Abstract: Building means, having a main plate 1, a flexible sheet 2 attached thereto, a first bolt portion 4 extending outwards of the plate 1 and an opposite second bolt portion 5 extending outwards of the plate. The building means formed such that when it is in use a structural member can be fastened to the first bolt 4 portion while at the same time the plate 1 is arranged behind exterior cladding 8 of a building. A ledge 2a, after it has been bent into shape, extends to beyond the cladding so that rainwater contacting the first face of the plate portion can run down the first face and be guided by the ledge to a drain away position in front of the cladding.

Abstract: A variable resolution grid provides a mechanism for focusing specific concentrations of risk exposure on a geographical grid to determine projected loss caused by a particular catastrophe. The geographic grid provides a stable base map by using latitudes and longitudes to define the grid points and cells. Each cell is assigned a geographic identifier or geocode that identifies the location of the cell and its associated resolution. The resolution of the grid may be varied depending in part, on the resolution of any available of hazard data.

Abstract: A system for determining events of a helmet includes a helmet body, at least one detector configured with the helmet body for generating a signal in response to a detected metric and a processor for processing signals from the detector to identify detected metrics that pass a predetermined metric threshold. In particular, a system for determining helmet temperature includes a helmet body, at least one temperature sensor configured with the helmet body, for sensing temperature within the helmet, and a for processing signals from the temperature sensor to identify temperatures that exceed a predetermined temperature threshold.

Abstract: A system of monitoring weight of a person includes a plurality of pressure sensors integrated with a shoe, for generating wireless signals responsive to weight of a person wearing the shoe when walking or running over ground. A processor processes the signals to determine an improper walking or running event, and a transmitter transmits a signal indicative of the improper walking or running event. A remote receiver receives the signal and generates an indication of the improper walking or running event.

Abstract: A variable resolution grid provides a mechanism for focusing specific concentrations of risk exposure on a geographical grid to determine projected loss caused by a particular catastrophe. The geographic grid provides a stable base map by using latitudes and longitudes to define the grid points and cells. Each cell is assigned a geographic identifier or geocode that identifies the location of the cell and its associated resolution. The resolution of the grid may be varied depending in part, on the resolution of any available of hazard data.

Abstract: A low cost mechanism that may be used to extend Ethernet capability to low end devices provides sufficient capacity to support Ethernet communications using only a single twisted pair medium. Because only a single twisted pair is used, the overall cost, complexity and size associated with the integrating Ethernet functionality into an end device is reduced. A distributed power system delivers power to a Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) device over the single twisted pair medium. With such an arrangement, Ethernet capability and power may be simultaneously delivered to low end devices at a reduced cost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical connector for a first IC, comprising a second IC (12) carrying ESD protection, the second IC (12) being integrated into the connector (8), which enhances the ESD protection and preserves the RF performance of such connector (8). The present invention further relates to a method for making an electrical connector (8) for a first IC, comprising this step of providing ESD protection to the first IC by integrating a second IC (12) carrying ESD-protection into the connector (8).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical connector for a first IC, comprising a second IC (12) carrying ESD protection, the second IC (12) being integrated into the connector (8), which enhances the ESD protection and preserves the RF performance of such connector (8). The present invention further relates to a method for making an electrical connector (8) for a first IC, comprising this step of providing ESD protection to the first IC by integrating a second IC (12) carrying ESD-protection into the connector (8).

Abstract: An antennal arrangement for radio signals includes two loop antennas. Each of the antennas is provided with a capacitor. The antennas are separated from one another by a gap and are coupled to each other by a conductor.

Abstract: A method for monitoring fractional weight supported by one foot of a person, comprising the steps of adhering a movement monitor device underneath the foot such that the device is compressed when weight is applied to the foot; generating wireless signals representative of a target fractional weight of a total weight of the person; remotely receiving the wireless signals as information of the fractional weight. A method of monitoring weight of a person, comprising the steps of arranging one or more weight sensitive detectors underneath a foot of the person; processing signals from the detectors to determine weight; and wirelessly communicating the weight to a remote receiver.

