US09428133B2
An airbag housing can be detachably fixed to at least one abutting wall area via at least one fixing device. The airbag housing has a plurality of tongues protruding laterally outwards on at least two opposing sides. The tongues arranged next to one another on one side are each spaced from the next by the width of at least one tongue. For the tongues of the airbag housing, a fixing frame on the dashboard has corresponding undercuts, and therefore the fixed airbag module is connected to the tongues in a form-locking manner in the undercuts.
US09428132B2
An airbag system assembly configured to be positioned in the interior of a vehicle that includes an aft wall configured to be positioned forward of a passenger seat and an airbag system. The aft wall includes front and aft surfaces and the aft wall includes a first flap that is formed by a plurality of weakness lines in at least the front surface thereof. The airbag system includes at least a first airbag module having a first airbag support plate with front and aft surfaces. The first airbag support plate is secured to the front surface of the aft wall, and the first airbag support plate includes a first airbag that is configured to deploy in the event of a crash condition and that is disposed on the aft surface of the first airbag support plate. The first airbag is positioned adjacent the first flap.
US09428121B2
A wheel well liner for use in the wheel well of motor vehicles has inner and outer surfaces each defining one or more acoustical sections. Each acoustical section includes a pattern of irregular or convoluted portions configured and arranged to absorb/attenuation sound. A layer of flock material is deposited on the inner surface of the wheel well liner to enhance aesthetics and provide supplemental sound attenuation.
US09428119B2
A method is provided for learning driver preferences relative to the use of a vehicle's camera system, where the system automatically activates a specific camera based on these driver preferences, and where the driver preferences include both identification of the specific camera and the geographic locations associated with activating and then deactivating that camera.
US09428110B2
A visual system (50) for a vehicle, having a capturing unit on the vehicle. The capturing unit is provided with at least a capturing device (52), a calculation unit (58), and a display unit (60). The capturing device (52) is adapted to acquire a capturing region (21, 22, 23) behind the vehicle (10). The capturing region including a substantially undistorted, backward-directed capturing region (21) behind the vehicle and a substantially downward-directed capturing portion (22) behind the vehicle. The visual system (50) is adapted to extract from the capturing portion (21, 22, 23) a first image (62), which corresponds to the undistorted capturing portion (21), and a second image (63), which corresponds to the downward-directed capturing portion, and to display the first image (61) in an upper image portion (64) and the second image (62) in a lower image portion (66) of the display unit (60).
US09428101B2
A light emission driving device includes an output voltage supply unit arranged to generate an output voltage from an input voltage so as to supply the output voltage to a load, a determination unit arranged to determine whether or not a ground fault due to abnormality may have occurred on the basis of an anode voltage of the load, and a signal output unit arranged to externally output a signal indicating that a ground fault due to abnormality may have occurred when the determination unit determines that a ground fault due to abnormality may have occurred. The output voltage supply unit does not perform generation stop of the output voltage by a trigger of determination by the determination unit that a ground fault due to abnormality may have occurred.
US09428099B1
A universal lightbar foot and mounting assembly for adjustably mounting a lightbar on an emergency vehicle includes a foot, a flexible strap mounted to the foot and with a free end configured to be secured to a side of a vehicle; a light bar bracket configured to be mounted to a light bar; and a connector for rotatably mounting the lightbar bracket to the foot for rotational adjustment of a lightbar bracket with respect to the foot. The foot has a strap adjuster for adjustably attaching the flexible strap to the foot for adjusting the relative position of the foot with respect to the free end of the strap.
US09428092B2
A shelfless sliding and removable cup holder assembly for a vehicle includes a console structure disposed within the vehicle. The console structure includes first and second lateral side walls defining a storage bin therebetween. The first lateral side wall defines a recessed track. The cup holder assembly further includes cup holder member slidably and removably mounted within the console structure. The cup holder member has a guide removably received in the recess track and slidably movable along the recessed track.
US09428085B2
A disc recliner for a seat assembly includes a fixed plate secured to a seat cushion and a rotatable plate secured to a seat back. Each of the fixed and rotatable plates has a plurality of teeth, the number of teeth not being equal. A flex spline has a plurality of teeth, the number of teeth being equal to the number of teeth on the fixed plate. A wave generator causes a portion of the teeth on the flex spline to meshingly engage with the teeth on the fixed and rotatable plates. Rotation of the wave generator causes the teeth on the flex spline which meshingly engage with the teeth on the fixed and rotatable plates to change, thereby causing the rotatable plate to rotate relative to the fixed plate, which in turn causes the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion.
US09428079B2
An electric vehicle includes: a synchronous motor; an induction motor; and a control unit configured to adjust a torque from the synchronous motor and a torque from the induction motor, wherein the control unit includes a torque varying device configured to reduce an output torque from the synchronous motor while maintaining a total drive force of the electric vehicle, and increasing an output torque from the induction motor in the case where the electric vehicle is stopped in a state in which a torque is output from the synchronous motor. Accordingly, there is provided an electric vehicle capable of restraining deterioration of drivability and performing thermal protection of a motor and a control unit.
US09428078B2
A method and an apparatus using a power transistor in a fuel cell stack diagnostic system provides an apparatus using a power transistor in a fuel cell stack diagnostic system. The apparatus includes a regenerative braking detector that detects regenerative braking of a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a fuel cell stack diagnostic system; a voltage rise determiner that determines whether a voltage rise due to regenerative braking of a fuel cell vehicle is a predetermined value or more; and a power transistor controller that controls an AC signal generator so that the voltage due to the regenerative braking is discharged by the power transistor, when the voltage rise due to regenerative braking determined by the voltage rise determiner is a predetermined value or more.
US09428077B2
A vehicle includes a fuel cell system, and a controller configured to receive a first signal indicative of a predicted ambient temperature at a specified location, and command the fuel cell system to operate at a reduced relative humidity when the predicted ambient temperature is below a threshold value. A method for controlling a fuel cell system includes receiving a first signal at a controller indicative of a predicted ambient temperature for a specified location, and operating the fuel cell system at a reduced relative humidity when the predicted ambient temperature is below a threshold value. A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, and a controller configured to, in response to receiving a predicted freezing condition, command the fuel cell stack to operate at a lower relative humidity level for a time period preceding a predicted time for system shut down.
US09428068B2
A method for controlling recharging of a traction battery on a motor vehicle hybrid transmission including a heat engine and at least one electrical machine, wherein the electrical machine is used as a sole motor-driven power source up to a speed threshold beyond which it is possible to couple the heat engine with the wheels, in hybrid modes, to run power supplies from the heat engine and the electrical machine simultaneously with each other. In the method, below the speed threshold, the electrical machine ensures only torque to be transmitted to the wheels, while the heat engine is ignited to provide recharging without contributing to pull of the vehicle when a driver bears on the accelerator pedal, and while the wheels are separate from the heat engine and the electrical machine, when the driver does not bear on the accelerator pedal, to enable recharging of the battery.
US09428065B2
Provided is an automatic folding electronic car that is driven with power supplied from a battery and folded automatically including: a body portion to which a front frame and a rear frame are connected rotatably through a connection shaft and on which a support shaft is formed on an upper part of the rear frame so as to support the front frame from a rear side; a front wheel portion that is arranged on a front of the body portion and is provided with a pair of front wheels connected through a front wheel shaft and a braking means; a rear wheel portion that is arranged on a rear of the body portion and is provided with a pair of rear wheels connected through a rear wheel shaft and a driving means; a handle portion including a handle frame connected upright to the front wheel shaft, an operation panel arranged on an upper part of the handle frame and provided with a folding switch and a handle formed on an upper part and provided with an acceleration lever and a hand brake; a seat portion a front of which is connected rotatably to the front frame and a rear of which is connected to the rear frame in an up down adjustable way of height and on which a sensing sensor is arranged; and a controller for controlling a driving and folding of the electronic car.
US09428053B2
An electronic control unit performs a reduction control for reducing vehicle drive force when the accelerator and the brake are operated simultaneously. The electronic control unit also varies the amount of decrease in the vehicle drive force during the reduction control and conditions under which the reduction control is implemented depending on the order of the accelerator operation and brake operation resulting in the above-noted simultaneous operation. For example, the amount of decrease in the vehicle drive force is less when the brake is operated first in comparison with when the accelerator is operated first. Thus, it is possible to operate the vehicle drive force in accordance with the intention of the driver.
US09428052B1
A system and method for automated monitoring/evaluating of the distraction of an operator of a controllably movable object, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a system for monitoring and/or evaluating distraction of a driver of a vehicle and providing a score to the level of distraction relating to the use of other device while driving.
US09428050B2
A method of operating a drive axle system is provided. The method comprises the steps of rotating a first shaft, drivingly engaging a first axle assembly, drivingly engaging a second axle assembly, moving a second clutching device into a position to disengage a second driving gear of the second axle assembly, and moving a first clutching device into a position to disengage a first portion from a second portion of one of a second pair of output axles, thereby allowing the second driving gear to coast to a substantially non-moving state.
US09428047B2
A system and attendant assembly for incorporating at least one alternate fuel supply, such as of the type used in combination with a conventional distillate fuel, to power a heavy duty industrial vehicle, such as a mine haul dump truck. The system and attendant assembly includes a mounting assembly structured for containment and support of a primary fuel tank and an auxiliary fuel tank. The mounting assembly is disposed on a mounting area laterally adjacent between the two tires on a side of the truck, wherein the mounting assembly and mounting area are cooperatively disposed and structured to facilitate storage of the alternate fuel and operative communication and distribution thereof with the powering operations of the vehicle.
US09428037B2
A roller-blind shaft for a protective apparatus in a vehicle interior on which at least one flexible flat structure is held such that it can be wound up and unwound, the roller-blind shaft having a curved bearing axle and sleeve-like roller-blind shaft sections which are mounted rotatably on the bearing axle and are connected axially to one another to form a rotationally locked unit.In each case at least one axially inserted and axially secured sliding ring is provided for each roller-blind shaft section for mounting the roller-blind shaft sections on the bearing axle, which sliding ring mounts the roller-blind shaft section in a contactless manner at a radial spacing from the bearing axle.
US09428036B2
A heater for a liquid has a combustion chamber, a jacket for the liquid extending about the combustion chamber and a burner head assembly connected to the combustion chamber. The burner head assembly includes a housing having a burner mounted thereon and a hollow interior. A control module and a fan are mounted in the hollow interior, the fan being connected to an electric motor. A compressor and a fuel pump are mounted on the housing and are operatively connected to the electric motor. The control module may include controls for exercising components of the heater prior to combustion, thereby verifying operation of these components. Preferably there is a speed control for the motor, such as a closed loop speed control which regulates motor speed and accordingly output of the heater. Preferably there is a backup system using a lookup table in the event that the closed loop speed control fails. Also preferably there is provision for monitoring flame sensor functionality by providing an indicator light which mirrors operation of the flame sensor. The heater may have a selective soft start for the coolant pump which operates only when required so as to reduce unnecessary chatter on the motor relay. A system is also provided for distinguishing true overcurrent faults from overcurrents arising from voltage changes during starting of the vehicle engine. Reignition algorithms are provided to restart the burner in the event of flame sputters caused, for example, by fuel bubbles, but shut off the heater in the event that the fuel is truly cut off.
US09428035B2
A vehicle HVAC noise control system includes a controller. An air handler provides airflow to a passenger compartment. An inputting device sets a target temperature for the passenger compartment. A temperature sensor measures a current temperature within the passenger compartment. A sensor detects an ambient condition outside of the passenger compartment. A blower motor moves the air flowing through the air handler into the passenger compartment at an adjustable operating airflow rate. The controller is connected to the air handler, the inputting device, the temperature sensor, the exterior sensor, and the blower motor. The controller determines and implements adjustments to the operating airflow rate in order to reduce airflow noise level based on at least the ambient condition, a comparison between the target temperature and the current temperature within the passenger compartment and a noise level of the airflow in the passenger compartment.
US09428034B2
Described herein is a system, apparatus, and method for providing an integrated vehicle cabin experience. A wearable device including one or more bio-physical sensors may be configured to sense bio-physical conditions from a wearer of the wearable device and determine a state of the wearer. The state information may then be referenced by a vehicle computing system in order to control one or more vehicle systems and/or components that create a cabin environment.
US09428030B2
A shock absorber includes a suction passage allowing flow only from a reservoir towards a pressure side chamber, a rectifying passage allowing flow only from the pressure side chamber towards an expansion side chamber, and a damping force variable valve allowing flow only from the expansion side chamber towards the reservoir. Large, and small and outer peripheral chambers in a bottom housing sandwich a free piston. The small chamber communicates the outer peripheral chamber with the expansion side chamber. The large chamber communicates with the pressure side chamber through first and second valves. During a contraction in which a piston moves downward, even in a uniflow-type shock absorber in which pressure in the expansion side chamber and the pressure side chamber become equal, the free piston can move downward due to a difference in pressure-receiving areas. Even if a stretching speed reaches a high range, the first and second valves are opened, and damping force is reduced.
US09428026B2
A damper control device controls vibration of an unsprung member by controlling a damping force of a damper interposed between a sprung member and the unsprung member of a vehicle on the basis of a damping property prepared in advance. The damper control device includes a correction unit that extracts a sprung resonant frequency component of a stroke velocity of the damper, and corrects a damping force target value of the damper on the basis of the extracted above-spring resonant frequency component.
US09428022B2
The present invention provides a control system operable to raise and lower the height of a vehicle based in part on the response characteristics of the vehicle's suspension and vehicle loading. The control system may develop a vehicle suspension system response by mapping a correlation between changes in air pressure of air springs in the vehicle's suspension and a test valve-open-time. During operation, the control system may predict a valve-open-time in response to a command relating to a target air pressure for the air springs, and then inflate or deflate one or more of the air springs for a duration substantially equal to the predicted valve-open-time. This process may be iterated until the control system achieves, within an acceptable degree of error, the target air pressure for the one or more air springs.
US09428021B2
A jounce bumper is used in a suspension system of a vehicle. The jounce bumper comprises an outer member comprising a base portion and a sidewall extending from said base portion. The sidewall of the outer member is flexible relative to the base portion. The base portion and the sidewall define a cavity such that the outer member has a cup-shaped configuration. A bumper is at least partially seated within the cavity of the outer member. The bumper is compressible into the cavity of the outer member such that the bumper expands against the sidewall of the outer member, which forces the sidewall of the outer member to flex and expand radially outward. An isolation layer is disposed on the base of the outer member outside of the cavity and separates the outer member from either the strut assembly or the frame member.
US09428019B1
A ball robot formed from a spherical shell includes a main axle, first and second pendulums pivotally coupled to the main axle, and a drive mechanism for the first and the second pendulums. The drive mechanism drives the first and second pendulums together in a first rotational direction to move the ball robot forward and backward and in opposing directions to cause the ball robot to turn right or left. In an alternative embodiment, a flywheel is used to provide forward and backward movement and a pendulums is used to cause the ball robot to turn right or left.
US09428014B2
The invention relates to a tire pressure monitoring system with a wheel electronic to be installed in a pneumatic tire, comprising a battery as power source, a pressure sensor for measuring of tire pressure or pressure change, and a transmitter for transmitting pressure data, a receiver to be mounted either in or at the vehicle for receiving pressure data, a control unit for evaluating of pressure data, and a serial bus system via which, during operation, the control unit interrogates the receiver and receives subsequently pressure data from the receiver. In accordance with the invention it is provided that additionally to the serial bus system the receiver is also connected with the control unit via a data transfer line that is separate from the serial bus system, wherein the receiver notifies the control unit of critical pressure data via the data transfer line in an unrequested manner.
US09428007B1
A lighting module has axial pins that extend axially rearwardly from a rearward surface of the module base and are respectively received in hollow pin guides formed in a module seating surface of a vehicle wheel. A wheel rim that receives the lighting module has an axially inwardly facing sidewall into which are formed plural bolt holes. A bolt is provided for each bolt hole. The bolt is operable to extend radially inwardly to a locked position affixing the module to the rim, and to be retracted radially outwardly to an unlocked position. The end of the bolt is received within a respective bolt receiver formed in a sidewall of the lighting module. The lighting module may have plural LEDs mounted on a forward face of a circuit board.
US09428003B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for mounting vertebrate skulls using a skull foramen magnum cavity and a skull cleft, the apparatus including a body; an at least one upper tine extending from said body and being configured for insertion into the skull foramen magnum cavity; and an at least one lower tine extending from said body and being configured to nest within the skull cleft when said at least one upper tine is inserted into the foramen magnum cavity.
US09427995B2
An image recording device includes a maintenance mechanism that conducts maintenance of recording head and a maintenance mechanism control unit that makes the maintenance mechanism conduct the maintenance at termination or start of one of process-target jobs for which cumulative number of sheets of the media that received printing processes by the recording head after immediately previous maintenance will reach lower limit of the cumulative number of sheets, which represents earliest start timing of the maintenance, and will not reach an upper limit of the cumulative number of sheets, which represents latest start timing of the maintenance, during printing process, and makes the maintenance mechanism conduct the maintenance before start of printing of a process-target job when priority on image quality, which requires high quality printing, is set in the process-target job and the cumulative number of sheets reaches the lower limit during a printing process of the process-target job.
US09427987B2
A recording apparatus includes a recording head which performs recording on a medium. The recording apparatus includes a first roller that reverses a medium which is transported from the recording head side and a medium reception unit that is provided on the downstream side of the recording head on the medium transport path on which the medium is transported. The medium reception unit also functions as a first medium support unit that supports a medium that is inserted from a discharging direction side of the medium.
US09427979B2
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head, a conveyance section, and a negative pressure applying section. The recording head ejects ink onto a recording medium. The conveyance section conveys the recording medium placed on a conveying surface thereof to the recording head. The negative pressure applying section includes an airflow chamber and causes the recording medium to be sucked onto the conveying surface by negative pressure through holes in an upper wall of the airflow chamber and holes in the conveying surface. Negative pressure applied through first holes in a first region is greater than that applied through second holes in a second region. The first region is located upstream of a head facing region in a conveyance direction of the recording medium. The second region is located downstream of the first region in the conveyance direction of the recording medium and includes the head facing region.
US09427976B2
A printing apparatus includes: a plasma processing unit that performs plasma processing on a processing target surface side of a processing object; a recording unit that ejects ink on the processing target surface side of the processing object; an acquiring unit that acquires setting information, in which an adjustment target area for adjusting surface roughness and surface roughness of the adjustment target area on a surface of an ink layer formed with the ink are set; and a plasma control unit that controls the plasma processing unit to perform plasma processing on a processing area corresponding to the adjustment target area, on the processing target surface side of the processing object, with an amount of plasma energy for obtaining the set surface roughness on the surface of the ink layer formed on the processing area.
US09427975B2
A method for improving durability of aqueous ink deposited on a substrate having multivalent metal salt present at the surface of the substrate is disclosed. The method includes depositing aqueous ink on the surface of the substrate, wherein the aqueous ink is an anionically stabilized pigment ink, drying the substrate to substantially remove the water from the deposited aqueous ink, applying substantially pure water and heat to the dried substrate with deposited aqueous ink, and removing the applied water and heat to return the dried substrate to an ambient temperature and moisture content. The applied substantially pure water and heat are sufficient to cause a significant improvement of the durability of the deposited ink on the substrate.
US09427969B2
The present teachings describe a printhead assembly. The printhead assembly includes a first plate and a second plate stacked together. The printhead assembly includes a first adhesive between the first plate and the second plate for bonding the plates together. The printhead assembly includes a second adhesive surrounding an outer edge of the first adhesive wherein the second adhesive has an oxygen migration rate lower than an oxygen migration rate of the first adhesive. An oxygen sensitive component is contained within the outer edge of the first adhesive.
US09427965B2
Provided is a liquid ejecting head which includes a head main body which ejects ink from a liquid ejection surface and has a plurality of manifolds which store the ink, and a flow-path member in which a first distribution flow path and a second distribution flow path is provided to supply ink to the head main body, in which the plurality of manifolds are arranged on the same plane and the plurality of manifolds, the first distribution flow path, and the second distribution flow path are not disposed in the same plane.
US09427962B2
A drive signal includes a first drive pulse that causes liquid droplets to be ejected from nozzles and a second drive pulse that causes liquid droplets of a different size to those of the first drive pulse to be ejected from the nozzles. Each pulse includes at least an expansion element that causes a pressure chamber to expand by changing from a standard potential, which is a standard for changes in potential, to an expansion potential, a contraction element that causes the expanded pressure chamber to contract by changing from a potential that is on an expansion potential side of the standard potential to a contraction potential that exceeds the standard potential thereby ejecting the liquid. Initiation potentials of the contraction elements of the first and second drive pulses are made to be uniform at the same potential.
US09427960B2
An inkjet printer includes an inkjet head including nozzles arranged in a first direction, a head scanning mechanism moving the inkjet head along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a feeding mechanism feeding the recording medium along the first direction, and a storage device storing upstream correction information and downstream correction information. A controller performs a first determination process for determining a correction value for a specific scanning operation by using the upstream correction information when an image is printed on an upstream area adjacent to a specific area corresponding to the specific scanning operation and when no image is printed on a downstream area adjacent to the specific area, and a second determination process for determining the correction value by using the downstream correction information when no image is printed on the upstream area and when an image be printed on the downstream area.
US09427954B2
A piezoelectric element includes a first electrode layer which is stacked on the vibrating plate; a second electrode layer which is stacked on a side opposite to the vibrating plate with respect to the first electrode layer; a piezoelectric layer which is interposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer; and a conductive layer which electrically connects the first electrode layer to external wiring, in which a point of contact between the conductive layer and the first electrode layer is in a vibrating region of the vibrating plate.
US09427949B2
The yield of a peeling process is improved. A peeling apparatus includes a structure body with a convex surface and a stage with a supporting surface which faces the convex surface. The structure body can hold a first member of a process member between the convex surface and the supporting surface. The stage can hold a second member of the process member. The radius of curvature of the convex surface is less than the radius of curvature of the supporting surface. The linear velocity of the convex surface is greater than or equal to the speed of a rotation center of the structure body passing the stage. The first member is wound along the convex surface to be separated from the second member.
US09427947B2
A method allowing retro-reflective material to be applied on elastic materials, bodies and fabrics by which it is possible to manufacture retro-reflective products that do not suffer from deterioration, cracking or breaking of the applied retro-reflective material when stretched, and that allows, at the same time, to fully retain the properties, color and shape of the elastic material or fabric upon which the procedure was conducted, that comprises the following steps: a) thermal application of retro-reflective material, which includes an amount of retro-reflective material that varies from 0.5 and 3.5 cm2 per square centimeter of elastic material being treated, a temperature that varies between 110.0 and 215.0° C., a pressure that varies between 1.020 and 6.021 Kg/cm2; this step must be performed while the elastic body is subjected to a stretching ranging between 5.0 and 50.0% of its total expansion potential, over a period of time that fluctuates between 4.0 and 45.0 seconds or, where appropriate, in a continuous manner, at a speed rate that varies between 0.01 and 4.00 m/s; and b) smoothing and fixing of the product, step which comprises applying a temperature that varies between 50.0 and 165.0° C., a pressure that varies between 0.0112 and 0.5602 kg/cm2, during a period of time that fluctuates between 1.5 and 60 seconds or, where appropriate, at a speed rate which varies between 0.01 and 6.00 m/s, while performing a new stretching, which should vary between 0.2 and 40.0% of the product's total potential expansion.
US09427939B2
The present invention provides a cold rolled steel sheet. The steel sheet has a strength greater than 1000 MPa, a uniform elongation greater than 12% and a V-bendability greater than 90°. The composition of the steel sheet includes, expressed in per cent by weight, 0.15%≦C≦0.25%, 1.8%≦Mn≦3.0%, 1.2%≦Si≦2%, 0%≦Al≦0.10%, 0%≦Cr≦0.50%, 0%≦Cu≦1%, 0%≦Ni≦1%, 0%≦S≦0.005%, 0%≦P≦0.020%, Nb≦0.015%, Ti≦0.020%, V≦0.015%, Co≦1%, N≦0.008%, B≦0.001% whereby Mn+Ni+Cu≦3%. The remainder of the composition consists of iron and inevitable impurities resulting from processing. The microstructure includes, in area percentage, 5 to 20% polygonal ferrite, 10 to 15% residual austenite, 5 to 15% martensite and a balance of bainite. The bainite is in the form of laths and includes carbides between the laths. A number N of inter-lath carbides larger than 0.1 micrometers per unit of surface area is less than or equal to 50000/mm2. A fabrication method and a motor vehicle are also provided.
US09427935B2
A three dimensional retroreflective article having an outer surface with a reflectivity of at least about 200 lux, and method for making such an article from a thermoformable laminate is provided. The laminate includes a base layer of thermoformable plastic sheet material; and a layer of microbeads configured in a high-density arrangement and silvered on their bottom sides to enhance retroreflectivity. The microbeads are adhered to an outer surface of the base layer by a thermoformable cushion coat which may include a phosphorescent pigment to further enhance reflectivity. A protective sheet of transparent thermoformable sheet material overlies and may be in contact with the layer of microbeads. The laminate is heated and thermoformed into a self supporting three dimensional article having a pre-selected shape and an encapsulated bead retroreflective surface having a reflectivity of at least about 200 lux. The thermoforming step imparts sufficient non-planarity in the resulting retroreflective surface so that retroreflective dead spots created by contact between the microbeads and the protective sheet of transparent sheet material are effectively optically cancelled by overlapping zones of retroreflectivity generated by the microbeads.
US09427934B2
Each sheet material is formed by arraying carbon fiber lines, each having a predetermined width, in parallel with one another. Meanwhile, an array direction of the carbon fiber lines of each sheet material is set to form an angle in a range from ±30° to ±60° to a weaving advancing direction of a stitching yarn. Moreover, a stretch ratio of the stitched base material in its lengthwise direction in a case where a load per inch width of the stitched base material is applied in the weaving advancing direction of the stitching yarn is equal to or below 4% when the load is 5 N, and is equal to or above 10% when the load is 25 N.
US09427929B2
A filter manufacturing machine includes a forming device for forming filter tow into a hollow rod-shaped continuous filter body, a forming tube included in the forming device and having a tubular forming path through which the filter tow is passed while being brought together, a mandrel arranged in the forming tube and forming the tubular forming path in cooperation with the forming tube, and a heat treating section included in the forming tube and configured to heat the filter tow while the filter tow passes through the tubular forming path. The mandrel has a small-diameter portion located at the inlet of the forming tube, a large-diameter portion located at the outlet of the forming tube, and a diameter expansion portion located between the small- and large-diameter portions. The diameter expansion portion is located downstream of the heat treating section as viewed in the moving direction of the filter tow.
US09427928B2
A method for producing packaging cushioning includes successively feeding sheets of a substrate at a first speed to a crumpling mechanism, crumpling the sheets at a second speed to convert the sheets into packaging cushion units, and controlling at least one of the first and second speeds to produce a desired degree of overlap between successive sheets, thereby generating a connected series of the packaging cushion units.
US09427925B2
A tire manufacturing apparatus and a tire manufacturing method capable of efficiently manufacturing quality tire by uniformly expanding the diameter of an annular tread and mounting the tread on a base tire without axial deviation. The tire manufacturing apparatus for mounting an annular tread on the outer periphery of a base tire includes a drum for securing a base tire, a plurality of holding means each having a holding surface for holding the outer periphery of the annular tread, a moving means for moving the holding means along the central axis of the base tire, a sealing means for sealing the opening on one side of the annular tread, and an air supplying means for supplying air into a space surrounded by the annular tread and the sealing means.
US09427912B2
The invention relates to an ultrasonic welding apparatus for ultrasonic machining of a material, having at least two sonotrodes and a converter device, which converts an electrical AC voltage into an ultrasonic vibration and sets the at least two sonotrodes in ultrasonic vibration, the at least two sonotrodes being arranged in such a manner that the material to be machined is arranged between them during machining and can at the same time be machined by the at least two sonotrodes. To specify an ultrasonic welding apparatus that allows effective material machining without an undesirable interaction occurring between the two sonotrodes, the converter device according to the invention excites the first sonotrode at a frequency fs1 and the second sonotrode at a frequency fs2, fs2 being greater than fs1.
US09427901B2
The present invention is a method of manufacturing a foam molded product in which a foam molded product (1A, 1B) is formed by integrally adhering together a foam body (2) that is formed by the foaming of a foaming raw material, and an air-permeable component (3) using an apparatus for manufacturing a foam molded product (1A, 1B) that is provided with a cavity (23) between a plurality of mold components (21, 22, 31) that is defined by respective cavity surfaces (21a, 22a, 31a) of the mold components (21, 22, 31).
US09427897B2
The present invention is related to a process of recycling fiber-reinforced polymeric material including the following steps: a) crushing the material so as to reduce it into fragments; b) mixing the material obtained in the previous step with a liquid adhesive; c) pouring the mixture obtained in step b) into a mold; d) applying a pressure. In particular, the mixing step b) is carried out by nebulizing some adhesive and simultaneously stirring the particles of the fiber-reinforced polymeric material so that a thin layer of adhesive will deposit on the surface of basically each particle of the fiber-reinforced polymeric material. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out the process.
US09427892B2
A manufacturing method for a liquid ejection head including: a substrate; an ejection orifice forming member having an ejection orifice on the substrate; and a surface layer having a recess that has a bottom portion communicating with the ejection orifice and an opening held in contact with an outside and having a width larger than a width of the ejection orifice, the surface layer being formed on the forming member, the method including: forming a first resin layer serving as the forming member by applying a negative photosensitive resin composition A onto the substrate; forming a second resin layer as the surface layer by applying a negative photosensitive resin composition B having sensitivity lower than sensitivity of the composition A onto the first resin layer; subjecting the first and the second resin layers to pattern exposure collectively; and subjecting the first and the second resin layers to development collectively.
US09427871B2
A computer-implemented system and method for operating mobile automated workstations in a workspace including a workpiece is disclosed. A computer device defines an exclusionary volume having an outer exclusionary surface at least partially surrounding a mobile workstation that is operably disposed in the workspace. The computer device receives data from at least one sensor and determines the location of the workstation and humans within the workspace based on the data. The computer device activates an indicator and alters the motion of the workstation after detection of a human breaching the exclusionary volume or exclusionary surface.
US09427870B2
The robotics apparatus includes an f1-actuator for driving a first link, an f2-actuator for driving a second link, an actuator for simultaneously driving both links, and a CPU for controlling those actuators. The CPU sets a driving-force command value to an e3-actuator to a predetermined set value. Moreover, the CPU calculates a driving-force command value to the f1-actuator based on the driving-force command value and a target joint angle for a first joint. The CPU calculates a driving-force command value to the f2-actuator and a target joint angle for a second joint. It achieves a control for allowing a distal end of a second link to track a target trajectory and stiffness control at the distal end of the second link with a smaller number of driving sources than that of a conventional 3-pair 6-muscle manipulator.
US09427865B2
Systems and methods are provided for supporting an arm of a user while using a tool that include a harness configured to be worn on a body of a user; an arm support pivotally coupled to the harness for supporting a user's arm; and a tool mount on a free end of the arm support for receiving a tool such that the tool is manipulatable by a hand of user's arm supported by the arm support. One or more compensation elements may be coupled to the arm support and/or the tool mount for at least partially offsetting a gravitational force acting on the user's arm and/or the tool received on the tool mount.
