Abstract: A system for checking the attitude angles of wheels is provided, in a manner that is known per se, with a vertical measuring or column 1 on which some transmitters and receivers of electromagnetic signals are installed—for example coherent light illuminators (typically lasers) and associated reflected light sensor—which overall define a group of distance sensors. According to the disclosure, the proposed system is produced using distance sensors appropriately fitted on a single vertical measuring structure which is positioned, on a side of a movement path, where the vehicle equipped with wheels moves, that has a substantially transverse direction with respect to the acquisition direction of the distance sensors.

Abstract: A multi-platform system and a brake checking method for a braking capacity of a vehicle with at least two wheel axles is disclosed. The system comprises pairs of detection platforms aligned according to a direction of movement on two parallel paths, spaced apart by a distance related to the wheelbase of a vehicle, each detection having at least a resting surface configured with detection and measuring means apt to detect at least a horizontal and vertical component of a stress applied by the vehicle wheels to such surfaces, as well as at least a checking unit which detects the trend over time of said at least a horizontal and vertical component of the stress said at least a checking unit having data processing means apt to integrate in time said at least a horizontal component and vertical component for each wheel of said wheel axles.

Abstract: A system for mapping a depth of an aquifer and determining the presence and salinity of water from the aquifer and methods for using the making/using the same includes a central processor. One or more horizontal loop transmitters can be coupled to the central processor, wherein said one or more horizontal loop transmitters produce a first half-sine pulse of magnetic field at a first pulse duration for measuring the resistivity of a ground surface. The one or more horizontal loop transmitters can produce a second sequence of half-sine pulses at a second frequency for creating an excitation field for magnetic resonance sounding. A multi-turn receiver loop antenna can also be coupled to the central processor, wherein said multi-turn receiver loop antenna receives an induced magnetic field from said one or more horizontal loop transmitters that is representative of the depth of an aquifer and the salinity of the water.

Abstract: A system for mapping a depth of an aquifer and determining the presence and salinity of water from the aquifer and methods for using the making/using the same includes a central processor. One or more horizontal loop transmitters can be coupled to the central processor, wherein said one or more horizontal loop transmitters produce a first half-sine pulse of magnetic field at a first pulse duration for measuring the resistivity of a ground surface. The one or more horizontal loop transmitters can produce a second sequence of half-sine pulses at a second frequency for creating an excitation field for magnetic resonance sounding. A multi-turn receiver loop antenna can also be coupled to the central processor, wherein said multi-turn receiver loop antenna receives an induced magnetic field from said one or more horizontal loop transmitters that is representative of the depth of an aquifer and the salinity of the water.

Abstract: During operation of a vending machine, visual images of the next product to be dispensed from product dispensing locations are obtained. Features of the visual images are compared to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed from each of the dispensing locations. After a product has been dispensed from a dispensing location, a visual image is obtained of the next product at the dispensing location. Features of the visual image of the next product at the dispensing location are compared to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed. A displayed price of a product is compared with product prices in the data base. If necessary, the displayed price is adjusted to agree with the data base.

Abstract: During operation of a vending machine, a dispensed product moves from a product dispensing location to a product retrieval location. To detect movement of the dispensed product to the dispensing location, the intensity of light at an array of pixels is monitored. The monitored array of pixels forms a portion of a larger group of pixels. A change in the intensity of light at pixels in the array of pixels is detected upon movement of a dispensed product to a product retrieval location.

Abstract: During operation of a vending machine, a dispensed product moves from a product dispensing location to a product retrieval location. To detect movement of the dispensed product to the dispensing location, the intensity of light at an array of pixels is monitored. The monitored array of pixels forms a portion of a larger group of pixels. A change in the intensity of light at pixels in the array of pixels is detected upon movement of a dispensed product to a product retrieval location.

Abstract: During operation of a vending machine, visual images of the next product to be dispensed from product dispensing locations are obtained. Features of the visual images are compared to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed from each of the dispensing locations. After a product has been dispensed from a dispensing location, a visual image is obtained of the next product at the dispensing location. Features of the visual image of the next product at the dispensing location are compared to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed. A displayed price of a product is compared with product prices in the data base. If necessary, the displayed price is adjusted to agree with the data base.

