Abstract: A shoe including a sole for supporting a foot and an upper coupled to the sole. The upper defines an opening for receiving the foot and includes a first side panel and a second side panel movable in relation to the first side panel. The shoe also includes a closure mechanism that is coupled between the first side panel and the second side panel, and a tightening mechanism that is engaged with the closure mechanism to selectively draw the first side panel and the second side panel closer to each other and to selectively permit the first side panel and the second side panel to move apart from each other. A cover provides access to the tightening mechanism while enclosing the closure mechanism.

Abstract: Methods for processing print jobs in rendering devices include representing multiple to-be-printed objects with fewer such objects before processing of the objects occurs. In this manner, processing and memory requirements are optimized. Examples include utilizing a single raster operation function of one object for an entirety of objects; using fewer raster operation functions than originally required for the entirety of objects; creating a no processing (NOP) situation; and effectively creating a mask. Other aspects include modifying raster operation functions of one or more objects to have fewer variables than originally specified by the print job. Printers having stored or accessible computer executable instructions for performing the steps are also disclosed as are host devices that may direct or control the printer to perform the same.

Abstract: A method for rendering an image including objects defined by surfaces. A rendering application selects an object in a first image and determines a surface of the object. An initial set of illumination values is calculated and is separated into low and high spatial frequency components associated with the surface of the object. The rendering application independently adjusts the illumination values of the low and high spatial frequency components based lighting information in the first image, and generates a modified set of illumination values by combining the adjusted low and high spatial frequency components. The surface of the object is then rendered using the modified set of illumination values. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention provide techniques for rendering an object without introducing halo effects around the object. Additionally, embodiments of the invention provide for rendering a sequence of frames without introducing fluctuations in the low frequency components from across frame.

Abstract: A contribution of a geometric element's attribute to a value of the image sample is determined analytically for an analytic dimension of evaluation and using sampling for a discrete dimension of evaluation. Motion blur effects are rendered by analytically determining the proportions of shutter time during which image samples are exposed to objects. Space-time projections are determined by the geometry edges' positions at the beginning and the end of the shutter time, which define surfaces of space-time projections. The times that the sample ray of an image sample enter and leave the space-time projections specify the proportions of the image sample's shutter time during which scene geometry is exposed to image sample points. The attribute value of an image sample point is determined from values of all of the scene geometry visible to the image sample point during the shutter time, each weighted by the time that it is visible.

Abstract: Surfaces without a global surface coordinate system are divided into surface regions having local surface coordinate systems to enable the caching of surface attribute values. Surface attribute functions are evaluated to determine surface attribute values for the surface regions. A surface attribute value for a surface region may include contributions from two or more adjacent surfaces. A multiresolution cache stores surface attribute values at different resolution levels for surface regions of one or more surfaces, which may be discontiguous. Surface attribute values for a surface are retrieved from the multiresolution cache by dividing the surface into surface regions at a desired resolution level and selecting a corresponding resolution level of the multiresolution cache. One or more cached surface attribute values are retrieved for each surface region.

Abstract: A method for a computer system includes opening a model of an object, wherein the model comprises a plurality of geometric elements, determining a subset of geometric elements from the plurality of geometric elements of the model, modifying properties of one or more of the geometric elements in the subset of geometric elements to form a modified subset of geometric elements, and using the modified subset of geometric elements to represent the model of the object in the computer system.

Abstract: Methods for processing print jobs in rendering devices include representing multiple to-be-printed objects with fewer such objects before processing of the objects occurs. In this manner, processing and memory requirements are optimized. Examples include utilizing a single raster operation function of one object for an entirety of objects; using fewer raster operation functions than originally required for the entirety of objects; creating a no processing (NOP) situation; and effectively creating a mask. Other aspects include modifying raster operation functions of one or more objects to have fewer variables than originally specified by the print job. Printers having stored or accessible computer executable instructions for performing the steps are also disclosed as are host devices that may direct or control the printer to perform the same.

Abstract: Methods for processing print jobs in rendering devices include representing multiple to-be-printed objects with fewer such objects before processing of the objects occurs. In this manner, processing and memory requirements are optimized. Examples include utilizing a single raster operation function of one object for an entirety of objects; using fewer raster operation functions than originally required for the entirety of objects; creating a no processing (NOP) situation; and effectively creating a mask. Other aspects include modifying raster operation functions of one or more objects to have fewer variables than originally specified by the print job. Printers having stored or accessible computer executable instructions for performing the steps are also disclosed as are host devices that may direct or control the printer to perform the same.

Abstract: Function spaces defined by scaling functions are used to generate bandlimited noise octaves and other attribute data sets. Scaling functions are basis functions that admit multiresolution analysis and include piecewise constant scaling functions, piecewise polynomial scaling functions, bandlimited scaling functions, Daubeschies scaling functions, as well as other multiresolution analysis scaling basis functions known to those of skill in the art. Scaling basis functions can be locally supported or have infinite support. The properties of the scaling basis functions used to construct bandlimited noise octaves may ensure that any bandlimited noise octave at resolution level N is orthogonal to bandlimited noise octaves and their associated scaling basis functions at all resolution levels less than N. Bandlimited noise octaves can be scaled to any resolution level and guaranteed to have no effect on images at any lower resolution level.

