Abstract: This invention relates to a method of and a device for searching for relevant content that automatically obtains related information for a digital content item currently being rendered, played, viewed, accessed or selected on an audio/video device (e.g. a HD recorder). The obtained related information is used to automatically search for groups of a network (e.g. a P2P network) comprising said digital content item.

Abstract: A method is provided for introducing or reintroducing a gas into a slurry vessel holding a slurry comprising a liquid and solid particles and having a gas distributor for injecting a gas into the slurry, where the gas distributor includes a sparger device comprising an apertured sparger portion inside the slurry vessel, an inlet portion leading into the slurry vessel and an outlet portion leading from the slurry vessel, and a valve, external of the slurry vessel, operable to allow or deny flow from the sparger portion out through the outlet portion of the sparger device. The method comprises operating the valve to allow flow through the outlet portion of the sparger device, flushing the sparger device through the outlet portion to remove settled material which may be present in the sparger device, operating the valve to deny flow through the outlet portion of the sparger device, and introducing or reintroducing the gas into the slurry vessel through the sparger device.

Abstract: A process (10) for the preparation and conversion of synthesis gas includes reforming a feed gas (34) comprising methane in a reforming stage (18) to produce synthesis gas (46) which includes hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Some of the hydrogen and carbon monoxide is converted to a Fischer-Tropsch product (48) in a Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis stage (24). A tail gas (52), including unreacted hydrogen and carbon monoxide, methane and carbon dioxide, is separated from the Fischer-Tropsch product (48). In a tail gas treatment stage (28,30), the tail gas (52) is treated by reforming the methane in the tail gas (52) with steam (66) and removing carbon dioxide to produce a hydrogen rich gas (56). The tail gas treatment stage (28,30) may be either a combined tail gas treatment stage (28,30) or a composite tail gas treatment stage. The carbon dioxide from the tail gas treatment stage (28,30) is fed to the reforming stage (18).

Abstract: In a broadcast system (210) each broadcast content item is identified by a broadcast Content Reference Identifier (CRID). In a storage device (220) with a storage (240) each broadcast content item is identified by a local CRID. A processor (230) stores a CRID list that includes for CRIDs an associated validity interval including a starting date and an ending date during which interval the CRID is unique for the content item. When the processor receives (400) a broadcast CRID, it determines (410) an initial validity interval for the broadcast CRID. The initial validity interval includes a starting date and an ending date during which interval the broadcast CRID is unique for the broadcast content item. It then determines (420) whether the initial validity interval overlaps with a validity interval stored in the CRID list for an identical CRID. If there is no overlap it adds (430) the broadcast CRID to the CRID list.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a network device for assisting a user in selecting content. This is done by entering a user group comprising users having a common interest, requesting an indication of content of interest from at least a part of said user group, receiving an indication of content of interest from at least a part of said user group, generating a list of most popular content based on said indication of content of interest received from at least a part of said user group, and assisting the user in selecting said content by presenting said list to said user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a PVR system (100) making choices to store or remove certain programs in or from a memory (102) in order to create space for new programs to be stored in the memory. The choices are arranged in a list (201) of programs to be stored and a list (211) of programs to be erased from the memory. After these lists have been generated by the system (100), they are presented to the user for the purpose of confirmation and possible modifications. In this way, the user is aware of the choices made by the system and the method according to the invention enables him to confirm multiple choices by the system in one action. An operating device (104) is provided with a key (301) which is specifically intended to confirm choices made by the system (100).

Abstract: A method of enabling a user to obtain a query result in a data network is provided taken latency problems of decentralised networks comprising a number of entities into account. The method comprises the steps of sending a query from a requesting entity to a number of further entities in the data network, receiving responses from at least some of the further entities and determining an initial relative response time for an initial group of said responses, determining a current relative response time for further incoming responses, comparing the initial relative response time with the current relative response time, and presenting the responses to a user of the requesting entity when the difference between the initial relative response time and the current relative response time exceeds a relative response-time parameter Further, a computer readable medium and a device provided with or for carrying out such methods are provided.

