Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for characterizing audience engagement with one or more characters in a media content item. In some embodiments, an audience engagement characterization application processes sensor data; such as video data capturing the faces of one or more audience members consuming a media content item, to generate an audience emotion signal. The characterization application also processes the media content item to generate a character emotion signal associated with one or more characters in the media content item. Then, the characterization application determines an audience engagement score based on an amount of alignment and/or misalignment between the audience emotion signal and the character emotion signal.

Abstract: Provided is a cordless hair dryer. The cordless hair dryer includes a housing including a body part gripped by a user and a head part having a blower tube therein, a battery disposed inside the body part, a blower fan disposed in one end of the head part, a support which is inserted into the other end of the head part and fixed to an inner side of the blower tube, and a planar heating element which is formed as a carbon nanotube sheet and disposed on the support to receive power from the battery.

Abstract: A dryer stand including a seat to receive a dryer thereon, a base spaced apart from the seat downward, a side cover forming a side appearance between the base and the seat, and a light positioned in an internal space defined by the side cover.

Abstract: A connecting-state detection system for a power supply system of a human-powered vehicle comprises a detector. The power supply system includes a power supply device having a plurality of connecting terminals. The detector is configured to detect a connecting state of each of the plurality of the connecting terminals.

Abstract: A container for storing, displaying, and serving fresh produce that extends the shelf life without refrigeration. The container includes a bottom tray, a slotted tray, a vertical extending wall, a cover, and a light source. The slotted tray sits above and nests within the bottom tray. The vertical wall removably extends from the bottom tray to form a compartment defined by the vertical wall and the bottom and slotted trays for fresh produce. The cover sits on the vertical wall enclosing the compartment. The light source shines light into the compartment.

Abstract: A laundry apparatus having a first cabinet with a dry chamber therein; a first air supply unit to supply air to the dry chamber; a second cabinet disposed on a top surface of the first cabinet or supportively disposed below a bottom surface of the first cabinet; a second air supply unit to supply air to a drum located in the second cabinet; and a hinge unit for rotatably coupling a rack in the dry chamber, wherein the hinge unit has a rotational shaft; a first operation body located outside the dry chamber and rotatable by the shaft; a stopper body having first and second stoppers spaced apart from each other and located outside the dry chamber; and a second operation body rotatable between the first and second stoppers and rotatable in the reverse direction of a rotational direction of the first operation body by contacting the first operation body.

Abstract: The invention provides a monitoring device (32) for a dryer (10) includes a means for sensing a physical parameter, such as temperature or strain, at a sensing locus within the dryer (10), for example at a vial (20). The sensing means comprises an optical sensing fiber (38) having at least one fiber Bragg grating (54). Moreover, the invention provides a dryer, in particular a freeze dryer (10), which is equipped with such monitoring device (32).

Abstract: A vertical plastic material drying apparatus having an initial dryer, a vacuum drying hopper and a storage hopper, which form a vertical combination. The storage hopper is connected to a molding machine. A control valve is disposed between neighboring two of the initial dryer, the vacuum drying hopper and the storage hopper and controls the falling amount of the granular or powdery plastic material. In addition, a hot air steam device is connected to the initial dryer and provides the high-temperature hot air to enter the initial dryer. A vacuuming device is connected to the vacuum drying hopper and vacuums the gas from the vacuum drying hopper. Because the initial dryer, the vacuum drying hopper and the storage hopper are combined into the vertical form and cannot be moved, the ground area occupied by the drying apparatus is smaller so that the optimization spatial availability is obtained.

Abstract: A condition sensing system for a grain drying system can include a cable assembly and at least one sensor. The cable assembly can include a support cable and a data-conveying member. The sensor can detect in-grain humidity and/or temperature. The sensor can be coupled to the cable assembly between first and second ends of the assembly. A protective enclosure can enclose the sensor and a respective portion of the cable assembly. Further, in-grain humidity and/or temperature data can be transmitted from the condition sensing system to the grain drying system.

Abstract: A detection system assembly is provided. The detection system assembly includes a detector system including a housing having a sample port configured to receive a sample of an unknown substance, a detector assembly in flow communication with the sample port, and a pump in flow communication with the detector assembly. The detection system assembly further includes a dryer cartridge removably coupled to an outer surface of the housing of the detector system. The dryer cartridge is in flow communication with the pump and the detector assembly.

Abstract: A drying container with humidity display function is disclosed, which is used for storing biological test pieces and is formed with at least one peeping window to be used for observing a humidity display unit embedded inside the drying container so as to determine whether the biological test pieces inside the drying container had already been exposed to moisture and become damp according to the reading on the humidity display unit.

