Abstract: A system and method for internet-access age-verification is described which has direct application for controlling access to age-limited internet content, such as gambling sites, by secure communication with an age-verification server. After registering with an age-verification server, the internet user installs a software application on his multimedia device which manages the age-verification In transaction between an age-restricted content provider and the age-verification server whenever the user attempts to access age-restricted content. The invention maintains anonymity between the user and the content provider yet provides secure and authenticated verification of the age of the user. No user website data is transmitted to the age-verification server, thus maintaining the privacy of the internet user.

Abstract: A system and method for a surface strain gauge is described which has direct application to wind turbine structures and wind turbine blades and wind turbine struts. The invention is equally applicable to other airfoil structures such as aircraft wings and aircraft fuselages. The strain gauge comprises an array of carbon fiber material integrated with one or more microcontroller modules wherein the entire array may be incorporated into the surface of the structure to be monitored during manufacture of the structure. The array comprises separate sheets of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy which are linked together and which each comprise a separately addressable element such as a microcontroller wherein the microcontrollers are connected to a power supply and to a central bus which itself links to a central system controller. Differential measurements of the resistance of separate carbon fiber reinforced epoxy sheets may be determined in real time as well as the resistance between two or more sheets.

Abstract: A system and method for encoding and controlled authentication of security documents, ID cards, tickets and products and the like is described which can provide a secure means to determine them to be authentic. The method involves encoding the surface of the said security documents or ID cards or tickets and the like with of a pair of identity components comprising a pair of unique numbers, or a combination of a uniquely encoded image and a unique number, or a combination of a unique barcode and a unique number, or a combination of encoded images. The pair of identity components together comprise a challenge response pair and are related such that one component of the pair, the response, is a mathematical derivative of the other component, the challenge. A processing module determines the response by processing the challenge using complex mathematical functions such as one-way mathematical functions.

Abstract: A system for packaging forming a container can provide an improved form of food packaging. The container includes a base element and at least two lateral side elements, and forms a tray element. The tray element defines an open cavity for containing contents, and has a back and front edge. At least one of the lateral side elements has at least one moveable element integrated with, and forming an extension of, the lateral side element at a first fixed end of the moveable element(s). The moveable element(s) is/are capable of being folded into the cavity and around the contents, and is of a length such that the second, free end of the moveable element(s) extend(s) around the contents to the front edge of the tray element. The second free end is capable of being pulled to cause the contents to move towards the front edge of the tray element.

Abstract: A system and method for encoding and controlled authentication of security documents, ID cards, tickets and products and the like is described which can provide a secure means to determine them to be authentic. The method involves encoding the surface of the said security documents or ID cards or tickets and the like with of a pair of identity components comprising a pair of unique numbers, or a combination of a uniquely encoded image and a unique number, or a combination of a unique barcode and a unique number, or a combination of encoded images. The pair of identity components together comprise a challenge response pair and are related such that one component of the pair, the response, is a mathematical derivative of the other component, the challenge. A processing module determines the response by processing the challenge using complex mathematical functions such as one-way mathematical functions.

Abstract: A system and method for a surface strain gauge is described which has direct application to wind turbine structures and wind turbine blades and wind turbine struts. The invention is equally applicable to other airfoil structures such as aircraft wings and aircraft fuselages. The strain gauge comprises an array of carbon fibre material integrated with one or more microcontroller modules wherein the entire array may be incorporated into the surface of the structure to be monitored during manufacture of the structure. The array comprises separate sheets of carbon fibre reinforced epoxy which are linked together and which each comprise a separately addressable element such as a microcontroller wherein the microcontrollers are connected to a power supply and to a central bus which itself links to a central system controller. Differential measurements of the resistance of separate carbon fibre reinforced epoxy sheets may be determined in real time as well as the resistance between two or more sheets.

