Abstract: Described are examples of a method and a system for locating and identifying an object in a search space. The method may be used to determine the presence, identity and relative location of a consumable item. The method uses an array of RFID antennas to interrogate the search space in which one or more objects having an attached RFID tag may be present. The RFID antennas transmit RF signals into the search space and detect RFID reply signals from RFID tags. RFID antennas can be operated at different receiver sensitivity gains or transmit power gains to define additional cell locations within the search space. The identity and location of the objects is determined from the detected RFID reply signals. In various applications, the location is determined in a linear search space, a two-dimensional search space or a three-dimensional search space according to array configuration and gain implementation.

Abstract: A unit dose container for holding a single dose of a given liquid, the container comprising: a chamber (8) in which, in use, the given liquid is stored, the chamber having a wall through which, in use, the liquid is to be supplied; a release mechanism (7), at least part of which is internal to, or forms part of the wall of the chamber, the release mechanism being movable relative to the chamber between first and second positions; and means for allowing the release mechanism (7) to move from the first to the second positions, thereby opening a passage through the wall so that the liquid can exit the chamber (8), the means including at least one flexible wall portion.

Abstract: A droplet generation device comprising a reservoir split into at least two regions by a substantially liquid impermeable barrier, a perforate membrane connecting one of said regions, containing, in use, the liquid to be dispensed, to the atmosphere, such that vibration of the membrane causes the liquid to be ejected through the perforate membrane into the atmosphere, and a pressure control system consisting of one or more valves in which at least one valve vents gas into the reservoir in response to a pressure difference, ?Pin, across it that is less than zero, and at least one valve is connected to a non-liquid-containing region of the reservoir and vents gas out of the reservoir in response to a pressure difference, ?Pout, across it that is greater than ?Pin, where ?Pin and ?Pout are the absolute pressure of the gas in the reservoir minus the absolute atmospheric pressure outside of the reservoir.

Abstract: A hand-held debris blower including a blower tube and an associated ejector. The blower includes an airflow generator adapted to generate a primary airflow that is directed into a blower tube. A flow ejector is operable to selectively increase a working airflow provided by the blower by selectively entraining a secondary airflow within the primary airflow.

Abstract: A liquid droplet production apparatus includes a perforate membrane, with liquid being supplied to one side of the membrane. An actuator for vibrating the membrane is provided. The vibration causes liquid droplets to be ejected from the other side of the membrane. Magnetic force is used to connect the actuator to the membrane so that the vibration can be transmitted.

Abstract: A hand-held debris blower including a blower tube and an associated ejector. The blower includes an airflow generator adapted to generate a primary airflow that is directed into a blower tube. A flow ejector is operable to selectively increase a working airflow provided by the blower by selectively entraining a secondary airflow within the primary airflow.

Abstract: An electronic spray device comprising a spray generator and a spray controller for providing a drive signal to the spray generator, wherein the spray generator includes a perforate membrane which vibrates ultrasonically in response to the drive signal, said vibration causing liquid droplets to be ejected from one side of the perforate membrane, wherein the spray controller is adapted to modulate the drive signal sent to the spray generator, wherein such modulation of the drive signal is arranged to set the mean power level supplied to the spray generator to a target level.

Abstract: A droplet generation device comprising a reservoir split into at least two regions by a substantially liquid impermeable barrier, a perforate membrane connecting one of said regions, containing, in use, the liquid to be dispensed, to the atmosphere, such that vibration of the membrane causes the liquid to be ejected through the perforate membrane into the atmosphere, and a pressure control system consisting of one or more valves in which at least one valve vents gas into the reservoir in response to a pressure difference, ?Pin, across it that is less than zero, and at least one valve is connected to a non-liquid-containing region of the reservoir and vents gas out of the reservoir in response to a pressure difference, ?Pout, across it that is greater than ?Pin, where ?Pin and ?Pout are the absolute pressure of the gas in the reservoir minus the absolute atmospheric pressure outside of the reservoir.

