Abstract: In a method for analyzing the distribution of objects in a free queue, proceeding from position information, firstly a monitoring region comprising the free queue is subdivided into a plurality of positions. Proceeding from the position information, objects assigned to the free queue are identified. Said objects are subsequently tracked. At least for a portion of the identified objects, a current waiting time in the free queue is tracked. At least for a portion of the positions of the monitoring region, the current waiting time of one or a plurality of the identified objects situated at the corresponding positions is assigned. Furthermore, the positions with assigned waiting times are classified into a plurality of classes, wherein each of the classes corresponds to a continuous waiting time range.

Abstract: In a method for determining the spatial extent of a free queue, proceeding from position information, firstly a monitoring region comprising the free queue is subdivided into a plurality of positions. Proceeding from the position information, objects assigned to the free queue are identified and tracked. A current position of at least a portion of the tracked objects is periodically stored. An average speed of at least a portion of the objects is determined, wherein the average speed of an object is determined on the basis of a plurality of the stored positions of the respective object. Finally, a first map is created, which records, in relation to the positions in the monitoring region, an occurrence density of objects at the corresponding positions, Objects having an average speed outside a predefined range are not taken into account when creating the first map.

Abstract: A method and a device for monitoring a monitoring region with at least two image sensors. A sub-region of the monitoring region is monitored by each of the image sensors, wherein each image sensor detects objects to be monitored that are located within the sub-region monitored by said image sensor, and each image sensor outputs data relating to the detected objects and are disposed and oriented in such a way that the monitored sub-regions overlap and that each object to be monitored that is located in the monitoring region is always detected by at least one image sensor.

Abstract: Method for determining the length of a queue of objects in a predefined region having at least one entrance and at least one exit, in the course of which errors in the acquisition of objects entering or exiting the region are corrected during the determination of the length of the queue. In a first step, a specific entry signature E of each object entering the predefined region through the at least one entrance is determined with the aid of at least one first image sensor. Thereafter, the specific entry signature E is stored in an entry list of a calculation unit, each entry signature E being provided with an index value i reflecting the temporal sequence of the entries. In addition, a value L reflecting the length of the queue of the objects is increased by one.

Abstract: In a method for determining the spatial extent of a free queue, proceeding from position information, firstly a monitoring region comprising the free queue is subdivided into a plurality of positions. Proceeding from the position information, objects assigned to the free queue are identified and tracked. A current position of at least a portion of the tracked objects is periodically stored. An average speed of at least a portion of the objects is determined, wherein the average speed of an object is determined on the basis of a plurality of the stored positions of the respective object. Finally, a first map is created, which records, in relation to the positions in the monitoring region, an appearance density of objects at the corresponding positions. Objects having an average speed outside a predefined range are not taken into account when creating the first map.

Abstract: In a method for analyzing the distribution of objects in a free queue, proceeding from position information, firstly a monitoring region comprising the free queue is subdivided into a plurality of positions. Proceeding from the position information, objects assigned to the free queue are identified. Said objects are subsequently tracked. At least for a portion of the identified objects, a current waiting time in the free queue is tracked. At least for a portion of the positions of the monitoring region, the current waiting time of one or a plurality of the identified objects situated at the corresponding positions is assigned. Furthermore, the positions with assigned waiting times are classified into a plurality of classes, wherein each of the classes corresponds to a continuous waiting time range.

Abstract: Method for determining the length of a queue of objects in a predefined region having at least one entrance and at least one exit, in the course of which errors in the acquisition of objects entering or exiting the region are corrected during the determination of the length of the queue. In a first step, a specific entry signature E of each object entering the predefined region through the at least one entrance is determined with the aid of at least one first image sensor. Thereafter, the specific entry signature E is stored in an entry list of a calculation unit, each entry signature E being provided with an index value i reflecting the temporal sequence of the entries. In addition, a value L reflecting the length of the queue of the objects is increased by one.

Abstract: A method and a device for monitoring a monitoring region with at least two image sensors. A sub-region of the monitoring region is monitored by each of the image sensors, wherein each image sensor detects objects to be monitored that are located within the sub-region monitored by said image sensor, and each image sensor outputs data relating to the detected objects and are disposed and oriented in such a way that the monitored sub-regions overlap and that each object to be monitored that is located in the monitoring region is always detected by at least one image sensor.

Abstract: A dual acting multi actuation gate valve is provided that includes a secondary actuation mechanism. The valve may include a body, a shaft, a movable portion disposed within the body and coupled to the shaft, wherein the movable portion is configured to allow fluid flow through the valve when in a first position and to prevent fluid flow through the valve when in a second position. The valve includes an actuator coupled to the shaft, wherein the actuator is configured to move the movable portion between the first position and the second position, a mechanical connection between the actuator and the shaft, wherein the mechanical connection is configured to fail in response to an internal pressure, wherein the failure of the mechanical connection maintains the movable portion in the second position. A method of operation and testing the valve are also provided.

Abstract: A dual acting multi actuation gate valve is provided that includes a secondary actuation mechanism. The valve may include a body, a shaft, a movable portion disposed within the body and coupled to the shaft, wherein the movable portion is configured to allow fluid flow through the valve when in a first position and to prevent fluid flow through the valve when in a second position. The valve includes an actuator coupled to the shaft, wherein the actuator is configured to move the movable portion between the first position and the second position, a mechanical connection between the actuator and the shaft, wherein the mechanical connection is configured to fail in response to an internal pressure, wherein the failure of the mechanical connection maintains the movable portion in the second position. A method of operation and testing the valve are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are already in use in the field of veterinary medicine for detecting microfilariae of heartworm in blood, comprising lysing blood samples to destroy corpuscular components, filtering the lysed samples on microporous transparent filters, staining any microfilariae on the filter, and observing the stained microfilariae under a microscope. The present invention simplifies and improves upon the older practices by providing a premix of lysing solution and staining dye, in a disposable vial, and a disposable filtrate vial surmounted by disposable filter cap holding a microporous filter element. The blood sample is injected into the premix for simultaneous lysing and staining, transferred to the filter cap for filtration and the filter element transferred to a microscope slide for observation.

Abstract: A filter thimble adapted for use in a float-or-sink process of separating ova from samples of feces contained in standarized transport receptacles has an outside diameter of about 3/4 that of the inside of the receptacle, has a bottom, has an open top, has around its upper side surface a closure operatively fittable to the transport receptacle, and around its lower side surface numerous perforations of dimension only several times larger than the ova. The under surface of the closure is frusto-conical, with smaller end up and fitted liquid-tight to the outside of the thimble, and several of the perforations have their outer openings immediately below the point of fit.