Abstract: A delivery and collection system comprises a plurality of automated locker assemblies, each comprising a plurality of contiguous lockers which are monitored and controlled by a central computer system. Each locker has an autonomous lock unit including a processor, memory and short range wireless transceiver which communicates with any of a plurality of mobile phones or other wireless devices. Customers of the system are granted access to the lockers by validation codes which are communicated via an enabling message from the central computer system to an app running on the customer's device. The app is configured to send an access request to the lock unit based on the enabling message, and to transmit event details downloaded from the lock unit back to the central computer system. Each enabling message may authorise the user device to perform multiple deliveries or collections or may be a one-time code.

Abstract: A delivery and collection system comprises a plurality of automated locker assemblies, each comprising a plurality of contiguous lockers which are monitored and controlled by a central computer system. Each locker has an autonomous lock unit including a processor, memory and short range wireless transceiver which communicates with any of a plurality of mobile phones or other wireless devices. Customers of the system are granted access to the lockers by validation codes which are communicated via an enabling message from the central computer system to an app running on the customer's device. The app is configured to send an access request to the lock unit based on the enabling message, and to transmit event details downloaded from the lock unit back to the central computer system. Each enabling message may authorise the user device to perform multiple deliveries or collections or may be a one-time code.

Abstract: We describe a brushless doubly fed machine (BDFM) comprising a stator having first and second sets of poles with p1, p2 respective numbers of pole pairs, and a rotor having (p1+p2) sets of electrically conducting loops. Each loop comprises a pair of conducting elements extending longitudinally along a direction of rotation of said rotor. Each said set of electrically conducting loops comprises at least first and second loops electrically connected in series with one another and at least one third loop configured to form a parallel load on said stator. An area encompassed by said third loop is less than an area encompassed by either of said first and second loops. Embodiments of this rotor design efficiently couple to two stator magnetic fields and suppress a space harmonic field.

Abstract: A cooling head for attachment to a skin treatment laser has a metal body with a mount at one end for attachment to a laser head to secure the metal body to the head. A cooling surface at the other end is for application to a patient's skin and has an aperture therethrough. A bore extends from the mount through the body to the aperture in the cooling surface to allow a laser beam to be passed therethrough to a treatment area of the patient's skin. An extraction port enables removal of debris from the treatment area and for connection to a vacuum source. An optically transparent window is disposed in the body to allow the treatment area to be viewed. A cooling means (liquid flow heat exchanger, Peltier device) enables heat removal from the body in use in order to cool the cooling surface. A method of skin treatment employs the cooling head to cool the area surrounding the treatment area to reduce pain and protect the skin of the patient.

Abstract: In a pair of spectacles using liquid crystal lenses, an electrical circuit, for controlling the optical transmission of the liquid crystal lenses, controls the amplitude and/or duty cycle of the voltage driving the lens so as to operate the liquid crystal lens in the transition region, between maximum and minimum optical densities.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens drive circuit for a pair of spectacles has user-controllable components which can be used to adjust a response time of the circuit to changes in ambient light and to adjust the particular response of the circuit to excess light above a threshold in accordance with a desired response characteristic. Momentary changes in the light level from the general ambient can be prevented from changing the optical density of the lenses unnecessarily, and individual preferences as to the darkening characteristics can be accommodated in a standard pair of spectacles.

Abstract: A cooling head for attachment a skin treatment laser has a metal body with a mount at one end for attachment to a laser head to secure the metal body to the head. A cooling surface at the other end is for application to a patient's skin and has an aperture therethrough. A bore extends from the mount through the body to the aperture in the cooling surface to allow a laser beam to be passed therethrough to a treatment area of the patient's skin. An extraction port enables removal of debris from the treatment area and for connection to a vacuum source. An optically transparent window is disposed in the body to allow the treatment area at the aperture in the cooling surface to be viewed by a surgeon using the laser. A cooling means such a liquid flow heat exchanger or Peltier device enables heat removal from the body in use in order to cool the cooling surface.