Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for compressing depth buffer data in a three dimensional computer graphics system. The depth buffer data is divided into a plurality of rectangular tiles corresponding to rectangular areas in an associated image. The number of starting point locations in a tile are identified and a difference in depth value determined between each starting point and depth values of each of at least two further locations. Using this information depth values are predicted at a plurality of other locations in the tile and where these predicated values substantially match an actual depth value at location is assigned to a plane associated with respective starting point. Starting point location depth value difference data and plane assignment data for each tile and locations in the tile not assigned to a plane, then stored.

Abstract: A disperser system includes a disperser body that defines a substantially air-tight chamber therein. A sprayer assembly includes a passage, a fluid coupling, a nozzle, a valve, a valve trigger and a pouch. The passage is in fluid communication with the chamber. The valve is in fluid communication with both the passage and the fluid coupling and opens to the nozzle. The valve trigger is configured selectively to open the valve, thereby placing the passage and the fluid coupling in fluid communication with the nozzle. The pouch contains a fluid. When the chamber is charged with a gas and when the valve is opened, the gas flows through the passage and the fluid flows through the fluid coupling into the valve so that the gas entrains the fluid and delivers a suspension of the gas and the fluid to the nozzle, out of which the suspension is sprayed.

Abstract: A disperser system includes a disperser body that defines a substantially air-tight chamber therein. A sprayer assembly includes a passage, a fluid coupling, a nozzle, a valve, a valve trigger and a pouch. The passage is in fluid communication with the chamber. The valve is in fluid communication with both the passage and the fluid coupling and opens to the nozzle. The valve trigger is configured selectively to open the valve, thereby placing the passage and the fluid coupling in fluid communication with the nozzle. The pouch contains a fluid. When the chamber is charged with a gas and when the valve is opened, the gas flows through the passage and the fluid flows through the fluid coupling into the valve so that the gas entrains the fluid and delivers a suspension of the gas and the fluid to the nozzle, out of which the suspension is sprayed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for compressing depth buffer data in a three dimensional computer graphics system. The depth buffer data is divided into a plurality of rectangular tiles corresponding to rectangular areas in an associated image. The number of starting point locations in a tile are identified and a difference in depth value determined between each starting point and depth values of each of at least two further locations. Using this information depth values are predicted at a plurality of other locations in the tile and where these predicated values substantially match an actual depth value at location is assigned to a plane associated with respective starting point. Starting point location depth value difference data and plane assignment data for each tile and locations in the tile not assigned to a plane, then stored.

Abstract: The Direction of Cut Indicator is intended to be used by groundskeepers mowing the turf. It displays the direction the turf is to be cut on the day it is being cut.

Abstract: Traveling molds are used in conjunction with an extruder to form foamed products from starch and/or starch/polymer blends.

Abstract: Prime starch is used in an extruder or injection molding machine to form a shaped article. The prime starch reduces the mechanical energy needed to form the shaped article compared to conventional dried starch. Examples of the resulting shaped article are a foamed sheet, foamed peanut or a container. The shaped article is biodegradable.

Abstract: Failure of a local exchange in a communications network (such as the PSTN) is detected by monitoring a combination of parameters. Each parameter in the combination is monitored for meeting predetermined criteria. In particular, a local exchange failure is recognized when the average value of the All Circuits Engaged (ACE) parameters over all traffic routes into a local exchange rises in a significant manner and the average value of the Circuits in Service (CCTS IS) parameters over all traffic routes into that exchange decreases in a significant manner.

Abstract: The use of prime starch to make a starch graft copolymer allows the resulting starch graft copolymer to be extruded with reduced torque and pressure as compared to a starch graft copolymer made from conventional dried starch.