Abstract: A method for optically determining a physical attribute of a moving object, such as the height h of the carbons (14) of a pantograph head (10). This method incorporates a method for optically establishing a mathematical spatial relationship between one or more cameras (26) and one or more fanned lasers (24) each capable of projecting a laser beam along a laser plane (28). The method comprises: establishing an orientation and location of each camera (26) with respect to a co-ordinate system; establishing an orientation of each laser plane (28) within the co-ordinate system; and deriving a transformation function for calculating the three dimensional position of points within the plane (28) of each respective laser beam from a pixel location within a pixelated image created by each of the cameras.

Abstract: A method for optically determining a physical attribute of a moving object, such as the height h of the carbons (14) of a pantograph head (10). This method incorporates a method for optically establishing a mathematical spatial relationship between one or more cameras (26) and one or more fanned lasers (24) each capable of projecting a laser beam along a laser plane (28). The method comprises: establishing an orientation and location of each camera (26) with respect to a co-ordinate system; establishing an orientation of each laser plane (28) within the co-ordinate system; and deriving a transformation function for calculating the three dimensional position of points within the plane (28) of each respective laser beam from a pixel location within a pixelated image created by each of the cameras.

Abstract: A system 10 for detecting sliding of a wheel 12 on a rail 14 includes a roller 16 disposed adjacent the rail 14 so that a wheel 12 travelling along the rail 14 can engage the roller 16, and a tachometer 18 coupled with the roller 16 for providing a rotation signal representative of the degree of rotation of the roller. The system 10 includes a computer 20 which receives the rotation signal from the tachometer 18 and by using an appropriate rotation algorithm calculates the degree of rotation of the roller 16. The computer 20 then compares the degree of rotation with a predetermined range of roller rotations and, if the calculated degree of rotation of the roller is less than predicted by analysis, the apparatus 10 provides a signal indicative of the wheel 12 sliding.

Abstract: A therapeutic table having rotatable breast recesses is a massage table with special recessed areas or “pockets” to accommodate and support a woman's breasts when she is lying face down. Two recessed pockets are provided only on one side of a panel that is situated within the body of the table at the location where a woman's breasts normally rest once she has her face positioned in the face cradle. Additionally, these pockets are lined with a stretchable material that accommodates and comfortably supports all sizes of breasts. The other side of the panel is flat to accommodate a man's chest. The massage therapist simply rotates the panel 360 degrees to the desired side, depending upon whether the client is male or female.

Abstract: A system 10 for detecting sliding of a wheel 12 on a rail 14 includes a roller 16 disposed adjacent the rail 14 so that a wheel 12 travelling along the rail 14 can engage the roller 16, and a tachometer 18 coupled with the roller 16 for providing a rotation signal representative of the degree of rotation of the roller. The system 10 includes a computer 20 which receives the rotation signal from the tachometer 18 and by using an appropriate rotation algorithm calculates the degree of rotation of the roller 16. The computer 20 then compares the degree of rotation with a predetermined range of roller rotations and, if the calculated degree of rotation of the roller is less than predicted by analysis, the apparatus 10 provides a signal indicative of the wheel 12 sliding.