surface count of a polyhedron which changes in relation to a numerical change in the biological information. The controller is further programmed to set value to the specific graphical element depending on degree of the biological information for at least one specific graphical element associated with the biological information obtained, and generate indicating data of a biological figure on the basis of the value set, the biological figure being an aggregate of the specific graphical elements. |
| US10667752B2 |
Catheter force control device
A hand-held catheter force control device includes an elongate base sized to be hand-held. The base defines a longitudinal axis between first and second opposing longitudinal ends. A linear actuator is mounted to the base to provide linear motion substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. A sheath clamp is coupled to the base. The sheath clamp is sized to fixedly capture a sheath handle. A catheter clamp is coupled to the linear actuator. The catheter clamp is sized to fixedly capture a catheter, and is aligned to be substantially co-axial with the sheath clamp. Systems and methods can incorporate the catheter force control device. |
| US10667746B2 |
Apparatus and method for assessing laxity of a joint
An apparatus for evaluating motions of a joint is provided that is designed for determining stability of an anatomical joint. The apparatus includes a support frame, a fixation assembly for securing a first body segment of a joint, and a displacement assembly mounted to the support frame. The fixation assembly includes an axis of rotation movable relative to the support frame. The displacement assembly includes a first frame pivotably mounted to the support frame and rotatably connected to a first end of the fixation assembly, and a second frame pivotably mounted to the support frame and rotatably connected to a second end of the fixation assembly. |
| US10667742B2 |
Systems, devices and methods for monitoring breastfeeding
Breast monitoring systems and methods are described including a flexible substrate fabricated to substantially conform to one or more breasts of a subject; dynamically bendable optical fibers associated with the flexible substrate; a light source operably coupled to the optical fibers; a photodetector positioned to detect light reception from the optical fibers; a reporting device; and a microcontroller including a microprocessor and circuitry, wherein the circuitry includes input circuitry configured to receive a first set of signals and at least one second set of signals from the photodetector; calculation circuitry configured to calculate a curvature delta value based on a comparison of the received first and at least one second set of signals, and calculate a breast volume delta value from the calculated curvature delta value; and reporting circuitry configured to transmit a signal to the reporting device based on the calculated breast volume delta value. |
| US10667739B2 |
Olfaction test device
An olfactory examination apparatus includes: an odor generating unit having an odorant generating mechanism that stores an odorant and generates an odorous gas having a defined concentration or an defined intensity and an odorless gas generating mechanism; a gas supply unit configured to alternately supply an odorous gas or an odorless gas having a defined concentration or a defined intensity of the odor from the odorant generating mechanism and the odorless gas generating mechanism to an examinee through an odor presentation mechanism placed on a nostril portion of the examinee, and a reply unit that allows the examinee to express an answer when smelling the odorant in order to examine an olfactory function. |
| US10667737B2 |
Monitoring a person for indications of a brain injury
Embodiments include methods, systems and computer program products for monitoring a person for a traumatic brain injury. Aspects include monitoring a gait of the user with one or more accelerometers embedded in the uniform and analyzing, by a processor, one or more characteristics of the gait of the user. Aspects also include determining whether the one or more characteristics of the gait indicate that the user may have suffered the traumatic brain injury and creating an alert that the user of the helmet may have suffered the traumatic brain injury. |
| US10667736B2 |
Systems and methods for assessing sympathetic nervous system tone for neuromodulation therapy
Systems and methods for assessing sympathetic nervous system (SNS) tone for renal neuromodulation therapy are disclosed herein. A system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a detector attached to or implanted in a patient and a receiver communicatively coupled to the detector. The detector can measure cardiac data and the receiver and/or a device communicatively coupled thereto can analyze the cardiac data to provide one or more SNS tone indicators. The SNS tone indicators can be used to determine whether a patient will be responsive to a neuromodulation therapy and/or whether a neuromodulation therapy was effective. |
| US10667734B2 |
Method for providing a signal quality degree associated with an analyte value measured in a continuous monitoring system
A method for providing a signal quality degree associated with an analyte value measured in a continuous monitoring system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: receiving a measured analyte value from a biosensor; determining at least two impact parameters, wherein each of the impact parameters is influenced by an operational status of the continuous monitoring system and wherein each of the impact parameters is capable of exerting an influence on the signal quality of the biosensor and wherein the influence of each of the impact parameters on the signal quality of the biosensor is expressed by a weight assigned to each of the impact parameters; and determining the signal quality degree associated with the measured analyte value as a function of the weights and the corresponding impact parameters; and providing the signal quality degree associated with the analyte value. Further methods are also disclosed. |
| US10667730B2 |
Analyte sensing biointerface
Disclosed herein is an analyte sensing biointerface that comprises a sensing electrode incorporated within a non-conductive matrix comprising a plurality of passageways extending through the matrix to the sensing electrode. Also disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing a sensing biointerface and methods of detecting an analyte within tissue of a host using an analyte sensing biointerface. |
| US10667726B2 |
Gait posture meter and program
A gait posture meter that evaluates a gait posture of a measurement subject includes an accelerometer affixed to a centerline of the measurement subject's waist area and a computation unit. The computation unit calculates a Z feature amount and an X feature amount indicating a degree of a difference between up-down and front-rear axis direction accelerations of the waist area in a left leg reference period and up-down and front-rear axis direction accelerations of the waist area in a right leg reference period using a timewise change waveform in three axis accelerations outputted by the accelerometer, and calculates a Y feature amount indicating a degree of a difference between a displacement of a left-right axis direction trajectory of the waist area in the left leg reference period and a displacement of the left-right axis direction trajectory of the waist area in the right leg reference period by finding a second-level integration of the left-right axis acceleration outputted by the accelerometer. |
| US10667723B2 |
Systems and methods for video-based monitoring of vital signs
The present invention relates to the field of medical monitoring, and in particular non-contact, video-based monitoring of pulse rate, respiration rate, motion, and oxygen saturation. Systems and methods are described for capturing images of a patient, producing intensity signals from the images, filtering those signals to focus on a physiologic component, and measuring a vital sign from the filtered signals. Examples include flood fill methods and skin tone filtering methods. |
| US10667721B1 |
System for detecting and avoiding blood vessels
Devices detect and assist in the avoidance of blood vessels during a surgical procedure—to avoid rupturing these blood vessels. Devices may be any penetration sensor device (such as a dilator sensor device, hollow needle sensor device, or trocar sensor device) that penetrates the skin and subcutaneous layers to reach a target location inside the body. The device includes a sensor probe which can make optical measurements to determine various parameters of the tissue at the tip of the sensor probe. These parameters may include an optical signal level returned from tissue contacting the tip of the sensor probe, an oxygen saturation level of the tissue, a total hemoglobin concentration, a blood flow, and a pulse. Based on these parameters, the presence or absence of a blood vessel at the tip of the device can be determined while the device travels towards the target location for surgery. |
| US10667708B2 |
Ultrasound diagnostic device
A velocity vector calculating unit 40 obtains velocity vectors at various coordinates in a blood flow, on the basis of signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, thereby generating a plurality of vector frames, each formed from velocity vectors at a plurality of coordinates. An interpolation processing unit 50 generates interpolated frames by employing an interpolation process between two adjacent vector frames, and adds one or a plurality of such interpolated frames between said vector frames. The interpolation processing unit 50 generates each interpolated frame, formed from interpolated vectors at a plurality of coordinates, by means of an interpolation process based on velocity vectors between the two adjacent vector frames. |
| US10667707B2 |
Microangiography method and system based on full-space modulation spectrum splitting and angle compounding
A microangiography method and system based on full-space modulation spectrum splitting and angle compounding is disclosed. Label-free three-dimensional optical coherence tomography angiography is realized by combining the three-dimensional space resolution capability of an optical coherence tomography and the motion recognition capability of a dynamic scattering technology. Probe light of different incident angles is encoded with a transverse scanning modulation spectrum in a spatial frequency domain, incident angle-resolved sub-angiograms which are independent of one another are obtained by splitting the modulation spectrum, and an angiogram with multiple space angles compounded is realized. Conjugate mirror images are removed from a depth (z) domain, a complex-valued OCT interference spectra are reconstructed, the full-space modulation spectrum is obtained in the spatial frequency domain, and the overlap of the modulation spectrum conjugate mirror images is avoided. And the absolute flow velocity of blood flow can be measured through a multi angle-resolved probing technology. |
| US10667703B2 |
Apparatus for tracking a specific blood pressure
A device is configured for tracking e.g. the diastolic blood pressure in a patient. The device applies a pressure to a body part, e.g. by use of an inflatable cuff. By performing repeated and alternating pressure changes in the cuff, a specific feature of a signal that relates to the diastolic blood pressure can be tracked and possibly measured. The device may have particular use in conjunction with cardiopulmonary resuscitation devices. |
| US10667702B2 |
Coaxial dual lumen pigtail catheter
A coaxial dual lumen pigtail catheter utilizes coaxial construction incorporating a thin wall guiding catheter technology for the outer lumen and using a strong braided diagnostic technology for the central lumen to accommodate high-pressure injections. The catheter includes a manifold body to provide for connection to each of the dual lumens. The distal end of the coaxial dual lumen pigtail catheter tapers to a more flexible portion that is perforated by spiral side holes to provide for more undistorted pressure readings in the left ventricle. The coaxial dual lumen pigtail catheter also utilizes proximal straight sideholes at the end of the dual lumen portion and a taper between the dual lumen portion and the single lumen portion. |
| US10667699B2 |
Medical image processing apparatus
According to one embodiment, a medical image processing apparatus includes first specifier, second specifier, determiner and display controller. First specifier collates an ischemic region calculated from a blood vessel visualized into a three-dimensional image in a plurality of phases with a dominating region of the blood vessel, and specifies a culprit vessel in the ischemic region. Second specifier specifies a culprit stenosis in the culprit vessel based on a pressure index calculated from the blood vessel. Determiner determines a connection position to connect a bypass vessel that makes a detour around the culprit stenosis. Display controller displays the determined connection position on a display. |
| US10667697B2 |
Identification of posture-related syncope using head-mounted sensors
Described herein are embodiments of systems and a method to identify orthostatic hypotension and postural-orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. One system includes a head-mounted device configured to measure photoplethysmographic signal (PPG signal) at a region on a user's head, and a head-mounted camera configured to capture images indicative of the user's posture. Additionally, the system includes a computer that calculates systolic and diastolic blood pressure values based on the PPG signal, and identifies orthostatic hypotension based on a drop of systolic blood pressure below a first threshold, and/or a drop of diastolic blood pressure below a second threshold, within a predetermined duration from a transition in the posture from supine to sitting posture, or from sitting to standing posture. |
| US10667694B2 |
Apparatus for imaging skin
An apparatus for skin imaging is provided. The apparatus is used in conjunction with a mobile device to obtain digital images using a digital camera and a light source provided by the mobile device. The apparatus includes an optical system for illuminating an object to be imaged with uniform ambient light and a light conduit for delivering reflected light to the mobile device digital camera. The apparatus is removably attachable to the mobile device and/or a mobile device case. One or more optical elements, such as lenses, films, filters, and light caps may be used to improve image quality and/or acquire magnified images. |
| US10667690B2 |
Compressive sensing sparse sampling photoplethysmogram (PPG) measurement
A photoplethysmogram (PPG) measurement includes the use of compressive sensing based on samples generated in accordance with a fixed pattern. A pulse oximeter circuit can drive an LED according to the fixed pattern to create a compressive sensing sample matrix of sparse measurements. The fixed pattern can be a binary progression. The PPG signal reconstruction can include zero padding the sample matrix. |
| US10667688B2 |
Multi-vital sign detector of SpO2 blood oxygenation and heart rate from a photoplethysmogram sensor and respiration rate, heart rate variability and blood pressure from a micro dynamic light scattering sensor in an electronic medical records system
In some implementations, an apparatus includes a first microprocessor, a digital infrared sensor operably coupled to the first microprocessor, an ambient temperature sensor operably coupled to the first microprocessor, a battery operably coupled to the first microprocessor, a multi-vital-sign finger cuff that is detachable and removable from the apparatus and that includes: a printed circuit board, a SpO2 subsystem that is operably coupled to the printed circuit board and that includes a photoplethysmogram sensor and that is operably coupled to the printed circuit board, the photoplethysmogram sensor includes one infrared detector that detects infrared energy at two different transmitted wavelengths, red and near infrared, and a micro dynamic light scattering sensor, the micro dynamic light scattering sensor includes two photo diode receivers and one laser transmitter. |
| US10667687B2 |
Monitoring system for physiological parameter sensing device
A system for detecting a physiological parameter of a subject includes a sensing device attached to a patient and an interrogation device for monitoring an operation of the sensing device. The interrogation device is used to interrogate the sensing device to confirm that the sensing device is in proper operation while being attached to the patient. The interrogation device further performs user authentication and determines a type and/or extent of information that can be presented on the interrogation device based on the level of user authentication. |
| US10667686B2 |
Remote monitoring of analyte measurements
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for remote monitoring. In some example implementations, there is provided a method. The method may include receiving, at a remote monitor, a notification message representative of an event detected, by a server, from analyte sensor data obtained from a receiver monitoring an analyte state of a host; presenting, at the remote monitor, the notification message to activate the remote monitor, wherein the remote monitor is configured by the server to receive the notification message to augment the receiver monitoring of the analyte state of the host; accessing, by the remote monitor, the server, in response to the presenting of the notification message; and receiving, in response to the accessing, information including at least the analyte sensor data. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed. |
| US10667680B2 |
Forecasting eye condition progression for eye patients
Aspects extend to methods, systems, and computer program products for forecasting eye condition progression for eye patients. When a patient visits an eye practitioner, the patient (or when appropriate their guardian) may be interested in the current eye condition as well as a prediction of eye condition progression in the future and/or as the patient ages. Aspects of the invention can be used to predict the progress of an eye condition for a patient (e.g., a child) at a number of different post-examination times after an examination. Predicting the progress of an eye condition for a patient over time can be used to assist the eye practitioner in tailoring a treatment plan and/or tailoring a subsequent examination schedule for the patient. |
| US10667674B2 |
Medical instrument with handle
A medical instrument (1) designed in particular as an endoscope (2) has a main body (3) and, formed on the main body (3), an electrical and/or electronic switching device (4) with at least one button (5) for actuating the switching device (4) and the medical instrument (1). The switching device (4) is provided on its outside (6) with a cover (7), which is integrally bonded to the main body (3) of the medical instrument (1) in order to produce a tight connection. Provision is further made that the cover (7) has at least one outwardly directed bulge (8), on which the at least one button (5) of the switching device (4) is formed. |
| US10667673B2 |
Handheld catheter driver with endoscope mount utilizing friction-driven wheel mechanism
An instrument driving mechanism includes an instrument drive assembly (140) including a first set of wheels (136) coupled to a first end portion and a second set (138) of wheels coupled to a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The first set of wheels is configured to engage an elongated instrument (104) therein such that a rotation plane of the first set of wheels is coplanar with a longitudinal axis of the instrument. The second set of wheels is configured to engage the elongated instrument therein such that a rotation plane of the second set of wheels is obliquely oriented with the longitudinal axis of the instrument wherein motion of the instrument is controlled by controlling rotations of the wheels. The instrument drive assembly mounts to a mounting position (149) of a medical device that permits the instrument to pass therethrough and is configured to fix a position of the instrument drive assembly to enable positioning of the instrument. |
| US10667670B2 |
Medical system
In a portable apparatus of a medical system, in a case where an operation unit receives an operation from a physician on the basis of the display contents of a display unit, the medical apparatus controlled as a result of the operation of the operation unit by an operator is defined by an operation control unit, and a signal in response to the operation contents received by the operation unit is transmitted from a transmission unit to the defined medical apparatus. |
| US10667664B2 |
Apparatus and methods for semi-autonomous cleaning of surfaces
An apparatus includes a frame, a drive assembly supported by the frame, an electronic system supported by the frame, and a cleaning assembly coupled to the frame. The drive assembly is configured to move the frame along a surface. The cleaning assembly is configured to engage the surface to transfer detritus from the surface to a storage volume supported by the frame. The electronic system has at least a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to define a path along which the drive assembly travels and is configured to redefined a path along which the drive assembly travels based on at least one signal received from at least one sensor. |
| US10667661B2 |
Cleaner head
A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a main body, a front agitator and a rear agitator, each agitator being rotatable relative to the main body, a mechanism for rotating the front agitator and the rear agitator, and a surface agitating edge located between the front agitator and the rear agitator. |
| US10667659B2 |
Robot cleaner, method of operating the same, and augmented reality system
A robot cleaner includes a display unit, a camera unit configured to capture an image of a cleaning region when cleaning starts, a dust sensor configured to output a sensed signal corresponding to an amount of dust sucked in the cleaning region, and a control unit configured to calculate the amount of dust based on the sensed signal, to start an augmented reality (AR) mode when cleaning ends, to generate an AR image corresponding to the amount of dust, and to control the display module to superimpose the AR image on the image. |
| US10667658B2 |
Pump for removing fluids from floor coverings and related methods
A pump for removing fluid from a floor covering includes a piston chamber, a piston disposed within the piston chamber, a nozzle plate for pressing against the floor covering and having a plurality of nozzles extending therefrom, a reservoir for storing fluid removed from the floor covering, and a diverting valve having an interior. The diverting valve defines a first fluid flow path, a second fluid flow path, and a third fluid flow path. A method of removing fluid from a floor covering includes causing a piston to move in a first direction within a piston chamber, drawing fluid through a plurality of nozzles of a nozzle plate and into the piston chamber, causing the piston to move in a second direction within the piston chamber, and pushing fluid from the piston chamber and into a reservoir extending circumferentially around the piston chamber. |
| US10667653B1 |
Bathroom scrubbing apparatus
A bathroom scrubbing apparatus including a telescopic shaft and a locking mechanism disposed on the telescopic shaft. A clamping member is attached to a front end of the telescopic shaft, and a pair of semi-flexible clamps is attached to the clamping member. At least one scrubbing pad member includes an upper support member, a scrubbing pad, and a handle attachment member. The scrubbing pad is disposed on a lower surface of the upper support member, and the handle attachment member is attached to a upper surface of the upper support member. The handle attachment member of the at least one scrubbing pad member is selectively removable and rotatable within the pair of semi-flexible clamps. |
| US10667652B2 |
Cutting and display tray for cutting proportional sized pieces of pizza
A pizza cutting guide comprising a base having first and second planar surfaces, a peripheral edge, at least one circular centering guide, and a plurality of self-centering cutting grooves formed a planar surface that intersect to subdivide the surface into a plurality of equally spaced pie-shaped segments to center and guide the movement of a cutting utensil in cutting the pizza, wherein at least one centering guide is disposed inwardly from said peripheral edge, and facilitates the placement of the pizza in the center; wherein the cutting grooves radiate from a center point and have terminal ends and middle portions, wherein the middle portions transition to flared openings at the terminal ends and a uniform width and depth in the middle portion between the flared opening and the center point, and has a V-shaped cross section; wherein each of said cutting grooves transition to its deepest and widest points at said peripheral edge; and maintain a consistent ratio of depth to width along the entire length of said cutting groove. |
| US10667650B2 |
Charcoal grill apparatus and method
