Abstract: A method which can be implemented by a computer supporting the configuration changeover of at least one operating area of a machine for packaging products in general. The operating area includes a first device configured for processing a product according to a first predetermined format and/or first brand. The method includes providing graphic signals identifying the first device to be replaced, a storage position in which to position it, a second device configured to perform a processing of a product in accordance with a predetermined second format and/or second brand and the storage position in which it is placed. Moreover, an image guide system is provided which represents a succession of operations to be performed to replace the first device with the second device. The graphic signals and/or the images are reproduced by means of a graphical interface of the computer.

Abstract: Finding the space spanned by user profiles of consumed items for making recommendations commences by first estimating a mean and covariance for a set of labeled items associated with a profile. Thereafter, a vector is identified that belongs to a convex cone spanned by the user profiles based on the estimated mean and covariance, the labels and items. The labels are mirrored in a negative space defined by the identified vector. The weighted covariance matrix is computed based on the mirrored labels; and eigenvalues and eigenvectors are computed of the weighted covariance matrix. A first set of eigenvalues share a value and wherein a remainder of the eigenvalues correspond to eigenvectors that span the profile.

Abstract: A method to detect a number of individual users included in a composite set of movie ratings having ratings from a plurality of individual users includes accessing the composite set of movie ratings and movie profiles and loading the composite set and movie profiles into a rating analysis engine. Processing the composite set along with the movie profiles determines a number of partitions present in the composite set, wherein the number of partitions is determined iteratively using subspace clustering of ratings from the composite set. The determined number of partitions is output and corresponds to the number of individual users included in the composite set of movie ratings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting user privacy in a recommender system are described including determining what information to release to a user for a movie, transmitting the information to the user, accepting obfuscated input from the user and estimating the user's non-private feature vector. Also described are a method and apparatus for protecting user privacy in a recommender system including receiving movie information, accepting a user's movie feedback, accepting user's private information, calculating an obfuscation value and transmitting the obfuscation value.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for identifying users of content. The methods include identifying contextual information of a group of users, gathering user access data of the users on the basis of the contextual information of the group of users, analyzing temporal information of the user access data, and identifying particular users in the group of users on the basis of the analyzed temporal information and the contextual information.

Abstract: A unit for feeding filters to a filter assembly machine, wherein at least one deflecting device receives a respective succession of filter portions in an axial direction, and feeds the filter portions to the filter assembly machine in a transverse direction crosswise to the filter portions; the deflecting device being defined by a fixed frame supporting an input and an output, and by an extractable box fitted movably to the fixed frame and supporting a first conveying device for conveying the filter portions in the axial direction, a second conveying device for conveying the filter portions in the transverse direction, and a deflecting member for diverting the filter portions to the transverse direction.

Abstract: Filter plugs or sticks are directed from a filter maker onto a pair of conveyor rollers counter-rotating substantially in contact one with another at a point of tangency and furnished with equispaced peripheral flutes by which the single sticks are taken up and transferred from an infeed position to a release position. The flutes occupying a limited sector of each roller are connected selectively to a source of suction by an internal valve mechanism composed of a slide positionable to set the width of the sector, and a selector sleeve slidable axially between operating positions in which suction is generated across the sector through flutes spaced apart respectively at a longer pitch, and at a shorter pitch equivalent to half of the longer pitch.

Abstract: A drum for a filter-tipped cigarette manufacturing machine is fitted to and projects from a frame of the manufacturing machine, and has a drive shaft; an outer shell connected in angularly fixed and axially sliding manner to the drive shaft; and an axial guide member interposed between the shell and the drive shaft, and connected telescopically to the drive shaft to enable the shell to be withdrawn axially from the frame, from a work position power-connected angularly to the drive shaft, while still remaining supported by the drive shaft; the drum also has a device for releasably locking the shell, in the work position, axially to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A cigarette maker is equipped with a print unit comprising a plurality of ink transfer and ink feed rollers disposed substantially tangential one to another, a printing roller by which lettering is impressed cyclically on a continuous strip of paper, and a main cooling circuit equipped with a refrigeration unit and a predetermined number of secondary cooling circuits, each routed through the body of a respective roller. With this arrangement, the single rollers of the print unit can be maintained at a predetermined uniform temperature along the full distance through which the ink is transferred, and over the entire expanse of the cylindrical surface presented by each roller.

Abstract: A drum for a filter-tipped cigarette manufacturing machine is fitted to and projects from a frame of the manufacturing machine, and has a drive shaft; an outer shell connected in angularly fixed and axially sliding manner to the drive shaft; and an axial guide member interposed between the shell and the drive shaft, and connected telescopically to the drive shaft to enable the shell to be withdrawn axially from the frame, from a work position power-connected angularly to the drive shaft, while still remaining supported by the drive shaft; the drum also has a device for releasably locking the shell, in the work position, axially to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A unit for feeding filters to a filter assembly machine, wherein at least one deflecting device receives a respective succession of filter portions in an axial direction, and feeds the filter portions to the filter assembly machine in a transverse direction crosswise to the filter portions; the deflecting device being defined by a fixed frame supporting an input and an output, and by an extractable box fitted movably to the fixed frame and supporting a first conveying device for conveying the filter portions in the axial direction, a second conveying device for conveying the filter portions in the transverse direction, and a deflecting member for diverting the filter portions to the transverse direction.