Abstract: A machine-assisted method of manufacturing a customized anatomical seat cushion for a user is provided, the method comprising the steps of capturing anthropometric measurements of the user in a seated position; inputting the captured anthropometric measurements in a three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design (CAD) model to reproduce buttock of the user; generating a 3D anatomical seat cushion representation fitting the shape of the user based on the 3D CAD model of the buttock of the user; and machining a support structure according to the generated 3D anatomical seat cushion.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a custom anatomical cushion and a device to capture pressure controlled shape is provided. The device comprises, generally, a flexible membrane enclosing floating beads adapted to be completely immersed and freely moving inside a fluid. The device further comprises a mesh adapted to stop the floating beads from going outside of the flexible membrane as a result of a pressure increase or decrease inside the flexible membrane. The device is being fluidly connected to a pressure control system adapted to increase and/or decrease the internal pressure of the flexible membrane and comprises a vibration/leveling system adapted to adjust the fluid level inside the flexible membrane.

Abstract: The present discloses a mid-wheel tilt-in-space manual wheelchair with a constant shoulder position. The tilting wheelchair comprises an upper section, a lower section and a tilting mechanism. The upper section comprises an upper frame defining a user's seat, a back post and an armrest. The lower section comprises a lower frame, two drive wheels and at least two guiding wheels, preferably, two rear casters and two front casters. The two drive wheels being positioned on the lower frame and have a same rotation axis. The tilting mechanism is being adapted to rotatably engage the upper section to the lower section in such a way that the pivot center of the upper section is being coincident at any moment and any position with the rotation axis of the drive wheels allowing to maintain a constant distance between a user's shoulder and each pushrim of each drive wheel.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a custom anatomical cushion and a device to capture pressure controlled shape is provided. The device comprises, generally, a flexible membrane enclosing floating beads adapted to be completely immersed and freely moving inside a fluid. The device further comprises a mesh adapted to stop the floating beads from going outside of the flexible membrane as a result of a pressure increase or decrease inside the flexible membrane. The device is being fluidly connected to a pressure control system adapted to increase and/or decrease the internal pressure of the flexible membrane and comprises a vibration/leveling system adapted to adjust the fluid level inside the flexible membrane.

Abstract: The invention discloses a multi-layered cushioning structure composed of a first layer of a foam material and a second layer of an elastomeric gel material. The first and second layers are separated from each other by an integration layer having a portion of the elastomeric material integrated by capillarity into a portion of the foam material. The method of fusing the two materials together is also part of the invention.

Abstract: The invention discloses a body cushioning pad, a body contact mat and a multi-layered cushioning structure composed of the body cushioning pad and the body contact mat. The cushioning pad consists of a plurality of foam blocks, each provided with an internal cavity having a predetermined size and shape to control the firmness of the block and means for maintaining the foam blocks as a unit. The body contact mat is a bi-dimensional latticed structure of spaced-apart studs made of a compressible material linked together by flexible linking elements. The multi-layered cushioning structure comprises both the cushioning pad and the body contact mat, and a wrapper to wrap the cushioning pad and the contact mat together.

Abstract: A camera calibrating apparatus uses a calibration target in combination with a laser source generating a laser beam defining a calibration plane and intersecting the camera field of view to define an object imaging area. The calibration target includes a frame defining a coplanar arrangement of more than five reference points having known position coordinates within an object reference system. The frame is disposed in a camera calibration position wherein the coplanar arrangement of reference points is substantially parallel to the calibration plane. The target includes an arrangement of light reflecting members protruding from the arrangement of reference points in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto so as to extend within the object imaging area, to allow the camera to capture an image formed by illuminated portions of the light reflecting members.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the quality of log cutting either off-line or in real-time is based on optical measurement of half-squared or full-squared cants characteristics as produced at primary or secondary cutting stage, so as to increase the proportion of high-value wood pieces that can be recovered from full squared-cants produced at the sawing stage. The log is fed lengthwise to a primary cutting station (canter) capable of producing the first pair of opposing cut faces, while guiding the log substantially in a direction of the machine axis. The profile of the peripheral log surface at a plurality of cross-sections along the machine axis is measured to generate corresponding post-cut profile data, from which an estimation of log raw profile characteristics is made, to generate corresponding raw profile data. Then, from post-cut and raw profile data, resulting data on at least one parameter related to the cutting quality of the log.

