Abstract: A method of monitoring hand washing by individuals comprises monitoring the movements of individuals in an area using one or more sensors, identifying the performance of an act by an individual that requires the hands of the individual to be washed and determining whether the hands of the individual are washed after the performance of the act, wherein the determining includes tracking the motion of that individual using the one or more sensors. Sensors comprising arrays of thermal detectors are preferred, but other types of sensor could be included.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying changes in behavior of a human subject comprises monitoring the movements of the subject within a space using one or more sensors, processing signals from the sensor(s) to determine values for one or more parameters associated with one or more patterns of behavior of the subject, using values for the one or more parameters accumulated over a period of time to establish one or more models of a typical pattern of behavior for the subject, monitoring the ongoing behavior of the subject to obtain current values for one or more of the parameters; and using the current values and the model(s) of a typical pattern of behavior to identify atypical behavior of the subject. An alert may be generated if the current value of one or more of the parameters is outside the acceptable limit(s). Advantageously low resolution thermal imagers are used so as to minimise intrusiveness and invasion of privacy.

Abstract: A method of monitoring hand washing by individuals comprises monitoring the movements of individuals in an area using one or more sensors, identifying the performance of an act by an individual that requires the hands of the individual to be washed and determining whether the hands of the individual are washed after the performance of the act, wherein the determining includes tracking the motion of that individual using the one or more sensors. Sensors comprising arrays of thermal detectors are preferred, but other types of sensor could be included.

Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus is capable of detecting and locating events, such as a fire or the appearance of an intruder, in a scene under surveillance. The apparatus comprises an array of detector elements, e.g. infrared detectors. The apparatus has two fields of view, namely a first field of view defined by a lens providing a single focussed image of a distant scene on the array and a second field of view defined by a reflector arranged between a plane of the array and a plane of the lens whereby to reflect onto the detector array radiation entering the lens from outside the first field of view. One or more processors are provided to distinguish events in the second field of view from those in the first field of view.

Abstract: A sensor comprising an array of detectors for e.g. infrared radiation of the type for use in security or surveillance application has means for identifying the entry of an object into a first selected area of a scene and means for generating a warning or alarm signal after a first predetermined period of time during which there is no movement of the body within the first selected area.

Abstract: When an array of thermal detectors with appropriate read-out means is used as a sensor to detect events such as intruders or fire, it may be disabled accidentally or deliberately by placing a mask over the array to shield it from the scene. The act of placing a mask over the array induces a simultaneous transient signal from all of the detectors, or at least a majority of the detectors, and is followed by a period when those detectors give rise only background noise or clutter. The characteristics of these signals is used to generate a warning signal to indicate that the sensor has been disabled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high speed transmission of data over a telephone line, wherein this high speed is achieved by simultaneously transmitting multiple bits of data over parallel frequencies rather than serially transmitting one bit of data at a time over one frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high speed transmission of data over a transmission line/medium/network telephone, wherein this high speed is achieved by simultaneously, or in a timed and marked relationship, transmitting multiple bits of data over parallel frequencies rather than serially transmitting one bit of data at a time over one frequency.