Abstract: An information retrieval apparatus is described for searching a set of information items and displaying the results of the search, the information items each having a set of characterizing information features. The apparatus comprises a search processor to search information items in accordance with user-defined characterizing information features and identify information items with corresponding characterizing information features. A mapping processor generates a map of information items, similar information items mapping to similar positions in the array, from a set of information items identified in the search. The apparatus includes a graphical user interface with a user control for selecting information items, and the search processor refines the search to identify information items relating to the selected information item. As such the user is provided with a facility for refining a search, and searching and navigating large amounts of data are thereby made easier.

Abstract: An intermediate bulk container comprising a storage container which is made from a suitable flexible material, a forklift pallet base including pole engaging formations on its upper surface which are arranged about its periphery, a plurality of poles the lower ends of which are releasably engageable with formations on the pallet base to provide a support cage for the storage container, a holed pole location member including pole engaging formations with which the upper ends of the poles are engageable to lock the poles together to inhibit transverse outward bulging of the storage container from between the poles and to preserve the container support cage against a load in the storage container with the underside of the pallet base and the upper surface of the pole locating member including formations, which are releasably engageable with compatible formations on containers below and above it in a stack.

Abstract: A system for facilitating production of information material comprises a plurality of metadata nodes operable to process metadata describing the content of information material, and a data communications network for providing a facility for communicating the metadata between the metadata nodes. The metadata is represented as metadata strings describing the content or attributes associated with the information material. The metadata string includes a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) providing an address of a storage location of an associated metadata resource. The metadata string is communicable separately from the information material via the network and the associated metadata resource is accessible via the network using the resource identifier. The metadata string can be arranged to provide an indication of parameters describing the information material and identifiers such as UMIDs or the like which facilitate navigation of the information material.

Abstract: There is described a bicycle (1) in which the rear wheel (3) is provided with a planetary hub gearbox (17) and is mounted on a single rear arm (13) positioned to one side of the rear wheel. The planetary gearbox comprises an outer casing (19) having an external bearing surface to engage a bearing mounted to the rear arm (13) of the bicycle, and releaseable mounting means for attaching the rear wheel (3) of the bicycle to the outer casing (19) of the planetary hub gearbox (17). The rear arm is of tubular or hollow construction, with the drive chain (15) or belt running enclosed within the rear arm (13).

Abstract: An intermediate bulk container includes a flexible storage container, a rigid rectangular base member including a plurality of pole engaging formations on its upper surface which are arranged about its periphery, a plurality of poles, the lower end of each of which is releasably engageable with a pole engaging formation on the base so that the poles collectively provide a support cage for the storage container, a rigid pole location member (10) which includes a central opening through which the support container may be filled and a plurality of pole engaging formations with which the upper ends of the poles are releasably engageable, and bracing elements connecting a pair of poles on at least two adjacent sides of the cage to each other for holding the poles, in the planes in which they are located in the assembled container, perpendicular to the base and pole locating member.

Abstract: An application programmer's interface provides a facility for accessing metadata describing the content or attributes of information material. The application programmer's interface comprises a signalling protocol processor operable to receive a metadata string which includes a resource identifier providing an address of a metadata resource, and a file transfer processor operable to provide access to the metadata resource in accordance with a request from the application program. The signalling protocol processor provides an efficient facility for communicating the metadata string. The metadata string may be in the form of a mark-up language such as XML. The metadata resource may be for example a proxy version of the information material, such as a video proxy if the information material is video. Accordingly, the file transfer processor is arranged to provide efficient access to the video proxy using the address provided with metadata string.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a dispenser comprising an applicator that is capable of receiving material from a reservoir. The applicator is inserted into the body with applicator protrusions on an outer surface of the applicator engaged with locking grooves on an inner surface of the body.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a twist up pen type dispenser comprising a brush applicator that is capable of receiving material from a reservoir.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a twist up pen type dispenser comprising a brush applicator that is capable of receiving material from a reservoir.

Abstract: Operation of a multi-variable drilling-rig is carried out within an envelope defined by convex hulls (TC,BC) that are derived from sets of historical values for the variables accumulated in a store (3) from previous operations. A display unit (5) shows the real-time values (Q01-Q10) of the variables on parallel axes (X01-X10) together with upper and lower limits (Up01-Up10, Lp01-Lp10) of the viable ranges for each variable to remain within the envelope, taking into account the current value of each other variable. The adjustment of the value of a variable (Q03) required to correct for a variable (Q08) found to be outside its viable range, is determined tentatively before implementation, by adjusting that value in the display to bring about re-calculation and display of the changes in viable ranges that would result from such adjustment.