Abstract: A dryer performance optimization system comprising a dryer having an inner wall and being adapted to rotate at variable speeds and a variable frequency drive being adapted to vary the rotational speed of the dryer. The preferred system also comprises a baghouse having an inlet end being adapted to receive exhaust gas from the dryer and an outlet end and a controller being adapted to control the temperature of the exhaust gas from the dryer. A method for controlling the temperature of exhaust gas in a baghouse comprising providing a dryer performance optimization system as described herein and varying the temperature of the exhaust gas from the dryer by varying the rotational speed of the dryer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for quickly drying porous materials. A sealable chamber is connected to a cold trap which is connected to a vacuum pump. A sample is placed inside the sealable chamber. The vacuum pump is turned on and air is evacuated through the cold trap to the vacuum pump. An infrared lamp may be used to heat the chamber and sample therein directly or heated air may be allowed to enter the sealable chamber. Air may be drawn directly from the sealable chamber to the vacuum pump bypassing the cold trap. Various parameters may be used to determine if the drying process is complete, including the degree of vacuum achieved in the chamber.

Abstract: A device for identifying the air flow condition within a clothes dryer having a lint filter, an exhaust passage, and a blower is disclosed. The device includes a sensor, an input having a first end connected to the sensor and a free second end, wherein the free second end is adapted to be disposed within the clothes dryer, upstream from a filter, and wherein the sensor detects a differential between an operating pressure at the free second end of input versus a reference pressure to thereby determine whether a sufficient vacuum is present within the clothes dryer, and an output that provides an output characteristic based on the differential, wherein the output characteristic changes from a first characteristic to a second characteristic when the differential surpasses a differential threshold.

Abstract: A drying device for a washing machine includes a rotatable drum configured to house laundry items; a tub having the drum therein; a driving unit on the tub and connected to the drum, configured to drive the drum; a drying unit configured to store liquid water and circulate air in the drum to remove moisture from the laundry; and a control unit configured to control operations of the drying unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for conductively heated vacuum-based drying of portable electronic devices. For example, a portable electronic device that has been exposed to excessive liquid is placed inside a drying chamber. The drying chamber is closed and a drying routine commences. During the drying routine, the chamber is pressurized to a vacuum level sufficient to gasify liquids inside the device, and the device is conductively heated at least to replace latent heat of vaporization lost during the pressurization. Some embodiments include techniques relating to payment processing, monitoring and feedback control, decontamination, and/or other functionality.

Abstract: The present invention is a vertical drier which dries the asphalt road upper structural members like aggregate and like asphalt coating which is desired to be recycled (RAP) and which takes the humidity of said asphalt road upper structural members; and which has a vertical body having an end through which said members are discharged and having another end which is opened to an accumulation compartment; and where the hot air, heated by a heat source, is transferred inside said body. Said drier is characterized by comprising at least one drying box which has a chamber form where the poured members are accumulated in the inner part thereof and which extends orthogonally to the flow direction inside the body; in order to keep the members, which pour inside said body from an inlet part, for certain duration and in order to transfer said members from the outlet part to the accumulation compartment step by step.

Abstract: The machine for drying field crops includes lower and upper conveyors, the space between the two serving as a drying chamber. The upper conveyor is powered and drives the lower conveyor through a plurality of lateral flights that engage one another to keep the two conveyors in registry. A heating system is provided beneath the lower conveyor. Heat is delivered to a plenum between the two runs of the lower conveyor. The two conveyors are porous to allow heated air and light to pass therethrough. Heated air from the lower plenum passes through the lower belt and the drying chamber between the two conveyors, and into a collector plenum between the two runs of the upper conveyor, where it is exhausted to the atmosphere. Infrared or other lighting may also be provided in the two plenums. Alternatively, the machine embodiments may have multiple laterally situated conveyor runs.

