Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided to alert a user of content delivered on multiple channels to events of interest occurring on channels other than the channel being listened to or viewed. Playback of content in which an event of interest or key event has occurred is time-shifted or delayed at the content transmission source or at the user device. Metadata that identifies events of interest in the content is transmitted to the user device.

Abstract: A system and method provide an enhanced listening experience for a user of a radio receiver or other device that receives broadcast or streamed content having a plurality of program channels. The method and system buffer designated channels at the receiver and, when switching among channels, play back the buffered designated channels during reception from a selected point therein depending on the channel or other criteria. When switching to a different channel during reception, a user is able to hear content in a buffered program channel with music from the start of a song, for example, whereas content in a channel with news, talk radio, or live sports is played back from live reception, even though the content segments are transmitted at different start times relative to their selected times for playback following a channel change. User controls allow navigation among buffered designated channels during reception.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically adjusting and/or optimizing the color and/or intensity of the illuminating light used in a vision system is presented. The intensity of each of a plurality of illuminating light colors is allowed to be independently adjusted to adapt the illumination light based on the color of a part feature against the part feature background of a part being viewed by the vision system to produce high contrast between the part feature and background. Automated contrast optimization may be achieved by stepping through all available color combinations and evaluating the contrast between the part feature and background to select a color combination having a “best” or acceptable contrast level.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically adjusting and/or optimizing the color and/or intensity of the illuminating light used in a vision system is presented. The intensity of each of a plurality of illuminating light colors is allowed to be independently adjusted to adapt the illumination light based on the color of a part feature against the part feature background of a part being viewed by the vision system to produce high contrast between the part feature and background. Automated contrast optimization may be achieved by stepping through all available color combinations and evaluating the contrast between the part feature and background to select a color combination having a “best” or acceptable contrast level.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides prostatitis-associated antigens, and compositions comprising the antigens. The present disclosure provides diagnostic methods, generally involving assaying the level of an immune response specific for a prostatitis-associated antigen in an individual. Kits suitable for use in performing such diagnostic assays are also provided. The present disclosure further provides methods of treating prostatitis, methods of treating prostate cancer, and methods of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically adjusting and/or optimizing the color and/or intensity of the illuminating light used in a vision system is presented. The intensity of each of a plurality of illuminating light colors is allowed to be independently adjusted to adapt the illumination light based on the color of a part feature against the part feature background of a part being viewed by the vision system to produce high contrast between the part feature and background. Automated contrast optimization may be achieved by stepping through all available color combinations and evaluating the contrast between the part feature and background to select a color combination having a “best” or acceptable contrast level.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes serving spouts in fluid connection with inlet pipes locatable within beverage receptacles. The serving spouts have receptacle identifiers and are associated with prices/price groups or points/points groups. Product data sets in computer memory include a product identifier and have associated receptacle identifiers and prices or points. A reading device calculates value from a stored value device. Stored value device data sets in computer memory include stored value device identifiers and stored values. A user selection component obtains a serving spout selection, and dispenses a volume of beverage from the selected serving spout by comparing the prices or points associated with the selected serving spout and the stored value. User data sets and transaction data sets in computer memory include user identifiers, stored value device identifiers, stored value device identifiers, and receptacle identifiers.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically adjusting and/or optimizing the color and/or intensity of the illuminating light used in a vision system is presented. The intensity of each of a plurality of illuminating light colors is allowed to be independently adjusted to adapt the illumination light based on the color of a part feature against the part feature background of a part being viewed by the vision system to produce high contrast between the part feature and background. Automated contrast optimization may be achieved by stepping through all available color combinations and evaluating the contrast between the part feature and background to select a color combination having a “best” or acceptable contrast level.

Abstract: A composition suitable for veterinary, agricultural or horticultural use is disclosed which comprises at least one organic veterinarally, agriculturally and/or horticulturally active compound, and titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide which has been doped with a second element and/or reduced zinc oxide as well as a composition suitable for household use which comprises at least one organic biocide and one of the specified oxides.

Abstract: The invention concerns a tamper-evident padlock and padlock combination. The padlock (10) has a moulded plastics lock body (14) which includes an open-ended passage (22) and an opening (26) spaced from the passage. There is also a hasp (16) which has first and second spaced apart legs (32, 34). An end (32.1) of the first leg can be located in the passage through a first end thereof while the end of the second leg can be located simultaneously in the opening. The end of the first leg in the passage can then be engaged by a breakable seal (20) which is inserted into the passage through the opposite end of the passage, in order to lock the hasp relative to the lock body. The padlock combination (12) comprises the padlock (10) and the seal (20) in combination.

