Abstract: A magnetometer is constructed wherein the sweeping is performed at one half the Larmor frequency and has as its center the absorption line. This allows the emitter to tune onto the absorption line twice per cycle as it passes through the line. This causes the increase in absorption as would the normal sweep of a Bell-Bloom magnetometer but avoids the drawbacks, such as drift and heading error.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for capturing an image of a 3D object (100) which encodes the surface geometry of at least a portion of the object, comprising: 1. projecting (304) a plurality of fringe patterns (312A, 314A) onto the object; 2. capturing (306) phase alterations in reflections of the fringe patterns (312B, 314B) from the object; 3. projecting a uniform image (310A) onto the object; 4. capturing a reflection of the uniform image (310B) from the object; and 5. combining (310) captured phase alterations and captured uniform image reflection on a pixel-by-pixel basis, thereby forming a holoimage representation of the object.

Abstract: A golf swing training device includes a base, an extension bar, and a grid assembly. The grid assembly includes a grid and a putting flange. The grid assembly further includes a grid adjuster connecting the grid and putting flange to the extension bar. An alignment rod is removably coupled to the base.

Abstract: A tracked hydrovacuum vehicle combines a tracked vehicle and a hydrovacuum unit in a single machine with a single power source. The reduced weight and tracking of the modified machine permits operation of the device in boggy conditions. The compact size of the machine permits operation in congested areas.

Abstract: A magnetometer is constructed wherein the sweeping is performed at one half the Larmor frequency and has as its center the absorption line. This allows the emitter to tune onto the absorption line twice per cycle as it passes through the line. This causes the increase in absorption as would the normal sweep of a Bell-Bloom magnetometer but avoids the drawbacks, such as drift and heading error.

Abstract: Traditional techniques of 3D data retrieval using names and subjective attributes are not robust and are difficult to automate over large 3D repositories. Certain techniques developed for search and classification of 2D engineering designs, are in general, difficult to extend to 3D models. These issues are addressed by a system for automated search and classification for 3D CAx models based on their geometric “shape,” which is often an indication of design, analysis and manufacturing process similarity. A new method and system are provided for representing 3D shape as a composition of multiple 2D image projections, which are transformed using the Discrete Fourier and Harr Wavelet transforms. Key coefficients of the transforms are then stored in the 3D model repository and are used to efficiently search and classify such repositories.

Abstract: A method of analyzing and recognizing fingerprint images that utilizes vector processing of a vector field that is defined as the tangential vector of the fingerprint ridge curves is disclosed. The raw fingerprint image is divided into blocks, filtered to remove noise, and the orientation direction of each block is found. This allows the ridge curves to be enhanced and approximated by piece-wise linear approximations. The piece-wise linear approximations to the ridge curves allow the minutiae to be extracted and classified and a fingerprint minutiae template to be constructed. An enrollment process gathers multiple fingerprint images, creates fingerprint minutiae templates corresponding to the acquired fingerprint images, and stores the templates and other data associated with the respective individual or the enrolled fingerprint in a fingerprint database.

Abstract: A computer-based feature suppression method is used in removing a blend chain formed by a set of blend faces, and creating a new model without the blend faces. Blend recognition is used to determine the support faces, spring edges and cross edges for each blend face of the blend chain. The method further includes classifying the edges of the blend faces into spring edges, cross edges, and other edges, determining the other blend chains which interact with the blend chain of interest, separating the interacting blend chains from the blend chain, and deleting the blend face of the blend chain after separating thereof from the interacting blend chains. The cross edges of the blend faces in the blend chain are used to find the blend for which a face is missing between the blend face and the support face. In one implementation the identified blend chains are deleted by extension or contraction of neighboring blend faces so as to patch-up deleted regions.

Abstract: A computer-based feature recognition method is used to recognize features in a part of which are of a similar shape. A predetermined set of attributes are generated to represent a user-defined feature. This set is then used to produce an attributed graph which captures the feature shape. The graph is used in recognizing features of a shape similar to the feature shape in a solid model. To recognize a family of a shape feature with a variable number of faces, the shape feature is represented using a grammar employing symbols, rules and a terminating condition. Each symbol denotes an attributed face-adjacency graph and the rules denote permissible topological variations.

Abstract: A method of analyzing and recognizing fingerprint images that utilizes vector processing of a vector field that is defined as the tangential vector of the fingerprint ridge curves is disclosed. The raw fingerprint image is divided into blocks, filtered to remove noise, and the orientation direction of each block is found. This allows the ridge curves to be enhanced and approximated by piece-wise linear approximations. The piece-wise linear approximations to the ridge curves allow the minutiae to be extracted and classified and a fingerprint minutiae template to be constructed. An enrollment process gathers multiple fingerprint images, creates fingerprint minutiae templates corresponding to the acquired fingerprint images, and stores the templates and other data associated with the respective individual or the enrolled fingerprint in a fingerprint database.

