Abstract: An apparatus for modeling the visible world using a spherical data set includes a first device means for generating the spherical data set, the first device having a wide angle lens which is pivotable around a predetermined focal point, a second device for selecting a viewpoint within a p-surface, a third device for texture mapping selected data of the spherical image data onto the p-surface such that the resultant texture map is substantially equivalent to projecting the selected data onto the p-surface from the viewpoint to thereby generate a texture mapped p-sphere, and a fourth device for displaying a predetermined portion of the texture mapped p-sphere. A memory which stores a seamless spherical image data set formed from N circular image data sets captured by a single lens, where the circular image data sets are taken from a single focal point of the lens, and where N is a positive integer greater than 1 is also described.

Abstract: An insulator layer for single crystal gallium arsenide substrates in which the insulator layer is compliantly matched with the substrate and the insulator layer is free of defects causing surface roughness and crystalline defect problems which, otherwise, could impair device performance. To accomplish this, the insulator layer is formed on a gallium arsenide substrate as an integral composite or variegated structure including (a) a uniform homogenous film of Group IIa metal atoms attached directly onto a gallium arsenide substrate surface in the form of a monolayer, and (b) a single crystal epitaxial film of a Group IIa metal fluoride deposited on the monolayer.

Abstract: The forming time necessary to superplastically form an object from a metal sheet is estimated by empirical analysis. The required rate of gas mass flow into a forming cavity is then determined using either a nomograph composed of four interrelated graphs, or a single graph which requires the input of fewer variables than the nomograph. The present invention may also be used to form cells of multiple sheet panels from a stack of sheets. In the latter application, forming time necessary to complete forming of the cells from an interim point where the core sheet forming pressure and the die temperature are increased from interim levels to their final values is estimated by empirical analysis. A nomograph or single graph of the present invention then determines the gas mass flow rate necessary to safely and efficiently complete forming of the cells from the foregoing interim point.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector and an associated fabrication method where the connector has a connector housing having a base side, a and pair of sidewalls upstanding from the base side that are spaced apart in relation to each other, and each of the housing sidewalls define at least one aperture through which optical signals can be transmitted into and out of the housing by an input optical fiber and an output optical fiber, respectively, located in fixed positions outside the housing, and a pair of optical lens elements are contained within the housing which collimate optical signals transmitted via the respective optical fibers. The lens elements are precisely aligned with respective optical fibers within submicron tolerances using internally-housed micro-aligners. As a result, the fiber optic connector of the present invention can provide efficient coupling between optical fibers, such as optical fibers in two spliced composite parts.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector and an associated fabrication method where the connector has a connector housing having a base side, a and pair of sidewalls upstanding from the base side that are spaced apart in relation to each other, and each of the housing sidewalls define at least one aperture through which optical signals can be transmitted into and out of the housing by an input optical fiber and an output optical fiber, respectively, located in fixed positions outside the housing, a pair of optical lens elements are contained within the housing which collimate optical signals transmitted via the respective optical fibers, and a micro-alignable sensing fiber is arranged between the lens elements. The sensing fiber is precisely aligned with respective lens elements within submicron tolerances using internally-housed micro-aligners. As a result, the fiber optic connector of the present invention can provide efficient coupling between optical fibers, such as optical fibers in two spliced composite parts.

Abstract: A method of modeling of the visible world using a spherical image data set includes steps for generating the spherical image data set, selecting a viewpoint within a p-surface, and texture mapping selected data from the spherical image data set onto the p-surface such that the resultant texture map is substantially equivalent to projecting the selected data onto the p-surface from the viewpoint to thereby generate a texture mapped p-surface. According to one aspect of the invention, the method also includes a step for either rotating the texture mapped p-surface or changing the direction of view to thereby expose a new portion of the texture mapped p-surface. According to another aspect of the invention, a first the texture mapped p-sphere is replaced by a second texture mapped p-sphere by interactively selecting the new viewpoint from viewpoints within the second texture mapped p-sphere.

Abstract: A method for controlling a chemical reactor such as a gas-phase reactor using a non-linear predictive control includes steps for generating a plurality of signals representing a current state of the chemical reactor and reflecting a respective constituent of reactants in the chemical reactor, calculating a future state of the chemical reactor responsive to said plurality of signals and referenced to mass hold-up of the reactants in the chemical reactor, and controlling at least one parameter related to the chemical reactor so as to control the future state of the chemical reactor. Spurious control events due to noise in sensor or controller output signals are preferably minimized by filtering these signals using a N-sign filter subroutine.

Abstract: A method for generating a seamless spherical image combines at least two images separately captured from a single focal point and different directions of view. A spherical image data set produced by using a programmed computer to digitally stitch together at least two digital images that represent the visible world as seen from a fixed focal point and at least two respective directions of view is also described.

Abstract: An improved electrolysis system includes a cylindrical anode, a cylindrical cathode, a cathode material including nanocrystalline particles, and an insulator disposed between the anode and the cathode material to prevent contact between the anode and the cathode material.

Abstract: A method of modeling of the visible world using full-surround image data includes steps for selecting a view point within a p-surface, and texture mapping full-surround image data onto the p-surface such that the resultant texture map is substantially equivalent to projecting full-surround image data onto the p-surface from the view point to thereby generate a texture mapped p-surface. According to one aspect of the invention, the method also includes a step for either rotating the texture mapped p-surface or changing the direction of view to thereby expose a new portion of the texture mapped p-surface. According to another aspect of the invention, a first the texture mapped p-sphere is replaced by a second texture mapped p-sphere by interactively selecting the new viewpoint from viewpoints within the second texture mapped p-sphere. A corresponding apparatus is also described.

