Abstract: Embodiments include a microphone assembly comprising an array microphone and a housing configured to support the array microphone and sized and shaped to be mountable in a drop ceiling in place of at least one of a plurality of ceiling tiles included in the drop ceiling. A front face of the housing includes a sound-permeable screen having a size and shape that is substantially similar to the at least one of the plurality of ceiling tiles. Embodiments also include an array microphone system comprising a plurality of microphones arranged, on a substrate, in a number of concentric, nested rings of varying sizes around a central point of the substrate. Each ring comprises a subset of the plurality of microphones positioned at predetermined intervals along a circumference of the ring.

Abstract: A method of plugging channels of a honeycomb body and a honeycomb body including plugged channels. The method includes applying a shear force to a plugging mixture including a plurality of inorganic particles, clay, and a liquid vehicle to alter the viscosity of the plugging mixture from a first viscosity prior to the vibrating to a second viscosity which is less than the first viscosity. A honeycomb body is placed into contact with the plugging mixture such that a portion of the plugging mixture having the second viscosity flows into the plurality of channels. Application of the shear force is stopped or reduced to increase the viscosity of the portion of the plugging mixture in the plurality of channels to greater than the first viscosity.

Abstract: A method for enhancing rapid data analysis includes receiving a set of data; storing the set of data in a first set of data shards sharded by a first field; and identifying anomalous data from the set of data by monitoring a range of shard indices associated with a first shard of the first set of data shards, detecting that the range of shard indices is smaller than an expected range by a threshold value, and identifying data of the first shard as anomalous data.

Abstract: Method of calibrating a computerised colour vision test and method of testing colour vision on a computer The invention relates to a method of calibrating a colour vision test for testing colour vision under given ambient lighting conditions, which colour vision test is to be displayed on a colour display (12) of a computer (10) having at least one input interface (14), characterised by displaying a calibration test on the display (12) under given ambient lighting conditions to a person with normal colour vision before starting the colour vision test, displaying within at least one measuring region (31) of the display (12) a colour determination task requiring user input as a part of the calibration test, reading the user input through at least one input interface (14) of the computer (10), evaluating the read user input and determining as a result of the evaluation a display error resulting from a combination of a colour reproduction capability of the display (12) and an effect of the ambient lighting condit

Abstract: A method for rapid data analysis includes receiving and interpreting a first query operating on a first dataset partitioned into shards by a first field; collecting a first data sample from a first set of data shards; calculating a first result to the first query based on analysis of the first data sample; and partitioning a second dataset into shards by a second field based on the first result.

Abstract: Automated cold storage unit and systems for storing, monitoring, and maintaining a supply of temperature sensitive pharmaceutical and/or other products in compliance with regulatory requirements are provided. Such units contain an array of independently addressable holding locations for containers with product in one or more controlled temperature zones fitted with temperature sensors. The units include a reader to track product information and status. Product movement within the unit is performed by a computer-controlled robot. A user interface device, preferably in communication with an application service provider to provide remotely managed inventory management and other services, provides users with secure access to the contents of the unit and associated product data and information.

Abstract: A non-linear activation function in a neural network may be approximated by one or more linear functions. The input range may be divided into input segments, each of which corresponds to a different exponent in the input range of the activation function and includes input data elements having the exponent. Target accuracies may be assigned to the identified exponents based on a statistics analysis of the input data elements. The target accuracy of an input segment will be used to determine one or more linear functions that approximate the activation function for the input segment. An error of an approximation of the activation function by a linear function for the input segment may be within the target accuracy. The parameters of the linear functions may be stored in a look-up table (LUT). During the execution of the DNN, the LUT may be used to execute the activation function.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for fallback authorization routing. A merchant processor may receive authorization requests from one or more merchant systems. These authorization requests may be to authorize a transaction. The merchant processor may transmit these authorization requests over a first communication channel to an acquirer processor, which may then forward the requests to a payment network. If the merchant processor determines that the acquirer processor is not receiving the authorization requests, or is otherwise unavailable, the merchant processor may, as a fallback, transmit the authorization requests directly to the payment network through a second communication channel, thereby bypassing the acquirer processor. When the merchant processor receives some indication that the acquirer processor is available to process authorization requests, new authorization requests can be transmitted to the acquirer processor via the first communication channel.

Abstract: A method of plugging channels of a honeycomb body and a honeycomb body including plugged channels. The method includes applying a shear force to a plugging mixture including a plurality of inorganic particles, clay, and a liquid vehicle to alter the viscosity of the plugging mixture from a first viscosity prior to the vibrating to a second viscosity which is less than the first viscosity. A honeycomb body is placed into contact with the plugging mixture such that a portion of the plugging mixture having the second viscosity flows into the plurality of channels. Application of the shear force is stopped or reduced to increase the viscosity of the portion of the plugging mixture in the plurality of channels to greater than the first viscosity.

