Abstract: A projective panchromatic sharpening method and apparatus combines registered high spatial resolution panchromatic imagery and lower spatial resolution multispectral imagery to synthesize higher spatial resolution multispectral imagery. The degree of misregistration between bands and the correlation of intensity values are key factors in generating radiometrically accurate and visually crisp output images. The projective panchromatic sharpening method and apparatus comprises two components. The first component determines the linear radiometric relationship between the panchromatic and multispectral bands, and the second component processes pixels to produce the sharpened product.

Abstract: A disposable saliva ejector assembly for use in connection with a vacuum source for withdrawing saliva and bioburden from the oral cavity of a dental patient. The saliva-ejector assembly includes a flexible hollow tube having a first end provided with a suctioning tip and a second end adapted for connecting to a vacuum source. The assembly further includes a flexible plastic cover-slip having a first end fixedly attached to the tube at a distance inwardly of the tube second end sufficient to permit a friction fit connection between the tube second end and a tube receiving fixture of the vacuum source, and a second free end.

Abstract: An asymmetric open rosette constellation has multiple inclined orbit planes distributed around 360.degree. with the satellites asymmetrically spaced in the orbit planes. The satellites populate only a portion of each orbital plane so as to leave an open space in each orbital plane. The open architecture can readily accommodate spare satellites in a useful manner.

Abstract: An optical memory material includes a two-photon storage component which can be written from a first to a second state in response to WRITE light, mixed with a signal component which fluoresces by one-photon absorption only at the written locations in response to READ light. The storage material may be a fulgide. The memory material may also include a frequency upconversion material to aid writing. Writing is performed by a spatial light modulator (SLM) with a dynamic focussing system, for concentrating sufficient power at WRITE locations for nonlinear two-photon absorption. Crosstalk is avoided during simultaneous writing in some embodiments, by spacing the individual WRITE beams apart by an integer number of inter-beam spacings, so that non-adjacent datels are written simultaneously in a "paragraph," and the non-written areas are written at a different time with different paragraphs.

Abstract: An earth sensor assembly for an orbiting spacecraft which includes a two dimensional microbolometer area array detector as the detective source for capturing full or partial infrared (IR) images of the earth. The earth sensor assembly further includes an input optic head assembly for collecting incident radiant power emitted from the earth and for directing it to a focal plane of the microbolometer area array. The microbolometer detector converts the detected radiant power into electric signals. Also included are sensor electronics and data processing means for processing the converted signals and determining the attitude of the spacecraft relative to the earth. Also disclosed is an algorithm for processing the earth image information generated by the microbolometer area array and for determining the three axis attitude (pitch, roll and yaw) of the spacecraft.

Abstract: An air bag module (1) including an air bag (9) and a gas generator (7) disposed in the region of the outside seat back edge of the back seat of a vehicle. The air bag module (1) is covered by a flap (11) having a section (15) oriented in the direction of travel. The section (15) has a free end (13) disposed adjacent to a side part of the vehicle body or trim (17) thereby forming a gap (19) through which the air bag (9) emerges unhindered during deployment.

Abstract: A space-based server network architecture (1) which permits on demand transfer of mission and control data between client satellites (14) in an orbit about earth and an earth station (20, 22, 24, 26) irrespective of the location of the client satellite (14) relative to the earth station (20, 22, 24, 26). The architecture includes a plurality of server satellites (10) located spaced apart in a earth orbit above the orbit of the client satellites (14). The server satellites (10) provide substantially total world-wide communications coverage to and connectivity with designated and authorized earth stations (20, 22, 24, 26) and the plurality of client satellites (14).

Abstract: A personal accessory comprises a multi-component electric stunning umbrella which can be carried as a personal accessory without attracting attention, which can be used as a conventional umbrella, and which can also be used for self defense. The stunning umbrella proves a stunning but non-lethal electrical shock when used for self defense and can also be used as a baton or striking implement.

Abstract: The invention concerns a stress-bearing structure of a motor-vehicle body made with hollow section beams, having at least at one structural member junction point (1) at which a first hollow section beam (2) is joined with a second hollow section beam (3) and a third hollow section beam (4), which are opposite each other on either side of the first hollow section beam. The second and third hollow section beams (3, 4) are attached to the respective opposite sides of the first hollow section beam (2) by a butt joint. The junction point (1) is reinforced by a junction point reinforcement element in the form of a hollow section extrusion (6). In accordance with the invention, a hollow section extrusion (6) is positioned beneath the structural-member junction point (1) on the inside of the vehicle body and fixed in place. The longitudinal axis of the hollow section extrusion (6) runs in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the first hollow section beam (2).