A charcoal grill apparatus comprising: a cart; an upper surface located on the cart; an ash can opening located on the upper surface; a burner located on the upper surface; a grill kettle, the grill kettle comprising a kettle lid that sits on a lower base section, the lower base section configured to sit on the ash can opening and to sit on the burner; an ash can removably attachable at the underside of the upper surface and aligned with the ash can opening; and an electric blower configured to circulate air from the burner to fuel in the lower base section when the lower base section is sitting on the burner. A method of grilling food, the method comprises: placing charcoal on lower grate in grill kettle; moving lower base section to burner on cart; lighting burner and turning on blower to quickly ignite and prepare charcoal for cooking; moving lower base section to ash can opening on cart, after about 7 minutes; turning off burner and blower; grilling food; emptying coals from lower base section into ash can after allowing to cool; and removing ash can from cart and disposing of coals. A method of grilling food, the method comprises: removing ash can from cart; attaching lower base section to top of ash can; lighting charcoal in lower base section by using the ash can and combustible material to light the charcoal; and grilling food. |
| US10667649B2 |
Disposable, recyclable barbecue grill
A portable, lightweight, disposable kettle-type barbecue grill, a fuel disc for use with the grill, and methods for fabricating, packaging, assembling, and using such a grill and fuel disc, are presented. The grill's components are made of lightweight materials and are configured to be nested inside one another to maximize space efficiency and durability for shipping and storage, and configured for easy unpacking and assembly by the user. Adjustable air vents control the cooking heat and speed. The fuel disc is made from charcoal and optionally includes hardwood chips and lighter fluid. Apertures in the fuel disc work together with the shape of the air vents and the grill to promote even airflow and temperature throughout the grill, resulting in consistent cooking. The grill is inexpensive and is entirely or partly made of recyclable materials, so the user may choose to dispose of the grill after a single use. |
| US10667646B2 |
Apparatus for preparing a coffee beverage, a system comprising such an apparatus, use of a coffee container in such a system or in such an apparatus and a method for preparing a coffee beverage using such an apparatus or using such a system
An apparatus for preparing a coffee beverage. The apparatus comprises a holder for receiving a coffee container. The holder comprising at least one outlet opening having at least one orifice for generating a coffee beverage flow when coffee beverage is fed to the outlet opening. A liquid flow path extends between the orifice and at least one outflow opening for discharging coffee beverage from the apparatus, a coffee outlet chamber being included in the liquid flow path. The apparatus further comprises an air flow generator for during operation- generating a flow of air in the coffee outlet chamber for entraining in the flow of air an aroma of the coffee beverage; said coffee outlet chamber comprising at least one dispenser opening for dispensing coffee beverage aroma in a direction away from the apparatus, in particular into the direction of the user. The at least one dispenser opening is separate from the at least one outflow opening. A method for preparing coffee beverage comprises the step of generating a flow of air in the coffee outlet chamber. |
| US10667643B2 |
Coffee extraction device and method
Provided are a coffee extraction device and a coffee extraction method, which are capable of extracting coffee from a coffee capsule (capsule coffee) and the like. The coffee extraction device can comprise: a coffee extraction unit on which a coffee capsule is to be mounted; a pump for pressurizing water and supplying the same to the coffee extraction unit; a flow rate sensor for measuring the flow rate of water to be supplied to the coffee extraction unit; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the pump on the basis of the flow rate to be sensed at the flow rate sensor. |
| US10667642B2 |
Machine for brewing a beverage such as coffee and related method
An embodiment of a machine for brewing a beverage such as coffee includes a chamber and a piston assembly disposed in the chamber. The chamber is operable to receive a liquid such as water and a flavor base such as ground coffee, and to allow the beverage to brew from a mixture of the liquid and the base. The piston assembly is operable to filter a solid such as spent coffee grounds from the brewed beverage by moving in a first direction, and to force the filtered beverage out of the chamber by moving in a second direction. By modifying or automating some or all steps of the French press brewing technique, such a machine may control one or more of the brewing parameters with a level of precision that yields brewed coffee having a uniform taste from cup to cup. Furthermore, such a machine may brew the coffee with a speed that renders the machine suitable for use by establishments that serve significant amounts of coffee. |
| US10667636B1 |
Air conditioning lid for beverage containers
An air conditioning lid for use with beverage containers is provided. The lid is designed to cover the open end of a beverage container and to direct ambient air over or through the contents of the beverage container to generate conditioned air. The lid includes a body and a fan. The body is defined by a container engagement portion that engages with the open end of the beverage container and a duct portion that extends downwardly from the container engagement portion. The duct portion defines a first air channel through which ambient air drawn through an intake opening within the container engagement portion by the fan may be directed towards the contents of a beverage container. Conditioned air resulting from an exchange of heat between the ambient air and contents of the beverage container is directed to users via a second air channel within the container engagement portion. |
| US10667634B2 |
Tableware article with collapsible base
An article of tableware has a container portion defining a well, and a base portion coupled to the container portion. The base portion includes a foot portion and a hinge portion. The hinge portion includes a first hinge line and a second hinge line, and the foot portion is coupled to the hinge portion at the first hinge line. The hinge portion is pivotable about the first and second hinge lines such that the foot portion is movable between an extended position and a retracted position to adjust a height of the tableware article. |
| US10667629B2 |
Product pusher assembly
A product pusher assembly includes a front rail, a base member, and a pusher. The front rail includes a first lower surface and a second lower surface spaced from the first lower surface. The base member is adjustably coupled to the front rail. The base member includes a first upper surface configured to engage the first lower surface. The pusher is coupled to the base member. The pusher includes a second upper surface configured to engage the second lower surface. |
| US10667628B2 |
Food service material dispensers, systems, and methods
Systems for providing on-demand food service material printing for food service are provided herein. A food service material dispenser comprises a roll holder configured to hold a roll of food service material, one or more rollers, and a motor configured to operate to translate the food service material along a path within the dispenser. The dispenser includes a cutting arrangement configured to perform a cut of the food service material to form the sheet of food service material that defines a size associated with a food service order. The dispenser also includes a printer configured to print at least one of order information or personalization information on the food service material that is based on the associated food service order. The dispenser further includes a chute configured to dispense the sheet of food service material, which includes the at least one of order information or personalization information printed thereon. |
| US10667625B2 |
Baby carrier
Described herein is a baby carrier and insert therein. In particular, a multi functional baby carrier that transitions seamlessly from one mode to another to allow the carrying of a child from newborn baby through to a toddler wherein the main body forms an adjustable seat width position to address ergonomic concerns when in a particular carrying mode. The main body portion also comprises a hands through pouch configured to allow a wearer to pass their hands through for additional support when carrying the child. The insert includes an adjustable length back support and is configured to engage with the main body of a multi functional baby carrier without requirement of separate fasteners to retain the insert within the main body of the multi functional baby carrier. |
| US10667624B2 |
Zip-away cover
A cover for creating a sterile sitting environment is provided. The cover includes a front, a side, and the back. The front and the back are connected by the side so as to create an internal volume bounded by the front, the back, and the side, which internal volume is accessible via an opening. The back of the cover can be larger than the front of the cover. The back of the cover can include a central opening. The central opening can be sized and shaped to allow a user to access a portion of a seat, such as a media device, through the central opening. The cover can include a support member positionable below the back. |
| US10667622B1 |
Multi-zone temperature modulation system for bed or blanket
A temperature modulation system for a bed, blanket, or other furniture includes a fluid for moderating temperature change, a number of conduit circuits for directing the fluid through respective zones, a control unit including a thermoelectric device for modulating temperature of the fluid, and a pump. Each of the conduit circuits selectively and independently directs fluid through its respective zone in order to produce a temperature within the zone that is independent of the temperature outside the zone. The system also includes an arrangement of one or more zones in an arrangement in which the control unit is programmed to vary the zone temperature over time according to a schedule. |
| US10667619B1 |
Adjustable foot support stand
The present invention provides an elevated foot support stand comprising a telescopic leg supported on ground by three leg supports and providing a platform fixed to the telescopic leg at top end thereof. The telescopic leg allows for adjusting the height of the platform above the ground. The leg supports are foldable for convenient storage of the foot support stand assembly. Further, the platform can be articulated with respect to the telescopic leg for adjusting angle thereof, and for folding during storage. The foot support stand can be used to support the foot while performing a pedicure, shaving one's legs or applying medication to the foot among other things. |
| US10667618B2 |
Portable deployable stanchion to assist an individual at rest
A portable deployable stanchion assists a seated individual. The stanchion includes an elongate arcuate support base shaped and dimensioned to extend from the heel along the rear of the ankle and at least a portion of the calf of an individual. A first telescoping member is pivotally attached to the support base. A second articulating support member is attached to the support base and to the telescoping member. The telescoping member when deployed has a length in the range of twelve to twenty-four inches. |
| US10667607B2 |
Retracting mechanism for movable furniture parts
A retracting mechanism for first and second furniture parts includes a guiding structure, a catch member, and a resilient member. The first furniture part includes an engaging feature. The catch member is displaceable between first and second guiding portions of the guiding structure and includes first and second features. While the second furniture part is displaced in a certain direction with respect to the first furniture part, with the catch member initially at the first guiding portion and with the engaging feature caught by one of the first and second features, the catch member is disengaged from the engaging feature such that the resilient member stores a force for assisting in retracting the second furniture part with respect to the first furniture part. |
| US10667602B2 |
Display positioning apparatus and method
An apparatus for positioning an electronic display is described. The apparatus can be combined with an existing work surface to provide a multi-position workstation. In some cases, the apparatus includes a mounting portion configured to support an electronic display and a keyboard. The mounting portion may be movable with respect to the work surface between multiple positions, including for example, a sitting position and a standing position. Methods for positioning an electronic display and a keyboard are also included. |
| US10667600B2 |
Diaper bag backpack
A backpack comprising a first lateral wall including at least one fastener disposed along a first peripheral front edge, a second lateral wall including at least one further fastener disposed along a second peripheral front edge, and a front flap pivotably movable between a closed position and an open position and having at least one third fastener disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the front flap, the at least one third fastener releasably engaging the at least one fastener and the at least one further fastener when the front flap is in a closed position. |
| US10667598B1 |
Sports bag coupling system
A sports bag coupling system comprising a sports bag; a sports glove; and a connector including hook and loop fasteners separably coupling the sports glove and the sports bag. |
| US10667588B2 |
Multiple transaction card holder and dispenser
A card holder for storing a plurality of transaction cards its a stacked configuration inside a case with an internal frame, a side opening and a lower opening. The lower frame is configured to hold a stack of transaction cards. Formed on a face of the case is a finger slot that allow the user to manually rotate the cards when in a stacked configuration inside the case so that the top edge of the cards are staggered and fan outward through a side opening. The lower opening on the case is configured so that when the cards fan outward through the side opening, the lower corners of the cards extend through the lower opening. |
| US10667587B1 |
Rear camera hood
An electronic device protection apparatus conformal with an electronic device including a retaining sheath having a base section disposed so as to substantially cover the rear of the electronic device, and a rim section, including an inner channel, forming a perimeter around and receiving an exterior edge of the electronic device, at least one aperture defined by and extending through one or more of the base section and the rim section, the aperture configured such that an edge of the aperture at least partially surrounds a camera and flash unit of the electronic device, and at least one hood defined by and projecting from the one or more of the base section and the rim section such that the hood and the one or more of the base section and the rim section are a unitary member, wherein the hood substantially surrounds at least a portion of the edge of the aperture and is configured so as to define a non-reflective pass through, non-reflective of flash illumination of the flash unit with respect to the camera. |
| US10667586B2 |
Protective case for mobile electronic device with storage compartment and pivot stand
A protective case for a mobile device having a storage compartment for a user's personal items such as credit cards, license, cash, etc. is disclosed. The protective case includes a first or main panel and a second or sub-panel that are configured to cover the storage compartment and provide access thereto, via a hinged connection. Each panel may also function as independent pivot stand that can position the case in one or more operating/viewing positions. |
| US10667579B2 |
Article of footwear with adjustable fitting system
An article of footwear includes a fitting system with an upper member that is supported by the upper and a strand guide that is supported by the sole structure. The strand guide is flexible and flexes in concert with the sole structure. The strand guide has a guide surface. The fitting system further includes a tensioning system with a flexible strand that is configured to bias the upper member toward the strand guide. The flexible strand has a first section coupled to the upper member and a second section extending through the sole structure. The second section abuts the guide surface. The second section is configured to slide across the guide surface as a result of flexure of the strand guide. The first section and the upper member are configured to move relative to the sole structure as a result of sliding of the second section across the guide surface. |
| US10667578B2 |
Shoe with flexible upper
The invention is a high heel shoe with an upper that will provide comfort and flexibility for the wearer. In a preferred embodiment the upper consists of two at least two materials: 1) a firm fabric, such as leather, that will hold the shape of the design and have limited flexibility; 2) a flat knitted elastic, such as knit elastic, which will not narrow, or not narrow significantly, when stretched. In addition, the firm fabric is configured to have a flex-point and in a preferred embodiment is formed of two pieces of the firm material having a “split” between them providing the desired flex-point. |
| US10667577B2 |
Footwear with sole structure incorporating lobed fluid-filled chamber with protruding end wall portions
A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a fluid-filled chamber component having a central portion, a plurality of lobes extending outward from the central portion, and a plurality of channels formed between the plurality of lobes. The structure also includes a midsole component inter-fitted with the plurality of lobes of the fluid-filled chamber component and having a plurality of projections extending through the plurality of channels of the fluid-filled chamber component. The midsole component forms a portion of the peripheral side surface of the sole structure. At least a first lobe of the plurality of lobes has an exposed distal end wall and includes a projecting portion that extends further outward from the central portion of the fluid-filled chamber component than the portion of the peripheral side surface of the sole structure formed by the midsole component. The exposed distal end wall also includes a faceted surface. |
| US10667561B2 |
Vaporizer
An electronic cigarette or vaporizer may include a shell and a cartomizer receivable within a chamber within a portion of the shell. A basin may be included in the cartomizer to hold a vaporizable fluid, dry substance, or other vaporizable substance such as a wax. A heating element may be provided within the basin which may have a flexible non-conductive material and a flexible conductive material. |
| US10667551B2 |
Smoking article and mouthpiece therefor
The invention relates to a smoking article (1) comprising a smoking article rod portion (2) having a recess (13) and a mouthpiece (81, 91, 101) attachable to the smoking article rod portion. The mouthpiece includes an elongate cylindrical element (20) arranged to be inserted into the recess by a user. The cylindrical element comprises an outer surface having at least one circumferentially extending raised area (83, 103), and the at least one circumferentially extending raised area is configured to engage with an inner surface of the recess to prevent or restrict air flow between the inner surface of the recess and an outer surface of the mouth piece. |
| US10667544B2 |
Bee feed products and methods of using the same
The present disclosure describes bee feed products formulated to increase consumption and methods of feeding such products to bees. Feeding methods involve feeding a bee feed composition on an ad libitum basis to bees where the composition contains an amount of a flavor agent that results in increased consumption. The flavor agent may be hydrated with a liquid to form a solution in some examples. The flavor agent may also be mixed directly with the bee feed composition high in protein. |
| US10667538B2 |
Non-fat dry milk production processes for cheesemaking
Methods of making a powdered dairy composition are disclosed. The methods may include the steps of adding a sequestrant for calcium and rennet to a milk composition to make treated milk, and forming the treated milk into a milk powder. Powdered non-fat dry milk products are also disclosed. The products may include one or more milk proteins that have been enzymatically altered by chymosin, where the chymosin altered proteins are not coagulated. The products may also include one or more sequestants to bind calcium ions in the powdered product. |
| US10667536B2 |
Ready-to-drink milk beverages with improved texture/mouthfeel by controlled protein aggregation, and method of making thereof
The present invention relates to beverage products. In particular, the invention is concerned with a protein system induced by controlled aggregation of milk proteins which imparts outstanding sensory attributes on beverage product, in particular when containing low fat and/or low sugar. A method of producing such beverage and the products obtainable from the method are also part of the present invention. |
| US10667534B2 |
Apparatus and method for cooking an egg
An apparatus for cooking at least one egg with an eggshell, comprises a housing provided with a device for providing microwave radiation in a confined space in the housing and a holder located in the confined space. The holder is provided with at least one cavity adapted to the shape of the egg with the eggshell. The holder comprises at least a first holder part and a second holder part being movable with respect to each other between a first position in which an egg with an eggshell can be positioned in the cavity to a second position wherein the holder parts enclose the cavity. The apparatus further comprises means to insert a liquid into the holder for filling the cavity with the liquid to at least partly surround the eggshell of the egg located in the cavity. The apparatus comprises a container for holding the liquid and a dosing unit to add at least one component to the liquid. |
| US10667532B2 |
Chicken wing cutter and fryer
A chicken wing cutter is provides a safe and sanitary way to cut chicken wings and fry them. The chicken wings cutter is a device that holds chicken wings in place and cut them without having to use a knife. It provides safety measure to cut chicken wings without the use of knives or machinery having to hold and touch the chicken. This will avoid contamination or carrying of such bacteria caused while handling poultry and avoid spills from frying. The device allows you to place the chicken in the cradles. Once secure in the cradles, the chicken cutter cut the chicken in precise pieces in preparation for cooking chicken wings in a fryer. The device has blades within the lid that retracts and closed and oval locked is secure the chicken is ready to cut then after placed on cradle for frying. |
| US10667531B2 |
Method, processing device and processing line for mechanically processing an organ or organs taken out from slaughtered poultry
A method and processing device are provided for processing an organ package taken out from slaughtered poultry. The device uses at least two cooperating rollers that define a nip between the rollers for selectively allowing preselected organs from the organ package to pass through the nip. During operation, the rollers rotate in opposite directions in order to convey the organ package and simultaneously promote that the preselected organs pass through the nip. The rollers have a cross-sectional diameter, the value of which varies as seen in the longitudinal direction of the rollers and depends on the location of the cross-section between an entrance portion and an exit portion of said rollers so as to provide each of the rollers with a superficial curved contour. |
| US10667530B2 |
Automated process for determining amount of meat remaining on animal carcass
An automated process assesses an amount of meat remaining on a trimmed animal carcass by generating image data of the carcass and processing the image data in a computer to calculate the amount of meat remaining on the carcass. The automated process can be carried out using an equation developed by counting pixels in an area of interest in images of a plurality of reference trimmed carcasses from which the remaining meat is thereafter scraped and weighed, to produce data points used to develop the equation which is then used to calculate the amount of meat remaining on a trimmed carcass as it proceeds down a processing line. |
| US10667529B2 |
Method and system for humanely dispatching wounded game
A method, system, and apparatus for humanely dispatching wounded game in the field comprises a shank with a connecting end, a curved region, and a pointed end connected to a grip formed at the connecting end of the shank, and a finger loop. The grip can further comprise a series or flattened portions configured to engage the gaps in a choke tube in order to remove the choke tube. |
| US10667527B1 |
Motorized bread scooper
The motorized bread scooper is a hand-held device comprising a housing, a handle, a motor and a bead loop. The device may be held, using the handle, with the bead loop against a baked product such as a bagel or roll and the motor may be energized. The motor drives a sprocket within the housing and the sprocket pulls the bead loop through the housing. As beads enter one aperture of the housing, other beads exit the housing at another aperture. As the beads move past the bottom surface of the housing, they may contact the baked product and pull small pieces of excessive dough off of the baked product. |
