Abstract: A memory module connectable to a computer system includes a printed circuit board, a plurality of memory devices coupled to the printed circuit board, and a logic element coupled to the printed circuit board. The plurality of memory devices has a first number of memory devices. The logic element receives a set of input control signals from the computer system. The set of input control signals corresponds to a second number of memory devices smaller than the first number of memory devices. The logic element generates a set of output control signals in response to the set of input control signals. The set of output control signals corresponds to the first number of memory devices.

Abstract: A flexible light guide and a display system incorporating same are disclosed. The light guide includes a first flexible layer and a second flexible layer. Each flexible layer has a first major surface and a second major surface. The second major surface of the first flexible layer is in contact with the first major surface of the second flexible layer. The first major surface of the first flexible layer has a plurality of discrete light extractors capable of extracting light propagating in the light guide such that light is extracted uniformly over the entire first major surface of the first flexible layer.

Abstract: A route guidance system comprising an in-vehicle device (10) and a central route advisory system (30) in which the in-vehicle device comprises an audio emitter (18) and a visual display unit (24, 26) adapted to provide audio and visual instructions to a user to perform manoeuvres required to complete an optimal route, wherein the optimal route is transmitted by the central route advisory system (30) to the in-vehicle device (10) in response to a route request from the user to a human operator in the central route advisory system (30) to a specified destination.

Abstract: A memory module comprises a plurality of memory components. Each memory component has a first bit width. The plurality of memory components are configured as one or more pairs of memory components. Each pair of memory components simulates a single virtual memory component having a second bit width which is twice the first bit width.

Abstract: A memory module includes a plurality of memory devices and a circuit. Each memory device has a corresponding load. The circuit is electrically coupled to the plurality of memory devices and is configured to be electrically coupled to a memory controller of a computer system. The circuit selectively isolates one or more of the loads of the memory devices from the computer system. The circuit comprises logic which translates between a system memory domain of the computer system and a physical memory domain of the memory module.

Abstract: A memory module connectable to a computer system includes a printed circuit board, a plurality of memory devices coupled to the printed circuit board, and a logic element coupled to the printed circuit board. The plurality of memory devices has a first number of memory devices. The logic element receives a set of input control signals from the computer system. The set of input control signals corresponds to a second number of memory devices smaller than the first number of memory devices. The logic element generates a set of output control signals in response to the set of input control signals. The set of output control signals corresponds to the first number of memory devices.

Abstract: A memory module comprises a plurality of memory components. Each memory component has a first bit width. The plurality of memory components are configured as one or more pairs of memory components. Each pair of memory components simulates a single virtual memory component having a second bit width which is twice the first bit width.

Abstract: A light exposure system is used to expose an alignment layer formed of anistropically absorbing molecules so as to allow alignment of subsequently applied liquid crystal polymer (LCP) molecules. The light incident on the alignment layer is polarized. When a single polarizer is used, the azimuthal polarization direction varies across the substrate carrying the alignment layer. Various approaches to reducing the azimuthal polarization variation may be adopted, including the introduction of various types of polarization rotation reduction element and in selecting an appropriate tilt angle for the light source. Furthermore, a reflective structure may be inserted between the light source and the alignment layer. Use of the reflective structure increases the total amount of light incident on the alignment layer.

Abstract: A route guidance system for vehicles comprises central computing apparatus (6), transmitting apparatus (1) by way of which the central computing apparatus (6) is informed of the positions of respective vehicles on a road network and by way of which the vehicles are supplied with route guidance data calculated by the central computing apparatus as to the best routes for the respective vehicles to take to respective desired destinations, the transmitting apparatus (1) including transmitting devices (4) for carrying by the respective vehicles and by way of which the central computing apparatus (6) is informed as to the desired destinations, computing apparatus (8) serving to inform the central computing apparatus (6) as to traffic congestion on the network, and speech synthesisers (4) for carrying by the respective vehicles and arranged to speak instructions to the drivers of respective vehicles as to the routes to be taken to their respective desired destinations.

Abstract: A navigation system (20) having a service center (24) and a navigation unit (22) and a method of transmitting data to reduce the complexity of the navigation unit (22) and minimize the transmitted data. The navigation unit (22) transmits (202) a current location (or starting point (102)) and a desired destination (or destination point (104)). The service center (24) receives (204) the starting point and the destination point and selects (206) a route (100) between the two points. The service center (24) then generates (210, 212, 214) and transmits (216) data associated with a plurality of points on the selected route (100). These points may include items such as preparation points (140, 142, 144, 146), warning points (130, 132, 134, 136), instruction points (120, 122, 124, 126) and confirmation points (150, 152, 154, 156, 160, 162, 164, 166).

