Abstract: The present invention is a kinetic inshore wave energy conversion (WEC) device which uses the force of the wave to convert ocean water to pressurized water to eventually push on the blades of a turbine on shore to generate electrical energy. The WEC structure is affixed to a pipe reef structure with these pipes filled with water, submerged in the ocean and anchored to the ocean floor by a multiplicity of anchors. The dedicated pipes can run from any distance and extend all the way up to and underneath the shoreline and into a structure on shore which retains the turbine to convert the head pressure of the sea water to energy.

Abstract: A new and novel packaging system in which an inflated bellows or bladder system is inflated around a fragile item such as a glass drinking vessel and conforms to the shape of the item so that it is securely restrained within its shipping box to prevent the object from moving while the box is shipped. The fragile item moves to the center of the box when the air bladder is inflated with air around the fragile item. As the pressure increases, the bladder will hold the item in the center of the box. A one-way check valve extends from the bladder to a location in a hole in the box or out of the box so that bladder can be easily filled. When the package arrives at its destination, a kinked tube is relaxed to allow air to leave the bladder to remove the object.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor for discriminating between high and low coercivity magnets is disclosed. The sensor comprises a first magnetic field operable to orient high and low coercivity magnets in a first magnetic orientation. The sensor also comprises a second magnetic field, lower in strength than the first magnetic field, and operable to orient only the low coercivity magnets in a second magnetic orientation opposite to the first magnetic orientation. The sensor further comprises a sensor for ascertaining the magnetic orientation of each of the magnets and thereby identifying if a magnet is a high coercivity magnet or a low coercivity magnet.

Abstract: A produce recognition method which uses hierarchical Bayesian learning and kernel combination, and which offers classification-oriented synergistic data integration from diverse sources. An example method includes providing a classifier having a plurality of inputs, each input being adapted to receive produce data of a different modality; mapping the produce data to the respective input of the classifier by a computer; for each input, independently operating on the data relating to that input to create a feature set by the computer; comparing each feature in the feature set to respective pre-trained data for that feature to produce a similarity description set; combining all similarity description sets using a dedicated weighting function to produce a composite similarity description by the computer; and deriving a plurality of class values from the composite similarity description to create a recognition result for the produce item by the computer.

Abstract: A method of validating a media item, comprising: for each of a plurality of sensors that sense a media item, determining a respective validation score indicating a likelihood that the sensed media item is valid; and determining if the media item is valid responsive to the plurality of validation scores. Apparatus for validating a media item and a document processing module are also provided.

Abstract: A portable travel mug and water bowl combination which is used to retain water and dispense water for a dog to consume and thereafter enable the unconsumed water to be returned to the travel mug. The water bottle contains an upper section, a lower section and an interior recessed section which enables the bottle to be compressed to squeeze water out of the bottle through a straw into the dog bowl and at the same time provide a sufficient stiffness so that the shape of the bottle will not deform. The water bottle is designed to be fit into and retained in a standard car beverage container holder. The device is also designed to be aesthetically pleasing so that it can even be used in luxury vehicles.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a media item is described. The method comprises: measuring a magnetic signal along the media item, converting the measured signal to a calibrated length signal, aligning the calibrated length signal with a reference signal, extracting features from the aligned signal, and classifying the media item based on the extracted features.

Abstract: A wine decanter including a vessel having a bottom wall and a circumferential sidewall with a top rim including a pouring lip, a bottom wall and a circumferential sidewall surrounding an inner chamber, a sealing top fitting within the top rim of the vessel, the sealing top having at least one circumferential sealing ring, the inner chamber having a diameter which is approximately the same diameter of a standard 750 ml bottle of wine, the inner chamber having a bottom portion which retains an amount of wine. A floating sealing disc with a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the inner chamber of the sel floats on top of the wine in the inner chamber, thereby preventing oxygen from coming into contact with a top portion of the wine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of validating a media item, the method comprising receiving image data corresponding to a plurality of digital images of a media item to be validated, wherein each image is associated with a respective one of a plurality of different channels of an illumination source for illuminating the media item, selecting image data corresponding to two of the plurality of images, dividing a common parameter of the selected image data associated with corresponding locations of the two selected images to create ratio image data representing a ratio image for two different channels of the illumination source, extracting feature information associated with the ratio image, and classifying the extracted feature information with at least one classifier of a validation template to determine whether or not the media item is valid. A computer program and a Self-Service Terminal for validating a media item, such as a banknote, are also provided.

Abstract: A method of validating a media item, comprising: for each of a plurality of sensors that sense a media item, determining a respective validation score indicating a likelihood that the sensed media item is valid; and determining if the media item is valid responsive to the plurality of validation scores. Apparatus for validating a media item and a document processing module are also provided.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor for discriminating between high and low coercivity magnets is disclosed. The sensor comprises a first magnetic field operable to orient high and low coercivity magnets in a first magnetic orientation. The sensor also comprises a second magnetic field, lower in strength than the first magnetic field, and operable to orient only the low coercivity magnets in a second magnetic orientation opposite to the first magnetic orientation. The sensor further comprises a sensor for ascertaining the magnetic orientation of each of the magnets and thereby identifying if a magnet is a high coercivity magnet or a low coercivity magnet.

Abstract: A product package is provided for housing and displaying a product in a visually appealing manner and further comprising a removable or detachable component or feature that conveys information related to the product stored on the package and may be retained and used separate from the package.

Abstract: The invention provides containers and methods of use for the storage, transportation and preparation of samples, such as DNA samples for analysis. The container is pre-provided with the reagents in sealed chambers. The sample can be introduced and the container manipulated to release the reagents, provide the necessary conditions and give a fully prepared sample. The container can then be engaged with an analysis device to identify characteristics of the sample or perform other operations thereon.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor for discriminating between high and low coercivity magnets is disclosed. The sensor comprises a first magnetic field operable to orient high and low coercivity magnets in a first magnetic orientation. The sensor also comprises a second magnetic field, lower in strength than the first magnetic field, and operable to orient only the low coercivity magnets in a second magnetic orientation opposite to the first magnetic orientation. The sensor further comprises a sensor for ascertaining the magnetic orientation of each of the magnets and thereby identifying if a magnet is a high coercivity magnet or a low coercivity magnet.

Abstract: A method of categorizing defects in a media item. The method comprising the steps of: receiving a binarised image of the media item, where the binarised image comprises a plurality of pixels, each pixel having either a potential defect intensity or a non-defect intensity; and identifying one or more blobs comprising contiguous pixels each having a potential defect intensity. For each identified blob, the method involves comparing a size of the blob with a damage threshold; ignoring the blob if the blob size is smaller than the damage threshold; and for each identified blob having a size exceeding or equaling the damage threshold, categorizing the identified blob.