Abstract: Methods are disclosed for an encoder to embed a data stream into a quantized PCM digital audio signal and for a corresponding decoder to both retrieve the data stream and losslessly reconstruct the exact original audio. Some methods employ complimentary amplification and attenuation, while others employ gain redistribution. Pre-emphasis and soft clipping techniques are described as methods of losslessly reducing the peak excursion of the PCM audio signal. Also described is the lossless placing of data at predetermined positions within an audio stream.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for reducing the audible effect of pre-responses in an audio signal. The pre-responses are effectively delayed by employing a digital non-minimum-phase filter, which includes a zero lying outside the unit circle in its z-transform response. This zero is not paired with another zero at a reciprocal position inside the unit circle, as this would linearise the phase modification. The filtering can introduce a greater group delay at the pre-response frequency than at a low frequency, such as 500 Hz or even 0 Hz. The technique can be used to reduce pre-responses in an existing audio signal and also to pre-empt pre-responses that would be introduced to the audio signal by subsequent processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fabric treatment composition comprising: a) from 50 to 95 wt. % of polyethylene glycol; b) from 0.1 to 15 wt. % of perfume; c) from 0.1 to 2.5 wt. % of cationic polymer; and, d) from 0.1 to 5 wt. % of silicone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fabric treatment composition comprising: a) from 60 to 99 wt. % of polyethylene glycol; b) from 0.1 to 5 wt. % of cationic polymer; and, c) from 0.1 to 10 wt. % of silicone.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for varying the volume of an engine intake system to increase the volumetric efficiency of the engine. In one example, a resonance system may be coupled to the engine intake system and a position of a movable element in the resonance system may be varied to vary the volume of the chamber in accordance with engine speed. The intake system provides improved volumetric efficiency for the engine.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a main body and a cyclonic separating apparatus. The separating apparatus comprises a dirt collection chamber and a baffle arrangement, and is mounted within the main body such that a first part of the dirt collection chamber is obscured and a second part of the dirt collection chamber is visible during normal use. The baffle arrangement is positioned within the dirt collection chamber such that, during use, an airflow moving within the dirt collection chamber is disrupted by the baffle arrangement causing dirt to collect preferentially in the second part.

Abstract: A seismic sensor system includes a seismic sensor suspended in an acoustic medium, which is disposed between first and second sensor housings. The acoustic medium can be selected to preferentially transmit pressure wave energy, based on the acoustic impedance of the surrounding water column or other seismic medium. The acoustic medium can also be selected to preferentially dissipate or otherwise reduce the transmitted shear wave energy. The second housing can similarly be configured to dissipate shear wave energy, while transmitting pressure wave energy in the form of acoustic waves that propagate through the acoustic medium to the seismic sensor.

Abstract: An encoding method and encoder is provided for transparent lossless audio watermarking by quantising an original PCM audio signal twice, each quantisation quantising to a quantisation grid. As a PCM signal is inherently already quantised, there are three quantisation grids to consider, the first being the quantisation grid of the original PCM signal, the second being that of the watermarked signal and the third being that of an intermediate signal. The technique reduces the amount of introduced quantisation error, spectrally shapes the error and fully decorrelates signal alterations from the original audio, thus making the error more similar to additive noise. A decoding method and decoder is also provided, as is a method of altering the watermark without fully decoding the encoded signal.

Abstract: Encoding and decoding systems are described for the provision of high quality digital representations of audio signals with particular attention to the correct perceptual rendering of fast transients at modest sample rates. This is achieved by optimising downsampling and upsampling filters to minimise the length of the impulse response while adequately attenuating alias products that have been found perceptually harmful.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and system for acquiring a marine seismic survey are described. One method may include depositing on a seafloor a line of cable sections extending in a first direction. The line of cable sections may have a first end and a second end and may include a plurality of seismic wavefield receivers. The method may also include moving the line of cable sections by collecting cable sections from the second end of the line and depositing cable sections at the first end of the line so that the line of cable sections travels in the first direction. At least one source vessel may be used to provide acoustical waveforms while the line of cable sections is moving. The acoustical waveforms may be received by the plurality of seismic wavefield receivers in the line of cable sections so as to enable generation of a seismic survey.

Abstract: An encoder for digital audio signals at a higher sample rate creates a stream for consumer distribution at a lower sampling rate, with compatibility for standard PCM players without a decoder. In conjunction with a suitable decoder, two enhanced playback options are supported, the first option allowing full lossless reconstruction of a noise-shaped higher sampling rate signal, the second option allowing lossy bandwidth extension even if an intervening transmission chain has truncated the least-significant-bits of the encoder's output signal.

