Abstract: A containment system for packaging a plurality of products that are to be accessed in a predetermined sequence. The containment system includes a plurality of product compartments that each holds at least one of the plurality of products. Indicators having a gas reactive material that changes appearance after a predetermined period of time of exposure to ambient air are deployed when gas cover seals are removed or broken to access a product in the product compartment.

Abstract: A containment system for packaging a plurality of products that are to be accessed in a predetermined sequence. The containment system includes a plurality of product compartments that each holds at least one of the plurality of products. Indicators having a gas reactive material that changes appearance after a predetermined period of time of exposure to ambient air are deployed when gas cover seals are removed or broken to access a product in the product compartment.

Abstract: A containment system for packaging a plurality of products that are to be accessed in a predetermined sequence. The containment system includes a plurality of product compartments that each holds at least one of the plurality of products. Indicators having a gas reactive material that changes appearance after a predetermined period of time of exposure to ambient air are deployed when gas cover seals are removed or broken to access a product in the product compartment.

Abstract: A method for determining a semantic concept associated with an audio signal captured using an audio sensor. A data processor is used to automatically analyze the audio signal using a plurality of semantic concept detectors to determine corresponding preliminary semantic concept detection values, each semantic concept detector being adapted to detect a particular semantic concept. The preliminary semantic concept detection values are analyzed using a joint likelihood model based on predetermined pair-wise likelihoods that particular pairs of semantic concepts co-occur to determine updated semantic concept detection values. One or more semantic concepts are determined based on the updated semantic concept detection values. The semantic concept detectors and the joint likelihood model are trained together with a joint training process using training audio signals, at least some of which are known to be associated with a plurality of semantic concepts.

Abstract: A containment system for packaging a plurality of products that are to be accessed in a predetermined sequence. The containment system includes a plurality of product compartments that each holds at least one of the plurality of products. Indicators having a gas reactive material that changes appearance after a predetermined period of time of exposure to ambient air are deployed when gas cover seals are removed or broken to access a product in the product compartment.

Abstract: A method for controlling a device responsive to an audio signal captured using an audio sensor. A data processor is used to automatically analyze the audio signal using a plurality of semantic concept detectors to determine corresponding preliminary semantic concept detection values, each semantic concept detector being adapted to detect a particular semantic concept. The preliminary semantic concept detection values are analyzed using a joint likelihood model based on predetermined pair-wise likelihoods that particular pairs of semantic concepts co-occur to determine updated semantic concept detection values. One or more semantic concepts are determined based on the updated semantic concept detection values, and the device is controlled responsive to identified semantic concepts. The semantic concept detectors and the joint likelihood model are trained together with a joint training process using training audio signals, at least some of which are known to be associated with a plurality of semantic concepts.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for aggregating media product production and distribution responsive to demand fluctuations. The methods uses a communication network to send the one or more aggregations including a quoting deadline to the subset of production entities selected from the production entity network if the current one or more scores are within a pre-established threshold or holding the one or more aggregations until additional quoting requirements are received before the current quoting deadlines have elapsed. The methods also uses the communication network to receive quotes from the subset of production entities selected from the production entity network, using the processor to calculate customer pricing for the production and distribution of customer designated media products from the received quotes, and using the communication network to send the calculated customer prices to the plurality of customers before the quoting deadline has elapsed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for adjusting a customer catalog for the production and distribution of visual media products based on system capacity. The method includes using a communication network to receive data including production pricing grids, distribution pricing grids, and production capacity thresholds from a network of visual media production entities; and receiving quoting requirements from a plurality of customers for producing and distributing visual media products selected from an on-line catalog. The method further includes using a processor to calculate system capacity, an aggregation of customer orders, and initial customer pricing for the aggregation; calculating adjusted pricing based upon system capacity; and updating the catalog with the adjusted pricing.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for managing production capacity. The method includes calculating a baseline of aggregated media product volumes and an associated target cost; using a processor to determine if the current volume of received quoting requirements will produce the baseline of aggregated media product volumes; and calculating adjusted target cost estimates. The method further includes using the communication network to send the quoting requirements and the calculated target cost estimates to a subset of the network of production entities; receiving actual cost estimates based on the calculated target cost estimates from the subset of the network of production entities; calculating customer prices for the plurality of customers for producing and distributing customer designated media products based on the received actual cost estimates; and using the communication network to provide customer prices to plurality of customers for producing and distributing customer designated media products.

