Abstract: Ray tracing systems and computer-implemented methods are described for performing intersection testing on a bundle of rays with respect to a box. Silhouette edges of the box are identified from the perspective of the bundle of rays. For each of the identified silhouette edges, components of a vector providing a bound to the bundle of rays are obtained and it is determined whether the vector passes inside or outside of the silhouette edge. Results of determining, for each of the identified silhouette edges, whether the vector passes inside or outside of the silhouette edge, are used to determine an intersection testing result for the bundle of rays with respect to the box.

Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as photovoltaic modules having the appearance of a plurality of roofing tiles that each have photovoltaic cells. Each photovoltaic module may include a metal backer, photovoltaic cells, and light transmissive top sheets adhered to both the metal backer and the photovoltaic cells. BIPV systems can also include non-photovoltaic modules that appear similar to photovoltaic modules, but do not collect solar energy.

Abstract: Impact resistant retractable safety barriers are disclosed. An apparatus includes a support member, a flexible elongate member to extend and retract through an opening in the support member, and a stop member including a region to interface with the flexible elongate member. The stop member engages with structure of the support member surrounding the opening to limit a distance with which the flexible elongate member extends through the opening. The stop member cooperates with the structure of the support member to maintain a gap between a surface of the region of the stop member and the structure of the support member. A width of the gap is equal to or greater than a thickness of the flexible elongate member.

Abstract: An object tracking, in particular adapted for real-time augmented reality applications, involves determining a location of an object (20) in a current frame (10) of a video stream (15), at a point in time following output of a preceding frame (11) of the video stream (15) but preceding output of the current frame (10), by starting from a location of the object (20) determined by an object-detection server (5) for a previous frame (12) of the video stream (15) and recursively track the location of the object (20) in frames (11) of the video stream (15) following the previous frame (12) up to the current frame (10) and recursively update a model of the object (20). Accurate objection detection from an object-detection server (5) can thereby be used even if the object was detected in a past frame (12) of the video stream (15) that has already been visualized.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cast-in-place concrete slab load transfer and slab connection apparatus and method of employing same.

Abstract: Anchor brackets/tethers may be used to reinforce a vehicle's resin rear door without substantially increasing the mass of the resin rear door. Such anchor brackets hold an interior trim panel(s) in place, and keep the interior trim panel(s) connected to the door structure or portion(s) thereof. The interior trim panel(s) can act as a protective interior shield that eliminates any exposure of the interior cabin/passenger compartment from any outer (and/or interior) door panel cracks/gaps that may be created during an adverse event. Moreover, conventional interior trim panels may, during a collision, break apart, the broken pieces becoming potentially dangerous projectiles. By being attached to the door structure and/or door componentry, the chance that the interior trim panel (or portions thereof) becoming a projectile is negated or at least lessened.

Abstract: A flexible, profile-bar-based screen is provided includes a flexible cord (e.g., a braided stainless-steel cable) that strings together several cross members (e.g., profile bars) in a pattern to create the screen. Flexible spacers ensure that the cross members remain generally parallel, while allowing the cord to flex in any direction. Each end of the cord includes a cap (e.g., nut, washer, tacking, etc., combinations thereof) to prevent edge cross members from falling off the cord.

Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus comprises processing circuitry configured to: acquire volumetric image data for rendering; determine a plurality of positions of a viewpoint or positions of a light based on distance, or other spatial relationship, between the viewpoint or light and a surface or other selected feature in the image data; and render the volumetric data based on the plurality of viewpoint positions or light positions.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media providing banner representations in a computer system that provides a virtual environment, including: accessing an avatar record, where the avatar record indicates an avatar representation that includes data to provide a visual representation of an avatar; receiving a selection of a banner representation made by a user; accessing a representation record, wherein the representation record indicates a banner representation that includes data to provide a visual representation of a banner; associating the banner representation with the avatar representation; receiving avatar movement input that indicates movement of the avatar within the virtual environment; and generating visual data representing the movement of the avatar and banner in the virtual environment using the avatar representation and the banner representation, where the banner is placed in the virtual environment following the avatar as the avatar moves in the virtual environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media that utilize simultaneous, multi-mesh deformation to implement edge aware transformations of digital images. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems generates a transformation handle that targets an edge portrayed in a digital image. In some cases, the disclosed systems provide the transformation handle for display over the digital image. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems generate vectors splines and meshes for the edge and one or more influenced regions adjacent to the edge. In response to detecting a user interaction with the transformation handle, the disclosed systems can modify the edge and the at least one influenced region by modifying the corresponding vector splines and meshes.

Abstract: A method for displaying an advertisement picture includes obtaining, by a terminal, location information of a first key information area in a first advertisement picture from an advertisement server, obtaining, by the terminal, the first advertisement picture, cropping, by the terminal, the first advertisement picture based on the location information, and displaying, by the terminal, a second advertisement picture in an advertisement display area of a display, where the second advertisement picture includes a second key information area, and the second advertisement picture is obtained after the first advertisement picture is cropped, or the second advertisement picture is a picture obtained by scaling the cropped first advertisement picture.

