A method of encoding an input video signal for communication over a computer network, the method comprising the steps of: i) applying a three-dimensional wavelet-based temporal and spatial decomposition to produce a plurality of spatio-temporal subbands; ii) quantizing the coefficients of the spatio-temporal subbands with a uniform scalar quantizer to produce a significance map; and iii) run-length and adaptive arithmetic coding of the signal by encoding the significance map, encoding the signs ...

A novel medium, method and system for proving a turbine meter for use with natural gas. The novel test medium is a gas having the following characteristics: (a) Density>2.times.Density of Natural Gas; (b) Dynamic Viscosity<Dynamic Viscosity of Natural Gas; and (c) Ideal gas behavior for approximately 15.degree. C.<T<25.degree. C. and 1 bar<P<50 bar. The method and system make use of the novel test medium. Also disclosed is a novel method and system for cooling a test medium cir...

The present invention relates generally to the field on antennas and more specifically, to a low profile horizontally polarized sector antenna. The antenna includes a printed circuit board that has a dielectric substrate provided with a pair of first and second opposed faces and at least one dipole element formed on the dielectric substrate. The at least one dipole element has a pair of first and second, oppositely extending, dipole arms. The first dipole arm is formed on the first face of the d...

A package restraint system wherein a plurality of straps are secured around an item in a container for shipping purposes. A plurality of frictional pads and a plurality of flaps attached to the inner surfaces of the container further restrict any movement of the item in the container.

A method of making plastic materials, such as plastic lumber, wherein recyclable plastics are sorted into at least two categories and the recyclable plastics in each category are then shredded and chipped, extruded, and mixed with selected colour concentrates to produce the plastic materials of a selected colour. This invention allows for the control of the selected colour to enable replication of such colour of the plastic materials, regardless of any variation in colour of the recycled plastic...

A slot antenna comprising: a first and second boards each having an edge attached to respective opposite edges of a center board to form an essentially C-shaped open-ended channel having an inner surface and an outer surface; the center board having a slot for radiating signals defined in an electrically conductive layer bonded to an outer surface thereof and an electrically conductive feed line bonded to an inner surface thereof; the slot having a drive point being a portion of the feed line un...

A bale moistening and handling apparatus including: an open-topped tank for containing liquid for moistening bales; means for gripping at least one bale; a boom, the boom having a first end and a second end, the bale gripping means mounted on the boom proximate to the first end; a mast, the mast adapted to slidably carry the second end of the boom, the mast operable to rotate about its longitudinal axis; and, means for operating the bale gripping means, the boom, and the mast; wherein a bale loc...

A self-extracting service module for piping infrastructures comprises a platform on which is mounted equipment for controlling and or monitoring the flow of liquid or gaseous media throughout the piping infrastructures. A first remote-controllable pipe coupling system is interconnected with the equipment inlet and a second pipe coupling system is interconnected to the equipment outlet. The pipe coupling systems are remotely manipulable for engaging and disengaging the equipment with piping infra...

A raising and lowering device, particularly suitable for incapacitated human or animal patients. The device includes a load carrying support having at least one elongated arm including a proximal end section and distal end section. The arm is pivotable on the device at the proximal end section and movable by pivoting between an operating position in which the support is positioned for carrying said load, and a stored position in which the arm forms a graspable handle allowing an operator to carr...

A road shoulder working, grooming and compacting apparatus is configured to demountably cooperate with self-propelled operator-controlled machines. The apparatus comprises a first component for controllably working an outer portion of a road shoulder region to urge granular aggregate materials therefrom toward and onto a road surface, a second component positioned posterior to the first component and vertically movable between disengaged and engaged positions for controllably transferring granul...