Abstract: A warehouse dock door control system (101) has a system controller (147), an interior side unit (144), an exterior side unit (142) comprising a key repository and a key detector. The key detector is configured to detect and identify a specific vehicle key having unique identification data associated therewith. The key detector is configured to detect the presence of the key within the key repository and to read the identification data associated therewith. The controller is configured to use the identification data to determine whether the vehicle key is an authorised vehicle key. In response to the determination, the controller communicates with the interior side unit to authorise opening of the dock door and controls the exterior side unit to secure the vehicle key in the key repository to inhibit removal therefrom until a signal is received indicating that a loading or unloading process is complete.

Abstract: A method of operation of a pet door system with a controllable lock and circuitry including a resonant circuit having an antenna and an element to vary the resonant frequency of the circuit according to a setting parameter, a drive circuit for driving the resonant circuit with a drive signal, and a demodulator, the method including a setting-up operation comprising varying the setting parameter while driving the resonant circuit at a first driving frequency, detecting a first value of the setting parameter at which the resonant circuit is substantially in tune while the resonant circuit is driven at the first driving frequency, and storing the first value of the setting parameter. The method further includes a reading operation comprising reading the first value, driving the resonant circuit at the first driving frequency with the setting parameter set to the first value, and attempting to derive data from the demodulator.

Abstract: A method of operation of a pet door system with a controllable lock and circuitry including a resonant circuit having an antenna and an element to vary the resonant frequency of the circuit according to a setting parameter, a drive circuit for driving the resonant circuit with a drive signal, and a demodulator, the method including a setting-up operation comprising varying the setting parameter while driving the resonant circuit at a first driving frequency, detecting a first value of the setting parameter at which the resonant circuit is substantially in tune while the resonant circuit is driven at the first driving frequency, and storing the first value of the setting parameter. The method further includes a reading operation comprising reading the first value, driving the resonant circuit at the first driving frequency with the setting parameter set to the first value, and attempting to derive data from the demodulator.

Abstract: A method of inputting one or more items of information to a data destination (21). The method comprises generating the item(s) of information at one or more data sources (25-28); and for each item of information transmitting the item of information to the data destination in a data packet; calculating a time stamp value in accordance with the time delay between generating the item of information and transmitting the data packet; encoding the time stamp value in the data packet; decoding the data packet at the data destination to retrieve the time stamp value; and calculating the time delay associated with the data packet in accordance with the retrieved time stamp value.

Abstract: A method of transmitting items of information from a plurality of data sources (25-28) to a data destination (9) over a common data channel.

Abstract: A device (10) for obtaining information relating to the relative positions of first and second members (11, 12), the first member (11) comprising at least three isolated electrically conducting parts (13-16), and the second member (12) being electrically conducting and adjacent to and capacitively coupled to the first member (11), the first and second members (11, 12) being relatively movable such that the proportions of each of the respective parts (13-16) of the first member (11) in overlapping relationship with the second member (12) may be varied, oscillator means (25) to provide a first waveform signal (26) to one of the parts (13-16) of the first member (11) and a second waveform signal (27) to another of the parts (13-16) of the first member (11), means (40) to analyze a signal arising in the capacitively coupled second member (12) to provide a device output signal (50) containing positional information and characterized in that a switch means (31) is provided whereby when the switch means (31) is in a

Abstract: An interactive system, comprising a local controller (8) operable to control data flow to and from at least two local handsets (11,22) for generating data. The local controller (8) includes a memory (28) for storing data and a processor. A central controller (1) is connectable to the local controller, and a display (12) is provided for displaying data locally from the central controller and the local controller. The local controller (8) stores data generated by each local handset and selectively transfers stored data to the central controller (1).

Abstract: An apparatus for the early detection of oncoming wind shear, without false indications arising through turbulence. A forward looking laser speed sensor (11) provides a signal (12) containing information on air velocity over a range of distances about a measurement distance (X). This is subject to spectrum analysis (15), to identify all velocities present in a time sample of the signal (12). These velocities are further processed (17) to establish the air velocity at substantially the measurement distance (X), and the highest and lowest velocities present over a distance range (L). A time sequence of results is combined to provide a wind shear hazard level for comparison with a hazard level limit computed (13) from the prevailing conditions.