Abstract: A system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing software code, a memory data structure storing memory features for an artificial intelligence interactive character (AIIC), and a trained machine learning (ML) model. The software code is executed to elicit, using the AIIC, a reminiscence from a user, predict, using the trained ML model and the reminiscence, one or more user memory feature(s) of the reminiscence, identify, using the memory data structure, one or more of the memory features for the AIIC as corresponding to the user memory feature(s), and determine, using the user memory feature(s), a mood modifier for a creative composition. The software code is further executed to produce, based on the mood modifier and the corresponding one or more of the plurality of memory features for the AIIC, the creative composition, and provide the creative composition to the AIIC.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for monitoring plant development in aeroponic farming. The output from one or more sensors in the apparatus be used to modify the flow of one or more fluids to the developing plants.

Abstract: A strap for a security device has a core (12,62) within a flexible sleeve (14,64), and the sleeve is extensible independently of the core such that the core is not under tension. Because the core is not under tension, it is more difficult to cut and substantially inhibits, if not prevents, cutting of the sleeve. The core may take various forms which resist cutting in different ways. Examples are elongate, normally metallic planar bodies (12,34,38) having longitudinal flexibility but resistance to lateral flexure, and extensible springs (16,22,26). The sleeve (14,64) can also be designed to complicate any attempt to cut the strap as a whole, and may comprise multiple layers (76,78).

Abstract: A lock comprises a male element, and a female element for receiving the male element enabling aligned copular engagement. The male element has a shoulder and the female element a catch for closing behind the shoulder to hold the male element therein. The catch and a lock casing are held in the female element with the axis of the lock casing inclined, normally at a right angle, to the line of engagement of the male and female elements. The lock casing and the female element have juxtaposed faces inclined to the line of engagement of the male and female elements. At least one face on the lock casing extends from the casing outwardly from the line of engagement contiguous with an inwardly facing complementary face on the female element. In this way longitudinal forces generated by attempted separation of the engaged male and female elements are resolved by the faces into a lateral force on the female element.

Abstract: A security device has a flexible strap (26) with a lock unit (28) attached at each end. The strap (26) comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending multi-filament cables or ropes (2) arranged in a substantially planar array embedded in an elastomeric material (4). The cables or ropes (2) have a coating of primer for creating a bond with the elastomeric material (4). The primer may be restricted to the external surface of the cables or ropes (2), or some of the surfaces of the filaments may be free of primer. This facilitates relative movement of the filaments during flexure or compression of the strap (26). Moreover, an extrusion process for manufacturing the strap (26) including a priming station (12) is disclosed.

Abstract: A security device has a flexible strap (26) with a lock unit (28) attached at each end. The strap (26) comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending multi-filament cables or ropes (2) arranged in a substantially planar array embedded in an elastomeric material (4). The cables or ropes (2) have a coating of primer for creating a bond with the elastomeric material (4). The primer may be restricted to the external surface of the cables or ropes (2), or some of the surfaces of the filaments may be free of primer. This facilitates relative movement of the filaments during flexure or compression of the strap (26). Moreover, an extrusion process for manufacturing the strap (26) including a priming station (12) is disclosed.

Abstract: A lock comprises a male element, and a female element for receiving the male element enabling aligned copular engagement. The male element has a shoulder and the female element a catch for closing behind the shoulder to hold the male element therein. The catch and a lock casing are held in the female element with the axis of the lock casing inclined, normally at a right angle, to the line of engagement of the male and female elements. The lock casing and the female element have juxtaposed faces inclined to the line of engagement of the male and female elements. At least one face on the lock casing extends from the casing outwardly from the line of engagement contiguous with an inwardly facing complementary face on the female element. In this way longitudinal forces generated by attempted separation of the engaged male and female elements are resolved by said faces into a lateral force on the female element.

Abstract: A strap for a security device has a core (12,62) within a flexible sleeve (14,64), and the sleeve is extensible independently of the core such that the core is not under tension. Because the core is not under tension, it is more difficult to cut and substantially inhibits, if not prevents, cutting of the sleeve. The core may take various forms which resist cutting in different ways. Examples are elongate, normally metallic planar bodies (12,34,38) having longitudinal flexibility but resistance to lateral flexure, and extensible springs (16,22,26). The sleeve (14,64) can also be designed to complicate any attempt to cut the strap as a whole, and may comprise multiple layers (76,78).

