Abstract: A coil structure for an electromagnetic device comprising a conductor configured to provide a coil comprising one or more coil turns around a magnetic core to induce a magnetic flux in the magnetic core when in use. The conductor comprises one or more a first parts comprising a plurality of sub-conductors in parallel, and one or more second parts coupled in series with the first part(s), wherein the or each second part comprises a single sub-conductor or a lesser number of sub-conductors in parallel.

Abstract: A self-driving road vehicle stores an active driving map that includes a data store of route feature data together with a software or control system that periodically selects from the data store and provides to systems on the vehicle the route feature data that are relevant to the vehicle location and the route that the vehicle is following. The route feature data may include a sequential series of road cross-section data objects that represent a real-world roadway being traversed by the vehicle. Methods for operating the self-driving road vehicle include providing route feature data from an active driving map, which may include the sequential series of road cross-section data objects that represent the real-world roadway being traversed.

Abstract: A self-driving road vehicle stores an active driving map that includes a data store of route feature data together with a software or control system that periodically selects from the data store and provides to systems on the vehicle the route feature data that are relevant to the vehicle location and the route that the vehicle is following. The route feature data may include a sequential series of road cross-section data objects that represent a real-world roadway being traversed by the vehicle. Methods for operating the self-driving road vehicle include providing route feature data from an active driving map, which may include the sequential series of road cross-section data objects that represent the real-world roadway being traversed.

Abstract: A surgical sponge and comprehensive fluid monitoring system and method are provided. The system includes a support ring for securely supporting a container with at least one port opening for receiving surgical sponges placed into the container. A hollow spine structure includes a channel and a rod that can move in the channel. The rod transfers weight force from the support ring to a weight force sensing device. A flexure maintains the rod vertically aligned in the channel with a gap separating the length of the rod from the channel walls. A processor receives an information signal indicative of at least one of urine outflow, suction fluid outflow, irrigation fluid intake; and intravenous fluid intake, of a surgical patient. The processor accumulates a total amount of estimated net fluid volume loss for the patient from the surgical sponge, and from other measured fluid outflow and intake.

Abstract: A surgical sponge and comprehensive fluid monitoring system and method are provided. The system includes a support ring for securely supporting a container with at least one port opening for receiving surgical sponges placed into the container. A hollow spine structure includes a channel and a rod that can move in the channel. The rod transfers weight force from the support ring to a weight force sensing device. A flexure maintains the rod vertically aligned in the channel with a gap separating the length of the rod from the channel walls. A processor receives an information signal indicative of at least one of urine outflow, suction fluid outflow, irrigation fluid intake; and intravenous fluid intake, of a surgical patient. The processor accumulates a total amount of estimated net fluid volume loss for the patient from the surgical sponge, and from other measured fluid outflow and intake.

Abstract: A surgical sponge and fluid monitoring system and method are provided. The system (100) includes a support ring (104) for securely supporting a container (101) with at least one port opening (206) for placing sponges (204) into the container through the at least one port opening. The support ring includes RFID communication circuitries (305, 307) that interrogate an RFID device (205) in the sponge (204) and an RFID device in the container. The support ring is mechanically linked to a load cell (706, 1329) in the system. The processor (1302) reliably detects when a sponge is placed into the container through the at least one port opening, identifies the type of sponge placed into the container, counts the number of sponges in the container, sorts the types of sponges, and calculates fluid loss for a patient in a surgical procedure. A user interface (1308, 114) keeps the medical professionals informed.

Abstract: A surgical sponge and fluid monitoring system and method are provided. The system (100) includes a support ring (104) for securely supporting a container (101) with at least one port opening (206) for placing sponges (204) into the container through the at least one port opening. The support ring includes RFID communication circuitries (305, 307) that interrogate an RFID device (205) in the sponge (204) and an RFID device in the container. The support ring is mechanically linked to a load cell (706, 1329) in the system. The processor (1302) reliably detects when a sponge is placed into the container through the at least one port opening, identifies the type of sponge placed into the container, counts the number of sponges in the container, sorts the types of sponges, and calculates fluid loss for a patient in a surgical procedure. A user interface (1308, 114) keeps the medical professionals informed.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the processing of data, and more particularly to a method of and system for processing large volumes of Earth observation imagery data. A system for processing a large volume of Earth observation imaging data is described, comprising a computer including a visual display and a user interface, a plurality of servers, an image database storing said Earth observation imaging data as a plurality of separate image data files, and a network for interconnecting the computer, plurality of servers and image database. The plurality of servers is operable to process the separate data files in a distributed manner, at least one of the plurality of servers is operable to process the separate data files in a multiprocessing environment and at least one of the plurality of servers is operable to collate the processed separate data files into a single imaging result.

Abstract: A container, system, method, and computer readable storage medium, for monitoring at least one of surgical object and fluid placed into the container are provided. The container includes a rigid top member including at least one port opening therein, having a recessed portion of the underside of the top member along an outer perimeter, a rigid retaining ring sized and shaped to match the size and shape of the recessed portion along the outer perimeter, and a flexible bag body having an open top portion and a sealed bottom portion, an outer perimeter of the open top portion being folded over the rigid retaining ring, the rigid retaining ring with the folded over perimeter of the open top portion of the flexible bag body being mated and locked in the recessed portion of the underside of the rigid top member along the outer perimeter in a fluid-tight seal arrangement.

