Abstract: The invention relates to a television system which includes a broadcast data receiver for processing received data and generating television programs via a display screen and capable of generating on the screen a range of user selectable options relating to functions or modes of operation of the system. The user makes the selection of an option by using a remote control device which includes a light detection device and which can be pointed at the screen at a particular position to define a particular option to be selected. When the electron or CRT beam of the screen passes the field of vision of the light detecting device, a signal is transmitted to the broadcast data receiver and the position on the screen is determined and, with comparison to the known locations of the selectable options on the screen, the appropriate option is selected and performed.

Abstract: To facilitate the monitoring of spatial and haptic movement and to provide tactile feedback, the invention replaces sheath-like glove human/computer interface devices with a manually operable exo-skeletal human/computer interface device (10) which comprises a wrist encircling means (11A, 11B) and a palm encircling means (16C) and a torsionally and laterally flexible manner (16D) connecting said wrist and palm encircling means, with said wrist encircling means being adapted in use to be proximate to and generally relatively fixed around the associated wrist of one hand of a user, with said palm encircling means being adapted in use to be proximate to and relatively fixed around the palm of said hand, with said palm encircling means having an overhand member (16B) overlying the back of said hand, further comprising at least one elongate generally resilient rib member (10A, 10B) extending at a fixed end thereof from said overhand member so as to be generally coextensive with at least one finger of said hand in o

Abstract: A compressor blade that has a blade root, an airfoil having a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, the second end having at least one edge, and the airfoil is made of a first material having a first modulus of elasticity. A blade platform connects the blade root to the first end of the airfoil, and a flexible seal is connected to the airfoil adjacent the second end, and the seal is made of a second material having a modulus of elasticity that is substantially less than the first modulus of elasticity.

Abstract: A haptic computer output device comprises a data glove 10 the finger and thumb extension 10A and 10B of which have spaced ring formations 13 and 14. Each ring formation 13 and 13 is formed with an inwardly-opening blind bore 21 spanned in gas-tight manner by a membrane 23 and conduits 20 within the ring formations selectively apply pressurised air to or relieve it from the bores 21 under the control of a valve assembly 34 in turn controlled by a computer 30. The computer generates images perceived on a visual system 32 by a wearer of the glove. Data concerning the spatial position and flexing of the glove 10 is transmitted via line 31 to the computer, which additionally generates a cursor on the visual system 32. When this interacts with other virtual objects to simulate a "touch" the appropriate bore 21 is inflated via valve assembly 34 to apply a tactile stimulus to the wearer of the glove.

Abstract: An optical system comprising three lenses concentrically housed in a frame is aligned with a screen on which a televisual image of a virtual reality application is displayed. The compact and high power lenses permit the eye of a viewer when placed at eye position to have a wide field of view of the magnified virtual image of the screen. To train the eye of the user along the optical axis of the system the lenses vignette the image on the screen when the eye is not closely aligned with the axis. By plastics moulding one or more of the lenses so that they are of truncated form it is possible for injection points of the mould to be adjacent truncated side faces thereby permitting a balanced generally free flow of material through the mould cavity which results in minimal optical stresses in the finished lens.

Abstract: In a head mounted display (1) an annular body (2) worn generally horizontally about the head of wearer supports a forwardly disposed optical display device (3) adapted to seat on the bridge of the nose of a user. At either side of the body (2) projections (10,11) extend toward respective ear positions. At the free end of the projection (10) earphone means (14) are provided to rotate eccentrically about a thumbscrew 20 at least between a plurality of angular positions. Thus, an ear-pad (15) can move between the position illustrated and positions such as C, D and E shown by chain dotted lines, thereby permitting the position of the earphone means 14 to be altered to accomodate different ear positions of the user.

Abstract: A visor 10 for mounting video display units and/or earphones on the head has a U-shaped retaining element 16 pivoted thereto about a transverse axis X', whereby the retaining element 16 can be raised to facilitate donning and doffing the visor 10 or lowered to engage the occipital region of the head to keep the visor in position. The retaining element 16 may commonly rotate about axis X' with an arch-shaped manifold 13. Preferably, the retaining element 13 is articulated to axis x' by links 15 and recesses 19 are preferably provided on opposite sides of the visor 10 to receive the folded links 15 and arms 18 of the retaining element 16 when the latter is fully lowered. In this position, the manifold 13 rests on top of the arms 18 of the retaining element 16.