Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal housing (14) includes providing a first passage (10) through the metal housing (14) and providing a second passage (12) through the metal housing (14), wherein the second passage (12) includes a region of intersection (20) which intersects the first passage (10) to define an opening (22, 122, 222) into the first passage (10). The method further includes subjecting the metal housing (14) to a heat treatment process to carburise an internal surface of the first and/or second passage (10, 12) and, subsequent to the carburization process, applying a hard stage electrochemical machining process to the carburised internal surface of the first and/or second passage (10, 12) to improve surface finish. Another aspect of the invention includes providing a second passage (12) through the metal housing (14) by means of a tool (46), such as an electrochemical machining electrode, having an active region without rotational symmetry about its axis (Y-Y).

Abstract: A method for communicating a subset of data streams includes steps of monitoring a plurality of data streams communicated between a plurality of standard users, recognizing at least one primary data stream, and communicating the at least one primary stream to a primary user. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the data streams include real-time audio and video data being communicated between attendees of a virtual meeting.

Abstract: A housing for use in high-pressure fluid applications, comprising a first passage defining a first axis (P1) and a second passage defining a second axis (P2), wherein the first and second passages intersect at an opening defined by an intersection at one end of the second passage. When sectioned on a plane normal to the second axis (P2) and not intersecting the first passage, the intersection defines an ellipse (E) in the plane and centred on the second axis (P2), the ellipse having a major axis equal in length to the width (D2) of the intersection and a minor axis equal in length to the height (D1) of the intersection. A wall of the intersection describes a curve in the plane, the curve passing through the points where the major and minor axes of the ellipse (E) meet the perimeter of the ellipse (E), and through points which lie outside the ellipse (E) and which are offset from the ellipse (E) by an offset distance (K).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and computer program products for communicating real time data streams between a plurality of virtual meeting attendees over a digital data network. One exemplary method of the invention includes the steps of receiving a plurality of real time data streams from each of a plurality of virtual meeting attendees, of linking a first and a second of the real time data streams from each of the attendees to a first network interface, of linking only the first data stream from each of the attendees to a second network interface, and of linking only the second data stream from each of the attendees to a third network interface.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal housing (14) includes providing a first passage (10) through the metal housing (14) and providing a second passage (12) through the metal housing (14), wherein the second passage (12) includes a region of intersection (20) which intersects the first passage (10) to define an opening (22, 122, 222) into the first passage (10). The method further includes subjecting the metal housing (14) to a heat treatment process to carburise an internal surface of the first and/or second passage (10, 12) and, subsequent to the carburisation process, applying a hard stage electrochemical machining process to the carburised internal surface of the first and/or second passage (10, 12) to improve surface finish. Another aspect of the invention includes providing a second passage (12) through the metal housing (14) by means of a tool (46), such as an electrochemical machining electrode, having an active region without rotational symmetry about its axis (Y-Y).

Abstract: A housing for use in high-pressure fluid applications, comprising a first passage defining a first axis (P1) and a second passage defining a second axis (P2), wherein the first and second passages intersect at an opening defined by an intersection at one end of the second passage. When sectioned on a plane normal to the second axis (P2) and not intersecting the first passage, the intersection defines an ellipse (E) in the plane and centred on the second axis (P2), the ellipse having a major axis equal in length to the width (D2) of the intersection and a minor axis equal in length to the height (D1) of the intersection. A wall of the intersection describes a curve in the plane, the curve passing through the points where the major and minor axes of the ellipse (E) meet the perimeter of the ellipse (E), and through points which lie outside the ellipse (E) and which are offset from the ellipse (E) by an offset distance (K).

Abstract: A method for communicating a subset of data streams includes steps of monitoring a plurality of data streams communicated between a plurality of standard users, recognizing at least one primary data stream, and communicating the at least one primary stream to a primary user. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the data streams include real-time audio and video data being communicated between attendees of a virtual meeting.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and computer program products for communicating real time data streams between a plurality of virtual meeting attendees over a digital data network. One exemplary method of the invention includes the steps of receiving a plurality of real time data streams from each of a plurality of virtual meeting attendees, of linking a first and a second of the real time data streams from each of the attendees to a first network interface, of linking only the first data stream from each of the attendees to a second network interface, and of linking only the second data stream from each of the attendees to a third network interface.