Abstract: A system for identifying an animal comprises an identification tag/transponder device surgically implanted into tissue of the animal and a scanning unit. As the animal passes in a vicinity of a scanning unit, the system causes the identification device to send a signal to a receiving portion of the scanning unit, and processes the signal, and identifies the animal from the signal. The system is of particular benefit to veterinary surgeries in assisting their smooth operation.

Abstract: A feeding mechanism for animals, particularly pets, comprises a scanner, microchip and means for regulation and provision of food. An animal identification means scans animal identification implants for an identification signal indicative of an animal. When an authorised animal is identified a storage hopper is activated to dispense a predetermined amount of animal feed into a bowl for the animal, when an unauthorised animal is detected close to the feed or the bowl, a repellent, such as a puff of gas, squirt of water, loud noise or other sudden stimulus or shock is generated, so as to frighten off the unauthorised (intruder) animal. In an alternative embodiment the invention also includes an exercise device, which has a projector arranged to shine an image at random over a given area. A sensing means determines how effective an animal is at the device and a score calculated. Upon reaching a given score the animal is rewarded with a treat, which may be food.

Abstract: A feeding mechanism for animals, particularly pets, comprises a scanner, microchip and means for regulation and provision of food. An animal identification means scans animal identification implants for an identification signal indicative of an animal. When an authorised animal is identified a storage hopper is activated to dispense a predetermined amount of animal feed into a bowl for the animal, when an unauthorised animal is detected close to the feed or the bowl, a repellent, such as a puff of gas, squirt of water, loud noise or other sudden stimulus or shock is generated, so as to frighten off the unauthorised (intruder) animal. In an alternative embodiment the invention also includes an exercise device, which has a projector arranged to shine an image at random over a given area. A sensing means determines how effective an animal is at the device and a score calculated. Upon reaching a given score the animal is rewarded with a treat, which may be food.

Abstract: A system for identifying an animal, comprising an identification tag/transponder device (4) surgically implanted into tissue of said animal and a scanning unit (5), wherein as said animal passes in the vicinity of a scanning unit, the system causes the identification device to send a signal to a receiving portion of said scanning unit, and including means to process said signal, and comparison means so as to identify the animal from said signal. The system is of particular benefit to veterinary surgeries in assisting their smooth operation.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for detecting underwater objects comprises an elongate array of ultrasound transmitter elements mounted substantially vertically and forward facing on the bow of the ship from which is transmitted a sequence of ultrasound wave pulses, with each pulse having a frequency and vertical beam angle which are different to the frequency and vertical beam angle of the preceding pulse in the sequence, the frequency being characteristic of the vertical beam angle and the vertical beam angle being controlled by using time delays between different transmitter elements, and an elongate array of ultrasound receiver elements mounted substantially horizontally on the bow of said ship with the receiver elements forward facing which receive any ultrasound waves reflected from objects in front of the ship, the output from the receiver elements being steered horizontally using time delays between different receiver element outputs and for each horizontal position of the beam of outputs, the outputs from th