Abstract: A clothing dryer including a water level sensing device capable of detecting a water level of condensed water, using a simple structure. The clothing dryer includes a body, a drum rotatably installed in the body, the drum receiving objects to be dried, a base arranged beneath the body, a dehumidifying unit mounted to the base, to condense moisture contained in air discharged from the drum, a water container to collect condensed water formed in the dehumidifying unit, and a water level sensing device to detect a level of the condensed water collected in the water container. The water level sensing device includes a floating unit movable in accordance with a variation in the level of the condensed water. The water level sensing device also includes an electrode sensor to detect the level of the condensed water when electrically connected with the conductor of the floating unit.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for detecting a root moisture content of clothing in a clothes dryer. The dryer has two conducting bars situated in the dryer bin. A pulse generator circuit is coupled to the conducting bars. A microcontroller is coupled to an output of the pulse generator circuit. The pulse generator circuit generates a pulse when wet clothing contacts the conducting bars in the dryer bin. The microcontroller receives the pulses and counts the pulses that are longer than a threshold length. The microcontroller issues a termination signal based on the number of counted pulses.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a rotatable-drum laundry drier (1) for drying laundry. The rotatable-drum laundry drier (1) has a rotatable drum (3) for laundry (5) and moisture sensors (22) generating an electrical signal (SM) indicative: of the loaded laundry moisture/quantity.

Abstract: A retrofit turner and sensor unit includes, on its upper portion, a grain turner for moving grain from a central portion in the grain pathway to a defined outer space for measurement. On its lower portion, the retrofit unit includes a moisture sensor and a temperature sensor provided in a plate configuration in line with the outer wall of the grain dryer for sensing moisture and temperature of grain in the defined space. In the preferred configuration, the plate sensor includes redundancies, and is mounted on a hinged door. The retrofit unit is easily installed into an existing grain dryer with columns and continuous flow capabilities, and electrically connected with a controller/processor and a motor for metering rolls which determine grain speed through the dryer.

Abstract: A hair dryer is provided that includes a touch-sensitive display screen responsive to a computer-based control processor. The control processor is configured with control logic to execute adjustment of dryer operating parameters in response to input received from the touch-sensitive screen, where the operating parameters include at least one of air temperature, air speed and ion content.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dryer for drying fuel materials such as wood bark, wood chips, sludge, garbage, peat moss or the like. In a preferred embodiment the dryer comprises a conveyor, consisting of twin endless belts, which carries the material to be dried along a vertical path defined between parallel runs of the endless belts, and ductwork which serves to direct heated air (received from any appropriate source) across the vertical path to remove moisture from the material as it is being conveyed. The ductwork includes at least one feed duct for use in delivering the heated air to one side of the vertical path, and at least one exhaust duct for use in withdrawing moisture-laden air on another side of the vertical path.

Abstract: A method for drying clothes in a household dryer having a drying chamber, a temperature sensor for monitoring temperature an air exhaust temperature from the chamber, and a control system for maintaining a temperature in the drying chamber close to a set point temperature by selecting the set point temperature on the basis of at least said based on the air exhaust temperature.

Abstract: A gas blowing cellulose pulp dryer is operative for drying a web of cellulose pulp using gas supplied from gas outlets of blow boxes of a first drying section. The cellulose pulp dryer has an inspection device with at least a first radiation sensor arranged to detect reflected radiation at the first drying section to detect at least one of a position of the web during operation of the dryer, and the occurrence of any residue of the web.

Abstract: A detection system assembly is provided. The detection system assembly includes a detector system including a housing having a sample port configured to receive a sample of an unknown substance, a detector assembly in flow communication with the sample port, and a pump in flow communication with the detector assembly. The detection system assembly further includes a dryer cartridge removably coupled to an outer surface of the housing of the detector system. The dryer cartridge is in flow communication with the pump and the detector assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the presence of a drying rack based on image data of the laundry located in a treating chamber of a laundry treating appliance.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance and method for controlling the operation of a laundry treating appliance comprising a treating chamber by determining the presence of a bulky laundry item based on image data of the laundry.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum defining a laundry treating chamber, where the laundry in the laundry treating chamber may be imaged and a motion condition of the laundry determined based on the imaging of the laundry. The operation of the laundry treating appliance may be based on the determined motion condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum defining a laundry treating chamber. The laundry in the laundry treating chamber may be imaged and a state of dryness of the laundry determined based on the imaging of the laundry. The operation of the laundry treating appliance may be based on the determined state of dryness.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a method for detecting water in plastics and a water removal system for plastic materials that enable an amount of water contained in a plastic to be measured accurately and rapidly. [Solution Means] A plastic 13 of known moisture state is irradiated with electromagnetic waves of a bandwidth of 50 GHz to 1000 GHz from an oscillating apparatus 11 and remaining electromagnetic waves not absorbed by the plastic 13 are received and measured by a receiver 12 to acquire a first measurement value in advance. The plastic 13 of unknown moisture state is then irradiated with the electromagnetic waves of the bandwidth of 50 GHz to 1000 GHz from the oscillating apparatus and the remaining electromagnetic waves not absorbed by the plastic 13 are received and measured by the receiver 12 to acquire a second measurement value. The first measurement value and the second measurement value are compared to compute the moisture state of the plastic of unknown moisture state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drying apparatus with two separate drying units that can be attached together. The units can be attached by snap fittings, magnets, screw threads, or other attachment means. The units can further have separate or combined batteries. The incorporation of LED lighting allows for the apparatus to function as a flashlight to conserve space and weight.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a clothes drying appliance, wherein a moisture content of clothes is determined by measuring a current running through the clothes and wherein the determining takes into account a salt content of the moisture. The clothes drying appliance is adapted to perform the method.

