It is often desirable to move an object or load from place to place, for instance in manufacturing industry for carrying work pieces through manufacturing stages, or in warehousing to flexibly route packages to and from storage and pick up/delivery points, or in office communication systems for transfer of documents, etc. between departments or desks.

Another possible field of use is in the security industry wherein surveillance cameras are used in and around buildings for monitoring security and safety, for example to watch for possible shop-lifting in retail stores, anti-intruder surveillance of premises out of working hours, and monitoring public spaces such as airports or pedestrian precincts for law enforcement or public safety reasons.

At present, surveillance cameras are mounted in installations which are fixed in location although they are able to rotate and tilt the camera. Due to this arrangement, for economy, cameras are primarily located to cover potential'hot spots'where trouble is likely and this often leads to blind spots between the effective coverage of cameras. Such blind spots can enable illegal or antisocial activity to take place out of camera range, such as disorder, drug dealing or theft.

In a similar manner other items are provided in fixed locations, which can bring problems. In the case of security lights areas of deep shadow may be found

between lights or under/behind objects or obstacles wherein an intruder may hide undetected.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a transport apparatus whereby cameras, lights or other security devices can be mounted such that they are movable in location to cover blind spots and or track suspicious individuals or groups.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a transport apparatus comprising a pod and a corresponding track, said pod adapted to carry a load and travel along the track, said track comprising a drive channel and a retention channel and said pod comprising driving means adapted to contact said drive channel and operable to drive said pod along the track, retention means adapted to retain the pod in the track by engaging the retention channel and load carrying means for carrying a load.

In this manner, if a suitable track layout is used, a load may be efficiently and safely transported from one desired location to another desired location along the track.

By pod, it is meant any suitable apparatus for carrying a load and travelling along the track.

A network of said track is preferably provided thus allowing a load carried by a pod to be transported between a plurality of different locations by a number of possible paths. Most preferably a plurality of pods are provided in said track network operative to transport a number of different loads.

Preferably said track network is provided on a ceiling, and most preferably is disposed between ceiling tiles thus giving the ceiling a conventional appearance. In alternative embodiments however the track and pods may be adapted to be provided on walls or floors or any other substantially planar surface.

Preferably said retention channel is positioned directly above said drive channel and most preferably said retention channel is narrower than said drive channel. The pod is retained within the track by a retention means. Said retention means is preferably a support plate, which runs within the retention channel. Said support plate is preferably wider than said drive channel and thus engages the retention channel if a slippage or power failure occurs and prevents the pod from falling out of the track.

The load carrying means preferably enables a load to be proud of said track.

Preferably said load carrying means comprises a body portion having a base plate and a cover. The load is preferably mounted on said base plate. Preferably said retention means is connected to said base plate by a support rod.

The pod may be adapted to carry any desired article, in particular said load may be an electronic device such as a surveillance camera, security light, display screen or a loudspeaker. Alternatively, the pod may carry two or more articles which may include two or more of the above articles. The display screen may be an LCD screen, a conventional CRT a plasma screen or any other suitable display screen. As an alternative to a display screen the pod may carry an information sign or similar.

Said drive channel is preferably provided with at least one drive surface. Said driving means may comprise one or more drive wheels. Said driving means are

preferably wheels adapted to contact drive surfaces provided on opposite sides of said drive channel. Said driving means are adapted to grip said drive surface, for example by being fitted with tyres or by having teeth adapted to engage with corresponding teeth provided on the drive surface.

Preferably, at least the drive surface of the track is electrically live.

Preferably, a potential difference is maintained between opposite drive surfaces. In this manner electrical power may be supplied to the pod and if desired to the load. In order to facilitate this said drive wheels are preferably formed from a conducting material. In particular, if said drive wheels have tyres said tyres are preferably comprised of a conducting rubber material. Alternatively, auxiliary wheels adjacent to said drive wheel and formed of electrically conductive material may be provided for transferring power and data signals to said pod.

Preferably said drive wheels are mounted either on to the output drive shaft of an electric motor or on to the output drive shaft of a gearbox connected to an electric motor. Preferably said drive shafts are electrically connected to said drive wheels and power is transferred from said drive shafts to the pod by means of a brushing mechanism. Electronic data signals may additionally be passed to the pod and thereby to the load by the same means.

