Abstract: Techniques for controlling motions using motion recognizers generated in advance by users are described. According to embodiment, the motion recognizers created by end users are utilized to control virtual objects displayed in a virtual environment. By manipulating one or more motion sensitive devices, end users could command what the objects to do in the virtual environment. Motion signals from each of the motion sensitive devices are recognized in accordance with the motion recognizers created in advance by the users. One or more of the motion signals are at the same time utilized to tune the motion recognizers or create additional motion recognizers.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for placing trays into sleeves is provided. The apparatus includes a conveyor system for transporting a mail tray, a sleeve blank presentment device and a robotic arm. The robotic arm is provided with an end of arm tool which retains and opens a sleeve blank. A tray induction system including a plurality of paddles configured to guide a tray into an open sleeve blank is also provided.

Abstract: An ice remover for use on a substantially flat surface comprises a container having a substantially planar first outer surface portion, which forms a discrete edge with at least a second outer surface portion of the container, and wherein the container can be filled with a fluid to raise the temperature of the substantially planar first outer surface portion for melting ice on the substantially flat surface. The container may comprise one or more further substantially planar outer surface portions with a discrete edge formed between each portion. At least one of the discrete edges may be fitted with a scraper, which may have a serrated edge, e.g. of moulded acrylic. The container may have a removable cap for filling and emptying the fluid. The container may comprise a substantially tubular handle attached to a portion of the surface on an opposing side of the container from the substantially planar first portion.

Abstract: A movable game controller for controlling aspects of a computer controlled game display with apparatus for determining the linear and angular motion of that movable controller. The apparatus includes a plurality of self-contained inertial sensors for sensing the tri-axial linear and tri-axial angular motion of the moving controller. Each sensor is mounted at a fixed linear position and orientation with respect to the others. The linear and angular motion of the controller is computed from the correlated motion sensor readings of each of the plurality of self-contained inertial sensors.

Abstract: Techniques for interpreting orientation invariant motion are disclosed. Unlike a prior art controller (e.g., a WII game controller) that has a specific physical design to induce or force a user to grip the controller in a consistent way, a disclosed controller does not have such a physical design and allow a user to grip the controller in any way that is comfortable to the user (e.g., around an axis z), one or more transformation or rotations are designed to transform or rotate readings from inertial sensors housed in the controller to readings independent from how the controller is being gripped by a user.

Abstract: A movable game controller for controlling aspects of a computer controlled game display with apparatus for determining the linear and angular motion of that movable controller. The apparatus includes a plurality of self-contained inertial sensors for sensing the tri-axial linear and tri-axial angular motion of the moving controller. Each sensor is mounted at a fixed linear position and orientation with respect to the others. The linear and angular motion of the controller is computed from the correlated motion sensor readings of each of the plurality of self-contained inertial sensors.

Abstract: Techniques for non-disruptive embedding of specialized elements are disclosed. In one aspect of the techniques, ontology is defined to specify an application domain. A program interface (API) is also provided for creating raw features by a developer. Thus a module is provided for at least one form of statistical analysis within the ontology. The module is configured automatically in a computing device with the API in response to a system consistent with the ontology, wherein the system has no substantial requirement for specialized knowledge of that form of statistical analysis, and the module has no substantial requirement for specialized knowledge of particular functions provided by the system.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling movements of an object in a videogame are disclosed. At least one video camera is used at a location where at least a player plays the videogame, the video camera captures various movements of the player. A designated device (e.g., a game console or computer) is configured to the video data to derive the movements of the player from the video data, and cause the object to respond to the movements of the player. When the designated device receives video data from more than one locations, players at the respective locations can play a networked videogame that may be built upon a shared space representing some or all of the real-world spaces of the locations. The video game is embedded with objects, some of which respond to the movements of the players and interact with other objects in accordance with rules of the video games.

Abstract: Techniques for creating a shared virtual space based on one or more real-world spaces are disclosed. Representations of the real-world spaces are combined in different ways to create a shared virtual game space within which each person's real-world movements are interpreted to create a shared feeling of physical proximity and physical interaction with other people on the network. One or more video cameras in one real-world area are provided to generate video data capturing the users as well as the environment of the users. The shared virtual space is created in reference to the respective real-world spaces that may be combined in various ways. Depending on a particular application, the shared virtual space will be embedded with various virtual objects and representative objects.

Abstract: Cycloalkane base oil, methods of making cycloalkane base oil, and dielectric liquid comprising cycloalkane base oil, the cycloalkane base oil comprising a quantity of isoparaffins and from 50 wt. % to 70 wt. % cycloalkanes having the formula CnH2n wherein n is from 15 to 30, said quantity of isoparaffins being less than 50 wt. % of said cycloalkane base oil.

