Abstract: A transcoding procedure is shown for decoding coded video data and re-coding the video data. An input device (201) receives coded video data and a distribution device (304) supplies a copy of the input data to each of a plurality of transcoding processors.

Abstract: A method of forming a sealed seam between a tear-off film (12), that is provided with a tear-off strip, and a packaging member (14), the method including at least one sealing step, in which the packaging member (14) and the film 12 are compressed between a lower die (20) supporting the packaging member (14) and an upper die (22) such that an annular sealed seam (28) is formed in the peripheral portions of the film (12) and the packaging member (14), in which wherein, during a sealing step or in a subsequent non-sealing step, the sealing seam (28) is partly destroyed or weakened at is internal peripheral edge (30) in the vicinity of the tear-off strip.

Abstract: A method for contactless capacitive thickness measurement of a flat material (10) that is placed in the fringe field (32) of a capacitor (C1,C2), with simultaneous measurement of the width L of an air gap (16) between the flat material and the capacitor plates, in which the capacities gL, kL of two capacitors (C1, C2) are measured whose fringe fields (32) decay at different rates towards the flat material (10), and in that both, the thickness D of the flat material (10) and the width L of the air gap (16) are determined on the basis of the condition that, for each capacitor (C1, C2), the measured capacity gL, kL is equal to the integral of the capacity gradient g?, k? over the thickness of the flat material (10).

Abstract: A building board with coating includes at least one end face (7) covered by two superposed layers (10, 12) of a sheet material, and a layer (11) of filler material is applied between the sheet layers (10, 12).

Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacture of charcoal, comprising a unit having walls defining a primary combustion chamber, and a material inlet for allowing a feed of wood chips though said material inlet into said apparatus. A trough is located at a lower height than said material inlet such that material passing through said material inlet is able to fall into the trough. An air inlet is located below the material inlet such that, when wood chips are located within the trough piled up to said material inlet, air passing from said air inlet passes through said wood-chips and into the primary combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an audio signal to enhance the perceived lower frequency content of the audio signal when played through an audio output device, includes an input configured to receive an audio input signal, a processor configured to filter the audio input signal to produce a high frequency signal and a low frequency signal, generate an enhancement signal by producing higher frequency harmonics from the low frequency signal, including a process of self convolution, and combine the high frequency signal with the enhancement signal to produce an output signal; and an output configured to receive the output signal and produce an audio output.

Abstract: A method for producing a dampening system housing, includes the steps of providing a longitudinal housing element prepared from a flat component, making available two side parts with grooves for accommodating the longitudinal housing element, inserting the longitudinal housing element in the grooves and sealing the longitudinal housing element in the grooves, as well as a correspondingly produced dampening system housing.

Abstract: A pump includes a cutting impeller (38) and a pre-chopper (50) driven by a shaft portion (46) that projects axially from the cutting impeller (38), with the pre-chopper (50) being surrounded by an intake port (22) of the pump, the intake port having, at least on a part of its length, in the vicinity of the pre-chopper, a non-circular internal cross-section.

Abstract: An energy transduction and conservation system has a rotatable primary driving arrangement and a rotatable driven arrangement, the driving and driven arrangements cooperating through an energy storage arrangement. The driving arrangement supplies energy to the energy storage arrangement through a one-way driving system which blocks energy release from the energy storage arrangement back to the driving arrangement. Relative rotation of the driving arrangement is transferred to the energy storage arrangement through a first releasable clutch acting on a one-way rotatable hub whereby energy stored is released only through the driven arrangement. A further one-way clutch is actuated by a differential angular rotational speed to disconnect the first releasable clutch and drive the hub at the same time the energy storage arrangement drives the driven arrangement.

Abstract: An audio signal in which an audio signal is received as a stream of digital samples, each being a numerical value representing a sampled signal level. A first zero crossing point is identified and the received audio samples are stored until a second zero crossing point is identified, thereby storing a first half-wave of samples. The highest intensity sample is identified from the stored samples and this is compared against a predetermined threshold. All stored samples are scaled by an initial scaling factor so that the intensity of the highest intensity sample is not above this threshold. A second half-wave of samples is stored in which all samples of the second half-wave are below the threshold. All stored samples of the second half-wave are also scaled but by a modified scaling factor derived from a combination of the initial scaling factor and a decay factor.

Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacture of charcoal, comprising a unit having walls defining a primary combustion chamber, and a material inlet for allowing a feed of wood chips though said material inlet into said apparatus. A trough is located at a lower height than said material inlet such that material passing through said material inlet is able to fall into the trough. An air inlet is located below the material inlet such that, when wood chips are located within the trough piled up to said material inlet, air passing from said air inlet passes through said wood-chips and into the primary combustion chamber.

Abstract: An ergonomic shovel that has a curved, bent angle shaft that reduces the user's exertion, strain and fatigue. In addition, when not in use, shovel provides a space saving design so it can be stored nearly flat, saving storage space. This is accomplished by rotating the handle and blade 90 degrees in one direction with the use of quick release detent pins that are easily removed and re-inserted at predetermined positions.

Abstract: System of electrical thermostatation of pipes or tanks, including a jacket that serves to at least partially cover a surface of the piping or tank, the jacket including an external mechanical protection in the form of an external shell and an internal shell, a thermal insulation supplied between the internal shell and the external shell, a heating element for generating thermal energy, an element to spread the thermal energy towards the interior, and a conduit for an electricity supply line.

Abstract: Roof construction having a roof skin mounted on a base construction and including a bottom skin and a top skin mounted above and spaced apart from the bottom skin, the roof skin having a two-dimensionally curved surface, the bottom skin being supported on the base construction via a grid that is formed by plane plates oriented normal to the plane of the grid and crossing one another, top edges of the plates being curved to define the curvature of the roof skin, the surface of the roof skin being divided into segments at least some of which are spanned by an associated set of straight lines, and the top skin is held at a constant spacing from the bottom skin by spacer profiles extending along the straight lines.