Abstract: A hoist is constructed for powered drive by an impact tool. The hoist includes tension means for applying a force in tension to a load. Gear means are operatively associated with the tension means for producing a tension force in the tension means. The gear means include a gear element which provides a positive hold of the produced tension force when the gear means are not being driven. Impact fitting means are connected to the gear element for enabling the gear means to be power driven by an impact tool.

Abstract: An improved soft style snowboard boot which is internally reinforced by a multi-piece boot support assembly that includes a rigid molded plastic shank portion, a semi-rigid molded heel cup portion, and a molded or die-cut plastic highback portion. The shank portion is designed to resist flex, and provide ergonomic support for the foot, and further includes molded-in features which permit positive mechanical fastening of conventional step-in binding attachment structure, to the outsole of the boot. A pair of length adjustable tensioning strap members are connected between the shank and highback portions and when tightened the straps induce a desired forward lean in the highback portion. The straps may be tightened independently of each other to provide a desired side bias, left or right, to the highback portion. In one embodiment, the straps are contained within the outer boot portion. In another embodiment, the straps are routed exteriorly of the outer boot portion for more convenient forward lean adjustment.

Abstract: A modular spacecraft and fabrication method for producing a spacecraft of the kind that forms an enclosure and framework for installation of the external and internal subsystems of the spacecraft. The primary structure of the spacecraft is formed as a split shell enclosure including composite formed upper and lower shell portions. The spacecraft, with the shells open, provides an extremely high degree of access during the assembly, installation and test of the spacecraft. A self-aligning tapered joint is formed at respective contacting lip surfaces of at least one set of common end walls of the upper and lower shell portions. Heat pipes are formed integral within the composite structure of selected walls of the shell portion to provide thermal regulation to the spacecraft and the subsystems contained therein. Removable battery modules are incorporated into the end wall structure of the upper shell portion.

Abstract: A gonioradiometric scanning apparatus and method for measuring the near and/or far field radiation pattern of radiating optical sources such as laser diodes (LD), light emitting diodes (LED), optical fibers, flat panel displays, and luminaires is described. The scanning apparatus incorporates a deflector for selecting an azimuth angle through the optical source to be measured, a rotating apparatus which collects light while scanning about the source, an optical commutator, and a detector. The rotating apparatus comprises a cylindrical hub and an optical collector using either an optical fiber or a train of reflectors, such as mirrors or retro-reflectors. The optical collector provides a means for both collecting light and for directing the beam emanating from the deflector to a place opposite the detector at which optical commutation occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus accurately positions the apparatus at a selected cranial implant site for x-ray tomography of the mandible and/or maxilla and the temporomandibular joint. The method and apparatus comprise making a stent of the mandible and/or maxilla of a patient and making a mark on the stent at a position that corresponds to the selected dental implant site. The stent is then positioned on a fixating device and the x-ray imaging apparatus is positioned with regard to tomographic imaging so that (a) the mark on the stent is at the intersection of the projected cross light beam and (b) the arm of the cross is aligned with the tangent of the dental arch at the site of interest. This positioning data is input to a program that will then operate the positioning motors and the x-ray source to project the tomographic images of the selected site.

Abstract: A constellation (100) comprising a plurality of man-made satellites (1-27). The satellites (1-27) orbit a celestial body (110) along a plurality of orbits (120-128), which are located at a substantially common altitude and have a substantially common inclination. The satellites (1-27) are positioned in a predetermined order substantially along a wave (130). Each satellite (1-27) maintains its position in the predetermined order along the wave (130) while orbiting the celestial body (110). A system in accordance with the invention may further include a ground station adapted for enabling communication with at least one of the satellites (1-27). The satellites (1-27) may be positioned based on a Walker code T/P/F, where T is the total number of satellites (1-27) in a full Walker rosette corresponding to the Walker code, P is the number of distinct orbits (120-128), and F/T is the phase shift between adjacent orbits (120-128).

Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging system for continuous dwell imaging of complex extended scenes which are not required to contain localized point sources. The multi-aperture imaging system includes a plurality of subaperture telescopes, each of which collect image data of an instantaneous field of view of an extended object scene within a field of regard of the imaging system. The image data collected by each subaperture telescope is transferred by respective optical delay paths to a beam combiner which combines all the image data in coherent fashion to form a single high resolution image of said object scene at a focal plane of the beam combiner. The subaperture telescopes are optically phased using phase diversity techniques which include using a phase diversity sensor located at the focal plane of the beam combiner to detect wavefront errors in the collected images.