Abstract: An imaging method and system for 3D modeling of a 3D surface forms a mosaic from multiple uncalibrated 3D images, without relying on camera position data to merge the 3D images. The system forms the 3D model by merging two 3D images to form a mosaiced image, merging the mosaiced image with another 3D image, and repeating the merging process with new 3D images one by one until the 3D model is complete. The images are aligned in a common coordinate system via spatial transformation and preferably merged using a fuzzy weighting average function to smooth boundary areas between 3D images. The 3D model may be compressed using image compression techniques. In one embodiment, a 2D texture/color overlay is placed over the 3D model to provide a more realistic representation of the object being modeled.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging method and system illuminates an object to be imaged with a light pattern that is formed from two or more light sub-patterns. The sub-patterns can each encompass the visible light spectrum or can be spatially varying intensity sub-patterns that each correspond to a red, green, or blue component. The light pattern is generated by a slotted planar member or an optical filter.

Abstract: A method and system allows conversion of three-dimensional data from a default coordinate frame to an arbitrary user-selected coordinate frame. The method includes obtaining position data in a default coordinate frame and transforming the data into an alternate coordinate frame defined by the user. The alternate coordinate frame can be defined by allowing the user to select a plane, an origin, and an axis, using any desired coordinate system and in any desired orientation. The transformed data allows presentation of position measurements in a form that is relevant to the user's specific application.

Abstract: Positions can be precisely and accurately fixed instantaneously within a three-dimensional workspace. A system of two or more transmitters each continuously sweep the workspace with two fanned laser beams which are preferably about 90 degrees apart on the rotational axis of the transmitter. A receiving instrument includes, preferably, two light detectors which detect the time at which each fanned laser beam is incident thereon. The light detectors also detect a synchronization pulse from each transmitter that is emitted once per revolution. Beams from different transmitters are differentiated by different rotational speeds and, therefore, different beam incidence cycles. Because three intersecting planes uniquely define a point in three-dimensional space, by detecting at least three of the fan beams from the transmitters, the receiving instrument can calculate its position in the workspace. A Quick Calc setup procedure allows the use to define a desired coordinate system within the workspace.

Abstract: An optical transmitter for use in position location or position measurement systems includes (i) an assembly including two optical sources that generate two optical beams which diverge in known ways in a first and second plane, respectively, and are narrow in the orthogonal planes, (ii) a power source which provides power to the assembly to rotate it at a constant angular velocity or with a previously known pattern of velocities through each complete rotation of the assembly, and (iii) a signaling unit that emits a synchronization signal at a specific rotational position of the assembly. The optical transmitter can be used in systems for determining points, lines, planes, distances, areas, volumes, azimuth, elevation, range, angles, or any other positional or spatial variable. The optical transmitter has wide application in, for example, surveying, construction, and the creation of virtual or real environments.

Abstract: Tinnitus is defined as sound(s) heard by an individual when no external sound is present and often takes the form of a hissing, ringing, chirping or clicking sound which may be either intermittent or constant. According to the American Tinnitus Association, tinnitus affects tens of millions of Americans and many suffer so severely from tinnitus they are not able to function normally on a daily basis. Unfortunately the exact cause or causes of tinnitus are not understood by the medical community and thus many tinnitus sufferers are told by their doctors to “learn to live with it”. In accordance with novel aspects of Applicant's monofrequency tinnitus patient treatment apparatus and process, phase cancellation effects are achieved by utilizing an externally generated sound which is subjectively selected by the monofrequency tinnitus patient to match in both tone and loudness his or her tinnitus sound.

Abstract: A high-speed three-dimensional imaging system and method projects a spatially varying intensity pattern onto an object or scene to be imaged using a laser light source in conjunction with a scanner. The pattern varies in intensity with respect to the projection angle. A pixel intensity ratio is calculated based on the intensity information of an image pair that is illuminated by two different patterns, thereby establishing a one-to-one correspondence between pixel intensity ratio and the projection angle.

Abstract: An intra-oral imaging system that produces images of a dental surface includes a probe that contains an optical conduit for transmitting light with spatially varying wavelengths for illuminating a dental surface and a camera for receiving light rays reflected from the dental surface. The invention also includes a concave reflector used in conjunction with the probe to increase the field-of-view of the camera, allowing optical coverage of the entire surface of a tooth in a single image.

Abstract: A three-dimensional surface profile imaging method and system uses a single spectral light illumination constraint to guarantee consistent RGB values corresponding to a given light spectrum, regardless of the surface reflectance characteristics of the object being imaged. In one embodiment, each light sheet projected onto the object contains only a single wavelength. As a result, the spectral composition of the projected light at any surface point of the object will be independent of the light intensity and the reflectance characteristics of the surface.