Preferably said motors are mounted on to a spring loaded bearing assembly, fixed to said base plate and able to slide outwards from the centre of said base plate under the force of said spring. This acts to urge the drive wheels into contact with the drive surfaces. Alternatively said motors may be mounted on the end of spring loaded pivot arms.

The track may be formed by opposing surfaces of adjacent ceiling tiles or by dedicated lengths of track disposed between ceiling tiles. If the track is formed by opposing surfaces of adjacent tiles, then said opposing faces are formed so as to provide said retention channel and said drive channel. Additionally said drive channel is provided with a drive surface as described above. An electrical power and data connection may be provided on each tile. This allows electrical power to be supplied to the drive surface of each tile and thus to the pod. Electrical data can be supplied to the pod by varying the voltage of the drive surface. In order to ensure a potential difference between adjacent tiles, an array of tiles is preferably supplied by two power supplies of different voltages, alternate tiles being connected to each supply in a chessboard pattern. As preferably, these tiles are square (or rectangular) this provides a track network having a grid pattern. Alternatively tiles of other shapes may be use if desired.

Alternatively, said track may comprise lengths connected by a coupling means, said lengths comprising a pair of opposed track portions connected by a non conducting intermediary component. Ceiling tiles may be supported in the space between track lengths, the track being otherwise as described above. In order to facilitate connection each track portion incorporates an upright panel for connection to the intermediary component. Preferably said upright panels additionally comprise extended tail portions adapted to connect to said coupling assembly.

Preferably said track portions incorporate tile support means for supporting a ceiling tile. Said coupling assembly preferably additionally comprises means for supporting a ceiling tile.

Said coupling means preferably comprises means for supporting said track and means for supporting said tiles provided between said track lengths. Said coupling means preferably additionally comprises a power supply and data means for transferring power and data to said pod via said driving surface.

The movement of the pod throughout the track network may be pre- programmed or may be manually overridden. The pod preferably incorporates a control unit operative to control the movement of the pod and the operation of the load if appropriate. Pre-programmed routes through the network and or pre- programmed responses to particular circumstances may be stored in said control unit.

Preferably, however such stored routes and responses may be overridden by said data signals. The data signals may be generated by a manual control unit located remotely from said track network.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an electromagnetic transport apparatus comprising a plurality of stator devices, and one or more armatures, the stator devices being dispersed to provide a plurality of possible paths for the or each armature between the stator devices, characterised in that either each of the stator devices, or the or each armature comprises a toroidal core having at least four sector windings which can be selectively energised to impart motion to the armature relative to the stator devices.

The stator devices may each comprise a plate such as a disc having a single winding which is energised to provide a magnetic field, which is constant in direction and intensity. Alternatively, the stator devices may each comprise a permanent magnet. The permanent magnet may be a rare earth magnet.

The or each armature may comprise a toroidal disc with a central aperture, provided four sector windings, each sector extending through a 90 degree arc of the toroidal disc. The sector windings may each have three energisation states'forward', 'backward'and'off' (or clockwise, anticlockwise and off) which may be selected to produce, by interaction with the stator fields, a net'forward','backward','left'or 'right'or rotary motion to the armature.

Energisation of the sector windings may be achieved by any suitable means.

For example, direct power may be supplied to the sector windings, by means of a brush system, which connects a conductor such as a localised live segment of the framework to the armature.

The angular resolution of the movement of the or each armature may be altered by the provision of further sector windings.

The stator devices, each comprising discs, may be disposed to provide a grid of mutually orthogonal paths. Alternative configurations are also possible, for example, hexagonal stator plates may be disposed with gaps therebetween to provide a honeycomb pattern.

Also, such grids may be provided in switching zones, where the armatures may be switched between possible paths for routing, the switching zones being connected by linear (rectilinear, possibly including curves or right angle bends for example) sections wherein the stator devices may comprise parallel rails r sections separated by a gap for movement of the armature. Such an arrangement is suitable for long traverses between destinations or switching zones.

The stator devices may be suspended from a support framework via attachment members, which may be cylindrical members.

The armature or armatures each preferably comprise a disc having a peripheral recess for receiving the edges of stator devices. A load, such as a security CCTV video camera, or a goods transporter may in turn be suspended from the armature.