Abstract: The invention provides a smart sensor (10) in the form of an adhesive bandage (32). The sensor (12) sticks to people and objects and wirelessly communicates with remote receivers (24). Internal detectors (12) sense conditions associated with movement or the environment of the sensor. Typically, sensors of the invention communicate by an RF transmitter or transceiver (16). Groups of sensors may be combined within a common canister that imparts date and time information and “power on” when dispensed.

Abstract: A method for monitoring fractional weight supported by one foot of a person, comprising the steps of adhering a movement monitor device underneath the foot such that the device is compressed when weight is applied to the foot; generating wireless signals representative of a target fractional weight of a total weight of the person; remotely receiving the wireless signals as information of the fractional weight. A method of monitoring weight of a person, comprising the steps of arranging one or more weight sensitive detectors underneath a foot of the person; processing signals from the detectors to determine weight; and wirelessly communicating the weight to a remote receiver.

Abstract: Various embodiments and techniques are described for discovery in a network, and for automatically discovering one or more nodes of the network. In an embodiment a discovery loop may be implemented to detect new nodes that may have been added to the network. The data transmission from the nodes may be paused, and undiscovered nodes may be requested to identify themselves. Each node that identifies itself may then be configured by, for example, having a time slot assigned for data transmission from the node. Separate time slots may be assigned to allow multiple nodes to transmit data over certain types of networks without colliding with each other. Data transmission from the nodes may then be resumed.

Abstract: An antennal arrangement for radio signals includes two loop antennas. Each of the antennas is provided with a capacitor. The antennas are separated from one another by a gap and are coupled to each other by a conductor.

Abstract: A shoe-based weight measuring system, comprising: a shoe; one or more weight sensitive detectors constructed and arranged with the shoe to sense weight of a person wearing the shoe and walking or standing; a processor for processing signals from the detectors to determine a weight of the person; a remote receiver; and a communications port for wirelessly communicating the weight to the remote receiver. An on demand weight system, comprising a weight detector coupled with a shoe for sensing weight of a person on the detector, a processor processing information from the detector for determining applied weight, a personal data display, and a communications port for wirelessly relaying the applied weight to the data display.

Abstract: A gaming system having a server connected to a plurality of gaming machines for playing a game in which a player wagers credits held in a credit meter. The gaming machines having a player tracking apparatus to receive an identifier from a current player of the gaming machine. The gaming machine can be reserved by a player, in which case play of the gaming machine is prevented by any player other than a player with the same identifier for a predetermined period time. The ability to reserve gaming machines may be dependent on eligibility criteria.

Abstract: A gaming machine display (14) includes a game playing arrangement (16) mountable in a cabinet (62) of a gaming machine (10). An electronically controlled display element (50) overlies the game playing arrangement (16) so that, depending on a state of the display element (50), the game playing arrangement (16) is visible through the display element (50).

Abstract: A device such as a gaming console comprises a display screen and a game controller arranged to allow a player to play a game and awarding a prize or feature if a winning combination results. A mechanical display filter is configured to visually distinguish at least two portions of the display screen from one another. The mechanical display screen may have buttons, including buttons which actuate a touch screen. The display screen can be used to illuminate portions of the mechanical display screen to produce visual effects, including using complex lighting patterns. The display screen may be used to illuminate buttons forming part of a user interface, or a separate screen may be used to illuminate the buttons from behind the buttons.

Abstract: Various embodiments and techniques are described to isolate a malfunction or faulty node in a network and to perform an action to address the malfunction.

Abstract: A processing system including a bios protection device and method of protecting a bios is provided. The system comprises a central processor (11), and a BIOS memory device (18) to which the BIOS protection device (17) is interconnected by address and data paths (16). At start-up, the BIOS protection device (17) takes control of the memory address and data paths (16) and prevents execution of a boot program stored in the BIOS memory device (18) until the BIOS protection device (17) has verified that the boot program stored in the BIOS memory device (18) is authentic. The BIOS protection device (17) is connected to the processing system between a central processor (11) and the BIOS memory device (18), and includes address and data path interface connection means (24, 25), and an authentication processor (21).