Abstract: A method of recovering metal values from metal-bearing materials such as slags and drosses includes the steps of pulverizing the material to particles less than about 100 ?m; leaching the pulverized material with a solution of ammonium chloride, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride; sequentially recovering at least two metals from the leachate by the addition of zinc using a sequential cementation process; and recovering zinc from the solution by electrowinning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are defined for coating a particulate material. The apparatus includes a mixer having a mixing chamber. A quantity of particulate material is fed into an inlet of the mixing chamber. An agitator is provided for mixing and conveying the particulate material. A feed system is also provided for delivery of a coating into the mixing chamber. The coating is delivered as an atomized spray directed at the mixing particulate material within the mixing chamber. A controller is provided for adjusting the flow of the coating into the mixing chamber based on the volumetric feed rate of the particulate material.

Abstract: In a method of treating a particulate landscaping material, the material is fed into a mixing chamber and an additive mixture including a functional additive and a carrier is delivered to spray nozzles within the mixing chamber. At least one of the spray nozzles is operated to direct an atomized spray into the mixing chamber. The material is agitated within the mixing chamber during and/or after directing the atomized spray into the mixing chamber. The material is then conveyed with the additive mixture applied thereto to a mixing chamber outlet. During these steps, a volumetric flow rate of the particulate landscape material through the mixing chamber is intermittently determined. The determined volumetric flow rate is intermittently compared to a predetermined target flow rate of the particulate landscape material. Based on this comparison, the volumetric flow rate of the particulate landscape material through the mixing chamber is adjusted.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a local computing device, an indication of connection of a remote user device to a communication network of the local computing device, and establishing communication between the local computing device and the remote user device. The method also includes: accessing, using the local computing device, image data on remote non-transitory memory of the remote user device; and identifying, using the local computing device, any image data on the remote non-transitory memory not previously stored on local non-transitory memory in communication with the local computing device. The method also includes storing the identified image data on the local non-transitory memory.

Abstract: A method of operating a user device that has a user computing device, non-transitory memory, and a display screen. The method includes sending a data status to a remote computing device that identifies image data not previously stored on remote non-transitory memory in communication with the remote computing device. The method includes, displaying on the user display screen, one or more photos or videos representative of the identified image data, and receiving a storage command regarding storage of any of the displayed one or more photos or videos on the remote non-transitory memory. The method includes communicating the storage command from the user computing device to the remote computing device. The storage command instructs storage or non-storage of one or more photos or videos representative of the image data by the remote computing device on the remote non-transitory memory.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acoustic dampening fluid composition for reversibly, reducing the sensitivity of humans and animals to sounds such as fireworks to alleviate phobias in animals and to protect the hearing of humans exposed to sounds which would otherwise damage their hearing.

Abstract: A system for identifying an animal comprises an identification tag/transponder device surgically implanted into tissue of the animal and a scanning unit. As the animal passes in a vicinity of a scanning unit, the system causes the identification device to send a signal to a receiving portion of the scanning unit, and processes the signal, and identifies the animal from the signal. The system is of particular benefit to veterinary surgeries in assisting their smooth operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a predictive advertising engine may determine a user's likelihood to purchase an advertised item. Methods and apparatus for a predictive advertising engine may retrieve data associated with an advertisement, a content, and a user. The retrieved data may be enhanced, segmented, and sent to predictive modeling software. The predictive modeling software may calculate a score indicating the user's likelihood to purchase the advertised item. The scores may be stored in a first database. The first database may be referenced by the predictive advertising engine to determine which advertisement to deliver to the user. The predictive advertising engine may present a commercial to the user upon user selection of the advertisement, may present a questionnaire to the user upon the user viewing the commercial or selecting the advertisement, and may record the user's answers and interactions to further refine the predictive model.

Abstract: A propeller (10,110) has a hub (20,120) with blades (40,140). A safety member (50,150) is provided along at least a portion of the leading edge (43,143) of each blade (40,140); and the blades (140) may incorporate anti-cavitation slots (160).

Abstract: A propeller (10,110) has a hub (20,120) with blades (40,140). A safety member (50,150) is provided along at least a portion of the leading edge (43,143) of each blade (40,140); and the blades (140) may incorporate anti-cavitation slots (160).

Abstract: The invention relates to an acoustic dampening fluid composition for reversibly, reducing the sensitivity of humans and animals to sounds such as fireworks to alleviate phobias in animals and to protect the hearing of humans exposed to sounds which would otherwise damage their hearing.