Abstract: Floor panels which are provided with a mechanical locking system including an extruded flexible tongue in a sidewardly open groove which during a vertical folding motion is bent horizontally. A tongue adapted for being received in a sidewardly open groove of a floor panel, wherein the tongue, which is an elongated extruded section, when received in the groove is bendable in a plane substantially parallel with a front face of the floor panel, such that the tongue is at least partially resiliently displaceable inside said sidewardly open groove in said plane during locking of the floor panel with another floor panel and wherein a vertical protrusion, serving as a friction connection between the tongue and the groove, is arranged at an upper or lower part of the tongue, wherein a total width of tongue varies in a longitudinal direction of the tongue.

Abstract: Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and/or mixed reality (MR) systems may enable one or more users to connect two or more connectable objects together. These connectable objects may be real objects from the user's environment, virtual objects, or a combination thereof. A preview system may be included as a part of the VR, AR, and/or MR systems that provide a preview of the connection between the connectable objects prior to the user(s) connecting the connectable objects. The preview may include a representation of the connectable objects in a connected state along with an indication of whether the connected state is valid or invalid. The preview system may continuously physically model the connectable objects while simultaneously displaying a preview of the connection process to the user of the VR, AR, or MR system.

Abstract: A panel for forming a covering, more particularly a floor panel for forming a floor covering, which at least at two opposite edges, comprises coupling parts arranged to couple two of such panels to each other by means of a downward movement of one panel in respect to the other. The coupling parts form a first locking system arranged to lock in the plane of the panels and perpendicularly to the edges, as well as form a second locking system, which effects a locking perpendicularly to the plane of the panels. At least one of the coupling parts is formed at least partially in soft PVC (polyvinyl chloride), as well as at least partially formed from a milled profiled part of this soft PVC.

Abstract: A computer system is used to host a virtual reality universe process in which multiple avatars are independently controlled in response to client input. The host provides coordinated motion information for defining coordinated movement between designated portions of multiple avatars, and an application responsive to detect conditions triggering a coordinated movement sequence between two or more avatars. During coordinated movement, user commands for controlling avatar movement may be in part used normally and in part ignored or otherwise processed to cause the involved avatars to respond in part to respective client input and in part to predefined coordinated movement information. Thus, users may be assisted with executing coordinated movement between multiple avatars.

Abstract: An attachment device for securing a non-structural component of a building to a structural component of the building includes a non-structural component holder defining a receiving space configured to receive the non-structural component to couple the non-structural component to the attachment device. The non-structural component holder applies generally no compressive force against the non-structural component when the non-structural component is disposed in the receiving space so that the non-structural component is free to move relative to the non-structural component holder. A stop is configured to be secured to the non-structural component. The stop is configured to engage the non-structural component holder to inhibit movement of the non-structural component relative to the non-structural component holder when the stop and non-structural component holder are secured to the non-structural component.

Abstract: A building includes a foundation; a stud wall disposed above the foundation; the stud wall including a bottom plate, first and second studs extending from the bottom plate, and a top plate operably attached to the first and second studs; third and fourth studs operably attached to the respective first and second studs, the third and fourth studs including respective bottom ends; a first cross member disposed on the bottom plate, the bottom ends of the third and fourth studs bearing on the first cross member, the first cross member is made of metal; a second stud wall disposed above the first stud wall; and a tie rod having one end operably connected to the foundation, the tie rod extending through the first cross member and operably attached to the second stud wall.

Abstract: Foldable spaceframes that can be easily collapsed and unfolded to construct structurally stable (temporary) walls, for instance for events (concerts, shows, etc.) upon which (digital) display elements can be deployed, as well as a method for the construction of overlying structures comprising the spaceframes.

Abstract: A display device including a housing; a display unit accommodated in the housing; and a control unit configured to cause the display unit to operate in a speaker mode to play a song while the display unit is fully inserted in the housing, receive an image display command, according to the image display command, withdraw the display unit and display a first content corresponding to the image display command in a first region of the display unit, and display a second content of an audio controller for controlling the speaker mode in a second region of the display unit.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing device including: a data storage unit storing feature data indicating a feature of appearance of one or more physical objects; an environment map building unit for building an environment map based on an input image obtained by imaging a real space and the feature data, the environment map representing a position of a physical object present in the real space; a control unit for acquiring procedure data for a set of procedures of operation to be performed in the real space, the procedure data defining a correspondence between a direction for each procedure and position information designating a position at which the direction is to be displayed; and a superimposing unit for generating an output image by superimposing the direction for each procedure at a position in the input image determined based on the environment map and the position information, using the procedure data.