US09227783B2
A conveyor for conveying products comprises at least a drivable helically-shaped inner track conveyor member and a drivable helically-shaped outer track conveyor member. The outer track conveyor member surrounds the inner track conveyor member. The pitches of the inner track conveyor member and the outer track conveyor member are different.
US09227782B2
A lining system for lining a surface generates a fluid impervious lining and an interstitial space between said lining and said surface. The system includes a layer comprising a flexible material having an adhesive coating on each side thereof, a second layer of flexible material, and a spacing means to generate a gap between the first and second layers, the gap constituting the interstitial space, and a coating, the coating comprising a curable material which cures to form a hard fluid impervious coating.
US09227778B2
A beverage cartridge is provided for use in forming a beverage in a beverage machine that provides a pressurized liquid. The cartridge includes a container having an interior space; a rim; a lid attached to the rim and closing the opening of the container, wherein the lid accommodates an inflow of the pressurized liquid; a membrane disposed within the interior space and defining a first chamber and a second chamber within the interior space, wherein the membrane is configured to selectively isolate the first and second chamber; a fluid stored within the second chamber wherein the fluid is arranged to interact with the pressurized liquid introduced into the container to form the beverage; and a filter disposed within the first chamber, wherein the filter is arranged to contain a first beverage medium arranged to interact with the pressurized liquid introduced into the container to form the beverage.
US09227771B2
The purpose of the invention is to provide a very safe opener cap that can easily open a film serving as a section to be opened without scattering the contents. A can body (10) and a screw cap (20) are screwed together, and the screw cap (20) and an opener (30) are ratcheted together so as to rotate as a unit in the direction of the screw cap (20) tightening. Blade angles of an annular blade (34) are configured so that the blade angle in the direction of the screw cap (20) loosing is gentler than the blade angle in the direction of tightening.
US09227770B2
A plug for closing a neck of a container comprises an obturation cap, which is laid out across an inner aperture of the neck of the container and which is crossed by a driving-in member notably when the container is installed on a dispenser, and a skirt for attachment to the neck, centered on an axis. The cap defines a central cavity for receiving the driving-in member, the bottom region of which is delimited by a breakable part, which is adapted to be set in abutment by the driving-in member until it breaks and which includes a central bottom wall and a side wall provided with breaking lines extending radially to the axis, while the remainder of the cavity is delimited by a tubular part of the cap, which guides the driving-in member.
US09227768B2
A securable consumer goods transportation apparatus comprising a container, and a spill prevention strap attached to the container. Also disclosed is a method comprising placing a consumer good in a container comprising a spill retention strap, positioning the container in a vehicle, securing the container in the vehicle using the spill retention strap, wherein the spill retention strap substantially maintains the position of the container relative to the vehicle when the vehicle experiences a substantially sudden movement. Furthermore, a method comprising providing instructions to secure a container comprising a spill retention strap in a vehicle, wherein the spill retention strap substantially maintains the position of the container relative to the vehicle when the vehicle experiences a substantially sudden movement is disclosed.
US09227765B1
The present invention discloses a packing box of liquid crystal panel. The packing box of liquid crystal panel comprises a box body, on at least two adjacent side walls of the box body respectively being provided with several grooves; the packing box further being provided with an elastic buffer part and a rigid part, the elastic buffer part being provided in the grooves, a first terminal of the elastic buffer part being close to the liquid crystal panel, there being a gap between the inner wall of the groove and a second terminal of the elastic buffer part, the rigid part being mounted on the groove through the position of the gap. In the packing box of liquid crystal panel, the content closely contacts with the packaging material, which avoids the displacement of the content generating secondary impacts during transportation and decreases the damages of the external impacts to the package.
US09227764B2
A theft-proof packaging system includes a product package having a compartment configured to encapsulate a product, wherein the compartment is pneumatically pressurized above a surrounding environment. A pressure sensor assembly is located within the compartment. The pressure sensor assembly includes a pressure sensor, a power source electrically connected to the pressure sensor and a transmitter electrically connected to the power source. The transmitter is configured to send a signal. A receiving unit is located outside the compartment of the product package and disposed remote from the product package. The receiving unit includes a receiver configured to receive the signal from the transmitter and an alarm electrically coupled to the receiver. The pressure sensor assembly is configured to detect a change in pressure inside the compartment and then send the signal to the receiving unit activating the alarm.
US09227755B2
A pull-tab sealing member for a container containing an upper laminate forming a pull-tab bonded to a lower laminate capable of being heat sealed to a container's mouth or opening. The upper laminate defines the pull tab wholly within a perimeter or circumference of the seal. The sealing member further includes a sub tab layer or member under the gripping tab for structural support.
US09227753B2
A locking device for a carton comprising a first part and a second part complementary to the first part, the first part comprising a first panel (12) having an aperture for receiving the second part, the second part comprising a tab (22) coupled to a second panel, the tab having a fold line (15a, 15b) foldable to form a leading edge, the tab being inserted into the aperture in a folded condition, the tab comprising at least one engaging edge (30a, 30b) for engaging with the first panel.
US09227752B2
Various blanks and constructs formed therefrom are provided. The various constructs include features for supporting a food item at an elevated position to enhance the heating, browning, and/or crisping of the food item in a microwave oven.
US09227743B2
A method for producing a package with the following steps is described. Forming of a container (13) in a web of a first web material (7); subsequent sealing of a cover (14) onto the container produced within an outer contour of the package to be produced; and thereafter cutting of the container (13) out of the first web material (7) along the outer contour of the package to be produced and outside of an outer contour of the cover (14) sealed thereon.
US09227739B2
A rolling hinge device comprises two substantially parallel winding cylinders, longitudinal link element-forming winding means, the winding means being able to maintain a predetermined distance between the winding cylinders and being wound around winding cylinders, and at least two flexible tracks, a flexible track being fixed to each winding cylinder, the flexible tracks being arranged facing one another and having a point of contact, a prestressing force being applied at said point of contact of the flexible tracks under the effect of the winding means. At least one flexible track comprises at least one slot produced over at least a part of its length, the slot delimiting a plurality of flexible beam sections of determined profiles.
US09227734B2
A waiting link to support an engine on an aircraft includes a body portion including a first body portion opening, a second body portion opening, and a space therebetween. A first bearing is received in the first body portion opening and moveable in a generally vertical direction. A second bearing is received in the second body portion opening. The first and second bearings include a first and second bearing opening, respectively, that receives a first and second attachment member, respectively, that secures the body portion to a first and second structure, respectively. A cam is located in the space. The cam is pivotable between a first position and a second position. The waiting link does not provide a load path when the cam is in the first position, and when a primary load path fails, the waiting link provides the load path when the cam is in the second position.
US09227716B2
A rudder propeller including a drive shaft and a propeller shaft that can be driven by the drive shaft by an angular drive and a planetary gear that can be located on the propeller shaft and including a sun gear that is connected to the angular drive via a coupling, a fixed ring gear and planet gears that revolve between the sun gear and ring gear and that are mounted on a planet carrier. The planet carrier can be secured against torque to the propeller shaft and the coupling between the angular drive and the sun gear can be designed as a double cardanic, rotationally-fixed flexible coupling, in such a way that radial and angular displacements of the sun gear in relation to the angular drive can be compensated.
US09227715B1
A gear case assembly for a marine propulsion system has a gear case having a first end adapted to connect the gear case to a remainder of the marine propulsion system, and a second end disposed opposite the first end. A driveshaft is disposed at least in part in the gear case. A propeller shaft, operatively connected to an end of the driveshaft, is disposed at an angle thereto. The end of the driveshaft and at least a portion of the propeller shaft are disposed in a transmission chamber defined in the gear case. An expansion port is defined in the gear case. A container, defining an expansion chamber, is disposed outside the gear case. The expansion port fluidly communicates the transmission chamber with the expansion chamber. An outboard engine is also disclosed.
US09227710B2
A cylindrical underwater vehicle with a vertical end plate attached to a partially movable rudder, including a vertical end plate which is formed in a longitudinal direction of the underwater vehicle and is mounted on a circumference thereof so as to improve a control force with respect to the underwater vehicle. The cylindrical underwater vehicle with a vertical end plate attached to a partially movable rudder, including a fixed plate formed to radially extend, and a movable plate, a front end of which is rotatably mounted to the rear of the fixed plate, includes a first vertical end plate which is formed to have a regular width in a longitudinal direction of the underwater vehicle at an upper end portion of the movable plate and is mounted perpendicular to the movable plate.
US09227709B1
The present invention relates to an underwater propelling device (10) i a stator (20) comprising circumferential arrayed coils (35) and being adapted to generate a controlled electromagnetic field along an axial direction, a shaftless propellant rotor (30) comprising: at least two magnetized ring-shaped plates, respectively an upper magnetized plate (31) and a lower magnetized plate (32), coaxially spaced-apart along said axial direction and perpendicular thereto such that said circumferential arrayed coils (35) are positioned therebetween, each plate (31, 32) defining a central aperture (31a, 32a) and having a circumferential array of radially extended magnetized poles (34) embedded therein, said magnetized poles (34) generating a magnetic field which interacts with the electromagnetic field of the stator (20) so as to cause the rotation of said plates (31, 32) about a central axis (ZZ′) parallel to said axial direction, at least one ring-shaped propeller (33) defined by its outer periphery and its inner periphery, said propeller being received inside the central apertures (31a, 32a) of said plates (31, 32) and fixedly secured thereto, a plurality of propeller blades (35) projecting inward from the inner periphery of said propeller (33), said blades (35) producing a thrust along the central axis (ZZ′) when the plates (31, 32) rotate, wherein the rotor (30) is axially separated from the stator (20) by a gap, preferably less than 3 mm, so as to permit the formation of a hydraulic film inside said gap, said hydraulic film being adapted to provide lubrication of the rotor, thus reducing friction between the rotor and the stator, and to transmit the axial thrust force of the rotor to the stator.
US09227702B2
A floating, offshore drilling and/or production platform such as a tension leg platform, semi-submersible, spar or the like is equipped with a ballast tank system that comprises the traditional tank and a shaft that runs typically vertically from top-of-hull level to the top of the tank. This shaft is large enough to allow the ballast pipe, sounding lines, instrumentation piping, etc. to be installed within it. In certain embodiments, the shaft itself functions as a vent line.
US09227694B2
A bicycle drive unit includes a crank axle, a motor, an output member and a torque combining mechanism. The crank axle is rotatable about a first rotational axis. The motor has an output shaft rotatable about a second rotational axis. The output member is rotatable about the first rotational axis in a first rotational direction as the crank axle rotates about the first rotational axis in the first rotational direction. The torque combining mechanism operatively couples the output shaft of the motor to the output member to transmit rotation of the output shaft of the motor to the output member. The torque combining mechanism operatively separates the output shaft of the motor from the output member for preventing rotation of the crank axle from being transmitted to the output shaft of the motor as the crank axle rotates about the first rotational axis in a second rotational direction.
US09227692B2
A hydraulic bicycle component system includes a hydraulic component and a first seal. The hydraulic component has a fluid path filled with hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic component is configured to be coupled to a hydraulic hose. The first seal is arranged to seal an end of the fluid path of the hydraulic component.
US09227689B2
A bicycle shift operating device basically has a base member, a shift wire take-up element and a shifting unit. The shift wire take-up element is rotatably mounted with respect to the base member in first and second rotational directions about a pivot axis. The shifting unit is operatively coupled to the shift wire take-up element. The shifting unit includes first and second shift operating members. The first shift operating member is movably mounted with respect to the base member to selectively operate the shift wire take-up element in the first and second rotational directions. The second shift operating member is movably mounted with respect to the base member to release the shift wire take-up element for movement in the second rotational direction.
US09227683B2
A tricycle includes a frame and a front wheel. The tricycle includes a first rear wheel coupled to the frame. The tricycle includes a second rear wheel coupled to the frame. The tricycle includes a front suspension system and a rear suspension system functionally coupled to the frame. The tricycle includes a drive system coupled to the frame and a wheel hub fixedly coupled to the first drive shaft. The drive system includes a transmission system coupling a first drive train to a second drive train. The tricycle includes a locking device configured to lock the relative position of the wheel hub and the rear axle, wherein the locking device is selectably adjustably between a first mode and a second mode. The first mode includes the wheel hub and the rear axle locked together, and the second mode includes the wheel hub and the rear axle shaft independently rotatable.
US09227681B2
Among other things, a structure supports the ischial tubularities of a user of a device to which the structure is attached, while gravity is applying a downward force on the ischial tubularities and the user's legs are engaged in motion during which forces are being applied that tend to cause the user's respective ischial tubularities to move relative to a frame of the device. The structure includes two buttock supports having surfaces against which the bottom surfaces of the user's respective buttocks bear during the motion. A mechanism connects the two buttock supports to the frame of the device to permit simultaneously (1) free motion of the two buttock supports (a) up and down relative to a frame of the device and (b) back and forth relative to the frame of the device and (2) free variation of the angular orientations of the bottom surfaces of the user's buttocks back and forth, relative to a hypothetical horizontal plane that is fixed relative to the frame of the device.
US09227678B2
A locking wheel rim cover is described for attachment to the outer face of a spare wheel rim having a given diameter, an outer face and log openings. The cover includes a circular rim plate having a diameter substantial the same as the diameter of the wheel rim, an inner face and an outer face; a locking member extending inwardly from the inner face of the rim plate; a first attachment member extending inwardly from the inner face of the rim plate; and an attachment bracket mountable on the outer face of the wheel rim, the bracket including a locking member opening to receive the locking member, a second attachment member connectable with the first attachment member and inwardly extending adapters sized for insertion into the wheel lug openings.
US09227675B1
A convertible pickup truck cargo box system is disclosed that allows a pickup truck to easily transform into a flat bed truck, giving a greater range of utility, versatility, options, and cosmetic appearance for both commercial/work applications and recreational/personal applications in just one vehicle. The convertible pickup truck cargo box system may include a convertible cargo box that has a flat bed, a fold up headache rack, removable side panels, and a removable tailgate assembly. The seam between the side panels and the flat bed may be concealed by side trim molding so that their interface is not seen, giving the normal cosmetic appearance of a standard pickup truck. Thus, the pickup truck can be converted easily from a normal looking pickup truck for recreational and personal applications into a flat bed truck for commercial and work applications by removing and storing the side panels and the tailgate assembly.
US09227674B1
An open top container for transporting loads and a rail for strengthening an upper rim of the container's peripheral wall. The rail includes a U-shaped first region including first, second, and third legs secured end-to-end; and an F-shaped second region comprising a base with first and second arms extending downwardly from the base. The base is secured end-to-end with the third leg of the first region. A first strengthening rib extends outwardly from the first region and toward the container's wall. The first rib is laterally spaced from the wall but runs parallel thereto for substantially the entire length of the rail. A second rib vertically spaced from the first rib but parallel thereto may also extend outwardly from the first region and toward the container's wall. The rail increases progressively in thickness from the first leg to the second leg, then the third leg, and finally the base.
US09227669B2
Disclosed is a structure of a floor panel which includes a rear floor panel that is provided in a vehicle body, and has a storage portion for a spare tire; a rear crossmember that is installed on a front side of the rear floor panel so as to extend in a lateral direction of the vehicle body, and is joined to the rear floor panel; a rear end panel that is installed on a rear side of the rear floor panel 10 so as to extend in the lateral direction of the vehicle body, and is joined to the rear floor panel 10; and a bead portion that is formed in the rear floor panel while having a lengthwise direction of the vehicle body as a longitudinal direction of the bead portion, and extends to an installation region of the rear crossmember.
US09227667B2
A structural component for a motor vehicle which is mountable in the front or rear region of the vehicle. The structural component is composed of plastic and is manufactured as a moulded part, and which includes in at least partial regions thereof two or more fabric layers which are overmoulded with a thermoplastic polymer.
US09227665B2
A motor vehicle is provided that has a central front wall arranged between engine compartment and passenger cell and lateral front walls, each of which comprises first contact points for fastening to the central front wall and second contact points for fastening to a lateral sill structure. Of the lateral front walls, multiple models are provided, which differ with respect to the spacing between first and second contact points measured in transverse direction of the motor vehicle body.
US09227660B1
A steering system and method are described for a vehicle having steerable wheels, with steering of the wheels controlled, at least in part, by a valve assembly. A ground speed of the vehicle may be determined. Whether a steering command is being provided to a valve assembly may also be determined. An operational pressure at the valve assembly may be determined with a pressure sensor. A threshold pressure may be determined based upon the ground speed and/or whether a steering command is currently being provided. The operational pressure may then be compared with the operational pressure, and steering control with the valve assembly disabled based upon the comparison.
US09227640B2
The present invention provides a video information delivery and display system including display devices respectively mounted on cars of a train and including display units configured to display a guidance screen, a part-content storing unit configured to store a part content, which is a content at a part level, used for formation of the guidance screen, and a guidance-screen creating unit configured to select, according to a guidance content displayed on the guidance screen, based on train information, the part content used for the formation of the guidance screen from the part-content storing unit, arrange the selected part content on the guidance screen according to part arrangement definition data, and cause the part content to act according to part action definition data to thereby cause the display units to display the guidance content.
US09227635B1
A method of assisting a driver of a vehicle. A road to be driven by the driver is identified using a position determination unit. A parameter is selected to assist a driver of the vehicle in driving a segment of the road. The parameter includes information on the location of a boundary along the road and a preferred trajectory to be driven along the road. A controller determines whether a current trajectory of the vehicle while travelling the road is deviating from the preferred trajectory of the vehicle along the road. A feedback operation is provided to assist the driver in guiding the vehicle nearer to the preferred trajectory based on the selected parameter.
US09227632B1
A system and method for providing path planning and generation in a manually driven vehicle that provides a steering correction for collision avoidance purposes. The method includes determining a predicted path of the vehicle based on vehicle motion sensing data and vehicle parameters. The method also includes detecting a moving object in front of the vehicle and determining if a collision between the vehicle and the object will occur if the vehicle travels along the predicted path at the current vehicle speed. The method solves a fifth-order polynomial equation to define a collision avoidance path from the current vehicle position to a waypoint a safe distance from the object and a return path from the waypoint to the lane center that the vehicle is automatically steered along.
US09227630B2
A method of smoothing hybrid vehicle engine shutdown. A powered and rotating electric machine is used to slow deceleration of an unpowered and rotating engine by transferring torque through a clutch from the machine to the unpowered engine. Prior to the machine being powered, torque may be transferred through the clutch from the unpowered and rotating engine to the unpowered machine to accelerate passage of the engine through a resonance frequency.
US09227627B2
A control apparatus is applied to a hybrid vehicle having a driving apparatus including a power split mechanism which splits torque of an internal combustion engine into a first MG and output portion, and a motor lock mechanism which switches a state of the power split mechanism between a differential state in which the torque of the internal combustion engine splits into the first MG and output portion and a non-differential state in which it is stopped to split the torque. The hybrid vehicle switches a driving mode between a first driving mode in which the power split mechanism is switched to the differential state and a second driving mode in which the power split mechanism is switched to the non-differential state. The control apparatus calculates energy loss of the driving apparatus in each driving mode, and switches the driving mode of the vehicle based on the calculated energy loss.
US09227624B2
A hybrid vehicle having a power-transferable combination of an engine and a motor-generator is controlled to prevent a vehicle vibration while preventing an over-revolution of the engine when the engine is started. In such control, while the engine is determined to be in a starting state, an instruction value correction is performed for correcting a per-unit-time change amount of an actuator instruction value, such as a target air intake amount and/or a target air load amount, according to a target output of the engine so that a steep increase of the engine revolution speed is prevented. With such a correction of the instruction value, an air intake amount of the engine and the engine revolution speed is gradually increased, thereby preventing the over-revolution of the engine and a steep increase of a load torque of the motor-generator, which prevents vehicle vibration when the engine is started.
US09227622B2
A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine includes automatically stopping the engine in response to vehicle power demand dropping below currently available electrical power, and automatically starting the engine when vehicle power demand is at a first offset below currently available electrical power to reduce a time delay for starting the engine and increase a currently available vehicle power to move the vehicle up a grade in response to receiving a signal indicating a positive grade. A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, and a controller. The controller is configured to control starting/stopping of the engine in response to a first driver demand when receiving a signal indicative of a road grade angle exceeding a corresponding threshold and in response to a second driver demand otherwise.
US09227615B2
A method of determining if any usable life remains in a brake component of a brake, the method comprising the steps of using a processor to determine a total number of brake events, and using a processor to determine from the total number of brake events if any usable life remains in the brake component.
US09227611B2
A hydraulic vehicle braking system comprises a master cylinder having at least one piston displacably accommodated therein, a mechanical actuator that is coupled, or can be coupled, to a brake pedal for actuating the piston, and an electromechanical actuator. The electromechanical actuator is likewise provided for actuating the piston and can be activated, at least for boosting or generating brake force, when the brake pedal is actuated. Furthermore, a valve arrangement is provided, which has a first valve per wheel brake for selectively uncoupling the wheel brake from the master cylinder, and a second valve for selectively reducing the brake pressure at the wheel brake. The valve arrangement can be controlled at least within the framework of an ABS control mode.
US09227610B2
A vacuum enhancer having four apertures, one of which is open to the atmosphere, wherein a piston selectively restricts fluid flow through an ejector based on a pressure differential between a vacuum chamber within the vacuum booster and true atmospheric pressure.
US09227605B2
An actual slip ratio of a wheel is estimated from a slip ratio speed of a wheel calculated according to a running state of a vehicle based on relationship between a slip ratio of the wheel of the vehicle and the slip ratio speed of the wheel set in advance. Typically, the actual slip ratio is estimated supposing that the slip ratio of the wheel calculated according to the running state of the vehicle, when a change rate of the slip ratio speed becomes larger than a predetermined value set in advance, is a reference slip ratio determined in advance according to the relationship between the slip ratio and the slip ratio speed set in advance. Therefore, it is possible to improve control accuracy when controlling a state of the vehicle by decreasing an effect of operation by a driver and a road surface, for example.
US09227596B2
The invention relates to a support element (105) for a wiper drive (100), comprising a receiving portion (130) for attaching the wiper drive (100), a bearing point (135) for fixing the support element (105) to a surrounding structure (110), and a predetermined breaking point (140). A specified gap (150) lies between the support element (105) and the surrounding structure (110) at a contact portion (142) of the support element (105), the width of said gap being dependent on a force that acts on the support element (105) such that the contact portion (142) comes into contact with the surrounding structure (110) only when a specified force acting on the support element (105) is exceeded.
US09227591B2
An airbag according to the present invention has: an airbag main body that is provided with a gas introduction opening; and an inner cloth portion that is arranged to cover the gas introduction opening in the airbag main body. The inner cloth portion has a first and a second opening end parts, and is fixed to a peripheral edge part of the gas introduction opening of the airbag main body while a position of the inner cloth portion is superimposed with the gas introduction opening of the airbag main body. In this manner, an airbag is caused to inflate and expand more speedily and widely in a direction which is orthogonal to an occupant's side direction, and an occupant can be buffered and supported in a stable manner so as to have a wide area from a front side irrespective of whatsoever posture seated by the occupant may be.
US09227589B2
A side airbag apparatus includes an airbag main body. The inside of the airbag main body is divided by a vertical partition including a gas flow restrictor at least into an upstream inflation portion, which is located rearward of the vertical partition and receives inflating gas, and a downstream inflation portion, which is located forward of the vertical partition and receives the inflating gas that has passed through the upstream inflation portion and the gas flow restrictor. The dimension of the vertical partition in the widthwise direction of the automobile seat is set to a dimension that is equal or approximate to the dimension of the airbag main body in the widthwise direction in a case in which the airbag main body is inflated without the vertical partition.
US09227580B2
The invention pertains to an electronic control module (3) for a motor vehicle electrical circuit (1), intended to be linked in a galvanically isolated manner to a motor vehicle electrical circuit (1) comprising at least one functional module (5) powered at high voltage, the control module comprising: —a connection bus (9), intended to be linked to an exterior interface (7), configured so as to conduct low-voltage electrical setpoint signals, emanating from the exterior interface (7) to the elements of the control module (3) to which they are addressed, —a microcontroller (1), configured to control the at least one functional module (5) as a function of the setpoint signals, characterized in that the microcontroller (11) and the connection bus (9) are linked by a non-galvanic coupler (13), provided with a low-voltage part (131) and with a high-voltage part (133), which are able to exchange at least one signal and are galvanically decoupled, and in that the control module furthermore comprises an electrical transformer (15), linked via outputs (153, 155, 157) to the high- and low-voltage parts (131, 133) of the non-galvanic coupler (13) and to the microcontroller (11) so as to provide their power supply, the transformer (15) being linked to a low-voltage source (17) via a breaker switch (19), and the connection bus (9) comprising a switching member (91) controlling the open or closed state of the breaker switch (19).
US09227578B2
The present invention provides a bracket configuration for retaining a washer within a washer case which has an opening for inserting the bracket therethrough so that the washer case is mounted to the bracket from above the washer. The bracket configuration specifically includes a hole configured to dispose the washer thereon and insert a bolt therethrough, and a rib formed along an edge of the opening so as to prevent or protect the washer from deviation or disconnection via a clearance gap created between the opening and the bracket.
US09227576B2
A peripheral viewing system for a vehicle includes a pair of digital cameras, each positioned on the exterior of the vehicle proximately positioned where a side view mirror would typically be mounted. An additional digital camera is mounted on the vehicle roof immediately adjacent the top edge of the rear window. A plurality of LCD's each discretely associated with a corresponding camera are mounted within the vehicle passenger compartment at a location that is readily observable by the vehicle driver. The driver can panoramically view trailing traffic by observing the LCD's in the passenger compartment. One or more infrared phototransistor receivers are positioned at the rear of the vehicle for detecting oncoming vehicles. If the driver attempts to change lanes and activates a turn signal, a warning message will be emitted within the passenger compartment if any of the transistors detect an approaching vehicle within a predetermined range of the vehicle.
US09227574B1
A truck bed storage device including a back support having a right end, a left end, a top side, and a bottom side. A bottom support having a top surface and a bottom surface, each of the top surface and the bottom surface having a front edge and a rear edge. The rear edge of the top surface of the bottom support is continuously disposed on the bottom side of the back support from proximal the right end to proximal the left end. A plurality of a pair of ladder hooks wherein each pair comprises a forwardly facing ladder hook and a rearwardly facing ladder hook. A bottom edge of each of the forwardly facing ladder hooks disposed within the top side of the back support. A bottom edge of each of the rearwardly facing ladder hooks disposed within the top surface of the bottom support.
US09227567B2
A vehicle travels with a traveling electric motor controlled with a first control device. A synthetic circuit receives a driving signal from a second control device, which is for controlling another electric motor distinct from the traveling electric motor. The synthetic circuit synthesizes, according to the driving signal, the operation notification sound imitative of a motor sound emitted from the traveling electric motor. An emission unit emits an operation notification sound synthesized by the synthetic circuit to notify the vehicle being in an operation state.
US09227566B2
A pseudo-tach signal system includes a pseudo-tach signal modeling module, and an output module operatively connected to the pseudo-tach signal modeling module. The output module exports a pseudo-tach signal based audible sound.
US09227564B2
The invention relates to a LED strip lighting device for a cabin of a passenger aircraft, the device comprising at least one LED strip, comprising a plurality of N independently controllable LED segments (S), wherein each LED segment (S) comprises at least four LED selected from red, green, blue, ice blue, warm white and cold white or another type of LED; a plurality of M driver units, wherein each LED section (S) is connected to a driver unit for providing a control signal to the respective LED section (S); and a bus system connecting all M driver units. The device further comprises a micro controller connected to the bus system for providing control signals for each driver unit, such that each LED segment (S) emits light in intensity and color according to a predetermined illumination pattern.
US09227563B2
A backward movement indicator apparatus is provided for a vehicle having an alert device. The backward movement indicator apparatus comprises an image capture device arranged to capture image data which is representative of objects in vicinity of the vehicle. The backward movement apparatus further comprises an electronic controller arranged to process the captured image data to provide a signal which is indicative of the vehicle moving backwards.
US09227556B2
A lighting control system and a lighting control method to implement, in an automotive vehicle, external running lights in different available lighting configurations are provided. The lighting control method includes detecting at least one environment parameter, selecting among the different available lighting configurations and depending on the parameter, which lighting configurations can be implemented, depending on the parameter, defining in which order the selected lighting configurations are implemented when an input device is manually actuated, detecting a manual actuation on the input device, depending on a motion of the input device or a motion on the input device, implementing at least one lighting configuration that is chosen among the selected lighting configurations according to the implementation order.
US09227551B2
A ratchet buckle, which is configured to connect a first strap and a second strap, includes a controlling device, an operating device connected to the first strap, a reel passing through the controlling device and the operating device along an axial line, the second strap wound around the reel, at least one ratchet set mounted on the reel, the reel being not rotated relative to the ratchet set, and a pawl device. When the user wants to unwind the second strap from the reel, the user moves and rotates the controlling device smoothly with only one hand thereof; therefore, it's very convenient for the user to operate.
US09227545B1
A self-propelled dump trailer comprises a frame, a first wheel driven by an engine, a second wheel, a steering mechanism, and a dump bed that may have its front end elevated by a lifting mechanism. The frame includes a coupler so the dump trailer can be selectively coupled to a vehicle and uncoupled from the vehicle. Further, the dump bed includes a rear gate and a separator gate that divides the dump bed into two sections, wherein the separator gate is operable to place the dump bed into a first dumping position and a second dumping position. As such, the forward section of the dump bed acts as a counterbalance during a dumping operation.
US09227537B2
A seat buffering device and a vehicle safety seat including the seat buffering device are provided. The seat buffering device is disposed on a base of the vehicle safety seat. The seat buffering device includes a reinforcing component and at least one concave structure. The reinforcing component is disposed inside the base, and the reinforcing component has a plurality of lateral surfaces. The at least one concave structure is formed on one of the plurality of lateral surfaces. The reinforcing component is adapted to be bent via the at least one concave structure when the base is impacted, so as to reduce impact force applied to the base. Buffering efficiency of the reinforcing component corresponds to the amount, the arrangement, and the angle of the concave structure. The plurality of concave structures is disposed on the same or different lateral surfaces of the reinforcing component in the interlaced arrangement.
US09227532B2
A seat fitting for a motor vehicle seat, with a fitting lower part which is connectable to a seat lower part, a fitting upper part which is connectable to a seat back, an eccentric epicyclic gearing which connects the fitting upper part and fitting lower part in an articulated manner and is intended for adjusting the inclination of the fitting upper part in relation to the fitting lower part, and an actuating mechanism for coupling the seat fitting to a seat longitudinal guide. The fitting upper part has a pivoting body. The actuating mechanism is formed by an unlocking lever. The pivoting body substantially completely shifts the unlocking lever into the unlocking position irrespective of the inclination to which the fitting upper part is set.
