Abstract: A separator is disclosed which provides an electrically insulating layer between groups of windings in an electrical apparatus, such as a rotating electrical machine. The separator comprises a matrix of interconnected rods. This can allow air gaps to be present between groups of windings, which may improve the cooling efficiency of the apparatus.

Abstract: A graphical display system utilizes a plurality of display devices and a plurality of graphical acceleration units for rendering graphical data to the display devices. More specifically, each of the plurality of graphical acceleration units respectively interfaces a portion of graphical data defining an image to one of the display devices. Each of the display devices displays a portion of the image based on the graphical data rendered to it. To make the system more efficient and/or to improve image quality, at least one of the graphical acceleration units includes a plurality of graphical pipelines for rendering the graphical data to be displayed by the display device that is interfaced with the one graphical acceleration unit.

Abstract: A preferred method includes the step of receiving multiple digital video data streams. Preferably, a first of the multiple digital video data streams contains processed pixel data corresponding to at least a portion of the image to be rendered, and a second of the multiple digital video data streams contains processed pixel data corresponding to at least a portion of the image to be rendered as well as information, such as a chroma-key value, associated with at least some of the processed pixel data. The embodiment also preferably includes the step of combining the multiple digital video data streams into the composite digital video data stream by referencing the chroma-key values. Devices also are provided.

Abstract: A preferred method includes the step of receiving multiple digital video data streams. Preferably, a first of the multiple digital video data streams contains processed pixel data corresponding to at least a portion of the image to be rendered, and a second of the multiple digital video data streams contains processed pixel data corresponding to at least a portion of the image to be rendered as well as information, such as a chroma-key value, associated with at least some of the processed pixel data. The embodiment also preferably includes the step of combining the multiple digital video data streams into the composite digital video data stream by referencing the chroma-key values. Devices also are provided.

Abstract: A graphical display system utilizes a plurality of graphics pipelines to render data to a display device. More specifically, the graphical display system utilizes a first graphics pipeline, a second graphics pipeline, a compositor, and a display device. The first graphics pipeline renders a first portion of a graphical command, and the second graphics pipeline renders a second portion of a graphical command. The compositor receives the first and second portions of graphical data and interfaces the first and second portions with the display device. The display device then displays an image based on the first and second portions of graphical data respectively rendered by the first and second graphics pipelines. By enabling a plurality of graphics pipelines to render different portions of graphical data to the same display device, the speed and/or image quality associated with the image displayed by the display device can be improved.

Abstract: A preferred device for producing a composite digital video data stream containing pixel data corresponding to an image to be rendered includes an input mechanism which is configured to receive multiple digital video data streams from graphics pipelines. In response to receiving a first of the multiple digital video data streams, the input mechanism provides a frame of data corresponding to the image to be rendered and inserts pixel data from the multiple digital video data streams into the frame of data, thereby forming at least a portion of the composite digital video data stream.

Abstract: A graphical display system utilizes a plurality of display devices and a plurality of graphical acceleration units for rendering graphical data to the display devices. More specifically, each of the plurality of graphical acceleration units respectively interfaces a portion of graphical data defining an image to one of the display devices. Each of the display devices displays a portion of the image based on the graphical data rendered to it. To make the system more efficient and/or to improve image quality, at least one of the graphical acceleration units includes a plurality of graphical pipelines for rendering the graphical data to be displayed by the display device that is interfaced with the one graphical acceleration unit.

Abstract: A graphical display system utilizes a plurality of graphics pipelines to efficiently display a jitter enhanced image. More specifically, the graphical display system utilizes a plurality of graphical pipelines, a compositor, and a display device. Each of the graphical pipelines receives and renders graphical data. In rendering the graphical data, each of the graphical pipelines mathematically combines a different offset to coordinate values included within the graphical data. The compositor receives the graphical data rendered by the plurality of pipelines and blends color values associated with corresponding coordinate values within the graphical data. The compositor also interfaces the blended color values with the display device, which displays an image based on at least the blended color values. As a result, graphical data defining a jitter enhanced image is efficiently rendered to the display device.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyurethane, comprising polyesterifying a carbamate containing at least two functional groups selected from hydroxyl groups and carboxylic acid groups or esters or anhydrides thereof, in the presence of a polyesterification enzyme, and optionally in the presence of one or more copolymerizable monomers having two or more functional groups selected from hydroxyl groups and carboxylic acid groups or esters or anhydrides thereof. This process enables a broader range of polyurethanes to be accessed commercially than the previously described processes.

