Abstract: An animation file player can display animation files with an embedded system graphics application programming interface (graphics API). In an example implementation, an animation file comprises a Flash® animation file such as, a Shockwave Flash® animation file, and the embedded system graphics API comprises an OpenGL®|ES graphics API. The present invention is not intended to be so limited, and other types of animation files and embedded system graphics APIs can be used.

Abstract: A research and development system that gathers feedback from patients and healthcare providers with respect to the their experience with various aspects of a supplier's products in order to tabulate, consolidate, compare and analyze the data received rapidly and efficiently, and which can be used on successive iterations to determine future products and services.

Abstract: A time and activity tracking system includes a hand-held device storing unique codes for a plurality of activities. A user can select an activity from the plurality of activities stored in the memory, and transmit the unique code to an electronic time clock, which associates a time stamp with the codes. The activities can include clocking in, clocking out, or various work activities or projects of the user.

Abstract: An upflow bioreactor includes a vessel having an inlet and an outlet configured for upflow operation. A septum is positioned within the vessel and defines a lower chamber and an upper chamber. The septum includes an aperture that provides fluid communication between the upper chamber and lower chamber. The bioreactor also includes means for releasing pressure buildup in the lower chamber. In one configuration, the septum includes a releasable portion having an open position and a closed position. The releasable portion is configured to move to the open position in response to pressure buildup in the lower chamber. In the open position fluid communication between the lower chamber and the upper chamber is increased. Alternatively the lower chamber can include a pressure release line that is selectively actuated by pressure buildup. The pressure release mechanism can prevent the bioreactor from plugging and/or prevent catastrophic damage to the bioreactor caused by high pressures.

Abstract: A post assembly, particularly for transparent glass or plastic fence barriers, the assembly including at least one post a having at least one opening and at least one locking member having an attachment means to attach the locking member relative to the at least one opening in the at least one post and an opening for receiving and securing a fence barrier member therein.

Abstract: An automated system is configured to wash and dry mats. The system includes a number of modules, including a loading module, vibration module, washing module, vacuum module, and a discharge module. The disclosed system provides an opportunity for manual inspection of the mats, too. Because the mats that are fed into the system are jostled or shaken before they are washed, reduced amounts of chemicals, water, water pressure, drying energy, etc. are needed to clean the mats. The system may also optionally include a automatic rolling and sorting apparatus, which rolls a mat and sorts it according to weight, size, etc. after it is discharged from the discharge module. A method of cleaning mats is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gate post assembly including at least one gate post (10), each gate post having a sidewall which is at least partially arcuate, at least one opening (11) for receiving therein a fence barrier member and at least one planar portion (12) formed in the perimeter thereof adapted to receive gate mounting and/or securing fittings, the planar portion provided parallel to the fence barrier member which extends into the opening of the post and at least on spacing member (20), shaped to be fitted into and secured in the at least one opening in the gate post to locate the fence barrier member.

Abstract: An upflow bioreactor includes a vessel having an inlet and an outlet configured for upflow operation. A septum is positioned within the vessel and defines a lower chamber and an upper chamber. The septum includes an aperture that provides fluid communication between the upper chamber and lower chamber. The bioreactor also includes means for releasing pressure buildup in the lower chamber. In one configuration, the septum includes a releasable portion having an open position and a closed position. The releasable portion is configured to move to the open position in response to pressure buildup in the lower chamber. In the open position fluid communication between the lower chamber and the upper chamber is increased. Alternatively the lower chamber can include a pressure release line that is selectively actuated by pressure buildup. The pressure release mechanism can prevent the bioreactor from plugging and/or prevent catastrophic damage to the bioreactor caused by high pressures.