The relationship between armature and stator devices is preferably such that significant vertical movement of the armature relative to the stator devices is prevented by the peripheral recess of the armature, and any load suspended therefrom, cannot fall from the apparatus if, for example, the supply of current to the armature is interrupted or ceased.

The apparatus may be further provided with support members attached to the support framework, the stator devices being suspended from the support members.

Suspension of the stator devices from the support members may be via attachment members. The support members may be cylindrical members modified by provision of a deeply recessed guide slot extending around the support member. The shape of the support members may be altered in accordance with the shape of the stator devices which they carry, e. g. hexagonal, rail-like, etc. The guide slot of each support member is positioned to receive edges of a support plate attached to an upper surface of the or each armature, attachment preferably being via a member. Movement of the support plate relative to the adjacent support members may be facilitated by the provision of bearings at the interface thereof. These preferably comprise mechanical bearings, although air bearings may be used. Alternatively, a magnetic system may be used to reduce friction at this interface.

With this arrangement, it is possible to suspend from the armature loads of considerable weight, the support plate, in conjunction with adjacent support members, helping to bear the weight of the loads.

The armature may be provided with a braking device to slow and/or stop motion of the armature. The braking device may comprise an arm, for example an electro-mechanical arm comprising a solenoid that may be extended to achieve braking. The arm may be biased by a biasing means such as a spring, whereby during normal use the arm is held in a retracted position and may move to the extended position under the influence of the biasing means to effect braking.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the configuration of the or each armature, the stator devices and optionally the support member (s) and support plate (s) may be reversed, whereby the or each armature (and optionally support member (s)) comprises a disc, preferably a lenticular disc, and the stator devices (and optionally <BR> <BR> support plate (s) ) comprise cylinders with deep peripheral grooves, this alternative arrangement also serving to resist significant vertical movement of the armature relative to the stator devices.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the apparatus may be used in a substantially vertical configuration, wherein the stator devices are attached to a substantially vertical framework and the armature moves therebetween in a substantially vertical plane.

In a still further embodiment of the invention, a load may be attached to an upper surface of the armature rather than being suspended therefrom.

Using additional high strength magnets on both the stator devices and the armature, attractive and repulsive magnetic fields can be used to suspend or levitate the armature within the framework. Permanent magnets may be provided for this purpose.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a security surveillance or monitoring apparatus comprising transport apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention or electromagnetic transport apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the, each or some of the pods or armatures are adapted to carry a security monitoring device.

The latter device may be, for example, a security CCTV camera, a video camera, or a camera operating outside the visual range such as an infrared detector apparatus. Video images may be transferred via cable to a monitor unit.

Alternatively, a wireless system may be used for wireless operation. The apparatus may be pre-programmed or manually operated with manual override.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for transporting goods comprising transport apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention or electromagnetic transport apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention wherein the, each or some of the pods or armatures are adapted to carry a load. Again, the apparatus may be pre-programmed or manually operated.

In order that the invention be more clearly understood, it shall now be described further herein, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 shows a number of pods according to the present invention capable of travelling around a track network according to the first aspect of the present invention provided in the ceiling of a room; Figure 2 shows a schematic cross section of a pod according to the present invention retained within a track according to the first aspect of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a schematic view of an alternative pod in a track according to the first aspect of the present invention; Figure 4 shows, an exploded schematic plan view of a pod according to the first aspect of the present invention; Figure 5 shows in perspective, a driving mechanism of a pod according to the first aspect of the present invention; Figure 6a shows a schematic cross section of a tile suitable for forming part of a track according to the first aspect of the present invention; Figure 6b shows a scheme for how a number of tiles according to figure 6a may be supplied with power; Figure 7 shows in perspective, a schematic view of a length of track according to the first aspect of the present invention not formed from the edges of two tiles ;

Figure 8 shows an exploded perspective view of the track of Figure 7; Figure 9a shows a perspective view of a coupling assembly for coupling lengths of track according to Figures 7 & 8 Figure 9b shows an exploded perspective view of a coupling assembly for coupling lengths of track according to Figures 7 & 8 Figure 10 shows a plan view of the coupling assembly of figure 9; Figure 11 is a diagram of a first embodiment of armature in apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention; Figure 12 is a diagram of a first embodiment of armature in apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention; Figure 13 is a diagram showing a section of an apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention including both stator devices and one armature; Figure 14 is a sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 13; and Figure 15 is a sectional view of the apparatus according to Figures 13 & 14.

