Abstract: A compositor receives, from each of a plurality of originating devices, compressed and/or encrypted image data portions of a frame of image data, together with portion metadata for each of the compressed and/or encrypted image data portions. Frame metadata for the frame of image data. The compositor then composites the image data portions without decompressing and/or decrypting them, based on the portion and frame metadata, by generating composited frame metadata for the composited image frame and amending the portion metadata for each of the compressed and/or encrypted image data portions to indicate a location of the compressed and/or encrypted image data portions in the composited image frame. The compressed and/or encrypted image data portions, the composited frame metadata and the amended portion metadata are then transmitted by the compositor to a display control device.

Abstract: A compositor receives, from each of a plurality of originating devices, compressed and/or encrypted image data portions of a frame of image data, together with portion metadata for each of the compressed and/or encrypted image data portions. Frame metadata for the frame of image data. The compositor then composites the image data portions without decompressing and/or decrypting them, based on the portion and frame metadata, by generating composited frame metadata for the composited image frame and amending the portion metadata for each of the compressed and/or encrypted image data portions to indicate a location of the compressed and/or encrypted image data portions in the composited image frame. The compressed and/or encrypted image data portions, the composited frame metadata and the amended portion metadata are then transmitted by the compositor to a display control device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexographic method of printing and a flexographic printing apparatus whereby the repeat length is greater than the circumference of the printing roller. This may be achieved by controlling the rotation of the printing roller as a non-printing zone of the printing roller passes a moving web such that an associated non-printed region formed on the web has a length that is greater than the non-printing zone. The rotation of the printing roller may be controlled by suspending the rotation of the printing roller or reducing the speed of rotation when the non-printing zone is in registration with the web and then increasing the speed of rotation to a predetermined printing speed as a printing zone of the printing roller comes into registration with the web.

Abstract: Method of printing and printing apparatus whereby the repeat length is greater than the circumference of the rotary printing screen (5). This may be achieved by controlling the rotation of the screen as a non-printing zone (2) of the screen passes a moving web (w) such that an associated non-printed region formed on the screen has a length that is greater than the non-printing zone. This, in turn, may be achieved by suspending the rotation of the screen or reducing the speed of rotation when the non-printing zone is in registration with the web and then increasing the speed of rotation to a predetermined printing speed as a printing zone (1) of the screen comes into registration with the web.

Abstract: Methods of encoding a signal using a perceptual model are described in which a signal to mask ratio parameter within the perceptual model is tuned. The signal to mask ratio parameter is tuned based on a function of the bitrate of the part of the signal which has already been encoded and the target bitrate for the encoding process. The tuned signal to mask ratio parameter is used to compute a masking threshold for the signal which is then used to quantize the signal.

Abstract: There is provided a prosthetic aortic conduit (4) comprising a replacement valve locating means (13). The replacement valve locating means can be, for example, a biocompatible radio-opaque marker (7), for example a tantalum marker. Optionally the replacement valve locating means comprises three radio-opaque markers, conveniently equi-distally spaced around the circumference of the conduit. The replacement valve locating means identifies the location of the aortic valve and facilitates later insertion of a replacement aortic valve by catheter.

Abstract: Methods of encoding a signal using a perceptual model are described in which a signal to mask ratio parameter within the perceptual model is tuned. The signal to mask ratio parameter is tuned based on a function of the bitrate of the part of the signal which has already been encoded and the target bitrate for the encoding process. The tuned signal to 5 mask ratio parameter is used to compute a masking threshold for the signal which is then used to quantise the signal.

Abstract: Methods of spectral partitioning which may be implemented in an encoder are described. The methods comprise determining an estimate of bit requirements for each of a plurality of spectral sub-bands. These estimates are then used to group the sub-bands into two or more regions by minimizing a cost function. This cost function is based on the estimates of bit requirements for each sub-band and the estimates may include estimates of code bit requirements and/or additional code bit requirements for each sub-band. These estimates may be determined in many different ways and a number of methods are described.

Abstract: Methods of encoding a signal using a perceptual model are described in which a signal to mask ratio parameter within the perceptual model is tuned. The signal to mask ratio parameter is tuned based on a function of the bitrate of the part of the signal which has already been encoded and the target bitrate for the encoding process. The tuned signal to 5 mask ratio parameter is used to compute a masking threshold for the signal which is then used to quantise the signal.