US09427854B2
Provided is a gas valve key having a valve engagement body including a stem receiving cavity sized and configured to receive a gas valve stem. The key includes a first elongate member including a first body having first proximal and distal end portions. The first distal end portion defines a first end face. A second elongate member is connected to the valve engagement body and includes a second body having second proximal and distal end portions. The second elongate member is slidably connected to the first elongate member. The gas valve key further includes a locking element having a hook portion being disposable within an aperture formed within the first body to mitigate movement of the second elongate member relative to the first elongate member when the second elongate member is in an extended position.
US09427851B2
A screwing machine includes a machine frame, a locking device, a first moving mechanism, a suction jig, a blowing jig and a second moving mechanism. The locking device has a screwdriver. The first moving mechanism moves the machine frame. The suction jig has a suction head. The blowing jig has a target head. The suction jig and the blowing jig are alternatively mounted on the screwing machine. The suction jig is mounted on the screwing machine by connecting to the locking device. The suction jig sucks to attract at least one screw to the suction head. The blowing jig is mounted on the screwing machine by connecting to the machine frame. The blowing jig blows to supply the screw to the target head. The second moving mechanism connects the locking device to the machine frame for moving the locking device relative to the machine frame.
US09427850B2
A drywall screwdriver includes a housing, an element delimiting the depth of engagement, a drive unit, an outlet spindle, and a planetary gear that comprises at least one hollow wheel. The drywall screwdriver further comprises at least one support element that is different from a housing element and that at least partially surrounds the ring gear of the planetary gear.
US09427849B2
The device disclosed comprises two major components: a fold-out stand and an adjustable repair and build-up stand. The adjustable repair and build-up stand is horizontally attached to the undersurfaces of the horizontal members of the fold-out stand, thereby minimizing workspace required in a typical auto body repair shop or other repair facility. A technician may clamp a workpiece to adjustable telescoping arms or a pair of swing arms, all integral to the repair and build-up stand, therefore enabling the stabilization and positioning required for repair of a damaged part or installation of necessary components to a part. Other shop work may be performed atop the fold-out stand since the repair and build-up stand is permanently located underneath the fold-out stand.
US09427847B2
An elastomeric sanding block conformable to curved or flat surfaces includes a Shore A hardness ranging from about 30 to about 90, and is made from ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, low-density polyethylene or an admixture thereof. The polymer or admixture ranges from about 35 to about 70 percent of the sanding block composition by weight. A blowing agent is present in an amount that ranges from about 1.5 to about 4.5 percent of the composition by weight. The elastomeric sanding block may be formed by combining the polymer or admixture and other components under heat to yield a feedstock, thermoforming the feedstock in a mold to yield a foamed material sheet, and cutting the foamed material sheet.
US09427845B2
A method for compacting anodic paints by sandblasting, the method including directing at least two jets of an abrasive material toward a part covered with the paint, the jets being directed in a convergent manner and meeting at a focal point, and the focal point is located upstream from the part.
US09427840B2
A honing tool holder utilizes pressure of a through-the-spindle coolant delivery system for automatically feeding the honing elements or stones of an attached honing tool when in the bore of a work piece, and for automatically stopping the feeding when a particular condition such as a bore size, is reached, so as to enable use of an in-process adjustable feed honing tool in a machine tool, machining center, or the like, lacking a feed mechanism or system but including a coolant delivery system. The holder can also include apparatus to automatically prevent feed past a limit. Both the feed force and feed limit can be adjustable, at least the latter by simple movements of the tool holder by the machine tool.
US09427836B2
A method for inspecting the quality of an alignment between the elements of an assembly, and an associated device, the method of which comprises tasks consisting of measuring a first parameter with a first measuring means, said first parameter being selected from a movement parameter of at least one part of the double-access fastening means, an assembly force parameter or a torque, measuring a second parameter with a second measuring means, said second parameter being selected from the same parameters and being different from the first parameter, calculating a value of a first derivative of a function representing a change in the second parameter relative to the first parameter by suitable information processing means, and analyzing the value of the first derivative to check the alignment between the elements to be assembled.
US09427834B2
Multilayer weaving is used to form a fiber blank having a longitudinal direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the vane to be made and comprising across its thickness a first woven portion with a plurality of layers of yarns interlinked by weaving, and also a second and third woven portions. The first portion is situated between the second and third portions and interlinked thereto by weaving over only a fraction of its longitudinal dimension. A preform for the vane is formed by folding out, on either side of the first portion, segments of the second and third portions not interlinked with the first portion, by shaping the first portion to form a preform portion for the airfoil of the vane, and by shaping the folded-out segments of the second and third portions to form preform portions for the inner and outer platforms of the vane to be fabricated.
US09427828B2
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for increasing solder hole-fill in a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) are provided in the illustrative embodiments. In the PCBA comprising a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and the device, a pin of a device is caused to move in a first direction, the pin occupying a hole in the PCB, the hole being filled to a first distance by a solder material. By causing the pin to move, the solder material is drawn into the hole up to a second distance that is greater than the first distance. The pin is allowed to move in a second direction, to return the pin to an initial position in the hole. Allowing the pin to move in the second direction keeps the solder material at a third distance, wherein the third distance is greater than the first distance in the hole.
US09427827B2
Manufacturing method, welding arrangement and door frame structure for a door frame (21) of a windmill tower (10), wherein a hole (15) is made in the tower shell (10) for the door and a door frame is placed in the hole and welded on the shell. In the method, the shape of the door frame for the shell and the shape of the surface of the shell at the opening (15) to be made are measured with a measuring sensor (40). Based on the measurements, a cutting torch (41) is controlled so that an opening corresponding to the shape of the door frame is cut in the shell and bevels (16, 17) are cut in the edge of the opening on both sides. The door frame is welded on the shell with a weld (24), such as a double bevel, double J or square butt weld, from the inside and the outside of the shell.
US09427814B2
A hand-held tool (100) includes a handle (104), and a blade (102) pivotably coupled to the handle at a proximal end (105). The blade includes a plurality of apertures (116, 118, 120, 122). The hand-held tool further includes a locking member (438) is configured to detachably engage with one of the plurality of the apertures to retain the blade at an angular position relative to the handle. The locking member is provided on a bracket member coupled to the handle, the bracket member being configured to at least partially enclose the proximal end of the blade. The bracket member is spring biased such that the locking member engages with one of the plurality of the apertures to retain the blade at an angular position relative to the handle. Further, the bracket member is movable such that the locking member disengages from one of the plurality of the apertures to allow the blade to pivot relative to the handle.
US09427812B2
A cutting insert for tooth cutters includes a substantially cuboid basic body. The basic body has two top surfaces on sides opposite each other. The basic body also has four circumferential surfaces which extend in each case from an edge portion of the one top surface to an edge portion of the other top surface. A cutting edge is formed at at least one transition from each circumferential surface to one of the top surfaces.
US09427802B2
A composite cast tool is cast in one continuous piece, partly of steel and partly of grey iron, so that an interconnection zone is formed between the steel and the grey iron. The steel portion forms the working component of the tool, for example a cutting edge, and the grey iron portion forms the body component of the tool. The steel portion and the grey iron portion have projections or walls extending towards one another. The interconnection zone is located in the region of union between these walls and is planar.
US09427797B2
An up-drawing continuous casting apparatus according to one aspect of the invention includes a molten metal holding furnace that holds molten metal; a shape determining member that is arranged near a molten metal surface of the molten metal held in the molten metal holding furnace, and that determines a sectional shape of a cast casting by the molten metal passing through the shape determining member, the shape determining member including a pattern provided on an upper surface of the shape determining member; an imaging portion configured to capture an image of the pattern that is reflected onto both retained molten metal that has passed through the shape determining member, and the casting formed by the retained molten metal solidifying; an image analyzing portion configured to determine a solidification interface from the image; and a casting controlling portion configured to change a casting condition.
US09427791B2
A panel assembly includes an outer member and an inner member, which overlap each other and jointly have an edge that includes a distal end portion of the outer member and a distal end portion projecting from an end of the inner member. The distal end portions are fastened together by sheet metal seaming. Boundary regions of the inner member between the distal end portion, which is seamed, and the end, which is not seamed, have respective clearances defined in the end, and which are spaced away from a seaming range in which the distal end portions are seamed.
US09427790B2
The invention relates to a method for forming a surface relief on an available surface of a compacted sintered component which forms the workpiece, using a forming element that is moved in the working direction towards the available surface. The working direction runs radially in relation to the workpiece and a contact surface of the forming element. The shape of the surface having the relief is applied to the surface of the workpiece in the working direction.
US09427785B2
A method of remediation at a remediation site having one or more undesirable conditions in which one or more soil characteristics, preferably soil pH and/or elemental concentrations, are measured at a remediation site. A trace element humate surfactant composition is prepared comprising a humate solution, element solution and at least one surfactant. The prepared trace element humate surfactant composition is then dispensed onto the remediation site whereby the trace element humate surfactant composition will reduce the amount of undesirable compounds by promoting growth of native species activity. By promoting native species activity, remediation occurs quickly and environmental impact is minimal.
US09427783B2
A postal matter ejection apparatus includes an ejection unit, a thickness detection unit, a thickness storage unit, a detection unit, an acquisition unit, a setting unit, and an adjustment unit. The ejection unit ejects a postal matter. The thickness detection unit measures a thickness of the postal matter. The thickness storage unit stores thickness information. The acquisition unit acquires a thickness of a preceding postal matter. The setting unit sets a gap between the preceding postal matter and the postal matter ejected by the ejection unit in accordance with the thickness of the preceding postal matter. The adjustment unit adjusts timing for supplying the postal matter to a conveyance path in accordance with the gap.
US09427782B2
A portable processing plant for processing granular material is provided. The portable plant includes a plurality of portable processing modules configured to be stacked vertically to allow for a vertically downward progression of the generally granular material through the portable processing plant. Each portable processing module includes a self-supporting independent frame structure and has at least one processing component affixed to the self-supporting independent frame structure. The self-supporting independent frame structures of the plurality of portable processing modules combine to define a structural skeleton of the portable processing plant. Each self-supporting independent frame structure can be removed from the structural skeleton substantially fully assembled while the at least one processing component carried by the self-supporting. Methods of assembling and disassembling the portable processing plant are also provided.
US09427780B2
A separator for separating solids and liquids from slurry includes a housing defining a liquid channel and oriented at an acute angle such that a top end is positioned higher than a lower end. A slot sieve extends between and supported at opposing side edges of the housing and is suspended above the liquid channel, the slot sieve including a vibration zone and at least one reaction zone. A slurry delivery apparatus positioned to deliver slurry to the top end of the slot sieve. A liquid removal conduit fluidly coupled to the bottom of the liquid channel. A mechanical vibrator assembly is coupled to the vibration zone of the slot sieve to directly impart mechanical vibration to the reaction zone of the slot sieve and to couple the mechanical vibration to the at least one reaction zone of the slot sieve to dislodge solids from slots of the slot sieve.
US09427777B2
To provide a process for producing a charge retention medium, with which a coating film (precursor of a charge retention medium) containing a fluorinated copolymer having repeating units based on tetrafluoroethylene and repeating units based on ethylene can easily be formed on the surface of a substrate, even in a case where the surface of the substrate has a complicated shape.A process for producing a charge retention medium (electret 30), which comprises a step of applying a coating composition containing a fluorinated copolymer (A) having repeating units based on tetrafluoroethylene and repeating units based on ethylene, and an organic solvent (C), to a substrate (first substrate 10) to form a coating film.
US09427775B2
The present invention provides a process for imparting a simulated patina, or antique appearance to a substrate by using a coating composition comprising a perlite based effect pigment. The perlite based effect pigment functions as colorant and matting agent and shows an almost angle independent brightness. The process provides, for example, decorative wall coatings showing enhanced antique, or patina effects as compared to conventional effect pigments on basis of mica.
US09427773B2
A combined scribing/filling device for scribing a desired channel, trough, trench or groove in a layer currently being fabricated and simultaneously filling the scribed channel, trough, trench or groove with a desired filling material. The combined scribing/filling device comprises (1) a scribing tool having a scribing tip which facilitates scribing of the desired channel, trough, trench or groove in the layer currently being fabricated; and a dispensing/shaping orifice for filling the scribed channel, trough, trench or groove with the filling material. The scribing tip is located coincident with respect to the dispensing/shaping orifice to facilitate simultaneously scribing and filling of the channel, trough, trench or groove. A method of fabricating a three dimensional model from a composite model formed by a plurality of layers, by simultaneously scribing and filling of the channel, trough, trench or groove is also disclosed.
US09427770B2
A dual washer pull plug for masking a mechanical part. The dual washer pull plug includes a first centering component and a second centering component. A first masking flange is located at a first end of the first centering component and the first centering component is configured to center the first masking flange relative to an aperture of a mechanical part on a first side of the mechanical part. A second masking flange is located at a first end of the second centering component and the second centering component is configured to center the second masking flange relative to the aperture of the mechanical part on a second side of the mechanical part.
US09427767B2
A coating bar 1 in a coating apparatus includes grooves 2 that are formed, on the surface of a cylindrical shaft, from a contact point between the coating bar 1 and a substrate 3 in a traveling direction and a direction opposite to the traveling direction, and are arranged in the width direction of the shaft. Thus, a uniform film can be stably applied to the curved or wavy substrate 3 having high rigidity.
US09427754B2
In a rotary atomizer (10) including a rotating bell (92) secured to a rotating shaft (20a) of an air motor (20) held in an atomizer body, the rotating bell having a plurality of orifices (92a) for supplying paint to an object to be painted, the rotating bell being rotated to spray the paint toward the object to be painted, the rotary atomizer comprises a paint passage (102a) with a paint port (112c) at an end thereof fluidly communicating with the orifices of the rotating bell, and a water passage (108) arranged outside of the paint passage and having a water port at an end of the water passage leading to the orifices of the rotating bell. A needle (94) for opening and closing the paint port may be provided.
US09427751B2
A spray nozzle for an irrigation sprinkler is provided, where the nozzle has a deflector that is configured with depending ribs. Each of the ribs has micro-structures that cooperate with other geometry of the rib and deflector to define a plurality of different micro-ramps for dividing the discharged water into different sprays having different characteristics that can be combined to achieve a spray pattern.
US09427739B2
A system for fast, accurate and inexpensive thermal cycling is disclosed including a set of thermally conductive plates that are maintained in a fixed spatial relationship to each other, and separated from each other by a thermal insulating space. A hole having a size approximately equal to a size of a desired test sample is formed through the set of thermally conductive plates. The test sample is placed in the hole and moved back and forth between the different temperature plates, to the desired temperature locations for desired time periods, in a pattern that is determined by the user, and repeated as many times as needed for the specific process.
US09427737B2
Oil compositions and methods for use in droplet formation or in spacing of droplets are disclosed. The oil compositions may include a combination, such as a silicone oil and a fluorine-containing compound. The droplets can contain analytes (e.g., nucleic acids) and may be used for molecular reactions (e.g., digital PCR) and detection.
US09427730B2
Bimetallic Synergized Platinum Group Metals (SPGM) catalyst systems for TWC application are disclosed. Disclosed bimetallic SPGM catalyst systems may include a washcoat with a Cu—Mn spinel structure and an overcoat that includes PGMs, such as Pd/Rh or Pt/Rh supported on carrier material oxides, such as alumina. Bimetallic SPGM catalyst systems show significant improvement in nitrogen oxide reduction performance under lean operating conditions, which allows a reduced consumption of fuel. Additionally, disclosed bimetallic SPGM catalyst systems exhibit enhanced catalytic activity for carbon monoxide conversion. Furthermore, bimetallic SPGM catalyst systems are found to have enhanced catalytic activity for fresh, hydrothermally aged and fuel cut aged conditions compared to PGM catalyst system, showing that there is a synergistic effect between PGM catalyst and Cu—Mn spinel within the disclosed SPGM catalyst system which help in performance and thermal stability of disclosed SPGM catalyst systems.
US09427727B2
Disclosed is a process for producing an oxide catalyst for use in the gas-phase catalytic oxidation reaction or the like of propane or the like, the process comprising the steps of: (I) obtaining a preparation containing compounds of Mo, V, Nb, and Sb or Te at the predetermined atomic ratios; (II) drying the preparation to obtain a dry powder; and (III) calcining the dry powder, wherein the step (III) comprises the step of calcining the dry powder in the presence of a compound containing W in the form of a solid to obtain a pre-stage calcined powder or a mainly calcined powder, or the step of calcining the dry powder and calcining the obtained pre-stage calcined powder in the presence of the solid to obtain a mainly calcined powder, the solid satisfies the predetermined conditions, and the oxide catalyst comprises a catalytic component having the predetermined composition.
US09427723B2
Absorbent containment mats are disclosed. The mats include an upper absorbent layer, a lower liquid impermeable barrier layer, and a peripheral containment edge. The peripheral containment edge may have a lower profile than the absorbent layer. A pressure sensitive adhesive may be applied to the underside of the barrier layer. A durable porous layer may be provided over the absorbent layer.
US09427719B2
Process for manufacturing polysiloxane microcapsules that are functionalized and are not very porous
A method is provided for encapsulating products that can have lipophilic or hydrophilic, including volatile, properties in a polysiloxane membrane that is particularly impervious. A method is also provided for evaluating the imperviousness of capsules. The present method includes the following steps: a) formation of droplets by an emulsion between an oily phase containing the product to be encapsulated and an acidic aqueous phase heated to around 50° C. and in the presence of surfactants; b) addition and hydrolysis of at least one silane in order to obtain a silanol; c) increasing the pH in order to start condensation of the silanol to form a first membrane around the droplets of the product to be encapsulated; d) lowering the pH; e) increasing the pH, optionally preceded by adding a silane, in order to obtain a new condensation of silanol around the droplets of the product to be encapsulated.
US09427710B2
A gas sterilization package component having (a) a gas diversion wall stock for at least a portion of a container, the wall stock having an opening therethrough; (b) a gas diversion layer; (c) a filter sheet disposed between (a) and (b), the filter sheet having a first surface and an opposing second surface circumscribed by a perimeter edge; and wherein the first surface of the filter sheet is attached to a surface of said gas diversion layer and the second surface of the filter sheet is sealed to a surface of the wall stock whereby an opening in the wall stock is covered by the filter sheet and a gas passageway is defined from the opening through a portion of the second surface of the filter sheet and extending through said filter perimeter edge.
US09427709B2
A method for use in the manufacture of a filtration article includes providing a porous, fluoropolymer membrane, and applying a force to at least a portion of a first side surface of the membrane to modify the first side surface. The applied force may have a non-normal directional component relative to the first side surface. The surface modification may increase the density of the modified surface and/or reduce the porosity of the modified surface. Particle retention capabilities are thereby enhanced across the modified surface while maintaining permeability across the volume of the membrane.
US09427706B1
Overburden from surface coal mining in many regions can produce a rain runoff laden with selenium, in the selenate form. This occurs from rainwater leaching through exposed selenium-containing rocks in the overburden. The selenium-containing runoff water is caught in ponds. Remediation of the pond water to remove selenate is performed by treatment with sulfur-modified iron (SMI) in a contact bed of an upflow reactor vessel. The pond water after pretreatment is pumped through the SMI reactor, and can then be run through an oxidation tank and filtered to remove iron. For extending effectiveness and life of the SMI the contact bed is either periodically “fluffed” with a high-velocity upflow of water through the bed, or moved continuously through the column in a continuous medium filtration system. A biocide can be added to runoff water prior to the contact bed.
US09427696B2
Process for removal of salts thermally non-regenerable in a temperature range from 0° C. to 200° C., from organic solvents in an aqueous solution by evaporation, the normal boiling point of organic solvents being higher than that of water, and by enriching the organic constituents existing in the solvent as well as the heat stable salts existing therein in a liquid phase forming by evaporation of water and a portion of the organic constituents of a first vessel, and discharging an evolving vaporous phase from the first vessel. In particular, the liquid phase formed in the first vessel is passed into a second vessel, water in vaporous and/or liquid form being passed into the second vessel, water and another portion of the organic constituents contained in the solvent being evaporated and forming a vaporous phase which is discharged from the second vessel, the heat stable salts being enriched in concentration in the liquid phase forming in the second vessel, and wherein a partial stream of the liquid phase formed in the second vessel is discharged from the second vessel.
US09427695B2
A chilled ammonia capture system for capturing carbon dioxide from a flue gas stream comprises a first absorber and a second absorber. The first absorber operates at a temperature of about 25 to about 50 degrees Celsius. The operating temperature permits the use of a lower circulation rate, which leads to smaller diameter vessels and to fewer recirculation pumps, which in turn leads to lower operating and maintenance costs.
US09427694B2
A process for component separation in a polymer production system comprising: (a) separating a polymerization product into a gas stream and a polymer stream; (b) processing the gas stream in distillation columns to yield a light hydrocarbon stream (LHS) comprising ethylene and ethane; (c) contacting LHS with a purged hydrocarbon adsorber to yield a loaded hydrocarbon adsorber and a non-adsorbed gas stream, wherein ethane is adsorbed by the purged hydrocarbon adsorber at a first pressure to yield adsorbed ethane, and wherein the non-adsorbed gas stream comprises recovered ethylene; (d) contacting the loaded hydrocarbon adsorber with a sweeping gas stream at a second pressure to yield an unloaded hydrocarbon adsorber and a recovered adsorbed gas stream comprising the sweeping gas stream and desorbed ethane; and (e) contacting the unloaded hydrocarbon adsorber with the sweeping gas stream at the first pressure to yield the purged hydrocarbon adsorber and a spent sweeping gas.
US09427688B2
An apparatus and method disperse particles suspended in a fluid with an obstacle field in the flow path of the fluid. The particles may be dispersed after an interaction with obstacles in the obstacle field. The obstacle-particle interactions may result in an asymmetrical particle shift in which the particles are dispersed in an asymmetrical manner relative to the obstacle and the fluid flow. The obstacle field may have a configuration that causes the particles suspended in the fluid to disperse in a differential manner in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow.
US09427673B2
A retractable leash for a swing car comprising a front cover further comprising threaded holes an opening, a back cover further comprising threaded holes an opening, a recoil spring, a rotatable guide rail in a hollow cylindrical structure, and a rope with a free end; wherein the threaded holes in the front cover and back cover correspond to each other, wherein the front cover and the back cover are conjoint by the thread holes and screws to enclose the recoil spring, rotatable guide rail, and the rope, wherein the recoil spring is disposed inside of the rotatable guide rail, wherein the recoil spring is fixedly to the back cover, wherein the opening on the front cover and the back cover correspond to each other, and the free end of the rope extends out of the openings.
US09427669B2
Some embodiments include a fantasy sports game. In some embodiments, an expected performance value may be determined. In some embodiments, a same player may appear multiple times in a team. Various other embodiments are described.
US09427660B2
A system communicates with a device in both a wired mode and a wireless mode, and is able to switch between these two modes without permanent disruption to an ongoing use. The system is configured to receive an indication of a condition that suggests switching from the wireless mode of operation to a wired mode of operation, to display a notification for the device to switch, and to transition from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation.
US09427648B2
A dynamic training apparatus includes a platform, a first motor, a moving assembly, and a rebound wall. The moving assembly is coupled to the platform and the first motor and is movable in response to an actuation of the first motor. The rebound wall is coupled to the moving assembly and is pivotable relative to the platform in response to movement of the moving assembly.
US09427642B2
A lacrosse head pocket and a related method of manufacture are provided to facilitate consistent, repeatable and/or custom manufacture of lacrosse equipment. The pocket can be constructed from multiple different sections joined with one another, or can be knitted, weaved or otherwise assembled on an automated assembly machine from strands, and/or can be formed as a unitary textile material having regions/sections with different physical and/or mechanical properties. The pocket can be integrally molded within portions of a lacrosse head to eliminate manually constructed connections between the pocket and lacrosse head. The lacrosse head can be integrally molded with a lacrosse handle to provide a one-piece unitary lacrosse stick. Related methods of manufacturing also are provided.
US09427633B2
In general, aspects of this invention relate to blade-type iron golf clubs or golf club heads. The blade-type golf club head may comprise a body forged of a metal material. The body may include a hosel, a top surface, a sole, a heel, a toe, a ball striking surface, and a rear surface opposite the ball striking surface. The rear surface may have an upper blade portion and a lower muscle portion with the upper blade portion separated from the lower muscle portion by a blade interface. An average height of the lower muscle portion from the ball striking centerline to the toe-side boundary line may be approximately twice an average height of the lower muscle portion from the heel-side boundary line to the ball striking centerline. The mass distribution of the lower muscle portion moves the center of gravity of the club head closer to the face center location.
US09427628B2
The invention relates to golf ball formulations formed from blends of linear and branched polybutadienes catalyzed with neodymium that have improved properties and processing characteristics. Golf ball components may be formed from the blends to provide high coefficient of restitution.
US09427627B2
Swimming/diving goggles includes a main body with a head strap coupling portion. An attachment portion is formed on an end of a head strap. A buckle includes two sidewalls defining a space. An eccentric axle extends between upper front portions of the sidewalls and engages with the attachment portion. Front and rear posts extend between the sidewalls and define a passage. The end of the head strap extends through a rear opening of the buckle into the space, extends through the passage, and is wound around to form a bend. The head strap includes an inner section and an outer section having the attachment portion. The head strap and the buckle are jointly movable. A tightening force acting on the inner section makes the inner section form another bend in the passage. The inner section presses against the front post and the rear post to position the head strap.
US09427625B2
An airbag rescue system employed as a life-saving system to enable a person to survive an avalanche or other situation, such as a water rescue. The airbag system includes an air movement device that takes the form of a source of compressed air or an electrically powered air mover, such as one that includes a bladed rotor for inflating the airbag with ambient air, such as 100% ambient air, for example. The system further includes a supporting device, such as a harness or a backpack, for supporting the inflatable airbag and the powered air movement device on a user in a ready position of the airbag rescue system. The system also includes triggering device that includes a trigger handle configured and arranged to initiate inflation of the inflatable airbag by being manipulated by the user. In the ready position of the airbag rescue system, while the airbag is not yet in a deployed position, the trigger handle is conveniently externally accessible for the user to trigger the inflation of the airbag.
US09427609B2
A method and system for diluting and dispersing chemicals that includes a plurality of concentrated liquid chemical containers, a plurality of control valves each in corresponding fluid relationship to the plurality of concentrated liquid chemical containers, at least one additional concentrated chemical container, a positive displacement pump in fluid relationship with the at least one additional concentrated liquid chemical container, a high pressure pump connected in fluid relationship to each of the plurality of control valves, at least one metering device located in fluid relationship between at least one of the plurality of control valves, a fluid pressure adjustment valve connected in fluid relationship to the high pressure pump and a source of solvent or diluent, a hose connected in fluid relationship to the fluid pressure adjustment valve, and an applicator connected to the hose for dispersing a mixture of a solvent or diluent and at least one concentrated chemical.
US09427602B2
A system and method are disclosed for stimulating activation of heat shock proteins and facilitating protein repair in cells and tissues in order to take advantage of the remediative and restorative nature of the increased heat shock protein activation or production and the facilitation of protein repair, while not damaging the cells and tissues. This is accomplished by treating a specified target area with an ultrasound or electromagnetic radiation source which is pulsed and applied or focused to one or more small areas in order to achieve the necessary temperature rise or sufficiently stress the cells and tissue to stimulate heat shock protein production or activation and facilitate protein repair, while allowing the temperature to decay sufficiently quickly so as not to damage or destroy the treated tissue.
US09427599B1
A multi-resolution detector includes a high-resolution pixelated electrode and a low-resolution pixelated electrode. The high-resolution pixelated electrode includes a plurality of sub-arrays of first pixels. Each respective first pixel at each relative position in each sub-array is electrically connected in parallel with one another. The low-resolution pixelated electrode includes a plurality of second pixels. A control system receives as inputs an output from each pixelated detector. The control system uses the inputs to determine a physical position and a transverse intensity distribution of an incident charged particle pencil beam at the resolution of the high-resolution pixelated electrode.
US09427594B1
A distributed leadless implantable system and method are provided that comprise a leadless implantable medical device (LIMD). The LIMD comprises a housing having a proximal end configured to engage local tissue of interest in a local chamber, cardiac sensing circuitry to sense cardiac signals; and a controller configured to analyze the cardiac signals and, based thereon, to produce a near field (NF) event marker indicative of a local event of interest (EOI) occurring in the local chamber. The system and method further comprise a subcutaneous implantable medical device (SIMD). The SIMD comprises cardiac sensing circuitry to sense cardiac signals, a controller configured to identify a candidate EOI from the cardiac signals, and pulse sensing circuitry to detect the NF event marker from the LIMD. The SIMD controller is configured to declare the candidate EOI as a valid EOI or an invalid EOI based on the NF event marker.
US09427593B2
A system and method for estimating the current delivered to a patient during voltage-regulated electrical stimulation therapy by an implantable medical device includes calculating a total charge delivered and a peak current delivered and the time at which the peak current was delivered using a proxy for the current delivered to the patient and a component such as a current controlled oscillator, the output of which is proportional to the current proxy together with memory for storing values relating to the output proportional to the current proxy. The stored values also may be used to construct a waveform approximating the current delivered to the patient during a therapy of voltage-regulated stimulation. The system and method may be implemented in an active implantable medical device such as an implantable neurostimulator.
US09427580B2
An implantable system for stimulating the release of satiety hormone in a subject comprises a stimulus device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to apply an electrical stimulus to a tissue of a gastrointestinal system of said subject, and a detection device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to continuously monitoring at least one of a mechanical characteristic and an electrical characteristic of the subject to detect an ingestion of food by said subject, wherein the detection device cooperates with the stimulus device such that the stimulus device applies said electrical stimulus in response to a detected ingestion of food.
US09427579B2
A renal denervation feedback method is described that performs a baseline measurement of renal nerve plexus electrical activity at a renal vessel; denervates at least some tissue proximate the renal vessel after performing the baseline measurement; performs a post-denervation measurement of renal nerve plexus electrical activity at the renal vessel, after the denervating; and assesses denervation of the renal vessel based on a comparison of the baseline measurement and the post-denervation measurement of renal nerve plexus electrical activity at the renal vessel.
US09427576B2
An epicardial screw lead for stimulation/defibrillation implantable by a guide-catheter inserted into the pericardial space is described. The lead is a monodiameter lead with a helical anchoring screw extending axially of the lead body. The guide-catheter (24) has a pre-shaped tube having, in the absence of stress, a first bend (26) for supporting the lead body on the outer wall of the pericardial space (38), and a second bend (28) for orienting the end of the guide-catheter tube in the direction of the outer wall of the myocardium (34) and keeping the axis of the anchoring screw (14) in that same direction during a combined movement of screwing and insertion of the lead head.
US09427569B2
A structure of an artificial electronic retina is disclosed, which includes an array of a plurality of photoelectric units, and each photoelectric unit includes one electronic photosensitive element, one microelectrode, one electronic circuit, and sidewalls surrounding the photoelectric unit, wherein the microelectrode is disposed on and electrically connected to the electronic photosensitive element, and the electronic circuit is disposed on the electronic photosensitive element adjacent to the sidewalls near the circumference of the electronic photosensitive element. A layer of a light-permeable conductive material is disposed on the electronic photosensitive element between the microelectrode and the electronic circuit, wherein the layer of the light-permeable conductive material is electrically connected to both the electronic photosensitive element and the microelectrode. Therefore, the input and output power of the electronic photosensitive element can be increased without reducing the photosensitive area of the electronic photosensitive element.
