Abstract: A method for remote animal surveillance and distress monitoring includes detecting biometric and behavioral parameters of the animal, identifying novel events based on comparison of detected parameters to predefined parameter values and qualifications; determining whether a composite parameter value exceeds a predefined composite threshold value indicative of possible distress in the animal; and notifying remote caretakers of possible distress in the animal based on the composite value exceeding the predefined composite threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in the transfer of an image from an image bearing member onto a copy substrate, comprises an image bearing member carrying an image to be transferred, a feed mechanism for feeding a copy substrate to the image bearing member, and a transfer assist mechanism movable to an activated position bearing on the substrate to maintain the substrate in contact with the image bearing member to assist in transferring the image thereto, and to a de-activated position. A sensor generates a signal in response to passage of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the substrate to ascertain an actual length of the substrate as it moves to the image bearing member. A controller is operable to direct the transfer assist mechanism to move to the activated position and then to direct the transfer assist mechanism to move to the de-activated position after a de-activation dwell time.