Abstract: Determining the viability of an egg by: (a) causing electromagnetic radiation, having one or more wavelengths in the infra-red part of the spectrum, to impinge upon the egg; (b) receiving at least a part of the infra-red radiation that has passed through the egg and generating an output signal representative of the received infra-red radiation; and (c) processing said output signal to determine whether there is a cyclical variation in the intensity of the infra-red radiation leaving the egg corresponding to action of a heart, the existence of said cyclical variation indicating that the egg is viable; wherein step (a) is performed by directing infra-red radiation so that it passes through the shell for reflection from an outer surface of a vascular structure adjacent an inner surface of said shell, and step (b) is performed by receiving any infra-red radiation so reflected.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a security device to determine if it is authorized to be used with a security system. First and second encryption keys are stored in the control panel and the security device. A challenge message is produced by encrypting, with the first key, a challenge index (such as a random number generated by the control panel). The challenge message is transmitted the security device, where the encrypted challenge index is extracted from the challenge message and then decrypted using the first key at the security device to produce a response index. A response message is produced by encrypting, with the second key, the response index decrypted by the security device. The response message is transmitted to the control panel, and the encrypted response index is extracted and then decrypted using the second key at the control panel to produce the response index. The control panel then compares the response index with the challenge index previously generated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combinded FOX and poly gate structure, for effectively reducing the trigger voltage of a conventional field device, for improving the robustness of a NMOS transistor of a small drive I/O circuit, and for improving the ESD performance of a stack-gate voltage tolerant I/O.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus in which movement of a weight by the user generates a vibration which acts on the muscles being exercised.

Abstract: A drive assembly for use with a mechanical flying or walking device comprises an articulated member (7) having first and second portions (7a, 7b) arranged such that the portions move relative to each other, and a drive mechanism (9) for imparting motion to the articulated member. The drive mechanism (9) comprises: a drive member for imparting a cyclic motion on the articulated member, and a control member for controlling, in a predetermined manner, the relative position of the first and second portions during each cycle of the cyclic motion of the articulated member. In the case of a mechanical flying device, two such drive assemblies may be provided, the articulated member of each assembly forming a wing.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for determining the viability of an egg, which apparatus (10) comprises shielding means (12, 14), emitting means (30) and detecting means (32), the arrangement being such that, in use, the shielding means (12, 14) inhibits exposure of an egg to background infra-red radiation, said emitting means (30) can emit electromagnetic radiation at infra-red wavelength(s) to impinge on the egg, and the detecting means (32) are positioned to detect at least a part of said electromagnetic radiation that has passed through the egg, the apparatus further comprising means for processing an output signal of the detecting means to determine whether there is a cyclical variation in the intensity of the infra-red radiation leaving the egg corresponding to action of a heart, the existence of said cyclical variation indicating that the egg is viable.

Abstract: A drinking straw (1) has a spherical transparent housing (2) formed part way up it in which there is a ball (3) which can be marked or decorated and when a drink is sucked up the straw (1) the ball (3) rotates.

Abstract: A device for opening a locked door or drawer, which device comprises; a) means for facilitating the insertion of a key into a lock; and b) means for rotating said key when inserted.

Abstract: A method of operating a control panel in a security system that includes a door entry security device in a housing suitable for mounting within a recess of a doorjamb or door of a premises. The control panel is programmed to register a system arm/disarm device and a door closure device, both with the same identification number, such that the control panel recognizes that identification number to be associated with a door entry security device. In the even that the control panel receives, while in an armed state, an alarm signal from a security device in the security system and then receives a system disarm message, then the control panel determines if the system disarm message was received from a system arm/disarm device that has been registered as a door entry security device.

Abstract: A method of tuning a dielectric resonator uses a ferroelectric element to change the dielectric resonator electric field and hence the resonance frequency of the dielectric resonator.

Abstract: Using an existing system of formatting for RF message transmission and receiving, additional information can be sent to an alarm control panel to sort classes of messages (and hence equipment) without changing hardware, RF or baseband timing, power levels, etc., and therefore not affect FCC rules and registration of many individual products. A plurality of security devices are programmed with a unique identification number by generating a series of initial serial numbers, and then applying a masking algorithm to the serial number. Only if the masking application provides a true result will the security device be programmed with that serial number. At installation, the serial number is obtained from the security device, and the masking algorithm is applied to the serial number. Depending on its use in the security system, registration is allowed only if the masking algorithm application provides a true result.

