Abstract: A method of controlling output devices (10) comprises receiving inputs (12) from sensor devices (14), accessing location information (16) defining the location of each sensor device (14), generating a grid (18) from the received inputs (12) and the accessed location information (16), the grid (18) containing non-zero values (20) at the locations of the sensor devices (14) for which an input (12) has been received and containing non-zero values (20) at locations related to the locations of the sensor devices (14) for which an input (12) has been received, accessing location information (22) defining the location of each output device (10), and transmitting outputs (24) to those output devices (10) whose value at the location of the respective output device (10) within the grid (18) is above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method of controlling output devices (10) comprises receiving inputs (12) from sensor devices (14), accessing location information (16) defining the location of each sensor device (14), generating a grid (18) from the received inputs (12) and the accessed location information (16), the grid (18) containing non-zero values (20) at the locations of the sensor devices (14) for which an input (12) has been received and containing non-zero values (20) at locations related to the locations of the sensor devices (14) for which an input (12) has been received, accessing location information (22) defining the location of each output device (10), and transmitting outputs (24) to those output devices (10) whose value at the location of the respective output device (10) within the grid (18) is above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and system for cleaning a brake booster aspirator shut-off valve are provided. The shut-off valve is operable to selectively permit flow of intake air through an aspirator; the aspirator bypasses a throttle of an engine and provides a vacuum source for a brake booster. The method comprises determining whether the shut-off valve may require cleaning, opening the shut-off valve so as to permit a flow of air through the shut-off valve and clean the shut-off valve and adjusting the throttle position of the engine to compensate for the additional flow of intake air through the aspirator.

Abstract: A method and system for cleaning a brake booster aspirator shut-off valve are provided. The shut-off valve is operable to selectively permit flow of intake air through an aspirator; the aspirator bypasses a throttle of an engine and provides a vacuum source for a brake booster. The method comprises determining whether the shut-off valve may require cleaning, opening the shut-off valve so as to permit a flow of air through the shut-off valve and clean the shut-off valve and adjusting the throttle position of the engine to compensate for the additional flow of intake air through the aspirator.

Abstract: A method and system of cleaning a turbocharger bypass control valve, the control valve being operable to vary the position of a bypass valve and thereby vary the amount of flow bypass across a turbine and/or compressor of a turbocharger for an engine. The method comprises: determining whether the control valve may require cleaning; adjusting the duty cycle of the shuttle so as to increase a flow of fluid through the control valve and clean the control valve; and adjusting a throttle position of the engine and thus the engine torque output to compensate for the adjustment in the amount of boost provided by the turbocharger.

Abstract: A method and system of cleaning a turbocharger bypass control valve, the control valve being operable to vary the position of a bypass valve and thereby vary the amount of flow bypass across a turbine and/or compressor of a turbocharger for an engine. The method comprises: determining whether the control valve may require cleaning; adjusting the duty cycle of the shuttle so as to increase a flow of fluid through the control valve and clean the control valve; and adjusting a throttle position of the engine and thus the engine torque output to compensate for the adjustment in the amount of boost provided by the turbocharger.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer program, and computer readable storage medium storing the computer program, is disclosed for generating a real-world description to operate a set of devices (12, 14, 16) to augment a user's experience of a game world. The game world is defined by a game world model, and parameters of the game world model are accessed by a first module being run within a protected computing environment. These parameters are sent to a second module running outside of the protected computing environment, and the second module uses these parameters to generate the real world description for controlling the set of devices.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer program, and computer readable storage medium storing the computer program, is disclosed for generating a real-world description to operate a set of devices (12, 14, 16) to augment a user's experience of a game world. The game world is defined by a game world model, and parameters of the game world model are accessed by a first module being run within a protected computing environment. These parameters are sent to a second module running outside of the protected computing environment, and the second module uses these parameters to generate the real world description for controlling the set of devices.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for transmitting messages from a sender (5) to a recipient (6). A message is inputted in an input representation form on the sender (5) side, converted into a message in a defined transmitting representation form depending on the semantic content of the message, converted into a message in output representation form, and output in output representation form on the recipient (6) side. A semantic analysis of the message is performed within at least one of the steps converting the message in input representation form into a message in transmitting representation form and converting the message in transmitting representation form into a message in output representation form.