Abstract: A method of managing a distributed storage system (1) comprising a plurality of storage devices (D1, D2 . . . , Dn) on a network (N), wherein an autonomous function can be assigned to any storage device (D1, D2 . . . , Dn) of the distributed storage system (N), which autonomous function comprises collecting content according to a configurable profile (3) for the storage device (D1, D2 . . . , Dn) to which the autonomous function is assigned, and wherein a first storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) of the distributed storage system (1), before leaving the network (N), delegates the responsibility for an autonomous function of that first storage device (D1, D2 . . . , Dn) to a second storage device (D1, D2 . . . , Dn) of the distributed storage system (1), and wherein the second storage device assumes responsibility for the autonomous function of the first storage device (D1, D2 . . .

Abstract: An installation for producing liquid and, optionally, gaseous products from gaseous reactants. The installation has a reactor vessel having a vertically extending slurry bed zone; a first gas inlet in the vessel at a low level within the slurry bed zone for introducing gaseous reactants; a second gas inlet in the vessel at a level within the slurry bed zone which is above the first gas inlet for introducing recycled gas, the second gas inlet in the vessel being above the lower 20% of the vertical height of the slurry bed zone; a gas outlet in the vessel above the slurry bed zone, for withdrawing gas from a head space above the slurry bed zone and a liquid outlet in the vessel within the slurry bed zone, for withdrawing liquid product from the vessel.

Abstract: A process for producing liquid and, optionally, gaseous products from gaseous reactants includes feeding at a low level a gaseous reactants feed comprising at least CO and H2 into an expanded slurry bed of solid non-shifting hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst particles suspended in a suspension liquid, the expanded slurry bed having an aspect ratio of less than 5. The gaseous reactants and any recycled gas are allowed to react with a per pass CO plus H2 conversion of at least 60% as they pass upwardly through the slurry bed at a gas velocity of at least 35 cm/s, thereby to form liquid and, optionally, gaseous products, and with the gaseous reactants and any recycled gas and any gaseous product assisting in maintaining the solid catalyst particles in suspension in the suspension liquid, and with the liquid product forming together with the suspension liquid, a liquid phase of the slurry bed.

Abstract: A process (10) for producing liquid and, optionally, gaseous products from gaseous reactants includes feeding at a low level gaseous reactants (14) and, optionally, a portion of a recycle gas stream into a vertically extending slurry bed (70) of solid particles suspended in a suspension liquid inside a vessel (12), and feeding, as an additional gas feed (58), at least a portion of the recycle gas stream into the slurry bed (70) above the level at which the gaseous reactants (814) are fed into the slurry bed (70) and above the lower 20% of the vertical height of the slurry bed (70).

Abstract: A data storage system comprises a plurality of portable data storage devices (12) coupled via a network (10). Each of the portable data storage devices (12) has an associated storage profile, which defines a which data objects will be stored in the storage device. A recommended profile for at least one of the portable data storage devices us automatically generated, using the steps of—collecting profile information about storage profiles for portable data storage devices (12) other than the at least one of the portable data storage devices (12) and/or data object information about properties of data objects stored by the portable data storage devices (12) other than the at least one of the portable data storage devices (12), —using the profile information and/or data information to guide generation of the recommended storage profile.

Abstract: A portable data storage device (1) is disclosed to be used for organizing content (10, 11, 18) available to the data storage device (1). The device comprises means (12) for setting an information source (6) for a storage profile (9), a means (3) for receiving storage profile update data (7) from the information source (6), a means (4) for updating the storage profile (9) based upon the storage profile update data (7), a means (2) for organizing content (10, 11) based upon the storage profile (9) and a means (12, 13) for triggering the means (3) for receiving storage profile update data (7) from the information source (6). The device (1) is capable of organizing content in a dynamic manner based on data storage profiles that are also dynamic in nature whilst requiring minimum user intervention.

