Abstract: The invention relates to a power factor control circuit (10) and to a universal mains power supply (100). The power factor control circuit comprises input nodes (n1, n2) which receive a rectified input voltage being a rectified mains input voltage, and a drive circuit (IC1) which drives a switch (M1). A series arrangement of the switch and an inductor (L1) is arranged between the input nodes. A series arrangement of a rectifier (D1) and an output capacitor (C2) is arranged parallel to the inductor (L1). The rectifier is non-conductive when the switch is closed. The drive circuit drives the switch for generating a substantially sinusoidal current through the switch being substantially synchronized with a sinusoidal voltage of the mains input voltage. Due to the arrangement the output capacitor in the power factor control circuit according to the invention, the output capacitor can only be charged after a first conducting cycle of the switch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display apparatus with a display unit, having means for background lighting at the back of the display apparatus. According to the invention, the means for background lighting comprise two illumination units being provided at the right-hand and left-hand of the display apparatus, said illumination units being formed as substantially vertically positioned, longitudinal light guides comprising means for coupling out light, each of the light guides being provided on at least one of its ends with a light source. The light sources preferably comprise colored LEDs.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for data evolution on column oriented databases is disclosed. For an input evolution operation, reusable and non-reusable attributes are identified. For attributes in a target schema that cannot be reused from the source schema, data and bitmap indexes of those attributes are generated from source data and bitmap indexes. A decompose operation is disclosed for decomposing a table into two tables. A merge operation is disclosed in which only one input table can be reused for mergence. A second merge operation is disclosed in which both input tables cannot be reused for mergence.

Abstract: An image display apparatus including a display device for displaying an image by emission of display light in a first direction; a scattering layer disposed in front of the display device, for scattering at least a portion of ambient light; a transparent plate-shaped light source, arranged parallel to the scattering layer and being optically coupled to the scattering layer. The plate-shaped light source may be a passive light source, in which case at least one light source is arranged along an edge of the plate-shaped light source. When the display device is ON, the scattering layer and the plate-shaped light source are transparent. When the display device is OFF, the scattering layer is scattering and the plate-shaped light source is ON.

Abstract: A method for rearranging data blocks in a data storage system when adding new storage devices to create an expanded data storage system. A temporary configuration is selected for which the exchange of one or more data blocks between the temporary configuration and the source configuration produces the destination configuration before identifying and exchanging data blocks between the temporary configuration and the source configuration to produce the destination configuration. A single data element transfer chain embodiment provides superior performance in an embodiment that maintains (does not reduce) the source array data storage efficiency at the destination array after scaling. When adding a single new device to an existing array, the required data movement is minimized and does not exceed the capacity of the new device.

Abstract: A validation matrix computation system automatically computes a validation matrix to analyze performance and efficiency of a global logistics process. The present system comprises identifying metrics and automatically computing the metrics to derive a validation matrix from the metrics. The system comprises a metric capture module installed at all participant locations in the global logistics process. The metric capture module captures, from logs generated at a node, metrics that measure performance at the node. The system generates the validation matrix from the captured metrics and uses the validation matrix to evaluate performance. The metrics comprise quantitative and qualitative metrics; quantitative metrics are automatically computed by correlating logs generated at the nodes and qualitative metrics are computed using surveys completed by participants in the global logistics process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a video system which is able to show more than one channel at the same time. If a user, after watching an original channel sufficiently long, zaps to another channel, the original channel is displayed in for example a PIP, together with the new channel in a main picture. After zapping yet to a third channel, the original channel is still displayed in the PIP. In this way, the user can keep track of the original channel while zapping other channels.

Abstract: A coordinated arc fault protection scheme in a hierarchical power distribution system is disclosed. The methods according to embodiments of the present invention may be considered an “event and time graded” analysis. In event and time based analysis, the number of confirmed arc signature may be monitored with respect to time in the main feeder line as well as the branched feeders. The confirmed arc signature in the branched feeder, as well as in the main feeder, may be captured and time stamped. A trip command may be issued first in the intended branched feeder if the branched feeder experiences a minimum number of events within a given time. During the same time period, the main feeder also monitors similar arcing events. If the tripping of the branched feeder occurs and the main feeder still detects arcing events, the main feeder may be tripped after a certain period of time or a certain number of confirmed arc signature.

Abstract: A visual display system includes a display device having an image display region for presenting images to a viewer. The system includes one or more illumination sources that at least partially peripherally surround the image display region and/or project illumination radiated therefrom so as to illuminate a region visually appearing to the viewer to at least partially peripherally surround the image display region. A control device controls light radiation emitted in use from the one or more illumination sources in response to at least one of image and audio indicative signals so as to provide at least a partial spatial extension of the image display region.

Abstract: A display device including a plurality of image projection devices and a display. The display device provides received content to the display and provides image signals to the plurality of image projection devices. In response to the provided image signals, the plurality of image projection devices project images on an area of a display surface that is separate from the display. A plurality of image capture devices positioned around the display device operate during a calibration and/or alignment procedure of the plurality of image projection devices to calibrate and/or align the projected images.

