Abstract: Wavefront sensing apparatus comprises a beam splitter (106) for combining a wavefront to be characterised (105) with a frequency-shifted plane wavefront (111) and a bundle of optical fibres (112) arranged to detect the combined beam at a plurality of positions across the combined beam. Output from individual fibres of the bundle are detected to produce corresponding heterodyne signals, the phases of which are extracted by demodulation. By fitting the extracted phases to an assumed functional form for the phase of the wavefront to be characterised, the piston, tip, tilt and radius of curvature phase parameters of the wave-front to be characterised may be found at the position of the fibre bundle. In contrast, prior art methods of wavefront characterisation only allow the piston phase of the wavefront to be characterised to be obtained.

Abstract: A networked interactive expert system is disclosed for selectively providing relevant expertise when a user requires such assistance. System provides a set of networked facilities for determining an expertise needed by a customer based on a location. Such location can be either physical or logical. A physical “location” corresponds, for example, to a department within a retail outlet. Examples of logical “locations” are ones corresponding to a web-page, a product identification code of interest, a customer identification code, and/or explicit knowledge category selected by the customer. An expert studio, from a list of expert studios providing expertise corresponding to the identified location associated with the customer's request, is matched up with the request. Thereafter, a primary connection, supporting an interactive videoconference session, is established between a first networked node associated with the customer and a second networked node associated with the designated expert studio.

Abstract: A method of polishing objects using an apparatus comprised of a rotary positioning device comprising a turret; a base mounted on the turret; a drive wheel connected to a rotatable shaft, the drive wheel having a perimeter, and the rotatable shaft disposed in a housing. The polishing wheel assembly may include an elongated arm including a proximal end joined to the base, and a distal end; a rotatable polishing wheel supported at the end of the elongated arm; and a polishing belt comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface engageable with the perimeters of the drive wheel and the polishing wheel. The method is comprised of contacting the outer surface of the polishing belt to a contact region of the surface of the object; and controlling the contact region by rotating the elongated arm around the turret axis.

Abstract: A networked interactive expert system is disclosed for selectively providing relevant expertise when a user requires such assistance. System provides a set of networked facilities for determining an expertise needed by a customer based on a location. Such location can be either physical or logical. A physical “location” corresponds, for example, to a department within a retail outlet. Examples of logical “locations” are ones corresponding to a web-page, a product identification code of interest, a customer identification code, and/or explicit knowledge category selected by the customer. An expert studio, from a list of expert studios providing expertise corresponding to the identified location associated with the customer's request, is matched up with the request. Thereafter, a primary connection, supporting an interactive videoconference session, is established between a first networked node associated with the customer and a second networked node associated with the designated expert studio.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the detection of misuse of an identity during an electronic transaction. The invention comprises at least five embodiments. In a first embodiment, the method comprises the step of: receiving a notification to authenticate the use of an identity at a first location, wherein the identity is associated with a first wireless terminal; determining an approximate location of the first wireless terminal based on cached position information, the approximate location of the first wireless terminal being a second location; determining whether the first and second locations match in geographical proximity; and generating an alert if the first and second locations do not match in geographical proximity. In a second embodiment, an approximate location of the first wireless terminal is determined based on cached position information stored on a GPS position database.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product creates an index based on accounting based data, as well as a portfolio of financial objects based on the index where the portfolio is weighted according to accounting based data. A passive investment system may be based on indices created from various metrics. The indexes may be built with metrics other than market capitalization weighting, price weighting or equal weighting. Non-financial metrics may also be used to build indexes to create passive investment systems. Additionally, a combination of financial non-market capitalization metrics may be used along with non-financial metrics to create passive investment systems. Once the index is built, it may be used as a basis to purchase securities for a portfolio.

