Abstract: There is provided a hierarchical shadow detection system for color aerial images. The system performs well with highly complex images as well as images having different brightness and illumination conditions. The system consists of two hierarchical levels of processing. The first level involves, pixel level classification, through modeling the image as a reliable lattice and then maximizing the lattice reliability using the EM algorithm. Next, region level verification, through further exploiting the domain knowledge is performed. Further analysis show that the MRF model based segmentation is a special case of the pixel level classification model. A quantitative comparison of the system and a state-of-the-art shadow detection algorithm clearly indicates that the new system is highly effective in detecting shadow regions in an image under different illumination and brightness conditions.

Abstract: An electric generator 10 of the present invention comprises a permanent magnet 14, a coil 30, a yoke 20, and attracted means 19 composed of a plurality of attracted pieces 18 which are arranged radially around the rotation axis 12 and are magnetized by the permanent magnet 14. The permanent magnet 14, the coil 30, the yoke 20, and the attracted means 19 are mounted on the rotation axis 12 and the attracted pieces 18 that constitute the attracted means 19 are each placed in positions that correspond to positions that bisect the spaces between the metal pieces that constitute the yoke 20, so that the cogging torque exerted the rotation axis 12 is reduced.

Abstract: Routing and distribution of radio-frequency (RF) signals is commonly achieved in the analog domain. However, improved performance and simplified circuit architectures may be obtained by first digitizing the RF signal, and then carrying out all routing in the digital domain. A new generation of scalable digital switches has been developed, which routes both the data and clock signals together, this being necessary to maintain the integrity of the digitized RF signal. Given the extremely high switching speeds necessary for these applications (tens of GHz), this is implemented using Rapid-Single-Flux-Quantum (RSFQ) logic with superconducting integrated circuits. Such a digital switch matrix may be applied to either the receiver or transmitter components of an advanced multi-band, multi-channel digital transceiver system, and is compatible with routing of signals with different clock frequencies simultaneously within the same switch matrix.

Abstract: An automatic wire stripper comprises a knife unit (40) having a knife holder (41) and a knife carriage (45) articulated on the knife holder; A clamping arm unit (30) is pivotally mounted on a clamping arm bearing (30). A handle lever unit (60) is pivotally connected to a housing base (20) on a handle lever bearing (61). An articulated lever (70) has a first and second articulated lever arm (72, 75) connected in a pivotable manner by an articulated lever center axis (73). The first articulated lever arm (72) is guided with a first articulated lever axis (71) in a guiding connecting link (32) of the clamping arm unit (30). The second articulated lever (75) is fixed in an articulated manner to the knife unit (40) with the articulated lever center axis (73) guided in the handle (60).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ring binder mechanism for binding the sheets of loose leaves. The mechanism comprises an elongated spring plate that extends longitudinally and, in profile, has a shallow U-shaped configuration and opposite edges which extend substantially toward each other; two parallel elongate hinge plates supported by said spring plate for pivotal toggle motion relative to the spring plate about a central hinge line, which are mounted in parallel and retained by the opposite edges of the spring plate; and a plurality of rings for clasping said sheets of loose leaves. Each of the rings comprises a pair of half ring elements of circular cross-section which are mounted on said hinge plates, with one half ring element of each pair being attached to one of the hinge plates and the other half ring element of the pair attached to the other hinge plate, with the two half ring elements of each pair in substantial alignment.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for disabling on-board pilot operation of an aircraft and transferring aircraft operation to an alternate source of control. The aircraft has an aircraft control system for controlling at least one controlled component, such as an aircraft attitude control surface or an aircraft engine throttle. The apparatus is of modular construction, and includes two control modules. A first control module has an interruptible link that passes the first control signals from the control device to the aircraft control system. This first control module has a first connecting device for (i) interrupting the link and (ii) directing said first control signals to a second control module. The second control module is adapted to be connected to (e.g. plugged into) the first control module, and has a second connecting device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a distraction appliance for orthodontic, orthognathic and maxillofacial surgery purposes on the mandible for the distraction of a frontal bone segment, wherein the appliance is formed by a first distractor module and a second distractor module, wherein the first distractor module is essentially u-shaped, approximated to a dental arch, and has a mid-segment and on both sides of it an end-segment, wherein the corresponding end-segment is connected to the mid-segment by means of a linear distraction element and wherein each end-segment provides fixation parts, and wherein the second distractor module is related to a frontal bone segment to be moved, guiding the same and having fixation parts.

