Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improved filtering and correcting of glyphs on a GPU. The computational intensity required for filtering and/or rendering can be reduced by pre-calculating some or all of the calculations needed for converting coverage data into corrected pixel values. Additional efficiencies may be realized in some embodiments by transferring data from a CPU to a GPU in an improved format. The improvements can be realized in a variety of graphics formats.

Abstract: A system, a method and computer-readable media for rendering text with a graphics processing unit (GPU). The system, method, and media includes a GPU that may be configured to receive a plurality of compressed glyph bitmap and create a plurality of glyph textures from the bitmap. The GPU may be further configured to pack a plurality of rows of data from a glyph bitmap into a single row of a glyph texture. The GPU may be also be configured to merge the plurality of glyph textures into a merged texture to identify overlapping rows of color. Additionally, the GPU maybe configured to filter the merged texture to create a grayscale texture containing a plurality of merged glyphs and rendering the grayscale texture to display the plurality of merged glyphs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending the effective circumferential extent of an original an aircraft simulator mirror cell having a base support structure mounted to a movable platform, the base support structure being in generally the shape of a portion of a sphere of a predetermined radius and having a predetermined circumferential extent defined by original edges of the support structure configured to support a vacuum-shaped reflective film.

Abstract: An improved system and method for an extensible codec architecture for digital images is provided. Executable software code may be operably coupled to a codec manager for requesting imaging operations to be performed on a digital image. The codec manager may receive the request to perform an imaging operation on the digital image and may select an imaging component, such as a codec, from one or more imaging components registered in the computer system for performing an imaging operation on the digital image. An arbitration manager may include functionality for requesting enumeration of the operations an imaging component may perform on a particular digital image. One or more pixel format converters may then convert the pixel format in the digital image to a pixel format supported by an imaging component installed on the system.

Abstract: A valve comprises a housing (1) having an inlet (4) and an outlet (5), and a pressure sensing port (8). A piston (6) slides in a part (3) of the housing (1) in response to a difference between a first fluid pressure at the pressure sensing port on the one side of the piston, and a second fluid pressure at the inlet and/or outlet on the other side of the piston (6). A valve member (7) carried by the piston is operable thereby to close the inlet (4) when said second fluid pressure is less than a value sufficiently greater than said first fluid pressure. The valve member (7) is movable with respect to the piston (6) to facilitate closing of the inlet (4), in response to a fluid flow from the housing (1) to the inlet (4), when the piston is not acting to close the inlet.

Abstract: An improved method for non-invasively measuring a concentration of a target analyte dissolved in a fluid flowing through a sample is presented. It includes directing a probe beam of electromagnetic radiation, consisting of time multiplexed components of different wavelengths, through the sample and measuring the difference of the absorption of the radiation at at least one wavelength pair at different sample states. During sample state changes, the amount of fluid containing the target analyte within the sample is changing, which varies the total amount of target analyte in the sample, as well as the absorption properties of the sample. The sample states are produced, for instance, by compressing and uncompressing the tissue sample. The accuracy of the presented method is enhanced by including continuous estimation of the amount of the fluid containing the target analyte within the sample, and measurement of the variations of the absorption at a wavelength at which the target analyte absorbs significantly.

Abstract: An improved method for non-invasively measuring a concentration of a target analyte dissolved in a fluid flowing through a sample is presented. It includes directing a probe beam of electromagnetic radiation, consisting of time multiplexed components of different wavelengths, through the sample and measuring the difference of the absorption of the radiation at at least one wavelength pair at different sample states. During sample state changes, the amount of fluid containing the target analyte within the sample is changing, which varies the total amount of target analyte in the sample, as well as the absorption properties of the sample. The sample states are produced, for instance, by compressing and uncompressing the tissue sample. The accuracy of the presented method is enhanced by including continuous estimation of the amount of the fluid containing the target analyte within the sample, and measurement of the variations of the absorption at a wavelength at which the target analyte absorbs significantly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laminated fabric heater element, heater and a process for manufacturing the heater element and heater. The heater comprises an electrically conductive fabric layer attached to bus bars, is sandwiched between two thermoplastic films forming a heater assembly. In the process making the heater element or heater, the layers of the heater assembly by consolidating the layers of films and fabric into a single sheet heater without the use of adhesive resins. The heater can be made of variable geometry, electrical supply voltage and power, and can withstand more mechanical, chemical, ultraviolet radiation and other environmental stresses than prior art heaters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laminated fabric heater element, heater and a process for manufacturing the heater element and heater. The heater comprises an electrically conductive fabric layer attached to bus bars, is sandwiched between two thermoplastic films forming a heater assembly. In the process making the heater element or heater, the layers of the heater assembly by consolidating the layers of films and fabric into a single sheet heater without the use of adhesive resins. The heater can be made of variable geometry, electrical supply voltage and power, and can withstand more mechanical, chemical, ultraviolet radiation and other environmental stresses than prior art heaters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laminated fabric heater element, heater and a process for manufacturing the heater element and heater. The heater comprises an electrically conductive fabric layer attached to bus bars, is sandwiched between two thermoplastic films forming a heater assembly. In the process making the heater element or heater, the layers of the heater assembly by consolidating the layers of films and fabric into a single sheet heater without the use of adhesive resins. The heater can be made of variable geometry, electrical supply voltage and power, and can withstand more mechanical, chemical, ultraviolet radiation and other environmental stresses than prior art heaters.

