Online social referral network
US Patent 9,438,691
September 13, 2016
Embodiments are directed to users viewing and referring cards of content to other users. A user may refer a card by endorsing the card. By friending other users, users form a social network. Thus, a user may refer a card to friends, friends of friends, and other users. Cards may include one or more card tallies that are specific to a particular user. Card tallies may refer to the number of friends, of the particular user, that have endorsed the card, the number of friends of friends that have endorsed the card, and other users that have endorsed the card. By viewing the card tallies, the particular user may determine a utility of the card based on the number of the user’s friends that have endorsed the card, the number of friends of friends that have endorsed the card, and the number of other users that have endorsed the card.
Implantable medical device having electromagnetic interference filter device to reduce pocket tissue
US Patent 9,433,782
September 6, 2016
An active implantable medical device (AIMD) for use with a medical lead carrying at least one lead electrode. The AIMD comprises interior electronic circuitry configured for performing a medical function via the medical lead, an electrically conductive case containing the interior electronic circuitry, at least one electrical terminal configured for electrically coupling the electronic circuitry respectively to the lead electrode(s), and an inductive element coupled in series between the electrical terminal(s) and the case. The inductive element is configured for hindering the shunting of electrical current from the at least one electrical terminal to the case that has been induced by electromagnetic interference (EMI) impinging on the medical lead.
Building block construction system
US Patent 9,433,872
September 6, 2016
A building system includes blocks having first and second side surfaces that are perpendicular to a common plane defining a subtended angle, couplers and receivers are defined in the first and second side surfaces such that chains of blocks may be coupled to one another in rows forming closed loops or non-closed chains. Rows may be coupled together by engaging core links with a block in each row and with a core rod passing through each row. Blocks in each row may include a peg and aperture engaging a corresponding aperture and peg in adjacent rows to facilitate alignment. Core rods threadably secure to other cord rods, slanted blocks, caps, and other feature blocks in order to capture a stack of rows in engagement with the core rods. Blocks including decorative features and forming parts of pivoting joints may also be included within a row.
Twist-fold containers
US Patent 9,433,311
September 6, 2016
Twist-fold containers include wires that are pivotally connected to channels formed in the containers. Using a twisting motion, the containers including the wires are collapsed. The collapsing, twisting motion is produced though the use of wires that are displaced in a plurality of locations along the circumference of the container. The wires include horizontal sections that are configured to be retained in the base or rim of the container in a manner that permits them to rotate to transition the container between expanded and collapsed positions.
System and apparatus for regulating flow rate in an espresso machine
US Patent 9,433,318
September 6, 2016
Embodiments are directed towards regulating flow rate in an espresso machine, during a multi-phase brewing process which includes a pre-brew and an extraction phase. During the pre-brew phase, coffee grounds are slowly pre-wetted and/or out-gassed with a first volume of water delivered at a first flow rate. During the extraction phase, a second volume of water is delivered, at a second flow rate, to extract espresso, where the second volume is delivered at a generally greater pressure than the first volume. The second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate. The flow rates, volumes, and pressures are regulated by the espresso machine, which includes a flow rate regulation assembly that comprises first and second flow paths and first and second valves. Baristas may vary the flow rate, volume, and pressure of water throughout the brewing process by opening, closing, or otherwise adjusting at least one of the valves.
System and method for maximising thermal efficiency of a power plant
US Patent 9,436,168
September 6, 2016
A method for maximizing thermal efficiency of a power plant, the method comprising obtaining the current state of the plant from available measured data; obtaining a set of Variables representing a current state of the power plant; applying a set of constraints to the Variables; generating a revised set of Variables representing a revised state of the power plant; and testing the revised set of Variables within a mathematical model for convergence. Generating the revised set of Variable is based at least partly on: Euler’s equation, the conservation of mass equation, and a mathematical description of a reversible continuum. There are also provided a related power plant thermal efficiency maximization system and computer program.
Xanax bars
Online social referral network
US Patent 9,438,691
September 6, 2016
Embodiments are directed to users viewing and referring cards of content to other users. A user may refer a card by endorsing the card. By friending other users, users form a social network. Thus, a user may refer a card to friends, friends of friends, and other users. Cards may include one or more card tallies that are specific to a particular user. Card tallies may refer to the number of friends, of the particular user, that have endorsed the card, the number of friends of friends that have endorsed the card, and other users that have endorsed the card. By viewing the card tallies, the particular user may determine a utility of the card based on the number of the user’s friends that have endorsed the card, the number of friends of friends that have endorsed the card, and the number of other users that have endorsed the card.
Representation of online discussion in conjunction with primary visual content
US Patent 9,432,316
August 30, 2016
A method of representing online discussions in conjunction with primary visual content is presented. In the method, the primary visual content is transmitted to a visual display for presentation to a user. A statement of an online discussion is received. In response to receiving the statement, a representation of the statement and an icon representing a source of the statement are transmitted in conjunction with the primary visual content for presentation on the visual display. The icon and the statement are coupled graphically on the visual display, and are placed near a periphery of the visual display. After a period of time while the icon and statement are presented on the display, presuming a second statement is not received from the source, the icon and the statement are removed from the display while the primary visual content is maintained on the display.
User-selected media content blocking
US Patent 9,432,424
August 30, 2016
Presented herein is a method of blocking user-selected media content, such as, for example, audio and/or video content. In the method, at least one media content stream is presented to a user, wherein the at least one media content stream includes multiple showings of an identifiable contiguous segment of media content. One example of such a segment may be a commercial or advertisement. While presenting a current showing of the segment of media content to the user, a command is received from a user to block the segment of media content from presentation to the user. In response to receiving the command, information identifying the segment of media content is generated. The at least one media content stream is analyzed using the information to detect subsequent showings of the segment of media content. Presentation of at least one of the subsequent showings of the segment of media content is prevented when detected in the at least one media content stream.
Apparatus, systems and methods for adjusting output audio volume based on user location
US Patent 9,431,980
August 30, 2016
Systems and methods are operable to adjust an output audio volume level of presented audio content that is output as sound from one or more speakers in a media presentation environment. An exemplary embodiment detects movement of a user who is listening to the audio content; increases the output audio volume level when the detected user movement is away from a predefined location in the media presentation environment; and decreases the output audio volume level when the detected user movement is closer to the predefined location in the media presentation environment.
