Abstract: Systems, devices and processes are described herein to improve the reliable delivery of content in a satellite system by facilitating the prediction of likely future signal interference. Specifically, the various embodiments provide a technique whereby a likelihood of future plant growth interfering with received signal strength at a satellite dish is determined. In one embodiment, the technique analyses one or more images of a plant in the vicinity of the satellite dish and from that image generates prediction of future growth of the plant over a future time period. From this prediction of future plant growth, a likelihood of future signal interference being caused by the plant can be determined.

Abstract: Systems, devices and processes are described herein to improve the reliable delivery of content in a satellite system by facilitating the prediction of likely future signal interference. Specifically, the various embodiments provide a technique whereby a likelihood of future plant growth interfering with received signal strength at a satellite dish is determined. In one embodiment, the technique analyses one or more images of a plant in the vicinity of the satellite dish and from that image generates prediction of future growth of the plant over a future time period. From this prediction of future plant growth, a likelihood of future signal interference being caused by the plant can be determined.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a smart home device. In one embodiment, a method, performed by a server, for controlling the smart home device including detecting a smart home device in response to an internet protocol address of a data packet transmitted on a network, determining a function of the smart home device, receiving an event alert from an external data source, associating the function of the smart home device with the event alert, and transmitting a control signal to initiate the function of the smart home device in response to the association of the function with the event alert.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel polyol blends, a process for the production of foam with very low resistance to air flow from certain polyol blends and to the resultant foams produced from certain polyol blends. The polyol blends comprise one or more monofunctional polyethers having a hydroxyl number of less than 28; one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 20 to 240 and containing at least 50% of copolymerized oxyethylene; one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 47 to 300 and containing from 5 to 40% of copolymerized oxyethylene; and optionally, one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 10 to 45. This process of the invention comprises reacting one or more polyisocyanates, with an isocyanate-reactive component in the presence of at least one catalyst, at least one surfactant and at least one blowing agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel polyol blends, a process for the production of foam with very low resistance to air flow from certain polyol blends and to the resultant foams produced from certain polyol blends. The polyol blends comprise one or more monofunctional polyethers having a hydroxyl number of less than 28; one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 20 to 240 and containing at least 50% of copolymerized oxyethylene; one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 47 to 300 and containing from 5 to 40% of copolymerized oxyethylene; and optionally, one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 10 to 45. This process of the invention comprises reacting one or more polyisocyanates, with an isocyanate-reactive component in the presence of at least one catalyst, at least one surfactant and at least one blowing agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel polyol blends, a process for the production of foam with very low resistance to air flow from certain polyol blends and to the resultant foams produced from certain polyol blends. The polyol blends comprise one or more monofunctional polyethers having a hydroxyl number of less than 28; one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 20 to 240 and containing at least 50% of copolymerized oxyethylene; one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 47 to 300 and containing from 5 to 40% of copolymerized oxyethylene; and optionally, one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 10 to 45. This process of the invention comprises reacting one or more polyisocyanates, with an isocyanate-reactive component in the presence of at least one catalyst, at least one surfactant and at least one blowing agent.

Abstract: A polyether polyol based on renewable materials is obtained by the in situ production of a polyether from a hydroxyl group-containing vegetable oil, at least one alkylene oxide and a low molecular weight polyol having at least 2 hydroxyl groups. The polyol is produced by introducing the hydroxyl group-containing vegetable oil, a catalyst and an alkylene oxide to a reactor and initiating the alkoxylation reaction. After the alkoxylation reaction has begun but before the reaction has been 20% completed, the low molecular weight polyol having at least 2 hydroxyl groups is continuously introduced into the reactor. After the in situ made polyether polyol product having the desired molecular weight has been formed, the in situ made polyether polyol is removed from the reactor. These polyether polyols are particularly suitable for the production of flexible polyurethane foams.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel polyol blends, a process for the production of foam with very low resistance to air flow from certain polyol blends and to the resultant foams produced from certain polyol blends. The polyol blends comprise one or more monofunctional polyethers having a hydroxyl number of less than 28; one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 20 to 240 and containing at least 50% of copolymerized oxyethylene; one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 47 to 300 and containing from 5 to 40% of copolymerized oxyethylene; and optionally, one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 10 to 45. This process of the invention comprises reacting one or more polyisocyanates, with an isocyanate-reactive component in the presence of at least one catalyst, at least one surfactant and at least one blowing agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel polyol blends, a process for preparing foams with very low resistance to air flow from certain polyol blends and to the resultant foams. The polyol blends comprise one or more monofunctional polyethers having a hydroxyl number of less than 28; one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 20 to 240 and containing at least 50% of copolymerized oxyethylene; one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 47 to 300 and containing from 5 to 40% of copolymerized oxyethylene; and optionally, one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 10 to 45. This process of the invention comprises reacting one or more polyisocyanates, with an isocyanate-reactive component which comprises a specific polyol blend, in the presence of at least one catalyst, at least one surfactant and at least one blowing agent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for assessing the video image decoding quality of a set top box (STB), television receiver or other video device. Moving video testing of video delivery hardware in a manufacturing environment uses a video sequence that has reference characteristics embedded in the visible portion of the video signal from frame to frame. Each frame of the video is analyzed for distortions of the embedded reference objects, and the reference objects are allowed to move from frame to frame. The reference objects are located through the use of a background that is easily discriminated from the objects and by the use of frame templates that locate the reference information in the frame.

