Abstract: A camera system has a chassis carrying one or more cameras. Each camera has support member mounted to the chassis and an imaging chip mounted to the support member. An optical system for imaging onto the imaging chip may also be mounted to the chassis. The chassis and support members may have coefficients of thermal expansion that are substantially matched. In some embodiments the support members are located between the imaging chips and one or more circuit boards to which the imaging chips are electrically connected. In some embodiments the imaging chips are located over apertures or other channels through the chassis and light is incident on the imaging chips by way of the channels. The relative locations of the imaging chips can be maintained constant to preserve calibration for stereo imaging.

Abstract: A facility for insuring information currentness is described. The facility receives from a party a request to submit an invoice. In response to receiving a request, the facility tests the currentness of information to be provided by the party. The facility permits the party to submit an invoice in connection with the request only if the testing determines that the information to be provided by the party is current.

Abstract: A fire extinguisher includes a bracket, a housing, extinguisher containers and a directing member such as a ramp. The fire extinguisher is designed to be located above a stove and beneath structure, such as microwave oven and vent. Such structure typically has low clearance relative to the stovetop and the burners thereon. The housing and containers are suspended from the bracket. Each container has a fire extinguishing powder and an initiator for breaching a container wall. One of the containers is directly positioned over a burner on the stovetop. The other container is offset laterally from another burner on the stovetop. The ramp is used to direct the fire extinguishing powder of this container onto the burner. The ramp is maintained in a stowed position by a fusible link, which gives way when a fire is present on the second burner causing the ramp to fall to a deployed position before the respective container discharges its powder.

Abstract: A camera system has a chassis carrying one or more cameras. Each camera has support member mounted to the chassis and an imaging chip mounted to the support member. An optical system for imaging onto the imaging chip may also be mounted to the chassis. The chassis and support members may have coefficients of thermal expansion that are substantially matched. In some embodiments the support members are located between the imaging chips and one or more circuit boards to which the imaging chips are electrically connected. In some embodiments the imaging chips are located over apertures or other channels through the chassis and light is incident on the imaging chips by way of the channels. The relative locations of the imaging chips can be maintained constant to preserve calibration for stereo imaging.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for configuring power loops between a central office (CO) 106 and a service access interface (SAI) 110. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system (NMS) 100 having a memory 104, and a controller 102. The controller is programmed to retrieve (206) topology information relating to a selected power loop originating at a CO and terminating at an SAI, identify (207) environment conditions to be applied to the selected power loop, and determine (208, 218) from the topology information and the environment conditions whether the power loop can carry sufficient energy without exceeding a temperature rating.

Abstract: A method for tracking objects entering and exiting an environment comprises providing stereo vision cameras positioned proximate to the paths to enter the environment, such that the stereo vision fields associated with the cameras substantially cover the paths. Using image data obtained by the stereo vision cameras, entry signatures are determined for objects entering the environment and exit signatures are obtained for objects exiting the environment. At any time after the determination of at least one exit signature, exit signatures are matched with the set of available entry signatures. Matching may be performed according to a variety of techniques.

Abstract: A system for localizing objects has two or more measurement units. Calibration methods provide transformations to a common reference frame by locating calibration features in local reference frames of the measurement units. A calibration target spanning measurement fields of the measurement units may be used. The measurement units may have overlapping measurement fields. The measurement units may comprise stereo vision units or other units capable of locating objects or object features.

Abstract: A system for measuring dimensions of cuboid objects may be used to measure dimensions of boxes travelling on a conveyor. The system has a pair of digital cameras which obtain images of one or more lines projected by a projector on upper surfaces of the objects. The height of the upper surfaces can be determined by triangulation. Lengths and widths of the upper surfaces are measured by locating endpoints of the projected lines and fitting rectangles to the located endpoints. The system does not require rigid mounting of the projector relative to the cameras. A third camera may be used to determine speed and direction of the conveyor motion.

Abstract: A method for tracking objects entering and exiting an environment comprises providing stereo vision cameras positioned proximate to the paths to enter the environment, such that the stereo vision fields associated with the cameras substantially cover the paths. Using image data obtained by the stereo vision cameras, entry signatures are determined for objects entering the environment and exit signatures are obtained for objects exiting the environment. At any time after the determination of at least one exit signature, exit signatures are matched with the set of available entry signatures. Matching may be performed according to a variety of techniques.

Abstract: A system for localizing objects has two or more measurement units. Calibration methods provide transformations to a common reference frame by locating calibration features in local reference frames of the measurement units. A calibration target spanning measurement fields of the measurement units may be used. The measurement units may have overlapping measurement fields. The measurement units may comprise stereo vision units or other units capable of locating objects or object features.