Abstract: A surgical sponge and fluid monitoring system and method are provided. The system includes a support ring for securely supporting a container with at least one port opening for placing sponges into the container through the port opening with the aid of gravity. The support ring includes IR emitters and sensors that blanket IR beams across the port opening. The support ring is mechanically linked to a load cell in the system. The processor, with novel methods, reliably detects when sponges are placed into the container through the port opening, counts the number of sponges in the container, sorts the types of sponges, and calculates fluid loss for a patient in a surgical procedure. A user interface in the monitoring system keeps the medical professionals in the OR fully informed.

Abstract: A consumer profile can store consumer presence data and restaurant transaction data, as well as financial data and other secondary data. The consumer presence data can used to detect a consumer presence at a restaurant. A corresponding transaction between the restaurant and the consumer can be automatically initiated at the restaurant in response to the detected consumer presence at the restaurant and without requiring the consumer to explicitly request the transaction be initiated. A consumer can also be presented with a personalized interface for initiating a transaction at the restaurant in response to the consumer's presence being detected at the restaurant.

Abstract: A consumer profile can store consumer presence data and restaurant transaction data, as well as financial data and other secondary data. The consumer presence data can used to detect a consumer presence at a restaurant. A corresponding transaction between the restaurant and the consumer can be automatically initiated at the restaurant in response to the detected consumer presence at the restaurant and without requiring the consumer to explicitly request the transaction be initiated. A consumer can also be presented with a personalized interface for initiating a transaction at the restaurant in response to the consumer's presence being detected at the restaurant.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the processing of data, and more particularly to a method of and system for processing large volumes of Earth observation imagery data. A system for processing a large volume of Earth observation imaging data is described, comprising a computer including a visual display and a user interface, a plurality of servers, an image database storing said Earth observation imaging data as a plurality of separate image data files, and a network for interconnecting the computer, plurality of servers and image database. The plurality of servers is operable to process the separate data files in a distributed manner, at least one of the plurality of servers is operable to process the separate data files in a multiprocessing environment and at least one of the plurality of servers is operable to collate the processed separate data files into a single imaging result.

Abstract: The error offset and the error magnitude of a data stream in a Read-Solomon code is calculated using the same architecture. The advantage this method has over previous techniques is its simplicity of design and the minimum steps required to convert the syndrome information into an error location and correction pattern. The maximum of four cycles (steps) needed to compute the offset and correction pattern allows for a correction to be applied in the byte time immediately following receipt of the last check byte.

Abstract: A method of blending a plurality of mutually overlapping graphical objects in a digital document processing system. The graphical objects are arranged in an ordered stack that includes at least one static object and at least one animated object. Each object has at least one associated blending parameter (e.g., transparency). The method comprises: (a) blending the content of the static objects to form at least one composite static object, taking account of the respective blending parameters of the static objects; and (b) blending the content of the animated object and the composite static object(s), taking account of the blending parameter(s) of the animated object.

Abstract: A grout sealer applicator brush that carries with it a reservoir of grout sealer. The brush includes a handle with a broad concave upper surface used to support and cradle the reservoir. The grout sealer within the reservoir is conducted through a tube that dispenses the fluid directly on the bristles of the brush, ready for application to the grout. The reservoir is placed in proximity to the bristle to reduce the torque of the reservoir on the operator. Holding the reservoir in place is a handle, cradling arrangement that can accommodate different sized reservoirs. To reduce manufacturing costs, the brush and the tube are all formed simultaneously, typically of plastic, in a pressure molding process.

Abstract: A grout sealer applicator brush that carries with it a reservoir of grout sealer. The brush includes a handle with a broad concave upper surface used to support and cradle the reservoir. The grout sealer within the reservoir is conducted through a tube that dispenses the fluid directly on the bristles of the brush, ready for application to the grout. The reservoir is placed in proximity to the bristle to reduce the torque of the reservoir on the operator. Holding the reservoir in place is a handle, cradling arrangement that can accommodate different sized reservoirs. To reduce manufacturing costs, the brush and the tube are all formed simultaneously, typically of plastic, in a pressure molding process.

Abstract: The invention is a snack style clear front merchandiser having a horizontal product column with a front opening leading into a vend space. A product mover pushes a product through the front opening and into the vend space. A retaining device, mounted to the merchandiser near the front opening and positioned in a manner such that a top of the product being vended hits the retaining device during vending, prevents the product top from moving or pitching forward during a vending process. Consequently, the vended product falls freely into the delivery hopper without bridging the vending space. A single retaining device may be used for several columns in a single tray or individual retaining devices may be used for each column. The height of the retaining device can be adjusted as required for the type of product being vended in the columns. The retaining device may be rigidly or rotationally mounted to the merchandiser.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for performing vend operations on articles selected by a purchaser. Articles to be dispensed are stored in a storage section, and purchased articles are transferred from the storage section to a vend section. A vend mechanism is provided for rapidly moving a given article from a vend-destined section to the vend section. A helical transfer member holds the articles in the storage section and is rotatable in a dispensing direction to transfer the given article from a position adjacent the vend-destined section to the vend-destined section. The helical transfer member is also rotatable in a reverse direction opposite the dispensing direction. A driver is coupled to each helical transfer member, and is actuable to rotate the helical transfer member in either the dispensing direction or the reverse direction.

Abstract: In a packaged article vending machine having a forwardly, projecting motorized helix supported on a horizontally arranged tray in a wide column delimited by side walls which are disposed substantially further apart than the helix is broad in diameter, the helix is prevented from `walking` towards the sidewall towards which it would tend to move as the helix rotates, by securing a chock to the tray so as to tangentially engage at least two turns of the helix during a portion of a 360.degree. rotation of the helix, from externally of the helix, and have its rear end located sufficiently out of the way as to avoid possibly poking contact with from the front lower part of an impounded product package being conveyed forwards to eventually become the leading package, next to be vended.