Abstract: A method of and system for reducing complexity for transcoding Advanced Video Coding (AVC) videos is described herein. Transcoding from higher resolution signals to lower resolution signals or to signals for a lower resolution display is implemented. The complexity is reduced by decoding the AVC video at reduced horizontal and/or vertical resolution. This results in the reduction of computation cost for decoding and re-sampling the AVC video to lower resolution.

Abstract: Firefighting bucket (11) suspended from an aircraft by lines (15), has open top (12A) and a valve at base (13). The valve is attachable to the aircraft by remotely actuatable line (16) and independent movement of lines (15-16) may utilise the weight of the water to facilitate opening and closing of the valve. Dynamic sensing of a bucket attribute, e.g. weight, enables bucket (11) to be filled or discharged by a pre-determined volume by the pilot. Chemical fire retardant may be added by entraining it with water discharging from the valve.

Abstract: A geolocation system (10) includes an emitter (12), a plurality of collection nodes (14,16,18), and a control station (20). Each collection node includes a receiver (24) that is operable to receive signals transmitted from the emitter (12), generate a reduced data stream that includes only signal data, and communicate the reduced data stream to the control station (20) along with navigation data. The receiver (24) identifies signal data by detecting an energy level of the raw collection data. More specifically, the receiver (24) determines a bandwidth and a signal-to-noise ratio of each portion of the collection data, and identifies each portion as including signal data if both the bandwidth and the signal-to-noise ratio exceed predetermined threshold amounts. The receiver (24) includes a digital signal processing component (36) for performing calculations used by the receiver (24) to determine the bandwidth and the signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detection and geolocation of multiple emitters that are emitting RF signal energy on a common frequency, and that may be implemented to separate, geolocate, and/or determine the number of emitters (e.g., radio users) emitting on a common RF frequency. Real-time signal qualification processing may be employed to continuously monitor and collect incoming receiver tuner data for signal activity and ignore irrelevant noise data. Each set of data blocks from an emitter transmission signal may be defined as an emission cluster, and a set of time difference of arrival (TDOA)/frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) pairs may be computed for each emission cluster with each TDOA/FDOA pair yielding a geolocation result. A statistical qualification method may be used to produce a final geolocation answer from each set of emission cluster geolocation results, and a geolocation error ellipse computed for the final geolocation answer of each emission cluster.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating a shutter-time compensated high spatial resolution (HR) image output by enhancing lower spatial resolution (LR) video images with information obtained from higher spatial resolution still images which are temporally decimated. Super-resolved images and LR SAD information is generated from the LR images and used for directing the extracting of information from the temporally decimated HR images to enhance the spatial resolution of the LR images in a blending process. By way of example blending can comprise: motion estimation, motion compensation of a temporally displaced HR still images and a super-resolved (SR) image input, transformation (e.g., DCT), generating motion error output, blending motion compensated images in response to LR motion error information; inverse-transformation into a shutter-time compensated HR video image output. Accordingly, a more cost effective solution is taught for obtaining a desired shutter time and video resolution.

Abstract: A process and system for removing tars from synthesis gas uses glycerol produced as a byproduct of biodiesel manufacture. The biodiesel may be made from various oil feedstocks such as canola, rapeseed, or soybean oils. Associated with the harvesting of these crops may be the ready availability of byproduct biomass useful as feedstock for gasification. In addition, methanol may be sourced from the gasification of biomass to exploit a potential synergy between biodiesel manufacture and biomass gasification. The present invention develops those synergies further by making use of a byproduct stream from the manufacture of biodiesel to remove tars from the gasifier synthesis gas and to provide a useful end use for the byproduct.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detection and geolocation of multiple emitters that are emitting RF signal energy on a common frequency, and that may be implemented to separate, geolocate, and/or determine the number of emitters (e.g., radio users) emitting on a common RF frequency. Real-time signal qualification processing may be employed to continuously monitor and collect incoming receiver tuner data for signal activity and ignore irrelevant noise data. Each set of data blocks from an emitter transmission signal may be defined as an emission cluster, and a set of time difference of arrival (TDOA)/frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) pairs may be computed for each emission cluster with each TDOA/FDOA pair yielding a geolocation result. A statistical qualification method may be used to produce a final geolocation answer from each set of emission cluster geolocation results, and a geolocation error ellipse computed for the final geolocation answer of each emission cluster.

