Abstract: A system arranged to enrich visual or audio-visual product types or products with metadata is provided, wherein the metadata concerning each product has a multilevel hierarchy structure having high hierarchy metadata and low hierarchy metadata, and the low hierarchy metadata is hierarchically dependent from the high hierarchy metadata. The system has a first IT or computer domain having an IT apparatus having first program modules arranged to populate a database with a set of folders having files concerning product types or products. The system has a second IT domain having user terminals connected to a geographical network, and having second program modules arranged to enrich the files concerning the product types or products with the hierarchical metadata. A method for enriching product types or products with metadata is provided.

Abstract: A system arranged to enrich visual or audio-visual product types or products with metadata is provided, wherein the metadata concerning each product has a multilevel hierarchy structure having high hierarchy metadata and low hierarchy metadata, and the low hierarchy metadata is hierarchically dependent from the high hierarchy metadata. The system has a first IT or computer domain having an IT apparatus having first program modules arranged to populate a database with a set of folders having files concerning product types or products. The system has a second IT domain having user terminals connected to a geographical network, and having second program modules arranged to enrich the files concerning the product types or products with the hierarchical metadata. A method for enriching product types or products with metadata is provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor ridge laser for coupling to a single-mode optical fiber has a ridge with a narrow parallel region, a diverging region, and then a wide parallel region that is adjacent to an output facet. A pump region for the laser may be less than the entire area of the ridge and have a “T” shape. Preferably, the ridge has a depth of about 350 to 550 nm and the narrow parallel region has a length of more than 0.4 times the overall length of the ridge. The wide parallel region at the output enables the laser to obtain low thermal resistance, which leads to a low operating temperature, a low power density in the laser cavity, and low astigmatism.

Abstract: A process for the production of industrial tubes or section bars from metal, such as copper, copper alloys, special brasses, cupronickel or aluminum bronzes, includes the following steps: melting the metal material with possible compatible working scraps; obtaining a preform from a casting; roll milling and/or drawing the preform to reduce its section; drawing with one or more concatenated intervention the roll-milled and/or drawn preform, in order to further reduce its section to the size desired; straightening and possibly submitting to thermal and/or decreasing treatment the dimensionally finished product; and cutting the finished product to measure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical assembly for opto-electronic packages comprising an optical fibre secured on the underside of an elongated support member in optical alignment with an opto-electronic device, wherein said support member is affixed to an aligning member, which in turn is affixed, e.g., by laser welding, to a welding platform. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated support member is a planar parallelepiped. In a further preferred embodiment, the elongated support member is a parallelepiped with an axially extended slot, in which the optical fibre is secured with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the axially extended slot.

Abstract: The invention provides an Internet learning support system by a computer system by which preparation of questions, collection of answer sheets, and totalization can be totally managed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for feeding a granular or powderlike material to a pressing apparatus for the dry pressing of the material. The device comprises containers for the materials and rollers arranged at openings of the containers. Each roller has a cavity which is suitable to be filled by the material and to be freed of the material following a rotation of the rollers so as to pour the material into a mold. In the method, the rotation of the rollers is produced simultaneously with a movement of the rollers in a direction which lies at right angles to its axis. The invention allows to obtain particular color effects, such as colorings, color shades, basic decorations, complex decorations, natural stone-like effects, et cetera, on the resulting ceramic products, particularly tiles.

Abstract: A double-passage acousto-optical device including an acousto-optical switch having a first polarization conversion region connected between first input and output ports, and a second conversion region connected between second input and output ports; and an optical combination connected between the first output port and the second input port via optical fibers and including an optical isolating element. The double-passage acousto-optical device may alternately include an acousto-optical switch including a single polarization conversion region connected between first input and output ports and also connected between second input and output ports. A bandpass filter, a notch filter, and add/drop and a tunable laser generator may be formed using the acousto-optical device.

Abstract: A hook selection device for a weaving loom dobby head where the dobby includes a bottom board carrying hooks and an upper part for supporting the selection device. The upper part moves relative to the bottom board and includes rigid heald shafts provided with a catch corresponding to each hook on the bottom board. The position of each catch relative to a corresponding hook being controlled by an electromagnetic device having a coil. Each rigid heald shaft has a portion made of magnetic material and is mounted on the upper part so as to pivot about a pin. The selection device creates a permanent magnetic field in a region of the selection device having the heald shaft. The coil and permanent magnetic field drive the heald shaft to pivot either into a first position to permit entrainment of a catch and corresponding hook and a second position which does not permit entrainment.

Abstract: A dilation joint adjustably interconnecting the structural edges of a bridge opening. The dilation joint includes two continuity metallic plates in a transit plane, connected to the structural edges of the opening and to lower structural elements in such a way that a recess is formed on each side of the opening, each recess formed between one of the metallic plates and its corresponding lower structural element. A support structure spans the opening, supported by both structural edges. The support structure is slidably received in a first one of the recesses, and it slidably supports a deformable transit plane, which is slidably received in the other of the recesses.