Abstract: A plough assembly (10) to be fixed to a plough frame including a transverse beam (11). The assembly (10) includes a plough shank (13) with a leading surface (14) that is generally upwardly oriented. The lower end of the shank (13) is provided with a digging adapter (24) to which there is attached a digging blade (28). Located behind the adapter (24) is a fertilizer delivery tube (33), while behind the tube (33) is a seed delivery tube (42). A seed bed is formed by a tool (43) that is in front of the tube (42), while behind the tube (42) is a press wheel (39).

Abstract: A method for use in computer graphics includes receiving data representative of a plurality of particles. For each particle, the method further includes calculating a time at which a collision will occur based on a current trajectory of the particle. For pairs of particles that will collide with each other, another operation includes changing a direction of the particles to avoid a collision, wherein the changed directions approximate directions that would result from the collision. For particles in static contact, another operation includes allowing particles to push each other without bouncing. For particles in static contact that were previously moved by being pushed, the method also does not allow the particles to move during future collisions occurring during a time step.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described in which different irrigation controllers in an irrigation control system have machine code having a same code base. In one implementation, a first irrigation control unit comprises a processor and a medium storing a first set of machine code to be executed by the processor. The first set is based on a portion of source code on which a second set of machine code stored in a second irrigation control unit is based, and the first and second sets not identical to each other. The first and second irrigation control units are in a predefined hierarchical control relationship. In one variation, the first and second control units have at least related operating systems. In another variation, a central controller includes machine code developed from at least a portion of the same source code as machine code in a remote controller for simulation or execution purposes.

Abstract: A method of educating includes providing a collectible trading card game with a plurality of trading cards. Each card may contain educational information including a consonant, vowel, number or mathematical operator and the cards are used to form a properly spelled word or to form a mathematically correct equation. In some forms, the method includes providing a game with a playing field and a set of game components with game component types having a predetermined power for affecting play of the game by affecting a power, effect, or value of the game component. The level of skill necessary to play the game may be varied by selectively implementing or disregarding the predetermined power of the game components. An educational game includes first and second game components with different expressions, powers, point values, and identifiers for distinguishing game components and facilitating game play.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring and/or signalling errors of a radiation therapy apparatus during delivery of a radiation treatment to a target, the radiation therapy apparatus being configurable for a given radiation treatment by means of a beam shaping device. The method includes providing a radiation array detector between the beam shaping device and the target, capable of providing a measured detector response of the radiation treatment; determining a predicted detector response for successive times of the radiation treatment; measuring the measured detector response caused by the radiation beams for corresponding successive times of the radiation treatment; performing a comparison between the measured detector response and the corresponding predicted detector response; signalling in a short reaction time, an error when the comparison results in a difference which exceeds a given threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a stack of food products in a storage container, and a method therefor. The apparatus comprises a first gate moveable between an open and a closed position that drops a row of food products onto a second gate moveable between an open and a closed position. The second gate receives multiple rows of food products and once a predetermined number of rows have been received, the second gate opens to release the rows of food products into the storage container below it. As the first gate shifts from the open to the closed position, it can advance, at least in part, a subsequent row of food products onto the first gate for later release onto the second gate. The area defined by the second gate and the first gate is a temporary staging area which can increase in height after receiving subsequent rows of food products.

Abstract: A sprocket having a slot formed therethrough can be disposed about the non-rotating support rod of a given roller door. This sprocket is then attached to the door-supporting frame such that the sprocket is positioned externally to the roller door. A connector can serve to effect this attachment. This connector might comprise a plurality of bolts with support sleeves. By this approach, the sprocket can be maintained at a fixed distance from the door supporting frame. This connector might also comprise an adjustable connector that adjustably and fixedly connects the sprocket with respect to the door-supporting frame. By one approach, the sprocket connects directly to the door-supporting frame. By another approach, if desired, the sprocket connects to a frame interface which connects, in turn, to the door-supporting frame. This frame interface can itself also have a slot formed therethrough to again facilitate placing the frame interface into an installed position.

Abstract: A furniture hinge has a first and a second equalizers connecting to a box-shaped body and a hinge arm, the first equalizer being pivoted to the box-shaped body through a first pin and to the hinge arm through a second pin, the second equalizer being pivoted to the box-shaped body through a third pin and to the hinge arm through a fourth pin, a flexure spring being wound around a pin fixed to the hinge arm and having a first spring arm abutting against the hinge arm and a second spring arm abutting against a control cam formed on the first equalizer, a contact surface between the control cam and the second spring arm, during the rotation or the hinge the contact surface moving along both the profile of the control cam and the profile of the second spring arm.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to low calorie bulking agents (e.g., cellulose, starch, bran, glucans, hydrocolloids, and the like) coated with a lipid compound to form a base or inner layer and thereafter encapsulating the fiber/lipid complex within a protein compound as an outer layer. In effect, the present invention provides a delivery system for edible fibers wherein the moisture absorption by the edible fibers can be controlled. Using the encapsulated fiber of this invention, the absorption of water by the edible fiber (and thus the swelling of the edible fiber) can be effectively delayed until the encapsulated fiber reaches the stomach and normal digestive processes begin.