Referring to Figure 1, a transport apparatus comprises a plurality of pods 2 retained within and adapted to travel along a track network 4 provided in a ceiling 6.

The track network 4 is arranged to run between ceiling tiles 8, thus giving the ceiling 6 a conventional appearance. Each pod 2 is adapted to carry a load such as a surveillance camera, light, display screen or information sign. The pods are each

operable to travel along the track network 4 between any particular points by any desired route and may be controlled remotely or automatically. For instance a pod 2 carrying a surveillance camera can be made to follow a suspicious person walking across the room. The pod 2 picks up an electrical power supply and electrical data signals from said track, said data signals being operative to control both said pod 2 and said load.

Referring now to Figure 2, each pod comprises a suspension plate 10 which fits within a retention channel 12 of the track, driving wheels 14 adapted to abut a drive surface 16 of a drive channel 18 of the track and a body portion 20, which hangs from a rod 44 below the track.

The body portion 20 is attached to the suspension plate 10 by means of a support rod 22. The suspension plate 10 is adapted to travel within the retention channel 12. The plate 10 is of greater width than the drive channel 18 and thus if power fails or the drive wheels 14 slip during operation, the plate 10 prevents the pod 2 falling out of the track. Typically a lubricant may be applied to the surfaces of the suspension plate 10, such that any friction between the plate 10 and the retention channel 12 is minimised in normal operation.

The body portion 20 comprises a base plate 24 upon which components forming a pod control means 26 and a pod driving means 28 are provided and to which a desired article or load may be attached such as a surveillance camera, light or sign.

As is shown in Figure 4, each drive wheel 14 is mounted directly onto the drive shaft 30 of an electric motor 32 or may alternatively as is shown in Figure 5 be

mounted onto the output'drive shaft'34 of a gearbox 36 which is in turn fitted to an electric motor 32. The drive wheel 14 and motor 32 or the drive wheel 14, gearbox 36 and motor 32 as above are mounted onto a spring loaded bearing assembly 38.

Each spring loaded bearing 38 is fixed to the base plate 24 such that it may slide (under the force of a spring) outwards from the centre of the base plate 24. This urges each drive wheel 14 in to contact with the drive surface 16 of the track. The action of the spring loaded bearings 38 is damped in order to prevent the drive wheels 14 overshooting at track coupling points.

In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 3, the drive wheel 14 and motor 32 or the drive wheel 14, gearbox 36 and motor 32 as above are each mounted on the end of a spring biased pivot arm 40. As in the previous embodiment, each spring loaded pivot arm 40 is adapted in order to urge the drive wheels 14 into contact with the drive surface 16.

The drive wheels 14 may have a smooth or textured surface as is required to enable a good grip to be achieved between the outer surface of the drive wheel 14 and the drive surface 16. In some embodiments, the drive wheels 14 may be fitted with tyres 42 made from rubber or other suitable material in order to increase said grip.

In alternative embodiments such as that shown in Figure 5, the driving wheels 14 have a toothed surface 46, which is adapted to engage with corresponding teeth (not shown) on the driving surface 16.

Each drive surface 16 is electrically live, and a potential difference is maintained between opposite drive surfaces 16 of the track. Power is transferred to the pod 2 from the drive surfaces 16 by means of the drive wheels 14. Alternatively,

electrical power is supplied to the pod 2 by means of auxiliary wheels (not shown), in contact with said drive wheels and adjacent to said drive wheels. In order to facilitate this the drive wheels 14 (or auxiliary wheels) are formed from electrically conductive material, typically said driving wheels 14 are entirely comprised of metal however in embodiments wherein said drive wheels 14 have tyres 42, said tyres 42 are formed from electrically conductive composite rubber materials.

Electrical power is transferred from the drive wheels 14 to the electric motors 32 and other components of the pod 2 by any suitable means. In particular this can be achieved by using brushing, in Figure 5, the ends 48 of drive shafts 34 are domed to facilitate transfer of electrical power to other components of the pod via brushing.