Abstract: A polyether polyol based on renewable materials is obtained by the in situ production of a polyether from a hydroxyl group-containing vegetable oil, at least one alkylene oxide and a low molecular weight polyol having at least 2 hydroxyl groups. The polyol is produced by introducing the hydroxyl group-containing vegetable oil, a catalyst and an alkylene oxide to a reactor and initiating the alkoxylation reaction. After the alkoxylation reaction has begun but before the reaction has been 20% completed, the low molecular weight polyol having at least 2 hydroxyl groups is continuously introduced into the reactor. After the in situ made polyether polyol product having the desired molecular weight has been formed, the in situ made polyether polyol is removed from the reactor. These polyether polyols are particularly suitable for the production of flexible polyurethane foams.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel polyol blends, a process for preparing foams with very low resistance to air flow from certain polyol blends and to the resultant foams. The polyol blends comprise one or more monofunctional polyethers having a hydroxyl number of less than 28; one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 20 to 240 and containing at least 50% of copolymerized oxyethylene; one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 47 to 300 and containing from 5 to 40% of copolymerized oxyethylene; and optionally, one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl number of 10 to 45. This process of the invention comprises reacting one or more polyisocyanates, with an isocyanate-reactive component which comprises a specific polyol blend, in the presence of at least one catalyst, at least one surfactant and at least one blowing agent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for assessing the video image decoding quality of a set top box (STB), television receiver or other video device. Moving video testing of video delivery hardware in a manufacturing environment uses a video sequence that has reference characteristics embedded in the visible portion of the video signal from frame to frame. Each frame of the video is analyzed for distortions of the embedded reference objects, and the reference objects are allowed to move from frame to frame. The reference objects are located through the use of a background that is easily discriminated from the objects and by the use of frame templates that locate the reference information in the frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isocyanate-reactive component containing at least 10 wt. %, based on the weight of the isocyanate-reactive component, of a vegetable oil-based polyol, a nonionic emulsifier containing one of an aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate and an aliphatic phenol ethoxylate having a polymerized ethylene oxide content of at least 25 moles per equivalent of alcohol or phenol and a HLB value greater than 17, one or more non-vegetable oil-based polyols, one or more silicone surfactants, and optionally, water or other blowing agents, catalysts, pigments and fillers, wherein the isocyanate-reactive component is storage stable at temperatures of from ?10° C. to 60° C. for at least three days. The inventive isocyanate-reactive component can be shipped and stored at normal shipping and storage temperatures and still produce acceptable foam on a daily basis whilst helping to satisfy polyurethane foam and elastomer producers' “green” requirements.

Abstract: The present invention provides polyurethane foams made from a polyisocyanate and a polyol component containing a polymer polyol (PMPO), a vegetable oil hydroxylate and an aliphatic polyhydroxy alcohol, and optionally a non-vegetable oil-based polyol. The vegetable oil hydroxylates are environmentally-friendly, bio-based polyols. The inclusion of low amounts of a polymer polyol unexpectedly results in a foam having significantly improved tear strength. The combination of polymer polyol and aliphatic polyhydroxy alcohol provides improved foam processing while maintaining or improving tear strength of the foam.