Abstract: An aircraft noise reduction apparatus is provided which includes an aircraft landing gear assembly and a noise reduction fairing 12. The landing gear assembly comprises a landing gear 10 arranged to be moveable between a stowed position and a fully deployed position. The noise reduction fairing 12 may comprise a wrap-around fairing which, when the landing gear 10 is in its fully deployed position, wraps around the landing gear 10 and extends along the majority of the length of a landing gear leg 11. A landing gear bay door assembly 16, 17 comprising at least one door may also be provided. The fairing 12 may have a recess 24 for accommodating one of landing gear bay doors when the door 16 is in its fully open position.

Abstract: A method of polishing objects using an apparatus comprised of a rotary positioning device comprising a turret; a base mounted on the turret; a drive wheel connected to a rotatable shaft, the drive wheel having a perimeter, and the rotatable shaft disposed in a housing. The polishing wheel assembly may include an elongated arm including a proximal end joined to the base, and a distal end; a rotatable polishing wheel supported at the end of the elongated arm; and a polishing belt comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface engageable with the perimeters of the drive wheel and the polishing wheel. The method is comprised of contacting the outer surface of the polishing belt to a contact region of the surface of the object; and controlling the contact region by rotating the elongated arm around the turret axis.

Abstract: A wiper system for a vehicle includes a frame supported by the vehicle and a wiper motor supported by the frame. The wiper system further includes a wiper arm coupled to the wiper motor and configured to be driven by the wiper motor to move in a reciprocating pattern. A water blocking member is wrapped around a portion of the frame to prevent water running along the frame from reaching the wiper motor. The blocking member is flexible and has separate free ends to enable assembly with the frame. A method of assembling the wiper system includes pressing the water blocker onto the frame at a location away from spaced apart ends of the frame.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus comprising a base for affixing structures thereto, a drive wheel, a polishing wheel assembly, a polishing belt, and at least one routing wheel engaged with the polishing belt. The polishing wheel assembly includes an elongated arm including a distal end, and a rotatable polishing wheel supported at the distal end of the elongated arm. The polishing belt is made with an abrasive outer surface to perform the polishing, and an inner surface for engagement with the perimeters of the drive wheel and the polishing wheel. The routing wheel is engaged with the outer surface of the polishing belt, such that the contact arc of the polishing belt with the polishing wheel differs from an arc of the polishing wheel perimeter extending from a first tangent line between the drive wheel and the polishing wheel to a second tangent line between the drive wheel and the polishing wheel.

Abstract: A fire resistant composition comprising: a silicone polymer; mica in an amount of from 5% to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the composition; and a limited amount of glass additive sufficient to enable the formation of a self supporting ceramic material at temperatures above the decomposition temperature of the silicone polymer and below the fire rating temperature of the composition. The glass additive addition required to produce the self supporting ceramic material has been found to be preferably from 0.3% to 8% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. The composition is applicable to products formed for fire wall linings, fire partitions, screens, ceilings or linings, structural fire protection, fire door inserts, window or door seals, intumescent seals, in electrical switchboard cabinets or cables. In one cable application, the composition may be used as the extruded intermediate material (2) between the conductor (3) and extruded sheath (4).

Abstract: A passive investment system based on indices created from various metrics is disclosed. The indexes may be built with metrics other than market capitalization weighting, price weighting or equal weighting. These metrics may include, but are not limited to book value, sales, revenue, earnings, earnings per share, income, income growth rate, dividends, dividends per share, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, etc. Non-financial metrics may also be used to build indexes to create passive investment systems. Additionally, a combination of financial non-market capitalization metrics may be used along with non-financial metrics to create passive investment systems. Once the index is built, it may be used as a basis to purchase securities for a portfolio. As the data underlying the indexes changes because of, e.g., economic activity, the index may be updated and may be used as a basis to rebalance the portfolio.

