Abstract: A cooker comprises a cooking chamber configured to cook food with water; a first unit configured to feed water to the cooking chamber; a second unit configured to obtain information related to an interruption of the cooking; and a controller configured to operate the first unit according to the information related to the interruption, after the cooking recovers from the interruption. With the cooker, the influence of the interruption on the cooking process, in particular on the water fed to the cooking chamber, is taken into account, which helps to improve the taste of the cooked food.

Abstract: A material joining end effector generally includes a first arm, an optics assembly, a clamp, and a second arm. The first arm elongated along a longitudinal axis. The optics assembly is configured to focus an energy beam. The clamp is movably coupled to the first arm, the clamp being configured to move along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The second arm is rotationally coupled to the first arm, the second arm being configured to rotate relative to the first arm. The clamp is configured to removably couple the optics assembly to the first arm to allow the optics assembly to be decoupled from the first arm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage production device for preparing a beverage by means of extracting a food substance contained in a capsule (10), the device comprising capsule enclosing means (29,30) for housing a dedicated capsule (10) within the device, water supply means (25,27,28,29) for providing liquid to the enclosing means (29,30) and perforating means (20) provided within the enclosing means (29,30) for perforating the capsule (10) in order to produce outlet openings in the capsule for guiding the produced beverage out of the capsule, wherein the perforating means comprise at least two perforating members (20), each of the perforating members (20) comprising a cutting edge (1) formed by two outer cutting surfaces (2,3) joined at the cutting edge, wherein the cutting edge (1) is arranged essentially parallel to a central axis (X) of the enclosing means (29,30).

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include systems and methods for automatically creating compilation videos from an original video based on metadata associated with the original video. For example, a method for creating a compilation video may include determining a relevance score for video frames in an original video; selecting a plurality of relevant video frames from the original video based on the relevance score; selecting a plurality of video clips from the original video based on the relevance scores of the video frames; and creating a compilation video from the plurality of video clips. Each of the plurality of video clips, for example, may include at least one relevant video frame from the plurality of relevant video frames.

Abstract: A system and method allows users to provide portions of scripts or scripts for retrieval of information from one or more web sites of one or more businesses by demonstrating operation of the one or more web sites and identifying locations of one or more fields on each web page of the one or more web sites, and the system and method stores the scripts and uses the scripts to retrieve information from such web site or web sites for any number of users. Different portions of different scripts may be used as a single script to retrieve information from a single web site. Scripts or portions of scripts may be repaired using information from previously working scripts or portions, the web site when the script or portion worked, and the web site when the script or portion did not work.

Abstract: A scent warmer may include an at least substantially hollow member having at least one inner surface defining an internal cavity therein, a receptacle disposed at a first longitudinal end of the at least substantially hollow member for holding scented material therein, and a support structure configured to support at least one lighting module within the internal cavity of the at least substantially hollow member. The support structure may be a separate member from the at least substantially hollow member. The at least substantially hollow member may be configured to conceal at least substantially all of the support structure when the at least substantially hollow member is placed over the support structure on a flat surface.

Abstract: A tray for a microwave oven and a microwave oven having the same is disclosed. Heat generators are formed on the surface of a tray unit of the tray for a microwave oven through transfer coating carried out at a high temperature, and thus the tray for a microwave oven may be heated to a high temperature, thereby being capable of effectively forming a grill mark on food to be cooked.

Abstract: One variation of a method for dispensing toppings onto topping vehicles includes: indexing a first topping vehicle to a first position adjacent a first topping module, the first topping module comprising a first hopper containing a first topping of a first topping type; indexing a second topping vehicle to a second position adjacent a second topping module comprising a second hopper containing a second topping of a second topping type; retracting a first blade of the first topping module; advancing the first blade through the first topping; retracting a first retaining plate to dispense a topping slice from the first topping onto the first topping vehicle according to a first topping order for the first topping vehicle specifying the first topping type, the first retaining plate offset from the first blade opposite the first hopper; advancing the first retaining plate; and indexing the first topping vehicle to the second position.

Abstract: An appliance for frying has a frying pot disposed within a housing for containing oil or fat and having a normally-closed valve disposed at a bottom thereof. An oil receiving tank is removably receivable within the housing below the frying pot, and has an oil receiving hole positionable below the valve such that when the draining valve is opened, the oil or fat may flow from the frying pot into the oil receiving tank. An actuation mechanism disposed entirely on the housing has a first condition wherein the activation mechanism allows removal of the oil receiving tank relative to the housing, a second condition wherein the activation mechanism prevents removal of the oil receiving tank relative to the housing while not opening the valve, and a third condition wherein the activation mechanism prevents removal of the oil receiving tank relative to the housing while opening the valve.

Abstract: Electric, self-heating concrete systems that uses embedded carbon macrofiber or nanofibers paper as electric resistance heating elements are disclose. The self-heating concrete systems may utilize the conductive properties of carbon macrofiber or nanofiber materials to heat a surface overlay of concrete with various admixtures to improve the concrete's thermal conductivity. The self-heating concrete systems allow concrete roadways or the like to be heated to above freezing temperatures in a freezing environment in a reasonable amount of time.

