Abstract: An arrangement for forming an annular component includes a small diameter clamp for securely retaining a first holding surface of a small diameter end of a preform, a large diameter clamp for securely retaining a second holding surface of a large diameter end of the preform, and a punch having an external surface contour shaped to correspond to a shape of a profile of the annular component. The small diameter clamp and/or the large diameter clamp is configured to clamp the respective small and/or large holding surface, respectively, at an angle other than a slant angle of a main frusto-conical portion of the preform.

Abstract: A method of forming a sector of an annular component such as an inlet cowl/lip skin of a nacelle for an aircraft engine. The method comprising the steps of clamping at least part of a blank along a clamping boundary in a retaining arrangement so as to leave a portion of the blank exposed within the clamping boundary. Moving a punch and/or retaining arrangement radially so that the punch comes in to contact with the exposed portion of the blank and through the main body of the exposed blank thereby drawing the blank onto an external surface of the punch forming the sector from the leading edge to the trailing edge. Activating cooperating forming arrangement for engaging the blank and drawing the blank over the punch forming the sector of the inlet cowl from the leading edge to the inlet edge, the method comprising using a second draw forming tooling arrangement for the cooperating forming arrangement.

Abstract: A system includes an animated character head having one or more processors configured to receive an input, to make an animation selection based on the input, and to provide a first control based on the animation selection. The animated character head also includes a display configured to provide an indication of the animation selection for visualization by a performer operating the animated character head.

Abstract: A broadhead arrow having an arrowhead body with a threaded proximal end and a pointed distal end, a circumferential receptacle that is situated between the proximal and distal ends of the arrowhead body and configured to receive a retention ring, a plurality of blades, each blade having a serrated outer edge and a razor sharp inner edge, and a tapered shaft that extends from a center of the retention ring to the pointed distal end. Each blade is rotatably attached to the retention ring and has a trigger arm that is located at a base of the blade. The shaft has a plurality of longitudinally extending slots configured to receive the inner edges of the blades. The receptacle has a number of longitudinally extending slots that are configured to allow the blades to rotate outwardly on the retention ring.

Abstract: A ride system includes a ride vehicle configured to accommodate a passenger and travel along a ride path during a ride in an amusement park, a head mounted display connected to the ride vehicle and configured to be worn by the passenger, and a ride and game control system integrated with the ride vehicle and configured to coordinate a ride experience of the passenger with events occurring during the ride using at least the head mounted display and the ride vehicle. The ride and game control system includes a user interface, a ride controller, and a monitoring system. The ride and game control system also includes a computer graphics generation system communicatively coupled to the head mounted display and configured to selectively generate AR features for display on the head mounted display based on data received from the ride controller, the monitoring system, the user interface, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A ride system for an amusement park includes a ride vehicle configured to accommodate a rider and configured to travel along a ride path, a head mounted display configured to be worn by the rider, and a control system. The control system is configured to display a virtual instruction to the rider via the head mounted display, receive a signal from a user input device associated with the rider, determine that the signal received from the user input device corresponds to the virtual instruction, and trigger a movement of the ride vehicle in response to determining that the signal corresponds to the virtual instruction.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a sector of an annular component having an arrangement for securely retaining at least a portion of a blank mountable thereon. The retaining arrangement is adapted for leaving a portion of the retainable blank accessible. A punch is provided having an external surface contour shaped to correspond to the shape of all or a part of the profile of the sector of the annular component from a trailing edge to a leading edge and/or from a leading edge to an inlet edge. The apparatus has a cooperating forming arrangement for forming the profile of the sector of the annular component from the leading edge to the inlet edge. The retaining arrangement is adapted for forming a clamping boundary enclosing the accessible part of the blank to be formed by the punch.

Abstract: A ride system includes a ride vehicle configured to accommodate a passenger and travel along a ride path during a ride in an amusement park, a head mounted display connected to the ride vehicle and configured to be worn by the passenger, and a ride and game control system integrated with the ride vehicle and configured to coordinate a ride experience of the passenger with events occurring during the ride using at least the head mounted display and the ride vehicle. The ride and game control system includes a user interface, a ride controller, and a monitoring system. The ride and game control system also includes a computer graphics generation system communicatively coupled to the head mounted display and configured to selectively generate AR features for display on the head mounted display based on data received from the ride controller, the monitoring system, the user interface, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A ride system for an amusement park includes a ride vehicle configured to accommodate a rider and configured to travel along a ride path, a head mounted display configured to be worn by the rider, and a control system. The control system is configured to display a virtual instruction to the rider via the head mounted display, receive a signal from a user input device associated with the rider, determine that the signal received from the user input device corresponds to the virtual instruction, and trigger a movement of the ride vehicle in response to determining that the signal corresponds to the virtual instruction.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a sector of an annular component having an arrangement for securely retaining at least a portion of a blank mountable thereon. The retaining arrangement is adapted for leaving a portion of the retainable blank accessible. A punch is provided having an external surface contour shaped to correspond to the shape of all or a part of the profile of the sector of the annular component from a trailing edge to a leading edge and/or from a leading edge to an inlet edge. The apparatus has a cooperating forming arrangement for forming the profile of the sector of the annular component from the leading edge to the inlet edge. The retaining arrangement is adapted for forming a clamping boundary enclosing the accessible part of the blank to be formed by the punch.

