Abstract: A toilet to save water and reduce clogs. One embodiment uses two traps and a Pressure Assisted Device (PAD) that applies both negative and/or positive pressurized air between an upper trapway and middle trapway with a pressure connection tube with a means for allowing air to move to or from the top of the PAD to the upper arch between the upper and lower traps. A second embodiment includes a clog-resistant toilet that has no sudden transitions in the pipe to reduce the likelihood of clogging.

Abstract: A method for identifying assets is provided. The method includes illuminating an identification pattern associated with the asset with non-visible light. The identification pattern includes retroreflective material that represents identity information of the asset. The method further includes adjusting either a shutter speed of an image sensor, or a power of the non-visible light, or both, based on motion state of the asset. The image sensor is configured to receive response of the retroreflective material to the non-visible light. Furthermore, the method includes the step of identifying the asset based on decoded identity information. The decoded identity information is obtained by processing the response of the retroreflective material.

Abstract: A method for identifying assets is provided. The method includes illuminating an identification pattern associated with the asset with non-visible light. The identification pattern includes retroreflective material that represents identity information of the asset. The method further includes adjusting either a shutter speed of an image sensor, or a power of the non-visible light, or both, based on motion state of the asset. The image sensor is configured to receive response of the retroreflective material to the non-visible light. Furthermore, the method includes the step of identifying the asset based on decoded identity information. The decoded identity information is obtained by processing the response of the retroreflective material.

Abstract: A method for inspecting an object includes emitting light from at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) device, phase-shifting light emitted from at least one of the LCD device and the LCOS device, projecting the phase-shifted light onto a surface of an object, receiving light reflected from the object surface with an imaging sensor, and analyzing the light received by the imaging sensor to facilitate inspecting at least a portion of the object.

Abstract: A method of imparting sustained antimicrobial properties throughout a material or substrate using an antimicrobial polymerizable silicon-containing quaternary ammonium salt monomer in a solvent to form a quaternary ammonium salt solution; and mixing the silicon-containing quaternary ammonium salt solution with at least a second monomer or a polymer or coating a solid polymer. Depending on the nature of the second monomer or polymer and the reaction conditions; a copolymer with the first monomer or a homopolymer will form, such that a polymeric material, substrate or formed plastic product comprising the copolymer or homopolymer or blended with the coated concentrate will have sustained antimicrobial properties. This method can be used to make formed plastic products, thin layer films and other products having sustained antimicrobial properties.

Abstract: An antimicrobial polymer is disclosed containing silicon-containing quaternary ammonium groups, the polymer including in its structure repeating units of Formula II: R3N+R0nSiX?4-nY???(II) wherein each R and each R0 is independently a non-hydrolysable organic group; each X? is —OR?, —OH or —O—Si, wherein R? is an alkyl group of 1 to about 22 carbon atoms, or an aryl group of 6 carbon atoms; n is an integer of 0 to 3; and Y is an anionic moiety suitable to form the salt of the repeating units of Formula II. Also disclosed are methods of making such a polymer and imparting sustained antimicrobial properties to a substrate using the polymer.

Abstract: A lens blocking device is disclosed that includes a frame, a light source mounted on the frame, a carriage having a first end and a second end mounted on the frame for sliding movement between first and second positions, a first mirror mounted on the carriage first end and a lens block holder mounted on the carriage second end and shiftable between third and fourth positions with respect to the carriage, a stage disposed between the light source and the carriage, and including an opening, for supporting an object, an at least partially translucent screen generating a display image operably connected to the support frame, at least one second mirror arranged to reflect an image of an object on the stage from the first mirror, when the carriage is in the first position, onto the screen, and an actuator operably connected to the carriage.

Abstract: A method for generating a mask for use with a light measurement system that includes a light source for projecting light onto an object, and an imaging sensor for receiving light reflected from the object. The method includes determining a profile of the object to be inspected, and generating an electronic mask based on the determined object profile. The electronic mask has an electronic opening having a profile defined to substantially match the determined object profile as viewed from one of the light source and the imaging sensor.

Abstract: A lens blocking device is disclosed that includes a frame, a light source mounted on the frame, a carriage having a first end and a second end mounted on the frame for sliding movement between first and second positions, a first mirror mounted on the carriage first end and a lens block holder mounted on the carriage second end and shiftable between third and fourth positions with respect to the carriage, a stage disposed between the light source and the carriage, and including an opening, for supporting an object, an at least partially translucent screen generating a display image operably connected to the support frame, at least one second mirror arranged to reflect an image of an object on the stage from the first mirror, when the carriage is in the first position, onto the screen, and an actuator operably connected to the carriage.

Abstract: An antimicrobial polymer is disclosed containing silicon-containing quaternary ammonium groups, the polymer including in its structure repeating units of Formula II: R3N+R0nSiX?4?nY???(II) wherein each R and each R0 is independently a non-hydrolysable organic group; each X? is —OR?, —OH or —0—Si, wherein R? is an alkyl group of 1 to about 22 carbon atoms, or an aryl group of 6 carbon atoms; n is an integer of 0 to 3; and Y is an anionic moiety suitable to form the salt of the repeating units of Formula II. Also disclosed are methods of making such a polymer and imparting sustained antimicrobial properties to a substrate using the polymer.

