Abstract: The present invention relates to a fixed-fixed membrane for a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphone. In one embodiment, a MEMS acoustic sensor includes a substrate; a membrane situated parallel to the substrate; and at least one vent formed into the membrane, wherein the at least one vent is a curved opening in the membrane, and wherein the at least one vent is disposed substantially along a length of the membrane.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a detector is provided. The detector includes an electromagnetic absorber, an electromagnetic reflector arranged spaced apart from the electromagnetic absorber, wherein the electromagnetic absorber is configured to absorb an electromagnetic radiation, the electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength defined based on a distance between the electromagnetic absorber and the electromagnetic reflector, and an actuating element configured to move the electromagnetic absorber from an equilibrium position bi-directionally relative to the electromagnetic reflector to change the distance, and wherein the detector is configured to determine a change in a property associated with the electromagnetic absorber in response to the electromagnetic radiation. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a method of controlling the detector is also provided.

Abstract: A data delivery system is disclosed in this specification. The system implements an authentication process that verifies data recipients using anonymised geospatial references. Verifying information for each user is stored in client accounts. A server system uses the information to process data requests and generate verification tags for data deliveries. The verification tags include an irreversible encoding of a delivery reference for receipt of a data delivery. Recipient client systems implement a compatible encoding process to generate a delivery authentication tag. The encoded authentication tags are compared to corresponding verification tags to validate data deliveries based on the location of the client system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for authentication using physical location, in an embodiment as a second factor in an authentication process. The method comprises the steps of obtaining verified location data based on an actual physical location of a verifying party. The actual physical location is anonymized by an anonymising process, in order to conceal the actual physical location. This allows use of the location data whilst protecting the privacy of the verifying party.