US09427562B2
An introducer assembly for introducing a catheter into a patient, includes a sheath having a distal end and a proximal end with a hollow lumen extending between the distal end and proximal end. The assembly also includes a coupler having a distal end operatively coupled to the proximal end of the sheath, the coupler having an internal passage in fluid communication with the hollow lumen. The assembly further includes a connector having a distal end operatively coupled to the coupler proximate the distal end of the coupler.
US09427553B2
Anchors for securing a therapy device such as a therapy catheter relative to a burr hole, and systems and methods for using the same. Anchors in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may include a connector for securing the therapy catheter to a delivery catheter, wherein the connector is independently and removably attachable to the anchor. The connector may secure the therapy catheter relative to the burr hole and isolate forces that may otherwise tend to disrupt the placement of the therapy catheter.
US09427552B2
One embodiment is an improved method for providing a tube for attachment to a medical device such as a catheter that provides for intermittent changes in tube path length as a result of body movement thereby reducing the stress and pain caused by pulling on the device, as well as the optional provision to provide a very low, controlled tension that provides improved stability of the medical device without damage to the surrounding body tissues. In at least one embodiment, there is a decrease in infection risk by the patient. This controlled tension can be applied or removed intermittently by a medical practitioner or the patient. Other embodiments provide for extension in tubal path length while simultaneously providing for intermittent or continuous low tension pull on the catheter. Provision is also made for a continuous smooth fluid path with no moving internal parts.
US09427550B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to delivery devices, methods, and systems for delivering an implant to a target site. In one embodiment, a delivery device includes a core member defining a proximal end and a distal end and an outer winding defining a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the outer winding surrounds and is coupled to the core member. The outer winding extends at least partially between the proximal end of the core member and the distal end of the core member, and the outer winding is configured for displacement within a delivery catheter. The delivery device further includes a coupling member at the distal end of the core member configured to releasably attach to an implant.
US09427545B2
A mask system includes a cushion adapted to seal with a face of a patient. In one form an unobtrusive full-face masks system is provided which is comfortable and has a wide fit range. The cushion may include a sealing structure (127-10) and a supporting structure (127-20). The supporting structure may include gaps or spacing in a nasal bridge region (NBR) and/or a lip region CHN.
US09427538B2
A multiple stage variable speed blower for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) ventilation of patients includes two impellers in the gas flow path that cooperatively pressurize gas to desired pressure and flow characteristics. Thus, the multiple stage blower can provide faster pressure response and desired flow characteristics over a narrower range of motor speeds, resulting in greater reliability and less acoustic noise.
US09427536B2
An electronic cigarette includes a container for storing a tobacco flavored liquid, an atomizer connected to the container to atomize the tobacco flavored liquid by an electric heating, a battery tube to power the atomizer, and an actuating film movably positioned in the battery tube to control the atomizer.
US09427534B2
The present invention provides an adapter for fitting to a drug delivery device, the adapter comprising: an outlet for communication with the mouth of a patient; an air flow path through the adapter along which air is drawn to the outlet by inhalation by the patient; an inlet adapted for connection to a mouthpiece of the drug delivery device; and an air flow rate indicator operable to indicate when the air flow rate along the air flow path is at or above a predetermined minimum level suitable for delivery of the drug to the patient. The present invention also provides a drug delivery device having, in its body, an air flow rate indicator operable to indicate when the air flow rate along the air flow path is at or above a predetermined minimum level suitable for delivery of the drug to the patient.
US09427533B2
A medicated module containing a second medicament is configured for removable attachment to the mouthpiece of an inhaler containing a first medicament such that a single inhalation by a user will deliver both medicaments to the user.
US09427531B2
The invention relates to an auto-injector for administering a dose of a liquid medicament, comprising: an elongate housing, a syringe with needle and a stopper, a drive spring for pushing the needle from a covered position into an advanced position, for operating the syringe and for retracting the syringe, activating means for locking or releasing the spring means. A retraction sleeve is axially movable arranged in the housing. The drive spring bears with its proximal end against a thrust face of a decoupling member. At least one resilient decoupling arm is arranged at the decoupling member for bearing against a first shoulder of the plunger. At least one aperture is arranged in the retraction sleeve allowing the decoupling arms to be flexed outward thus allowing the first shoulder to slip past the decoupling arm. The aperture is arranged to be angularly misaligned with respect to the decoupling arm and to rotate so as to align with the decoupling arms upon translation of the retraction sleeve out of the proximal position in distal direction.
US09427530B2
Drug delivery device, comprising a needle, which a distal end and a proximal end comprises an inner surface forming a channel, an outer surface, a first salient located on the outer surface.
US09427528B2
In an elongated casing, an active agent container connected to an injection needle can be shifted axially by a spring force. Auto-injectors which are sold or distributed filled and with the springs tensed have to be provided with a needle protecting cap to ensure the sterility of the injection needle. When such a needle protecting cap is removed as preparation for using the auto-injector, a tensile force can be exerted on the active agent container. Therefore, the active agent container comprising the injection needle must be prevented from being undesirably pulled forwards. At least one latching tongue prevents the active agent container from being prematurely shifted with respect to the casing, by abutting a flange arranged on a sliding sleeve which accommodates the active agent container. When the auto-injector is placed onto a person's skin, a needle protecting tube is shifted into the casing, forcing the latching tongue away from the flange and, thus, freeing the travel path for needle movement.
US09427526B2
A disposable injector with a cylinder/piston unit that can be filled at least temporarily with active substance, with a housing in which a pretensioned and releasable mechanical spring energy reservoir is arranged, and with at least one piston-actuating ram positioned between the spring energy reservoir and the piston of the cylinder/piston unit. The piston-actuating ram has two draw hooks that engage around the housing in some areas. In addition, the piston-actuating ram is separable from the housing by the relaxing spring energy reservoir. With the present invention, a disposable injector is developed which, with a small overall size, comprises only a small number of components and, while being easy to handle, ensures safe storage and operation.
US09427524B2
The present invention relates to a drug delivery device for dispensing of a dose of a medicinal product, comprising: a housing having at least one housing component (100; 200; 300) a cartridge comprising the medicinal product, a dose dispensing mechanism operably engaged with the cartridge for setting and/or dispensing of a predefined dose of the medicinal product, and a display element (102; 202; 302) being movably disposed relative to the at least one housing component (100; 200; 300), wherein the display element (102; 202; 302) and the housing component (100; 200; 300) are mutually moveable for selectively concealing and/or revealing information provided on the display element (102; 202; 302).
US09427521B2
An apparatus, method and program product detects an occlusion in a fluid line by determining if a relationship between force measurements departs from an expected relationship.
US09427517B2
A piston pump is described for pumping a fluid, comprising at least two cylinders each having a piston which is movable inside the associated cylinder along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder by means of a drive, wherein cylinders are attached to a common pump flange. In each cylinder a chamber is formed having a volume that changes when the associated piston is moved in the cylinder. The pump flange extends along the direction of motion of the pistons, and at least one inlet port and one outlet port are attached to the pump flange, whose longitudinal axes run along the pump flange. A central valve plate is attached to the side of the pump flange facing away from the cylinders that bear on the pump flange and continuously rotates transversely to the pump flange during pumping operation of the piston pump. Respective passages are introduced to the pump flange in the region of each inlet and outlet port, and cylinder openings are introduced to the pump flange in the region of each cylinder. The valve plate has at least two cavities on the flange side, of which a first cavity coincides, upon rotation of the valve plate to a first angular position, with a cylinder opening of a first cylinder and a passage of the outlet port, while the second cavity coincides in this first angular position with the passage of the inlet port and a cylinder opening in the second cylinder. The first cavity then coincides, upon rotation of the valve plate to a second angular position, with the passage in the outlet port and a cylinder opening in the second cylinder, while the second cavity coincides in this second angular position with the passage in the inlet port and a cylinder opening in the first cylinder.
US09427510B2
A system and a method for starting a rotor of an implantable blood pump are described. For example, a blood pump system includes a rotary motor having a stator and a rotor. The rotor has permanent magnetic poles for magnetic levitation of the rotor, and the stator has a plurality of pole pieces arranged circumferentially at intervals. The blood pump system includes a controller configured to control a start phase of the rotor, wherein the start phase is prior to the rotor being positioned in a predefined geometric volume for pumping blood and wherein the start phase includes performing a rotation of the rotor by an angle larger than an angle corresponding to a quarter of an angular distance between two neighboring magnetic poles of the rotor.
US09427509B2
A transfer assembly comprising an intracorporeal transfer coil of an implant, and an extracorporeal transfer coil of an extracorporeal supply unit. The transfer coil of the implant has permanently associated therewith a transmitting element. The transfer coil of the supply unit has permanently associated therewith at least one receiving element. Further, the supply unit comprises an evaluation module connected with the receiving element and issuing a locating signal depending on an offset and/or a direction of offset of the transmitting element relative to the receiving element.
US09427508B2
The presence or absence of a high pressure condition in an implantable blood pump is determined at least in part based on a comparison between a determined amount of differential pressure across the pump and a pressure threshold value. The amount of differential pressure parameter may be determined based at least in part on a parameter related to flow, such as a parameter related to thrust on the rotor of the pump. In response to determining the presence of a high pressure condition, an updated speed of rotation of the rotor that is less than the rotor's initial speed may be determined. The rotor's speed may be increased when the flow rate of blood is determined to be at least equal to a flow recovery threshold value.
US09427505B2
Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a pump assembly comprising a voice coil, a magnet and a diaphragm, wherein the voice coil is configured to move the diaphragm to pump a fluid through the pump assembly in response to a drive signal applied to the voice coil. Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to an apparatus for applying negative pressure to a wound comprising a source of negative pressure configured to be coupled to a dressing, the source of negative comprising a voice coil actuator and a diaphragm, and a controller configured to produce a drive signal for the voice coil actuator.
US09427503B2
A cardiotomy suction tube system comprises a main line, a first flexible branch line in fluid communication with the main line, a second flexible branch line in selective fluid communication with the main line, and a rigid branch line in selective fluid communication with the main line. A valve mechanism selectively places either the second flexible branch line or the rigid line in fluid communication with the main line. The first flexible branch line may be provided with a weighted suction tip which gravitates to a low point in an operative field. The second flexible branch line may be provided with a weighted suction tip which gravitates to a low point in an operative field.
US09427502B2
Systems, methods, and connectors are provided that introduce a working gas at certain times into a reduced-pressure dressing into order to break or avoid vacuum locks in the conduits removing fluids. In one instance, a reduced-pressure connector includes a connector body for applying a reduced pressure to the tissue site. The connector body is formed with a venting port, a body conduit, and a receptacle to receive a reduced-pressure delivery conduit. The reduced-pressure connector includes a flexible member coupled to the connector body over the venting port. The flexible member is formed with at least one venting aperture. The flexible member is biased away from the venting port and is configured to collapse and seal the venting port under a reduced pressure greater than a threshold pressure. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed.
US09427498B2
Microbial growth inhibiting solutions and methods of employing the microbial growth inhibiting solutions in flushing and coating medical devices are disclosed. In alternative embodiments, the microbial growth inhibiting solutions include combinations of a chelating agent with a C4-C12 carboxylate antimicrobial agent, for example, such as n-capric, n-lauric, or n-octanoic acid. Methods of using these microbial growth inhibiting solutions for coating a medical device and for inhibiting catheter infection are also disclosed. Methods of using these microbial growth inhibiting solutions, or portions thereof, as leaching treatment solutions to treat polymer syringes and the treated syringes are also disclosed.
US09427496B2
An artificial tissue including an internal mass transport network having a plurality of channels, wherein the channels are designed to substantially mimic naturally occurring vascular network and a method for creating an internal transport system within a tissue scaffold to improve circulation, diffusion, and mass transport properties by utilizing computer-aided tissue engineering (CATE). The artificial tissue has the internal mass transport network of channels embedded, deposited, or molded within a scaffold, wherein the channels are made from a biodegradable transporting material and the scaffold is made from a scaffold material. The artificial tissue of the invention includes a basic circulatory system embedded within the tissue scaffold. This system provides mass transport throughout the entire scaffold and degrades after the new circulatory system develops.
US09427495B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for musculoskeletal tissue engineering. For example, a scaffold apparatus is provided which comprises microspheres of selected sizes and/or composition. The microspheres are layered to have a gradient of microsphere sizes and/or compositions. The scaffold provides a functional interface between multiple tissue types.
US09427489B2
Orthopedic splinting materials and methods for stabilizing an injured limb or extremity of a human or animal comprising applying a foam to the limb or extremity and allowing the foam set to sufficient rigidity, which can be in less than 60 seconds. The foam, such as a Spray Polyurethane Foam, can be sprayed directly on the skin without producing an amount of heat release that is painful or uncomfortable on the skin. Also provided is a kit for stabilizing an injured limb or extremity comprising a dispenser comprising the present foam. Further provided is situ preparation and application of a compression bandage on an injured patient in an emergency or combat situation comprising applying the present foam. A spine board and a method for making the same comprising applying the present foam to the patient's back, then contacting the foam with a board or flat surface before the foam sets.
US09427487B1
A fabric scent diffuser that can be easily and strongly attached to a pet collar which is then worn by a pet with the portable scent diffuser providing an effective scent or vapor to the pet, yet can be removed when desired. The fabric scent diffuser has a fabric strap, absorbent material such as cotton to which a scent oil or solution is applied, and has a fabric cover over the absorbent material, all stitched together to hold the absorbent material and fabric cover in place on the fabric strap. Hook and loop fastener material are attached near the ends of the strap so that the fabric scent diffuser can be looped around a pet collar and secured with the hook and loop material. A kit with additional components, and methods of fabrication and use, are provided.
US09427485B2
A metering unit is provided for metering hydrogen peroxide into an evacuated vessel, for controlling the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the vessel. The metering unit includes a body defining a metering passage having a fixed volume and upstream and downstream ends, an upstream connection for connecting the upstream end to a hydrogen peroxide supply, a downstream connection for connecting the downstream end to a hydrogen peroxide vaporizer, an upstream valve for selectively closing the upstream end and a downstream valve for selectively closing the downstream end, and a controller for operating the valves in a non-overlapping and opposite manner for selectively preventing opening of both valves at the same time. With the metering unit of this disclosure, expensive peroxide concentration measurement systems are replaced with an economical monitoring of the number of injection cycles using a passage of fixed volume.
US09427476B2
Disclosed herein are meningococcal immunogenic conjugates which can elicit immune responses against meningococcal polysaccharides (PS) from groups A, C, W-135, and Y and group B factor H binding protein (fHbp). The disclosed conjugates also exhibit bactericidal activity against meningococcal A, C, W-135, Y, B, and X serogroups. Also disclosed are improved methods for preparing conjugates, such as immunogenic conjugates, including activation of a polysaccharide with a cyanylation agent at about 4° C.
US09427470B2
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a composition that includes hyaluronic acid, or its salt or derivative thereof, zinc citrate and an additive selected from the group consisting of grapefruit seed extract, Citricidal™, calcium propionate, sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, magnesium citrate, proline, raddish root extract, Leucidal™ or 1,2-propanediol.
US09427466B2
Methods for reducing the growth of breast cancer cells in a subject by exposing the cells to nanoparticles, and irradiating with a focused, low to medium power ultrasound. The nanoparticles can be gold or magnetic nanoparticles. The nanoparticles can have a cancer drug attached, such as an antibody-based cancer drug.
US09427465B2
A method of screening for the presence of a composition in a medium includes selecting a score record for a score that affects the composition, and applying energy to the medium in accordance with the selected score.
US09427456B2
The present invention is directed to novel therapeutic uses of T-140 analog peptides and compositions comprising same. Specifically, the invention relates to compositions and methods for providing improved platelet levels, useful in the treatment and prevention of thrombocytopenia, for controlling bleeding and for inducing or modulating haemostasis.
US09427452B2
A method for preparing fermentation broth of fruits and vegetables includes steps of mixing fruits, vegetables, bacteria liquid of Lactobacillus acidophilus, bacteria liquid of Bifidobactreium longum, bacteria liquid of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and bacteria liquid of Streptococcus thermophilus, and processing fermentation to obtain the fermentation broth of fruits and vegetables. A fermenting course of the method could be controlled, and a fermenting period is reduced to 15 days.
US09427447B2
A compound for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of viral infections such, for example as chicken pox or shingles caused by the Varicella Zoster virus, said compound having the general formula (II): wherein X is O, S, NH or CH2, Y is O, S or NH, Z is O, S or CH2, R1 is C1-6 alkyl, preferably n-alkyl, e.g., n-pentyl or n-hexyl, and one of R2 and R3 is OH, and the other of R3 and R2 is a neutral, non-polar amino acid moiety, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof. Said neutral, non-polar amino acid moiety R2 or R3 may be (IV): in which R4, R5, R6 and R7 are each independently H or C1-2 alkyl. In preferred embodiments, one of R2 or R3 is valine, leucine, isoleucine or alanine, particularly valine.
US09427445B2
The invention pertains to the use of a composition in reducing the number of infections episodes and the occurrence of infections in young children, said composition comprising: (a) long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, wherein the amount of arachidonic acid is less than 0.06 gram per 100 gram fatty acid; and comprising, per 100 g fatty acids: (i) 0.3-0.6 gram docosahexaenoic acid; (ii) 0.2-0.4 gram eicosapentaenoic acid; and (b) between 1.5 and 2.5 gram indigestible oligosaccharides per 100 kcal, comprising: (i) 1.4-2 gram short-chain galactooligosaccharides; and (ii) 0.1-0.5 gram long-chain fructopolysaccharides.
US09427439B1
The present invention provides methods and compositions for promoting recovery of function from neurologic injury, such as ischemic injury caused by acute stroke.
US09427429B2
The present invention provides a method for imaging a disease or condition in a mammal which includes the steps of; administering a therapeutically effective amount of a cell cycle inhibitor to effectively stop proliferation of eukaryotic cells at a cell cycle checkpoint between the G1 and S phase, stopping administration of the cell cycle inhibitor for a period of time, administering a marker to the mammal and imaging the mammal.
US09427427B2
The invention relates to solid dispersions of poorly water soluble compounds, in particular Compound A as disclosed herein, formed by solvent co-precipitation or spray drying, resulting in improved bioavailability, safety and tolerability of said compounds.
US09427423B2
The present invention is directed toward fatty acid-based particles, and methods of making such particles. The particles can be associated with an additional, therapeutic agent. Also provided herein is a method of forming fatty acid particles, comprising associating a cross-linked, fatty acid-derived biomaterial with a cryogenic liquid; and fragmenting the bio material/cryogenic liquid composition, such that fatty acid particles are formed. The particles can be used for a variety of therapeutic applications.
US09427410B2
A method of producing particles of materials includes, with a first substance that includes at least one component that is a gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, extruding or emulsifying the first substance into or in the presence of a second substance to create a bubble in which the first substance is encapsulated by the second substance and wherein at least some of the first substance is in a gaseous phase, and causing the first substance to condense to a liquid phase, which causes the bubble to transform into a droplet or emulsion. The droplet or emulsion so created is an activatable phase change agent that is stable at room temperature and pressure.
US09427408B2
The present invention provides compositions for encapsulation of biomaterials in a silica-matrix. The present invention also provides methods of making silica-matrix encapsulated biomaterials, and to methods of using silica-matrix encapsulated biomaterials. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of encapsulating mammalian cells in a silica-matrix while maintaining metabolic activity. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of purifying cancer cells using a silica-matrix.
US09427407B2
Pharmaceutical compositions are provided which comprise effective amounts of analgesic to treat a subject, including to reduce or eliminate an adverse effect associated with the analgesic.
US09427404B2
Disclosed herein is a microemulsifying system consisting essentially of coconut oil and Polysorbate 80 in a specific weight ratio. Also disclosed herein are microemulsion preconcentrates and microemulsions that contain a lipophilic functional ingredient formulated with the microemulsifying system. Processes for preparing the microemulsion preconcentrates and microemulsions are also disclosed herein.
US09427403B2
Methods for the safe administration of imidazole or imidazolium compounds, and conditions that may be treated by these methods, are described herein.
US09427401B2
Compositions and methods for treating glaucoma are provided. In particular hydrophilic ester prodrugs and their use to reduce central corneal thickening is provided.
US09427380B2
The present invention relates to a solid composition comprising: a calcium silicate powder, a set accelerator in the form of a powder, a reinforcing filler in a solid form, a radio-opacifying agent in a solid form, at least one complementary ingredient selected from solid fibers or solid porous fillers, optionally a water-reducing agent in a solid form, and optionally solid pigments. The present invention also relates to a kit of parts for the preparation of a composition suitable for use in dentistry comprising in a first container a solid phase including the solid composition according to the invention, and in a second container an aqueous phase. The present invention also relates to a kit of parts for the preparation of a composition suitable for use in dentistry comprising a container, said container comprising at least two cells, the first cell comprising a solid phase including the solid composition of the invention and the second cell comprising an aqueous phase. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing a dental cement, including mixing the solid composition of the invention with an aqueous phase and to resulting dental cement.
US09427379B2
Provided are opaque materials exhibiting a good adhesive strength and a good color tone reproduction comparable with natural dental crowns as well as having a good operability. In addition, the opaque materials may exhibit a stain-resistance property in rebuilding-up a dental composition on the opaque materials in a cured form with a metal instrument. Further, the opaque materials may exhibit a good color tone reproduction comparable with natural dental crowns even if a dental membrane is thinly formed from the opaque metals. The dental membrane is formed from a first opaque layer and a second opaque layer, wherein the first opaque layer contains a filler of indefinite-shape particles and the second opaque layer contains a filler of spherical-shape particles, and wherein the first opaque layer is formed on a metal base and the second opaque layer is formed on the first opaque layer.
US09427375B2
An electromagnetic massage device for bathtub or pool includes an integrated holder for being fixed in a mounting hole; a lock nut engaging a thread on a wall on the holder, that fastens the holder to the surface of the wall; a rubber case with a top portion that bulges outward and a bottom portion with a rim which fits to the base plate of the concave cavity of the holder to seal the opening of the upper end of the holder; a conductive coil provided in the ring cavity of the holder and encapsulated by an upper magnetic conductive cover, a lower magnetic conductive cover and a magnetic conductive shell; and a beating head and an armature fastened together and mounted in the guide cavity of the holder to slide in the guide cavity under the action of an electromagnetic field.
US09427371B1
A traction chair is disclosed which functions as a normal chair when not in use, but which can be deployed to provide a user with traction for decompressing the spine. The traction chair employs a stationary framework that is supported on the ground. A number of articulating components are mounted on the stationary framework; the articulating components being actuated by a motive force. The articulating components when actuated together cause the seat portion of the chair to separate from the backrest portion and open up a widening gap between the seat portion and backrest portion of the chair.
US09427369B2
A casket includes a container configured to receive a deceased, the container including a bottom and sides defining at least a part of a casket interior. The casket further includes a lid disposed on the container to cover the casket interior. The lid is formed from a corrugated paperboard blank folded into a lid structure. The lid structure includes a top panel, at least two side panels and at least one end panel, and a plurality of supports extending to a height of the side panels. Each of the corner supports includes at least a first panel extending diagonally from a first location proximate one of the side panels to a second location proximate the at least one end panel. The first panel has a first length corresponding to the height of the side panels.
US09427354B2
This invention relates to a material for medical use that comprises biocompatible nanoparticles having superparamagnetic properties, where the superparamagnetic properties of said nanoparticles are used to localize their action on a determined space or tissue. In particular, said nanoparticles having superparamagnetic properties are composed of magnetite. The material according to the invention has various applications, both in surgical and in therapeutic treatments.
US09427349B2
The present invention provides an athletic brace which is composed of a flexible sleeve and a rigid framed brace. An elastic tubular shaped fabric sleeve is first placed over the elbow or knee joint and has upper front and lower rear raised lips that are used to prevent the rigid and compact framed brace from slipping downwards during usage. The tight fit of the rigid brace inside the raised lip gaps of the sleeve prevents the framed brace from slipping down from the elbow or knee joint during usage. This brace is designed to also be compact in size to allow for everyday wear in both contact and non-contact sports for both elbow and knee protection.
US09427347B2
A joint-supporting device comprises tensile members extending from a proximal cuff secured to the limb above the joint to a distal cuff secured to the limb below the joint, supplementing the tensile characteristics of the joint's tendons, ligaments, and other structure. The device may also comprise structure for limiting the range of motion and angular velocity of the joint.
US09427343B2
An implantable prosthesis includes a scaffold with a plurality of expandable segments axially spaced apart along a substrate, adjacent segments connected by one or more support members when the prosthesis is in a collapsed configuration and disconnected when the prosthesis is in an expanded configuration.
US09427336B2
A dynamic trialing method generally allows a surgeon to perform a preliminary bone resection on the distal femur according to a curved or planar resection profile. With the curved resection profile, the distal-posterior femoral condyles may act as a femoral trial component after the preliminary bone resection. This may eliminate the need for a separate femoral trial component, reducing the cost and complexity of surgery. With the planar resection profile, shims or skid-like inserts that correlate to the distal-posterior condyles of the final insert may be attached to the distal femur after the preliminary bone resection to facilitate intraoperative trialing. The method and related components may also provide the ability of a surgeon to perform iterative intraoperative kinematic analysis and gap balancing, providing the surgeon the ability to perform necessary ligament and/or other soft tissue releases and fine tune the final implant positions based on data acquired during the surgery.
US09427335B2
A method for rinsing and delivering a bone graft. The method includes selecting a delivery syringe containing bone graft material wherein the syringe is coupled to a filter assembly, determining a bone graft:fluid ratio, washing the bone graft material, reconstituting the bone graft material to generate the bone graft with the predetermined bone graft:fluid ratio, and delivering the bone graft to a surgical site.
US09427334B2
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for bone preparation with designed areas having accurate tolerance profiles to enable improved initial fixation and stability for cementless implants and to improve long-term bone ingrowth/ongrowth to an implant. A method of preparing a bone surface to receive a prosthetic implant thereon having an articular surface and a bone contacting surface includes resecting the bone surface at a first location to create a first resected region having a first tolerance profile with a first cross-section, resecting the bone surface at a second location to create a second resected region having a second tolerance profile with a second cross-section less dense than the first cross-section, and contacting the bone contacting surface of the prosthetic implant with the first resected region.
US09427332B2
Systems and methods for providing deeper knee flexion capabilities. In some instances, such systems and methods include a femoral knee replacement component that includes an articular surface, a first interior surface, and a second interior surface, wherein the first and second interior surfaces run substantially parallel to each other. In some cases, the articular surface includes an anterior condylar extension that is configured to replace an anterior articular cartilage of a femur such that the anterior extension is configured to terminate adjacent to a proximal limit of the anterior articular cartilage of the femur. Other implementations are also discussed.
US09427326B2
Intervertebral disc prostheses and methods of use. An intervertebral disc prosthesis for installation in a spinal column may include a first intervertebral plate, a second intervertebral plate, and a removable insert core. The first intervertebral plate may engage one or both of the inferior vertebral endplate and the inferior ring apophysis of a superior vertebral body. The second intervertebral plate may engage one or both of the superior vertebral endplate and the superior ring apophysis of an inferior vertebral body. The removable insert core is located between and engages the intervertebral plates. A projection projects from one of the intervertebral plates toward the other intervertebral plate. The removable insert core at least partially surrounds the projection when installed. The removable insert core is removable from between the intervertebral plates and from around the projection while the intervertebral plates and projection remain installed.
US09427321B2
Interlocking acetabular fixation screws having a threaded shaft for threading into cancellous bone and a tapered threaded head for threading into tapered threaded screw holes in a reverse hip acetabular cup. The reverse hip acetabular cup has a central stem and the threaded screw holes are drilled at an angle that allows drilling of the bone of the acetabular cavity, placement of the screws and tightening of the screws without touching the central stem and without interference from the central stem.
US09427320B2
A pelvic implant includes a first surface including a recess configured for receiving a portion of a flange of an acetabular cage and a patient-specific second surface opposite to the first surface. The patient-specific second surface is preoperatively configured from a three-dimensional digital image of a pelvis of a patient to mate and closely conform to a corresponding surface of the pelvis under the flange in only one position.
US09427319B2
An osteoconductive vascularized porous metal implant device and method for implanting the vascularized device are described herein. The vascularized implant device comprises an implant which is porous titanium, tantalum or other metal which is biocompatible with the mammalian body and at least one vascular conduit which connects the porous implant to an animal vasculature, such as a human vascular system.
US09427315B2
Systems and methods for medical interventional procedures, including approaches to valve implant. In one aspect, the methods and systems involve a modular approach to treatment.
US09427308B2
A visceral double-barreled main body stent graft and methods for its use, the stent graft comprises, a main body stent graft having distal and proximal ends, the main body stent graft's length ranges from about 100-120 mm and diameter at the proximal end ranges from about 30-45 mm, first and second lumens defined at the main body stent graft's distal end, the first lumen's diameter ranges from about 18-20 mm, the second lumen's diameter ranges from about 16-18 mm, the first and second lumens have about the same length from about 50-70 mm, the first lumen is secured to the second lumen along a shared length, and the main body stent graft defines a tubular wall that is contiguous with the first and second lumens such that any fluid entering the main body must exit through one of the first or second lumens.
US09427296B2
Sling for urinary and fecal incontinence treatment comprises a mid-part 2, at least two fixing tails 3 provided with a anchoring means and comprising an elongated part 7, fixed to the mid-part 2, and an end part 4 fixed to the elongated part 7. The end part 4 includes a connection means 6 connectable to a tool. At least one fixing tail 3 is a autofixing tail including self-anchoring means 30, 31, 32, 33. The two elongated parts are flat and the end parts are axially disconnectable from the tool. The flat elongated part of the autofixing tail comprises flat self-anchoring means.
US09427292B1
The adjustable fixator for scanning dental casts includes upper and lower plates which are adapted for releasably securing a dental cast to be optically scanned therebetween. The upper and lower plates are selectively vertically adjustable with respect to one another, and a bottom surface of the lower plate is adapted for releasable mounting in an optical scanner. The upper plate is secured to a cylindrical shell which slidably receives a vertical support mounted to the lower plate, allowing the user to slidably adjust the height of the upper plate with respect to the lower plate. An engaging member mounted to the cylindrical support slides within a vertically extending slot formed through the cylindrical shell. The vertical position of the upper plate may be locked by sliding the engaging member into a selected one of a plurality of horizontally extending slots also formed through the cylindrical shell.
US09427283B2
A renal denervation system includes an ablation catheter and an inflation balloon. The renal denervation catheter is insertable into a renal artery to perform a renal denervation procedure. The inflation balloon is inflatable within the renal artery, wherein one of a blood pressure condition in the renal artery resulting from operation of the inflation balloon and a performance characteristic of the inflation balloon indicates efficacy of the renal denervation procedure.
US09427281B2
A catheter system can include an electrical adapter and a catheter. The electrical adapter includes a hollow adapter body having a longitudinally extending channel and an electrical terminal positioned within the channel. The electrical adapter can be configured to connect to an energy source. The catheter can include an elongated body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and an electrical connector coupled to the proximal end portion. The electrical connector forms the outer periphery of the catheter along a portion of the longitudinal length of the catheter. The electrical terminal and the electrical connector contact each other when the electrical connector is advanced through the channel to an electrical contact position in the channel, and are isolated from each other when the electrical connector is proximal of the electrical contact position.
