Central Research Laboratories Limited

Thorn Secure Science Limited

Hydrae Limited

Central Research Labs, Ltd.

Ian Macdonald Green

Steven Lipman

Simon N Willcock

Alon Shmuel

Michael Jackson

Robert Frederick Kilbrïde-Newman

Jeffrey Heine

Simon Nicholas Murray Willcock

Kevin John Atkins

Andrew Parkes

There is provided a toy comprising: a processor (); a memory coupled to said processor (); an output () coupled to said processor; and means () for establishing a network connection with at least one further such toy; wherein the processor includes means for controlling the output of each toy with which a network connection has been established. Furthermore, the controlling means is adapted to transmit, over said network connection, instructions to control a plurality of the outputs (preferably all of the outputs) of each toy with which a network connection has been established.

Interacting toys

A device for reading an elongate magnetic data carrier attached to or embedded in an article, having an active read head adapted to have a lateral extent greater than the width of the data carrier, preferably four times greater, such that the magnetic field produced by the read head results in a signal from the data carrier which has an amplitude which varies by less than 50% for head to data carrier spacings of from 0 to 60 microns. A wide read head can also make the reading of data more reproducible when reading narrow tracks using swipe readers, where precise alignment is difficult to achieve.

Device for reading an elongate magnetic data carrier

An apparatus for reading permanently structured magnetic records having a first coercivity, comprising an oscillator having an inductive read head that is coupled to a circuit arrangement. At least one side of the read head sees an impedance that is larger than the impedance of the read head over the range of frequencies of interest, such that the read head provides an electrical signal in response to magnetic records having a second coercivity that is higher than the first coercivity (typically 2,000 to 5,000 oersteds). The electrical signal is derived from the voltage across the read head, which is preferably detected by a differential integrator that subtracts the voltages on either side of the read head to give a voltage difference, and integrates this difference over time.

Apparatus for reading permanently structured magnetic records

An apparatus for displaying an image in space and for providing a background image behind the projected image having an image generator and optical system for projecting an image of an object in an image plane suspended in space. A partially light-transmissive screen is located between the image generator and optical system and the projected image. The screen contains a pattern of juxtaposed light-transmissive regions, through which the image is projected, and regions which are not light-transmissive (ie, substantially opaque areas or reflective surfaces). The background image is printed, or painted, on the opaque areas on the side of the screen remote from the image generator optical system. The screen may be made by printing the background image on opaque areas on a translucent or transparent film, or by printing the background image on a foraminated or perforated opaque sheet.

Apparatus for displaying a real image in space

A record carrier has a secure first data storage device storing a plurality of different identification numbers in a sequence and a further data storage device storing a further number. The identification numbers are successive integers, and the further number is the least significant digit of one of the successive integers. The secure data storage device preferably includes permanently structured magnetic tape. The further number is derivable in a predetermined way from only one of the identification numbers, thus identifying uniquely which one of the identification numbers is characteristic of the record carrier.

Record carrier and method of labelling an article of value

Apparatus for coupling power into a body of gas by induction to provide a gas discharge, comprises a source of a/c power (,) coupled to a circuit arrangement having an inductor comprising two coils (,), each constituted by a respective elongate conductor, the conductors each having one end coupled to the circuit arrangement at opposite respective sides of the inductor, and having the other end at a floating potential. The mutual capacitance between the coils, together with the inductance of the inductor as a whole, constitute a balanced self-resonant circuit having a resonant frequency which is greater than 1 MHz and less than 100 MHz. This arrangement can reduce temperature variations in the resonant frequency and can reduce unwanted r.f. emissions.

Apparatus for coupling power into a body of gas

An electrochemical cell sensing circuit for an electrochemical cell having a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode in an electrolyte, which in use, when a gas to be analysed is introduced into the cell, generating a current between the counter electrode and the working electrode, and a potential at a position in the electrolyte is sensed by the reference electrode. The circuit comprising power supply means (,, R,, R,, D,) for applying an offset voltage to the counter electrode (c) relative to the working electrode (w), an amplifier means (A,, A,) for monitoring the voltage difference between the reference electrode (r) and the working electrode (w) and operable in use to feed back a current to the working electrode (w) through a feed back loop, and thereby tend to maintain the working electrode (w) at substantially the same potential as the reference electrode (r), the circuit includes measuring means (,, S,, R,, C,, A,) for measuring the current feed back by the amplifier (A,, A,) to the working electrode (w) as a measure of the cell current flowing between the working electrode (w) and the counter electrode (c).

Electrochemical sensing circuits

Glow discharge apparatus comprises a light-transmissive body (,) defining a cavity (,) containing neon or xenon gas. The glow discharge is powered by one or more electrodes (,) external to the cavity. The apparatus also comprises a secondary light source (,) for illuminating the neon gas to provide electrons in the cavity, thereby assisting discharge initiation in intermittent use, for example when controlled by a pulse time modulation drive circuit (,).

Glow discharge apparatus having direct production of visible light from neon or xenon

A method of identifying a data carrier such as a credit card, benefit card, access control card, identity card or stored value card, carrying data in the form of a plurality of rational number in a sequence, successive numbers having a marker between them, comprises a) measuring the distance from a fixed point on the data carrier to a given part of a marker, b) dividing this distance by the distance between corresponding give parts of successive markers, thereby obtaining a rational number, and c) subtracting this rational number from the number in the sequence adjacent the marker in a given direction, thereby obtaining a further rational number which is capable of identifying the data carrier uniquely.

Method of identifying a data carrier

In order to overcome problems with residual d.c. offset, and input signals with arbitrary timing, a drive circuit for a ferroelectric liquid crystal device includes a counter arranged for counting between first and second predetermined values in response to an input signal. The counter is designed so as to count in a first direction in response to a positive edge of the input signal and in a second direction in response to a negative edge of the input signal. Gating and latching circuits are responsive to the counting of the counter and the direction of count so as to provide appropriate positive or negative output voltage pulses for driving a ferroelectric liquid crystal device. An output stage comprising a bridge circuit is coupled via a step up transformer to the display device.

Growing community of inventors

London, United Kingdom

Ian Macdonald Green