Abstract: A health-care system comprising: a processing machine; a plurality of biosensors respectively associated with individuals, each of the biosensors being operable to gather information regarding physiological parameters of the respective individuals and relay the information to the processing machine over a network; and data links from the processing machine to respective providers of a plurality of different health-care services to allow the transmission of instructions over the network for appropriate action to be taken in response to a determination that an individual is likely to suffer from a medical condition.

Abstract: A prototype production system, comprising: a plurality of machining apparatuses for carrying out respective manufacturing processes on a prototype; a device for transporting the prototype between the machining apparatuses and positioning the prototype appropriately for each of the respective manufacturing processes to be carried out; and a processor having means to receive prototype data specifying a prototype and means to deconstruct the production of the prototype into a series of manufacturing processes to be performed by respective machining apparatuses.

Abstract: An Internet-based exchange management system for implementing a manufacturing task requested by a user of an exchange, the system comprising: a project management processing system operable to provide a visual representation of the progress of the task to the user; a resource management processing system, operable to maintain a record of software which the exchange is licensed to utilise; a monitoring processing system, operable to monitor the operational status of at least one manufacturing facility involved in the manufacturing task; and a collaboration processing system, operable to allow real-time collaboration between the user and other members of the exchange.

Abstract: A web-based data processing system is used in a Business-to-Business (B2B) exchange for providing one-stop manufacturing solutions. In a B2B exchange, this system provides a moderator desktop for project planning, quoting, coordination and supervisory of all web-based business transactions from mechanical/electronic design and production of first article, tooling, production, financing, insurance, warehousing to end-product delivery. Also, this system provides a machine web communication desktop for web-based maintenance and support to members, process lines, systems and machines, and web-based resource sharing to “pay as you go” members and “flat fee” members. Likewise, this system provides dedicated desktops for other participants in the B2B exchange for direct and critical communication, collaboration and commerce transaction with moderator and machine web communication center.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a prototype, the apparatus comprising a headstock having a plurality of machining apparatuses for carrying out respective manufacturing processes on a prototype.