Abstract: A method is provided for operating an image generator, arranged to generate and to output signals for displaying image elements of a predefined set of image elements, each image element being defined by respective varying deflection signals. A colour change trigger is firstly defined comprising an additional image element defined by varying deflection signals different to varying deflection signals of an image element of the predefined set. Varying deflection signals of the defined colour change trigger are generated and output thereby to indicate a respective colour for use in displaying an image element of the predefined set. An image generator is also provided, configured to implement the method. A method is also provided for generating digital colour image data from signals output by such an image generator. A display system is also provided incorporating such an image generator together with a colour change trigger detector and scan converter.

Abstract: A device may receive a request for a contract associated with a project. The request may include a blockchain identifier for an organization associated with the project and a set of project requirements for the project. The device may generate the contract using information included in the request. The contract may include one or more conditions that are associated with the set of project requirements. The device may create one or more blocks in a blockchain using the one or more conditions of the contract and the blockchain identifier. The device may receive multimedia data associated with completion of a phase of the project. The device may verify whether the phase of the project is complete using metadata associated with the multimedia data. The device may perform one or more actions based on verifying whether the phase of the project is complete.

Abstract: A steering collar for deflecting a drill string in a borehole to cause the borehole to be drilled in a different direction. The steering collar surrounds a hollow drive shaft which is driven by the drill string. During normal drilling operations, the steering collar does not rotate with the drive shaft. The steering collar has three sets of pistons operated by the pressure of the drilling fluid, one set of which is pressure relieved. Drill fluid that is pumped down the drill string flows into the hollow drive shaft and through ports to activate the pistons which thereby force corresponding pads outwardly into contact with the sidewall of the borehole. Since the one set of pistons is pressure relieved, it does not force its pad against the borehole sidewall with as much pressure as the other two sets of pistons force their pads against the sidewall of the borehole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating image data for output to a display device such as a HUD or HMD for display and for the validating image data being output to an applicable standard. The image generator comprises an interfacing component, an image rendering component implementing at least one image rendering function and an integrity monitor. The interfacing component receives drawing commands from external systems defining an image to be displayed and derives rendering and other control commands according to a predefined command set recognisable by the image rendering component. The image rendering component generates a set of image data from received rendering commands in the predefined set. The integrity monitor includes a rendering simulator arranged to simulate the at least one image rendering function to generate a nominally identical set of image data from received drawing or rendering commands.

Abstract: A steering collar for deflecting a drill string in a borehole to cause the borehole to be drilled in a different direction. The steering collar surrounds a hollow drive shaft which is driven by the drill string. During normal drilling operations, the steering collar does not rotate with the drive shaft. The steering collar has three sets of pistons operated by the pressure of the drilling fluid, one set of which is pressure relieved. Drill fluid that is pumped down the drill string flows into the hollow drive shaft and through ports to activate the pistons which thereby force corresponding pads outwardly into contact with the sidewall of the borehole. Since the one set of pistons is pressure relieved, it does not force its pad against the borehole sidewall with as much pressure as the other two sets of pistons force their pads against the sidewall of the borehole.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an image generator, arranged to generate and to output signals for displaying image elements of a predefined set of image elements, each image element being defined by respective varying deflection signals. A colour change trigger is firstly defined comprising an additional image element defined by varying deflection signals different to varying deflection signals of an image element of the predefined set. Varying deflection signals of the defined colour change trigger are generated and output thereby to indicate a respective colour for use in displaying an image element of the predefined set. An image generator is also provided, configured to implement the method. A method is also provided for generating digital colour image data from signals output by such an image generator. A display system is also provided incorporating such an image generator together with a colour change trigger detector and scan converter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating image data for output to a display device such as an HUD or HMD defining pixels of an image for display. The image data for each pixel defines a predetermined background colour or a non-background colour. In an example implementation, the image generator comprises at least one image rendering module and a memory accessible by the at least one rendering module providing at least one frame buffer in which image data may be assembled. The at least one rendering module is arranged to process or to generate image data using a tile representation of an image for display, each tile comprising image data defining each of a predetermined number of pixels of the image.

Abstract: A device may receive a request for a contract associated with a project. The request may include a blockchain identifier for an organization associated with the project and a set of project requirements for the project. The device may generate the contract using information included in the request. The contract may include one or more conditions that are associated with the set of project requirements. The device may create one or more blocks in a blockchain using the one or more conditions of the contract and the blockchain identifier. The device may receive multimedia data associated with completion of a phase of the project. The device may verify whether the phase of the project is complete using metadata associated with the multimedia data. The device may perform one or more actions based on verifying whether the phase of the project is complete.

