Abstract: An apparatus utilizing wave energy to capture ocean water and send it to shore for hydroelectricity, hydrodynamic energy conversion or desalination. The submerged device is located offshore and is preferably oriented orthogonal to the shoreline or the incoming water surges. Responding to underwater wave surges, a deformable bladder filled with sea water is compressed and the seawater contained therein is expelled and sent to shore. A one-way valve responds to the differential in water pressure inside the empty bladder as compared to outside the bladder and permits seawater to enter and refill the bladder. The bladder may have any of several forms including that of a bellows. The present invention discusses several ways by which the bladder may be compressed and several ways by which it can sense and respond to underwater wave surges.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a media item is described. The method comprises: measuring a magnetic signal along the media item, converting the measured signal to a calibrated length signal, aligning the calibrated length signal with a reference signal, extracting features from the aligned signal, and classifying the media item based on the extracted features.

Abstract: A self-service terminal for reading wireless tags incorporated into media items is described. The terminal comprises a media acceptor for receiving media items, such as banknotes incorporating an RFID tag, and a wireless tag reader for reading received media items incorporating wireless tags. The terminal may also include a wireless tag reader for reading wireless tags in media items that are being transported to determine if multiple superimposed media items are present. The terminal may include a wireless tag reader for reading wireless tags in media items presented as a bunch, and subsequently retracted, to determine if any of the presented media items had been removed.

Abstract: A portable travel mug and water bowl combination which is used to retain water and dispense water for a dog, to consume and thereafter enable the unconsumed water to be returned to the travel mug. The travel mug is designed to fit into and be retained in a standard car beverage container holder. The combination water retainer and water drinking bowl includes a drinking bowl top which is removably affixed to the water retaining vessel. The water retaining vessel is a plastic squeeze bottle retained in an outer shell which has a pair of oppositely disposed cutout sections by which the squeeze bottle can be squeezed by fingers to cause water to flow through a straw and out of the neck of the bottle and into the water bowl.

Abstract: A produce recognition system comprises an image capture device arranged to (i) capture a first color image which is representative of a color image of a produce item, and (ii) capture a second color image which is representative of a color image of at least one target color swatch. The produce recognition system further comprises control circuitry arranged to (i) calculate one or more color correction factors based upon differences between the captured second color image and a store of reference color images, and (ii) apply the calculated one or more color correction factors to the captured first color image to correct for color variations in the color image of the produce item due to a combination of variations in natural lighting and variations in interior lighting.

Abstract: A method of detecting staining on a media item is described. An example method includes receiving an image of the media item, including a plurality of pixels having different intensity values within a range of intensity values, applying central weighting to the received image, applying a threshold to each pixel in the centrally-weighted image to transform each pixel to a binary value, comparing a pixel in the evaluation image with a pixel in a binary reference image to create a difference image including (i) a stain pixel at each spatial location in which a pixel in the evaluation image has a low intensity pixel and the corresponding pixel in the binary reference image has a high intensity pixel, and (ii) a non-stain pixel at all other spatial locations. The media item is identified as stained in the event that the difference image meets a staining criterion.

Abstract: A media handler for detecting counterfeit media is described. The media handler comprises: a plurality of discrete sensors distributed along a transport path operable to transport a media item, and a controller operable to receive signals from the plurality of discrete sensors. The controller is also operable to make a decision on validity of the transported media item based on the received signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a media item. The apparatus includes a module for receiving media items and capturing an image of a received media item. The method involves ascertaining external dimensions of the media item from the captured image; creating a monochromatic image based on high contrast boundaries within the captured image; matching the monochromatic image to one of a plurality of templates of media items of approximately the same external dimensions as the media item; and providing details of the matched template, including type and orientation of the media item corresponding to the matched template.

Abstract: A method of preventing fraud at a self-service terminal is described. The method comprises: receiving a signal from an electromagnetic sensor located in the vicinity of an electromagnetic signal transmitter; monitoring a drive signal being delivered to the electromagnetic signal transmitter; and comparing the drive signal with the electromagnetic sensor signal. The method then ascertains if a state of the electromagnetic sensor signal is inconsistent with a state of the drive signal; and triggers an alarm when the state of the electromagnetic sensor signal is inconsistent with a state of the drive signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a media item. The apparatus includes a module for receiving media items and capturing an image of a received media item. The method involves ascertaining external dimensions of the media item from the captured image; creating a monochromatic image based on high contrast boundaries within the captured image; matching the monochromatic image to one of a plurality of templates of media items of approximately the same external dimensions as the media item; and providing details of the matched template, including type and orientation of the media item corresponding to the matched template.

Abstract: A produce recognition system comprises an image capture device arranged to (i) capture a first color image which is representative of a color image of a produce item, and (ii) capture a second color image which is representative of a color image of at least one target color swatch. The produce recognition system further comprises control circuitry arranged to (i) calculate one or more color correction factors based upon differences between the captured second color image and a store of reference color images, and (ii) apply the calculated one or more color correction factors to the captured first color image to correct for color variations in the color image of the produce item due to a combination of variations in natural lighting and variations in interior lighting.

Abstract: A technique for use in automatic validation of a media item involves accessing a template that comprises multiple one-class classifiers, each corresponding to one of multiple classes to which the media item might belong, and then applying each of the one-class classifiers to an image of the media item to generate a result set for each of the multiple classes. The result set for each media class is then analyzed to assess whether the media item belongs to that class.

Abstract: A technique for use in automated recognition of a media item involves accessing a template that includes multiple segmentation maps that each is associated with one of multiple classes to which the media item might belong. For each of the multiple classes, the segmentation map is applied to an image of the media item to extract a feature set for the image, the feature set is analyzed, and an assessment is made as to whether the media item belongs to the class.

Abstract: The invention provides containers and methods of use for the storage, transportation and preparation of samples, such as DNA samples for analysis. The container is pre-provided with the reagents in sealed chambers. The sample can be introduced and the container manipulated to release the reagents, provide the necessary conditions and give a fully prepared sample. The container can then be engaged with an analysis device to identify characteristics of the sample or perform other operations thereon.

Abstract: A technique for use in automatic validation of a media item involves accessing a template that comprises multiple one-class classifiers, each corresponding to one of multiple classes to which the media item might belong, and then applying each of the one-class classifiers to an image of the media item to generate a result set for each of the multiple classes. The result set for each media class is then analyzed to assess whether the media item belongs to that class.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating a soiling level of a media item, such as a banknote. The method comprises receiving an image of a media item including a plurality of pixels, each pixel having an associated intensity. Two sets of pixels are created, where each pixel in the first set has a higher intensity than each pixel in the second set. A representative intensity value from the first set and a representative intensity value from the second set are calculated. A soiling value from the ratio of the representative intensity value of the second set to the representative intensity value of the first set is calculated. The media item is captured if the soiling value fulfils a capture criterion.