Abstract: A navigation system (20) having a service center (24) and a navigation unit (22) and a method of transmitting data to reduce the complexity of the navigation unit (22) and minimize the transmitted data. The navigation unit (22) transmits (202) a current location (or starting point (102)) and a desired destination (or destination point (104)). The service center (24) receives (204) the starting point and the destination point and selects (206) a route (100) between the two points. The service center (24) then generates (210, 212, 214) and transmits (216) data associated with a plurality of points on the selected route (100). These points may include items such as preparation points (140, 142, 144, 146), warning points (130, 132, 134, 136), instruction points (120, 122, 124, 126) and confirmation points (150, 152, 154, 156, 160, 162, 164, 166).

Abstract: A route guidance system for vehicles comprises central computing apparatus (6), transmitting apparatus (1) by way of which the central computing apparatus (6) is informed of the positions of respective vehicles on a road network and by way of which the vehicles are supplied with route guidance data calculated by the central computing apparatus as to the best routes for the respective vehicles to take to respective desired destinations, the transmitting apparatus (1) including transmitting devices (4) for carrying by the respective vehicles and by way of which the central computing apparatus (6) is informed as to the desired destinations, computing apparatus (8) serving to inform the central computing apparatus (6) as to traffic congestion on the network, and speech synthesisers (4) for carrying by the respective vehicles and arranged to speak instructions to the drivers of respective vehicles as to the routes to be taken to their respective desired destinations.

Abstract: A camera frame assembly or other apparatus has a flash unit having a self-oscillating charging circuit. The camera frame assembly is used with a filmstrip and a battery. The camera frame assembly has a film scrolling chamber and a battery compartment joined to the film scrolling chamber. The flash unit is joined to the chamber, in the camera frame assembly. The flash unit has near and far battery contacts coupled to the circuit. The contacts define an active battery station within the compartment configured to receive the battery in electrical series with the circuit via the contacts. At least one of the battery contacts is biased inwardly to restrain the battery within the active battery station. A battery grip is disposed in the compartment exterior to the near battery contact. The battery grip defines a standby battery station that is spaced from the near contact sufficiently to isolate the standby battery station from the circuit.

Abstract: In a method for loading a camera frame assembly having an flash circuit powered by a battery, a battery is placed in a battery compartment of a camera frame assembly. Film is scrolled in the camera frame assembly. The scrolling generates a static charge on the camera frame assembly. The static charge is dissipated. During the scrolling and dissipating, the battery is retained within the battery compartment, but is isolated from the flash circuit. Following the dissipating, electrically conductive contact is established between the battery and the flash circuit.

Abstract: A camera housing includes a front cover part and a rear cover part which have two adjacent end portions provided with respective concavities that similarly extend inward to define adjacent concave surfaces of the two end portions. The two end portions continue over the concavities to form adjacent ribs spaced from the concave surfaces to permit an accessory for the camera housing to fit between the ribs and the concave surfaces. The accessory has at least one fastener that fits between the ribs and the concave surfaces and engages the ribs to hold the ribs together in order to prevent the front and rear cover parts from separating at the two end portions.

Abstract: A camera housing comprising a front cover part and a rear cover part, is characterized in that the front cover part and the rear cover part have respective similar ends that are uniformly curved to be contoured in similar non-varying curves and have respective concavities that extend inward at the similar ends to define a concave surface common to the ends, and the end of at least one of the front and rear cover parts continues over the concavity at that end, in contour with the non-varying curves, to form a carry strap retainer which, with the single concave surface, defines a pass-through opening for an elongate carry strap.

Abstract: A single use camera that has flexure of a front cover constrained by and exposed-film door. The camera has a frame and a back cover attached to the frame. The frame and back cover together define a film path and an exposed-film removal opening communicating with the film path. The front cover is mounted over the frame opposite the back cover. The door is attached to the frame. The door is discrete from the covers and frame. The door light-tightly closes the opening independent of the front cover. The door is reversibly removable from the frame. The door constrains flexure of the front cover in a direction outward from the frame.