Abstract: System and method for photodynamic therapy using a phased array Raman laser amplifier including a beam generator for generating a fundamental laser beam and a Raman seed frequency laser beam, and a fiber optic laser amplifier array for forming a diffraction limited output laser beam at the Raman seed frequency by amplifying the fundamental laser beam to a power level corresponding to the Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) threshold to thereby pump the SRS process and provide Raman gain to the Raman seed frequency laser beam.

Abstract: Native code for a CNC stitching machine is generated by generating a geometry model of a preform; generating tool paths from the geometry model, the tool paths including stitching instructions for making stitches; and generating additional instructions indicating thickness values. The thickness values are obtained from a lookup table. When the stitching machine runs the native code, it accesses a lookup table to determine a thread tension value corresponding to the thickness value. The stitching machine accesses another lookup table to determine a thread path geometry value corresponding to the thickness value.

Abstract: An attachment integrated claims (AIC) system includes an e-mail form (with specific fields that must be filled out) that adjusts itself, in both information required and formatting, to meet the demands of the receiving party. It is particularly advantageous for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) situations where a user must send similar (but not necessarily identical) messages to several organizations. This is particularly important where, once an e-mail is received by those organizations, the information in the message must be digitally integrated into differing legacy information systems. In other words, the AIC system permits transmission of a dynamic claim form and integrated attachment to an insurance carrier via a non-clearinghouse communications channel. An AIC system including several computers connected via a communications channel, an electronic file, and an operating method therefor are also described.

Abstract: A flywheel assembly for storing energy and rotatable in response to the rotation of a shaft includes a hub having a transition portion having a constant stress intermediate region operatively coupled to the shaft and an outer connecting portion forming a flexible cylinder, wherein the shaft and the flexible cylinder are substantially coaxial, and an outer cylinder wherein a majority of the mass of the flywheel assembly is concentrated. The flexible cylinder includes connecting pads disposed at opposing edges of the outer side of the flexible cylinder thereby permitting connection to the outer cylinder. The outer cylinder increases radially responsive to a corresponding increase in rotational speed of the flywheel assembly, while the diameter of the transition portion of the hub follows the radial increase of the outer cylinder.

Abstract: A computer system includes first, second and third computers. Preferably, e first computer includes a first storage device storing a document written in hypertext markup language (HTML), the HTML document including an applet tag for invoking a Universal Client device and computer readable first instructions for generating the Universal Client device, and a first communications device permitting the HTML document and the first instructions for generating the Universal Client device to be downloaded to a second computer, while the second computer includes a second storage device storing computer readable second instructions for permitting the second computer to utilize a World Wide Web browser providing a JAVA.TM.

Abstract: A Universal Client with a self-contained scripting language called GUIScript allows computing systems of varying architectures linked to the Internet or connected by an Intranet to run the same application software without modification or recompilation. Using a client-server architecture, the Universal Client receives GUIScript from the server, which commands the Universal Client to display certain graphical user interface (GUI) objects. The GUIScript also describes the behavior of the GUI objects presented by the Universal Client, thus providing a personality which defines the client application without changing the Universal Client's software. The Universal Client can also send GUIScript to the server to cause the server to execute commands.

Abstract: A Universal Client with a self-contained scripting language called GUIScript allows computing systems of varying architectures linked to the Internet or connected by an Intranet to run the same application software without modification or recompilation. Preferably, the computer system includes a computer architecture independent device for generating and displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) on a client computer operatively connected to a server computer. More specifically, the device includes elements: for handling network protocols; for presenting a plurality of GUI objects to thereby form a GUI; for generating scripts defining respective ones of the GUI objects; for generating a GUIScript defining the GUI; for sending one of the scripts and the GUIScript; for receiving one of the scripts and the GUI script; and for scripting both behavior of a program responsive to operator interaction with one of the GUI objects and client-server commands unrelated to the GUI objects.

Abstract: A transceiver system comprises transceivers and a controller in communication with the transceivers. Each of the transceivers comprises an emitter, a receiver operatively connected to the emitter, a primary data path operatively connected to the receiver, a secondary data path operatively connected to the receiver, a statistical unit operatively connected to the secondary data path and the controller and a display device operatively connected to the primary data path.

Abstract: A field control system for a wound rotor synchronous motor-generator used in electrically powered automobiles is capable of optimizing the performance of the motor-generator for all driving conditions. Using a rotary transformer to transmit power across the rotational boundary, it has no wearing parts and is silent. Preferably, the field control system has common elements with the controller which generates the stator currents of the synchronous motor-generator.

Abstract: A flywheel support system isolates the flywheel (11) and its motor-generator (21) from the driving environment of an electrically powered motor vehicle. A suitable liquid (9), placed between the outer (8) and vacuum (10) housings of the flywheel assembly, provides buoyancy and damping to the vacuum housing, cooling the motor-generator, and serves as one of the barriers to rotor energy and angular momentum transfer in the event of and accident or failure. During normal operation, a shearable mechanical gimbal system (80) keeps the vacuum housing centered in the outer housing, reacts the spin moments generated by the motor-generator, and provides a path for the electrical leads into the vacuum housing. In the event of bearing seizure or rotor failure, the mechanical gimbal will shear and allow the vacuum housing to gradually spin down against the fluid. A system of angular-contact oil-lubricated ball bearings (12, 13) supports the rotating assembly including the rotor (21b) of the motor-generator.