Abstract: A system (11, 50) and method is disclosed to be used for physically locating content (12) in a network (10). Further, a device is disclosed for use in the system and a computer program product enabling the disclosed method. The system comprises an input means (53) allowing a user to identify content (12) which is to be physically located, for example, via a computer or television user interface. A device (11) storing the content (12) is identified physically within the network. The device provides a signal (45) which the user is physically susceptible to, for example, a visual indication. The user is therefore assisted in the physical location of content that has been virtualised in the network. Such a system is especially useful when the device comprised within the network is a portable storage device that the user would like to quickly locate and take away.

Abstract: A method is proposed to enable to automatically record a plurality of content programs that are listed for being broadcast. The method identifies alternative sources for supply of a specific one of the content programs; and conditionally selects a suitable one of the alternative sources for supply of the specific content program in order to avoid a scheduling conflict between recordings.

Abstract: Method of operating a three-phase slurry reactor includes feeding at a low level at least one gaseous reactant into a vertically extending slurry body of solid particles suspended in a suspension liquid, the slurry body being contained in at least two vertically extending shafts housed within a common reactor shell, each shaft being divided into a plurality of vertically extending channels at least some of which are in slurry flow communication and the slurry body being present in at least some of the channels. The gaseous reactant is allowed to react as it passes upwardly through the slurry body present in at least some of the channels of the shafts, thereby to form a non-gaseous and/or a gaseous product. Gaseous product, if present, and/or unreacted gaseous reactant is allowed to disengage from the slurry body in a head space above the slurry body.

Abstract: A process for producing liquid and, optionally, gaseous products from gaseous reactants includes feeding at a low level gaseous reactants into a vertically extending slurry bed of solid particles suspended in a suspension liquid, the slurry bed being located around a plurality of vertically extending jacketed conduits each comprising an inner conduit and an outer or jacket conduit defining between them a jacket space and the slurry bed also being located inside the inner conduits. The gaseous reactants are allowed to react exothermically as they pass upwardly through the slurry bed, thereby to form liquid and, optionally, gaseous products, and with the liquid product forming together with the suspension liquid, a liquid phase of the slurry bed, the reactions thus taking place outside the jacketed conduits and inside the inner conduits. A cooling medium is passed through the jacket spaces thereby to remove reaction heat from the slurry bed.

Abstract: A method of operating a three-phase slurry reactor includes feeding at a low level at least one gaseous reactant into a vertically extending slurry body of solid particles suspended in a suspension liquid, the slurry body being contained in a plurality of vertically extending horizontally spaced slurry channels inside a common reactor shell, the slurry channels being defined between vertically extending horizontally spaced divider walls or plates and each slurry channel having a height, width and breadth such that the height and breadth are much larger than the width. The gaseous reactant is allowed to react as it passes upwardly through the slurry body present in the slurry channels, thereby to form non-gaseous and/or gaseous product. Gaseous product and/or unreacted gaseous reactant is allowed to disengage from the slurry body in a head space above the slurry body.

Abstract: A method of supplying steam and a hydrogen feedstock to a primary process for producing synthesis gas includes, in a reformer of a secondary process which comprises a plurality of catalyst containing reforming passages, combusting a fuel to heat all of the reforming passages, whilst producing a hot synthesis gas by reforming a hydrocarbonaceous gas in the presence of process steam in some of the catalyst containing reforming passages only. The hot synthesis gas is cooled to produce steam which is supplied to the primary process. The cooled synthesis gas is treated to produce a hydrogen feedstock which is supplied to the primary process. The reforming passages not producing hot synthesis gas are cooled by passing a cooling medium through them and the hot synthesis gas exiting some of the reforming passages is separated from the cooling medium exiting other reforming passages.

Abstract: A process for synthesising hydrocarbons includes feeding a gaseous feedstock comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, into a dimethyl ether (DME) synthesis stage, and in the DME synthesis stage, converting a portion of the gaseous feedstock into a DME product and gaseous products. The DME product is separated from unreacted gaseous reactants and the gaseous products to obtain a tail gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The tail gas is fed into a Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis stage, and the hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are allowed at least partially to react catalytically in the Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis stage to form hydrocarbons.