| US10667522B2 |
Compositions comprising recombinant Bacillus cells and another biological control agent
The present invention relates to a composition comprising a) recombinant exosporium-producing Bacillus cells that express a fusion protein comprising: (i) at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide and (ii) a targeting sequence that localizes the fusion protein to the exosporium of the Bacillus cells; and b) at least one further biological control agent selected from particular microorganisms disclosed herein and/or a mutant of a specific strain of a microorganism disclosed herein having all identifying characteristics of the respective strain, and/or at least one metabolite produced by the respective strain, and/or at least one metabolite produced by the respective strain that exhibits activity against insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens in a synergistically effective amount. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of this composition as well as a method for enhancing plant growth, promoting plant health, and/or reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts. |
| US10667521B2 |
Antimicrobial material comprising synergistic combinations of metal oxides
The present invention relates to materials having antimicrobial properties, said materials comprising a polymer having incorporated therein a synergistic combination of at least two metal oxide powders, comprising a mixed oxidation state oxide of a first metal and a single oxidation state oxide of a second metal, the powders being incorporated substantially uniformly within said polymer, wherein the powders have substantially different specific gravities and substantially similar bulk densities and wherein the ions of the metal powders are in ionic contact upon exposure of said material to moisture. There are further provided methods for the preparation of said materials and uses thereof, including in combating or inhibiting the activity of microbes or microorganisms. |
| US10667518B2 |
Pesticidally active heterocyclic derivatives with sulphur containing substituents
Compounds of formula (I) wherein the substituents are as defined in claim 1, and the agrochemically acceptable salts, stereoisomers, enantiomers, tautomers and N-oxides of those compounds, can be used as insecticides and can be prepared in a manner known per se. |
| US10667512B2 |
Terpene-containing compositions and methods of making and using them
The present invention relates to compositions comprising terpenes and hollow glucan particles or cell wall particles and methods for preparing such compositions. The compositions increase terpene stability and activity and provide a suitable carrier for the terpenes. The invention also relates to methods of using such compositions in the medical, veterinary and agricultural fields. |
| US10667510B2 |
Administration and monitoring of nitric oxide in ex vivo fluids
Described are systems and methods for monitoring administration of nitric oxide (NO) to ex vivo fluids. Examples of such fluids include blood in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuits or perfusion fluids used for preserving ex vivo organs prior to transplanting in a recipient. The systems and methods described herein provide for administering nitric oxide to the fluid, monitoring nitric oxide or a nitric oxide marker in the fluid, and adjusting the nitric oxide administration. |
| US10667508B1 |
Mouse trap
A mouse trap has a trigger with a transverse helical spring at the distal end of its upper surface for receiving bait. The bait in the spring increases the likelihood of the trigger being depressed, the latch being released, and the striker striking the mouse. |
| US10667503B2 |
Fishing reel
A fishing reel capable of casting a fishing line in a forward direction includes a reel body, a rotor, a one-way clutch and a case member. The rotor is rotatable relative to the reel body about an axis of rotation and has an internal space. The one-way clutch is configured to transmit power in only one direction. The case member is disposed in the internal space of the rotor and houses the one-way clutch, and has a flange portion projecting in a radially outward direction and a fixing portion disposed behind the flange portion in a position overlapping a part of the flange portion, as viewed from an axial direction, and being fixed to the reel body. |
| US10667500B2 |
Double knockout (GT/CMAH-KO) pigs, organs and tissues
The invention provides double knockout transgenic pigs (GT/CMAH-KO pigs) lacking expression of any functional αGAL and CMAH. Double knockout GT/CMAH-KO transgenic organs, tissues and cells are also provided. Methods of making and using the GT/CMAH-KO pigs and tissue are also provided. |
| US10667497B1 |
Mobile cellular cooling door
A mobile cellular cooling apparatus includes frame having a distribution pipe for carrying and distributing water through the pipe and into a plurality of cells. Excess or unevaporated water is collected in trough and recirculated through the apparatus utilizing a reservoir and a pump. Air passes through the cells and achieves a cooling effect on the air temperature while removing contaminants and/or pollutants. One or more of the apparatuses may be included or installed within a poultry house or structure. One or more apparatuses may be included or installed along with other ventilation components to provide an improved ventilation for such structures or buildings. |
| US10667496B2 |
Bovine rumination and estrus prediction system (BRES) and method
A bovine monitoring system may include a rumination sensor, a motion sensor, a posture sensor. The rumination sensor may detect chewing by sensing jaw motion. The motion sensor may detect motion. The posture sensor may detect orientation of the bovine asset through detection of gravitational acceleration, detection of gyroscopic rotation, or a combination of gravitational acceleration and gyroscopic rotation. Using the recorded rumination, motion, and posture sensors, the bovine asset monitoring system may identify aberrations in the estrous cycle or physical or mental health of the bovine assets. A bovine monitoring system may include a thermal scanning device to detect localized heating of the vulva area of the bovine asset, which may be used to identify aberrations in the estrous cycle or physical or mental health of the bovine assets. |
| US10667494B2 |
Shock resistant tether
A shock absorbing tether comprising an elongated flexible primary strand which is surrounded by a longitudinally elastic casing having terminal ends and which is attached to the primary strand at each of its terminal ends and at at least one point intermediate the terminal ends. |
| US10667493B2 |
Convertible leash and harness system and method
A restraining apparatus for an animal including a combination of a leash and a harness to be used in conjunction with a collar. The restraining apparatus includes a ring defining an opening. A coupling element for fastening to a collar on the animal is mounted to the ring. A substantially rigid arm is mounted to the ring and extends to a free distal end spaced from the ring, with the arm forming a substantially elongated opening with the ring. A leash may be attached to the ring. When the restraining apparatus is applied to the animal as a harness, the coupling element is fastened to the collar, and the leash is wrapped around the torso of the animal, engages the arm at the elongated opening, and may freely slide and tighten around the torso of the animal. |
| US10667492B1 |
Pet waste collector bag
A pet waste collector bag for coupling with two scraper arms for picking up the pet waste includes a bag body and a retaining arrangement coupled to the bag body for retaining the two scraper arms so as to scrape the pet waste into the bag body without needing the scraper arms to touch the pet waste and the hands of the pet owner will not have contact with the pet waste during the pet waste picking operation. |
| US10667490B2 |
Big-dog-accommodating triple-hinged multi-function-shelf-trunk-platform-and-door pet crate, having multi-function slanted urine-storing bed-roof-terrace system, multi-function platform-locking shock-absorbing gusset system, multi-function grooming-platform system, and multi-function big-dog-accommodating triple-hinged triple-front-lock single-top-lock shelf-trunk-platform-and-door system
A big-dog-accommodating triple-hinged multi-function-shelf-trunk-platform-and-door pet crate comprises top, bottom, left, right, front, and rear panels attached to one another, multi-function slanted urine-storing bed-roof-terrace having built-in gutters and ridges disposed on the bottom panel, a grooming platform, multi-function shock-absorbing gussets covering all the corners of the panels to lock the grooming platform and to absorb shocks and vibrations, a big-dog-accommodating triple-hinged multi-function-shelf-trunk-platform-and-door having triple hinges thereon to allow it to close after a big dog enters the pet crate and to allow it to also function as a shelf or a trunk or a platform, triple locking rods to lock the big-dog-accommodating triple-hinged multi-function-shelf-trunk-platform-and-door to the front panel, a palm knob with palm recesses and palm hills for an arthritic to use without the need for folding his or her fingers, a spring-loaded palm knob to lock the big-dog-accommodating triple-hinged multi-function-shelf-trunk-platform-and-door against and parallel to the top panel, and double magnets attached to the big-dog-accommodating triple-hinged multi-function-shelf-trunk-platform-and-door system and the front panel, respectively, to stop the big-dog-accommodating triple-hinged multi-function-shelf-trunk-platform-and-door from swinging. |
| US10667483B1 |
Soybean cultivar 88092742
A soybean cultivar designated 88092742 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 88092742, to the plants of soybean cultivar 88092742, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 88092742, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 88092742. 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 88092742. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 88092742, 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 88092742 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US10667480B2 |
Tomato line PSQXL12-1012
The invention provides seed and plants of tomato line PSQXL12-1012. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato line PSQXL12-1012, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants. |
| US10667479B2 |
Molecular breeding method for improving cotton fiber strength by using chr.7 single QTL segment substitution line
A cotton molecular breeding method includes (1) obtaining a chr.7 single QTL segment substitution line with high fiber strength, and (2) using the obtained chr.7 single QTL segment substitution line as a non-recurrent parent () to cross with a recurrent parent (♀) to obtain an F1 generation. Then (3) the F1 generation is back-crossed with the recurrent parent to obtain a BC1F1 generation, and (4) plants of the BC1F1 generation are screened for plants carrying the chr.7 single QTL segment, and then the screened plants are back-crossed with the recurrent parent for 2-4 times to obtain a BCnF1 generation. The method also includes (5) screening plants of the BCnF1 generation for plants carrying the chr.7 single QTL segment, and selfing the screened plants for 1-3 times to obtain a bred line BCnFm having the high cotton fiber strength. |
| US10667474B2 |
Identifying management zones in agricultural fields and generating planting plans for the zones
In an embodiment, computer processes are programmed to determine planting plans based on planting characteristics data received for an agricultural field and a plurality of management zone delineation options defined for the agricultural field. Each of the planting plans specifies different planting recommendations for the agricultural field. A first graphical representation of the planting plans, and an interactive object is generated and displayed on a computing device. The interactive object is configured to receive input specifying a relative importance ratio between the planting plans for determining a new planting plan for the agricultural field. A particular relative importance ratio is received via the interactive object, and is used to determine the new planting plan, which specifies new planting recommendations for the agricultural field. Information about the new planting plan is displayed on the computer device. |
| US10667471B1 |
Agriculture protective cover
An agriculture protective cover for plants that can be easily assembled and disassembled by a single person. The cover includes a plurality of spaced apart base pairs interconnected by arch tubes over which a protective sheet is strung. The bases have a receiver at one end mounted over a stake and an aperture on an opposite end configured for receipt of a spike. The receiver includes upwardly bendable tabs on which the arch tubes are mounted. The arches may be interconnected with stabilizing tubes. |
| US10667469B2 |
System and method for growing a plant in an at least partly conditioned environment
A system for growing a plant (1) in an at least partly conditioned environment includes a cultivation base (11) for receiving a culture substrate (3) with a root system (4) of the plant therein. Root temperature control elements (12) are provided which are able and adapted to impose a predetermined root temperature on the root system, and lighting elements (20,21,22) which are able and adapted to expose leaves of the plant to actinic artificial light. Leaf heating elements are also provided, which are able and adapted to impose on the leaf of the plant a leaf temperature varying from an ambient temperature. In a method for growing the plant a carbon dioxide assimilation management of a leaf system of the plant is thus influenced, and a supply of actinic light, the root temperature and the carbon dioxide assimilation management are adapted to each other. |
| US10667464B2 |
Mower unit
Disclosed is a mower unit including, on a mower deck that rotatably supports a blade, a deck-side electric component configured to drive the blade, and a joint section for effecting connection and disconnection of a harness that electrically connects the deck-side electric component to a vehicle body-side electric component. |
| US10667462B2 |
Multiple agricultural product application method and systems
A method and system for planting one of a plurality of seed types, hybrids and/or varieties is presented. A planter is provided with a plurality of row units. The row units include substantially static metering systems, which can include multiple seed meters at a particular row unit. The metering systems including more than one seed meters are configured such that the seed meters will plant a different seed types or varieties. The operation of one or more of the seed meters at a time will provide for the planting of a particular seed variety. When the invention provides for on-the-go changing of a seed being planted by changing the operation of one or more of the seed meters at each of the row units and provides for almost infinite variation among the row units for planting particular seed varieties or not planting at all. |
| US10667452B2 |
Semi-mounted plough
A semi-mounted plough has a rear chassis, the plough trailing behind a plough-towing tractor in a laterally pivotable or steerable manner by a vertically oriented joint. In order to compensate lateral pulling for the tractor, which is generated by the traction force of the plough about the vertical axis of the tractor, an energy accumulator is arranged, which generates a torque counteracting the lateral pulling. |
| US10674650B2 |
Component mounting device
A component mounting device includes a controller that controls an imaging unit to image a predetermined region during a period from a time point at which a head finishes mounting a component at a mounting position to a time point at which the head completes upward movement from the mounting position, and acquires information about a height of the mounting position based on an imaging result of the predetermined region imaged by the imaging unit. The controller further determines whether or not the component has been successfully mounted at the mounting position based on the acquired information about the height of the mounting position. |
| US10674645B2 |
Modular EMF/RF shielded enclosures
A modular EMF/RF shielded enclosure having interconnected walls, floor and ceiling panel members such that passage of EMF/RF form or into the enclosure is blocked or attenuated. Quick-connect, quick-release compressive connector members composed of electrically conductive material are used to join adjacent panel members, such that the connector members carry the common ground between adjacent panels and a continuous shielding envelope in the nature of a Faraday cage is formed. |
| US10674644B1 |
Electromagnetically shielded coverings for optical openings
The electromagnetic shielding of an enclosable building structure is provided by applying a shielded covering to overlay optical openings in the building structure. The shielded covering comprises a metal-coated woven substrate and a shielding coupling. The metal-coated woven substrate has a woven substrate and a metal coating. The woven substrate may be organic and comprise threads of intermingled fibers such as silk fibers. The metal-coated woven substrate may also have a protection feature such as transparent resin, of barriers of glass or transparent polymeric material. The shielded coupling connects the shielded covering to other shielding components of a shielded building structure to preserve shielding continuity over the interface between shielding components. |
| US10674643B1 |
Electromagnetically shielded coverings for optical openings
The electromagnetic shielding of an enclosable building structure is provided by applying a shielded covering to overlay optical openings in the building structure. The shielded covering comprises a metal-coated woven substrate and a shielding coupling. The metal-coated woven substrate has a woven substrate and a metal coating. The woven substrate may be organic and comprise threads of intermingled fibers such as silk fibers. The metal-coated woven substrate may also have a protection feature such as transparent resin, of barriers of glass or transparent polymeric material. The shielded coupling connects the shielded covering to other shielding components of a shielded building structure to preserve shielding continuity over the interface between shielding components. |
| US10674641B2 |
Immersion cooling systems and methods
An electronics cooling arrangement includes a housing, an electronic device disposed within the housing, and a solid-liquid phase change material disposed within the housing and is in thermal communication with the electronic device to absorb heat generated by the electronic device. A method of cooling an electronic device and a vehicular electronics cooling system are also described. |
| US10674640B1 |
Integrated electronic device
An electronic device with heat sink is provided. The heat sink includes a base and fins. One side of the base has a first placement plane and a second placement plane. The electronic device includes a circuit board, a power module and transistors. The power module includes a power body and soldering legs, and the power body is attached to the first placement plane. The transistor has a transistor body and pins, and the transistor body is attached to the second placement plane. The circuit board is disposed at one side of the base formed with the first placement plane, and soldering legs of the power module and pins of the transistor are inserted on the circuit board. Thereby the heat sinks and the space which the circuit board occupied will be reduced for increasing the power density of the heat sink. |
| US10674639B2 |
Electronic control unit and electric power steering device using the same
An electronic control unit includes: a substrate a plurality of heat generating components that are provided on one surface of the substrate and generate heat during operation; a heat conducting component that is formed of a material having a heat conductivity equal to or higher than a predetermined value and is provided on the one surface of the substrate such that at least a part of the heat conducting component is located between the plurality of heat generating components; and a controller that is provided on the substrate and controls the operation of each of the plurality of heat generating components to control the object to be controlled. |
| US10674638B2 |
Fail-on cooling system
One technique for improving cooling system efficiency is to operate cooling for a data center with a dynamic and distributed cooling system. A distributed cooling system may include multiple compressors operating cooperatively for cooling the data center. A dynamic cooling system may adjust operation of the compressors based on one or more parameters, such as inside temperature, outdoor temperature, inside humidity, outside humidity, and load on the data center. A dynamic cooling system may operate in a fail-on mode, adjusting the load placed on independent refrigeration circuits of an air handler system to compensate for a failure of one or more refrigeration circuits. By appropriately controlling speeds of the compressors, the power efficiency of the cooling system may be improved by ensuring that all activated compressors are operating within their efficient operating range. |
| US10674637B2 |
Cooling device, cooling system, and cooling method for electronic circuitry
A cooling device includes, a liquid immersion tank having an opening in a top thereof, in which an electronic circuitry including a heat generating circuit is immersed in a second coolant, a lid fitted into the opening, and a cooler, into which a cooled first coolant is input through a first pipe, and from which the first coolant is output through a second pipe, the cooler being located between a liquid level of the second coolant and a lower surface of the lid that faces the liquid level. |
| US10674634B2 |
Electronic equipment enclosure
An electronic equipment enclosure includes a frame structure and a customizable side air dam kit. The frame structure includes a front frame, a rear frame, front-to-back frame members connecting corners of the front and rear frames together, reinforced bracket structures located near ends of the cross members, and extruded horizontal mounting rails parallel to, but inward from, the front-to-back frame members. The ends of the horizontal mounting rails are connected to the reinforced bracket structures. Panels are installed in longitudinal slots in the front-to-back frame members and horizontal mounting rails, each of which is extruded. The customizable side air dam kit includes a framework of horizontal and vertical frame pieces, adapted to connect to the frame structure, and a customizable air dam panel supported by the framework. A plurality of the frame pieces are provided to an installer for use in constructing the framework to fit the specific frame structure. |
| US10674633B2 |
Plug assembly
A plug assembly includes a lower cover, an upper cover mounted on the lower cover, and a circuit board. The upper cover is equipped with a heat-conducting element. The circuit board is mounted between the upper cover and the lower cover. The circuit board has two first contact portions contacting with the lower cover and the upper cover, and a plurality of second contact portions. The circuit board is equipped with a chip. The chip is mounted on and covers the plurality of the second contact portions. The chip contacts with the heat-conducting element. The circuit board opens at least one perforation. At least one of the lower cover and the upper cover protrudes towards the circuit board to form at least one fastening portion passing through the at least one perforation and contacting with the at least one of the upper cover and the lower cover. |
| US10674630B2 |
Heat exchange device based on a pulsating heat pipe
A heat exchange device may be based on a pulsating heat pipe and a cooling arrangement. The heat exchange device may include a plurality of pipes to provide fluid paths between a first fluid distribution element and a second fluid distribution element. Each pipe of the plurality of pipes may include a group of channels. Each of the first and second fluid distribution elements may include a plate of a first type. Each plate of the first type may include openings for providing alignment functionality for the plurality of pipes. The first fluid distribution element may include a plate of a second type that may include openings for providing fluid paths between the pipes. The plate of the second type may be positioned on a side of the plate of the first type of plates of the first fluid distribution element that is opposite to the second fluid distribution element. |
| US10674628B2 |
Cooling module and power converter comprising such a cooling module
This cooling module comprises a housing, which has an external support face comprising means for fastening power conversion modules on the external support face, and a heat transfer fluid network comprising branches extending in the housing in a network plane occupying an individual zone. Each branch comprises a supply collector, a discharge collector and several individual sub-branches. Each sub-branch is connected to the supply collector via an inlet end of the sub-branch in question, is connected to the discharge collector via an outlet end of the sub-branch in question, occupies an individual sub-zone comprised in the zone of the branch in question, and is deviated relative to the other sub-branches between the supply collector and the discharge collector. Each sub-branch forms a single channel that has an undulation with a regular pitch. |
