Abstract: Method for identifying objects within a three-dimensional point cloud data set. The method includes a fractal analysis (108) on a data set where the data set is comprised of data points (404) having positions distributed in three-dimensions. The fractal analysis facilitates identification of one or more object classes. The object class specifies a category of physical object. A phase congruency analysis (112) is then performed on the data set based on the object class identified by the fractal analysis. The phase congruency analysis is advantageously performed on an interpolated, noise reduced version of the data set (which can be obtained prior to performing the phase congruency analysis). Upon completion of the phase congruency analysis, a further object identifying step is performed based on the phase congruency analysis.

Abstract: A portable toilet comprises a spout via which accumulated waste contents are dumped at a suitable sanitary disposal station. The disclosed embodiment of portable toilet comprises separably mounted seat and holding tank sections which cooperatively define a storage housing for the spout when it is not in use. For dumping the two sections are separated. The spout is rotatably mounted in an aperture in the top wall of the holding tank and is swung from its stored position and a cap at the end of the spout is unscrewed. A vent valve is also provided in the top wall of the holding tank and it is manually operated by the person dumping the holding tank so as to vent the head space during dumping.

Abstract: A portable toilet comprises a spout via which accumulated waste contents are dumped at a suitable sanitary disposal station. The disclosed embodiment of portable toilet comprises separably mounted seat and holding tank sections which cooperatively define a storage housing for the spout when it is not in use. For dumping the two sections are separated. The spout is rotatably mounted in an aperture in the top wall of the holding tank and is swung from its stored position and a cap at the end of the spout is unscrewed. A vent valve is also provided in the top wall of the holding tank and it is manually operated by the person dumping the holding tank so as to vent the head space during dumping.

Abstract: A toilet hinge for hingedly mounting a seat and/or cover on a toilet bowl comprises a hinge part which includes resiliently yieldable fingers for cooperative engagement with the hinge pin. The hinge part contains a circular aperture having a circumferential extent greater than 180.degree. but less than 360.degree., with the resiliently yieldable fingers extending from the aperture at a circumferential opening in the aperture. The resiliently yieldable fingers define a throat within which the hinge pin is received in response to downward loading applied to the seat and/or cover. The resilient yielding of the fingers allows the seat and/or cover to assume full support on the bowl rim so that the undesired stress levels in the parts, including the hinges, are avoided. When the downward load is removed, the resiliently yieldable fingers urge the hinge pin back into the aperture, thereby slightly elevating the rear of the seat and/or cover.

Abstract: Toilet apparatus that has a plurality of improved features including: a sealing mechanism for closing the bottom opening of a toilet bowl so that the effectiveness of the seal is maintained over extended periods of time, a flushing circuit that has a water reservoir that assures proper depth is achieved in the pool of water that is formed after the sealing mechanism is closed, an over flow tube which assures that the water seal therein is maintained, and a control valve which has an inlet fitting that assures that damage to the valve or related parts does not occur during installation of the toilet apparatus.