Abstract: A system is disclosed for using camera attitude sensors with a camera. A camera assembly includes a tripod base, a tripod head interface mounted on the tripod base, a tripod head mounted on the tripod head interface and a camera mounted on the tripod head. The tripod head enables the camera to pan and tilt. The system also includes a first optical encoder for detecting the amount that the camera has been panned and a second optical encoder for detecting the amount that the camera has been tilted. Two inclinometers are mounted on the tripod head interface to measure attitude of the tripod head. Two gyroscopes (“gyros”) are mounted on the camera assembly. Data from the encoders, gyros and inclinometers are packaged and sent to graphics production equipment to be used for enhancing video captured by the camera.

Abstract: A three-dimensional model is created to represent an environment to be captured on video. A camera is fitted with pan, tilt and/or zoom sensors. An operator selects a location in the environment. The three-dimensional model is used to determine the three-dimensional coordinates of the location selected by the operator. Information from the pan, tilt and/or zoom sensors is used to transform the three-dimensional coordinates to a two-dimensional position in the video from the camera. Using the two-dimensional position of the video, a graphic is properly added to the video such that the graphic appears to be at the selected location in the environment.

Abstract: A composite recovery board (10, 20, 30) comprises a foam core (11) having lower (12) and upper (13) surfaces, wherein the foam core is selected from the group consisting of polyisocyanurate and polyurethane materials and mixtures thereof; and a filler within said foam core selected from the group consisting of rubber-tire vents, EPDM scrap material, plastic chips, polyurethane scrap, polyisocyanurate scrap, scrap rubber from recycled tires, wood chips, fiberglass strands and mixtures thereof. A method of re-roofing a roof comprising applying composite boards (10, 20, 30) of the present invention to a roof deck and applying a weather protective layer over the composite boards. A continuous method of making composite recovery boards (10) of the present invention comprises is also provided.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that can determine the distance a baseball would have traveled after being hit if its path was not interrupted. Thus, when a player hits a home run and the ball collides with an obstruction such as the seating area of a stadium or a wall, the present invention can determine how far the ball would have traveled had the ball not hit the stadium or the wall. The present invention can also be used to determine information about the path of objects other than a baseball.

Abstract: A three-dimensional model is created to represent an environment to be captured on video. A camera is fitted with pan, tilt and/or zoom sensors. An operator selects a location in the environment. The three-dimensional model is used to determine the three-dimensional coordinates of the location selected by the operator. Information from the pan, tilt and/or zoom sensors is used to transform the three-dimensional coordinates to a two-dimensional position in the video from the camera. Using the two-dimensional position of the video, a graphic is properly added to the video such that the graphic appears to be at the selected location in the environment.

Abstract: A three-dimensional model is created to represent an environment to be captured on video. A camera is fitted with pan, tilt and/or zoom sensors. An operator selects a location in the environment. The three-dimensional model is used to determine the three-dimensional coordinates of the location selected by the operator. Information from the pan, tilt and/or zoom sensors is used to transform the three-dimensional coordinates to a two-dimensional position in the video from the camera. Using the two-dimensional position of the video, a graphic is properly added to the video such that the graphic appears to be at the selected location in the environment.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that can measure the vertical height and/or the hang time of a jump. The system includes an acceleration detector, a controller, a display, a power source and a case that houses the components in a manner that allows the device to be worn or held by a person or object. The acceleration detector is used to determine the start of a jump and the end of a jump. Based on the time elapsed between the start of the jump and the end of the jump, the controller can determine the vertical height of the jump and/or the hang time.

Abstract: A system for enhancing the television presentation of an object that can display the object even if the object is not visible to a camera. The system determines whether the object is visible to the camera broadcasting the event. If the object is not visible to the camera, the video image captured by the camera is edited to show the object, not show the object or enhance the video in a different manner. The object is placed in the captured video image at the position the object would be in the camera's field of view if there was no barrier between the object and the camera.

Abstract: A right and left hand retractable wheel carriage for a removable vehicle bench seat opposite end latching mechanism. Each carriage includes mounting brackets, caster brackets interconnected by a link, associated casters, and a suitable spring for urging the casters apart and into engagement with the vehicle floor to prevent the casters from rattling during operation of the vehicle. Once the seat's latching mechanism is released, the spring forces the casters into a vertical orientation to thereby lift the bench seat to facilitate manually rolling it out of the vehicle, and then along the ground or floor.

Abstract: An improved plate/fastener assembly includes an elongated fastener having a first set of threads adjacent the tip and a second set of threads adjacent the head. The first set of threads has a diameter smaller than that of the second. The fastener is employed with a plate which includes a stress plate portion having a hub extending downwardly therefrom. The hub includes an opening extending therethrough which receives the fastener. The first set of threads will engage with a metal roof deck to hold the fastener in place, while the second set of threads engages with the plate to hold the plate in place. The lower face of the plate includes a plurality of ribs adapted to engage with an insulation material to prevent rotation of the plate. Each of the ribs presents a concave configuration in the direction of rotation of the plate to disengage same from the fastener.

Abstract: The present invention in a preferred embodiment provides an apparatus and method of utilization there of of a fore and aft adjustable vehicle seat headrest. The headrest includes a base providing means of attachment of the headrest to said vehicle seat. A frame is connected with the base. A cushion support with an attached shaft is slidably mounted with the frame for fore and aft movement. The shaft has a series of unidirectional cam slots. A spring biases the cushion support to a rearward position with respect to the frame. Levers pivotally connected with the frame engage with the shaft slots to set the position of the headrest. Release means are provided to remove the levers and retain the levers from reengagement with the slots upon extreme forward movement of the cushion support thereby allowing the spring to return the cushion support to an extreme rearward position.

Abstract: A two-axis angular rate gyroscopic apparatus is provided having a rotatable dish. The dish has a central hub portion and a plurality of flexible members, each of which extends from the hub portion. The entire disk is electrically conductive and connected to a reference potential. A plurality of electrically conductive members which are mounted end-to-end are located on an insulated plate mounted adjacent to the disk. A motor is provided for rotating the disk at approximately 2000 rpm. In addition, each of the flexible members in the disk has a pie-shaped section removed therefrom in order to increase its flexibility. By increasing the flexibility of the movable members, performance at low motor speeds is facilitated. An electronic circuit provides an output corresponding to the differential capacitance between the rotating disk and the members on the plate mounted adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A two-axis inclinometer having a central electrically conductive member inserted within and spaced from the interior walls of a non-electrically conductive vessel. A plurality of four plates are mounted symmetrically on the exterior surface of the vessel. A dielectric fluid is provided in the gap between the center member and the interior wall of the vessel so as to provide a differential change in the capacitance between opposite plate members as the inclinometer is tilted about an axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A laminate providing a high strength, low flammability improved moisture vapor barrier for use in producing improved construction panels, to the construction panels which comprise a polyurethane foam interior having a top and a bottom laminate skin bonded thereto, and to the process for producing the construction panels. The laminate is composed of an outer metal skin, e.g., aluminum foil, a scrim and an adhesive tie-coat attaching the scrim to the outer skin. The adhesive tie-coat is carefully selected so that it will react during manufacture of the polyurethane foam to produce the panel and tightly bond the foam to the foil. The tie-coat is preferably a high molecular weight, linear epoxy resin adhesive having free hydroxyl groups which react with the isocyanate, or isocyanurate, used in producing the polyurethane foam.