Abstract: A method for operating a selectively interconnected modular printing system is disclosed. The method includes providing a selectively interconnected modular printing system that is responsive to an operational preference setting and associated configuration information for each module; communicating the associated configuration information for the selectively interconnected modules to a system controller; and using the system controller to automatically determine operational parameters based on the associated configuration information. The method further includes determining a set of operational preferences from the operational parameters; selecting at least one operational preference setting; using the system controller to determine specific operational parameters based on the selected operational preference setting; and storing the specific operational parameters so that the modular printing system is effective for operation.

Abstract: A method for controlling a device responsive to an audio signal captured using an audio sensor. A data processor is used to automatically analyze the audio signal using a plurality of semantic concept detectors to determine corresponding preliminary semantic concept detection values, each semantic concept detector being adapted to detect a particular semantic concept. The preliminary semantic concept detection values are analyzed using a joint likelihood model based on predetermined pair-wise likelihoods that particular pairs of semantic concepts co-occur to determine updated semantic concept detection values. One or more semantic concepts are determined based on the updated semantic concept detection values, and the device is controlled responsive to identified semantic concepts. The semantic concept detectors and the joint likelihood model are trained together with a joint training process using training audio signals, at least some of which are known to be associated with a plurality of semantic concepts.

Abstract: A method for determining a semantic concept associated with an audio signal captured using an audio sensor. A data processor is used to automatically analyze the audio signal using a plurality of semantic concept detectors to determine corresponding preliminary semantic concept detection values, each semantic concept detector being adapted to detect a particular semantic concept. The preliminary semantic concept detection values are analyzed using a joint likelihood model based on predetermined pair-wise likelihoods that particular pairs of semantic concepts co-occur to determine updated semantic concept detection values. One or more semantic concepts are determined based on the updated semantic concept detection values. The semantic concept detectors and the joint likelihood model are trained together with a joint training process using training audio signals, at least some of which are known to be associated with a plurality of semantic concepts.

Abstract: A method for configuring a modular printing system is disclosed. The system has a plurality of modules that are configured to be selectively interconnected to form different printing system configurations. The method includes providing printing system modules and associated configuration information for each module; selecting and interconnecting modules to produce a particular printing system configuration and communicating the associated configuration information for the selected modules to a system controller; and using the system controller to automatically determine a printing system configuration that includes operational parameter ranges for at least one of the selected modules. The method further includes storing the printing system configuration so that the modular printing system is ready to operate.

Abstract: A method for configuring a modular printing system is disclosed. The system has a plurality of modules that are configured to be selectively interconnected to form different printing system configurations. The method includes providing printing system modules and associated configuration information for each module; selecting and interconnecting modules to produce a particular printing system configuration and communicating the associated configuration information for the selected modules to a system controller; and using the system controller to automatically determine a printing system configuration that includes operational parameter ranges for at least one of the selected modules. The method further includes storing the printing system configuration so that the modular printing system is ready to operate.

Abstract: A method for operating a selectively interconnected modular printing system is disclosed. The method includes providing a selectively interconnected modular printing system that is responsive to an operational preference setting and associated configuration information for each module; communicating the associated configuration information for the selectively interconnected modules to a system controller; and using the system controller to automatically determine operational parameters based on the associated configuration information. The method further includes determining a set of operational preferences from the operational parameters; selecting at least one operational preference setting; using the system controller to determine specific operational parameters based on the selected operational preference setting; and storing the specific operational parameters so that the modular printing system is effective for operation.