Abstract: During operation of a vending machine, visual images of the next product to be dispensed from product dispensing locations are obtained. Features of the visual images are compared to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed from each of the dispensing locations. After a product has been dispensed from a dispensing location, a visual image is obtained of the next product at the dispensing location. Features of the visual image of the next product at the dispensing location are compared to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed. A displayed price of a product is compared with product prices in the data base. If necessary, the displayed price is adjusted to agree with the data base.

Abstract: During operation of a vending machine, an image is obtained of an area of interest in the vending machine. As a product selected by a customer moves toward a product retrieval location, images of the area of interest are obtained and transmitted to the data base. Images in the data base are compared to determine whether or not the selected product has moved to the area of interest.

Abstract: During operation of a vending machine, an image is obtained of an area of interest in the vending machine. As a product selected by a customer moves toward a product retrieval location, images of the area of interest are obtained and transmitted to the data base. Images in the data base are compared to determine whether or not the selected product has moved to the area of interest.

Abstract: A method for calculating the geometry of a last for customised footwear includes the following steps: collection in a data base of 3D models of lasts, creation of a grid of lasts having different measurements in terms of length and of fitting, acquisition of a 3D model of a foot, identification of a sub-set of at least two lasts having measurement parameters close to those of the foot, deformation of the 3D model of the foot to follow the course of the 3D last model, identification of some areas of interest of the 3D model of the foot, deformation of the 3D model of each of the lasts selected in the areas of interest so as to compensate for differences between the 3D model of the last and the 3D model of the foot and selection, on the basis of the residual errors, of the final last to be reproduced.

Abstract: During operation of a vending machine, visual images of the next product to be dispensed from product dispensing locations are obtained. Features of the visual images are compared to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed from each of the dispensing locations. After a product has been dispensed from a dispensing location, a visual image is obtained of the next product at the dispensing location. Features of the visual image of the next product at the dispensing location are compared to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed. A displayed price of a product is compared with product prices in the data base. If necessary, the displayed price is adjusted to agree with the data base.

Abstract: A system for monitoring deformations of a tire fitted on a rim associated with a vehicle includes a reflecting element positioned on an inner surface of the tire and a moving station located in a predetermined position on the rim. The reflecting element reflects an optical beam and includes a region having at least one area of high light reflection and at least one area of low light reflection. The moving station sends the optical beam toward the inner surface, receives one or more reflections of the optical beam from the inner surface or the reflecting element, and emits a signal proportional to the deformations of the tire in a longitudinal direction, in a transverse direction, and in a vertical direction.

Abstract: Attitude angles of motor vehicles are measured, in particular the toe-in and camber angles or the wheels. According to the invention: a) four laser-beam measuring heads are arranged in predetermined positions, one for each wheel, so as to define an invariable spatial reference system; b) a laser beam sweeping over a plurality of horizontal planes which are situated at a relative distance from each other and which pass through the plane of the wheel is emitted by each measuring head, and a signal representing the spatial position of measurement transition points (p1, p2, pj, pn) on the said wheel is captured on the beam reflected by the surface of the wheel; c) and finally, on the basis of the spatial position of a set of said measurement points (p1, p2, pj, pn), the position of the plane of the wheel and its axis of rotation as well as the characteristic angles formed by the plane of the wheel, with respect to said spatial reference system, are calculated.

Abstract: System for monitoring the deformations of a moving tire (1) fitted on a rim (2) associated with a vehicle, comprising: a moving station (20) located in a predetermined position on the said rim (2) and capable of sending an optical beam towards the inner surface of the tire (111), receiving the light reflected from the said surface and emitting a signal proportional to the deformations of the tire in a longitudinal direction, in a transverse direction and in a vertical direction; a reflecting element positioned on the said inner surface of the tire, comprising a region (112) which has at least one area of high light reflection and one area of low light reflection and which is capable of reflecting the said optical beam.