Abstract: A dispensing system for controlled, especially remote controlled, dispensing of medicaments is disclosed. The system consists of a dispensing mechanism adapted to receive a sealed or resealable container of material to be dispensed and to validate that it is the correct material, and which includes a mechanical actuation mechanism which, when actuated, causes a measured dose of material to be dispensed from the material container. The mechanical actuation mechanism may be inhibited from operation by a locking mechanism which, when actuated, locks the device against the further dispensing of a dose of material until release in accordance with the desired dispensing programme, e.g. until a certain time period has elapsed, or until the programme permits dispensing to occur on some other basis. The dispensing system may be in two parts, a hand-held hand-actuated dispensing mechanism (1) and a base or docking station (2) into which the hand-held unit may be placed in order to release the locking mechanism.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, an electronic device comprises a main body and a protective panel. The main body features a periphery formed by a plurality of sidewalls. The protective panel is placed over a top surface of the main body and extending outwardly beyond the periphery of the main body.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a latch assembly comprises a plurality of latches configured to engage with a plurality of latch sockets appropriately situated at corners of an electronic device. A release mechanism is adapted to secure and subsequently release the plurality of latches from the plurality of latch sockets. The release mechanism includes a spring-biased release button, and a plurality of links rotationally coupled to the release button. The first link is adapted to prevent vertical movement of the first latch when the first link is placed in a first position caused when the cover is placed in a closed position. When the release button is depressed, the first link is placed into a second position to allow the cover to be opened.

Abstract: An apparatus for making espresso coffee is described. The apparatus comprises a support frame (2) upon which an open-topped cylinder (3) is vertically mounted. A pot containing a quantity of ground coffee may be attached to the base of the cylinder, and the frame (2) and cylinder (3) provide sufficient space to insert a cup or cups below the pot. A piston with a piston head (22) is adapted to fit in the cylinder (3) and a pair of levers (6, 7) pivoted to the frame and pivotally linked to the piston enable the piston head to move up and down in the cylinder (3) by actuation of the levers (6, 7). In use, hot water is poured into the cylinder (3) and downward pressure on the levers (6, 7) expels the hot water under pressure through the ground coffee and the freshly made coffee passes out of an outlet in the base of the pot and into a waiting cup.

Abstract: Combined computer and communications apparatus is described which has an improved hinging arrangement between two casing halves (1, 2). By enabling each casing half to hinge around one of two spaced parallel hinge axes, with a hinge including an articulated linkage (28, 30) having its ends pivoted around the two hinge axes, improved snap action open or closed may be achieved. The articulated linkage has two pivots (21) intermediate its ends, each pivoted to one of the casing halves (1, 2). Spring means (20) urge the casing halves together or into a coplanar arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus has a body having a channel. A display support member has a first end pivotally coupled to the body and a second end. A display housing has a bottom portion. The display housing is pivotally coupled to the second end of the display support member. A first latch member is coupled to the bottom portion of the display housing. The first latch member is adapted to be received by the channel and hold the display housing.

Abstract: A computer with a touch sensitive or pen sensitive display is disclosed in which the position of the fully opened display has been designed in order that the torque typically applied to the top most pen or touch sensitive part of the display, in relation to a rotational axis about which the computer would rotate if it were to tip backwards, is less than that needed to cause the computer to tip backwards about that rotational axis. The computer is therefore stable even when the display is being touched by pen or finger, unlike conventional clam shell designs.

Abstract: A docking station useful for connecting a portable computing device to a network or other external device. The docking station includes a first supporting device having a first mounting surface and connector thereon to support and electrically connect to a portable computing device. The first mounting surface is rotationally mounted to a base, and slightly inclined with respect to the underside of the base. Such configuration allows the portable computing device to lie substantially horizontal and to be rotated about a substantially vertical axis. The docking station further includes a second supporting device having a second mounting surface to support the first supporting device thereon. The second mounting surface is mounted on a base, and is significantly inclined with respect to its base. Such configuration allows the portable computing device to lie substantially vertical and to be rotated about a substantially horizontal axis.

Abstract: One aspect of an embodiment of the display support mechanism for rotating a display housing having a flat panel display about a horizontal axis of rotation. The display support mechanism comprises a first member and a second member. The first member is pivotally coupled to a back display panel of the display housing. The second member is pivotally coupled to the back display panel of the display housing. The second member is substantially coplanar to the first member when the display housing is placed in a first position by rotating the display housing about a horizontal axis. When the display housing is placed in a second position, the second member becomes substantially in parallel with the first member.

Abstract: One aspect of an embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for interlocking a display housing to a display support member. The apparatus comprises a lever, a first fastener and a second fastener. The first fastener is pivotally coupled to one end of the lever. The second fastener, however, is coupled to the other end of the lever. The second fastener engages a display support member when the lever is placed in a first state and disengages from the display support member when the lever is placed in a second state. The adjustment of the lever to move from a first state to a second state is in response to an event performed on the first fastener.

Abstract: Drawing boards and drawing instruments for use therewith. The surface of the board (1) has a set of parallel-running, evenly spaced magnetic poles (2) across it. Each drawing instrument has a cylinder (10) with similar parallel magnetic poles running essentially axially along it. The cylinder is freely rotatably mounted (12) and preferably held a little bit away from the board surface. The cylinder (10) preferentially orientates with its magnetic poles aligned with those (2) on the board surface. This orientation can be accurately maintained across the entire surface of the board without the use of cumbersome mechanical arrangements to ensure alignment of drawing instruments. When not required for use, the drawing instrument may simply be removed from the surface of the board. A ruler/protractor device (3) and a carriage bearing a pair of rules set at right angles are described.