Abstract: A method of forming a sector of an annular component such as an inlet cowl/lip skin of a nacelle for an aircraft engine. The method comprising the steps of clamping at least part of a blank along a clamping boundary in a retaining arrangement so as to leave a portion of the blank exposed within the clamping boundary. Moving a punch and/or retaining arrangement radially so that the punch comes in to contact with the exposed portion of the blank and through the main body of the exposed blank thereby drawing the blank onto an external surface of the punch forming the sector from the leading edge to the trailing edge. Activating cooperating forming arrangement for engaging the blank and drawing the blank over the punch forming the sector of the inlet cowl from the leading edge to the inlet edge, the method comprising using a second draw forming tooling arrangement for the cooperating forming arrangement.

Abstract: A system includes an animated character head having one or more processors configured to receive an input, to make an animation selection based on the input, and to provide a first control based on the animation selection. The animated character head also includes a display configured to provide an indication of the animation selection for visualization by a performer operating the animated character head.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a sector of an annular component having an arrangement for securely retaining at least a portion of a blank mountable thereon. The retaining arrangement is adapted for leaving a portion of the retainable blank accessible. A punch is provided having an external surface contour shaped to correspond to the shape of all or a part of the profile of the sector of the annular component from a trailing edge to a leading edge and/or from a leading edge to an inlet edge. The apparatus has a cooperating forming arrangement for forming the profile of the sector of the annular component from the leading edge to the inlet edge. The retaining arrangement is adapted for forming a clamping boundary enclosing the accessible part of the blank to be formed by the punch.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a sector of an annular component having an arrangement for securely retaining at least a portion of a blank mountable thereon. The retaining arrangement is adapted for leaving a portion of the retainable blank accessible. A punch is provided having an external surface contour shaped to correspond to the shape of all or a part of the profile of the sector of the annular component from a trailing edge to a leading edge and/or from a leading edge to an inlet edge. The apparatus has a cooperating forming arrangement for forming the profile of the sector of the annular component from the leading edge to the inlet edge. The retaining arrangement is adapted for forming a clamping boundary enclosing the accessible part of the blank to be formed by the punch.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing haptic feedback in connection with a capacitive sensing mechanism are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a convex, non-metallic structure arranged so as to maintain physical separation between an activator and the capacitive sensing mechanism until sufficient force is applied by the activator. The structure does not form a part of an electrical circuit comprising the capacitive sensing mechanism.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing haptic feedback in connection with a capacitive sensing mechanism are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a convex, non-metallic structure arranged so as to maintain physical separation between an activation means and the capacitive sensing mechanism until sufficient force is applied by with the activation means. The structure does not form a part of an electrical circuit comprising the capacitive sensing mechanism.

Abstract: The invention features a system and method for installing and configuring a common software load in optical network elements. In brief overview, a configurable hardware abstraction layer (HAL) is interposed between the application software and the drivers in the common software load. With the use of a configurable HAL, network elements embodying the invention can use the same common software load for each type of card. Hence, an installer updating or originally configuring the cards in a plurality of network elements can accommodate all of the cards with the transmission of one software load. Instead of centrally tracking and organizing card specific software loads, the common software load in combination with the HAL manages the installation and upgrading process on the local card level.

Abstract: An electronic reminder, the alert feature of which uses visual and/or audible alert signals, with customizable surface areas. The surface areas include an area onto which a distributor of the reminder can apply information specific to a known end user or user group. A surface area of the housing also permits a purchaser of relatively small quantities of the invention to apply their own promotional information prior to redistribution to their customers. Another area of the housing includes a surface area of such material as to allow the end user to handwrite information associated with the reminding function, such as the storage location and brand name (or product type) of a particular item, or a task. A display device permits a user-defined, reminder-related visual cue (for example, a photograph) to be held in place and displayed.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for parallel processing. One embodiment provides a multiprocessor computer system that includes a first and second node controller, a number of processors being connected to each node controller, a memory connected to each controller, a first input/output system connected to the first node controller, and a communications network connected between the node controllers. The first node controller includes: a crossbar unit to which are connected a memory port, an input/output port, a network port, and a plurality of independent processor ports. A first and a second processor port connected between the crossbar unit and a first subset and a second subset, respectively, of the processors. In some embodiments of the system, the first node controller is fabricated onto a single integrated-circuit chip.

Abstract: Lifter blades are mounted for rotation by a rotor assembly within a foraminous housing to centrifugally dry pellets impelled upwardly through the housing by the blades. Accumulation of pellets on the rotor is minimized by elimination of vertical entrapping surfaces in favor of spokes made of vertically positioned flat bars from which blade attachment arms extend at obtuse angles.