Abstract: There is presented a screening system and a corresponding method for screening an item. The screening system includes a detection apparatus (100), a rotatable platform (310) to receive the item, and a mechanical arrangement (320, 330). The detection apparatus has an emitter portion to generate a primary beam of ionising radiation and a detector portion to detect an absorption signal and at least one of a diffraction signal and a scattering signal. The mechanical arrangement is adapted to translate the detection apparatus along a translation axis to scan the item with the primary beam. The screening system may be used for identifying restricted or illicit substances that may be present in some luggage or in mail.

Abstract: There is presented a screening system and a corresponding method for screening an item. The screening system includes a detection apparatus (100), a rotatable platform (310) to receive the item, and a mechanical arrangement (320, 330). The detection apparatus has an emitter portion to generate a primary beam of ionising radiation and a detector portion to detect an absorption signal and at least one of a diffraction signal and a scattering signal. The mechanical arrangement is adapted to translate the detection apparatus along a translation axis to scan the item with the primary beam. The screening system may be used for identifying restricted or illicit substances that may be present in some luggage or in mail.

Abstract: An electric guitar comprising a rotatable disc positioned underneath the guitar strings and comprising a plurality of attachment points; at least one pic comprising a body configured to be received by an attachment point of the rotatable disc and a flexible wire member extending from the body away from the rotatable disc; drive means configured to rotate the rotatable disc relative to the guitar body such that each time the at least one pic passes the at least one string it engages therewith causing the at least one string to vibrate and the at least one pickup generates an electrical signal; and an output jack for outputting the electrical signal to an amplifier.

Abstract: A sample inspection system and a corresponding method for inspecting a sample is provided. The sample inspection system includes a beam former, a beam modulator an energy resolving detector and a collimator. The beam former is adapted to receive an electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic source to generate a primary beam of electromagnetic radiation. The beam modulator is provided at a distance from the beam former to define a sample chamber. The collimator is provided between the beam modulator and the energy resolving detector. The collimator has a plurality of channels adapted to receive diffracted or scattered radiation. Upon incidence of the primary beam onto the beam modulator, the beam modulator provides a reference beam of diffracted or scattered radiation. The energy resolving detector is arranged to detect the reference beam.

Abstract: A sample inspection system and a corresponding method for inspecting a sample is provided. The sample inspection system includes a beam former, a beam modulator an energy resolving detector and a collimator. The beam former is adapted to receive an electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic source to generate a primary beam of electromagnetic radiation. The beam modulator is provided at a distance from the beam former to define a sample chamber. The collimator is provided between the beam modulator and the energy resolving detector. The collimator has a plurality of channels adapted to receive diffracted or scattered radiation. Upon incidence of the primary beam onto the beam modulator, the beam modulator provides a reference beam of diffracted or scattered radiation. The energy resolving detector is arranged to detect the reference beam.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for generating a hybrid on screen display are described. A background image portion of a user interface is generated at a switching device. Video data representing the background image portion of the user interface is transmitted to a user station of a user console. The video data is modified at the user station as it is received using video data representing a user interface element that is specific to the user station. A customized user interface is displayed on a display device attached to the user station.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transmitting digital video data and auxiliary data over a four twisted wire pair cable, and systems using such apparatus, are described. A first, second and third digital video color signal and a digital video timing signal are transmitted using differential mode signalling over a first, second, third and fourth twisted wire pair of a cable. Auxiliary data is sent over a data channel using common mode signalling over a first pair of the four twisted wire pairs of the cable. A common mode choke can be used to add or remove a signal sent using the common mode signalling from a pair of wires also used to transmit one of the digital video color or digital video timing signals.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for generating a hybrid on screen display are described. A background image portion of a user interface is generated at a switching device. Video data representing the background image portion of the user interface is transmitted to a user station of a user console. The video data is modified at the user station as it is received using video data representing a user interface element that is specific to the user station. A customised user interface is displayed on a display device attached to the user station.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transmitting digital video data and auxiliary data over a four twisted wire pair cable, and systems using such apparatus, are described. A first, second and third digital video colour signal and a digital video timing signal are transmitted using differential mode signalling over a first, second, third and fourth twisted wire pair of a cable. Auxiliary data is sent over a data channel using common mode signalling over a first pair of the four twisted wire pairs of the cable. A common mode choke can be used to add or remove a signal sent using the common mode signalling from a pair of wires also used to transmit one of the digital video colour or digital video timing signals.

