Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus, method for adjusting depth characteristics of a three-dimensional image for correcting for errors in perceived depth when scaling the three-dimensional image, the method comprising: receiving three-dimensional image information comprising a stereoscopic image including a first image and a second image, the stereoscopic image having depth characteristics associated with an offset of the first and second images; determining a scaling factor indicative of a scaling for converting the stereoscopic image from an original target size to a new size; determining at least one shifting factor for varying the depth characteristics, the at least one shifting factor indicative of a relative shift to be applied between the first and the second images, wherein the at least one shifting factor is determined in accordance with the scaling factor and at least one depth parameter derived from the depth characteristics; and performing the relative shift between the first and second

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus, method for adjusting depth characteristics of a three-dimensional image for correcting for errors in perceived depth when scaling the three-dimensional image, the method comprising: receiving three-dimensional image information comprising a stereoscopic image including a first image and a second image, the stereoscopic image having depth characteristics associated with an offset of the first and second images; determining a scaling factor indicative of a scaling for converting the stereoscopic image from an original target size to a new size; determining at least one shifting factor for varying the depth characteristics, the at least one shifting factor indicative of a relative shift to be applied between the first and the second images, wherein the at least one shifting factor is determined in accordance with the scaling factor and at least one depth parameter derived from the depth characteristics; and performing the relative shift between the first and second

Abstract: A mobile vacuum cart system for use in hospital environments is described. The cart is capable of meeting requirements of ULPA certification, thereby improving air quality and reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically constructing a broadcast multiplex are described. The method includes: receiving metadata associated with a first plurality of events on a plurality of source channels, the metadata including, at least, scheduling metadata; determining, on the basis of a rule-set applied to the metadata, whether events of the first plurality of events are to be included in the multiplex, thereby producing a second plurality of events to be included in the multiplex; for each one event of the second plurality of events, assigning a multiplex priority to the one event, the multiplex priority being a priority the one event is to be assigned in the multiplex in case the one event contends for space in the multiplex with a second event of the second plurality of events; copying events from the second plurality of events into the multiplex in dependence on the multiplex priorities of events in the second plurality of events; and broadcasting the multiplex.

Abstract: A barrel clip of unitary plastic construction is used to securely clip onto the barrel of a firearm and simultaneously is able to hook the firearm to a non-human support such as a fence when, during hiking and/or hunting, there is a need for the hiker and/or hunter to be hands free and out of contact with his/her firearm. This lightweight, inexpensive inventive barrel clip helps prevent clogging and dirtying of the firearm barrel. Further it does not cause damage to the environment in which it is used. It is easily stored in a pocket, on the barrel of the firearm, or clipped onto some convenient item being taken on the hike and/or hunt.

Abstract: A method of generating a recommended depth value for use in displaying a graphics item over a three dimensional video is described. The method includes at a headend: receiving a three dimensional video including video frames; analyzing a sequence of said video frames in turn to produce a sequence of depth maps, each depth map in the sequence of depth maps being associated with timing data relating that depth map to a corresponding video frame in the sequence of video frames, each depth map including depth values, each depth value representing a depth of a pixel location in its corresponding video frame; selecting a region of depth maps in the sequence of depth maps; analyzing said region of the depth maps in the sequence of depth maps to identify a furthest forward depth value for said region in the sequence of depth maps; and transmitting the furthest forward depth value as the recommended depth value for the region to a display device and region information describing the region.

Abstract: A method and system for broadcasting content, is described, the method and system facilitating simultaneous recording of multiple programs on a digital video recorder (DVR), the method and system including providing a plurality of content items, dividing each one of the plurality of content items into a multiplicity of chunks, each one of the chunks including at least one reference frame, for each one of the chunks determining a location of each reference frame included in the chunk, creating a chunk index of locations of each reference frame included in the chunk, creating a chunk file including the chunk and the chunk index, and inserting the chunk file in a data stream, such that no chunk file including a chunk from a particular content item is adjacent to a second chunk file including a chunk from the same particular content item, and broadcasting using a transmission bitrate greater than the bitrate of the data stream in a single channel in a multiplexed broadcast service, wherein the chunks files in the

Abstract: An anti-corrosive composition, comprising a combination of at least two of the following materials: vanadates, molybdates, tungstates, silicates, phosphates, borates, Ce cations, Y cations, La cations, Eu cations, Gd cations, Nd cations, and reaction products thereof.

Abstract: A method improving air quality and reducing healthcare-associated infections performed by a cleaning personnel includes the steps of equipping a cleaning cart with a plurality of single-use microfiber cloths and a plurality of microfiber mops, wherein the cleaning cart includes a vacuum cleaning apparatus with an extensible vacuum hose and a plurality of attachments, positioning the cleaning cart outside of an occupied patient room, vacuuming the patient room with the vacuum hose including first and second attachments, disinfecting the surfaces that a patient may contact with a first microfiber cloth soaked in a disinfectant solution, cleaning at least one bathroom fixture with a second microfiber cloth soaked in the disinfectant solution, mopping the floor area including the floor area of the patient restroom with a microfiber mop charged with a neutral cleaner, and placing the microfiber mop in a plastic bag.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a spring compactor machine to compact springs, comprising: a force applied at an angle substantially between 35 degrees and 155 degrees to an at rest spring's restoring force axis with an equal and opposite restraining force applied substantially between 215 and 325 degrees to the spring's restoring force axis. Wherein when both the applied force and the restraining force substantially exceed the plastic limit of the spring, the spring is deformed and the restoring force of the spring no longer returns the spring to its original shape. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the forces are applied to the spring inside at least one compaction chamber. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, prior to compaction of the spring all non-metal material attached to the spring or a set of springs is removed.

