Abstract: A structural assembly comprising profile members imparting axial strength to the assembly. The profile members extend along a length. Ribbon holds the profile members together along their length. The ribbon imparts lateral strength to the assembly by being braced to the profile members. A method for manufacturing the structural assembly comprises winding the ribbon about a support structure to form a bracing lattice, positioning the profile members in a predetermined position on the support structure; and bonding the profile members to the bracing lattice to form a structural assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing dental restorations, the method comprising the steps of (a) compiling a database of materials for use in preparing a dental restoration; (b) compiling a database of procedures for preparing the dental restoration; (c) determining the geometrical constraints of the dental restoration; (d) determining the aesthetic constraints of the dental restoration; and (e) inputting the geometrical constraints and the aesthetic constraints to a computer to mathematically select from the material database and the procedure database a recipe for producing the dental restoration.

Abstract: A method of scaling motion data input is provided in a system for interacting with objects, in a three-dimensional volume. The system includes a viewport onto which a two-dimensional image of the volume is displayed. A user provides motion input data to translate the volume or an object within the volume. A distance between a target and a portion of the viewport is calculated, and a scaling factor, based on the distance is calculated. The motion input data is incremented according to the scaling factor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing dental restorations, the method comprising the steps of (a) compiling a database of materials for use in preparing a dental restoration; (b) compiling a database of procedures for preparing the dental restoration; (c) determining the geometrical constraints of the dental restoration; (d) determining the aesthetic constraints of the dental restoration; and (e) inputting the geometrical constraints and the aesthetic constraints to a computer to mathematically select from the material database and the procedure database a recipe for producing the dental restoration.

Abstract: A method for determining the appearance of an object to be replicated and an apparatus therefor are described herein. The method consists in providing a controlled illumination to illuminate a surface of the object, measuring the object with a CCD camera to collect an image map of a plurality of points on the surface and processing that information to produce an appearance mapping of the object. Calibration of the apparatus is done by measuring calibration patches illuminated with the same illumination. When the apparatus is made in view of replicating the appearance of an object, a comparison can be done by similarly producing an appearance mapping of the replicate and by comparing it to the appearance mapping of the object.