Abstract: An oscillator-amplifier gas discharge laser system and method is disclosed which may comprise a first laser unit which may comprise a first discharge region which may contain an excimer or molecular fluorine lasing gas medium; a first pair of electrodes defining the first discharge region containing the lasing gas medium, a line narrowing unit for narrowing a spectral bandwidth of output laser light pulse beam pulses produced in said first discharge region; a second laser unit which may comprise a second discharge chamber which may contain an excimer or molecular fluorine lasing gas medium; a second pair of electrodes defining the second discharge region containing the lasing gas medium; a pulse power system providing electrical pulses to the first pair of electrodes and to the second pair of electrodes producing gas discharges in the lasing gas medium between the respective first and second pair of electrodes, and laser parameter control mechanism modifying a selected parameter of a selected laser output lig

Abstract: A composition for coloring the surface of a porous substrate is disclosed comprising a colorant, a binding agent, and a water-repelling agent is disclosed wherein upon application of the composition to the surface of the porous substrate, the composition penetrates the surface through the pores of the substrate, and adds color to the surface of the porous substrate. Also disclosed is the method for coloring a substrate, a colored surface of a porous substrate and a process for producing such a composition.

Abstract: An oscillator-amplifier gas discharge laser system and method is disclosed which may comprise a first laser unit which may comprise a first discharge region which may contain an excimer or molecular fluorine lasing gas medium; a first pair of electrodes defining the first discharge region containing the lasing gas medium, a line narrowing unit for narrowing a spectral bandwidth of output laser light pulse beam pulses produced in said first discharge region; a second laser unit which may comprise a second discharge chamber which may contain an excimer or molecular fluorine lasing gas medium; a second pair of electrodes defining the second discharge region containing the lasing gas medium; a pulse power system providing electrical pulses to the first pair of electrodes and to the second pair of electrodes producing gas discharges in the lasing gas medium between the respective first and second pair of electrodes, and laser parameter control mechanism modifying a selected parameter of a selected laser output lig

Abstract: A composition for colouring the surface of a porous substrate is disclosed comprising a colorant, a binding agent, and a water-repelling agent is disclosed wherein upon application of the composition to the surface of the porous substrate, the composition penetrates the surface through the pores of the substrate, and adds colour to the surface of the porous substrate. Also disclosed is the method for coloring a substrate, a colored surface of a porous substrate and a process for producing such a composition.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically adjusting and/or optimizing the color and/or intensity of the illuminating light used in a vision system is presented. The intensity of each of a plurality of illuminating light colors is allowed to be independently adjusted to adapt the illumination light based on the color of a part feature against the part feature background of a part being viewed by the vision system to produce high contrast between the part feature and background. Automated contrast optimization may be achieved by stepping through all available color combinations and evaluating the contrast between the part feature and background to select a color combination having a “best” or acceptable contrast level.

Abstract: An improved culture vessel or bioreactor for growing cells, cellular aggregates, tissue particles or tissue “organoids” and methods for using same which includes a housing having at least one chamber defined by a curved wall symmetrical about an axis. The perfused version of the vessel has at least one inlet and at least one outlet and at least one filter in fluid communication with at least one of the inlets or outlets structured to pass culture media but retain cells, cellular aggregates or tissues within the culture chamber. The batch culture version of the vessel has at least part of the vessel wall made of a gas permeable material. The vessel housing is rotated about the horizontal or proximate horizontal axis to suspend the cells, in an unobstructed, three-dimensional or toroidal flow. The chamber has a substantially ellipsoid, oblate ellipsoid, spherical or oblate spherical shape and an unobstructed volume for growth of cells, cellular aggregates or tissues.

Abstract: A vehicle history and personalization system accessible by a plurality of users is disclosed. The vehicle history and personalization system includes a communications network. The vehicle history and personalization system also includes a server computer in communication with the communications network and a client computer in communication with the communications network. The vehicle history and personalization system further includes a vehicle history database accessible by the server computer. The vehicle history database includes information for individual vehicle relating to the design and manufacturing history of the individual vehicle. The vehicle history and personalization system also includes a program running on the server computer. The program is configured to provide access to the vehicle specific data stored in the vehicle history database based on a vehicle's specific identifier provided to the server computer by the client computer.

Abstract: A product planning development and program management information system and method is disclosed. This system is accessible by a plurality of users. The system includes a communications network with a server computer in communication with the communications network and a client computer in communication with the communications network. A first program runs on the server computer. The first program is configured to provide access to a product planning environment through the client computer. The product planning environment has fields for entry of a target price and has fields for displaying a calculated price. The calculated price is based on selections of product characteristics and part selections being made by a user of the first program. The first program provides a display of the product as configured by the user. Further, a second program is in communication with the first program. The second program uses data from the first program and is configured to provide product program management functions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an airfoil is provided which includes the steps of: a) providing a billet of discontinuously reinforced aluminum having at least 10 volume percent of silicon carbide as a reinforcing element, and no more than 30 volume percent of silicon carbide as the reinforcing element; 2) extruding the billet into an airfoil shaped geometry from a die, wherein the geometry includes a first wall, a second wall disposed opposite the first wall, a leading edge, a trailing edge disposed opposite the leading edge, and a first cavity disposed between the first and second walls, and the leading and trailing edges.

Abstract: An airfoil is provided having a cross-sectional geometry which includes a first wall, a second wall disposed opposite the first wall, a leading edge, a trailing edge disposed opposite the leading edge, and a first cavity. The first cavity is disposed between the first and second walls, and the leading and trailing edges. The cross-sectional geometry extends between a first and a second end, and the airfoil is formed from discontinuously reinforced aluminum.