Abstract: In a method for identifying a location of an incident, a computer receives data from a plurality of navigation devices. The computer determines a portion of a determined route between a first point and a second point of at least one navigation device of the plurality of navigation devices, wherein the at least one navigation devices deviated from the determined route. The computer determines that two or more portions contain a sub-portion. The computer identifies a location of an incident, wherein the location is a location of the sub-portion.

Abstract: Input media data with an input playing speed is received and divided into input media data subsets. A first rate of audio utterance is determined for a first input media data subset in the media data subsets. A second different rate of audio utterance is determined for a second input media data subset in the media data subsets. Audio output media data is generated with an output playing speed at which audio utterance in the audio output media data is played at a preferred rate of audio utterance. The audio output media data comprises (a) a first output audio media data subset generated based on the preferred rate, the first rate, and the first input media data subset and (b) a second output audio media data subset generated based on the preferred rate, the second rate, and the second input media data subset.

Abstract: While a client device is playing a media program, the client device may be configured to detect a gesture with a gesture input interface of the client device. In response to detecting the gesture, the client device may identify, on the client device, a time point at which the client device stops playing the media program, and send a streaming request to a media streaming device to stream at least a portion of the media program to a second client device. The portion of the media program includes media content starting from the time point at which the client device stops playing the media program.

Abstract: Input media data with an input playing speed is received. One or more user identities are identified based at least in part on biometric data collected from one or more users who correspond to the one or more user identities and to whom audio utterance derived from the input media data is to be played. A preferred rate of audio utterance is determined based at least in part on the one or more user identities. A rate of audio utterance is determined for a portion of the input media data. Based at least in part on the preferred rate of audio utterance and the rate of audio utterance, a portion of audio output media data is generated with an output playing speed at which audio utterance in the portion of audio output media data is rendered with the preferred rate of audio utterance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include food products and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a food product. The food product can include a container and a food composition. The container can include a bottom wall and a side wall. The bottom wall can include a microwave reflector. The side wall can include a material that is substantially transparent to microwaves. The microwave reflector can cover at least about 80 percent of the surface area of the bottom wall. In an embodiment, the invention includes a microwaveable food container. The microwaveable food container can include a bottom wall and a side wall. The bottom wall can include a microwave reflector. The side wall can include a material that is substantially transparent to microwaves. The microwave reflector can cover at least about 80 percent of the surface area of the bottom wall. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: In a method for identifying a location of an incident, a computer receives data from a plurality of navigation devices. The computer determines a portion of a determined route between a first point and a second point of at least one navigation device of the plurality of navigation devices, wherein the at least one navigation devices deviated from the determined route. The computer determines that two or more portions contain a sub-portion. The computer identifies a location of an incident, wherein the location is a location of the sub-portion.

Abstract: While a stream device is streaming a media program from a multimedia device to a client device, the streaming device may be configured to send a first portion of the media program to the client device, where the first portion is transcoded from a first format into a second different format and adapted for a first playing mode of the client device. The streaming device may be configured to receive an indication of a user command from the client device specifying a second different playing mode of the client device. The streaming device may be configured to send a second different portion of the media program to the client device, where the second portion is transcoded from the first format to the second format and adapted for the second playing mode of the client device.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method for initiating an external search from a mobile device. The method involves determining that a search term entered into a user interface on the mobile device was not found in a search of data stored on a first memory on the mobile device and requesting the external search be conducted based on the search term for data stored on a second memory, which is external to the mobile device. Other aspects include a mobile device and computer-readable medium configured for implementing the method described above.

Abstract: A method of requesting map data by a wireless communications device entails steps of predicting a future area of interest for which map data may be required, downloading the map data for the future area of interest, and then caching the map data for the future area of interest. Cached map data is thus available for rendering when the device moves into the future area of interest, thus expediting the generation of onscreen maps. Predicting the future area of interest can be accomplished, for example, by determining the direction of travel, by identifying a roadway upon which the device user is travelling, or by identifying a programmed route in a navigation application.

Abstract: An amplifier (1) adapted to receive an input signal and to generate an output signal at an amplifier output (7) according to the input signal, the amplifier (1) comprising: a feedback circuit arranged to provide a feedback signal indicative of the output signal; an error signal generating circuit (12, 44) arranged to receive the feedback signal and generate a digital error signal according to the feedback signal; and an output signal generating circuit arranged to generate the output signal and to receive the digital error signal and to adjust the output signal according to the digital error signal; the amplifier (1) further comprising: a fault detection circuit (50) arranged to receive the digital error signal and to determine the presence or absence of a fault condition at the amplifier output (7) according to the digital error signal and to provide a signal (54) indicative of the presence or absence of the fault condition.

Abstract: A digital amplifier (1) comprising a first modulation stage (9) arranged to receive a digital data signal and to generate a corresponding modulated reference signal; a comparator (12) arranged to receive a feedback signal and the modulated reference signal and generate a corresponding error signal (13) indicative of a difference between the modulated reference signal and the feedback signal; an integration stage (44) arranged to integrate the error signal (13) from the comparator (12) to generate an integrated digital error signal; a summer (19) arranged to receive the integrated digital error signal and the digital data signal (8) and generate an adjusted digital data signal indicative of their sum; an output stage comprising a second modulation stage, the output stage being arranged to receive the adjusted digital data signal and to generate a corresponding modulated output signal for driving a load (7); and a feedback circuit arranged to provide said feedback signal to the comparator (12), the feedback sig

