Abstract: A load cell having overload protection wherein a central cantilever beam is provided between the sensing beams in the load cell structure and is bounded by slots of narrow gap width. When an excess load is applied, the load cell structure is deformed and contacts the cantilever beam to transfer the load thereto. The gap width determines the amount of applied load which initiates the protection.

Abstract: Modular flooring systems and methods using at least one free-lay support module. The free-lay support module includes a baseplate and a frame member having a first arm and a second arm that meet and form an angle. Replaceable wear surface modules with or without a backing structure fit within the baseplate. The top of frame partially overlays the replaceable wear surface modules that my be carpet, carpet tile, vinyl flooring, wood flooring, wood parquet flooring or a variety of other materials. In still another embodiment, this invention provides for a free-lay support module that is self-contouring or self-leveling. In yet another embodiment this invention provides a replaceable wear surface modular flooring structure utilizing floor grid members having a “horizontal arm” and a “vertical arm”, each of which are in the form of an open U-shaped channel.

Abstract: A highly mobile, compact creel (20) that utilizes frames (22) for holding yarn packages (30) (or bobbins) for feeding yarn (33) to a tufting machine (58). Each frame (22) includes holders (60) affixed to the frame (22) for holding yarn packages (30) facing front (24) and back (26), a header (32) attachable to the frame (22) for directing yarn (33) from the yarn packages (30) to the tufting machine (58), and anti-static flexible tubing (50) for leading yarn (33) from the holders (60) to the header (32). The header (32) provides for aligning all the yarn ends in the same plane to join them to ends already threaded into the tufting machine (58).

Abstract: A plastic trim strip for use with high pressure plastic laminate (HPL) modules or other decorative modules used on access flooring. The strip is extruded polyvinyl chloride or other polymeric or other material such as decorative metals such as brass or aluminum. The cross sectional shape of the strip is generally rectangular with a rectangular tab that: (1) protrudes from one of the narrow edges of the rectangle, (2) is thinner than the height of the strip and (3) has one surface flush with the bottom of the strip. A portion of the edge of the HPL or other floor covering with which the strip is used, and having the same shape as the tab, is router or otherwise removed from the floor covering. The protruding tab of the trim strip is then “captured” within this rabbet with or without adhesive, thereby securely engaging the trim strip when the floor covering is installed on or bonded to the access flooring structure.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in an apparatus, and related method, for sensing a person's facial movements, features and characteristics and the like to generate and animate an avatar image based on facial sensing. The avatar apparatus uses an image processing technique based on model graphs and bunch graphs that efficiently represent image features as jets. The jets are composed of wavelet transforms processed at node or landmark locations on an image corresponding to readily identifiable features. The nodes are acquired and tracked to animate an avatar image in accordance with the person's facial movements. Also, the facial sensing may use jet similarity to determine the person's facial features and characteristic thus allows tracking of a person's natural characteristics without any unnatural elements that may interfere or inhibit the person's natural characteristics.

Abstract: A load cell having overload protection wherein a central cantilever beam is provided between the sensing beams in the load cell structure and is bounded by slots of narrow gap width. When an excess load is applied, the load cell structure is deformed and contacts the cantilever beam to transfer the load thereto. The gap width determines the amount of applied load which initiates the protection.

Abstract: A process for image analysis which includes selecting a number M of images, forming a model graph from each of the number of images, such that each model has a number N of nodes, assembling the model graphs into a gallery, and mapping the gallery of model graphs into an associated bunch graph by using average distance vectors &Dgr;ij for the model graphs as edge vectors in the associated bunch graph. A number M of jets is associated with each node of the associated bunch graph, and at least one jet is labeled with an attribute characteristic of one of the number of images. An elastic graph matching procedure is performed wherein the graph similarity function is replaced by a bunch-similarity function.

Abstract: A multiplexer/demultiplexer is provided for optical interconnection between electronic components on an integrated circuit chip. The multiplexer/demultiplexer includes a substrate formed with an array of photo emitters/detectors and conditioning electronics coupled thereto. A first layer of optically transparent material is formed on the substrate overlying the emitters/detectors and a second layer of optically transparent material, functioning as an optical waveguide, is formed on the first layer. A binary blazed grating is formed at the interface of the two layers. For multiplexing, discrete wavelength optical signals are modulated with data, emitted by the emitters, intercepted by the binary blazed grating, and multiplexed into a polychromatic beam for transmission through the waveguide. For demultiplexing, the discrete wavelengths are separated by the binary blazed grating and directed to corresponding detectors.

Abstract: Raised access flooring utilizing panels having a thick, resilient pad bonded directly to and covering the entire surface of the panel. The pad acts like the backing layer of a conventional floor treatment by absorbing impact and attenuation sound. A reinforced face cloth module having only a face layer and a stabilizing layer covers the pad to protect the pad from wear and to provide an attractive floor treatment. The reinforced face cloth module can be detachable or bonded directly to the pad. Alternatively, hook and loop fasteners can removably affix the pad to the face cloth module.