Abstract: A method is provided for driving at least one lamp unit, which is connected to an AC voltage power supply system. The method comprises modulating a control information item for the operation of the lamp unit onto the supplied AC voltage, decoding of the modulation received on the lamp unit side for reading the control information item and driving the light-emitting device in accordance with the control information item. Provision is made for a shunt to be produced in the line used for transmitting the control information item prior to or at the beginning of the modulation of the control information item. The disclosure also provides a lamp unit and a control device for implementing the method. The disclosure also provides a lighting system.

Abstract: A content transfer service manager node of a computer network manages the transfer of content over the network from a content provider node to a user node. The characteristics of the configuration of the user node are determined, including the user nodes capabilities with respect to downloading content and processing downloaded content. The service manager arranges a content transfer that is particularly suited for the hardware, software, and communication capabilities of the user node.

Abstract: A communication unit is capable of communicating in a wireless communication network. The communication unit comprises a receiver for receiving timing signals from a plurality of serving wireless communication units; a frequency synchronizing circuit operably coupled to the receiver for synchronizing an operating frequency of the communication unit to a serving wireless communication unit of the plurality of serving wireless communication units Control logic is capable of controlling the frequency synchronizing circuit to adjust an operating frequency of the communication unit. The control logic is arranged to distinguish between macro cell transmissions and femto cell transmissions and in response thereto selectively use or reject timing signals from the plurality of serving wireless communication units in adjusting the operating frequency of the wireless communication unit.

Abstract: In a packaging material for electrochemical cell, a thermally adhesive resin layer is configured of a resin having a propylene based elastomer resin in a propylene based resin. This propylene based elastomer resin is a copolymer composed of a constitutional unit derived from propylene and a constitutional unit derived from an ?-olefin having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms; when the total sum of the constitutional unit derived from propylene and the constitutional unit derived from an ?-olefin is defined as 100% by mole, contains 50% by mole or more of the constitutional unit derived from propylene; and is satisfied with (a) a Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) of from 65 to 90, (b) a melting point of from 130 to 170° C., (c) a density (ASTM D1505) of from 860 to 875 kg/m3 and (d) a glass transition temperature as measured by DSC of from ?25° C. to ?35° C.

Abstract: A reverse dispersion retardation film is formed by stretching a film containing a norbornene-based ring-opening copolymer containing a structural unit (A) represented by a general formula (1) and a structural unit (B) represented by a general formula (2), wherein a total amount of the structural unit (A) and an exo-form structural unit, among the structural units (B), is not less than 20 mol % but not more than 65 mol % of all the structural units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a winding shaft for a roller blind device with a winding tube (2) and a torsional tensioning device (7) that, with a first end (7a), is coupled to the winding tube (2) in a manner that enables it to rotate in relation thereto. The torsional tensioning device (7), at least with a second end, is coupled to the winding tube (20 so that it is rotationally fixed and axially displaceable in relation thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a shape-adaptable surface for an audio port of a device includes an audio port, a shape-adaptable surface having a plurality of portions, a plurality of sensors coupled to the shape-adaptable surface, wherein the plurality of sensors are operative to sense a plurality of distances between the object and the shape-adaptable surface, and a processor operatively coupled to the shape-adaptable surface and the plurality of sensors, said processor configured to control some of the plurality of portions of the shape-adaptable surface to adjust the plurality of distances and to provide a channel between a sound receiver of the object and the audio port. An improved audio coupling is formed by adjusting the distances between the shape-adaptable surface and the object, thereby transmitting sounds directly from the audio port of the device to a sound receiver of the object.

Abstract: An image converter converts an image rendered at a given vertical synchronous frequency into an image compatible with the specification of a display. A frame memory holds the image converted by the image converter by switching a plurality of buffers. A display controller selects one of the buffers in accordance with the vertical synchronous frequency of the display, and scans out the image from the frame memory accordingly. A switch instruction issuing unit issues a frame buffer switch instruction for designating a frame buffer to scan out from subsequently, in synchronization with the vertical synchronous frequency of the display, instead of immediately after the execution of an image converting process by the image converter.

Abstract: A brew head for a beverage brewer includes a lid, a handle rotatably mounted to the lid and including a cam surface, and a spring mounted to the lid with a follower that engages the cam surface such that movement of the handle from an open position to a closed position relative to the lid, or vice-versa, by a user causes the user to experience a clicking feeling.