Abstract: A method for a computer system includes determining first shading results associated with a geometric object in response to first shading computations and first shading data associated with the geometric object and associated with both a first scene and a second scene, determining second shading results associated with the geometric object in response to second shading computations and second shading data associated with the geometric object, and determining first combined shading results associated with the geometric object in response to the first shading results and to the second shading results, wherein the first combined shading results is associated with the second scene, wherein a second combined shading results is associated with the geometric object, wherein the second combined shading results is associated with the first scene, and wherein the second combined shading results is not determined in response to the second shading results.

Abstract: A method for a computer system includes receiving a geometric description of an object to be rendered in a first image and a second image, and performing a plurality of rendering operations for the object for the first image and for the second image, wherein the plurality of rendering operations includes a first plurality of rendering operations and at least a second rendering operation, wherein the second rendering operation for the object for the first image and the second rendering operation for the object for the second image are substantially similar, wherein the first plurality of rendering operations is performed for the first image, wherein the first plurality of rendering operations is performed for the second image, and wherein the second rendering operation is performed once for both the first image and for the second image.

Abstract: A method for shading objects in a first image and a second image includes receiving a geometric description of a first object, performing once for both the first image and the second image, a first set of shading operations for the first object, performing a second set of shading operations for the first object in the first image, performing a third set of shading operations for the first object in the second image, combining results of the first set of shading operations for the first object and results of the second set of shading operations for the first object to determine shading values of the first object in the first image, and combining results of the first set of shading operations for the first object and results of the third set of shading operations for the first object to determine shading values of the first object in the second image.

Abstract: A method for shading objects in a first image and a second image includes receiving a geometric description of a first object, performing once for both the first image and the second image, a first set of shading operations for the first object, performing a second set of shading operations for the first object in the first image, performing a third set of shading operations for the first object in the second image, combining results of the first set of shading operations for the first object and results of the second set of shading operations for the first object to determine shading values of the first object in the first image, and combining results of the first set of shading operations for the first object and results of the third set of shading operations for the first object to determine shading values of the first object in the second image.

Abstract: A method for a computer system includes receiving a geometric description of an object to be rendered in a first image and a second image, and performing a plurality of rendering operations for the object for the first image and for the second image, wherein the plurality of rendering operations includes a first plurality of rendering operations and at least a second rendering operation, wherein the second rendering operation for the object for the first image and the second rendering operation for the object for the second image are substantially similar, wherein the first plurality of rendering operations is performed for the first image, wherein the first plurality of rendering operations is performed for the second image, and wherein the second rendering operation is performed once for both the first image and for the second image.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel lift includes a base, a substantially upright member, a linear actuator, and a lift arm. The linear actuator is coupled to the upright member, which is attached to and extends from the base. The lift arm is pivotally coupled to the upright member proximate a first end of the lift arm and above the linear actuator. The lift arm includes a wheel cradle shaped for receiving a vehicle wheel proximate a second end of the lift arm that is opposite the first end of the lift arm and is connected to a ram of the linear actuator between the first and second ends of the lift arm.

Abstract: The invention provides chromate-free coating mixtures, and coatings formed from these mixtures, that protect an underlying aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate from corrosion. The coating mixtures include a continuous phase selected from organic polymeric compositions, or sol-gels, and a distributed phase, dispersed or dissolved throughout the continuous phase. The distributed phase includes the corrosion-inhibiting chromate-free salts. In accordance with the invention, the mixture of salts includes (1) a first salt selected from (a) the esters of rare earth metals, such as cerium and lanthanum oxalates and acetates, and (b) the vanadate salts of alkali and alkali earth metals, such as sodium metavanadate and calcium metavanadate; and (2) a second salt that is a borate salt of alkali earth metals, such as barium metaborate. In certain embodiments, the coatings of the invention include both (a), and (b), in conjunction with the borate salt (2).

Abstract: The invention provides chromate-free coating mixtures, and coatings formed from these mixtures, that protect an underlying aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate from corrosion. The coating mixtures include a continuous phase selected from organic polymeric compositions, or sol-gels, and a distributed phase, dispersed or dissolved throughout the continuous phase. The distributed phase includes the corrosion-inhibiting chromate-free salts. In accordance with the invention, the mixture of salts includes (1) a first salt selected from (a) the esters of rare earth metals, such as cerium and lanthanum oxalates and acetates, and (b) the vanadate salts of alkali and alkali earth metals, such as sodium metavanadate and calcium metavanadate; and (2) a second salt that is a borate salt of alkali earth metals, such as barium metaborate. In certain embodiments, the coatings of the invention include both (a), and (b), in conjunction with the borate salt (2).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for accurately matching colors. The color matching system includes a host computer and a color input device in communication with the host computer. Preferably the color input device is capable of obtaining spectral data, such as that obtained using a spectrophotometer. The host computer includes a color library, a color management system, a monitor, and a user interface. In one aspect of the invention, the user selects a target color, a color library to use for matching, a color distance tolerance, and a light source under which the colors are to be matched. The target color is compared to the colors in the library and the color or colors in the library that are within the specified color tolerance are reported. In a second aspect of the invention, the user selects a color and two illuminants. The color under each of the two illuminants is compared and the color distance between the two is reported.

Abstract: The invention relates to an analytical method using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.