Abstract: A method and a device for computing sense data, which automatically compute data relating to feelings or senses generated by the human sensations by analyzing signals, such as audio signals, relating to the sensations. In the device, a MP3 decoder storing unit stores digital sound data which has been recorded using MP3 system. A decompression unit decompresses MP3 data which has been decompressed, and outputs as sound pressure value data at each frequency area. A sense data computation unit includes a feeling analysis unit and a rhythm analysis unit. The rhythm analysis unit obtains count of beats per unit time based on the sound pressure value data. The feeling analysis unit obtains a few kinds of feeling parameter values based on the sound pressure value data, determines the kind and level of feelings based on the value of feeling parameter and the count of beats per unit time, and writes the results thereof into a sense data accumulation unit.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus, and related method, for providing a procedure to analyze images based on two-dimensional shape primitives. In the procedure, an object representation is created automatically from an image and then this representation is applied to another image for the purpose of object recognition. The features used for the representation are the two type of two-dimensional shape primitives: local line segments and vertices. Furthermore, the creation of object representations is extended to sequences of images, which is especially needed for complex scenes in which, for example, the object is presented in front of a structured background.

Abstract: A distributed adaptive heuristic voice recognition system which includes a server connected to a communications network, such as the Internet or some other global network, and a plurality of users who interact with the server over the communications network. The server is primarily responsive to two sets of data: a core speech recognition corpus (CORE) database, which is not user specific and a user specific individual profile (UIVP) database, which is user specific. The system uses the CORE database to develop the UIVP for an individual the first time the individual accesses the system, and then updates the individual's UIVP and the CORE database every time the system is used by such individual. The system, thus, constantly learns and adapts to user speech patterns, even if they change over time.

Abstract: A graphic image system comprising a video camera producing a first video signal defining a first image including a foreground object and a background, the foreground object preferably including an image of a human subject having a head with a face; an image position estimating system for identifying a position with respect to said foreground object, e.g., the head, the foreground object having features in constant physical relation to the position; and a computer, responsive to the position estimating system, for defining a mask region separating the foreground object from said background. The computer generates a second video signal including a portion corresponding to the mask region, responsive to said position estimating system, which preferably includes a character having a mask outline.

Abstract: A process for image analysis which includes selecting a number M of images, forming a model graph from each of the number of images, such that each model has a number N of nodes, assembling the model graphs into a gallery, and mapping the gallery of model graphs into an associated bunch graph by using average distance vectors &Dgr;ij for the model graphs as edge vectors in the associated bunch graph. A number M of jets is associated with each node of the associated bunch graph, and at least one jet is labeled with an attribute characteristic of one of the number of images. An elastic graph matching procedure is performed wherein the graph similarity function is replaced by a bunch-similarity function.

Abstract: A method for producing a durable, non-stick, diamond-tiled implement and the diamond-tiled implement thereby produced. Diamond particles are distributed on a surface of a workpiece containing a ceramic binder. The ceramic binder on the surface of the workpiece is heated to above its glass temperature to fuse the diamond particles in and onto the workpiece. The workpiece is then cooled so that the diamond particles are bonded to and at least partially embedded in the ceramic binder at the surface of the workpiece to produce durable, non-stick, diamond-tiled implements including cookware, bakeware, hot-presses, ski surfaces, skid surfaces, marine articles, and mechanical polishing wheels. Other implements of this invention utilize a high diamond content to produce thermally conducting and electrically insulating coatings for heat spreaders, or conversely, heaters.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in an apparatus, and related method, for detecting and recognizing an object in an image frame. The object may be, for example, a head having particular facial characteristics. The object detection process uses robust and computationally efficient techniques. The object identification and recognition process uses an image processing technique based on model graphs and bunch graphs that efficiently represent image features as jets. The jets are composed of wavelet transforms and are processed at nodes or landmark locations on an image corresponding to readily identifiable features. The system of the invention is particularly advantageous for recognizing a person over a wide variety of pose angles.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in an apparatus, and related method, for sensing a person's facial movements, features and characteristics and the like to generate and animate an avatar image based on facial sensing. The avatar apparatus uses an image processing technique based on model graphs and bunch graphs that efficiently represent image features as jets. The jets are composed of wavelet transforms processed at node or landmark locations on an image corresponding to readily identifiable features. The nodes are acquired and tracked to animate an avatar image in accordance with the person's facial movements. Also, the facial sensing may use jet similarity to determine the person's facial features and characteristic thus allows tracking of a person's natural characteristics without any unnatural elements that may interfere or inhibit the person's natural characteristics.

Abstract: Flooring systems including a metal raised access flooring panel (10) that is solid or is perforated by oval or oblong openings having major axes not parallel to any panel edge. The major slot axes may, for instance, be at a 45° angle to each panel edge. The slots (28) may be arranged in “clusters” of six slots, with one pair of slots above another pair and one slot to each side of, and mid-way above and below, the stacked pairs. Alternatively, the panels (10) may be perforated by circular holes arranged in a similar pattern. Adjacent panels may be interlocked with retractable pins extending from one panel (10) to another. Pedestal heads and stringers are adapted to accommodate panels of different sizes.

Abstract: A floor game including tiles which are laid on a playing surface forming a playing area, and an optical instrument. Each tile is covered by a polarized film. A path across the playing area is revealable by utilizing the optical instrument available to a game facilitator. The players see a design on the playing area. A path across the playing area is invisible to players not wearing the optical instrument. Each player traverses the path with assistance of the game facilitator and by observing steps taken by the previous players. The object of the game is for players to discover and traverse the path across the playing area from end to end through a team effort. In an alternative embodiment, the game is played with one or more teams utilizing one or more playing areas with each team trying to complete a path on their respective playing area.

Abstract: A carpet sample book is provided which is constructed from a single sheet of material, such as cardboard. Tab and slot fasteners are used to avoid the need of adhesives. The samples are supported in the facing pages of the book by slots which are cut into the cardboard surface. The slots are cut in a “C” shape which allows the samples to be held at an angle.