Abstract: A key ring comprises an elastomeric material. Specifically, the key ring comprises an outer coating of an elastomeric material, such as a silicone material such as, for example, polysiloxane, and an inner material of a relatively rigid material, such as metal, or other like material, for forming into a wound ring for holding keys, for example, and remaining in the wound ring formation. Alternatively, the key ring comprises no internal hard material and comprises an elastomeric material or a blend of an elastomeric material, such as silicone, thereby forming the key ring with the silicone material.

Abstract: A system (and system controller) has powering of, and communication with, a set of fixtures using an AC cable having a power line (e.g. a mains live wire), a reference line (e.g. a mains neutral wire) and a data line. Fixtures are at different positions along the cable, each powered by the local voltage difference between the power line and the reference line. A system controller provides a data signal over the data line, wherein the data signal for a fixture is defined by the local voltage difference between the data signal on the data line and the reference line (or power line). In order to compensate for voltage drops, a compensation circuit adds a voltage offset waveform to the data signal which is dependent on the overall set of positions of the fixtures. This enables an increased number of fixtures and/or reach of the fixtures connected to the system controller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a group of lighting fixture nodes (10A-D) at a reduced power level are disclosed. In some versions of the methods a plurality of lighting fixture nodes in a group of electrically connected lighting fixture nodes may each be operated at a nominal fixture power level; a current draw across at least a test lighting fixture node of the lighting fixture nodes may be identified; and the extent to which to reduce power of each lighting fixture node may be determined as a function of the current draw across the test lighting fixture node.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a group of lighting fixture nodes (10A-D) at a reduced power level are disclosed. In some versions of the methods a plurality of lighting fixture nodes in a group of electrically connected lighting fixture nodes may each be operated at a nominal fixture power level; a current draw across at least a test lighting fixture node of the lighting fixture nodes may be identified; and the extent to which to reduce power of each lighting fixture node may be determined as a function of the current draw across the test lighting fixture node.

Abstract: Methods, data servers, signal and destination device for optimizing asynchronous delivery of a data content. Once it is determined that more than one instances of the data content are asynchronous, attempts are made to merge them into a fewer number of synchronized instances. It is done by providing a synchronization instance before delivering the synchronized instance and the synchronization instance of the data content. The synchronization instance may be consumed first while the synchronized instance is stored in cache. Thereafter, the synchronized instance is consumed from the cache upon completion of the synchronization instance. Alternatively, the synchronization instance may have an accelerated bit rate and be consumed while it is being received and stored in cache. The synchronized instance is thereafter consumed upon completion of the synchronization instance.

Abstract: A method and information database structure, wherein at least one data field are given a priority level indication, depending on the importance of the data stored therein. When a query request is received, the query is translated into a plurality of queries, one for each level of priority available in the database, and the information is retrieved based on its priority. Typically, high priority information, which may be critical for the requestor, is retrieved first, since it may also be easier to access, and is thus returned faster to the requestor. Low priority information may take a longer time to be accessed since it may contain larger portions of data. When the low priority information is also retrieved, it is further returned to the requestor.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided for imaging media of while supported at an imaging position on a support surfaces. The system includes a loading device configured to move the medium to be imaged along the support surface to the imaging position. During loading, the leading edge of the medium, which extends across the medium width and substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the medium, moves in a direction towards a registration device. A registration device is contacted by the leading edge of the medium during loading so as to position the medium in the imaging position on the support surface. A medium securing device secures the medium to the support surface and a perforation mechanism subsequently punches or notches the medium prior to imaging. A drive mechanism is provided to move the perforation mechanism and the registration device, typically prior to loading of the medium, to a position which corresponds to the particular width of the medium to be imaged.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided for imaging media of differing widths while supported at an imaging position on a support surfaces. The system includes a loading device configured to move the medium to be imaged along the support surface to the imaging position. During loading, the leading edge of the medium, which extends across the medium width and substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the medium, moves in a direction towards a registration device. The registration device is contacted by the leading edge of the medium during loading so as to position the medium in the imaging position on the support surface. A drive mechanism is provided to move the regristration pin, typically prior to loading of the medium, to a position which corresponds to the particular width of the medium to be imaged.