Abstract: A method and system for videoconferencing between parties at N sites. Specifically, a virtual space arrangement of N sites is created. Video sequences of N?1 remote sites are simultaneously displayed on a non-planar display arranged around a local party at a local site consistent with the virtual space arrangement. The displayed images of the remote parties are scaled consistently with their true physical sizes at their distances from the local party in the virtual space arrangement. Real-time video streams of the local party are captured from a plurality of viewpoints and are used to generate N?1 video view streams representing views of the local party from approximately the local display locations of the N?1 remote parties.

Abstract: A method of communicating gaze. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention discloses a method of communicating gaze in an immersive virtual environment. The method begins by representing an immersive virtual environment on a monitor that is viewable by a viewing participant. The monitor displays a plurality of objects in the virtual environment. The physical gaze of the viewing participant is tracked to determine a physical direction of the physical gaze within a physical environment including the viewing participant. Thereafter, a viewed object is determined at which the viewing participant is gazing. Then, a virtual direction is determined between the viewing participant and the viewed object in the immersive virtual environment. A model of the viewing participant is rotated based on the physical and virtual directions to render a view of the viewing participant such that the viewing participant is facing the viewed object in the immersive virtual environment.

Abstract: A method for clustering data streams. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for clustering data streams for use in a virtual environment. The embodiment of the method begins by determining a cluster of receiving nodes in the virtual environment. Each of the cluster of receiving nodes have associated values for at least one clustering parameter that as a set satisfies a test. Then, the embodiment continues by generating a common data stream based on the clustering parameter. Thereafter, the embodiment sends the common data stream from a sending node to the cluster of receiving nodes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for utilizing a parallel conversational thread during a remote collaboration are described. In one embodiment, a managing entity is utilized to establish a first communications path for a remote collaboration of at least two parties. Then, a request for a parallel conversation is received from at least one of the at least two parties during the remote collaboration. The managing entity then establishes a second communications path for the parallel conversation between the at least two parties. Wherein, the enabling of the parallel conversation on the second communications path is performed without inhibiting the first communications path, such that a portion of a first party can have a parallel conversation with a portion of a second party on the second communications path while the first communications path for the remote collaboration remains active.

Abstract: A method and system for topology adaptation. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for topology adaptation to support communication in a communicative environment. The embodiment of the method begins by measuring at least one performance metric for a plurality of nodes associated with a plurality of collaborators in the communicative environment. Then, the embodiment of the method dynamically adapts a communication topology for linking the plurality of nodes in the communication network to support communication in the communicative environment based on the at least one performance metric.

Abstract: A pressure responsive driver couples a reciprocating motor output to a reciprocable piston of a double-acting pump. In one embodiment, the driver comprises a single spring and in another a pair of springs, which transfer reciprocation forces of the motor output to the piston to reciprocate the piston through its pumping strokes. The spring(s) transfers the entirety of the reciprocation forces of the motor output to the piston until a selected outlet pressure from the pump is reached, whereupon the spring(s) compresses to absorb cranking forces and limit maximum pump outlet pressure to about the selected pressure. The reciprocating motion of the motor output is divided between the spring(s) and piston, such that the extent of flexure of the spring(s) is inversely proportional to movement of the piston, whereby the spring(s) takes up any motion of the motor output not used to move the piston.

Abstract: A magnetic clutch drive for rotary pumps is characterized by a motor driven outer magnetic clutch member juxtaposed to an imperforate wall of a pump housing. Within the interior of the housing a pump impeller shaft carries an inner magnetic clutch member juxtaposed to the wall opposite from the outer member. The wall is of a nonmagnetic and electrically nonconductive material, so magnetic lines of force penetrate the wall and magnetically lock the outer and inner clutch members, without any mechanical connection between the two. Consequently, as the motor is brought up to speed, the two clutch members magnetically lock the motor shaft to the impeller shaft to drive the impeller shaft at the same speed as the motor shaft, without generating eddy current losses in the wall.

Abstract: A floor protector for appliance leveling legs includes a shallow dish-shaped bearing plate having a floor-contacting area substantially larger than the end of the leveling leg. The major portion of the periphery of the bearing plate is upwardly curved. A bolt head-retaining clip, the outer end of which is affixed to the bearing plate, has a notched inner end spaced above the bearing plate. The "bolt head" end of the leveling leg is received and retained between the bearing plate and the retaining clip. A notch in the inner end of the clip is wide enough to receive and transversly locate the vertical shaft portion of the leveling leg.

Abstract: A rapidly cleanable rotary atomizer is characterized by a passageway extending between a rearward coating material cup of the atomizer and a forward coating material feed surface, from an edge of which atomization occurs. The passageway initiates in the material cup at a non-zero radius from the atomizer axis and terminates on the material feed surface at the axis. During changes of coating material, the passageway enables flushing media to be introduced from the material cup onto the material feed surface immediately at the axis of rotation of the atomizer for quickly and thoroughly cleaning the entirety of the material feed surface.

