Abstract: An interface for positive pressure respiratory therapy includes a mask assembly having a mask seal and a mask shell. The mask assembly is positioned lower than and exposes a bridge of the user's nose. The mask seal includes first and second portions on respective first and second sides of a nasal region that contact opposing sides of the user's nose. The first and second portions each include supports that help maintain a shape of the mask seal. A pair of covers can be supported relative to the mask assembly and adjacent a respective one of the first and second portions of the mask seal. The covers limit expansion of the first and second portions of the mask seal in response to pressurized air within the mask seal. The supports of the first and second portions can transfer load from the mask seal to the covers.

Abstract: An interface for positive pressure therapy includes a mask assembly. The mask assembly includes a mask seal that is adapted to underlie the nose. The mask seal extends up the lateral sides of the nose. The mask seal has a primary seal below the nose and a secondary seal alongside the nose. The mask seal includes a rolling hinge that permits one portion of the mask seal to deform relative to another portion of the mask seal. In one configuration, the portion of the mask seal that underlies the nose is configured to deform relative to a lower portion of the mask seal.

Abstract: An automated object following system includes a tracker associated with a following device, and a guider associated with an object to be followed. The tracker includes a first processor, and at least two transducers for generating an encoded ultrasonic signal. Each transducer has a control input communicating with the first processor for emitting an encoded ultrasonic signal generally toward the guider in response to a command signal from the first processor. The encoded ultrasonic signals carry signal source identification information. A radio frequency (RF) receiver communicates with the first processor for receiving from the guider an encoded RF signal carrying distance and direction information of the guider relative to the tracker to be used for steering the following device toward the object to be followed.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for automatic vehicle following, a pair of video cameras are mounted on the front portion of a following vehicle, and each camera generates image data indicative of a respective image of a distinctive mark located on a rearward portion of a lead vehicle. An image processor generates two one-dimensional image-intensity distributions for each mark image based on the image data, and in turn generates a respective edge-intensity distribution based on each image-intensity distribution. The edge-intensity distributions are each generated by taking the first derivative of the respective image-intensity distribution. The image processor in turn generates a respective feature vector based on each edge-intensity distribution, wherein the vector components of each feature vector define select characteristics of the respective mark image.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle following system is provided for controlling a following vehicle to maintain at least a predetermined distance behind a preceding vehicle and to substantially follow the path of the preceding vehicle. An on-line measurement system of the preceding vehicle generates signals indicative of the velocity (having speed and directional components) of the preceding vehicle, and a communication system transmits the velocity signals to the following vehicle. The following vehicle likewise has a communication system for receiving the signals from the preceding vehicle, and an on-line measurement system for providing signals indicative of the velocity of the following vehicle and signals indicative of the distance between the two vehicles.