Abstract: A media manager can insert targeted material into content in accordance with a campaign. A campaign can identify the location in the content where the targeted material should be inserted. A campaign manager can create the campaign and can determine based upon configuration information relating to the media manager, whether the targeted material can be inserted into the content upon the media manager receiving a request for the content.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems for and methods of transcoding first video data in a first format, such as AVC, into second video data in a second format, such as MPEG-2. A method in accordance with the present invention disables deblocking filters, bypasses macroblock encoding for certain picture types, such as B-pictures, and re-uses motion vectors. In one embodiment, motion vectors for the second video data are set substantially equal to motion vectors for the first video data, when the two differ by less than a threshold value. In other embodiments, only macroblocks that contain all zero-valued blocks bypass the transcoding process, thereby simplifying the transcoding process further. Other embodiments further simplify the transcoding process by requiring that B-pictures are not used as reference pictures, reference pictures in the second video data are restricted to be the same as reference pictures in the first video data, and bi-predictions are not allowed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus operable to estimate the geolocation of a signal emitter. In some embodiments, the methods comprise acquiring collection data from a plurality of collector elements, computing a plurality of candidate geolocations from the acquired collection data, and applying a clustering analysis to the candidate geolocations to estimate the geolocation of the signal emitter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus operable to estimate the geolocation of a signal emitter. In some embodiments, the methods comprise acquiring collection data from a plurality of collector elements, computing a plurality of candidate geolocations from the acquired collection data, and applying a clustering analysis to the candidate geolocations to estimate the geolocation of the signal emitter.

Abstract: A geolocation system (10) includes an emitter (12), a plurality of collection nodes (14,16,18), and a control station (20). Each collection node includes a receiver (24) that is operable to receive signals transmitted from the emitter (12), generate a reduced data stream that includes only signal data, and communicate the reduced data stream to the control station (20) along with navigation data. The receiver (24) identifies signal data by detecting an energy level of the raw collection data. More specifically, the receiver (24) determines a bandwidth and a signal-to-noise ratio of each portion of the collection data, and identifies each portion as including signal data if both the bandwidth and the signal-to-noise ratio exceed predetermined threshold amounts. The receiver (24) includes a digital signal processing component (36) for performing calculations used by the receiver (24) to determine the bandwidth and the signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: There is provided a method for assessing the integrity of grip of a stone in a jewellery setting having plural gripping claws to grip said stone, the method comprising heating the stone; measuring conductive transfer of heat from the stone to each of said plural gripping claws; and comparing said conductive heat transfer to said each gripping claw, wherein a marked difference in conductive heat transfer to any of the gripping claws indicates a lack of integrity of grip. Suitable apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Firefighting bucket (11) suspended from an aircraft by lines (15), has open top (12A) and a valve at base (13). The valve is attachable to the aircraft by remotely actuatable line (16) and independent movement of lines (15-16) may utilise the weight of the water to facilitate opening and closing of the valve. Dynamic sensing of a bucket attribute, e.g. weight, enables bucket (11) to be filled or discharged by a pre-determined volume by the pilot. Chemical fire retardant may be added by entraining it with water discharging from the valve.

Abstract: The invention provides a setting for a precious stone comprising a support for a precious stone; contact means for establishing a contact between the support and a stone within the support; a detector for detecting a break in the contact; and an emitter for emitting a signal on detection of the break in the contact. The setting provides a means of alerting wearers of an item of jewellery that the precious stone is loose within its support.

Abstract: There is provided a method for assessing the integrity of grip of a stone in a jewellery setting having plural gripping claws to grip said stone, the method comprising heating the stone; measuring conductive transfer of heat from the stone to each of said plural gripping claws; and comparing said conductive heat transfer to said each gripping claw, wherein a marked difference in conductive heat transfer to any of the gripping claws indicates a lack of integrity of grip. Suitable apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A self-propelled personal watercraft is disclosed, wherein the personal watercraft includes a body including a hull and a deck substantially covering the hull, wherein the body includes a bow portion and a stern portion. The personal watercraft also includes a deck modification module removably attached to the deck, wherein the deck modification module is configured to be selectively removable to change a performance characteristic of the deck when the deck is submerged in water.

Abstract: The invention provides a setting for a precious stone comprising a support for a precious stone; contact means for establishing a contact between the support and a stone within the support; a detector for detecting a break in the contact; and an emitter for emitting a signal on detection of the break in the contact. The setting provides a means of alerting wearers of an item of jewellery that the precious stone is loose within its support.

Abstract: A communications system conduit for transferring data between various user hand held devices and a processing device comprises an interface module, a data conversion module and a plurality of access ports. The interface module of conduit comprises a USB hub which provides data in USB format to a plurality of data converters residing within data conversion module. The output of the various data converters are provided as access ports. The conduit and the processing device are integrated to form a Web-based multi-media kiosk designed for use as a “virtual sales agent” within retail shopping environments. The individual data converters convert a data stream from USB format into various data formats including FireWire IEEE 1394, USB, Bluetooth, Infrared, Ethernet RJ45, RJ11 Telephone standard, and RS232 data formats. The user is provided with multimedia menu screens to allow the user to select data transfer for a particular hand held device.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly according to the current invention comprises a receptacle and a right angle header for connecting two or more printed circuit boards. A composite action beam is located in the receptacle and has a movable end and a fixed end. During an initial phase of the pin insertion cycle, the movable end of the composite action beam deflects so as to minimize the force necessary to insert the pin into the connector housing. During an intermediate phase of the insertion cycle, the movable end contacts an inside wall of the connector and the composite action beam functions as a two-end supported beam. The composite action beam supported at both ends exerts sufficiently high normal force against the inserted pin so as to retain the pin in the inserted position. Thus, the composite action beam reduces insertion force without compromising normal retention force once the pin is inserted.