Abstract: A device includes first and second material facing towards each other as to form at least one focusing microstructure with a focal point located outside of the first material.

Abstract: In a wireless communication channel, the time per a service interval is distributed among multiple data services. The data services have been allocated airtime quotas in order to comply with their QoS requirements. These airtime quotas are scaled by a factor that is the ratio between, on the one hand, the time available per service interval for accommodating data of these services and, on the other hand, the total of the airtime quotas. This allows the services to use more airtime in case not the entire service interval has been allocated.

Abstract: In a method for encoding and an encoder for a 3D video signal, center view frames, a depth map for center view frames and an occlusion data frame are encoded. On the basis of the depth map for the center view frame a distinction is made between functional and non-functional data in an occlusion data frame. This allows a strong reduction in bits needed for the encoded occlusion data frame. In the decoder a combined data stream is made of functional data in the encoded occlusion data frames and the center view frames. Preferably the center view frames are used as reference frames in encoding the occlusion data frames.

Abstract: An improved cornerboard that is usable to protect a corner of a shipping container is provided. The cornerboard reduces workforce required to secure the cornerboard to a plurality of shipping containers, such as a pallet of shipping containers. For example, the cornerboard permits a single individual to position cornerboards about the pallet of shipping containers and shrink wrap or otherwise secure the shipping containers with the cornerboards. In an embodiment, the cornerboard has a tab portion that is partially separable form the cornerboard and positionable between two shipping containers to prevent movement of the cornerboard and eliminate the need for an individual to hold the cornerboard.

Abstract: The power toothbrush includes a toothbrush body and a stem portion extending from the toothbrush body which has a workpiece with a flexible membrane at a remote end thereof, and a flexible membrane at a near end thereof as well. A movable piston is positioned in the stem portion, as well as a fluid which is in communication with the flexible membrane at the workpiece end of the toothbrush and the flexible membrane at the near end of the stem portion. The body includes a solenoid coil which, when actuated, moves the piston in opposing directions in a controlled manner within the stem, which acts on the fluid in the stem and moves the flexible membrane at the workpiece in and out at a desired frequency and amplitude.

Abstract: The selective reduction-type catalyst (SROC) has a lower catalyst layer (A) and an upper catalyst layer (B) at the surface of an integral structure-type carrier (C). the lower catalyst layer (A) contains the following components (i) a noble metal component, component (ii) alumina, titania, silica, zirconia, tungsten oxide, a transition metal oxide, a rare earth oxide, and a complex oxide thereof, and component (iii) zeolite. The upper catalyst layer (B) does not substantially contain the following component (i) and contains the following component (iii). The component (i) of the lower catalyst layer (A1) of the selective reduction-type catalyst (SROC1) at the forward stage contains a platinum component of 90% by weight or more in metal equivalent. The component (i) of the lower catalyst layer (A2) of the selective reduction-type catalyst (SROC2) at the backward stage contains a palladium component of 40% or more in metal equivalent.

Abstract: A target outcome fund mimics an option in an underlying risky asset by holding a mix of the risky asset and a low-risk asset. The relative amount of the risky asset and the low risk asset held by the fund is periodically (e.g., monthly) rebalanced based on the fund's performance. If the fund over-performs, the target outcome is increased accordingly to prevent the fund becoming overly invested in the risky asset, thereby protecting gains made.

Abstract: A service is provided to an end-user of a first data communication device when receiving via a data network a plurality of data packets from a second data communication device. At least a particular data packet has been marked with node attribute data by one or more network nodes. The attribute data is indicative of a path of the data packet across the data network. An identifier, as declared by the second device is determined and correlated with one or more reference identifiers registered in advance. If there is a correlation, the node attribute data is correlated with reference attribute data registered in advance as associated with the reference identifier. If there is a discrepancy between the node attribute data and the reference attribute data, an alert is issued.

Abstract: There are provided a method of and arrangement for automatically milking an animal by use of an automatic milking system comprising a plurality of teat cups, a robot arm for automatic attachment of the teat cups and a control system arranged to control the milking system, wherein the teat cups are used, until a defect is established with a teat cup. In that case, milking of the non-milked teat is automatically taken over with the first teat cup that has stopped milking.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards an anti-vandalism electronic cylinder lock (10). The lock comprising a cylinder housing (30), an electronic cylinder lock mechanism, an inside knob (26), and an outside knob (100), the outside knob (100) being configured for assuming a first non-accessible, non-operable, retracted position, and a second, accessible operative position, in which the outside knob (100) projects from the cylinder housing (30).

Abstract: A speaker system comprises a first speaker (203) and a second speaker (205). A driving circuit receives an audio signal and comprises a first drive circuit (209) generating a first drive signal for the first speaker (203) in response to a first filtering of the audio signal with a first pass band. A second drive circuit (211) generates a second drive signal for the second speaker (205) in response to a second filtering having a second pass band which comprises a frequency band below the first pass band. A delay (213) delays the second drive signal relative to the first drive signal. The sound from the second speaker is directionally radiated with a directional radiation pattern having a notch towards the listening position (111). The system uses the precedence effect and non-direct low frequency audio radiation to ensure that directional cues are predominantly provided by the first speaker (203) which may be small and positioned remote from the second speaker (205).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for assessing a level of dyspnea in a patient is provided. The method includes measuring physical activity of the patient over a period of time with an activity monitor to gather physical activity data; measuring respiration rate of the patient over the period of time with a respiration rate sensor to gather respiration rate data; administering a questionnaire to gather clinical information of the patient; and executing, on one or more computer processors, one or more computer program modules to determine a dyspnea value for the patient based on the respiration rate data, the physical activity data, and the clinical information of the patient. The dyspnea value is representative of the level of dyspnea in the patient.