Control signals may additionally be transferred to the pod 2 via the electrical connection provided by the drive wheels 14. Typically, these signals may be digital signals encoded by varying the voltage supplied to the driving surfaces 16.

In one embodiment, track is formed between the edges of specially adapted ceiling tiles 8 as is shown in Figure 2. A cross-section of a suitable ceiling tile 8 is shown in more detail in Figure 6. The tile 8 has a body 50 typically formed from ceramic material or plastic material although other suitable materials may be substituted if desired.

The edges of the tile are shaped such that in conjunction with the edges of an adjacent tile they form a track such as that shown in Figure 2. Each edge of each tile 8 has a deep recess 52 which forms half of the retention channel 12, a lower projection 54 the distal end 56 of which provides the drive surface 16 and an upper projection 58, the distal end of which is adapted to be connected to an adjacent tile 8

either directly or by means of an intermediate connecting means. The drive surface 16 of each tile 8 is curved at each corner of each tile to facilitate pods 2 travelling along the track to change to travel in alternative track directions smoothly.

The edge of the tile 8, the shaded portion in Figure 5 is formed from an electrically conducting material. This allows power and/or data to be transferred from the tile 8 to the pod 2 via the driving surface 16. If, as in the embodiment of Figure 5, the conductive material extends over the surface of upper projection 58 then a non- conducting intermediate component is used to connect the tiles 8.

An electrical and data connection 60 is provided on the upper surface of the tile 8. This allows power and data to be transferred to the driving surfaces 16. An on tile electronic control unit 62 is also provided to regulate the power and data supplied to the driving surfaces 16. Typically the control unit 62 is a microprocessor control unit. Additionally, brackets (not Shown) are provided on the top surface of the tile 8 allowing the tile 8 to be securely mounted to the ceiling.

The tile 8 has a decorative facia 64 fitted to its lower edge, the facia 64 being retained in place by clips 66. In some embodiments, the facia 64 may be a luminescent facia 64, said luminescent facia 64 being supplied with power and controlled by the on tile control unit 62.

In order to maintain a potential difference between the driving surfaces 16 on adjacent tiles 8, adjacent tiles 8 are connected to different voltage power supplies.

This can be achieved by connecting them to one or other of two different supplies in a chessboard pattern as is shown in Figure 6b. It is of course possible to achieve this using different methods of supplying each driving surface 16 and or different numbers

of supplies. It is of course possible to replace the square tiles shown in Figure 6 with arrays of other shaped tiles such as rectangular tiles, triangular tiles, hexagonal tiles or other tessellating tile patterns. It is also possible to mix tiles of different shapes if so desired.

In an alternative embodiment, the track network 4 may comprise a plurality of track lengths 70 connected together at their ends by a suitable coupling assembly 72.

Each track length 70 is comprised of a pair of opposed track portions 74. Such a pair of opposed track portions 74 are shown schematically in Figure 7.

The track portions 74 are connected to one another to form the track by a non- conducting intermediary component 76, sandwiched between upright panels 78 provided upon each track portion 74. The intermediary component 76 allows the track portions 74 to be connected physically to one another without being connected electrically to one another. This thus allows a potential difference to be maintained between the track portions 74 and thus between each driving surface 16. The potential difference is created by connecting each portion 74 to an electrical supply having a different voltage.

Extending rearwardly from the upright panels 78 are tile support panels 80 upon which a ceiling tile 8 may be mounted such that it can be mounted between track lengths 70. The ceiling tile 8 may be a conventional tile or may be a ceiling tile of the type shown in Figure 6.

As above, the track comprises a retention channel 12, and a drive channel 18, the drive channel 18 being positioned below and being narrower than the retention channel 12. The retention channel 12 is defined by the lower surface 82 of the tile

support panel 80 and the upper surface 84 of a retention rail 86. The driving channel 18 is defined by the lower surface 88 of the retention rail 86 and the upper surface 90 of a driving rail 92. The driving surface 16 extends between the retention rail 86 and the driving rail 92. As is shown in Figure 7, the driving surface 16 can be an integral part of the track portion 74 or can be an inserted portion.

