Abstract: An input module obtains a media signal to be communicated to a destination system, after which an identification module identifies a plurality of scenes within the media signal. A codec includes a selection module that automatically selects different compression methods to respectively compress at least two of the scenes. The compression methods are automatically selected to produce a highest compression quality for the respective scenes according to a set of criteria without exceeding a target data rate. A compression module within the codec then compresses the scenes using the automatically-selected compression methods, after which an output module delivers the compressed scenes to the destination system with an indication of which compression method was used to compress each scene.

Abstract: A multimedia distribution device includes a nonvolatile memory that stores a compressed media signal in which at least two scenes are selectively compressed using different codecs from a codec library, the codecs being automatically selected to produce a highest compression quality for the respective scenes according to a set of criteria without exceeding a target data rate. The nonvolatile memory also stores a plurality of codec indicators specifying which codecs from the codec library were used to respectively compress each scene within the compressed media signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for operating a controlled stress rheometer in a controlled strain mode to follow a demand strain Xd in a sample having applied thereto a variable demand force Td, inducing an actual strain X including the steps of: monitoring the actual strain X; continuously comparing the actual strain X with the demand strain Xd and calculating the difference; calculating in real time, using an appropriate algorithm, the value of Td necessary to adjust the strain from X to Xd, and adjusting Td to the calculated value so as to effect this strain adjustment. The method may be performed by a computer software algorithm installed in a digital signal processor forming part of the controller system of the rheometer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for operating a controlled stress rheometer in a controlled strain mode to follow a demand strain Xd in a sample having applied thereto a variable demand force Td,, inducing an actual strain X including the steps of:

Abstract: A method of developing a computer software system comprising defining a first interface between a proposed view sub-system and a proposed business logic sub-system, defining a second interface between a proposed handler sub-system and the proposed business logic sub-system, creating the view sub-system in accord with the second interface, and creating the handler sub-system in accord with the second interface. In another form, the invention provides is a related computer software system and computer program.

Abstract: After having used a known locator and a known transmitter of an electromagnetic field to find the general line of an element such as a pipe 14, the transmitter is kept activated and a probe is used having a linear coil 32 on its tip 30 which lies with its axis parallel to the length of the tip. The probe includes a display and the probe is inserted in the ground and rocked to and fro to determine when the coil is in a minimum current condition. The probe is inserted further and the same procedure repeated. Eventually the probe contacts the pipe and lies in a radial plane with respect to the pipe.

Abstract: A roof, or a portion of a roof, resiliently securable to a sub-structure (4) of a building, the roof or roof portion comprising:a panel (1);a strip (2) which is overlapped by and supports the panel (1) on at least a portion of the edge regions (3) thereof; andan intermediate layer (10) of a resilient sealing material which spaces the panel (1) from the strip (2) such that the panel (1) is capable of relative movement with respect to the strip (2) while sealing the panel (1) with respect to the strip (2).A method of providing a building with such a roof is also disclosed.