Abstract: A wireless system comprises a plurality of wireless devices. Each wireless device includes a wireless transceiver, a storage device for storing data and a location-determining device. The system also comprises a data packet stored by a first wireless device, the data packet including location information. The first wireless device is arranged to transfer the data packet to a second wireless device according to the output of an algorithm. The algorithm uses the location information, the location of the first wireless device and the location of the second wireless device to generate its output.

Abstract: Woven material comprises a first set of electrically conductive elements and a second set of hollow fibres, the hollow fibres containing electrophoretic material. The electrically conductive elements may be substantially perpendicular to the hollow fibres. A third set may also be present, for example, a set of insulated electrically conductive elements (as shown in FIG. 1), substantially parallel to the hollow fibres, or a set of electrically conductive elements, being contained within the hollow fibres, or another set of hollow fibres, also containing electrophoretic material, being substantially perpendicular to the original hollow fibres. A display device comprising the woven material is also described which further includes electrical connectors connecting to the electrically conductive elements and circuitry connected to the electrical connectors and driving the display device.

Abstract: The components of a portable personal audio system include first and second audio signal source devices, such as an MP3 player (14) and telephone (16). These are connected via respective leads (12) to a control and switching stage (22), and from there to left and right audio output devices (26). User input to effect operation of the control and switching stage (22) selectively directs audio signals from one or both of the signal source devices (14, 16) to a selected one or ones of the left and right audio output devices (26).

Abstract: A method of operating a set of devices comprises receiving a real-world description (30) in the form of an instruction set of a markup language, selecting a source of assets (32) for use by the set of devices, and operating the devices (34) according to the description. The source of assets can be a local store or a broadcast channel, or a combination of the two.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method, and to a system, for obtaining a profile.

Abstract: A method for ordering a plurality of audio signals into a sequence comprising receiving (104) a user preference, analysing (108) the plurality of audio signals to extract inherent features and ordering (110), independently of user involvement, start into a sequence at least two of the plurality of audio signals based on a comparison of the extracted features and user preference such that adjacent signals in the sequence are harmonious. The plurality of audio signals may be identified (106) according to the user preference. The ordered audio signals may be outputted (112).

Abstract: A method of processing an audio signal comprises receiving an audio signal, extracting features from the audio signal, and translating the extracted features into metadata. The metadata comprises an instruction set of a markup language. A system for processing the audio signal is also disclosed, which comprises an input device for receiving the audio signal and a processor for extracting the features from the audio signal and for translating the extracted features into the metadata.

Abstract: A system and method is described in which a multimedia story is rendered to a consumer in dependence on features extracted from an audio signal representing for example a musical selection of the consumer. Features such as key changes and tempo of the music selection are related to dramatic parameters defined by and associated with story arcs, narrative story rules and film or story structure. In one example a selection of a few music tracks provides input audio signals (602) from which musical features are extracted (604), following which a dramatic parameter are generated (606). Media fragments are then obtained (608), the fragments having story content associated with the dramatic parameters, and the fragments output (610) with the music selection.

Abstract: In the field of flexible displays there is a need for an electro-optic filament that is capable of being woven, knitted or crocheted. An electro-optic filament or fibre (10) includes an elongate core (11) extending lengthwise within a volume (12) of polarisable material; and an outer electrode member (13) overlying the volume (12). The core (11) and outer member (13) are electrically conducting and connectable to electrical potentials to generate a radial field in the polarisable material. The outer member (13) is optically transmissive and/or transflective. The polarisable material (12) exhibits an optical effect such as a colour change, change in polarisation or change in reflectivity, when subjected to a said field or a change in a said field. The filament or fibre may readily be woven into eg. a fabric or a garment, using conventional textile processing machinery.

Abstract: A method of providing one or more aspects of an ambient environment comprises receiving a video signal, processing the video signal and controlling ambient light accordingly. A corresponding device and system of devices are described.

Abstract: A method of operating a set of devices, the set for providing a real world experience in accordance with a real world description in the form of an instruction set of a markup language. The method comprises operating the set of devices to provide a real world experience in response to a predetermined event. Such an event may include the receiving of an incoming telephone call or an e-mail.