Abstract: A semiautomatic shotgun successfully uses the AR-10 receiver and the superior direct impingement gas system. A combination of locking lugs to maintain proper sequencing, a spring disposed inside of a gas impingement chamber, and a spring to cycle the action. Fouling is avoided using nickel-boron coated parts, permanent infusion of a dry film lubricant, and an angled gas port. A unique magazine feed lip and barrel extension feed ramp and the magazine maintaining the shells at a slight angle upward, and a bolt face having a rear facing partial bevel avoid jamming and snagging. The present invention also teaches raised gas tube and gas key to accommodate the larger bore of the shotgun. The combination achieves an AR-10 based shotgun which has the advantages of direct impingement cycling (less recoil, greater accuracy, etc) without fouling and/or jamming.

Abstract: A semiautomatic shotgun successfully uses the AR-10 receiver and the superior direct impingement gas system. A combination of locking lugs to maintain proper sequencing, a spring disposed inside of a gas impingement chamber, and a spring to cycle the action. Fouling is avoided using nickel-boron coated parts, permanent infusion of a dry film lubricant, and an angled gas port. A unique magazine feed lip and barrel extension feed ramp and the magazine maintaining the shells at a slight angle upward, and a bolt face having a rear facing partial bevel avoid jamming and snagging. The present invention also teaches raised gas tube and gas key to accommodate the larger bore of the shotgun.

Abstract: An item tracking apparatus for fitting to a container. The apparatus comprises a tag detector for detecting whether a tag fixable to an item is present within the container, a processor unit and a wireless communication unit. The processor unit is connected to the tag detector and the wireless communication unit and arranged to control the wireless communication unit to transmit item tracking data indicative of the presence of the item in the container to a remote server.

Abstract: Systems, tools and methods for 3D animation provided including: creating stereoscopic effect in 3D animation in a shot; determining maximum parallax in 3D animation; representation of stereo effect on a non-stereoscopic monitor in 3D animation; producing a digital contact sheet created for viewing in 3D animation; correcting for holes created by missing pixel information from a left camera perspective in 3D animation; real-time compositing of multiple stereo camera views in 3D animation; and emulation of multi-cam rig in 3D animation.

Abstract: A universal seaming chuck (30) having a working profile (60) that defines a seaming surface (64) and a chuck wall driving surface (68) including a distal radiused portion (80), a middle radiused portion (84) and a proximal radiused portion (88). The working profile (60) is configured to support at least a first type of can end and a second type of can end that is different than the first type of can end during the seaming process. A method for seaming said first and second type of can ends by using said chuck is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a computer apparatus, a means for display, and a means for storage. The computer apparatus is configured to perform a method of 3D animation. The method includes setting a first inter-axial distance between logical representations of a first set of two cameras, the first inter-axial distance being configured to produce a desired 3D effect for a target audience, setting a second inter-axial distance between logical representations of a second set of two cameras, the second inter-axial distance being based on the first inter-axial distance, setting a multi-rig spacing between the first and second sets of two cameras, the multi-rig spacing begin a value determined to reduce depth distortion effects in the 3D animation, and creating a stereoscopic frame set representing the 3D animation using the logical representations of the first and second sets of two cameras.

Abstract: A system for 3-dimensional animation includes a computer apparatus, a means for display in communication with the computer apparatus, and a means for storage in communication with the computer apparatus. The means for storage is disposed to store data representing a 3D animation, the means for display is disposed to display a representation of the 3D animation, and the computer apparatus is configured to perform a method of 3D animation. The method includes setting an inter-axial distance between logical representations of two cameras, the inter-axial distance being configured to produce a desired 3D effect for a target audience, and creating a stereoscopic frame set representing the 3D animation using the logical representations of the two cameras.

Abstract: A system includes a computer apparatus, a means for display, and a means for storage. The computer apparatus is configured to perform a method of 3D animation. The method includes setting a first inter-axial distance between logical representations of a first set of two cameras, the first inter-axial distance being configured to produce a desired 3D effect for a target audience, setting a second inter-axial distance between logical representations of a second set of two cameras, the second inter-axial distance being based on the first inter-axial distance, setting a multi-rig spacing between the first and second sets of two cameras, the multi-rig spacing begin a value determined to reduce depth distortion effects in the 3D animation, and creating a stereoscopic frame set representing the 3D animation using the logical representations of the first and second sets of two cameras.

Abstract: A planar optical platform for generating a Raman signal from a foreign object comprises an input region and an output region, for receiving and extracting optical radiation, optically coupled to a plasmonic band structure region. The plasmonic band structure region comprises a layer of a first material, having a first refractive index, patterned with an array of sub-regions of a second material, having a second refractive index, wherein a side-wall of each sub-region is coated with a metallodielectric layer. The array of sub-regions gives rise to a plasmonic band structure and, in use, each sub-region confines a plasmon resonance excited by optical radiation coupled into the plasmonic band structure region, which gives rise to a Raman signal from a foreign object placed proximate the plasmonic band structure region. The platform may be incorporated into a spectroscopic measurement system and is particularly useful for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of analyte molecules.

Abstract: A planar optical platform for generating a Raman signal from a foreign object comprises an input region and an output region, for receiving and extracting optical radiation, optically coupled to a plasmonic band structure region. The plasmonic band structure region comprises a layer of a first material, having a first refractive index, patterned with an array of sub-regions of a second material, having a second refractive index, wherein a side-wall of each sub-region is coated with a metallodielectric layer. The array of sub-regions gives rise to a plasmonic band structure and, in use, each sub-region confines a plasmon resonance excited by optical radiation coupled into the plasmonic band structure region, which gives rise to a Raman signal from a foreign object placed proximate the plasmonic band structure region. The platform may be incorporated into a spectroscopic measurement system and is particularly useful for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of analyte molecules.