| US10674622B2 |
Aperture seal structure
A seal structure includes a container, a sealant applied in liquid form that cures to a gel, and a cap that applies pressure to the gel. The container surrounds at least one opening in an assembly for the passage of elongated members such as wires. The container defines a chamber that is in communication with the opening and surrounds the wires passing through the opening. A closure spans the opening and is in contact with an inner end of the container. The chamber and the at least opening are partially filled with a predetermined quantity of sealant in liquid form, which cures into a viscous gel. The cap is configured to engage with the container and includes a platform that is positioned within the container and in contact with the gel sealant. In this arrangement, the cap applies positive pressure to the gel sealant. |
| US10674620B2 |
Removable module adapter for modular electronic system
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a module adapter comprising a first connector for connection to a modular electronic system and a second connector for connection to a module inserted into a chassis of the modular electronic system to couple the module with the modular electronic system. The module adapter is removably inserted into the chassis of the modular electronic system with an adapter tool operable to lock the module adapter in place in the chassis. A method for insertion of the module adapter is also disclosed herein. |
| US10674618B2 |
Portable power supply
The present invention is directed to a portable power supply system. The system is capable of converting DC power from one or more removable, rechargeable battery packs to AC power for corded power tools and appliance. The system is also capable of receiving AC power from an AC power supply and converting the AC power to DC power and using the DC power to charge the removable, rechargeable battery packs. The system includes a heat sink to assist in dissipating heat generated by various electronic components in the system. The heat sink also serves as a structural element to provide structural support to a housing of the system. |
| US10674617B2 |
Carrier apparatus and display
A carrier apparatus is adapted to carry a flexible substrate. The carrier apparatus includes two carrier plates, two adhesive layers, and two supporting units. The carrier plates have a gap with respect to each other, and each of the carrier plates has a first region and a second region, wherein the second regions of the carrier plates are adjacent to each other and are located between the first regions. The adhesive layers are respectively disposed in the first regions of the carrier plates. The supporting units are respectively disposed in the second regions of the carrier plates and are coplanar with the adhesive layers, wherein the flexible substrate is fixed on the carrier plates through the adhesive layers, and the supporting units are detachably attached to a bending zone of the flexible substrate by attractive force. A display including the carrier apparatus and a flexible display panel is provided. |
| US10674615B2 |
Method for manufacturing wiring board
A method for manufacturing a wiring board includes preparing a core substrate having first and second surfaces, forming a first build-up structure including interlayer insulating layers and conductor layers on the first surface of the substrate, and forming a second build-up structure including interlayer insulating layers and one or more conductor layers on the second surface of the substrate. The forming of the first structure includes laminating the insulating layers and metal layers on first surface side of the substrate and forming the conductor layers from all of the metal layers on the first surface side, and the forming of the second structure includes laminating the insulating layers and metal layers on second surface side of the substrate, forming the one or more conductor layers from one or more of the metal layers on the second surface side, and entirely removing the other metal layers on the second surface side. |
| US10674614B2 |
Wiring substrate for electronic component inspection apparatus
A wiring substrate for electronic component inspection apparatus includes a first laminate which is formed by stacking a plurality of ceramic layers and which has a front surface and a back surface, and a plurality of studs joined to the back surface of the first laminate Each of the studs is composed of a flange portion which is circular in bottom view, and a bolt portion which perpendicularly extends from a center portion of an outside surface of the flange portion. The flange portion has a truncated conical shape and the outside surface from which the bolt portion protrudes, such that the outside surface slopes from the proximal end side of the bolt portion toward the peripheral edge of the flange portion and gradually approaches the inside surface of the flange portion. |
| US10674612B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method therefor, and resin composition for forming flexible resin layer
Disclosed is a method for producing a semiconductor device including a circuit board having a flexible resin layer that encapsulates a circuit component. The method may include a step of immersing a flexible substrate in an encapsulant, drying the encapsulant, and thereby encapsulating the circuit component with the encapsulant; and a step of curing the encapsulant, and thereby forming a flexible resin layer. |
| US10674610B1 |
Multilayer rigid flexible printed circuit board and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a multilayer rigid flexible printed circuit board including: a flexible region including a flexible film having a circuit pattern formed on one or both surfaces thereof and a laser blocking layer formed on the circuit pattern; and a rigid region formed adjacent to the flexible region and including a plurality of pattern layers on one or both surfaces of extended portions extended to both sides of the flexible film of the flexible region, and a method for manufacturing the same. |
| US10674609B2 |
Entry sheet for drilling
The present invention provides an entry sheet for drilling which provides higher hole position accuracy than that of a conventional entry sheet for drilling. The present invention provides an entry sheet for drilling, including a metal foil, and a layer including a resin composition and formed on at least one surface of the metal foil, wherein the resin composition includes a resin and tungsten disulfide as a solid lubricant, and the content of the tungsten disulfide included in the resin composition is 10 parts by mass to 200 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the resin included in the resin composition. |
| US10674607B2 |
Electronic device including interposer
An electronic device including an interposer is provided. The electronic device includes a first circuit board having a first connection terminal formed thereon, an application processor (AP) connected to the first connection terminal and deployed on the first circuit board, an interposer having a via formed therein and having a first surface attached to the first circuit board, the interposer at least partly surrounding at least a partial region of the first circuit board and a first end portion of the via being electrically connected to the first connection terminal, a second circuit board having a second connection terminal formed thereon and attached to a second surface of the interposer in an opposite direction to the first surface, the second connection terminal being electrically connected to a second end portion of the via and the second circuit board forming an inner space together with the first circuit board and the interposer, a communication processor (CP) connected to the second connection terminal and deployed on the second circuit board, and an antenna electrically connected to the CP. |
| US10674604B2 |
Printed wiring board and method for manufacturing the same
A printed wiring board includes a multilayer body, a first wiring layer formed on first surface of the body and including first pads, a second wiring layer embedded into second surface of the body and including second and third pads, conductor posts formed on the third pads, and via conductors formed in the body and having diameter reducing toward the second surface of the body. Each third pad has metal foil formed thereon such that each post is formed on the foil, the second wiring layer is formed such that the second pads are positioned to connect an electronic component in central portion of the second surface of the body and the third pads are positioned to connect another board in outer edge portion of the second surface of the body, and the second pads are formed such that each second pad has exposed surface recessed from the second surface. |
| US10674603B2 |
Ceramic circuit board and semiconductor device using the same
The present invention provides a ceramic circuit board comprising: a ceramic substrate; and at least one of a recess and a through-hole formed in the ceramic substrate, wherein a conductive portion filled with a conductor is provided in the recess or the through-hole, the surface roughness Ra is 1.0 μm or less, and the maximum height Rz is 100 μm or less. It is preferable that the maximum height Rz is 10 μm or less. Further, it is preferable that the surface roughness Ra is 0.5 μm or less. According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to provide a ceramic circuit board having an excellent positionability of the conductive portion for mounting a semiconductor element. |
| US10674598B1 |
Measuring effective dielectric constant using via-stub resonance
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a printed circuit board, a via-stub resonator formed in the printed circuit board, a plurality of vias surrounding the via-stub resonator, and a microstrip connected to the via-stub resonator for use in measuring an insertion loss to provide a resonance frequency. The via-stub resonator is designed to reproduce a dielectric constant value of a known material in a simulation. A via dielectric constant in an x and y plane is calculated based on the resonance frequency. A method for measuring the via dielectric constant using the via-stub resonator is also disclosed herein. |
| US10674597B2 |
Structure for delivering power
A structure for delivering power is described. In some embodiments, the structure can include conductors disposed on two or more layers. Specifically, the structure can include a first set of interdigitated conductors disposed on a first layer and oriented substantially along an expected direction of current flow. At least one conductor in the first set of interdigitated conductors may be maintained at a first voltage, and at least one conductor in the first set of interdigitated conductors may be maintained at a second voltage, wherein the second voltage is different from the first voltage. The structure may further include a conducting structure disposed on a second layer, wherein the second layer is different from the first layer, and wherein at least one conductor in the conducting structure is maintained at the first voltage. |
| US10674596B2 |
Electronic component, electronic component manufacturing method, and mechanical component
An electronic component includes a board on which a heat generating member is mounted, and a mechanical component that covers the upper side of the board and has an opening at a position corresponding to the heat generating member. The mechanical component has a connection part dissipating heat of the heat generating member to the mechanical component via the board, in the vicinity of the opening. |
| US10674595B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus and method for controlling plasma processing apparatus
A plasma processing apparatus according to one embodiment includes a grounded processing container, a mounting table configured to support a workpiece inside the processing container, a plurality of electrodes arranged to face the mounting table and insulated from one another, a high frequency power supply configured to supply a high frequency power for generating plasma and electrically connected between two different electrodes out of the plurality of electrodes or between one of the plurality of electrodes and the processing container, and an impedance variable circuit configured to control an impedance and electrically connected between two different electrodes out of the plurality of electrodes or between one of the plurality of electrodes and the processing container. |
| US10674587B2 |
Control system for a surveillance system, surveillance system and method of controlling a surveillance system
A surveillance system is presented that aims to improve image quality. The surveillance system comprises a plurality of lighting apparatuses comprising one or more lights; a surveillance imaging device arranged to capture image data of a monitored area illuminated by one or more of the lighting apparatuses; an image processor arranged to receive the image data from the surveillance imaging device, wherein the image data comprises a plurality of frames, and the image processor is arranged to analyse each frame of the image data to obtain an image quality parameter for each frame; and a controller arranged to determine a difference between a value of the image quality parameter for a current frame and a reference value of the image quality parameter, wherein if said difference is greater than a threshold value. The controller is arranged to repeat a process of: 1) controlling a lighting parameter of at least one of the plurality of lighting apparatuses so as to change illumination of the monitored area; and 2) determining a new difference between a value of the image quality parameter for a new current frame and the reference value of the image quality parameter; until said new difference is less than or equal to a threshold value. |
| US10674584B2 |
Lighting system and driving circuit thereof
A lighting system and a driving circuit thereof are provided. The driving circuit is configured to drive a light emitting device. The driving circuit includes a bulk voltage converter. The bulk voltage converter receives an input voltage and converts the input voltage to generate a driving voltage. The bulk voltage converter includes a snubber circuit, a power switch, and an inductor. The snubber circuit receives the input voltage through a first node and generates a snubber voltage at a second node according to the input voltage. The power switch is turned on or off according to a control signal. The inductor is coupled between the first node and a third node. The driving circuit is coupled to the light emitting device through the first node and the third node and provides the driving voltage to the light emitting device. |
| US10674583B2 |
Controllable-load circuit for use with a load control device
A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load is operable to conduct enough current through a thyristor of a connected dimmer switch to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor. The load control device comprises a controllable-load circuit operable to conduct a controllable-load current through the thyristor of the dimmer switch. The load control device disables the controllable-load circuit when the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a reverse phase-control waveform. When the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a forward phase-control waveform, the load control device is operable to decrease the magnitude of the controllable-load current so as to conduct only enough current as is required in order to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor. |
| US10674580B2 |
Terminal, LED light bulb controlling and displaying system and method thereof
A terminal, and a system and method for controlling and displaying an LED light bulb are provided. The terminal includes a first controller and a display module. The first controller is connected to the display module, a camera, and an LED light bulb, respectively. The first controller sends a control command to the LED light bulb to enable the LED light bulb to perform a light-bulb-adjusting operation corresponding to the control command, receive image data of the light-bulb-adjusting operation sent by the camera, and transmit the image data of the light-bulb-adjusting operation to the display module. The display module displays the image data of the light-bulb-adjusting operation and the light-adjusting information carried by the control command to a user. Thus, the terminal acquires the image data of the light-bulb-adjusting operation of the LED light bulb in real-time. |
| US10674579B2 |
Lighting fixture with selectable color temperature
A lighting fixture for powering multiple LED groups to generate a selectable color temperature. The lighting fixture provides varying amounts of power to each group of LEDs to achieve a selected color temperature. Current from a driver may be divided between the LED groups based on a selected operational state, which is selected using a switch or other configurable input. The operational states may turn the LED groups on or off or may control an amount of current received by the LED groups. In some configurations, all of the LED groups are always at least partially powered. |
| US10674578B1 |
Pipelined exponential law brightness conversion for a multi-channel LED driver
A circuit includes: a communication interface configured to receive data; a plurality of output terminals; a bank of input registers coupled to the communication interface; a bank of buffer registers; a bank of output registers; a signal generator configured to generate a plurality of output signals based on respective registers of the bank of output registers at respective output terminals; and a conversion stage configured to: when data is received by the bank of input registers from the communication interface, sequentially convert content of the input registers of the bank of input registers and store the converted content into corresponding buffer registers of the bank of buffer registers based on a conversion function, and when the conversion stage finishes storing the converted content into the buffer registers, simultaneously copy content from the buffer registers into corresponding output registers of the bank of output registers. |
| US10674573B2 |
Light emission device with anisotropic properties
An organic light emitting diode comprises a hole transport layer, an emissive layer, and an electron transport layer. The hole transport layer and optionally the electron transport layer is made of a material having a refractive index having a specific anisotropy. |
| US10674569B2 |
Domestic appliance, in particular cooking oven, with a camera
A domestic appliance, in particular a cooking oven, with a camera. The domestic appliance includes a treatment chamber and a door for opening and closing the treatment chamber. The door includes a window or a transparent part. The door includes a door handle arranged at an outer side of said door. The camera is arranged inside the door handle, wherein the lens coverage of the camera extends from said camera through the window or transparent portion of the door into the interior of the treatment chamber. Picture signals generated by the camera are represented or representable by a picture displaying device, wherein said picture displaying device is a part of the control unit of the domestic appliance and/or a part of an external device connected or connectable to said domestic appliance. |
| US10674568B2 |
Heating cooker
Provided are a heating unit, an imaging unit that captures an image of an interior of a heating chamber, a setting unit that sets heating control details, and a storage that registers the captured image and the set heating control details in association with each other. Further provided area plural-article determination unit that determines whether a plurality of types of foods are present, a similarity determination unit that determines a degree of similarity of a plurality of images, a control detail identification unit that identifies heating control details corresponding to a food included in a captured image in accordance with a determination result obtained by the similarity determination unit, and a controller. The controller presents heating control details indicating each food on a display unit in accordance with a number of the foods. This configuration can provide a heating cooker capable of facilitating heating control setting. |
| US10674565B2 |
Communication method
A delivery node alternately connects to a first wireless terminal and a second wireless terminal. When a first packet with a virtual IP address of the second wireless terminal as a destination IP address is output from a first application to a virtual network interface, the first wireless terminal encapsulates the first packet with the use of an encapsulation header and transmits to the delivery node. The delivery node encapsulates the first packet obtained by decapsulating the received encapsulation packet again, and transmits to the second wireless terminal. The second wireless terminal transmits the first packet obtained by decapsulating the received encapsulation packet to a second application through a virtual network interface. |
| US10674564B2 |
Base station, management apparatus and connection method
A base station includes a transceiver and a processor. The processor is configured to: in response to receiving a connection request from user equipment, causes a transceiver to transmit a message to a first management apparatus; and in response to receiving a reroute message to indicate a reroute from a first management apparatus to a second management apparatus, causes the transceiver to transmit Non Access Stratum (NAS) information in the reroute message to the second management apparatus. The message includes an identifier of the user equipment assigned by the base station. The base station is configured to perform a connection operation on the user equipment. The identifier of the user equipment assigned by the base station is configured in the reroute message without provision of an identifier of the user equipment assigned by the first management apparatus. |
| US10674562B2 |
System and method for bridging to a LTE wireless communication network
A system and method for bridging user devices communicating according to a 3rd Generation (3G) communication protocol to a LTE wireless communication network, thereby enabling user devices that do not have sufficient signal strength for directly coupling to the LTE wireless communication network to nevertheless access such wireless communication systems and methods via a bridging system. |
| US10674561B2 |
Communication system, information processing apparatus, and communication method
A communication system includes a terminal apparatus, and an information processing apparatus. The terminal apparatus includes first circuitry to perform a direct connection with the information processing apparatus wirelessly, transmit an information processing request, requesting processing of information, to the information processing apparatus, and transmit a disconnection request of the direct connection to the information processing apparatus after transmitting the information processing request to the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes second circuitry to perform the direct connection with the first circuitry of the terminal apparatus wirelessly, process the information processing request received from the terminal apparatus, and disconnect the direct connection of the information processing apparatus and the terminal apparatus in response to receiving the disconnection request. |
| US10674558B2 |
Mesh topology radio
Techniques are described for wireless communication. One method includes establishing, using a wired interface, a first connection with an access point having a dedicated connection with a core network, establishing, using a first radio of a plurality of radios, a first millimeter wave (mmW) connection with a first node of a mmW mesh network, and establishing, using a second radio of the plurality of radios, a second mmW connection with a second node of the mmW mesh network. In some cases, the method may additionally or alternatively, include establishing, using a third radio of the plurality of radios, a cellular connection with the first node or the second node of the mmW mesh network. |
| US10674557B2 |
Securely communicating a status of a wireless technology device to a non-paired device
A wireless technology device and method for securely communicating a status of a wireless technology device to a non-paired device, includes detecting a status changing event of the wireless technology device, locking the wireless technology device from an unauthorized pairing with another device, in response to detecting the status changing event, sending an encrypted data regarding the status changing event to at least one non-paired device, which is received in a buffer of the at least one non-paired device, wherein, in response to receiving the encrypted data, the at least one non-paired device automatically communicates the encrypted data to a centralized computing network for decrypting the encrypted data, and unlocking the wireless technology device when an authorized pairing attempt is successful. |
| US10674551B2 |
UE, server device, and communication control method, for performing ProSe service
