Abstract: An operator for a movable barrier includes an output drive to transfer drive to the movable barrier. The output drive comprises a rotating crown wheel with an outer face carrying a plurality of shaped attachment portions, each attachment portion configured to receive an output drive extension element to engage with a drum wheel of the movable barrier. The operator further includes first and second output drive extension elements of a different size and shape, each first and second output drive extension element comprising a base portion and an elongated extension portion. The base portion is sized and shaped to be received by one or more of the outer face shaped attachment portions. Selection of the at least one first or second output drive extension element for attachment to the rotating crown wheel is made in accordance with one or more physical characteristics of the particular drum wheel.

Abstract: The invention provides an operator for a roller closure. The operator includes an output drive comprising a rotating crown wheel. The crown wheel is configured to receive for attachment at least one output drive extension element selected from at least one first output drive extension element of a first size and shape or at least one second output drive extension element of a second, different size and shape, based on one or more physical characteristics of the particular drum wheel of the roller closure.

Abstract: The invention concerns an operator assembly for a movable barrier. The operator assembly includes a motor with a motor output shaft, an output drive to transfer drive to the movable barrier, and a transmission assembly to transfer drive from the motor output shaft to the output drive. The output drive is rotatable in a clockwise direction and in a counterclockwise direction, depending on whether the movable barrier is closing or opening. The output drive comprises a crown wheel rotatable about an output drive axis centre of rotation and having an outer face provided with a plurality of attachment points spaced from said centre of rotation.

Abstract: A safety sensing system implements a method for a person in an industrial environment comprises providing a personnel locator device (10) for location on a person and a reference system comprising a plurality of nodes (20) located at predetermined locations in the industrial environment (100). Radio ranging signals are transmitted between the nodes (20) and the personnel locator device (10) and measurements of times of flight of the radio ranging signals are derived. The location of the personnel locator device (10) is calculated based on the measurements of the times of flight of the radio ranging signals and reference information representing the predetermined locations of the nodes (10). It is determined if the calculated location of the personnel locator device (10) is within one or more danger zones in the industrial environment (100) and a warning signal is output in response thereto.

Abstract: A safety sensing system implements a method for a person in an industrial environment comprises providing a personnel locator device (10) for location on a person and a reference system comprising a plurality of nodes (20) located at predetermined ocations in the industrial environment (100). Radio ranging signals are transmitted between the nodes (20) and the personnel locator device (10) and measurements of times of flight of the radio ranging signals are derived. The location of the personnel locator device (10) is calculated based on the measurements of the times of flight of the radio ranging signals and reference information representing the predetermined locations of the nodes (10). It is determined if the calculated location of the personnel locator device (10) is within ne or more danger zones in the industrial environment (100) and a warning signal is output in response thereto.

Abstract: A system comprises a computer and a user interface comprising an image display. A method comprises prompting a user to provide user input by displaying a user prompt on the image display; the computer receiving the user input via the user interface; and the computer using the user input to draft at least a portion of a patent application. The user input can comprise a third-party indication, the third-party indication indicating whether the user desires at least one third party to be notified. The user can be prompted to provide user input in a format that can be converted into a portion of the application without any further user input or the use of artificial intelligence. A portion of the patent application that is created using the user input can be displayed in a user prompt. The user interface can be located remotely from the computer.

Abstract: The invention provides an operator assembly for a movable barrier comprising a roller closure, the roller closure mounted on a rotating carrier assembly, the operator assembly including a motor with a motor output shaft, an output drive to transfer drive to the movable barrier, and a transmission assembly to transfer drive from the motor output shaft to the output drive, the output drive rotatable in a clockwise direction and in a counterclockwise direction, depending on whether the movable barrier is closing or opening, wherein the output drive comprises a rotating crown wheel with an outer face carrying a plurality of shaped attachment portions, each attachment portion configured to receive an output drive extension element to engage with a drum wheel comprised in said rotating carrier assembly, the operator assembly including at least one first output drive extension element of a first size and shape and at least one second output drive extension element of a second, different size and shape, each first an

Abstract: A sensor unit mountable on a rotatable element on a platform that is itself movable, and includes an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, a processor arranged to derive a rotational position signal representing the orientation of the rotatable element from the measurements, and a buffer arranged to buffer a series of recent measurements taken by the orientation sensor over a predetermined period of time. The processor derives the rotational position signal making a correction to compensate for the effect of the motion of the platform on the measurements on the basis of the overall series of measurements buffered in the buffer.

Abstract: A safety sensing system implements a method for a person in an industrial environment comprises providing a personnel locator device (10) for location on a person and a reference system comprising a plurality of nodes (20) located at predetermined locations in the industrial environment (100). Radio ranging signals are transmitted between the nodes (20) and the personnel locator device (10) and measurements of times of flight of the radio ranging signals are derived. The location of the personnel locator device (10) is calculated based on the measurements of the times of flight of the radio ranging signals and reference information representing the predetermined locations of the nodes (10). It is determined if the calculated location of the personnel locator device (10) is within one or more danger zones in the industrial environment (100) and a warning signal is output in response thereto.