Abstract: The use of a coupling agent containing a mercapto, disulfide, tretrasulfide and/or polysulfide end group provides a mercury removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and mercury removal ability. The mercury removal media described herein is prepared by reacting an organophilic clay containing onium ions with a mercapto, disulfide, tetrasulfide, and/or polysulfide end moiety. Alternatively, the clay can be made organophilic by onium ion reaction prior to or simultaneously with the coupling reaction of the mercapto- or sulfide-end group-containing coupling agent.

Abstract: The use of a coupling agent containing a mercapto, disulfide, tretrasulfide and/or polysulfide end group provides a mercury removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and mercury removal ability. The mercury removal media described herein is prepared by reacting an organophilic clay containing onium ions with a mercapto, disulfide, tetrasulfide, and/or polysulfide end moiety. Alternatively, the clay can be made organophilic by onium ion reaction prior to or simultaneously with the coupling reaction of the mercapto- or sulfide-end group-containing coupling agent.

Abstract: The use of a sulfur-impregnated organoclay provides a mercury or arsenic removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and mercury removal ability. The Hg/As removal media described herein is prepared by impregnating an organophilic clay with elemental (free state) sulfur. Alternatively, the clay can be made organophilic by onium ion reaction prior to or simultaneously with impregnating the organoclay with sulfur.

Abstract: The invention relates to a speaker system of a type which can be provided to operate in conjunction with a display screen, monitor, television set or the like. The system includes one or more speakers and can be mounted and located with the television set. Typically the system utilises an amplifier provided in the television set or other apparatus connected thereto and therefore receives the amplified audio signal to operate the speakers from the television set or other apparatus. The invention therefore allows an amplified speaker system to be provided to be used in conjunction with existing television apparatus and therefore improves the audio effect to the user with respect to any speakers already provided within the television set, but without the need to provide the speaker system itself with an amplifier.

Abstract: The use of a sulfur-impregnated organoclay provides a mercury or arsenic removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and mercury removal ability. The Hg/As removal media described herein is prepared by impregnating an organophilic clay with elemental (free state) sulfur. Alternatively, the clay can be made organophilic by onium ion reaction prior to or simultaneously with impregnating the organoclay with sulfur.

Abstract: The use of a coupling agent containing a mercapto, disulfide, tretrasulfide and/or polysulfide end group provides a mercury removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and mercury removal ability. The mercury removal media described herein is prepared by reacting an organophilic clay containing onium ions with a mercapto, disulfide, tetrasulfide, and/or polysulfide end moiety. Alternatively, the clay can be made organophilic by onium ion reaction prior to or simultaneously with the coupling reaction of the mercapto- or sulfide- end group-containing coupling agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method which allows audio and/or video signals transmitted from a source device, such as an MP3/MP4 player to be transmitted to a host device such as speakers and/or a display screen via a wireless communication device. The system allows command signals generated from the source device and/or the wireless communication device to also be transmitted to the host device, and may receive data in return from the host device, said data typically indicative of at least one operating feature or parameter of the host device.

Abstract: The invention relates to mounting apparatus to allow items, typically audio speakers to be mounted, and be positionable with respect to, a television set or display screen. At least one of a plurality of speakers is adjustable in position with respect to location means of the apparatus and the speakers and location means are adjustable with respect to fixing means of the apparatus.

Abstract: A scraper blade adapted to scrape off material from a surface has a scraper tip at one end and a mounting base at its other end and is tapered towards the tip at least in the outer end of the scraper blade, its scraper blade portion which extends from the tip and to a point adjacent to or in the mounting base being made with at least two layers, which extend longitudinally along said scraper blade portion, and is characterised in that at least one first layer is made of polyurethane with a lower hardness and a higher abrasion resistance than at least one second layer which is mainly made of polycarbonate plastic, said at least one second polycarbonate plastic layer being adapted to reinforce and stiffen said at least one first layer, which constitutes a main contact surface against said surface.

Abstract: The use of two mercury and arsenic removal media: A) a sulfur-impregnated organoclay; and B) a coupling agent-reacted organoclay, wherein the coupling agent preferably contains a mercapto, disulfide, tretrasulfide and/or polysulfide end group provides mercury removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and synergistic mercury removal ability. The preferred mercury removal media described herein is prepared by reacting an organophilic clay containing onium ions A) with elemental sulfur; and B) with a sulfur-containing coupling agent, preferably containing a mercapto, disulfide, tetrasulfide, and/or polysulfide moiety.

Abstract: The use of two mercury and arsenic removal media: A) a sulfur-impregnated organoclay; and B) a coupling agent-reacted organoclay, wherein the coupling agent preferably contains a mercapto, disulfide, tretrasulfide and/or polysulfide end group provides mercury removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and synergistic mercury removal ability. The preferred mercury removal media described herein is prepared by reacting an organophilic clay containing onium ions A) with elemental sulfur; and B) with a sulfur-containing coupling agent, preferably containing a mercapto, disulfide, tetrasulfide, and/or polysulfide moiety.