Abstract: A container, in particular a urine bottle formed from maceratable sheet material comprises an enclosing wall and an aperture. The container is expandable from a first, collapsed configuration into a second, expanded configuration. The sheet material has a plurality of fold lines which define one or more recesses in the enclosing wall of the container in the expanded configuration. In the collapsed condition, the container comprises a lower sheet and an upper sheet lying below a sheet, the upper and lower sheets being sealed together along their lateral edges and along a first, end edge between a first, lower end of the lateral edges. The lateral edges taper towards each other and the aperture extends between the second, opposite ends of the lateral edges.

Abstract: A control system may include a display device and a processor that receives one or more inputs from the display device. The processor may generate a cause and effect visualization to be depicted on the display device, such that the cause and effect visualization represents a cause and effect logic configured to control one or more operations of a first set of industrial devices based one or monitored conditions. The processor may receive the inputs via the display device, such that the inputs include one or more configuration settings associated with the operations of the first set of industrial devices, the monitored conditions, or any combination thereof. The processor may then control the one or more operations of the first set of industrial devices based on the cause and effect logic and the inputs.

Abstract: A method of operating a diesel engine 10 having LNT 11 and SCR 13 aftertreatment devices arranged in series to receive exhaust gas from the engine is disclosed in which the engine is operated in a rich early injection mode to generate ammonia in the LNT for storage in the SCR located downstream from the LNT. This reduces the amount of soot produced permitting longer operation of the engine in rich early injection mode and further may reduce the use of PGM material in the LNT and increase the amount of ammonia for use in the SCR.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a main body and a cyclonic separating apparatus. The separating apparatus comprises a dirt collection chamber and a baffle arrangement, and is mounted within the main body such that a first part of the dirt collection chamber is obscured and a second part of the dirt collection chamber is visible during normal use. The baffle arrangement is positioned within the dirt collection chamber such that, during use, an airflow moving within the dirt collection chamber is disrupted by the baffle arrangement causing dirt to collect preferentially in the second part.

Abstract: A tube coupling (10) which includes a tubular, electrically conductive housing (11), a seal (12) for sealing against the outside of a tube, a substantially annular and electrically conductive grab ring (13) for gripping the outside of a tube and an annular cartridge ring (15) between an inner surface of the housing (11) and the grab ring (13). The cartridge ring (15) includes a projection (30) that projects radially inwardly and is positioned so that upon insertion of a tube into the tube coupling (10), an edge of the grab ring (13) bears against the projection (30) and the cartridge (15) bears against a facing surface of the housing (11) to provide electrically continuity between the grab ring (13) and the housing (11).

Abstract: A tool (10) for use with a cylindrical tube (12) and tube coupling (20), the tool (10) including a first abutment (25) for abutting a demount ring (18) of the tube coupling (20) and a second abutment (26) for abutting an end (27) of a tube (12). The second abutment (26) being spaced from a marking face (28), whereby the spacing between the second abutment (26) and the marking face (28) is equal to the required depth of insertion of a tube end (11) into the tube coupling (20).

Abstract: Methods and devices are described whereby a representation of an original PCM signal may be reversibly degraded in a controlled manner and information losslessly embedded to produce a streamable PCM signal, which provides a controlled audio quality when played on standard players and conditional access to a lossless presentation of the original PCM signal. Using such techniques allows control over the level of degradation of the signal and also flexibility in the type information of information embedded. Some methods require a song key, which is employed in one or both of the degrading and embedding steps and for creating a token. These methods may further require a user key, which is used to encrypt the song key before creating the token.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of hybrid joints more particularly to the manufacture of joints between parts made of differing materials and most particularly to the manufacture of a metallic component comprising a plurality of preformed projections which penetrate composite fabric within a composite part. Particularly there is a method of forming an array of projections on a surface of a metallic component, the method including the steps of bringing at least one preformed projection into at least close proximity to the surface of the component and causing a portion of the projection and a portion of the component in the region of an intersection thereof to at least partially melt, and causing them to be joined together.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for an encoder to embed a data stream into a quantised PCM digital audio signal and for a corresponding decoder to both retrieve the data stream and losslessly reconstruct the exact original audio. Some methods employ complimentary amplification and attenuation, while others employ gain redistribution. Pre-emphasis and soft clipping techniques are described as methods of losslessly reducing the peak excursion of the PCM audio signal. Also described is the lossless placing of data at predetermined positions within an audio stream.