Abstract: An identification device for a license plate, the identification device comprising a base structure for attachment to the license plate; a movable member movable relative to the base structure between a retracted position and an extended position; and electronic circuitry configured to transfer identification data associated with the identification device. A license plate arrangement comprising a license plate and an identification device, and a license plate system comprising at least one license plate arrangement, are also provided.

Abstract: A device for applying or removing nail polish or nail art has a replaceable cartridge with a distal end removably coupleable to a proximal end of a handle. The cartridge has a reservoir that contains a liquid, such as nail polish or nail polish remover and a flow control member (e.g., valve) actuatable to allow flow of the liquid out of the distal end of the cartridge. The handle has a flow path therethrough that extends between its proximal end to an applicator implement (e.g., brush, sponge) attached to its distal end, the flow path in fluid communication with the flow control member when the cartridge is coupled to the handle. Selective actuation of the flow control member by the user (e.g., by squeezing the cartridge) allows fluid to flow out the reservoir and through the flow path in the handle to the applicator implement for application of the fluid by the user to a finger or toe nail.

Abstract: A device for applying or removing nail polish or nail art has a replaceable cartridge with a distal end removably coupleable to a proximal end of a handle. The cartridge has a reservoir that contains a liquid, such as nail polish or nail polish remover and a flow control member (e.g., valve) actuatable to allow flow of the liquid out of the distal end of the cartridge. The handle has a flow path therethrough that extends between its proximal end to an applicator implement (e.g., brush, sponge) attached to its distal end, the flow path in fluid communication with the flow control member when the cartridge is coupled to the handle. Selective actuation of the flow control member by the user (e.g., by squeezing the cartridge) allows fluid to flow out the reservoir and through the flow path in the handle to the applicator implement for application of the fluid by the user to a finger or toe nail.

Abstract: Handles for use with a substance applicator are described. The handles can include a handle portion and a neck portion. The handle portion can include a curved top surface and a curved bottom surface. The neck portion can include an opening to receive a portion of the substance applicator such that when the portion of the substance applicator is inserted into the opening, a user can use the handle to hold the substance applicator when applying a substance to a nail of the user.

Abstract: A pedicure foot stand has a housing with a first portion and a second portion defining an interior cavity. The second portion can be coupled in multiple configurations relative to the first portion, or can be decoupled from the first portion, to provide different angles at which a user's foot is supported on the second portion during a pedicure treatment.

Abstract: A pedicure foot stand has a housing with a first portion and a second portion defining an interior cavity. The second portion can be coupled in multiple configurations relative to the first portion, or can be decoupled from the first portion, to provide different angles at which a user's foot is supported on the second portion during a pedicure treatment.

Abstract: A device for applying or removing nail polish or nail art has a replaceable cartridge with a distal end removably coupleable to a proximal end of a handle. The cartridge has a reservoir that contains a liquid, such as nail polish or nail polish remover and a flow control member (e.g., valve) actuatable to allow flow of the liquid out of the distal end of the cartridge. The handle has a flow path therethrough that extends between its proximal end to an applicator implement (e.g., brush, sponge) attached to its distal end, the flow path in fluid communication with the flow control member when the cartridge is coupled to the handle. Selective actuation of the flow control member by the user (e.g., by squeezing the cartridge) allows fluid to flow out the reservoir and through the flow path in the handle to the applicator implement for application of the fluid by the user to a finger or toe nail.

Abstract: A device for applying or removing nail polish or nail art has a replaceable cartridge with a distal end removably coupleable to a proximal end of a handle. The cartridge has a reservoir that contains a liquid, such as nail polish or nail polish remover and a flow control member (e.g., valve) actuatable to allow flow of the liquid out of the distal end of the cartridge. The handle has a flow path therethrough that extends between its proximal end to an applicator implement (e.g., brush, sponge) attached to its distal end, the flow path in fluid communication with the flow control member when the cartridge is coupled to the handle. Selective actuation of the flow control member by the user (e.g., by squeezing the cartridge) allows fluid to flow out the reservoir and through the flow path in the handle to the applicator implement for application of the fluid by the user to a finger or toe nail.