US09427277B2
Devices and methods are described for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation. Devices may include a tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue and an ablation member for ablating the tissue. Suction apertures attach the contacting member to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to stabilize the tissue with the device. The devices and methods can be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of a pulmonary vein or to ablate cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. A combined pacing and ablation probe is described for treating cardiac arrhythmia by: advancing the probe through an incision into the vicinity of the patient's heart, verifying at least one location of a cardiac parasympathetic ganglion, and applying ablation energy to the cardiac parasympathetic ganglion.
US09427270B2
The disclosure provides examples of an open architecture anchor for securing soft tissue to bone, for example, to repair a torn rotor cuff. The anchor includes a helical screw thread having a base and two sidewalls that are non-linear. The non-linear sidewalls extend from opposing ends of the base and meet at a peak. The non-linear sidewalls are circumscribed within a triangle defined by the peak and ends of the base. Compared to the standard triangle profile, the helical screw thread profile has a smaller cross-sectional surface area and, consequently, removes less bone. The helical screw thread having the reduced cross-sectional area preserves bone stock and enhances the holding strength of the anchor in bone.
US09427252B2
A clot extraction catheter comprises an expandable tubular mesh, a tapered tip fixed to the tubular mesh distal end, a self-expanding rim attached to the tubular mesh proximal end, at least three control wires, an inner sheath, and an outer sheath advancable over the inner sheath. To extract a clot, the catheter is advanced through the clot. The inner sheath is retracted relative to the control wires and the tubular mesh, allowing the rim and the tubular mesh to expand. The tubular mesh is retracted to capture the clot, closed once the clot is captured, constrained proximally by the distal portion of the inner sheath, and retracted with the inner sheath into the outer sheath. The control wires may be manipulated to control the angle of the rim relative to the longitudinal axis of the sheaths, facilitating clot capture and retraction of the tubular mesh into the sheaths thereafter.
US09427251B2
A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate body, a tool assembly, and an electrical energy source. The handle assembly includes an actuation knob. The elongate body extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. In particular, tool assembly is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and extends from a distal end of the elongate body. The tool assembly includes first and second jaw members each including an electrically conductive cutting element. The cutting elements are operatively coupled to the actuation knob. In particular, the cutting elements are movable between a first position in which the cutting elements are disposed within the respective jaw members and a second position in which the cutting elements extend out of the respective jaw members and are in general vertical registration with each other such that electrical energy can be transferred from the first jaw member to the second jaw member.
US09427250B2
Disclosed is an ultrasonic surgical instrument that combines blade end-effector geometry to best affect the multiple functions of a shears-type configuration. The shape of the blade is characterized by a radiused cut offset by some distance to form a curved geometry. The cut creates a curved surface with multiple asymmetries causing multiple imbalances within the blade. Imbalance due to the curve of the instrument is corrected by a non-functional asymmetry proximal to the functional asymmetry. Imbalance due to the asymmetric cross-section of the blade is corrected by the appropriate selection of the volume and location of material removed from a functional asymmetry. The shape of the blade in one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by two radiused cuts offset by some distance to form a curved and potentially tapered geometry. These two cuts create curved surfaces including a concave surface and a convex surface. The length of the radiused cuts affects, in part, the acoustic balancing of the transverse motion induced by the curved shape.
US09427244B2
A medical device for collecting objects from a body lumen comprises a catheter, a basket having a closed first end and an open second end, and an actuator connected to the closed first end of the basket, the catheter and basket moveable relative to one another between a first configuration and a second configuration to draw objects from a body lumen into the basket. In the first configuration the closed first end of the basket is inside the catheter and the open second end is everted over at least a part of the closed first end. The apparatus may be actuated to pull the closed first end of the basket further into the catheter and invert the second end of the basket, the second end scraping the sides of the lumen as it inverts, surrounding an object in the lumen, and drawing the object into the basket.
US09427241B2
A method for simultaneously drilling at least two peripheral peg holes in a bony surface, the method comprising providing a peripheral peg drill component including a housing with a first side, a second side opposite the first side and at least two drill bits extending from the second side of the housing; releasably coupling the first side of the peripheral peg drill component to a drilling device; advancing the peripheral peg drill component over an alignment pin extending from a bony surface until each of the at least two drill bits engage the bony surface; actuating a driving mechanism of the peripheral peg drill component with the drilling device to cause the at least two drill bits to rotate; and simultaneously penetrating the bony surface with the at least two drill bits as they rotate.
US09427240B2
Providing a system for performing a CORA based leveling osteotomy. The system enables a uniform precise osteotomy and mechanical rotation of the proximal tibia concentric to the osteotomy and a means for fixing an osteotomy plate or brace while the system reduces the osteotomy through compression.
US09427234B2
An occlusion device (10) includes a cannula (24), a dilator tip (20) fixed to the cannula and a frame member formed of an occlusion member (28) and a sleeve (30). The occlusion member (28) is covered with occlusion material (26). The cannula (24) is in the form of a tube having a lumen (25) passing therethrough. The dilator tip (20) also has a lumen therethrough and a valve (32). The arrangement is such that the occluder (10) can be delivered by an over the wire method using a guide wire, whereupon the cannula and dilator tip remain in the patient as part of the occluder assembly (10).
US09427232B2
Various embodiments of a non-deforming surgical fastener are discussed. In one embodiment, the fastener includes two legs and a backspan extending between the two legs. The fastener also includes a backspan thickness that is adapted to reduce the pressure and/or increase the holding strength applied to underlying materials. The non-deforming fastener is constructed and arranged to retain substantially the same shape before, during and after deployment into the target implantation site.
US09427225B2
A device (100) includes a shaft (108), a coil (120), and a suture (106). The coil has a sharp tip (126) and is releasably coupled to the shaft. The suture is coupled to the coil and extends through the shaft.
US09427224B1
Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for performing assessments while doing surgery using evoked potential somatosensory and/or magnetic field induction to determine the proximity and/or location of nerves relative to surgical instruments when accessing a surgical target site.
US09427219B2
A delivery device for delivering material into a catheter through a catheter port includes a cannula having a generally tubular shape and a distal end and a stability collet having a distal attachment portion configured to attach the stability collet to a catheter port. The stability collet has a longitudinal channel through which the cannula extends. The longitudinal channel is dimensioned to allow a longitudinal movement of the cannula in the longitudinal channel. The delivery device further includes an elastic member acting between the cannula and the stability collet. The elastic member biases the cannula distally relative to the stability collet. Thus, when the stability collet is attached to the catheter port, the cannula is urged toward the catheter port, thus reducing a risk of improper alignment between the cannula and the catheter port.
US09427217B2
An apparatus and method for closing an arteriotomy site are disclosed which may employ the use of a delivery sheath within which is provided an anchoring device formed of memory metal wherein the anchoring device can be extended into the blood vessel itself. The memory metal, has a linear insertion configuration and obtains a non-linear or coiled configuration which can then be pulled back against the inner surface of the blood vessel to form a backstop. A biodegradable plug is then introduced into the tissue tract until it engages the backstop thereby ensuring proper positioning of the biodegradable plug. The anchoring device can then be retracted through the biodegradable plug leaving the arteriotomy site substantially closed with hemostasis being formed therearound.
US09427212B2
In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment, a direction determining unit determines a moving direction of an ultrasonic probe. A scanning control unit controls a transmitting and receiving unit so as to repeatedly perform first scanning for acquiring first image data by transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal in a first direction and second scanning for acquiring second image data by transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic signal in a second direction inclined toward the moving direction with respect to the first direction. An image superimposing unit generates panoramic image data by superimposing a plurality of pieces of first image data acquired through the first scanning. A display control unit displays the second image data together with the panoramic image data or the first image data on a display unit during scanning.
US09427209B2
Disclosed is an ultrasound probe which outputs ultrasound on a basis of a drive signal which is to be received. The ultrasound probe including a composite piezoelectric layer in which a piezoelectric material and a polymer material are arranged alternately in a one-dimensional array or in a two-dimensional array, an acoustic reflection layer which has an acoustic impedance higher than an acoustic impedance of the composite piezoelectric layer and an adhesion layer which bonds the composite piezoelectric layer and the acoustic reflection layer wherein in a bonding surface of the composite piezoelectric layer that bonds with the acoustic reflection layer, a polymer material part is concaved in a direction opposite to an acoustic reflection layer side comparing to an piezoelectric material part.
US09427182B2
A sensor that may be used to detect the presence, amount, and/or concentration of an analyte in a medium within an animal. The sensor may include a sensor housing, an indicator element embedded within and/or covering at least a portion of the sensor housing, and a membrane over the indicator element. The membrane may reduce indicator element deterioration by preventing immune cells, such as white blood cells, from contacting the indicator element, substantially prevent transmission of light of at least a specified wavelength or range of wavelengths through the membrane, and/or permit the analyte to pass through to the indicator element. The membrane may be an opaque diffusion membrane. The sensor may include a foil. The foil may block light and/or reduce indicator element deterioration. The membrane may reduce oxidation of the indicator element.
US09427178B2
Methods and systems may provide for a plurality of kinematic sensors to be coupled to a corresponding plurality of shanks of an individual, a processor, and a memory to store a set of instructions. If executed by the processor, the instructions can cause the system to calculate a timed up and go (TUG) time segment based on angular velocity data from the plurality of kinematic sensors. The instructions may also cause the system to calculate a derived parameter based on the angular velocity data, and generate a falls risk assessment based on at least one of the TUG time segment and the derived parameter.
US09427172B2
A roll-detecting sensor assembly includes a coil extending along and disposed about an axis. The coil comprises one or more portions, with each portion defining a winding angle. At least one of the portions defines a winding angle that is substantially nonzero relative to a line perpendicular to the axis, whereby the projected area of the coil in an applied magnetic field changes as the coil rotates about the axis. As a result, the coil is configured to produce a signal responsive to the magnetic field indicative of the roll of the sensor about the axis. In an embodiment, at least one of the portions defines a winding angle that is at least 2 degrees. In an embodiment, at least one of the portions defines a winding angle that is about 45 degrees.
US09427171B2
A magnetic resonance image of a subject is generated by acquiring k-space samples by sampling an elliptical central area of k-space, k-space having a plurality of points. Each point is representative of a potential sample. An elliptical peripheral area of k-space which peripheral area surrounds the central area is partially sampled. Respiratory motion of the subject is detected and the magnetic resonance image of the subject is reconstructed using the k-space samples acquired before the detection of respiratory motion.
US09427151B2
Systems and methods for expanding the field-of-view of ophthalmic scanning devices are presented. An ophthalmic scanning device is designed such that the pivot point of the scanning optics is maintained at a fixed location in the pupil while the scanning optics are rotated about the eye to obtain imaging data over an increased field-of-view than can be achieved by the scanning optics alone. The rotation can be achieved using a singular rotational motion of the scanning optics about a rotational axes coincident with the scanning pivot point or can be achieved using a combination of rotational motion with a second motion either rotational or translational to maintain the scanning pivot point at the fixed location. Embodiments related to optical coherence tomography and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy are described.
US09427145B2
An ophthalmologic measurement apparatus includes a measurement unit that acquires an image of an eye to be inspected, a main unit in which the measurement unit is placed and which includes a holding part for holding the main unit with a hand, an eyepiece part having a shape asymmetric about a measurement optical axis of the measurement unit and capable of being in contact with an area around an eye to be inspected, a position detection unit that detects a position of the eyepiece part, an acquisition unit that acquires eye distinguishing information indicating whether the eye is a right eye or a left eye, and a display control unit that controls a display unit to display an image of the eye such that the image of the eye is rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction based on the eye distinguishing information and a resultant image is displayed.
US09427134B2
A stationary household appliance having a housing wall, components, and a force transmitting element to transmit a force that acts upon the housing wall from the outside of the stationary household appliance into the components. The force transmitting element has at least two force application regions to transmit the force into at least two different ones of the components.
US09427131B2
A fluid pump volute offshoot system for debris diversion and collection, a solids collection system, and related methods, for a pot and pan, or other, similar, washing machine is provided.
US09427130B2
A mop comprising a mop head (1) that has at least one cleaning strip (2) is disclosed. The cleaning strip (2) comprises at least one cleaning surface (5) on which raised cleaning islands (6) made of flock fibers are arranged. The cleaning strip (2) is attached to the mop head (1) at one of its ends (3) and has a free end (4). The raised cleaning islands (6) on the at least one cleaning surface (5) of the cleaning strip (2) are arranged at certain distances (7) from each other and are surrounded on all sides by storage spaces (8) for holding dirt. The size of the storage spaces (8) steadily decreases from the end (3) of the cleaning surface (5) facing the mop head (1) in the mopping direction (9) of the free end (4).
US09427127B2
A mobile floor cleaning robot includes a body defining a forward drive direction, a drive system, a cleaning system, and a controller. The cleaning system includes a pad holder, a reservoir, a sprayer, and a cleaning system. The pad holder has a bottom surface for receiving a cleaning pad. The reservoir holds a volume of fluid, and the sprayer sprays the fluid forward the pad holder. The controller is in communication with the drive and cleaning systems. The controller executes a cleaning routine that includes driving in the forward direction a first distance to a first location, then driving in a reverse drive direction a second distance to a second location. From the second location, the robot sprays fluid in the forward drive direction but rearward the first location. The robot then drives in alternating forward and reverse drive directions while smearing the cleaning pad along the floor surface.
US09427121B2
A glass-wiping robot having an air-venting device (5), comprising a machine body (1). The machine body (1) has arranged thereon a suction cup device (2). The suction cup device (2) is connected to a vacuum air pump (4) via an airway pipe (3). The glass-wiping robot is adsorbed on a surface of a glass via the suction cup device (2). The suction cup device (2) is also connected to an air-venting device (5). The air-venting device (5) is provided with opened and closed positions. When the air-venting device (5) is at the opened position, the suction cup device (2) is in communication with the atmosphere via the air-venting device (5). The glass-wiping robot has the air-venting device (5) arranged on the airway pipe (3) between the vacuum air pump (4) and the suction cup device (2), wherein when a handle (51) is pulled up, a positioning rotary shaft (53) rotates to trigger an air-venting valve (52), and the air-venting valve (52) opens an air-venting hole therein to allow the interior of the suction cup to be in communication with the atmosphere, thus an equilibrium between internal and external air pressures is achieved rapidly, the glass-wiping robot can be removed rapidly without having to wait, and the work efficiency is increased.
US09427120B1
By using an automated money dispenser, a patron can “shoot” currency in the direction of a performer from any reasonable distance and can control the rate of dispensing as well as the total amount dispensed. In some embodiments, the dispenser can emit sounds, light or other special effects to further enhance the experience for the dispensing patron, for other patrons, as well as for the performer. The present invention allows for a unique experience both for the user and for the entertainer, allowing for role-play and other types of entertainment not available in the prior art.
US09427090B2
A bedding or seating product comprises a pocketed spring assembly comprising a plurality of parallel strings of individually pocketed springs. The product may have individual inserts between adjacent strings of springs. Adjacent individually pocketed springs are separated from each other by at least one separating seam. Each of the separating seams comprises a pair of Y-shaped or U-shaped seams which may be joined together or spaced apart.
US09427084B2
Provided is a rail having a simple structure and capable of stably supporting a load caused by a drawer and accommodated matters. The rail has a structure having a resistance against a torsional load that twists the rail in a central direction of the drawer and configured to prevent interference between components of the rail even when the torsional load occurs.
US09427075B2
The present invention relates to an applicator for combing the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, and/or for applying a cosmetic, makeup, or a care product thereto, the applicator comprising a molded applicator member (8) that comprises: an inner core that is elongate along a longitudinal axis, and comprising opposite first and second portions that each extend along the longitudinal axis; and a plurality of rows of teeth, the rows extending along the longitudinal axis of the applicator member, with first rows and second rows of teeth extending from the first and second portions of the core respectively; at least half of the teeth of at least two consecutive first rows differing from at least half of the teeth of at least two consecutive second rows in thickness.
US09427070B1
An apparatus and method for supporting and operating an electronic device upon a user's clothing or belt for safeguarding the phone and providing immediate and convenient functional access to the phone. The apparatus and method for supporting and operating an electronic device upon a user's clothing or belt includes a clip assembly adapted to clip onto a clothing or belt worn by a user; and a connector assembly including a magnet attached to the clip assembly and also including a metal plate having an outer side and adapted to be attached to an electronic device and magnetically and removably attached to the magnet for supporting the electronic device upon the clip assembly.
US09427064B2
The present invention relates to a liquid dropper allowing quantitative withdrawal and discharge, comprising a liquid-dropper tube formed with an annular projecting part around the outer circumferential rim at the upper end, a lid which is joined to the upper end of the liquid-dropper tube and is formed with a through hole in the center, a liquid-dropper piston which is formed with a press pin at the lower end and is inserted inside the liquid-dropper tube and which passes through the through hole, a button which is provided joined to the upper end of the liquid-dropper piston, and packing which is provided on the lower part of the annular discharge part of the liquid-dropper tube and is formed with a projecting part around a lower outer circumferential rim; and to a cosmetic container equipped with the same.
US09427060B2
A hair-penetrating shield 220 comprises a tooth array having top 280 and bottom 290 surfaces. In some embodiments, for a majority of the teeth, a cross section of each tooth (for example, triangular in shape) has an asymmetric width profile such that the tooth cross section, on average, is narrower near the top of the tooth and wider near the bottom of the tooth. In some embodiments, a ratio between: i) a first average tooth width describing the average tooth width below the top-bottom midpoint; and ii) a second average tooth width describing the average tooth width above the top-bottom midpoint is at least 1.2, or at least 1.6. In some embodiments, a non-viscous hair-coloring agent is dispensed as a mist over the top of the surface of the shield so as to color roots of hair passing through the spaces between the teeth of the user's hair. In some embodiments, closely-spaced teeth of the hair penetrating shield protect the user's scalp from the non-viscous hair-coloring agent. Related methods and kits are disclosed herein.
US09427058B2
A suitcase or travelling bag includes a casing that may be opened and closed, and which has a receptacle accessible from outside and housed within which is an extractable protective sheet designed to form a protective covering of the casing.
US09427056B2
Collector card packaging assembly includes a packaging for collector cards manufactured from a single sheet of material. The collector card packaging assembly has s a limited number of collector cards, dimensioned and enclosed within the packaging such that the limited number of collector cards is positioned on top of the center part and below the upper flap, the lower flap, the first lateral flap and the second lateral flap.
US09427055B2
A multipurpose carrier is configurable in various modes for performing various functions. The carrier includes a main body having front and rear sides and first and second pouches each provided with a storage compartment for removably storing various articles in the plurality of modes of the multipurpose carrier and provided with an opening accessible from the front side of the main body for permitting the articles to be inserted into and removed from the storage compartment. The main body includes a folding zone that separates the main body into a first section containing the first pouch and a second section containing the second pouch and about which the first and second sections are configured to be folded relative to one another to position the second pouch into substantial overlying relation relative to a surface portion of the rear side of the main body.
US09427051B2
A slider is structured such that a tab attaching rod is integrally formed in a cantilevered state in an upper blade of a slider body, and a blocking member blocking an insertion gap which is formed between the upper blade and a free end portion of the tab attaching rod is engaged with a mounting portion of the slider body so as to be immovably fixed, and is provided with an occlusion retaining structure which retains a blocked state of the insertion gap at a time of fixing the blocking member and can prevent the other member from intruding into the insertion gap. Accordingly, the slider can easily attach a tab afterward to the tab attaching rod. Further, it is possible to securely prevent the other member from intruding between the upper blade and the free end portion of the tab attaching rod.
US09427044B2
An article of footwear may have a sole including an outer member having an outer surface and an inner surface disposed closer to a wearer's foot than the outer surface. The outer member may include at least a first flex groove formed as an elongate recess in a first flex groove region, causing both the inner surface and the outer surface of the outer member to curve upward. The sole may include a reinforcing member disposed closer to the wearer's foot than the outer member, and may be relatively more rigid than the outer member. The reinforcing member may include a first bridge portion disposed in the first flex groove region and joining the first portion and the second portion together. The lateral width of the first bridge portion may be less than the lateral width of the first portion, and less than the lateral width of the second portion.
US09427034B1
A glove has a finger section receiving the fingers, an intermediate section receiving the palm, and a wrist section receiving the wrist of a person. The glove has a front, a back, and sides. An inner layer of fluid retaining cotton material is provided to be worn in direct contact with the fingers and the palm. A middle layer of moisture barrier material is provided in contact with the inner layer. An outer layer of stretchable material is provided in contact with the middle layer and the wrist. A slit extends in the front through the outer layer and the middle layer. Fluid moistens the inner layer prior to wearing by passage through the slit.
US09427027B1
A cable controlling shirt system having a shirt with a front, a back, a neck area, a waist area, armholes, an interior surface, and an exterior surface. A channel patch has an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The side edges are coupled to the shirt. The channel patch and the shirt form a channel with an open upper end and an open lower end. At least one pocket has an upper extent and a lower extent. Pocket stitching couples the lower extent of the pocket to the shirt at an elevation below the channel patch.
US09427026B2
An electronic cigarette comprises an atomizer and a battery component connecting with the atomizer at one end thereof. The battery component comprises a battery sleeve, a rechargeable battery received in the battery sleeve, a battery seat disposed at the other end of the battery component opposite to the one end thereof to connect with the atomizer, and a pneumatic switch disposed in the battery component to electrically connect between the rechargeable battery and the atomizer. An opening is formed at a distal end of the battery seat facing away from the atomizer to allow electrical connection between a power supply and the rechargeable battery extending through the opening. The pneumatic switch is responsive to air flowing in the battery component so as to control electrical connection between the rechargeable battery and the atomizer and start the atomizer based on the air flowing.
US09427018B2
Equipment for treatment of tobacco or another bulk material sensitive to mechanical stress, the equipment having: (i) a rotatable treatment drum with a material inlet and a material outlet; (ii) a treatment fluid inlet; (iii) a treatment fluid excess outlet; (iv) a drive motor for the rotatable treatment drum; and (v) a temperature sensor.
US09427015B2
A beverage specifically designed for cleansing the palate, hereafter a palate cleansing beverage (“PCB”), is a carbonated beverage made of water, citric acid, pectin, sucrose, carboxymethyl cellulose sodium, and carbon dioxide to cleanse the palate.
US09426996B2
This invention is related to use of a volatile antimicrobial compound against pathogens affecting meats, plants, or plant parts. The volatile antimicrobial compounds provided include certain oxaborole compounds, for example benzoxaboroles. Delivery systems are provided to take advantage of the volatile nature of these antimicrobial compounds. Also combinations with a volatile plant growth regulator, for example 1-methylcyclopropene, are disclosed.
US09426992B1
A method for controlling conidial germination and mycelial growth in fungi comprising contacting a fungal cell with an anti-fungal small molecule in an amount effective to reduce or inhibit conidial germination and mycelial growth. A method for controlling bark beetle infestations of pine trees comprising contacting one or more fungal cells with an anti-fungal small molecule in an amount effective to reduce or inhibit conidial germination and mycelial growth. The anti-fungal small molecule is 5-(p-Bromobenzylidine)-α-isopropyl-4-oxo-2-thioxo-3-thiozolidineacetic acid. The species of the fungal cell is selected from a group that has an obligate symbiosis with the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) and the western pine beetle (Dendroctonus bervicomis).
US09426985B2
New compositions and methods are described for modulating the rate of conversion of ethylene bisdithiocarbamate fungicides, such as mancozeb, into ethylene bis-isothiocyanate sulfide (EBIS).
US09426977B1
An aromatic hunting lure vaporizing and distribution device uses an electric heating element to rapidly vaporize a liquid and an integrated fan to distribute the vapor. The liquid can include a glycol or a water-glycol mixture. A scent material such as liquid or powdered deer urine or a pleasant scent that can be used as a room or automobile freshener is mixed with the liquid. The hunting lure vaporizing and distribution device selectively receives disposable cartridges that hold the aromatic hunting lure or scent liquid to be vaporized. In one configuration, the cartridge includes the liquid form of the lure without a heating element. In another configuration, the cartridge includes the electric heating element as well as the liquid form of the lure. In any of these configurations, the cartridge can be single use or refillable.
US09426966B2
A milking cluster for a milking parlor for milking milk-giving animals, having at least one teat cup unit having a housing, a teat cup, a drive appliance, a pulling element arrangement connected to the teat cup, and the pulling element arrangement has a segment unit having at least two pulling elements.
US09426963B1
A novel maize variety designated PH251F and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH251F with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH251F through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH251F or a locus conversion of PH251F with another maize variety.
US09426962B1
A novel maize variety designated PH25AK and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH25AK with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH25AK through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH25AK or a locus conversion of PH25AK with another maize variety.
US09426961B1
A novel maize variety designated PH25B7 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH25B7 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH25B7 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH25B7 or a locus conversion of PH25B7 with another maize variety.
US09426958B1
A novel maize variety designated PH17TB and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH17TB with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH17TB through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH17TB or a locus conversion of PH17TB with another maize variety.
US09426955B1
Herein provided is a new soybean variety designated ‘G06-3182RR’ as well as the seeds, plants and derivatives of the new soybean variety ‘G06-3182RR’. Also provided are tissue cultures of the new soybean variety ‘G06-3182RR’ and the plants regenerated therefrom. Methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the new soybean variety ‘G06-3182RR’ with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods are also provided.
US09426947B2
A device is provided which ensures uniform irradiation of plants with infrared radiation along with ultraviolet and/or visible radiation and requires a small number of infrared emitters relative to the cultivation area. The infrared emitters are designed for temperatures of 800° C. to 1800° C. Each has a cylindrical emitter tube having a length of 50 mm to 500 mm. The emitter tubes extend parallel to one another in an emitter zone located above the culture plane. The infrared emitter occupation density relative to the area of the culture plane is between 0.2 m−2 and 1.0 m−2. Irradiation regions of adjacent infrared emitters on the culture plane overlap such that average irradiance on the culture plane is between 10 watt/m2 and 100 watt/m2 with a variation range of a maximum of 50%. A reflector facing a structural space is assigned to a top side of the emitter tube.
US09426945B2
A pruning shears is revealed. The pruning shears include a first brake arm, a second brake arm, a blade, and at least one connection piece. The first brake arm is disposed with a first toothed part while the second brake arm is arranged with a second toothed part. The first toothed part and the second toothed part are engaged with each other. The connection piece is pivotally connected to the blade, the first brake arm, and the second brake arm. During a cutting process (pruning process), a force applied is reduced due to the connection piece pivotally connected to the first brake arm and the second brake arm. While the first and the second toothed parts are engaged with each other, the connection piece becomes a wall of the first and the second toothed parts for stabilizing the engagement of the first and the second toothed parts.
US09426940B2
One embodiment describes a seed metering system that includes a first seed meter that controls seed deposition by a first row unit on a seed planting implement; a first direct vacuum source fluidly coupled to the first seed meter, in which the first direct vacuum source supplies vacuum pressure only to the first seed meter to enable the first seed meter to control seed deposition by the first row unit; a second seed meter that controls seed deposition by a second row unit on the seed planting implement; a second direct vacuum source fluidly coupled to the second seed meter, wherein the second direct vacuum source supplies vacuum pressure only to the second seed meter to enable the second seed meter to control seed deposition by the second row unit; and a control unit communicatively coupled to the first direct vacuum source and the second direct vacuum source, in which the control unit controls vacuum pressure supplied by the first direct vacuum source and the second direct vacuum source independently.
US09433134B2
A power semiconductor module includes a first package having an upper arm circuit section, a second package having a lower arm circuit section, a metal case having a storage space to store the first package and the second package and an opening connecting with the storage space, and an intermediate connecting conductor to couple the upper arm circuit section with the lower arm circuit section; the case includes a first radiating section and a second radiating section facing the first radiating section through the storage space; the first package is arranged so that the arrangement direction of the first and second packages may be parallel to the respective surfaces facing the first and second radiating sections; and the intermediate connecting conductor couples an emitter side terminal extending from the first package with a collector side terminal extending from the second package in the storage space.
US09433131B2
A board unit includes a board to have an object to be cooled, the object being implemented on the board, a baffle plate to be rotatably coupled to the board and to be displaced to a first rotary position to guide a cooling air, flowing from a first direction to the board, to the object to be cooled and a second rotary position to guide a cooling air, flowing from a second direction to the board, to the object to be cooled, and an arm to be movably attached to the board and also to be rotatably coupled to a rotary end of the baffle plate to displace the baffle plate to the first rotary position and the second rotary position with movement.
US09433127B2
A fan operating control system includes a magnetic sensor unit, a control unit, a rectifier unit and a coil unit. The control unit is electrically connected to the magnetic sensor unit and the rectifier unit; the rectifier unit is further electrically connected to a ground; and the coil unit is electrically connected to the control unit and the ground. The control unit detects any fan electric current flowing through the coil unit and generates a rotating speed signal accordingly. When no fan electric current is detected at the coil unit, the control unit stops generating the rotating speed signal. Therefore, it is able to avoid a whole fan system from making an error decision and outputting rotating speed signal continuously when there is not fan electric current flowing through the coil unit, and any abnormal condition that would adversely affect the fan service life can be avoided, too.
US09433123B2
An exemplary electric apparatus includes a fan for generating a first airflow, a component space includes a secondary electric component, and a housing. In order to obtain efficient cooling solution one or more walls separate the component space including the secondary electric component from the first cooling element for preventing the first airflow from entering the component space. A second cooling element has a first end in the component space and a second end located outside of the component space for dissipating heat received from the secondary electric component to the first airflow.
US09433122B2
An air conditioner sucks air exhausted from an information processor, and cools down the sucked air. The air conditioner exhausts the cooled air. The air conditioner acquires a cooling state, determines whether a cooling capacity exceeds an upper limit value, and reduces the volume of exhaust air when it is determined that the cooling capacity exceeds the upper limit value. For example, the air conditioner calculates a thermal load as the cooling state by using the volume of exhaust air, a difference between the temperature of exhaust air and the temperature of suction air, and determines that the cooling capacity exceeds the upper limit value when the calculated thermal load exceeds a given threshold. The air conditioner measures the temperature of exhaust air, and determines that the cooling capacity exceeds the upper limit value when the measured temperature exceeds a set value.
US09433121B2
A cable backplane system includes cable connectors having cables extending therefrom. Each cable connector has a header holding signal contacts at a mating end of the header configured for mating with a card connector. The cable backplane system includes a cable tray having side walls surrounding a cavity defining a raceway for the cables. The cable tray has a front edge. A plurality of connector bricks are received in the cable tray. The connector bricks each having a header frame comprising end spacers and side spacers defining a header opening receiving a plurality of the cable connectors. The end walls hold the headers of corresponding cable connectors. The side spacers have guide paddles extending from a front of the side spacers forward of the cable connectors.
US09433104B2
A stretchable circuit assembly includes first and second printed circuit boards, discrete conductive wires or flexible circuits including ends connected to the first and second printed circuit boards, and a stretchable interconnect in which the discrete conductive wires or flexible circuits and a portion of the first and second printed circuit boards are embedded. Main surfaces of the flexible circuits are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to main surfaces of the stretchable interconnect. A method of making a stretchable circuit assembly includes the steps of providing electrical interconnects, a first printed circuit board, and a second printed circuit board, shaping the electrical interconnects to have an oscillating configuration, and forming a stretchable interconnect such that the electrical interconnects, a portion of the first printed circuit board, and a portion of the second printed circuit board are embedded within the stretchable interconnect.
