Abstract: A camera module includes a front housing assembly having a lens and a lens holder, wherein the lens includes a plurality of optical elements, and wherein the lens holder includes a plurality of pins extending from a mating surface of the lens holder; an image sensor mounted to a substrate, wherein the substrate includes openings configured to receive the plurality of pins, and wherein the substrate is secured to the plurality of pins at a fixed position using solder, and wherein at the fixed position, the image sensor has optimal focus and alignment relative to the lens; and a back housing assembly attached to the front housing assembly via the mating surface of the lens holder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a telecommunications system. The system includes a mobile phone for use by a driver. A speed determination tool is provided for determining the speed of the mobile phone. The system also includes a telecommunications provider (e.g. Telstra) for inhibiting a function of the mobile phone when the determined mobile phone speed exceeds a predetermined speed. Advantageously, the driver's mobile phone has the function inhibited when the phone exceeds the predetermined speed, which is indicative of driving.

Abstract: A method of extending the useable life of a gas turbine component fabricated from a cobalt-based alloy is disclosed. The method includes applying a rejuvenation process to the alloy where the alloy is placed in a protected atmosphere and heated to three different elevated temperatures and held at the elevated temperatures for approximately four hours each. Application of the rejuvenation process allows gas turbine components to be returned to service for at least one more service interval of approximately 24,000 operating hours.

Abstract: A proximity detector for detecting the presence of a coin or token in a coin chute, comprising a pair of axially aligned coils disposed on opposed sides of the chute; a common-emitter amplifier having a base and a collector providing a detector output, one of the coils being connected to the collector and the other of the coils being connected to the base.

Abstract: A method of extending the useable life of a gas turbine component fabricated from a cobalt-based alloy is disclosed. The method includes applying a rejuvenation process to the alloy where the alloy is placed in a protected atmosphere and heated to three different elevated temperatures and held at the elevated temperatures for approximately four hours each. Application of the rejuvenation process allows gas turbine components to be returned to service for at least one more service interval of approximately 24,000 operating hours.

Abstract: A polishing machine for optical elements, comprising:—a spindle arranged to rotationally drive an optical element;—a polishing tool mobile relative to the spindle; wherein the polishing machine further comprises a platform mounted on top of a work chamber, the work chamber comprising the spindle, and the platform holding a body on which is mounted the polishing tool.

Abstract: A polishing machine for optical elements includes: —a spindle arranged to rotationally drive an optical element; —a polishing tool mobile relative to the spindle; —a front face provided with a door enabling the access to the spindle and to the polishing tool. The polishing tool is mounted on a body which is rotationally mounted on sliding members by way of a first axis, the sliding members being substantially perpendicular to the front face.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for counting moving objects in a digital video stream. In contrast to known computationally-expensive methods, areas of motion are determined by threshold subtracting a current video frame from a short term average video scene. An object box surrounding an object is determined by threshold subtracting the current video frame from a long term average video scene. Coordinates of the moving object are identified by associating the area of motion with the object box, if it overlaps the area of motion, to define a moving object box. An event counter can be incremented when the moving object box is in a buffer zone in the current frame, and was in a detection zone in an earlier frame, and was initially detected in a buffer zone on the opposite side of the detection zone.

Abstract: A polishing machine for optical elements includes: —a spindle arranged to rotationally drive an optical element; —a polishing tool mobile relative to the spindle; —a front face provided with a door enabling the access to the spindle and to the polishing tool. The polishing tool is mounted on a body which is rotationally mounted on sliding members by way of a first axis, the sliding members being substantially perpendicular to the front face.

Abstract: A polishing machine for optical elements, comprising:—a spindle arranged to rotationally drive an optical element;—a polishing tool mobile relative to the spindle; wherein the polishing machine further comprises a platform mounted on top of a work chamber, the work chamber comprising the spindle, and the platform holding a body on which is mounted the polishing tool.

Abstract: A skate wheel for an in-line skate includes a skate wheel hub having an inner hub, an outer rim, and, extending therebetween, a plurality of blade-form spokes. A skate tire is mounted upon an outer surface of the outer rim of the skate wheel hub. Opposed surfaces of adjacent blade-form spokes, in cooperation with opposed surfaces of the inner hub and the outer rim, define airflow passageways through the skate wheel. Each blade-form spoke includes a radially-aligned first spoke-edge surface exposed at a skate wheel face, a radially aligned opposite, second spoke-edge surface exposed in a region of a center plane defined by the skate wheel, and a body extending smoothly between the first and second spoke-edge surfaces. Also described are in-line skates with skate wheels of the disclosure, and skate wheel hubs for such skates.