Abstract: A device for applying or removing nail polish or nail art has a replaceable cartridge with a distal end removably coupleable to a proximal end of a handle. The cartridge has a reservoir that contains a liquid, such as nail polish or nail polish remover and a flow control member (e.g., valve) actuatable to allow flow of the liquid out of the distal end of the cartridge. The handle has a flow path therethrough that extends between its proximal end to an applicator implement (e.g., brush, sponge) attached to its distal end, the flow path in fluid communication with the flow control member when the cartridge is coupled to the handle. Selective actuation of the flow control member by the user (e.g., by squeezing the cartridge) allows fluid to flow out the reservoir and through the flow path in the handle to the applicator implement for application of the fluid by the user to a finger or toe nail.

Abstract: With variable airgap reluctance actuators problems arise due to the relationship between actuator mass and displacement range. By providing opposed surfaces in the actuator stator core and armature which have undulations typically in the form of grooves, slots and projections, a greater displacement range can be achieved whilst maintaining performance above a rated displacement force characteristic. In such circumstances by establishing a necessary rated displacement force characteristic, an actuator can be tailored and designed to meet that characteristic over a desired displacement range which has significantly less mass in comparison with a prior actuator arrangement having flat surfaces.

Abstract: With variable airgap reluctance actuators problems arise due to the relationship between actuator mass and displacement range. By providing opposed surfaces in the actuator stator core and armature which have undulations typically in the form of grooves, slots and projections, a greater displacement range can be achieved whilst maintaining performance above a rated displacement force characteristic. In such circumstances by establishing a necessary rated displacement force characteristic, an actuator can be tailored and designed to meet that characteristic over a desired displacement range which has significantly less mass in comparison with a prior actuator arrangement having flat surfaces.

Abstract: A voxel-based system for rapidly deforming volumetric objects performs simple deformation calculations for each element of the graphical object to be deformed such that when the object is manipulated, the object stretches or contracts through the movement of a selected element, followed by movement of neighboring elements only if a maximum or minimum preset distance is exceeded between the moved element and its neighbor. Thus elements are moved only if they need to be, which eliminates calculating movements of elements not affected by movement of the selected element. This in turn allows fast propagation of the deformation through the volume represented by the object to the deformed, with the motion constraints being similar to the motion provided by a set of linked elements in a chain.

Abstract: A system generates and arranges images depicting volume data using opacity nd color transfer functions for review and selection by a user. In volume rendering, an opacity and/or color transfer function is applied to three-dimensional scalar field data. The transfer functions have different characteristics represented as input parameters, such as control points of the function. The input parameters are then processed to determine images of the volumes and corresponding output vectors. The output vectors can be pixels in the images, or other characteristics of interest. The input vectors are selected to provide a dispersed set of output vectors. A large number of random input vectors can be generated and then culled to leave a dispersed set of output vectors. Alternatively, a set of randomly generated input vectors of a predetermined size are randomly perturbed, to further disperse the output vectors. The output vectors are displayed so that positions represent distances between the output vectors.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously creating similar constructive solid geometry G) representations for multiple objects in bit map or voxel form iteratively creates, mutates and optimizes a population of potential CSG representations of the objects. The system includes a first part which creates and revises two identical populations of CSG representations. Initially, the populations are randomly generated. Thus, each CSG tree includes a random number of primitives of different types, sizes and positions. The primitives are randomly organized in a tree structure which includes randomly selected boolean operators at the nodes. The trees are then modified through an evolutionary process to improve the CSG representations of the objects. Corresponding trees in each population are randomly mutated in the same manner to form new trees. Mutations can include (1) changes in types of primitives, (2) changes in a subtree structure, (3) addition of new subtrees, and (4) deletions of subtrees.

Abstract: A system for creating a constructive solid geometry (CSG) representation of bjects in bit map or voxel form iteratively creates, mutates and optimizes a population of potential CSG representations of the object. The system includes a first part which randomly generates and revises a population of CSG representations. Each CSG tree includes a random number of primitives of different types, sizes and positions. The primitives are randomly organized in a tree structure which includes randomly selected boolean operators at the nodes. The trees are modified through an evolutionary process to improve the CSG representation of the object. Trees are randomly mutated to form new trees. Mutations can include (1) changes in types of primitives, (2) changes in a subtree structure, (3) addition of new subtrees, and (4) deletions of subtrees. If the new tree better represents the object, then the old tree is replaced with the new tree. Mutations continue until no further improvements are obtained.