Abstract: A head tracking system 10 comprises a radiation emitter 18 and a radiation sensor 16 connected to a tracking processor 12. The emitter 18 has an output 46 producing radiation with spectral peak in the range 1000 nm to 1100 nm from a conventional LED 40 with a spectral peak in the range 500 nm to 900 nm in combination with a photoluminescent material 42.

Abstract: A positioning method and apparatus is disclosed in the form of a coordinate measurement machine for transmitting movement in three degrees of freedom, where two degrees of freedom are achieved by translational motion and the third degree of freedom is achieved by rotational motion. The coordinate measurement machine includes a base plate mounted on top of a base support, a pair of carriages rotatably mounted around base plate and supporting a bridge assembly. The bridge assembly supports a saddle assembly which suitably mounts a z-axis beam therein. Mounted to the end of the z-axis beam is a probe for measuring and inspecting the workpiece. The z-axis beam moves in an x-direction along an x-axis beam and in a z-direction within the saddle while the bridge assembly rotates about a c-axis. Reader heads mounted in the carriages electronically read a c-axis scale mounted about the base plate.

Abstract: Helmet positioning measurement system enabling the determination of the position in space of a helmet by measuring at least three distances (D1, D2, D3. . ) between at least three points located on the helmet (C1, C2, C3. . . ) and three corresponding points (S1, S2, S3. . .) located on the seat or the cabin, these said points being placed in such a way that it is possible to compute at least two position parameters .theta. and .alpha. with a great precision using the following univocal relations:.theta.=f.sub..alpha. (D1, D2, D3, . . .) and .alpha.=f.sub..alpha. (D1, D2, D3, . . .)This system can be used in the aeronautical field, in the car racing field, during tests, where it is important to know the displacement of a human or mannequin head movement.

Abstract: The measurement apparatus comprises a stand supporting a series of measurement segments hinged to one another and having angular position sensors for sensing the angular positions of the measurement segments, a series of hinged support segments adjacent to the measurement segments, link members fixed to the support segments and engaged at least partially around the measurement segments to support them in a direction opposing the force of gravity, and assistance members acting on the support members to counter the force of gravity.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a coordinate measuring apparatus which includes an elevation measuring device. The elevation measuring device is connected with a stationary granite table via one or several linkage arms for determining the planar coordinates. Transducers for detecting angular values or pull-out lengths are arranged with respect to the joints or pull-out members of the linkage arms from which these planar coordinates can be computed by a computer. A method of determining the coordinates is also disclosed.

Abstract: A new drive system bidirectionally "interconverts" (directs and receives in equal amounts) linear and rotary motions permitting precision linear measuring over long distances. The "convex" surface of coilable rack 30 interlocks with rotatable coupling 262 attached to encoder 32 digitizing electrical signals computer converted to precision linear measurements. Coupling rotations cause perforations in the rack to tightly engage sprockets 304. Many such engagements assure positive motion interconversions thus repeatability of precision linear measurements synchronized with the international standard of length. A second encoder 82 may be used to digitize lateral rotations of the above permitting precision polar or Cartesian coordinate measurements produced over large surfaces.

Abstract: An improved polar co-ordinate digitizer where a cord extensible from a base unit moves a cord guide to provide an angle measurement and is wrapped on a drum whose movement reflects a length measurement. Lateral pressure on the cord guide is minimized by a low mass pivot arm whose angle is sensed by optical photodetector techniques. In addition the length of the cord is also sensed by a similar photodetector both mounted for rotation about the origin axis of the polar co-ordinate system and utilizing a fixed reference photodetector all of which sense a continuously rotating disk with an index mark on it. Suitable calibration is provided for the system.

Abstract: A pair of transparent pressure sensitive stick-on film disks in the form of compass roses and a pair of transparent film VOR arms are removably attached to the center of the roses by cooperating male/female snap mechanisms. The VOR arms can be manually rotated to compass directions indicated on a VOR receiver and the cross-fix represented by the crossing of center-lines printed on the VOR arms represents the location of the aircraft on the map. Friction bearings associated with the snap mechanisms hold the arms in fixed positions after they have been rotated to the desired compass directions.

