Abstract: Customer computer processing apparatus (2, 4) are connected to a service apparatus (6) via the Internet (8). Service apparatus (6) processes requests and payment details from a customer apparatus (2, 4), and, in response to a valid payment, sends instructions to the customer apparatus to enable the customer apparatus to control a printer (18) or a display panel (19) to print or display a photographic mat (24). Service apparatus (6) retains details of the photographic mat pattern for subsequent use. Images of a subject object on the photographic mat are recorded at different positions and orientations with a camera (16). Data defining the images is returned from the customer processing apparatus (2, 4) to the service apparatus (6). The service apparatus processes the image data along with the stored pattern data to identify the photographic mat features in the images and to calculate the position and orientation at which each image was recorded.

Abstract: A new boom rest has a cylindrical roller with a V-shaped groove cut into it such that the boom rests at least partially in the groove. The roller is rotatable and made of a self-lubricating resilient non-metallic material. The rotation and the V-shape allow the boom to self-locate onto the roller. The material of the roller and self-locating prevent damage and wear on the roller and the boom. The roller is rotatably mounted on a support structure that is attachable to vehicles that carry booms.

Abstract: In a processing system, video images of moving objects are processed to model the objects in a 3D computer model. Video from multiple cameras is processed to separate objects from their shadows, and to test whether an object is made up of separate objects, which are then modelled separately. Each object is modelled using vertical planes whose bases approximate the object's ground footprint, using planes based on object surface planes identified in the image data, or using a single vertical plane. Pixel data from the video images is rendered onto the planes in the models. The video for rendering is selected based on the viewer's viewing direction, the camera viewing directions, and quality characteristics of the cameras and image data. If the viewer's viewing direction is close to vertical or a plane of an object, a schematic of the objects' positions is displayed. To account for image data from different cameras being used, successive images are tested for visual discontinuous, and are modified if necessary.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for creating a three-dimensional model of an object, images of the object taken from different, unknown positions are processed to identify the points in the images which correspond to the same point on the actual object (that is “matching” points), the matching points are used to determine the relative positions from which the images were taken, and the matching points and calculated positions are used to calculate points in a three-dimensional space representing points on the object. A number of different techniques are used to identify the matching points, and a number of solutions are calculated and tested for the relative positions, the solution which is consistent with the largest number of matching points being selected.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for creating a three-dimensional model of an object, images of the object taken from different, unknown positions are processed to identify the points in the images which correspond to the same point on the actual object (that is “matching” points), the matching points are used to determine the relative positions from which the images were taken, and the matching points and calculated positions are used to calculate points in a three-dimensional space representing points on the object. A number of different techniques are used to identify the matching points, and a number of solutions are calculated and tested for the relative positions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to reduce the crosstalk between lines assigned to a digital subscriber line (DSL) service or fat-pipe, which will then improve the signal to noise ratio (SNR) and the line reach. It can also be used to assign multiple lines to a fat-pipe, where the number of available to a fat-pipe customer is not enough for the corresponding service. The service performance can be improved through interference management by identifying those lines that are not strongly coupled, and thence assigning them to DSL service or fat-pipe, instead of using lines that are already assigned to the plain old telephone service and fat-pipe. The number of available lines for the fat-pipe customers can be increased by using lines that have already been assigned to plain old telephone service (POTS) customers, but which are not used for data transmission (DSL or fat-pipe service).

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for creating a three-dimensional model of an object, images of the object taken from different, unknown positions are processed to identify the points in the images which correspond to the same point on the actual object (that is “matching” points), the matching points are used to determine the relative positions from which the images were taken, and the matching points and calculated positions are used to calculate points in a three-dimensional space representing points on the object. A number of different techniques are used to identify the matching points, and a number of solutions are calculated and tested for the relative positions, the solution which is consistent with the largest number of matching points being selected.

Abstract: A method for compressing text, comprising the steps of splitting a main character string into component strings, and counting the frequency of occurrence of each component string in the main character string and ordering the component strings in their frequency of occurrence. The method also comprises a step of allocating to each component string a token value representative of the component string and determined by the frequency of occurrence of the component string, storing the token value so allocated as a token table in which tokens are associated with component strings, and allocating to each component string in the main character string the token value for that component string from the token table to generate a sequence of token values representing the main character string in a compressed format.

Abstract: A sealant for the remedial sealing of self-sealing coke oven doors, or ordinary coke oven doors sealed with a conventional lute, or for sealing spigot joints in off-gas pipe lines in coke oven installations comprises a mixture of from 25 to 45% of a latex, (preferably a PVA-based latex) from 10 to 25% water, from 25 to 45% of a particulate filler (preferably a talc) and from 5 to 15% of an inorganic fiber (preferably an asbestos fiber). At least 40% of the fiber should pass through a British standard 100-mesh sieve.The sealant may vary from a flowable to a putty or paste-like consistency and may be applied by spraying or trowelling as appropriate. If the inorganic fiber is not an asbestos the sealant may also include a proportion of a water soluble thickener to enhance the compatibility of the mixture.

Abstract: A sealant for the remedial sealing of self-sealing coke oven doors, or ordinary coke oven doors sealed with a conventional lute, or for sealing spigot joints in off-gas pipe lines in coke oven installations comprises a mixture of from 25 to 45% of a latex, (preferably a PVA-based latex) from 10 to 25% water, from 25 to 45% of a particulate filler (preferably a talc) and from 5 to 15% of an inorganic fibre (preferably an asbestos fibre). At least 40% of the fibre should pass through a British standard 100-mesh sieve.The sealant may vary from a flowable to a putty or paste-like consistency and may be applied by spraying or trowelling as appropriate. If the inorganic fibre is not an asbestos the sealant may also include a proportion of a water soluble thickener to enhance the compatibility of the mixture.