Abstract: A method of processing client requests on a data processing apparatus. The method includes receiving control portions of client requests from respective clients. Each client request has control and payload portions, where the payload portion includes data and the control portion includes information relating to the data of the payload portion. The method also includes buffering, in non-transitory memory of the data processing apparatus, the received client request control portions, and retrieving the payload portion of a client request before processing that client request.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a distributed system that uses a declarative language to separate application logic from the network technology used to communicate. For example, in a system with a plurality of processing nodes, each processing node may include at least one processor, a networking layer for communicating with other processing nodes, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the processing node to perform operations. The operations may include receiving a processing plan using the networking layer and analyzing the processing plan to determine a service to perform and a number of inputs anticipated for the service. The operations may also include performing the determined service. The processing plan defines a processing tree comprising a subset of the plurality of processing nodes, the processing tree having unidirectional communication from the root to a final level of the tree.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low-profile or ultra-thin navigational pointing device incorporating haptic feedback related to the hardware designs, and sensor optimization relative to the functionally of joysticks, computer mice, gaming equipment, cell phones, personal digital assistants, telecommunications equipment, entertainment equipment, and other electronic pointing devices requiring height profiles of 5 mm or less. In one embodiment, a device in accordance with the present invention includes a support structure component, a read component, a sensor component, and a capture enclosure component. The read component is coupled to the support structure, and the sensor component is coupled to the capture enclosure where it is positioned in close proximity to the read component by capture enclosure.

Abstract: Aspects of a turn conveyor system are described. In one embodiment, the turn conveyor system includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor adjacent to the first conveyor, a lateral conveyor extending between the first conveyor and the second conveyor, and a turn arm. The turn arm may extend across the second conveyor and be coupled to the second conveyor at a position corresponding to an end of the lateral conveyor. In one embodiment, the turn arm includes an extension bar, a rolling bumper having an angular degree of freedom, and an extension down shaft. According to various aspects, the turn conveyor system may displace an article in a first direction with the first conveyor, laterally displace the article in a second direction onto the lateral conveyor, laterally convey the article toward the turn arm, and rotate the article from a first orientation to a second orientation using the turn arm.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a distributed system that uses a declarative language to separate application logic from the network technology used to communicate. For example, in a system with a plurality of processing nodes, each processing node may include at least one processor, a networking layer for communicating with other processing nodes, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the processing node to perform operations. The operations may include receiving a processing plan using the networking layer and analyzing the processing plan to determine a service to perform and a number of inputs anticipated for the service. The operations may also include performing the determined service. The processing plan defines a processing tree comprising a subset of the plurality of processing nodes, the processing tree having unidirectional communication from the root to a final level of the tree.

Abstract: This device holds a beverage afloat in an upright position in the water at all times while the beverage is being consumed. This is accomplished by placing a flotation ring around the outer surface of the beverage holder and a weight at the bottom for stability. The device additionally provides a piercing rod for prying open a tab on an aluminum can or puncturing an aluminum can, a bottle opener for opening a different type of beverage and a lanyard and lanyard ring as well as a pouch for litter.

Abstract: Computerized methods for creating tracks of locations across frames of a video corresponding to a facial feature of a human. A set of feature location hypotheses is generated, as applied to images derived from the sequence of frames representing images of the human. Each hypothesis is refined, and a first set of confidence measures is associated with each hypothesis. A second set of confidence measures is associated with interframe transition, and a cost function that is a combination of hypotheses and transition confidence measures is minimized. A set of tracks is generated, characterizing each of a plurality of facial features within each frame of the sequence of frames. Performance analysis data may further be derived in a performance driven animation production pipeline, based on the generated tracks.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods for generating a non-transient record of feature locations and/or facial expression parameters characterizing a person's face. A video sequence of a specified individual person is received and a feature locator update model is applied to the video sequence. The feature locator update model is derived by defining a set of training images, generating a set of facial feature displacements for each training image with associated image sample vectors, and training a regularized linear regression which maps from image sample vectors to displacement vectors, wherein the regularization includes a spatial smoothness term within the shape-free sample space. A feature location and/or a facial expression parameter is then extracted, based on the feature update model, characterizing the location, and/or the expression, of the feature of the face of the specified individual person.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods for generating a non-transient record of feature locations and/or facial expression parameters characterizing a person's face. A video sequence of a specified individual person is received and a feature locator update model is applied to the video sequence. The feature locator update model is derived by defining a set of training images, generating a set of facial feature displacements for each training image with associated image sample vectors, and training a regularized linear regression which maps from image sample vectors to displacement vectors, wherein the regularization includes a spatial smoothness term within the shape-free sample space. A feature location and/or a facial expression parameter is then extracted, based on the feature update model, characterizing the location, and/or the expression, of a selected set of features of the face of the specified individual person that correspond to an adaptive set of feature locations.