US09227531B2
A vehicle includes a passenger compartment and a bench seat located in the passenger compartment. The bench seat has a bottom portion and a back portion and is configured to move from a front-facing position to a rear-facing position by moving the back portion toward a front of the passenger compartment for when the vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode.
US09227525B2
This disclosure provides a method of controlling an electric drive powertrain system. The method includes providing an electric motor capable of running between a motor minimum speed and a motor maximum speed such that the electric motor can produce different amounts of torque between a first region defined between the motor minimum speed and a motor base speed and a second region defined between the motor base speed and the motor maximum speed. The method includes receiving a signal from operator inputs and determining a desired transmission output torque based on the signal received from the operator inputs. The method also includes determining a desired motor torque based on the desired transmission output torque, operating the electric motor at a current corresponding to the desired motor torque and producing a greater amount of torque at the motor base speed than at the motor minimum speed.
US09227523B2
According to an aspect of the invention, a motor drive circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy, a bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the first energy storage device, a voltage inverter coupled to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and an input device configured to receive electrical energy from an external energy source. The motor drive circuit further includes a coupling system coupled to the input device, to the first energy storage device, and to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. The coupling system has a first configuration configured to transfer electrical energy to the first energy storage device via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and has a second configuration configured to transfer electrical energy from the first energy storage device to the voltage inverter via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter.
US09227522B2
The disclosure is related to managing an electric power demand in one or more electric vehicle (EV) charging stations by adjusting a charging condition including charging levels and/or charging prices. Particularly, the charging condition may be adjusted according to a proximity degree between a target power usage amount and a current/predicted power usage amount.
US09227510B2
To provide a fuel tank fixing structure for a construction machine, which does not require a belt and is capable of fixing a fuel tank on a vehicle body stably.The present invention provides a fuel tank fixing structure, for example when fixing a fuel tank 11 made of synthetic resin on a revolving frame 2a of a revolving superstructure 2 of a compact excavator, that includes a standing member having a supporting member 11 to be fixed on the revolving frame 2a in a standing state, a hydraulic oil tank 10 made of iron, and a fixing bracket 14 made of iron, and a holding assembly for holding a fuel feed opening 11a provided on the fuel tank 11, such as a holding bracket 13 made of iron. A bushing 15 is engaged with a hole 13a1 formed in a plate part 13a of the holding bracket 13. The feed opening 11a of the fuel tank 11 is inserted into a hole 15a of the bushing 15 so that the feed opening 11a of the fuel tank 11 is held by the holding bracket 13 via the bushing 15.
US09227507B2
A pneumatic vehicle is provided with a chassis, wheels, a compressed air tank, a heat exchanger to heat the compressed air, and an air motor driven by the heated air and connected to at least one wheel. A pneumatic vehicle is provided with a chassis, wheels, a compressed air tank, and an air motor driven by the compressed air and connected to a wheel. The vehicle also has a ventilation system for the passenger compartment, a heat exchanger, and a restrictive solenoid valve for directing ventilation system air to the heat exchanger. A pneumatic vehicle is provided with a chassis, wheels, an aluminum compressed air tank, a carbon filament reinforced plastic layer over the tank, a fiberglass and aramid-fiber layer over the carbon filament reinforced plastic layer, and an air motor driven by the compressed air and connected to at least one wheel.
US09227501B2
A transmission for a vehicle and a method of assembling a modular motor assembly in the transmission are disclosed. The transmission includes a housing defining a cavity along a longitudinal axis. The transmission further includes a first motor/generator and a second motor/generator each disposed in the cavity. The transmission also includes a first support supporting the first motor/generator such that the first motor/generator is mounted to the first support to define a first modular unit. The first modular unit is attached to the housing within the cavity. The transmission further includes a second support supporting the second motor/generator such that the second motor/generator is mounted to the second support to define a second modular unit. The second modular unit is attached to the first modular unit such that the first and second modular units align with each other along the longitudinal axis within the cavity of the housing.
US09227498B2
A protrusion portion of a clip member is abutted against an end face of a front glass lower end, and the clip member is fixed to a back face of the front glass via an adhesive agent. An engagement portion that is formed in a tongue piece of a cowl-top cover is engaged with a target engagement portion of the clip member, and the cowl-top cover is mounted in a state in which a surface of the cowl-top cover and a surface of the front glass are arranged so as to be flush with each other. In addition, an engagement direction is defined as an engagement direction taken along a lengthwise direction oriented from a lower end to an upper end of the front glass.
US09227495B2
A cabriolet top having a top linkage which can be adjustable between a closed position, in which it spans a vehicle interior space, and an open position having at both sides of a vertical vehicle longitudinal central plane, in each case one link arrangement assigned a closure unit which can be adjusted by means of an actuating device between a locking and unlocking position and which, in its locking position in the closed position of the top linkage, secures a front bow, which connects the two link arrangements to one another, to a front cowl of the vehicle by means of a locking hook. The locking hook can be connected via a first joint to a first locking link pivotable about an axle fixed to the front bow and via a second joint to a second locking link pivotable about an axle fixed to the front bow.
US09227494B2
The invention relates to a vehicle sliding roof device with a cover unit that comprises a cover and a cover frame and that is shiftably supported on guides of the sliding roof device by a support device and that can be adjusted between a closed position covering a roof opening and at least one open position, whereby it is provided in accordance with the invention that the cover is detachably attached on the cover frame, that is shiftably supported on the guides, and can be removed for freeing a roof opening from the cover frame arranged in particular in the closed position.
US09227492B2
A sliding roof system is shown having a pair of guide rails, a slide in each guide rail, the slide being displaceably mounted therein, a functional component which is displaceably received in the guide rail and can be fixed in a raised position by means of a latching hook, the latching hook being shiftable between a release position and a latching position, the latching hook when in the latching position engaging in an opening of the guide rail, and a cover which can be opened from a closed position by displacement of the slide, a retaining lever being provided which can mechanically hold the latching hook in the latching position, wherein the retaining lever is adapted to be pivoted about a pivot pin between the release position and the retaining position.
US09227490B2
A guide rail (10) for a vehicle sliding roof system, having a guide (22) which can receive a sliding element (18) for shifting motion that is coupled to a cover of the sliding roof system, the guide (22) including a shifting section (17) that extends in a substantially straight line, and the guide rail (10) being made of metal, in particular of an aluminum alloy, is characterized in that it includes a lifting section (16) which integrally adjoins the shifting section (17) and extends obliquely to the direction of extent of the shifting section (17). Also described is a method of producing a guide rail for a vehicle sliding roof system.
US09227486B2
The invention proposes a shading arrangement having a first look-through region and a second look-through region, having a first shading unit for the first look-through region and a second shading unit for the second look-through region, wherein the two shading units include one shading element, respectively, on which a drive means either directly or indirectly acts on both sides, respectively at a lateral guide rail in relation to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof. On both sides, in relation to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, one coupling tube is arranged, respectively, said coupling tube connecting the guide rails of the two shading units to one another, which are respectively arranged on one side of the vertical longitudinal center plane, and guiding the drive means of the second shading unit, which is driven by the drive means of the first shading unit.
US09227483B2
A method of remotely starting a vehicle using a remote device is provided. The method includes: receiving a first temperature associated with the vehicle; evaluating the first temperature at the remote device; and initiating the starting of the vehicle by generating a signal to the vehicle based on the start request and the first temperature.
US09227480B2
A method of producing a chassis component. The method including the steps of coating an outside of a structural component, coating an outside of a joint cartridge which has been preassembled as a joint, and permanently and securely connecting the structural component to the joint cartridge using a material bonding or joining process.
US09227470B2
A tire pressure monitoring system has a first abnormality determination means for determining a state to be normal, the normal state being when the front wheel air pressure is higher than a front wheel warning threshold 400 kPa and the rear wheel tire pressure is higher than a rear wheel warning threshold 240 kPa. The first abnormality determination means also turns on a warning light in the state. A second abnormality determination means turns the warning light to an off state regardless of the determination result of the first abnormality determination means when the warning light is turned off while the vehicle is stopped, the tire pressures of two wheels have been determined to be higher than the front wheel warning threshold 400 kPa, and the tire pressures of the remaining two wheels have been determined to be higher than the rear wheel warning threshold 240 kPa.
US09227463B2
An adjustable wheel cover for aluminum alloy rims is revealed. A wheel cover is disposed with through holes corresponding to hollow holes of an aluminum alloy rim. A peripheral wall is extended axially from an inner surface of the wheel cover and along a periphery of each through hole. At least one assembly part is formed on the peripheral wall and an insertion slot for receiving a fixing part is arranged at the assembly part axially. The assembly part is disposed with a plurality of adjustment holes radially. A locking block on a spring of the fixing part is secured in the adjustment hole correspondingly. Thus the wheel cover can be adjusted flexibly to fit the aluminum alloy rims with production tolerances. The problem of unstable connection between the wheel cover and the aluminum alloy rim caused by unmatched size can also be solved.
US09227460B2
A reciprocating pencil sharpener has a stationary member, a cutter and a ratchet mechanism. The cutter includes a blade secured to a blade holder. The ratchet mechanism is mounted between the stationary member and the cutter and allows the cutter to rotate relative to the stationary member in one direction only. When a user desires to sharpen a pencil, the user can keep the pencil in the hand and rotate the pencil in reciprocating rotation, thus obtaining the sharpened point of the pencil. Consequently, it is convenient for the user to apply a rotational force and a high efficiency of sharpening operation is achieved.
US09227454B2
A book forming and pressing machine includes a reshaping device to perform a shaping operation on a book block, a pressing device having a number of spaced-apart pressing plates and burn-in rails to press the book block during the shaping operation, and a loading device that includes a loading table. The loading table includes a book block back support arrangement to support the book block back during the shaping operation. The latter arrangement includes at least one pair of prism plates having shaped upper edges and arranged spaced-apart, extending parallel or quasi-parallel to each other to support a correspondingly shaped book block back during the shaping operation. The arrangement further includes at least one feed element operatively connected with each prism plate and adjustable to a position to support a differently shaped book block back in place of the shaped upper edges of the prism plates.
US09227446B2
A belt cleaning device includes a cleaning roller. The cleaning roller includes a roller having an outer peripheral surface. A sheet-like cleaning element is wound to the outer peripheral surface of the roller. One end part of the cleaning element is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the roller. Both side edge parts in the other end part of the cleaning element are fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the roller. The both side edge parts in the other end part of the cleaning element are located on the outside of their region that is to face to possibly largest paper.
US09227444B1
The disclosure relates to assemblies, kits and methods for alignment of inkjet print heads. More particularly, the disclosure relates to assemblies, kits and methods facilitating the alignment of inkjet printheads by selectably modulating the printheads' phase, registration, and yaw relative to the printing direction and optionally, with respect to an additional printhead or printheads.
US09227443B2
A recording head is configured to selectively eject ink droplets from nozzles. A head board is configured to control the recording head to operate based on a high-frequency signal outputted from a control board. A carriage is configured to move in a reciprocating manner, with the recording head and the head board mounted thereon. A belt-like cable connects the control board and the head board so that the high-frequency signal can be transmitted therebetween. The cable has such flexibility that the cable can change a posture following reciprocating movement of the carriage. The cable has a first surface facing in a thickness direction of the cable. The cable has a reflective layer at a part of each of both end portions of the first surface with respect to a longitudinal direction of the first surface. The reflective layer is configured to reflect an electromagnetic wave.
US09227442B2
An embodiment of this invention solves a problem about a precision drop of registration adjustment of a range detection method due to variations of a registration state depending on a position associated with a carriage scanning direction. In that embodiment, reference and adjustment patterns are formed to be juxtaposed in a nozzle array direction to detect a position shift between patterns in the main scanning direction. In this case, coarse registration adjustment is executed by the range detection method, and its adjustment result is applied to a printing apparatus. After that, fine registration adjustment is executed by a density method, and results of the two adjustment methods are finally reflected.
US09227440B2
A tray mounting unit in which it is possible to replace a plurality of types of set trays; a detector capable of detecting the type of set tray mounted on the tray mounting unit in a state where the target textile printing material is set; a determining unit determining whether the type of set tray detected by the detector and the type of set tray recognized in advance are matched or mismatched; and a control unit performing a predetermined operation based on the determining result of the determining unit, are provided. Thus, inconsistencies in the type of set tray may be detected thereby preventing textile printing defects caused by such inconsistencies.
US09227438B2
A printer includes a platen roller, a printer main block including a print head that prints information on recording paper placed between the print head and the platen roller, a movable-blade block including a movable blade, a fixed-blade block including a fixed blade, a feed driving block including a feed driving motor that rotates the platen roller to feed the recording paper, and a movable-blade driving block including a movable-blade driving motor that moves the movable blade. The printer main block, the platen roller, the movable-blade block, the fixed-blade block, the feed driving block, and the movable-blade driving block are detachably attached to each other to form the printer that includes a function to cut the recording paper with the fixed blade and the movable blade.
US09227432B2
A conveyor device is arranged to face a recording head. The conveyor device includes a conveyance belt and a suction section. The conveyance belt conveys a recording medium. The suction section includes a guide member that supports the recording medium through the conveyance belt. The suction section sucks the recording medium through a plurality of first holes passing through the guide member and a plurality of second holes passing through the conveyance belt to attach the recording medium to the conveyance belt. None of the first holes are formed in a first region of the guide member. The first region is a region where a partial region pertaining to a feeding member overlaps with a head facing region facing the recording head.
US09227425B2
A ribbon tension control system for a printing system includes a ribbon tension control apparatus. The ribbon tension control apparatus is configured to engage a print ribbon that extends through the printing system for applying one or more inks in the print ribbon to one or more target objects as the print ribbon is pulled from an unwind spindle to a windup spindle in the printing system. The ribbon tension control apparatus also is configured to control tension in the ribbon in response to change in a torque applied to the windup spindle that is used to pull the ribbon through the printing system.
US09227420B1
An inkjet printing apparatus includes a control unit which, in order to reduce a failure of an air pump, when starting ink circulation, executes preparatory processing of feeding ink from the pressurizing tank toward the inkjet head by applying a positive pressure to a pressurizing tank by an air pump in a state in which the pressurizing tank is sealed by a pressurizing-side atmospheric air opening valve and a negative-pressure tank is opened to the atmosphere by a negative-pressure side atmospheric air opening valve; and feeding ink from the negative-pressure tank to the pressurizing tank by the ink pump until the liquid level height of the negative-pressure tank reaches less than a reference height.
US09227418B1
A thermal inkjet cartridge for an organic solvent-based ink includes a cartridge housing, a printhead attached to the housing, and a collapsible ink reservoir disposed in the housing. The ink reservoir has an opening through which ink is supplied to the printhead in fluid communication with the ink reservoir. The reservoir includes a basin member defining a first major portion of the ink reservoir and a movable plate defining a second major portion of the ink reservoir. At least one of the basin member and the movable plate includes a barrier layer for reducing the migration of solvent from the ink reservoir to an external environment.
US09227394B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, in a case where a part of the plurality of head modules to each of which an initial amount of correction is set is replaced, a mounting position of the replaced head module in the first direction varies in a range within the mounting tolerance. However, the initial amount of correction in the first direction of each of the head modules is set by adding the amount of the offset more than the mounting tolerance, a mounting position of the replaced head module is always upstream from the offset reference line in the feeding direction of a recording medium. Thus, it is required to correct only an amount of correction of the replaced head module with reference to the offset reference line, so that the amount of correction of a non-replaced head module can be used without being corrected.
US09227392B2
A method of removing slip sheets from a printing plates stack is disclosed, wherein the slip sheets are interspersed between the printing plates includes moving at least two parallel energy chains. Each of the energy chains carries a plurality of vacuum cups over the stack of printing plates. The vacuum cups are attached to a top slip sheet placed on top of the printing plates stack and peel off sheets while vacuum is maintained and transferring the top slip sheet into a slip sheet bin.
US09227389B1
An ink-based digital printing dampening fluid delivery system useful for printing with an ink-based digital printing system, the ink-based digital printing system having an imaging member is provided. The dampening fluid delivery system includes a supply chamber, a supply channel and a particularly-configured vapor mixing chamber. The vapor mixing chamber is in fluid communication with the supply chamber. The vapor mixing chamber interfaces with the supply chamber by way of a plurality of equally spaced, angled, small-diameter vapor exit ports for providing dampening fluid to be entrained in a flow of air provided to carry a uniform mass fraction distribution of the dampening fluid to be deposited on a reimageable surface of the imaging member.
US09227377B2
A one-piece plastics material mesh structure, particularly a geogrid, is produced by stretching a plastics sheet starting material formed with an array of holes and comprises a plurality of generally parallel rib structures extending longitudinally in a first direction parallel to the stretch direction and a plurality of generally parallel bar structures extending in a second direction transverse to the rib structures. The rib structures and said bar structures are interconnected by junctions. The rib structures have rib segments oriented in the first direction along their lengths and orientation in this direction extends across the junctions connecting two such oriented rib segments. The bar structures are such that their overall stretch ratio in the second direction is a maximum of 1 and all locations along the length of the bar structures have a maximum orientation of 1.5 in the second direction.
US09227375B2
A process for producing a bonded connection between first and a second parts, with a length of superposition around a longitudinal axis, these parts being subjected to forces in at least one longitudinal direction, includes producing a bonded connection having at least one interior and/or exterior adhesive joint, over the length between the parts, the joint having a cross-section around the longitudinal axis, the thickness of the joint varying from a free edge on the end-fitting side, to the other free edge on the tube side, and following the direction of forces to which the parts are subjected so as to better distribute the overstresses over at least one part of the length. At least one adhesive joint is produced, having in the longitudinal direction a large thickness facing each of two free edges relative to the thickness in a median part.
US09227373B2
A system is disclosed for sealing a manufacturer's joint and/or the ends of a customized box. The system includes at least a first arm spaced apart from a second arm. The arms are arranged so that an end flap of a box blank can be inserted between the arms to align the box blank relative to the arms and secure and maintain at least two side panels of the box blank in an adjacent position to form a manufacturer's joint. Methods for forming and sealing a manufacturer's joint and/or the ends of a customized box are also disclosed. Such methods, are designed to, for example, reliably form, close, and seal the manufacturer's joint and/or the ends of a customized box in a simplified manner.
US09227372B2
A method for correcting the conicity of a tread strip is described. The method includes the steps of extruding a tread profile having a right hand side, a left hand side and a chimney; measuring the thickness of the tread profile at the right hand side and the left hand side; calculating the mass of the tread on the left hand side and the right hand side; and adjusting the location of the chimney incrementally towards the side which is least in mass.
US09227369B2
The present invention discloses air compressor equipment for vehicles and, more particularly, a sealant dispensing unit that can work under upright orientation as well as inverted orientation so as to repair and inflate a punctured tire. The sealant dispensing unit has a first hose connector and a second hose connector. In use, the sealant dispensing unit allows a user to select upright orientation or inverted orientation for an operation, whereby the hose connectors of the sealant dispensing unit may serve as a channel for receiving the high-pressure air or serve as a channel for delivering the chemical sealant. A professional can perform a box design in cooperation with the sealant dispensing unit easily.
US09227366B2
A fabrication process and apparatus for producing three-dimensional objects (36) by depositing a first polymer layer, printing a first ink layer on to the first polymer layer (34), depositing a second polymer layer on to the first ink layer, and printing a second ink layer on to the second polymer layer. The deposition and printing steps may be repeated until a three-dimensional object (36) is formed. The inks used to form at least one of the first and second ink layers may include dyes or pigments so that the three-dimensional object may be a colored three-dimensional object.
US09227362B2
A tubular support for use with a hollow fiber membrane is made with an apparatus that comprises a forming machine and an ultrasonic welding machine. The apparatus may also include a coating nozzle for depositing a dope on the support. In operation, filaments are formed into a tubular structure in which the filaments cross each other in radial and circumferential directions, for example a braid. The filaments are ultrasonically welded together at intersections between them. The support is combined with a polymeric membrane wall to form a hollow fiber membrane.
US09227360B2
Fabrication methods for selective membranes that include aligned nanotubes can advantageously include a mechanical polishing step. The nanotubes have their ends closed off during the step of infiltrating a polymer precursor around the nanotubes. This prevents polymer precursor from flowing into the nanotubes. The polishing step is performed after the polymer matrix is formed, and can open up the ends of the nanotubes.
US09227357B2
An apparatus and method for forming a plastic container is provided. The method includes disposing a preform into a primary mold cavity and applying pressurized air to urge the preform to conform to the shape of the primary mold cavity to form a primary article. The primary article is then permitted to shrink to a predetermined volume. The method can further include exposing the primary article to an internal vacuum to facilitate shrinking to a predetermined volume. The method further includes disposing the primary article into a second mold cavity and applying pressurized air to urge the primary article to conform to the second mold cavity to form an intermediate article. Finally, at least a portion of the intermediate article is trimmed off to form a final container.
US09227353B2
A removable mold apparatus that forms a portion of the inner surface contour of an elongated hollow over molded polymeric solar collector distribution manifold and its preferred method of leveraged use that integrates select raw material components and process methods to enhance both manufacturing efficiency and hermetic enjoinment durability, most especially when over molding onto connectively spaced tube absorber constructions.
US09227338B2
Wood preservatives, methods for protecting wood and wood-based products and/or structures utilizing the preservatives, and treated wood and wood-based articles and/or structures incorporating the preservatives are described. Methods are also provided for remediating structures already infected with mold. The subject wood preservative formulation includes a borate compound and a fatty acid. The addition of an emulsifier to the formulation further facilitates application of the treatment. The combination of a borate compound and fatty acid combination typically provide a synergistic effect compared to the additive result provided by the combination's individual components.
US09227332B2
A two-part rotary knife blade (2300, 3300) for a power operated rotary knife. The knife blade (2300) includes a carrier portion (2302, 3302) and a blade portion (2350, 3350), the blade portion configured to be received in a nested relationship by the carrier portion and being releasably secured to the carrier portion by an attachment structure (2370, 3370). The attachment structure (2370, 3370) including a plurality of projections (2372, 3372) extending from one of an outer wall (2354, 3354) of the blade portion (2350, 3350) and the inner wall (2304, 3304) of the carrier portion and a plurality of sockets (2374, 3374) disposed in the other of the outer wall of the blade portion and the inner wall of the carrier portion, each of the plurality of projections being received in a respective different one of the plurality of sockets to releasably secure the blade portion to the carrier portion.
US09227325B2
A suction device includes a baseplate, a mounting board, and at least one suction assembly. The mounting board is spaced from the baseplate. The at least one suction assembly includes two bearings and a pole. The two bearings are secured on the baseplate and the mounting board, respectively. The pole is a hollow structure and passes through the two bearings. A suction head and a connection assembly are coupled to two opposite ends of the pole. The connection assembly connects to a vacuum pump to generate a vacuum in the suction head.
US09227320B2
A transfer device includes: a transfer unit configured to transfer a substrate from a transfer original position to a corrected transfer destination position; a plurality of position detecting units installed between the transfer original position and the corrected transfer destination position and configured to detect a position of the substrate which is being transferred by the transfer unit; and a control unit configured to calculate the corrected transfer destination position by correcting an initial transfer destination position set at the start of the transfer of the substrate, based on the position of the substrate detected by the position detecting units, before the substrate is transferred to the initial transfer destination position, and configured to control the transfer unit to transfer the substrate to the corrected transfer destination position along a transfer path produced by modifying an initial transfer path.
US09227316B2
A tool box has a lower section, with drawers and a horizontal storage compartment, and an upper section, with vertical storage compartments. The upper section compartments can be arranged in variable sizes through the use of inserted dividers, thus providing a unique space for each tool. A flag can be disposed so that when a tool is removed from its unique space, the flag is easily visible to show that the tool is missing. The tool box can eliminate clutter, organize tools and prevent misplacement and loss of tools.
US09227308B2
A pneumatic ratchet wrench is connected with an air supply device and contains: a housing, a ratchet head unit, an impact clutch unit, and a driving unit. The housing extending along a first axis line and includes an opening defined on a front end thereof and an intake formed on a distal end thereof so as to couple with an air supply device. The ratchet head unit is received in the housing and includes a drive square extending along a second axis line and extending out of the opening The impact clutch unit is received in the housing and is coupled with the ratchet head unit. The driving unit is disposed in the housing and includes a multi-chamber cylinder, a rotor member inserted into the multi-chamber cylinder and connecting with the impact clutch unit. The multi-chamber cylinder has a body, a first chamber, and a second chamber communicating with the first chamber.
US09227304B2
The present invention provides a mandrel tool and method for more efficiently and consistently forming various shapes of material. In one embodiment of the invention, a pair of pliers having mandrel jaws that are shaped with a uniform cross sectional area throughout a length of the mandrel jaw is used to replace the traditional tapered mandrel. Because the mandrel jaws have a uniform cross sectional area, the wire, for example, can be wrapped multiple times around the mandrel jaw when it is desired to produce multiples of the same shape. For added versatility, the pliers can have opposing mandrel jaws with different size cross sectional area.
US09227283B2
A tool for clamping using end surfaces of box workpieces, comprises a soleplate and an upper template. A tightening cylinder has a piston rod connected with a top plate, and the top plate and the piston rods are in swinging connection. Three protrusions are arranged on the upper surface of the top plate and distributed in a triangle shape. A rotating shaft is arranged beside a position of the upper template, the upper end of the rotating shaft is provided with a hand wheel capable of driving the rotating shaft to rotate, the rotating shaft is sleeved with a compression spring on the portion between the hand wheel and the upper surface of the upper template, and the lower end of the rotating shaft is fixed with one end of a transverse support rod which is linked with the rotating shaft.
US09227280B2
An apparatus for aligning an inner collar associated with a bearing incorporates a base member with a first member extending substantially perpendicular from the base member and a second member also extending substantially perpendicular from the base member, substantially parallel with said first member with a defined distance between the first and second member. The first member and the second member form opposing sides defined by a semi-circular contour formed therein such that the first member and the second member are operable to engage an inner collar of a bearing in a snap-fit engagement on opposite sides of the bearing such that the inner collar is maintained in a substantially orthogonal orientation with respect to walls of a structure in which the bearing has been mounted.
US09227271B2
A vibration mode control method for a thin plate-reinforcement structure utilizes a reinforcing effect of a weld bead, wherein the thin plate-reinforcement structure comprises two welded components at least one of which includes a thin plate portion. After a first (thin plate) component and a second (another) component are arc-welded discontinuously at several positions, a stress direction and level in one of the resulting weld areas located to be subject to stress concentration is preliminarily verified. Then, a stress-dispersing weld bead (f) is laid to extend between the weld area which is an area subject to stress concentration and the first (thin plate) component, wherein the stress-dispersing weld bead (f) is set to a direction and length capable of preventing fatigue crack from occurring in the first (thin plate) component.
US09227267B1
A method of solid phase bonding metal pieces by securing a first and second metal pieces in edge to edge contact; subjecting the first and second metal pieces to a first upset comprising heating the first and second edges to a temperature in the range of 0.35-0.95 of the melting temperature of the first and second metal pieces and applying a first axil force to the first and second metal pieces to urge the first and second edges together, to upset the metal at the edge to edge contact and form a bond; and subjecting the bonded metal piece to a second upset comprising heating the bonded metal piece between secured locations to a temperature in the range of 0.35-0.95 of the melting temperature of the metal and applying a second axil force to the bonded metal piece to upset the bonded metal piece and form a solid phase bond.
US09227263B2
A method and apparatus for improving the flow control of a shielding gas in a welding unit is described which uses feedback from at least one of a mass flow controller, a pressure sensor and a valve position sensor to regulate shielding gas flow through a controller.
US09227258B2
A lead-free solder alloy having improved surface properties which suppresses minute irregularities and shrinkage cavities has a composition consisting essentially of Ag: 0.1-1.5%, Bi: 2.5-5.0%, Cu: 0.5-1.0%, optionally Ni: 0.015-0.035% and/or at least one of Ge and Ga: 0.0005-0.01%, and a remainder of Sn and unavoidable impurities.
US09227256B2
Damaged threads in a blind tapped hole are repaired with a tap having an elongated shaft with a plurality of outer faces, and a plurality of flutes corresponding to the number of shaft outer faces, each flute has an outer face with a lower segment with cutting threads corresponding to the hole threads, and is moveable radially between a closed position toward the longitudinal axis and a radially expanded position in which the threads of the flute outer face mesh with the threads of the hole. The tap is inserted into the hole while the flutes are in the closed position so that the cutting threads are below the damaged threads. The shaft is then inserted between the flutes to move the flutes to their expanded positions meshing the cutting threads with undamaged threads below the damaged threads. The tap is then rotated to repair the damaged threads.
US09227253B1
A rotary cutting tool. The tool has a body with outside diameter (OD), and outer surface, and a longitudinal axis, a plurality of flutes, helical in some embodiments. Flutes include a narrow leading edge land portion with circular segment profile and having flute cutting edge portions along a substantially uniform circumferential location, with an eccentric relief margin rotationally rearward of the narrow leading edge land portions. Face portions are provided with face cutting edge portions, and with a first dish portion adjacent each of the cutting edge portions sloping inwardly and downwardly generally toward a central longitudinal axis at a first dish angle alpha (α). Corner blend portions extend from flute cutting edge portions to the face cutting edge portions. Corner blend portions are provided in a variety of profiles, including an embodiment wherein the profile of the corner blend portions are truncated before the segment of curvature becomes tangential to the face cutting edge portions. Large core diameters of cutting tools are provided, which gives high strength at when working with axial depths of cut of about three times outside tool diameter or less.
US09227232B2
A tank cleaning verification process works in conjunction with a specialized spray head to evaluate cleaning efficacy and to ensure proper cleaning. The system includes an encoder, and one or more pressure sensors to verify proper operation as the tank cleaning system automatically accounts for one or more characteristics of the vessel being cleaned and modifies the cleaning operation accordingly.
US09227227B2
An Escort-Based Sorting (EBS) mail sorting and distribution center system configured and controlled for optimum mail flow and dispatch, minimal sorting center space usage, and elimination of peripheral storage and retrieval equipment. A plurality of input stations each include a mechanism for loading mailpieces and obtaining mailpiece data. A plurality of sorting banks each having a plurality of sorting modules, each sorting module adapted for the face-to-face conveyance of mailpieces for sorting by transferring select mailpieces from a first to a second conveyance path. The sorting modules define at least one row and a plurality tiers operatively coupled by a plurality of elevators. The elevators move mailpieces to and from tiers of the respective sorting bank. A system controller, operatively coupled to the input stations, sorting banks, and elevators, creates an association between the mailpiece information and the escort device, and sorts and dispatches mailpieces according to a dispatch schedule.