Abstract: The invention provides an assembly for measuring the penetration depth of a dental instrument into a root canal of a tooth. The assembly has a base element configured to be clampingly braced onto a tooth to be treated; an electrically conductive guiding member affixable to the base element and disposed, when assembled, above the tooth, thereby, in use, a portion of the dental instrument makes electrical contact with it. The guiding member further includes an electrical terminal connectable to an apex location measuring device. Methods for continuously measuring penetration depths of a dental instrument into a root canal of a tooth are also provided.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a location to detect and report a vehicular incident, comprising a transducer for detecting acoustic waves at the location, and having an audio output; a processor for determining a probable occurrence or impending occurrence of a vehicular incident, based at least upon said audio output; an imaging system for capturing images of the location, and having an image output; a buffer, receiving said image output, and storing at least a portion of said images commencing at or before said determination; and a communication link, for selectively communicating said portion of said images stored in said buffer with a remote location and at least information identifying the location, wherein information stored in said buffer is preserved at least until an acknowledgement of receipt is received representing successful transmission through said communication link with the remote location.

Abstract: A method for ordering printing of a digital image by a customer and a system in which the method is implemented. The system includes a home server located at a home of the customer, an originating server and a lab server, that can communicate with each other via a computer network such as the Internet. An order for a product that includes the digital image is transmitted from the originating server to the home server. The order is then automatically transmitted from the home server to the lab server for providing the product.

Abstract: An absorptive body (50) for attachment to the human body, especially for absorbing fluids coming out of parts of the human body such as wounds, has a substantially flat material section made of an absorbing material (1), which consists of an absorbing non-woven having super-absorber particles spread therein, and a fluid-permeable shell (2) that surrounds the material section, forms a barrier against solid excretions and enables the passage of other excreted substances into the material section made of absorbing material (1) that is arranged inside the shell (2). The shell is made of a small-pored material, whose pores are smaller than the unwetted super-absorber particles.

Abstract: Exercise apparatus is disclosed which enables a user to pull a cable against a source of resistance from a pulley arranged at one of a number of points around a substantially circular arc.

Abstract: This invention relates to a safety system for aircraft, wherein prohibited airspaces which aircraft may not enter are marked on a digitally stored image of the airspace, wherein the aircraft is provided with an automatic control device that automatically steers the aircraft on to an alternative route, which is situated outside the prohibited airspace, when the probability that the aircraft will enter the prohibited airspace exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the apex of a dental root canal in a tooth includes a software operated microcontroller having a pulse generator, a memory and an analog to digital converter (ADC), the pulse generator feeding pulses to a gain control circuit for controlling the amplitude of the pulses. The apparatus also includes a driver receiving signals from the control circuit for feeding the signals to an electrically conductive shaft having a leading edge and a dental instrument connectable thereto, an input buffer receiving signals from the dental instrument and feeding the signals to the ADC, and a display for exhibiting data concerning the distance of the leading edge of the shaft from the root canal apex. A method for determining the apex of a dental root canal in a tooth is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting one or more organic compounds in a gem, comprising a probe for irradiating a surface of a gem with near infrared radiation, to generate internal reflections of the near infrared radiation within the gem, wherein the internal reflections are substantially diffuse; a near infrared radiation transmissive conduit for collecting internally reflected near infrared radiation from a surface of the gem, the internally reflected energy comprising components which are diffuse; a spectrometer for analyzing the collected internally reflected diffuse near infrared radiation from the gem, to determine if spectral characteristics indicative of at least one organic compound are present in the gem.

Abstract: A system for managing user accounts and controlling anonymous access to resources over data networks for a plurality of provider members in a manner to preserve the secrecy of the identity of a user who is in a home provider's user/customer base. The system includes a means for sharing non-identifying user information and charges among a plurality of service provider members, including a home provider and an outside provider, a means for enabling a user who is registered as a customer with the home provider to anonymously access the resources of the outside provider, a sharing means adapted to allow the system to permit the home provider to enable access by the user to the resources of the outside provider without requiring either personal identification or an open account for the user at the outside provider, and a verification means separate from the home provider adapted to allow the outside provider to determine the user's access privileges and criteria.