US09433103B2
A method of manufacturing a multichip package structure includes: providing a substrate body; placing a plurality of light-emitting chips on the substrate body, where the light-emitting chips are electrically connected to the substrate body; surroundingly forming surrounding liquid colloid on the substrate body to surround the light-emitting chips; naturally drying an outer layer of the surrounding liquid colloid at a predetermined room temperature to form a semidrying surrounding light-reflecting frame, where the semidrying surrounding light-reflecting frame has a non-drying surrounding colloid body disposed on the substrate body and a dried colloid outer layer totally covering the non-drying surrounding colloid body; and then forming a package colloid body on the substrate body to cover the light-emitting chips, where the semidrying surrounding light-reflecting frame contacts and surrounds the package colloid body.
US09433089B2
Disclosed are a touch panel and a method for manufacturing the same. A touch panel can include a substrate, a transparent electrode base on the substrate, a first transparent electrode on the transparent electrode base and extending in a first direction, and a second transparent electrode on the transparent electrode base and extending in a second direction. A method of manufacturing a touch panel can include preparing a substrate and a transparent electrode base, forming a transparent electrode over the transparent electrode base, and forming an electrode material over the transparent electrode base.
US09433085B2
An electronic component includes an insulation layer, an alignment mark positioned on a first surface of the insulation layer, and an adhesive layer including an optically opaque agent and formed on the first surface of the insulation layer or a second surface of the insulation layer on the opposite side with respect to the first surface of the insulation layer. The adhesive layer has an opening portion formed at the position corresponding to the alignment mark such that the opening portion exposes the alignment mark directly or through the insulation layer.
US09433084B2
Methods of backdrilling printed circuit boards (PCBs) to remove via stubs and related apparatuses. The method may include removing a via stub through a combination of backdrilling and chemical etching. The backdrilling may remove a masking layer from the via stub. Portions of an underlying layer may remain in the region of the via stub after the backdrilling is completed. The remaining portions of the underlying layer may be removed in a subsequent etching process thereby removing the via stub from the PCB. As the backdrilling step may be used for the limited purpose of removing the outer layer and portions of the underlying layer remaining in the via can be tolerated, the diameter of the backdrilling need not be as large as traditional backdrilling where all layers within the via must be ensured of being completely removed.
US09433082B1
An apparatus has a permittivity attenuation layer interposed between a substrate and a first conductive trace, wherein the permittivity attenuation layer comprises a resin matrix containing functionalized carbon nanomaterial, such as functionalized single-wall carbon nanotubes (f-SWNTs). In some embodiments, a design structure for designing, manufacturing, or testing the apparatus is tangibly embodied in a machine readable medium. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises an enhanced laminate core for use in a printed wiring board (PWB) that contains a differential pair having an inner-leg conductive trace and an outer-leg conductive trace. A permittivity attenuation layer is interposed between the inner-leg conductive trace and a laminate core, wherein the loading level of f-SWNTs in the permittivity attenuation layer is selected to attenuate the permittivity of the inner-leg conductive trace to match the permittivity of the outer-leg conductive trace.
US09433073B2
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to induction devices that can be used to sustain a plasma. In certain configurations, the induction device may comprise one or more radial fins electrically coupled to a base. The induction device may take numerous forms including, for example, coils and plate electrodes.
US09433072B2
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to induction devices comprising an oxidation resistant material. In certain examples, the induction device comprises a coil of wire that is produced from the oxidation resistant material. In some examples, the oxidation resistant induction device can be used to sustain an inductively coupled plasma in a torch.
US09433061B2
Control of lighting fixtures in a lighting network may be distributed among the lighting fixtures. The lighting fixtures may be broken into groups that are associated with different lighting zones. At least some of the lighting fixtures will have or be associated with one or more sensors. Within the overall lighting network or the various lighting zones, the lighting fixtures may share sensor data from their sensors. Each lighting fixture may process sensor data provided by its own sensor, a remote standalone sensor, or lighting fixture, and process the sensor data according to the lighting fixture's own internal logic to control operation of the lighting fixture. The lighting fixtures may also receive control input from other lighting fixtures, control nodes, light switches, and commissioning tools. The control input may be processed along with the sensor data according to the internal logic to further enhance control of the lighting fixture.
US09433060B2
A power factor correction circuit (11) comprises an input for receiving an input voltage (UIN), an inductance (21) coupled to the input, a switching means (24) that is coupled to the inductance (21) and that is controllable in order to either charge or discharge the inductance (21), and a control device (14). The control device (14) is set up in order to produce a control signal (Ctrl) for controlling the switching means (24) on the basis of a parameter value. The control device (14) is set up in order to ascertain the parameter value on the basis of an arithmetic sign of a time derivation for the input voltage (UIN).
US09433050B2
A micro-light-emitting diode (micro-LED) includes a first type semiconductor layer, a second type semiconductor layer, a dielectric layer, and electrodes. The second type semiconductor layer is disposed on or above the first type semiconductor layer. The dielectric layer is disposed on the second type semiconductor layer. The dielectric layer includes openings therein to expose parts of the second type semiconductor layer. The electrodes partially are disposed on the dielectric layer and respectively electrically coupled with the exposed parts of the second type semiconductor layer through the openings of the dielectric layer, in which the electrodes are separated from each other.
US09433048B2
A method for controlling a motor-vehicle lighting device is provided that uses LEDs supplied with PWM signals temporally spaced apart from one another by a first time phase t1 and a second time phase t2. An interval of interest is defined in which an electromagnetic disturbance must not exceed a maximum threshold value θmax; driving signals are supplied on the basis of first phases t1 and t2 computed; and the measured or simulated waveform of the electromagnetic disturbance deriving from the phases t1 and t2 is compared with the maximum threshold value within the interval of interest defined. Where the waveform of the disturbance exceeds the threshold, two phases t1 and t2, once again different from one another, are recalculated; otherwise, the last phases t1 and t2 calculated are selected and used in the PWM control. An advantageous motor-vehicle lighting device is also provided.
US09433046B2
Conditioning circuits are provided for driving two or more LED groups using a rectified AC input voltage. The conditioning circuits uses analog circuitry to gradually and selectively activate the LED groups based on an instantaneous value of the rectified input voltage. The circuit includes a first series interconnection of a first LED group, a first transistor, and a first resistor, and a second series interconnection of a second LED group, a second transistor, and a second resistor. In one example, the second series interconnection is connected between a drain terminal and a source terminal of the first transistor, while in another example, the second series interconnection is connected between an anode of the first LED group and a source terminal of the first transistor. The first and second LED groups are selectively activated by the rectified voltage applied across the first series interconnection.
US09433045B2
A drive circuit with an external mode-adjusting pin includes an operational mode control circuit and a drive processing circuit. The operational mode control circuit further includes a current mirror circuit, a resistor, a capacitor and a comparator. The first comparator input port receives a reference voltage. The second comparator input port couples the second output port of the current mirror and the capacitor. The current mirror circuit bases on a resistor current to generate a charge current for charging the capacitor. As the charge voltage at the second comparator input port reaches a reference voltage, a trigger signal is outputted to the drive processing circuit for controlling the switches thereof. The external pin is defined to one end of the resistor or the capacitor for varying the resistance or the capacitance respectively to determine the operational mode for the driven circuit.
US09433042B2
A device and system for controlling a light source. The device has a positive terminal and a negative terminal for setting the high-end trim of a light source, the device includes several zener diodes each having a different zener voltage; and a selector having a plurality of positions, positioning the selector in each of the plurality of positions couples a corresponding one of the zener diodes between the positive terminal and the negative terminal. The cathode of the selected zener diode is coupled to the positive terminal and the anode of the selected zener diode is coupled to the negative terminal. The selected zener diode limits the voltage across the positive terminal and the negative terminal to set the high-end trim of a 0-10 volt lighting control signal.
US09433039B2
The invention relates to a method for heating volumes of media (11) in a closed receptacle (10) by means of an electromagnetic radiation (2), wherein a database (4) is prepared based on measurements of reference receptacles, and irradiation regimes are selected or generated using the database (4) and used for heating the media (11). The invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.
US09433038B2
The product of a molten alkali metal metalate phase separation can be processed into a purified metal from a metal source. Metal sources include native ores, recycled metal, metal alloys, impure metal stock, recycle materials, etc. The method uses a molten alkali metal metalate as a process medium or solvent in purifying or extracting high value metal or metal oxides from metal sources. Vitrification methods using the silicate glass separation phase can be prepared as is or can be prepared with a particulate phase distributed throughout the silica glass phase and encapsulated and fixed within the continuous glass phase. Tungsten metal can be obtained from an alkali metal tungstate. A typically finely divided tungsten metal powder can be obtained from a variety of tungsten sources including recycled tungsten scrap, tungsten carbide scrap, low grade tungsten ore typically comprising tungsten oxide or other form of tungsten in a variety of oxidation states.
US09433034B2
A wireless communication system is provided. The system includes a common module, is shaped as a sector of a cylinder and has a power supply. A sector radio module is coupled to the power supply and includes an access radio and an access antenna. The access antenna is configured to serve a sector of not more than 180°, and is also shaped as a sector of a cylinder.
US09433032B1
In one embodiment, a method for selecting a software interface based on operator policy comprises receiving from a mobile device a message requesting that a packet data session be allocated, wherein the message includes a requested quality of service profile for the packet data session, selecting a software interface, from among a plurality of software interfaces, for communication with a packet node based on the contents of the message, for the packet node to provide the mobile device with access to a packet data network, and allocating the packet data session in communication with the packet node, wherein the requested quality of service profile is conveyed to the packet node using the selected software interface.
US09433023B1
A system and method for bypassing an access point in a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) for direct point-to-point data transfers are provided. A user device in the wireless LAN is equipped with a primary local wireless interface establishing a wireless communication link with an access point of the wireless LAN, a secondary local wireless interface used for direct point-to-point (P2P) file transfers, and a P2P file transfer application. When the P2P application desires to transfer a data file to another user device within the wireless LAN, the user device determines whether the other user device is within a coverage area of the secondary local wireless interface and whether the file transfer meets one or more alternate transfer criterion. If so, the data file is transferred to the other user device via a direct P2P wireless communication link, thereby bypassing the access point of the wireless LAN.
US09433022B2
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more specifically, disclosed are a method and an apparatus for filtering-based scanning in a WLAN system. A method for a station (STA) setting up a high-speed link in the wireless communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: transmitting a first frame comprising filtering information to at least one access point (AP); and receiving a second frame from a portion or all of the at least one AP, wherein whether to transmit the second frame can be determined on the basis of the filtering information.
US09433019B2
Base Station (BS) and User Equipment (UE) apparatuses for configuring a Random Access CHannel (RACH), and methods thereof, are provided. The method for a BS to configure a RACH includes generating configuration information on RACH resources, transmitting the configuration information on the RACH resources to a UE, receiving a random access preamble multiplexed on a plurality of continuous RACH resources from the UE, extracting the random access preamble multiplexed on the plurality of continuous RACH resources, and detecting the extracted random access preamble. The method for a UE to configure a RACH includes receiving configuration information on RACH resources from a BS, selecting occupied RACH resources among a plurality of continuous RACH resources, generating a random access preamble, multiplexing the generated random access preamble on the selected RACH resources, and transmitting the random access preamble on the selected RACH resources to the BS.
US09433017B2
Techniques for media access in wireless networks are disclosed. For instance, embodiments may provide a time interval for accessing a wireless communications channel. In addition, embodiments may prevent channel access during the time interval by stations incapable of employing a first channel access technique. This access technique employs an access probability P.
US09432997B2
A mobile communications system including: at least one base station configured to communicate data to/from different terminal devices via respective of plural logically separate carriers of a wireless access interface; first and second terminal devices operable to camp-on to first and second carriers of plural carriers and to subsequently communicate data with the at least one base station via the first and second carriers. The first and second carriers support compatible synchronization signalling such that the first and second terminal devices both can synchronize with the first and second carriers to begin a camp-on procedure. Following synchronization with one of the first or second carriers to begin the camp-on procedure, the second terminal device is configured to determine whether or not to continue with the camp-on procedure in dependence on an aspect of physical layer signalling associated with a control channel of the carrier with which it has synchronized.
US09432996B2
A system and method for transmitting and receiving frequency allocation information based on identification information in a frequency overlay system are provided. The method includes transmitting a frame of a first Frequency Allocation (FA) to Mobile Stations (MSs) by inserting control information and identification information of the MSs to which frequency resources are allocated into the first FA frame, and transmitting a second frame indicating a second FA the MSs by inserting the identification information and a resource indication of the first FA into the second FA frame. Thereby, an overhead can be reduced and a frequency resource can be used efficiently.
US09432989B2
Disclosed is a base station apparatus in which a configuration section (102) configures, within a data assignable region for a terminal apparatus (200), a first search space and a second search space each being a candidate to which control information is assigned, each of the first search space and the second search space including a plurality of control channel elements, and a signal assignment section (105) assigns control information to each of the first search space and the second search space. In addition, the configuration section (102) allocates numbers to a plurality of first control channel elements included in the first search space in an ascending order, and allocates numbers larger than or identical with the numbers allocated to the first control channel elements to a plurality of second control channel elements included in the second search space.
US09432980B2
An apparatus and a method for indicating uplink resource allocation in a broadband wireless communication system are provided. The method includes decoding an UpLink (UL) resource allocation Information Element (IE) in a received DownLink (DL) subframe, extracting an indicator field value from the decoded UL resource allocation IE, the indicator field value indicating a Transmission Time Interval (TTI) type for a resource allocated to the terminal and a UL subframe location, and transmitting UL data through a resource allocated to the terminal based on the extracted indicator field value.
US09432975B2
A telecommunications system including plural base stations and plural terminal devices communicating over a radio interface having a radio frame structure including radio subframes each including plural symbols. At least one symbol in each radio subframe is used to support a physical shared channel and at least one symbol in each radio subframe is used to support a physical control channel associated with the physical shared channel. A symbol at the end of each radio subframe is used to support the physical shared channel for communication links between a base station and a terminal device operating in a full-duplex mode, but the corresponding symbol is used to support a separate physical channel, for example an additional low-rate channel, for communication links operating in a half-duplex mode. Thus, transmission resources that would normally be idle in a half-duplex system compared to a full-duplex system can be re-used for another channel.
US09432963B2
A method of determining a position of a mobile electronic device with respect to a beacon is provided. The beacon transmits three or more radio signals having unique identifiers in different directions within a plane. The method includes receiving the radio signals and determining the received signal strength of each of the received radio signals. The method also includes calculating signal strength difference values for pairs of the received radio signals and determining an azimuth of the mobile electronic device relative to the beacon based on the calculated signal strength difference values for the pairs.
US09432950B2
A communications apparatus. The RF signal processing device is capable of supporting carrier aggregation and configured to process RF signals. The baseband signal processing device is configured to process baseband signals. The processor is configured to control operations of the RF signal processing device and the baseband signal processing device. The processor further receives a power control signal from a peer communications apparatus, obtains an assigned transmission power which is assigned by the peer communications apparatus for the communications apparatus to transmit a reference signal according to information carried in the power control signal, determines a spectral efficiency estimation value of the communications apparatus and directs the RF signal processing device to transmit the reference signal with a reduced transmission power which is smaller than the assigned transmission power when the spectral efficiency estimation value is smaller than a predetermined threshold.
US09432940B2
A method and apparatus of accessing a channel in a wireless local area network is provided. A destination station receives a request to send (RTS) frame to allocate a network allocation vector from a source station over a first bandwidth and transmits a clear to send (CTS) frame over a second bandwidth to the source station in response to the RTS frame. The second bandwidth is dynamically determined when a first parameter has a predetermined value.
US09432939B2
Provided is a wireless communication device for packet communication. When a battery is mounted, transmission and reception of a message for obtaining information necessary for the packet communication are performed and the information is stored in a first communication information storage unit. In a waiting state, main components for wireless communication are powered off. The main components for the wireless communication are powered on at the time of sensor detection. The packet communication is performed using the information in the first communication information storage unit and the sensor detection is notified.
US09432936B2
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a portable electronic device provided with: a first communication module configured to perform communication by a first communication standard; a second communication module configured to perform communication by a second communication standard; and a control module configured to use the second communication module to search for a base station, based on traffic of communication performed by the first communication module.
US09432935B2
Provided is a mobile station which communicates with abase station using a radio channel, the mobile station comprising: a switching unit configured to switch from a packet reception period, during which packet reception can be executed, to a packet reception halt period, during which packet reception is halted; a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the base station, a result of receiving a packet sent from the base station, as a reception result notification signal; a packet reception determination unit configured to determine a packet reception fault; and a reception period determination unit configured to extend the packet reception period if the packet reception fault is determined by the packet reception determination unit.
US09432933B2
The present application provides methods for controlling a small cell on or off procedure in a Small cell specific Gate Way (S-GW). One of the methods comprises steps of receiving a cell indication message from a Source Small Cell (SSC), the cell indication message includes a cell state change indication parameter indicating whether the SSC is to be on or off and a cell on/off timer parameter indicating a time duration for a cell on process or a cell off process; transmitting request message requesting to expand or shrink a cell coverage of a Target Small Cell (TSC) according to the cell state change indication parameter; and receiving a complete indication message indicating the cell on process or the cell off process is complete after the time duration indicated by the cell on/off timer parameter from the SSC.
US09432926B2
A method and an apparatus for attempting to access a network from among a plurality of networks by a mobile terminal is provided. The method includes attempting to access the network through at least one target channel determined by the mobile terminal, such that the at least one target channel has a measured signal quality value at least equal to a predetermined reference value among signal quality values measured for channels corresponding to network access provider identification information indicating a network having a highest priority among the plurality of networks.
US09432921B2
A method and a device for performing active scanning are disclosed. The method for active scanning of a STA comprises the steps of: transmitting a probe request frame that contains channel monitoring type information in a scanning channel; determining whether the scanning channel is in a busy state until a MinimumChannelTime; determining whether a PPDU including a valid PLCP header is received in the scanning channel until the MinimumChannelTime; and determining a time for monitoring a probe response frame transmitted by the AP in the scanning channel based on whether the PPDU is received until the MinimumChannelTime and channel monitoring type information, when the scanning channel is in the busy state, wherein the channel monitoring type information can contain information on a type with which the STA monitors the probe response frame in the scanning channel.
US09432911B2
The present disclosure discloses an MOCN cell communication method and an apparatus and relates to the communications field, which are used to solve a problem in the prior art that a part of UEs in an MOCN cell cannot correctly display names of their serving communication operators. The method provided by the present disclosure includes: determining the number n of communication operators of an MOCN cell and configuring n BCCHs for the MOCN cell, where the n BCCHs are in one-to-one correspondence with the communication operators and are used to broadcast in the MOCN cell PLMN information of the communication operators; and sending, to UEs in the MOCN cell, PLMN information of serving communication operators of the UEs through the n broadcast control channels. The present disclosure is applicable to the communications field and used to implement MOCN cell communication.
US09432903B2
A method and apparatus for cell update while in a Cell_FACH state are disclosed. After selecting a target cell, system information is read from the target cell including high speed downlink shared channel (HS-DSCH) common system information. A radio network temporary identity (RNTI) received in a source cell is cleared and a variable HS_DSCH_RECEPTION is set to TRUE. An HS-DSCH medium access control (MAC-hs) entity is configured based on the HS-DSCH common system information. High speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) transmission is then received in the target cell. A CELL UPDATE message is sent to notify of a cell change. The HSDPA transmission may be received using a common H-RNTI broadcast in the system information, a reserved H-RNTI as requested in a CELL UPDATE message, or a temporary identity which is a subset of a U-RNTI. The MAC-hs entity may be reset.
US09432894B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and a device for positioning a user equipment in a handover process. The method mainly includes: receiving, by a target base station of the user equipment in the handover process, positioning measurement related information of the user equipment transmitted from a source base station of the user equipment; and performing, by the target base station, a positioning measurement for the user equipment according to the positioning measurement related information after the user equipment has accessed the target base station successfully. Embodiments of the present invention enables the target base station to perform positioning measurement for the user equipment immediately after the UE has successfully accesses the target base station, and eliminates the need for a positioning server to retrigger a user equipment positioning process, thus reduces the signaling cost caused by retriggering the user equipment positioning process.
US09432871B2
A system is disclosed in which a wireless device is monitored and maintained over a network. One embodiment of the system comprises a wireless device including: a service to maintain data objects, provide messaging capability, and provide data access capability on behalf of a user of the wireless device; and a rules engine communicatively coupled to the service to execute a set of rules transmitted to the wireless device from a server, the set of rules to instruct the rules engine to gather information related to the wireless device and to take action on the wireless device based on the gathered information.
US09432870B2
Provided is a method for evaluating correlation validity between an estimation result and location information performed by a network object in a wireless communication system. The method comprises: obtaining from user equipment the estimation result from a first point in time; obtaining from the user equipment location information from a second point in time; obtaining correlation validity information for determining correlation and evaluating the correlation validity; and performing the correlation validity evaluation on the basis of the correlation for determining whether the location information is highly correlated to the estimation result. When the location information is determined to have a high correlation to the estimation result through the correlation validity evaluation, the location information is used for optimizing network performance. When the location information is determine to have a low correlation to the estimation result through the correlation validity evaluation, the estimation result is used for optimizing network performance.
US09432869B2
In a method for wireless communication, a receiver receives a first signal at a first radio frequency and determines the reception level of the first signal. The receiver receives data during a reception level of the first signal at the first radio frequency. The receiver decides, based on the determined reception level, whether at least one measurement is to be taken on a second signal transmitted at a second radio frequency. A radio station carries out the method.
US09432867B2
A method and network monitoring probe for tracking identifiers corresponding to a user device are provided. The probe monitors a source base station (BS) for receipt of at least a first control plane message comprising a first control plane identifier and a first user device identifier; the probe also monitors the source MME for receipt of a second control plane message comprising a second control plane identifier, a second and a third user device identifier; when the first and the second control plane identifiers are identical and the first and the second user device identifiers are identical, the first and third user device identifier are respectively stored or output as an identified first and second user device identifier of the user device, and it is determined that the user device commences a S1-based handover when the first control plane message is determined as a handover required message.
US09432850B2
A wireless communication system is provided including a first base station, and a second base station having a coverage area at least one part of which overlaps a coverage area of the first base station. The communication system includes a measurer that measures a utilization degree of at least one mobile station connected to the second base station, and an adjuster that adjusts a wireless resource allocation of the at least one mobile station connected to the second base station based upon the utilization degree.
US09432848B2
Band steering for multi-band wireless clients. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of operations comprises receiving, at a network device, a request from a wireless client device on a first wireless communication band. Thereafter, the network device identifies a unique address identifier associated with the wireless client device based on the received request and stores the unique address identifier in response to determining that the wireless client device is capable of communicating on the first wireless communication band.
US09432842B2
A technique for protecting location information of a subscriber in a mobile network is disclosed. A User Mobility Server (UMS) receives a first query from a first call state control function (CSCF). The UMS transmits a call setup and a subscriber identity to a servicing-call state control function (S-CSCF). The S-CSCF may have no record of the subscriber identity due to a restart are some other event. The UMS receives a second query from the S-CSCF based in part of the subscriber identity. The UMS transmits a home address of a mobile station to the S-CSCF. The UMS may also transmit a profile download to the S-CSCF.
US09432834B2
A device that includes one or more processors may receive instructions to scan, at a given time, one or more channels in one or more frequency bands for presence of wireless devices in an environment of the device. The device may also identify one or more operations of the device that are occurring at the given time. The device may also adjust a duration of scanning the one or more channels based on the identified operations. The device may also cause a wireless receiver of the device to scan, for the adjusted duration, the one or more channels for the presence of the wireless devices.
US09432817B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate transmitting at least two different types of information in a single signal, whereby the different types of information can be encoded and decoded independently. Thus, changes to one type of information does not affect a second type of information.
US09432810B2
An opt-in and time limited bi-directional real-time location sharing (OTLBLS) system and method that enable individual users of the disclosed system to communicate bi-directionally in real-time while also sharing certain information including, for example, locations, messages and metadata.
US09432804B2
Systems and methods for using proximity positioning systems to determine an identity and location of a user, and process a pre-staged transaction based on the determined information are provided. In some examples, a transaction may be initiated by a user. A financial institution may pre-process the transaction and, upon establishing a physical presence of the user at a banking center, may further process and/or complete the transaction. The physical presence of the user may be established based on a signal from a location beacon at the banking center being detected by a personal computing device of the user. Because the personal computing device is within a predefined proximity of the location beacon in order to detect the signal, the location of the location beacon, and, thus the personal computing device may be determined, and an identity of the user may be determined.
US09432803B1
Systems and methods are disclosed that initiate mobile-terminated location requests in response to receiving an indication that an audio incident occurred at a given location. The mobile-terminated location requests are initiated for one or more mobile stations within a cell of a wireless network that is known to provide wireless service coverage to a geographic area that comprises the location of the audio incident. In response to the mobile-terminated location request, an estimate of the mobile station's current location is received. Based on the estimated current location of the mobile station relative to the location of the audio incident, the illustrative systems and methods may generate an association between the mobile station and the audio incident. When an association is generated, it is transmitted for possible further processing.
US09432797B2
Methods, systems, and devices are described for facilitating Machine Type Communication in a wireless communications system. Link budget-limited MTC devices, may be supported. An MTC physical broadcast channel may be utilized for the Machine Type Communication. The MTC physical broadcast channel may be transmitted over one or more subframes different from a regular physical broadcast channel. The payload for the MTC physical broadcast channel may be reduced. The MTC physical broadcast channel may also be utilized to indicate the presence of paging and/or to indicate a change in system information. Some embodiments utilize one or more MTC-specific system information blocks. The MTC-specific system information blocks may combine and/or simplify multiple system information blocks. The location of the MTC system information blocks may be predetermined or information about their location may be transmitted over the MTC physical broadcast channel. An enhanced paging channel may be used to indicate system information updates.
US09432794B2
Techniques to adaptively launch/replace applications and services on edge devices in a cellular infrastructure and/or adaptively place content and computation at the edge devices based on logic at the network core are provided. In one aspect, a method for dynamic placement of applications in a cellular network mobile cloud is provided which includes the steps of: (a) obtaining: (i) a model of the cellular network, (ii) a model of user mobility patterns in the cellular network, and (iii) a model of a profile of the applications; (b) upon receipt of requests from users for the applications, obtaining runtime states at edge servers in the mobile cloud; and (c) upon obtaining the runtime states at the edge servers, placing the requests among the edge servers and a core server in the mobile cloud based on the models obtained in step (a) and the runtime states obtained in step (b).
US09432790B2
Described herein are techniques pertaining to real-time propagation of an arbitrary audio signal in a fixed virtual environment with dynamic audio sources and receivers. A wave-based numerical simulator is configured to compute response signals in the virtual environment with respect to a sample signal at various source and receiver locations. The response signals are compressed and placed in the frequency domain to generate frequency responses. Such frequency responses are selectively convolved with the arbitrary audio signal to allow real-time propagation with moving sources and receivers in the virtual environment.
US09432789B2
A sound separation device includes: a signal obtainment unit which obtains a plurality of acoustic signals including a first acoustic signal and a second acoustic signal; a differential signal generation unit which generates a differential signal that is a signal representing a difference in a time domain between the first acoustic signal and the second acoustic signal; an acoustic signal generation unit which generates, using at least one acoustic signal among the acoustic signals, a third acoustic signal; and an extraction unit which generates a frequency signal by subtracting, from a signal obtained by transforming the third acoustic signal into a frequency domain, a signal obtained by transforming the differential signal into a frequency domain, and generates a separated acoustic signal by transforming the generated frequency signal into a time domain.
US09432772B2
A hand-held electronic device includes an earpiece, a first speaker having a first primary audio output ported to the earpiece, a second speaker having a second primary audio output and a second bass reflex output, with the second bass reflex audio output also being ported to the earpiece. The device includes a use case manager configured to determine a mode of operation of the device, and a controller configured to drive the first and second speakers in either a broadcast mode or a private mode in response to a signal from the use case manager. The polarity of the signal driving the second speaker is inverted for frequencies below the bass reflex port resonance frequency, to thereby provide a higher total combined energy in the vicinity of port resonance.
US09432769B1
Embodiments of systems and methods are described for determining which of a plurality of beamformed audio signals to select for signal processing. In some embodiments, a plurality of audio input signals are received from a microphone array comprising a plurality of microphones. A plurality of beamformed audio signals are determined based on the plurality of input audio signals, the beamformed audio signals comprising a direction. A plurality of signal features may be determined for each beamformed audio signal. Smoothed features may be determined for each beamformed audio signal based on at least a portion of the plurality of signal features. The beamformed audio signal corresponding to the maximum smoothed feature may be selected for further processing.
US09432759B2
A surface mountable microphone package comprises a first microphone and a second microphone. Furthermore, the surface mountable microphone package comprises a first opening for the first microphone and a second opening for the second microphone. The first opening and the second opening are arranged on opposite sides of the surface mountable microphone package.
US09432758B1
An electronic coaster is configured to respond to pressure and sound. The electronic coaster contains a case that includes a flexible top. The flexible top is configured to deflect upon receiving pressure on the flexible top. A circuit board is attached to the case and configured to receive power from a power source and an audio signal from an audio cable. The circuit board is configured to engage a plurality of photodiodes when pressure is applied to the flexible top and an audio signal is played through the circuit board.
US09432756B2
The disclosure recites a feedback system and method for adjusting output sounds generated by a communication device. The feedback system comprises: a transducer; a microphone; and an enclosure for the communication device defining a first location for the placement of the transducer, a second location for the placement of the microphone adjacent to the transducer, a first port connecting the first location to a cavity located on a top side of the enclosure, a second port connecting the second location to the cavity. For the system, the first port connects to the cavity beside the second port.
US09432754B2
Techniques are provided for distributing a fabric name to switching elements of a distributed switch configured to forward Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) frames. A distributed switch membership distributed (DMFD) message is transmitted that includes names of all switching elements in the distributed switch, and further includes a fabric descriptor that contains the fabric name.
US09432747B2
A metering device may be configured to communicate with other devices in an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system. For example, a metering device may be configured to communicate with a collection device. To enable such communications, a collection device may send a wake-up-tone and/or a request message to a metering device. Based on the request message, a metering device may send data to the collection device. Metering communication networks may be mobile and/or fixed. For example, a mobile collection device may use a wireless signal to interrogate a metering device to retrieve data from the metering device.
US09432741B2
The present application is directed to a method and system of controlling the broadcasting of network multi-media broadcasting device comprising the steps of, adding at least one channel or application on a main user interface; determining whether the user has selected one of the channels or applications, if so, setting the channel or application as selected by the user as an auto launch item; if not, selecting the channel or application with the highest priority as the auto launch item; determining whether the channel or application possessing the highest CTR or longest broadcasted time; if so, selecting among the channels or applications having the highest CTR or longest broadcasted time and setting it as an auto launch item; if not, giving the highest priority to the sole channel or application having the highest CTR or longest broadcasted time and setting it as the auto launch item.
US09432736B2
The present invention related to the domain of audio/video content distribution, where a catalog of available content is made available to end users. An aim of the invention is to ensure that the catalog has a high quality in that a search within the catalog will have a high probability of yielding a result. The invention provides a method and a system for creating useful links between elements in the catalog whenever it is deemed that such links be useful. The links between the elements are created either by adding new content to the catalog or new metadata which can be associated with the new content and existing content in the catalog.
