Abstract: A system for providing interaction between a virtual human and a user, the system comprising: a tangible interface providing a physical interface between the user and the virtual human, an imaging system directed towards the physical interface to provide images of the user interacting with the tangible interface; a tracking system tracking at least one position or the user; a microphone capturing speech from the user; a simulation system receiving inputs from the tangible interface, the imaging system, the tracking system and the microphone, the simulation system generating output signals corresponding to the virtual human; and a display presenting the output signals to the user.

Abstract: A field device assembly includes a housing body, a first circuitry subassembly mounted to the housing body and positioned at least partially within the housing body, a first cover chassis having a shoulder, mating flame path restricting structures positioned on the first cover chassis and the housing body, a first threaded collar configured to fit about the first cover chassis and to permit rotation relative to the first cover chassis, and a second circuitry subassembly secured to the first cover chassis. The first threaded collar is threadably engaged with the housing body, and includes an engagement structure engaged with the shoulder of the first cover chassis to secure the first cover chassis to the housing body. The second circuitry subassembly includes an electrical connector configured for linear insertion engagement with a mating electrical connector within the housing body to electrically connect the first and second circuitry subassemblies.

Abstract: A valve seat apparatus for use with fluid valves is described. An example valve seat apparatus includes a flexible seal disposed between a cage and a valve body such that an outer seating surface of a closure member slidably coupled to the cage slidingly engages the flexible seal to prevent fluid flow through the valve body when the valve is in a closed position and an end of the closure member is not driven into abutting engagement with another seating surface when the valve is in the closed position.

Abstract: A valve seat apparatus for use with fluid valves is described. An example valve seat apparatus includes a flexible seal disposed between a cage and a valve body such that an outer seating surface of a closure member slidably coupled to the cage slidingly engages the flexible seal to prevent fluid flow through the valve body when the valve is in a closed position and an end of the closure member is not driven into abutting engagement with another seating surface when the valve is in the closed position.

Abstract: A method for estimating supply chain settings comprises receiving historical supply chain data and generating one or more supply chain simulation files based on the historical supply chain data. A plurality of supply chain settings associated with the one or more supply chain simulation files is established and the one or more supply chain simulation files are simulated based on the plurality of supply chain settings. The performance of the supply chain is predicted over a time period associated with the historical supply chain data based on the simulation, and data indicative of the predicted performance of the supply chain is provided to a subscriber.

Abstract: A method for generating supply chain performance standards comprises receiving historical supply chain data associated with a supply chain and determining a confidence factor associated with the historical supply chain data. The method also includes generating one or more supply chain simulation files based on the historical supply chain data and establishing a plurality of supply chain settings associated with the one or more supply chain simulation files. Performance of the supply chain is predicted by simulating the one or more supply chain simulation files based on the plurality of supply chain settings. One or more supply chain performance standards are estimated based on the predicted performance of the supply chain and the confidence factor associated with the historical supply chain data.

Abstract: Apparatus to increase the fluid flow in a valve are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a valve body having a fluid passageway, a valve cage located in the passageway and including a wall having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cage bore with an axis. The wall has at least one flow zone comprising a plurality of through openings, each through opening extending between the inner and outer surfaces to define an opening axis extending through the wall. The opening axis is disposed at a non-orthogonal angle with respect to a reference plane disposed orthogonal to the axis of the cage bore. A valve plug is axially slidable in the cage bore.

Abstract: A method for analyzing service loss in inventory environments comprises receiving sales order data associated with a plurality of warehouses, the sales order data including at least one sales order line that includes data indicative of a customer requirement associated with a part number. The method also includes analyzing sales order lines that are not filled by a predetermined completion date based on a predetermined service loss hierarchy and determining a cause of service loss for one or more sales order lines that are not filled by a predetermined completion date based on the analysis. The method further includes generating a service loss report summarizing the cause of service for the one or more sales order lines that are not filled by a predetermined completion date.

Abstract: A microtonal tuner permits a musician such as an electronic keyboard player using a fixed pitch instrument with a digital interface, to enhance performance expression by producing tones perceptible to humans that vary in discrete values from a twelve tone equal tempered octave. The microtonal tuner uses a digital interface such as a musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) and comprises a digital input, a digital message analyzer, a controller, a user input, a user output, a tuning program containing tuning data to create a modified digital message and a digital channel to output the modified digital message to produce a microtonal output. The microtonal output can be any number of notes per octave including tunings such as ¼ Comma Meantone, 19 tone equal temperament, 31 tone equal temperament, Harry Partch's 43-tone tuning, and, 205 tone equal temperament.

Abstract: A system and method of the present invention identifies tie point collections used in imagery. At least one image collection device acquires images of a selected geographic or other region. A processor is operatively connected to the at least one image collection device and combines the acquired images into respective stereo images such that only the stereo overlap remains. The stereo images can be overlay combined and color coded at the overlapped image areas based on the number of overlapping stereo images to produce a colored overlay image to assist in triangulation and optimal texture selection.

Abstract: A system and method of the present invention identifies tie point collections used in imagery. At least one image collection device acquires images of a selected geographic or other region. A processor is operatively connected to the at least one image collection device and combines the acquired images into respective stereo images such that only the stereo overlap remains. The stereo images can be overlay combined and color coded at the overlapped image areas based on the number of overlapping stereo images to produce a colored overlay image to assist in triangulation and optimal texture selection.