Referring now to Figure 8, an exploded view of a pair of track portions 74 is shown illustrating how they fit together. The figure additionally illustrates the provision of extrusions 94 and apertures 96 that may be provided on the upright panels 78 to facilitate connection. This figure further illustrates the extended tails 98 of the upright panels 78 which facilitate the connection together of a number of track lengths 70 to form a track network 4.

Referring to Figure 9 exploded and constructed views of a coupling assembly 72 for joining track lengths 70. In the drawings, the coupling assembly 72 shown is suitable for joining four track lengths 70 in a perpendicular crossing. It should of course be appreciated that coupling assemblies using the same principles to join different numbers of track lengths 70 at different angles.

The coupling assembly comprises four corner components 100. Each component 100 has a flat tile support surface 102 of substantially rectangular shape, and peripheral walls 104 extending along two adjacent edges of the support surface 102. The exterior side of the walls has a recess 68 towards the distal end of each wall 104. The components 100 are joined together by way of a non-conducting intermediary component 106 of a cross shape piece. The intermediary component 106 is connected to that part of each wall 104 that is not recessed. The recesses 68 are

disposed opposite each other once the corner components are connected together.

This provides a space into which the tails 98 of the upright panels 78 fit and are thus connected to the coupling assembly.

Each corner component 100 can be connected to a different voltage power supply to thus supply electrical power to each track length 70 and thereby to each pod 2 via the drive wheels 14. The coupling assembly 72 is adapted to be hung from the ceiling of a room, and thus allow the track network to be suspended from said ceiling.

In order to give the ceiling a conventional appearance ceiling tiles 8 are supported between the tile support surfaces 80,102.

The under side of the corner components 100 are shown in Figure 10. They provide curved connecting portions 108 between the driving surfaces 16 on each track length 70 thus facilitating the pod 2 transferring smoothly between different track lengths 70 which may be track lengths 70 running in different directions.

In either embodiment of the invention described above, a track network 4 can be provided allowing pods containing surveillance cameras lights or other loads to move around a ceiling in any desired path. The pods 2 and any associated load can be both powered and controlled by the electrical signals transferred to the pods via the drive wheel 14. In alternative embodiments however other means may be provided to transmit control signals to the pod, in particular wireless means such as radio frequency or infra red signals.

In a preferred embodiment of electromagnetic transport apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a modular support frame 210 (figs 14 and 15) comprising a grid of members from the crossing points of which

are suspended a plurality of lenticular stator discs 211, through the intermediary of circular support members 212, which have deep peripheral guide grooves 213 which give the support members 212 the form of deeply flanged wheels. The stator discs 211 have a central aperture (not shown) which renders them effectively toroidal, so that the discs are each wound with a stator winding, which is energised to provide an electromagnetic field which is preferably constant in direction and intensity.

The apparatus also comprises at least one armature member 214. This comprises a wheel-like armature element, which is similar in form to the support member 212 of the deep peripheral groove 215 for cooperation with the lenticular stator discs 211. The armature member 214 is suspended by a rod 216 from a lenticular support plate 217, which cooperates with the guide grooves 213 in the support member 212 associated with the stator discs 211. Bearings 235 integral to the support plate 217 facilitate movement relative to the guide grooves 213. The support plate 217 is not connected to the support frame 210 so that the armature member 214 can freely move through the spaces and passages defined between the stator discs 211 and support members 212, in response to the energisation of the stator discs 211 and of the windings of the armature member 214, now to be described. The armature member 214 has a load 218 suspended therefrom, to be movable with the armature.

The armature member 214 has a central aperture 219, not only for receiving rod 216, but also to enable the armature member 214 to be wound as a toroidal winding. The armature member 214 has at least four separate sector windings 220, 221,222, 223 each extending over a right angle sector of the armature. Each sector winding has three possible states of energisation,'forward', and'back'and'off (or

clockwise', anticlockwise'and of) whilst the stator fields remain fixed in direction and constant. The combination of field states of the armature windings can be varied to influence the direction in which the armature member 214 will be induced to move through the matrix of possible routes formed by the array of stator discs 211.

