Abstract: A primary (e.g., master) file system stores multiple files and corresponding metadata. A view generator function receives template information (e.g., view configuration information) specifying types of metadata information associated with the multiple files stored in the primary file system. Based on processing of the metadata information in the primary file system as specified by the template information, the generator function produces metadata for inclusion in a secondary file system, which is used to satisfy search inquiries associated with the multiple files stored in the primary file system. According to one arrangement, the generator function replicates metadata information in the primary file system as specified by the template information for inclusion in the secondary file system. The secondary file system can include metadata from other sources as well that produced by the generator function.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide an adaptive load balancer that presents a virtual data system to client computer systems. The virtual data system provides access to an aggregated set of data, such as files or web service objects, available from a plurality of server data systems respectively operating within a plurality of server computer systems. The adaptive load balancer receives a client data access transaction from a client computer system that specifies a data access operation to be performed relative to the virtual data system presented to the client computer system. The adaptive load balancer processes the client data access transaction in relation to metadata associated with the virtual data system to provide access to the file or service object within a server computer system, or to access the metadata.

Abstract: When heat or UV radiation is applied to an adhesive tape (130) which bonds a semiconductor wafer (110) to a carrier (120), the appropriate lift-off time for separating the wafer from the carrier is determined by monitoring the thickness (T or ?T) of the wafer/tape/carrier sandwich. When the thickness or the thickness change has reached a predefined value or range of values, independently moveable driving members (510R) drive the wafer or the carrier with small forces at a plurality of spaced-apart locations along the periphery. As a result, the lift-off is initiated at the location of the weakest adhesion.

Abstract: To peel some material (120) off a substrate (110), a shaft (720) pushes on a peeling tape (130) to unwind the peeling tape from the tape supply (320). An end effector (820) holds the substrate (110) on top of the peeling tape's section above the shaft. The peeling tape becomes bonded to the material (120). The shaft withdraws, and the peeling tape collector (330) pulls on the peeling tape to peel the tape together with the material (120).

Abstract: A system for three-dimensional (3-D) facial animation, including a base 3-D surface model representing a human face, and a set of displacement fields representing surface motion patterns associated with muscle movements. Each displacement field is a displacement vector varying over vertices of the base surface model and an intensity variable. Both the base surface model and displacement fields are acquired from a live subject by 3-D acquisition. The data are acquired using a surface acquisition system, capable of measuring the coordinates of a set of points on the subject's face and reconstructing the facial surface as a surface model. The base surface model is acquired by reconstructing the surface of the subject's face in the neutral pose. Each displacement field is acquired by reconstructing the surface of the subject's face in a series of poses of a muscle movement at increasing intensities.

Abstract: Apparatus in fluid communication with a water leg portion of a hydrocarbon-contaminated water, e.g., a water leg portion of an offshore drilling or production platform sump tank for conveying water, separated from oil, into contact with organophilic media canisters such that the hydrocarbons and other organic materials commingled with the sump tank water will be adsorbed onto the organophilic media and detected by the embedded probe in selected canisters. The canisters are provided in a plurality of stacks and are in fluid communication with a header disposed at the bottom of the vessel housing the various stacks of canisters. Solids that do not pass through the canisters are accumulated at the bottom of the vessel and easily drained through a drain port. The water will pass through the media and will be conveyed back to the ocean water without contamination.

Abstract: Apparatus in fluid communication with a water leg portion of a hydrocarbon-contaminated water, e.g., a water leg portion of an offshore drilling or production platform sump tank for conveying water, separated from oil, into contact with organophilic media canisters such that the hydrocarbons and other organic materials commingled with the sump tank water will be adsorbed onto the organophilic media and detected by the embedded probe in selected canisters. The canisters are provided in a plurality of stacks and are in fluid communication with a header disposed at the bottom of the vessel housing the various stacks of canisters. Solids that do not pass through the canisters are accumulated at the bottom of the vessel and easily drained through a drain port. The water will pass through the media and will be conveyed back to the ocean water without contamination.

Abstract: Apparatus in fluid communication with a water leg portion of a hydrocarbon-contaminated water, e.g., a water leg portion of an offshore drilling or production platform sump tank for conveying water, separated from oil, into contact with organophilic media canisters such that the hydrocarbons and other organic materials commingled with the sump tank water will be adsorbed onto the organophilic media and detected by the embedded probe in selected canisters. The canisters are provided in a plurality of stacks and are in fluid communication with a header disposed at the bottom of the vessel housing the various stacks of canisters. Solids that do not pass through the canisters are accumulated at the bottom of the vessel and easily drained through a drain port. The water will pass through the media and will be conveyed back to the ocean water without contamination.

