Abstract: The invention concerns a method of operating a motor vehicle powertrain comprising an infinitely variable transmission and an engine. The transmission comprises a rotary transmission input coupled to the engine, a rotary transmission output coupled to the vehicle wheels, a variator which provides a continuously variable ratio (the “variator ratio”), and gearing for coupling the variator between the engine and the transmission output in such a manner that the ratio of transmission output speed to transmission input speed (the “reciprocal transmission ratio”) is a function of the variator ratio. The available range of variator ratios maps onto both forward and reverse reciprocal transmission ratios, and at a particular variator ratio (the “geared neutral ratio”) the transmission output is stationary despite its being coupled through the transmission to the rotating transmission input.

Abstract: A method for controlling a continuously variable ratio transmission is described. The method may include controlling a continuously variable ratio unit (“variator”) having rotary input and output members through which the variator is coupled between an engine and a driven component, the variator receiving a primary control signal and being constructed and arranged to exert upon its input and output members torques which correspond directly to the control signal. The method may also include determining a target engine acceleration, determining settings of the variator's primary control signal and of an engine torque control for providing the required engine acceleration and adjusting the control signal and/or the engine torque control based on these settings, predicting a consequent engine speed change, allowing for engine and/or transmission characteristics, and correcting the settings of the control signal and engine torque based on a comparison of actual and predicted engine speeds.

Abstract: There is described a method of controlling a continuously variable ratio transmission of the type comprising a continuously variable ratio unit (“variator”) which has rotary input and output members though which the variator is coupled between an engine and a driven component, the variator receiving a primary control signal and being constructed and arranged such as to exert upon its input and output members torques which, for a given variator drive ratio, correspond directly to the control signal, the method comprising: determining a target engine acceleration, determining settings of the variator's primary control signal and of an engine torque control for providing the required engine acceleration and adjusting the control signal and/or the engine torque control based on these settings, predicting a consequent engine speed change, allowing for engine and/or transmission characteristics, and correcting the settings of the control signal and engine torque based on a comparison of actual and predicted engine

Abstract: A transaction system and method is provided that ensures a high degree of non-repudiation. The transaction system may include a media conferencing terminal and a client computer on each end of the transaction. The system may be linked via a network such as the Internet so that transactions may be conducted between remote locations. The media conferencing terminal ensures that each party to the transaction may be satisfied as to the identity of the other parties. The method includes recording the pressure, speed and acceleration of annotations made to digital documents that are used for conducting transactions. The system is operable to store all media conferencing information, digital document information, and annotation information such that the information can be later recovered to reproduce the transaction, proving a high degree of non-repudiation.

Abstract: Materials and methods for local delivery of a glucosamine are provided to facilitate bone and cartilage growth.

Abstract: A transaction system and method is provided that ensures a high degree of non-repudiation. The transaction system may include a media conferencing terminal and a client computer on each end of the transaction. The system may be linked via a network such as the Internet so that transactions may be conducted between remote locations. The media conferencing terminal ensures that each party to the transaction may be satisfied as to the identity of the other parties. The method includes recording the pressure, speed and acceleration of annotations made to digital documents that are used for conducting transactions. The system is operable to store all media conferencing information, digital document information, and annotation information such that the information can be later recovered to reproduce the transaction, proving a high degree of non-repudiation.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with control of a motor vehicle powertrain having a transmission of torque-controlled type. The powertrain also has an engine which provides a controllable engine torque. The method involves determining a reaction torque requirement and an engine torque requirement suitable to create a desired wheel torque and also a desired engine acceleration. The engine torque and the reaction torque provided by the transmission are set accordingly. The invention is characterised by the fact that the aforementioned calculation involves estimating and allowing for vehicle acceleration.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of operating a motor vehicle powertrain comprising an infinitely variable transmission and an engine. The transmission comprises a rotary transmission input coupled to the engine, a rotary transmission output coupled to the vehicle wheels, a variator which provides a continuously variable ratio (the “variator ratio”), and gearing for coupling the variator between the engine and the transmission output in such a manner that the ratio of transmission output speed to transmission input speed (the “reciprocal transmission ratio”) is a function of the variator ratio. The available range of variator ratios maps onto both forward and reverse reciprocal transmission ratios, and at a particular variator ratio (the “geared neutral ratio”) the transmission output is stationary despite its being coupled through the transmission to the rotating transmission input.

Abstract: There is described a method of controlling a continuously variable ratio transmission of the type comprising a continuously variable ratio unit (“variator”) which has rotary input and output members though which the variator is coupled between an engine and a driven component, the variator receiving a primary control signal and being constructed and arranged such as to exert upon its input and output members torques which, for a given variator drive ratio, correspond directly to the control signal, the method comprising: determining a target engine acceleration, determining settings of the variator's primary control signal and of an engine torque control for providing the required engine acceleration and adjusting the control signal and/or the engine torque control based on these settings, predicting a consequent engine speed change, allowing for engine and/or transmission characteristics, and correcting the settings of the control signal and engine torque based on a comparison of actual and predicted engine

Abstract: An Optical communications apparatus, comprising: (a) an optical integrated device comprising an input, one or more integrated optical component(s) and an output, arranged such that light received by the input is propagated by the optical component(s) and exits the device as an output light beam; (b) a light beam diverter arranged to divert a sample portion only of the power of the output light beam; (c) a light detector arranged to detect the sample portion of the output light beam; and (d) a polariser located between the light beam diverter and the light detector and/or between the output of the optical integrated device and the light beam diverter, the polariser being arranged such that if light of a predetermined polarisation is received by the optical integrated device, the polariser propagates light of that polarisation only, thereby substantially to prevent light other than of the predetermined polarisation being detected by the light detector.