Abstract: A network printing system includes user devices, printing devices, a print server, and a logon server. The print server includes a print queue arranged to store print jobs received from the user devices and to send stored print jobs to the printing devices. The logon server is arranged to store logon details for users of the user devices and to store printer information for the users. The print server is arranged to select a printing device to which to send a print job stored in the queue based on the printer information stored in the logon server for the user of the user device from which the print job originated.

Abstract: An integrated optical shape sensing system and method include an arrangement structure (132) configured to receive a fiber port or connector. A platform (130) is configured to provide a distance relationship with the arrangement structure such that the fiber port or connector is trackable to provide a location reference. The platform secures a patient in proximity to the arrangement structure. An optical shape sensing enabled interventional instrument (102) has a first optical fiber cable connectable to the fiber port or connector. An optical interrogation module (108) is configured to collect optical feedback from the instrument and has a second optical fiber cable connectable to the fiber port or connector such that a known reference position is provided for accurate shape reconstruction.

Abstract: A method of authentication and authorization of cognitive radio devices comprises generating a registration request message; sending the registration request to a spectrum manager; receiving a registration response message from the spectrum manager; generating an authorization request message; upon receiving of an authorization response message, generating a verification response message; and sending the verification response message to the cognitive radio device to be authenticated, such that the cognitive radio device is authenticated and authorized to communicate on channels designated in the verification response message.

Abstract: A feed system (1) for the feeding of animals, comprising: —a feed wagon (3), having: •a holder (4), •a dispensing device (5), •a regulating unit (8), comprising a sending and receiving device (9), and being connected to a drive and control system, and —a feed loading device (12), —a feed site, —a central control system (16) provided with a sending and receiving device (17) which is configured to communicate wirelessly with the sending and receiving device of the regulating unit, and comprising a memory in which are stored navigation data on the basis of which the feed wagon is capable of covering a route from the feed loading site to the feed site, and wherein the central control system transmits a packet of data comprising these navigation data to the regulating unit. The regulating unit regulates the drive and control system on the basis of that packet of data.

Abstract: In an environment where it is beneficial for chronic health care patients to receive individualized attention on a daily basis, a health care network (10) is provided. Each patient receives a user interface device (12) such as a set top box for accessing the network (10). Based on the patient's health care history, a nurse or other health care professional interfaces with a server (22) and constructs a care plan specific to that patient by filling out appropriate sections of a care plan template. An itinerary arrangement processor (32) organizes content gleaned from the patient's care plan and constructs a serially arranged itinerary for the patient to experience each day. The patient logs on to the network (10) and is immediately presented with the day's itinerary, without having to navigate any menus. Resultantly, the patient will have an easier experience, and will not miss any material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hair-shortening device. The device is based on the principle of laser-induced optical breakdown, wherein a laser pulse causes mechanical effects in tissue, which are used to cut the hair (20). The invention uses the insight that, when two or more such laser pulses are provided simultaneously, the mechanical effects can co-operate. This in turn allows cutting of the hair (20) with less total energy, down to about half the energy required for cases with pulses that are supplied sequentially. In one embodiment, the device comprises a laser source (2), a grating (6), and a beam manipulator (8), that aim a plurality of simultaneous focal spots (10) into a hair (20).

Abstract: An audio signal processor receives a plurality of encoded multi-channel audio signals. A multi-channel decoder (105) decodes a first encoded multi-channel signal to generate a first decoded multi-channel signal. A generator (109) generates an encoded further audio signal by selecting audio encoding data from at least a second encoded multi-channel audio signal such that a number of channels of the encoded further audio signal comprising audio encoding data from the second encoded multi-channel audio signal is less than a number of channels in the second encoded multi-channel signal. Thus, a channel reduction is performed in the encoded data domain. A further decoder (111) generates a further decoded signal by decoding the further encoded audio signal. A combiner (107) combines the first decoded multi-channel signal and the further decoded signal to generate a multi-channel output signal. An exciting user experience can be provided while maintaining low complexity and resource usage.

Abstract: A laser-based hair cutting device (10) comprises a laser source (18), an optically transparent exit window (15) and optical elements (11, 12, 13, 14). The laser source (18) provides an incident light beam (21) for cutting a hair (22) above and near a skin surface by laser-induced optical breakdown (LIOB) of the hair (22) in a focal position of the light beam (21). The optically transparent exit window has an external exit surface (15) for allowing the incident light beam (21) to leave the device. The optical elements (11, 12, 13, 14) focus the incident light beam (21) in the focal position at a working distance from the exit surface (15).

Abstract: A battery pack management system provides information such as remaining capacity and/or run time to empty for a battery. A time taken for a battery voltage to drop a threshold amount is measured and used to determine a remaining capacity of the battery. The time may be associated with a temperature and current of the battery. The remaining capacity of a battery is calculated by monitoring a discharge of the battery. For example, current drawn from the battery is monitored over a period of time and an initial amount by which the battery has been discharged is calculated. Compensation of this initial amount is carried out in order to take into account factors such as temperature, self-discharge rate and age of the battery.