Abstract: A system (600) for performing gamut compression or gamut extension by transforming an input color (608) of an input image defined within a first gamut (102) into a reproduction color (610) of an output image for rendering by a reproduction device capable of rendering colors within a second gamut (104) different from the first gamut. The input color has an input chromaticity (C1) and an input lightness (Z-*) together forming an input point (202) in a chromaticity-lightness plane. The reproduction color has a reproduction point (210) in the chromaticity-lightness plane, wherein an absolute difference between the input lightness and the output lightness is a decreasing function of at least the chromaticity. An absolute difference between the input chromaticity and the output chromaticity is an increasing function of at least the chromaticity.

Abstract: A computer system for generating data structures for information retrieval of documents stored in a database. The computer system includes: a neighborhood patch generation system for defining patch of nodes having predetermined similarities in a hierarchy structure. The neighborhood patch generation subsystem includes a hierarchy generation subsystem for generating a hierarchy structure upon the document-keyword vectors and a patch definition subsystem. The computer system also comprises a cluster estimation subsystem for generating cluster data of the document-keyword vectors using the similarities of the patches.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for scheduling data management jobs on a computer system that uses a dual level scheduling method. Macro level scheduling using a chained timer schedules the data management job for execution in the future. Micro level scheduling using an algorithm controls the actual dispatch of the component requests of a data management job to minimize impact on foreground programs.

Abstract: A system suitable for backlighting is provided. The system comprises a monitor unit configured to monitor an information signal, and to generate a first signal based at least partly on the information comprised in the information signal, a control unit configured to control the reaction time of at least one illumination area capable of emitting properties of light and comprised in the system, based on the first signal, wherein the first signal may comprise scene change information. The system provides for a more peaceful backlighting effect while still being able to stress actions, such as scene changes, happening in the presented information signal. A method and computer-readable medium are also provided.

Abstract: A physical object (10) comprises a store (72) for storing at least one Content Reference Identifier (CRID) and a communications interface (71) for conveying the CRID to a receiver (20). Upon receiving the CRID, the receiver (20) can resolve the CRID to locate content for consuming (e.g. for presentation or scheduling for recording or later presentation) and can use the CRID to retrieve metadata relating to the content. Appropriate content can be selected by bringing the associated object (10) within range of the receiver (20), thus obviating the need to use a remote control or electronic programmed guide. The CRID can be pre-programmed in store (72) of object (10) or can be selected by a user by a replaceable card or input device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a non-invasive physiological sensor assembly is capable of attachment to a tissue site of the ear comprising of cartilaginous structures of the ear, providing low latency of physiological measurements as well as a secure attachment.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ambience lighting system for use in conjunction with a display device including an image display region. A central control receives an incoming audio video stream (AVS) and to determines color information at the periphery of the image to be displayed. Light sources are disposed in a pre-fixed arrangement in relation to the periphery of the image display region, and local control units are coupled to open or more light sources selected from the multiple light sources for locally operating the at least one coupled light source. The central control unit is adapted to transmit the determined color information as a stream to each respective local control unit, which use a portion of the received color information to operate the at least one coupled light source, the portion being determined based on the position of the at least one coupled light source within the pre-fixed arrangement.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing incorrect installation of machinery components together includes a tab, pin and pin-receiving hole. The tab on the seal plate protrudes angularly from its periphery and laterally beyond it so as to prevent incorrect installation of two seal plates together in a faulty sealing relationship with machinery components by their tabs making interfering contact with one another producing a visible gap between the two seal plates. The pin is mounted on and protrudes axially from a surface of one machinery component facing the seal plate and prevents incorrect installation of the machinery components together in a faulty sealing relationship without the seal plate between them by the pin contacting the surface of the other machinery component and producing a gap between the machinery components. The hole extends through the seal plate to receive the pin within it when one seal plate is correctly installed between the machinery components.

Abstract: A programmable logic device may include first and second ports in data communication with a memory block including a pair of address areas. A system using the programmable logic device may include the programmable logic device in data communication with a central processing unit and a controller. A method of using the programmable logic device may include generating a command from the central processing unit based on data read from one of the address areas and written to the second address area wherein the address areas are associated with a common memory address.

Abstract: A dynamic Bloom filter comprises a cascaded set of Bloom filters. The system estimates or guesses a cardinality of input items, selects a number of hash functions based on the desired false positive rate, and allocates memory for an initial Bloom filter based on the estimated cardinality and desired false positive rate. The system inserts items into the initial Bloom filter and counts the bits set as they are inserted. If the number of bits set in the current Bloom filter reaches a predetermined target, the system declares the current Bloom filter full. The system recursively generates additional Bloom filters as needed for items remaining after the initial Bloom filter is filled; items are checked to eliminate duplicates. Each of the set of Bloom filters is individually queried to identify a positive or negative in response to a query.