Abstract: An artificial and/or simulated environment is used to raise a domestic or commercially raised animal to promote a positive health feedback and to minimize stress on the animal. The simulated environment is used to create the façade of a free range or cage free environment, while also minimizing the exposure to inclement weather, potential predators, and other unknown or stress-inducing situations. The results include animals that have higher resistance to diseases and have a lower stress. The artificial environment can be created by projecting or otherwise showing images and/or videos depicting simulation of environments, climate, and/or other unknown situations to normalize the animals to the same.

Abstract: A method for three-dimensional shape measurement provides for generating sinusoidal fringe patterns by defocusing binary patterns. A method for three-dimensional shape measurement may include (a) projecting a plurality of binary patterns onto at least one object; (b) projecting three phase-shifted fringe patterns onto the at least one object; (c) capturing images of the at least one object with the binary patterns and the phase-shifted fringe patterns; (d) obtaining codewords from the binary patterns; (e) calculating a wrapped phase map from the phase-shifted fringe patterns; (f) applying the codewords to the wrapped phase map to produce an unwrapped phase map; and (g) computing coordinates using the unwrapped phase map for use in the three-dimensional shape measurement of the at least one object. A system for performing the method is also provided. The high-speed real-time 3D shape measurement may be used in numerous applications including medical science, biometrics, and entertainment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for five-axis NC milling process simulation and dimensional verification. An algorithm is utilized which employs a dexel representation of the workpiece and milling tool to reduce the complexity of the solid representation and associated Boolean operations. This representation is exploited to obtain high computational efficiency which affords real-time visual verification of milling processes. Simulation is presented as animated images while a unique discrete dexel verification algorithm simultaneously performs calculations of milling error between the emerging workpiece and actual design surfaces. Milling errors are depicted by levels of color on the milled workpiece. The verification result precisely reveals the quality of the tool paths in a realistic depiction of the actual process, which is helpful for determining tool path modifications and additional finishing processes.

Abstract: Multi-section safety apparel used by a workman installing or repairing steep sloped roofing for effecting a reduced coefficient of sliding friction between the workman and the roof surface. The first section is comprised of a coarse textured layer of foam rubber or high density polyurethane foam adapted for a wrap installation about at least the buttocks and rear of the wearer's thighs. Additional sections attachable to the first section, are available for optionally protecting also the calfs and knees of the wearer while a hammer loop and nail pouch are available for detachable attachment to the first section.

Abstract: An efficient algorithm determines the blank shape necessary to manufacture a surface by press forming. The technique is independent of material properties and instead uses surface geometry and an area conservation constraint to generate a geometrically feasible blank shape. The algorithm is formulated as an approximate geometric interpretation of the reversal of the forming process. The primary applications for this technique are in preliminary surface design, assessment of manufacturability, and location of binder wrap. Since the algorithm exhibits linear time complexity, it is amenable to implementation as an interactive design aid.

Abstract: A technique is presented for the synthesis of sculptured surface models subject to several functional design constraints. A design environment is specified as a collection of polyhedral models which represent components in the vicinity of the design surface, or regions which the surface should avoid. The primary functional constraint is formulated as a proximity penalty function such that the design surface is induced to avoid a tolerance envelope around each component. In addition, a constraint based on surface area is formulated to counteract the expansion effect of the proximity constraint. Secondary design constraints are formulated to maintain consistent surface topology, and exploit part symmetry. Surface synthesis is thus formulated as an optimization problem and solved via simulated annealing. Several example applications are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the technique.