Abstract: Improved spray guns each have a spray head assembly comprising separate but interconnectable elements including a fluid nozzle, a fluid inlet fitting, a fluid nozzle retainer, an air nozzle and an air cap. The elements mount on an annular extension at a forward end of the gun body without any threaded attachment to the body, and because they are separate the fluid nozzle and fluid inlet fitting may conveniently be manufactured of a corrosion and wear resistant material to protect the same from fluid flowing therethrough. Also, the air cap threads onto the fluid nozzle retainer and not the gun body, so there is no danger of damaging any threads on the body which could otherwise require its replacement.

Abstract: A flushable manifold for diaphragm protected components of a pressure transducer for sensing a flow of fluid comprises a housing having a recess therein and a diaphragm of flexible material over and closing the recess. Inlet and outlet passages communicate with the recess adjacent to and on opposite sides of its periphery, such that fluid introduced at the inlet flows through the manifold to the outlet, with the presence of fluid pressure within the manifold being detected in response to outward deflection of the diaphragm. To facilitate cleaning the manifold of fluid of one type in preparation for receiving fluid of another, one or more channels are formed in the housing within the recess in communication with the inlet and extend toward peripheral side areas of the recess to direct flushing media introduced at the inlet across all of the surfaces of the manifold and to the outlet to thoroughly clean the same.

Abstract: A color change valve structure for rotary head electrostatic spray coating systems, of the type to which a rapid rotation is imparted to a rotary spray head and coating material directed through an orifice against the head for discharge from a peripheral edge of the head in a spray, is characterized by coating material and dump valves behind the head in close proximity with the orifice. The coating material valve controls a flow of coating material from a supply line to the orifice, and the dump valve is operable to establish a passage from the supply line, through the material valve and to a dump outlet. To purge the system of coating material of one color in preparation for spraying material of another, the material valve is closed, the dump valve is opened and a flow of flushing media is established through the supply line, whereby the flushing media cleanses the supply line and material valve.

Abstract: Rotary devices for atomizing liquid coating material are characterized by a housing having a circular front wall, a generally cylindrical side wall and a plurality of circumferentially spaced passages formed therethrough in proximity with the juncture of the front and side walls. Coating material smoothly introduced into the housing onto the front or side wall is carried in a thin film by centrifugal force toward and into the passages for being projected therefrom and atomized, and an electrostatic field is established between the device and an article to be coated for electrostatic deposition of coating material on the article. The device is rotated at a relatively high speed, and the passages bring the coating material to the full rotational speed of the device as it is projected therefrom, whereby atomization and the quality of the coating on the article are improved.

Abstract: A safety cover for rotary head electrostatic spray coating systems, of the type to which a rapid rotation is imparted to a rotary spray head and a jet of coating material to be sprayed directed thereagainst for discharge from a peripheral edge of the head in a spray, is characterized by a cover movable between positions over and around the head and remote from the head, and a mechanism for moving the cover. When positioned over the head, the cover protects nearby personnel against accidental injury resulting from contact with the rapidly rotating head, and at the same time serves as a receptacle for receiving and containing solvent and residual coating material discharged from the head when the same is cleaned, as for example during color changes when coating materials of different colors are sprayed.

Abstract: A system for safely dispensing fluids, especially low stability fluids such as catalysts, comprises a pair of fluid operated pumps of very small volume alternately operable for drawing in individually small quantities of catalyst from an unpressurized, sanitary source of supply, and for then pressurizing and dispensing the catalyst in individually small increments; the two pumps operating alternately to provide a continuous pressurized discharge of catalyst despite the fact that only a small quantity is pressurized at any given time. Because only a small quantity of catalyst is under pressure, and the basic supply is not under pressure and is maintained in a sanitary condition, the potential for violent reaction of the low stability fluid is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A lightweight, compact roving cutter for chopping fiberglass roving into short fiber segments, and used in conjunction with a hand-held resin spray gun, has a cutter roller carrying a plurality of blades, a back-up roller cooperating with the cutter roller and the blades thereof for breaking or cutting the roving, and an idler roller cooperating with the back-up roller for feeding roving between the cutter and the back-up roller. The back-up roller is mounted for movement toward and away from both the cutter and the idler rollers in substantially equal increments relative to each, and a positive displacement adjusting means is connected with the back-up roller for controlling the clearance between the back-up roller and both the cutter and the idler rollers, the adjusting means including a manually operable portion remote from said cutter, whereby an operator may conveniently and accurately adjust the clearances between the rollers while the cutter is operating.

Abstract: A double acting pump is operated by a crank that is powered through a gear train driven by an electric motor. An adjustable pressure sensing device is used to control operation of the pump. A single motor, double pump embodiment is also described.

Abstract: A light weight, compact roving cutter for chopping fiberglass roving into short fiber segments, and used in conjunction with a hand-held resin spray gun, has a mounting plate containing an air inlet port for driving an air motor carried thereon, a snap-on cutter rotor or roller driven by the air motor and carrying a plurality of blades secured by single fastening means, a friction roller cooperable with the cutter roller and blades thereof for breaking or cutting the roving, means accessible to the operator for adjusting the clearance between the rollers and the contact of the friction roller with the blades while the cutter is operating, and means for matching the discharge pattern of the cut segments of roving to the spray pattern of the resin spray gun, including air jet means supplied with pressurized air separate from that supplied to the motor.