Abstract: An aeronautic chart course and position locator is removably attachable by means of an adhesive backing to an aeronautic chart. The locator is made from a clear supple polymer film and comprises a 360 degree compass rose and a rotatable course and mileage indicator arm attached to the compass rose. The locator may also include a rotatable aircraft heading indicator disk for wind drift correction and course interception and permits course and azimuth identification to or from airports or VHF omni-directional range navigation radial (VOR) transmitters or any other selected point. Two locators can be used together with VOR equipment to locate the position of an aircraft on a chart by simple azimuth triangulation. A third locator can be used to determine the correct course to a point not serviced by directional radio facilities. A modified locator assists a student to visualize the aircraft's position on a chart either to the right or left of a given VOR radial.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for a perforated rack that is thin, normally curved in cross section, rigidly straight but coilable, and containing perforations adjacent at least one of its longitudinal sides. A new system for the interconversions of linear and rotary motions is then made possible with the perforated rack and a sprocket wheel coupling, and this new system is used for digitizing linear and also polar measurements. When the rack is radially bent toward its normally convex surface, and rotated upon the sprocket wheel coupling aligned with sprockets, the perforations of the rack fall upon and ring fit the sprockets. The sprocket wheel coupling is connected with a shaft position encoder, whereby, the rack motions and encoder signals are proportional relative to linear measurements made finite over relatively long distances of many feet. The rack is also made rotational about a vertical axis connected with a second shaft position encoder having its signals proportional with rotational motions.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the position of a point movable throughout a measuring volume relative to a set of reference axes includes a probe member (10) having a probe tip (11) defining the position of the movable point. The measuring probe (10) also has first and second reference points (12, 13) spaced apart from one another and having a fixed known spatial relationship with one another and with the probe tip (11). Means (16) are provided for moving the probe member (10) so that the probe tip may be positioned at any desired point within the measuring volume. At least three distance measuring equipments (15) are provided, located outside the measuring volume at fixed known positions relative to the set of reference axes and each operable to determine the distance between it and each of the reference points (12, 13) on the probe member (10). Calculating means (19) are provided to calculate from said distance measurements the position of the probe tip (11).

Abstract: A system to move an object in space. The system includes a structural mechanism having interconnected structural beams for applying translational forces and movements to position an object held by the structural mechanism. The system has a measuring mechanism to determine, with precision, the actual position and orientation of each structural beam with respect to its attached neighboring structural beam. The structural mechanism includes at least one structural beam and an associated measuring beam. The measuring beam is in contact only with its associated structural beam, the contact being effected through support devices that provide the only physical contact between the structural beam and the associated measuring beam.

Abstract: A fixed member has angular indicia circumscribing a given area. A first disc is rotatable about an axis at its center and at the center of the angular indicia, and a second disc is rotatably secured to the first disc about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the first disc. Bridging lines on the first disc couple a reference point on the second disc to angular scalar indicia on the fixed member to indicate the relative angular position of the reference point with respect to the axis of rotation of the first disc. Radial displacement indicia on the surface of the first and second discs indicate the relative radial displacement of the reference point from the axis of rotation of the first disc along a radial line through that axis.

Abstract: A measuring device for use with hi-jump standards to aid jumpers in determining their in-run starting points approaching the high jump in practice or in competition. The device includes a base member having a 0 to 180 degree scale, whose end points are parallel with the cross-bar, together with a swivable arm that can be set at the desired angle. The arm includes a measuring tape attachment point so that once the angle is set, a measuring tape can be used to determine the exact starting point. The device can be integrally formed with a standard or be separately attachable to a standard.

Abstract: A technique for plotting the provenience of an archaeological artifact with respect to a fixed reference point is disclosed herein. This technique utilizes an apparatus including a base assembly positionable at the fixed reference point, means movable to the location of the artifact from a given starting point, and means connected with the base assembly and the movable means and responsive to movement of the latter to the artifact location from its given starting point for indicating the position of the artifact location within a particular coordinate system, specifically a spherical coordinate system including coordinates .phi., .theta. and .rho..

Abstract: A system for sensing the position in space of the outer end of an articulated loading arm connected to a marine tanker or other transport vessel, for predicting if the arm will move outside a safe operating envelope, for discontinuing the flow of fluid before the arm reaches an unsafe area, and for disconnecting the arm from the vessel when the arm reaches an unsafe area. The sensing system includes means for determining various angles representative of the orientation of the limbs of the loading arm, and a computer for using these angles to compute the spatial position of the arm's outer end. The computer uses the spatial position and movement of the loading arm to predict future positions of the outboard end of the arm, and to determine if the loading operation should be terminated and the arm disconnected from the vessel. When the computer predicts that the loading arm may move outside a first operating envelope an alarm is sounded.

Abstract: This invention discloses a three dimensional including contour tracing means such as an orthogonal coordinate mechanism and a polar coordinate mechanism having a probe which can trace the contour of a thing defined by a section, a processing means for processing the data gained by tracing operation of the probe following the contour to generate coordinate components of points on the contour in an orthogonal coordinates system one coordinate axis of which is normal to the section, a detecting means which is adapted to detect if the probe goes outside of the area defined between two planes which are set at the opposite sides of and parallel to the section, and an alarm means which gives an alarm (sound, light or other) when the detecting means detects that the probe has gone beyond the above area, the tow planes being spaced from the section a predetermined tolerance.

Abstract: A method for interpolating between a Cartesian coordinate axis and an axis of rotation of a numerically controlled machine. The axis of rotation of the numerically control machine is treated, from a control standpoint, as a linear Cartesian axis. Computing circuitry is provided for transforming and retransforming the coordinate data. In this manner, the entering of data into a machine control system is simplified.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine for measuring parts using cylindrical coordinates. The machine includes a base, an articulated arm mounted to the base at its proximate end for movement within a plane, and a vertically movable probe assembly mounted near the distal end of the articulated arm. A horizontal measuring rod extends between the distal end of the arm and the base to provide a measurement of the location of the probe with respect to the base, in terms of a radius and an angular displacement. The probe assembly includes means for measuring perpendicular displacement of the probe from the plane of the articulated arm.