Abstract: A type of backyard or playground recreational equipment usable indoors or outdoors. The present invention provides a bent springpole that functions much like the naturally-occurring feature that has been a recreational favorite of children for centuries, a low-hanging tree limb. The springpole provides the vertical bouncing motion of a tree limb, as well as a 360 degree rotational motion. Children and adolescents are able to bound, bounce, and run in a limited amount of space. The pole can be equipped with padding in whimsical shapes, a seat, and steps.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides an ankle-foot orthosis that comprises: an elastic structure (50) formed of contiguous first (52) and second (54) tubular members, said second tubular member being set at an angle to the first tubular member to define, at least in use, a generally L-shaped cavity (56) configured to accept and fit closely about the foot and ankle of a patient; and a rib (58) which is permanently bonded or otherwise permanently affixed to a region of the structure which overlies the dorsum of the patient's foot in use, said rib being formed of a flexible material that has a resilience appropriate for resisting the particular degree of plantarflexion experienced by the patient.

Abstract: A robotic carriage for measuring the camber of a large-span structural beam is provided. The carriage includes a frame having a platform supported by a plurality of legs having wheels rotatably mounted at the ends of the legs. The legs elevate the platform above vertically extending obstacles, such as shear studs, which are frequently present on the upper surface of large-span structural beams. The width-wise distance between the legs is adjustable so that the legs avoid contact with the shear studs while the carriage traverses the beam. The carriage includes a guide mechanism formed from a pair of opposing guide members moveably mounted on the frame into sliding engagement with opposing portions of the beam to maintain the carriage on a straight path. In operation, a surveying target is mounted on the top of the frame, and the carriage is moved into selected positions at known distance along the length of the structural beam.

Abstract: An amplifier (1) adapted to receive an input signal and to generate an output signal at an amplifier output (7) according to the input signal, the amplifier (1) comprising: a feedback circuit arranged to provide a feedback signal indicative of the output signal; an error signal generating circuit (12, 44) arranged to receive the feedback signal and generate a digital error signal according to the feedback signal; and an output signal generating circuit arranged to generate the output signal and to receive the digital error signal and to adjust the output signal according to the digital error signal; the amplifier (1) further comprising: a fault detection circuit (50) arranged to receive the digital error signal and to determine the presence or absence of a fault condition at the amplifier output (7) according to the digital error signal and to provide a signal (54) indicative of the presence or absence of the fault condition.

Abstract: A digital amplifier (1) comprising a first modulation stage (9) arranged to receive a digital data signal and to generate a corresponding modulated reference signal; a comparator (12) arranged to receive a feedback signal and the modulated reference signal and generate a corresponding error signal (13) indicative of a difference between the modulated reference signal and the feedback signal; an integration stage (44) arranged to integrate the error signal (13) from the comparator (12) to generate an integrated digital error signal; a summer (19) arranged to receive the integrated digital error signal and the digital data signal (8) and generate an adjusted digital data signal indicative of their sum; an output stage comprising a second modulation stage, the output stage being arranged to receive the adjusted digital data signal and to generate a corresponding modulated output signal for driving a load (7); and a feedback circuit arranged to provide said feedback signal to the comparator (12), the feedback sig

Abstract: A robotic carriage for measuring the camber of a large-span structural beam is provided. The carriage includes a frame having a platform supported by a plurality of legs having wheels rotatably mounted at the ends of the legs. The legs elevate the platform above vertically extending obstacles, such as shear studs, which are frequently present on the upper surface of large-span structural beams. The width-wise distance between the legs is adjustable so that the legs avoid contact with the shear studs while the carriage traverses the beam. The carriage includes a guide mechanism formed from a pair of opposing guide members moveably mounted on the frame into sliding engagement with opposing portions of the beam to maintain the carriage on a straight path. In operation, a surveying target is mounted on the top of the frame, and the carriage is moved into selected positions at known distance along the length of the structural beam.

Abstract: A humidification system comprising at least one steam humidifier unit connected to a reverse osmosis unit of the system so as to receive processed water therefrom when in use. Control circuitry connected to a water-required signal generator of the steam humidifier unit to receive a signal therefrom indicative of the need for water to be fed to the steam humidifier unit. The control circuitry is also connected to the reverse osmosis unit to issue a start-up signal upon receipt of such a water-required signal, so as to cause the reverse osmosis unit to start operating. The latter is provided with a readiness signal generator connected to the control circuit to send a readiness signal thereto once the reverse osmosis unit has become ready to provide adequately processed water.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit comprises a difference stage for receiving an input signal to be processed and a feedback signal taken from an output signal of the circuit. The difference stage generates a difference signal corresponding to the difference between the input and feedback signal. An integrator stage is coupled to the difference stage to receive the difference signal and output an integrated signal. A time continuous pulse width modulating stage is coupled to the integrator stage to receive the integrated signal and to modulate the signal with reference to a continuously varying carrier signal. A continuous time feedback path is coupled to the output of the modulating stage and an input or the difference stage. The integrator stage comprises at least two integrators to provide second or higher order integration.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for generating a test recipe for a metrology tool is disclosed. A plurality of first reference images that are designed to be used to fabricate a plurality of structures on a sample are provided. Each structure is imageable to form a plurality of target image patterns. A test recipe for use by a metrology tool in locating the structures on the sample is generated or modified. Generating or modifying the test recipe includes forming a plurality of second references images from the first reference images and associating the second reference images with the test recipe. The second reference images are formed to at least partially simulate one or more process effect(s) associated with fabricating the structures of the sample. Additionally, the second reference images may also be formed to simulate one or more imaging effects.