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: Method and device for monitoring an insulating or conducting test fluid for acidity, basicity, contaminants and/or specific chemicals by monitoring the rate of modification, for example corrosion, dissolution or erosion of at least one plate of a capacitive sensor immersed in the fluid. The sensor's dielectric element is inorganic or piezoelectrically active ceramic. Capacitor plates can be different materials, foil or coated/deposited metals modified by the test fluid. Capacitance is measured over time, its change due to modification of sensor plate area is recorded and used to determine quantity of acid, alkali, contaminants and/or chemicals in the test fluid. Piezoceramic dielectric allows the detector to be vibrated. The sensor can be attached to an ultrasonic transducer. Presence of specific chemicals requires a chemically non-reactive and a chemically reactive electrode re the chemical of interest. If the test fluid is conductive, the changed capacitance is measured in an insulating fluid.

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.

Abstract: A wickless temperature controlling apparatus and method to analyze the characteristics of an adsorbent is provided. The apparatus provides a heat transfer between a cooling liquid and a sample vessel immersed in the cooling liquid and further provides a stabilized temperature to the sample vessel. The apparatus further comprises a thermal bridge between a saturation vapor pressure thermometer, which is also immersed in the cooling liquid, and the sample vessel to provide a uniform temperature between the thermometer and the vessel. The method to analyze the adsorbent utilizes the apparatus. In addition, the method includes a novel method of dosing an adsorptive gas to an adsorbent.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the characteristics of an adsorbent is provided. The method uses a sample chamber of known volume and known temperature with an adsorbent to be analyzed. An adsorptive gas which comprises at least 80 percent of a component gas and less than 20 percent of a carrier gas, at a temperature higher than its boiling point at environmental atmospheric pressure is introduced into the sample chamber. The pressure of the adsorptive gas is measured. The quantity of the adsorptive gas adsorbed by the adsorbent, at the measured pressure is determined. And, a relative pressure in the sample chamber and the quantity of the adsorptive gas adsorbed by the adsorbent at the relative pressure is correlated.