Abstract: The invention discloses a body cushioning pad, a body contact mat and a multi-layered cushioning structure composed of the body cushioning pad and the body contact mat. The cushioning pad consists of a plurality of foam blocks, each provided with an internal cavity having a predetermined size and shape to control the firmness of the block and means for maintaining the foam blocks as a unit. The body contact mat is a bi-dimensional latticed structure of spaced-apart studs made of a compressible material linked together by flexible linking elements. The multi-layered cushioning structure comprises both the cushioning pad and the body contact mat, and a wrapper to wrap the cushioning pad and the contact mat together.

Abstract: A camera calibrating apparatus uses a calibration target in combination with a laser source generating a laser beam defining a calibration plane and intersecting the camera field of view to define an object imaging area. The calibration target includes a frame defining a coplanar arrangement of more than five reference points having known position coordinates within an object reference system. The frame is disposed in a camera calibration position wherein the coplanar arrangement of reference points is substantially parallel to the calibration plane. The target includes an arrangement of light reflecting members protruding from the arrangement of reference points in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto so as to extend within the object imaging area, to allow the camera to capture an image formed by illuminated portions of the light reflecting members.

Abstract: A camera calibrating apparatus uses a calibration target in combination with a laser source generating a laser beam defining a calibration plane and intersecting the camera field of view to define an object imaging area. The calibration target includes a frame defining a coplanar arrangement of reference points having known position coordinates within an object reference system. The frame is disposed in a camera calibration position wherein the coplanar arrangement of reference points is substantially parallel to the calibration plane. The target includes an arrangement of light reflecting members protruding from the arrangement of reference points in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, each said member having a light reflecting surface substantially parallel to said direction so as to extend within the object imaging area, to allow the camera to capture an image formed by illuminated portions of the light reflecting members.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the quality of log cutting either off-line or in real-time is based on optical measurement of half-squared or full-squared cants characteristics as produced at primary or secondary cutting stage, so as to increase the proportion of high-value wood pieces that can be recovered from full squared-cants produced at the sawing stage. The log is fed lengthwise to a primary cutting station (canter) capable of producing the first pair of opposing cut faces, while guiding the log substantially in a direction of the machine axis. The profile of the peripheral log surface at a plurality of cross-sections along the machine axis is measured to generate corresponding post-cut profile data, from which an estimation of log raw profile characteristics is made, to generate corresponding raw profile data. Then, from post-cut and raw profile data, resulting data on at least one parameter related to the cutting quality of the log.

Abstract: A camera calibrating apparatus uses a calibration target in combination with a laser source generating a laser beam defining a calibration plane and intersecting the camera field of view to define an object imaging area. The calibration target includes a frame defining a coplanar arrangement of reference points having known position coordinates within an object reference system. The frame is disposed in a camera calibration position wherein the coplanar arrangement of reference points is substantially parallel to the calibration plane. The target includes an arrangement of light reflecting members protruding from the arrangement of reference points in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto so as to extend within the object imaging area, to allow the camera to capture an image formed by illuminated portions of the light reflecting members.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting twist in an articles such as pieces of lumber being carried on a high-speed longitudinally moving conveyer use a non-contact scanning technique according to which a pair of transverse scan line beams is directed onto a surface of the article in spaced relationship in the conveying direction, and successive scans of corresponding simultaneously scanned pairs of spaced transverse areas on the article are repeatedly performed while the article is conveyed, to generate profile data characterizing position of each transverse area in a reference system. The profile data characterizing the respective position of both transverse areas is compared with one another to generate partial twist indicative data associated with each scan, followed by a summation of the partial twist indicative data associated with all scans to obtain an indication of the twist in the considered portion of the article.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting twist in an articles such as pieces of lumber being carried on a high-speed longitudinally moving conveyer use a non-contact scanning technique according to which a pair of transverse scan line beams is directed onto a surface of the article in spaced relationship in the conveying direction, and successive scans of corresponding simultaneously scanned pairs of spaced transverse areas on the article are repeatedly performed while the article is conveyed, to generate profile data characterizing position of each transverse area in a reference system. The profile data characterizing the respective position of both transverse areas is compared with one another to generate partial twist indicative data associated with each scan, followed by a summation of the partial twist indicative data associated with all scans to obtain an indication of the twist in the considered portion of the article.