US09227222B2
The present invention provides a thin polarizing film which has only a small environmental load and has excellent optical characteristics.The thin polarizing film is produced by forming a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin layer on a thermoplastic resin substrate. The thin polarizing film has a thickness of 10 μm or less, a single axis transmittance of 42.0% or more, a polarization degree of 99.95% or more, and an iodine content of 17.6 grams per 400×700 square millimeters or less, which is measured by an ion chromatography method.
US09227211B2
A spray dispenser. The spray dispenser has a spray mechanism and a bottle. The spray mechanism includes a sprayer and a siphon tube. The siphon tube defines a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the siphon tube is in fluid communication with the sprayer. The bottle defines an inverted catchment therein adjacent a wall of the bottle. The siphon tube defines a generally U-shaped portion therein proximal to the distal end of the siphon tube. The distal end of the siphon tube is positioned within the inverted catchment. There is also a spray product and a method for spraying a liquid formulation onto a surface.
US09227209B2
Control method and apparatus for a manual spray gun may include a second manually actuated trigger disposed on the spray gun handle, with the second trigger being operational to select one or more coating operation parameters.
US09227204B2
A jetting device comprises a body, and an interior flow path within the body. The interior flow path comprises a flow section, an expansion section, and a shoulder formed at the intersection of the flow section and the expansion section. The length and diameter of the expansion section are configured to allow a portion of the pressure of the fluid downstream of the expansion section to provide power to a fluid flowing through the nozzle when the fluid is flowing through the nozzle.
US09227201B2
A cyclone comprises a cyclone chamber having an air inlet, an air outlet, a first end wall, a second end wall and a sidewall, the air inlet has an inlet end having a shape and a cross sectional area in a plane transverse to a direction of airflow through the air inlet, and the air inlet is provided at a first juncture of the sidewall and the first end wall, the first end wall has a vortex finder having a wall that meets the first end wall at a second juncture, wherein the inlet is spaced from the vortex finder.
US09227200B2
Microfluidic devices in which electrokinetic mechanisms move droplets of a liquid or particles in a liquid are described. The devices include at least one electrode that is optically transparent and/or flexible.
US09227196B2
Herein disclosed in a method comprising: shearing a feed comprising a solid component in a high shear device to produce a product, at least a portion of which comprises sheared solids; and separating at least some of the sheared solids from the product to produce a component-reduced product, wherein the solid component in the feed stream comprises a first particle density, and wherein the sheared solids in the product comprise a second particle density greater than the first particle density. In some embodiments, the solid component of the feed comprises gas trapped therein, and wherein at least a portion of said gas is released from the solid component upon shearing. Herein also is disclosed a method of comminuting solids in a feed stream comprising a solid component by processing the feed stream in a high shear device to produce a product stream comprising comminuted solids.
US09227192B2
A chipper striker assembly allowing for the adjustment of the striker blade. The chipper striker assembly having a base capable of attachment to a rotor, an adjustment portion connected to the base, and a striker blade, wherein the adjustment portion is capable of connection to the base in a plurality of adjustment positions.
US09227181B2
A catalyst composition resulting in increased propylene yields during fluid catalytic cracking processes comprises (i) Y zeolite, (ii) ZSM-5 zeolite, and (iii) Beta zeolite.
US09227170B2
A system for manufacturing graphene nanoribbon by continuous microwave is disclosed. The system comprises a microwave heating tank for heating carbon nanotube through microwave, a reaction tank for adding an oxidizing or reducing agent and a pipeline for connecting all devices of the system. A feed rate is controlled by a pump to enter raw material into the system via the pipeline, the nanotube is made to be a graphene nanoribbon by heating, adding the oxidizing agent, reheating, adding the reducing agent and reheating. Therefore, the graphene nanoribbon could be mass produced automatically in a short time.
US09227168B1
Disclosed embodiments relate to an ocean-going vessel that includes an airborne wind turbine to generate power. The generated power can be used for an electrodialysis system that extracts carbon dioxide (CO2) from seawater and/or for an electrolysis system that produces hydrogen (H2), both of which are disposed on the ocean-going vessel. The ocean-going vessel further includes a refinery system that may use a mixture of the H2 and CO2 gases that are to produce a fuel or chemical. In an example embodiment, the mixture of the H2 and CO2 gases may be processed to produce a synthetic fuel, which in turn may be processed to produce ethanol.
US09227167B2
An embodiment can be a process for catalytically cracking a hydrocarbon feed. The process can include providing the hydrocarbon feed including an effective amount of one or more C4-C6 olefins for producing at least one light olefin to a riser. Typically, at least about 99%, by mole, of the hydrocarbon feed is a gas.
US09227158B2
The method includes a pretreatment step during an operation of a boiler in which in a predetermined period of time before shutdown of the boiler, a part of combustion gas that has bypassed an economizer provided in a flue gas duct for flue gas from the boiler is supplied to an upstream of a NOx removal device having a NOx removal catalyst and mixed with the combustion flue gas from the economizer to generate mixed gas having a predetermined temperature equal to or higher than 360° C. (360° C. to 450° C.), the mixed gas is introduced into the NOx removal catalyst, thereby decomposing VOSO4 adhering to and accumulating on the NOx removal catalyst into V2O5.
US09227155B2
A gas purifying apparatus and a method thereof are disclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, a gas purifying apparatus includes a first chamber comprising a first inlet into which a first fluid flows and a first outlet through which a part of the first fluid is discharged, a purifier which purifies air from the first chamber, which air is then re-injected into the first chamber and a conduit which transports air from the first chamber to the purifier.
US09227154B2
A gas-liquid contactor includes a plurality of spray nozzles provided in a CO2 absorber, for spraying a CO2 absorbent downward into the CO2 absorber in which flue gas drifts upward and passes so as to bring flue gas drifting upward and the CO2 absorbent into contact with each other. The spray nozzle includes a wall-surface dedicated nozzle provided along a wall surface in the CO2 absorber and a liquid dispersion nozzle provided inside of the wall-surface dedicated nozzle in the CO2 absorber.
US09227150B2
In a device for ejecting droplets of an electrically conductive fluid, a vapor suppressing device is provided to suppress vapor of the electrically conductive fluid. The vapor suppressing device includes an electrode, adapted to provide a direct voltage. Further, a method for suppressing vapor of an electrically conductive fluid in a device for ejecting droplets of an electrically conductive fluid is provided.
US09227145B2
A planar-part-based toy assembly set includes planar parts that have different shapes and are made by stamping a planar material board. The planar parts include a body piece and a limb piece. The body piece has a slotted ring for coupling with the limb piece. The slotted ring has a cutting slot, a narrow section and, a wide section. The limb piece has a closed ring, or a slotted ring as stated above. The closed ring of the limb piece can pass through the cutting slot of the slotted ring of the body piece and be mounted around the narrow or wide section of the slotted ring. When the closed ring is around the narrow section, the limb piece can freely swing, and when the closed ring is around the wide section, the limb piece is fixed at a specific angle, which can be later adjusted by the player.
US09227144B2
A communication game system includes a plurality of game apparatuses which can be communicated via a network and functions as a parent machine and as a child machine, for example. In the child machine, a moving track of an object to be operated is obtained in response to an input with a pointing device by a player, and transmitted to the parent machine. In the parent machine, a movement of the object is controlled by the moving track, and drawing information to draw a virtual game space including the moved object is transmitted to the child machine. In the child machine, a game screen including the object to be operated is generated and displayed on the basis of the received drawing information.
US09227138B2
A first control unit includes a first operation data generation section for generating first operation data in accordance with a motion of a first control unit body included in the first control unit. A second control unit includes a second operation data generation section for generating second operation data in accordance with a direction input operation performed by a player or a motion of a second control unit body included in the second control unit. Further, one of the first control unit and the second control unit includes a transmission section for transmitting the first operation data and the second operation data to a computer at a predetermined timing.
US09227132B2
A sorting device for sorting a stack of playing cards laid in an input bin in four stacks and removing them at the four cardinal points of the sorting device includes two receiving bins disposed on top of each other, of which the upper receiving bins are adjustable in height in order to selectively deposit playing cards in the lower receiving bins or upper receiving bins. The upper receiving bins are disposed on a rotatable subframe that, after sorting, is rotatable for a quarter of a turn in order to bring the upper receiving bins into a removal position in which the playing cards can be removed at the four cardinal points. At the four removal positions, doors are present that open automatically and through which ejector pins then move the playing cards outside.
US09227120B2
A cover for a shaft having a grip on one end is provided. The cover may include a cap having a base and a protrusion that extends from the base. The cover may further include a sleeve for covering at least a portion of the grip that extends from the cap. The sleeve may have a first end seated against the cap and a second free end. A cover for insertion into a shaft is also provided. Such a cover may include a cap insertable into an end of the shaft and a sleeve that extends from the cap. The sleeve may have a first end attached to the cap and a second free end. A combination of the shaft and the cover is also provided.
US09227114B2
An iron type golf club head includes: a main body portion having a face surface and a sole surface; a backward bulging section provided at a lower back section of the main body portion, the bulging section including: an upper surface side recess formed to extend downward from the upper surface of the backward bulging section; and a lower surface side recess formed to extend upward from the lower surface of the backward bulging section; and a hosel portion connected to the main body portion, wherein the upper surface side recess and the lower surface side recess are overlapped at least in part with each other in the perspective side view of the head when viewed from the toe side of the iron type golf club head.
US09227113B2
The badminton racket (1) includes a frame (2), a handle (4) and a shaft (6) connecting the frame to the handle. It defines a first direction (D1) parallel to a longitudinal axis (X1) of the shaft, a second direction (D2) perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to a plane (P8) in which strings (8) extend mounted in the frame (2), and a third direction (D3) perpendicular to the first and second directions (D1, D2) and the plane (P8) of the strings. The bending rigidity of the shaft (6) in the third direction (D3) is greater than its bending rigidity in the second direction (D2).
US09227110B2
A golf ball includes an inner core and an outer core, both made of highly neutralized acid polymers. The inner core does not substantially include any fillers, while the outer core does include fillers. The outer core may include fillers in an amount of from about 17.% to about 30.7% by weight. The filler may be barium sulfate. The core made from the inner core and the outer core may have an unexpectedly higher coefficient of restitution.
US09227085B2
An inverse planning method that is capable of controlling the appearance of the implanted fiducial(s) in segmented IMRT fields for cine MV or combined MV/kV image-guided IMRT is provided. The method for radiation treatment includes computing a radiation treatment plan and delivering beams to a target in accordance with the radiation treatment plan, where computing the radiation treatment plan includes introducing a penalty in an inverse planning objective function optimization calculation to discourage or avoid blockage of one or more fiducials in optimized multi-leaf collimator (MLC) apertures.
US09227083B2
A method and a device for regulating a therapeutic beam directed at an object are provided. The method includes displaying at least one multidimensional image data record encompassing at least one target area of the object. The method also includes determining the treatment beam dosage directed at the at least one target area, and recording and optionally visualizing an isoline or isosurface dependent on the treatment beam dosage in the at least one multidimensional image data record. The method includes adjusting the isoline or isosurface such that the isoline or isosurface approximates a contour of the target area as closely as possible or corresponds to the contour, and regulating the treatment beam dosage by evaluation of the adjusted isoline or isosurface.
US09227082B2
Disclosed is a system and method for treatment of skin disorders. More particularly, the disclosed invention is directed toward the reduction of acne and acne related bacteria using low-intensity light therapy. In an illustrative embodiment, skin containing acne bacteria is treated with a series of pulses of light from a light emitting diode. The LED has a dominant emissive wavelength of about 660 nm and an energy output of about 4 m W. The acne bacteria-containing tissue is exposed to pulses from the light source about 100 times for about 250 milliseconds per pulse, with an interpulse interval of about 100 milliseconds.
US09227079B2
A stimulation device and method for treating cardiovascular disease in a human or an animal is provided, the method including placing a magnetic pulse application unit including a coil on a skin surface of a region of the human or the animal, and generating magnetic pulses around the coil, wherein the magnetic pulses induce currents in tissues in the region to stimulate a vagus nerve. The region may be a neck region or a chest region.
US09227077B2
A leadless cardiac pacemaker configured for implantation in electrical contact with a left ventricular cardiac chamber and configured for leadless triggered left-ventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in response to conducted signals from a pulse generator.
US09227074B2
A system and method for providing a user interface by which to display and/or control stimulation parameter settings includes a processor displaying a ray at an angle from a predetermined direction, and about a point representing a leadwire, that corresponds to a direction at which an electrical field is produced by respective electrical settings of one or more directional electrodes of the leadwire, and whose ray length corresponds to an electrical amplitude of an electrical parameter of the one or more directional electrodes.
US09227070B2
A method and system for regulating the operation of a cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator are disclosed. A processor receives signals of both an implanted hemodynamic sensor and intracardiac electrograms and digitizes them. The digitized signal of the hemodynamic sensor is used to prevent inappropriate cardiac stimulation and erroneous cardiac detection. The hemodynamic signal is also used to define arrhythmias.
US09227062B2
An exemplary system for synchronizing an operation of a middle ear analyzer and a cochlear implant system includes 1) a mapping facility configured to maintain mapping data representative of an association between a plurality of sound levels and a plurality of current levels and between a plurality of frequencies and a plurality of electrodes, 2) a detection facility configured to receive an acoustic signal transmitted by the middle ear analyzer and detect a sound level and a frequency of the acoustic signal, and 3) a processing facility configured to identify, based on the mapping data, a current level associated with the detected sound level and one or more electrodes associated with the detected frequency and direct the cochlear implant system to apply electrical stimulation having the identified current level to one or more stimulation sites within a patient by way of the identified one or more electrodes.
US09227061B2
An exemplary bilateral auditory prosthesis system includes 1) a primary auditory prosthesis configured to be implanted on a first side of a head of a patient, 2) a secondary auditory prosthesis configured to be implanted on a second side of the head of the patient and to be communicatively coupled to the primary auditory prosthesis with one or more wires, the second side being contralateral to the first side, and 3) a sound processor configured to be communicatively coupled to the primary auditory prosthesis and to control an operation of the secondary auditory prosthesis by transmitting control data to the secondary auditory prosthesis by way of the primary auditory prosthesis and at least one wire included in the one or more wires. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.
US09227057B2
A method of remotely programming a cochlear implant comprises, at a remote patient location attendable by a patient, operatively coupling the cochlear implant to a remote programming computer configured to generate a signal to program the cochlear implant. The patient is provided with a remote video conferencing system configured to receive video and audio of a local operator remotely programming the cochlear implant to enable the patient to both hear and see a face of the local operator during programming to enable the patient to read lips of the local operator to supplement hearing of the patient in communicating with the local operator. At a local programming location, the local operator accesses a local programming computer that is communicationally coupled to the remote programming computer by which the local operator at the local programming location can interactively control the remote programming computer to program the cochlear implant.
US09227050B2
A stimulation lead includes a lead body having a longitudinal length, a distal portion, and a proximal portion; terminals disposed along the proximal portion of the lead body; an electrode carrier coupled to, or disposed along, the distal portion of the lead body; segmented electrodes disposed along the electrode carrier; and conductors extending along the lead body and coupling the segmented electrodes to the terminals. The electrode carrier includes a lattice region defining segmented electrode receiving openings. Each of the segmented electrodes extends around no more than 75% of a circumference of the lead and is disposed in a different one of the segmented electrode receiving openings of the electrode carrier.
US09227049B2
A method for constructing a plug for an electrical connection to a multipolar lead for an active implantable medical device includes providing a plug body having an insulating monobloc central core, the monobloc central core having a generally cylindrical shape, a cylindrical side surface, and a housing, providing a connection wire and a conductive pod, attaching the connection wire to the conductive pod, placing the conductive pod into the housing with connection wire extending therefrom, placing a conductive cylindrical ring on the cylindrical side surface, wherein the cylindrical side surface centers the conductive cylindrical ring coaxially about the monobloc central core, attaching the conductive pod to the cylindrical ring to create an electrical contact zone on a cylindrical outer surface of the plug body.
US09227047B2
A catheter connector and method of use is disclosed. The catheter connector includes a body, a proximal end port, and a seal. The body has a proximal end and a distal end. Further, the body defines a hollow interior from the proximal end to the distal end. The hollow interior is configured to receive a catheter at least partially therethrough. The proximal end port includes a cavity and is configured with the proximal end of the body for mating communication with a fluid delivery device, such as a pump, reservoir, syringe, or the like. This port may have any conventional configuration, such as a Luer-lock fitting. The seal is configured within the interior of the body and includes a passage configured for receipt of the catheter. In addition, at least a portion of the seal is configured within the cavity of the proximal end port. Further, the seal is configured to compress around the catheter so as to axially secure the catheter within the body.
US09227044B2
An applicator for applying a fluid to a surface is provided, the applicator comprising a support comprising an upper outer surface and a lower holding surface; a flexible membrane comprising a central opening, an inner wall comprising a lower end and an upper end, an outer wall at least partially surrounding the upper outer surface of the support, the outer wall comprising a lower end and an upper end, and an upper folded wall connecting the upper ends of the inner wall and outer wall; and a membrane holder for fixedly securing the lower end of the inner wall of the flexible membrane to the upper outer surface of the support; wherein the upper surface of the membrane holder and the inner wall of the flexible membrane define a reservoir for holding a fluid, and wherein the lower end of the outer wall of the flexible membrane is free to move axially relative to the upper outer surface of the support when pressure is applied to the upper folded wall of the flexible membrane. In an embodiment, the applicator has particular utility for applying a topical or transdermal testosterone composition to the skin of a patient in need of testosterone replacement therapy.
US09227035B2
A humidifier has a base unit with an engagement face that is configured to interface with a flow generator. The humidifier also has a tank configured to be removably received by the base unit and hold a volume of liquid. The tank has a side wall with an air inlet. The humidifier further has an air flow passage configured to receive an air connector of the flow generator at the engagement face of the base unit. The air flow passage is axially offset from a tank inlet. In addition, a cross-section of the airflow passage inlet and a cross-section of the tank air inlet are substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane. In addition, a flexible face seal is positioned at an end of the air flow passage. An end of the face seal is configured to abut a side wall of the tank that includes the tank inlet when the tank is received in the base unit.
US09227034B2
A system for reducing airway obstructions of a patient may include a ventilator, a control unit, a gas delivery circuit with a proximal end in fluid communication with the ventilator and a distal end in fluid communication with a nasal interface, and a nasal interface. The nasal interface may include at least one jet nozzle, and at least one spontaneous respiration sensor in communication with the control unit for detecting a respiration effort pattern and a need for supporting airway patency. The system may be open to ambient. The control unit may determine more than one gas output velocities. The more than one gas output velocities may be synchronized with different parts of a spontaneous breath effort cycle, and a gas output velocity may be determined by a need for supporting airway patency.
US09227033B2
A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a mask frame having a first cooperating interlocking structure; a mask cushion provided to the frame; a cushion clip to retain the mask cushion on the mask frame, the cushion clip having a second cooperating interlocking structure and being selectively attachable to and detachable from the mask frame, the first and second cooperating interlocking structures interlocking to secure the cushion clip on the mask frame; and an elbow joint provided to the frame and having a swivel tube adapted to connect to a gas delivery conduit. The first and second cooperating interlocking structures include a tab-recess arrangement in which a plurality of tabs are engageable within respective recesses.
US09227021B2
A micro-needle roller (MNR) infusion system for transdermal delivery of active agents, skin-care products, and other topical formulations is described herein. The infusion system of the instant invention comprises a needle roller assembly with 0.25 mm needles enclosed in a housing with a vacuum line and a disposable cartridge having the active agent, the skin-care product or the topical formulation. The vacuum delivers the fluid and ensures that the skin is being pulled against the needle wheel surface to ensure that penetration of the needles is complete into the skin, simultaneously the fluid is flowing to the wheel and to skin as it rolls along with the outer housing of the tip cap assembly being occluded to the skin surface.
US09227018B2
A prefilled syringe of a before-use mixing type not requiring a bypass portion defined by a recessed inner surface portion of an outer cylinder, including first and second gaskets (4,5) fitted in the outer cylinder (2), and non-rotatively and complementarily shaped engagement portions (12, 13) respectively at a front end of the first gasket (4) and a rear end of the second gasket (5) to reduce the period for transferring a liquid between two chambers separated by the gaskets. During storage, the engagement portions abut each other to be kept out of engagement with each other, whereby a drug containing space is defined between the gaskets. When a liquid is transferred from a space defined on a rear side of the first gasket (4) to the drug containing space, the internal pressure of the drug containing space is prevented from being excessively increased.
US09227017B2
A wet/dry auto-mixing injector having a mixing device containing at least one microfluidic channel for mixing or dissolving a dry component with a wet component stored in the injector device.
US09227016B2
The invention relates to an auto-injector for administering a dose of a liquid medicament (M), comprising of an elongate housing arranged to contain a syringe with a hollow needle and a bung for sealing the syringe and displacing the medicament (M), the elongate housing having a distal end (D) and a proximal end (P) with an orifice intended to be applied against an injection site, wherein the syringe is slidably arranged with respect to the housing; spring means capable of, upon activation, pushing the needle from a covered position inside the housing into an advanced position through the orifice and past the proximal end (P) as well as operating the syringe to supply the dose of medicament (M); and activating means arranged to lock the spring means in a pressurized state prior to manual operation and capable of, upon manual operation, releasing the spring means for injection. The spring means is a torsion spring grounded at one end in the housing and at the other end in a first gear member rotatable about a longitudinal axis but axially fixed wherein the first gear member, upon rotation, is arranged for translatively moving a second gear member, the second gear member prevented from rotating and coupled to the bung in order to push it towards the proximal end (P), wherein the first gear member is engaged with the activating means prior to manual operation in a manner to prevent rotation and disengaged from the activating means upon manual operation. The activating means is a trigger button, arranged at a distal end (D) of the housing and operable by being pressed in proximal direction (P).
US09227012B2
The medical needle device includes: a shield 4 including a substantially cylindrical portion 4a; a tube 13; a first hub 2 that is inserted into an inner bore of the shield movably in an axial direction. The rear end of the first hub 2 is connected with the tube 3. A rigid needle 1 is fixed to a front end portion of the first hub; and a hub movement controlling member 14 that is attached to the shield detachably. The hub movement controlling member 14 includes: a stopper portion 14a that can be inserted from the rear end side of the shield into an inner bore of the shield exsertably.
US09227011B2
A sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes having a miniature size and a lower power consumption and a coating exterior to the electrodes, wherein the coating interacts with a target condition thereby producing a change in an electrical property of the electrodes, wherein the change is transduced into an electrical signal by the electrodes. Further a system for medication delivery comprising such sensor and a pill.
US09226999B2
The present invention relates to methods for coating at least one surface of a medical device for improving the hemocompatibility of said surface. Further, the invention relates to medical devices comprising surfaces, coated with a coating composition containing a nonionic ester formed from an acyclic C3-C6(OH)3-6 polyol and from at least three C12-C26 fatty acids, and further includes at least one hydrophilic group.
US09226996B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition in form of emulsion or microemulsion and the use thereof as aid during endoscopic procedures in which it is injected in a target tissue in order to form a cushion. More in details, the invention relates to a method for performing an endoscopic procedure, which comprises injecting said pharmaceutical composition in form of emulsion or microemulsion in a target tissue of a patient, in order to form a cushion, which cushion is then optionally subjected to an endoscopic surgical procedure, such as a resection.
US09226989B2
The present invention relates to a topical film-forming composition including, in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium: 5 to 30 wt % of ethyl cellulose; 0.1 to 10 wt % of an auxiliary film-forming agent; 0.1 to 20 wt % of one or more triacids, at least one of which is boric acid; and 60 to 95 wt % of an organic solvent, the percentages being expressed by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. The invention also relates to the use of such a composition in a method for treating herpes, in particular herpes labialis.
US09226986B2
A surgical sterilizing container is provided, having a bottom and a container wall. A through-opening is formed on the sterilizing container for the exchange of media. A valve device having an outlet valve is provided for opening and closing the through-opening. In order to remove fluid which has formed in the container interior while reducing the risk of germs penetrating into the container interior, the through-opening is formed in the container wall at a distance from the bottom, and the sterilizing container has a fluid lifting device for providing a fluid connection from the bottom to the outlet valve and for lifting fluid from the bottom to the outlet valve. A surgical fluid extraction device is also provided for use with a surgical sterilizing container having a container wall and a bottom.
US09226977B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed methods that include a thymidine kinase deficient vaccinia virus. The methods include administering the vaccinia virus at increased viral concentrations. Further aspects of the invention include methods for inducing oncolysis or collapse of tumor vasculature in a subject having a tumor comprising administering to a subject at least 1×108 infectious viral particles of a TK-deficient, GM-CSF-expressing, replication-competent vaccinia virus vector sufficient to induce oncolysis of cells in the tumor.
US09226976B2
The invention relates to isolated nucleic acids and rAAV-based compositions, methods and kits useful for treating genetic diseases (e.g., alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency).
US09226968B2
The invention relates to selected carbohydrate-lipid constructs and their use as mimics of ligands for receptors expressed by virus. In particular, the invention relates to the use of selected carbohydrate-lipid constructs in methods of inhibiting virus infection and/or promoting clearance of virus from infected subjects. Carbohydrate-lipid constructs selected for use in these methods where the virus is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are provided.
US09226967B2
This invention provides Chelating Complex Micelles as a drug carrier. The Chelating Complex Micelles can load drugs without changing their structure, and therefore extend the half-life of drugs in the human body. The chelating complex micelles contain a metal ion core, at least one polymer, and at least one drug molecule. The metal ion is considered as a Lewis acid while polymer chain and drug molecules are referred to as Lewis bases. The drug molecule is linked to the polymer via forming coordinate bonds with metal ion, and then self-assembled to form chelating complex micelles as a drug carrier.
US09226961B2
The invention provides a stable aqueous pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody, optionally, not subjected to prior lyophilization, a buffer maintaining the pH in the range from about 4.0 to about 6.0, and an optional surfactant, methods for making such a formulation, and methods of using such a formulation.
US09226956B2
The invention provides active and passive immunization methods for preventing and treating Clostridium difficile infection, which involve percutaneous administration of C. difficile toxin-neutralizing polyclonal immune globulin, C. difficile toxoids, or combinations thereof. Also provided by the invention are C. difficile toxoids, C. difficile toxin-neutralizing polyclonal immune globulin, and methods of identifying subjects that produce C. difficile toxin-neutralizing polyclonal immune globulin.
US09226955B2
A composition, comprising: an enriched population of autophagosomes derived from a non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line, and wherein the enriched population of autophagosomes includes: one or more toll-like receptor agonists; one or more tumor antigens; and one or more damage-associated molecular pattern molecules. In this way, an off-the-shelf vaccine may be available to be administered in order to stimulate a targeted immune response in patients bearing different tumor types.
US09226954B2
Described is a new method of treating chronic compartment syndrome in a muscle of a mammal, particularly exertional compartment syndrome. The method includes introducing an effective amount of a nerve-blocking toxin, such as human botulinum toxin into the muscle. Further in addition to treating chronic or exertional compartment syndrome, a method is included and described in the disclosure of confirming diagnosis of exertional compartment syndrome in a muscle of a mammal. In the method, venous compression and/or expansion in a mammal in an area of a muscle having a symptom associated with exertional compartment syndrome is evaluated by comparing venous flow at rest and after stress on the muscle. An anaesthetic is used to block a nerve supplying motor function to the muscle causing compression of a blood vessel. The mammal is evaluated after the block of the nerve to determine if the symptom associated with exertional compartment syndrome is alleviated.
US09226952B2
A novel Src inhibitor that targets the Na/K-ATPase/Src receptor complex and antagonizes ouabain-induced protein kinase cascades and uses thereof are disclosed.
US09226947B1
A method for treating a microbial infection or an abscessed tissue in a subject includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a metal ion chelator. In some embodiments, the metal ion chelator can be a protein, such as a calprotectin heterodimer. In some embodiments, the metal ion chelator is a calprotectin heterodimer including an S100A8 polypeptide and an S100A9 polypeptide.
US09226937B2
A resveratrol-containing composition capable of providing a therapeutic benefit to a subject such as modulation of a biological activity, improving cell transplantation therapy, or improving macular degeneration or dystrophy treatments. The compositions comprise trans-resveratrol, a metal chelator, one or more additional antioxidants such as quercetin, gamma-tocotrienol, or apple polyphenols, allicin, and nucleotides.
US09226936B2
Compositions, e.g., therapeutic agents, and methods are provided for modulating gene and protein expression of Forkhead Box protein 1 (Foxp1). The therapeutic agents include short nucleic acid molecules that modulate gene and protein expression of Forkhead Box protein 1 (Foxp1) expression, viral vectors containing such molecules, T cells transduced with these viruses for adoptive therapies, and any small molecules that bind to and inactivate Foxp1. These compounds and methods have applications in cancer therapy either alone or in combination with other therapies that stimulate the endogenous immune system in the environment of the cancer, e.g., tumor.
US09226935B2
This invention provides a method for modulating the expression of a first gene in a cell wherein the first gene is one containing more than 36 CAG trinucleotide repeats and encoding a protein that form polyglutamine-mediated protein aggregation. Suppression of the first gene is achieved by reducing the expression of SPT4 gene or SUPT4H gene. It can also be achieved by inhibiting the formation of a Spt4/Spt5 complex or a Supt4h/Supt5h complex. Also provided is a method for identifying an agent useful for modulating the expression and aggregation of CAG-expanded gene product, or treating a polyglutamine disease such as Huntington's disease.
US09226932B2
Phosphoramidate alkylator prodrugs can be used to treat cancer when administered alone or in combination with one or more anti-neoplastic agents.
US09226919B2
The present invention relates to specific doses of and dosing regimens for using a 1,2,4-oxadiazole benzoic acid compound in treating or preventing diseases associated with nonsense mutations. In particular, the invention relates to specific doses and dosing regimens for the use of 3-[5-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-benzoic acid in mammals having diseases associated with nonsense mutations.
US09226916B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, Z, and n are as defined herein or to a pharmaceutically active salt thereof. Compounds of the invention are high potential NK-3 receptor antagonists for the treatment of depression, pain, psychosis, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
US09226915B2
The present invention provides cyclic nitro compound, pharmaceutical compositions of cyclic nitro compounds and methods of using cyclic nitro compounds and/or pharmaceutical compositions thereof to treat or prevent diseases or disorders characterized by abnormal cell proliferation, such as cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disease.
