Abstract: A method and system for representing hierarchical time-based data structures and to extract information therefrom comprises means to create a container, the container having one or more layers within which data elements are arranged along the container axis and to examine the container to produce virtual static graphs which represent active data elements and their interconnections within time durations represented within the container. The data elements in the container can change between active and inactive states with time and the connections between data elements can also change with time and the container represents this information. A set of constraints is defined for the container such that interconnections between data elements only occur between data elements in different layers. Specifically, a data element can only receive input from one or more other data elements which are in lower levels and a data element can only provide output to one or more data elements which are in higher levels.

Abstract: A system and method for defining and employing behaviours for articulated chains in computer animations. At least one control, such as a shape control or a resolution plane control, is defined for the articulated chain and is employed as a constraint by the animation engine when animating the chain with inverse kinematics. Each control comprises two or more keys, each key comprising a couple of an effector direction vector and an associated constraint. In the case of shape control keys, the associated constraints comprise a list of preferred limb orientations and in the case of resolution plane control keys, the associated constraints comprise a preferred orientation for the resolution plane. For any given goal, selected control keys are interpolated with appropriate weightings to obtain a resulting constraint to be employed by the animation engine.

Abstract: A method and system employing an NLE to create and modify 3D animations by mixing and compositing animation data includes Actions which represent one or more animatable parameters for an animation object. The Actions are presented in an Action list from which a user may select and are positioned on an NLE-type time line for the animation object. Actions can be manipulated in a manner, which is believed to be intuitive, and is similar to the manipulation of clips in conventional NLE systems, to alter the length or speed of components of the animation and can be mixed and/or composited and otherwise manipulated to produce a desired 3D computer generated animation.

Abstract: "A system and method for modification of the visual characteristics of digital 3D objects includes a shading buffer wherein parameters relating to the visual characteristics of a rendered 3D object are stored. When a texture applied to the 3D object is selected for modification, a pre-rendering step is performed and a shading buffer constructed. The shading buffer includes pre-computed components of the visual characteristic information for each rendered pixel of the displayed 3D object, these components are independent of the texture selected for modification. When the texture is modified, by indicating one or more pixels on the 3D object to which the texture is applied, re-rendering of those pixels is accomplished by evaluating a simple combination of the corresponding pre-computed components in the shading buffer and the modification effected to the selected texture to obtain new final values to render the pixels.

Abstract: A unitary clamp integrally structured from two U-shaped members respectively disposed one from the other by an interjoining web between proximate arms of each U-shaped member, distal ends of each member having latching means mechanism so as to latch, simultaneously, both U-shaped members into a closed position and the interjoining web sheets spacially disposing each U-shaped member into adjacent closing engagement about an umbilical cord. The web sheets are cut by a pair of scissors to sever the cord and one of the U-shaped clamp members is thus attached to the umbilical cord attached to the abdomen of an infant while the other to the umbilical cord connected to the placenta. On voiding of the placenta, the latter is discarded. When healing of the umbilical cord to the infant is achieved, that clamp member may be removed or discarded.

Abstract: A method and system for representing hierarchical time-based data structures and to extract information therefrom comprises means to create a container, the container having one or more layers within which data elements are arranged along the container axis and to examine the container to produce virtual static graphs which represent active data elements and their interconnections within time durations represented within the container. The data elements in the container can change between active and inactive states with time and the connections between data elements can also change with time and the container represents this information. A set of constraints is defined for the container such that interconnections between data elements only occur between data elements in different layers. Specifically, a data element can only receive input from one or more other data elements which are in lower levels and a data element can only provide output to one or more data elements which are in higher levels.

Abstract: A pre-plasticizing injection molding machine includes a plasticizing and flow regulating assembly connected to the tip of an injection chamber or shooting pot having an injection cylinder. A distributor valve allows the transfer of plastic resin into the shooting pot at low pressure and prevents the backward flow of resin to the plasticizing unit when the injection plunger injects the resin. A plurality of distribution channels in communication with either the distributor valve or a separate valve, and having outlets in the shooting pot angularly equispaced in proximity to the perimeter of the conical tip of the plunger uniformly distributes new resin behind resin retained in the shooting pot from the previous injection cycle, thereby obviating stagnation zones.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for verifying the establishment of a pattern includes a unit for storing a template of the pattern, a unit for acquiring an image of the established pattern, a first image processing unit to alter at least one of said template and acquired images to produce at least two resultant images, a comparison unit to compare the two resultant images with the other of said template and acquired image and a unit to evaluate the results of each comparison to determine if the established pattern includes a defect. Both gray scale and binary processing and comparisons are disclosed for use as required.

Abstract: An overlap processor receives and temporarily stores a plurality of aligned scan lines. Each scan line is representative of a lane or zone of an image. The processor sequentially reads the plurality of scan lines and then synchronously and selectively outputs the scan lines producing an output comprising one scan line representative of one lane or zone plus a predetermined amount of scan line data from an adjacent lane or zone or both adjacent lanes or zones.

Abstract: A ladder system comprising a plurality of ladder segments arranged in seriatim. Each segment includes two sections joined by a hinge such that a portion of the segment may engage an object to be scaled. A retaining device is provided on each segment to maintain the segment in engagement with the object and each segment includes a riser portion which, when the segments are properly placed, forms the risers of a ladder. Adjacent segments are connected and are positioned in place on the object, by a user who pulls them into position one at a time.

Abstract: A power supply includes a fuel cell stack, a thermoelectric module and a burner module. The fuel cell stack generates a primary source of electricity and secondary source of heat. The thermoelectric module generates a secondary source of electricity. The burner module is juxtaposed to the fuel cell stack and the thermoelectric module, to provide primary heat to the system and to generate a temperature differential across the thermoelectric module, and to pre-heat a fuel and an oxidant for the fuel cell stack. The burner module is regulated to maintain a given system temperature, or when needed by the thermoelectric generator for secondary power generation.

Abstract: A self-supporting layer of flexible etchable metal having a thickness of about 1 micron has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough and has a layer of etchant resistant material on each face of the metal layer in a pattern completely overlying the metal layer and the periphery of the plurality of apertures.