Abstract: An improved low cost theodolite position measurement system and process which is particularly useful in enabling a single operator to conveniently set up the system and calculate elevation (el) and azimuth (az) angle data. Only a single optical transmitter is positioned within a predetermined workspace thus significantly decreasing equipment costs and setup time. The single transmitter is positioned and leveled at a predetermined point in the workspace. In operation the single rotatably mounted transmitter head illuminates the workspace volume with a pair of spaced apart precalibrated fan beams which sweep the space and a periodically emitted reference strobe pulse. At least one optical receiver is selectively positionable within said workspace so that during each revolution of said single transmitter head said receiver receives a first position strike and a second position strike of said fan beams.

Abstract: An improved three-dimensional position detector and measurement system includes one or more transmitters that each transmit planar light beams and a strobe pulse and a receiver that responds to illumination from the beams and the strobe. The receiver in the system includes calibration logic for executing a quadratic mathematical algorithm to uniquely characterize said planar beams of each of said optical transmitters active in said measurement field. In one embodiment, the quadratic mathematical algorithm uses cones to represent the scan path of the planar beams.

Abstract: An optical transmitter for use in position location or position measurement systems includes (i) an assembly including two optical sources that generate two optical beams which diverge in known ways in a first and second plane, respectively, and are narrow in the orthogonal planes, (ii) a power source which provides power to the assembly to rotate it at a constant angular velocity or with a previously known pattern of velocities through each complete rotation of the assembly, and (iii) a signaling unit that emits a synchronization signal at a specific rotational position of the assembly. The optical transmitter can be used in systems for determining points, lines, planes, distances, areas, volumes, azimuth, elevation, range, angles, or any other positional or spatial variable. The optical transmitter has wide application in, for example, surveying, construction, and the creation of virtual or real environments.

Abstract: An electronic still camera comprising a lens, shutter, and exposure control system, a focus and range control circuit, a solid state imaging device incorporating a Charge Couple Device (CCD) through which an image is focused, a digital control unit through which timing and control of an image for electronic processing is accomplished, an Analog-to-Digital (A/D) converter circuit to convert the analog picture signals into their digital equivalents, a pixel buffer for collecting a complete row of an image's digital equivalent, a frame buffer for collecting all rows of an image's digital equivalent, and a selectively adjustable digital image compression and decompression algorithm that compresses the size of a digital image and selectively formats the compressed digital image to a compatible format for either the IBM Personal Computer and related architectures or the Apple Macintosh PC architecture as selected by the operator so that the digital image can be directly read into most word processing, desktop publi

Abstract: The display panel comprises a gas-filled envelope containing a series of fine, closely-spaced cathode lines connected in groups so that they can be energized sequentially and individually. The panel also includes an anode film supported on the face plate and aligned with and in operative relation with the series of cathode lines. The anode and cathodes are closely spaced and the panel contains an ionizable gas at relatively high pressure.

Abstract: The display panel comprises a gas-filled envelope made up of a base plate and a face plate. The base plate carries a plurality of display cathodes arrayed in rows and columns and, substantially coplanar therewith, a plurality of scan cathodes arrayed in rows and columns, with each row of scan cathodes being positioned between two rows of display cathodes. A single anode is formed on the face plate of the envelope, and suitable masking is provided so that a viewer can see only the display cathodes through the face plate.In operation of the panel, the scan cathodes are energized column-by-column, and selected adjacent display cathodes are energized simultaneously to display a message or character.

Abstract: A mechanism for incrementally advancing continuous paper forms comprising a pair of opposing cams which drive said forms therebetween, each said cam having a plurality of camming surfaces whose phase relative to the other said cam may be manually varied. For each rotation of said pair of cams, said forms are incremented a number of times equal to the total number of camming surfaces per one said cam where an increment is phase dependent.

Abstract: An apparatus which is responsive to the pressure variations inherent in an individual's act of handwriting a signature for generating electrical signals representative of these characteristic pressure variations for use in signature identification systems. The apparatus employs a handwriting surface which is suspended in space and positioned for receiving a handwritten signature by a pair of cantilever arms which extend from a single semi-rigid vertical support member, the vertical support member being provided with a sensing means responsive to the varying strain induced in the support member when an individual is writing his signature on the handwriting surface for generating an electrical signal representative of the pressure variations in said signature.

Abstract: A low cost credit card reader is provided wherein the magnetic stripe on a stationarily positioned credit card is read by the spring powered transverse activation of a read head, and wherein the normal spring-related fluctuations in read head velocity are compensated for and offset by a rotatable member having a concentric circumference and a variably radiused spiraling circumference, the rotatable member being interposed between and cable interconnected with said spring and a translatable read head carrier, said spring and said rotatable member in association with an opposing airpot cooperating to provide the read head with a uniform controlled velocity of movement throughout each reading cycle.