US09226906B2
The present invention relates to a method and nutritional supplement which stimulates appetite and slows metabolism of a mammal, thereby enhancing weight gain for the mammal. The method of enhancing weight gain of the mammal comprises administering to the mammal an effective amount of at least two types of alkamide or isobutylamide compound extracted from Echinacea species along with an antioxidant and optionally minerals. The nutritional supplement of the present invention comprises an antioxidant and at least two types of alkamide or isobutylamide compounds derived from Echinacea species. Minerals such as zinc and magnesium can also be added to the nutritional supplement to provide even better effect.
US09226902B2
A solid dispersion transdermal drug delivery system comprising a therapeutic agent in a stable amorphous form and a combination polymeric stabilizing and dispersing agent having a hydrogen bond-forming functional group, and a method of manufacturing these systems is provided. The weight ratio of the combination polymeric stabilizing and dispersing agent to the therapeutic agent is also disclosed.
US09226894B2
The present technology provides intravaginal devices designed to deliver lubricants to the vagina for a sustained period of time. The intravaginal devices include a first segment comprising an outer surface and a lumen containing a lubricant, wherein the first segment is configured to deliver the contents of the lumen to the outer surface, and the first segment comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of a hydrophilic, semi-permeable elastomer and a hydrophobic elastomer. The lubricant may be an aqueous lubricant. The present technology further provides an intravaginal device including a solid first segment that includes a hydrophilic semi-permeable elastomer, an outer surface and an aqueous lubricant, wherein the first segment is configured to deliver the aqueous lubricant to the outer surface.
US09226889B2
An anionic polyelectrolyte resulting from the polymerization: a) of a mass ratio greater than or equal to 80% and less than or equal to 99.5% of monomeric units from a monomer with a weak acid function; b) of a mass ratio greater than or equal to 0.5% and less than or equal to 20%, —Either of a monomer of formula (Ia): R—(CH2)3—Si(CH3)2—[O—Si(CH3)2—]nO—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)3—R (Ia), wherein R represents the monovalent radical: —(O—CH2—CH2-)x[O—CH2—CH(CH3)-]yO—C(═O)—CH═CH2, —Or of a monomer of formula (Ib): Si(CH3)3—[O—Si(CH3)2—]m[O—Si(CH3)[(CH2)3—R]—]pO—Si(CH2)3 (Ib), c) optionally of a mass ratio greater than 0% and less than or equal to 5% of monomeric units from at least one monomer of formula (II): R2—C(═O)—O—[(CH2—CH(R4)—O]m—R3 (II), d) optionally of a mass ratio greater than 0% and less than or equal to 5% of at least one monomer with diethylenic or polyethylenic cross-linking; method for the preparation thereof and use as a thickener in topical compositions.
US09226883B2
The present invention relates to direct dyes of azomethine type of formula (I) below; and also to the use thereof for dyeing keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair. The invention also relates to a composition for dyeing keratin fibers, comprising such direct dyes in a suitable dyeing medium. Similarly, a subject of the invention is a process for dyeing keratin fibers using the said dye composition, and also a device comprising the same. Finally, the present invention also relates to precursors of these direct dyes.
US09226876B2
The production of a protein free synthetic polyisoprene which has both low levels of chemical impurities and good physical properties has yet to be realized. It has now been envisioned that the use of neodymium catalyzed polyisoprene will offer the combined advantages of both a clean, as well as, high cis-1,4 polymer. Synthesis of polyisoprene rubber using a neodymium based catalyst system is described. Characterization of the material shows the absence of an ultra high molecular weight fraction and the presence of very high cis-1,4-microstructure. Gum stock and black filled compound studies comparing neodymium polyisoprene with natural rubber, titanium polyisoprene, and lithium polyisoprene have been performed. Results indicate that polyisoprene rubber synthesized using a neodymium catalyst system (Nd—PI) has similar stress-strain and tear properties as synthetic titanium polyisoprene. Analysis of residual volatile, extractable, and oligomer levels indicates Nd—PI is indeed a clean source of high cis synthetic polyisoprene. In the practice of this invention such Nd—PI is used in manufacturing articles used in manufacturing health care products, garments, clothing, and food and beverage packaging. Some specific applications include: bandages, drug delivery patches, suture tape, pharmaceutical closures, including syringe plungers and sleeves, vial closures and stoppers, tourniquets, exercise bands, condoms and prophylactic devices, gloves and glove dip, intervenous bags and tubing, baby bottle nipples, pacifiers, and teething devices, breast hoods, and dental and orthodontic devices.
US09226873B2
A steam physiotherapy apparatus includes an open-topped physiotherapy chamber having a door, a steam generating unit, and a steam pipe for conveying generated steam into the physiotherapy chamber. Tourmaline tiles are attached to an inner surface of the physiotherapy chamber, a steam inlet pipe is provided on a bottom of the physiotherapy chamber to communicate with the steam pipe, and a steam flow guide plate is placed on the steam inlet pipe. The steam inlet pipe has two diametrically opposite steam outlets directed to two opposite directions, such that the steam flowing out of the two steam outlets forms a swirl that moves upward along the inner surface of the physiotherapy chamber to heat the tourmaline tiles. The heated tourmaline tiles release far infrared rays and negative ions that help reducing reactive oxygen species and free radicals in the user's body and help the user to give off deep-layer sweat.
US09226872B2
The present invention relates to a method for treatment and/or prevention of diseases and functional disorders of external genital organs and a device for realizing the same. The method comprises exposure of an organ to periodic action of vacuum oscillations and a light field and is characterized in that the organ is additionally exposed to low-frequency pulsed magnetic field and the light exposure of different wavelengths is combined. One of the embodiment of the device comprises a source of vacuum with a periodic controlling device, an isolated chamber adapted to accommodate a to-be-exposed organ therein, a source of a low-frequency pulsed magnetic field with an inductor generating a magnetic field in the place of location of the organ to be subjected to exposure. The claimed embodiment is characterized in that it additionally comprises a light exposure source with different wavelengths and a device for synchronizing and combining the light exposure.
US09226870B2
A portable electronic apparatus has a portable electronic device, a lens assembly, a control unit and a display module. The portable electronic device has a shell with a chamber and an opening communicating with the chamber. The lens assembly is mounted in the opening of the shell. The display module is mounted in the chamber of the shell. The control unit is mounted in the portable electronic device to control the display module to project various object images into a user's eyes. The user can exercise the eyes by releasing the eye muscles, tightening the eye muscles, rolling the eyes upwards, downwards, leftwards, rightwards, or rolling the eyes circularly when the user looks at the projected object images. Vision defects, such as myopia and astigmatism, can be relieved.
US09226869B2
The invention concerns a height adjustment device (1) for a handle (4) of a rollator, comprising: —an inner tube (2) telescopically received in an outer tube (3), the handle (4) of the rollator being connected at the upper end of said inner tube (2), —a locking assembly (10) adapted to lock the inner tube (2) in a fixed position with regard to the outer tube (3), —an unlocking assembly (20) adapted to unlock the inner tube (2) from said fixed position.
US09226867B2
An external structural brace apparatus and method for supporting a user on a surface and for the user to ambulate along the surface to relieve shoulder, armpit, hand, foot, and wrist loads, the apparatus includes first and second support beams that each have a telescoping cantilever beam that contacts the surface. The first and second support beams have a primary pivotal couple at one end to one another with a mechanism to create opposite symmetrical movement of the beams. An attachment element supports the user at their torso has a secondary pivotal connection to the first and second beams and third and fourth user handles that are pivotally attached to the first and second beams are for grasping by the user to extend and retract the telescoping cantilever beams to and from the surface at reduced and increased extension and retraction rates for user ease of ambulating along the surface.
US09226865B2
A patient support structure includes a pair of independently height-adjustable supports, each connected to a patient support structure. The supports may be independently raised, lowered, rolled or tilted about a longitudinal axis, laterally shifted and angled upwardly or downwardly. Position sensors are provided to sense all of the foregoing movements. The sensors communicate data to a computer for coordinated adjustment and maintenance of the inboard ends of the patient support structures in an approximated position during such movements. Longitudinal translation structure provides for compensation in the length of the structure when the supports are angled upwardly or downwardly. Patient translation structure provides coordinated translational movement of the patient's upper body along the respective patient support in a caudad or cephalad direction as the support structures are angled upwardly or downwardly for maintaining proper spinal biomechanics and avoiding undue spinal traction or compression.
US09226856B2
An inflatable mask with two ocular cavities can seal against a user's face by forming an air-tight seal around the periphery of the user's eye socket. The sealed air-tight ocular cavity can be pressurized to take ocular measurements. The mask can conform to the contours of a user's face by inflating or deflating the mask. In addition, the distance between the user and a medical device (e.g. an optical coherence tomography instrument) can be adjusted by inflating or deflating the mask. Also disclosed herein is an electronic encounter portal and an automated eye examination. Other embodiments are also described.
US09226855B2
A steerable laser probe may include an actuation structure, a nosecone fixed to the actuation structure by one or more links and one or more link pins, a flexible housing tube, and an optic fiber disposed in the flexible housing tube and the actuation structure. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually curve the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually straighten the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber.
US09226853B2
Methods of photoaltering a region of a material using a pulsed laser beam. The method includes scanning the pulsed laser beam in a first portion of the region with a first pattern, scanning the pulsed laser beam in a second portion of the region with a second pattern, and separating a flap of the material at the region. The system includes a laser, a controller selecting at least first and second patterns, and a scanner operable in response to the controller. The first pattern has a first maximum acceleration associated with the second portion, and the second pattern has a second maximum acceleration associated with the second portion. The second maximum acceleration is less than the first maximum acceleration. The scanner scans the pulsed laser beam from the laser in the first portion with the first pattern and in the second portion with the second pattern.
US09226852B2
A method of deploying an ocular implant into Schlemm's canal of a human eye including the following steps: inserting a distal tip of a delivery tool within an anterior chamber of the eye through trabecular meshwork of the eye into Schlemm's canal of the eye; and advancing an ocular implant through a curved portion and a distal opening of the delivery tool to place a body portion of the ocular implant in Schlemm's canal and an inlet portion of the ocular implant in the anterior chamber.
US09226847B2
A kit for cooling the blood in the carotid arteries includes a cervical immobilization collar and a cooling element. The cooling element may include a body-facing panel attached on a body-facing surface to a lining layer, an outward-facing panel, and cooling material disposed between the body-facing panel and the outward facing panel. The cooling material may comprise urea and Carbamakool™ in an amount sufficient to produce a temperature of 20° F. to 35° F. within a minute of activation when measured on the body-facing surface of the body-facing panel.
US09226840B2
A magnetically coupled, implantable pump system comprises an external controller and an implantable device. A non-implantable magnet in an external controller produces a magnetic field that couples the non-implantable magnet to a magnet in the implantable device. A non-implantable motor moves the non-implantable magnet in a rotational direction. When the non-implantable magnet moves in the rotational direction, a piston coupled to the magnet moves within the implantable device. As the piston moves, an amount of fluid from a reservoir in the implantable device moves out of the reservoir and into an inflatable portion of a gastric band. The implantable device may also move fluid out of the inflatable portion of the gastric band.
US09226839B1
The present disclosure describes an assembly comprising a catheter, an expandable device in a collapsed configuration on the catheter, a first releasable sleeve coaxially covering a proximal portion of the device, and a second releasable sleeve coaxially covering a distal portion of the device, wherein first and second sleeves overlap and are rotatably constrained relative to each other, and wherein the second sleeve is rotatably constrained relative to the catheter. During deployment, rotation of the catheter causes rotation of the second sleeve and the device for angular radial orientation. After deployment, the first sleeve may remain implanted in the patient.
US09226826B2
A valved stent including a stent structure having a generally tubular body portion with an interior area, a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis; a valve structure including a plurality of leaflets and positioned within the interior area of the stent structure; and an invertible structure extending from one of the first and second ends of the stent structure. The invertible structure can be rotatable relative to the end of the stent structure from which it extends.
US09226821B2
Extracellular matrix (ECM) valve conduits are disclosed. Methods for regenerating atrioventricular valves to replace defective atrioventricular valves within a heart of a subject using the ECM valve conduits are also disclosed. Methods of sterilizing and decellularizing an ECM material are also disclosed.
US09226813B2
Various stents and stent-graft systems for treatment of medical conditions are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exemplary stent-graft system may be used for endovascular treatment of a thoracic aortic aneurysm. The stent-graft system may comprise proximal and distal components, each comprising a graft having proximal and distal ends, where upon deployment the proximal and distal components at least partially overlap with one another to provide a fluid passageway therebetween. The proximal component may comprise a proximal stent having a plurality of proximal and distal apices connected by a plurality of generally straight portions, where a radius of curvature of at least one of the proximal apices may be greater than the radius of curvature of at least one of the distal apices. The distal component may comprise a proximal z-stent coupled to the graft, where the proximal end of the graft comprises at least scallop formed therein that generally follows the shape of the proximal z-stent. Further, the distal component may comprise at least one z-stent stent coupled to the distal end of the graft and extending distally therefrom that reduces proximal migration of the distal component.
US09226809B2
Described are devices, implants and kits for treating incontinence in a male or female. In particular an assembly comprising a multi-piece implant comprising a support portion piece (82) and two extension portion pieces (84) adjustably connected to the support portion piece, and an adjusting tool (92) to allow adjustment of extension portion pieces relative to the support portion piece, is described.
US09226805B2
The present invention relates to an abutment for securing a dental prosthesis to a dental implant. The multi-member abutment corrects for angular misalignment between the dental prosthesis and implant by way of thirty or greater discrete orientations about a central vertical axis and, an external ball that protrudes from the upper surface of the abutment to externally constrain the prosthesis from the side. Exchangeable members are available for variability in height and offset angle beyond a specified range.
US09226786B2
An apparatus and method for clearing of a surgical site during the performance of a medical procedure where a single phase wash fluid, which has been conditioned, is directed at the surgical site to inhibit or prevent harm to the body tissue as unwanted debris is blown away from the surgical site thereby permitting a surgeon to safely perform a medical procedure without the presence of unwanted liquids or unwanted debris at the surgical site.
US09226784B2
A perforated sheath is anchored in a tissue opening with the aid of a tool, wherein the anchorage is achieved with the aid of mechanical vibration and a material which is liquefiable by the vibration. The tool includes a vibrating element and a counter element. Distal portions of both elements are introduced into the sheath to be in contact with each other at an interface. The vibrating element is connected to a vibration source and the vibrating element and the counter element are held against each other for effecting liquefaction of the liquefiable material at the interface. Under the effect of the force applied to the vibrating and counter element for holding them against each other, the liquefied material flows from the interface through the sheath perforation and penetrates the tissue.
US09226780B2
A device for applying a medical element has a housing defining a longitudinal axis with a channel disposed therethrough. The housing has a proximal and a distal opening. The device also has at least one sensing device positioned adjacent to the distal opening. The device also has a signaling device disposed adjacent the housing. The at least one sensing device interogates a bone location for one or more variables of the bone location as the device is moved over the bone location. The at least one sensing devices outputs a signal to the device and the signaling device signals an identification of a homogenous bone region. The medical element is applied to the homogenous bone location coaxially from the proximal opening through the channel and through the distal opening without removal of the device from the homogenous bone region.
US09226776B2
An apparatus for stabilization of a patient's head relative to the patient's neck joint includes an occi-cervical base member having a “C”-shaped central part and first and second attachment rods respectively connected to and extending transversely from free ends of the central part. An occiput attachment has a first end slideably engaged to the central part and a flat, straight second end that extends radially outwardly relative to the first end. First and second polyaxial screw heads are adapted to be implanted in first and second occipital condyles of a patient, respectively. The first and second polyaxial screw heads are adapted to engage first and second stabilizing rods, respectively, that are placed in-line with the cervical spine of a patient and to engage the first and second attachment rods, respectively.
US09226772B2
A surgical device comprises a guide tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inside diameter. A needle has a proximal end and a distal end. The needle comprises a longitudinal portion having a diameter suitable to be slidably received within the inside diameter of the guide tube. The needle comprises a helical element disposed at the distal end of the needle.
US09226770B2
An optical penetrating adapter for mounting to a surgical portal to permit visualization through the surgical portal includes an adapter member defining a longitudinal axis and having a transparent window adapted to penetrate tissue and to permit visualization therethrough and means for coupling the adapter member to the surgical portal. The transparent window may have various shapes and configurations adapted to penetrate, dissect, resect or separate tissue in a non traumatic manner. Alternatively, the transparent window may incorporate structure such as cutting edges blades, points, etc to pierce, cut or incise tissue.
US09226760B2
Methods and devices are provided for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided that includes an elongate shaft having an end effector at a distal end thereof. The end effector can be configured to be movable between a first configuration in which the end effector is longitudinally aligned with or linear relative to the shaft and a second configuration in which the end effector is articulated at an angle beyond 45 degrees relative to the shaft. With the end effector in the first configuration or in the second configuration, the device can be configured to allow selective actuation of the end effector.
US09226758B2
A method and apparatus of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae of a patient includes advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebrae. A proximal portion of the stabilization device is positioned such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae by contacting a surface of the superior vertebrae.
US09226740B2
A surgical instrument including an elongate portion arranged, in use, to be inserted through a restricted opening into a body, the elongate portion being movable from a first configuration to a second, different configuration in which two parts of the instrument that are spaced from each other in the first configuration at least partially cross each other in the second configuration.
US09226739B2
A vascular closure device includes a vessel locating device, a sealant delivery device, a detachable sealing tip, and a suture. The vessel locating device includes an expandable portion configured to extend through and temporarily seal a vessel puncture from within a vessel. The sealant delivery device is configured to deliver a first volume of flowable sealant to the vessel puncture along an exterior of the vessel. The detachable sealing tip is carried at a distal end of the vessel locating device. The suture is connected to and extends proximally from the detachable sealing tip. The detachable sealing tip is configured for release within the first volume of flowable sealant upon withdrawal of the vessel locating device through the first volume of flowable sealant. The suture is anchored at a location proximal of the detachable sealing tip.
US09226736B2
Described are devices, methods, and systems useful in the treatment of fistulae, and in certain embodiments those having openings extending into the alimentary canal, such as anorectal fistulae. Illustratively, an anorectal fistula can be treated by placing a volumetric construct within the primary opening of the fistula. In certain embodiments, the volumetric construct can include a rolled remodelable material processed to form a substantially unitary body. Advantageous such remodelable materials can include collagenous extracellular matrix materials, such as small intestine submucosa.
US09226733B2
A biopsy device includes a coring cannula, a retract stylet, and a localization needle. The coring cannula has a longitudinal axis and a shaft centered on the axis. The stylet has a tip containing at least one blade and a central passage. The localization needle has a channel and is slidably disposed within the central passage. A drive mechanism rotates the cannula and moves the cannula in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. A guide element has a first end and a second end and is slidably disposed within the channel of the localization needle. The guide element is movable from a first position to a second position within the localization needle.
US09226730B2
A sweat collection device includes an elongate concave sweat-collecting surface at a face thereof for placement over an iontophoresis-stimulated area of a patient's skin to collect sweat and pass it through an axial bore in the concavity. A length of flexible tubing is secured to the axial bore for receiving and storing the collected sweat. A chamber may be provided for holding the tubing in flat coiled condition. Collected sweat builds up within the tubing from the axial bore. The device can include markings to indicate when a minimum amount of sweat has been collected in the tubing and can indicated a range for collected sweat that takes into account variations in the tubing. An open end of the tubing can be flared for easy insertion of a blunt needle to extract sweat or a guide passage can guide insertion of the needle into the open end of the tubing.
US09226725B2
A physiological signal sensing structure, a stethoscope therewith, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The sensing structure for physiological signals includes a flexible substrate, a piezoelectric sensing structure and a damping structure. The piezoelectric sensing structure is disposed over the flexible substrate, and includes a first surface and a second surface. The second surface of the piezoelectric sensing structure faces the flexible substrate. The piezoelectric sensing structure is an arc with a curvature, and the first surface thereof may face outward. The damping structure may be disposed between the flexible substrate and the piezoelectric sensing structure. In an embodiment, a further amplifying structure is disposed over the first surface of the piezoelectric sensing structure and contacts or does not contact a top region of the first surface.
US09226722B2
A computed tomography (CT) or ultra sound imaging system and method are configured to construct images of an object. The imaging system includes: a radiation or ultrasound source including a collimating or a blocking device configured to generate both a narrow beam and a wide beam; a detector configured to detect radiation or ultrasound wave from the radiation or ultrasound wave from the radiation or ultrasound source; and at least one processing circuit configured to: determine a scatter-to-primary ratio (SPR) of the wide beam based on the narrow beam; determine a primary component of the wide beam based on the SPR to thereby separate the primary component from a scattered component of the wide beam; and construct an image of an object inside a patient using the primary component to thereby improve a contrast of the object.
US09226716B2
A nuclear medicine imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a gradation width storage, an estimating unit, and an image generating unit. The gradation width storage is configured to store the gradation width of an image determined by the temporal resolution of a detector. The estimating unit is configured to estimate the spatial position of a positron on the basis of the spatial position of a set of detectors and a set of detection times. The image generating unit is configured to allocate pixel value to pixels corresponding to the gradation width around the estimated spatial position such that a spatial resolution corresponding to the temporal resolution is reflected on a line linking the set of detectors, thereby generating an image.
US09226707B2
A device for reducing traumatic brain injury comprises a first sensor, a first linkage element, and a processing element. The first sensor is coupled to a head component and configured to measure an acceleration of a user's head as a result of an impact on the head component and to generate corresponding first sensor measurements. The first linkage element is configured to connect the head component to a body component and is able to switch between a first state in which it is relatively flexible and a second state in which it is relatively rigid. The first linkage element is switched from its first state to its second state by a locking signal. The processing element is configured to receive the first sensor measurements and to generate the locking signal when a value of the first sensor measurements is greater than or equal to an injury level.
US09226696B2
A patient safety system including an adjustable bed and a patient monitoring system is disclosed herein. The adjustable bed can automatically adjust to a safe default configuration when the safety system detects that a care provider has left the patient's room or when the safety system detects that the patient is trying to leave the bed. The patient monitoring system can send an alert to the care provider and/or sound an alarm if the patient tries to leave the bed and a care provider is not present with the patient.
US09226694B2
A measurement system for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system is disclosed. The measurement system comprises a capacitor, a signal generator, a digital counter, counter register, a digital clock, a digital timer, and a data register. The sensor of the measurement system is the capacitor. The measurement system generates a repeating signal having a measurement cycle that corresponds to the capacitance of the capacitor. The capacitor comprises more than one capacitor mechanically in series. Electrically, the capacitor comprises more than one capacitor in parallel. In one embodiment, the capacitor includes a dielectric layer comprising polyimide. A force, pressure, or load is applied to the capacitor that elastically compresses the device.
US09226688B2
A flexible circuit assembly can include a base layer, a plurality of circuit traces and an insulative layer. The plurality of circuit traces can each be coupled to a pair of circuit pads, and the circuit traces can be formed on an upper side of the base layer. The insulative layer can be formed over the circuit traces to isolate the circuit traces from an external environment. The base layer, plurality of circuit traces and insulative layer can form a flexible circuit sheet. The base layer and the insulative layer can include material properties and a thickness configured to facilitate the flexible circuit sheet being flexible such that the flexible circuit sheet is adapted to conform to a non-planar surface of the medical device.
US09226683B2
Scan timing of contrast agent study is provided. Ultrasound is used to determine timing of contrast agent inflow and/or outflow. The timing based on the ultrasound scanning controls scanning for MR or CT imaging. The MR or CT contrast agent imaging for MR or CT contrast agents may be synchronized using the ultrasound contrast agent flow.
US09226681B2
To provide a fibrillation detector and a defibrillator that are capable of correctly detecting within a short time a ventricular fibrillation (VF) that shows an irregular amplitude or shape, an R-wave detection unit R_DETECT_MEAN converts power of a frequency component making up an R wave of an electrocardio signal ECG into an approximately DC component, and outputs the converted power as R-wave power V_R. A T-wave detection unit T_DETECT_MEAN converts power of a frequency component making up a T wave of the electrocardio signal ECG into an approximately DC component, and outputs the converted power as T-wave power V_T. The R-wave power V_R and the T-wave power V_T are input to a comparison unit CMP, and the comparison unit CMP outputs a magnitude comparison result between the R-wave power V_R and the T-wave power V_T as a comparison signal sig_comp.
US09226669B1
An optical sensor for a monitoring device for monitoring the vital signs of a user is disclosed herein. The optical sensor preferably includes a photodetector and a two light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) that emit green light. The optical sensor includes a light barrier that includes multiple walls that block any non-reflected light from the LEDs from transmission to the photodetector so that the photodetector only receives light reflected from the artery of the user resulting in a more accurate detection of the heart rate of the user. A sensor signal from the optical sensor is processed with an accelerometer output signal from the accelerometer to generate a real-time vital sign for a user.
US09226667B2
A blood pressure monitor, particularly of the type having an inflatable cuff communicating with a pressure sensor and suitable for home use, may be calibrated by applying a sealed canister containing gas at a known pressure to a port so as to apply the known pressure to the pressure sensor, and comparing a pressure signal from the pressure sensor with the known pressure so as to determine a calibration error of the sensor and/or adjust the calibration of the sensor, e.g. by electronically adjusting the sensor. Several canisters may be used to calibrate the sensor across a range of pressures, each canister having a different known pressure. Each canister is preferably ruptured when attached to the port and is not re-usable, and may comprise an identifier such as an electronically readable identifier which is stored in a memory in association with the value of the known pressure within the canister. Temperature sensing means may be provided whereby the pressure reading is adjusted to compensate for temperature, e.g. of the gas released from the canister. The monitor may comprise means for sensing mechanical shock and alerting a user or remote monitoring personnel to provide an indication that recalibration is required.
US09226666B2
A method for determining a ratio of hemoglobin absorption within a biological tissue using a handheld device is provided. The method includes focusing at least one light pulse into a predetermined area inside an object using at least one excitation wavelength, wherein a fluorescence signal is based on at least a local excitation optical fluence and properties of fluorophores in the predetermined area. The method further includes receiving a photoacoustic signal emitted by the object in response to the at least one light pulse, the photoacoustic signal being a product of the local excitation optical fluence, an optical absorption coefficient of hemoglobin, and an acoustic detection sensitivity. The method further includes determining the ratio of hemoglobin absorption based on a hemoglobin absorption coefficient that is based at least partially on the fluorescence signal and the photoacoustic signal.
US09226665B2
Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of an apparatus obtaining information associated with a structure can be provided. For example, with a first arrangement, it is possible to separate at least one first electro-magnetic radiation into a first radiation and a second radiation forwarded to the structure, with the first and second radiations having different path lengths. Using a second arrangement, it is possible to receive third and fourth radiations from the structure associated with the first and second radiations and a fifth radiation received from a reference. Further, with a third arrangement, it is possible to generate data corresponding to an amount of a ranging depth within the structure associated with the second arrangement. For example, a difference between the path lengths of the first and second radiations is equal or greater than the ranging depth.
US09226663B2
Described herein are systems and methods for optically isolating components of an optical sensor in physiological monitoring devices worn by a user to sense, measure, and/or display physiological information. An optical sensor may be mounted in the rear face of the device, emit light proximate a targeted area of a user's body, and detect light reflected from the targeted area. Optically isolating structure may be located at least partially between one or more components of the optical sensor to ensure that light detected by the sensor is light reflected from the targeted area rather than light emitted directly from a light source and/or ambient light. The optically isolating structure may, in some cases, extend between a contact surface of the monitoring device to a base portion of the sensor components or a surface of a circuit board to which the sensor components are mounted.
US09226647B2
An endoscopic apparatus includes an ultrasonic vibrator, a diffraction grating, an electrical energy generator, a detector, a determination unit, a controller. The diffraction grating converts the ultrasonic vibration into a surface acoustic wave propagating on a surface of the transparent member. The detector detects reflected electrical energy reflected from the energy supply system. The determination unit determines whether the electrical energy suitable to drive the ultrasonic vibrator has been supplied to the ultrasonic vibrator based on the reflected electrical energy detected by the detector. The controller controls the electrical energy output from the signal generator based on a determination result of the determination unit.
US09226645B2
A system and method provide normalized fluorescence epi-illumination images and normalized fluorescence transillumination images. The normalization can be used to improve two-dimensional (planar) fluorescence epi-illumination images and two-dimensional (planar) fluorescence transillumination images. The system and method can also provide normalized bioluminescence epi-illumination images and normalized bioluminescence transillumination images. In some arrangements, the system and method can provide imaging of small animals, intro-operative imaging, endoscopic imaging, and/or imaging of hollow organs.
US09226642B1
A dump and fill low temperature chemical sanitizing warewasher includes a wash and rinse tank and a temperature sensor associated with the tank and configured to sense a water temperature within the tank. A controller is connected to the temperature sensor to receive the water temperature sensor. The controller is configured to initiate a low temperature drain and refill cycle prior to starting a wash cycle, if the controller determines that the water temperature is below a set point.
US09226638B2
A mop is disclosed. The mop comprises a mop head (1), a mop shank (2) and a joint (3) connecting the mop head (1) and the mop shank (2), wherein the mop head (1) comprises a cleaning face which is disposed to enable at least one part of the cleaning face to be dynamically switched relative to the other parts thereof, for forming a coplanar state or a non-coplanar state with the other parts.
US09226634B2
A floor surface maintenance vehicle, and methods of using a floor surface maintenance vehicle, the vehicle including a frame, a plurality of wheels, a cleaning component extending from an underside of the frame, a steering wheel having a central aperture and rotatable about a central axis, and a steering wheel hub located within the central aperture of the steering wheel and having a panel, wherein the panel is stationary relative to the central axis. Buttons are provided on the panel, including a first button that is C-shaped and extends around a portion of a periphery of the panel. The C-shaped button may be used to control frequently used functions such as cleaning functions or operation of a horn, for example.
US09226633B2
A vacuum cleaner is provided with a handle assembly drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head and a main power control and a brush control controllingly coupled to the brush motor is provided on the handle assembly. An surface cleaning apparatus is also provided that includes an air flow path extending from the cleaning head air outlet to the air treatment member air inlet and comprising a flexible electrified air flow conduit and a handle assembly drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head with a light source disposed on the handle assembly.
