Abstract: The method allows the creation of 3-D facial models, which can be used, for instance, for the avatar implementation, video-communication applications, video games, video productions, and for the creation of advanced man-machine interfaces. At least one image of a human face is provided together with a 3D facial model (M) having a vertex structure and comprising a number of surfaces chosen within the set formed by a face surface (V), surfaces of the right eye (OD) and left eye (OS), respectively, and surfaces of the upper teeth (DS) and lower teeth (DI), respectively. Among the vertices of the structure of the model (M) and on such at least one face image, respective sets of homologous points are chosen. The model structure (M) is then modified in such a way that the above respective sets of homologous points are made to coincide (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A test signal is injected on the line (L) and the corresponding return signal produced by the line itself as an effect of the echo is detected. A signal having lenticular envelope is used as test signal and is generated preferably starting from a first sinusoid with a first given frequency modulated in amplitude with a second sinusoid having a second given frequency, lower than the aforesaid first given frequency.

Abstract: Method for wet cleaning gases to remove low soluble pollutants such as mercury metal and nitrogen monoxide. An oxidizing agent is released from a compound such as a sodium chlorite, injected into a recycle stream being conveyed for dispensing into a scrubber, by a releasing agent, such as finely divided solids in the recycle stream, so that the oxidizing agent becomes available at the time of dispersion into the scrubber to oxidize the pollutants on the surface of droplets dispersed throughout the gases in the scrubber. The resulting oxidized pollutants have increased solubility and are transferred to a scrubbing liquid.

Abstract: A charge pump (2) is supplied to reset in rated conditions the error signal of a phase-locked loop of the type whereby a phase detector (1) periodically supplies this pump (2) with a first and second impulse having emission instants dependent on the phase ratio between phase-locked loop input signals and are allocated to control circuit output increase or decrease respectively by means of ring filter (3a, 3b). The pump features loops (21, 22, 23, 24, 28) to transform the first and second impulse into a first and second voltage signal of longer duration than maximum impulse duration and featuring values the difference of which depends on the phase ratio between the loop input signals and to generate a signal in a current representative of such difference.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning and operating gas cleaning devices using vibration generators wherein the systems include sensors and programs for monitoring and predicting resonant conditions of different surface areas and zones in order to vary the frequency and amplitude of vibrations to establish optimum resonant conditions on such surface areas or zones and thereby optimize cleaning and operation of such gas cleaning devices.

Abstract: An improvement to methods for heat treating flue gas cleaning residues (1) and residues from the industrial process generating said flue gases. For this purpose, the method comprises a physicochemical treatment step (2, 7), a heat treatment step (13) and a step involving treating gases generated by said heat treatment (19, 22, 28). These three steps are closely overlapped and combined both to minimise the volatilisation of volatile compounds during heat treatment and to remove separately the elements that cannot effectively be immobilised in the treated residue matrix during said heat treatment. The physicochemical treatment step may advantageously be combined with the wet cleaning step that may be included in the industrial process flue gas cleaning step. The method is particularly suitable for melting/vitrifying fly ash, agglomerating the finest fly ash, and destroying organic compounds such as dioxins and furans.

Abstract: An electrical simulator of a plectrum instrument, including:a microprocessor (3) which is suitable to convert a chord set up on a keyboard (13), received by means of a standardized signal, into a chord which is identical but is, in terms of fingering and number of strings, of the type obtained on the instrument to be imitated;elements (7,19), equal in number to the strings of the instrument to be imitated, which are suitable to sequentially undergo a change in state caused by the hand of a user (12) who performs a movement that is identical to the one made to obtain the sound of the instrument to be imitated, and are suitable to send, as a consequence of said change, a signal to said microprocessor (3) to transmit said chord to a sound card by means of a standardized signal.

Abstract: Process for the treatment of the combustion residues and for the purification of the combustion fumes, in which the residues are washed and then rinsed to reduce the leachable fraction both in respect of the trace elements and in respect of the total soluble fraction, with a low consumption of water and of optional reactants.

Abstract: A dual fluid spray nozzle adapted to produce a finely atomized spray of a liquid includes a body which encloses a first atomization chamber, a nozzle tip, and a plate disposed between the first atomization chamber and the nozzle tip so as define a second atomization chamber. The plate defines a plurality of passages through which liquid passes from the first atomization chamber into the second atomization chamber and is further atomized. The nozzle may include a plurality of plates and more than two atomization chambers. In such embodiments, each plate has a reduced total cross-sectional area of passages relative to the preceding plate.