Abstract: A time attendance system, including a time attendance clock, designed to be used in harsh conditions, such as outdoor job sites. A portable touch button, including a passively readable code, is brought into contact with the time attendance clock so as to create a time attendance record stored in the clock. Visual indicators and audible notification alert the employee of the acceptance of the act. Periodically, the time attendance records are retrieved from the time attendance clock, such as by using a hand-held electronic device which communicates in a wireless manner with the time attendance clock.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for accelerated shading of an object surface by bump mapping in tangent space or object space. A tangent space transform module builds a tangent space transform matrix M(p) having elements comprised of normal, tangent, and binormal vector components determined at a surface point on the object surface. The tangent space transform module further transforms shading vectors, such as, lighting and viewing vectors, into a tangent space defined by the tangent space transform matrix and outputs corresponding tangent space shading vectors. A bump mapping module performs vector operations between one or more tangent space shading vectors and a perturbed normal N' in tangent space. A texture memory stores a surface dependent or a surface independent tangent space perturbed normal texture map. The lighting module computes a shading value for the surface point based on the vector operations.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for accelerated shading of an object surface by bump mapping in tangent space. A tangent space transform module builds a tangent space transform matrix M(p) having elements comprised of normal, tangent, and binormal vector components determined at a surface point on the object surface. The tangent space transform module further transforms shading vectors, such as, lighting and viewing vectors, into a tangent space defined by the tangent space transform matrix and outputs corresponding tangent space shading vectors. A bump mapping module performs vector operations between one or more tangent space shading vectors and a perturbed normal N' in tangent space. A texture memory stores a surface dependent or a surface independent tangent space perturbed normal texture map. The lighting module computes a shading value for the surface point based on the vector operations.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for accelerated shading of an object surface by bump mapping in tangent space or object space. A tangent space transform module builds a tangent space transform matrix M(p) having elements comprised of normal, tangent, and binormal vector components determined at a surface point on the object surface. The tangent space transform module further transforms shading vectors, such as, lighting and viewing vectors, into a tangent space defined by the tangent space transform matrix and outputs corresponding tangent space shading vectors. A bump mapping module performs vector operations between one or more tangent space shading vectors and a perturbed normal N' in tangent space. A texture memory stores a surface dependent or a surface independent tangent space perturbed normal texture map. The lighting module computes a shading value for the surface point based on the vector operations.

Abstract: A therapeutic device for being removably retained in a person's nostrils is generally U-shaped and includes a pair of opposing resilient arms insertable within the nostrils and soft spherical surfaces on the free ends of the arms for engaging opposing sides of the nasal septum.

Abstract: A fire retardant flexible polyurethane foam and method for its production are provided. The foam is prepared by reacting in the presence of a metallic catalyst and a non-metallic catalyst (a) a polyol having a molecular weight between about 1000 and about 9000; (b) a polyisocyanate; (c) a cross-linking agent; (d) a foaming agent; (e) a surfactant; (f) a halogenated hydrocarbon; (g) melamine powder; (h) antimony oxide; and (i) sodium borate.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a fire retardant rigid polyurethane foam. The method comprises reacting, in the presence of a non-metallic catalyst: (a) a polyol having a molecular weight between about 200 and about 6000; (b) polyisocyanate; (c) a foaming agent; (d) a surfactant; and (e) a single salt consisting of ammonium phosphate.

Abstract: A non-permanent ornamental paint mixture being water soluble after drying. The mixture consists essentially of: from about 75.0 to about 85.0 parts by weight water; from about 10.0 to about 12.0 parts by weight filler; from about 0.5 to about 1.5 parts by weight aqueous pigment dispersion; from about 2.0 to about 2.5 parts by weight release agent; from about 3.0 to about 4.5 parts by weight acid containing, cross-linked acrylic emulsion copolymer; up to 1.0 parts by weight alkali; up to 0.1 parts by weight defoamer; and up to 0.1 parts by weight antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: A non-permanent ornamental paint mixture that is water soluble after drying. The mixture comprises a first solution of a mixture consisting essentially of water, defoamer, dispersing agent, filler and antimicrobial agent. A second solution is mixed with the first solution and comprises a mixture consisting essentially of water, an acid containing, cross-linked acrylic emulsion copolymer, defoamer, a release agent and alkali. An aqueous pigment dispersion is used in the paint mixture to provide the color.