Abstract: A light-emitting electronic textile (1;35) comprising: a flexible component carrier (2) having a plurality of light sources (3) arranged thereon; and at least one textile light-diffusing member (4) arranged to diffuse light emitted by the light sources (3). The textile light-diffusing member (4) comprises: a first textile layer (10) comprising fibers (14); a second textile layer (11) comprising fibers (15); and a spacing layer (12) arranged between the first textile layer (10) and the second textile layer (11), wherein the spacing layer (12) comprises spacing fibers (16) that space apart the first and second textile layers, the spacing fibers (16) being attached to fibers (14,15) comprised in each of the first and second textile layers to thereby mechanically connect the first (10) and second (11) textile layers with each other.

Abstract: A method for preparing a solution including monochloramine includes the steps of: a) in an electrolyzer including an anode area and a cathode area separated by a membrane limiting the migration of hypochlorite ions, forming hypochlorite ions in the anode area by means of the oxidation of chloride ions in an aqueous solution, and forming ammonium ions in the cathode area by means of the reduction of nitrate and/or nitrite ions in an aqueous solution; and b) reacting the ammonium ions with at least one portion of the hypochlorite ions, with a molar ratio of hypochlorite ions to ammonium ions no lower than 1, resulting in the formation of monochloramine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substance determining apparatus for determining a substance within a fluid. Particles attach the substance and bind to a binding surface (30), wherein a sensing signal is generated depending on the bound particles. Binding events indicating a binding of a particle on the binding surface (30) are determined from the generated sensing signal, and the substance within the fluid is determined based on the determined binding events. During a procedure of determining a substance within a fluid, particles may bind to the binding surface and may leave the binding surface. Therefore, during this procedure a number of binding events can be determined being much larger than the number of bound particles. The determination of the substance within the fluid can therefore be based on a very large amount of data, thereby increasing the accuracy of determining the substance within the fluid.

Abstract: A steam iron (500) comprises a housing (520) that includes a water tank (580), a steam chamber (600) and a pressure equalization conduit (760). The housing (520) includes an airing means (660). The steam iron is further provided with a mechanism for allowing air selectively into the water tank (580). The mechanism comprises a steam trigger (680) that is arranged to close or open the pressure equalization conduit (760) and the airing means (660) inversely. The mechanism may also comprise a spring loaded plunger or an electronic hand sensor.

Abstract: The invention describes a collimator (4, 5, 6) comprising a base (40, 50, 60) and a plurality of side walls (41, 42, 43, 51, 52, 53, 61, 62) arranged to enclose a light source (2), characterized in that at least one side wall (41, 51, 61) of the collimator (4, 5, 6) is joined to the base by an integral hinge (7) and is realized to be tillable within a range of motion (M4, M5, M6), and wherein the base (40, 50, 60) and the side walls (41, 42, 43, 51, 52, 53, 61, 62) of the collimator (4, 5, 6) are realized so that light (L) emitted by the light source (2) enters the collimator (4, 5, 6) through a light entry opening (30) and exits essentially only through a light exit opening (31) for any position of the hinged side wall (41, 51, 61) over its range of motion (M4, M5, M6). The invention further describes a method of manufacturing such a collimator (4, 5, 6).

Abstract: An instrument system that includes an elongate body and an optical fiber is provided. The elongate body includes a first elongate portion having a hollow lumen and a second elongate portion adjacent to the first elongate portion. The optical fiber is located in the lumen of the first elongate portion and in the second elongate portion. The optical fiber has a strain sensor provided thereon. The lumen is adapted to allow the optical fiber to move in the lumen relative to the elongate body, and the second elongate portion is adapted to prohibit all movement of the optical fiber relative to the elongate body.

Abstract: An apparatus for spatial sound reproduction comprises a receiver (101) for receiving a multi-channel audio signal. An analyzer (107) determines a spatial property of the multi-channel audio signal, such as a spatial complexity or organization. A selection processor (109) then selects a reproduction mode from a plurality of sound reproduction modes where the multi-channel sound reproduction modes employ different spatial rendering techniques. A reproduction circuit (103) then drives a set of loud-speakers (105) to reproduce the multi-channel audio signal using the selected reproduction mode. The switching between the reproduction modes may be fast (e.g. in the order of 100 ms to 10 secs) thereby allowing a short term adaptation of the reproduction mode to the signal characteristics. The approach may in particular provide an improved spatial experience to a listener.

Abstract: Oven and method for operating an oven, comprising an On/Off-key (4), at least one key (3, 5) for choosing a pre-defined oven function or for choosing a predefined oven program and/or for programming a not predefined oven program, at least one specific key (6), which enables the user to start a preferred oven function or a preferred oven program from an Off-mode or a Standby-mode of the oven, wherein a running oven function or a running oven program can be saved by a memory unit as a preferred oven function or as a preferred oven program, when the specific key (6) is actuated at least for a predetermined period of time.