Abstract: Breathable residual-limb system that admits air and allows sweat to evaporate from the surface of the residual limb. In an embodiment, the system comprises a liner sock to be worn on the residual limb, and comprising air-permeable textile forming a substantially cylindrical portion that is closed on a distal end and open on a proximal end and comprising an internal surface and an external surface. The liner sock further comprises a friction-interface material that covers only a portion of the internal surface of the air-permeable textile, such that, when worn on the residual limb, the friction-interface material contacts a surface of the residual limb, and an uncovered portion of the air-permeable textile which the friction-interface material does not cover allows air to pass between an external environment of the liner sock and the surface of the residual limb.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for delivering items to a plurality of storage locations. The items are fed into the apparatus at an input station having a scanning station. The scanning station evaluates one or more characteristics of each item. The items are then loaded onto a delivery mechanism that delivers the items to storage locations. Once at the appropriate storage location, the delivery mechanism discharges the item to the storage location and returns to receive another item to be delivered.

Abstract: A method of treating a device to resist formation and build-up of scale deposits at the device is provided. The device is located in a fluid-containing conduit. The method comprises feeding a radio frequency (RF) signal into a line connected to a device located in a fluid-containing conduit; and propagating the RF signal along the line to the device to resist formation and/or build-up of scale deposits at the device. A system for treating a device to resist formation and build-up of scale deposits at the device is also provided. A signal generator operable to generate an RF signal for treating a device to resist formation and build-up of scale deposits at the device is also provided. The signal generator is operable to feed the RF signal into a line connected to the device and to propagate the RF signal along the line to the device to resist formation and/or build-up of scale deposits at the device.

Abstract: A computer animation editing system having a sampler to sample a particle animation, a particle cache and polygon mesh editing tools configured to edit a particle simulation by converting a particle cache of the simulation into a polygon mesh, editing the polygon mesh and then converting the edited polygon mesh back into an edited particle cache.

Abstract: A computer animation system including polygon mesh editing tools configured to edit a particle simulation by first converting a particle cash of the simulation into a polygon mesh, editing the polygon mesh and then converting the edited polygon mesh back into an edited particle cash.

Abstract: A method of varying the relationship between a scalar input parameter and a scalar output parameter, by: displaying a relationship between an input parameter and an output parameter as a curve on a computer screen; selecting at least one control point on the curve; and moving at least one handle associated to the at least one control point to vary the shape of the curve as the curve passes through the at least one control point, thereby varying the relationship between the input parameter and the output parameter.

Abstract: A method of shading, by: storing shading information in a sample vector comprising a plurality of packets, wherein each packet represents a shading property; performing a series of sequential actions on the sample vector, wherein each of the sequential actions operates on at least one, but less than all of the plurality of packets in the sample vector, such that the sample vector is updated by each sequential action; and then performing a lighting computation on the updated sample vector, wherein the lighting computation operates on all of the plurality of packets in the sample vector, thereby calculating a final sample vector to be rendered for the sample vector.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a series of images of a three-dimensional object by transmitting pulsed terahertz (THz) radiation through the entire object from a plurality of angles, optically detecting changes in the transmitted THz radiation using pulsed laser radiation, and constructing a plurality of imaged slices of the three-dimensional object using the detected changes in the transmitted THz radiation. The THz radiation is transmitted through the object as a scanning spot. The object is placed within the Rayleigh range of the focused THz beam and a focusing system is used to transfer the imaging plane from adjacent the object to a desired distance away from the object. A related system is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention allows users to customize user interfaces within software programs on the fly. By customizing user interfaces users can streamline their own work process, particularly when the user is dealing with large amounts of data. In addition to customizing user interfaces, the present invention also allows users to more easily select portions of an object with the select more command and to more easily enter exact numeric values with detents on mouse input.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an evaluation engine, which is a system for evaluating the state of an animation at a specific time where secondary animation may be derived from the state of the animation at another time. Unlike DAG-based systems where time is another variable, time is external to the evaluation engine so that it can easily evaluate alternate times and even entire simulations. It also comprises meshes which support instancing and edge weights, and which employ and extensible system of polygon types to support subdivision surface approximation using a set of bi-quadratic patches which solve quickly. The meshes can also be animated by the evaluation engine using a mesh stack, which has multiple evaluation paths for quickly computing mesh attributes without performing a full evaluation.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention discloses a restraint mechanism (12) of a braking device (10) for location in tubing (16) such as the casing of an oil or gas well. The braking device (10) forms part of a tool string which is run into the tubing (16) on a wireline and, in the event that the wireline breaks or is severed, the braking device (10) and the associated tool string falls through the tubing. The restraint mechanism (12) includes a sensor assembly (18), and a brake mechanism (22). The sensor assembly (18) senses the uncontrolled movement and provides an appropriate output causing activation of the brake mechanism (22), bringing the braking device (10) and tool string to a controlled stop.