Abstract: An improved gas delivery system and method delivers a sequence of pulses of prescribed amounts of at least two gases to a process chamber of a process tool in accordance with a predetermined recipe of steps of a gas delivery process. The system comprises: a plurality of channels, each including a control valve connected so as to control each pulse of gas flowing through the corresponding channel into the process chamber of the process tool; and an exhaust valve for controlling the pressure within the process chamber, the exhaust valve including a valve controller for controlling the operation of the gas delivery system including the control valves and the exhaust valve in accordance with the predetermined recipe of steps.

Abstract: A system for low-latency, high-resolution, continuous motion, staring panoramic video imaging includes a plurality of high-resolution video cameras, each video camera generating about at least 500 kilopixel near-real time video. The cameras can be supported for positioning the plurality of cameras at predetermined angular locations to generate a full 360 degree field of view. The system can also include an image processor for processing video image signals in parallel and providing panoramic images. In one embodiment, the system can include a display to provide seamless panoramic images. In another embodiment, the panoramic imaging and display system incorporates an intelligent driver's viewer for use with vehicles which can intelligently and adaptively select and display a separate field of view in response to a variety of internal and external data inputs.

Abstract: A system for low-latency, high-resolution, continuous motion panoramic video imaging includes a plurality of high-resolution video cameras, each video camera generating about at least 500 kilopixel near-real time video. The cameras can be supported for positioning the plurality of cameras at predetermined angular locations to generate a full 360 degree field of view. The system can also include an image processor for processing video image signals in parallel and providing panoramic images. In one embodiment, the system can include a display to provide seamless panoramic images.

Abstract: A feeding mechanism for animals, particularly pets, comprises a scanner, microchip and means for regulation and provision of food. An animal identification means scans animal identification implants for an identification signal indicative of an animal. When an authorised animal is identified a storage hopper is activated to dispense a predetermined amount of animal feed into a bowl for the animal, when an unauthorised animal is detected close to the feed or the bowl, a repellent, such as a puff of gas, squirt of water, loud noise or other sudden stimulus or shock is generated, so as to frighten off the unauthorised (intruder) animal. In an alternative embodiment the invention also includes an exercise device, which has a projector arranged to shine an image at random over a given area. A sensing means determines how effective an animal is at the device and a score calculated. Upon reaching a given score the animal is rewarded with a treat, which may be food.

Abstract: A feeding mechanism for animals, particularly pets, comprises a scanner, microchip and means for regulation and provision of food. An animal identification means scans animal identification implants for an identification signal indicative of an animal. When an authorised animal is identified a storage hopper is activated to dispense a predetermined amount of animal feed into a bowl for the animal, when an unauthorised animal is detected close to the feed or the bowl, a repellent, such as a puff of gas, squirt of water, loud noise or other sudden stimulus or shock is generated, so as to frighten off the unauthorised (intruder) animal. In an alternative embodiment the invention also includes an exercise device, which has a projector arranged to shine an image at random over a given area. A sensing means determines how effective an animal is at the device and a score calculated. Upon reaching a given score the animal is rewarded with a treat, which may be food.

Abstract: A system for identifying an animal, comprising an identification tag/transponder device (4) surgically implanted into tissue of said animal and a scanning unit (5), wherein as said animal passes in the vicinity of a scanning unit, the system causes the identification device to send a signal to a receiving portion of said scanning unit, and including means to process said signal, and comparison means so as to identify the animal from said signal. The system is of particular benefit to veterinary surgeries in assisting their smooth operation.

Abstract: A tool for finishing or smoothing-out an applied bead of adhesive medium material, such as caulking, at substantially the same time as the bead is laid is disclosed. The finishing tool can be an add-on to an existing adhesive-medium-applicator tool, or can be fabricated with the applicator tool such that the finishing tool and the dispensing end of the applicator tool are a unit. In many embodiments, the finishing tool has a flexibly rigid, angled blade-like member that trails the dispensing end of the applicator tool. The edges of the finishing tool pliably engage two surfaces on each side of a target jointed surface in order to both finish the bead of adhesive-medium material and to gather excess material and redistribute it to help reduce the waste of adhesive-medium material.

Abstract: A propeller (10,110) has a hub (20,120) with blades (40,140). A safety member (50,150) is provided along at least a portion of the leading edge (43,143) of each blade (40,140); and the blades (140) may incorporate anti-cavitation slots (160).

Abstract: A system for low-latency, high-resolution, continuous motion panoramic video imaging includes a plurality of high-resolution video cameras, each video camera generating about at least 500 kilopixel near-real time video. The cameras can be supported for positioning the plurality of cameras at predetermined angular locations to generate a full 360 degree field of view. The system can also include an image processor for processing video image signals in parallel and providing panoramic images. In one embodiment, the system can include a display to provide seamless panoramic images.