Abstract: Disclosed is a central cache that is updated without the overhead of locking. Updates are “atomic” in that they cannot be interrupted part way through. Applications are always free to read data in the cache, accessing the data through a reference table. Applications do not directly update the cache, instead, they send update requests to a service routine. To update the cache, the service routine proceeds in two phases. In the first phase, the service routine prepares the new data and adds them to the cache, without updating the reference table. During the first phase, an application accessing the cache cannot “see” the new data because the reference table has not yet been updated. After the first phase is complete, the service routine performs the second phase of the update process: atomically updating the reference table. The two-phase update process leaves the cache, at all times, in a consistent state.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting different anti-aliasing filters to be applied to objects of image data rendered with pixel sub-component precision based on the attributes of the objects of the graphics image. For example, when rendering a character traditional anti-aliasing applied in the direction parallel to the striping of the pixel sub-components is adapted to the unique requirements of different character font sizes such that a large amount of anti-aliasing is applied to large font sizes while a small amount of anti-aliasing is provided for characters at small font sizes. Displaced sampling is utilized to determine the alpha values for a plurality of vertical samples for each RGB pixel sub-component. The selected anti-aliasing filter is applied to the alpha values to determine the luminous intensity values of the RGB pixel sub-components.

Abstract: A limited rotation torque motor is disclosed including a rotor with at least one pair of magnetic poles and a stator with at least one pair of stator coils. Each stator coil includes a plurality of layers of interconnected flexible circuit composites. Each flexible circuit composite includes a dielectric material and a patterned conductive material on one side of said dielectric material.

Abstract: A system for controlled freezing, storing and thawing of a biopharmaceutical material includes a cavity for receiving a container for holding the biopharmaceutical material. Further included are at least a pair of opposed surfaces facing the biopharmaceutical material holding container. At least one of the opposed surfaces includes a moveable contacting surface configured to contact the container to inhibit a clearance between the container and the movable contacting surface. Also included is at least one heat transfer surface which is thermally coupled to the biopharmaceutical material holding container when the moveable contacting surface contacts the container. Also, the cavity may be configured to receive a frame for supporting the container holding the biopharmaceutical material. Further, the system may include a driver to move the frame holding the container inside the cavity.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting different anti-aliasing filters to be applied to objects of image data rendered with pixel sub-component precision based on the attributes of the objects of the graphics image. For example, when rendering a character traditional anti-aliasing applied in the direction parallel to the striping of the pixel sub-components is adapted to the unique requirements of different character font sizes such that a large amount of anti-aliasing is applied to large font sizes while a small amount of anti-aliasing is provided for characters at small font sizes. Displaced sampling is utilized to determine the alpha values for a plurality of vertical samples for each RGB pixel sub-component. The selected anti-aliasing filter is applied to the alpha values to determine the luminous intensity values of the RGB pixel sub-components.

Abstract: A navigation device for navigating a vehicle to a point comprises a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals, a processor connected with the receiver for processing the GPS signals, navigation data created by the processor, and a display page. The navigation data includes ground speed, altitude, vertical speed and rate of turn information, and the display page presents this information in individual graphic, circular displays representative of an aircraft instrument panel.

Abstract: A limited rotation torque motor is disclosed that includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes a plurality of pairs of magnetic poles and the stator includes a plurality of pairs of stator coils. Each stator coils extends along a longitudinal length of the motor.

Abstract: A laser flashlight employs an emitter disposed within a housing for emitting a coherent light beam having a gaussian spatial profile along an optical axis toward the exit face of the housing. An optical system disposed within the housing intermediate the emitter and the exit face of the housing includes a laser element pumped by the emitter, a frequency/wavelength converter, and a resonator, to form the coherent light into a laser beam. A beam expander receives the laser beam, disperses the laser beam, and transmits the dispersed laser beam from the light emitting end of the housing into the ambient environment.

Abstract: A system for controlled freezing, storing and thawing a biopharmaceutical material includes a flexible container and a supporting structure. The flexible container is adapted to receive the biopharmaceutical material therein for freezing, storing and thawing. The container further includes a flange and the supporting structure is engageable with the flange to receive the container. The supporting structure may position the container for freezing and may protect it during transport and storage.

Abstract: A system and method for graphically displaying travel information on an electronic map within a network environment comprising: (i) providing a network for transmitting and receiving information among information providers; (ii) receiving an information request based on a flexible set of user-defined travel related criteria; (iii) processing the information request to initiate at least one inquiry based on the information request from a plurality of data tables developed from a database; (iv) receiving at least one response to at least one inquiry; (v) processing at least one response to determine a reply that is responsive to the information request, and (vi) providing a response including an electronic map overlay.