Abstract: A system and method for fluid power conversion is described which can provide the basis for a new and improved wind turbine suitable to manufacture a horizontal axis (HAWT) or vertical axis (VAWT) turbine at one of a range of different power classes such as from 4 kiloWatts to 10 MegaWatts. In the case of the VAWT, the wind turbine comprises one or more turbine blades moving around a vertical axis wherein each blade is anchored to a central hub by at least one strut and by at least two cable wires. In the case of the HAWT, the wind turbine comprises two or more turbine blades moving around a horizontal axis wherein each blade is anchored to a central hub. The turbine central hub comprises a relatively large diameter, which is coupled to a power generation support structure via a plurality of roller bearings or the like. As the central hub turns, it drives the roller bearings, which are each coupled with a separate power generation component such as an electric generator or a hydraulic gearpump.

Abstract: A system and method for data acquisition and processing is described which can form the basis of online gaming. Encoded datagram images are captured from a computer screen or a printed document using a mobile phone or PDA or fixed line device and processed relative to a stored profile and then transmitted to a remote server to be decoded. The received datagram is read and compared with one of a plurality of stored datagram images and or decoded according to specific attributes of the datagram image. The method makes possible the capture and transmission and processing of datagrams to access services such as to cause the download of specific software such as a software application. In one embodiment this may comprise an online casino application where a player receives the software to play as well as a certain amount of credit. In a separate gaming application, the datagrams may be unique such that a player captures and transmits a datagram to find whether it is a winning datagram.

Abstract: A portable service escrowed event reporting system that may be sold through mass-market sales channels. Communications between a consumer and the provider of the event reporting system are not required in advance of the system being purchased by the consumer. After purchase of the system by the consumer, the system may be initialized. The service may have a finite amount of service associated with it when it is purchased. The consumer may choose to have the system report the occurrence of reportable events directly to them over a wireless network.

Abstract: A system and method for encoding and authenticating documents and data storage discs uniquely is described which can provide a means to authenticate a document such as a passport or identification document or driving licence or contract or a music compact disc (CD) or data CD or DVD or holographic DVD or credit card. The documents each comprise an encoding formed from a unique number or pattern or datagram image, which is either printed so that it can be read directly by a viewing device, or the encoding is cut by laser to create a pattern or perforation matrix into the document thereby leaving the unique number or pattern or datagram as a matrix of small holes or perforations in the document through which light may pass. The authentication process thus involves viewing and decoding the encoding and generating a computed result using a stored decoding algorithm.

Abstract: A system and method for data acquisition and processing is described which can audio data form the basis of new and improved business and consumer services. Audio datagrams such as short duration audio-recordings made from radio or television broadcasts or from a CD player or an MP3 player or the like are captured using a microphone associated with a multimedia computer or mobile phone or PDA or fixed line device and processed to create a digital audiogram dataset which may be subsequently transmitted to a data processing server which comprises a music and or audio archive. A server receives and processes the digital audiogram dataset to enhance the captured audio data and convert it into a suitable format which matches the format of the audio data stored in the server archive. A search engine processes the received digital audiogram and attempts to match the captured audio data with data stored in the archive.

Abstract: A system and method for data acquisition and processing is described which can form the basis of new and improved business and consumer services. Encoded datagram images are captured using a mobile phone or PDA or fixed line device and processed relative to a stored encoded profile such that the result of the processing can be used to access services remotely by way of a fixed or network connection and or be used to generate encoded local broadcast signals such as those sent by Bluetooth or Infra Red or WLAN or WIMAX or wireless USB and the like. In this way the capturing device becomes an intelligent service access gatekeeper such that data can be differentially extracted from visible images and used to generate encoded signals according to differential service access privileges which can be used for authenticating and granting building access, operating car park barriers, providing additional security for ATM cash point transactions, operating machinery in diverse applications and the like.

Abstract: A system and method for encoding documents and data storage discs uniquely is described which can provide a means to authenticate a document such as a passport or identification document or driving licence or contract or a music compact disc (CD) or data CD or DVD or holographic DVD or credit card. The method makes possible the encoding of a unique number or pattern or datagram image in or into the surface of the document or CD or upon a label or foil or hologram associated with and firmly adhered to the document or CD during the manufacturing process of the document or CD itself. The encoding may be made with a laser device which cuts the unique number or pattern or datagram image into a hologram foil which is firmly attached to the document or CD.