Abstract: A planar optical platform for generating a Raman signal from a foreign object comprises an input region and an output region, for receiving and extracting optical radiation, optically coupled to a plasmonic band structure region. The plasmonic band structure region comprises a layer of a first material, having a first refractive index, patterned with an array of sub-regions of a second material, having a second refractive index, wherein a side-wall of each sub-region is coated with a metallodielectric layer. The array of sub-regions gives rise to a plasmonic band structure and, in use, each sub-region confines a plasmon resonance excited by optical radiation coupled into the plasmonic band structure region, which gives rise to a Raman signal from a foreign object placed proximate the plasmonic band structure region. The platform may be incorporated into a spectroscopic measurement system and is particularly useful for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of analyte molecules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of recording video and/or audio material on a recording medium, the method including an identifier for identifying a piece of video and/or audio material recorded on the recording medium, an activity indicator representative of relative activity within a content of the video and/or audio material, and metadata in accordance with the activity indicator.

Abstract: A dispenser for an elongate material is provided having a support and a spool rotatably mounted in the support. The spool includes a core and two ends extending radially outward from the core. At least one ring on the support encircles a respective end of the spool. In one embodiment, the radial outside of each ring is provided with a formation tapering towards the middle of the spool.

Abstract: A dispenser for an elongate material is provided having a support and a spool rotatably mounted in the support. The spool includes a core and two ends extending radially outward from the core. At least one ring on the support encircles a respective end of the spool. In one embodiment, the radial outside of each ring is provided with a formation tapering towards the middle of the spool.

Abstract: A fuel stabilization system includes a first deoxygenator and a second deoxygenator both for removing dissolved oxygen from a hydrocarbon fuel. The first and second deoxygenators are arranged in parallel or series to sequentially remove a portion of dissolved oxygen from the hydrocarbon fuel. The arrangement of several deoxygenators for a single fuel stream improves removal of dissolved oxygen and provides for scalability of the fuel system to meet application specific demands. The arrangement also provides for the preservation of partial system functionality in the event of the failure of one of the deoxygenator modules.

Abstract: The compressed air foam and high pressure liquid dispersal system provides a compressed air foam product in addition to concurrently producing a liquid under pressure for decontamination, general cleaning, vapor suppression, Hazmat remediation, fuel spills, and fire suppression support for durable equipment, vehicles, terrain, facilities, and aircraft. The system includes a power plant for powering the compressed air foam and high pressure liquid sub-systems of the system. The high pressure sub-system further includes a boiler for heating the liquid to a temperature above ambient temperature. The boiler and power plant may use the same type of fuel for decreasing the number of fuel supplies to the system. In addition, the power plant drives an air compressor for providing compressed air for powering the compressed air foam sub-system. The power plant further drives a high pressure water pump for pressurizing the water for the high pressure sub-system.

Abstract: An identification system and method for medication management comprises a controller, a drug library accessible by the controller, the drug library containing drug library profiles including a data set of drug information, and an identification module configured to read patient identification information from machine-readable identification devices worn by patients and to read drug information from machine-readable identification devices affixed to drugs or containers of drugs. The controller compares the read information to each other and to the drug library profile and provides alerts or error signals in the event of an inconsistency. In one case, identification devices are read by an optical reader fixedly mounted to the identification module. In another case, identification devices are read by an optical reader that is hand-held and mobile and can be moved to the location of the identification device. The hand-held reader communicates with the identification module by wired or wireless means.

Abstract: A planar optical platform for generating a Raman signal from a foreign object comprises an input region and an output region, for receiving and extracting optical radiation, optically coupled to a plasmonic band structure region. The plasmonic band structure region comprises a layer of a first material, having a first refractive index, patterned with an array of sub-regions of a second material, having a second refractive index, wherein a side-wall of each sub-region is coated with a metallodielectric layer. The array of sub-regions gives rise to a plasmonic band structure and, in use, each sub-region confines a plasmon resonance excited by optical radiation coupled into the plasmonic band structure region, which gives rise to a Raman signal from a foreign object placed proximate the plasmonic band structure region. The platform may be incorporated into a spectroscopic measurement system and is particularly useful for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of analyte molecules.

Abstract: Selecting an obscured object of a computer-generated model consisting of a plurality of objects displayed on a computer screen includes receiving input data interpreted as an instruction to change a visibility characteristic of a first one of the plurality of objects (the first one of the objects obscuring another of the objects, and the first object being determined based on the location of an on-screen cursor), and modifying a visibility characteristic of the first object to cause another one of the objects to become discernable and selectable.

Abstract: There is provided a non-linear optical device for enhancing the bandwidth accessible in the nonlinear generation of an optical signal. The device comprises a planar optical waveguide, the planar optical waveguide being operative to generate an optical output from an optical input having an input bandwidth by means of a non-linear optical process, the optical output having a wavelength within an accessible bandwidth, wherein the planar optical waveguide is operative to enhance the accessible bandwidth such that the ratio of the accessible bandwidth to the input bandwidth is at least 4. The device is particularly applicable to broad optical continuum generation, but may also be used in a parametric oscillator or amplifier arrangement with broad tuning range.