Abstract: A method of non-destructive testing includes non-destructively testing an object over a range of test levels, directing coherent light onto the object, directly receiving the coherent light substantially as reflected straight from the object, and capturing the reflected coherent light over the range of test levels as a plurality of digital images of the object. The method also includes calculating differences between pixel values of a plurality of pairs of digital images of the plurality of digital images, and adding the pixel value differences of the plurality of pairs of digital images to yield at least one cumulative differential image.

Abstract: A method of non-destructive testing includes non-destructively testing an object over a range of test levels, directing coherent light onto the object, directly receiving the coherent light substantially as reflected straight from the object, and capturing the reflected coherent light over the range of test levels as a plurality of digital images of the object. The method also includes calculating differences between pixel values of a plurality of pairs of digital images of the plurality of digital images, and adding the pixel value differences of the plurality of pairs of digital images to yield at least one cumulative differential image.

Abstract: Described is an anomaly detector apparatus 10 for detecting an anomaly in a substrate, e.g., a tire comprising: a source of coherent light 20 to shine the light 27 directly onto the tire surface 24 and the light being reflected 32 from the tire; a stressing apparatus 12, which is juxtaposed to the tire and which, can optionally stress the tire; a reflected light receiving apparatus 40 for receiving the light 32 reflected directly from the tire surface 24 whether the tire is in a stressed or unstressed condition; a comparator 44 which views and compares images of reflected light from the reflected light receiving apparatus 40 when the tire is stressed or unstressed thereby ascertaining an anomaly in the tire and generates an output from the comparison; and a display apparatus 46 electronically connected to the comparator for displaying the output from the comparator.

Abstract: Described is an anomaly detector apparatus 10 for detecting an anomaly in a tire comprising: a source of coherent light 18 to shine the light 27 directly onto the tire surface 24 and the light being reflected 32 from the tire; a stressing apparatus 12 which can stress the tire; a reflected light receiving apparatus 40 for receiving the light 32 reflected directly from the tire surface 24 when the tire is in a stressed and unstressed condition; a processor 44 which compares images of reflected light from the reflected light receiving apparatus 40 when the tire is stressed and unstressed thereby ascertaining an anomaly in the tire and generates an output from the comparison; and a display apparatus 46 electronically connected to the processor for displaying the output from the processor.

Abstract: A computer interface device includes a gimbal mounted handle having a plurality of input members for effectively communicating navigation and command signals to a computer. This invention provides a user with six degrees of freedom for navigation within a virtual reality world while simultaneously enabling a user to enter a series of commands in order to effectively communicate a user's intentions to a computer to effect a change within a virtual reality world.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus including a plurality of nested, identically configured, keys for use in computer keyboards, typewriters, electronic switches and the like. The keyboard apparatus preferably includes a chassis having a plurality of alignment pins to receive a plurality of nested keys and a plurality of electronic switches to be activated by the keys.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring strains in a test object in any of a plurality of directions. The object is illuminated with coherent light so that light is reflected to a focussing lens and a shearing diffraction grating having lines extending in a plurality of directions. The various diffracted orders interfere at the focal plane of the lens and are recorded on a photographic media. The object is then stressed and a second exposure is made on the same media, resulting in interference between the fringes produced on the two exposures. The media is developed as a transparency and subjected to optical processing to detect strain in any direction.

Abstract: An adjustable camera is operative to perform interferometric analysis of areas on the surface of an object such as a vehicle tire using light from a coherent source. The camera mechanism includes vertical guides projecting upwardly from a support moveable in the horizontal plane along the base. A slide is adjustable vertically along the guides and carries a camera housing that is adjustable relative to the slide about a horizontal pivot axis. A coherent light source is fixed relative to the base and projects its beam parallel to the adjustment of the guide support. An optical element on the guide support projects the beam upwardly parallel to the guides to a mirror which reflects the beam horizontally about the pivot axis of the housing. A beam splitter divides the beams into an object beam and a reference beam. The object beam is projected out of the housing to illuminate a surface of the tire and cause light to be reflected to a film section supported in the housing.

Abstract: A weight-lifting or exercising device wherein the spacing of the weights along the length of the bar and the masses of the individual weights may be selectively varied to accommodate people of different sizes and capabilities. Each of the weights is substantially hollow and includes a generally ovoid or egg-shaped shell. Each shell has a first axis, a central aperture transverse to the first axis, and a tubular member aligned with the axis and extending across the aperture. A channel opens at one longitudinal end of the shell and extends along the axis and through the tubular member for telescopically receiving the bar therein. The aperture is adapted to receive a person's hand or foot to operatively engage the tubular member for exercising purposes and the weights may be used without the bar as individual dumbbells. The shells may be telescoped along the bar and selectively locked at spaced locations along its length.