Abstract: The swivel jack assembly is used with trailers to vertically position a trailer tongue for mounting onto a hitch of the towing vehicle. The swivel jack assembly includes a jack-mounting bracket welded to an outer housing of the jack, and a tongue-mounting bracket mounted onto the tongue portion of a trailer. The jack also includes a novel swivel mechanism for pivoting the mechanism in either an upright support position or a horizontal stowed position. A cup-shaped section of the jack-mounting bracket nests within a cup-shaped section of the tongue-mounting bracket. When in the upright position, the jack extends vertically and may be used to raise or lower the tongue and support the trailer. The swivel jack assembly keeps the trailer in a level position when the trailer is disengaged from the towing vehicle. The swivel jack assembly is pivotally mounted onto the trailer tongue such that they can be pivotally repositioned to a stowed position when not in use.

Abstract: The invention relates to heatable wind energy turbine blades and to a method of heating and deicing the turbine blades using conductive fabrics to displace and/or cease the buildup of ice on the turbine blades by electrothermal fabric heater disposed or integrated on the turbines for effectively deicing the blades. Multiple turbine blade design methods are explored as well as heater materials and the application of such materials.

Abstract: A method is provided for heating the surface of a material such as a floor, wall, roof, or countertop. The method comprises providing a laminated heater element, disposing the heater element at a predetermined depth in the material and energizing the element at prescribed intervals and temperatures which are effective to heat the surface of the material.

Abstract: A method is provided for heating the surface of a material such as a floor, wall, roof, or countertop. The method comprises providing a laminated heater element, disposing the heater element at a predetermined depth in the material and energizing the element at prescribed intervals and temperatures which are effective to heat the surface of the material.

Abstract: A method is provided for heating the surface of a tooling die. In the method, a heater element consisting of a fabric layer composed of conductive fibers is incorporated into the surface of a tooling die or mold. The heater element is attached to a power source, which energizes the element at prescribed intervals and temperatures to heat the surface of the tooling die.

Abstract: A method is provided for heating the surface of a material such as a floor, wall, roof, or countertop. The method comprises providing a laminated heater element, disposing the heater element at a predetermined depth in the material and energizing the element at prescribed intervals and temperatures which are effective to heat the surface of the material.

Abstract: A method is provided for heating the surface of a food receptacle to heat the food contained therein. The method comprises, providing a laminated composite heater element, impermeable to water. The heater element is disposed on the surface of the food receptacle and is heated at prescribed intervals and temperatures effective to heat the receptacle surface and thereby heating the food contained therein.

Abstract: A method is provided for heating the interior surface of a defined volume, such as the interior of a pipe or tank, to control the viscosity of a liquid contained within that volume. In the method, a laminated composite heater element, impermeable to water, is disposed on the surface of the receptacle, and is energized at prescribed intervals and temperatures effective to heat the interior surface of the volume.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing biofouling on the surface of structures, such as docks, ships, oil drilling platforms, which come into contact with aquatic environments. In the method, a pre-formed panel heater element is provided to the surfaces of the structure which are for submerging into water. The heater element is disposed at a predetermined depth from the surface of the structure, and energized at prescribed intervals and temperature which are effective to kill and prevent settlement of larvae on the surface of the structure. The pre-formed panel heater element consists of an inner layer composed of a fabric of electrically conductive fibers encapsulated in fiberglass/resin; two outer fiberglass/resin layers disposed on opposing surfaces of and encapsulating said inner layer; and electrical leads connected to said conductive fibers and adapted to receive power from a power source.

Abstract: A method is provided for heating the surface of an antenna dish. In the method, a heater element consisting of a fabric layer composed of conductive fibers is incorporated into a composite that forms the surface of the antenna dish or the entire antenna dish. The heater element is attached to a power source, which energizes the element to heat the surface of the dish.