US09432735B2
Various arrangements are presented for recording broadcast television programming. An electronic programming guide database may be accessed to determine a scheduled start time and a scheduled end time for the broadcast television program. A timer may be defined to record the broadcast television program. The start time for the timer may be a first predefined period of time before the scheduled start time of the broadcast television program and an end time for the timer may be a second predefined period of time after the scheduled end time of the broadcast television program. The broadcast television program may be recorded, the recording beginning at the start time of the timer and ending at the end time of the timer. One or more bookmarks that are based on the scheduled start time and/or scheduled end time of the broadcast television program may be created for the recorded television program.
US09432733B2
In accordance with the invention, advertisement identifiers are stored in a queue in memory in the set top box or elsewhere corresponding to individual subscribers of a television service delivery network. The advertisements are retrieved and displayed in the order dictated by the queue as advertisement avails are detected in the particular channel information stream being watched by that subscriber. Accordingly, the subscriber sees the advertisements regardless of what channel or television program is being watched and sees them in the order dictated by the queue. The invention also is applicable to other information streams including Internet advertising, audio/radio advertising and advertising in electronic program guides.
US09432729B2
There are provided a method and apparatus for adaptive transport injection for playback. The apparatus includes a playback manager for managing at least one buffer to maintain a fullness of the at least one buffer for a data playback by adapting a data injection size, relating an amount of data injected at a given time into the at least one buffer, to smallest available space in the at least one buffer.
US09432710B2
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for conserving bandwidth. A notification is received from a customer's device that indicates media will be recorded/saved to memory. The available bandwidth is compared to required bandwidth to deliver the media to the customer's device. When the required bandwidth exceeds the available bandwidth, then delivery of the media is deferred to a period of lesser demand.
US09432708B1
There is provided a system and method for determining the latency of components of a video system comprising a video latency determination device. The video latency determination device includes a memory and a processor configured to detect a test video pattern appearing at a known time in the video signal at the video output of each component, calculate the latency of each component based on the known time of the test video pattern and the time at which the video latency determination device detects the test video pattern, and store the latency of each component in the memory.
US09432707B2
Method of formatting a stream of data for mobile terminals according to a series of frames which comply with the ATSC-MH standard or with a standard which is upward compatible with ATSC-MH, a frame comprising a predetermined number of slots, each slot being able to be allocated to the transport of data associated with a service, said method comprising a step of defining a slots allocation pattern making it possible to meet a total bitrate need required for the services for a set, called a super frame, grouping together M frames, M being greater than 1, consisting in: Allocating a minimum number N of slots for each frame of a super frame as a function of the total bitrate need and of the bitrate allocated to a slot, Allocating an additional slot in a predetermined number p of frames of a super frame, so as to comply with the total bitrate need with a minimum bitrate stepsize equal to the bitrate allocated to a slot.
US09432701B2
A remote storage digital video recorder (RS-DVR) system is disclosed. The RS-DVR system includes a network interface to communicate data between the RS-DVR system and a subscriber system via a network, a file system module coupled to the network interface, an ingest agent coupled to the file system module to receive encoded media segments that represent media content files encoded at a plurality of different bitrates; and a storage architecture coupled to the file system to store the encoded media segments, resulting in stored media segments. The RS-DVR carries out a number of functions and operations to service multiple subscribers and associated subscriber systems, such as various storage device management operations, file structure techniques, assignment of recorded media to subscribers, file system indexing, and supporting shared and per-subscriber content rights.
US09432695B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for intra prediction. The intra prediction method for a decoder, according to the present invention, comprises the steps of entropy-decoding a received bitstream, generating reference pixels to be used in the intra prediction of a prediction unit; generating a prediction block from the reference pixels on the basis of a prediction mode for the prediction unit and reconstructing an image from the prediction block and a residual block, which is obtained as a result of entropy encoding, wherein the reference pixels and/or the prediction block pixels are predicted on the basis of a base pixel, and the predicted pixel value can be the sum of the pixel value of the base pixel and the difference between the pixel values of the base pixel and the generated pixel.
US09432684B2
The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for encoding and decoding video. A video decoding method comprises reconstructing a residual value by entropy-decoding received bitstream and dequantizing and inverse-transforming residual value information, generating a final prediction unit by performing inter prediction on a prediction unit which is partitioned from a coding unit into at least two prediction units by asymmetric motion partitioning (AMP), the two partitioned prediction units comprising a first partitioned prediction unit and a second partitioned prediction unit, and reconstructing a picture by adding the final prediction unit to the residual values.
US09432678B2
Adapting characteristics of a video stream. A source video stream is received comprising instructions to employ at least one reference frame at a video adaptation device, wherein the source video stream is encoded. The source video stream is adapted, at the video adaptation device, such that the instructions are adapted to store a different number of reference frames. A video stream is produced with the different number of the reference frames.
US09432677B2
When a prediction is made between fields with different parity, the predicative efficiency of a chrominance vector is improved by adaptively switching the generation of a chrominance motion vector depending on encoding/decoding field parity (top/bottom) and a reference field parity (top/bottom), and the coding efficiency is improved accordingly.
US09432674B2
Multi-level prediction mode encoding type decision methods and systems are presented. In one embodiment, an indication of a prediction mode level is received and encoding is performed in accordance with said prediction mode level. The indication of said prediction mode level is programmable and can be set at different levels. The prediction mode level can be associated with a programmable encoding type decision point (e.g., early, intermediate, late, etc.). The encoding process includes deciding upon an I-type or P-type encoding. In one embodiment, a multi-stage encoding type method is also implemented in intra-prediction related search and inter-prediction related search and respective corresponding prediction operations are performed, wherein at least a portion of the intra-prediction related search and the inter-prediction related search are performed in parallel.
US09432670B2
A method and apparatus for sample adaptive offset (SAO) compensation of reconstructed video data are disclosed. In one embodiment, the relation between the current pixel and said one or more neighboring pixels is stored so that the SAO compensated current pixel can replace the current pixel without buffering the to-be-processed pixels for classification. The SAO process may be performed on a region by region basis to adapt to the local characteristics of the picture.
US09432666B2
Context-adaptive variable length bitstream decoding performance may be improved and power consumption reduced by pushing the variable length decoding beyond one syntax element per clock pulse.
US09432656B2
Disclosed herein is an image pickup apparatus, including: an image pickup lens; a lens array disposed on an image formation plane of the image pickup lens; an image pickup device adapted to receive a light ray passing through the image pickup lens and the lens array to acquire picked up image data; and an image processing section adapted to carry out an image process for the picked up image data; the image processing section including a viewpoint image production section adapted to produce a plurality of viewpoint images based on the picked up image data, and an image synthesis processing section adapted to synthesize two or more viewpoint images from among the viewpoint images.
US09432652B2
An apparatus and method provide logic for processing information. In one implementation, an apparatus may include a determination unit configured to determine a position on a surface of the determination unit corresponding to a contact between a portion of a operating tool and the determination unit surface. The apparatus may also include a definition unit configured to define a first display position of a first stereoscopic image, and a generation unit configured to generate a second stereoscopic image in response to the contact. A control unit may be configured to generate a signal to display the first stereoscopic image at the first display position and display the second stereoscopic image at a second display position, the first and second display positioned being within a predetermined distance of the contact position.
US09432651B2
A 3-D picture is provided by providing a pair of pictures that includes a first picture for one eye of a viewer, and a second picture for the other eye of the viewer. In addition, a depth map specifically dedicated to the first picture is provided. The depth map includes depth indication values. A depth indication value relates to a particular portion of the first picture and indicates a distance between an object at least partially represented by that portion of the first picture and the viewer. The 3-D picture is supplemented with rendering guidance data that specifies respective parameters for respective rendering contexts. These respective parameters relate to generating a shifted viewpoint picture from the first picture and the depth map.
US09432624B2
This disclosure describes an apparatus (106) for improving performance of a multipoint control unit (210). The apparatus (106) provides a video stream manipulator (208) and a multipoint control unit (210). The video stream manipulator (208) may encode one or more video streams in a predetermined video codec standard separately. Each of the encoded video streams includes at least one encoded video frame made of a plurality of macroblocks, where the macroblocks are segregated into a predetermined number of macroblock lines. The multipoint control unit (210) may assemble predetermined number of macroblock lines from each of the encoded video streams in a predetermined composition.
US09432617B2
Videoconferencing images captured by a video camera in suboptimal lighting conditions are enhanced by analyzing light associated with a portion of the video camera field of view and applying that analysis for white balance of the entire field of view. For example, the face or silhouette of a videoconference participant is detected within the camera field of view so that light within a perimeter of the face or silhouette is analyzed to determine a white balance correction for application to the entire field of view. To reduce the impact of the white balance correction factor based upon the area within a silhouette participant, the image outside the perimeter may be subdued, such as with blurring or dimming.
US09432607B2
Provided is a solid-state imaging apparatus, including amplifier units including: an amplifier having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal; an input capacitor having one terminal to which an output signal from a pixel is input, and another terminal connected to the second input terminal of the amplifier; a feedback switch connected between the second input terminal and the output terminal of the amplifier; and a feedback capacitor connected in parallel with the feedback switch and between the second input terminal and the output terminal of the amplifier, in which a driving current of the amplifier during a first period is smaller than a driving current of the amplifier during a second period in which the amplifier amplifies the output signal from the pixel, and the feedback switch is set to a connection state during the first period.
US09432604B2
An image sensor chip includes a first wafer and a second wafer. The first wafer includes an image sensor having a plurality of sub-pixels, each of which is configured to detect at least one photon and output a sub-pixel signal according to a result of the detection. The image processor is configured to process sub-pixel signals for each sub-pixel and generate image data. The first wafer and the second wafer are formed in a wafer stack structure.
US09432603B2
An imaging apparatus, which includes an imaging device having a plurality of image sensors, is configured to receive light incident on the imaging device, obtain an output voltage based the received light, and generate an image based on the output voltage. The plurality of image sensors have an aperture pixel region that accumulates and outputs the charges generated based on the incident light and a shielded optical black region. The imaging device performs a skipping operation for arbitrarily and non-sequentially selecting a read row. By performing an offset correction of a step amount produced during the non-sequential reading due to the skip operation, the step resulting from the skip reading can be corrected.
US09432598B2
An imaging apparatus that forms an image of a light beam transmitted through an imaging lens on an imaging element includes a laminated material that is provided on the imaging element, the light beam being transmitted through the laminated material, the laminated material being provided at a position at which an end portion of an upper surface of the laminated material allows an outermost light beam out of light beams to be transmitted therethrough, the light beams entering a pixel in an outer end portion of the imaging element in an effective pixel area, the position having a width Hopt.
US09432590B2
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for reducing flicker in image frames captured with a rolling shutter. A flicker detection and correction engine selects a first channel from a first image frame for processing. The flicker detection and correction engine subtracts each pixel value in the first channel from a corresponding pixel value in a prior image frame to generate a difference image frame. The flicker detection and correction engine identifies a first alternating current (AC) component based on a discrete cosine transform (DCT) associated with the difference image frame. The flicker detection and correction engine reduces flicker that is present in the first image frame based on the first AC component. One advantage of the disclosed techniques is that the flicker resulting from fluctuating light sources is correctly detected and reduced or eliminated irrespective of the frequency of the fluctuating light source.
US09432588B2
A method for controlling exposure of a camera is disclosed. The method comprises calculating a darkness level and a saturation level with respect to a first image in a video sequence. If the saturation level exceeds a first limit, a target value for a mean intensity value of pixels in images captured by the camera is decreased by an amount which is an increasing function of the darkness level. The decreased target value is used to control the exposure of the camera for images subsequent to the first image in the video sequence, such that the mean intensity value of pixels in the subsequent images approaches the decreased target value.
US09432585B2
A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens group that has a positive refractive power; a second lens group that has a negative refractive power; a third lens group that has a positive refractive power; and a fourth lens group that has a positive refractive power. During zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, the first lens group is stationary relative to an imaging surface, and the second lens group is moved to the image side in an optical axis direction so as to decrease a space between the second lens group and the third lens group. The third lens group includes a positive lens, a negative lens, and a cemented lens. The zoom lens satisfies −0.95
US09432582B2
An image pickup apparatus includes a first image reduction unit configured to reduce the size of an image output by an image pickup element, a memory configured to store the image reduced by the first image reduction unit, an external output unit configured to output the image stored in the memory, a display configured to display an image being shot, a second image reduction unit configured to reduce, to the display size on the display, the image reduced by the first image reduction unit, without causing the reduced image to be stored in the memory and a signal processor for the display configured to perform signal processing of the image reduced to the display size on the display.
US09432581B2
There is provided an information processing device including a recognition unit that recognizes a face area from a captured image, a storage controller that causes a storage unit to store face recognition information indicating a face area recognized by the recognition unit, and a display controller that superimposes onto a display unit a display indicating, as a face area candidate in a current captured image captured by an image capture unit according to an external instruction, an area that is among areas corresponding to a first face area indicated by face recognition information from another captured image stored in the storage unit, but is not included in a second face area recognized by the recognition unit from the current captured image, distinguishably from a display indicating the second face area.
US09432567B2
An image pickup apparatus capable of performing a focus adjustment with accuracy and in short time even when a focal position deviation is caused due to a delay of a focus action relative to a zoom action performed responding to a zoom operation. When a focal position of the lens unit changes with execution of a zoom operation, a lens controller drives a focus lens group in such a manner that the focus lens group moves following the zoom operation and the focal position is made constant. A focus detector performs focus detection based on an optical image. According to a focus detection result, the focus lens group is driven for focus adjustment. During the follow-up movement of the focus lens group, a camera controller stops the focus adjustment until a defocusing amount obtained from the focus detection result becomes smaller than a first predetermined value.
US09432566B2
A camera system includes at least one IP camera apparatus and a central controlling apparatus. The IP camera apparatus includes a base module, a lens module and a first connector. The lens module is connected to the base module. A control unit of the base module is adapted to analyze information acquired by the lens module. The first connector is disposed on the base module. The central controlling apparatus includes at least one holder, a second connector and a controller. The base module is detachably disposed on the holder. The second connector is disposed on the at least one holder to electrically connect to the first connector since the central controlling apparatus is assembled with the IP camera apparatus. The controller is electrically connected to the second connector. The controller is adapted to set an address for the IP camera apparatus via the first connector and the second connector.
US09432564B2
An approach is provided for tagging information based on contextual criteria. A tagging platform determines at least one criteria for associating information acquired by a device with at least one tag. The tagging platform also processes and/or facilitates a processing of context information of the device, a user of the device, or a combination thereof to determine a state of the at least one criteria. The tagging platform further causes, at least in part, an association of the at least one tag with the information based, at least in part, on the state of the at least one criteria. Such an approach allows for configuring the tagging of information prior to or upon initially acquiring the information.
US09432557B2
An imaging lens includes first to fourth lens elements arranged from an object side to an image side in the given order. Through designs of surfaces of the lens elements and relevant lens parameters, a short system length of the imaging lens may be achieved while maintaining good optical performance.
US09432556B2
Source devices are adapted to facilitate video data streaming to a sink device. According to one example, a source device can capture a plurality of frames of video data, each frame including a set of graphical command tokens. Responsive to a delay between the source device and a sink device, the source device can select one or more frames of the plurality of frames to be dropped. The source device may transmit the plurality of frames of video data to a sink device, without transmitting the one or more frames selected to be dropped. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.
US09432553B2
An image processing apparatus includes a reception unit that receives a login request from a wireless terminal apparatus and an execution unit that executes different login processing according to whether the wireless terminal apparatus from which the login request was received has a display.
US09432552B2
An image scanning apparatus, comprising: a gray reference member; a scanning unit; a signal conversion unit; a controller configured to: calculate white and black difference data of one line by subtracting first black data of one line from white data of one line; calculate a white and black difference maximum value and obtain a particular pixel position corresponding to the white and black difference maximum value; calculate light gray black difference data of one line by subtracting second black data of one line from light gray data of one line; calculate a gray white ratio by dividing the white and black difference maximum value at the particular pixel position by the light gray black difference data at the particular pixel position; and calculate reference data of one line by multiplying light gray data of one line by the gray white ratio.
US09432551B2
An image processing apparatus acquires scan data and information about a color specified by a user; executes first correction on the scan data such that brightness of a pixel subject to the first correction increases, the pixel subject to the first correction having a color that falls within a specified range of color, an achromatic color brighter than the specified color falling within the specified range of color, first corrected scan data being generated resulting from execution of the first correction; executes second correction on at least a part of the first-corrected scan data such that a color of a pixel subject to the second correction is changed to a predetermined color if the pixel subject to the second correction is a specified color pixel specified based on the information, second corrected scan data being generated resulting from execution of the second correction; and outputs the second corrected scan data.
US09432549B2
A user terminal 1, which is communicably connected to a server device 2 via a network 9, includes: an information acquisition unit 101 that acquires terminal information including a terminal ID of the user terminal 1, and acquires peripheral device information including a device type and a serial number of a peripheral device 3 connected to the user terminal 1 via an interface 15 for peripheral device connection, which is different from a network interface 16 connected to the network 9; and a transmission/reception unit 102 that transmits the terminal information and the peripheral device information to the server device 2.
US09432545B2
An information processing apparatus having an interface for communicating with an external apparatus, and a method of controlling the same, detect that a transition condition for the information processing apparatus to transition into a sleep mode is satisfied; and cancel, in a case where an interrupt from the interface occurs during an interval from a timing of that it is detected that the transition condition is satisfied to a timing of that the transition to the sleep mode completes, the transition to the sleep mode.
US09432541B2
The data format of image data when an image reading apparatus transfers, to an external apparatus, the image data obtained by reading an original by the image reading apparatus is decided based on system configuration information of the image reading apparatus and setting information corresponding to processing to be executed on the image data in the external apparatus. Control for transferring, from the image reading apparatus to the external apparatus, the image data of the decided data format is performed.
US09432534B2
An image reading apparatus includes: an opening/closing portion configured to be rotatable around a hinge shaft; a biasing portion configured to apply a force to the opening/closing portion such that moment of the hinge shaft rotation higher than moment of the hinge shaft rotation according to self-weight of the opening/closing member is generated in a state in which the opening/closing portion is placed in a range up to a predetermined rotation angle from a closed position with respect to the apparatus main body, and moment of the hinge shaft rotation that is balanced with the moment of the hinge shaft rotation according to the self-weight of the opening/closing portion is generated in a state in which the opening/closing portion is opened more than the predetermined rotation angle; and a holding portion configured to maintain the opening/closing portion at the closed position.
US09432533B2
When a position detecting section detects two points of contact with a display screen of a display section, a medium deciding section decides a recording medium based on a change in distance between the two points. And an image displayed on the display section is formed on the recording medium decided on by the medium deciding section.
US09432528B2
An electronic device includes: a communication unit that performs communication with an external device; and a control unit that issues a command to the external device via the communication unit, on the basis of at least one of capacity of the external device, and capacity of the electronic device.
US09432510B1
A method and apparatus of processing a customer call is disclosed. The customer call may be initiated for an interactive voice response (IVR) type call system. One example method may include processing an interactive voice response (IVR) customer call. The method may include receiving customer call input to IVR call menu prompts, evaluating customer call interactions with the IVR call menu prompts, and calculating at least one usability score of the customer's interactions with the IVR call menu prompts. The method may also include displaying the results of the at least one usability scores on a user interface.
US09432505B2
Performing data communications by a Dual SIM Dual Active (DSDA) user equipment (UE), while simultaneously conducting two concurrent voice calls. The UE may receive a request to perform data communications while conducting a first voice call on a first radio and concurrently conducting a second voice call on a second radio. The UE may then determine whether one of the voice calls is currently on hold. The UE may perform the data communications using the radio on which the held call is being conducted. The UE may therefore dynamically select available slots from the first radio and the second radio for performing the data communication, based on which of the first radio and the second radio has a voice call that is currently on hold. In some embodiments, the data communications may be performed using a Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol stack.
US09432501B2
A method and system of managing ringtones and alarms by intercepting device events, associating them with user events, smartphone sensor data and text search to intelligently alter the smartphone ringtones without user intervention. Conventionally, altering the ringtone of a smartphone is done through manual selection and is at most customizable with static selections like a different ringtone for text messages and a different for phone call. The present invention provides a control program along with associated data structures that implement intelligent and context sensitive ringtone selection decisions based on a combination of user data from their incoming text, email, alerts, phone calls and combining them with sensor data from the functions of sensory apparatus on smartphones, user generated functions and a rules set for establishing ringtone rules.
US09432479B2
A method for delivering tailored specific content to a mobile device. A shim application is provided to the mobile device by a content server after the mobile device visits the content server for the first time. The shim application detects the capabilities of the mobile device, such as the screen size, screen resolution, memory size, browser capabilities, etc. The shim application then includes such information in the header of the requests, such as a request for content, sent from the mobile device to the content server. The content server then generates the requested content in the appropriate format based on the information provided in the header. In this manner, the content server will now be able to ensure that the content provided by the content server for a particular mobile device will be appropriately displayed on the mobile device.
US09432477B2
For identifying matching video content, a method records characteristics of a plurality of videos. The characteristics include one or more of keywords, views, comments, subscriptions to content channels, uploaded content, likes, user followings, and user identities. The method further calculates a content profile for each video. In addition, the method identifies a matching content profile within a content proximity of a target video content profile.
US09432471B1
Identifying impressions relating to a target publisher that are related to or derived from a user interaction with a content recommendation source. User activity data for multiple users is collected during an activity window. Based on the collected user activity data, an initial interaction by a user with a source is identified and used to establish a source-related user session beginning at a time of the initial interaction and ending after a session period. A set of impressions (e.g., page views) by the user relating to the target publisher occurring during the user session is identified. The identified set of impressions is associated with the user session. A source-related user activity measurement is calculated based on the identified user sessions and associated impressions occurring during the activity window.
US09432470B2
The present disclosure describes a method and an apparatus for sending an authentication request message in a social network. In order to resolve the problem that there are few parameters to be relied on when a user authenticates a request seeking to establish a social network relationship with the user, the method disclosed by the present disclosure includes: a social network server that, after obtaining an authentication request message sent by a first client to a second client to request to establish a social network relationship, modifies the first client's identification information in the first authentication request message to a third client's identification information to obtain a second authentication request message. The third client has a social network relationship with the first client and also has a direct social network relationship with the second client. The second authentication request message is sent to the second client. As the third client's identification information is used as identification information of a sending party in the second authentication request message that is sent to the second client, there will be more parameters for use when the second client verifies the request to establish the social network relationship.
US09432465B1
Embodiments of techniques, apparatuses, systems and computer-readable media for consuming services for a user equipment (UE) apparatus are disclosed. In some embodiments, a first signal at a second signal are received respectively from a first and a second beacon apparatus, the signals indicating a service associated with the respective beacon apparatuses, and a list of neighboring services proximately disposed to the respective beacon apparatuses, a list is generated and displayed at the UE apparatus in accordance with ranking criterion of the lists and the first and second signal strengths of the first and second signals received at the UE. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.
US09432450B2
There is disclosed a method of staging real-time data in proximity to a mobile device. The method includes determining a geographic location associated with the mobile device and identifying a storage device located in proximity to the determined geographic location. The method also includes enabling real-time data published by the mobile device or provided to the mobile device to be stored on the identified storage device.
US09432448B2
A scan server or a task server determines a transfer method of either transferring data to an SLB, or transferring data to a central management server determined by the SLB without transiting the SLB according to the data to be transferred, and transfers data to a central management server according to the determined transfer method.
US09432445B1
A system comprises a component which receives an initial status message, from a primary queue manager, comprising a rate of data messages moving into a primary queue. The component detects that a primary queue rate is below a predetermined range based on the received initial status message. The component increases the weight of the primary queue in response to detecting that the primary queue rate provided by the initial status message is below the predetermined range. The component receives a subsequent status message, from the primary queue manager, comprising the rate of data messages moving into the primary queue. The component detects that the primary queue has a rate below the predetermined range based on the received subsequent status message. The component activates a secondary queue in response to detecting that the primary queue rate provided by the subsequent status message is below the predetermined range.
US09432432B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a streaming media segment preparation method and apparatus. The method includes: determining at least one quality point, where the at least one quality point is separately used to indicate quality of at least one target segment of streaming media in a first time period; and determining, according to the at least one quality point, the at least one target segment of the streaming media in the first time period. In the embodiments of the present invention, streaming media segments are prepared by taking a quality factor of the streaming media segments into consideration, which may avoid the problem that redundant segments are generated during preparation of the streaming media segments according to bit rates, thereby reducing a storage volume of a server.
US09432429B1
In a playing of media content among multiple devices, a first device creates a first progress information associated with a media content and the first device. The first progress information includes a current progress in a playing of the media content by the first device. When a second device receives an instruction to play the media content, the second device obtains the first progress information from the first device, creates a second progress information associated with the media content and the second device based on the first progress information, fetches the media content based on the second progress information, and plays the media content using the second progress information. In this manner, a progress in playing the media content is tied to the device playing the media content, and this progress may be shared with another device in the playing of the media content on the other device.
US09432423B2
A skip function for broadcast or multicast media content is disclosed. In general, a receiving device simultaneously receives two or more content streams transmitted for one or more receiving device and provides a skip function by buffering and switching between the two or more content streams. Initially, the receiving device provides playback of a first content stream of the two or more content streams. During playback of the first content stream, the receiving device buffers one or more most recently received content items from the other content streams. When a skip request is received, the receiving device performs a skip function by switching playback from the first content stream to a second content stream of the two or more content streams beginning at the start of the one or more most recently received content items from the second content stream that have been buffered at the receiving device.
US09432422B2
A method and apparatus for voice and/or video communication are disclosed. The method includes: a primary terminal device searching for one or more secondary terminal devices; wherein wireless communication modules are set in both the primary terminal device and the secondary terminal device; the primary terminal device sending an authentication request to a searched secondary terminal device; after the primary terminal device receives an authentication response of the secondary terminal device, the primary terminal device establishing a connection with the secondary terminal device via respective wireless communication modules to form a communication group; and the primary terminal device and the secondary terminal device in the communication group performing end-to-end voice and/or video communication according to the respective wireless communication modules.
US09432411B2
A method includes receiving power via a communication line at a power coupling device of a removable module coupled to a connector of a network interface device. The communication line is coupled to a service provider system that provides multiple services to a customer residence associated with the network interface device. The communication line provides first data associated with a first service of the multiple services to the network interface device. The method includes receiving, at a first service module of the removable module, second data associated with a second service of the multiple services, generating second processed data from the second data, and sending the second processed data to a device coupled to the network interface device. The method also includes generating operation power from the power at the power coupling device and providing the operation power to the removable module and the network interface device.
US09432400B2
A method and system for protecting against unknown malicious activities by detecting a heap spray attack on a electronic device are disclosed. A script is received at an electronic device from a remote device via a network and a loop operation is detected in the script that contains a write operation operable to write data to a memory of the electronic device. The amount of the data operable to be written to the memory by the write operation is determined and the data is prevented from being written to the memory if the amount of the data is greater than or equal to a threshold.
US09432398B2
Some examples of security cloud computing environments can be implemented as methods. A processor of a first computer system that lacks permission to store data in a cloud computing environment receives data to be stored in the cloud computing environment. The data is received from a second computer system implementing the cloud computing environment and having permissions to store data in the cloud computing environment. The processor of the first computer system determines that the received data is safe for storage in the cloud computing environment. The processor of the first computer system determines that the received data is safe for storage in the cloud computing environment. The processor of the first computer system provides a notification to the second computer system indicating that the received data is safe for storage in the cloud computing environment, and an identifier that points to the stored data at the computer-readable storage medium.
US09432396B2
Domain names are determined for each computational event in a set, each event detailing requests or posts of webpages. A number of events or accesses associated with each domain name within a time period is determined. A registrar is further queried to determine when the domain name was registered. An object is generated that includes a representation of the access count and an age since registration for each domain names. A client can interact with the object to explore representations of domain names associated with high access counts and recent registrations. Upon determining that a given domain name is suspicious, a rule can be generated to block access to the domain name.
US09432394B1
A method for progressive convergence on network protocol stack vulnerabilities includes defining an initial protocol field and field value space for fuzz testing of a network communications protocol stack implementation. The method further includes dividing the initial space into regions corresponding to combinations of protocol fields and field values. The method further includes assigning vulnerability ratings to at least some of the regions. The method further includes executing fuzz testing of the network communications protocol stack implementation using the protocol fields and field values corresponding to the regions. The method further includes updating the vulnerability ratings of the regions based on results of the testing. The method further includes identifying, based on the updated vulnerability ratings, at least one region with a higher vulnerability rating than other regions. The method further includes performing fuzz testing for the sub-regions.
US09432378B1
Apparati, methods, and computer-readable media for improving the security of communications networks. An embodiment of the present invention is a system for enabling smart devices (1401, 1402, 1403) to communicate with each other over a network (1450) without human intervention. The system comprises at least two bidirectional smart devices (1401, 1402) adapted to send and receive messages (1460) over the network (1450). Each smart device (1401, 1402) is coupled to the network (1450) via a bidirectional intelligent chip, logic device, or smart device (1411, 1421). In message sending mode, intelligent chip, logic device, or smart device (1411) appends an identifier (1417) to each message (1460) emanating from its associated sending smart device (1401). The identifier (1417) comprises a fixed portion (1415, 1416) uniquely identifying the associated sending smart device (1401), and a variable portion (1414) containing a time having a secret random starting point. The receiving intelligent chip, logic device, or smart device (1421) invokes a module (1423) contained within each intelligent chip (1411, 1421) configured to screen incoming messages (1460), by validating both the fixed and variable portions of the identifier (1417).
US09432377B2
Pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions are provided via a plurality of networks in response to a request received from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types. Prior to processing the request, there is verification of the users authorization to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction. After verification, an authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.
US09432370B2
A method for transmitting a sequence of data blocks to be transmitted includes: one first piece of authentication data and one second piece of authentication data different from the first are formed relative to a selected data block; the selected data block, the first piece of authentication data and the second piece of authentication data are transmitted to a receiver; and the receiver checks (i) a validity of the received data block with the aid of the received first piece of authentication data and (ii) a validity of the received first piece of authentication data with the aid of the received second piece of authentication data.
US09432368B1
A document originator establishes rules for authenticating an electronic signature. Such rules may require that any user who wishes to assent to the document terms provide biometric data in the form of an ocular image. In one implementation, such rules, as well as the document itself, are provided to a document recipient. If the document recipient assents to the document, an electronic signature is acquired from the document recipient, along with the required ocular image. The image is acquired using an infrared-enabled camera in the case of an iris image, or a retinal scanner in the case of a retina image. The acquired image can be authenticated by comparison to a trusted reference image, for example which may have been obtained from the document recipient during an initial registration process. If the comparison matches with a sufficiently high degree of confidence, then the electronic signature is considered authentic.
US09432367B2
A processing method for piecing together a fingerprint based on a mobile terminal and a mobile terminal are disclosed. The method includes: acquiring fingerprint information of a user via a fingerprint multiplexing button; comparing the fingerprint information of the user with fingerprint information which is stored in advance; unlocking the mobile terminal if the fingerprint information of the user matches the fingerprint information which is stored in advance; and locking the mobile terminal and prompting the current operating user to re-input fingerprint information to unlock the mobile terminal if the fingerprint information of the current operating user is inconsistent with the fingerprint information which is stored in advance. When the user utilizes the mobile terminal, a fingerprint match is performed. If different, the mobile terminal is locked for increasing the safety of the information.
