Abstract: A system for treating an article. The system comprises a segment adapted to contain a local atmosphere and an internal pressure which is within the range of 90 kPa to 110 kPa. The segment comprising a module. The module comprising a pair of electrodes and a manifold for delivering a fluid to the pair of electrodes, wherein the electrodes are adapted to energise the fluid delivered from the manifold before being deposited onto the article.

Abstract: A utensil for storing and/or eating food. A bowl has an upper edge and a lower section. A groove is defined within the upper edge. A raised seal encircles the lower section. A lid is in combination with the bowl, the lid having a top surface and lid wall upstanding from the top surface, the lid wall having a lid wall inner surface. A freshness seal is formed against the inner wall surface of the lid, and a depression is defined within the top surface, the depression having defined therein a recessed track; wherein the lid is adapted to removably connect to the bowl at either the lower section or at the upper edge by frictional engagement between, respectively, the raised seal with the depression or the freshness seal with the groove.

Abstract: An eating utensil doubling as a plate and a bowl. A plate has a center, four quadrants, an outer plate edge and an underside. A perforation is formed through the plate extending from the center to the outer edge. Adhesive tape is secured to the underside, the tape including a receiving portion and spanning portion, the spanning portion being of a length substantially equal to the perforation and traveling adjacent to the perforation; and, the receiving portion disposed substantially perpendicular to the spanning portion, wherein upon one of the four quadrants being partially separated from the plate at the perforation to thereby form a quarter piece, the quarter piece can be folded and adhered to the receiving portion such that a cone-like bowl is formed from the plate. An accompanying generally rectangular strip forms the base of the bowl.

Abstract: A coating which can be applied an article. The coating may comprise an upper side and a lower side. The coating may be applied to at least one surface of the article, and wherein the coating may be formed from a monomer and a nanomaterial which have been exposed to a plasma, in which the monomer is at least partially polymerised by the plasma.

Abstract: An interaction assistant conducts multiple turn interaction dialogs with a user in which context is maintained between turns, and the system manages the dialog to achieve an inferred goal for the user. The system includes a linguistic interface to a user and a parser for processing linguistic events from the user. A dialog manager of the system is configured to receive alternative outputs from the parser, and selecting an action and causing the action to be performed based on the received alternative outputs. The system further includes a dialog state for an interaction with the user, and the alternative outputs represent alternative transitions from a current dialog state to a next dialog state. The system further includes a storage for a plurality of templates, and wherein each dialog state is defined in terms of an interrelationship of one or more instances of the templates.

Abstract: An interaction assistant conducts multiple turn interaction dialogs with a user in which context is maintained between turns, and the system manages the dialog to achieve an inferred goal for the user. The system includes a linguistic interface to a user and a parser for processing linguistic events from the user. A dialog manager of the system is configured to receive alternative outputs from the parser, and selecting an action and causing the action to be performed based on the received alternative outputs. The system further includes a dialog state for an interaction with the user, and the alternative outputs represent alternative transitions from a current dialog state to a next dialog state. The system further includes a storage for a plurality of templates, and wherein each dialog state is defined in terms of an interrelationship of one or more instances of the templates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described to promote understanding and empathy. The apparatus may include a game board apparatus in which multiple players engage and learn information about each other.

Abstract: An approach to providing communication assistance to an operator of a vehicle makes use software having a first component executing on a personal device of the operator as well as a second component executing on a server in communication with the personal device. In some implementations, handling a call involves establishing a first two-way audio link between the server and the calling device is established, and a second two-way audio link between a server and the user device. The server passes some of the audio from the calling device to the user device, and monitors a user's voice input, of lack thereof, to determine how to handle the call.