US09226625B1
A porous bag with a bag aperture connected to a bag cavity with a draw string located in a channel surrounding the bag aperture for cinching the bag closed. The system includes a first sponge that is arc shaped with a first sponge concave surface and a second sponge that is arc shaped with a second sponge concave surface. A first sponge bottom side is pivotally located on a second sponge bottom side. A bag bottom side is pivotally located on the first sponge bottom side and the second sponge bottom side. The porous bag is located between the first sponge concave surface and the second sponge concave surface.
US09226624B2
A system and method for automated dispensing of a fluid. The system and method includes accounting for ambient light proximate a dispensing location and generating a reference voltage in response to the ambient light. A second voltage is generating in response to a reflected signal from the location. Dispensing occurs if the difference between the reference voltage and the second voltage is greater than a predetermined amount.
US09226618B2
An apparatus for a kitchen appliance for handling items to be processed includes a static housing part having an upper axial face, and a rotating ring element having a lower axial face which rests on the upper axial face of a static housing part in the presence of an annular gap there between. The upper axial face and/or the lower axial face and/or the rotating ring element is hereby constructed such as to effect a radial conveying of items being processed in the annular gap.
US09226612B2
In the coffee machine (1) exhibiting a selective loading device of a coffee capsule into an infusor, the loading device comprises at least an advancement line (L) exhibiting at least a motorized conveyor screw (11) for step movement of at least a stack (6) of capsules (7, 9) along a support and guide channel (14) of the advancement of the stack (6) of capsules (7, 9) towards a release section (8), and manual command means for enabling the advancing by a step of said at least a stack of capsules (7, 9), the channel (14) exhibiting, at an upper side thereof, windows (16) having a complementary shape to the capsules (7, 9) for introduction thereof with a compulsory orientation suitable for correct use with the conveyor screw (11).
US09226607B1
A dual curtain rod comprises a telescoping traverse rod having a strap and hook member affixed to each end. The strap will fit over and around existing curtain rod brackets and be secured by the hook so as to enable the hanging of an additional set of curtains.
US09226605B1
A pillow for use by a person comprises a pillow body that has a front side, a rear side, and at least two opposing sides that together define an interior volume therewithin. A conduit traverses the interior volume between the two opposing sides and is adapted for receiving the person's arm therethrough. A cushy filler or foam material is disposed within the pillow body to substantially fill the internal volume thereof. A pillowcase includes a first open side through which the pillow body is inserted into a pillowcase interior space. A side of the pillowcase includes a pillowcase conduit extending away therefrom and that is aligned with the conduit of the pillow body when the pillow body is inserted into the pillowcase. An aperture traverses a side opposite the pillowcase conduit to which an end of the pillowcase conduit is fixed with a zipper or other fastener.
US09226602B2
A golf ball marker display device. At least one display face includes a plurality of reclined cavities that are cut into the display face. Each of the reclined cavities includes a finger access area. Each reclined cavity holds a plurality of golf ball markers in a fashion such that as the front most golf ball marker is removed the remaining golf ball markers remain stacked in an orderly presentation. A golf ball marker is removed by fingers reaching into the finger access area, grabbing the golf ball marker and then removing the golf ball marker from the reclined cavity. In a preferred embodiment there are four display faces arranged in the general shape of a pyramid to form a pyramid display face. The pyramid display face is preferably rigidly connected to a rotating base.
US09226586B1
A massaging system features an ottoman base, a first cushion, a second cushion, and a third cushion adapted to at least partially surround an appendage of a user. A first cushion first side is located adjacent to a base first side and features a first cushion component, a first heating element, and a first massaging component located inside. A second cushion second side is located adjacent to a base second side and features a second cushion component, a second heating element, and a second massaging component located inside. The third cushion is located between a first cushion second side and a second cushion first side and features a third cushion component, a third heating element, and a third massaging component located inside. The first cushion, the second cushion, and the third cushion are designed to enclose an appendage of a user on three sides.
US09226582B2
An apparatus for sitting, including: a keystone assembly which connects various parts of the apparatus; a back that provides support for at least a person's back or shoulders; a floating lumbar support, which provides support for a person's lower back, attached to the keystone assembly; a seat that can adjust between a forward tilted and reclined position; a plurality of rollers, disposed on the keystone assembly, on which the seat rests; a central column, attached to the keystone assembly, on which the seat can spin; and a lower torsion spring connected to the seat and disposed on the keystone assembly allowing controlled movement of the seat.
US09226578B2
A table assembly comprising a table including a top member and at least a first leg support member, the top member forming a substantially flat top surface and circumscribed by an outer edge, the at least one leg support member supporting the top member in a substantially horizontal position, a table dock secured to the top member and forming an elongated channel having a dock length dimension and at least a first display panel circumscribed by a panel edge and having at least one straight edge having a panel length dimension, the dock length dimension less than panel length dimension, wherein at least a portion of the straight edge of the panel is receivable within the dock channel with the panel extending out the open first and second ends of the channel to support the panel in a substantially upright orientation with at least a portion of the display panel extending to a height above the flat top surface.
US09226573B2
A system for assembling furniture includes a bracket coupled to a first item and a frame coupled to a second item of furniture. The bracket is configured to removably interengage with the frame. The bracket includes a pair of co-planar extensions, a pair of supports, and an elongated resilient bent middle section having a length dimension that is longer than a length dimension of each of the extensions such that end tab portions of the bent middle section extend beyond the supports. The frame includes a pair of rails, each rail having a recess and a flange. The recess receives respective ones of the end tab portions. The flange receives respective ones of the end tab portions responsive to the middle section being urged from the recess into the flange to cause the bent middle section to deform into an interference fit engagement with the flange.
US09226572B2
A folding table has a plank, a substantially vertical support member, and a first leg having a first leg first section and a first leg second section. The first leg first section slides relative to the first leg second section when the table is folded between a deployed position and a stowed position. The first leg has an adjustable length. The first leg has a first leg upper joint allowing the first leg to fold between a first leg deployed position and a vertical stowed position. A second leg has a second leg first section and a second leg second section. The second leg first section is jointed to the second leg second section. The second leg has a second leg upper joint connected to the plank or the plank frame.
US09226557B2
A bag system with a small bag insert includes a large bag and a small bag. The large bag has a cavity with an inner wall. The small bag is sized to fit inside the large bag. The small bag is removably attached approximate to a top half of the inner wall of the large bag via an attachment system.
US09226554B2
A circular cut diamond (10) comprising a girdle (20), a crown (30), and a pavilion (40). The crown (30) comprises a circumferential succession of eight main crown facets which extend upward from an upper edge (23) of the girdle at a crown angle which is greater than 19° and less than 25°. The pavilion (40) comprises a circumferential succession of eight main pavilion facets which extend downward from a lower edge (24) of the girdle at a pavilion angle which is greater than 41° and less than 43°. The circular cut diamond (10) can compete with the brilliance of an ideal cut diamond without a significant compromise in carat weight.
US09226551B2
A securing device that requires wearer assistance for removal has a clasp that is unlocked by simultaneously disengaging movable ratchet teeth and sliding one half of the clasp past the other half. The clasp has a first portion and a second portion, each portion including a male connector having fixed ratchet teeth and a female connector having movable ratchet teeth. When the securing clasp is locked together by connecting the male connector of the first portion with the female connector of the second portion, and vice versa, it provides for the securement of an adjoining wristband. The securing device can be unlocked by anyone using a two-hand grip but not by a wearer of the device on their wrist, because the wearer only has the use of one hand to unlock the securing device.
US09226549B2
A tag hanger is provided and may include a first portion having a first attachment feature and a first locking element movable from an unlocked state to a locked state. The tag hanger may additionally include a second portion having a second attachment feature rotatably attached to the first attachment feature and a second locking element movable from an unlocked state to a locked state. The second portion may cooperate with the first portion to define an aperture that attaches the first portion and the second portion to an external structure when the first and second locking elements are in the locked state.
US09226544B2
A vapor-permeable shoe with waterproof and vapor-permeable sole, including: an upper assembly; a sole joined to the upper assembly and including a body made of waterproof material including a tread and at least one region permeable to water vapor; a waterproof and vapor-permeable membrane, which covers the region, toward an inside of the shoe; a protective element, which covers at least partially the lower face of the membrane; and at least one waterproof and vapor-permeable protective screen superimposed, toward the inside of the shoe, on the membrane to cover it at least partially, the protective screen and the membrane being sealed in a waterproof manner to the body of the sole at at least one sealing zone peripheral to the region.
US09226534B2
An upper-body stabilization garment includes a front portion to contact a front upper-body region of a subject, and a rear portion to contact a rear upper-body region of the subject. A plurality of elastomeric strips form an X-pattern on the front and or rear of the garment. The strips forming the X-pattern have at least one end attached to a side seam of the garment.
US09226532B2
A protective crawling garment that protects the front side of a baby and the baby's clothes. The garment comprises an article of clothing that is worn over the front of the baby's body over the clothes. The upper part of the article may be removed and may be used separately when desired. The lower part of the article includes cushioning leg pads that provide protection for the baby's skin and knees from the friction produced when crawling.
US09226530B1
A breast support garment. The garment comprises right and left fabric panels for overlying the woman's right and left breasts, with a relatively flat configuration when the garment is not worn. A first variable-length material strip extends from the right panel beginning at a region between the breasts, continuing along a lower region of the right breast and terminating along a side-facing surface of the right breast. A second variable-length material strip extends as the first material strip but relative to the left breast. A portion of the first material strip comprises an elastic material and they expand when the garment is worn to allow the wearer's breasts to be received within cups formed in the right and left panels. The garment provides lifting and upwardly-directed forces on the right and left breasts as the first and second material strips attempt to return to their relaxed state.
US09226516B2
A pet chew includes an outer layer; and an inner layer, the outer and inner layers being laminated and rolled into a cylindrical shape having knots at both ends, the outer layer including at least one of potato and sweet potato.
US09226512B2
A poultry processing apparatus for removing legs from a saddle obtained from a poultry carcass. A suspension conveyor moves the saddle suspended by the legs. A surface conveyor for engages with and conveys the back portion of the saddle. One or more upper guide rails substantially following at least a part of the surface conveyor's outer circumference away from the suspension conveyor, therewith defining a gap between the surface conveyor and the upper guide rail or rails equipped to receive the saddles back portion. Adjacent to the surface conveyor a support guide or guides provide support to the back portion of the saddle while it is being conveyed by the surface conveyor.
US09226511B2
A device for separating an intestine subjected to a pulling force from a structure such as a fatty structure connected to the intestine by cutting includes a guide for guiding at least the intestine; and a cutting member connected to the guide for severing the structure in the vicinity of the intestine. The cutting member is adapted to sever the structure as closely as possible to the intestine. Further, a method includes fixing the structure, exerting a pulling force on the intestine, guiding the intestine and severing the structure in the vicinity of the intestine, wherein the combination of the structure and the intestine is guided prior to the cutting.
US09226509B2
The present invention relates to the use of R—OH alcohols as phagodeterrents, and to a method for treating plants infested with aphids which comprises the administration of these R—OH alcohols.
US09226504B2
Fungicidal compositions comprising a paraffinic oil and 2-chloro-N-(4′-chloro[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-yl)-3-pyridinecarboxamide (boscalid) are provided. The fungicidal compositions may further comprise a pigment. The fungicidal compositions may be provided as oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions which may be used for controlling fungal disease, such as dollar spot or bentgrass dead spot or bermudagrass dead spot, in plants, such as turfgrasses. Methods of applying the fungicidal compositions are also provided.
US09226501B2
This document discloses molecules having the following formula (“Formula One”): and processes associated therewith.
US09226496B2
Disclosed is a biomimetic adhesive belonging to prevention and treatment of plant pest. The components and ratio of raw materials thereof are as follows: 25-50% of soft acrylic monomer, 1-5% of acrylic monomer, 0.1-0.3% of nonionic emulsifier, 0.1-0.8% of anionic emulsifier, 0.2-0.6% of catalyst, 0.1-0.3% of antiseptic, 0.02-0.05% of defoamer, and deionized water as remainder. Fluorescent substances or insect pheromones can also be added to said biomimetic adhesive. The biomimetic adhesive of the present invention has good effect of insect sticking without environmental impact, has long time effect, is safe, non-toxic and non-polluting, and can be sprayed directly onto the surface of plant branch and leaves using an ordinary sprayer due to its low viscosity at room temperature. It also has no adverse effects on photosynthesis and normal growth of plants. The preparation method of the biomimetic adhesive is also disclosed.
US09226493B2
A system for deterring animals and humans from entering protected sprinkler zones. Motion sensors are placed in an area to be protected. Upon detection of a trespasser (e.g., animals or humans) within the protected area, the sensors produce a signal for activating sprinklers in the zone and/or other appropriate zones. The sensor output can be electrically connected to a step down transformer, which is connected to an appropriate sprinkler valve or to the sprinkler valve output at, for example, the sprinkler control box. The sprinkler valve can be activated and an appropriate sprinkler zone turned on to spray the trespasser with water. New or existing sprinkler systems can be utilized for varmint and/or intruder deterrent without utilizing complex electronics.
US09226483B2
An aquarium with wireless power transmission devices, comprising a tank body; a pump which is a wireless power transmission device driven by electrical power, and including an inlet and an outlet; a receiver; and a transmitter including a power source, a resonance transmission driving circuit and a transmitting circuit; wherein the resonance transmission driving circuit converts an electrical power supplied by the power source into an resonating energy; the receiver is disposed within the aquarium and electrically interconnected to the pump, the receiver collects the resonating energy, and the receiver further transfers the resonating energy to the pump; and the fluid worked by the pump enters the pump from the inlet and discharged from the outlet of the pump.
US09226482B2
This specification discloses an article for providing fresh water to fowl and a method for making the same. The article comprises a valve which is adapted to be attached to a bottle. The valve is adapted to be attached to a bottle by way of a female connection adapter. This specification also discloses a valve comprising a valve body and an actuating mechanism comprising an actuating pin, a receiver pin and a ball. The receiver pin has a thermal conductivity selected from the group of between greater than 50 Btu/(hr-° F.-ft) at 68° F., greater than 100 Btu/(hr-° F.-ft) at 68° F. and greater than 150 Btu/(hr-° F.-ft) at 68° F. The receiver pin also has a length dimension configured so that greater than about 25%, greater than about 35%, greater than about 50%, greater than about 75% or greater than about 90% of the receiver pin length extends beyond the receiver first end when the valve is closed.
US09226481B1
A method and system for the remote determination of an animal weight, and other animal variables, using a piezoelectric sensor.
US09226474B2
A pressure activated recharging cooling platform for cooling an object is provided. The cooling platform comprises a temperature regulation layer, a support layer, and a channeled covering layer. The temperature regulation layer is adapted to hold a composition. The temperature regulation layer has a plurality of angled segments, wherein angled segments within a sealed perimeter of the temperature regulation layer are formed by a top side and a bottom side at a predefined distance, and channels, wherein the channels substantially form sides by contacting the top side with the bottom side at a distance lesser than the predefined distance. The support layer is substantially bonded to the bottom side of the temperature regulation layer and is comprised of material sufficiently pliable to deform and sufficiently rigid to withstand collapse in response to the weight of the object. The channeled covering layer encompasses the support and temperature regulation layers.
US09226465B1
A novel maize variety designated PH1TDD and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1TDD with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1TDD 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 PH1TDD or a locus conversion of PH1TDD with another maize variety.
US09226462B1
A novel maize variety designated PH25HR and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH25HR with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH25HR 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 PH25HR or a locus conversion of PH25HR with another maize variety.
US09226461B1
A novel maize variety designated PH1V92 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1V92 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1V92 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 PH1V92 or a locus conversion of PH1V92 with another maize variety.
US09226457B2
A plant wall and module for growing plants is disclosed in which the plant wall and module provide for the controlled delivery of water and nutrients to plants located on the plant wall and module. The plant wall may include a matrix of modules, each module filled with an inert growing medium. The inert growing medium preferably includes openings in which plants are secured and from which plants can grow from the growing medium. An irrigation system delivers water and nutrients to each module and may be removed and replaced from the plant wall without removal of the irrigation system. In addition, a drainage channel, such as a rear drainage channel, is formed so that excess water may exit from the modules. Capillary breaks may also be provided within the growing medium of each module to aid in the distribution of water and nutrients throughout the growing medium.
US09226451B2
Rectangular baler comprising a bale chamber adapted to contain one or more bales; a compacting plunger for advancing crop material in a discharge direction towards a discharge opening of the bale chamber; wherein at least one friction block is fixed on an inner side of a wall of the bale chamber; the or each friction block comprising a wedge shaped part having an inclined surface extending from the inner side of the wall in the discharge direction.
US09226448B2
A self-propelled lawn mower including at least one cutting blade and at least first and second rear drive wheels. Hydro pumps are provided for controlling the drive wheels. Optionally, a grass collection system may be mounted on the mower, with much of the system being located laterally rearward of the rear drive wheels so that the center of gravity of the mower is shifted rearwardly. In order to compensate for such a center of gravity shift, the respective positions of the rear drive wheels are adjustable. In certain example embodiments of this invention, the lateral position of the rear drive wheels may be selectively adjusted as desired by the operator (e.g., to move the center of gravity of the mower forward relative to the rear drive wheels in order to compensate for the added rear-heavy weight of the grass collection system).
US09226443B2
An agricultural access system is described. The system may utilize a plurality of supports, including posts, cables, beams, and so forth to displace an access component. Control systems, sensors, delivery mechanisms, and other functions may be integrated with the system or access components. Some embodiments may include multiple cells with access components configured to interact with adjacent access components. Methods of accessing an agricultural area are also disclosed.
US09226438B2
A front loader arrangement (12) includes a mounting frame (16) and a mounting mast (18), wherein the mounting mast (18) can be quickly coupled to, and decoupled from, the mounting frame (16), and wherein a locking device for locking the mast to the frame is provided and includes a pivoting locking bar (54) pivotable between locking and unlocking positions. Simple coupling and decoupling is enabled by a supporting hinge (62) that is pivotally mounted to the locking bar (54) and is configured in such a manner that a pivoting movement of the pivoting locking bar (54) into the locking position is blocked by the supporting hinge upon a relative movement between the mounting mast (18) and the mounting frame (16) for decoupling purposes and is released by the supporting hinge upon a relative movement between the mounting mast (18) and the mounting frame (16) for coupling purposes.
US09232680B2
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a main frame, an opening portion formed in the main frame, a recess portion formed along a frame of the opening portion lower than a surface of the main frame, and a plate having frames seated on the recess portion, wherein at least one of the frames of the plate is formed of a curved portion that is curved inwardly. Accordingly, it is possible to absorb an external impact and prevent deformation just by a simple structure change of the plate.
US09232669B2
A data center rack door having a curved permeable member is disposed vertically along a front-face of a data center rack. The curved permeable member provides an increase in surface area that provides for additional openings, increasing airflow through the data center rack. The curved permeable member also provides an increase in volume of space in the data center rack.
US09232658B2
This publication discloses a method for manufacturing an electronic module, in which manufacture commences from an insulating-material sheet (1). At least one recess (2) is made in the sheet (1) and extends through the insulating-material layer (1) as far as the conductive layer on the opposite surface (1a). A component (6) is set in the recess, with its contact surface towards the conductive layer and the component (6) is attached to the conductive layer. After this, a conductive pattern (14) is formed from the conductive pattern closing the recess, which is electrically connected from at least some of the contact areas or contact protrusions of the component (6) set in the recess.
US09232653B2
Provided is a multilayer wiring board, wherein impedance matching can be achieved in a via connection section by means of a configuration, which has a simple structure, and which can be easily processed. In the multilayer wiring board including a ground layer (401) of a layer (1), and a signal line (102) of a layer (2), an elliptical through hole is formed in the ground layer (401), said through hole being at a position facing a part of the signal line (102). The elliptical through hole overlaps the signal line (102) by a length of lambda/36-lambda/2 in the long axis direction, Impedance of the signal line (102) can be adjusted by adjusting the size of the through hole.
US09232647B2
A printed circuit board multilayer construction comprising a layer stack composed of plurality of electrically insulating and/or conductive layers arranged one above another and a cavity in the interior of the layer stack, which extends laterally only in a partial region of the areal extent of the layer stack, is exposed to a pressure surrounding the printed circuit board multilayer construction through an opening provided in the layer stack and is sealed relative to ingress of liquid. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method suitable for producing a printed circuit board multilayer construction of this type.
US09232630B1
A printed circuit board comprising: a plurality of dielectric core layers comprising at least a top dielectric core layer and a bottom dielectric core layer; a thermally-conductive coin embedded in at least one of the dielectric core layers; and a high frequency material inlaid in at least one of the dielectric core layers.
US09232624B2
Techniques for generating EUV light include directing a first pulse of radiation toward a target material droplet to form a modified droplet, the first pulse of radiation having an energy sufficient to alter a shape of the target material droplet; directing a second pulse of radiation toward the modified droplet to form an absorption material, the second pulse of radiation having an energy sufficient to change a property of the modified droplet, the property being related to absorption of radiation; and directing an amplified light beam toward the absorption material, the amplified light beam having an energy sufficient to convert at least a portion of the absorption material into extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light.
US09232620B2
An AEC unit of an electronic cassette sets a dose target value and a short-circuited pixel used for AEC based on a radiographing condition. When a control unit of the electronic cassette detects start of irradiation of X rays, the AEC unit starts integration of a cumulative dose of X rays which are incident to a target region based on a dose detection signal output by the short-circuited pixel. The AEC unit predicts a stop timing at the time point t1, waits until the time point t2 which is a predetermined time earlier than a scheduled stop time, and sends a stop timing notification to an X-ray generation device at the time point t2. When the stop timing notification is received, a X-ray source control device immediately inputs an irradiation stop command so as to stop an operation of an X-ray source.
US09232619B2
A fluorescent electronic ballast including: a rectifier circuit, for receiving an AC power supply and converting the AC power supply into a DC power supply; an inverter circuit, coupled to a fluorescent driver circuit, for converting the DC power supply into a high-frequency AC power supply for driving a fluorescent; and a detection protection circuit, coupled to the rectifier circuit and the inverter circuit, for detecting the DC power supply provided by the rectifier circuit, and cutting off the electric connection between a control chip of the inverter circuit and all of power supply when the voltage of the direct current power supply is lower than a predetermined value, wherein the power supply at least includes the direct current power supply provided by the rectifier circuit.
US09232618B2
Methods and systems for producing a change in a medium. A first method and system (1) place in a vicinity of the medium at least one upconverter including a gas for plasma ignition, with the upconverter being configured, upon exposure to initiation energy, to generate light for emission into the medium, and (2) apply the initiation energy from an energy source including the first wavelength λ1 to the medium, wherein the emitted light directly or indirectly produces the change in the medium. A second method and system (1) place in a vicinity of the medium an agent receptive to microwave radiation or radiofrequency radiation, and (2) apply as an initiation energy the microwave radiation or radiofrequency radiation by which the agent directly or indirectly generates emitted light in the infrared, visible, or ultraviolet range to produce at least one of physical and biological changes in the medium.
US09232617B2
Discharge lamp electronic ballast includes DC-DC converter circuit for converting voltage of DC power supply to output DC power, inverter circuit for converting DC power into AC power to supply it to discharge lamp, output feedback control circuit for controlling DC-DC converter circuit, and inverter driving signal generator circuit for controlling inverter circuit. Ballast includes microcomputer having voltage detecting function for detecting voltage value of DC power supply, and ballast temperature detector circuit for detecting temperature of ballast. Microcomputer sets first time based on voltage value of DC power supply and detection result of ballast temperature detector circuit, and reduces power supplied to the discharge lamp if first time elapses from time point when lamp is started, thereby supplying lamp with power for stable operation.
US09232615B2
An LED illumination device is configured to receive coded messages by at least one of radio signals in free space, electrically conducted signals by wire, and light wave propagated signals in free space, process the coded messages, and transmit the coded messages by two or more of radio signals in free space, electrically conducted signals by wire, and light wave propagated signals in free space.
US09232613B2
There is provided a light-emitting device including a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with another device, a light-emitting unit that emits light, and a control unit that performs control by switching between a mode in which the light emission of the light-emitting unit is controlled in accordance with a timing at which a signal is received by the wireless communication unit and a mode in which the light emission of the light-emitting unit is controlled in accordance with an internal timer based on a light emission timing included in a signal received from the other device by the wireless communication unit.
US09232600B2
A light-emitting module and a driving method thereof are disclosed. In this method, P light-emitting units are selected as a target group, wherein each of the P light-emitting units has N different power parameters corresponding to N sub-bands. P evaluated current values corresponding to the P light-emitting units are computed according to a target spectrum and the N×P power parameters corresponding to the P light-emitting unit in the target group. An emission-spectrum error is computed according to the target spectrum, the N×P power parameters, and the P evaluated current values. It is determined whether the emission-spectrum error conforms with the determining criteria. When the emission-spectrum error conforms with determining criteria, the P evaluated current values are set to be P driving current values corresponding to the P light-emitting units.
US09232592B2
An addressable illuminator is disclosed consisting of multiple optical sources used in combination with an electrical circuit so that different combinations of the optical sources can be energized without exceeding eye-safety limits. Operation of multiple optical sources may be proximate, which is eye-safe, regardless of the number of or which ones of the optical sources are energized and regardless of the position of observers. An illuminator with multiple optical sources remains eye-safe when there are single-point electrical failures, such as short circuits, in the driving circuit. Monitoring or a feedback loop for the output power is not required or necessary to control the distance of an observer in order to be eye-safe.
US09232588B2
Disclosed are LED backlight subassemblies and LCD displays making use thereof. The backlight subassembly includes at least one string of serially connected LEDs in which single LED failures do not lead to a partial or complete loss of image content.
US09232581B2
An LED controller reduces jitter of an LED lamp. In one embodiment, the LED controller includes a jitter detection circuit adapted to determine an amount of jitter in an input voltage signal. The input voltage signal includes a plurality of cycles and indicates an amount of dimming for the LED lamp. The LED controller further includes a jitter compensation circuit, which generates a control signal to control regulated in the LED lamp such that an output light intensity of the LED lamp substantially corresponds to the amount of dimming for the LED lamp. The control signal controls current delivery to the LED lamp to compensate for the determined amount of jitter in the input voltage signal.
US09232580B2
Disclosed herein is a voltage control circuit for a dimmer and a dimming method. In accordance with an embodiment, the dimming method using a voltage control circuit for a dimmer includes the steps of determining whether a current voltage value input to a constant dimming range maintainer is equal to a preset minimum or maximum voltage value or exists between the minimum and maximum voltage values, and determining whether the current voltage value is greater than the maximum voltage value when the current voltage value isn't equal to the minimum or maximum voltage value or doesn't exist between the minimum and maximum voltage values. The method further includes the steps of updating the minimum voltage value to the current voltage value when the current voltage value isn't greater than the maximum voltage value, and updating the maximum voltage value to the current voltage value when the current voltage value is greater than the maximum voltage value.
US09232576B2
An anti-flicker circuit for an LED direct driver under low input voltage operation, the LED direct driver at least having a current source, and the anti-flicker circuit comprises a first path having a first resistor, a second path having a second resistor, a filter capacitor and a comparator having a reference voltage. The filter capacitor is connected to the first path, the second path and the current source of the LED direct driver, and discharges current via the first path. The comparator charges the filter capacitor to the current source via the second path when a voltage of the current source is below the reference voltage, wherein the RC time constant of the first path and the filter capacitor in combination with the second path and the filter capacitor is slower than a period of the flicker. As long as the RC time constant is long enough, then the changes in light output will occur slowly enough so that the deleterious effects for the flicker are eliminated.
US09232573B2
In a first aspect of the present inventive subject matter, a lighting device includes a substrate, a light-emitting element electrically mounted on the substrate, a frame member including a white-colored resin and surrounding the light-emitting element, and a light-transmitting resin in which the light-emitting element and the frame member are embedded. Also, it is suggested that the frame member further includes a light-shielding member entirely sealed by the white-colored resin.
US09232569B2
Apparatus for providing pulsed or continuous energy in a process chamber are provided herein. The apparatus may include a lamphead including a set of lamps, wherein the first set of lamps are not solid state light sources, and a set of solid state light sources disposed on the lamp head, to provide pulsed or continuous energy to the process chamber.
US09232566B2
Techniques are disclosed for reducing interference, in a network device, among multiple radio circuits operating in a same or similar frequency band and in close physical proximity. In some embodiments, a network device includes a first and a second wireless network circuit. The network circuits operate in a same radio frequency band and are collocated. The second network circuit is assigned a higher priority than the first network circuit. The device further includes a coexistence controller coupled to the network circuits via a communication bus and configured to selectively suppress transmitting operations of the first network circuit during receiving operations of the second network circuit. Among other benefits, the embodiments can increase wireless network bandwidth and reduce mobile device power consumption by providing coordination among the radio circuits so that the transmitting and receiving operations are performed in a way that they do not interfere with their respective antennas.
US09232562B2
A wireless device supporting concurrent communication with multiple wireless systems of different radio access technologies (RATs) are disclosed. In an exemplary design, an apparatus includes first and second receivers supporting concurrent signal reception from wireless systems of different RATs. The first receiver receives a first downlink signal from a first wireless system of a first RAT. The second receiver receives a second downlink signal from a second wireless system of a second RAT, which is different from the first RAT. The first and second receivers may operate concurrently. The second receiver may be broadband and/or may support carrier aggregation. The apparatus may further include first and second local oscillator (LO) generators to generate LO signals for the first and second receivers, respectively, based on different divider ratios in order to mitigate voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) pulling.
US09232560B2
A method, system and non-transitory computer storage readable medium comprise operating a Wide Area Network (WAN) device according to a first Internet protocol (IP) translation mode of operation, changing an initial connectivity status between the WAN device and a WAN and transitioning from the first IP translation mode of operation to a second IP translation mode of operation that is different from the first IP translation mode of operation based on the change in the initial connectivity status.
US09232555B2
Operating a UE device having a single radio configured to communicate using a first and second RAT. The UE may begin operating in a connected discontinuous reception (CDRX) mode of the first RAT, where the CDRX mode comprises an on duration timer and an inactivity timer. The method may determine that the single radio of the UE is being used for a second RAT during the CDRX mode. The UE may operate at least one of a CDRX on duration timer or an inactivity timer of the first RAT while the single radio of the UE is being used for the second RAT. While the single radio of the UE is being used for the second RAT, the at least one of the CDRX on duration timer or the inactivity timer may operate even though no communication or monitoring is performed on the first RAT.
US09232536B2
Data is accessed from a network via a wireless communication link. A determination is made as to whether payload data has been received from a subscriber's terminal. If so, then a request is sent for a first set of traffic channels, and the payload data is transmitted over the first set of traffic channels.