Abstract: In an underground object locating system in which a modulated RF signal is applied to the underground object and an emitted signal is detected by a receiver, ambiguity in the direction of current flow in the underground object is resolved by modulating the RF signal with a modulation signal such that the modulated signal, f(t) has an average value of zero and is not equal to ?f(t+K) where K is any practical value. In specific embodiments, the modulation can be amplitude modulation where the modulating signal is lower in frequency than the RF signal and is related thereto by a rational number, such as one-half (½).

Abstract: A method for building a database of at least one blend face in a solid model of a part comprising: generating a list of faces and edges comprising the solid model, analyzing at least one of the edges to determine that it is a smooth edge, analyzing the determined smooth edge to determine that it is a spring edge, analyzing the determined spring edge to identify a blend face that is adjacent to the spring edge. The method further includes identifying all blend faces on the part, forming chains of these blend faces and providing a listing of the chains in the order in which they were formed on the part.

Abstract: A system for locating underground or above ground metal and pipe objects includes a transmitter for generating an RF signal which is applied to the object which acts as a transmitter. An above-ground antenna array receives the RF signal transmitted by the underground object with a commutator for periodically and sequentially receiving signal from each antenna in the array, the commutator frequency modulating the received signal. A FM demodulator then demodulates the signal from the commutator and provides a Doppler effect frequency shift signal. A vector positional display then indicates position of the object based on the Doppler effect frequency shift signal relative to a reference signal.

Abstract: A vector positional display for use in an underground metal locating system for indicating the relative position of the underground metal with respect to a sensor array. The underground object functions as a RF transmitter, and the antenna array detects the transmitted signal. Commutation of the antenna array causes frequency modulation of the received signal which after demodulation can be used for identifying the direction of the object from the sensor array. A display slot counter accumulates count from a system clock, and resolution decoders determine field of view from the antenna array in locating the object. A zero crossing data probe triggers a display decoder which converts accumulated count to a format for energizing lights in the display unit.

Abstract: In an underground object locating system in which a modulated RF signal is applied to the underground object and an emitted signal is detected by a receiver, ambiguity in the direction of current flow in the underground object is resolved by modulating the RF signal with a modulation signal such that the modulated signal, f(t) has an average value of zero and is not equal to −f(t+K) where K is any practical value. In specific embodiments, the modulation can be amplitude modulation where the modulating signal is lower in frequency than the RF signal and is related thereto by a rational number, such as one-half (½).

Abstract: A method of recognizing holes and hole chains in a solid model of a part and suppressing at least some of these holes and hole chains in the solid model. In general, the method analyzes each face of a solid model to determine if it is a closed periodic face and, if so, it determines the partner faces of each of the two external loops of the closed periodic face. The closed periodic face is considered to be the shell of a hole and the partner faces are considered to be the end faces of the hole. Hole chains are recognized by determining holes that share an axis and an end loop and interaction of these hole chains is recognized by determining hole chains that share a common loop but have dissimilar axes. Suppression of the suppressible holes is completed by providing to the geometric kernel listings of interacting hole chains for deletion.

Abstract: A metal locating system includes a first transmitter unit and a second receiver detector unit for locating an under and above ground radio frequency driven element such as a pipe. The first unit is a radio frequency transmitter operating at radio frequencies and coupled to the driven element as a loss line antenna. The receiver second unit is a switched diversity antenna connected to a radio FM receiver and a differential phase detection system. When the first unit is driven by the driven element, the second unit is able to detect and trace the position of the driven element relative to the switched diversity antenna.

Abstract: Resistivity mapping apparatus includes a tow mechanism for use by a human operator in moving the mapping apparatus over a surface and measuring the resistivity of soils of the surface. The tow mechanism includes a generally triangular shaped tow ring which is engageable by the operator's battery belt, harness, or pack-frame, the tow ring having two opposing hooks at a vertex of the tow ring for receiving a loop from a tow line. The tow line engages the tow ring and a cable depressor weight which keeps the resistivity mapping apparatus in close proximity to the earth as the apparatus is towed. A communication cable in the tow line preferably comprises an optical fiber which transmits signals from the receiver to a data logger carried by the operator.

Abstract: The location of underground objects such as pipes and conduits are located by detecting electrical signals emitted by the underground objects where the radiated signals include spread spectrum modulated RF signals. The system can operate in a passive or active mode, and in the active mode pseudo-noise (PN) generators can be employed or frequency-hopping can be employed. The use of spread spectrum minimizes or eliminates conflicting signals radiated from a plurality of underground objects and can improve signal to noise ratio of the detected signals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for counting small objects which is capable of accurately and reliably counting large numbers of small objects such as pharmaceutical tablets, capsules, and the like. The device employs linear pickup tubes radially affixed to a rotating collar wherein the tubes have a vacuum applied to them during a prescribed amount of rotation of the collar about a stationary axle. During the period for which a vacuum exists at the tip of a pickup tube, an object to be counted is caused to adhere to the tube end, and is transported into a discharge chute containing an object counter.