Abstract: There is provided video switching circuitry for use in a KVM switch and similar devices. Video signal switching circuitry can supply video signals from a one of a plurality of video sources connected to the circuit to a display device connected to the circuit. The high data signalling rate signals are converted into a greater number of lower data signalling rate signals for switching by a bus architecture. Also provided are video display systems in which analogue and digital video signals are switched synchronously to allow them to be displayed on common or separate display devices. Also described is a high-resolution monitor digital video data switching device.

Abstract: A video switch for allowing at least two users to view video data from respective ones of at least two video sources. The video switch comprises a switch for selecting one of the at least two video sources and at least one sampler connected to the switch. The sampler is for sampling video data from the at least two video sources. The video switch further comprises a controller for controlling the switch and sampler to select one of the at least two video sources and sample a frame of video data. An output is provided for transmitting video data to one of the at least two users. The output supports a maximum number of simultaneous users which is at least two, and the number of samplers in the video switch is less than the maximum number of simultaneous users. A video switch according to the present invention allows a sampler for capturing video data to be shared between at least two simultaneous users. This reduces the cost, size and complexity of the hardware required to implement a video switch.

Abstract: There is provided video switching circuitry for use in a KVM switch and similar devices. Video signal switching circuitry can supply video signals from a one of a plurality of video sources connected to the circuit to a display device connected to the circuit. The high data signalling rate signals are converted into a greater number of lower data signalling rate signals for switching by a bus architecture. Also provided are video display systems in which analogue and digital video signals are switched synchronously to allow them to be displayed on common or separate display devices. Also described is a high-resolution monitor digital video data switching device.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and methods for transmitting video and audio data over twisted pairs are described. A differential signal that contains video color information is transmitted over each twisted pair. Data representing digital samples of at least one audio signal is transmitted on two or more of the twisted pairs as a common mode signal.

Abstract: A video switch for allowing at least two users to view video data from respective ones of at least two video sources. The video switch comprises a switch for selecting one of the at least two video sources and at least one sampler connected to the switch. The sampler is for sampling video data from the at least two video sources. The video switch further comprises a controller for controlling the switch and sampler to select one of the at least two video sources and sample a frame of video data. An output is provided for transmitting video data to one of the at least two users. The output supports a maximum number of simultaneous users which is at least two, and the number of samplers in the video switch is less than the maximum number of simultaneous users. A video switch according to the present invention allows a sampler for capturing video data to be shared between at least two simultaneous users. This reduces the cost, size and complexity of the hardware required to implement a video switch.

Abstract: Devices for reducing and determining the skew between colour video signals transmitted over at least two different video cables are described. A KVM extender including such devices is also described. The skew reduction device includes a plurality of video signal transmission tracks selectably connectable to each of the video cables to increase the video signal transmission path length so as to more closely matching the total video signal path length for each of the colour video signals. The skew determination device comprises a processing device, a signal generator for applying measuring signals to each of the video signal cables and signal detection circuitry to receive measuring signals transmitted over the video signal cables. Detection signals are output to the processing device which is programmed to determine an indication of the transmission path length difference between the video signal cables.

Abstract: There is provided video switching circuitry for use in a KVM switch and similar devices. Video signal switching circuitry can supply video signals from a one of a plurality of video sources connected to the circuit to a display device connected to the circuit. The high data signalling rate signals are converted into a greater number of lower data signalling rate signals for switching by a bus architecture. Also provided are video display systems in which analogue and digital video signals are switched synchronously to allow them to be displayed on common or separate display devices. Also described is a high-resolution monitor digital video data switching device.