Abstract: The present invention relates to a compartment container that includes one or more secondary reservoir package(s). More specifically, the present invention relates to a tubular containers, such as containers made of composite material (e.g. paperboard) with end caps for packaging refrigerated dough products. The tubular containers house one or more reservoir package(s) that are formed from one or more flexible materials (e.g. polymeric films) and are used to retain condiments, fruits, icings, spices, nuts, candies or any other ancillary ingredient(s).

Abstract: A tiled graphics memory permits graphics data to be stored in different tile formats. One application is selecting a tile format optimized for the data generated for particular graphical surfaces in different rendering modes. Consequently, the tile format can be selected to optimize memory access efficiency and/or packing efficiency. In one embodiment a first tile format stores pixel data in a format storing two different types of pixel data whereas a second tile format stores one type of pixel data. In one implementation, a z-only tile format is provided to store only z data but no stencil data. At least one other tile format is provided to store both z data and stencil data. In one implementation, z data and stencil data are stored in different portions of a tile to facilitate separate memory accesses of z and stencil data.

Abstract: A simple and reliable passive method of temporarily accumulating or buffering objects upon a rotating table at an intermediate point typically between two industrial processes. Wheels are suspended from above the rotating accumulation table surface on a vertical axis causing the accumulated objects to be incrementally deflected toward either the table center or toward the table perimeter. Objects deflected toward the table center accumulate on the rotating table surface. Objects deflected to the perimeter eventually engage a chute where they exit toward the next downstream operation.

Abstract: A system and method are described for compressing image data using a combination of compression methods. Compression method combinations are provided to compress image data of a particular frame buffer format and antialiasing mode. Each method in the compression method combination is tried in turn to compress the image data in a tile. The best method that succeeded in compressing the image data is encoded in the compression bit state associated with the tile. Together, the compression bits, the compression method combination, and the frame buffer format provide sufficient information to decompress a tile.

Abstract: This claim is an improvement to existing and commercially available domestic heating systems which consist of an outdoor wood burning stove and boiler which recirculate hot water through radiators located inside an inhabited structure or domicile. The inventor proposes the efficiency and convenience of such ‘outdoor wood burning heating systems’ are substantially improved by the addition of a large storage tank for the heated water and an electronic control system. The claimed improvement allows the firebox to be stoked and ignited at a time convenient to the dwelling occupant. Heated water is stored in an insulated water tank until called upon for heating. Combustion is optimized for maximum efficiency and atmospheric emissions are substantially reduced.

Abstract: Described are dough packages that include one or more of a container and an opening, optionally including an open end and an endcap, wherein the package may be vented or non-vented, and may contain dough for storage at refrigerated conditions.

Abstract: Digital Image compositing using a programmable graphics processor is described. The programmable graphics processor supports high-precision data formats and can be programmed to complete a plurality of compositing operations in a single pass through a fragment processing pipeline within the programmable graphics processor. Source images for one or more compositing operations are stored in graphics memory, and a resulting composited image is output or stored in graphics memory. More-complex compositing operations, such as blur, warping, morphing, and the like, can be completed in multiple passes through the fragment processing pipeline. A composited image produced during a pass through the fragment processing pipeline is stored in graphics memory and is available as a source image for a subsequent pass.

Abstract: A method for packaging products, such as any solid or semi-solid product, utilizes a horizontal form, fill and seal (HFFS) system, coupled with a method for subjecting the packages to positive pressure differential while packaging. In the HFFS system, product receiving cavities are formed in a lower film, with each product being arranged in a respective cavity. The loaded product receiving cavities are positioned in a sealing unit, with an upper film above the product cavities. The sealing unit is closed and a lower chamber of the sealing unit is pressurized to force the lower film against the product, while the product abuts a standoff member, in order to remove existing headspace. After minimizing the headspace, a sealing head seals the upper film to the lower film about the product receiving cavities. Thereafter, the pressure is released, the sealing unit is opened and the package can be further processed.