Abstract: A limited rotation torque motor is disclosed including a rotor with at least one pair of magnetic poles and a stator with at least one pair of stator coils. Each stator coil includes a plurality of layers of interconnected flexible circuit composites. Each flexible circuit composite includes a dielectric material and a patterned conductive material on one side of said dielectric material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a central cache that is updated without the overhead of locking. Updates are “atomic” in that they cannot be interrupted part way through. Applications are always free to read data in the cache, accessing the data through a reference table. Applications do not directly update the cache, instead, they send update requests to a service routine. To update the cache, the service routine proceeds in two phases. In the first phase, the service routine prepares the new data and adds them to the cache, without updating the reference table. During the first phase, an application accessing the cache cannot “see” the new data because the reference table has not yet been updated. After the first phase is complete, the service routine performs the second phase of the update process: atomically updating the reference table. The two-phase update process leaves the cache, at all times, in a consistent state.

Abstract: A continuous optical calibration system for a galvanometer scanner. The system maintains one or more fiducial position references in each axis, independent of the normal position detector circuit. An optical reference position monitor circuit triggers a calibration signal when load position coincides with a reference position, whereupon the measured position of the position detector and then current look up table is compared to the known reference position, and an error correction is generated and applied to the look up table. The optical monitor circuit includes a rotor rigidly attached to the load shaft so as to rotate between a light emitter and detector. A thin slit in the rotor permits passage of a highly collimated light beam to the detector only when the slit is aligned between the emitter and detector, which occurs only when the load is at or passing through the reference position.

Abstract: A system for controlled freezing, storing and thawing a biopharmaceutical material includes a flexible container and a supporting structure. The flexible container is adapted to receive the biopharmaceutical material therein for freezing, storing and thawing. The container further includes a flange and the supporting structure is engageable with the flange to receive the container. The supporting structure may position the container for freezing and may protect it during transport and storage.

Abstract: A laser flashlight employs an emitter disposed within a housing for emitting a coherent light beam having a gaussian spatial profile along an optical axis toward the exit face of the housing. An optical system disposed within the housing intermediate the emitter and the exit face of the housing includes a laser element pumped by the emitter, a frequency/wavelength converter, and a resonator, to form the coherent light into a laser beam. A beam expander receives the laser beam, disperses the laser beam, and transmits the dispersed laser beam from the light emitting end of the housing into the ambient environment.

Abstract: A heat insulating paper cup having an improved seal. The cup can include a body member having an inside surface and an outside surface, and a bottom panel member having a upper surface and a bottom surface. The body member is coated (or in some instances partially coated) on its outside surface with a foamed low density polyethylene, and on its inside surface with an unfoamed modified low density polyethylene. The bottom panel member is coated on its upper surface with a foamed or an unfoamed low density polyethylene or foamed or unfoamed modified low density polyethylene. The body member and bottom panel member are oriented and joined to form a heat seal at an interface between a portion of the unfoamed modified low density polyethylene coated on the inside surface of the body member and a portion of unfoamed low density polyethylene or unfoamed modified low density polyethylene coated on the upper surface of the bottom panel member.

Abstract: A system and method automatically determines appropriate font characteristics for different display mediums and different readability parameters in any language. A method includes determining font characteristics by receiving data including a font identifier and a language identifier, producing a representative line of type in the identified language and with the identified font, measuring characteristics of the representative line of type, and normalizing the measurements across a plurality of fonts and a plurality of languages. In an embodiment, an international translator is used to receive the data including the font identifier and the language identifier and the received data can include text in a language. The normalizing refers to widths of portions of the text called a “black river,” which is used to identify plotted measured characteristics to determine an average grayness across a perpendicular to a reading direction.

Abstract: Techniques for qualifying and monitoring bearing performance and condition in a rotary servo systems (e.g., galvanometer scanner) are disclosed. A position error signal is analyzed for signal anomalies that can signify bearing damage. A DC offset ramp is applied to the position error signal to test whether the anomaly is angular position dependent. The anomaly is associated with the corresponding command signal value and range of values to calculate the angular position and range of the apparent bearing damage. The amplitude of the anomaly is measured and associated with a relative degree of bearing damage.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to a method for selecting a font that uses a mark-up language document to group together multiple pre-existing fonts into a single font family or “virtual font.” The mark-up language document includes rules regarding the conditions under which individual fonts within the family are to be used. This permits, for example, a font developer to create, in an efficient manner, an international font using several preexisting fonts.

Abstract: A high precision torque motor, including a partial rotation drive suitable for use in a galvanometer scanner, where the rotor is supported within the stator and housing assembly on all ceramic ball bearings, including inner and outer races and bearing balls. The ceramic ball bearing assemblies and all structural support elements have substantially equal coefficients of expansion through the use of matched expansion, nickel-iron alloy for the rotor shaft, stator, housing and other structural components which contact, locate, and support the inner and outer bearing races. The non-conductive bearings permit exclusion of any grounding conductor strap as between the rotor shaft and the housing.