Abstract: A stereo calibration method is proposed to calibrate an interface's shape and position when the measurement system is in one media and measures deformation and strain of an object that is submerged in a different media. After the interface's shape and position are modeled by parameters, an explicit model of object points as measurement is established taking account of refraction happening at the interface. Efficiency and convergence are assured by using measurement of object points to acquire initial estimates for refraction angles at the interface. Then, an optimization method is performed to get the optimized value of interface parameters. Last, based on the resulting interface parameters, 3-dimensional positions of object points in all the subsequent measurement could be reconstructed accurately. Therefore, the distortion induced by refraction in the measurement is corrected.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for deformation mapping of a tissue is provided. The method includes utilizing a device to measure transient three-dimensional deformations in a tissue sample. The device comprises a non-contacting, high-speed stereo imaging apparatus and a mechanism for digital image correlation. The method further includes identifying regions of the tissue that are prone to damage based upon the deformations.

Abstract: A data feed is defined with a data type and criteria. Each data type corresponds to a type of management related data provided by a management system. The management system is searched for all management related data that corresponds with the data type and the criteria. An aggregator collects the management related data that corresponds with the data type and the criteria. The collected management related data is rendered for a display.

Abstract: A cavity thermal detector assembly is presented that allows both tunable narrowband and broadband operation. This allows for high light efficiency, low thermal time constant, and flexibility in designing the optical path. The thermal detector/filter layers are part of the top mirror or mirrors of a Gires-Tournois-type optical cavity and provide absorption and reflection that can be adjusted to the desired width and position of the detected band. Tuning, if desired, can be achieved by applying micromechanical methods. Broadband operation may be achieved by bringing the sensor close to the bottom mirror. In this mode, the sensor or its supports may or may not touch over a small area.

Abstract: Techniques for separately accounting for multiple transactions in the same data packets communicated over a network using Transport Control Protocol (TCP) include receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) data packet that includes Transport Control Protocol (TCP) payload data. The TCP payload is parsed to determine boundary data that indicates a byte location on a boundary between a first transaction and a second transaction. A byte count that indicates a number of bytes in the TCP payload associated with the first transaction is determined based on the boundary data. Accounting data for the first transaction is determined based at least in part on the byte count. These techniques allow a service gateway to bill separately for different requests and responses carried in TCP data packets, such as those for Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP).

Abstract: For an optical sensor, a simple approach to obtain a mapping function that transforms sensor coordinates of a generic imaging system to coordinates of a virtual, projective camera. The sensor plane of this virtual camera is established using a planar calibration object and does not require known features on the object. Two in-plane motions are sufficient to establish the distortion-free virtual camera. The sensor plane of the virtual projective camera is used to calibrate all subsequent images obtained by the optical sensor. For a generic sensor, the present method is a simple approach to obtain a mapping function that transforms sensor measurements into a virtual sensor system. The virtual sensor system is established using a uniform bias. The virtual sensor system is used to calibrate all subsequent measurements obtained by the sensor.

Abstract: A composition comprises a sulphur free reaction product of: (a)(i) a hydrocarbyl substituted aromatic compound containing an acidic group selected from the group consisting of a carboxylic group, a hydroxyl group and mixtures thereof and (a)(ii) an organic nitrogen-containing base reacted with acidic group. The composition is obtained by a preparatory process and is useful in a method for lubricating an internal combustion engine to include where the lubricant has reduced levels of sulphur, phosphorus and sulphated ash.

Abstract: An improved security system incorporating a video flashlight for data acquisition (image data and audio data) by a security officer. The video flashlight includes a video camera, a transmitter and a power supply, in addition to the ordinary flashlight features. The camera converts an image or a series of real-time images into electronic form that is broadcast by the transmitter. A remote unit having a receiver and data capturing equipment receives the broadcast data and converts it back into electronic form. The capturing equipment includes one or more of the following: a repeater, a recorder or a monitor. In one embodiment, the security system is used by law enforcement personnel, with the remote units located in police stations and in police cars. The monitor is positioned in the passenger compartment of the police car, with the recorder locked in the trunk.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for extended refreshable tactile graphic display are disclosed, the apparatus including an array of pins at a display surface, with pin setting actuators and display surface matrix preferably being separable units. The display matrix is provided by stacked functional layers, functions including temporary pin retention and pin locking.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising: (a) a metal salixarate; (b) at least one additive selected from the group consisting of (1) an antioxidant; (2) a friction modifier; (3) a dispersant; (4) a viscosity modifier; (5) a dispersant viscosity modifier; and (6) an antiwear agent other than a metal hydrocarbyl dithiophosphate; and (c) an oil of lubricating viscosity, wherein the composition contains 400 ppm or less of phosphorus derived from a metal hydrocarbyl dithiophosphate. The invention further provides a process for preparing the composition and its use.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing network access is provided that includes a billing system element operable to receive one or more packets of a communication flow and to communicate with a price server. The price server is operable to receive a query from the billing system element associated with a pricing parameter relating to a data segment to be accessed by an end user associated with the communication flow. The price server is also operable to return a response to the billing system element that includes the pricing parameter relating to the data segment such that the end user can verify the pricing parameter before accessing the data segment.