Abstract: This invention relates to a ranging apparatus capable of ranging simultaneously to a three dimensional scene. An illumination means (22) illuminates a scene with a two dimensional array of spots (12). A detector (6) is located near to the illumination means (22) and arranged to look toward the scene. A processor (7) responds to the output from the detector (6) and, from the location of a spot in the image of the scene, determines the range to that spot. A variety of techniques are used to resolve ambiguity in determining which projected spot is being considered.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the detection of misuse of an identity during an electronic transaction. The invention comprises at least five embodiments. In a first embodiment, the method comprises the step of: receiving a notification to authenticate the use of an identity at a first location, wherein the identity is associated with a first wireless terminal; determining an approximate location of the first wireless terminal based on cached position information, the approximate location of the first wireless terminal being a second location; determining whether the first and second locations match in geographical proximity; and generating an alert if the first and second locations do not match in geographical proximity. In a second embodiment, an approximate location of the first wireless terminal is determined based on cached position information stored on a GPS position database.

Abstract: A networked interactive expert system is disclosed for selectively providing relevant expertise when a user requires such assistance. System provides a set of networked facilities for determining an expertise needed by a customer based on a location. Such location can be either physical or logical. A physical “location” corresponds, for example, to a department within a retail outlet. Examples of logical “locations” are ones corresponding to a web-page, a product identification code of interest, a customer identification code, and/or explicit knowledge category selected by the customer. An expert studio, from a list of expert studios providing expertise corresponding to the identified location associated with the customer's request, is matched up with the request. Thereafter, a primary connection, supporting an interactive videoconference session, is established between a first networked node associated with the customer and a second networked node associated with the designated expert studio.

Abstract: A cruise control system for a vehicle includes an electronic stability unit having a deceleration arrangement for generating a target deceleration signal based on wheel speed and cruise control signals.

Abstract: A networked interactive expert system is disclosed for selectively providing relevant expertise when a user requires such assistance. System provides a set of networked facilities for determining an expertise needed by a customer based on a location. Such location can be either physical or logical. A physical “location” corresponds, for example, to a department within a retail outlet. Examples of logical “locations” are ones corresponding to a web-page, a product identification code of interest, a customer identification code, and/or explicit knowledge category selected by the customer. An expert studio, from a list of expert studios providing expertise corresponding to the identified location associated with the customer's request, is matched up with the request. Thereafter, a primary connection, supporting an interactive videoconference session, is established between a first networked node associated with the customer and a second networked node associated with the designated expert studio.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the detection of misuse of an identity during an electronic transaction. The invention comprises at least five embodiments. In a first embodiment, the method comprises the step of: receiving a notification to authenticate the use of an identity at a first location, wherein the identity is associated with a first wireless terminal; determining an approximate location of the first wireless terminal based on cached position information, the approximate location of the first wireless terminal being a second location; determining whether the first and second locations match in geographical proximity; and generating an alert if the first and second locations do not match in geographical proximity. In a second embodiment, an approximate location of the first wireless terminal is determined based on cached position information stored on a GPS position database.

Abstract: A cable (1) comprises a conductor (3), an insulating layer (2) which forms a self-supporting ceramic layer when exposed to elevated temperatures experienced in a fire, and an additional heat transformable layer (4). The additional layer (4) can be another layer which forms a self-supporting ceramic layer when exposed to fire, or it can act as a sacrificial layer which decomposes at or below the temperature that the insulating layer forms a ceramic. The addition layer can enhance the strength of the layers before, during or after the fire, the structural integrity of the insulting layer (2) after the fire, the resistance of the layers to the ingress of water after the fire, or the electrical or thermal resistance of the layers during and after the fire.

Abstract: A method and system and calibration technique for power measurement and management over multiple time frames provides responsive power control while meeting global system power consumption and power dissipation limits. Power output of one or more system power supplies is measured and processed to produce power values over multiple differing time frames. The measurements from the differing time frames are used to determine whether or not system power consumption should be adjusted and then one or more devices is power-managed in response to the determination. The determination may compare a set of maximum and/or minimum thresholds to each of the measurements from the differing time frames. A calibration technique uses a precision reference resistor and voltage reference controlled current source to introduce a voltage drop from the input side of a power supply sense resistor calibration is made at the common mode voltage of the power supply output.