Abstract: A device may receive a request for a contract associated with a project. The request may include a blockchain identifier for an organization associated with the project and a set of project requirements for the project. The device may generate the contract using information included in the request. The contract may include one or more conditions that are associated with the set of project requirements. The device may create one or more blocks in a blockchain using the one or more conditions of the contract and the blockchain identifier. The device may receive multimedia data associated with completion of a phase of the project. The device may verify whether the phase of the project is complete using metadata associated with the multimedia data. The device may perform one or more actions based on verifying whether the phase of the project is complete.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating image data for output to a display device such as an HUD or HMD defining pixels of an image for display. The image data for each pixel defines a predetermined background colour or a non-background colour. In an example implementation, the image generator comprises at least one image rendering module and a memory accessible by the at least one rendering module providing at least one frame buffer in which image data may be assembled. The at least one rendering module is arranged to process or to generate image data using a tile representation of an image for display, each tile comprising image data defining each of a predetermined number of pixels of the image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating image data for output to a display device such as a HUD or HMD for display and for the validating image data being output to an applicable standard. The image generator comprises an interfacing component, an image rendering component implementing at least one image rendering function and an integrity monitor. The interfacing component receives drawing commands from external systems defining an image to be displayed and derives rendering and other control commands according to a predefined command set recognisable by the image rendering component. The image rendering component generates a set of image data from received rendering commands in the predefined set. The integrity monitor includes a rendering simulator arranged to simulate the at least one image rendering function to generate a nominally identical set of image data from received drawing or rendering commands.

Abstract: A method of installing a pressure transducer in a borehole to measure the fluid prepare of a geological formation. The pressure transducer is installed into the borehole at a desired depth, and then the borehole is filled with a cement grout. The fluid connection between the pressure transducer and the formation is opened by pumping a fluid through tubing to displace the cement grout. A process of hydrofracture can be employed to provide a communication path of fluid between the formation and the pressure transducer surrounded by the fractured grout. In one embodiment of the invention, a pressure transducer is cemented into the borehole along with a check and pressure relief valve. In another embodiment, the pressure transducer is installed in the tubing at a subsequent stage.

Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle comprising a platform (10) on which a user of the vehicle can stand, ground-engaging wheels (14, 15, 16) on which the platform (10) is supported, motor drive means, motor control means (20), a column (11) extending upwards from the platform (10) and a leg or thigh support rest (18) mounted on the column.

Abstract: A method of degassing a coal seam by directionally drilling a borehole in a rock formation that is adjacent the coal seam, or between two different coal seams. The borehole is then pressurized to fracture the adjacent coal seam(s) to enhance the permeability thereof and allow fluids to flow from the coal seam to the borehole and be extracted from the coal seam.

Abstract: A gas analysis system for determining the gas content of subterranean strata. A boring operation is commenced to form a borehole into or through a subterranean formation, such as a coal or shale formation to determine the gas content thereof. The drill fluid, cuttings and any desorbed gas is carried from the downhole location to surface analysing equipment in a closed system, so that the desorbed gases are not exposed to the air. The drill stem is capped or sealed at the surface, as well as the wellbore annulus to effectively seal the drill liquid, cuttings and desorbed gasses. The drill fluid, cuttings and desorbed gasses from the formation are coupled from the wellhead apparatus to the gas processing equipment via a closed system so that the constituents and volume of the gas can be determined.

Abstract: An electrical plug comprising: a connector body having a first and second axial end, the first axial end electrically connectable in use to a jack; a ferrule extending from the second axial end of the connector body, to which a cable is electrically and/or physically connectable in use; and an elongate sleeve rotatably mounted on the connector body and having a first and second axial end, wherein the first axial end of the sleeve has at least one bayonet slot for engagement, in use, with a respective lug of a jack, and the second axial end of the sleeve terminates at the second axial end of the connector body, such that the sleeve substantially encloses the connector body.

Abstract: Method of consolidating sand in a subterranean formation by contacting the sand in a first location in the presence of water with a slurry in a liquid medium of cement of average particle size less than 10 microns to produce a mixture including sand, water and cement, the slurry being injected into the formation to the location. A separation step is carried out in which a liquid hydrocarbon fluid is passed into the location to displace from the location at least some of the cement from the mixture. The volume ratio of liquid hydrocarbon fluid to the volume of the slurry injected to the formation is at least 5:1. The mixture is allowed to set to give permeable consolidated sand.

Abstract: A water supply system that supplies water to a plumbing system from either a mains supply, or an auxiliary supply. In a default state, a shuttle valve is pressure balanced and couples water from the mains supply to the plumbing system via mains inlet port and outlet port, and in another state the shuttle valve is pressure unbalanced and moved so that auxiliary water is coupled to the plumbing system via an auxiliary inlet port and the outlet port of the shuttle valve. Water is drawn from an auxiliary tank and coupled to the plumbing system when two conditions exist, namely when water is demanded, as sensed by flow sensor, and when water is available from the auxiliary supply, as sensed by float system. Water pressure at the auxiliary inlet port causes the shuttle to move from the default state and couple water from the auxiliary inlet port to the outlet port and thus to the plumbing system.

Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle comprising a platform (10) on which a user of the vehicle can stand, ground-engaging wheels (14, 15, 16) on which the platform (10) is supported, motor drive means, motor control means (20), a column (11) extending upwards from the platform (10) and a leg or thigh support rest (18) mounted on the column.