Abstract: A system for associating information with a map feature including a computer having a display, a memory containing geographic data, and a user interface. Application software is provided for accessing user-selected geographic data to produce a map on the display. The software includes a selection tool for associating information with a selected map feature for later access by activating an indicium created in association with the feature. The system may be included in a dispatch system having mobile units in communication with a base unit for receiving a communication from a geographic location, and transmitting a message describing the location to a mobile unit. The mobile unit receives the message and executes the application software to generate a map on a display with an indicium representing the location, thereby providing visual directions to the location.

Abstract: A fishing rod rack for the support of a plurality of fishing rods, the fishing rod rack spanning the width of the bed of a pick up truck. The fishing rod rack has a two piece bracket member at each end for engaging the inward lip of the respective side walls, there being a support rod extending between opposing bracket members. A plurality of support tubes are rotatably secured to the support rod by a clasp member rotatable about the support rod and secured in angular position by a pair of set screws.

Abstract: A system for associating information with a map feature including a computer having a display, a memory containing geographic data, and a user interface. Application software is provided for accessing user-selected geographic data to produce a map on the display. The software includes a selection tool for associating information with a selected map feature for later access by activating an indicium created in association with the feature. The system may be included in a dispatch system having mobile units in communication with a base unit for receiving a communication from a geographic location, and transmitting a message describing the location to a mobile unit. The mobile unit receives the message and executes the application software to generate a map on a display with an indicium representing the location, thereby providing visual directions to the location.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for extended refreshable tactile graphic display are disclosed, the apparatus including an array of pins at a display surface, with pin setting actuators and display surface matrix preferably being separable units. The display matrix is provided by stacked functional layers, functions including temporary pin retention and pin locking.

Abstract: A hygienic, self-priming centrifugal pump (1) with a pump housing (4) provided with an inlet opening (2) and a pressure connecting piece (3), where an impeller wheel (7) can rotate inside said pump housing. The inlet opening (2) is connected with a liquid ring pump section (9) comprising an auxiliary housing (10) and a pump screw (11). The pump screw (11) is mounted on and in extension of the hub (7a) of the impeller wheel. A recycling pipe (15) for pump liquid connects the pressure connecting piece (3) of the centrifugal pump and the auxiliary housing (10) of the liquid ring pump section (9), optionally the inlet nozzle (16) or the inlet pipe (18) of the latter. All the surfaces in the pump housing (4) and the auxiliary housing (10) in direct contact with liquid should be smooth and rounded and without holes, crevices, beads or burrs.

Abstract: A hygienic, self-priming centrifugal pump (1) with a pump housing (4) provided with an inlet opening (2) and a pressure connecting piece (3), where an impeller wheel (7) can rotate inside said pump housing. The inlet opening (2) is connected with a liquid ring pump section (9) comprising an auxiliary housing (10) and a pump screw (11). The pump screw (11) is mounted on and in extension of the hub (7a) of the impeller wheel. A recycling pipe (15) for pump liquid connects the pressure connecting piece (3) of the centrifugal pump and the auxiliary housing (10) of the liquid ring pump section (9), optionally the inlet nozzle (16) or the inlet pipe (18) of the latter. All the surfaces in the pump housing (4) and the auxiliary housing (10) in direct contact with liquid should be smooth and rounded and without holes, crevices, beads or burrs.

Abstract: Apparatus provides an air/fuel mixture to a fully premixed burner and comprises means for providing fuel at a variable flow rate to the burner, means for supplying air at a variable flow rate to the fuel to form the mixture, means for sensing aeration of the fuel combustion products and control means for controlling the fuel flow rate in dependence upon a heat output demand and the air flow rate in dependence upon both the fuel flow rate and the sensed aeration in such a way that the air flow rate is sufficient to maintain the aeration at a predetermined value, the controller, in use, maintaining the fuel flow rate at one of a number of predetermined values and the air flow rate at a corresponding one of a number of differing predetermined values, each set of predetermined values being characterized by a constant value of the ratio between successive values.

Abstract: Apparatus provides an air/fuel mixture to a fully premixed burner (4) and comprises a fuel line for providing fuel to the burner (4) a fan for supplying air at a variable flow rate to the fuel to form the mixture, a sensor (30) for sensing aeration of the fuel combustion products and a controller (26) for controlling the air flow rate in dependence upon the aeration sensed in such a way that the air flow rate is sufficient to maintain the aeration at or close to a predetermined value, the controller, in use, maintaining the air flow rate at one of a number of differing predetermined values which are in the form of a geometric series characterized by a constant value of the ratio between successive values.

Abstract: A skylight and method of constructing a skylight wherein the method comprises the steps of forming an opening in the roof and ceiling respectively of a housing having a cavity therebetween. A tubular skylight is then inserted into the opening. The tubular skylight has a transparent surface protruding throughout the ceiling and roof respectively to pass light therethrough. A reflector is located within the domed transparent surface protruding through the roof, and is angled such that it reflects light that would not have passed into the tubular skylight into same.