Abstract:
A caching system for a 3D modeling system. Intermediate channel results, created during the generation of a representation of an object, are cached. The caching increases the speed of system. In particular, the representation of the object is generated in multiple channels, each channel representing some portion of that representation. Intermediate channel results are generated in each channel by elements in that object's list of modifiers. Depending on for how long these intermediate channel results are valid, the intermediate channel results may or may not be cached. For example, if it is determined that one set of intermediate channel results will be valid for a predetermined period of time, while the next intermediate channel results in that channel will not be valid for a predetermined period of time, then the intermediate channel results are cached.
Abstract:
A method and system for controlling parameter values. One such system includes a number of functions for controlling parameter values, i.e. "parameter control functions," to enable a user to quickly and easily control variable parameter values using a graphical user interface and to enable the user to obtain the desired precision of control of such variables. One such system provides four control functions: a data entry function, single step function, a scroll function, and a translation function. The user can select the particular control function used to control a parameter value in light of the particular amount or type of control that needs to be accomplished.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for monitoring stations from a monitoring terminal wherein at least one of the monitored stations is served by a different switch than that serving the monitoring station. Changes of status are reported by a monitored station to the switch serving the monitored station and, if that switch is not the switch serving the monitoring station, the switch serving the monitored station transmits a common channel signaling (CCS) signaling system 7 (SS7) message to the switch serving the monitoring terminal. Advantageously, this permits an attendant at the monitoring terminal to serve users not connected to the switch serving the monitoring terminal.
Abstract:
A tote conveyor system for transporting totes from an end-of-use point to the point-of-use. The conveyor system comprising a combination of conveyors including a vertical conveyor and a substantial horizontal conveyor with a means to transferring totes between the two different systems.
Abstract:
A step driving tool including an elongated rigid body having a first end and an oppositely disposed second end, a front sidewall and an oppositely disposed back sidewall and a first connecting wall and a second connecting wall whereby the front sidewall, back sidewall, first connecting sidewall and second connecting sidewall all extend substantially from the first end to the second end of the elongated rigid body, the front sidewall and back sidewall are each connected at one side to the primary connecting sidewall and are each connected at an opposite side to the second connecting sidewall, the rigid body having a opening defined therein, at the first end, for receiving a tree step having an extending screw portion, the front sidewall including a notch starting at the first end of the rigid body and extending toward the second end for receiving the extending screw portion and a handle disposed on the second connecting sidewall of the rigid body and extending out away from the second connecting sidewall whereby when the handle is rotated, sufficient torque is transferred from the rigid body to the tree step to rotate the tree step into a tree trunk.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a digital control servo system for read/write head positioning in data recording disk files of the type which use voice coil motor (VCM) actuators for positioning the head, with improved modelling of the servo system in saturated seek mode. The VCM has a characteristic torque factor which varies in accordance with a predetermined relationship to head position and with age and temperature, and the servo system drives the VCM in a saturated seek mode at a maximum level of current which has a low frequency variation due primarily to temperature change. The servo system computes an estimated VCM control representing the VCM current, computes estimates of the state of the VCM including head position and velocity, and computes from an algorithmic model, predictions of head position and velocity. The improved modelling changes the algorithmic model to reflect the actual torque factor of the VCM and actual maximum level of current in saturated seek mode rather than nominal torque factor and VCM current. The preferred method is to employ scaling factors representing the ratio of measured torque factor to nominal torque factor, and representing the ratio of measured maximum level of current to nominal, to scale the model, and then to compute predictions of the state of the VCM in saturated seek mode from the scaled model and the current values of the states.
Abstract:
Fungi and fungal spores which are modified to confer a transmissible hypovirulent phenotype, related polynucleotides, and use of these fungi to control fungal diseases.
Abstract:
A thumbscrew apparatus for fastening a first device to a second device. In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a screw attached to the second device and a first cylinder screwed onto the screw for fastening the first device to the second device. The first cylinder has an outboard end with a one-way slot feature that allows a screwdriver to be used to loosen the first cylinder while inhibiting the use of the screwdriver to tighten the cylinder. In a second embodiment, the shaft of the screw has a first portion smaller in diameter than a second portion. The first portion also has a thread pitch smaller than that of the second portion. A second cylinder contained within the first cylinder is screwed onto the second portion of the shaft while the first cylinder is screwed onto the first portion. A pin is used to lock the first cylinder to the second cylinder such that both cylinders are turned at the same revolution. However, since the pitch of the second portion of the shaft is greater than that of the first portion, the second cylinder moves faster along the axis of the screw than the first cylinder. Hence, when both cylinders are being turned in the loosening direction, the second cylinder pushes the screwdriver out of the one-way slot of the outboard end of the first cylinder before the first cylinder reaches the end of its travel.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a novel isoflavone-enriched soy protein product and a method used for its manufacture. The finished soy protein product displays desirable flavor and functional properties, and its isoflavone content is substantially increased compared to traditional soy protein concentrates and isolates. In addition the total sulfur containing amino acid content is improved compared to soy protein isolates. The method for the manufacture of the novel soy protein product results in improved yield and reduced waste products compared to those used to manufacture soy protein concentrates and isolates. The novel soy protein product displays desirable flavor, composition, and performance as an ingredient in the production of dairy or meat based food products such as infant formula, nutritional beverage, milk replacer, soy extended bologna, imitation processed cheese spread, water-injected ham, yogurt and frozen dessert.
Abstract:
A system and method is provided for that allows the introduction of small sections of idealized conductive elements to be placed along a transmission line. The output is a partitioned transmission line whose segments between the idealized conductive elements are analyzed via circuit simulators as a distributed parasitic network, as opposed to the widely used lumped parasitic elements approach for the entire line. The distributed parasitic network system and method provides circuit designers with a parasitic extraction tool which allows the designer to define a transmission line segment for analysis, and create sub-networks of parasitic elements across the transmission line. These elements can then be passed to existing vendor circuit simulators for parasitic analysis, the result of which are more accurate than that derived using existing extraction tools whose output is limited to only a lumped parasitic parameter along the line.