Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling chlorinators for pools and spas are provided. A controller communicates with a processor positioned within a replaceable cell cartridge of a chlorinator, to allow for remote control and diagnosis of the chlorinator and/or cell cartridge. The cell cartridge stores, in non-volatile memory on board the cartridge, one or more parameters associated with the cartridge. The controller can obtain this information from the processor of the cell cartridge, and can use same to configure operation of the chlorinator. Information relating to remaining cell life can be updated by the controller and stored in the non-volatile memory of the cell cartridge. Electrical and software-based mechanisms are provided for ensuring operation of only compatible cell cartridges with the chlorinator. A system for remotely diagnosing errors associated with the chlorinator is also provided.

Abstract: A method of determining the bandwidth of a link carrying a plurality of data streams between a plurality of sources and a plurality of destinations in a network, the method including sending data packets from a first data stream over the link from one source to one destination at a first transmission rate, and measuring an associated first packet loss rate; sending further data packets from the first data stream over the link from the one source to the one destination at a second transmission rate, and measuring an associated second packet loss rate; and determining the bandwidth of the link in dependence on the first and second packet loss rates and the first and second transmission rates.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating spinal deformities are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a low-profile spinal anchoring device is provided for receiving a spinal fixation element, such as a tether, therethrough. The device generally includes a staple body that is adapted to seat a spinal fixation element, a fastening element for fixing the staple body to bone, and a locking assembly for coupling a spinal fixation element to the staple body. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is adapted to couple to the staple body such that the spinal fixation is disposed therebetween, and a locking nut that is adapted to engage the staple body to mate the washer to the staple body.

Abstract: A method of delivering media content over a network, the media content including a plurality of temporal segments, wherein each temporal segment comprises a plurality of data packets, the method including: selecting an initial size of a first congestion window; delivering the plurality of data packets of a first segment using the first congestion window, the initial size of the first congestion window being used to control the size of the first congestion window for the duration of the first segment delivery; measuring the packet loss during the delivery of the first segment; determining an initial size of a second congestion window in dependence on the measured packet loss for the first segment; and delivering a second segment using the second congestion window, the initial size of the second congestion window being used to control the size of the second congestion window for the duration of the second segment delivery.

Abstract: In examples of the present invention, delivery of a segment of content is done using an initial congestion window, preferably chosen to give a delivery rate that ensures timely delivery of that segment. However, under high levels of packet loss, the delivery rate may not be sufficient. Hence, at any stage during delivery of a segment, the actual delivery rate is measured, and used, together with the previous congestion window size, the amount of content segment data still to be delivered, and the time left for delivery, to calculate an updated congestion window. The remainder of the segment is then delivered using this revised congestion window.

Abstract: In examples of the present invention, during delivery of content, the round trip times for each delivered data packet are measured and the congestion window used for delivery is adjusted accordingly. The congestion window is set to a relatively high value when the round trip times are relatively low, and set to a relatively low value when the round trip times are relatively high.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating spinal deformities are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a low-profile spinal anchoring device is provided for receiving a spinal fixation element, such as a tether, therethrough. The device generally includes a staple body that is adapted to seat a spinal fixation element, a fastening element for fixing the staple body to bone, and a locking assembly for coupling a spinal fixation element to the staple body. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is adapted to couple to the staple body such that the spinal fixation is disposed therebetween, and a locking nut that is adapted to engage the staple body to mate the washer to the staple body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling chlorinators for pools and spas are provided. A controller communicates with a processor positioned within a replaceable cell cartridge of a chlorinator, to allow for remote control and diagnosis of the chlorinator and/or cell cartridge. The cell cartridge stores, in non-volatile memory on board the cartridge, one or more parameters associated with the cartridge. The controller can obtain this information from the processor of the cell cartridge, and can use same to configure operation of the chlorinator. Information relating to remaining cell life can be updated by the controller and stored in the non-volatile memory of the cell cartridge. Electrical and software-based mechanisms are provided for ensuring operation of only compatible cell cartridges with the chlorinator. A system for remotely diagnosing errors associated with the chlorinator is also provided.

Abstract: Described are methods of delivering media, such as a video sequence, to a client device from a server, taking into account the relative importance of different portions of the video sequence. The sequence is divided into temporal segments, with each segment encoded at a plurality of bitrates (and hence qualities). A viewer importance parameter is assigned to each segment, indicating the relative importance of that segment, with the information stored in a manifest file or similar. The client receives this segment and viewer importance data in a manifest file. The bit rate of each segment selected for download is dependent on the relative importance of that segment and future segments. The selected segment is then delivered to the client device from the server. Thus, segments having a higher viewer importance will be delivered with a higher encoded bitrate than segments having a lower viewer importance.