Abstract: A skate wheel for an in-line skate has a skate wheel hub with an inner hub, an outer rim, and a plurality of blade-form spokes extending therebetween, and a skate tire mounted upon an outer surface of the skate wheel hub. Opposed surfaces of adjacent spokes, in cooperation with opposed surfaces of the inner hub and outer rim, define airflow passageways through the skate wheel. Each blade-form spoke has a radially-aligned first spoke-edge surface exposed at a first face of the skate wheel, a radially aligned opposite, second spoke-edge surface exposed at an opposite, second face of the skate wheel, and a blade-form body extending smoothly therebetween. The first and second spoke-edge surfaces are offset in a direction of travel of the skater by a predetermined arc of rotation of the skate wheel and hub. Also described are in-line skates with skate wheels of the disclosure, and skate wheel hubs for such skates.

Abstract: A method of personal locomotion including stepping onto first and second wheeled shoe accessories and engaging the first wheeled shoe accessory against a support surface to roll on the second wheeled shoe accessory in a desired direction at an angle to a normal walking direction. The wheeled shoe accessory includes a rigid board having a length sufficient to span a width of a shoe placed sideways across the board, with the board supporting at least an arch region of the shoe. At least one axle assembly is secured to a lower surface of the board. The user experience is similar to that of a skateboard, but with decoupled feet for individual maneuverability of each wheeled shoe accessory.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to regulating biological developmental process such as the biological functions involved in such developmental processes including growth and survival of an animal and particularly to methods of modifying the developmental processes and biological functions in cells. The invention also relates to methods of preventing and treating biological-development related conditions by regulating the developmental processes and modifying the biological functions in the cells.

Abstract: A wheeled shoe accessory specifically adapted for rolling in a direction other than a direction in which the user's shoes are oriented. The wheeled shoe accessory includes a rigid board having a length sufficient to span a width of a shoe placed sideways across the board, with the board supporting an arch region of the shoe. At least one axle assembly is secured to a lower surface of the board. The axle assembly includes an axle and at least one roller rotatably mounted on the axle. At least one releasable fastener is joined to the board and configured to secure the board to the shoe sole. The user experience is similar to that of a skateboard, but with decoupled feet for individual maneuverability of each wheeled shoe accessory.

Abstract: A monolithic sequential coupling arrangement has two or more fused biconic couplers joined with one common optical fiber which is not spliced. The couplers are close together in a space-saving relationship exhibiting a relatively low polarization dependent loss. The non-fused fiber portions in the arrangement have each at least one adiabatic taper.

Abstract: An interface circuit 13 is provided for a display apparatus 3 such as a television. The display apparatus 3 comprises a video signal processing circuit 8 for processing a composite video signal to derive color component signals having variable black and white levels; a linear amplifier 10 for amplifying the color component signals; and a display device 4 such as a CRT driven by the output of the linear amplifier 10. The interface circuit 13 is provided to interface the color component signals with a digital signal processor 14. The interface circuit 13 includes a modification circuit 22 arranged to perform a modification of voltage levels of the color component signals and to output the modified color component signals to the digital signal processor 14 via an A/D convertor 18.

Abstract: Shoes with various configurations of rollers secured to one region of their soles for rolling, while leaving another sole region exposed for walking. The rollers are mounted to rotate about an axle defining a primary axis of rotation extending at an angle of between about zero and 45 degrees to the walking direction, as viewed from above the shoe, for rolling sideways along a support surface. This provides a combined running-rolling method of locomotion, by running on the exposed sole surfaces, and then jumping into a “surfing” stance for rolling. In some cases, the rollers are mounted on steerable truck assemblies. One particularly small truck assembly includes wedge-shaped bushings for steering compliance.

Abstract: A connector arrangement for use in a fuel system, the connector arrangement comprising a bridge member shaped for cooperation with at least first and second members to be connected to a housing, and a clamp arrangement for clamping the bridge member to the housing, the bridge member transmitting a clamping load from the clamp means to the first and second members. The invention also relates to a connector arrangement comprising a plurality of high pressure fuel pipes which are supplied with fuel from a common inlet passage, the common inlet passage being arranged, in use, to receive fuel from a high pressure fuel supply. Each of the pipes comprises one or more outlet region which is connectable with an inlet region of a respective injector forming part of the fuel system to permit high pressure fuel to be supplied to said injector.

Abstract: A conductive roller for use in a laser printer includes a solid, thermoset urethane comprising a metal salt and having a hardness of between 30 Shore A and 50 Shore A on cube and a volume resistivity of 1E6 ohm-cm and 9E8 ohm-cm.