US09232532B2
A first wireless access network node determines whether a first wireless equipment is potentially an interferer of wireless communication of a second wireless equipment in a domain of a second wireless access network node, where the first wireless equipment is in a domain of the first wireless access node. In response to determining that the first wireless equipment is potentially the interferer of the wireless communication of the second wireless equipment, configuration information is sent to the second wireless access network node to allow the second wireless access network node or the second wireless equipment to detect an interference from the first wireless equipment and to initiate performance of an interference mitigation procedure with respect to the interference from the first wireless equipment.
US09232531B2
Techniques for prioritizing user equipments (UEs) for switching between wireless systems are disclosed. The wireless systems may be part of a small cell and may include a WLAN system and a cellular system. In one design, a network entity (e.g., the small cell) may identify a plurality of UEs communicating with a first wireless system. The first wireless system may be one of a plurality of wireless systems providing communication coverage for the UEs. The network entity may determine priorities of the UEs for switching from the first wireless system to a second wireless system. The network entity may then select at least one UE among the plurality of UEs to switch from the first wireless system to the second wireless system based on the priorities of the UEs.
US09232522B2
A method for enabling full duplex direct mode calls between radios in an N:1 slotting ratio TDMA radio system includes detecting a request for a full duplex direct mode call at a first radio, transmitting in a particular slot of a first recurring time slot of N recurring time slots on a first single frequency one of a call request and a call header identifying the call as a full duplex call. Subsequently transmitting, by the first radio, during a plurality of subsequent first recurring time slots, outbound voice and/or data transmissions. And receiving, during a plurality of second recurring time slots of the N recurring time slots, each second recurring timeslot positioned immediately adjacent a respective first recurring time slot in an interleaved manner, inbound voice and/or data transmissions from the second radio and playing back the inbound voice and/or data transmission at the first radio.
US09232519B2
A method for transmitting, by a base station, signals in a communication system. Control information for a subsidiary carrier band is transmitted to a mobile station via a primary carrier band. Data is transmitted to the mobile station via the subsidiary carrier band based on the control information and via the primary carrier band. Furthermore, the primary carrier band is a carrier frequency band which the mobile station initially attempts to access or via which information of a carrier aggregation configuration is transmitted. Additionally, the control information includes a logical index assigned to the subsidiary carrier band for the mobile station and a physical index of a frequency allocation band used as the subsidiary carrier band. The physical index corresponds to one of plural absolute frequency band indexes assigned to frequency allocation bands available in the communication system.
US09232505B2
A method of generating a packet of a physical layer transmitter of a TV white space (TVWS) wireless personal area network (WPAN) system operating a WPAN service in TVWS is provided. A packet that is generated by the method of generating the packet includes a preamble, a start frame delimiter that is positioned after the preamble, a first physical layer header that is positioned after the start frame delimiter, and a physical layer service data unit that is positioned after the first physical layer header. Here, the first physical layer header represents whether the packet is a ranging packet for ranging, and includes a ranging packet identification bit corresponding to a reserved bit of the second physical layer header in a SUN system and a LECIM system, and a parity bit.
US09232500B2
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed that includes a resource module configured to allocate a first resource and a second resource that are at least partially synchronized in at least one of a time domain and a frequency domain in such a way that the first resource and the second resource share at least one of an overlapping frequency band and a same time slot. The apparatus also includes a transceiver configured to transmit a first signal on the first resource and receive a second signal on the second resource, wherein at least one of the first signal and the second signal is at least partially orthogonalized with respect to a third signal that is transmitted on one of the first resource and the second resource from a neighbor network device.
US09232498B2
Techniques for managing traffic delivery to a group of devices are described. In some embodiments, a method for communicating in a wireless network may comprise receiving, at a base station, information intended for a group of devices identified by a device group identifier (DGID), mapping, at the base station, the DGID to a common identifier known by each device in the group of devices, and multicasting the information from the base station to the group of devices over one or more channels of the wireless network using the common identifier. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09232488B2
In some implementations, a method includes compensating for timing misalignment of subframes associated with at least one of first user equipment (UE) or a second UE. The first UE and the second UE are in an inter-device session (IDS) for direct UE-to-UE communication, and timing for the first UE and a timing for the second UE is derived from an eNode B (eNB).
US09232484B2
Methods and apparatus of controlling user equipment transmit power in a wireless communication system include communicating with a first base station and a second base station. Further, the methods and apparatus include establishing a high speed channel with one of the first base station or the second base station, wherein the one of the first base station or the second base station defines a high speed serving cell and a remaining one of the first base station or the second base station defines a non-high speed cell. Additionally, the methods and apparatus include ignoring a transmit power control command from the non-high speed cell when a high speed power control state applies to controlling a transmit power level.
US09232482B2
Systems, devices, and methods for managing multiple radio access bearer communications are provided. In one aspect, a device configured to communicate a voice and data communication via a wireless communication link is provided. The device includes a receiver configured to receive information selection criteria associated with a power limited condition. The device further includes a processor configured to detect the power limited condition. The processor is further configured to select information for transmission on a data channel, independent of the received information selection criteria.
US09232475B2
An enhanced, ultra low power passive wake-up radio-based sensor includes a passive wake-up radio-based sensor node having an energy harvester and low power wake-up circuit to improve the wake-up range for passive wake-up radio sensor nodes without the need for local power. The wake-up sensor may additionally include a transmitter for providing a wake-up signal to nodes that are outside the wake-up range of a base.
US09232472B2
Multiple virtual MAC addresses may be added to WGA devices that may have different traffic streams to another device that requires different services, thus creating distinct MAC and device level implications. Beamforming training can be done at the device level for all virtual MAC addresses. Wakeup, doze, and ATIM power save can be done at the device level depending on the frames received. Authentication, deauthentication, association, and deassociation can be done variously at both levels. Further MSDUs can be aggregated for the multiple MAC addresses.
US09232471B2
A method and an apparatus for connecting a portable terminal to a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) are provided. The method includes when a WLAN connection event occurs, performing a WLAN connection procedure by keeping a WLAN module in an awake state, and when the WLAN connection is complete, operating the WLAN module according to a Power Save Mechanism (PSM).
US09232468B2
A method (300) of a network node for delivering a plurality of simultaneous sessions to a client via a Radio Access Network (RAN) is provided. The method comprises identifying (301) a streaming session, reshaping (302) the streaming session into a sequence of bursts and silent periods, identifying (303) at least one non-time-critical session, reshaping (304) the at least one non-time-critical session into respective sequences of bursts and silent periods, and transmitting (305) the sequences of bursts and silent periods to the RAN. The reshaping (304) of the non-time-critical sessions is performed such that bursts, or silent periods, or both, of the at least one non-time-critical session are aligned with bursts, silent periods, or both, respectively, of the streaming session. By timely aligning the respective bursts and silent periods with each other, the duration of common silent periods may be increased, thereby utilizing air interface resources more efficiently. In addition, a method of a client for receiving a plurality of simultaneous sessions via a RAN is provided.
US09232462B2
Methods and apparatus for providing cross-cell signaling and/or coordination for interference mitigation in wireless communication networks are described. In one aspect, a UE associated with a serving eNB may receive control signaling from another non-serving eNB in a different cell. The control signaling may be consistent with a characteristic of the serving eNB and associated cell. In another aspect, multiple eNBs may coordinate transmission of DL resources to minimize collisions of control signaling resources.
US09232458B2
In one embodiment, an intermediate device may determine a source route in use from a source to a destination in a reactive routing computer network, and may also determine a request to provide local repair for the source route for duration of a timer set by the source. In response to the request (e.g., and in response to a poor/failed connection), the device may discover a local repair path based on a limited-scope discovery, and maintains the local repair path for the source route until expiration of the timer.
US09232452B2
A method of handling an inter-RAT handover for a mobile device in a wireless communication system includes when, via a handover from a serving network using a first RAT to a target network using a second RAT, the mobile device succeeds in establishing a connection to the target network and has packet switched data for transmission, transmitting a predetermined radio resource control message, indicating existence of a packet switched signaling connection of the mobile device, to the target network.
US09232451B2
A technique for implementing an untethered access point (UAP) mesh involves enabling AP-local switching at one or more UAPs of the mesh. A system constructed according to the technique may include a wireless switch; an access point (AP) wire-coupled to the wireless switch; and a UAP mesh, wirelessly coupled to the AP, including a UAP with an AP-local switching engine embodied in a computer-readable medium. Another system constructed according to the technique may include an untethered access point (UAP), including: a radio; a backhaul service set identifier (SSID) stored in a computer-readable medium; an anchor access point (AAP) selection engine embodied in a computer-readable medium. In operation, the AAP selection engine may use the radio to attempt to associate with the AAP if a beaconed backhaul SSID matches the stored backhaul SSID. A method according to the technique may include beaconing with a backhaul SSID; acting in concert with an upstream switch as an authenticator for a downstream station that responds to the beacon; providing limited local switching functionality for the downstream station.
US09232445B2
The invention relates to a method to manage a CS IRAT (Circuit Switch Inter RAT) handover of a user equipment (UE) from a 2G/3G network to a LTE (Long Term Evolution) network in which: the UE transmits its CS IRAT handover from 2G/3G to LTE capabilities to the BSC/RNC node; the BSC/RNC node selects a routing paths among said different routing paths based on the UE capabilities for CS IRAT handover from 2G/3G to LTE and transmits to a MSC/VLR node (Mobile services Switching Center) of said 2G/3G network a Handover message comprising an information indicative of the selected path corresponding to the selected CS handover technology; and the MSC/VLR node transfers said Handover message to said target eNodeB through a MME (Mobility Management Entity) node or through an IWF node (Interworking Function) depending on the selected CS handover technology.
US09232443B2
A wireless device having a central control entity that coordinates multiple radio transceivers co-located within the same device platform to mitigate coexistence interference. The wireless device comprises an LTE transceiver, a WiFi transceiver, a BT transceiver, or a GNSS receiver. In one embodiment, the central control entity receives radio signal information from the transceivers and determines control information. The control information is used to trigger FDM solution such that the transceivers operate in designated frequency channels to mitigate co-existence interference. In another embodiment, the central control entity receives traffic and scheduling information from the transceivers and determines control information. The control information is used to trigger TDM solution such that the transceivers are scheduled for transmitting or receiving radio signals over specific time duration to mitigate co-existence interference. In yet another embodiment, power control solution is used to mitigate coexistence interference.
US09232435B2
Methods and devices for generating a TFI are described. In some embodiments an extended TFI with more bits than a legacy TFI is provided and the bits of the extended TFI are added in a RLC/MAC data block or in a PAN addressing field.
US09232432B2
A radio base station generates a congestion status flag, based on measured resource usage in its cell, and based on performance of sessions in the cell. The flag may be a one bit, or a small number of bits, indicating whether the base station is congested. The flag can be sent to neighboring radio base stations, for use in determining whether to perform handovers to that radio base station. The flag generated in a radio base station, and the flags generated in neighboring radio base stations, can also be sent to user equipment in a cell.
US09232430B2
A method of controlling the volume of user-plane traffic on the Iub or Iub/Iur interface between a Radio Network Controller and a Node B of a UMTS Radio Access Network during periods of overload. The method comprises, for individual uplink or downlink connections established over the Iub or Iub/Iur interface, monitoring at the Radio Network Controller the late arrival of frames at the Radio Network Controller or at the Node B transmitted over the Iub or Iub/Iur interface, and based on the results of said monitoring, causing a reduction in the Iub or Iub/Iur load for a connection when appropriate.
US09232429B2
Channel data for a plurality of OFDM tones for one or more spatial or space-time streams are determined. A plurality of angle values associated with the one or more spatial or space-time streams and the one or more OFDM tones of the plurality of OFDM tones are determined. For each of the one or more spatial or space time streams, a per-tone signal to noise ratio (PT-SNR) associated with one or more OFDM tone of the plurality of OFDM tones is determined, and an average signal to noise ratio (avg-SNR) is determined by averaging signal to noise ratio (SNR) values corresponding to one or more OFDM tones of the plurality of OFDM tones. A feedback report is generated to include at least i) the plurality of angle values, ii) the PT-SNRs, and iii) the avg-SNR.
US09232426B2
The re-transmission of transmission units (TUs) received in a communication device over a communication link is controlled to improve the information carrying capacity of the link. A received TU has an associated service characteristic indicative of a quality of service (QOS) for the TU. The service characteristic is associated with a select set of key performance indicators (KPIs), such as measures of packet error, packet delay, packet delay variation, and/or packet loss experienced by TUs on the communication link. Upon receipt of a TU, the performance of the communication link is evaluated with respect to each KPI in the select set to obtain a corresponding measurement value, and the measurement values are compared to corresponding threshold values. Upon determining that a determined performance value does not satisfy a corresponding threshold value for a KPI in the select set, re-transmission of the TU is requested.
US09232419B2
System and method for using multiple data packet signal testers having narrower data packet signal bandwidths for testing multiple data packet signal transmitters having wider data packet signal bandwidths. Using multiple data packet signal testers with narrower receiver bandwidths to process respective portions of the wider bandwidth of the data packet signals produced by the devices under test (DUTs) enables use of lower cost, narrower-bandwidth test equipment to test wide-bandwidth signals.
US09232418B2
The invention relates to a method for radio-link monitoring in a user equipment (4) of a communication network (1). The user equipment (4) receives and/or sends on a first carrier using a primary radio access technology system (2) and on a second carrier using a secondary radio access technology system (3). The method comprises: receiving (100), from a network node (5), information about the primary radio access technology system (2) and the secondary radio access technology system (3), and determining (110), in dependence on information related to the primary radio access technology system (2) and the secondary radio access technology system (3), whether to monitor radio link criteria on: the first carrier on the primary radio access technology system (2), or both the first carrier on the radio access technology system (2) and the second carrier on the secondary radio access technology system (3). The invention also relates to a user equipment implementing the method.
US09232407B2
A transmitter-side estimation of the complex channel influence between function variable value transmitters and function receivers is limited to the estimation of the magnitude of the channel influence, so that a pre-distortion of the symbols of the symbol sequences depends on an inverse of the magnitude of the channel influence, but is independent of a phase of the channel influence. Easing the channel estimation does not change the central tendency of the calculated function results transmitted over the multiple channel. Alternatively, on the side of the function receiver, a statistical quantity describing the multiple-access channel is determined. For this purpose, it is sufficient when the function variable value transmitters transmit constant power signals over the multiple-access channel in a channel estimation phase. Thus, the channel estimation effort is transferred to the function receiver and hence occurs less frequently, which again reduces the overall energy expenditure.
US09232406B2
Systems and/or Methods are disclosed for acquiring data from a transceiver responsive to one or more signals that are received at the transceiver from one or more devices. In one embodiment, a transceiver is configured to transmit a signal responsive to having received a first signal from a first device, wherein the signal that is transmitted by the transceiver is configured to trigger a second device to transmit a second signal. The transceiver is further configured to transmit data responsive to having received the second signal that is transmitted by the second device. In other embodiments, a transceiver is configured to receive a signal from a first device over frequencies of a predetermined frequency band that the first device is authorized to use, to receive a signal from a second device over frequencies of the predetermined frequency band and to transmit data responsive to having received both the signal from the first device and the signal from the second device. The transceiver is further configured to require that both the signal from the first device and the signal from the second device be received at the transceiver before the data is transmitted. Analogous methods are also disclosed.
US09232401B2
According to one embodiment, a controller detects generation of an event and transmits a content of the event to a management module. The management module transmits to the controller a determination result which represents permission or inhibition of execution of the processing. The determination result is decided based on a first policy or a second policy different from the first policy that are selectively employed in accordance with a use situation of the apparatus. The management module decides whether to notify a server of the content of the event, in accordance with which of a period in which the first policy is employed and a period in which the second policy is employed is a period in which the event has occurred.
US09232393B2
There is provided a method, comprising: establishing, by a first network node, a communication connection to at least one advertising device located in a geographically limited service area; establishing a communication connection to at least one advertisement-receiving device; generating at least one security key for encrypting and decrypting at least part of the data which is to be transmitted in D2D communication links, wherein each security key is valid for a predetermined validity period, and common to those at least one advertising device and at least one advertisement-receiving device within the service area which fulfill predetermined criteria; causing transmission of information indicating the generated at least one security key to those at least one advertising device which fulfill the predetermined criteria; and causing transmission of information indicating at least one of the generated at least one security key to those at least one advertisement-receiving device which fulfill the predetermined criteria.
US09232389B2
Mixed mode security is provided for a mesh network comprising a plurality of open mesh points and at least one secure mesh point that is capable of sending and receiving encrypted traffic. Aspects of the exemplary embodiment include configuring the secure mesh point to forward unencrypted traffic received from one of the plurality of open mesh points; and configuring the secure mesh point to be a source of unencrypted source traffic, and to receive unencrypted traffic that is destined for the secure mesh point to enable routes in the mesh network to terminate at the secure mesh point.
US09232385B2
A method for synchronizing the discovery of wireless services or applications in a wireless network using a recurring time interval T in which wireless devices within the wireless network can be in one of a predetermined plurality of time states. The method includes selecting a time state from amongst the plurality of time states, performing discovery by a first wireless device supporting a given service or application once during the recurring time interval T at the selected time state, and repeating the above steps in successive ones of the recurring time interval T until all of the predetermined plurality of time states have been selected.
US09232373B1
A message receiving, intercepting and processing method and corresponding application and device may provide receiving a message at a message processing server, the message being intended for a phone number associated with a customer service provider, identifying a telephone number of the sender of the message, parsing at least one word from the message, retrieving user account information of the sender, and generating an automated response to the message that includes contextual information that is based on at least one of the user account information and the parsed at least one word from the message.
US09232372B2
In one embodiment, device status information is received from a mobile device of a first user. The device status information may include: information related to power for the device, information related to network connectivity of the device, or a notification mode of the device. Outgoing messages may be identified to be sent to the first user. A value may be computed for each of the outgoing messages. The computed value may be based on an affinity score determined with respect to an originator of the message and the first user. Based on the computed value, at least one of the outgoing messages may be selected for placement into an outgoing message queue. Upon the detection of a triggering condition, the selected messages may be sent to the mobile device. The triggering condition may be based on the device status information and the respective values of the outgoing messages.
US09232370B2
A method comprises registering, by an enhanced CPM server, to receive IMS registrations for a client device, receiving, by the enhanced CPM server, a message intended for the client device, storing the message in a network store, setting a Message Waiting Indicator flag in a HLR associated with the client device, receiving, from the HLR, an alert message that the client device has registered in a non-IMS network, and delivering, by the enhanced CPM server, at least a reference to the message stored in the network store to the client device.
US09232362B2
Primary and/or secondary communication groups can be assigned to users with communication devices arranged in a hierarchy (FIG. 4). A set of humans are assigned to a role in a role-based hierarchy. A communication device (404) is assigned to the set of humans for communication over a network. One or more secondary communication groups are determined for the communication device (120). The one or more determined secondary communication groups are primary communication groups of other devices used by one or more other humans assigned roles in the role-based hierarchy. Secondary communication group settings are programmed for the communication device (124), where the group settings are consistent with the determined secondary communication groups.
US09232359B2
An apparatus and method of transmitting/receiving a multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) is disclosed. The present invention enables ARQ and HARQ to be applied to the MBMS transmission, thereby enabling more efficient data transmissions at a greater rate.
US09232356B2
A locator system and method of use is disclosed. The locator system may be used to receive radiolocation signals, calculate location data based on the radiolocation signals, and send the current location data over a telecommunication network to a server computer. A client may request the location data from the server computer and the server may send the location data to the client.
US09232355B1
This disclosure is directed to providing directional feedback to a user. For example, this disclosure describes techniques for determining at least one characteristic of a device in space. For example, a device may be configured to determine, using one or more sensors, one or more characteristics of the device in space. For example, the device may be configured to determine one or more of a direction, and/or geographical position of the device as pointed by a user in space. The device may compare one or more of the determined one or more characteristics of the device in space to a desired destination or path specified by the user, and provide the user with directional feedback if the determined one or more characteristics of the device in space are consistent with the desired destination or path.
US09232346B2
The present invention provides a proximity information registration method, a query method, and a user equipment. The proximity information registration method includes: sending, by a first user equipment, a proximity service request to a proximity service server, where the proximity service request sent by the first user equipment carries an equipment identifier of the first user equipment; monitoring and obtaining, by the first user equipment, broadcast information of a second user equipment which is broadcast by the second user equipment; and registering the broadcast information of the second user equipment with the proximity service server, so that the proximity service server converts the broadcast information of the second user equipment into an equipment identifier of the second user equipment according to a correspondence between the equipment identifier of the second user equipment and the broadcast information of the second user equipment stored by the proximity service server.
US09232340B2
An application store system and an application development method using the application store system are provided in the disclosure. The system includes: a resource management functional entity, a developer community functional entity and an application online-store functional entity, wherein the resource management functional entity is configured to accept an operation of registering resources to the resource management functional entity and display information of the registered resources, wherein the resources include at least one of the followings: telecommunication capability resources and network resources; the developer community functional entity is configured to accept uploading of an application and review the uploaded application, wherein the application invokes the registered resources according to an invoking manner indicated by the information; and the application online-store functional entity is configured to provide an application, which is approved by the developer community functional entity, for a terminal user to download. The disclosure enhances technical supports for developers, and reduces difficulty and complexity of development.
US09232333B2
The disclosed apparatus, systems, and methods provide a calibration technique for calibrating a set of microphones. The disclosed calibration technique is configured to calibrate the microphones with respect to a reference microphone and can be used in actual operation rather than a testing environment. The disclosed calibration technique can estimate both the magnitude calibration factor for compensating magnitude sensitivity variations and the relative phase error for compensating phase delay variations. In addition, the disclosed calibration technique can be used even when multiple acoustic sources are present. The disclosed technique is particularly well suited to calibrating a set of microphones that are omnidirectional and sufficiently close to one another.
US09232331B2
Embodiments that relate to energy efficient gesture input on a surface are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment provides a hand-worn device that may include a microphone configured to capture an audio input and generate an audio signal, an accelerometer configured to capture a motion input and generate an accelerometer signal, and a controller comprising a processor and memory. The controller may be configured to detect a wake-up motion input based on the accelerometer signal. The controller may wake from a low-power sleep mode in which the accelerometer is turned on and the microphone is turned off and enter a user interaction interpretation mode in which the microphone is turned on. Then, the controller may contemporaneously receive the audio signal and the accelerometer signal and decode strokes. Finally, the controller may detect a period of inactivity based on the audio signal and return to the low-power sleep mode.
US09232328B2
A system includes a sound processor included in an electro-acoustic stimulation (“EAS”) device and that directs a cochlear implant to apply electrical stimulation to a patient and a receiver to apply acoustic stimulation to the patient. The system further includes a volume control facility and a selection facility that selectively associates the volume control facility with the electrical stimulation in response to a first user input, selectively associates the volume control facility with the acoustic stimulation in response to a second user input, and selectively associates the volume control facility with both the electrical stimulation and the acoustic stimulation in response to a third user input.
US09232326B2
The fitting of a hearing device and in particular of a hearing aid using frequency compression is to be simplified. A method for determining a knee point of a frequency compression characteristic for a hearing device is therefore proposed wherein a maximum audible frequency of a hearing device user is first determined and the knee point is then determined using a predefined rule in dependence on a maximum audible frequency. An end point of a compression characteristic can also be automatically determined.
US09232325B2
A hearing aid (1) with an ear canal part prepared for being arranged in the ear canal. The ear canal part has a sound opening provided with a bushing (6) for receiving an ear wax guard. The bushing comprises an inner tubular part (11) for receiving the ear wax guard, where the inner tubular part is extending inward from the plane formed by the sound opening. The bushing further comprises an outer tubular part (10) extending inward from this plane. The outer tubular part and the inner tubular part are arranged such that a space is formed in between. This space is adapted for receiving a sound guide (5).
US09232319B2
Systems and methods for audio signal processing are disclosed, where a discrete number of simple digital filters are generated for particular portions of an audio frequency range. Studies have shown that certain frequency ranges are particularly important for human ears' location-discriminating capability, while other ranges are generally ignored. Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs) are examples response functions that characterize how ears perceive sound positioned at different locations. By selecting one or more “location-critical” portions of such response functions, one can construct simple filters that can be used to simulate hearing where location-discriminating capability is substantially maintained. Because the filters can be simple, they can be implemented in devices having limited computing power and resources to provide location-discrimination responses that form the basis for many desirable audio effects.
US09232316B2
The present disclosure relates to a diaphragm that may be used with a mechanical-to-acoustical transducer. The diaphragm may include a layer of optically clear film, a damping layer and another layer of optically clear film. The damping layer may be an adhesive. The diaphragm may also comprise two optically clear films, optionally including a damping layer, wherein the films indicate a desired coefficient of linear thermal expansion in one or both of the machine and transverse directions.
US09232311B2
The method comprises the determination of an observation vector that comprises only electrical measurements of the voltage (Umes) at the loudspeaker terminals and of the current (i) passing through the loudspeaker, and a state vector (X) whose components comprise: values of linear parameters of the loudspeaker response such as the electrical (Re) and mechanical (Req) resistance, and polynomial coefficients of nonlinear parameters such as the force factor (BI), the equivalent stiffness (Keq) and the electrical inductance (Le). The voltage and current measurements are applied to an estimator with a predictive filter of the extended Kalman filter incorporating a representation of a dynamic model of the loudspeaker. This filter operates a prediction of the state vector (X) and readjusts this prediction by calculation of an estimate (Uest) of the voltage based on the state vector and on the measured current and comparison of this estimate with the measurement (Umes) of the voltage.
US09232304B2
An ear tip is adapted to deliver sound to an ear canal. The ear tip includes a first section, a second section and a third section. The first section is connectable to a sound-transmitting device. The second section has a first end, a second end and walls defining a bulbous section. The first end is connected to and in open communication with the first section. The second end is connected to and in open communication with the third section. The third section includes walls defining a flume and an outlet port adapted for open communication with the ear canal. The outlet port has a maximum outer diameter of about 11 millimeters. In a relaxed state, a ratio of a maximum outer diameter of the second section to a maximum diameter of the third section is between about 1.25 and about 2.5.
US09232291B2
Provided is a mobile terminal including a terminal body, a printed circuit board provided in the terminal body, and a microphone provided on the printed circuit board a prescribed distance from the terminal body. The printed circuit board may be provided between an opening in the terminal body and the microphone, and a channel may be provided that extends from the opening in the terminal body to the microphone.
US09232286B2
An IPTV and a method for controlling a video widget in the IPTV are disclosed. Herein, a method for providing a video widget application includes playing-back a video content within an IP packet, executing a video widget application, and selecting a specific area of the video content being played-back, and outputting an object guide including an object list included in the selected specific area. The method also includes selecting at least one object from the object guide, selecting a video filter to be applied to the at least one selected object from the video Widget application, and applying the selected video filter to the at least one selected object.
US09232284B2
A STB resource sharing (RS) group of a home network comprises a plurality of STBs. In the STB RS group, a STB communicates with one or more other STBs to mutually share available device resources comprising hardware and software resources, and/or capabilities. The STB functions as an elected master (EM) or a STB RS client in the STB RS group. As an EM, the STB receives advertisements from other STBs to determine available resources. The determined available resources are announced to other STBs in the STB RS group. The STB manages the use of the determined available resources according to resource sharing requests received from other STBs. As a STB RS client, the STB advertises inherent resources to an EM of the STB RS group. The STB receives announcements from the EM for available resources in the STB RS group. The STB shares its available resources, accordingly.
US09232283B2
Methods and systems for selecting content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet television stream using mobile device location information. In one aspect, the methods and systems seamlessly select content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet television stream using mobile device location information and program break markers. In another aspect, the methods and systems select content for outputting on a mobile device during a program break in an Internet television stream using mobile device trajectory information. In yet another aspect, the methods and systems select using mobile device location information cohabitation content for sharing a display screen on a mobile device with program content in an Internet television stream.
US09232277B2
An example method includes receiving a first command by a device to group a first playback device with at least a second playback device for synchronous audio playback. In the example method, the group is associated with a first playback queue comprising a list of one or more items for playback by the group. The example method includes, for as long as the playback device is in the group, receiving a second command by the device to remove the first playback device from the group, wherein the first playback device is ungrouped and automatically associated with a second playback queue. In the example method, the second playback queue comprises a list of one or more items for playback by the playback device.
US09232275B2
A video-on-demand (VOD) content delivery system has a VOD Application Server which manages a database of templates ordered in a hierarchy for presentation of video content elements of different selected types categorized in hierarchical order. The templates include those for higher-order displays which have one or more links to lower-order displays of specific content. The VOD Application Server, in response to viewer request, displays a high-order templatized display, and in response to viewer selection of a link, displays the lower-order display of specific content. A web-based Content Management System receives content uploaded online in file formats with metadata for title and topical area, and automatically converts it into video data format compatible with the VOD content delivery system indexed by title and topical area. A User Interface for the system delivers listings data to the viewer's TV indexed by title and topical area specified by the uploaded metadata.
US09232273B2
A system and method is disclosed for processing viewer profiles and program metadata from a number of sources to provide viewing suggestions and recommendations to one or more viewers.
US09232272B2
A content transmission selection system is disclosed. The content transmission selection system receives requests from viewers for specific video content items. Using characteristics of the designated content item, the content transmission selection system determines whether to transmit the content item over a broadcast network or a broadband network.
US09232270B2
A host includes a plurality of Digital Visual Interface (DVI) ports. A controller is configured to receive a single DVI diagnostic request from a source external to the host. The controller is further configured to collect DVI status information associated with each of the plurality of DVI ports in response to the single DVI diagnostic request, and initiate a signal to a display to display the DVI status information associated with the plurality of DVI ports.
US09232267B2
A method and apparatus for dynamically constructing a broadcast multiplex are described. The method includes: receiving metadata associated with a first plurality of events on a plurality of source channels, the metadata including, at least, scheduling metadata; determining, on the basis of a rule-set applied to the metadata, whether events of the first plurality of events are to be included in the multiplex, thereby producing a second plurality of events to be included in the multiplex; for each one event of the second plurality of events, assigning a multiplex priority to the one event, the multiplex priority being a priority the one event is to be assigned in the multiplex in case the one event contends for space in the multiplex with a second event of the second plurality of events; copying events from the second plurality of events into the multiplex in dependence on the multiplex priorities of events in the second plurality of events; and broadcasting the multiplex. Related systems, apparatus, and methods are also described.
