Abstract: Systems and methods for audience monitoring are provided that include receiving an input including a recording or live feed of an audience composed of several persons, detecting foreground of the input, performing blob segmentation of the input, and analyzing human presence on each segmented blob by identifying at least one person, identifying a spatial distribution of at least one identified person, determining a dwell time of at least one identified person, determining a temporal distribution of at least one identified person, and determining a gaze direction of at least one identified person. Such detecting provides the ability to track individual persons present in the audience, and how long they remain in the audience. The method also provides the ability to determine gaze direction of persons in the audience, and how long one or more persons are gazing in a particular direction.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention allow for real-time people monitoring method and system for estimation of the size and flow density of a given group of people located in a given area of space. The method and system may be used to monitor live or recorded camera input, foreground segmentation, human tracking, height estimation, and dwell estimation. In particular, human detection may be achieved using a spatio-temporal variance analysis calculation methodology for moving target detection.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to determine a target tracking box that surrounds a moving target. The pixels that define an image within the target tracking box can be classified as background pixels, foreground pixels, and changing pixels which may include pixels of an articulation, such as a portion of the target that moves relatively to the target tracking box. Identification of background image pixels improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the image, which is defined as the ratio between the number of pixels belonging to the foreground to the number of changing pixels, and which is used to track the moving target. Accordingly, tracking of small and multiple moving targets becomes possible because of the increased signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to determine a target tracking box that surrounds a moving target. The pixels that define an image within the target tracking box can be classified as background pixels, foreground pixels, and changing pixels which may include pixels of an articulation, such as a portion of the target that moves relatively to the target tracking box. Identification of background image pixels improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the image, which is defined as the ratio between the number of pixels belonging to the foreground to the number of changing pixels, and which is used to track the moving target. Accordingly, tracking of small and multiple moving targets becomes possible because of the increased signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention allow for real-time people monitoring method and system for estimation of the size and flow density of a given group of people located in a given area of space. The method and system may be used to monitor live or recorded camera input, foreground segmentation, human tracking, height estimation, and dwell estimation. In particular, human detection may be achieved using a spatio-temporal variance analysis calculation methodology for moving target detection.

Abstract: A remotely controlled robot for towing a wheeled target vehicle includes a wheel lift assembly having a left side, a right side, and at least one wheel capture arm, at least one drive wheel provided toward each of the left and right sides of the wheel lift assembly, at least one drive motor for driving the drive wheels, and a lift actuating mechanism, wherein the wheel capture arm rotates from the wheel lift assembly to secure a wheel of the target vehicle, and wherein the secured wheel of the target vehicle is raised above a ground surface by the lift actuating mechanism. The lift actuating mechanism may be integrated with the wheel chassis to raise the wheel lift assembly via lift bars. The wheel lift assembly may include a truck assembly and an inclined rail supported on the truck assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for audience monitoring are provided that include receiving an input including a recording or live feed of an audience composed of several persons, detecting foreground of the input, performing blob segmentation of the input, and analyzing human presence on each segmented blob by identifying at least one person, identifying a spatial distribution of at least one identified person, determining a dwell time of at least one identified person, determining a temporal distribution of at least one identified person, and determining a gaze direction of at least one identified person. Such detecting provides the ability to track individual persons present in the audience, and how long they remain in the audience. The method also provides the ability to determine gaze direction of persons in the audience, and how long one or more persons are gazing in a particular direction.

Abstract: A vise jaw assembly for supporting and securing an object to be worked upon in a vise is provided. The jaw assembly 10 has a block 14 with a plurality of apertures 16, a plurality of channels 40 passing through a portion of the block 14, a plurality of inlet holes 44, and a plurality of pins 48. Each pin 48 is located within an aperture 16 and is in slidable engagement with the aperture 16. The channels 40 can extend in a generally longitudinal direction of the block 14. Each channel has a first segment 42 in fluid communication with an inlet hole 44 and a second segment 45 in fluid communication with at least one aperture 16. At least one fluid passageway 46 extends from an inlet hole 44 to at least one aperture 16. Each pin 48 is independently deployable to a use position P1 and retractable to a non-use position P2. A plate 18 is secured to the rear surface 32 of the block 14 to enclose the channels 40.

Abstract: A variable infusion device for administering liquids parenterally to a patient is formed of inexpensive plastic members. The device includes an elongated passage defined between two members of the device which are bonded to one another. A third member is movable relative to the first and second members to change the length of the elongated passage through which liquid flows thereby changing the flow rate of the liquid through the device. The liquid flow rates to the patient can be incrementally adjusted over a wide range of flow rates. Settings also include a flow rate for merely keeping the patient's vein open.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing device useful as an inexpensive, light-weight ambulatory disposal drug infusion pump comprises a flexible reservoir for liquid to be administered parenterally to a patient, a mechanism for placing the liquid in the reservoir under a constant pressure for dispensing the liquid from the device, a distal septum for introducing liquid in the reservoir, and a flow control mechanism for adjustably controlling the flow rate of the liquid dispensed from the device.

Abstract: A suture ring including a continuous compression ring formed of a ductile, electrically conductive material and a layer of fabric secured around the compression ring. The compression ring is dimensioned slightly larger than the circumferential surface of a heart valve upon which it is to be secured, so that the suture ring can be slipped over the heart valve to a position adjacent the circumferential surface without radial expansion of the compression ring. The compression ring is deformed inwardly by electromagnetic forming to securely clamp the heart valve while permitting relative rotation between the suture ring and heart valve.

Abstract: A conventional injection mold of the type having two half parts, and slides connected to core parts which slide inwardly and outwardly as the mold half parts open and close, have mounted therein slide retainers which lock the slides in position with respect to a slide plate in one of the mold half parts when the mold halves are fully opened. The retainers include a latch portion mounted to the slide and having a camming surface facing away from the core of the mold and a V-shaped notch therein, and a slide lock mounted below the surface of the slide plate and having a plunger with a head which extends upwardly above the flat surface of the slide plate. The head of the plunger is formed in a V-shape to match the V-shaped notch of the latch and is spring biased upwardly to provide a firm engagement between the plunger head and the latch when the slide is in the fully opened position. A stack of bowed, spring loaded washers may be utilized to apply the spring bias against the plunger to drive it upwardly.

Abstract: A locking ring for use in an injection molding machine and for securing a sprue bushing in place with respect to a mold plate assembly such that the sprue bushing is retained in place with respect to movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the sprue bushing bore, and from rotating in the bore.