Abstract: Hourglass deformations due to zero-energy or hourglass modes in rank-deficient solid elements must be effectively controlled, or the deformations may grow large and produce an unrealistic deformed geometry. Traditional methods of hourglass control allow error to accumulate by measuring hourglass deformation with incremental terms throughout a solution, which may produce inaccurate results due to unrealistic hourglass deformations. The present invention discloses a new method to control hourglass deformation without any incremental accumulations. Instead the nodal forces to resist hourglass deformations are calculated basing on the initial nodal coordinates and current nodal coordinates at each cycle. The present invention is implemented in a finite element software product.

Abstract: A method, a software product and a system for distinguishing effects due to bifurcation from effects due to design variable changes in finite element analysis is disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, 1) a plurality of design experiments is analyzed with finite element analysis (FEA) software; 2) a metamodel is constructed from the FEA responses using the least squares fitting technique; 3) any FEA response that is not predicted by the metamodel is classified as outlier, which is the high likelihood candidate for bifurcation; and 4) verification of the bifurcation is then to be confirmed. The method is implemented in a design and probabilistic analysis software product.

Abstract: A system-on-chip (SoC) for voice and video over data network applications includes a first and a second general purpose processors and a plurality of coprocessors. The coprocessors include: a VCODEC engine for video compression/decompression, a security engine for data encryption/decryption, a network processor for processing data packets, a video scaling controller for scaling up/down video frames, and digital signal coprocessors for signal processing and audio codec. An on-chip shared memory (e.g., SRAM) is coupled to the processors and some of the coprocessors. The SoC also includes: i) a stream controller for controlling various properties of a stream buffer in the shared memory according to a user defined context; ii) a transaction management engine for managing data especially stream transactions in accordance with one or more task queues created by the processors; and iii) a bi-directional stream bus coupled to the shared memory and a plurality of peripheral controllers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protection device and method of a read and write medium apparatus. When the read and write medium apparatus is operating, the protection device detects the external force and dynamically compels to cut the power supply off to remain the apparatus in non-operating condition. Besides, after the external force is withdrawn, the protection device can make the apparatus return to its prior operation operating condition. Thus, the invention enhances the shock-proof, drop-proof and collision-proof capabilities of the read and write medium apparatus and the protection thereof further.

Abstract: A method and system to numerically simulating structural responses of a highly compressible material such as foam in finite element analysis is disclosed. According to one aspect of the simulation, a new improved method for calculating structural responses is derived using the following assumptions: uniaxial loading and isotropic material. As a result of the new method, Ogden polynomial stress function f(?) is replaced by a tabulated function depending upon only a set of stress-strain curves obtained via uniaxial tension and compression tests. The method is implemented in a finite element analysis software product.

Abstract: The bio-sample (e.g., a live cell) is labeled with a proper number of nanoparticles. Each nanoparticle is pre-co-doped with a controlled ratio of fluorophore donors and acceptors. Two laser pulses are applied to the bio-sample. The first laser pulse has a center wavelength near the peak of absorption spectrum of acceptors. The intensity of first laser pulse is adjusted such that FRET saturation occurs near the center of the focal spot. The focal spot of the first laser pulse is a diffraction-limited Airy disk that has the highest laser intensity in the center of the focal spot. The second laser has a center wavelength in the emission spectrum of acceptors and with a uniform intensity distribution throughout the focal spot. The fluorescence emission from acceptors after two laser pulses is from an area that is smaller than the diffraction-limited focal spot. Hence, a higher than diffraction-limit resolution is achieved.

Abstract: A tissue box holder that has a substantially similar shape of commercially available tissue box is described. In one embodiment, the holder is substantially slab-shaped with two opposing side faces, a front flap that can be opened and/or closed, a rear edge face, a bottom face with at least one attach means and a top face with an open slot that allows tissues to be retrieved or pulled out sequentially. The holder is made of sturdy material such as plastics, leathers, or the likes. The holder can be attached to a number of different surfaces such as interior surfaces of a vehicle, a wheel chair, and an office of doctor's office. The open slot is designed such that the tissue box can be inserted after the tissue box has already opened with tissues sticking out.

Abstract: To facilitate the decoding of a 2D symbol (e.g., PDF417), a plurality of positioning lines are attached to the 2D symbol. Depending on implementation, these substantially parallel positioning lines may be provided on at least one side of the symbol or superimposed on the symbol. A scanning device is provided to capture an image of the symbol together with these positioning lines that are then detected to determine an orientation of the 2D symbol. In some cases, these positioning lines are used to correct images with distortion.

Abstract: A client computer program provides instructions for a processor to locate and retrieve rich media and HTML files for running in a three-dimensional graphical user interface. The program provides instructions for the processor to generate a three-dimensional (3D) graphical user interface on a display. Then, the processor generates a metaphorical user object for navigating and interacting in the three dimensions within the environment via navigational and interactional inputs, respectively, from a user. The processor also integrates an HTML object into the environment, and interacts the user object with the HTML object in response to an interactional input from the user. Preferably, the processor generates one or more additional user objects for additional users. Each of the additional user objects can also interact with the HTML object, the first user object and/or each other within the environment in response to interactional inputs from the additional users.

Abstract: A method for use in a three dimensional browsing environment is described. The method, in one embodiment, includes receiving a jump request from one viewing point to another. The method also includes determining a destination from the current viewing point with respect to the jump request. The method further includes calculating a trajectory to the destination from the current viewing point. The method stills includes displaying a set of views in animation form along the trajectory and displaying a view corresponding to the destination.