Abstract: A fluid spray dispenser (2) having a fluid reservoir (20) for holding a fluid to be dispensed, a spray head (23) for dispensing the fluid and a porous medium (24) through which the fluid passes from the reservoir (20) to the spray head (23). The porous medium (24) has a pathway (25) or pathways located substantially adjacent the spray head (23) for the removal of air ingested into the porous medium (24) during spraying.

Abstract: A fluid spray dispenser (2) having a fluid reservoir (20) for holding a fluid to be dispensed, a spray head (23) for dispensing the fluid and a porous medium (24) through which the fluid passes from the reservoir (20) to the spray head (23). The porous medium (24) has an effective pore size and/or permeability that decreases towards the spray head (23). Means and methods of creating the pore size and/or permeability gradients are discussed.

Abstract: A unit dose container for holding a single dose of a given liquid, the container comprising: a chamber (8) in which, in use, the given liquid is stored, the chamber having a wall through which, in use, the liquid is to be supplied; a release mechanism (7), at least part of which is internal to, or forms part of the wall of the chamber, the release mechanism being movable relative to the chamber between first and second positions; and means for allowing the release mechanism (7) to move from the first to the second positions, thereby opening a passage through the wall so that the liquid can exit the chamber (8), the means including at least one flexible wall portion.

Abstract: A liquid droplet production apparatus comprising a perforate membrane (33,39), a means for supplying liquid to one side of the membrane, an actuator (31) for vibrating the membrane said vibration causing liquid droplets to be ejected from the other side of the membrane, in which magnetic force is used to connect the actuator to the membrane so that the vibration can be transmitted.

Abstract: A media transmission system and method for the transmission of a desired one of a plurality of broadcast media channels to a remote client over a data connection is disclosed. The system includes means for routing data for a first one of the broadcast media channels over the data connection to the remote client and means for routing data for an alternate one of the channels over the data connection following receipt of a channel change request from a user. This allows efficient use of a limited bandwidth data connection.

Abstract: An electronic spray device comprising a spray generator and a spray controller for providing a drive signal to the spray generator, wherein the spray generator includes a perforate membrane which vibrates ultrasonically in response to the drive signal, said vibration causing liquid droplets to be ejected from one side of the perforate membrane, wherein the spray controller is adapted to modulate the drive signal sent to the spray generator, wherein such modulation of the drive signal is arranged to set the mean power level supplied to the spray generator to a target level.

Abstract: A media transmission system and method for the transmission of a desired one of a plurality of broadcast media channels to a remote client over a data connection is disclosed. The system includes means for routing data for a first one of the broadcast media channels over the data connection to the remote client and means for routing data for an alternate one of the channels over the data connection following receipt of a channel change request from a user. This allows efficient use of a limited bandwidth data connection.

Abstract: A media transmission system and method for the transmission of a desired one of a plurality of broadcast media channels to a remote client over a data connection is disclosed. The system includes means for routing data for a first one of the broadcast media channels over the data connection to the remote client and means for routing data for an alternate one of the channels over the data connection following receipt of a channel change request from a user; this allows efficient use of a limited bandwidth data connection.

Abstract: A fluid spray dispenser (2) having a fluid reservoir (20) for holding a fluid to be dispensed, a spray head (23) for dispensing the fluid and a porous medium (24) through which the fluid passes from the reservoir (20) to the spray head (23). The porous medium (24) has a pathway (25) or pathways located substantially adjacent the spray head (23) for the removal of air ingested into the porous medium (24) during spraying.

Abstract: A fluid spray dispenser (2) having a fluid reservoir (20) for holding a fluid to be dispensed, a spray head (23) for dispensing the fluid and a porous medium (24) through which the fluid passes from the reservoir (20) to the spray head (23). The porous medium (24) has an effective pore size and/or permeability that decreases towards the spray head (23). Means and methods of creating the pore size and/or permeability gradients are discussed.

Abstract: A media transmission system and method for the transmission of a desired one of a plurality of broadcast media channels to a remote client over a data connection is disclosed. The system includes means for routing data for a first one of the broadcast media channels over the data connection to the remote client and means for routing data for an alternate one of the channels over the data connection following receipt of a channel change request from a user; this allows efficient use of a limited bandwidth data connection.