US09232266B2
A method includes receiving a playlist at a network device from a client device in communication with the network device over a network. In response to receiving the playlist, the method also includes disabling channel changes not associated with the playlist from executing during times indicated in the playlist. The method further includes transmitting a control message from the network device to the client device that requests the client device to tune to a channel conforming to the playlist when the network device receives a channel change request not associated with the playlist from the client device.
US09232265B2
Techniques and mechanisms for determining an operation mode of an audio-video (AV) device. In an embodiment, communication logic of the AV device may be configured at different times for different ones of a plurality of operation modes including an AV source operation mode for providing AV information to another device and an AV sink operation mode for receiving AV information from another device. In response to a detected event, control logic initializes the communication logic of the AV device into a default mode which prevents operation of the communication logic as an AV source.
US09232261B2
A gateway module according to the disclosure includes an Ethernet connector for receiving a broadcasting signal and a network signal through a coaxial cable to separate to the broadcasting signal from the network signal, a network switch for selecting at least one from a plurality of internal communication networks to transmit the separated network signal to the selected communication network, and an interface part for receiving and transmitting the separated network signal to a TV, in which the gateway module is mounted on one surface of the TV.
US09232251B2
Systems and methods for providing personalized content recommendation and content availability to a user are described. In one implementation, the described methods are implemented in the systems, where the method includes gathering content metadata based on user specific parameters, where the content metadata is content specific. The method also includes determining a primary content metadata from the gathered content metadata based and activity parameters. Further, the method includes rating the primary content metadata based on content rating parameter. Content availability information for the content associated with a secondary content metadata is also ascertained. The method moreover also includes providing the secondary content metadata with the content availability information to the user.
US09232245B2
Method and an apparatus for processing a broadcast signal including an interactive broadcast service
A method of processing a broadcast signal including an interactive broadcast service at a transmitter is disclosed. The method comprises generating an parameter table containing metadata about applications and interactive broadcast events targeted to the applications, dividing the parameter table into a plurality of parameter blocks, inserting each of the parameter blocks into each of a plurality of parameter table sections, generating a trigger which is a signaling element to identify signaling and establish timing of playout of the interactive broadcast events, inserting the trigger into a closed caption channel of the broadcast signal, transmitting the broadcast signal including the closed caption channel and a specific channel carrying the plurality of parameter table sections, wherein the trigger includes location information specifying a location of the parameter table in the broadcast signal.
US09232237B2
Deblocking filtering is provided in which an 8×8 filtering block covering eight sample vertical and horizontal boundary segments is divided into filtering sub-blocks that can be independently processed. To process the vertical boundary segment, the filtering block is divided into top and bottom 8×4 filtering sub-blocks, each covering a respective top and bottom half of the vertical boundary segment. To process the horizontal boundary segment, the filtering block is divided into left and right 4×8 filtering sub-blocks, each covering a respective left and right half of the horizontal boundary segment. The computation of the deviation d for a boundary segment in a filtering sub-block is performed using only samples from rows or columns in the filtering sub-block. Consequently, the filter on/off decisions and the weak/strong filtering decisions of the deblocking filtering are performed using samples contained within individual filtering blocks, thus allowing full parallel processing of the filtering blocks.
US09232230B2
A scaled motion search section can be used in a video processing device that processes a video input signal that includes a plurality of pictures. The scaled motion search section includes a downscaling module that downscales the plurality of pictures to generate a plurality of downscaled pictures, wherein the downscaling module includes a horizontal downscaling filter and a vertical downscaling filter, and wherein the vertical downscaling filter generates downscaled pixels for a macroblock pair using only pixels from the macroblock pair. A transfer function that models the scaled motion vectors is determined and used to identify a final set of motion vector candidates used in a larger scale motion search.
US09232222B2
An improved lossless image compression technique involves adaptively selecting between spatial prediction and inter-component prediction techniques depending on which allows better results for any given component of a digital image pixel.
US09232218B2
A system for video processing includes a video director, a video encoder, and a picture-in-picture inserter. The video director is configured to generate an edit signal. The video encoder is configured responsively to the edit signal to encode a first area of a video frame of a main video as a first encoded data set, to encode a second area of the video frame as a second encoded data set, and to generate a compressed main video including the first and second encoded data sets. The picture-in-picture (PIP) inserter is configured, responsively to the compressed main video and to a compressed secondary video including a third encoded data set, to generate a compressed PIP video including the first encoded data set and the third encoded data set, and to transmit the compressed PIP video for subsequent decoding.
US09232216B2
A method for assessing the quality of a transmitted video signal sequence at the receiver side includes the steps of: capturing the received input video bit stream prior to decoding and supplying it to a video bit stream analyzer; extracting, during a measurement time window, one or more features from the captured packet headers by the bit stream analyzer, without analyzing or decoding the packet payload; computing from the one or more features, a single parameter, xwpSEQ, representing an estimate of the spatio-temporal extent of the signal degradation due to packet-loss; supplying the determined parameter to a quality estimation module; and calculating, by the quality estimation module, a quality measure due to packet loss (Qtrans) based on the single parameter representing the estimate of the spatio-temporal extent of the signal degradation, xwpSEQ, due to packet-loss and based on video resolution information and employed video codec.
US09232213B2
A stereo image output method includes: providing a request command; outputting current image frame information from a storage unit in response to the request command, and triggering an image synchronization operation to update the image frame information in the storage unit; and outputting a set of stereo images from a memory according to the image frame information.
US09232211B2
A system for three-dimensional visualization of object in a scattering medium includes a sensor for receiving light from the object in the scattering medium and a computing device coupled to the sensor and receiving a plurality of elemental images of the object from the sensor. The computing device causes the elemental images to be magnified through a virtual pin-hole array to create an overlapping pattern of magnified elemental images. The computing device also averages overlapping portions of the element images to form an integrated image.
US09232209B2
One object of the invention is a display matrix controller configured to drive a display matrix (206, 308) to display frames of a source video signal, the controller comprising an input interface (203, 204) configured to provide for each frame to be displayed a frame difference information, specifying changed pixels, whose values change between a frame to be displayed and a currently displayed frame, a brightness equalizer (210) configured control the display of the frame such as to equalize the level of viewer perception of brightness to a predetermined level for each frame to be displayed depending on the frame difference information, and a matrix driving circuit (205, 307) configured to receive the frame difference information and to drive the display matrix (206, 308) to display the frame to be displayed by redrawing only the changed pixels
US09232207B2
The present application discloses a Three Dimensions (3D) video conversion system and method, and a key frame selection method and apparatus thereof. The key frame selection method includes: after the ith key frame is determined, calculating feature matching ratios of video frames after the ith key frame in a 2D video; selecting video frames each of which has a feature matching ratio within the range of T1˜T2 as candidate key frames; selecting a video frame from the candidate key frames as the (i+1)th key frame according to re-projection errors of the candidate key frames. Since key frames are selected according to the feature matching ratios of video frames to the previous key frame, and the later key frame is selected according to the re-projection errors of the candidate key frames. Thus the selection for key frames is more reasonable, and the 2D to 3D video conversion based on more reasonable key frames may improve converted 3D video quality.
US09232199B2
In accordance with an example embodiment a method, apparatus and computer program product are provided. The method comprises receiving a first set of frames corresponding to a scene captured by a color image sensor and a second set of frames corresponding to the scene captured by a panchromatic image sensor. A number of frames in the second set is greater than a number of frames in the first set. The method further comprises generating color frames corresponding to the scene at a frame rate higher than a frame rate of the first set of frames based at least in part on processing of the first set of frames and the second set of frames.
US09232192B2
Disclosed is a system and method for providing low-frame rate continuous presence for all video participants to a video conference.
US09232177B2
A graphics processing unit and a system are described herein. The graphics processing unit includes a decoder, a post processor, and a renderer. The decoder is to decode a video data stream from an incoming data stream. The post processor is to perform post-processing of the decoded video data stream. The renderer is to render the post processed video data stream and discard a null video data stream from a video chat application during a video chat session.
US09232164B2
An image sensor includes a pixel unit having first and second photoelectric converters, an amplifier provided commonly for the first and second photoelectric converters, first and second transfer transistors configured to respectively transfer charges generated in the first and second electric converters to an input portion of the amplifier. The signal read out by the readout portion includes a first optical signal read out in a state in which charges are transferred from the first photoelectric converter to the input portion by the first transfer transistor, and a second optical signal read out, after the readout of the first optical signal, in a state in which charges are transferred from the second photoelectric converter to the input portion by the second transfer transistor.
US09232148B2
An image capture apparatus comprises an X-Y address scan type image sensor; a flicker detector configured to detect a flicker of a light source; a switch configured to switch the image sensor between a first state in which the image sensor is driven by a first driving method which comprises reading out a pixel signal within a range of a first angle of view and a second state in which the image sensor is driven by a second driving method which comprises reading out a pixel signal within a range of a second angle of view narrower than the first driving method; and a controller configured to control the switch so as to drive the image sensor by the first driving method while the flicker detector is detecting the flicker and to drive image sensor by the second driving method when the flicker detector has completed flicker detection.
US09232137B2
Various embodiments provide a wearable camera that is configured to take a cluster of photographs and use image processing techniques to select a photograph with a lesser amount of blur than other photographs in the cluster. The wearable camera can include one or more of a gyroscope or accelerometer for ascertaining the camera's motion. Motion data associated with the camera's motion is utilized to ascertain when to take an automatic photograph.
US09232136B2
An imaging device according to the present invention comprises: an imaging section photoelectrically converting an object image and outputting image data; a display section displaying the object image based on the image data; an acceleration sensor section detecting vibration in at least one direction among a plurality of directions of a camera; a determination section continuously determining an output equal to or greater than a gravity force by means of the acceleration sensor section; and a power supply control section supplying power to the imaging section upon detection of an output equal to or greater than the gravity force by the determination section and also upon detection of an attitude change in a vertical direction or the like or a predetermined acceleration when a photographer sets the camera while viewing the display section of the camera.
US09232135B2
A temperature control system of a mobile device is provided. The system includes a memory for storing a set temperature value and a release temperature value, a temperature sensor for sensing an internal temperature of the mobile device; at least one module that emits heat, and a controller. The controller compares the output of the temperature sensor with the set temperature value in a normal mode in order to determine whether the mobile device is overheated, and controls, if the mobile device is overheated, the at least one module to operate in a heat generation suppressing mode, compares the output of the temperature sensor with the release temperature value in the heat generation suppressing mode in order to determine whether to release the heat generation suppressing mode, and executes the normal mode if the heat generation suppressing mode is released according to the comparison result.
US09232133B2
An image capturing apparatus comprises a first image capturing unit configured to shoot an object side, a second image capturing unit configured to shoot a photographer side, a detection unit configured to detect an object from image data shot by the second image capturing unit, a determination unit configured to determine whether the object detected by the detection unit is a predetermined object, and a control unit configured to, when the determination unit determines that the detected object is the predetermined object, control to prioritize setting of shooting parameters of the second image capturing unit over that of the first image capturing unit.
US09232127B2
A loupe accessory comprising: a loupe, comprising a first lens characterized in a positive focal length of less than 350 mm, the first lens for producing substantially infinity rays from a relatively close object, and an infinity-focus camera, comprising an image sensor and a second lens disposed at a fixed distance from the image sensor, the fixed distance being a focal length of the second lens, wherein the infinity-focus camera is fixed to the first lens, for imaging the infinity rays on the image sensor, thereby a first portion of the infinity rays produced by the first lens is imaged by the infinity-focus camera, and a second portion of the infinity rays produced by a second portion of the first lens is directly viewed by a human eye.
US09232126B2
Described is an apparatus, including computer program products, for adjusting the focus of an image capturing device. An apparatus for capturing a focused digital image of a scene includes a lens having an optical surface including a deformation that is asymmetric with respect to an optical axis of the lens, and an aperture component configured to adjust a position of the aperture stop of the lens on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens. The apparatus includes an image sensor configured to capture a digital image of an optical image formed by the lens, the digital image being defocused based on the position of the aperture stop. The apparatus includes a digital image processor configured to generate a focused digital image based on the digital image captured by the image sensor.
US09232125B2
A method of reducing shutter-lag in a camera image sensor may include maintaining a sensor output image to have a low resolution in a preview mode of a camera image sensor; changing a resolution of the sensor output image from a low resolution to a high resolution in response to a capture preparation signal to change an operation mode of the camera image sensor from a preview mode to a capture preparation mode, the low resolution being a resolution equal to or below a reference resolution, the high resolution being a resolution above the reference resolution; and capturing the sensor output image in response to a capture signal in the capture preparation mode of the camera image sensor.
US09232121B2
Embodiments described herein may operate to image a scene with an imaging system using an image blurring technique. An image sensor array (ISA) element may be identified as a dark defect element if a first ratio of an average of a set of illuminance signal magnitudes from a set of surrounding ISA elements to a magnitude of an illuminance signal from the ISA element is greater than a threshold sharpness value. The image sensor array element may be identified as a bright defect element if a second ratio of the magnitude of the illuminance signal from the ISA element to the average of the set of illuminance signal magnitudes from the set of surrounding ISA elements is greater than the threshold sharpness value.
US09232119B2
A method for integrating image frames includes receiving for each pixel in at least one image frame a value representative of a sensor measurement. The method includes calculating an average difference of the value representative of the sensor measurement over a subset of the plurality of image frames. The method includes detecting motion in at least one pixel of the image frame in the plurality of image frames based on the calculated average difference of the value representative of the sensor measurement over the subset of the plurality of image frames. The method also includes generating an integrated image frame wherein each pixel having detected motion is integrated by an amount less than that of those pixels for which motion is not detected. The amount of frame integration is based on contrast levels, expected rates of motion, and noise characteristics of sensor input image data.
US09232118B1
A system and method for detecting artifacts in a video having a sequence of pictures is described. The method comprises the steps of calculating a motion vector cost and a variable threshold for each of the pictures. In case, the motion vector cost for the picture is greater than the variable threshold of the picture, then a first scene change profile and a second scene change profile for the picture is computed and analyzed for determining the character of the variation in the motion vector cost. An artifact metric for the picture is also calculated and the artifact metric for the picture is compared with a programmable artifact reporting threshold for ascertaining if an artifact is present in the video. The described approach is generic in nature and takes into account various exceptions that may be present within a picture that may be similar in character as an artifact.
US09232115B2
Technologies are generally described for an audio playing scheme for digital billboard systems. In some examples, a method performed under control of a server may include receiving from an end device a control signal configured to indicate that the end device is located in a first predetermined area relative to a first digital billboard, identifying first video data currently displayed on the first digital billboard, determining first audio data corresponding to the first video data, and transmitting the first audio data to the end device based on the control signal.
US09232106B2
An apparatus for moving a unit to execute scanning includes a scanning unit including a motor, an encoder for outputting a signal according to movement of the unit, a detection unit for detecting a current supplied to the motor, a speed control unit for executing a speed control of the motor according to the signal output from the encoder and the current detected by the detection unit, a movement control unit for setting a threshold value, moving the unit by driving the motor, by using the speed control unit, and a current control unit for setting a value greater than the predetermined value according to the threshold value and value of the current detected by the detection unit at a predetermined timing during a time period while the unit is moving.
US09232099B1
An image reading device includes a document conveyance section, a reading section, a determination section, an operation control section, a reading instruction request section, and a reading instruction reception section. The determination section determines whether a document sheet is an identifier sheet indicating identification information for identifying an information processing device that is a communication target. The reading instruction request section communicates with the information processing device identified by the identification information, thereby requesting the information processing device for an instruction pertaining to document reading. Upon the reading instruction reception section receiving the instruction, the operation control section causes the reading section to perform document reading in accordance with a reading setting indicated by the instruction in order to generate image data for document sheets from a document sheet directly after the identifier sheet through to a document sheet directly prior to a next identifier sheet.
US09232095B2
A display input device includes a display unit and a touch panel unit. When the touch panel unit accepts a predetermined transmission start operation, the display unit starts a display in a transmission transition mode, performs a transmission transition display in which a transition source screen gradually disappears while a ratio of a display of a transition destination screen belonging to a next lower layer of the transition source screen as time passes, and repeats the transmission transition display toward a lower layer.
US09232093B2
An information processing apparatus includes a notification part, a request part, and a display part. The notification part transmits information for determining whether to display an error display screen to an application in execution installed in the information processing apparatus, in response to reception of a notification of an error during the execution of the application. The request part requests display of the error display screen in response to reception of a display request, the display request being transmitted from the application in execution in response to reception of the information from the notification part. The display part displays the error display screen in response to the request by the request part.
US09232089B2
An image processing apparatus displays an input screen including a setting area in which setting items are selectably arranged, and detects an operation on the input screen. When a flick operation has been detected in the setting area, the image processing apparatus enlarges the setting area, and moves the setting items in the setting area based on the speed of the flick operation. Then, the image processing apparatus sets a setting item in a selection area among a plurality of the setting items arranged in the enlarged setting area to a selected state.
US09232088B1
A computing device is equipped with a display device primarily for display purpose. Techniques are described to modify such a display device to have the scanning capability and define a scanning region, where only the part of a scanning object falling into the scanning region is scanned.
US09232081B2
An information processing apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive an output instruction to output data; a calculator configured to calculate an index value indicating a cost or an environmental burden when data subjected to output are output in a first output condition specified by the output instruction, and the index value when the data are output in a second output condition differing from the first output condition; and a display controller configured to display a screen to display a calculation result obtained by the calculator and to receive an output instruction based on one of the first and the second output conditions.
US09232073B2
The invention defines a method for providing an xDSL broadband transmission service between a central office and a customer premises equipment which comprises the steps: initiating a handshaking procedure between the central office and the customer premises equipment, determining an xDSL transmission standard for providing the xDSL broadband transmission service, utilizing a non standard information field during the handshaking procedure to indicate a support of a non-standard mode between the central office and the customer premises equipment, and initiating the non-standard mode, in case no synchronization is established between the central office and the customer premises equipment after the handshaking procedure.
US09232071B2
Mobile communication devices, having multiple speakers and/or microphones to perform a number of audio functions, for use with mobile devices, are provided. The microphones may be housed within the communication device housing. To compensate for the unwanted signal feedback between the speakers and microphones, acoustic echo cancellation may be implemented to determine the proper distance and relative location between the speakers and microphones. Acoustic echo cancellation removes the echo from voice communications to improve the quality of the sound. The removal of the unwanted signals captured by the microphones may be accomplished by characterizing the audio signal paths from the speakers to the microphones (speaker-to-microphone path distance profile), including the distance and relative location between the speakers and microphones. The optimal distance and relative location between the speakers and microphones is provided to the user to optimize performance.
US09232046B2
A system includes a database of image data associated with a vehicle; and control logic configured to cause a user device to capture one or more images and compare data associated with the one or more images with the image data to determine if a user is present in a vehicle and disable a text messaging function at least in part responsive to the determination using the image data.
US09232045B1
A telecommunication system is described that allocates backup power to telephones based on telephone usage. When power to the telecommunication system from a primary source, such as from an electrical utility company, is lost, a backup power source is used to keep the telecommunication system functioning. Because the backup power source has a limited amount of energy, only telephones with a high priority are fully powered. Other telephones are provided with reduced power or receive no power. As the energy level of the backup power source is reduced, the telephone priorities are adjusted.
US09232036B2
To provide the case for an electronic device where the device is equipped with the camera and the flash that are adjacent to each other. The case has at least one hole in the case body to expose the camera and the flash. The camera hole has a depth and is formed by a cylindrical wall, and the shading area is provided on the hole wall.
US09232032B2
There is provided an electronic device which includes a display device, a case configured to retain the display device, a stopper disposed between the retained display device and the case, and a component arranged in a space formed by disposing the stopper. Further, there is provided an electronic device which includes a display device, a case including a first space for retaining the display device, the display device being operable to be slid into the first space, a stopper disposed in a second space between the retained display device and the case, and an electronic device arranged in a third space formed by arranging the stopper.
US09232023B2
A method for providing interne services for socialization purposes sends an identity data and a location data to a server. The method further converts the identity data and the location data into a profile status data. The method further retrieves a social organization and a character profile of the identity data and determines whether the character profile satisfies a predetermined condition. The identity data is given an authority for predetermined privileged operations or given a right of organization selection. In another embodiment, the identity data is belongs to a social organization having a territory. The method calculates a movement distance based on the location data and the territory, as well as a length of movement time based on the movement distance and a character profile of the identity data. The length of movement time is proportional to the movement distance but is inversely proportional to the character profile.
US09232019B2
Techniques for managing objects sent in a communication system. For example, an apparatus for managing an object in a communication system is configured to identify an object previously sent in the communication system. A first target to which the object was sent is determined. A first agent is deployed to the first target. The first agent is configured to undo the previously sent object at the first target, and determine if the previously sent object was sent from the first target to a second target. When the previously sent object was sent from the first target to the second target, the apparatus deploys a second agent to the second target to undo the previously sent object at the second target.
US09232013B1
A method and system for enabling data usage accounting are described herein. As an example, the method can be practiced on a computing device that has secure applications and unsecure applications installed thereon. Initially, a request for a data session can be received through a secure application. The request for the data session can be intercepted, and the request for the data session can be modified to cause the request to be re-directed back to the secure application. In addition, a connection can be initiated to enable retrieval of data in response to the request and to enable an accounting of the data session. In one arrangement, this process of modifying the request for a data session may be restricted to secure applications such that data usage of the secure applications is tabulated separately from data usage associated with the unsecure applications.
US09232008B2
A navigation system includes two or more navigation instruments connected with a network, and two or more sensors connected with the network and for detecting information to be used by the navigation instruments. The navigation instrument includes a switch control module for switching between a state in which the navigation instrument functions as a mother unit and as a child unit, a delivery module for transmitting through the network, when one of the navigation instruments functions as the mother unit, representative sensor selection related information to another navigation instrument that functions, the representative sensor selection related information being information about which sensor is to be used among the two or more sensors, and a representative sensor selecting module for selecting the sensor to be used based on the representative sensor selection related information received from the navigation instrument that functions as the mother unit.
US09232002B1
In a cluster network, an ingress component can serve as an entry point for incoming request traffic and route requests to a plurality of backend servers for processing. Each of the backend servers can handle multiple flows (e.g., TCP) established with the ingress component. When a backend server is detected to have been overloaded with requests, a different peer server is selected on the network to take over processing of the requests from the overloaded server. A set of state information for at least one connection is then transferred from the overloaded server to the selected peer server. Thereafter, the ingress component can update its routing information to begin routing new incoming requests or packets for that connection to the new peer server. The state information can be transferred upon reaching a logical boundary between requests, or within a request, received on the connection.
US09232001B1
Systems, methods, and machine-readable media for client-server communication using a set identifier are provided. A system may be configured to receive a set identifier from a client machine, wherein the set identifier is based on the client identifier of the client machine, generate a communication based on the set identifier from the client machine, wherein the communication comprise a number of references to client identifiers associated with the set identifier, and transmit the communication to the client machine.
US09231998B2
A vehicle control and computation system interfaces a task controller in the vehicle with a vehicle-specific computation manager in a cloud network. A wireless data channel couples the task controller and the cloud network. The task controller performs operational tasks in the vehicle using data-related resources in the cloud network. Upon initiating one of the operational tasks, the task controller sends a handshake signal to the computation manager as a resource request. The computation manager calls at least one cloud-based agent from a database of predetermined agents in response to the handshake signal. The task controller completes the operational task via communication with the called agent.
US09231993B2
Discussed is an apparatus for transmitting an encoded video stream, comprising: a slice generating unit that divides a frame, comprised in a video stream, into at least one or more slice; and a transmitting unit transmitting the slice in units of a packet within a slice deadline, which is a time limit required for transmission of the slice, the transmitting unit that preferentially transmits a header packet that contain a slice header information over other packets, and the slice header that comprises of information necessary for reconstructing the slice, wherein the transmitting unit comprises: a packet transmitter that retransmits the packet when the packet fails to be transmitted within the predetermined retry limit; and a header protector performing control for the header packet to be repeatedly transmitted within the slice deadline even when number of retransmissions of the header packet exceeds the predetermined retry limit.
US09231991B1
A method and apparatus of establishing a notification distribution is disclosed. The method may include receiving user information in a notification database identifying a notification recipient. The method may further provide receiving synchronization information from a business entity configured to upload notifications intended for the at least one user recipient. The method may also include transmitting at least one notification to the user recipient during a time window specified by the business entity.
US09231990B2
A method and apparatus for providing collaborative workspace are disclosed. The method receives a request to establish a video conference for two or more participants, and obtains information from historical information on the two or more participants to be used with the collaborative workspace. The method determines preferences for each of the two or more participants as to a presentation of the collaborative workspace. The method receives one or more live images of the two or more participants and presents the collaborative workspace to each of the two or more participants in accordance with the preferences for each of the two or more participants.
US09231989B2
A system is disclosed for creating, operating and participating in an online community that brings its users together via similar experiences (e.g., chronic illnesses) the users are having in their lives and/or the emotions those users are feeling during those experiences. The method may include receiving pane information, creating a pane including the pane information, wherein a counterpane comprises a plurality of panes, receiving a mood indicator representing a mood associated with the pane, associating the mood indicator with the pane, receiving a request for a requested mood, searching the counterpane for requested panes associated with the requested mood and distinguishing the requested panes.
US09231987B2
Technologies and implementations for providing a data center access and management settings transfer service are generally disclosed.
US09231983B2
Methods and systems for providing trusted signaling of domain-specific security policies. One method includes intercepting a connection request to a remote server from a client device on a domain and returning a security certificate with policy information for regulating the communications with the target server.
US09231982B2
Transferring metadata is disclosed. Information about a network interaction is processed to generate metadata describing the network interaction. Based on the metadata it is determined whether the metadata is to be transferred to an aggregator. In the event that the metadata is to be transferred, one or more aggregators are determined to which the metadata is to be transferred. The metadata is transferred to the one or more aggregators.
US09231979B2
This disclosure describes methods, systems, and computer-program products for determining classification rules to use within a fraud detection system The classification rules are determined by accessing distributional data representing a distribution of historical transactional events over a multivariate observational sample space defined with respect to multiple transactional variables. Each of the transactional events is represented by data with respect to each of the variables, and the distributional data is organized with respect to multi-dimensional subspaces of the sample space. A classification rule that references at least one of the subspaces is accessed, and the rule is modified using local optimization applied using the distributional data. A pending transaction is classified based on the modified classification rule and the transactional data.
US09231977B2
An approach is provided for determining one or more user inputs for specifying configurable privacy-related data for at least one shared device, wherein the one or more user inputs are associated with one or more users of the at least one shared device. The approach involves processing and/or facilitating a processing of the one or more user inputs to identify at least one potential privacy conflict resulting from the one or more user inputs. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, an initiation of at least one privacy preserving action based, at least in part, on the at least one potential privacy conflict.
US09231972B2
The present disclosure discloses a method of identifying malicious websites. The method includes: filtering a target website using a local website-filtering list; if the target website is not on the local website-filtering list, filtering the target website using a server website-filtering list. The present disclosure also discloses, based on the above-described method, a system for identifying malicious websites. By using the disclosed malicious website identifying method and system, the number of times needed to access a network to identify malicious websites can be reduced effectively. That is, the number of times that the identification calculation is performed by a network server can be reduced and, thus, increasing the speed of the identification process and reducing network traffic. As a result, the efficiency of the malicious website identifying process can be improved.
US09231970B2
Techniques for security-aware admission control of requests in a distributed system. A method includes identifying a request dropped by a first application component in a distributed system, determining one or more actions to take with respect to the dropped request, said determining comprises identifying one or more policies of the first application component responsible for the dropped request and identifying one or more additional application components in the distributed system to be affected based on the identified one or more policies, and executing said one or more actions to control admission of one or more requests associated with the dropped request at the one or more additional application components.
US09231965B1
In one embodiment, a particular node in a network determines information relating to network attack detection and mitigation from a local machine learning attack detection and mitigation system. The particular node sends a message to an address in the network indicating capabilities of the local machine learning attack detection and mitigation system based on the information. In response to the sent message, the particular node receives an indication that it is a member of a collaborative group of nodes based on the capabilities of the local machine learning attack detection and mitigation system being complementary to capabilities of other machine learning attack detection and mitigation systems. Then, in response to an attack being detected by the local machine learning attack detection and mitigation system, the particular node provides to the collaborative group of nodes an indication of attack data flows identified as corresponding to the attack.
US09231959B2
Example methods and systems are directed to a multiple transaction interface framework. A system may comprise three computing devices. The first computing device may be accessible to a plurality of users. The second computing device may be inaccessible to the plurality of users, but accessible by a user account of the first computing device. The third computing device may be inaccessible to the plurality of users, and inaccessible by the user account of the first computing device, but accessible by a user account of the second computing device. In some example embodiments, the first computing device causes a user interface to be presented. The user interface may include data retrieved from the second computing device. The data may have been retrieved by the second computing device from the third computing device, which may be configured to store the data.
US09231953B2
A network management system for managing communications in a cellular communication network comprising an access point operably coupled to an access controller. The network management system comprises an access controller configuration logic module arranged to configure the access controller with configuration information. The network management system further comprises an access point configuration logic module arranged to configure the access point with configuration information comprising, at least in part, configuration information intended for the access controller.
US09231951B2
Methods for probabilistically expediting secure connections via connection parameter reuse are provided. In one aspect, a method includes determining whether a client had previously established a secure connection with a hostname. The method also includes obtaining a source identifier used by the client to establish the previous secure connection when it is determined that the client previously established the previous secure connection with the hostname. The method also includes sending a request to the hostname for a new secure connection based on the obtained source identifier. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.
US09231948B1
Techniques, including systems and methods, for providing access to remote computing services are described and suggested herein. In an embodiment, a first computer system provides a key to a user device over a network. The user device provides the received key to a second computer system that uses the key to authenticate the user device. The second computer system executes an operating system for the user device according to instructions received from the user device. Results of execution of the operating system are provided to the user device.
US09231946B2
Techniques are described for implementing a cloud computer system to facilitate communication between a computing device (e.g., a mobile computing device) and enterprise computer systems. In certain embodiments, the cloud computer system may receive, from a computing device, a request for a service provided by an enterprise computer system. The cloud computer system may determine security authentication of a user for the requested service. A security protocol may be determined for a requested enterprise computer system and a security token may be generated for the request according to the determined security protocol. The request may be sent to the requested enterprise computer system. In some embodiments, security authentication for a request to an enterprise computer system may be determined based on previous authentication. The cloud computer system may be configured to communicate with several different enterprise computer systems according to their supported protocols (e.g., communication protocol and/or security protocol).
