Abstract: A technique, specifically apparatus and an accompanying method, for accurately thresholding an image based on local image properties, specifically luminance variations, and particularly such a technique that uses multi-windowing for providing enhanced immunity to image noise and lessened boundary artifacts. Specifically, a localized intensity gradient, G(i,j), is determined for a pre-defined window (300) centered about each image pixel (i, j ) . Localized minimum and maximum pixel intensity measures, L.sub.min and L.sub.max, respectively, are also determined for another, though larger, window (330) centered about pixel (i,j). Also, a localized area gradient measure, GS(i,j), is determined as a sum of individual intensity gradients for a matrix of pixel positions (370) centered about pixel position (i,j). Each image pixel (i,j) is then classified as being an object pixel, i.e., black, or a background pixel, i.e., white, based upon its area gradient, GS (i,j), and associated L.sub.min and L.sub.max measures.

Abstract: A cryogenic storage system affords dense packing and easy access to individually identified storage packets of frozen fluid, such as blood, by storing the storage packets in an array of individually identified vertically movable racks, each containing a stack of individually identified storage packets, within a grid beneath the opening of a cryogenic tank. Preferably, the storage packets are substantially flat and the racks hold the storage packets in vertical edge-to-edge relationship.

Abstract: A root canal sealer and cleaner provided with a dimension discriminating part at their heads so as to discriminate the dimension easily, and a method and device for forming the dimension discriminating part on the root canal sealer and cleaner.According to the root canal sealer and cleaner of the invention, a coloring part having a hue for indicating the required dimension is formed directly at the head gripped by an operating tool such as pincers, etc., at the time of the root canal cleaning and sealing treatment of a tooth, so that it is possible to indicate the dimension by each root canal sealer and cleaner itself, to discriminate easily and exactly the dimension of each root canal sealer and cleaner, and to distinguish it from those of different standards even when it is mixed with them in the course of operation.

Abstract: A control system of an industrial robot includes an operation program read out from a storage medium and deciphered and calculated to obtain data so that a robot machine is controlled on the basis of the data. An external memory has function of a conventional internal memory and it is limited to store one program in, for example, an IC card constituting the storage medium and the IC card is inserted into the external memory to supply the operation program. A plurality of operation programs are previously stored in, for example, a floppy disk device constituting a recording medium of the external memory and a desired program is selected by a keyboard to directly supply it to the controller of the robot to operate the robot.

Abstract: In the disclosed laser system, electrodes establish discharge channels between and parallel to the surfaces of an open two-dimensional waveguide. An optical resonator forms an axis transverse to the channels between the surfaces. An electromagnetic arrangement forms an alternating magnetic field transverse to the discharges and the axis to produce a back-and-forth magnetic force on the discharge current flow and create a time-average homogeneity of the discharge in the waveguide cavity. A circulating arrangement cools and circulates laser gas through the cavity parallel to the discharge channels.

Abstract: A retrofit for diverting water leaking into an elevated expansion joint is formed by lowering an applicator that carries an adhesively treated water run-off arrangement into the joint and pressing the arrangement against inside walls of the joint with an expanding bladder under fluid pressure. When the adhesive cures, reducing the pressure collapses the bladder and allows withdrawal of the applicator.

Abstract: A water sensing type power breaker circuit is incorporated into an electric appliance such as a hair dryer or the like and is used to cut off a power supply to prevent an accident due to an electric shock immediately when the electric appliance is dropped into the water.A water sensing type power breaker circuit includes first and second contacts having one polarity connected to a power supply and the other polarity connected to a load, an impedance element circuit including first and second impedance elements connected in series each other and which is connected in parallel with the load, a water sensing element made of an electrical conductor connected to an intermediate point between both the impedance elements through a conductor, and a relay for detecting a current flowing through the conductor to open the first and second contacts when the current flows through the conductor. The relay is held by itself so that the first and second contacts are opened.

Abstract: The presence of dangerous substances such as cocaine is detected by atmospheric samples that include the residues (such as ether) of the manufacture of the suspected substances into a gas chromatograph to remove substances other than the residues and thereafter drawing them into a proportional counter chamber having a high voltage and a signal wire. A laser passes light capable of exciting the suspected residues through the proportional counter to produce ionization and generate a photoelectron. The signal wire passes this to an analyzer which indicates the presence of the suspected residues.

Abstract: A low-temperature storage of the invention has N refrigeration units that may be used for independently refrigerating N chambers, and a controller having N sets of temperature region setting means and corresponding N temperature settling means usable for N refrigeration chambers. Each of said temperature region setting means comprises a plurality of temperature control switches which may assume a combination of ON and/or OFF states for establishing a desired temperature region in an associated chamber. Furthermore, within respective temperature regions, desirable temperatures may be preset by associated temperature setting means. When the number chambers available is less than N, said controller may be used for controlling an arbitrary number of refrigeration chambers in a desired combination of modes by setting non-used set of said temperature setting means in prohibited mode.