Abstract: A mail traying apparatus which trays or sweeps mail envelopes, which are positioned in a mail stacker bin, into a mail tray and to deliver the same to an outbound conveyor or cart. The apparatus includes a robot having a robot arm mounted thereon with the robot arm having a mail tray support at the tool end thereof. The robot moves the robot arm to a source of empty mail trays so that an empty mail tray may be positioned in the mail tray support. The robot then moves the empty tray to the discharge end of the mail stacker bin, sweeps the mail into the mail tray, and then moves the filled mail tray to an outbound conveyor or cart.

Abstract: Disclosed is a three-tank water treatment system. In operation, water flows through each tank in succession, with each tank performing one or more treatment operations. By allocating a separate tank for the copper/zinc redox alloy filtration medium, some embodiments of this system allow for a greater amount of the redox alloy to be deployed than is practical with existing systems. This increases the effectiveness of this type of filtering and increases the lifetime between necessary changes of the filtration media. In a preferred embodiment, the three tanks are placed in a vertical column. Each of the uppermost two tanks has one dome hole or bulkhead hole near its top and another near its bottom. When the time comes to exchange the filtration medium in a tank, the top and bottom holes are opened, and the media is easily drained out and replaced.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a culture tank for marine organisms, having a water tank, an overflow sill with an algae scrub and an optional cover. The culture tank provides an environment capable of culturing both the target marine organism and secondary organisms, simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods for making an erosion resistant gas turbine engine compressor airfoil substrates coated with a diamond-like coating (DLC), wherein the coated airfoil substrates are protected from ingested abrasive particulates, may include the step of performing. A hydrogen-free chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process by ablation of a graphite target in a vacuum. The DLC may be comprised predominantly of sp3 (tetrahedral) carbon, and may be devoid of detectable amounts of hydrogen.

Abstract: The collector habitat device comprises panels of non-biodegradable and/or synthetic fibrous material set in durable weatherproof frames and attached to a base; when placed in, the panels hang within the water column providing numerous parallel settlement surfaces for post-larvae. A float assembly, optionally attached to the opposite side of the base from the panels, allows the device to float just below the water's surface. The collector habitat device also incorporates a guard, surrounding the panels, with apertures to allow settlement-stage post-larvae access to the settlement surfaces, while preventing larger organisms and potential predators from gaining access. The collector habitat device also, optionally, incorporates an optionally removable/re-attachable reservoir hung below the guard; and an optional olfactory attractant delivery device.

Abstract: A method and computer program product is provided that, in various embodiments, may provide a measure of efficiency of resources used in medical treatment plan options. A normalized Relative Resource Value (RRV) may be obtained that measures the level of resources required to satisfy a “normal” case for a particular aspect of medical care. Applying this value against actual costs allows ranking and/or comparison of health care providers relative to one another on the basis of the price or resources applied or utilized. Moreover, applying the RRV against the quality of outcome allows comparison and ranking of providers on overall value. The invention may be applied to the components of medical care comprising, inter alia, acute inpatient, non-acute inpatient, outpatient, professional office-based care including scheduled outpatient, and pharmacy/prescriptions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an adaptive display lockout system. The apparatus comprises means for monitoring user initiated display changes with a device having a display and one or more inputs, means for comparing the user initiated display changes to a display lockout criteria, and means for temporarily disabling the display if the user initiated display changes meets or exceeds the display lockout criteria.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining access to private stored in an automobile. The apparatus comprises a means for identifying user classification. The apparatus further comprises a means for selecting an information access state based on the user classification. The apparatus further comprises a means for restricting access to private data based, at least in part, on the information access state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for real-time assessment of driver workload by a vehicle device. To determine driver workload, the system monitors the driver interaction with the vehicle device. The driver interaction is then used to determine an estimated driver workload based on the driver interaction. In one embodiment, the vehicle device has one or more buttons configured to be pressed by the driver and each of the one or more buttons has an assigned driver workload value. The system sums the workload value of the buttons pressed by the driver over a moving time window to determine the estimated driver workload.

Abstract: An assisted learning (AL) system for a vehicle including vehicle systems with input devices is provided. The AL system includes: memory that stores usage instructions for the input devices; an AL input device; an audio output device; and a control module that retrieves a respective one of the usage instructions associated with a selected one of the input devices when the selected one of the input devices is actuated after the AL input device is actuated and that outputs the usage instructions to the audio output device.