Abstract: Apparatus in fluid communication with a water leg portion of a hydrocarbon-contaminated water, e.g., a water leg portion of an offshore drilling or production platform sump tank for conveying water, separated from oil, into contact with organophilic media canisters such that the hydrocarbons and other organic materials commingled with the sump tank water will be adsorbed onto the organophilic media and detected by the embedded probe in selected canisters. The canisters are provided in a plurality of stacks and are in fluid communication with a header disposed at the bottom of the vessel housing the various stacks of canisters. Solids that do not pass through the canisters are accumulated at the bottom of the vessel and easily drained through a drain port. The water will pass through the media and will be conveyed back to the ocean water without contamination.

Abstract: Apparatus in fluid communication with a water leg portion of a hydrocarbon-contaminated water, e.g., a water leg portion of an offshore drilling or production platform sump tank for conveying water, separated from oil, into contact with organophilic media canisters such that the hydrocarbons and other organic materials commingled with the sump tank water will be adsorbed onto the organophilic media and detected by the embedded probe in selected canisters. The canisters are provided in a plurality of stacks and are in fluid communication with a header disposed at the bottom of the vessel housing the various stacks of canisters. Solids that do not pass through the canisters are accumulated at the bottom of the vessel and easily drained through a drain port. The water will pass through the media and will be conveyed back to the ocean water without contamination.

Abstract: Apparatus in fluid communication with a water leg portion of a hydrocarbon-contaminated water, e.g., a water leg portion of an offshore drilling or production platform sump tank for conveying water, separated from oil, into contact with organophilic clay cannisters such that the hydrocarbons and other organic materials commingled with the sump tank water will be adsorbed onto the organophilic clay and detected by the embedded probe in selected cannisters. The water will pass through the clay and will be conveyed back to the ocean water without contamination. At some point in time, the organophilic clay will become “spent” and at a certain “spent level”, the saturated condition of the organoclay will be electronically detected by the embedded probe and alarm/control panel. The alarm indicates that the “spent” organophilic clay should be replaced with fresh clay or the spent clay regenerated.

Abstract: A system for establishing a data session and a voice session for training a user on a computer program includes a customer workstation coupled to a selected agent workstation by a data network and a voice network. The customer workstation generates a session request in response to user input requesting assistance regarding the computer program. The data network and the voice network establish a data session and a voice session, respectively, between the customer workstation and the selected agent workstation in response to the session request.

Abstract: A bidirectional document tractor unit having spaced apart laterally adjustable tractor mechanisms each provided with an endless tractor belt which is in driving engagement with a document support belt to provide a document path interposed between the support belt and the tractor belt. The support belts include perforations engageable with the drive pins on the tractor belt. The support belts also are drivably engaged with sprocket members having document drive pins formed thereon. The tractor belts are driven through suitable sprockets in driving engagement with an elongated driveshaft. Movable gates are disposed adjacent to the drive sprockets which provide for lead-in driving engagement with the document which is trained along the tractor belt between the tractor belt and the support belt, then through the printer platen and then along the opposite run of the tractor belts before returning to a document magazine or stack.

Abstract: A compact substantially self contained envelope feeding apparatus includes a magazine for holding a plurality of stacked envelopes which are dispensed through a bottom outlet by a two stage dispensing mechanism comprising spaced apart sets of drive rollers arranged along an envelope feed path. The second set of drive rollers includes resiliently biased idler rollers for guiding the envelopes along a curved portion of the feed path to a holding plate which holds each envelope momentarily stationary for engagement by endless feed belts which feed the envelope to a platen of a printer. A support unit is provided with quick release clamps for securing the feeding apparatus to the support shaft of the printer platen. Drive gearing is provided for engagement with a platen gear to drive the feed belts in timed relation to the platen for feeding envelopes to the platen and returning envelopes from the platen back to the magazine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing variable print hammer energy information and variable character spacing information for every character of every font in an electronic typing system having interchangeable print wheels, wherein the individual print wheels carry self-descriptive information in coded form on a read-only memory. The descriptive information is encoded on a portion of the print wheel and contains, in high density, machine readable, permanent form, sufficient coded data to instruct the electronic typing system as to the optimal use of the particular font of characters contained on the type wheel. In a preferred embodiment, a single initializing revolution of the print wheel upon each insertion or machine start-up cycle serves to load the encoded data into a read/write memory for subsequent call-up and use by the electronic typing system during the print-out of each character. The data is serially encoded on the print wheel for reading by single track optional sensing apparatus.