Abstract: In some examples, an apparatus comprises a platform having an upper surface to contact a plantar surface of a human foot positioned on the platform, a first pressure sensor to sense a pressure applied to the upper surface by a heel of the human foot, and a first probe extending through an opening in the platform and movable vertically upward through the opening to probe an adipose layer on a bottom of the heel. The apparatus also comprises a first actuator to displace the first probe upwardly against the adipose layer with a predetermined force, and a linear displacement sensor to sense a vertical displacement of the first probe.

Abstract: A multiple-pattern fiducial for a heterogeneous imaging sensor system. The multiple-pattern fiducial includes a first pattern detectable by a first wavelength of electromagnetic energy, and a second pattern detectable by a second wavelength of electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a method of cooling a 3D build volume includes receiving a 3D object model that represents a 3D part to be formed in a build volume, and determining a placeholder position for forming a placeholder part within the build volume. Based on the placeholder position, a 3D part position is determined for forming the 3D part within the build volume. The method also includes controlling components of a 3D printing system to form the placeholder part in the placeholder position within the build volume and to form the 3D part in the 3D part position within the build volume.

Abstract: A multiple-pattern fiducial for a heterogeneous imaging sensor system. The multiple-pattern fiducial includes a first pattern detectable by a first wavelength of electromagnetic energy, and a second pattern detectable by a second wavelength of electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: A foot data acquisition apparatus may include an array of inductor-capacitor (LC) tanks, a flexible wall opposite the array, an inflatable chamber between the array and the flexible wall and an electrically conductive material above the tanks between a top surface of the tanks and a top surface of the flexible wall.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a method of cooling a 3D build volume includes receiving a 3D object model that represents a 3D part to be formed in a build volume, and determining a placeholder position for forming a placeholder part within the build volume. Based on the placeholder position, a 3D part position is determined for forming the 3D part within the build volume. The method also includes controlling components of a 3D printing system to form the placeholder part in the placeholder position within the build volume and to form the 3D part in the 3D part position within the build volume.

Abstract: In an example, a communication cable may include a first conductive cable wrapped in a fabric sheath, and a second conductive cable, also wrapped in a conductive sheath. Further, the communication cable may also include a breakable adhesive bonding the fabric sheath of the first conductive cable to the fabric sheath of the second conductive cable.

Abstract: In some examples, an apparatus comprises a platform having an upper surface to contact a plantar surface of a human foot positioned on the platform, a first pressure sensor to sense a pressure applied to the upper surface by a heel of the human foot, and a first probe extending through an opening in the platform and movable vertically upward through the opening to probe an adipose layer on a bottom of the heel. The apparatus also comprises a first actuator to displace the first probe upwardly against the adipose layer with a predetermined force, and a linear displacement sensor to sense a vertical displacement of the first probe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for prioritizing encoded MATCH signal and MATCH ADDRESS signals for a content addressable memory ("CAM") array is disclosed. Each CAM core has an output encoder for providing a MATCH signal and, if a MATCH is determined, a MATCH.sub.-- ADDRESS signal indicative of locations in the CAM of the data of interest. The priority encoder output signals are encoded to provide a final MATCH signal and a final MATCH.sub.-- ADDRESS to only the highest priority MATCH.sub.-- ADDRESS from the CAM core having the data, solving the problem of determining which of a plurality of CAM matches to select.

Abstract: A high bit rate Huffman decoder is provided for compressed data bit stream. In an exemplary embodiment, JPEG and MPEG data compression is explained. An oversized input data register receives sequential input data words to be decoded. Each new data word is appended to data already in the register by right shifting the new data word by the number of valid data bits in the register. A bitwise logical OR operation is performed to load an operative data register. The operative data register is left-shifted based upon the number of bits in a previous Huffman code word-coefficient pair. The left-most pair of the appropriate size is separated for examination. The separated bit strings are examined as representing the coefficient of the previous code word-coefficient pair and the current code word. The code word is used to access a Huffman lookup table. The lookup table provides the zeroes run length, coefficient size, and code word-coefficient pair length which is used for the next left shift.

Abstract: A method of compressing a stream of raw data including the steps of providing a memory device having compression active state and a compression inactive state, inputting a raw data segment into the memory device, generating a compressed data segment based on the raw data segment, creating output data based on the compressed data segment when the memory device is in the compression active state, otherwise based on the raw data segment when in the memory device is the compression inactive state, calculating a compression coefficient, and setting the state of the memory device based on the compression coefficient, such that compressed data is output only when compression has recently proven effective, and raw data is output when compression has recently proven ineffective. The method may also include decompression of the output data.