Abstract: A graphical display system of the present invention efficiently performs occlusion culling based on frame-to-frame temporal coherency. The graphical display system utilizes a frame buffer and rendering logic. The rendering logic is configured to receive graphical objects that define an image frame. In response to receiving one of the objects, the rendering logic is configured to make a determination as to whether the one object is visible in a previous image frame that was previously rendered to the frame buffer. The rendering logic is further configured to render the one object to the frame buffer based on the determination.

Abstract: A preferred method includes the step of receiving multiple digital video data streams. Preferably, a first of the multiple digital video data streams contains processed pixel data corresponding to at least a portion of the image to be rendered, and a second of the multiple digital video data streams contains processed pixel data corresponding to at least a portion of the image to be rendered as well as information, such as a chroma-key value, associated with at least some of the processed pixel data. The embodiment also preferably includes the step of combining the multiple digital video data streams into the composite digital video data stream by referencing the chroma-key values. Devices also are provided.

Abstract: A preferred method includes the step of receiving multiple digital video data streams. Preferably, a first of the multiple digital video data streams contains processed pixel data corresponding to at least a portion of the image to be rendered, and a second of the multiple digital video data streams contains processed pixel data corresponding to at least a portion of the image to be rendered as well as information, such as a chroma-key value, associated with at least some of the processed pixel data. The embodiment also preferably includes the step of combining the multiple digital video data streams into the composite digital video data stream by referencing the chroma-key values. Devices also are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for performing occlusion testing in a computer graphics display system. The apparatus comprises logic configured to determine whether or not an object of a current image frame was occluded in a previous image frame. If a determination is made that the object was not occluded in the previous image frame, then the logic causes the object of the current image frame to be rendered to a frame buffer of the computer graphics display system. The current and previous image frames are each comprised of a plurality of objects, and the logic determines whether or not each of the objects of the current image frame were occluded in the previous image frame. The logic causes any objects of the current image frame that were not occluded in the previous image frame to be rendered to the frame buffer.

Abstract: A graphical display system of the present invention efficiently performs occlusion culling based on frame-to-frame temporal coherency. The graphical display system utilizes a frame buffer and rendering logic. The rendering logic is configured to receive graphical objects that define an image frame. In response to receiving one of the objects, the rendering logic is configured to make a determination as to whether the one object is visible in a previous image frame that was previously rendered to the frame buffer. The rendering logic is further configured to render the one object to the frame buffer based on the determination.

Abstract: A support harness for a child to be used when learning activities such as skating, in-line skating, and bicycling. The support harness comprises a length adjustable chest strap having a releasable fastener, a left and right length adjustable shoulder strap, each of the shoulder straps being connected by slidable loops to the length adjustable chest strap at anterior and posterior chest strap regions; and a length adjustable handle strap with a grasping region. The handle strap is connected to the left and right shoulder straps at left and right posterior shoulder strap positions. The design and the materials used in its construction allows this support harness to be manufactured at minimal cost. It has been found that the points of support, near the shoulders and approximately aligned to the back of the neck region of the child allow the child to maintain an appropriate posture for skating and bicycling.

Abstract: A hardware resource manager for real-time control of a hardware resource in a multiprocessing environment is disclosed. The hardware resource manager performs control and management functions for a limited hardware resource that can be accessed by multiple asynchronous application programs in order to achieve real-time response by the limited hardware resource. The hardware resource manager of the present invention comprises a shared memory buffer and a resource daemon. The shared memory buffer provides for semaphore locking capability so that only one application program may control the hardware resource manager at a time, and virtual memory capability for storing data and command information from the application programs. The resource daemon provides interpretation and processing capability for controlling the limited hardware resource via the data and command information received from the shared memory buffer.