Abstract: A device and associated method for formulating, via an information technology device having a user interface, a numerical model of manufactured products, the numerical model including components, variables and constraints executes different steps successively. Each step stores, via the information technology device, the predetermined numerical data in order to construct the numerical model in memory. The numerical model may then be used to create a configuration of the manufactured product by making, via a user interface, choices among the structural, technical, manufacturing, and commercial characteristics of the numerical model of the manufactured product.

Abstract: A device (1) for formulating—on the basis of a data-processing numerical model including several variables, the assuming of values of which is subject to predetermined constraints—a definition of a version of a product. Such a device is suitable to permit a user to effect selections of values to be assigned to each variable, and is suitable to authorize the modification of a value assigned to a variable at the time of a previous selection. Such a device is, in addition, suitable to present to the user the set of the possible values of each variable, taking account of the constraints linking it with the other variables, notably with those which already possess assigned values.

Abstract: A device and associated method for formulating, via an information technology device having a user interface, a numerical model of manufactured products, the numerical model including components, variables and constraints executes different steps successively. Each step stores, via the information technology device, the predetermined numerical data in order to construct the numerical model in memory. The numerical model may then be used to create a configuration of the manufactured product by making, via a user interface, choices among the structural, technical, manufacturing, and commercial characteristics of the numerical model of the manufactured product.

Abstract: An electrically illuminated artificial plant display may include a plurality of individual plant sprays, each spray including optical fibers and branch members bearing light emitting diodes, the optical fibers and branch members terminating at a plug that includes a readily replaceable colored lens to filter light which is transmitted to the fiber optic members and electrical contacts for transmitting power to the diodes disposed on the branch members. The plug may be insertable into a base unit that includes a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle adapted to receive a single plug. The receptacles may each include both electrical contacts and a light emitting diode such that the lens in the plug is positioned between the base unit's light emitting diode and the ends of the fiber optic cables when the plug is in an installed position.

Abstract: A method of remotely manufacturing a cover for an article, such as a piece of upholstered furniture includes the steps of: ascertaining dimensional data of the article, and relating the data to individual portions of the article, determining a group of physically inter-related templates associated with these individual portions. Each template is definable on a plane of co-oridinates and is derived from a series of mathematical functions evaluated using this data, and using each template to form a corresponding cover piece and joining the cover pieces to form the cover for the furniture article.

Abstract: A lighting device comprises a light source adapted to produce a light beam. A reflective mirror is disposed behind the light source. The device also comprises a plurality of optical lenses and a plurality of colored filters. The light source comprises at least one filament and has at least one dimension greater than six millimeters in the direction in which the filament is disposed. The colored filters are movable and adapted to be inserted totally or partly into the path of the light beam. They are disposed on the opposite side of the plurality of optical lenses to the light source. An adjustable iris diaphragm is inserted between certain lenses of the plurality of lenses, on the path of the light beam.