Abstract: A process for finishing fibers and textiles with an antimicrobially active component comprising at least one silver component desensitized by an additional component, such as pinacryptol yellow, provides durable protection of textiles against bacterial attack and discolorations of the textiles.

Abstract: The invention relates to molded thermoplastic articles consisting of: a thermoplastic resin overmolded on a support screen, which support screen has indentations/protuberances.

Abstract: The use is described of zinc pyrithione for finishing woven and non-woven textiles to render them resistant against colonization by house dust mites. Zinc pyrithione is used alone or in combination with other actives with or without other textile chemicals. The formulations comprising zinc pyrithione are applied to the textiles using the standard processes of textile finishing, such that there is a concentration of preferably 1000 to 6000 ppm of zinc pyrithione on the textile. This gives on uncoated sheetlike textiles a very distinct reduction in the mite population in testing; ideal finishes even eliminate the mite population completely.

Abstract: A keyboard for a computer. The keyboard comprises a plurality of keys for providing both digital and analog inputs. Additionally, the keyboard comprises keys for functions such as activating a camera or a microphone, scrolling windows on a computer screen, and so forth. The keys are covered with a flexible keycap surface that provides resistance to elements such as water and dust.

Abstract: A technique for embedding a mark in an a printed image allows its interpretation by an inexpensive printing system. Values of a characteristic parameter are altered in a portion of the host image confined to a thread, i.e. a region of contiguous points in the image, small enough to be included in the print space treated by the printer in a single pass of the printing head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing an antimicrobial formulation by reacting a compound of the formula 1 (R1O)3Si—(CH2)3—X  (1) with a compound of the formula 2 (H3C)NR2R3  (2) where R1 is C1-C4-alkyl R2 is C8-C20-alkyl R3 is methyl or C8-C20-alkyl X is Cl or Br, excluding iodides, in a molar ratio of (1):(2)=1:0.9 to 1:1.4, which comprises conducting said reaction in a solvent conforming to the formula 3 where R4 is C1-C4-alkyl R5 is H or methyl R6 is H or methyl m is 2, 3, 4 or 5, subject to the proviso that when m is 2 R4 and R6 are not both methyl, and not removing this solvent after said reaction, or adding this solvent after said reaction. Further disclosed is an antimicrobial formulation obtainable by the process described above.

Abstract: A technique for embedding a tracking number as a series of bits in a printed image alters characteristic parameter values at a set of pseudo-random locations chosen for each bit in an embedding zone. The alteration markedly changes the expectation value of some linear combination of mathematical functions of the values at that set of locations. A marker bit encoded to a higher certainty than other bits in the string aids in orienting the zones in decoding. The tracking number is detected and identified by exploiting the behavior of sums of a large number of random variables, based on the Patchtrack approach.

Abstract: A method of hiding a figure in an image replaces information from a figure-shaped portion of the image with information from another location having similar texture. The relative insensitivity of the eye to discontinuities in texture patterns having a significant high-frequency or random component minimizes the perceptibility of the replacement. The figure is revealed by autocorrelating the image containing the repeated information, and subtracting the image from a copy of itself shifted according to the arguments creating large value of the autocorrelation function.

Abstract: A method of hiding information in a host audio signal introduces one or more echoes into the signal. The separation in time between the host signal and an echo is associated with the value of a datum embedded in the signal. The identity of the embedded datum is determined by observing the delay between the host signal and the echo.

Abstract: A method of hiding a pattern in a host image increases and decreases parameter values at randomly selected host image locations assigned to respective first and second groups. The alteration modifies the statistical behavior of a test statistic equivalent to a linear combination of a large number of instances of respective functions, associated with the pattern, of the parameter values at first and second group locations. The presence or absence of the pattern in a test image is determined by comparing the experimental value of the test statistic associated with the pattern with the expected value of the same sum for an unaltered host image.

Abstract: A method of hiding a pattern in a host image increases and decreases parameter values at randomly selected host image locations assigned to respective first and second groups. The alteration modifies the statistical behavior of a test statistic equivalent to a linear combination of a large number of instances of respective functions, associated with the pattern, of the parameter values at first and second group locations. The presence or absence of the pattern in a test image is determined by comparing the experimental value of the test statistic associated with the pattern with the expected value of the same sum for an unaltered host image.