User isolated indexes for determining the context and relevance of relationships

US Patent 9,015,167
April 21, 2015
Embodiments are directed towards generating user isolated indexes for determining the content and relevance of relationships. User indexes may be generated that correspond to individual users of a larger population of users. Client applications may be accessed to determine items corresponding to the users. Information corresponding to the determined items may be listed in a user index corresponding to each user. Also, other information associated with the users may be stored in a data store separate from the user indexes. A context associated with one or more determined item may be determined based on an analysis of content included in the determined items, or other information. User indexes may be updated based on the determined contexts. Updating the user indexes may include updating the user index of the user associated with the determined items and updating other user indexes.

Evaluating a questionable network communication

US Patent 9,015,090
April 21, 2015
Identifying a questionable network address from a network communication. In an embodiment, a network device receives an incoming or outgoing connection request, a web page, an email, or other network communication. An evaluation module evaluates the network communication for a corresponding network address, which may be for the source or destination of the network communication. The network address generally includes an IP address. The evaluation module determines one or more properties of the network communication, such as time of day, content type, directionality, or the like. The evaluation module then determines whether the properties match or are otherwise allowed based on properties specified in the white list in association with the IP address.

Set-top box receiver soft control system and method

US Patent 9,013,637
April 21, 2015
A set-top box is constructed including a processor, an input port, an auxiliary input port, and an output port. The input port is electrically coupled to the processor, and is configured to receive first control signals from a remote control. The auxiliary input port is also electrically coupled to the processor, and is configured to receive second control signals from an auxiliary remote control and send the second control signals to the processor. The output port is electrically coupled to the processor, and is configured to send graphical representations of a remote control to a display. The processor is configured to compose a graphical representation of the remote control, receive a second control signal, modify the graphical representation of the remote control in response to the second control signal, and send the graphical representation to the output port for display.

Apparatus, systems and methods for power supply employing single-stage forward voltage conversion

US Patent 9,013,896
April 21, 2015
A method of supplying direct-current (DC) power is presented herein. In the method, a first electrical signal and a second electrical signal are received. The first electrical signal alternates between a high voltage and a low voltage according to a constant duty cycle. The second electrical signal is synchronized with the first electrical signal. The first electrical signal is gated using the second electrical signal to produce a gated electrical signal with a duty cycle less than the duty cycle of the first electrical signal. The gated electrical signal is filtered to generate a DC output voltage. A difference between the generated DC output voltage and a reference DC voltage is determined. The duty cycle of the gated electrical signal is controlled by controlling the gating of the first electrical signal based on the difference.

User controlled synchronization of presented video and audio streams

US Patent 9,013,632
April 21, 2015

Systems and methods are operable to correct synchronization between a video stream and an audio stream presented to a user. An exemplary embodiment receives a synchronization correction instruction, wherein the synchronization correction is configured to be initiated by the user; and incrementally adjusts one of the video stream and the audio stream by a synchronization correction, wherein the synchronization correction advances or retards presentation of at least one of the video stream and the audio stream by a predefined duration.

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Gate depletion drain extended MOS transistor

US Patent 9,012,998
April 21, 2015
A drain extended MOS transistor configured to operate in a gate-depletion regime. Devices comprising such transistors are described together with fabrication processes for such devices and transistors.

Under-hood tool bar

US Patent 9,010,550
April 21, 2015
A tool bar for securing under a hood of a car during repair and maintenance is disclosed. A rigid member spanning a substantial portion of the hood is flexibly secured to hooks. The hooks engage edges of the hood and may include a compliant covering. The hooks may secure to the rigid member by means of straps and the straps may be tensioned by means of tensioners secured to one of the hooks and the rigid member. A stabilizer secures to the rigid member and has an end that may be clipped or otherwise fastened to a portion of the hood to resist rotation of the rigid member. One or more tool retaining members secured to the rigid member, such as a socket rack, magnetic bar, hook groove, or the like.

Apparatus, systems and methods for accessing and synchronizing presentation of media content

US Patent 9,009,339
April 14, 2015
Media rich content server systems and methods are operable to provide access to supplemental media rich content at a portable media device. An exemplary embodiment communicatively couples a portable media device to a media device that initially receives a media content stream comprising at least one supplemental media rich content trigger, wherein the supplemental media rich content trigger includes access information configured to access at least one media rich content server; receives a portion of the media content stream with the supplemental media rich content trigger at the portable media device; establishes a communication link between the portable media device and the media rich content server based upon the access information in the received supplemental media rich content trigger; receives supplemental media rich content from the media rich content server; and presents at least the received supplemental media rich content on a display of the portable media device.

Methods of manufacturing a contact array assembly and leads and systems containing the assembly

US Patent 9,005,503
April 14, 2015
A method of making an electrical stimulation lead includes disposing conductive contacts in a spaced-apart longitudinal arrangement within a mold. A portion of a stylet tube is disposed within the mold, and the stylet tube extends through the conductive contacts. Conductive wires are positioned external to the stylet tube and each contact is coupled to at least one of the wires. A non-conductive material is molded between adjacent pairs of the contacts, around the wires, and over the stylet tube, to form a portion of the lead. This portion includes the contacts, the stylet tube, the wires, and one or more non-conductive spacers formed from the non-conductive material. Finally, the portion of the lead is removed from the mold. Another method includes placing a temporary tube around the conductive contacts and forming spacers by introducing flowable, curable, non-conductive material within the tube and between the conductive contacts.

Implantable electrical stimulation systems with shielded control module

US Patent 9,008,778
April 14, 2015
An implantable control module for an electrical stimulation system includes a header coupled a sealed body. The header includes at least one connector assembly. The control module also includes a conductive shield disposed over at least a portion of the connector assembly or connector assemblies of the header. The conductive shield is provided to hinder generation of current in the header or in a portion of a lead received in the header in response to application of an external radiofrequency (RF) or magnetic field. A similar shield can also be used to shield a connector assembly disposed on the end of a lead extension or any other component of the electrical stimulation system.