There is provided a communication system that performs a service based on ProSe under management of a communication operator. A process based on a procedure such as an announcement request, a monitoring request, or match reporting for discovering a proximity terminal is performed based on authentication of a server device operated by the communication operator. The communication operator includes means for requesting that the process based on the procedure such as the announcement request, the monitoring request, or the match reporting is stopped based on a policy of the communication operator. |
| US10674549B2 |
Method and apparatus for networking unmanned aerial vehicle and system for controlling unmanned aerial vehicle
The present application provides a method and an apparatus for networking an unmanned aerial vehicle and a system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle. The method for networking an unmanned aerial vehicle includes: generating a service set identifier and a password; sending the generated service set identifier and password to a control end by means of short-distance wireless communication; judging the status of a connection to the control end; when the connection is disconnected, returning to the step of generating a service set identifier and a password, where the service set identifier and the password that are generated each time are both different from the previously generated service set identifier and password; and when the connection is not disconnected, continuing to judge the status of the connection to the control end. |
| US10674548B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for establishing cooperative communication
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method that includes receiving, by supporting user equipment UE, a pairing request message sent by a network side; and acquiring, by the supporting UE, a friend UE short-distance identifier list when self supporting capability information of the supporting UE indicates that the supporting UE supports a friend UE. The method also includes performing, by the supporting UE, identity authentication on the benefitted UE according to the friend UE short-distance identifier list and a short-distance identifier of a benefitted UE that is carried in the pairing request message. The method also includes performing, by the supporting UE, pairing processing with the benefitted UE, and sending a pairing response message to the network side, if the benefitted UE has been authenticated. |
| US10674547B2 |
Communication apparatus having access point function for operating as base unit for wireless communication and method for controlling communication apparatus
A communication apparatus including an access point function permits a designated terminal to wirelessly connect with the communication apparatus and inhibits a non-designated terminal from wirelessly connecting with the communication apparatus. |
| US10674544B2 |
Supporting random access and paging procedures for reduced capability WTRUs in an LTE system
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may transmit a preamble using a physical random access channel (PRACH) and determine a location of a random access response (RAR) based on a parameter of the PRACH. The location may include a subframe and/or a frequency resource on which the RAR is transmitted. The RAR may be received at the location. A device may receive a preamble using a PRACH associated with a coverage enhancement (CE) level and/or a CE mode of a WTRU. The device may determine a location of an RAR based on a parameter of the PRACH. The location may include a subframe and/or a frequency resource on which the RAR is to be transmitted. The device may determine a number of repetitions of the RAR to transmit based on the CE level or CE mode. The RAR may be transmitted at the location with the determined number of repetitions. |
| US10674543B2 |
Device and method of handling random access procedure
A communication device of performing a random access (RA) procedure comprises instructions of: receiving a first configuration of a first synchronization signal (SS) block of a base station (BS) and a second configuration of a second SS block of the BS; obtaining a first result indicating that a first signal quality of the first SS block is higher than a second signal quality of the second SS block; selecting the first configuration according to the first result; obtaining a second result indicating that the first signal quality is lower than the second signal quality, when the communication device fails to receive at least one message from the BS; and selecting the second configuration according to the second result. |
| US10674542B2 |
RACH combining across multiple attempts
A mechanism is proposed to reduce overhead at the expense of increasing latency for UEs with weak link gain, while the latency for most UEs may remain the same. In one aspect of this disclosure, a UE may determine the number of attempts for transmitting a RACH signal based on one or more of path loss, the transmit power of the UE, the beam correspondence at the UE, or the power of signals received during the synchronization subframe. The UE may transmit the RACH signal in the determined number of attempts. In another aspect of the disclosure, a base station may combine signals of one or more RACH attempts to decode a RACH signal. The base station may inform a UE regarding the number of RACH subframes that the base station uses for decoding the RACH signal through a random access response message. |
| US10674540B2 |
Multiple timers for request to send and clear to send communications
Techniques for procedures using request to send/clear to send (RTS/CTS) procedures and multiple timers are described. A RTS/CTS procedure using multiple timers may use a first timer and a second timer. The first timer may be associated with a duration to transmit and receive a request to send (RTS) message and a clear to send (CTS) message. The second timer may be associated with a duration to transmit a data message. A network device may transmit a RTS message to request communication resources to transmit data. If the CTS message is not received prior to the expiration of the first timer, neighboring network devices may determine that the communication resources were not allocated and may attempt to request the newly available resources. If a CTS message is received, the network device may communicate the second timer data to the neighboring network devices in a variety of ways. |
| US10674539B2 |
System and method for managing contention in a wireless communications system
A method for transmitting to an access point includes receiving a selection condition and a selection contention period from the access point, and comparing the selection condition to a selection parameter. The method also includes contending for use of a transmission medium during the selection contention period if the selection parameter meets the selection condition. |
| US10674538B2 |
Method and device for competitive transmission
Provided in the present invention are a method and device for competitive transmission. The method comprises: an access point transmits a trigger frame or a radio frame carrying a trigger information domain to a non-access point to trigger the non-access point to perform uplink multiuser transmission; and, when data transmitted by the non-access point is received by the access point, same resets a competitive window of an access type to an initial value. |
| US10674536B2 |
Channel access for a mixed numerology carrier
In a radio air interface, a mixed-numerology carrier is one that multiplexes orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) waveforms that have different numerologies onto the same carrier. This disclosure provides for a sync signal (SS) enabling channel access for such a mixed-numerology carrier. In one example, a single SS, having a given numerology, supports channel access for a plurality of numerologies on the mixed-numerology carrier. In another example, a plurality of numerologies on the mixed-numerology carrier each has its own respective SS, and a single, common numerology is used for all SS's. In still another example, a plurality of numerologies on the mixed-numerology carrier each has its own respective SS, where each SS has the same numerology as the numerology for which the SS provides channel access. |
| US10674535B2 |
Device, network, and method for communications with opportunistic transmission and reception
A system and method of subframe configuration in licensed-assisted access using long-term evolution (LAA-LTE) with carrier aggregation (CA). A wireless device such as an eNodeB (eNB) may transmit control information in a subframe from a secondary cell (SCell) in downlink control information (DCI) to a user equipment (UE). The SCell may operate in an unlicensed band. The control information may indicate at least one of a non-ending subframe in a data burst, an ending subframe, and a duration of the ending subframe. The duration may be one of a predefined number of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol durations, and the ending subframe may be a partial or full subframe. A partial ending subframe may use a time slot structure in a time division duplexing (TDD) scheme, e.g., downlink pilot time slots (DwPTS). The eNB may then transmit to the UE data in the subframe according to the control information. |
| US10674532B2 |
Method and apparatus for configuring multiple scheduling requests
A communication scheme and system for converging a 5th generation (5G) communication system for supporting a data rate higher than that of a 4th generation (4G) system with an Internet of things (IoT) technology is provided. The present disclosure is applicable to intelligent services (e.g., smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart cars, connected cars, health care, digital education, retail stores, security and safety-related services) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology. |
| US10674530B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing buffer status report for next-generation mobile communication
Provided is a method for transmitting, by a terminal, a Buffer Status Report (BSR). The method includes: monitoring whether a regular BSR or a periodic BSR is triggered; determining that a BSR format is a long BSR when there is data available for uplink transmission in one or more Logical Channel Groups (LCGs); and transmitting, to a base station, a BSR for all LCGs having the data available for uplink transmission, which is configured in the long BSR format, when the regular BSR or the periodic BSR is triggered, and an apparatus thereof. |
| US10674518B2 |
Dynamic management of interference and coverage in wireless communications
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for optimizing transmission power levels for wireless communications. Dynamic uplink power control of wireless device transmissions may be controlled. Conditions in a source cell and neighboring cells may be monitored and uplink transmission power levels may be dynamically adjusted based on those conditions. Transmission power levels may be increased or decreased gradually, and conditions of source cell and neighboring cells may be monitored to determine optimized power levels. |
| US10674516B2 |
Load control system for device to device discovery signal transmissions
Various communication systems may benefit from load control. For example, systems that employ device-to-device discovery signal transmissions may benefit from such load control. A method can include determining a first classification of a user equipment according to desired or allowed transmission probability. The method can also include configuring a transmission probability based on the first classification. The method can further include operating the user equipment based on the transmission probability. |
| US10674515B2 |
User equipment and base station in wireless communications system, and wireless communications method
Disclosed are a user equipment and a base station in a wireless communications system, and a wireless communications method. The user equipment is used as a receiving-end user equipment for D2D communications, comprising: a transceiver; and one or more processing circuits configured to: cause the transceiver to receive a beacon signal sent by a sending-end user equipment for D2D communications, and decode the received beacon signal, wherein the beacon signal comprises identification information for identifying a D2D link where the sending-end user equipment is located; identify the D2D link where the sending-end user equipment is located as a neighbor D2D link of the receiving-end user equipment on the basis of the identification information in the correctly decoded beacon signal; and cause the transceiver to send the identified neighbor D2D link to a base station in a wireless communications system. By using the user equipment, the base station and the wireless communications method of the present application, a neighbor D2D link of the user equipment can be determined without obtaining the location information of the user equipment, so that resources can be allocated more reasonably. |
| US10674513B2 |
BSS color assignment in a wireless local area network
Systems and methods for assigning default an alternative BSS colors in a wireless local area network (WLAN) including a network graph representing radio neighbors include assigning a frequency range and EIRP for each radio represented in the network graph; generating a subgraph of radios operating at the same frequency range; for the subgraph, determining a minimum number of basic service set (BSS) colors required to BSS color the subgraph without BSS color conflict; based on the minimum number of BSS colors, assigning a default BSS color to each radio in the subgraph to avoid BSS color conflict among radios in the subgraph; based on remaining BSS colors, assigning one or more alternative BSS colors to each radio in the subgraph. |
| US10674511B2 |
Integrated circuit
A wireless communication base station device which makes it possible to provide a base station, terminal and CCE allocation method capable of reducing the number of times blind decoding of a terminal is performed, without increasing the CCE block rate, even when a plurality of unit bands are set in a terminal. In this device, a search space setting section (103) sets in each of a plurality of unit bands a common search space in respect of a terminal which is communicating using the plurality of unit bands and other terminals, and sets in each of the plurality of unit bands an individual search space in respect of the terminal. An allocation section (106) allocates control information solely to CCEs within the common search spaces set in specified unit bands among the plurality of unit bands, or solely to CCEs within individual search spaces set in specified unit bands. |
| US10674509B2 |
Resource allocation for narrowband communications using an expanded bandwidth
A method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may allocate one or more narrowbands for at least one downlink transmission to a UE. The apparatus may transmit information associated with the one or more narrowbands and a RIV to the UE. In one aspect, the RIV may indicate a common starting RB and a common set of RBs allocated for the at least one downlink transmission in each of the one or more narrowbands. |
| US10674494B2 |
Methods for transmitting and receiving physical downlink channel, base station and user equipment
The present disclosure provides a method performed by a base station. The method comprises: obtaining a coverage enhancement level of a User Equipment (UE); determining Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) configuration information for the UE based on the coverage enhancement level of the UE; determining Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) configuration information for the UE based on the coverage enhancement level of the UE; and modifying a Downlink Control Information (DCI) configuration parameter to add the PDCCH configuration information and the PDSCH configuration information. Also provided are a method performed by a UE, a base station and a UE. With the present disclosure, it is possible to increase resource utilization for LTE to support MTC UEs, improve frequency spectrum/energy efficiency, and reduce time/frequency resource conflicts between cells. |
| US10674492B2 |
Device and method for controlling working state change of small cell
A device and method controlling working state change of a small cell and a base station including the device. The device includes: an information acquiring unit that acquires interference between a small cell to be controlled and an adjacent small cell and/or load of the small cell to be controlled; and a state change determination unit that determines working state change to be performed by the small cell to be controlled according to the acquired interference and/or load. The working state includes multiple sleep levels from low to high. A sleep degree of the small cell to be controlled in a low sleep level is less than a sleep degree of the small cell to be controlled in a high sleep level, the working state change being performed among multiple sleep levels. |
| US10674487B2 |
Method for transmitting uplink control channel in wireless communication system that supports use change of radio resources, and apparatus therefor
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for transmitting an uplink control channel of a terminal in a wireless communication system that supports a use change of radio resources. Specifically, the method comprises the steps of: receiving offset information for a second physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource region associated with a second type subframe and a third type subframe, the second PUCCH resource region being set on the basis of a first PUCCH resource region for a first type subframe; and transmitting, to a base station, an acknowledgement/negative-ACK (ACK/NACK) for at least one downlink subframe, using the second PUCCH resource region designated according to the offset information. |
| US10674482B2 |
Resource allocation method, base station, and user equipment
The present invention provides a resource allocation method, a base station, and user equipment. The method includes: receiving, by a second base station, resource configuration information of a first base station; and sending, by the second base station, the resource configuration information of the first base station to user equipment (UE), where the resource configuration information of the first base station is used to configure a resource for device-to-device (D2D) communication between the UE and the second base station. According to the method provided in embodiments of the present invention, the UE can perform D2D communication with the second base station or a core network by using the resource configured by using the resource configuration information of the first base station. Therefore, an uplink resource or a downlink resource of the first base station can be reused by the UE, thereby improving resource utilization of a communications system. |
| US10674477B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for transmission control of multimedia broadcast multicast service data
Embodiments of the present application disclose a method, an apparatus, and a system for transmission control of multimedia broadcast multicast data. The method includes: according to a reference time, determining a scheduling period of suspending or resuming sending MBMS service data; and suspending or resuming sending the MBMS service data in the determined scheduling period. According to the embodiments of the present application, transmission control of the MBMS service data by a base station can be realized, which facilitates each base station in the same MBSFA range synchronously suspending or resuming sending the MBMS service data of the same service, thereby facilitating reducing interferences in the service. |
| US10674470B1 |
Systems and methods for providing mobile network services
Systems and methods for providing mobile network services are described herein. The systems and methods enable a user to register an endpoint for use on a mobile network. When registered on the mobile network, the endpoint can be used for mobile network services, such as placing or receiving audio/video calls. |
| US10674469B2 |
Method for performing service request procedure and apparatus therefor in wireless communication system
In an aspect of the present invention, a method for performing a service request message of an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) in a wireless communication system may include a packet data unit (PDU) session identifier (ID) for a PDU session whose activation is desired by a user equipment from the user equipment; transmitting a first message comprising the PDU session ID to a session management function (SMF); when an establishment of the PDU session is rejected by the SMF: receiving a second message comprising a reject cause of the PDU session establishment as a response to the first message; and transmitting a service response message comprising the reject cause and a PDU session ID rejected by the reject cause to the user equipment. |
| US10674468B2 |
Method and device for providing a mobile device with service continuity over multiple access networks
A device performs registering with a first access network to generate a first registration, detecting a triggering event, and registering with a second access network to generate a second registration while maintaining the first registration with the first access network. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US10674467B2 |
Re-synchronization management in LTE/LTE-A with unlicensed spectrum
Management of re-synchronization procedures for long term evolution (LTE)/LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems with unlicensed spectrum is disclosed. In managing re-synchronization procedures, a base station selects and sends out an enablement indication of the uplink and/or downlink re-synchronization procedure selected. The base station may select the re-synchronization procedures by itself or in coordination with neighboring base stations. Once the indication for the uplink re-synchronization procedure is received at a user equipment (UE), the UE performs its extended clear channel assessment (ECCA) check, but, when the ECCA check is successful, the UE will delay data transmission until the next re-synchronization boundary defined by the selected uplink re-synchronization procedure. With the delayed transmission, the UE performs a clear channel assessment (CCA) check prior to the re-synchronization boundary in order to determine whether the channel is still clear for transmission after the idle period. |
| US10674464B2 |
Method and device for synchronizing frame numbers between Device-to-Device communication supported user devices
A method of synchronizing device-to-device terminals according to an embodiment of the present specification may comprise the steps of: matching timing synchronization with at least one terminal counterpart; and setting a frame number for device-to-device communication after the timing synchronization matching step. |
| US10674460B2 |
Method for transmitting synchronization signal and device therefor
The present invention discloses a method for a base station to transmit a synchronization signal block in a wireless communication system. Particularly, the method includes the steps of mapping a plurality of synchronization blocks to a plurality of symbols within a specific time unit, and transmitting a plurality of the synchronization signal blocks mapped to a plurality of the symbols to a user equipment. In this case, at least one synchronization signal block is mapped to each of half time units having a half-length of the specific time unit. |
| US10674457B2 |
Methods and arrangements to coordinate communications in a wireless network
Logic may comprise hardware and/or code to coordinate communications of wireless communications devices to reduce power consumption by stations. Logic may coordinate communications in an access point. Logic may generate and transmit a wake frame from the access point to the station to wake the receive circuitry of the station. Logic of the station may wake the receive circuitry from an idle mode, which may be a less linear and less sensitive mode, to a receiver (RX) active state, which is a high linear and high sensitivity mode. Once the receiver circuitry enters the RX active state, the station is ready to receive a transmission. Logic may implement the wake frame as a medium access control frame or as a null data packet, physical layer frame. |
| US10674453B2 |
Power control management in uplink (UL) coordinated multipoint (CoMP) transmission
Techniques for performing path loss (PL) compensation in coordinated multipoint (CoMP) systems are provided. A method for wireless communications by a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method generally includes selecting, from a plurality of transmission points involved in uplink (UL) coordinated multipoint (CoMP) operations with the UE, a transmission point to associate with for path loss (PL) compensation, and adjusting power of one or more transmissions based on path loss measured based on the selected transmission point. |
| US10674452B2 |
Terminal management method and apparatus
A terminal management method and an apparatus, where the method includes that a terminal obtains a first light intensity at a first moment and a second light intensity at a second moment according to a first interval period. The second moment is later than the first moment. When a difference between the first light intensity and the second light intensity is greater than a first threshold, and the second light intensity is less than a second threshold, the terminal closes a target program. |