Abstract: Unmanned vehicle to carry out an animal-related action, provided with a frame and a control device to control the vehicle and a locomotion device to move the unmanned vehicle, and with a protective device to protect the vehicle against obstacles, wherein the protective device includes a touchable electrical conductor which extends on the outside of, advantageously around, the vehicle, and a voltage source to supply voltage to the conductor under the control of the control device.

Abstract: A video compression framework based on parametric object and background compression is proposed. At the encoder, an object is detected and frames are segmented into regions corresponding to the foreground object and the background. The encoder generates object motion and appearance parameters. The motion or warping parameters may include at least two parameters for object translation; two parameters for object scaling in two primary axes and one object orientation parameter indicating a rotation of the object. Particle filtering may be employed to generate the object motion parameters. The proposed methodology is the formalization of the concept and usability for perceptual quality scalability layer for Region(s) of Interest. A coded video sequence format is proposed which aims at “network friendly” video representation supporting appearance and generalized motion of object(s).

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an NFC (near field communications) device having an NFC router. The NFC router includes a memory adapted to store data to be shared with an external device and an NFC antenna circuit. The NFC router is capable of operating in a card emulation mode in which the shared data stored by the memory is accessible via the NFC antenna circuit.

Abstract: A method of controlling a rotatable-drum laundry drier to dry delicate laundry in a drum of the rotatable-drum laundry drier. The method includes the steps of feeding drying air into the drum; rotating the drum at a variable rotation speed about an axis of rotation; rotating the drum at a first rotation speed higher than, or equal to a rotation speed, at which centrifugal acceleration of the inner surface of the drum equals gravitational acceleration; making interruptions in rotation of the drum at the first rotation speed; and performing, at each interruption, one or more rotation cycles at a second rotation speed, so that, at each cycle, at least part of the laundry slides/tumbles slowly inside the drum while remaining in contact with the inner surface of the drum and/or another part of the laundry contacting the drum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an X-ray detector (100) for detecting incident X-ray photons (X). The X-ray detector (100) comprises at least one sensor unit (105) in which X-ray photons (X) are converted into sensor signals (s) and at least one flux sensor (104) for generating a flux signal (f) related to the flux of photons (X). The sensor signals (s) are corrected based on the flux signal (f). In a preferred embodiment, the sensor signals (s) represent a spectrally resolved pulse counting. The flux sensor (104) may be integrated into an ASIC (103) that is coupled to the sensor unit (105).

Abstract: A device for orienting and feeding capsules in a beverage producing machine includes a container that receives randomly oriented capsules, and a rotor that is rotatable around a rotation axis and is at least partly arranged in the container. The rotor is provided with at least one peripherally arranged capsule-receiving seat that is shaped to pick up a capsule oriented in a univocally determined orientation. Further, a capsule unloading duct with a duct inlet is arranged in the container and extends outside the container. The rotor is arranged to rotate around the rotation axis such to, during use, lift a capsule towards a position above the duct inlet, and the capsule-receiving seat is arranged to release the capsule under an influence of gravity from the position above the duct inlet into the duct inlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for automating adjustment or adaptation of devices (141-143) such as light, computer programs and positioning of devices used during patient examination. The patient examination is performed by use of a scanner system where the patient is lying on a bed (102) which can be moved into a scanner zone of the scanner where the scanning can be performed and away from the scanner zone. The automated control is achieved by detecting the position of the bed and using the detected position for adjusting or adapting the state, i.e. the function or working of one or more devices (141-143).

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for transmitting sensitive data in a contact center environment comprising a transient datastore containing data, for each customer, defining a customer's profile including historical interactions with a host entity and account information, the customer profile containing sensitive and non-sensitive data; a computer processor, coupled to the computer store and programmed to: generate, using a computer processor, a transient key associated with a subset of data for the customer based on the current interaction data and a customer identity; transmit, using a computer processor, the transient key and non-sensitive data to the live agent; receive a request, the transient key and a requester identifier from a requesting component of the system, and identify a corresponding subset of data responsive to the transient key and the requester identifier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of generating oxygen. The method addresses the objects of reducing the servicing work and improving the purity of the generated oxygen. According to the invention, the method comprises the steps of: providing an oxygen comprising gas at a primary side of a dense voltage drivable membrane; applying a voltage between a conductive element at the primary side of the membrane and a conductive element at a secondary side of the membrane, the conductive elements being electrically connected to the membrane, wherein a plasma is generated at at least one of the primary side and the secondary side of the membrane, the plasma being used as conductive element.

Abstract: A lid is disclosed for a container having a peripheral wall extending to an upper edge and defining a product containing space. The lid structure comprises a lower frame, an upper frame and a lid. The lower frame connects to the upper edge of the tub and defines an access opening giving access to the product containing space. The upper frame is connectable to the lower frame in a snap-fit connection and forms a circumferential first seal therewith. The lid is arranged to close the opening, the lid and the upper frame forming a circumferential second seal. In this manner, an improved sealing connection can be achieved and the upper frame can be manufactured separately from the lower frame and joined thereto at a later stage of the production process.