Abstract: Systems and methods for modeling multidimensional physical systems, including biological and chemical systems. A system to be treated as a model is represented by a geometrical structure. The geometry is superposed onto a lattice template. Functional elements are obtained to express relationships between portions of the system to be modeled. The functional elements are assigned to lattice regions. The initial conditions, boundary conditions and constraints on the model are specified. The lattice is solved using a circuit simulation package. The quantities determined for the circuit are used to compute system quantities. Optionally the computer information is displayed. Optionally, the system is modeled as multiple lattices, which can be solved either serially (iteratively) or in parallel, to obtain a consistent solution.

Abstract: A system and method that maps temporal control functions into a six degree of freedom pointing device. The six degree of freedom pointing device controls both transport and view modes within a time-based media editing system and allows a user to toggle between modes without losing visual contact with graphical objects appearing on a video screen. During playback operations in the transport (temporal) mode, the system allows a cap on the six degree of freedom pointing device to be divided into multiple uneven regions in one direction along a single degree of freedom. Each of the multiple regions then corresponds to a unique rate of frame increments/decrements.

Abstract: A system that includes a flat panel display that can change three-dimensional orientation in a continuous way, such as when the display is horizontally rotated on a turntable. Position or orientation of the display relative to a reference orientation is sensed by orientation sensors coupled to the display. A computer compares the orientation of the display to a fixed reference orientation. When the orientation of the display has changed from the reference, the computer maps the orientation of a user interface onto the display in such a way as to maintain the same orientation of the interface with respect to the reference. User input through an overlaid input device correlates to the oriented user interface. In this way if the display is rotated into, for example, a sideways or upside-down orientation, the user interface elements will still be displayed in a normal upright orientation for the user and the user inputs in a normal manner.

Abstract: A system and method that maps temporal control functions into a six degree of freedom pointing device. The six degree of freedom pointing device controls both transport and view modes within a time-based media editing system and allows a user to toggle between modes without losing visual contact with graphical objects appearing on a video screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bit for boring a hole in wood or the like, the bit having a surrounding skirt to give the bit axial stability during a boring operation, and, a leading spur to produce a circumambient groove prior to and deeper than the cutting blades to prevent material being cut from the bore, from splintering beyond the perimeter of the bore and thus produce a smooth wall surface.

Abstract: A system for monitoring dialled numbers is disclosed which provides a subscriber with a record of numbers dialled over his telephone line or lines. The system provides a monitoring unit inductively coupled to each line which tapes the dial pulses as they are dialled. Aslo included is a control processing unit which processes the individual tapes to provide a written record. The system thus eliminates the need for duplicating costly equipment such as discriminators and printers at each line.