Abstract: A method of delivering media content over a network, the media content including a plurality of temporal segments, wherein each temporal segment comprises a plurality of data packets, the method including: selecting an initial size of a first congestion window; delivering the plurality of data packets of a first segment using the first congestion window, the initial size of the first congestion window being used to control the size of the first congestion window for the duration of the first segment delivery; measuring the packet loss during the delivery of the first segment; determining an initial size of a second congestion window in dependence on the measured packet loss for the first segment; and delivering a second segment using the second congestion window, the initial size of the second congestion window being used to control the size of the second congestion window for the duration of the second segment delivery.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for controlling pool/spa components. More particularly, disclosed is a system for controlling pool/spa components including a display screen and one or more processors presenting a control user interface for display on the display screen, wherein the control user interface includes a home screen comprising a first portion containing a first plurality of buttons and/or controls for controlling a first group of the plurality of pool/spa components associated with a first body of water, and a second portion containing a second plurality of buttons and/or controls for controlling a second group of the plurality of pool/spa components associated with a second body of water.

Abstract: Described are methods of delivering media, such as a video sequence, to a client device from a server, taking into account the relative importance of different portions of the video sequence. The sequence is divided into temporal segments, with each segment encoded at a plurality of bitrates (and hence qualities). A viewer importance parameter is assigned to each segment, indicating the relative importance of that segment, with the information stored in a manifest file or similar. The client receives this segment and viewer importance data in a manifest file. The bit rate of each segment selected for download is dependent on the relative importance of that segment and future segments. The selected segment is then delivered to the client device from the server. Thus, segments having a higher viewer importance will be delivered with a higher encoded bitrate than segments having a lower viewer importance.

Abstract: An HVAC controller includes a touch-responsive display and a scheduling grid having one or more rows representing a 24 hour period of a day-of-week. A user selects an operation to be performed such as adding or deleting a scheduled event, such as a period of occupancy or non-occupancy. A visual representation of the available operations and the temporal regions subject to the available operations is presented. A user may then select the desired region on which to perform the operation, the operation is visually represented on the touch-responsive display, and the user indicates whether the operation should be saved or discarded. The operation may be applied to additional remote HVAC devices in a single operation.

Abstract: In examples of the present invention, delivery of a segment of content is done using an initial congestion window, preferably chosen to give a delivery rate that ensures timely delivery of that segment. However, under high levels of packet loss, the delivery rate may not be sufficient. Hence, at any stage during delivery of a segment, the actual delivery rate is measured, and used, together with the previous congestion window size, the amount of content segment data still to be delivered, and the time left for delivery, to calculate an updated congestion window. The remainder of the segment is then delivered using this revised congestion window.

Abstract: A surgical cage positioning system for the implantological replacement of an intervertebral disk, in the region of the lumbar spine of humans, has a positioning instrument with a first coupling prong and with a first manipulator prong, each provided with a coupling element. The manipulator prong can be displaced in the axial direction relative to the coupling prong by means of a handle. The cage positioning system has a cage with an insertion opening for the instrumentation segment and with coupling means, via which the coupling elements of the instrumentation segment, each pivotally connected to the cage, can be coupled so that the cage can be pivoted by means of the manipulator prong about an axis of rotation defined by the coupling element of the coupling prong and the coupling means of the cage relative to the longitudinal axis of the positioning instrument.

Abstract: A PAM (Pulse Amplitude Modulation) modulator driver is configured to receive a PAM input signal having N input amplitude levels and provide a PAM output signal having N output amplitude levels, where N is an integer. The PAM modulator driver circuit configured to electrically adjust amplitude levels in the PAM output signal.

Abstract: A soft tissue implant for correction of temporalis depressions or hollowing. The implant has a symmetric shape or external configuration, so that the device may be used as either a right or left temporalis implant. The implant may lie under or on top of the remaining temporalis muscle, or in the location formerly occupied by the temporalis muscle, to correct post-craniectomy temporal hollowing. The implant is manufactured from a medical grade, long term implantable silicone polymer material. The implant has a shell which forms the base of the device, with the base having an exterior surface and an interior surface with spaced projecting support structures. The implant is fully flexible or bendable.

Abstract: Systems and methods use electric fields to separate bioanalytes from a substrate comprising a biological sample. Biological material, especially blood samples, are sometimes dried onto absorbent substrates. By applying an electric field across the substrate, or a portion thereof, bioanalytes from the sample are attracted to a conductor having a positive or negative charge, depending on the charges carried by the bioanalytes. The electric field can be created using two conductors in circuit with a power source, and the substrate may be positioned between the conductors.

Abstract: Examples of the present invention provide a method of converting a multicast stream into unicast segments. In particular, sequence identifiers are generated based on a clock reference field in the transport stream packets that make up the multicast stream. Every time a new sequence identifier is calculated, a new unicast segment is generated and assigned with the new sequence identifier. Transport stream packets are placed into the new segment until a packet is processed that causes a new sequence identifier to be generated, at which point another new segment is generated and packets placed into that segment. In an improved method, random access indicators in the transports stream packets are used to further constrain when a new segment is generated, to ensure that new segments are coincident with a packet having a random access indicator. This improvement makes random access easier back and forth between and within a stream.