| US10674449B2 |
Signal for a synchronized communication system operating in a shared spectrum frequency band
Techniques are described herein for using a signal to wake up a user equipment (UE) that is in a low-power mode in a synchronized wireless communication system operating a shared radio frequency spectrum band. Once a base station wins a contention for a transmission opportunity in the shared radio frequency spectrum band, the base station may transmit a single signal before the transmission opportunity. After receiving the signal, the UE may begin monitoring for control information (e.g., control resource sets) associated with slots in the transmission opportunity. If the control information indicates that the content of the slot is for the UE, the UE may monitor the slot for its content. |
| US10674448B2 |
Data transmission method and apparatus
A data transmission method provided in embodiments of the present application includes: determining, by a mobility management entity MME, that user equipment UE changes from an unreachable state to a reachable state; sending, by the MME, a request message to a serving gateway SGW; receiving, by the MME, downlink data sent by the SGW; and sending, by the MME, the downlink data to the UE. In this way, when the UE changes to a reachable state for downlink data, the MME requests the SGW to send the downlink data, and the MME then sends the downlink data to the UE, thereby avoiding loss of the downlink data caused by delivery of the downlink data to the UE that is in an unreachable state, and improving real-time accuracy of transmission. |
| US10674446B1 |
Sleep/wake based on coverage
Embodiments for a module for scheduling sleep/wake intervals for a first one or more communication devices are disclosed. The module includes a computer readable medium having instructions thereon. The instructions, when executed by one or more processing devices, cause the one or more processing devices to obtain a coverage prediction for the first one or more communication devices. The coverage prediction indicates intervals during which a second one or more communication devices are predicted to be within range of the first one or more communication devices. The instructions also cause the one or more processing devices to generate sleep intervals and wake intervals for the first one or more communication devices based on the coverage predictions. |
| US10674444B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring inter-frequency neighboring cell and user equipment thereof
A method and an apparatus for measuring an inter-frequency neighboring cell is provided. The method comprises obtaining a time requirement of cell identification of a specific carrier, obtaining a time requirement of cell measurement of the specific carrier, identifying a new cell on the corresponding specific carrier in the time requirement of the cell identification of the specific carrier, measuring Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP) and/or Reference Signal Receiving Quality (RSRQ) of an identified cell in the time requirement of the cell measurement of the specific carrier, and reporting a measurement result of the identified cell according to a configured measurement event, wherein the specific carrier is different from other carriers, and the time requirement of the cell identification of the specific carrier is different from time requirements of the cell identification of other carriers. |
| US10674440B2 |
Wireless MAC mode selection using machine learning
In one embodiment, a network monitoring service trains, using a training dataset from one or more wireless networks, a machine learning model to output an optimized set of media access control (MAC) mode parameters for a wireless access point given an input set of network characteristics. The service receives a plurality of network characteristics associated with a particular wireless access point in a particular wireless network. The service determines, using the received network characteristics as input to the machine learning-based model, a set of MAC mode parameters for the particular wireless access point. The service controls the particular wireless access point to communicate with one or more clients in the particular wireless network based on the determined set of MAC mode parameters. |
| US10674438B2 |
Restricting access to external schemas from within a database level container by whitelisting allowed schemas
An external database schema permitted to be accessed from a container using a database synonym is determined. A logical schema representing the external database schema is defined. A synonym for the container is defined using the logical schema and an object associated with the external database schema. The logical schema and synonym is deployed to the container using a logical schema plugin. The container is configured to disable the logical schema plugin and to only allow references to the defined logical schemas. |
| US10674433B2 |
System and method for WiFi authentication and selection
A method embodiment for network authentication includes selecting, by a user equipment (UE), an access network for establishing a network connection and receiving one or more network authentication status indications for a network associated with the access network. The method further includes implementing a network authentication and selection policy in accordance with the one or more network authentication status indications. |
| US10674432B2 |
Mobile device mode enablement responsive to a proximity criterion
A system (10) and method (30) comprises a detector that is configured to enable a mode of a first device (14) and/or to enable a mode of a second device (15) responsive to a detection that a proximity criterion is satisfied between the first device and an entity (Entity 1) and responsive to at least one of a position, velocity and a Time-of-Day and where the second device is not the entity and is not associated with the entity, and where the entity is not involved in providing a communications service to the first and/or second device. |
| US10674431B2 |
Systems and methods for cellular network service allocation
Systems and methods for providing improved network service allocation. Rather than providing all-or-nothing network service allocation to users, the system can use the mobile country code (MCC) and mobile network code (MNC) to provide access to different services to different users. The services provided to each roaming user, for example, can be negotiated in a roaming agreement with the user's provider. The roaming user can then be provided access to only those services agreed to in the roaming agreement. A home provider can also use multiple MNCs to provide similar service allocation to home users, with each MNC providing a different combination of services. The home provider can also use mobile subscriber identification numbers (MSINs), or ranges of MSINs, to provide service allocation for home users. |
| US10674429B1 |
Method and apparatus for connection pooling and distribution for client devices across networks
Client devices may access internet service from a number of different sources such as mobile broadband networks, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc. Client devices generally connect to only one of the available internet services at a time. Client devices may not always be fully accessing the available internet service. A client device may benefit by using the internet service that is available to but not used by other client devices. A method and apparatus are disclosed that enable client devices to coordinate with other client devices and coordinate with the internet service providing entities to pool the internet service from multiple internet service sources through some client devices and distribute to other client devices. |
| US10674425B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for managing a relay connection in a wireless communications network
A UE may move out of range of a network. Accordingly, the UE may use a relay node to communicate. To manage the relay node, a wireless device such as the UE may receive a relay search message from a second UE requesting a relay UE to establish a connection to the network through the relay UE. The UE may transmit a message to a base station informing the base station of the relay search message from the second UE. The UE may receive an initiate relay association procedure message from the base station, the initiate relay association procedure message informing the first UE that the first UE has been selected by the base station to initiate a relay association procedure with the second UE. The UE may transmit a relay association message to the second UE including a request to be the relay UE for the second UE. |
| US10674421B2 |
Data packet processing method and device
The present invention discloses a data packet processing method and a device. The method includes: receiving, by a capability exposure function device, a first processing policy sent by a third-party application, where the first processing policy includes an external identifier of UE, an identifier of the third-party application, and a processing policy of a data packet sent by the UE to the third-party application; obtaining an internal identifier of the UE based on the external identifier of the UE; determining a second processing policy based on the internal identifier of the UE, where the second processing policy includes the internal identifier of the UE, the identifier of the third-party application, and the processing policy of the data packet; and configuring the second processing policy on a network side, where the second processing policy is used by a network side device to process the data packet. |
| US10674412B2 |
Telecommunications apparatus and methods
A method of evaluating whether to handover a terminal device from communicating with a first network infrastructure element associated with a first communication cell to communicating with a second network infrastructure element associated with a second communication cell in a wireless telecommunications system. The method includes establishing an indication of radio conditions associated with a path between the terminal device and the first network infrastructure element; and establishing an indication of a second measurement of radio conditions associated with a communication path between the terminal device and the second network infrastructure element; and determining whether to handover the terminal device from communicating with the first network infrastructure element to the second network infrastructure element based on a comparison of the indication of the first measurement of radio conditions and the indication of the second measurement of radio conditions. |
| US10674408B2 |
Method and system for frequency allocation in a shared access system
A method of allocating bandwidth to co-existence groups of a connected set in a spectrum access system (SAS) is provided. The method comprises: receiving data about co-existence groups in the connected set of the SAS, where such data includes a number of the co-existence groups, G, in the connected set, and a number of radios, ni, in each co-existence group; determining an allocated bandwidth for each of the G co-existence group by subtracting a splitting disincentive bandwidth for a co-existence group from a co-existence incentive bandwidth for the co-existence group; and sending the determined allocated bandwidths for the co-existence groups. |
| US10674406B2 |
Base station, wireless communication system, and communication method
This wireless communication system has a first base station, and a second base station whereby downlink data received from a core network can be transmitted to a terminal via the second base station and the first base station. The second base station transmits, to the first base station, information that makes it possible to identify whether or not flow control can be carried out. |
| US10674396B2 |
Method and apparatus for handling compression error in mobile communications
Various solutions for handling compression error with respect to user equipment and network apparatus in mobile communications are described. An apparatus may transmit a compressed protocol data unit (PDU) to a network node. The apparatus may receive a negative acknowledgement (NACK) message from the network node. The apparatus may restore a compressed service data unit (SDU) to original data. The apparatus may transmit the original data with an uncompressed format to the network node. |
| US10674395B2 |
Method and system for RAN-aware multi-access edge computing traffic control
A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium are described in which a traffic control service is provided. The traffic control service may include using user plane congestion information pertaining to a radio access network and a multi-access edge computing system to manage congestion or anticipated congestion. |
| US10674387B2 |
Video quality monitoring
Methods for monitoring quality metrics of a video session that uses traffic transmitted over a mobile video delivery network facility are disclosed. A method for monitoring quality of a video system that uses traffic transmitted over a mobile video delivery network facility may include monitoring the mobile video delivery network facility that handles at least a portion of the video traffic for the video session for information about the video traffic at a location of the mobile video delivery network facility and monitoring at least one user mobile device that plays the video delivered by the mobile video delivery network facility using a software development kit (SDK) that reports at least one media delivery quality metric. |
| US10674376B2 |
Disruptive flexible GEO satellite constellation system
An apparatus for disruptive flexible geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite constellation system includes an electronic steering array (ESA) including multiple antenna elements, a number of frequency converters coupled to the ESA, and a digital control unit to provide frequency and gain control commands to the frequency converters. Each frequency converter is coupled to an antenna element of the ESA and forms an independent payload path. A payload path is configurable to support a communication beam-pair consisting of a transmit (TX) beam and a receive (RX) beam. Each frequency converter is configured to couple the TX beam to the RX beam and to adjust a channel frequency and a gain of a respective optical communication beam independently using the frequency and gain control commands. |
| US10674375B2 |
Multiple application modules (MAMs) for monitoring signals in components in wireless distribution systems, including distributed antenna systems (DASs), and related systems and methods
Multiple application modules (MAMs) for monitoring of signals in components in wireless distribution systems (WDSs), including but not limited to distributed antenna systems (DASs) are disclosed. The MAMs are wireless telecommunication circuitry associated with wireless distribution components in a WDS, such as communications and power components as examples. By associating MAMs into components of a WDS, live signals in the WDS can be monitored and measured for monitoring the performance of components within the WDS. The MAMs include a multiple application software platform architecture that includes one or more application layer applications configured to receive and monitor signals in the WDS, and to provide application level information about such monitored signals to other systems or technicians. The application level information can be used by a technician or other system to diagnose or calibrate the WDS and/or the communications components provided therein. |
| US10674372B2 |
Network planning based on crowd-sourced access point data for 5G or other next generation network
Network planning based on collected crowd-sourced access point quality and selection data can optimize access point frequency and/or bandwidth selection. A cloud-based application can be utilized in conjunction with a mobile device to build a database of access point quality and thresholds suitable for real-time and other jitter-sensitive services. The mobile device jitter measurements and selection thresholds can be collected at a cloud platform, which creates an access point performance and selection threshold profile from which the network can facilitate access point frequency and/or bandwidth selections. |
| US10674359B2 |
Method of authenticating external vehicle and vehicle capable of performing same
A method by which a first vehicle authenticates a second vehicle using a plurality of communication schemes and a vehicle capable of performing the method are disclosed. |
| US10674358B2 |
Representing unique device identifiers in hierarchical device certificates as fully qualified domain names (FQDN)
Methods and devices are provided for generating, delegating, and/or authenticating hierarchical globally unique identifier (HGUID) certificates that are arranged in domain-name form to permit delegation and authentication as a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN). A first hierarchical device certificate is obtained that includes at least part of a first unique device identifier for a first device and a base domain name, wherein the first hierarchical device certificate includes a fully qualified domain name and the first unique device identifier includes at least one of a type/model identifier or an origin/manufacturer of the first device. The first hierarchical device certificate is sent to an authenticating device to prove the first device has authority to perform a transaction within a restricted domain as defined by the first hierarchical device certificate. An indication may then be received from the authenticating device that the first device has been authenticated to perform the transaction. |
| US10674355B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for wireless communication
One feature pertains to a method operational at a device. The method includes performing key agreement with a core network device, and generating an authentication session key based in part on a secret key shared with a home subscriber server (HSS), where the authentication session key is known to the core network device. The method further includes generating a mobility session key based in part on the authentication session key, where the mobility session key is known to a mobility management entity (MME) served by the core network device and serving the device. The method also includes cryptographically securing data sent from the device to a wireless communication network using the mobility session key. |
| US10674354B2 |
Wireless communication device, wireless communication system and wireless communication method
The present invention provides a wireless communication system using encrypted communication. In particular, the present invention provides a transmission of key data for encrypting or decrypting data by a plurality of independent wire-less transmission channels. Accordingly, encryption or decryption is performed by a combination of the key data transmitted by a plurality of the wireless transmission channels. |
| US10674353B2 |
Association establishment method in wireless local area network, terminal, and access point
A terminal, including a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed by the processor. The program includes instructions to generate encrypted capability information of the terminal, receive pre-association index information that is related to the terminal and that is sent by an access point, where the pre-association index information is used by the access point to identify the terminal when no association has been established between the terminal and the access point, send the encrypted capability information of the terminal and an association request message to the access point, where the association request message comprises the pre-association index information, and receive an association response message that is sent by the access point according to capability information of the terminal and the pre-association index information, so that the terminal establishes an association with the access point. |
| US10674350B2 |
Network subscription handling
There is provided mechanisms for handling network subscriptions of a subscriber entity having a network subscription locked to a source subscription management entity. A method is performed by a profile handling entity. The method comprises obtaining a request message for download of a new network subscription handled by a target subscription management entity, the request message comprising identity information of the target subscription management entity. The method comprises transmitting, when there is a mismatch between the identity information and reference identity information, a release request message of the network subscription to the source subscription management entity via the target subscription management entity. The method comprises receiving, from the source subscription management entity via the target subscription management entity, a release response message of the network subscription. The method comprises allowing the target subscription management entity to download the new network subscription to the subscriber entity upon successful verification of the release response message. |
| US10674349B2 |
Subscription update method, device, and system
A subscription update method, device, and system, where the method is performed by a first event notification network element and includes: determining that a notification condition of a first subscription event of a first terminal is met; obtaining first callback address information of a target subscription network element; and sending a first message to the target subscription network element based on the first callback address information, where the first message carries an identifier of the first terminal and a first event notification of the first subscription event, and the identifier of the first terminal is used to correlate the first event notification with the first terminal. |
| US10674347B2 |
Global-to-local profile controller system and method
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, associating a global-to-local network profile with a user profile of a first communications network and detecting a number of local networks managed separately from the first communications network. The local networks include local user profiles, wherein access to resources of a local network is based on credentials available by way of a local user profile associated with the user. A location of the user is determined and a proximity of the user to a first local network is determined based on the location of the user. Information is transferred between the global-to-local network profile and a local user profile based on the proximity of the user to the first local network, wherein the transferring of the information supports a registration status of the user with the first local network of the plurality of local networks. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US10674346B2 |
Connectivity to a core network via an access network
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described that supports connectivity to a core network via an access network. A user equipment (UE) may establish connectivity with an access network and perform a discovery procedure to identify and select a packet data gateway that provides connectivity to a core network via a core network node. The UE may perform an authentication procedure with the core network node via the packet data gateway to be authenticated with the core network for establishing connectivity with the packet data gateway. The UE may receive a set of control plane addressing information via the packet data gateway corresponding to a secure tunnel established between the UE and the packet data gateway. The UE may perform an attach procedure via the secure tunnel with the core network node without re-authenticating the UE. |
| US10674345B2 |
Methods and systems for provisioning emergency numbers
There is provided a method and device for provisioning emergency number information on a user equipment. When a dialed number matches an emergency number from the provisioned emergency number information, the user equipment selects either the circuit switched domain or the packet switched domain and executes a call setup procedure for that domain. |
| US10674342B2 |
Electronic device and method for providing location information of user in emergency
An electronic device and method are disclosed. The electronic device includes a processor which implements the method, including establishing a first communication session for a voice call with a first external electronic device using a short-range wireless communication module operably connected to the electronic device, transmitting a request for location information of the electronic device to a second external electronic device via the short-range wireless communication module, when a response to the request is not received from the second external electronic device and when an input is detected requesting an emergency call, establishing a second communication session for the emergency call with the first external electronic device using the short-range wireless communication module, and after receiving the location information from the second external electronic device, updating the first or second communication session by transmitting the received location information to the first external electronic device using the short-range wireless communication module. |
| US10674337B2 |
Method and device for processing operation for device peripheral