Abstract: A method of imparting sustained antimicrobial properties throughout a material or substrate using an antimicrobial polymerizable silicon-containing quaternary ammonium salt monomer in a solvent to form a quaternary ammonium salt solution; and mixing the silicon-containing quaternary ammonium salt solution with at least a second monomer or a polymer or coating a solid polymer. Depending on the nature of the second monomer or polymer and the reaction conditions; a copolymer with the first monomer or a homopolymer will form, such that a polymeric material, substrate or formed plastic product comprising the copolymer or homopolymer or blended with the coated concentrate will have sustained antimicrobial properties. This method can be used to make formed plastic products, thin layer films and other products having sustained antimicrobial properties.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for determining the leading edge (E) of an airfoil (A) includes a first light source (S1) illuminating a portion of the airfoil including its leading edge and a first camera (M1) acquiring an image of the illuminated portion of the airfoil. A second light source (S2), spaced apart from the first light source, also illuminates a portion of the airfoil including its leading edge. A second camera (M2) acquires an image of the portion of the airfoil illuminated by the second light source. The location (N2) of the second light source and the first camera are coincident in space as are the location (N1) of the first light source and the second camera. An image processor (P) processes the respective images obtained from the two cameras to locate the leading edge of the object. In doing so, the processor utilizes similarities in illumination of the airfoil by the respective light sources and occlusion boundaries of the respective illuminated portions of the airfoil.

Abstract: A lens blocking device is disclosed that includes a frame, a light source mounted on the frame, a carriage having a first end and a second end mounted on the frame for sliding movement between first and second positions, a first mirror mounted on the carriage first end and a lens block holder mounted on the carriage second end and shiftable between third and fourth positions with respect to the carriage, a stage disposed between the light source and the carriage, and including an opening, for supporting an object, an at least partially translucent screen generating a display image operably connected to the support frame, at least one second mirror arranged to reflect an image of an object on the stage from the first mirror, when the carriage is in the first position, onto the screen, and an actuator operably connected to the carriage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an imaging apparatus for examining an object having smooth surfaces to determine shape deformations in the surface of object. The imaging apparatus includes an imaging device for obtaining a scanned image of the object to be examined. A reference image of the object is stored in a memory. An image register is coupled to the imaging device and to the memory containing the reference image of the object. The image register stores patch information corresponding to both the reference image and the scanned image. A transformation estimator is coupled to the image register, and provides a transform for registering the scanned image to the reference image. A deformation estimator is coupled to the transformation estimator and to the image register. The deformation estimator is configured to utilize the transform and the patch information to determine shape deformations of the object.

Abstract: A lens blocking device is disclosed that includes a frame, a light source mounted on the frame, a carriage having a first end and a second end mounted on the frame for sliding movement between first and second positions, a first mirror mounted on the carriage first end and a lens block holder mounted on the carriage second end and shiftable between third and fourth positions with respect to the carriage, a stage disposed between the light source and the carriage, and including an opening, for supporting an object, an at least partially translucent screen generating a display image operably connected to the support frame, at least one second mirror arranged to reflect an image of an object on the stage from the first mirror, when the carriage is in the first position, onto the screen, and an actuator operably connected to the carriage.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for determining the leading edge (E) of an airfoil (A) includes a first light source (S1) illuminating a portion of the airfoil including its leading edge and a first camera (M1) acquiring an image of the illuminated portion of the airfoil. A second light source (S2), spaced apart from the first light source, also illuminates a portion of the airfoil including its leading edge. A second camera (M2) acquires an image of the portion of the airfoil illuminated by the second light source. The location (N2) of the second light source and the first camera are coincident in space as are the location (N1) of the first light source and the second camera. An image processor (P) processes the respective images obtained from the two cameras to locate the leading edge of the object. In doing so, the processor utilizes similarities in illumination of the airfoil by the respective light sources and occlusion boundaries of the respective illuminated portions of the airfoil.

Abstract: A method for determining the axis of rotation (AR) of an object (12) mounted to a rotary stage or platform (10) in a gauge measurement system by estimating a transformation (&dgr;) between multiple views or measurements of the object (12) obtained at different poses.

Abstract: An overhead door including a door panel vertically movable between a lowered position when the door is closed and a raised position when the door is open, and a motor drivingly connected to a lower end of the door panel to selectively drive the lower end of the door panel downwardly. The motor is drivingly connected to the lower end of the door panel to drive the door panel downwardly in response to actuation of the motor. Preferably, the connection includes a flexible drive element (e.g., an endless belt) driven by the motor and connected to the lower end of the door panel. A pivot member releasably connects the door panel to the guide member, and is pivotable relative to at least one of the door panel or the guide member in response to a force on the door panel. The pivot member includes a first pivot segment pivotally connected to the door panel and a second pivot segment pivotally connected to the guide member, the first and second pivot segments releasably engaging each other.

Abstract: An overhead door including a door panel vertically movable between a lowered position when the door is closed and a raised position when the door is open, and a motor drivingly connected to a lower end of the door panel to selectively drive the lower end of the door panel downwardly. The motor is drivingly connected to the lower end of the door panel to drive the door panel downwardly in response to actuation of the motor. Preferably, the connection includes a flexible drive element (e.g., an endless belt) driven by the motor and connected to the lower end of the door panel. A pivot member releasably connects the door panel to the guide member, and is pivotable relative to at least one of the door panel or the guide member in response to a force on the door panel. The pivot member includes a first pivot segment pivotally connected to the door panel and a second pivot segment pivotally connected to the guide member, the first and second pivot segments releasably engaging each other.