Abstract: A capsule for use in a brewing device is provided, comprising a body part, which defines a cavity and which has a flange, a lid which is attached to the flange and tea material enclosed within the capsule, characterized in that the shape of the flange is defined by two intersecting circular arcs when viewed from above. A brewing device which comprises a capsule holder for receiving the capsule is also provided, the capsule holder comprising a sidewall which is circular when viewed from above and which has an upper rim, a shelf on at least part of the inside of the sidewall, a filter and an openable and closable passage on the opposite side of the filter from the upper rim. A method of preparing a tea-based beverage in the brewing device using the capsule is also provided.

Abstract: Wear bands for heavy duty struts are disclosed. The wear bands include multiple layers such as a base metal layer sandwiched between an outer layer and an intermediate layer along with a solid lubricant layer disposed opposite the intermediate layer from the base metal layer. The outer layer engages an interior surface of the strut housing, which slidably accommodates a rod. The solid lubricant layer, which is the innermost layer, engages an outer surface of the rod so that the wear band is sandwiched between the rod and the housing and provides a solid lubricant layer for engaging the sliding rod.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a capsule for a beverage production machine, the capsule comprising: —an ingredient enclosed within the capsule; and —an identifier; wherein the identifier is an area of conductive material incorporating a code pattern, the code pattern consisting of a predetermined arrangement of one or more discontinuities formed in the conductive material, and wherein the capsule comprises an orientation member for directing the alignment of the capsule within the beverage production machine.

Abstract: A method of indexing recordings of contact center communication sessions is described. The method allows for a recording to be indexed with metadata reflecting a time-varying characteristic of one or more of the parties of the communications session, e.g. the mood of a caller, the current location of a caller. The indexing of recordings with such information allows for more granular search of recordings, in order to find particular call conditions. This can be useful from the point of view of education and training of new call center operatives, and for assessment of call center performance.

Abstract: The invention provides a beverage production machine having an apparatus for recognising a package. The apparatus comprises two resonant tank circuits, each comprising a coil and a capacitor; two electronic circuits for detecting changes in coil impedance; a means for generating a signal which is indicative of the changes; and means for controlling the beverage production machine according to the signal. The machine also comprises a holder for supporting the package. The package for use in the machine comprises a base unit having a compartment which contains tea material, and a rim with a projecting lip; conductive material associated with the package having two edge sections situated on opposite sides of the compartment; and a lid attached to the base unit around the rim, the central portion of the lid comprising at least one perforated line. The invention also provides a method of recognising the package.

Abstract: The invention concerns a tibial prosthetic component comprising a plate (100) for forming a tibial plateau of a tibia (16), wherein a peripheral region of the plate (100) has a thickness of less than 3 mm. The invention also concerns a tibial prosthetic component having a keel of depth less than 9 mm. The invention also concerns a method of selecting a tibial prosthetic component comprising receiving measurements of at least one physical attribute of an individual into whom the tibial prosthetic component is to be implanted, selecting a thickness of a plate (100) and depth of keel of the tibial prosthetic component based on the measurements and providing a tibial prosthetic component comprising a plate (100) having the selected thickness and a keel having the selected depth.

Abstract: A transmitting communication device may iteratively adjust its transmit power, and may estimate, based on iterative transmit power adjustment, relative location of a receiving communication device. The transmit power may be initialized to a maximum value, and the transmit power may be iteratively reduced until connectivity with the receiving communication device is lost. The loss of connectivity may be determined based on reception of responses to ping messages transmitted by the transmitting communication device. The transmitting communication device may authenticate the receiving communication device and/or a user of the receiving communication device. The authentication may comprises utilizing transmit power adjustment and/or relative location estimation therefrom to ensure that a separation between the devices does not exceed a maximum value.

Abstract: A mobile device communicates position samples of one or more reference position with respect to one or more other communication device such as access points to a location server communicatively coupled to a reference database. The location server determines whether to utilize the one or more reference position in the reference position database based on the communicated samples. The mobile device scans the position samples, which indicate position information of the one or more other communication device and/or whether the position information is reliable for use. The scanned position samples are accumulated and transmitted to the location server. The location server updates records for the one or more reference positions with respect to the one or more other communication device in the reference position database based on the accumulated position samples received. The updated records are utilized to determine a fast position fix for the position device.

Abstract: An heirloom article including voice recording and playback features includes a data storage device with an optical data interface for transferring sound data to and from the flash memory module, and an inductive power receiver. The heirloom article is provided with a receiving space for receiving the data storage device. Within the heirloom article are provided an optical data interface configured to receive sound data from the data storage device, a sound playback device disposed within the heirloom article and connected to the optical data interface, and an inductive power supply element arranged to inductively provide power to the inductive power receiver of the data storage device. A vocal recording stored on the data storage device may be played back upon placement of the data storage device within the receiving space. The data storage device may be formed as a wearable object such as a pendant.