The provided are a method and device for processing one or more operations for a device peripheral. The method includes that: a transaction including the one or more operations for the device peripheral is acquired, wherein the transaction includes operation content of the one or more operations for the device peripheral and a preset control parameter of the one or more operations for the device peripheral; the one or more operations for the device peripheral are executed according to the operation content; and operation execution information of the one or more operations for the device peripheral is determined according to the preset control parameter. The present disclosure solves the problem in related art, thereby achieving the effect of processing the one or more operations for the device peripheral in time and effectively improving the transaction execution efficiency. |
| US10674334B2 |
Methods and device for transmission collision detection and handling in vehicle to everything communication system
A vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication system, and method of communication in the V2X communication system is provided. The method includes: selecting, at a first V2X device, a control channel of a control channel resource pool; transmitting, on the selected control channel, sidelink control information (SCI) to a second V2X device; monitoring, at the first V2X device, an SCI acknowledgement (SCI-ACK) resource pool for an SCI-ACK indicator (SCI-ACK-IND) corresponding to the transmitted SCI; and in response to receiving a positive SCI-ACK-IND corresponding to the transmitted SCI, transmitting data to the second V2X device in a data resource pool according to the SCI. |
| US10674332B2 |
Systems and methods for the data-driven and distributed interoperability between nodes to increase context and location awareness in a network of moving things, for example in a network of autonomous vehicles
Communication network architectures, systems and methods for supporting a network of mobile nodes. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide autonomous vehicle network architectures, systems, and methods for supporting a dynamically configurable network of autonomous vehicles comprising a complex array of both static and moving communication nodes, including for the data-driven and distributed interoperability between nodes to increase context and location awareness in a network of moving things, such as, for example, a network of autonomous vehicles. |
| US10674331B1 |
Indoor location estimation for wireless device
Technology for indoor location estimation of wireless stations is described. In one embodiment, a processing device identifies a plurality of wireless stations that support a signal round-trip-time measurement protocol. The processing device associates the plurality of wireless stations with one another to form a logical grouping of the plurality of wireless stations and provides an indication of the plurality of wireless stations in the logical grouping to each of the plurality of wireless stations. The processing device receives a first round-trip-time measurement value for a signal transmitted between a first wireless station and a second wireless station of the logical grouping and a second round-trip-time measurement value for a signal transmitted between the first wireless station and a third wireless station of the logical grouping. These round-trip-time measurement values indicate a distance between the wireless stations, respectively. The processing device determines, using the first distance and the second distance, a position of the first wireless station relative to the second wireless station and the third wireless station. |
| US10674330B2 |
Charging method and device
A charging method includes: determining, by a control plane function entity (CP), that a data flow that is transmitted by user equipment (UE) on a first data session needs to be migrated to a second data session; charging, by the CP, the data flow on the first UP through a first charging session between the CP and a charging system; obtaining, by the CP, charging information of the data flow before the migration that is counted by the first UP; and determining, by the CP, a quota that is used for the data flow after the migration is necessary to be delivered to the second UP, and delivering the quota to the second UP, thereby charging a service data flow of a user in a case of migration between user planes. |
| US10674321B2 |
Lost device detection using geospatial location data
A network system detects lost client devices based on a comparison of geospatial locations transmitted by user and provider client devices during and after a service. The network system assigns a service status indicating that a service from a start location to a destination location is in progress and monitors the locations of the user and provider client devices during the duration of the service and for a specified period of time after the service ends. In response to determining that the user and provider client devices remain in proximity to each other after the service has ended, the network system notifies the user of the lost device. |
| US10674320B2 |
Initial access of wireless access network using assistance information
In some examples, a device sends first information to a service, the first information comprising location information of the wireless device, and receives, from the service, assistance information that is based on the first information. The device performs initial access of a wireless access network using the assistance information to achieve power saving at the wireless device, and transmits second information to the service over the wireless access network node. |
| US10674318B2 |
Systems and methods for location tracking and monitoring within a secured area
Systems and methods for location tracking and monitoring within a secured area are provided. Such systems and methods can include capturing real-time surveillance data with a plurality of surveillance devices deployed in the secured area and transmitting the real-time surveillance data to a local control unit proximate to the secured area. Contemporaneously, a dual mode location tracker can generate first and second location data indicative of a location of the dual mode location tracker within the secured area over a period of time using respective first and second tracking modes and transmit the first location data and the second location data to the local control unit. In some embodiments, the local control unit can forward the real-time surveillance data, the first location data, and the second location data to a remote server for storage, analysis, and processing. |
| US10674317B2 |
Systems and methods of muster with beacons and gateways
Systems for muster include an entrance receiving device in a location adapted to receive a plurality of beacon broadcasts from one or more of a plurality of mobile beacons, each associated with a worker and broadcasting an identification ID of the worker, to create an on-site record of workers entering or exiting the location. The system includes a muster site receiving device at a muster site to record an identification ID from beacon broadcasts of workers at the muster site. The on-site record is compared to the recorded muster site IDs to determine if all workers have mustered. Alarms may be triggered if not. |
| US10674315B2 |
Method and device for judging intercity transportation mode based on mobile phone data
A method and device for judging intercity transportation modes based on mobile phone data solves the problems of difficult data acquisition and low data processing efficiency in the existing solutions. The method includes: obtaining the trajectory of each user from the mobile phone data; extracting an intercity traffic sub-trajectory in the trajectory of each user; and judging the transportation mode of the intercity traffic sub-trajectory. The solution has the advantages of easy data acquisition, high data processing efficiency and capability of achieving long-term monitoring. |
| US10674313B2 |
Automatic optimization procedure termination using a smoothing-based technique
A device may perform an iteration of an optimization procedure. The device may apply a smoothing technique to a value relating to the optimization procedure after performing the iteration of the optimization procedure. The device may selectively terminate the optimization procedure based on applying the smoothing technique to the value relating to the optimization procedure. The device may provide information identifying a result of the optimization procedure based on selectively terminating the optimization procedure. |
| US10674312B2 |
Locating and tracking a wireless beacon from a wireless device
Examples disclosed herein relate to locating and tracking a wireless beacon from a wireless device. A data collection module in the wireless device collects and processes sensory data from the wireless beacon. A location estimation module classifies an environment surrounding the wireless beacon based on the sensory data, determines a movement of the wireless device and a movement of the wireless beacon, and estimates a location of the wireless beacon based on the sensory data, the classified environment, the determined movement of the wireless device and the determined movement of the wireless beacon. A calibration module refines the location of the wireless beacon based on neighboring wireless beacons. |
| US10674311B1 |
Points of interest in a location sharing system
Systems, and methods for predicting that a user is located at a labeled place corresponding to a point of interest. A server computer accesses historical data comprising location data, and wireless network data collected from a plurality of client devices of a plurality of users over a period of time. For one or more labeled places, the data points corresponding to one of the users being located at the labeled place are identified. A labeled dataset is generated by tagging the identified data points with a label corresponding to the corresponding labeled place. A machine learning model is trained on the labeled dataset, so that when current location data are receiving from a client device of a user, it is possible to determine, using the trained machine learning model, whether the user is located at one of the one or more labeled places. |
| US10674307B1 |
Determination of acoustic parameters for a headset using a mapping server
Determination of a set of acoustic parameters for a headset is presented herein. The set of acoustic parameters can be determined based on a virtual model of physical locations stored at a mapping server. The virtual model describes a plurality of spaces and acoustic properties of those spaces, wherein the location in the virtual model corresponds to a physical location of the headset. A location in the virtual model for the headset is determined based on information describing at least a portion of the local area received from the headset. The set of acoustic parameters associated with the physical location of the headset is determined based in part on the determined location in the virtual model and any acoustic parameters associated with the determined location. The headset presents audio content using the set of acoustic parameters received from the mapping server. |
| US10674294B2 |
Method for removing dust in sound outlet hole of loudspeaker, and terminal device
A terminal device and a method for removing dust in a sound outlet hole of a loudspeaker are provided. The method includes the following: measuring a natural frequency of the loudspeaker, generating an audio file for removing dust according to the natural frequency, and prestoring the audio file for removing dust, wherein a vibration amplitude of a vibration diaphragm of the loudspeaker is at a maximum when the vibration diaphragm is driven to vibrates by an exciting current having the natural frequency; reading the prestored audio file for removing dust; and controlling the loudspeaker to play the audio file for removing dust, to generate air flow in the sound outlet hole, wherein when the loudspeaker plays the audio file for removing dust, a wind speed of the air flow through the sound outlet hole is at a maximum. |
| US10674283B2 |
Method for distorting the frequency of an audio signal and hearing apparatus operating according to this method
A method distorts the frequency of an input signal that is present as an audio signal. Here, the input signal is divided into a low-frequency signal component and a high-frequency signal component. These two signal components adjoin one another at a cut-off frequency. The high-frequency signal component is frequency-distorted and overlaid with the low-frequency signal component to form an output signal. An associated gain factor is modified, at least for an edge region, containing the cut-off frequency, of the high-frequency signal component and/or of the low-frequency signal component, such that a level difference between a signal level of the low-frequency signal component and a signal level of the frequency-distorted high-frequency signal component is increased. |
| US10674282B2 |
Safety ear hook apparatus
An ear hook apparatus, including an ear hook tip, an ear hook chassis, and a male connector, wherein the ear hook apparatus is configured such that the male connector attaches to one or more components of a BTE device at and/or below a base of a BTE electronics module of the BTE device. |
| US10674280B2 |
High output impedance audio amplifier for noise rejection
A hearable has an audio amplifier circuit coupled to a speaker as a load. The amplifier circuit has current source drive, which attenuates electromagnetically coupled noise of the speaker. In other instances, the amplifier circuit has a first amplifier mode and a second amplifier mode, wherein in the first amplifier mode the amplifier circuit becomes configured to drive the speaker as a voltage source, and in the second amplifier mode the amplifier circuit becomes configured to drive the speaker as a current source. Control logic varies the amplifier circuit between i) the first amplifier mode for larger amplitudes of the audio signal, and ii) the second amplifier mode for smaller amplitudes of the audio signal. Other aspects are also described and claimed. |
| US10674278B2 |
Multi-function speaker
The present disclosure provides a multi-function speaker, which includes a frame having a housing space, a magnetic circuit system and a vibration system accommodated in the housing space, an elastic body configured to suspend the magnetic circuit system in the housing space of the frame. The elastic body fixed to the frame includes two elastic pieces having the same structure. The magnetic circuit system comprises a lower plate, a primary magnet, a secondary magnet and an upper plate disposed on the secondary magnet. The upper plate includes a protrusion, the elastic piece includes a first fixed portion fixedly connected to the first side wall, a second fixed portion fixedly connected to the protrusion, and an elastic portion. |
| US10674268B2 |
System and method for operating a wearable loudspeaker device
A method for operating a wearable loudspeaker device that is worn on the upper part of the body of a user distant to the user's ears and head comprises determining sensor data, based on the sensor data, and determining at least one parameter related to the current position of the user's head in relation to the wearable loudspeaker device. The method further includes adapting a filter transfer function of at least one filter unit for the current position of the user's head based on the at least one parameter, and an audio output signal that is output to at least one loudspeaker of the wearable loudspeaker device depends on the filter transfer function. |
| US10674266B2 |
Subband spatial processing and crosstalk processing system for conferencing
Embodiments relate to providing a conference for client devices with spatialized audio. Input audio streams are received from the client devices. For each client device, placement data defining spatial locations of other client devices within a sound field is determined. A mixed stream including a left mixed channel and a right mixed channel for the client device is generated by mixing and panning input audio streams of the other client devices according to the placement data. A spatially enhanced stream including a left enhanced channel for a left speaker and a right enhanced channel for a right speaker is generated by applying subband spatial processing and crosstalk processing on the left mixed channel and the right mixed channel of the mixed stream. |
| US10674265B1 |
Background level dependent dynamic volume levels
A system and method for dynamically adjusting the quantity of volume levels and/or the loudness delta are disclosed. The quantity of volume levels may the number of increments between a minimum and maximum volume. The loudness delta may be the difference between adjacent volume levels. The device may one or more microphones to determine a background noise level. Based on the determined background noise level, and after receiving a user input to adjust the volume, the device may adjust the quantity of volume levels and/or the loudness delta depending on if the background noise level is increased or low. |
| US10674263B1 |
Speaker excursion protection
An audio circuit includes an amplifier, a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and an excursion control circuit. The voltage sensor is coupled to an output of the amplifier. The current sensor is coupled to the output of the amplifier. The excursion control circuit is coupled to the amplifier, the voltage sensor, and the current sensor. The excursion control circuit includes back electro-magnetic force (EMF) measurement, a back-EMF model, and excursion protection. The back-EMF measurement is to measure back electro-magnetic force of a speaker based on voltage measurements received from the voltage sensor and current measurements received from the current sensor. The back-EMF model is updated based on measurements of the back-EMF and is converted to an excursion model. The excursion protection is to limit amplitude of audio signal provided to the amplifier based on the excursion model of the speaker and amplitude of an audio input signal. |
| US10674262B2 |
Merging audio signals with spatial metadata
Apparatus for mixing at least two audio signals, at least one audio signal associated with at least one parameter, and at least one second audio signal further associated with at least one second parameter, wherein the at least one audio signal and the at least one second audio signal are associated with a sound scene and wherein the at least one audio signal represent spatial audio capture microphone channels and the at least one second audio signal represents an external audio channel separate from the spatial audio capture microphone channels, the apparatus comprising: a processor configured to generate a combined parameter output based on the at least one second parameter and the at least one parameter; and a mixer configured to generate a combined audio signal with a same number or fewer number of channels as the at least one audio signal based on the at least one audio signal and the at least one second audio signal, wherein the combined audio signal is associated with the combined parameter. |
| US10674261B2 |
Transfer function generation apparatus, transfer function generation method, and program
A transfer function generation apparatus includes: a modeling part that models, using a function which uses an arrival direction of a sound source as a non-discrete argument, a plurality of acoustic transfer functions to a microphone from sound sources present in a plurality of directions and that stores the modeled function; and a transfer function generation part that generates a transfer function of an arbitrary direction by using the modeled and stored function. |
| US10674258B2 |
Voice processing system
There is provided a voice processing system capable of acquiring user voice more clearly, the voice processing system including: a mounting unit configured to be attached to a user. The mounting unit includes at least three voice acquisition units configured to acquire voice data for beamforming. |
| US10674254B1 |
Audible distortion reducing fin element
A portable electronic device includes a housing that at least partially defines an internal volume. The portable electronic device further includes a cover secured to the housing and that is and capable of enclosing the internal volume. The cover having a cover opening capable of passing an audible sound provided by an audio module located within the internal volume. The audible sound passing from the audio module to the cover opening along an audible sound path. The portable electronic device further includes a bracket assembly positioned in the internal volume and having: (i) a bracket opening that is aligned with and between the audio module with the cover opening, and (ii) a fin element that spans the bracket opening, the fin element having at least a portion positioned within the audible sound path. |
| US10674248B2 |
Ear-hanging type structure and earphone including ear-hanging type structure
The present disclosures an ear-hanging type structure. The ear-hanging type structure comprises an ear supporting part, the ear supporting part comprises a protrusion part, a cavity part and a connection part for connecting the protrusion part with the cavity part, the protrusion part is provided with a hollow structure, and the protrusion part, the connection part and the cavity part are mutually communicated; and a partial periphery of the ear supporting part corresponds to the anti-helix of an ear and is arranged along an inner side of the anti-helix. Compared with the prior art, the present disclosure has the advantages that the partial periphery of the ear supporting part corresponds to the anti-helix of the ear and is arranged along the inner side of the anti-helix so as to improve fitness of the ear-hanging type structure and the ear, use comfortableness and wear stability without discomfortableness after long-time wearing. |
| US10674247B2 |
Hearing protection earphone, hearing protection method and computer program storage medium for the same
The present invention provides a hearing protection earphone, a hearing protection method and a computer program storage medium, comprising a sound control system including a wearing-status sensing module for monitoring a current wearing status of the hearing protection earphone, sending a first monitoring signal when it is determined that the hearing protection earphone is in a wearing state, and sending a second monitoring signal when it is determined that the hearing protection earphone is in a non-wearing state; and a main control module for enabling a play function corresponding to a play mode which is adapted to the hearing protection earphone currently when the first monitoring signal sent from the wearing-status sensing module is received, and counting a stand-by time of the protection earphone and turning off the hearing protection earphone after a preset stand-by time elapses when the second monitoring signal sent from the wearing-status sensing module is received. |
| US10674246B2 |
Receiver-in-canal assembly comprising a diaphragm and a cable connection
A receiver-in-canal (RIC) assembly for positioning in or at an ear canal of a user. The RIC assembly includes a housing having an opening between an exterior space outside the housing and an internal space inside the housing, and a cable connection located in the housing and facilitating connection of a cable to the RIC assembly. Furthermore, the RIC assembly includes a first diaphragm extending in a first plane in the housing, and a first motor electrically connected to the cable connection and operatively connected to the first diaphragm. The cable connection is located relative to the first diaphragm such that at least a part of it can be projected onto a movable part of the first diaphragm in a direction perpendicular to the first plane and where the cable connection means is located in continuation of the first motor in a plane parallel to the first plane. |
| US10674245B2 |
Over-ear headphone
The present invention relates to an over-ear headphones comprising a headband, two earpiece modules connected to two ends of the headband, a holder and an adjustable microphone. Each of the two earpiece modules comprises an elastic case, a fixing baffle connected to the elastic case, a speaker connected to the fixing baffle, a back cover, a LED light plate at a bottom of the hack cover, and two transparent plates at an outside of the back cover. The speaker comprises a plate, a T-bar, a magnetic element, a cushion ring, a diaphragm, a voice coil and a protection cap having plural first holes arranged in a cross pattern at a central thereof, plural second holes surrounding the plural first holes, and plural third, fourth and fifth holes sequentially and radially arranged thereon for surrounding the plural second holes. |
| US10674244B2 |
Audio device
An audio device with a body configured to be worn on or abutting an outer ear of a user, wherein the body is configured to contact at least one of the outer ear and the portion of the head that abuts the outer ear, at two separate spaced contact locations, and wherein the body is compliant at a body portion that defines one of the contact locations. The device also has an acoustic module carried by the body and configured to locate a sound-emitting opening anteriorly of and proximate the user's ear canal opening when the body is worn on or abutting the ear of the user. |
| US10674242B2 |
Speaker box