For example, with reference to fig 11, if windings 220 and 223 (on the left hand side) are energised in the clockwise sense, and windings 221 and 222 (on the right hand side) are energised in the anti-clockwise sense, then a resultant motion to the top of fig 11 will be produced. If windings 220 and 221 (at the top of fig 11) are energised in the clockwise sense, and windings 222 and 223 (at the bottom of fig 11) are energised in the anti-clockwise sense, then a resultant motion to the right hand side of fig 11 will be produced. Conversely, if windings 220 and 223 are energised in the anti-clockwise sense, and windings 221 and 222 are energised in the clockwise sense, then the resultant motion will be towards the bottom of fig 11, and if windings 220 and 210 are energised in the anti-clockwise sense, and windings 222 and 223 are energised in the clockwise sense, then a resultant motion will be towards the left of fig 11.

By energising all of the windings to produce field directions in the same sense, then the armature 214 may be rotated in the corresponding sense, either clockwise or anti-clockwise. This capacity may be used for example to train a monitoring sensor on a target of interest. If the rod 216 includes a solenoid and plunger arrangement, then the solenoid winding may also be energised to raise and lower the load 218.

More than four sector windings may be provided on the armature 214, for example eight windings as shown in Figure 12 wherein windings 224-231 are shown which each extend over 45 degree sectors of the armature.

In the case of a honeycomb matrix of stator devices, the armature may for example have six 60-degree segment windings.

The stator devices 211 may be shaped to guide the armature through different track configurations, for example, linear or curved track, diamond, crossings, triangular and arrow or funnel arrangements.

Rapid motion of the armature member 214 relative to the stator discs 211 may be achieved. In addition, operation of the apparatus does not produce significant levels of unwanted noise.

The transport apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention or the electromagnetic transport apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention can be used in a wide range of practical applications, for example in the guidance and tracking and movement of surveillance and monitoring sensors for security and safety purposes. By this means suspect persons may be followed, incidents detected and then monitored from multiple view points, and for example outbreaks of fire quickly detected and traced to source, if necessary triangulating from set-back view points.

Also, the apparatus can be used for transporting goods, for example in warehousing and retail operations, to store goods after delivery and bring them to a

point of sale or despatch. The apparatus may also be adapted for office use for delivery of post, memoranda and files, for example.

The apparatus provides flexible routing, particularly in matrix sectors, and the the powering of the drive wheels or energisation of armature coils may be controlled by a computer to provide optimum routing between fixed start and destination points, avoiding other pods or armature devices or obstructions, which vary in location with time throughout the system so that the optimum route between the same points may change from one instant to the next.

Surveillance equipment may be pre-programmed to follow a routine or a random patrol path through the apparatus, but be readily overridden by an operator when an incident requiring a flexible response arises, for example to divert sensors to monitor the development of an outbreak of fire between raising the alarm and arrival of fire crews so that the latter can have an up-to-date situation report on arrival, or public order disturbances, or theft incidents.

The control of the pod or armature may be affected by means of a radio link from a computer of a manual control console controlling a transmitter. Up to 1000, independent signals can be modulated and transmitted without interference over secure radio frequencies at ranges of to 100m from the transmitter. Each pod or armature may require 10 or more signal channels, so that up to 100 individual pods or armatures can be controlled concurrently. Sensors in the track network or in the stator matrix, such as comparative sensors, or proximity induction sensors may be located to detect the presence of a nearby pod or armature and these would report range and bearing to enable the control computer to keep track of the location of all pods or

armature units to avoid collisions and assign them to tasks. It is envisaged that it may be possible to effect such monitoring and control remotely through an Internet or telephone link, enabling several installations to be monitored from a single centre.

The apparatus may be concealed behind panelling to hide it from view and may be connected to horizontal or vertical surfaces. For example, the apparatus may be connected to the ceiling, walls and/or floor of a room whereby the or each pod or armature may be moved across the entire surface of that room.

Further examples of possible uses include carrying spot lights for displays, as emergency lighting and guidance means in emergencies and for theatrical use; audio speakers and microphones to address particular groups or individuals, or to provide active surround sound capabilities in an auditorium; to carry gas, smoke or infrared detectors for fire detection; or to carry advertising signs.

Multiple pods or armatures may be used and coupled together to increase the load carrying capability, and may be choreographed to carry out visual and sound displays for advertising, artistic or emergency purposes.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example only.