Abstract: A flexible laminate (1) includes an electrically non-conductive substrate (2) with a substantially planar configuration, an electrically conductive element (3) on a surface of the electrically non-conductive substrate, and a layer (4) on a surface of the electrically non-conductive substrate (2). The electrically non-conductive substrate (2), the electrically conductive element (3) and the layer (4) are coaxially punctured forming a punctured region (6). They are connected to each other through a mechanical connection element (5) which extends through the electrically non-conductive substrate (2), the electrically conductive element (3) and the layer (4) at the punctured region (6). The cross-sectional area of the electrically conductive element (3) at the location of the punctured region (6) is larger than the cross-sectional area of the electrically conductive element (3) outside the punctured region (6).

Abstract: A control system, method and computer program product cooperate to assist control for an autonomous robot. The system includes a communications interface that exchanges information with the autonomous robot (22). A user interface displays a scene of location in which the autonomous robot (22) is positioned, and also receives an indication of a user selection of a user selected area within the scene. The communications interface transmits an indication of said user selected area to the autonomous robot (22) for further processing of the area by said autonomous robot (22).

Abstract: A method for optimizing resource prefetch criteria may include identifying a prefetch criteria on a first resource. The prefetch criteria may be associated with a likelihood that a second resource linked from the first resource may be requested. The prefetch criteria may be modified to a modified prefetch criteria different from the prefetch criteria. A modified likelihood that the second resource may be requested may be tracked based on the modified prefetch criteria. The prefetch criteria may be replaced with the modified prefetch criteria when the modified result is greater than the result.

Abstract: Object matching between slides of a presentation is disclosed. In certain implementations, different objects within separate slides are matched and can be separately and independently handled during slide transitions as compared to unmatched objects. In certain embodiments, this involves matching objects on both an outgoing and incoming slide and providing specific animation or handling for those matched objects. Further, different degrees or levels of object matches may be provided and this information may be leveraged in the slide transition process.

Abstract: Machine for preparing beverages from capsules, wherein the machine has a vertical axis (V-V) and comprises a dispensing assembly (1), the assembly in its turn comprising: means for containing a capsule (3), comprising a first element (4) and a second element (5) movable one respect to the other to define, in a closed position, a chamber for extracting the capsule, according to an axis (A-A) of said means; guiding means (2) for inserting the capsule (3) inside said assembly (1), and for retaining it in an intermediate position, different from the extraction position of the beverage; and ducts for feeding an infusion fluid into said capsule and dispensing a beverage from said capsule, characterized in that said axis (A-A) of the containing means (4, 5) of the capsule (3) is tilted with respect to the vertical axis (V-V) of the machine of an angle (?) lower than 45 degrees.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling infrared radiation (IR) sources of a sauna including tuning IR wavelength-ranges and radiated power-levels of IR sources, and directing IR to locations on a user's body. In one illustrative embodiment, a sauna may be provided having adjustable heat sources to emit IR at any wavelength resulting in a desirable radiation treatment for the sauna user. In another illustrative embodiment, a method is provided for tuning IR sources in a sauna.

Abstract: A method of making an electrode assembly for a furnace includes providing a heating element within the furnace. The method further includes providing a power feedthrough having an end portion that extends into the furnace to couple with the heating element. The power feedthrough includes a conductive member for transmitting electricity to the heating element. The method includes cleaning an exterior surface of the conductive member proximate the end portion of the power feedthrough. The method further includes a step of applying an electroless nickel plating to the exterior surface of the conductive member for preventing corrosion of the conductive member within the furnace. The method also includes connecting the end portion of the power feedthrough to the heating element.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for resolving a change to a table. A processing circuitry receives, from a user in a collaborative document editing environment, the change to the table, wherein the change comprises an expansion of a first cell in the table. A first state of the first cell is identified, wherein the state is indicative of a number of columns and a number of rows over which the first cell spans, and at least one of the number of columns and the number of rows is greater than one. A second state of a second cell that is adjacent to the first cell is identified, and the processing circuitry selects whether to allow the expansion of the first cell based on the second state of the second cell.

Abstract: A boroscope includes a working head having first and second ends. A first optical fiber extends through the boroscope to a position between the first and second ends. A second optical fiber extends through the boroscope to the second end of the working head. A laser optical fiber extends through the boroscope. At least one lens is arranged between the first end and the second end of the working head and a mirror is gimballed to the second end of the working head. The laser optical fiber directs laser light transmitted through the laser optical fiber onto the lens and then onto the mirror. A first LED is arranged at a position between the first end and the second end of the working head and a second LED is arranged at the second end of the working head and an actuator devices adjust the position of the mirror.

Abstract: A word mapping method is provided, based on a plurality of connections between a plurality of words as generated by an individual or group, the map being formed based on connections between words provided by an individual or individuals. The resultant word map may be used for various purposes including cognitive diagnoses, sentence structure optimization of documents, and the like.