Abstract: A user visiting a space is equipped with a mobile device in communication with a service system. Media items held by the service system are associated with various locations around the space and a user arriving at such a location is presented with the corresponding item or items. Preferably, these media items are preemptively loaded into a cache of the user's mobile device in dependence on the user's progress around the space. Items can also be flushed from cache on this basis. In order to reduce load on the service system and the related communication infrastructure, a media item needed by a mobile device is first sought from a nearby device using a short-range communication mechanism.

Abstract: A process for reducing a metal-containing material, the process comprising: providing a metal-containing material (5), heating said metal-containing material by convective and/or conductive and/or radiative means (2), exposing said metal-containing material to microwave (MW) energy (3), exposing said metal-containing material to radio frequency (RF) energy (4), and exposing said metal-containing material to a reducing agent (8). The method, which does not involve dielectric heating during exposure to MW and RF energy, enables more energy-efficient chemical reduction of metal-containing ores and ore concentrates and increases metallization yield.

Abstract: A method of enabling a mobile device to access content relating to a user-selected portion of a web page, the method comprising: receiving a request for the content; generating an information element representative of the requested content, the information element being arranged to enable the mobile device to access the content; and outputting the information element to the mobile device.

Abstract: Apparatus for implementing a thermal printing technique onto thermally sensitive print media use one or more laser arrays to provide optical heating. A technique for alignment of multiple monolithic arrays onto a common carrier such that the constant pitch of parallel output beams is maintained as described.

Abstract: A quantum well intermixing (QWI) technique for modifying an energy bandgap during the formation of optical semiconductor devices differing bandgap shifts across a wafer, device or substrate surface. The method includes: pattering the surface of a semiconductor substrate with QWI-initiating material in first regions of the surface; conducting a first thermal processing cycle on the substrate to generate a first bandgap shifts in the first regions; pattering the surface of the substrate with QWI initiating material in second regions of the surface, distinct from said first regions; and conducting a second thermal processing cycle on the substrate to generate a second bandgap shift in the second regions, and to generate a cumulative bandgap shift in the first regions, the cumulative bandgap shift being the cumulative result of said first and second thermal processing cycles. Further steps can produce additonal cumulative bandgap shifts.

Abstract: An optical system for producing an array of single transverse mode laser beam output includes a monolithic laser array (23) having a plurality of outputs (5) in which each laser (4) is adapted for operation so as to produce a single transverse mode output; and an array of waveguides (10), the waveguide array being positioned in relation to the laser array such that each laser output from the laser array couples into an input of a respective waveguide (11) in the waveguide array, the waveguide array maintaining the single transverse mode of each laser output at a respective waveguide output to provide a single transverse mode beam output. Multiple laser arrays (23) be coupled to a single waveguide array (10) enabling the formation of very large arrays and arrays with beam pitch smaller than otherwise possible.

Abstract: Photonic crystal material is used to couple two or more cavities of an optical device to provide tuneable laser output. The monolithically integrated optical device includes: a first optical cavity having a first optical axis and supporting first optical modes; a second optical cavity having a second optical axis and second, different, optical modes than the first optical cavity, the first and second optical cavities being laterally offset from one another and at least partially separated by a photonic crystal material in which the dielectric function of the material exhibits a periodic variation as a function of linear distance through the material, such that optical coupling between the first and second cavities is achieved through the photonic crystal. Multiple cavities can also be integrated in a similar fashion.

Abstract: An integrated optical device formed in a semiconductor substrate incorporated an integral lens element in the substrate for providing focusing of the output beam. The device includes an optically active region for generating and confining optical radiation and having an output end for emitting an output beam from the optically active region; and a lens region adjacent the output end which has an increased band gap to the adjacent substrate material and is shaped to provide a lens effect on said output beam. The optically active region forms a cavity having a longitudinal axis, and the lens region extends along the longitudinal axis and has a lateral extent that varies as a function of distance along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An optical coupler includes a substrate and first and second elongate optical waveguides on the substrate. A structure extends along the waveguides and is configured to provide variable coupling between the waveguides. The coupler can be formed in Lithium Niobate.

Abstract: An electro-absorption modulator comprises a waveguiding structure including a plurality of sections (201-205), each section having a different bandgap and at least one electrode for applying electrical bias to the section. An optical signal passing through the waveguiding structure may be modulated using the plurality of separately addressable sections, by applying a modulation signal to one or more of the sections, and electrically biasing one or more of the sections with a bias voltage, in such a manner as to achieve a predetermined level of any one or more of the parameters chirp, modulation depth and insertion loss.

Abstract: A user visiting a space is equipped with a mobile device in communication with a service system. Media items held by the service system are associated with various locations around the space and a user arriving at such a location is presented with the corresponding item or items. Preferably, these media items are preemptively loaded into a cache of the user's mobile device in dependence on the user's progress around the space. Items can also be flushed from cache on this basis. In order to reduce load on the service system and the related communication infrastructure, a media item needed by a mobile device is first sought from a nearby device using a short-range communication mechanism.

Abstract: A squib connector that has a slideable locking element with a locking protrusion for engaging a portion of the squib connector housing in the fully locked position where the locking protrusions are thus outwardly biased into locking engagement with the squib and any tension on the cable or connector housing tends to splay apart the locking arms into tighter engagement against the squib locking shoulders.

Abstract: A sensing and control circuit for power line shorts works especially well for sensor or actuator devices controlled through a microcontroller. A power control circuit is placed between a pin of a programmable microcontroller and a sensor or actuator device to act as a short detector and switch to control power to the device. A capacitor in the power control circuit is charged and sensed by a single pin of the microcontroller to regulate a transistor which switches power to the device.

Abstract: An instrumented sports apparatus includes a closely spaced array of discrete sensor elements coupled to a contact surface thereof for converting a contact force between the contact surface and an object into a plurality of discrete output signals. The signals are processed and information based thereon generated, which is representative of one or more parameters of interest. In an exemplary embodiment, as instrumented golf club displays information such as club head speed, club head angle, and club head elevation upon impact with a golf ball, permitting the golfer to adjust his swing on the next stroke. Since the instrumentation and display are entirely self-contained in the club, a golfer is not constrained in the use of the club and may enjoy the benefits thereof during play on a golf course.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for use with a hydraulic mine roof support, the assembly having uni-directional control means 49 interconnecting first and second pressure sectors of the valve assembly, and further control means 20 embodied in the first pressure sector which further control means is arranged for activation by fluid pressure in the first pressure sector to allow pressure fluid to flow from the second pressure sector to the first pressure sector until the fluid in the first pressure sector is equal to or exceeds the fluid pressure in the second pressure sector.

Abstract: A method for detecting contamination of a liquid, particularly a Quench Oil, comprises introducing a sensing element at a high temperature into a liquid, allowing the sensing element to commence cooling, and thereafter timing the cooling of the sensing element between two selected temperatures. The time thus measured is compared with a pre-set time, to provide an indication of contamination of the liquid. In apparatus for carrying out the method, a slug of stainless steel in which is embedded a thermo couple is heated in a furnace and then lowered into a receptacle containing the liquid under test. These operations, and the timing and comparison, are effected in a pre-determined automatic cycle.

Abstract: The mould cavity in a metal body forming part of a continuous casting mould is extended by way of a cavity in a second metal body arranged in line with the mould cavity, each body has separate means by which liquid coolant can be supplied to the outer surface of the body and the means associated with the second body permits the coolant supplied to the body to flow over the end of the body which is away from the first body.