Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a homogeneous fibriform element comprising a smoke-modifying agent. In the process a mixture comprising a solution of a polysaccharide (an alginate for example) and a smoke-modifying agent (menthol for example) is fed through a nozzle and a jet of the mixture issuing from the nozzle is brought into contact with a solution containing multivalent cations (such as calcium ions). Solidification of the mixture is thus effected. In a second aspect of the invention, a fibriform element is manufactured by passing a thread through a mixture comprising a solution of a polysaccharide and a smoke-modifying agent whereby the thread is coated with the mixture. The coated thread is brought into contact with a solution containing multivalent cations thus to effect solidification of the mixture on the thread. A fibriform element as manufactured by the inventive process and a smoking article comprising such a fibriform element are also provided for.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus for use with a tag 5 providing information comprises an electronic still or video camera 1 for providing an image signal 6, tag detecting means 8 for detecting the location of the tag and tag reading means 9, 10 for deriving the predetermined information from the tag, and image signal control means 11 to 13 for controlling the image signal in response to the output of the means 8 to 10 to provide a selected picture signal. As shown when a visitor enters a site details from a keyboard 16 are stored in a central computer 15 and printed 17 as a visible bar code tag 5 which is recognised 8 and provides a tag identity 9 and picture signal instructions 10. The latter act in conjunction with an image decision circuit 11 for judging picture composition, e.g. pan, tilt, zoom, and with an event detector 12 for picture timing (e.g.

Abstract: A digital camera 2 provides an infra-red signal 10 and a visible signal 15 from sensors 8, 9, wherein the sensor fields of view overlap or share a common field of view. Analysis of the IR signal 10 provides the location of (20) and information from (13, 14) an active or passive target. Analyser 19 acts on the signal 15 in response to signals 14, 20 for composition control (pan/tilt/zoom/timing) and selection of pictures from signal 15 for storage 18 together with signal 13 providing ancillary information such as personal details of a target wearer. Alternatively the visible and infra-red image signals may be combined to correct for sensitivity of the visible and/or IR sensors to IR and visible wavelengths respectively.

Abstract: A wearable camera arranged to be worn on a user's clothing comprises a lens section 28 which is disguised in a piece of jewellery 30. The piece of jewellery is connected to a rear electronics portion 26 by means of an electrically conducting pin 29. The rear electronics portion 26 houses control means including a semi-conductor memory 26a, power supply 26b, control circuitry 26c and circuitry 26d for controlling the gain setting of a CMOS sensor 28a in the lens section 28.

Abstract: PORTABLE INFORMATION CAPTURE DEVICES A portable information record capture device having: an information record capturer; a device memory adapted to have a library of stored information records; a controller adapted to evaluate the space available in the device memory and if the available space is insufficient, to accommodate a new information record to compress one of: either the new information record; or one or more of the pre-existing stored information records in the device memory to a size where there is freed-up enough device memory to accommodate the new information record, or its compressed form if the controller requires it to be compressed, the controller being adapted to record a new information record, or its compressed form if it is to be compressed, to the freed-up device memory.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, incorporating particulate smoke-modifying agent in a smoking material rod, wherein said agent is introduced into a flow of filamentary smoking material to the suction band of a rod making machine, the location of introduction being in the vicinity of the suction band of said machine.

Abstract: A method of reconstructing an image captured as a stream of image data, for example as input received from a linear sensor in unconstrained scanning, comprises reconstructing the image in the form of a plurality of tiles. Each tile comprises a pixel grid of predetermined dimension representing a specific spatial region of the image. The tiles tessellate a rectilinear image space. Tiles can be created when required and compressed when no longer active, thus minimizing memory requirements. Devices utilizing this method are provided. The method is especially appropriate for use in an unconstrained hand scanner, but can also be applied to panoramic capture with a digital camera.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reconstructing an image from data captured by a sensor, and is particularly applicable to the case of sequential capture in relative movement between a scanning device and the original image. The seanning device comprises navigation means for detecting the position of the sensor relative to the original image. A pixel grid for the reconstructed image is determined, and correspondence between the pixel grid and the sensor data is identified using sensor position detection data. The intensity of pixels is determined from sensor data selected as relevant to the pixel under consideration.

Abstract: A folding seating unit for a vehicle provides a forward or rearward facing seat with a backrest which is capable of being folded flat and sideways against the side of the vehicle at a low level beneath the window level of the vehicle. The seating unit can be stowed within side trim panels without obscuring windows, or the load carrying area of the vehicle floor, and is particularly suited to multipurpose vehicles or vans. The seating unit includes: an outboard leg coupled to the vehicle side, and an inboard leg engaging with the vehicle floor, a retraction mechanism providing automatic folding of the inboard leg when the seating unit is folded to its stowed position; an extending backrest squab which extends the effective height of the backrest when the seating is in a deployed condition, but retracts when the seating is in the stowage position.