Abstract: A product package includes a product receiving cavity formed from a first, heat shrinkable film and a second, non-heat shrinkable film sealed to the first, heat shrinkable film. The second film can be provided with indicia which remains intact following completion of the product packaging. In accordance with a method aspect of the invention, the package is produced utilizing a form, fill and seal system. In one embodiment, a soft, deformable refrigerated dough is packaged.

Abstract: A pliable, sealed package made from one or more flexible films is used to store an uncooked dough product, with the dough product proofing within the sealed package so as to establish and maintain a greater than ambient pressure within the sealed package. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the overall package is produced utilizing a horizontal form, fill and seal system. The sealed package can be shrunk and/or wrapped to also provide an external force which is essentially transferred to static pressure with the package.

Abstract: A graphics system coalesces Z data and color data for a raster operations stage. The Z data and color data are stored in a memory aligned tile format. In one embodiment, rendering modes in which the tile does not have a data capacity corresponding to Z data or color data for a whole number of pixels have data for at least one pixel split across entries to improve packing efficiency. Rendering modes having a number of bits for Z data or color data that does not equal a power of two such as 24 bits, 48 bits, and 96 bits, may be implemented with a high packing efficiency in tile formats having a data capacity corresponding to a power of 2 bits.

Abstract: A digital signal processing receiver, a system and/or a method identifies a decoded signal. The receiver, system and/or method extract at least one sequence of one or more symbols from a digital incoming signal to generate an extracted sequence of symbols. The receiver, system and/or method generate a first result based on a comparison of the extracted sequence of symbols and one or more possible matching digital signals of a set of idealized model data according to a Bayesian probability theory. The receiver, system and/or method generates a second result based on a comparison of an equalized version of the digital incoming signal and the one or more possible matching digital signals. The receiver, system and/or method generates a third result based on a comparison of the extracted sequence of symbols and one or more possible matching digital signals of a modified set of idealized model data.

Abstract: The inventor lays claims to a “continuously rotating and illuminated accumulation table onto which a stream of manufactured objects, such as transparent bottles, are directed from a conveyor.” The rotating accumulation unit is comprised of (three) principle components; a driven disc, a lamp or illumination device, and a flat, smooth translucent accumulation surface. Vertical orientation of objects, such as bottles, is maintained while the illuminated accumulation surface provides backlighting for visual inspection of the objects. This method of simultaneously accumulating and backlighting transparent plastic bottles or similar products provides the dual benefits of improved workplace ergonomics for off-packing as well as an enhanced opportunity to identify and cull products which do not meet quality standards.

Abstract: Retrieval and display of digital media items is described. For example, the digital media items may be photographs, videos, audio files, emails, text documents or parts of these. In an embodiment a dedicated apparatus having a touch display screen is provided in a form designed to look like a domestic fish tank. In an embodiment graphical animated agents are depicted on the display as fish whose motion varies according to at least one behavior parameter which is pseudo random. In embodiments, the agents have associated search criteria and when a user selects one or more agents the associated search criteria are used in a retrieval operation to retrieve digital media items from a store. In some embodiments media items are communicated between the apparatus and a portable communications device using a communications link established by tapping the portable device against the media retrieval and display apparatus.

Abstract: A system for setting data list parameters for displaying a data list in pages. An application program receives a first and second user input, wherein the first user input defines a number of items displayed within a page, and wherein the second user input defines a page size tolerance. In response to receiving the first and second user input, the application program sets the number of items displayed within the page and the page size tolerance. Then the application program displays the data list in a graphical user interface according to the set number of items displayed within the page and the set page size tolerance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a unified metal alloying of jet stacks without the use of a bond press, and without the use of a continuous belt driven furnace. The method may include horizontally stacking fusible parts onto a fixture and transporting the fixture into an interior of a reaction chamber of a diffusion furnace. An operator may seal the interior of the reaction chamber and the diffusion furnace may increase a temperature of an atmosphere of the interior of the reaction chamber to a predefined dwell temperature to perform a first level alloying for a predefined dwell time. The diffusion furnace may thereafter increase the temperature of the interior of the reaction chamber to a predefined brazing temperature to perform a second level alloying for a predefined brazing time.