The present disclosure discloses a speaker box, including a housing with an accommodation space. The housing includes an upper case and a lower case. A speaker is received in the accommodation space. The speaker includes a diaphragm for producing sound. The speaker box further includes a passageway, a front sound cavity formed between the diaphragm and the upper case, a front cavity, a receiving slot formed in the upper case recessing from a side of the upper case adjacent to the diaphragm along a direction away from the diaphragm; and an air adsorbing layer received in the receiving slot, a steel piece engaging with the upper case and packaging the air adsorbing layer in the receiving slot, and a number of air adsorbing holes for communicating with the front sound cavity. |
| US10674241B2 |
Multipath selection in an ethernet fabric in a modular network element
Systems and methods of Ethernet path selection in a modular network element including one or more ingress line modules, a plurality of switch modules in a chassis, and one or more egress line modules, wherein the one or more ingress line modules and the one or more egress line modules are located separate from one another and connected to the chassis via cabling. The method includes distributing one or more Ethernet flows from the one or more ingress line modules to the one or more egress line modules via the plurality of switch modules; receiving fabric state information at the one or more ingress line modules from the core chassis out-of-band via the cabling; and, responsive to congestion on a path through the plurality of switch modules, selecting a new path by an ingress line module for an Ethernet flow. |
| US10674233B2 |
Method and device for transmitting/receiving broadcast signal
A broadcast signal transmission processing apparatus, includes a header compression processor that generates a first packet including first header information in a uncompressed form and second packets including second header information in a compressed form by performing header compression on Internet protocol (IP) packets containing broadcast data, a header information extracting processor that extracts the first header information from the first packet and converts the first packet from which the first header information is extracted to a third packet including third header information in a compressed form, a signaling data generating processor that generates signaling packets containing information related to the header compression and mapping information between the IP packets and at least one data pipe for the IP packets, and a broadcast signal transmitting processor that transmits a broadcast signal including multiple data pipes that include at least one data pipe. |
| US10674232B2 |
Broadcast receiver and method for launching broadcaster application based on URL in application signaling information
A method for executing an application in a broadcasting receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving application signaling information including information on an application; parsing application URL information including a URL where a specific application can be acquired, from the application signaling information; receiving one or more application content items relating to an application identified by the application URL information; and storing the received application content items. |
| US10674231B2 |
Receiving apparatus capable of receiving digital contents and commercial messages
A receiving apparatus comprises a recorder of the received digital contents and commercial messages. Commercial message retrieved from the recorder is interposed into a digital content or between a pair of digital contents in accordance with the type of commercial message. Interposition of commercial message is controlled by internal information, such as history of actually displaying the same commercial message, or history of skipping the same commercial message. The receiving apparatus controls the repetition time of displaying the same commercial message, or decision whether or not actually displaying a specific commercial message, or the order of displaying commercial messages. Skip of commercial message is prevented unless display has been repeated over a minimum requirement, or user agrees with a compensation for the skip. Repetition of the same commercial message ceases with skip repeated over a limit. Notice of interposing commercial message or of compensation for skip is made in advance. |
| US10674230B2 |
Interactive advertising and marketing system
The current invention is an interactive advertising and marketing system that operates to provide users with an opportunity to identify objects within video media and create virtual hotspots with respect to the objects, which allows viewers the ability to select objects within the video media that are associated with one of the hotspots, and transmits their interest in the selected object to one or more users. Preferably, the system operates such that hotspots can be created for previously created video, newly created video media, as well as live broadcasts. |
| US10674226B2 |
Video content replay
A video content replay apparatus comprises a first video content player operable to playback video content comprising a plurality of images to be displayed at respective display times; load a second video content player in response to the initiation of the playback of the video content by the first video content player; and transfer control of the playback of the video content from the first video content player to a second video content player such that the plurality of images displayed by the second video content player are each displayed at their respective display times as if they had been displayed by the first video content player and the first image of the plurality of images displayed by the second video content player and the last image of the plurality of images displayed by the first video content player are sequential images in the video content. |
| US10674225B2 |
Checking capacity for a multimedia session
It is presented a method for checking capacity for a multimedia session. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a capacity request for a multimedia session, the capacity request comprising a desired bandwidth, a requested Quality of Service Class Identifier, QCI, a requested time window and a desired location in terms of at least one service area, each service area being served by a plurality of radio base stations; checking whether there is sufficient capacity in each service area for the desired bandwidth and desired QCI during the desired time window of the request by reading available 0 capacity in an aggregated capacity database, the aggregated capacity database comprising available bandwidth capacity on a service area level and by reading available radio capacity on a radio resource level in a resource capacity database; and sending a response based on whether there is sufficient capacity or not. |
| US10674223B2 |
Optimizing media fingerprint retention to improve system resource utilization
Provided are devices, computer-program products, and methods related to removing redundant data associated with frames. For example, a method can include storing a plurality of reference data sets in a reference database, where a reference data set is associated with a media segment. The method can further include receiving, by a server, cue data for a frame. The cue data includes a plurality of pixel data samples from the frame, and the frame is associated with an unidentified media segment. The method can further include identifying an absence of a pixel data sample from the cue data for the frame, and matching the cue data for the frame to a reference data set. The matching can include using a previous pixel data sample from a previous frame. The previous pixel data sample corresponds to the pixel data sample absent from the frame, and the reference data set is associated with a media segment. The method can further include determining the unidentified media segment is the media segment. |
| US10674221B2 |
Method and system for trending media programs for a user
A client determines that a user is attempting to access media program recommendations. In response to the determination, the client attempts to collect media program recommendations to be presented to the user. Media program recommendations may be derived locally by the client, by the client and a multimedia device locally connected with the client, by the client and one or more additional devices, etc. In some embodiments, in response to receiving a query from the client, one or more recipient devices or servers identify media program recommendations in a plurality of trending categories. The media program recommendations may be selected based at least in part on EPG data and audience research and measurement data. The media program recommendations collected by the client are presented to the user for further exploration. The client may be one of mobile phones, tablet computers, etc. |
| US10674217B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for reproduction and playback of maintenance guidance
A device for reproducing guidance on a task including a plurality of steps is provided. The device includes an input device with which a user selects from which position of the guidance is to be reproduced; and a player configured to, where a designated step corresponding to the position selected by the user from among the steps is a particular step, jump a playback progress to the position selected to play the guidance, the particular step being an initial step of steps having not yet been performed completely, and, where the designated step is not the particular step, jump the playback progress to a position of the particular step to play the guidance. |
| US10674214B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatus for presenting relevant programming information
Various embodiments of systems, apparatus, and/or methods are described for presenting relevant programming information. A viewing action of an audiovisual event is detected on a receiving device. Data associated with the viewed audiovisual event is then retrieved. The retrieved data includes at least receiving device information and audiovisual event information. The retrieved data is then stored in a historical viewing database, and at least one scoring table is generated from the data in the historical viewing database. Programming information for a plurality of candidate audiovisual events that are available to be viewed is then organized based at least in part on the at least one scoring table and a selected time, and the organized programming information is output to a presentation device. |
| US10674212B2 |
Methods and systems for distributing media guidance among multiple devices
Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that distributes media guidance application operations between multiple devices based on one or more criteria associated with those devices. For example, the media guidance application may determine the plurality of operations performed by a target device and distribute the plurality of operations among devices near that target device. |
| US10674208B2 |
Methods and systems for automatically evaluating an audio description track of a media asset
Methods and systems for automatically evaluating an audio description track of a media asset include initializing a rating of an audio description track of a media asset to a default value; receiving a first video frame and a second video frame of the media asset; detecting an object in the first video frame and the second video frame; determining that a difference in a characteristic of the object between the first video frame and the second video frame exceeds a threshold difference; determining that an audio characteristic in a portion of the audio description track that corresponds to the first video frame and the second video frame exceeds a threshold audio characteristic; and increasing the rating of the audio description track by a unit. |
| US10674205B2 |
Methods and systems for selecting a preferred viewpoint for media assets
Methods and systems are provided for a media guidance application that customizes media content based on the preferences of a user. In particular, the media guidance application may select a particular viewpoint from which to present the media content to the user. In such cases, the media guidance application may select a particular camera angle from which to display the media content (e.g., when media content is available from multiple camera angles), may create a particular camera angle using data received from a plurality of cameras (e.g., when media content is presented in a free viewpoint environment), or select a particular object to focus on (e.g., when the media content is captured using a plenoptic camera). |
| US10674196B2 |
Providing extracted segment from streamed content
A method for providing of a portion or segment of content extracted from a larger content, for example, for sharing with users as a clip of the larger segment of content or as an action replay. One particular method of providing a portion of content includes receiving data including the content; transmitting the received data; storing a portion of the received data corresponding to a given time period; and responsive to a request, block transmitting the stored portion of the received data stream. |
| US10674194B2 |
Systems and methods for seamlessly connecting devices based on relationships between the users of the respective devices
Systems and methods are described for seamlessly connecting devices based on relationships between the users of the respective devices. A media guidance application may determine that a first user has entered an environment (e.g., his/her mother's home) and may determine a frequency with which the first user enters the environment (e.g., daily). In response to determining that the first user visits frequently, the media guidance application may identify a second device in the environment (e.g., a smart TV) that a second user (e.g., the first user's mother) is authorized to grant access rights for. The media guidance application may determine a likelihood that the second user will grant the access rights for the second device to the first user, based on interaction data between the first user and the second user. In response to determining a high likelihood, the media guidance application may transmit the access rights. |
| US10674182B2 |
Pixel pre-processing and encoding
A pre-processing of a pixel in a picture comprises determining, based on a minimum color component value for the pixel, whether a default processing chain is used to derive a luma component value, a first subsampled chroma component value and a second subsampled chroma component value or whether an auxiliary processing chain is used to derive at least one of the luma component value, the first subsampled chroma component value and the second subsampled chroma component value. The pre-processing improves the visual quality of pictures but at a low cost with regard to extra processing time. |
| US10674178B2 |
One-dimensional segmentation for coherent motion estimation
A method for segmenting images for estimating motion includes scanning block rows of an image to determine whether image blocks that are adjacent within a row are similar, and grouping similar image blocks into a row segment. If a block in a row is not similar to a preceding adjacent block, the block is used to initialize a new row segment. The method further includes calculating data for each row segment in an image, and using this data to determine whether a motion vector field for a row segment is consistent, whether discontinuities exist in a row segment that can be corrected, or whether discontinuities exist in a row segment that cannot be corrected, and correcting those row segment discontinuities that can be fixed to remove artifacts from a set of motion vectors associated with said row segment. |
| US10674173B2 |
Personal video recorder
A sequence of picture slices is encoded as reference slices and non-reference slices, wherein the reference slices include B slices, by forming, for each B slice, at least one data packet containing data values derived from brightness and color information pertaining to the slice. The data packet for each B slice includes a header element indicating whether the B slice is a reference slice. The header element of each reference B slice has a value that depends on depth of the reference B slice in a hierarchy of discardability. |
| US10674172B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer-readable recording medium
A difference detecting unit (130) compares a captured image (811) divided into a plurality of blocks with a last captured image (812) to be compared with the captured image (811), on a block-by-block basis to detect blocks having differences from the last captured image (812), as differential blocks. In addition, a differential block selecting unit (140) selects one or more difference transmission scheduled blocks to be encoded and transmitted, from the differential blocks. In addition, a cyclic block selecting unit (160) selects one or more cyclic transmission scheduled blocks to be encoded and transmitted, from cyclic blocks other than the one or more difference transmission scheduled blocks among the plurality of blocks. A total value of amounts of code used to encode the respective one or more cyclic transmission scheduled blocks is in a range of a lower limit value and an upper limit value. |
| US10674171B2 |
Decoders and methods thereof for managing pictures in video decoding process
The solution presented herein defines from which previously decoded picture to retrieve the values for calculating POC of the current picture regardless of how many temporal layers have been decoded. That is achieved by determining the POC of the current picture, to be used by the decoder, as a sum of a syntax element pic_order_cnt_lsb and most significant bits of the POC, PicOrderCntMsb, of the current picture, wherein the PicOrderCntMsb of the current picture is derived using at least a prevPicOrderCntMsb and a prevPicOrderCntLsb and the prevPicOrderCntMsb is set equal to the most significant bits of the POC of a previous reference picture in decoding order that has a layer identity equal to zero and prevPicOrderCntLsb is set equal to the value of the least significant bits of the POC of a previous reference picture in decoding order that has a layer identity equal to zero. |
| US10674165B2 |
Constrained position dependent intra prediction combination (PDPC)
A second level intra prediction mode can be combined with one or more of sixty-seven JVET intra prediction modes during encoding of a coding unit in a video bitstream. Embodiments include making a position dependent intra prediction combination (PDPC) mode available as the second level intra prediction mode. In embodiments, when a PDPC (position dependent intra prediction combination) mode is enabled, the second level intra prediction is combined with one of the 67 selected intra predictor modes. In embodiments, the PDPC mode is only enabled or available for a predetermined subset of intra prediction modes (out of 67 possible modes), in order to reduce encoder complexity and potentially improve coding efficiency. The PDPC mode may be identifies as enabled or available by a list of modes or signaling in the video bitstream. |
| US10674163B2 |
Color space compression
An improved color space (YHB model) for compressing image files is provided. An example method includes storing a sum of an unweighted first color value and an unweighted second color value for each pixel in a plurality of pixels of an image as a first channel, sub sampling, among the plurality of pixels, a difference between the first color value and the second color value as a second channel, sub sampling, among the plurality of pixels, a third color value as a third channel, and storing the first channel, the second channel, and the third channel as the compressed image. In some implementations, the original image may be split into a low frequency version and a high frequency version. The system may apply the YHB model to the high frequency version and apply a conventional model or a second variation of the YHB model to the low frequency version. |
| US10674160B2 |
Parallel video encoding device and encoder configured to operate in parallel with another encoder
A video encoding device is provided. The video encoding device includes a first encoder including a prediction module, which performs an intra prediction operation or an inter prediction operation on a plurality of first blocks included in a first frame, and a second encoder encoding a second frame, which is different from the first frame, and not including the prediction module, wherein if the inter prediction operation is performed on the first blocks, the prediction module transmits first information regarding a motion estimation operation to the second encoder, and the second encoder includes a prediction block generation module, which receives the first information and generates a prediction block by performing a motion compensation operation on a plurality of second blocks included in the second frame based on the first information. |
| US10674158B2 |
Method and system of video coding optimization
There is provided a computerized method and system of optimized video encoding of an input video sequence corresponding to a plurality of input frames, the method comprising: obtaining an input frame; performing a first encoding of the input frame using a first encoding parameter determined in accordance with a target bit-rate, giving rise to a first encoded frame; performing a second encoding of the input frame using an iterative quality-driven encoding scheme initialized with an initial second encoding parameter, the initial second encoding parameter determined based on the first encoding parameter, the second encoding performed in an attempt to seek a second encoded frame having a lower bit-rate than the first encoded frame and meeting a quality criterion relative to the first encoded frame; and in case of the second encoded frame being found, providing the second encoded frame as an output frame corresponding to the input frame. |
| US10674157B2 |
Parsing friendly and error resilient merge flag coding in video coding
Methods and apparatus for parsing friendly and error resilient merge flag coding in video coding are provided. In some methods, in contrast to merging candidate list size dependent coding of the merge flag in the prior art, a merge flag is always encoded in the encoded bit stream for each inter-predicted prediction unit (PU) that is not encoded using skip mode. In some methods, in contrast to the prior art that allowed the merging candidate list to be empty, one or more zero motion vector merging candidates formatted according to the prediction type of the slice containing a PU are added to the merging candidate list if needed to ensure that the list is not empty and/or to ensure that the list contains a maximum number of merging candidates. |
| US10674154B2 |
Apparatus and methods for recompression of digital images
A system and method for generating a second reduced size digital image from a first digital image, the method including iteratively compressing the first digital image to an extent determined by a quality measure comprising at least a blockiness measure quantifying added artifactual edges along coding block bom1daries of the second image and/or use of a quantization matrix generated by computing a weighted average of the quantization matrix of the first digital image and a scaled second quantization matrix. |
| US10674152B2 |
Efficient use of quantization parameters in machine-learning models for video coding
A method for encoding an image block includes presenting, to a machine-learning model, the image block and a first value corresponding to a first quantization parameter; obtaining first mode decision parameters from the machine-learning model; and encoding the image block using the first mode decision parameters. The first value results from a non-linear function using the first quantization parameter as input. The machine-learning model is trained to output mode decision parameters by using training data. Each training datum includes a training block that is encoded by a second encoder, second mode decision parameters used by the second encoder for encoding the training block, and a second value corresponding to a second quantization parameter. The second encoder used the second quantization parameter for encoding the training block and the second value results from the non-linear function using the second quantization parameter as input. |
| US10674151B2 |
Adaptive in-loop filtering for video coding
Techniques related to coding video using adaptive in-loop filtering enablement are discussed. Such techniques may include determining whether or not to perform in-loop filtering based on evaluating a maximum coding bit limit of a picture of the video, a quantization parameter of the picture, and a coding structure of the video. |
| US10674149B2 |
General block partitioning method
A method of partitioning in video coding for JVET, comprising representing a JVET coding tree unit as a root node in a quadtree plus binary tree (QTBT) structure that can have quadtree or binary partitioning of the root node and quadtree or binary trees branching from each of the leaf nodes. The partitioning at any depth can use asymmetric binary partitioning to split a child node represented by a leaf node into two child coding units of unequal size, representing the two child coding units as leaf nodes in a binary tree branching from the parent leaf node and coding the child coding units represented by final leaf nodes of the binary tree with JVET. Disclosed is a generalized method of partitioning a block, either square or rectangular, which leads to more flexible block sizes with possible higher coding efficiency. |