Abstract: An information retrieval system in which a set of distinct information items map to respective nodes in an array of nodes by mutual similarity of the information items, so that similar information items map to nodes at similar positions in the array of nodes; the system comprising: a user control for defining a search criterion for selecting information items; a detector for detecting those positions within the array of nodes corresponding to the selected information items; a graphical user interface for displaying a two-dimensional display array of display points representing those positions within the array of nodes corresponding to the selected information items; and a processor responsive to the selected information items, for providing a representation which is generally representative of the information content of the selected information items.

Abstract: An information retrieval system in which a set of distinct information items map to respective nodes in an array of nodes by mutual similarity of the information items, so that similar information items map to nodes at similar positions in the array of nodes; comprises a data network; an information retrieval client system connected to the data network; and one or more information item storage nodes connected to the data network; in which: each storage node comprises a store for storing a plurality of information items and indexing logic for transmitting data derived from information items stored at that storage node to the client system via the data network; and the client system comprises logic, responsive to data received from the indexing logic of a storage node, for generating a node position in respect of each information item represented by the received data.

Abstract: An information retrieval apparatus includes a mapping processor operable to receive data representative of a map of information items from a set of information items identified in a search. The map provides the identified information items with respect to positions in an array in accordance with a mutual similarity of the information items. The map data is arranged to the effect that similar information items map to similar positions in the array. The mapping processor is operable to process the map data to form a hierarchical clustering of information items providing a first clustering level of information items and at least one other clustering level of information items for clusters of information items within the first level clusters. The formation of the information items into clusters in accordance with a hierarchical arrangement facilitates navigation and display of the information items.

Abstract: An information retrieval apparatus for searching a set of information items. The apparatus comprises a mapping processor, a graphical user interface, a user control and a search processor. The mapping processor is operable to generate data representative of a map of information items from a set of information items. The map provides the information items with respect to positions in an array in accordance with a mutual similarity of the information items, similar information items mapping to similar positions in the array. The graphical user interface displays a representation of at least some of the information items, and the user control is provided for selecting an information item. The search processor is operable to perform a related search with respect to the user selected information item by identifying information items which correspond to neighbouring position in the array with respect to the array position corresponding to the user selected information item.

Abstract: An information retrieval system in which a set of distinct information items map to respective nodes in an array of nodes by mutual similarity of the information items, so that similar information items map to nodes at similar positions in the array of nodes comprises:

Abstract: A data structure for representing metadata describes the content of at least one shot or sub-shot of information material. The data structure comprises a volume identification defining a data carrier on which the information material is contained, at least one shot identification defining the shot or sub-shot within the material, and at least one type of metadata associated with the content of the shot or sub-shot. The volume identification is arranged at a first hierarchical level and the shot identification is arranged at a lower hierarchical level and the metadata describing the shot is arranged with respect to the shot hierarchical level. The data structure provides an efficient facility for communicating metadata between metadata nodes including application programs which use the metadata. The metadata is identified on the basis of a shot and volume on which the information material which the metadata describes is contained.

Abstract: An application programmer's interface provides a facility for accessing metadata describing the content or attributes of information material. The application programmer's interface comprises a signalling protocol processor operable to receive a metadata string which includes a resource identifier providing an address of a metadata resource, and a file transfer processor operable to provide access to the metadata resource in accordance with a request from the application program. The signalling protocol processor provides an efficient facility for communicating the metadata string. The metadata string may be in the form of a mark-up language such as XML. The metadata resource may be for example a proxy version of the information material, such as a video proxy if the information material is video. Accordingly, the file transfer processor is arranged to provide efficient access to the video proxy using the address provided with metadata string.

Abstract: A system for facilitating development of information material comprises a material generation apparatus and a digital assistant device. The material generation apparatus includes a recording device and a wireless communicator. The material generation apparatus is operable to generate the information material and the recording device is operable to store the information material on a data carrier with material location data identifying a location on the data carrier of the information material. The digital assistant device includes and a wireless communicator for providing a wireless communications link with the wireless communicator of the material generation apparatus. The material generation apparatus is operable in response to a request communicated from the digital assistant device via the wireless communications link for material location data identifying an event represented within the information material to communicate the material location data of the material representing the event.