International Business Machines Corporation

Alan B Dawson

Gordon Douglas Hutchison

Matthew B White

James P Hodgson

A method and apparatus are provided for printing multicolored three-dimensional objects. The method includes: selectively exposing a photosensitive thermoplastic feedstock to light within an extrusion nozzle, the feedstock comprising a thermoplastic base mixed with a photosensitive material; extruding the exposed feedstock into a deposit to print an object; and photo-chemically developing the deposit to provide color to the deposit. An apparatus is provided for three-dimensional printing with an extrusion nozzle including a light exposing component for selectively exposing the photosensitive thermoplastic feedstock to light within the extrusion nozzle.

Printing multicolored three-dimensional products

A nozzle follower assembly is provided which is co-operable with a 3D printer. The nozzle follower assembly includes a surface portion modification apparatus. The follower assembly is co-operable with a 3D printer head nozzle assembly and is operable to cause the surface portion modification apparatus to modify at least a portion of a surface of a material most recently printed by the head nozzle assembly of the 3D printer. The surface portion modification apparatus may be used to smooth the surface of the material most recently printed by the head nozzle assembly of the 3D printer.

3D printing

A computer-implemented method of creating an artificially tiltable image display from an image containing Z distance values, the method comprising: separating the image into a plurality of layers using the Z distance values; expanding the plurality of layers by a factor dependent on the Z distance values, a layer closer to a viewer being enlarged by a larger factor than a layer further from a viewer, to create information in the layer further from a viewer that is occluded by the layer closer to a viewer; and responsive to a request to tilt the image display, moving the plurality of layers relative to each other so as to display the occluded information.

Artificially tiltable image display

Disclosed embodiments provide techniques for implementation of a photographic effect. An image is acquired while in a zoom configuration. The image is divided into pixel groups. A distance is determined for each group of pixels. The groups of pixels are based on the detected distance of the group of pixels from the camera. The detected distance can be based on the autofocus module within the camera. The detected distance can be a relative distance or an absolute distance. An expansion factor is determined for each group of pixels based on the corresponding determined distance. Expanded pixel groups are created for each pixel group based on the expansion factor. The expanded pixel groups are composited together to create the processed image.

System and method for photographic effects

This invention relates to a system, method, and computer program product for managing a plurality of devices with associated lock mechanisms. According to one embodiment, a method is provided comprising: detecting, by one or more computer processors, a status of a device corresponding to a lock mechanism; recommending, by one or more computer processors, a service action on the device requiring performance by an operator; and providing, by one or more computer processors, a printable key pattern for printing a key that allows the operator to lock and unlock the lock mechanism in order to perform the service action.

Device array locks and keys

A surface portion modification apparatus is provided which is co-operable with a 3D printer. It includes a head nozzle follower assembly. The follower assembly is co-operable with a 3D printer head nozzle assembly and is operable for modifying at least a portion of a surface of the material of a 3D object printed by the head nozzle assembly of the 3D printer. It may be used to smooth the surface of an object printed by the 3D printer.

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Hampshire, United Kingdom

Alan B Dawson