Abstract: A method of forming a carton including a sleeve member is disclosed. The method includes the steps of locating a sleeve member blank in registration with a carton body blank in a pre-determined position, and attaching an inner surface of the sleeve member blank to an external surface of the carton body blank prior to forming and/or erecting the attached carton and sleeve blanks into a required erect carton shape.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for iteratively encoding a portion of a signal are described in which the portion of the signal is quantised and an output bit count is estimated based on the sum of logarithms to base n of values of each sample in the plurality of quantised samples and the total number of samples. The output bit count corresponds to an estimate of the output bit count for the portion of the signal once encoded using a code, such as a Huffman code.

Abstract: Method of printing and printing apparatus whereby the repeat length is greater than the circumference of the rotary printing screen (5). This may be achieved by controlling the rotation of the screen as a non-printing zone (2) of the screen passes a moving web (w) such that an associated non-printed region formed on the screen has a length that is greater than the non-printing zone. This, in turn, may be achieved by suspending the rotation of the screen or reducing the speed of rotation when the non-printing zone is in registration with the web and then increasing the speed of rotation to a predetermined printing speed as a printing zone (1) of the screen comes into registration with the web.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexographic method of printing and a flexographic printing apparatus whereby the repeat length is greater than the circumference of the printing roller. This may be achieved by controlling the rotation of the printing roller as a non-printing zone of the printing roller passes a moving web such that an associated non-printed region formed on the web has a length that is greater than the non-printing zone. The rotation of the printing roller may be controlled by suspending the rotation of the printing roller or reducing the speed of rotation when the non-printing zone is in registration with the web and then increasing the speed of rotation to a predetermined printing speed as a printing zone of the printing roller comes into registration with the web.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for iteratively encoding a portion of a signal are described in which the portion of the signal is quantised and an output bit count is estimated based on the sum of logarithms to base n of values of each sample in the plurality of quantised samples and the total number of samples. The output bit count corresponds to an estimate of the output bit count for the portion of the signal once encoded using a code, such as a Huffman code.

Abstract: Methods of encoding a signal using a perceptual model are described in which a signal to mask ratio parameter within the perceptual model is tuned. The signal to mask ratio parameter is tuned based on a function of the bitrate of the part of the signal which has already been encoded and the target bitrate for the encoding process. The tuned signal to mask ratio parameter is used to compute a masking threshold for the signal which is then used to quantise the signal.

Abstract: Methods of spectral partitioning which may be implemented in an encoder are described. The methods comprise determining an estimate of bit requirements for each of a plurality of spectral sub-bands. These estimates are then used to group the sub-bands into two or more regions by minimising a cost function. This cost function is based on the estimates of bit requirements for each sub-band and the estimates may include estimates of code bit requirements and/or additional code bit requirements for each sub-band. These estimates may be determined in many different ways and a number of methods are described.

Abstract: A fire resistant fibrous composite article includes fibers bound together into a consolidated fibrous article such as a fiberboard. A first fire retardant composition including a hydrated mineral is in the interior of the article. A second fire retardant composition including a boron-containing compound is in the surface of the article. In another embodiment, a fire resistant fibrous composite article includes fibers, a fire retardant hydrated mineral and a zeolite bound together into a consolidated fibrous article which is resistant to water absorption. Another embodiment provides a lignocellulosic fibrous composite board for use in a roof system in which the board is exposed to bonding energy when it is bonded to another roof system component during construction of the roof. Another embodiment relates to a roof system of which a lignocellulosic fibrous composite board is part. The board or the roof system is in compliance with one or more fire resistance or flame and smoke standards.

Abstract: A method and system for gathering and analyzing customer and purchasing information permits a retailer or retail chain to process transactional information involving large numbers of consumers and consumer products. Product information is gathered that uniquely identifies a specific product by type and manufacturer and grouped into generic product clusters. Consumers are similarly grouped into consumer clusters based on common consumer demographics and other characteristics. Consumer retail transactions are analyzed in terms of product and/or consumer clusters to determine relationships between the consumers and the products. Product, consumer, and transactional data are maintained in a relational database. Targeting of specific consumers with marketing and other promotional literature is based on consumer buying habits, needs, demographics, etc.

Abstract: Charged toner is transferred from an image member (such as an image cylinder or belt) to a web of imagable material (typically paper), preferably utilizing a rotating conductive impression cylinder. The toner, having a first polarity, is applied to the image member. The paper web, typically by contact with the impression cylinder, is moved into contact with the image member so that the toner transfers from the image member to the web under pressure. Even despite a high speed of movement of the web (e.g. 200 feet per minute or more), toner back scatter is substantially prevented by applying an electrical bias of the first polarity to the impression cylinder so as to impose an electric force field on the toner particles of sufficient intensity to overcome aerodynamic drag forces which would separate particles from the image areas between the impression cylinder and the image member.