Abstract: A restriction sensor system for identifying the existence of blockages in exhaust conduits of clothes dryers. The restriction sensor system may be used as a retrofit system that is capable of being installed on existing clothes dryers. The restriction sensor system may include a fitting configured to be coupled to an exhaust conduit of a clothes dryer and a blockage indicator housing positioned remote from a clothes dryer. The pressure sensing device may be capable of determining changes in air pressure in the exhaust conduit. Once the air pressure present in the exhaust conduit exceeds a threshold air pressure, the pressure sensing device may send a signal to an indicator to generate an alarm, which may be a visual alarm or audible alarm, or both.

Abstract: A walk through forced air body dryer is provided. The body has a housing that provides a walk through passage, a blower, and an aperture or apertures to direct air towards an inside of the passage.

Abstract: A drying system positioned after a foregoing workstation or system for drying workpieces, includes a transport belt for the workpieces to be positioned on; and at least one oven including a main body and a drying member positioned on top of the main body for heating the air in the oven. The main body of the oven includes a base and an air guiding member positioned on the base, and the base and the air guiding member cooperatively define a chamber running through the at least one oven. The transport belt passes through the foregoing workstation and through the chamber. The integration of the drying system with other manufacturing workstations or systems may save time and labor used for transporting workpieces in between drying and other manufacturing steps. The disclosure also provides an oven utilized in the drying system.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided is a safety marker with an on-board convection fan for marking areas/hazards to be avoided while concurrently producing a convection effect upon the adjacent, surrounding surfaces so as to enhance evaporation of liquids/moisture thereon. Along these lines, the safety marker will not only mitigate risks by allowing for the marking of an area to be avoided, but also, uniquely, by accelerating the elimination of what is most often the root cause of the risk; wetness on the floor.

Abstract: A multiple laundry treating machine, in which an auxiliary laundry treating device (120) is coupled to a general laundry treating device (110), is disclosed. The multiple laundry treating machine includes a main laundry treating device (110) for washing or drying laundry contained in an interior of the main laundry treating device (110), an auxiliary laundry treating device (120) arranged at one side of the main laundry treating device (110), the auxiliary laundry treating device (120) having a volume and a height respectively smaller than a volume and a height of the main laundry treating device (110), and having a laundry container (121) formed in an interior of the auxiliary laundry treating device (120), and a connecting unit (300) for connecting the main and auxiliary laundry treating devices (110, 120), to enable communication or control operations between the main and auxiliary laundry treating devices (110, 120).

Abstract: Disclosed are a liquid storage container and a clothes dryer having the same. The liquid storage container comprises: a reservoir installed at a clothes dryer, and configured to store liquid therein; a floating member floating on the liquid, and disposed on the reservoir with a rotation angle variable according to level change of the liquid inside the reservoir; and display means configured to display information corresponding to the rotation angle of the floating member. The rotation angle of the floating member may vary according to a remaining amount of the liquid. And, the remaining amount of the liquid may be informed to a user through the display means. Accordingly, the user may easily check the remaining amount of the liquid without checking the inside of the liquid storage container.

Abstract: A dryer exhaust duct alarm detects the presence of lint or other obstructions in an exhaust duct or vent. A thin lever is suspended within the duct and is slightly cupped in shape to more effectively capture air flow. In the presence of uninhibited air flow, the lever is substantially displaced from its initial substantially-vertical position toward a substantially horizontal position. But when airflow is inhibited, the lever is not sufficiently displaced. A detector detects operation of the dryer. If the dryer operates for a determined period of time but the lever is not sufficiently displaced, the user is alerted of the problem. Other data may also be presented to the user, including real-time data over a communication medium.

