Abstract: An appliance has a casing and a dispenser. The dispenser includes a dispensing member for dispensing a fluid and is movable between a first position in which at least a part of the dispensing member is located within the casing and a second position in which the dispensing member projects from the casing. The dispensing member is slideable between the first and second positions along a linear path. By providing such an arrangement, the dispenser is able to move along the shortest path between the first and second positions, reducing the space necessary in the appliance to allow the dispenser to move and allowing the drive mechanisms to be correspondingly smaller.

Abstract: An appliance has a casing and a dispenser. The dispenser includes a dispensing member for dispensing a fluid and is movable between a first position in which at least a part of the dispensing member is located within the casing and a second position in which the dispensing member projects from the casing. The dispensing member is slideable between the first and second positions along a linear path. By providing such an arrangement, the dispenser is able to move along the shortest path between the first and second positions, reducing the space necessary in the appliance to allow the dispenser to move and allowing the drive mechanisms to be correspondingly smaller.

Abstract: A method of automatic verification of personal identity is provided. The method includes the automatic generation of cue-response pairs and the allocation of such cue-response pairs to authorized people. Verification of the identity of an applicant as an authorized person is achieved by presenting the cues from one or more cue-response pairs previously allocated to the authorized person to an applicant and verifying replies entered by the applicant by comparing the replies with the responses in the cue-response pairs. A person can more easily remember cue-response associations than passwords. This knowledge may be tested by presenting any of the cues to an applicant and asking for the corresponding response. In this manner, the present invention enhances the level of security of methods of automatic verification of personal identity.

Abstract: A peripheral controller device (14) controlling at least a first peripheral device (16) attached thereto, the controller device including a programmable and selectable buffer memory for utilization with a first type and a second type of write instruction for writing data to first type (24) and a second type (26), respectively, of memory in the peripheral device (16). The peripheral controller device includes an n deep buffer memory (36), where n is an integer greater than one, for buffering the write instructions. A user may programmably indicate whether only the first type of write instruction is to be buffered or both types of instructions are to be buffered. Responsive to such programming, write instructions are examined to determine if they are of the first type or the second type. Depending on the programming, write instructions of the second type are routed to the buffer or are routed by bypassing the buffer memory.

Abstract: A bus interface timing unit responsive to a system clock signal having a frequency that is selectable among a plurality of frequencies. The bus interface timing unit provides timing signals to a bus interface unit that performs functions involving control signals having predetermined timing requirements, such timing requirements being substantially independent of the frequency of the system clock signal. The bus interface timing unit includes a signal generator (20) which is responsive to the system clock signal, and which generates the control signals. These control signals include at least one event signal controlling a time duration in which a predetermined event occurs. Also included is a control unit (10), responsive to a signal representative of the selected frequency of the system clock signal, that controls the signal generator such that the event signal timing is generated in accordance with the predetermined requirements the selected frequencies.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and recording the time and frequency of occurrence of events at a predetermined surveillance site includes a sensor providing successive output signals corresponding to successive detections of an event occurrence at the surveillance site. The output signals from the sensor are input to a central processing unit operating a control program stored in a memory which stores in the memory the date, time and number of occurrences of events at the surveillance site. The apparatus also includes a keyboard for inputting start date and start time information and for initiating the operation of sensing of events and the recall of stored date, time and event occurrence number information for display on a digital display mounted on the apparatus. All of the operative components of the apparatus are powered by a d.c. electric power source and are contained in a waterproof housing mountable at a predetermined surveillance site.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for cutting for example florets from cauliflower heads or leaves from cabbages cleanly so as to avoid damage to the florets or leaves. As a tubular knife follows a path encircling the stalk, so a divider member parts the florets or leaves to facilitate a clean cut.