Abstract: A feedback assembly for computer games, the feedback assembly having an output means for delivering stimulation signals to stimulate muscles of part of a players body, an input means for receiving stimulation signals from a signal generator and an attachment means adapted to attach the output means to a part of the players body, wherein in use the output means is adapted to deliver stimulation signals in response to the activation signals received from the input means at predetermined times to represent events occurring in an activity involving the player.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the preparation of a foamed drink comprising the steps of: providing a capsule containing a foamable ingredient; providing a receptacle positioned to collect fluid escaping from the capsule; injecting liquid into the capsule to mix with the foamable ingredient; allowing the foamable ingredient mixed with the liquid to escape from the capsule into the receptacle; followed by injecting further liquid into the receptacle in a jet having a diameter of from about 0.5 to about 2 mm to produce foamed liquid in the receptacle. The invention also provides capsules, apparatus and systems specifically adapted for use in the method. Preferably, the food ingredient is a milk powder, and the method produces a hot foamed beverage such as a cappuccino coffee.

Abstract: An apparatus for the brewing of a beverage by transmission of an aqueous fluid through a sachet (4,16,39) containing a beverage brewing ingredient, the apparatus comprising: one or more injectors (14,63) to inject the acqueous fluid into the sachet (4, 16,39) during the brewing; and a clamp for the sachet, the clamp comprising one or more members (1,2,12,13,30,31,61) that are movable to open and close the clamp, the members having inner surfaces which in a closed position of the clamp define a cavity adapted to substantially enclose and support the sachet (4, 16, 39) during the brewing and further adapted to define a beverage exit pathway in a lower part of the cavity, and wherein the inner surface of a least one clamp member comprises at least one deformable region (3, 30,43) mounted on a support that is movable while the clamp is in the closed position, whereby the shape of the cavity or of the exit pathway can be changed while the clamp is in the closed position to provide a desired brewing configuration o

Abstract: A device for retaining articles including a support surface having a holding means which may be finger like projections and at least one holding zone defined by a space between adjacent holding means and whereby the adjacent holding means are adapted to hold an article in the holding zone.

Abstract: A device for supporting a wrist of a person operating a computer mouse or keyboard, the device includes a deformable body having a flexible enclosure which is at least partially filled with a flowable material such as a fluid, liquid or gel; and a support member being less deformable than said body, wherein the deformable body is movable relative to the support member. The support member may include a second enclosure containing a flowable material or alternatively a deformable solid material. Suitably, a flexible plate member is associated with the second enclosure in order to resist bunching thereof when the support device is in use.

Abstract: A feedback assembly for computer games, the feedback assembly having an output means for delivering stimulation signals to simulate muscles of part of a players body, an input means for receiving stimulation signals from a signal generator and an attachment means adapted to attach the output means to a part of the players body, wherein in use the output means is adapted to deliver stimulation signals in response to the activation signals received from the input means at predetermined times to represent events occurring in an activity involving the player.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for generating an interrupt signal in a data processing system, the interrupt signal being supplied to a control processor of the system to indicate the occurrence of any of a plurality of predetermined events in the system. The method and apparatus operate by: writing data to at least one memory location of a plurality of pairs of memory locations A,B of the system in dependence upon the event to be indicated, the pairs of memory locations A,B being predefined in the system for respective ones of the events; reading data from the pairs of memory locations A,B; processing the data read from each pair of memory locations A,B to generate interrupt data indicative of whether the associated event has occurred, and if so transmitting an interrupt signal to the control processor; and writing the interrupt data corresponding to the events to respective third memory locations C, the third memory locations C being predefined in the control processor for the events.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for generating an interrupt signal in a data processing system, the interrupt signal being supplied to a control processor of the system to indicate the occurrence of any of a plurality of predetermined events in the system. The method and apparatus operate by: writing data to at least one memory location of a plurality of pairs of memory locations A,B of the system in dependence upon the event to be indicated, the pairs of memory locations A,B being predefined in the system for respective ones of the events; reading data from the pairs of memory locations A,B; processing the data read from each pair of memory locations A,B to generate interrupt data indicative of whether the associated event has occurred, and if so transmitting an interrupt signal to the control processor; and writing the interrupt data corresponding to the events to respective third memory locations C, the third memory locations C being predefined in the control processor for the said events.

Abstract: Digital signal processing (e.g. filtering) apparatus comprises pipelined digital signal processing means for generating each output sample of an output digital signal from input samples of an input digital signal by combining the input samples with a plurality of subsets of a set of filter coefficients associated with that output sample during a respective plurality of sample periods of the input digital signal; and coefficient generating means for supplying sets of filter coefficients to the signal processing means in response to the current state of a filter control signal. The coefficient generating means is operable to supply the plurality of subsets of each set of filter coefficients to the signal processing means during the respective plurality of sample periods of the input digital signal.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides parallel processing apparatus comprising an array of data processors 4. arranged to operate synchronously, and a plurality of data buses. Each data processor 4 has first and second I/O means 16H, 16V for transfer of data between the processor 4 and respective data buses H,V a plurality of processors 4 being connected to each of the data buses H,V and each processor 4 being connected, via said I/O means 16H, 16V, to a different pair of data buses H,V. Each processor 4 includes selectively operable routing means 32H, 32V for interconnecting the first and second I/O means 16H, 16V to transfer data between the buses H,V connected thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for generating an interrupt signal in a data processing system, the interrupt signal being supplied to a control processor of the system to indicate the occurrence of any of a plurality of predetermined events in the system. The method and apparatus operate by: writing data to at least one memory location of a plurality of pairs of memory locations A, B of the system in dependence upon the event to be indicated, the pairs of memory locations A, B being predefined in the system for respective ones of the events; reading data from the pairs of memory locations A, B; processing the data read from each pair of memory locations A, B to generate interrupt data indicative of whether the associated event has occurred, and if so transmitting an interrupt signal to the control processor; and writing the interrupt data corresponding to the events to respective third memory locations C, the third memory locations C being predefined in the control processor.

Abstract: Digital signal processing (e.g. filtering) apparatus comprises pipelined digital signal processing means for generating each output sample of an output digital signal from input samples of an input digital signal by combining the input samples with a plurality of subsets of a set of filter coefficients associated with that output sample during a respective plurality of sample periods of the input digital signal; and coefficient generating means for supplying sets of filter coefficients to the signal processing means in response to the current state of a filter control signal. The coefficient generating means is operable to supply the plurality of subsets of each set of filter coefficients to the signal processing means during the respective plurality of sample periods of the input digital signal.