Abstract: A focus control device is adapted to adjust a camera lens. The device comprises a rotational input device (1), a variable gear ratio means (10) and a rotational output means so coupled to communicate a first rotational movement applied to said rotational input device to said variable gear ratio means (10) and to communicate a second rotational movement from said variable gear ratio means (10) to said rotational output means. The variable gear ratio means provides a variable adjustment of the angular velocity of said second rotational movement relative to the angular velocity of said first rotational movement.

Abstract: A tripod (1) for mounting a camera or the like is disclosed. The tripod (1) comprises a support (5) having three legs (40) which are moveably mounted at a proximal end about the support (5) and circumferentially equidistant from each other. The legs (40) are moveable between an expanded configuration to support the tripod (1) and a folded configuration when the legs (40) lie adjacent to each other. In order to retain the legs in the folded configuration, at least one leg (40) includes a magnet (11) spaced distally along the leg (40) from the support. Each of the other two legs (40) includes a further magnet (12) or a magnetically attracted portion to magnetically engage the magnet (11) and releasably retain the tripod (1) in the folded configuration.

Abstract: A tripod (1) for mounting a camera or the like is disclosed. The tripod (1) comprises a support (5) having three legs (40) which are moveably mounted at a proximal end about the support (5) and circumferentially equidistant from each other. The legs (40) are moveable between an expanded configuration to support the tripod (1) and a folded configuration when the legs (40) lie adjacent to each other. In order to retain the legs in the folded configuration, at least one leg (40) includes a magnet (11) spaced distally along the leg (40) from the support. Each of the other two legs (40) includes a further magnet (12) or a magnetically attracted portion to magnetically engage the magnet (11) and releasably retain the tripod (1) in the folded configuration.

Abstract: A focus control device is adapted to adjust a camera lens. The device comprises a rotational input device (1), a variable gear ratio means (10) and a rotational output means so coupled to communicate a first rotational movement applied to said rotational input device to said variable gear ratio means (10) and to communicate a second rotational movement from said variable gear ratio means (10) to said rotational output means. The variable gear ratio means provides a variable adjustment of the angular velocity of said second rotational movement relative to the angular velocity of said first rotational movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inventory control method and architecture that maximizes revenues derived from the sale of a given inventory resource to a customer. More particularly, the present invention uses a continuous nested execution environment that allows a determination of a minimum acceptable price by continuously computing an optimal sale price based on current demand and supply and expected cancellations. The method described accesses a centrally located information repository and retrieves an inventory resource type and value allowing requests below the minimum acceptable price to be rejected, while requests above the minimum acceptable price can be accepted thus allowing the resource provider to maximize incoming revenues from the sale of its inventory of reservations.