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 system comprising a decoder arrangement to decode a plurality of video sequences including a first video sequence and a second video sequence, each of the video sequences including a plurality of frames including a first plurality of reference frames and a second plurality of non-reference frames, a selector operationally connected to the decoder arrangement, the selector being operative to select which of the video sequences is outputted to a display device for display, wherein during at least some of the time while the decoder arrangement is decoding the second video sequence which is selected for output to the display device, the decoder arrangement is operative to selectively decode the first video sequence, and then the selector is operative to switch to selecting the first video sequence for outputting to the display device for display. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: An automatic dishwasher comprises an open-faced cabinet defining a wash chamber and a utensil rack mounted within the wash chamber. The utensil rack comprises a frame mounted to the cabinet and a basket removably mounted to the frame, and the frame and the basket are configured such that the basket is vertically adjustable relative to the frame. Additionally, the basket comprises a plurality of basket elements that are complementary to form a whole basket. Further, the dishwasher includes a pair of slides for slidably mounting the frame to the cabinet. The slides comprise a track that slidably receives a wheel on the utensil rack and includes an access opening for insertion or removal of the wheel from the track. A closure for selectively closing the access opening prevents undesired removal of the wheel from the track.

Abstract: A nuclear electric generator which utilizes particles produced during the spontaneous disintegration of selected radioisotopes as a means of generating electricity and production of coolant and insulating material. The apparatus shall consist of an alpha emitting radioisotope diffused within or sandwiched between a first lead plate. The alpha particles capture two electrons and exit as helium atoms, resulting in a high positive charge. A beta emitting radioisotope shall be diffused within or sandwiched between a second lead plate, thus acquiring a high negative charge as a result of being “pumped” full of electrons. The entire apparatus will be immersed into a bath of liquid helium which will act as an insulator and remove heat generated by radioactive emissions. The positive and negatively charged plates shall be connected, externally, to a resistive load chosen for the voltage level desired.

Abstract: A dishwasher rack which includes a basket supporting a plurality of fences rotatably about a common axis. The basket has a plurality of wires forming a bottom wall, a pair of side walls and a front and back wall. The bottom wall has a plurality of upwardly oriented tines connected to and extending from the bottom wall in a first area and further has an open area without upwardly oriented tines. A first fence is provided having an axle wire and a plurality of support wires. The axle wire is rotatably supported adjacent the bottom wall such that the first fence may be rotated between a front position and a back position. A second fence is provided having a connection wire and a plurality of support wires. The connection wire is rotatably connected to axle wire such that the second fence may rotate about the axle wire between a front position and a back position.

Abstract: An optical communication system (11) includes a plurality of nodes (16,17,18,19), each node connected in a first optical communication path (22) and a second optical communication path (23) extending parallel to the first optical communication path. The first optical communication path (22) is joined to each node by a first receiver (30) and first transmitter (31), while the second optical communication path (23) is joined to each node by a second receiver (32) and second transmitter (33). One of the nodes comprises a control unit node (19) having a control unit (37) associated therewith. The other nodes of the communication system comprise data unit nodes, each having a data unit (36) associated therewith. The communication system (11) normally operates with the control unit (37) in an open mode of operation in which data is not transferred across the node. Thus, in normal operation, the communication system (11) operates in an open ring configuration.

Abstract: The invention provides chromate-free coating mixtures, and coatings formed from these mixtures, that protect an underlying aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate from corrosion. The coating mixtures include a continuous phase selected from organic polymeric compositions, or sol-gels, and a distributed phase, dispersed or dissolved throughout the continuous phase. The distributed phase includes the corrosion-inhibiting chromate-free salts. In accordance with the invention, the mixture of salts includes (1) a first salt selected from (a) the esters of rare earth metals, such as cerium and lanthanum oxalates and acetates, and (b) the vanadate salts of alkali and alkali earth metals, such as sodium metavanadate and calcium metavanadate; and (2) a second salt that is a borate salt of alkali earth metals, such as barium metaborate. In certain embodiments, the coatings of the invention include both (a), and (b), in conjunction with the borate salt (2).

Abstract: An in situ sensor for monitoring the degree of corrosion of rebar in a concrete structure relies on a four-point resistance measure of a test wire embedded in the concrete structure. The resistance across the wire is compared with the resistance of a reference wire, which is corrosion resistant. As corrosion advances, the cross-sectional area of the wire decreases, effectively increasing the resistance measured. The sensor may be used to measure corrosion inhibitor performance, and the effect of dilution.