Abstract: Wear bands for heavy duty struts are disclosed. The wear bands include multiple layers such as a base metal layer sandwiched between an outer layer and an intermediate layer along with a solid lubricant layer disposed opposite the intermediate layer from the base metal layer. The outer layer engages an interior surface of the strut housing, which slidably accommodates a rod. The solid lubricant layer, which is the innermost layer, engages an outer surface of the rod so that the wear band is sandwiched between the rod and the housing and provides a solid lubricant layer for engaging the sliding rod.

Abstract: A multi-radio mobile device comprises a plurality of different radios. When a location update occurs, the multi-radio mobile device, at a specific location, acquires location-based radio information from a remote location server. The multi-radio mobile device selects a radio for use in the specific location based on the acquired location-based radio information comprising available radios in the specific location and radio weights. The radio is selected from the available radios based on the radio weights in the specific location. Transmissions of a desired service are received in the specific location utilizing the selected radio. Location-based radio measurements reports to the remote location server are generated utilizing signal strength measurements for the received signals. Radio quality information of the available radios is calculated by the location server utilizing location-based radio measurement reports from associated users.

Abstract: A transmitting communication device may iteratively adjust its transmit power, and may estimate, based on iterative transmit power adjustment, relative location of a receiving communication device. The transmit power may be initialized to a maximum value, and the transmit power may be iteratively reduced until connectivity with the receiving communication device is lost. The loss of connectivity may be determined based on reception of responses to ping messages transmitted by the transmitting communication device. The transmitting communication device may authenticate the receiving communication device and/or a user of the receiving communication device. The authentication may comprises utilizing transmit power adjustment and/or relative location estimation therefrom to ensure that a separation between the devices does not exceed a maximum value.

Abstract: The invention concerns a tibial prosthetic component comprising a plate (100) for forming a tibial plateau of a tibia (16), wherein a peripheral region of the plate (100) has a thickness of less than 3 mm. The invention also concerns a tibial prosthetic component having a keel of depth less than 9 mm. The invention also concerns a method of selecting a tibial prosthetic component comprising receiving measurements of at least one physical attribute of an individual into whom the tibial prosthetic component is to be implanted, selecting a thickness of a plate (100) and depth of keel of the tibial prosthetic component based on the measurements and providing a tibial prosthetic component comprising a plate (100) having the selected thickness and a keel having the selected depth.

Abstract: A plastic container (1) has a first set of flex panels (2) and a second set of flex panels (3) one set being adapted to react to pressure changes within the container to a different degree than the other set. This can be achieved by different curvature and/or size and/or different distance from a central longitudinal axis of the container. At least one of the panels has at least two different extents of curvature. In some embodiments one or more of the panels may be flat.

Abstract: A device for recording the content of live communications sessions allocates each session with a unique identifier which is also communicated to a server, exchange, switch or endpoint having control of that session. A log of events occurring in the session is updated with the unique identifier of the recorded content, and following the session, the log of events is communicated to the recording device, indexed under the unique identifier, and stored with the recorded content of the session itself.

Abstract: A directed graph of data includes nodes 10, properties 22 attached to nodes and resources 34. The nodes 10, properties 22 and resources 34 are classified as indexable or non indexable. At least one property 30 links a pair of nodes, one node being a parent and one being a child. An indexing algorithm indexes each indexable property pointing to a resource as related to any respective indexable nodes linked to the node to which the indexable property is attached through a chain of indexable links from child to parent through intermediate nodes, all of which are non-indexable.

Abstract: A system for routing communication sessions between a contact and an agent of a contact center is disclosed. The system is arranged to simultaneously connect more than one contact to an agent of the contact center capable of simultaneously handling a plurality of contacts. Typically, the contacts comprise non-voice contacts The system is arranged to obtain a respective time-varying characteristic associated with the various agents indicating an intermediate level of activity for the agents between the agents being unoccupied and the agents being fully occupied with handling contacts. New contacts received at the contact center are routed to an agent based at least partially the time-varying characteristic for the agents.

Abstract: This invention is a floating docking port that allows ships to dock within the port structure and be loaded, unloaded, and refueled, while converting the energy generated from wave motion into a usable source of power. The docking port isolates the vessels from waves and adverse sea currents, which allows for more effective cargo transfer. The docking port is extremely large and functions as a storage and distribution center for naval vessels. The loading and unloading of cargo and containers is accomplished by a container handling system that utilizes hoists, railed carriages, and cargo elevators to facilitate efficient loading and unloading of containers.

Abstract: There is provided an orthopaedic bearing comprising at least one capacitive sensing element arranged within the bearing material, and operable to measure a change in capacitance resultant from any compression or tension of the bearing during use. There is also provided a method of assessing an orthopaedic implant including an instrumented orthopaedic bearing.