Abstract: A wireless network comprises nodes, including routers having a tree-shaped communication topology and end devices, communicate in accordance a network protocol, wherein the routers transmit beacons in respective timeslots within a periodic beaconing interval, passively scan for messages, and, in response to receiving a message, transmit an acknowledgement thereof the received message. An end device that has a message that is pending transmission, passively scans for beacons transmitted from any router; and in response thereto, transmits the message, and passively scans for an acknowledgement, repeating those steps if no acknowledgement is received. This provides responsivity in an environment having rapidly changing propagation paths. To reduce power consumption, the end devices do not passively scan for beacons except when they have a message that is pending transmission, and also at predetermined times for reception of a downstream message.

Abstract: A sensor unit for a fingerboard latch assembly comprising a latch bracket and a latch rotatably mounted on the latch bracket comprises a sensor arranged to sense the orientation of the latch and a wireless, optical or other communication unit arranged to communicate the orientation of the latch sensed by the sensor. The sensor unit may be mountable on the latch and comprise an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, and a processor arranged to derive an orientation signal representing the orientation of the latch from the measurements, the communication unit being arranged to communicate the orientation signal. A monitoring system receives the sensed orientations from plural sensor units.

Abstract: A wireless network comprises nodes, including routers having a tree-shaped communication topology and end devices, communicate in accordance a network protocol, wherein the routers transmit beacons in respective timeslots within a periodic beaconing interval, passively scan for messages, and, in response to receiving a message, transmit an acknowledgement thereof the received message. An end device that has a message that is pending transmission, passively scans for beacons transmitted from any router; and in response thereto, transmits the message, and passively scans for an acknowledgement, repeating those steps if no acknowledgement is received. This provides responsivity in an environment having rapidly changing propagation paths. To reduce power consumption, the end devices do not passively scan for beacons except when they have a message that is pending transmission, and also at predetermined times for reception of a downstream message.

Abstract: A sensor unit for a fingerboard latch assembly comprising a latch bracket and a latch rotatably mounted on the latch bracket comprises a sensor arranged to sense the orientation of the latch and a wireless, optical or other communication unit arranged to communicate the orientation of the latch sensed by the sensor. The sensor unit may be mountable on the latch and comprise an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, and a processor arranged to derive an orientation signal representing the orientation of the latch from the measurements, the communication unit being arranged to communicate the orientation signal. A monitoring system receives the sensed orientations from plural sensor units.

Abstract: A sensor unit mountable on a rotatable element on a platform that is itself movable, and includes an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, a processor arranged to derive a rotational position signal representing the orientation of the rotatable element from the measurements, and a buffer arranged to buffer a series of recent measurements taken by the orientation sensor over a predetermined period of time. The processor derives the rotational position signal making a correction to compensate for the effect of the motion of the platform on the measurements on the basis of the overall series of measurements buffered in the buffer.

Abstract: A sensor unit for a fingerboard latch assembly comprising a latch bracket and a latch rotatably mounted on the latch bracket comprises a sensor arranged to sense the orientation of the latch and a wireless, optical or other communication unit arranged to communicate the orientation of the latch sensed by the sensor. The sensor unit may be mountable on the latch and comprise an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, and a processor arranged to derive an orientation signal representing the orientation of the latch from the measurements, the communication unit being arranged to communicate the orientation signal. A monitoring system receives the sensed orientations from plural sensor units.

Abstract: A sensor unit for a fingerboard latch assembly comprising a latch bracket and a latch rotatably mounted on the latch bracket comprises a sensor arranged to sense the orientation of the latch and a wireless, optical or other communication unit arranged to communicate the orientation of the latch sensed by the sensor. The sensor unit may be mountable on the latch and comprise an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, and a processor arranged to derive an orientation signal representing the orientation of the latch from the measurements, the communication unit being arranged to communicate the orientation signal. A monitoring system receives the sensed orientations from plural sensor units.

Abstract: A sensor unit for a fingerboard latch assembly comprising a latch bracket and a latch rotatably mounted on the latch bracket comprises a sensor arranged to sense the orientation of the latch and a wireless, optical or other communication unit arranged to communicate the orientation of the latch sensed by the sensor. The sensor unit may be mountable on the latch and comprise an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, and a processor arranged to derive an orientation signal representing the orientation of the latch from the measurements, the communication unit being arranged to communicate the orientation signal. A monitoring system receives the sensed orientations from plural sensor units.

Abstract: A sensor unit for a fingerboard latch assembly comprising a latch bracket and a latch rotatably mounted on the latch bracket comprises a sensor arranged to sense the orientation of the latch and a wireless, optical or other communication unit arranged to communicate the orientation of the latch sensed by the sensor. The sensor unit may be mountable on the latch and comprise an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, and a processor arranged to derive an orientation signal representing the orientation of the latch from the measurements, the communication unit being arranged to communicate the orientation signal. A monitoring system receives the sensed orientations from plural sensor units.

Abstract: The invention is a method for advancing international trade in bulk goods and related services employing interactive international video broadcasting medium. The broadcaster enters a contract (110) with a manufacturer for listing a product for bulk sales on an international broadcasting medium and authorizing the broadcaster to be a surety for payment and delivery of said product, to receive payment from the buyer and to make a net payment to the manufacturer on the terms of the purchase. The broadcaster then broadcasts the listing (120) on the interactive international video broadcasting medium, which enables viewers to place an order (130) for the product on the specified terms and conditions. Any order is then conveyed to the manufacturer (140) for acceptance. The broadcaster, as surety, accepts payment for accepted orders (150).