US09432362B2
The present invention is related to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) for providing advanced security functions. The WTRU includes trusted platform module (TPM) for performing trusted computing operations; and a secure time component (STC) for providing a secure measurement of a current time. The STC and the TPM are integrated to provide accurate trusted time information to internal and external to the WTRU. The STC may be located on an expanded a subscriber identity module (SIM), on the WTRU platform, or two STCs may be used, one in each location. Similarly, the TPM may be located on an expanded SIM, on the WTRU platform, or two TPMs may be used, one in each location. Preferably, the STC will include a real time clock (RTC); a tamper detection and power failure unit; and a time report and sync controller.
US09432360B1
Techniques are provided for security-aware split-server passcode verification for one-time authentication tokens. An exemplary method comprises receiving an authentication passcode generated by a token; and processing the received authentication passcode using at least a first authentication server and a second authentication server. The received authentication passcode is based on a protocode and/or embedded auxiliary information. The embedded auxiliary information comprising a silent alarm and/or a drifting key is extracted from the received authentication passcode. In another exemplary method, the received authentication passcode is processed using a single processing device to extract the embedded auxiliary information comprising one or more of a silent alarm and a drifting key. Another exemplary aspect addresses the processing of an authentication outcome from at least one authentication processing device and providing access to a protected resource based on the authentication outcome and a predefined access policy.
US09432359B2
In embodiments of registration and network access control, an initially unconfigured network interface device can be registered and configured as an interface to a public network for a client device. In another embodiment, a network interface device can receive a network access request from a client device to access a secure network utilizing extensible authentication protocol (EAP), and the request is communicated to an authentication service to authenticate a user of the client device based on user credentials. In another embodiment, a network interface device can receive a network access request from a client device to access a Web site in a public network utilizing a universal access method (UAM), and the request is redirected to the authentication service to authenticate a user of the client device based on user credentials.
US09432356B1
Automated provisioning of hosts on a network with reasonable levels of security is described in this application. A certificate management service (CMS) on a host, one or more trusted agents, and a public key infrastructure are utilized in a secure framework to establish host identity. Once host identity is established, signed encryption certificates may be exchanged and secure communication may take place.
US09432354B2
The tool to provide a role-based access tool is configured to receive a single sign-on login from a user; determine an identity of the user based on the single sign-on login; authorize a defined role of the user by: accessing a database comprising a plurality of users and associated roles; and determining the defined role based on the user's identity and the associated roles in the database; present one or more service catalogs to the user based on the defined role of the user; receive a request to complete an action associated with the one or more service catalogs; process the action for execution after receiving the request; and run the action on one or more systems.
US09432353B2
Requests for User Services on networked computers running on different platforms with different Authentication, Authorization and Auditing (AAA) Security Systems are processed through an AAA Services Manager Server and Web Services Servers. The AAA Services Manager Server communicates requests for User Services to Web Services Servers using corresponding URL Web addresses. Web Services correspond to their respective Authentication Security Systems and Authorization Security Systems through which User Services may be obtained. The Web Services Servers act to access, for User validation, the respective Authentication Security Systems and Authorization Security Systems according to their individual languages and computing platform requirements.
US09432352B2
A method and an apparatus for processing an authentication request message in a social network are provided. To improve the inefficiency of existing technology in processing user authentication and request to establish social relationship as well as inadequacy of parameters available for said authentication, the disclosed method includes a social network server detecting an authentication request message sent by a first client to a second client requesting to establish a social relationship with the second client. The social network server obtains information social attributes that are common to the first client and the second client, forwards the authentication request message, and sends the obtained information of common social attributes to the second client. The social attribute information is used by the second client to decide whether or not to authenticate the authentication request message.
US09432344B2
Information objects model real-world objects or concepts that may be associated with users, such as vehicles, homes, people, animals, accounts, places, and the like. The objects have a set of associated properties, which have corresponding required protection levels indicating a level of permission that another user must have to the object in order to be able to receive and access the value of that property in the object. Objects are stored by a framework using techniques that reduce or eliminate the possibility of unauthorized access. For example, an object is durably stored in encrypted form in device storage, with the values of properties encrypted in different manners according to the different corresponding protection levels. When sharing an object with another user or other entity, the required protection levels of the object properties are respected in order to prohibit the other entity from obtaining access to unauthorized portions of an object.
US09432337B2
A method for generating product authentication codes comprises allocating a lot identification value and a total lot size for an order of a plurality of product authentication codes, generating the plurality of product authentication codes based upon the lot identification value and the total lot size, and updating a counter table on an authentication server with the total lot size for the order of the authentication codes. A method for authenticating product codes comprises receiving a product code from a user of a product, decrypting the product code to obtain a sequence counter number unique to the product code and comparing the decrypted sequence counter number to a table of valid sequence counter number values to determine its authenticity. If the decrypted sequence counter number is authentic, it is added to an authentication table for future reference when operating to confirm a previous authentication of the sequence counter number.
US09432332B2
A proxy device for a network of devices may include memory, a device status module, a data intercept module, a network interface, and an emulation module. The memory may be configured to store an emulation policy for emulating a device in a network, where the policy includes a status criterion that indicates a status of the device for which the policy applies. The device status module may be configured to monitor the status of the device. The data intercept module may be configured to intercept action requests directed to the device. The network interface may be configured to forward the intercepted action requests to the device when the status of the device fails to satisfy the status criterion. The emulation module may be configured to emulate the device, and respond to the action request without accessing the device, when the status of the device satisfies the status criterion.
US09432328B2
The object of the invention is a method to receive and send electronic mail from a transmitting user to a recipient, generating proof of the operation transactions to submit the transmitting user a certificate as a trusted third party. To that end, it features the steps of reception in a mail server of a copy of the first electronic message sent by the transmitting user to the recipient, the later delivery of a copy of the first electronic message to the recipient together with a particular indication, so that the recipient receives a second electronic message copy of the first electronic message from the mail server, which comprises that particular indication. Finally, the data processing unit creates an electronic document with the transactional data of the delivered copy and signs it digitally creating a certificate that is sent to the initial user.
US09432325B2
A contact center system can receive messages from social media sites or centers. The system can review long messages by identifying content in the long message with negative sentiment. The content with negative sentiment is further analyzed to determine whether the identified content is actionable. If the identified content is actionable, the communication system can automatically routed the long message to an agent for response.
US09432318B2
Traffic is obtained from a plurality of internet protocol version six addresses within a plurality of internet protocol version six blocks; and a first indication of inappropriate traffic is obtained from a first one of the addresses. Responsive to the first indication of inappropriate traffic, a reputation score for a first given one of the blocks, containing the first one of addresses, is incremented by a first predetermined amount; and a reputation score for a second given one of the blocks, adjacent the first given one of the blocks, is incremented by a second predetermined amount which is less than the first predetermined amount. Traffic from the plurality of addresses within the plurality of blocks is passed or blocked in accordance with a policy based on the incremented reputation scores for the first and second given ones of the blocks.
US09432315B2
The present invention is a method and system for using predetermined preferences/characteristics to ascertain personal compatibility between network or chat room participants based upon profile information. When the system determines that these preferences are favorable for interpersonal compatibility, the system will automatically notify or page the participants so as to facilitate their introduction. Further functionality, aside from the compatibility based upon profile information, includes e-mail and other electronic notification of personal compatibility as well as geographic compatibility.
US09432297B2
A jitter-based transmission control method is disclosed. In the jitter-based transmission control method, several packets are sent applying a current congestion window size by at least one sender device through a network switch device. An immediate jitter ratio of the network switch device is calculated by the sender device. An average jitter ratio of the network switch device is updated by the sender device according to the immediate jitter ratio and the current congestion window size. The current congestion window size is reduced when the immediate jitter ratio or the updated average jitter ratio is positive and larger than a queued threshold over the current congestion window size, such that the packets are sent applying the reduced current congestion window size.
US09432284B2
A packet classification system, methods, and apparatus are provided for packet classification. A processor of a router coupled to a network compiles at least one search tree based on a rules set. The processor determines an x number of search phases needed to process an incoming key corresponding to the rules set, wherein the rules set includes a plurality of rules, where each of the plurality of rules includes an n number of rule fields and where the incoming key includes an n number of processing fields. The processor generates an x set of search trees, where each of the x set of search trees corresponds to a respective one of the x number of search phases. Also, the processor provides the x set of search trees to a search processor, where each of the x set of search trees is configured to process respective portions of the incoming key.
US09432282B2
This invention relates to the use of optimal (hyperspeed) paths for command and control (and other high priority) traffic and suboptimal (slower) paths for all other traffic in order to implement sophisticated network service differentiation and defensive techniques. A reaction time window is created to ensure that packets sent along hyperspeed paths can arrive sufficiently in advance of malicious traffic in order to alert network devices and initiate defensive actions. Assortments of defensive options are available to networks employing the invention and the inventive algorithms.
US09432268B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method and apparatus for placing services in a network. The network and a set of services to be placed within the network are defined. A set of requirements for a plurality of subscribers is determined. Each requirement is a sequence of services to traverse for each subscriber. The services are placed such that a total delay or total distance is minimized for all subscribers.
US09432239B2
A system and method for uniquely identifying an SIP device extends the SIP communications protocol with an end point identifier, carried for example in the header of an SIP transmission. The end point identifier is useful for routing, registration, subscription, and authentication. The end point (device) of a given user epid can be uniquely identified by creating a key from an epid and a user's address-of-record (URI). This in turn enables improved connection management and security association management when the connections/IP addresses are transient, such as when HTTPS tunneling is used.
US09432236B2
A calibration signal is generated from a modulating signal having a first frequency and a carrier signal having a second frequency. A single-sideband mixer modulates the modulating signal on the carrier signal. At least two frequency dividers by two connected in cascade receive the modulating signal modulated on the carrier signal and generate an output of the calibration signal.
US09432224B1
Method and apparatus for low-complexity ISI estimation using sparse discontinuous time-domain pilots
It is possible to perform ISI estimation for quasi-static band-limited communication channels using a minimal number of discontinuous pilots communicated across different time intervals. In one example, at least two frames are received in different time intervals, and noise vectors are extracted from pilots carried in the respective frames. Spectral estimation is performed on the noise vectors, collectively, to obtain a set of tap coefficients, which are then used to perform ISI equalization on at least one of the frames. In this way, ISI equalization is performed on a frame communicated in one time interval using at least some pilots communicated in another time interval. Using discontinuous pilots to perform channel estimation may enable lower pilot densities in next-generation communication systems.
US09432216B2
Systems and methods are presented which generate modified email messages, which are largely devoid of embedded functions, from original email messages, which have embedded functions. The embedded functions are amenable to self-executing codes such as viruses, worms, and Trojan programs Thus, the modified email message without these embedded functions, and any argument associated with these functions, provides a more secure email environment.
US09432213B2
Nodes on an Ethernet network run a link state protocol on the control plane and install shortest path forwarding state into their FIBs to allow packets to follow shortest paths through the network without requiring MAC header replacement at each hop through the network. When a node learns an IP address, it will insert the IP address into its link state advertisement to advertise reachability of the IP address to the other nodes on the network. Each node will add this IP address to its link state database. If a packet arrives at an ingress node, the ingress node will read the IP address, determine which node on the link state protocol controlled Ethernet network is aware of the IP address, and construct a MAC header to forward the packet to the correct node. The DA/VID of the MAC header is the nodal MAC of the node that advertised the IP address. Unicast and multicast IP forwarding may be implemented.
US09432211B2
An edge node of an Access/Network Service Provider (ANP) network tracks the delivery into the ANP network of content from Contzzent Providers (CP), and generates accounting sessions with an accounting server. The edge node is provisioned with the IP addresses of known CP servers. A content delivery session, characterized by a CP IP address and a content identifier, such as a Differentiated Service Code Point (DSCP) value, is started upon the source IP address of a packet matching a known CP, and a packet count is incremented for each subsequent packet from the CP with the same content identifier. An accounting session is initiated with an accounting server when the content delivery session is started, and the accounting session is terminated, with the packet count for the session, upon a time-out since the last packet received. Multiple content delivery sessions may be ongoing simultaneously.
US09432210B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining a current location and receiving energy usage information from devices in the location.
US09432207B2
An Ethernet based vehicle network message transferring system is provided that includes a gateway switch that connects the Ethernet to vehicle networks having different protocols and an Ethernet switch that switches Ethernet messages between the gateway switch and vehicle devices to transfer the Ethernet messages. The Ethernet switch includes a processing module that transfers the Ethernet messages received via the gateway switch in the different vehicle networks, a vehicle network process module that switches the messages transferred from the processing module, and a lookup table in which information necessary for switching the vehicle network process module is stored. The vehicle network process module analyzes an Ethernet message transferred via the processing module in the gateway switch to identify destinations of individual messages in the Ethernet message and divides the Ethernet message including information regarding the individual message according to destinations to transmit the divided Ethernet messages to vehicle devices of destinations.
US09432203B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for configuring a Multicast and Broadcast Service (MBS) zone dynamically in a mobile communication environment. According to an example, there is provided a method of seamlessly changing base stations configuring a MBS zone whenever one or more mobile terminals configuring the MBS zone move or whenever a predetermined time period has elapsed to thereby provide a MBS with excellent quality while saving radio resources.
US09432193B1
Techniques for implementing face-based authentication with situational adaptivity are provided. In one embodiment, a computing device can create an enrollment template for a user, the enrollment template being derived from one or more enrollment images of the user's face and being usable by a face-based authentication system to authenticate the user's identity. The computing device can further determine a first set of metadata associated with the enrollment image(s) and can store the first set of metadata with the enrollment template. At a later time (e.g., an authentication event), the computing device can capture an input image of the user's face, determine a second set of metadata associated with the input image, and calculate a computational distance between the input image and the enrollment template, the calculating taking into account a degree of difference between the first and second sets of metadata. Finally, the user can be authenticated based on the distance.
US09432188B2
A secret sharing system transforms computational secret shares to homomorphic secret shares. On a data distribution apparatus, a key selector selects K′−1 keys. A pseudorandom number generator generates pseudorandom numbers from the keys. An encryption part generates a ciphertext from information using the pseudorandom numbers. A key division part divides the keys into N shares fg(n) using an arbitrary sharing. A ciphertext division part divides the ciphertext into N shares fc(n) using an arbitrary sharing. When K shares fsj(i) are input into distributed data transform apparatuses, a reconstruction part generates a reconstructed value Uj by reconstructing shares fsj(i) using the secret sharing, and when K shares fc(i) are input, generates the reconstructed value Uj by reconstructing shares fc(i) using the arbitrary sharing. A redivision part divides reconstructed value Uj into N shares fUj(n) using a homomorphic secret sharing. A transformer generates share ga(i) of the information from K′ shares fUj.
US09432184B2
A media processing device includes a one time programmable (OTP) memory to store a first set of cryptographic keys and rule set for the first set of cryptographic keys, a key store memory, and a rule set memory. The media processing device further includes an arbitration module to provision: a first segment of the key store memory to store cryptographic keys from the one-time programmable (OTP) memory; a first segment of the rule set memory to statically store rules for the cryptographic keys stored in the first segment of the key store memory; a second segment of the key store memory to store cryptographic keys; and a second segment of the rule set memory to store rules dynamically generated during operation of the media processing device for cryptographic keys stored in the second segment of the key store memory.
US09432175B2
Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for managing control channels for relays that utilize half-duplex operation. According to certain aspects, a certain type of PDCCH may be selected based on one or more criteria.
US09432172B2
Methods and systems are provided for simple cable phone and internet (SCPI) device that may be coupled with a cable modem (CM) and one or more SCPI head ends, e.g., via an SCPI access point. The CM may be capable of communicating a first modulated signal with a cable modem termination system (CMTS), via the SCPI device. The SCPI device may be capable of combining a second modulated signal to the first modulated signal thereby generating a combined signal. The SCPI device may be capable of sending the combined signal comprising the first modulated signal and the second modulated signal to the CMTS and an SCPI head end. The SCPI head end may be capable of processing the combined signal and extract information and/or data associated with a service. The SCPI head end may deliver the extracted information and/or data to an appropriate gateway.
US09432170B2
The present invention relates to wireless communication, and more particularly, to a method for transmitting a signal using a plurality of antenna ports and a transmission end apparatus for same. According to a method for a transmission end transmitting the signal in a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) wireless communication system of the present invention, a step of transmitting instruction information on a first channel transmission method to a reception end, and a step of transmitting the first channel to the reception end using a resource region are comprised, wherein the first channel is either an advanced-physical downlink control channel (A-PDCCH) or a relay-physical downlink control channel (R-PDCCH), the first channel is not transmitted when at least a portion of the resource region overlaps with a resource region used for transmitting a second channel, and wherein the second channel can be periodically transmitted using a predetermined portion of the resource region.
US09432159B2
A method comprising: sending, from a first access point, a scheduling assignment to a first user equipment at a first time; receiving, at the first access point, a reference signal transmission from the first user equipment at a second time; and sending, from the first access point, a downlink data packet transmission to the first user equipment at a third time.
US09432156B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for activating carriers in a mobile communication system, and includes determining, when an instruction message for aggregating multiple carriers is received, a bit position per carrier according to an identifier per carrier in the instruction message; checking, when a carrier state message including a state bitmap indicating state per carrier, the state per carrier according to the bit position per carrier in the state bitmap; and activating/deactivating the carriers according to the per-carrier states. According to the present invention, it is possible to minimize signaling overhead caused by carrier activation and deactivation.
US09432148B2
A device (110) receives consecutive negative acknowledgments (NACKs) (540), measures a downlink channel quality (530) associated with the device (110), and triggers autonomous retransmission (430) when power is limited in the device (110), when the device (110) is using a minimum usable enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) transport format combination (ETFC), and when one of a number of consecutive NACKs (540) is greater than a predefined number or the measured downlink channel quality (530) is less than a predefined threshold.
US09432136B2
Disclosed is a method for supporting a dynamic-time division duplex (D-TDD) downlink-uplink configuration in a wireless communication system and to an apparatus therefor. A method in which a first network node supports a dynamic-time division duplex (D-TDD) downlink-uplink configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a step of selecting two or more TDD downlink-uplink configurations from among a plurality of predefined TDD downlink-uplink configurations based on a predetermined rule so as to establish a set of TDD downlink-uplink configurations, wherein the predetermined rule may enable the selection of two or more TDD downlink-uplink configurations from a number of downlink subframe durations constituted by subframes other than a downlink subframe, or from a number of uplink subframe durations constituted by subframes other than an uplink subframe.
US09432128B2
A method of detecting a signal in an optical receiver is described. The method includes converting a received optical signal to a digital electrical signal comprising a plurality of samples, applying a predetermined phase rotation to said samples to obtain amplitude and phase components of phase range adjusted sample values, and performing a first detection process based on the amplitude and phase components of the phase range adjusted sample values.
US09432127B2
A light-receiving circuit includes an optical-to-electrical transduction element, a TIA processing section to output a voltage in proportion to a current input from the optical-to-electrical transduction element, and a control section to control the TIA processing section. The TIA processing section includes a TIA, which generates the voltage output signal in proportion to the current input from the optical-to-electrical transduction element, an amplifier, which amplifies the output signal of the TIA, a monitoring portion, which monitors the current to be input to the TIA, and an offset-adjusting portion provided between the TIA and the amplifier to adjust and output an offset level of the output signal of the TIA to the amplifier. The control section acquires a value of the current to be input from the monitoring portion to the TIA, and controls the offset-adjusting portion so as to adjust the offset level in proportion to that acquired current value.
US09432126B1
A receiver includes an interface for translating an optical signal into two differential electrical signals for a first amplifier. The first amplifier modifies the two differential electrical signals to produce a first signal that is the amplitude of difference between the two differential electrical signals, which contains the information from the optical signal. A variable gain track and hold amplifier (VGTHA) receives the first signal and a clock signal and provides a conditioned analog signal for digital processing. A clock source provides the clock signal, which is aligned with the peak amplitude of the first signal.
US09432116B2
An example of a power and modulation circuit utilizes a very high frequency switching power converter to supply drive current power to cause a solid state light source to emit light. The power converter is configured to convert power from a power source to direct current to supply via the output to the light source, at least in part by a switching function of the power converter at a very high frequency rate. The circuit, in such an example, also includes a control circuit coupled to be responsive to input data and control operation of the power converter so that the current output to drive the light source modulates the light emitted from the light source to also carry the input data.
US09432115B2
Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of communicating positioning transmissions. For example, an apparatus may include a controller to control at least one light transmitter to transmit from a mobile object Intensity-Modulated (IM) optical signals including On-Off-Keying (OOK) signals of one or more positioning transmissions, the controller is to control the at least one light transmitter to transmit from the mobile object one or more first OOK signals over a first ranging frequency, and to transmit from the mobile object one or more second OOK signals over a second ranging frequency, the second ranging frequency is different from the first ranging frequency.
US09432111B2
By deciding positions of frequencies used via a relay station by a system in advance for assignment of boundary frequencies, frequencies of a central frequency more likely to be affected by the relay station are also mapped by avoiding a signal thereof. Alternatively, an adjacent cell whose central frequency is affected changes depending on a position of the relay station and thus, locations set to be highly likely to interfere with the central frequency of the adjacent cell is reduced by setting a region of the boundary frequencies permitted to the relay station in accordance with the position of the relay station.
US09432109B2
A satellite communication terminal may comprise an outdoor part and an indoor part. Either the indoor part or the outdoor part may comprise a modem configured for communicating with a hub of a satellite communication system via a satellite and the outdoor part of the terminal. Methods are presented for sending indications from the outdoor part of the terminal to the modem, for example, to provide a person that may be installing the terminal with some control over the flow of the installation process while remaining outside (e.g., in the vicinity of the outdoor part of the terminal). In some embodiments, such indications may be used for triggering cross-polarization measurements and/or providing more elaborate information to the person installing the terminal without the need to leave the outdoor part of the terminal.
US09432108B2
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to aircraft communication, and more particularly to a non line-of-sight communication path to augment a line-of-sight communication path.
US09432105B2
Exemplifying embodiments herein relate to a relay node and a method therein for communicating data to a user equipment, the relay node being associated with a base station, is provided. The method comprises receiving information from the base station indicating a first set of resource blocks of a subframe comprising control information. The method further comprises identifying, based on the received information, at least one resource block outside said first set of resource blocks, and scheduling, to the user equipment, transmissions on the at least one identified resource block.
US09432101B2
Disclosed are methods for codebook sub-sampling. In various implementations, a wireless terminal receives a reference signal, determines, based on the reference signal, a first precoding index i2 for a first subband and a second precoding index i2′ for a second subband. The wireless terminal transmits a representation of i2 and a representation of i2′ to a base station. In various implementations, i2′ belongs to the set Si2 which, in one implementation, equals {mod(i2−K1+k,K), k=0, 1, . . . , K2}, where K1>1, and where K2>1 and K>1 are integers. According to an implementation, the wireless terminal receives the reference signal from a first base station and transmits the representations of i2 and i2′ to a second base station.
US09432099B2
The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for reporting channel state information. According to one embodiment of the present invention, receiving a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) based on CSI-RS setting information that is provided by a base station; and reporting to the base station the CSI generated by using the CSI-RS, wherein the CSI includes precoding information selected from a specific codebook, wherein elements of the specific codebook are configured based on a precoding vector W, wherein the precoding vector W is W = [ W 1 aW 2 ] , W1 is a precoding vector applied to a first domain antenna group having a 2D antenna structure, W2 is a precoding vector applied to a second domain antenna group having the 2D antenna structure, and wherein “a” can be a value representing phase difference between the first domain antenna group and the second domain antenna group.
US09432081B2
Power is supplied to telecom equipment in DSLAM outdoor/remote cabinets with relatively short distances between the subscriber and the cabinet. All of the subscriber Customer Premises Equipment connected to the DSLAM each provide a portion of the required power to the remote cabinet via the telephone line connecting the DSLAM and the subscriber CPE. The CPE at the subscriber premises is already connected to power mains in the subscriber premises so, providing power, via the telephone line to the outdoor cabinet is relatively simple. The remote cabinet includes a circuit for receiving the power input from each subscriber and then distributing the power, required by the DSLAM load, equally among the subscribers.
US09432071B2
A smart phone holder may include a docking portion formed on a panel in a vehicle cabin and provided with an electric terminal, a supporter detachably mounted on the docking portion and provided with a power pin corresponding to the electric terminal, a cradle provided with a rear surface mounted on a front surface of the supporter, a supporting cradle disposed at an end of the cradle and configured to support an end of a smart phone, a moving unit mounted in the cradle, and configured to slide the supporting cradle from or to the end of the cradle corresponding to a size of the smart phone, and a charging unit mounted in the other end portion of the cradle to be rotatable to a front surface of the cradle and provided with a charging connector inserted in a charging terminal formed on the other end of the smart phone.
US09432060B2
An apparatus is provided for load modulating a power amplifier that is configured to output a multiband radio frequency signal comprising at least a first frequency band and a second frequency band. The apparatus comprises a multiplexer (31) coupled to receive a multiband radio frequency signal from the output of a power amplifier, and configured to separate the multiband radio frequency signal into first and second frequency band signals. A first load modulator circuit (33i) is provided in a first branch, the first load modulator circuit coupled to receive the first frequency band signal, and configured to load modulate the first frequency band signal. A second load modulator circuit (332) is provided in a second branch, the second load modulator circuit coupled to receive the second frequency band signal, and configured to load modulate the second frequency band signal.
US09432059B1
A first noise variance estimator calculates a first noise variance estimation value based on an channel estimation value of a received signal. A minimum mean squared error (MMSE) filter performs equalization on a residual interference component that is obtained by subtracting an interference component and desired signal component from the received signal. A second noise variance estimator calculates a second noise variance estimation value by using the equalized residual interference component that is output from the MMSE filter. A first noise variance selector and second noise variance selector select either one of the first or second noise variance estimation value, or selects a mean value of the two noise variance estimation values. A filter coefficient calculator calculates a filter coefficient based on a first selected noise variance value. An extrinsic LLR calculator calculates an extrinsic LLR by using a second selected noise variance value selected by the second noise variance selector.
US09432056B2
Multi-level symbols generated by applying a Random Projection Code (RPC) to a source bit sequence are received at a receiver via a noisy channel. The received multi-level symbols are represented in a bipartite graph as constraint nodes connected via weighted edges to binary variable nodes that represent the source bit sequence. A decoder uses ZigZag deconvolution to generate constraint node messages as part of an iterative belief propagation to decode the source bit sequence from the received multi-level symbols.
US09432054B2
A method for iteratively decoding a word of a correcting code by an iterative decoding algorithm in the course of which, for each bit of said code word, at least one extrinsic information item is generated at each iteration, includes the following steps: an initial step of decoding by means of said iterative decoding algorithm; simultaneously, for each bit of said code word, a step of developing a criterion representing the number of oscillations of at least one extrinsic information item or of one extrinsic information item with regard to another extrinsic information item; if the decoding does not converge; a step of modifying the value of the bit of said code word for which said number of oscillations is highest; and, an additional step of decoding said at least one modified code word by means of said iterative decoding algorithm.
US09432046B1
A successive approximation analog-to-digital converter includes a first capacitance bank, a second capacitance bank, a bridge capacitor, a switch set, a comparator and a successive approximation register logic circuit. The first capacitance bank is connected with a first node. The second capacitance bank is connected with a second node. The bridge capacitor is connected between the first node and the second node. Two first input terminals of the comparator are connected with the first node and the intermediate level, respectively. An output terminal of the comparator generates a comparing signal. The successive approximation register logic circuit receives the comparing signal, and generates the switching signal and a digital data signal. The switch set selectively provides one of a low reference level, a high reference level, an input level and an intermediate level to the first capacitance bank and the second capacitance bank.
US09432042B2
A test and measurement instrument including a splitter configured to split an input signal having a particular bandwidth into a plurality of split signals, each split signal including substantially the entire bandwidth of the input signal; a plurality of harmonic mixers, each harmonic mixer configured to mix an associated split signal of the plurality of split signals with an associated harmonic signal to generate an associated mixed signal; and a plurality of digitizers, each digitizer configured to digitize a mixed signal of an associated harmonic mixer of the plurality of harmonic mixers. A first-order harmonic of at least one harmonic signal associated with the harmonic mixers is different from an effective sample rate of at least one of the digitizers.
US09432037B2
Provided is an apparatus for analog-digital converting that includes a Most Significant Bit (MSB)-Digital Analog Converter (DAC) for converting a digital signal into an analog signal, a trim capacitor, a Least Significant Bit (LSB)-DAC, coupled to the trim capacitor, for converting a digital signal into an analog signal, a bridge capacitor connecting the MSB-DAC and the LSB-DAC, a comparator for measuring a voltage value at the MSB-DAC and LSB-DAC and outputting a result of comparing with a sampled voltage value, and a controller for generating first measurement data by digital converting a first measurement value output from the comparator by applying a reference voltage to a unit capacitor of the MSB-DAC, for generating second measurement data by digital converting a second measurement value output from the comparator by applying the reference voltage to the LSB-DAC, and controlling the trim capacitor by comparing the first and second measurement data.
US09432026B2
A temperature-compensated piezoelectric oscillator as an oscillator includes a piezoelectric resonator incorporating a resonator element, an electronic component (IC) as a circuit element having a function of driving the resonator element and a thermosensor, and a wiring board provided with a conductor film, and the piezoelectric resonator element and the electronic component (IC) are disposed side by side in an area where the conductor film is disposed.
US09432024B2
A device includes a housing, at least two qubits disposed in the housing and a resonator disposed in the housing and coupled to the at least two qubits, wherein the at least two qubits are maintained at a fixed frequency and are statically coupled to one another via the resonator, wherein energy levels |03> and |12> are closely aligned, wherein a tuned microwave signal applied to the qubit activates a two-qubit phase interaction.
US09432023B2
Various structures and methods are disclosed related to routing and programming circuitry on integrated circuits (“IC”) that have arrays of programmable resistive switches. In some embodiments, routing structures utilize densely populated resistive switch arrays to provide for efficient selection circuits that route into and out of logic regions. In other embodiments, programming circuitry is provided to help maintain relatively consistent programming current throughout an array of resistive switches to be programmed. In other embodiments, methods are provided for programming resistive switches without violating given power constraints. These and other embodiments are described further herein.
US09432017B2
In one embodiment, a kit for making a touch-sensitive personalized display includes a first medium that is foldable according to score lines to form a cavity. The first medium includes an adhesion surface to receive a personalized second medium, and a back surface opposite the adhesion surface. The second medium includes a personalization surface to receive a user selected-image, and includes a rear surface opposite the personalization surface to adhere to the first medium's adhesion surface. The kit includes a conductive touch sensing system to detect a user touch at the personalization surface and to trigger an action at an electronic device responsive to detection of the touch.
US09432014B2
In accordance with one embodiment, a circuit arrangement is provided including a circuit having a first terminal for a first supply potential and a second terminal for a second supply potential, wherein the first terminal is coupled to the first supply potential; a switch, by means of which the second terminal can be coupled to the second supply potential; a voltage source coupled to the second terminal; and a control device designed to open the switch in reaction to receiving a turn-off signal in an operating mode in which the switch is closed, and subsequently to control the voltage source in such a way that it varies the potential of the second terminal in the direction of the first supply potential.
