Abstract: Documents having a structured nature such as contracts, legislation, etc. can be graphically depicted to emphasize their logical structure. A document map may graphically show clauses of a document as nodes with the requirements of the clause as branch structures from the nodes. The requirement elements of a clause may be logically linked by a logical operator for the clause, such as AND, OR, NOT etc. Each requirement element may include a validation field that allows a user to indicate whether a requirement has been validated. Validation of the clause can be calculated based on the validation field values, typically Boolean values, and based on the logical operator. The validation map may be used to determine compliance with a document, costs of compliance, etc.

Abstract: An audio amplifier circuit has a first cascode stage configured as a voltage gain stage and having an input for an audio signal, and an output. The circuit has a second cascode stage configured as a unity gain or near unity gain stage and having an input to receive an output from the first cascode stage, and a low impedance output to drive an output stage of an audio power amplifier. The first cascode stage has a first, input transistor having an input biased to a predetermined bias voltage, and a second, output transistor arranged to drive the second cascode stage. The first, input transistor of the first cascode stage may have a common-emitter configuration, and the second, output transistor may have a common-base configuration. The invention extends to an audio amplifier which includes a circuit of the invention.

Abstract: A computer system for offering property for exchange over a computer network includes a master database for storage of information pertaining to the property that is located on at least one master server which can be accessed by an exchangee, e.g. through a browser. The system further includes local agent databases which store information pertaining to property offered for exchange by a particular exchanger. An agent server accesses the master server so as to transfer information stored on an agent database to the master database. The computer system also includes an exchange management program adapted to record information relating to the stages of exchange of property between the exchanger and the exchangees, wherein the exchangees access the master server and request particular information from the master database pertaining to the property.

Abstract: Documents having a structured nature such as contracts, legislation, etc. can be graphically depicted to emphasize their logical structure. In a document mapping method, a set of logical operator classes each representing a logical operator may be defined. Each logical operator class may also have a dedicated mapping symbol. Through a mapping interface, logically structured document sections may be mapped. Each document section will typically include a logical operator and one or more requirements logically associated with the logical operator. The mapping symbol may depict the logical operator in a node structure and the unique requirements in branch structures extending from the logical operator node. Multiple document sections may be graphically and logically linked, including embedding document structures within the requirement fields of parent structures. The document map may be used to determine compliance with a document, costs of compliance, etc.

Abstract: A charge detector includes an outer housing having an entrance aperture. Within the housing is disposed a charge capture element that is electrically isolated from the outer housing. The charge capture element includes a plurality of apertures, such as provided by a mesh, and a conductive surface facing substantially away from the entrance aperture.

Abstract: An ion source (10) for producing a beam of ions from a plasma is disclosed. A plasma is created at the center of an annular anode (12) by collisions between energetic electrons and molecules of an ionisable gas. The electrons are sourced from a cathode filament (11) and are accelerated to the anode (12) by an applied electric potential. A magnetic field having an axis aligned with the axis of the anode acts to concentrate the flow of electrons to the center of the anode (12). The ionisable gas is introduced into the ion source (10) at the point of concentrated electron flow. Ions created in the resultant plasma are expelled from the ion source as an ion beam centered on the axis of the magnetic field. The surfaces of the anode are coated with an electrically conductive non-oxidising layer of Titanium Nitride to prevent a build up of an insulating layer on the anode.