Abstract: This invention provides a modular folding building structure having at least one room unit assembled from two foldable modules that are coupled together and a roof. Room units can be used singly or ganged together to form multiroom structures. Each room unit has a floor that may include floor panels or floor planks supported by a floor frame. The walls on each foldable module are connected to a base with hinges, such that each room module has a storage position in which the walls are folded down parallel to the floor. Each module also has an erect position in which the walls are unfolded to a vertical orientation perpendicular to the floor by rotating a wall around the hinges. The walls may be solid with wall panels and appropriate openings for doors, windows, and in-wall air-conditioning. Alternatively, the walls may be substantially openings.

Abstract: Various arrangements for performing dynamic volume control are provided. Audio characteristics of audio content being output to a user may be identified. Adjustments made to an audio volume setting by the user while the audio content is being output to the user can be monitored. A machine learning model can be trained based on the adjustments made to the audio volume setting by the user that are mapped with the audio characteristics of the audio content. After the machine learning model is trained, the audio volume setting can be adjusted based at least in part on the trained machine learning model analyzing audio content.

Abstract: Techniques for a trusted system for secure content distribution and trusted recording of content consumption are described. In some embodiments, the trusted system transcodes and transcrypts a media content item using a key obtained from a content provider and one or more keys based on an entitlement from a service provider to generate an encrypted media content item. The trusted system further receives a request to provide the media content item to a client device. The trusted system also obtains a signed audit token recording the request upon an authorization by the service provider based on the entitlement and a confirmation by the content provider, where the signed audit token is signed by the content provider and the service provider. The trusted system additionally provides the one or more keys for decrypting the encrypted media content item and reports the signed audit token.

Abstract: An extruder 10 comprises a barrel 12 and a screw 24 mounted in the barrel for rotation. The screw comprises screw threads 26a, 26b, 26c. The barrel has an inlet funnel 22 toward one end for material to be extruded and a die plate 18 with openings 20 at the other end and an air inlet port 28 toward one end of the barrel and an air outlet port 30 toward the other end. The screw threads are such that material 34 in the barrel is moved more quickly along the portion of the barrel between the air inlet port and the air outlet port than upstream of that portion. The air outlet is connected to a pump 32 so that there is a pressure difference between the air inlet and the air outlet.

Abstract: A method of presenting content to a viewer is described. The method includes: receiving a schedule of content at a client operable by the viewer, the schedule of content including a directed graph, the directed graph including a plurality of nodes, wherein each node in the plurality of nodes is connected to one or more other nodes in the plurality of nodes by one or more paths, wherein each path represents content presentable to the viewer; traversing the directed graph by following a route between nodes and along paths of the directed graph, wherein at each node the client determines a path to follow according to state information accessible by the client; and presenting content to the viewer as each path is followed.

Abstract: An extruder 10 comprises a barrel 12 and a screw 24 mounted in the barrel for rotation. The screw comprises screw threads 26a, 26b, 26c. The barrel has an inlet funnel 22 toward one end for material to be extruded and a die plate 18 with openings 20 at the other end and an air inlet port 28 toward one end of the barrel and an air outlet port 30 toward the other end. The screw threads are such that material 34 in the barrel is moved more quickly along the portion of the barrel between the air inlet port and the air outlet port than upstream of that portion. The air outlet is connected to a pump 32 so that there is a pressure difference between the air inlet and the air outlet.

Abstract: A method of presenting content to a viewer is described. The method includes: receiving a schedule of content at a client operable by the viewer, the schedule of content including a directed graph, the directed graph including a plurality of nodes, wherein each node in the plurality of nodes is connected to one or more other nodes in the plurality of nodes by one or more paths, wherein each path represents content presentable to the viewer; traversing the directed graph by following a route between nodes and along paths of the directed graph, wherein at each node the client determines a path to follow according to state information accessible by the client; and presenting content to the viewer as each path is followed.

Abstract: A multichamber timber drying kiln in which different conditions are maintained in each chamber and methods of drying timber using such a kiln. In one aspect timber is rapidly heated within a first chamber (2; 202; 207) and then transferred to a further chamber (3; 203; 208) for further drying. Timber may be transferred from the first chamber (2; 202; 207) when the moisture content of the timber approaches the fibre saturation point A preheating chamber (1; 201; 206) may be provided to preheat the timber before passing to the first chamber (2; 202; 207). A conditioning chamber (4; 204; 209) may be provided after the further chamber (3; 203; 208) to condition the timber. Energy transfer means (49–53; 54–58) may be provided to transfer energy between chambers.

Abstract: A wood steaming apparatus for heating wood (4) within chamber (1). Water within trough (8) is heated to generate “wet steam”. Condensate is collected in collector (10) and pumped by pump (11) back to trough (8). The use of “wet steam” results in relatively uniform heating whilst maintaining relatively consistent moisture content throughout the wood. The closed loop design minimises the production of polluting condensate waste.

Abstract: A multichamber timber drying kiln in which different conditions are maintained in each chamber and methods of drying timber using such a kiln. In one aspect timber is rapidly heated within a first chamber (2; 202; 207) and then transferred to a further chamber (3; 203; 208) for further drying. Timber may be transferred from the first chamber (2; 202; 207) when the moisture content of the timber approaches the fibre saturation point A preheating chamber (1; 201; 206) may be provided to preheat the timber before passing to the first chamber (2; 202; 207). A conditioning chamber (4; 204; 209) may be provided after the further chamber (3; 203; 208) to condition the timber. Energy transfer means (49-53; 54-58) may be provided to transfer energy between chambers.

Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell stack has a first end plate, a second end plate, and fuel cell assemblies interposed therebetween. Each fuel cell assembly includes a membrane electrode assembly having at least one manifold header opening formed in the assembly for directing at least one of a fluid fuel stream, a fluid oxidant stream and a fluid coolant stream through the assembly. A tie rod extends within the opening and through each of the first and second end plates. Fastening means are disposed at opposite ends of the tie rod. Compressive means are interposed between at least one of the fastening means and at least one of the first and second end plates. In operation, the fastening means and the compressive means urge the first end plate toward the second end plate, thereby applying compressive force to the fuel cell assemblies.