US09432013B2
An integrated circuit comprising an inductor arrangement, the arrangement comprising: four inductors adjacently located in a group and arranged to define two rows and two columns, wherein: the integrated circuit is configured to cause two of those inductors diagonally opposite from one another in the arrangement to produce an electromagnetic field having a first phase, and to cause the other two of those inductors to produce an electromagnetic field having a second phase, the first and second phases being substantially in antiphase.
US09432012B2
A delay line circuit is provided and includes a fine delay unit and coarse delay units. Each fine delay circuit includes a first PMOS transistor; a first NMOS transistor; second PMOS transistors whose widths of gate features of the second PMOS transistor are equal; at least one third PMOS transistor, coupled between the power voltage and the source of the first PMOS transistor, whose width of gate features is smaller than the widths of the gate features of the second PMOS transistors, second NMOS transistors whose widths of gate features of the second NMOS transistors are equal; and at least one third NMOS transistor, coupled between the ground voltage and the source of the first NMOS transistor, whose width of gate features is smaller than the widths of the gate features of the second NMOS transistors.
US09432010B2
A buffer control circuit includes: an activation control block suitable for generating a buffer activation control signal by detecting a first input of a repeatedly provided chip select signal; and a buffer suitable for buffering the chip select signal in response to the buffer activation control signal after the generation of the buffer activation control signal.
US09432009B2
A circuit delay monitoring apparatus has a ring oscillator with a plurality of delay elements, a signal transition being propagated through the delay elements of the ring oscillator, and a plurality N of sampling points being distributed around the ring oscillator. Selection circuitry selects, in dependence on the indication of the current location of the signal transition generated by the fine sampling circuitry, one of the M transition counter circuits whose associated location is greater than said predetermined amount from the current location of the signal transition. Output generation circuitry then generates a count indication for a reference time period dependent on a sampled count value of the transition counter circuit selected by the selection circuitry, the indication of the current location of the signal transition within the ring oscillator, and reference count data relating to the start of the reference time period.
US09432003B2
A method for designing a standard cell, e.g. a multi-bit flip-flop, can include identifying a first set of transistors. This first set functions to source power or ground to circuits of the standard cell. A second set of transistors can be determined and correlated. This second set forms at least part of the first set of transistors. Each correlated group in the second set of transistors receives identical signals, e.g. scan enable, reset, and/or set signals, and provides a same sourcing. A third set of transistors can then be created. This third set has fewer transistors than the second set. The second set of transistors can be deleted in the standard cell. The third set of transistors can be connected to the circuits of the standard cell. This method can significantly extend circuit consolidation to improve the area benefit of multi-bit standard cells.
US09432002B2
A level shifter includes a latch having first and second branches, first and second outputs, first and second control switches in series between the respective branches and outputs, and a controller receiving first and second output signals and outputting first and second control signals to the first and second control switches for controlling activation thereof. In an initial state, the first output signal is in the first state, the first control switch is activated, the second output signal is in the second state, and the second control switch is deactivated. In a final state, the first output signal is in the second state, the first control switch is deactivated, the second output signal is in the first state, and the second control switch is activated. The controller changes the first and second control signals only after the first and second output signals reach the respective second and first states.
US09431997B1
An interfering signal canceller for cancelling an interfering signal component of an input signal includes a voltage sensor element disposed in a primary path and fed by the input signal, a coupler disposed in the primary path and fed by the voltage sensor element, a Hartley image-reject element disposed in an auxiliary path and fed by the input signal for converting the input signal to an intermediate or baseband frequency signal, a phase slope compensator disposed in the auxiliary path after the Hartley image-reject element to allow broadband phase adjustment of the interfering signal component of a converted input signal, and an inverse Hartley image-reject element disposed in the auxiliary path after the phase phase slope compensator to convert the passed the interfering signal component to the predetermined band of frequencies and having an output fed to the coupler.
US09431991B2
A common mode filter includes a ground element, a transmission line pair and an extension element, which are disposed in first to third signal layers of a circuit board. The ground element includes a ground portion and a first ground line electrically connected with each other. The first ground line is disposed in a slot of the ground portion, and extends from a bottom portion to an opening of the slot. An orthogonal projection of the transmission line pair on the first signal layer is partially overlapped with an orthogonal projection of the ground portion on the first signal layer. The orthogonal projection of the transmission line pair on the first signal layer is not overlapped with an orthogonal projection of the first ground line on the first signal layer. The extension element is electrically connected to the first ground line through at least one conductive via.
US09431983B2
A method, an apparatus for adjusting volume and an electronic device using the same is provided. The method comprises: receiving a volume adjusting signal; detecting a current application scene based on a display content of the electronic device after receiving the volume adjusting signal; displaying a volume adjusting interface, the volume adjusting interface including an volume adjusting area which corresponds to the detected current application scene and a selecting area for indicating whether the volume adjusting signal is applied to all application scenes of the electronic device; adjusting volume based on the volume adjusting signal and applying the adjusted volume to the detected current application scene in case that a selected state of the selecting area is in a first state or applying the adjusted volume to all application scenes of the electronic device in case that the selected state of the selecting area is in a second state.
US09431979B2
A method of emulating a sound of an audio apparatus by using a sound emulation apparatus includes obtaining k past samples (where k is a natural number that is equal to or greater than 1) by delaying a current sample of an audio signal; applying a plurality of characteristic functions indicating an input/output relationship of the audio apparatus to the current sample and the k past samples, respectively; and adding the current sample and the k past samples, to which the plurality of characteristic functions have been applied, respectively, to generate an emulation sound of the audio apparatus.
US09431977B2
A system for a feedback amplifier with sub-40 khz low-frequency cutoff is disclosed and may include amplifying electrical signals received via coupling capacitors utilizing an amplifier having feedback paths comprising source followers and feedback resistors. Gate terminals of the source followers may be coupled to output terminals of the amplifier circuit. The feedback paths may be coupled prior to the coupling capacitors at inputs of the amplifier circuit. Voltages may be level shifted prior to the coupling capacitors to ensure stable bias conditions for the amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit may be integrated in a CMOS photonics chip with the source followers comprising CMOS transistors. The amplifier circuit may receive current-mode logic or voltage signals. The electrical signals may be received from a photodetector, which may comprise a silicon germanium photodiode differentially coupled to the amplifier circuit. Optical signals for the photodetector in the chip may be received via optical fibers.
US09431974B2
A switch mode power supply converter and a feedback delay compensation circuit are disclosed. The switch mode power supply converter has a switching voltage output and provides a switching voltage at the switching voltage output, such that a target voltage for a power amplifier supply voltage at a power amplifier supply output is based on the switching voltage. Further, the switching voltage is based on an early indication of a change of the target voltage. The feedback delay compensation circuit provides the early indication of the change of the target voltage.
US09431971B2
In an example, a differential amplifier is disclosed that is configured to realize low noise with decreased overall system current. The differential amplifier may include a first amplifier stage and a second amplifier stage arranged in series, wherein a pull-up current iH flowing as a single bias current iB=iH flows into the first stage. A single pull-down current iT sources to ground from the second stage, wherein iH=iT=iB substantially. In certain embodiments, the transconductance of the second stage may be increased by providing two transconductors coupled at their base nodes.
US09431961B2
Performing quadrature combining and adjusting including: a plurality of mixing circuits configured to generate a plurality of frequency converted signals; at least one mixing circuit of the plurality of mixing circuits is configured with a plurality of paths, each path representing one linearity mode; and a plurality of combining circuits configured to combine the plurality of frequency converted signals to generate a differential baseband output signal.
US09431958B2
An apparatus comprises a mechanical resonator-based oscillator module generating a local oscillator signal with a frequency of more than 700 MHz. Further, the apparatus comprises a digital-to-time converter module generating a frequency adapted signal based on the local oscillator signal.
US09431951B2
An AC motor controller is provided that utilizes a direct torque controller and primary and secondary control loops. The primary control loop operates in a relatively conventional manner, determining a voltage vector that sets the inverter switching variables for the motor's power inverter, where the voltage vector is based on the motor's torque and flux as estimated from the measured voltage and current of the motor. Application of the voltage vector determined by the primary loop is delayed until initiation of the next primary control loop cycle. The secondary loop, utilizing a faster sampling rate than that of the primary loop, compares the measured phase current to a preset current limit. If the secondary loop determines that the measured phase current has exceeded the preset current limit, it sets a null voltage vector, thereby limiting transient over currents.
US09431946B2
A motor control device includes a current command value calculating device calculating a basic current command value, a first compensation device compensating for a delay in the rotor magnetic flux response of the motor by amplifying the basic current command value, a first current command value limiting device for restricting a post-compensation current command value by a first current limiting value, a second compensation device calculating a compensation value for the amplified current command value, an adding device calculating the post-compensation current command value by adding the amplified current command value and the compensation value, and motor control device controlling the motor, the second compensation device calculating, as the compensation value, a command value corresponding to a portion limited by the first current limiting value of the amplified current amplification command value.
US09431944B2
A wind turbine and generator arrangement comprises a turbine that drives a self-excited induction generator via a shaft and mechanical gearbox. The induction generator includes an electrical circuit that includes a variable capacitance and a variable resistance. The variable capacitance may be constituted by a fixed capacitor and a triac under the control of a controller, or by a bank of capacitors switched by a relay under control of the controller. The variable resistance includes a triac controlled resistor or a bank of relay-switched resistors which constitute heating elements for heating domestic hot water. In use the generator frequency and voltage are allowed to ‘float’ while the optimal generator power output is maintained, but adjusting the impedance of the electrical circuit as the wind speed varies.
US09431940B2
A motor control apparatus includes a supply unit to supply a current for excitation to a plurality of coils of a motor, a first detection unit to detect a physical quantity which varies depending on a change in inductance of at least one of the plurality of coils, and a determination unit to determine a rotational position of a rotor of the motor. A control unit controls the rotational position of the rotor of the motor based on a determination result by the determination unit, and a second detection unit detects an inducted voltage of each of the plurality of coils. The determination unit also determines the rotational position of the rotor based on the detected physical quantity when the rotor is at rest and when a rotational speed of the rotor is smaller than or equal to a predetermined value, and determines the rotational position of the rotor based on the detected induced voltage when the rotational speed of the rotor is greater than the predetermined value.
US09431938B2
A method of controlling a brushless permanent-magnet motor. The method includes commutating a winding of the motor at times that are retarded relative to zero-crossings of back EMF in the winding.
US09431937B2
A method for increasing rotational speed range of an ECM motor, including: 1) starting the motor and initializing parameters; 2) reading the rotor position signal from the hall sensor by the microprocessor and updating the rotor angle; 3) reading the DC bus current I and the rotational speed n of the motor; 4) inputting a target rotational speed S from an external device, acquiring the target rotational speed S by the microprocessor, calculating the rotational difference e, and utilizing a rotational speed PI regulator to output a regulating parameter V_D; 5) calculating an advance angle α=F(I, n) by the microprocessor, and calculating a real-time angle of the rotor θ=ω×t by the microprocessor; and 6) calculating a PWM signal input into the inverter circuit, and outputting a PWM chopper voltage U by the inverter circuit, where U=F(V_D, θ+α).
US09431923B2
An operation area of a motor is increased without increasing the capacity of a switching element. A current limiter which limits a current flowing in switching elements to prevent the current from exceeding a predetermined current limit value is provided. A current limit value controller which decreases the current limit value if a loss generated in the switching elements increases at a same current value, and increases the current limit value if the loss decreases at a same current value, is provided.
US09431914B2
An electrical circuit for providing electrical power for use in powering electronic devices is described herein. The electrical circuit includes a primary power circuit and a secondary power circuit. The primary power circuit receives an alternating current (AC) input power signal from an electrical power source and generates an intermediate direct current (DC) power signal. The intermediate DC power signal is generated at a first voltage level that is less than a voltage level of the AC input power signal. The secondary power circuit receives the intermediate DC power signal from the primary power circuit and delivers an output DC power signal to an electronic device. The output DC power signal is delivered at an output voltage level that is less than the first voltage level of the intermediate DC power signal.
US09431913B2
A voltage detecting circuit used with a switching converter. The switching converter having an energy storage component, a first power switch and a second switch. The voltage detecting circuit has a sample and hold circuit configured to sample and hold the voltage at the connection node of the energy storage component and the first power switch when the first power switch is OFF and the second power switch is ON; and an average circuit configured to average the sampled voltage during a switching period to generate a detecting signal in proportional to the output voltage of the switching converter.
US09431902B2
A device and method for sensing an inductor current in an inductor is provided that generates a voltage signal proportionate to the inductor current if the inductor is connected to a positive supply and simulates the inductor current if the inductor is not connected to the positive supply. The voltage signal may be generated by sampling an input voltage from the inductor onto a capacitor if the inductor is connected to the positive supply. The inductor current may be simulated by generating a simulation current and pushing the simulation current onto the capacitor.
US09431897B2
Provided is an electric device, including: a secondary battery; and a power supply circuit for dropping an input voltage which is input from the secondary battery to an output voltage and outputting the output voltage to a load, in which the output voltage is stepwise dropped in accordance with the drop of the input voltage.
US09431895B2
An SMPS received a rectified periodic input line voltage and is configure to provide a regulated output. A power switch has a constant turn-on time in a given cycle of the rectified periodic input line voltage. A maximum value of the envelope of peak currents through the power switch is determined and is compared with a reference value, and the power switch turn-on time in the next cycle is adjusted accordingly. The output of the power supply is regulated to a target output value, and the current is in phase with the periodic input line voltage, resulting in a high power factor. No sampling of the line voltage is needed to maintain the high power factor. A controller chip can have as few as five pins. Alternatively, a seven-pin controller chip can have two external resistors for selecting operations in either Boundary Conduction Mode (BCM) or Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM).
US09431894B2
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to method, circuits, and apparatuses for power conversion. In an example embodiment, an apparatus includes a boost converter having a current loop affected by at least one compensation correction parameter and variation in an inductance of the current loop. The apparatus also includes a power factor correction means, including a circuit, configured and arranged to adaptively modify the compensation correction parameter based on variation in the inductance of the current loop.
US09431887B2
An actuator includes an inner element coupled to an outer element by a linear-motion bearing that provides a single degree of translational movement of the inner element with respect to the outer element along a longitudinal axis. The inner element includes a permanent magnet and the outer element includes a conductive winding with a first coil wound in first direction around a first pole of the permanent magnet and a second coil wound in a second direction around a second pole of the permanent magnet.
US09431884B2
A dual rotor switched reluctance machine with a fixed stator and separate input and output rotors on either side of the fixed stator is used to transmit power between a power source such as an gas engine and a mechanical drive unit such as wheels or tracks. A switched reluctance motor configuration, such as a 6/4 motor can be combined with a with a higher pole count switched reluctance generator to allow simultaneous operation of the dual rotor machine as both a generator and a motor. Because the fixed stator has the only set of windings the control electronics are greatly simplified over separate motor-generator configurations.
US09431878B2
An electric machine has a base body with a stator, a rotor shaft mounted in the base body, and a heat exchanger. Cooling ducts for a liquid cooling medium are arranged in the base body. The rotor shaft is embodied as a hollow shaft through which the liquid cooling medium can flow. The heat exchanger dissipates heat contained in the liquid cooling medium to the surroundings of the electric machine. The heat exchanger, the rotor shaft and the cooling ducts are fluidically connected in series, producing a closed circuit for the liquid medium. A feed element is arranged to co-rotate with the rotor shaft. The feed element is inserted in the closed circuit for the liquid cooling medium to forcibly circulate the liquid cooling medium in the closed circuit as the rotor shaft for the liquid cooling medium rotates.
US09431867B2
A rotating electrical machine includes a stator, a rotor, a case, a seal member, and a terminal board. The stator has a conductor line wound thereon. The rotor is disposed inside the stator. The terminal board is to make an electrical connection between the conductor line and an external power line connected to a power supply. The terminal board is contained in the case and includes a relay conductor and a storage chamber containing the relay conductor. The relay conductor is to make a connection between the conductor line and the external power line. The storage chamber is hermetically closed by the seal member with respect to an outside of the case. The storage chamber has a discharge hole that allows communication between the storage chamber and the outside.
US09431865B2
A standby generator includes a base and a number of walls extending from the base including a wall having a removable panel. A cover is coupled to the wall having the removable panel and is moveable between a closed position and an open position. When the cover in the open position, the removable panel may be removed from the standby generator.
US09431860B2
A rotor that can reduce the used amount of resin for securing a permanent magnet is provided. The rotor includes a rotor core provided fixedly to a rotation shaft and having a magnet insertion hole extending in an axial direction formed therein, a permanent magnet embedded in the magnet insertion hole and extending in the axial direction and extending in a direction inclined relative to a radial direction of the rotor core, and a resin layer that secures the permanent magnet to the rotor core. The resin layer covers a surface of the permanent magnet and is in contact with an inner surface of the magnet insertion hole. A hollow space extending in the axial direction is left in the magnet insertion hole at an inner side in the radial direction relative to the permanent magnet. Part of the inner surface of the magnet insertion hole is exposed to the hollow space.
US09431859B2
A motor is provided having a consequent-pole type rotor that has soft magnetic material poles and magnetic poles positioned around the rotor in an alternating manner. A convex surface on each of the poles is formed as a surface in which a midpoint of the convex surface has a radial distance from the rotation axis that is greater than a radial distance of the circumferential edges of the convex surface from the rotation axis. A radial width of a first magnetism transfer part of a cylindrical yoke and a radial width of a second magnetism transfer part of the magnetic pole fulfill a relationship such that an appropriate balance of the magnetic resistance between the first magnetism transfer part and the second magnetism transfer part is achieved. As a result, cogging torque is reduced without reducing output torque.
US09431854B2
A multiple UPS system includes a plurality of multi-module UPS subsystems coupled to a power tie cabinet, each multi-module UPS subsystem having a plurality of UPS modules. The power tie cabinet includes one or more controllers, collectively referred to as PTC (power tie cabinet) controls. The PTC controls periodically determine a power error message for each of the multi-module UPS subsystems and pass it to the respective multi-module UPS subsystem. A controller of the multi-module UPS subsystem uses the power error message to determine error data that is provided to a power average control loop used in control of power sharing among the UPS modules of the multi-module UPS subsystem.
US09431848B2
An apparatus and a method for protecting a wireless power receiver from excessive temperature caused by charging are provided. The wireless power receiver includes a power receiver for receiving wireless power in an Alternate Current (AC) form from a wireless power transmitter; a regulator for regulating the wireless power; a power management unit for controlling charging by providing the regulated wireless power to a battery; a temperature measurement unit for measuring a temperature of a point in the wireless power receiver during reception of the wireless power; and a controller configured to provide a control signal for the wireless power receiver to be charged with a regulated charging power if a temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit exceeds a preset temperature.
US09431845B2
A switching charger having a control circuit configured to provide a control signal; a power stage turned ON and OFF by the control signal; an inductor coupled between the power stage and a load; and an output capacitor coupled in parallel with the load; a current sense circuit integrated to the control circuit to sense a current flowing through the power stage.
US09431838B2
Charging systems and related methods are disclosed for switching voltage regulators. A charging controller may be configured to generate a control signal indicating a first level of an output current generated by a switching voltage regulator for charging an energy storage device, determine that an output voltage exceeded a predetermined threshold, and generate the control signal indicating a new level of the output current that is reduced from the first level. A method of controlling charging of an energy storage device may comprise monitoring an output voltage charging an energy storage device, comparing a reference signal and a current sense signal to generate a PWM control signal that determines an output current for a switching voltage regulator generating the output voltage, and decrementing the reference signal in response to the output voltage exceeding a predetermined level for a maximum charging voltage for the energy storage device.
US09431837B2
A battery system includes a housing and a plurality of battery cells disposed in the housing. The battery system also includes a battery management system and configured to monitor one or more operational parameters of the battery system. The battery management system is electrically coupled to a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the battery system. Additionally, the battery system includes a multi-conductor connector disposed in an outer surface of the housing and electrically coupled to the battery management system. Further, the battery system includes a state of charge indicator configured to provide an indication of a state of charge of the battery system. The state of charge indicator includes a first multi-conductor connector configured to couple to the multi-conductor connector of the battery system.
US09431828B2
Apparatuses and systems enable power transfer from one or more energy sources to one or more loads. The input power from the energy sources may be unregulated, and the output power to the loads is managed. The power transfer is based on a dynamic implementation of Jacobi's Law (also known as the Maximum Power Theorem). In some embodiments, the energy sources are selectively coupled and decoupled from the power transfer circuitry. In some embodiments, the loads are selectively coupled and decoupled from the power transfer circuitry. Power transfer to the loads is dynamically controlled.
US09431827B2
Disclosed herein are power management systems for controlling recorded electrical demand by isolating loads from a utility distribution grid connection. The loads are isolated when an energy storage system (ESS) is placed in series between the loads and the grid, with a charger that keeps the ESS from depleting and a power converter that provides energy to the loads from the ESS. A system controller may be enabled to manage the charging of the ESS by the charger relative to a consumption metric. In some embodiments, the loads are categorized, controlled, or curtailed by the controller and may be isolated from other loads. Some embodiments include bypass features or bimodal connections. Additional methods of control to prevent depletion of the ESS are also set forth. Systems herein can prevent or limit demand charges, protect the utility grid from backflow and other dangers, and raise the customer's effective utility service limit.
US09431820B2
A mobile environment-controlled unit, such as an over-the-road compartment trailer, having an environmental-control system, such as a refrigeration unit, powered by an alternator and having a high-voltage alternating current (AC) bus. The unit incorporates a high resistance ground scheme and can incorporate a solid-state input module to detect phase-chassis faults. This combination provides an improvement in protection for mobile applications that cannot have a voltage reference (or neutral point) solidly connected to earth ground.
US09431816B2
A direct current arc fault detector includes a first current sensor sensing an alternating current component of current flowing in a DC power circuit; a second current sensor sensing a DC component of the current; and a bandpass filter filtering the sensed AC component. A demodulating logarithmic amplifier includes an input of the filtered AC component, and an output. An integrator or minimum detector includes an input connected to the amplifier output, and an output. A processor repetitively inputs and then resets the integrator or minimum detector output, and determines an arc when, for a predetermined time: the sensed DC component being greater than a first predetermined value, and a present value of the integrator or minimum detector output being greater than or different from a previous value of such output by more than a second predetermined value, or the present value being greater than a third predetermined value.
US09431813B2
A system and method for providing redundant wired pipe-in-pipe telemetry is described. The redundant wired pip-in-pipe telemetry system includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe disposed within the outer pipe. Within the outer pipe, two or more conductive elements may be provided as well as a wired path controller that may selectably switch between available conductive paths. The wired path controller may identify conductive paths with good electrical characteristics and select those paths for transmission. If a conductive path develops a fault, the wired path controller may select one of the alternative redundant conductive paths for transmission to avoid the fault. The wireless controller may further transmit information about the location of faults to a drill operator at the surface.
US09431806B2
Provided is a waterproof box capable of increasing the amount of water discharged from a double wall without reducing the rigidity of a body case. A waterproof box is provided with a body case and an upper cover attached to the body case so as to cover an opening of the body case. A peripheral wall of the body case has a double-wall structure including an outer wall and an inner wall. Liquid penetrating from a seam between the upper cover and the outer wall passes between the outer wall and the inner wall and is discharged to the outside of the body case. A wide width portion and a narrow width portion which have mutually different gaps between the outer wall and the inner wall are formed in the body case.
US09431804B2
A cable clamp is configured to fix an electric cable including an electric wire section and an outer layer section covering the electric wire section to a fixed member. The cable clamp includes a first cylindrical portion for the electric wire section to be inserted therein, and a second cylindrical portion formed around outside the first cylindrical portion to surround the first cylindrical portion. The second cylindrical portion includes a receiving portion formed between it and the first cylindrical portion to receive the outer layer section. The second cylindrical portion is swaged with the electric wire section inserted in the first cylindrical portion and with the outer layer section received in the receiving portion, so that the outer layer section is gripped by the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion.
US09431799B2
The present disclosure relates to a gas insulated switchgear (GIS), and more particularly, a structure of a bus in a GIS. A structure of a three-phase integrated bus in a GIS, in a bus of a gas insulated switchgear comprising an enclosure, three phase conductors inserted in the enclosure, and spacers coupled to both sides of the enclosure to fix the three phase conductors, is characterized in that the three phase conductors are arranged in a shape of inverted triangle, wherein a conductor located at a lower side, of the three phase conductors, is formed in a shape of straight pipe, and has a branch bus upwardly extending from its middle portion, and wherein each of two conductors located at an upper end of the inverted triangle, of the three phase conductors, has both side portions formed in a shape of straight pipe and a middle portion outwardly curved.
US09431797B2
A spark plug electrode gap setting pliers is provided. The pliers include a first jaw portion coupled to a first shim and a second jaw portion coupled to a second shim. Upon actuation of the pliers, the first and second jaw portions close in parallel to bend respective electrode supports of a pair of electrodes or to bend the pair of electrodes to provide a parallel gap between the pair of electrodes.
US09431791B1
Described herein are methods, systems, and apparatuses to utilize a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) comprising a silicon layer including a silicon waveguide, a non-silicon layer disposed on the silicon layer and including a non-silicon waveguide, first and second mode transition region comprising tapers in the silicon waveguide and/or the non-silicon waveguide for exchanging light between the waveguide, and a plurality of regions disposed between the first and second mode transition regions comprising different cross-sectional areas of the silicon waveguide and the non-silicon waveguide such that confinement factors for the non-silicon waveguide in each of the plurality of regions differ.
US09431790B2
An OPO system is provided. The OPO system includes a pump laser and an OPO. The OPO is internal to the pump laser.
US09431786B2
An apparatus and method that provide optical isolation by permitting substantially all forward-propagating light into a delivery fiber from an optical amplifier and substantially preventing backward-traveling light from the delivery fiber entering the optical amplifier without the use of a conventional optical isolator. Eliminating the isolator improves efficiency and reduces cost. Some embodiments use a delivery fiber having a non-circular core in order to spread a single-mode signal into multiple modes such that any backward-propagating reflection is inhibited from reentering the single-mode amplifier. Some embodiments amplify an optical signal in a gain fiber having an output end, output the forward-propagating amplified signal as a high-brightness optical beam (having a first Rayleigh range) into a removable delivery fiber having a non-circular waveguide, output the amplified signal from a distal end of the delivery fiber, and, without the use of a non-linear optical isolator, inhibit backward-propagating light from re-entering the gain fiber.
US09431779B1
An extension cord light source provides a source of light without additional cords or light units. A light source is attached or attachable to the end of an extension cord. The light source may be a light bulb-shaped source having multiple LEDs therein. Clear plastic encloses the devices therein and allows for multi-directional light beams. The LEDs may connected to a switch with multiple positions for controlling the amount of light. The extension cord lines pass through the bulb and into an outlet being a female plug. This combination thus eliminates the need for a drop light. A removable shade may be also attached to the bulb to prevent unnecessary light. A pilot lamp is included in the bulb to indicate that the power is present. The bulb may have a male plug therein that will accept the female plug of a conventional extension cord.
US09431773B2
A probe-type connector includes an insulating body having a receiving space and a plugging slot which both communicate with each other, a probe set received in the receiving space and including a probe terminal, an insulating part, and an elastic part, and a connecting plate plugged into the insulating body corresponding to the plugging slot and having a connecting portion. The probe terminal has a connecting segment, and a flexible connecting arm extending from the connecting segment toward the plugging slot. The insulating part is connected between the connecting segment and the elastic part that enables the insulating part and the probe terminal to reciprocate in the receiving space. The flexible connecting arm is electrically connected to the connecting portion. Therefore, the probe terminal can transmit electrical signals directly to the connecting plate, which can be applied to the transmission of high-frequency signals or electrical energy.
US09431770B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to various designs of shielded connectors, systems using such connectors, and methods of improving connector connectivity. For example, in one embodiment, the present invention is a communication plug having plug sides, the communication plug comprising a plug housing and a plug shield. The plug housing and the plug shield forming a seam on the plug sides, wherein the seam has an oblique angle relative to a vertical axis of the communication plug. This feature may aid plug removal from a jack by helping to prevent the snagging of a jack tab by a plug seam.
US09431764B2
A plug connector comprises a housing, a plurality of first terminals, a plurality of second terminals and a pair of side plates. The housing has a base and a tongue extending forwardly from the base. The base has a mating limit portion connecting the tongue. Each first terminal has a resilient contact portion extending out of a plate surface of the tongue. Each second terminal has a flat plate contact portion positioned along and exposed from the plate surface and positioned in front of the resilient contact portions. The pair of side plates are provided, one along each side of the tongue, and the two side plates extend along a first, for-aft, direction above the plate surface so as to help protect the resilient contact portions.
US09431755B2
The invention relates to a current-carrying lead, in particular a connecting lead and a heating tape (5), for a plug connector, which current-carrying lead has at least two strands (49, 50) that are partly surrounded by electrical insulation (47). The current-carrying lead is provided with at least one reservoir (53) for an electrically insulating medium (54). The reservoir (53) is closed by least one plunger (55), by means of which the sealing medium (54) can be forced through at least one outlet nozzle (57) into at least one sealing chamber (58 to 60). The plug connector having a current-carrying lead (3, 5) has a sealing device (36) having a sealing body (66). Said sealing body has an elastically deformable sealing part (71) that can be elastically deformed by means of a wedge-type slider (77). The wedge-type slider (77) has a conical face (82) that interacts with a conical face (76) of the sealing part (71). The wedge-type slider (77), which is preloaded axially by a compression spring element (84), is guided in a holding part (78) axially securing the sealing body (76). The lead (3, 5) is supported in a strain relief device (44) by a multi-point support. Said strain relief device has pressure pieces (91 to 94) respectively located opposite one another in pairs, of which the one pressure piece pair (91, 92) is located at a right angle to the other pressure piece pair (93, 94). The pressure pieces of the one pressure piece pair (93, 94) are forcibly guided by the pressure pieces of the other pressure piece pair (91, 92).
US09431752B2
A connector device includes a wire harness side connector including a first housing, and a sensor side connector including a second housing. The first connector includes a third housing provided so as to be freely rotatable in the first housing. The first housing rotates with respect to the third housing and is fitted to the second housing. The first housing is freely movable with respect to the third housing in the axial direction between a pre-fitting position and a fitting completion position and has a force applied thereto by a spring on the pre-fitting position side. A rotational position return mechanism is provided that returns, when the connector fitting is released, the rotational position of the first housing to an initial rotational position during a process in which the first housing is moved from the fitting completion position to the pre-fitting position by an elastic force of the spring.
US09431747B1
A flash drive and protective cover mounting structure includes a flash drive consisting of a casing, a memory module, a electrical connector and a positioning member, and a protective cover including a substantially U-shaped and relatively larger outer cover component having a smooth outer surface and a substantially U-shaped and relatively smaller inner cover component mounted in the outer cover component pivotally connected to the casing and biasable relative to the casing between an open position to expose the electrical connector and a closed position to shield the electrical connector.
US09431734B2
A receptacle connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a number of contacts (2) retained in the insulative housing, a metal shield (3) covering the insulative housing, a metal plate (4) assembled to the metal shield along a vertical direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and an insulative cover (5) fully molded over the metal shield and partly molded over the metal plate. The metal plate defines a pair of closed slits (412) behind a rear face of the insulative housing. The insulative cover terminates at the closed slits in a mating direction along which a mating plug connector is inserted.
