Abstract: A photographic system designed to simultaneously take video and still portraits of a subject is disclosed. The system includes a video camera for real time display, on a cathode ray tube, of an image of the subject to be photographed. It also includes a still camera for taking a photograph of the subject. Each of the cameras normally includes a zoom feature, and apparatus is provided for interconnecting the zoom features so that the cameras zoom at the same rate. The two cameras are normally associated with or positioned in a toy animal so that the subject will be entertained during the photographic process and will not tend to be frightened or intimidated by a strange or unfamiliar camera apparatus.

Abstract: An elevated track network guides self-propelled guided vehicles (with containers thereon) from an entry location where objects enter the system, to a storage zone defined by sets of compartmentalized storage racks wherein containers filled with objects are temporarily stored, and from thence to an exit location where retrieved objects leave the system. Each set of storage racks comprise four racks and two aisles, with two of the racks arranged back-to-back between the aisles and the other two racks on opposite sides of the aisles. Each storage rack comprises storage compartments arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns. A track in the track network extends through and along an intermediate row in one of the back-to-back racks (pre-empting the compartments in that row). Each aisle accommodates a self-propelled aisle crane which services the racks on both sides of the aisle.

Abstract: A recursive digital filter is disclosed for removing noise from an incoming television signal. The filter couples the incoming television signal to a subtracter without substantial attenuation of the television signal. The subtracter also receives at an input an attenuated difference signal comprising a selected amplitude of the difference between the incoming signal and an earlier received signal which has been delayed for an interval corresponding to one television frame. The subtracter subtracts the attenuated difference signal from the incoming signal and develops an output in which noise is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A panel of anistropic material comprising acicular crystals enclosed in a vitreous or ceramic matrix. The crystals are oriented perpendicular to the opposite faces of the panel and traverse the panel from one side to the other.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a panel of anisotropic ceramic glass comprising acicular crystals enclosed in a vitreous matrix, the crystals being orientated perpendicularly to the panel faces and traversing the panel from one side to the other, in which a homogeneous mineral composition capable of forming a ceramic glass is subjected to heat treatment consisting of bringing said layer to a temperature at least equal to its working temperature and greater than the crystallization temperature of the crystalline phase, and establishing therein a thermal gradient perpendicular to its faces, and then progressively and gradually lowering the temperature of the layer starting from one of its faces, in such a manner as to successively bring each transverse plane of the layer to a temperature lower than the crystallization range of the crystalline phase, so as to induce nucleation of the crystalline phase in that face plane which is at the lowest temperature while maintaining the thermal gradient such as to orientate the