Abstract: A security system device including a single housing including at least a primary alarm sensor, an alarm verification unit, and processing circuitry. The primary alarm sensor is adapted to monitor a primary protected area and to generate a primary alarm signal when the primary alarm sensor is triggered. The alarm verification unit selectively provides verification information (e.g. video and/or audio signals) from at least part of the primary protected area to a central station monitor. The processing circuitry is adapted to generate an alarm enable signal when the primary alarm signal is generated. On the occurrence of an alarm enable signal, the processing circuitry generates an alarm detected signal and causes the alarm detected signal to be transmitted to a central station monitor, enables operation of the alarm verification unit, and enables transmission of the verification information from the protected area to the central station monitor.

Abstract: A combination telephone set (such as a cordless phone) and security system control device that has a first interface means for interfacing the control device with a security system bus, a second interface means for interfacing the control device with a telephone network such as the PSTN, and a user interface means with an input means for providing user control information to the control device, the input means including means for a user to switch the control device between a telephone mode and a security system mode, an output means for providing status data to a user regarding operation of the control device, and adapted to enable a user to communicate over the telephone network when the security device is in the telephone mode. Processing means controls operation of the control device, and is adapted to switch between a telephone mode and a security system mode on receipt of a user command from the input means.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns reward points from a plurality of independent reward points issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned reward points in a user reward point account stored on a rewards server (such as a frequent flyer account or a credit card loyalty account). A trading server accumulates some or all of the user's earned reward points from the reward servers and credits the accumulated points into a single reward exchange account associated with the user. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated reward points. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the reward points.

Abstract: A mirror assembly for an articulated vehicle (1, 2) incorporates an image sensor which detects a specific image on the trailer so that as the vehicle (1, 2) turns left the image sensor maintains the image in its field of view and the mirror is automatically adjusted to maintain the driver's view.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a compound semiconductor optoelectronic device is proposed. There are steps of: forming an optoelectronic device epitaxial wafer, the optoelectronic device epitaxial wafer containing a V-shaped pit due to threading dislocation; forming an insulated isolation material in the V-shaped pit of the optoelectronic device epitaxial wafer; and forming an electrode layer on the optoelectronic device epitaxial wafer having the insulated isolation material in the V-shaped pit for completing the optoelectronic device.

Abstract: A gateway module including a security system interface for interfacing with a security system control panel via a security system bus, a peripheral device interface for interfacing with a peripheral device, and processing circuitry for controlling operation. The processing circuitry transceives security system data to and from the security system interface, wherein the security system data is configured in a security system protocol suitable for communication with a security system control panel, and transceives peripheral device data to and from the peripheral device interface, wherein the peripheral device data is configured in a peripheral device protocol suitable for communication with a peripheral device. The processing circuitry is also adapted to translate security system data to peripheral device data, and also translate peripheral device data to security system data.

Abstract: A method for switching the Num Lock mode of a digital apparatus that is externally coupled with a keypad. When the Num Lock modes of digital apparatus and keypad are different, the keypad transfers the data including a combination code that combines a Num Lock code and a pressed key code to the digital apparatus firstly after any key of the keypad being pressed, and transfers the data including a Num Lock code to the digital apparatus secondly. The main objective of the method according to the present invention is temporally switching Num Lock mode and recovering back to the original mode of the digital apparatus, therefore the input operations of the keypad and the digital apparatus are quite independent and never collision each other.

Abstract: Equipment for cooling an HTS receive coil (4) in an MRI scanner to a temperature below the transition temperature of the HTS comprises a refrigeration unit such as a Stirling cooler (1) the cold head (2) of which is connected by a non-metallic thermally conductive rod (3) to the receive coil (4).

Abstract: A camera-enabled cell phone that is adapted to image a machine readable code such as a bar code, decode the bar code, send the bar code data over the Internet to a resolution server that will return an associated URL that will link the camera phone to content on an information server. Thus, by taking a picture of a bar code symbol, the camera phone will automatically retrieve content from the Internet that has been linked to that bar code.