Abstract: A method of communicating between nodes in a network where a node receives a sequence of symbols that will form a packet on a first communications channel and has a planned packet that it would send on a second communications channel. A destination is encoded into an arbitration portion of a header sequence of the packet, the header sequence comprising a sequence of symbols. The transmission on the second communications channel is as per the planned packet, for as long as the symbols of the planned packet match the symbols being received on the first channel. An arbitration decision is made when the symbols do not match, with the node either continuing to send the rest of the planned packet, or the rest of the packet being received on the first communications channel.

Abstract: A method of communicating between nodes in a network where a node receives a sequence of symbols that will form a packet on a first communications channel and has a planned packet that it would send on a second communications channel. A destination is encoded into an arbitration portion of a header sequence of the packet, the header sequence comprising a sequence of symbols. The transmission on the second communications channel is as per the planned packet, for as long as the symbols of the planned packet match the symbols being received on the first channel. An arbitration decision is made when the symbols do not match, with the node either continuing to send the rest of the planned packet, or the rest of the packet being received on the first communications channel.

Abstract: A resistance exercise device includes: an elongated handle having first and second handle ends; an elongated element having first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis, at least part of the elongated element being flexible; a coupling connecting the elongated element near the first end to the elongated handle near the first handle end; and resistance fins attached to the elongated element, disposed around and along part of the elongated element, and oriented outwardly from the longitudinal axis, the elongated element and attached resistance fins being at least generally symmetrical along the longitudinal axis, whereby when whirled, the elongated element and the attached resistance fins prevent rotation about the longitudinal axis and produce a substantially continuous resistance exercise. A method of exercising includes: providing the resistance exercise device; holding the elongated handle by a user; and whirling the elongated element and attached fins about the elongated handle.

Abstract: An attachment device (10) for attaching accessories to a support comprising a connector (14) for connecting to a device to be supported, and a strap (11), the strap (11) having a support region (12) mounting the connector (14), and first and second flexible engagement portions (16, 18); the first engagement portion 16 including a plurality of spaced deformable fins (20) extending from one side thereof and a plurality of through apertures (24) spaced along the length of the first engagement portion (16), the second engagement portion (18) including a plurality of spaced deformable fins (22) extending from one side thereof, and at least one upstand (26, 28) extending from the other side thereof adapted to enter and engage with at least one of the through apertures (24) of the first engagement portion (16).

Abstract: A method for converting power including controlling operation of a plurality of series connected modules including a DC power sources and storage devices such that the total voltage across the series connected modules comprises an AC signal. A storage parameter is defined based on a sum of a function of the voltages in the storage devices in the modules and one or more voltage control levels are defined for each of or a plurality of the storage devices. An average current drawn from the series connected modules over a time period is set such that the storage parameter approaches a target value. The target value is decreased for a subsequent time period in the event that none the voltage control levels are reached and increased in the event that one or more of the voltage control levels are reached.

Abstract: A method of detection of faults on circuit boards comprising the steps of capturing an image (14) of each of a plurality of circuit boards (10) and dividing each of the captured images (14) into a plurality of image segments, each having an image characteristic value. One of the circuit boards 10 is selected for testing and each image segment is compared with corresponding image segments of each other circuit boards (10) to define a plurality of differential image characteristic values. The differential image characteristic values for each image segment are ranked from lowest to highest and an nth differential image characteristic value is selected. An overlay image comprising a representation of the selected differential image characteristic values is created and displayed over the selected circuit board.

Abstract: A method of detection of faults on circuit boards comprising the steps of capturing an image (14) of each of a plurality of circuit boards (10) and dividing each of the captured images (14) into a plurality of image segments, each having an image characteristic value. One of the circuit boards 10 is selected for testing and each image segment is compared with corresponding image segments of each other circuit boards (10) to define a plurality of differential image characteristic values. The differential image characteristic values for each image segment are ranked from lowest to highest and an nth differential image characteristic value is selected. An overlay image comprising a representation of the selected differential image characteristic values is created and displayed over the selected circuit board.

Abstract: A single-use ostomy appliance is described including an ostomy coupling for releasable coupling first and second portions at a stomal orifice. The two portions may be separable body-side and non-body-side parts, or the two portions may be portions of a unitary ostomy device such as a controlled evacuation device. The coupling includes a mechanical fastener configured such that the coupling is rendered substantially not resecurable after the fastener is released.

Abstract: A single-use ostomy appliance is described including an ostomy coupling for releasable coupling first and second portions at a stomal orifice. The two portions may be separable body-side and non-body-side parts, or the two portions may be portions of a unitary ostomy device such as a controlled evacuation device. The coupling includes a mechanical fastener configured such that the coupling is rendered substantially not resecurable after the fastener is released.

Abstract: The present invention is a laminated glass window that is resistant to extreme heat, or fire as the heat source, comprising a coating on the surface of the glass nearest the heat source.

Abstract: The present invention is a laminated glass window that is resistant to extreme heat, or fire as the heat source, comprising a coating on the surface of the glass nearest the heat source.

Abstract: In a process for making detergent tablets comprising spraying a coating of a water-soluble organic polymeric binder onto the exterior of particles of detergent composition containing detergent active and detergency builder and compacting the composition, the improvement comprises spraying an external coating of a film-forming water-soluble organic polymer onto the tablets. The coating on the tablet exterior reduces friability and abrasion and provides extra enhancement of strength while permitting disintegration/dissolution in a wash liquor.

Abstract: Detergent tablets, compacted from detergent powder containing detergent active and detergency builder, contain a polymer which acts as binder and as a disintegrant when the tablets are added to water. Preferably the binder is sprayed into the powder before compaction. The strength of such tablets is improved, without detriment to other properties, by tabletting at a temperature above ambient but below melting point of the polymeric binder. Preferably the temperature is only 5.degree. C. to 10.degree. C. below the melting point of the binder.

Abstract: A metal-air battery pack is disclosed for external assembly to a portable electronic device with a battery compartment. The battery pack electrically connects to the electronic device through an existing connector of the device that is located in the battery compartment of the device. Another aspect of the present invention provides a palm rest as part of a battery for a portable computing device.