Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for accurately matching colors. The color matching system includes a host computer and a color input device in communication with the host computer. Preferably the color input device is capable of obtaining spectral data, such as that obtained using a spectrophotometer. The host computer includes a color library, a color management system, a monitor, and a user interface. In one aspect of the invention, the user selects a target color, a color library to use for matching, a color distance tolerance, and a light source under which the colors are to be matched. The target color is compared to the colors in the library and the color or colors in the library that are within the specified color tolerance are reported. In a second aspect of the invention, the user selects a color and two illuminants. The color under each of the two illuminants is compared and the color distance between the two is reported.

Abstract: A putting practice device and putting practice method for a golfer, the method and device being used on a putting surface with a putter and a golf ball. The putting practice device includes a putting tunnel for placing on the putting surface adjacent to the golf ball. The putting tunnel includes a back panel and an opaque top panel, the opaque top panel having a view port for viewing the golf ball. The putting practice device also includes an adjustable sliding sleeve that is slidably attached to the putting tunnel for variably limiting the length of the golfer's backswing with the putter.

Abstract: A computer imaging system for calibration of scanners and printers. A calibration image is stored and manipulated as desired, and printed out as a resultant calibration picture. The resultant calibration picture is input to the system to create a resultant calibration image. A comparison is made between the original calibration image and the resultant calibration image, yielding calibration data indicating the distortion introduced by the hardware and software combination used in the calibration process. The calibration data is then used in a correction stage wherein a picture is input to the system, anti-distorted utilizing the calibration data, and an output picture provided with the anti-distorted data causing the output picture to appear substantially identical to the input picture. Alternatively, the calibration data is used together with a second set of calibration data generated by comparing an input calibration picture with known accurate data values corresponding to the calibration picture.

Abstract: A computer database contains visual and other information of an object scene from which a television monitor or film display is created by electronically sampling points of the object scene information in the computer memory. Undesirable effects of aliasing are significantly reduced and substantially eliminated by pseudo-randomly distributing, in a particular manner, the occurrence of the point samples in space and time. Realistic depth of field is obtained in the images, corresponding to what is observed through a camera lens, by altering the sample point locations to simulate passing them through an optical aperture in a pseudo-random distribution thereacross. Further, effects of illumination, shadows, object reflection and object refraction are made more realistic by causing each sample point to pseudo-randomly select one of a predetermined number of possible ray directions.

Abstract: A cutter blade projects tangentially from the peripheral surface of a solid cylindrical rotor for travel along an arcuate path in converging relation to a support surface of an anvil aligned with a horizontal travel path along which scrap lumber is continuously fed by an infeed roller into a cutting zone formed between the anvil support surface and the peripheral surface of the rotor. Oversized solids emerging from the cutting zone below the rotor are separated from a wood chip product of desired size and recirculated to the infeed roller.

Abstract: A computer database contains visual and other information of an object scene from which a television monitor or film display is created by electronically sampling points of the object scene information in the computer memory. Undesirable effects of aliasing are significantly reduced and substantially eliminated by pseudo-randomly distributing, in a particular manner, the occurrence of the point samples in space and time. Realistic depth of field is obtained in the images, corresponding to what is observed through a camera lens, by altering the sample point locations to simulate passing them through an optical aperture in a pseudo-random distribution thereacross. Further, effects of illumination, shadows, object reflection and object refraction are made more realistic by causing each sample point to pseudo-randomly select one of a predetermined number of possible ray directions.

Abstract: A computer database contains visual and other information of an object scene from which a television monitor or film display is created by electronically sampling points of the object scene information in the computer memory. Undesirable effects of aliasing are significantly reduced and substantially eliminated by pseudo-randomly distributing, in a particular manner, the occurrence of the point samples in space and time. Realistic depth of field is obtained in the images, corresponding to what is observed through a camera lens, by altering the sample point locations to simulate passing them through an optical aperture in a pseudo-random distribution thereacross. Further, effects of illumination, shadows, object reflection and object refraction are made more realistic by causing each sample point to pseudo-randomly select one of a predetermined number of possible ray directions.

Abstract: A device to employ centrifugal force for use as linear motion utilizing a pair of counter rotating arms about a common axle. One arm contains a mass splitable and transferable to the other arm and back again at one hundred and eighty degree intervals. The device may include a surface travel system or two of such devices may be employed in tandem for any mode of travel.