US09231939B1
A system and method for integrating business tools in a social networking environment. A proxy access module includes a social network application, a business registration engine, an application directory engine, an access request engine and a graphical user interface engine. The social network application receives input from a user for sharing the business tool with other members of a social network. The business registration engine receives and processes registration information for allowing access to a business tool. The application directory engine determines whether the user has permission to access the business tool. The access request engine receives and processes a request for accessing a business tool via a social network. The graphical user interface engine generates graphical data for displaying a business tool.
US09231936B1
A computer-implemented method for authenticating messages in a control area network is described. In one embodiment, a message identifier for a data message is ascertained. Each device is associated with one or more message identifiers. The data message is sent from a first device to a second device. The data message is associated with the ascertained message identifier. An authentication code computed by the first device is sent to the second device. The authentication code is sent by the first device in the data message or in an authentication message.
US09231928B2
A method involving a communication device, which comprises sending a request to a communication device; receiving a response from the communication device over a local communication path; deriving a received data set from said response; determining at least one data set that had been previously transmitted to the communication device over a wireless portion of a second communication path different from the local communication path; and validating the response based on the received data set and the at least one previously transmitted data set.
US09231923B1
Organizations maintain and generate large amounts of sensitive information using computer hardware resources and services of a service provider. Furthermore, there is a need to be able to delete large amounts of data securely and quickly by encrypting the data with a key and destroying the key. To ensure that information stored remotely is secured and capable of secure deletion, cryptographic keys used by the organization should be prevented from being persistently stored during serialization operations. If the keys used to encrypt the data have not been exposed during serialization operation, they may be deleted or destroyed enabling the destruction of data encrypted with the keys.
US09231917B2
Methods and apparatus for optimizing security configurations of a set of computers are disclosed. A set of local servers, each functioning as a deep-security manager supporting a respective subset of the computers, maintains protection software containing filters and rules for deploying each filter. A local server receives updated protection software from a central server. Each local server interrogates each computer of its subset of computers to acquire computer-characterizing data and applies relevant rules to determine an optimal set of filters for each computer. Each rule adaptively determines required characterizing data elements from each computer for determining an optimal security configuration. A local server updates the security configuration of a computer to suit changes in the operational environment of the computer.
US09231911B2
A network device to provide per-user firewall capabilities. The network device identifies a user associated with a received frame and a role of the user. The network device determines the firewall actions to be taken for the frame based on the role of the associated user. The user role may be dynamically changed by an administrator or automatically. A user role may be altered based on the authentication level of the user. The network device provides a system where a customized authentication experience may be provided for each user and services and permissions may be managed on a per-user basis.
US09231908B2
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to symmetric routing to a private network. In aspects, a remote client may try to connect to an entity of a private network using a non-routable network address. Upon detecting that connectivity is not established or not possible via a given network address, the client may obtain network data associated with a gateway that provides access to the private network and create a virtual interface where the gateway is the next-hop router. After creating the virtual interface, the client may communicate with entities of the private network using the virtual interface of the client. By sending traffic through the virtual interface with a source address having a prefix associated with the gateway, the client may ensure that traffic sent to and from the private network traverses the gateway.
US09231904B2
A method, system, and computer program product for network-connected devices.
US09231891B2
Some embodiments provide a method that identifies several higher level switching elements for facilitating lower level switching elements to forward packets among network hosts. The method establishes a set of tunnels among the lower level switching elements and the higher level switching elements. At least one tunnel is established between a lower level switching element and a higher level switching element. For each higher level switching element in the several higher level switching elements, the method identifies a first set of forwarding data that specifies forwarding of packets between the higher level switching element and the several lower level switching elements. For each lower level switching element in the several lower level switching elements, the method identifies a second set of forwarding data that specifies forwarding of packets between the lower level switching element, the several of network hosts, and the several higher level switching elements.
US09231887B2
The subject specification comprises techniques employing multi-stage multi-layer switches for packet switching using fully shared buffers with a scalable switch fabric. A switch component includes a set of input modules (IMs) of switches that receive packets and are associated with a set of central modules (CMs) of switches that are associated with a set of memories. The switch component includes a second set of CMs associated with the set of memories, the second set of CMs being associated with a set of output modules (OMs) that can provide packets as output. A switch management component controls switching of the packets between the IMs and first set of CMs to the memories during a first switching phase, and switching of the packets from the memories to the second set of CMs to the OMs for output during a second switching phase, based on a defined scheduling algorithm.
US09231884B2
A traffic control device that controls traffic of data transmitted from mobile units that belong to different groups, includes a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory, configured to switch an output destination for the data in accordance with a group and a type of the data, store the data to a plurality of data storage sections on a first-in-first-out basis, adjust an output timing for the stored data in accordance with the group and the type of the data, and attach an identifier to the data output from the plurality of data storage sections in accordance with the group and the type of the data.
US09231874B2
The embodiments herein relate to a method in a network node (110) for handling TCP traffic in a packet switched network (100). The network node (110) receives TCP traffic from a mobile node (101). The TCP traffic comprises an original window size. The network node (110) replaces the original window size with an optimized window size when the network node (110) comprises information about dropped TCP traffic and when the original window size is larger than the optimized window size. The network node (110) sends the TCP traffic comprising the optimized window size to a correspondent node (105) in the packet switched network (100) indicating an amount of TCP traffic receivable by the mobile node (101).
US09231865B2
An architecture for a specialized electronic computer for high-speed data lookup employs a set of tiles each with independent logic elements lookup memory portions. The tiles may each comprise gate-array-like functional units that may be wired together by a multi-way switch for extremely low latency.
US09231864B2
Techniques for managing packets in an input/output virtualization (IOV) capable computing environment are described herein. One aspect comprises receiving, at one or more transceivers comprising an input/output capable adapter, a packet addressed to an input/output virtualization capable adapter destination, and forwarding the packet to a virtual router; applying, by a processor circuit coupled to the one or more transceivers, one or more packet management policies to the packet via the virtual router; routing the packet via the virtual router to the input/output virtualization capable adapter destination; and transmitting the packet to the input/output virtualization capable adapter destination via an input/output virtualization capable adapter architecture. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09231862B2
The present disclosure discloses a method and network device for selective service based virtual local area network (VLAN) flooding. The disclosed system receives a packet originated from a device received on a first VLAN, and flood one or more copies of the packet to a second and different VLAN if the packet is received on an access port. Furthermore, the system will flood copies of the packet to the first and same VLAN if the packet is received on a trunk port. The device originating the packet is a member of the first VLAN but not a member of the second VLAN.
US09231856B2
A method for detecting a message loop, a routing agent apparatus, and a networking system. The method for detecting a message loop includes: receiving a request message sent by a network element apparatus; acquiring routing information for sending the request message to a server apparatus; detecting whether a next-hop link for sending the request message in the routing information and a link for receiving the request message belong to a same link set; and sending a response to the network element apparatus that a message loop is detected, when it is detected that the link for sending the request message in the routing information and the link for receiving the request message belong to a same link set. The technical solutions disclosed herein can improve the efficiency of detecting the message loop and thus have strong practicability.
US09231837B2
Methods and apparatus for analyzing, collecting, and presenting data in a communication network are disclosed. An example method includes analyzing collected data to generate gateway metrics representative of a user experience of a user-initiated communication within a network, the network comprising network elements, the gateway metrics comprising at least one of a number of termination attempts for a DS0 channel, a number of rejected attempts for the DS0 channel, a number of terminations answered for the DS0 channel, a number of attempts for a hunt group, a number of rejected attempts for the hunt group, or a number of terminations answered for the hunt group; determining an average upper transaction time per customer based on the collected data; and presenting the gateway metrics in a plurality of tabular views corresponding to service area levels, the views presenting performance data representing the average upper transaction times of the service area levels.
US09231828B2
One embodiment provides a system that facilitates bandwidth-profile enforcement. During operation, the system indicates a packet's compliance with a bandwidth profile based at least on available high-compliance tokens and medium-compliance tokens. The system further accounts for overflow tokens from a respective class of service (CoS) and distribute an overflow token to another CoS priority level based on the overflow token's CoS information.
US09231827B2
An apparatus and method for centralized policy management of large-scale networks (221) of computational devices is disclosed. The apparatus includes a number of distributed clients (400) run on registered computers (201-203), gathering policy advisories (401) and reporting (405) relevance (403) to a system administrator (224). The system administrator may view the relevant messages (505) through a management interface (500) and deploy suggested actions to distributed clients (503), where the actions are executed to apply the solutions of the advisories (408).
US09231826B2
A method of zero configuration for a virtual distributed device in a distributed network is disclosed. A plurality of peer devices are added as virtual devices to a network device. Configuration information is imported to the network device. A peer group comprising the plurality of peer devices, and corresponding topology of the peer group, are established in the network device. A connection between the network device and one of the plurality of peer devices is established via an uplink switch, the plurality of peer devices being connected to one another by virtual links. The network device distributes the configuration information to the plurality of peer devices in accordance with the established topology via the peer device connected to the uplink switch.
US09231818B2
Methods, systems, apparatuses, and/or computer-readable media for providing device management via application modification may be provided. In some embodiments, upon receiving a request to perform an action associated with an application, a determination as to whether performing the action will utilize a metered resource may be made. If so, a further determination may be made as to whether the request complies with at least one cost compliance policy and, in response to determining that the request complies with the at least one cost compliance policy, the action may be caused and/or authorize to be performed.
US09231815B2
Systems and methods for script injection are shown and described. The method can include intercepting, by a network appliance, a request for a web page from a computing device, transmitting, by the network appliance, the request for a web page to a web server, and intercepting, by the network appliance, a response from the web server, the response including at least a portion of the requested web page. The method can also include injecting, by the network appliance, a script having instructions that when executed by the computing device registers to be notified of the occurrence of a web page event thereby creating a modified response and transmitting the modified response to the computing device that requested the web page.
US09231811B2
A receiver device is provided with: channel estimation unit which obtains channel estimation values for a frequency domain on the basis of pilot symbols disposed in an OFDM subcarrier; interpolation unit which performs interpolation so that the number of samples of channel estimation values obtained by the channel estimation unit is a power of 2; transformation unit which transforms the channel estimation values interpolated by the interpolation unit into a time domain to obtain a delay profile; and power peak position detection unit which detects a power peak position of the delay profile so as to obtain a propagation delay time. The power peak position detection unit references the signal power of the portion interpolated by the interpolation unit in order to detect a suitable power peak position in the delay profile.
US09231809B2
Logic may determine phase correction information from pilot tones. Logic may determine phase correction information from some of the pilot locations. Logic may process the shifting pilot tones for less than all of the pilot tones. Logic may process pilot tones at any location within orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) packet. Logic may determine to process only pilot tones at the even or odd symbol indices or subcarriers. And logic may transmit a packet with a frame with a capabilities information field comprising an indication that a receiver may can process shifting pilot tones for phase tracking.
US09231808B1
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally pertain to systems and methods for compensating for impulse noise. A system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a receiver coupled to a subscriber line. The receiver is configured to receive an encoded data signal via the subscriber line and separate the signal into a common mode (CM) signal and a differential mode (DM) signal. The receiver is further configured to detect impulse noise on the CM signal and mark corresponding sub-words of the DM signal affected by the detected impulse noise as erasures. The receiver then decodes the DM signal based on whether the sub-words are marked as erasures.
US09231806B2
Systems and/or methods for communication generate a plurality of spatial streams. Each of the spatial streams comprises a plurality of symbols. At least a portion of a training sequence is distributed across a first symbol in a first one of the spatial streams and a second symbol in a second one of the spatial streams.
US09231802B2
An apparatus including a receiver coupled to receive an input signal from a communication link and operable to employ decision feedback equalization to the input signal of the communication link and generate an edge sample signal. The apparatus also includes a timing recovery module coupled to the receiver and operable to receive the edge sample signal and use the edge sample signal to generate a data sampling phase signal, wherein the edge sample signal influences a settling point of the data sampling phase signal.
US09231801B2
A wireless communication device including two or more aggressor transmitters and a victim receiver that is adversely affected by intermodulation distortion (IMD) components associated with the signals transmitted by the two or more aggressor transmitters. Because the aggressor transmitters and the victim receiver are located on the same device, the transmit waveforms that contribute to the IMD components are known and available. More specifically, digital baseband samples used by the aggressor transmitters to generate the transmit waveforms are available. These digital baseband samples are used to reconstruct the IMD component on the wireless device. This reconstructed (estimated) IMD component is provided to the victim receiver, and is subtracted from a signal received by the victim receiver, thereby effectively removing the IMD component present in this received signal. An adaptive filter using a Volterra series can be used to estimate the IMD component in response to the transmitter digital baseband samples.
US09231792B1
An adaptive equalization system and operating method thereof are disclosed herein. According to an embodiment, an apparatus comprises a plurality of equalizers and control logic to selectively enable one or more equalizers of the plurality of equalizers and disable one or more other equalizers of the plurality of equalizers based, at least in part, on a quality of the channel over which the signal is received. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes first control logic to select an equalizer for a header of a packet and second control logic to select an equalizer for a data payload of the packet.
US09231785B2
A method, computer readable medium and apparatus for clearing hang calls in a communication network are disclosed. For example, the method detects a failure of an adjacent call stateful network element in a signaling path, identifies one or more calls that are affected by the failure of the adjacent call stateful network element, tests a media path of the one or more calls for activity and clears the one or more calls that are affected by the failure of the adjacent call stateful network element if the media path of the one or more calls is inactive.
US09231784B2
A method and system for eliminating redundant connections, including transmitting a request to merge two connections, terminating a first portion of a first connection, terminating a first portion of a second connection, and merging a second portion of each of the first and second connections, are described. A method and system for merging connections, including receiving a request to merge two connections, terminating a first portion of a first connection, terminating a first portion of a second connection, and merging a second portion of each of the first and second connections.
US09231780B2
A radio frequency (RF) switching circuit may include: a first switching circuit unit connected between a first signal port for signal transmission and reception and a common connection node connected to an antenna port and operated according to a first gate signal; a second switching circuit unit connected between a second signal port for signal transmission and reception and the common connection node and operated according to a second gate signal; a negative voltage generating unit generating a negative voltage using a voltage of an RF signal from the common connection node; and a gate signal generating unit generating the first and second gate signals using the negative voltage from the negative voltage generating unit and an operating voltage.
US09231776B2
A system and method handles a group session of a communication group. The method includes determining server association data and access network association data for each mobile unit in a communication group. The server association data indicates a first association with a Push-To-Talk (PTT) server. The access network association data indicates a second association with an operating area respective to the PTT servers. The method includes determining a first MU of the MUs in the communication group being associated with a first PTT server and associated with a MBMS operating area of a second PTT server, the first PTT server controlling the group session. When none of the MUs participating in the group session is associated with the second PTT server, the method includes inviting the second PTT server to join the group session of the communication group.
US09231775B2
Conference participants are selected via a network element in a network, the geographical area locations, for example, buildings of an enterprise, of the conference participants are determined and depending on the determined locations a geographical conference area, for example a conference room is determined for each conference participant. The conference area together with the conference information is communicated to the conference participants. The availability of the conference participants can be checked for the communication.
US09231771B2
An arrangement for gathering data from a communication network (101) includes a server device (102) connected to the communication network. The arrangement includes in user terminal devices (107,108) an interface application arranged to transmit to the server device first data related to telecommunication services provided by the communication network. The server device is arranged to produce second data, e.g. fees payable due to the usage of the telecommunication services, at least partly on the basis of the first data and to make the second data accessible to users (109,110) of the user terminal devices. The user terminal devices are utilised in gathering data from the communication network and thus the data is automatically gathered from those locations of the communication network in which the network and the telecommunication services are being used and thus no separate devices for gathering data are needed.
US09231765B2
A trusted device, such as a wristwatch 2, is provided with authentication circuitry 26, used to perform an authentication operation to switch the trusted device into an authenticated state. Retention monitoring circuitry 32 monitors the physical possession of the trusted device by the user following the authentication operation and switches the trusted device out of an authenticated state if the trusted device does not remain in the physical possession of the user. While the trusted device remains in the physical possession of the user, communication triggering circuitry 38 is used to detect a request to establish communication with a target device that is one of a plurality of different target devices and communication circuitry 40 is used to communicate with that target device using an authenticated identity of the user.
US09231759B2
The invention relates to a method of authenticating a user equipment in a communications network. The method involves sending a message from a network entity to the user equipment. This message includes a set of options for an authentication procedure for authenticating an internet protocol communication over a first interface between the user equipment and the network entity; said options including a “shared key”-based authentication procedure. The method also involves selecting an option from the set. In the event that the “shared-key”-based authentication procedure is selected, a shared secret from a security key established in a generic bootstrapping architecture (GBA) is generated over a second interface between the user equipment and a bootstrapping service function. The shared secret is then used to compute and verify authentication payloads in the key-based authentication procedure for the communication over the first interface.
US09231751B1
A clock-data recovery circuit includes a variable delay circuit that adjusts timing of a recovered clock by an amount to recover a received data stream at timing corresponding to a maximum opening of an eye pattern of the data stream. The delay timing is adjusted iteratively. The data stream in input to a 2-bit ADC, where the sampled data stream is compared with reference values representative of conditions of the eye pattern, and a result of the comparisons increases or decreases the clock delay according to a relative height of the eye pattern. A method of clock-data recovery uses the recovery circuit.
US09231750B2
Described herein are systems and methods for reducing power consumption, latency, and chip complexity in a datacom/telecom multiplexer and demultiplexer. Adding a high frequency analog domain data path around or in place of a standard digital core data path allows the elimination of the demultiplexing and multiplexing stages required to drop the data rate of data streams down to that required for a standard digital core. Latency is also reduced due to the higher operating frequency of sequential elements required for data operations. The digital core can be powered down when not in use, and can be activated when necessary.
US09231746B2
The present invention refers to a method and a transmitter element (35) for transmitting channel information (CI) for link adaptation of a radio channel (33) in a wireless network (11). In order to allow for reliable and efficient transfer of the channel information (CI) and to adapt the detection probability to the importance of the CI as well as to the channel stability, it is suggested that the method comprises encoding (19) the channel information (CI) using multi-level coding, said multi-level coding (19) comprising combining multiple bit sequences (c1, c2, . . . , cn, d), each bit sequence (c1, c2, . . . , cn, d) corresponding to a coding level (1, . . . , n) of said multilevel coding (19) and assigning (37) one of said coding levels (1, . . . , n) to at least a part (ci1, ci2) of the channel information (CI) such that at least a part (ci1, ci2) of the channel information (CI) corresponds to the bit sequence (c1, c2, . . . , cn) of that coding level (1, . . . , n). Furthermore, the present invention refers to a method and a receiver element for receiving the transmitted channel information (CI).
US09231744B2
A method and apparatus of a user equipment are provided for transmitting a channel status report in a communication system. The method includes receiving first information for at least one channel status report; generating a first channel status report corresponding to the first information for the at least one channel status report based on a reference signal in a first subframe; and transmitting the first channel status report based on the first information for the at least one channel status report in a second subframe. The first information for the at least one channel status report comprises information for a period and an offset, and a difference between the first subframe and the second subframe is a smallest value greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
US09231742B2
A base station transmits a message comprising configuration parameters of first radio resources of a control channel. The first radio resources comprise one or more sets of resource blocks in a subset of subframes in a plurality of subframes. The base station transmits scheduling information on the control channel for a packet transmitted on an uplink data channel. The base station transmits a positive or negative acknowledgement on second radio resources of a feedback channel for the received packet. The second radio resources start from a first OFDM symbol of a second subframe.
US09231739B2
A wireless station includes a receiver configured to receive a packet, a processor configured to set a retransmission start time of a packet transmitted to another wireless station based on the received packet, and a transmitter configured to control transmission of a packet that is the same as the transmitted packet in accordance with whether a response signal responsive to the transmitted packet is received before the set retransmission start time is reached.
US09231734B2
An apparatus and a method for performing shortening and puncturing in case of performing encoding and decoding using a parity test matrix in a communication/broadcasting system are provided. The method includes determining a number of zero-padding bits, determining a number Npad of bit groups in which all bits are padded with zeros, padding the all bits within 0th to (Npad−1)th bit groups with zeros based on a shortening pattern, encoding information bits including the zero-padded bits to generate a codeword. Here, the shortening pattern is defined in a sequence of bit groups defined as 9, 8, 15, 10, 0, 12, 5, 27, 6, 7, 19, 22, 1, 16, 26, 20, 21, 18, 11, 3, 17, 24, 2, 23, 25, 14, 28, 4, 13, 29.
US09231731B1
The common-mode input voltage of a common-gate input amplifier receiving a differential signal is set in an open-loop manner by basing the bias current and/or source load impedances of the common-gate amplifier on a transmitter bias current and driving impedance. The common-mode input voltage of a common-gate input amplifier receiving a differential signal may be set in a closed-loop manner using a feedback loop having a captured target voltage compared to the common-mode input voltage at a node of the amplifier. The common-mode input voltage of a common-gate input amplifier receiving a differential signal may be set in a continuous time closed loop manner by sending a reference current through resistances that are multiples of a resistance used to generate the reference current.
US09231730B2
A radio communication device includes a first antenna, a second antenna, a phase varying section that varies a phase of a first RF signal received by or transmitted from the first antenna, and a phase control section that causes the phase varying section to vary a phase amount, which is a varied amount of the phase of the first RF signal received by or transmitted from the first antenna. Thus, it is possible to prevent the size of a device configuration from increasing and avoid the lowering of a reception electric field level in a localized area.
US09231729B2
A data communication system comprises a wave-front multiplexer configured to wave-front multiplex first electronic signals into second electronic signals. An electronic-to-optical converter is configured to convert a third electronic signal carrying information associated with the second electronic signals into a first optical signal. An optical transferring module is configured to split the first optical signal into second optical signals, wherein each of the second optical signals carries the same data as the first optical signal carries. Optical-to-electronic converters are configured to convert the second optical signals into fourth electronic signals. Wave-front demultiplexers each are configured to wave-front demultiplex the fourth electronic signals into fifth electronic signals equivalent to the first electronic signals respectively.
US09231722B2
A method and system for channelizing a Passive Optical Network (PON) Media Access Controller (MAC) includes increasing a clock rate of each of one or more PON MAC(s) to create communication lanes each comprising a plurality of N channels. The PONs are channelized according to NX, where N equals a number of ports supported by the MAC and X equals a designated operating PON MAC clocking rate allowing for leveraging of existing Passive Optical Network (PON) infrastructures to provide a more power efficient and physically smaller MAC layer for OLTs.
US09231719B2
A sensor system includes a first sensor and a second sensor and a multiplexor having at least two multiplexer inputs connected to the sensors. The output of the multiplexor is connected to a time correlation logic circuit via at least a signal conditioning and anti-aliasing filter, and the output of the time correlation logic is a time correlated sensor reading of the first and second sensor.
US09231705B1
A data communications network in which a first information-containing radio frequency signal input is applied to a modulation circuit for modulating a carrier wave with the signal input, and a second information-containing radio frequency signal is applied to at the modulation circuit for modulating least one of the constellation points of the first modulation.
US09231687B2
Disclosed is a communication system including a first communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus that communicate with each other through a dual polarization antenna, the system including: a first communication apparatus which calculates a co-polar ratio defined by a ratio of a first channel gain for a first polarization and a second channel gain for a second polarization; and a second communication apparatus which calculates a first rotation angle for the first polarization and a second rotation angle for the second polarization, respectively, by using the co-polar ratio transferred from the first communication apparatus, and transmits to the first communication apparatus a first rotational polarization generated by rotating the first polarization at the first rotation angle and a second rotational polarization generated by rotating the second polarization at the second rotation angle.
US09231678B2
A method and system is disclosed for precoding in a two transmit antenna MIMO system, for example, a wireless backhaul network. The method only uses the first column of the 2×2 precoder as the feedback information. When the feedback information is available to the transmitter, the transmitter performs an interpolation and reconstruction procedure to obtain the precoder matrix for each subcarrier. The method offers no significant loss in performance, with reduced computational complexity and feedback overhead compared to conventional known matrix representation methods.
US09231669B2
A system and method for optimizing the performance for MIMO are provided, the system including multiple antennas, including at least one modal antenna, wherein each of the at least one modal antenna has multiple modes corresponding to multiple radiation patterns, and a processor coupled to the multiple antennas and configured to select a mode among the multiple modes to optimize signal quality for each time interval based on a CQI by considering envelop correlation effects.
US09231657B2
Embodiments of methods and systems for adaptive sub-band point-to-point communication are presented. In one embodiment a method includes performing functions using a power line communication (PLC) transmitter device. The method may include generating a first data packet having a first adaptive sub-band information set, the first sub-band information set comprising information to be used by a PLC receiver for determining a sub-band hopping pattern. The method may also include transmitting the first data packet on a first PLC sub-band. Additionally, the method may include hopping to a second PLC sub-band, and generating a second data packet having a second adaptive sub-band information set, the second sub-band information set comprising information to be used by the PLC receiver for determine the sub-band hopping pattern. The method may further include transmitting the second data packet on the second PLC sub-band.
US09231649B2
A method of generating the correlation function of a TMBOC(6,1,4/33) signal according to the present invention includes generating a signal delayed based on a phase delay τ with respect to a signal pulse train of a TMBOC(6,1,4/33)-modulated received signal, generating 12 partial correlation functions by performing the autocorrelation operation of the received signal and the delayed signal with respect to a total time T(0≦t≦T) , generating a sub-correlation function by performing an elimination operation of sixth and seventh partial correlation functions, and generating a main correlation function by summing results obtained by performing elimination operations between the remaining 10 partial correlation functions, excluding the sixth and seventh early partial correlation functions from the 12 partial correlation functions, and the sub-correlation function. The elimination operation is an operation satisfying algebraic relations in which |A|+|B|−|A−B|=0 when real numbers A and B are AB≦0 and |A|+|B|−|A−B|>0 when the real numbers A and B are AB>0 .
US09231646B1
A method for single signal transmit/receive module amplifier switching control is disclosed. Step (A) of the method may receive a control signal through a single pin of a circuit. The control signal may alternately conveys (i) a receive mode and (ii) a transmit mode. Step (B) may generate a transmit signal in a disabled state in response to the control signal transitioning from the transmit mode to the receive mode. The transmit signal in the disabled state is generally configured to disable a transmit amplifier. Step (C) may generate a receive signal in an enabled state a receive delay time after the control signal transitions from the transmit mode to the receive mode. The receive signal in the enabled state is generally configured to enable a receive amplifier. The receive delay time may allow the transmit amplifier to switch off before the receive amplifier switches on.
US09231645B2
A mobile terminal apparatus includes: a microphone; a switch control unit, which switches between a normal mode, in which a voice uttered toward the microphone is transmitted to an intended party, and a mute mode, in which the voice is not transmitted to the intended party; and a proximity sensor, which detects whether a detection object is in proximity to the proximity sensor, wherein, while the mute mode is being executed, if the detection object is detected by the proximity sensor, the switch control unit switches to the normal mode.
US09231628B2
A system may comprise circuitry that includes a sequence estimation circuit and a non-linearity modeling circuit. The circuitry may be operable to receive a single-carrier signal that was generated by passage of symbols through a partial response filter and through a non-linear circuit. The circuitry may be operable to generate estimated values of the symbols using the sequence estimation circuit and using the non-linearity modeling circuit. An output of the non-linearity modeling circuit may be equal to a corresponding input of the non-linearity modeling circuit modified according to a non-linear model that approximates the non-linearity of the non-linear circuit through which the received signal passed.
US09231625B2
A radio that includes a transceiver to transmit and receive RF signals. The transceiver including a transmitter, a transformer, and a receiver, the transformer is coupled to and shared between the transmitter and the receiver. A resonator is formed by the combination of the transformer and capacitive elements of the transmitter and receiver.
US09231609B1
A dielectric resonator oscillator includes a dielectric resonator; a transmission line disposed adjacent the dielectric resonator; an active device having an input electrically connected to the transmission line; a matching network having an input electrically connected to an output of the active device and an output configured to be connected to a load; wherein both the transmission line and the active device are positioned sufficiently close to the dielectric resonator to form part of a resonant circuit with the dielectric resonator.
US09231608B1
A method and apparatus is provided for on-the-fly calibration of and correction for time interleave error, including generation of correction data associated with an interleave corrector employed by a system for converting a time-domain input stream, corresponding to samples acquired from an interleaved system of digitizers having impairment due to interleave mismatch, to a time-domain output stream. The method includes determining at least one time-domain acquisition segment; determining at least one frequency-domain acquisition segment; determining at least one frequency-domain block acquisition segment, whereby the frequency-domain block acquisition segment comprises a block of tone values; determining the suitability of the frequency-domain block acquisition segment for use in the generation of adjusted correction data; determining a block dominant tone segment from the frequency-domain block acquisition segment; and determining a block impairment transfer column vector in accordance with the block dominant tone segment and the frequency-domain block acquisition segment.
US09231607B2
A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) system includes a DAC and a clock interconnect module. The DAC includes a plurality of segments and a plurality of drivers. Each of the plurality of segments receives driver signals from a respective one of the plurality of drivers and generates a positive output and a negative output based on the driver signals. Each of the plurality of drivers receives a respective one of a plurality of clock signals and outputs the driver signals based on the respective one of the plurality of clock signals. The clock interconnect module includes an interconnect loop. A clock input is connected to a first portion of the interconnect loop and the plurality of clock signals are output from a second portion of the interconnect loop connected to the plurality of drivers. An output interconnect module receives the positive outputs and the negative outputs generates a differential output signal.
US09231595B2
A method for efficient logging in a control system is provided. A first plurality of registers, frequently accessed registers, is identified. A request is received from a server to access at least one of the first plurality of registers. The request includes a second plurality of registers and a plurality of data values to be stored in the second plurality of registers. At least some registers included in the request are frequently accessed registers. A third plurality of registers is identified based on predetermined criteria for inclusion. The third plurality of registers is a subset of the second plurality of registers storing a corresponding subset of the plurality of data values. A log entry is stored in an event log file corresponding to each data value included the third plurality of registers.
US09231592B1
A clock generating circuit includes oscillators each having a delay rise vote input, a delay fall vote input, a delay rise output, a delay fall output, and a clock output; a vote rise circuit having inputs coupled individually to the delay rise outputs of the oscillators, and an output coupled in common to the delay rise vote inputs of the oscillators; a vote fall circuit having inputs coupled individually to the delay fall outputs of the oscillators, and an output coupled in common to the delay fall vote inputs of the oscillators; and a vote clock circuit having inputs coupled individually to the clock outputs of the oscillators, and an output for providing a synchronized clock signal.
