Abstract: The invention relates to medical devices and more particularly, but not exclusively, to therapeutic devices for reducing blood pressure. A device for dilating an artery or other blood vessel or modifying a blood AGE (Advanced Glycation End) is described. The device comprises a dilation stimulation transducer configured for application to the human or animal body and a driver for the dilation stimulation transducer. The driver drives the transducer to output an energetic signal to dilate the artery or other blood vessel.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling access to a service by increasing security and/or authentication is described. A security controller comprises: a processor that receives event data and is connected to a state data store comprising state data indicating a status of a first device in a computing system. The state data comprises a proximity status of the first device relative to at least one other device in the computing system and a security status of the first device relative to at least one other device in said computing system. A policy data store stores a policy determining the required proximity status and security status of the first device.

Abstract: A keyboard (40) having a bending wave loudspeaker (46) comprising an acoustic radiator capable of supporting bending waves and a transducer (48) mounted on the acoustic radiator to excite bending waves in the acoustic radiator to produce an acoustic output. The keyboard comprises a housing (38) having a lid (36) supporting individual keys (14) or a touchpad. The loudspeaker (46) may be integrally formed with the base (42) of the housing of the loudspeaker, or, if a touchpad is used, may be integral with the touchpad. The acoustic radiator may be a resonant mode bending wave radiator.

Abstract: Active acoustic device comprises a panel member (11) having distribution of resonant modes of bending wave action determining acoustic performance in conjunction with a transducer (31-34). The transducer (31-34) is coupled to the panel member (11) at a marginal position. The arrangement is such as to result in acoustically acceptable action dependent on said distribution of active said resonant modes. Methods of selecting the transducer location, or improvement by location of localized marginal clamping, rely on assessing best or better operative interaction of said transducer (31-34) and the panel members (11) according to parameters of acoustic output for the device as an acoustic radiator.

Abstract: Active acoustic device comprises a panel member (11) having distribution of resonant modes of bending wave action determining acoustic performance in conjunction with transducer means (31-34). The transducer means (31-34) is coupled to the panel member (11) at a marginal position. The arrangement is such as to result in acoustically acceptable action dependent on said distribution of active said resonant modes. Methods of selecting the transducer location, or improvement by location of localised marginal clamping, rely on assessing best or better operative interaction of said transducer means (31-34) and the panel members (11) according to parameters of acoustic output for the device as an acoustic radiator.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system has a plurality of loudspeaker elements (23), and a transmitter (33) for transmitting information in the form of a beam (34) to the loudspeaker elements. The information may be transmitted in parallel to each element. A selection means (31) is provided so that sound is only reproduced by the intended loudspeaker element or elements. The information is transmitted in digital form.

Abstract: The invention is a monohull water-borne craft comprising a hull having a main portion and an opposed pair of stabilizers, the stabilizers being positioned on opposite sides of the main hull portion and being disposed closely adjacent to the main hull portion. The stabilizers may be elongate and arranged with their long axes extending along the main hull portion to form pods. The stabilizers may be integral with the main hull portion or may be movable, e.g. to enable variable geometry to give active buoyancy and/or ballast and/or assistance in steering or stability. The stabilizers may carry propulsion means, fuel tanks, active ballast tanks or the like. The stabilizers may thus be single function e.g. to provide buoyancy, ballast or to house equipment such as propulsion means or may be multifunctional to combine one or more of such functions. The craft may be a power boat or a sail craft and may be convertible between power and sail.

Abstract: In a sail boat having a hull, an upstanding mast in the hull, a boom articulated on the mast, a sail supported on the mast and controlled by the boom, a crew cockpit disposed below the boom, the cockpit having a front, sides and a rear, and a hoop-like structure straddling the cockpit transversely of the boat in the vicinity of and below the boom to define a safe area within the cockpit into which the boom is positively prevented from encroaching; screen structure is provided which has a front portion arranged to shield the cockpit front and side portions which shield the cockpit sides. A track along which the screen structure is slidable longitudinally of the boat is included. The screen structure is arranged such that in its rearward position the side portions of the screen structure seal against the hoop-like structure.