Abstract: The present invention relates to the measurement of the depth of a contaminant, e.g. snow, found on a roadway or runway from a moving vehicle by measuring the distance between where a beam of light hits the upper surface of the contaminant and where the beam of light should have hit the roadway or runway based on the position of the light source. To eliminate the effects of pitch and roll on the measurements a second light source provides a reference spot, whereby the contaminant depth calculations can be performed independent of the distance between the roadway or runway and the light sources. A video recording device, such as a digital camera, is used to capture images of the spots, whereby the distances can be measured by adding the number of pixels between the spots in the images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the measurement of the depth of a contaminant, e.g. snow, found on a roadway or runway from a moving vehicle by measuring the distance between where a beam of light hits the upper surface of the contaminant and where the beam of light should have hit the roadway or runway based on the position of the light source. To eliminate the effects of pitch and roll on the measurements a second light source provides a reference spot, whereby the contaminant depth calculations can be performed independent of the distance between the roadway or runway and the light sources. A video recording device, such as a digital camera, is used to capture images of the spots, whereby the distances can be measured by adding the number of pixels between the spots in the images.

Abstract: A method for selecting a formulation for one or more layers of a multi-layer coating for repair purposes, the multi-layer coating comprising a primer applied on a substrate, at least one base or top coat and, optionally, a clear coat, the method comprising the following steps: providing a database of colorimetric data relating to a set of formulations and/or relating to constituents for a primer and preferably for one or more base or top coat layers for a multi-layer coating; entering the colorimetric data of an object to be repaired into a computer having access to said database; determining the formulation of the primer and, optionally, of one or more base or top coat layers with the aid of the database, in such a way that the resulting color of the multi-layer coating to be applied matches the color of the object to be repaired using the lowest possible amount of coating material.

Abstract: The invention is a method of determining a color formula for matching a selected color, such that an electronic imaging device is calibrated , and at the same time or in a next step the selected color is measured with the aid of the electronic imaging device, then the measured color signals of the calibration colors are converted to the known calorimetric data and then the color signals of the measured selected color are converted to colorimetric data; and next, the color formula is determined that most closely matches the calculated colorimetric data of the measured selected color. The invention also determines a color formula for matching a selected color of textured materials; determines the color difference of a selected color compared to a standard color sample; and measures a specific attribute of the color appearance, the so-called texture.

Abstract: A method for selecting a formulation for one or more layers of a multi-layer coating for repair purposes, the multi-layer coating comprising a primer applied on a substrate, at least one base or top coat and, optionally, a clear coat, the method comprising the following steps:

Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling of two sides of a synergetically cooperating fixation system in medical equipment and apparatus, illustrated by way of example of an external fixator with rod-like guide elements, wherein a point-precise and internally tension-free clamping connection is formed by in each case two planar parallel disposed faces. The complementary, uncoated coupling surface is shape-matchingly impressed "de novo" and "uniquely" during each coupling closure by a static press-on force based on a diamond, plastic grain layer of a chaotic profile solidly attached to one of the faces, such that a clamping connection with the multilatent force-form match closure is furnished.