Abstract: The already energy saving ambient air dryer is improved in methods of manufacture, performance, increased safety devices, and storage options which include in part: construction in pieces of different manufacture for assembly to lower cost, added inhibitors to extend life and durability, extrusions on the drum functioning as scoops to cause additional ambient air to be passed through the clothes, light and reflector system so moving drum may be visible at night or in partial light, non-defeating GFCI system, specific designed energy efficient motor, programmed functions such as stopping the drum in “access” or “park” position and sounding alarm for pre-determined operational issues, remote control as well as control box on dryer frame, a system for capturing lint and particulates, motion/heat detectors which eliminate need for safety guard surrounding moving drum, sound emitters to keep animals away, security codes for operation, and collapsible drum and frame for compact storage.

Abstract: A wall-mounted, hot air body blow drying apparatus comprising a plurality of round nozzles located along a front surface of the apparatus is herein disclosed. Said nozzles are adjustable and capable of directing jets of warm air over a person's body. A flow of heated air is provided by a resistance heater, an electric blower, and a plurality of distributing ductwork. The apparatus may be hard-wired thereto a standard household power circuit or by using a standard power cord. The apparatus is variably controlled by a temperature and fan speed controlling system and a timer. To use, a person would stand in front of the dryer apparatus and slowly turn around, allowing the multiple heated forced air streams to dry their body in a similar fashion as a forced warm air hand dryer.

Abstract: An application for a hearing aid drying/disinfecting system includes a closable container with an internally mounted ultraviolet lamp for disinfecting the hearing aid. A heating element creates an internal temperature that is higher than ambient temperature and a fan circulates air through vents from the outside of the container over the hearing aid and back out, thereby drying the hearing aid contained within the drying/disinfecting system. The vents are positioned to reduce ultraviolet emissions out of the container.

Abstract: A restriction sensor system for identifying the existence of blockages in exhaust conduits of clothes dryers. The restriction sensor system may be used as a retrofit system that is capable of being installed on existing clothes dryers. The restriction sensor system may include a fitting configured to be coupled to an exhaust conduit of a clothes dryer and a blockage indicator housing positioned remote from a clothes dryer. The pressure sensing device may be capable of determining changes in air pressure in the exhaust conduit. Once the air pressure present in the exhaust conduit exceeds a threshold air pressure, the pressure sensing device may send a signal to an indicator to generate an alarm, which may be a visual alarm or audible alarm, or both.

Abstract: A clogging detecting method for a dryer, which can accurately determine a clogging degree of an air passage, even when there is an operation deviation of a temperature control member, is disclosed. The clogging detecting method includes determining operating characteristics of a temperature control member turning on/off in accordance with a temperature of an air passage, determining a clogging degree of the air passage in accordance with a clogging reference corresponding to the determined operating characteristics, and displaying the determined clogging degree of the air passage.

Abstract: A clogging degree deciding method for a dryer, which can accurately determine a clogging degree of an air passage, even when there is an influence of external environments, is disclosed. The clogging degree deciding method includes reading information as to clogging of an air passage, and displaying a clogging degree of an exhaust duct or a clogging degree of a filter in accordance with the read clogging information. The clogging information includes an ON/OFF duty ratio of a temperature control member. The displaying step includes comparing a difference between two ON/Off duty ratios finally stored with a filter-clogging determination reference value, and determining the clogging degree of the filter, based on a result of the comparison. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the clogging degrees of the exhaust duct and filter to the user.

Abstract: A household appliance includes a housing having an opening for accessing an interior of the housing, a tub disposed inside the housing and having a rotating drum therein for receiving laundry through the opening, and a door assembly having a see-through portion for viewing into the tub and being pivotably coupled to the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position. The door assembly includes a door frame and a front ring coupled directly or indirectly to the door frame. The front ring includes a front face having an outside and inside edge, the inside edge defining an opening that substantially corresponds to the see-through portion, and a recessed rear face on an opposite side of the front ring from the front face, wherein the recessed rear face includes a handle portion extending around at least a portion of the front ring.

Abstract: An inner ring for a door assembly of a household appliance is provided. The household appliance includes a housing having an opening for accessing an interior, and a tub disposed inside the housing, the tub having a rotating drum therein for receiving laundry, the door assembly having a see-through portion for viewing into the tub and being pivotably coupled to the housing and movable between an open position for accessing the opening and a closed position for closing the opening of the housing. The inner ring includes a front face having an outside edge and an inside edge, wherein the inside edge defines an opening in the front face, a rear face on an opposite side of the inner ring from the front face, and a funnel section that extends a predetermined distance from the inside edge of the inner ring in a direction of an axis of the opening.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance and method for controlling the operation of a laundry treating appliance comprising a treating chamber by determining the presence of a bulky laundry item based on image data of the laundry.