Abstract: A yoke constituting a magnetic actuator for driving an objective lens has a plurality of arms arranged in a plane intersecting the optical axis of the lens perpendicular thereto. An optical system including the objective lens is disposed at one side of the yoke and has the outer peripheral portion of the lens positioned partly in the space between adjacent two arms. The lateral width of the device is decreased by an amount corresponding to the lap of the lens over the yoke. A cover plate is secured to the upper surface of the magnetic actuator in intimate contact with the upper end faces of the yoke arms to give enhanced rigidity to the device.

Abstract: The disclosed faulted current indicator ignores temporary overloads and transients by inhibiting any trip resulting from an overcurrent signal until a disabling circuit senses that a fuse or circuit breaker has reduced the line current to zero.

Abstract: An outdoor lighting control includes a photosensor responsive to ambient outdoor light and an alternating current relay with a pair of contacts movable between make and break positions. The relay includes a contact actuating arrangement that responds to the photosensor and alternating current bias the contacts into a make position and move the contacts electromagnetically into a break position. The contact actuating arrangement is sufficiently stiff and responsive to the alternating current to limit chatter in the contact during passage from make to break to fifteen milliseconds when the photosensor senses a transition between dark and daylight. Preferably, the chatter is limited between 1 and 10 milliseconds.

Abstract: Diamonds or diamond like substances are formed by breaking covalent bonds of fullerene and/or azite particles in the presence of carbon containing gases to form tetrahedral diamond like structures.

Abstract: An ID card includes an electric wave receiver for receiving an electric wave from a main station, a modulator for modulating a received signal in accordance with an ID number, and an electric wave transmitter for transmitting a modulated electric wave signal to the main station. The main station identifies the ID card on the basis of the modulated electric wave signal. The ID card further includes a surface acoustic wave exciting device for coupling the electric wave receiver and the electric wave transmitter through surface acoustic wave on a piezoelectric substrate by means of the modulator and a circuit including a terminating device and a switching element and connected in parallel with the surface acoustic wave exciting device. The switching element is controlled to be turned on and off in accordance with the ID number to control the coupling between the electric wave receiver and the electric wave transmitter.

Abstract: A power line post insulator has a housing that encloses two inductive sensors that transversely straddle a recess which receives the power conductor. Wires connect the sensors additively with respect to voltages induced by currents in the conductor between the sensors. The sensors may each include one or two additively connected coils.

Abstract: An actuator with a built-in reed switch includes a solenoid, a plunger made of magnetic material and movable within a coil of the solenoid, a plunger receiver made of magnetic material and fixedly mounted in the solenoid coil, a magnetic responsive reed switch connected in series to the solenoid coil and disposed near a gap between the plunger and the plunger receiver, and a sensor terminal branched from a junction between the solenoid coil and the reed switch, whereby contacts of the reed switch are closed by a magnetic field generated when a current flows through the sensor terminal in the solenoid coil. The actuator shifts from high sensitivity to lower sensitivity and supplies a sufficient driving force as an actuator.

Abstract: In the disclosed fault indicator a sensing device is arranged for location in the magnetic field surrounding a conductor, an electronic device responsive to the sensing device assumes a first state in response to the sensing device sensing a trip condition and remains in the first state until set to a second state, a signaling device coupled to the electronic device serves for generating a signal only in response to the electronic device being in the first state, and a timing device responsive to the electronic device assumes the first state serves for setting the electronic device to the second state after a predetermined period. The sensing device is an inductive sensor, preferably a coil with an axis transverse to the conductor. In one embodiment an inrush restraint circuit renders the electronic device insensitive to inrush currents.

Abstract: To allow a tester to test whether a switching arrangement near a customer's premises has connected and reconnected loads according to load management command signals from a central utility transmitter, a switch autogenically transmits, over and over, status signals indicating the status of the contacts in the switching arrangement.

Abstract: Plastic replacements for glass capillary tubes for drawing samples of blood or other body fluids are achieved by texturing the inside surface of the tube with uniform fine features and by extruding the tube over a suitably textured tapered pin with a (gradual) ratio of at least 6:1 during extrusion to ensure the transfer of the pin's surface texture to the inside diameter of the tube.

Abstract: A root canal sealer and cleaner provided with a dimension discriminating part at their heads so as to discriminate the dimension easily, and a method and device for forming the dimension discriminating part on the root canal sealer and cleaner.According to the root canal sealer and cleaner of the invention, a coloring part having a hue for indicating the required dimension is formed directly at the head gripped by an operating tool such as pincers, etc., at the time of the root canal cleaning and sealing treatment of a tooth, so that it is possible to indicate the dimension by each root canal sealer and cleaner itself, to discriminate easily and exactly the dimension of each root canal sealer and cleaner, and to distinguish it from those of different standards even when it is mixed with them in the course of operation.