Abstract: In a method of controlling operation of a processing system, a host computer, a process tool and a component of an evacuation system, for example an abatement tool, are connected to a system bus. The abatement tool monitors signals transmitted on the system bus between the host computer and the process tool, and signals received directly from the process tool. The abatement tool uses information contained within the monitored signals to generate a signal for the process tool regarding an operating characteristic of the abatement tool. This signal is transmitted either directly or over the system bus to the process tool, which uses the generated signal to control an operating state of the process tool.

Abstract: A method of processing client requests that includes receiving a client request from a client for access to data, issuing a direct memory access command to non-transitory storage resources to load data to a target memory location without accessing the target memory location, and instructing a network interface controller in communication with the storage resources to send a response to the client. The response includes an information portion and a data portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring performance comprises two elements: a first element (4) for attaching to a human or animal, containing two or more of physiological, biochemical, kinematic, and/or environmental sensors and a processing means which records in memory signals or derivates of signals from said sensors and contains a means of re-transmitting this data to a second element, and a second element (13, 16) containing a display (12, 17) or audio output to present the processed live or previous recorded data to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring performance comprises two elements: a first element (4) for attaching to a human or animal, containing two or more of physiological, biochemical, kinematic, and/or environmental sensors and a processing means which records in memory signals or derivates of signals from said sensors and contains a means of re-transmitting this data to a second element, and a second element (13, 16) containing a display (12, 17) or audio output to present the processed live or previous recorded data to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum pumping system (10) which comprises: a vacuum pumping mechanism (12) and a motor (14) for driving the vacuum pumping mechanism. Means (16) are provided for determining a cumulative load on the vacuum pumping system over time by monitoring a characteristic of the motor over that time. Means (18) are also provided for activating a maintenance activity on the system when the cumulative load exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A painting apparatus comprising a paint module, an applicator assembly, and a dip-tube assembly containing a pump, the paint module having a container receiving section which is closeable by a releasably attachable lid, the applicator assembly being fluidly connectable to liquid in the container receiving section via the dip-tube assembly, in which the lid includes an aperture to allow the dip-tube assembly to pass therethrough and submerge the pump in the liquid (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A method of processing client requests on a data processing apparatus. The method includes receiving control portions of client requests from respective clients. Each client request has control and payload portions, where the payload portion includes data and the control portion includes information relating to the data of the payload portion. The method also includes buffering, in non-transitory memory of the data processing apparatus, the received client request control portions, and retrieving the payload portion of a client request before processing that client request.

Abstract: Described herein are xerogels consisting essentially of 12-hydroxy-stearic acid (12-HSA) wherein the xerogel is characterized by a spherulitic fibrillar network structure. Also provided is a method for adsorbing an apolar liquid by contacting a 12-HSA xerogel composition with the apolar liquid.

Abstract: A painting apparatus comprising a paint module, an applicator assembly having an applicator surface, and a pump, the paint module having a container receiving section, the applicator assembly being fluidly connectable to the container receiving section such that the pump can supply liquid contained in the container receiving section to the applicator assembly, in which the apparatus can operate in a painting cycle where the container receiving section receives a paint container with a supply of paint such that the paint can be supplied to the applicator assembly, and in a cleaning cycle where the container receiving section receives a liquid in the form of a cleaning fluid, such that the cleaning fluid can be supplied to the applicator assembly (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A paint roller assembly comprising a primary roller (69) and a secondary roller (67), the secondary roller being positioned relative to the primary roller such that paint supplied to the roller assembly passes over part of the secondary roller before being fed onto an exterior surface of the primary roller.