Abstract: A string changing device is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated socket that surrounds the tuner button of the instrument. A lever extends from the socket and is attached to a handle. The handle and lever combine as a crank to tension the strings to approximate pitch. The handle has a worm-gear cutter embodied within it. The handle is attached to the lever with a rotatable hinge that enables the handle to function as a winder when aligned axially. It also prevents the cutter body from turning during the cutting operation when aligned off axis. The quick release assembly is mounted on the lever in the preferred embodiment and is removed during winding and cutting operations.

Abstract: A portable vaporizer is provided. The portable vaporizer includes a power module, a vaporization chamber, and a mouthpiece. The vaporization chamber includes a vaporization tank, which includes a tube, a tank base, a heating element contained within the tube, a vaporization basket for holding vaporization materials, and a cylindrical space between the herb basket and the tube. When the heating element is activated, the air in the cylindrical space between the vaporization basket and the tube is heated and causes the materials in the basket to vaporize.

Abstract: A security locking device comprises an elongate flexible strap and a lock; wherein said elongate flexible strap incorporates a flexible metallic portion; a synthetic fibre based portion; and a polymeric portion; said flexible synthetic fibre based portion having greater tensile strength than the other two portions; and said polymeric portion having greater elasticity than the other two portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using DVD subpicture formatted information within a MPEG data stream to provide data channel information to a television receiver. More particularly, the television receiver comprises a MPEG decoder and a DVD subpicture processor. The MPEG decoder decodes the MPEG stream and extracts the DVD subpicture formatted signal and the DVD subpicture decoder processes one or more DVD subpicture bitstreams to produce DVD graphics. The DVD subpicture bitstream is used to carry and display data channel information such as stock quotes, electronic program guide information, advertisement information, and the like as well as provide interactive menuing functions.

Abstract: A string changing device is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated socket that surrounds the tuner button of the instrument. A lever extends from the socket and is attached to a handle. The handle and lever combine as a crank to tension the strings to approximate pitch. The handle has a worm-gear cutter embodied within it. The handle is attached to the lever with a rotatable hinge that enables the handle to function as a winder when aligned axially. It also prevents the cutter body from turning during the cutting operation when aligned off axis. The quick release assembly is mounted on the lever in the preferred embodiment and is removed during winding and cutting operations.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for a time shift display of a video signal wherein upon a pause command a received video signal is recorded on a recording medium, and upon a resume command the recorded video signal is provided to a display device while the received video signal is continued to be recorded. It is desired to improve such method. According to the invention successive pause start indicators are stored upon further pause commands, and upon further successive resume commands recorded video signal starting from the latest or a successively previous pause start indicator is provided to a display device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and digital recording device for faster than normal playback of a 24 fps presentation without any loss of program information. A 24 fps playback signal is produced from a storage medium. Subsequently, a pull-down process can be performed to reformat the 24 fps playback signal for a video display, for example at 30 fps. Finally, redundant field pictures produced by the pull-down process can be selectively dropped to increase a playback speed of the presentation. The method can further include the step of selectively controlling a number of the redundant field pictures that are dropped responsive to a user input. This step can be performed automatically by calculating the rate at which the redundant field pictures must be dropped responsive to a user input.

Abstract: A book or magazine shelving device (1), comprising a wall mountable bracket (2) having a comb-like book or magazine receiving member (5) with tapered teeth (6). The device holds books or magazines by gripping pages that are fed between the tapered teeth. The taper angle is in the range of 1.5 to 10.0 degrees.

Abstract: A video apparatus, for instance a video player, comprises a first digital source (e.g. a media player) of a first video digital stream and a video encoder (for generating analogue video signals based on said first video digital stream. The video apparatus also has an input for receiving first analogue video signals comprising synchronization signals. A second digital source generates a second video digital stream based on which the video encoder can generate second analogue video signals synchronized by the synchronization signals of the first analogue video signals for superimposition on the first analogue video signals.

Abstract: A method for controlling recording in a digital recording apparatus enables users to create improved video recordings and also conserves memory space of the recording apparatus. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes steps of detecting a first user input during recording representing a command to stop recording, enabling display of a first predetermined message responsive to the first user input, receiving a second user input representing a response to the first predetermined message, and controlling the digital video recording apparatus to generate a single program recording and a single program listing for the single program recording in response to the second user input.

Abstract: The invention refers to a video recording device, having a timer comprising time input means for receiving a start time. The timer further comprises means for computing an end time based on the start time, start time entering conditions and a predetermined duration.

Abstract: A video apparatus, for instance a video player, comprises a first digital source (e.g. a media player) of a first video digital stream and a video encoder (for generating analogue video signals based on said first video digital stream. The video apparatus also has an input for receiving first analogue video signals comprising synchronization signals.