Abstract: A system and method for data acquisition and processing is described which can form the basis of new and improved business and consumer services. A subscriber captures the image of an encoded datagram associated with a product or service using a mobile phone or PDA or fixed line device and transmits this to a remote data processing centre. The captured datagram may comprise a variety of geometric shapes and language characters and even some custom graphics which may be processed in relation to a subscriber's profile stored in the device. The profile is used to provide different levels of quality of service and authentication for access to services in accordance with the subscriber's access rights. The destination IP address or mobile number used to access the service is encoded within the datagram itself so the subscriber need only ‘point and click’ and the software application can both identify, decode and direct a newly compiled data message to a known destination.

Abstract: A frequency setting unit for a radio telecommunications network comprising a first, reference base station transmitting signals at a first frequency, and a second base station transmitting at a second frequency; the frequency control unit comprising: a radio receiver for receiving signals from the first base station; analysis apparatus for analysing the received signals to determine the first frequency; and feedback apparatus responsive to the decoding apparatus and coupled to the second base station for adjusting the second frequency with the aim of establishing a desired relationship between the second frequency and the first frequency.

Abstract: A mobile radio telephone or portable hot link communicator is described which provides a simple, efficient and effective means of communication to enable a child or elderly person to communicate with a known parent, relative or friend carrying a standard mobile telephone. The hot-link communicator is wrist worn or hangs from a cord around the wearer's neck. The hot-link communicator comprises a preprogrammed module that links it with preferably only one other mobile or fixed telephone. The hot-link communicator comprises very basic functionality and, in some embodiments, no display—only a preprogrammed dialing button and an answer button. The hot-link communicator makes possible communication between parents needing to communicate with their children and between supervising adults and elderly persons needing assistance in that the children and elderly persons do not need to input number in sequence via a key pad or search for a telephone in the rain and dark.

Abstract: A method for operating a radio telecommunications system comprising a mobile station and one or more cell site units capable of communicating by radio with the mobile station on at least two communication channels; the method comprising: the mobile station receiving signals on each of the communication channels; and the mobile station determining an estimate of the level of interference with signals on each of the communication channels.

Abstract: A mobile radio telephone or portable hot link communicator is described which provides a simple, efficient and effective means of communication to enable a child or elderly person to communicate with a known parent, relative or friend carrying a standard mobile telephone. The hot-link communicator is wrist worn or hangs from a cord around the wearer's neck. The hot-link communicator is comprises a preprogrammed module that links it with preferably only one other mobile or fixed telephone. The hot-link communicator comprises very basic functionality and, in some embodiments, no display—only a preprogrammed dialing button and an answer button. The hot-link communicator makes possible communication between parents needing to communicate with their children and between supervising adults and elderly persons needing assistance in that the children and elderly persons do not need to input number in sequence via a key pad or search for a telephone in the rain and dark.

Abstract: A remote asset management system comprising a network of programmable wireless modules, each having an antenna and an identification module and configured to communicate via a radio communication protocol. The system further includes a plurality of assets each linked to one of the programmable wireless modules and configured to be managed by the linked programmable wireless module. A remote system server service platform is configured to receive remote asset data from at least one of the programmable wireless modules, pass the remote asset data to and from the wireless modules, send messages to at least one of the programmable wireless modules, monitor the programmable wireless modules by requesting and receiving current mode information, and remotely program the programmable wireless modules.

Abstract: A system and method for a secure programmable communicator is described which can provide the basis for an improved child communicator, an improved sports person communicator, as well as providing a telecommunications capability to a games console plug-in. In one embodiment, the secure programmable communicator platform is integrated with an enclosing structure comprising a movable arm to embody the essential design of a climber's carabiner safety clip making possible that the device can be securely locked to an article of clothing, or to a rucksack, or to a rigid structure such as a bicycle, or to inventory casing. In different embodiments, the platform comprises a display and a memory containing a library of emoticon image elements, which can be exchanged by telecommunications messages and or by infrared light thereby providing the means to personalise the display and to share emoticons with similar devices.