Abstract: A method of enrobing a product portion in polymer strands includes mounting at least one product portion on a holding device and passing the at least one product portion through a polymer enrobing zone. The polymer enrobing zone can include a flow of polymeric fibers produced by a polymer spray head. The polymer fibers can wraparound the at least one product portion to produce an enrobed product portion. The holding device can hold the at least one product portion by passing at least partially through the body of the product portion. At least a portion of the holding device is removed from the enrobed product portion. In some cases, the at least one product portion includes smokeless tobacco.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a cradle device which inhibits driving of a pan/tile driving unit in the event of an imaging device being detached from the cradle device, and also receiving a control command of the imaging device from a camera. The cradle device can lock the imaging device in the event that the imaging device is mounted on the cradle device. The cradle device can have a configuration enabling detaching the imaging device, thus facilitating the most appropriate environment for a surveillance system.

Abstract: A method of compensating for atmospheric effects to detect the actual location of low elevation objects using near horizon radar to detect an object which utilizes a preexisting satellite structured to send a signal indicating the position and velocity of said satellite, wherein the location of the satellite is known. The method includes a step of providing a radar site, a first receiver structured to receive a signal from the satellite indicating an apparent location of the satellite, and a second receiver, located at a distance from the radar site, structured to receive the satellite signal and which indicates the observed location of the satellite. The first receiver is utilized to receive a signal from the satellite when the satellite is at a low elevation. This signal indicates the apparent location and velocity of the satellite.

Abstract: A system (30) for remotely controlling the operation of a camera (10) having a video signal tap and a lens having lens focus, zoom and T-stop adjustment motors (24, 26, 28). A digital motor driver unit (32) is connected to and controls the camera and the lens motors. A portable digital controller (34) has either a hardwire (36) or wireless connection to the motor driver unit and is sized for holding in one hand. The controller has separate controls (52, 62, 66, 70) that are manually adjustable for controlling the motor driver unit to separately and independently control the camera and the lens motors. The controller also has a display screen (56) for selectively displaying a scene from the video signal tap of the camera or data from the lens motors. The system includes a memory and processing means for selective operation with a plurality of different cameras and lenses and to calibrate the lenses to the controller and motor driver unit.

Abstract: A lens control unit is provided in which a position of an operating member for operating a zoom position or a focus position of a lens unit is moved by following the actual zoom position or the focus position of the lens unit in the case where a shot function for instantly reproducing the zoom position and the focus position of the lens unit that are stored beforehand is executed, thereby the operating member can control the zoom or focus of the lens unit with the zoom position or focus position that is moved by the shot function as the origins. A lens operation screen is displayed on a monitor of a personal computer, which is connected to the lens unit. A manual operation screen and a shot operation screen are displayed on the lens operation screen. Zoom, focus, iris and extender of the lens unit are manually operated in the manual operation screen. In the shot operation screen, the shot function is executed to move the zoom and focus of the lens unit to positions that are registered beforehand.

Abstract: An optical apparatus has an operation member for permitting a first operation and a second operation; a position detector for detecting a position of an optical element; a target position setting device for permitting arbitrary setting of a target position in driving of the optical element; and a control for controlling the driving of the optical element. The control stores the position of the optical element detected by the position detector and drives the optical element to the target position set by the target position setting device, in response to the first operation of the operation member, and the control drives the optical element to the stored position of the optical element detected by the position detector, in response to the second operation of the operation member.

Abstract: A system and method for control of the field of view of one or more cameras for providing that one or more subjects are to be in a single field of view (“share view”) wherein the system will automatically calculate the values for the various field of view variables to provide the appropriate camera operation. Various computer-controlled programs are included to operate the system including programs for the integration of camera operation and automatic tracking of the subjects present. The system is designed for video and it can automatically add and remove subjects from a share view.

Abstract: A device for controlling, regulating and monitoring a cine camera with a control and/or data detection unit which is connected to devices for controlling and/or detecting camera or recording functions, and connected to operating and control devices for controlling and monitoring camera and recording functions.

Abstract: The system includes distance measuring capability for use in the local and remote control of a camera lens for automatic and programmable control of ZOOM perspective, FOCUS, IRIS and other functions of the camera in conjunction with the programming of an included microcomputer-controlled automatic tracking system.

Abstract: The system includes distance measuring capability for use in the local and remote control of a camera lens for automatic and programmable control of ZOOM perspective, FOCUS, IRIS and other functions of the camera in conjunction with the programming of an included microcomputer-controlled automatic tracking system.

Abstract: A television surveillance system is disclosed. A first embodiment of the invention is a system for selecting sectors of rotation of a camera that are contained within predetermined angular limits of rotation of the camera. The system for selecting sectors of rotation include a camera, rotating means for rotating the camera within and between predetermined angular limits, and a mechanism for selectively limiting the rotation of the camera to a sector contained within the predetermined angular limits, and a mechanism for selectively limiting the rotation of the camera to a sector contained within the predetermined angular limits. A second embodiment of the invention is a system for changing the mode of operation of a camera from a first mode to a second mode of operation.

Abstract: A device for the remote actuation of a camera having a depressible shutter control button. Included is a housing supporting a drive means operable upon a remote signal which in turn actuates a pivotal lever arm to which a plate having an actuation pin is attached. The housing provides support for the camera such that the depressible button may be disposed adjacent the actuation pin.

Abstract: A system for performance of photographing with moving picture cameras, still picture cameras or television cameras, particularly of direct sound - movie picture photography, whereby a signal receptor - and/or transmitting - device is coordinated to each photographic object, and the running time between the photographic object, and respectively, between the signal receptor - and/or transmitting - device and the camera is used for determining the distance of the photographic object from the camera and under the circumstances for the automatic distance setting of its camera taking lens.

Abstract: One or more remote control arrangements are provided for interconnection to projector apparatus including local controls. Each of the remote control arrangements includes momentary actuated push-button controls for independently controlling the forward, reverse and stop drive modes and the on and off lamp status of the projection apparatus. Each of the remote control arrangements and the local control arrangement generate or synthesize a predetermined control signal corresponding to each of the drive modes and lamp status conditions from a signal waveform inputted to the remote control arrangements from the projection apparatus over one conductor of the interconnection cable between the projection apparatus and each of the remote control arrangements.

Abstract: The sound-recording unit of the camera includes a counterpressure roller and a pressure pad. When the sound-recording unit is to be used, the counterpressure roller is to be moved into an operative position in which it presses the motion-picture film against the capstan of the unit, and the pressure pad is to be moved into an operative position in which it presses the motion-picture film against the recording head of the unit. When the sound-recording unit is not to be used, the counterpressure roller and pressure pad are to be moved into inoperative positions, to prevent permanent deformation. The camera is provided with a plurality of independently activatable motion-transmitting mechanisms, each activatable from the exterior of the camera. Each of the motion-transmitting mechanisms can be used to move the counterpressure roller and the pressure pad from their inoperative to their operative positions.

Abstract: A remote control camera having a fitting member for mounting thereon a signal receiving device to receive a remote control signal, the body of the signal receiver, when fitted on the camera body, serving to cover the entire eye-piece on the camera body to intercept light entering into the camera body through the eye-piece.

Abstract: A remote controlled camera having a fitting member for mounting a signal receiving device to receive a remote control signal on the body of the camera, and a light intercepting device incorporated in the camera body to intersect a light path of an incident light beam through an eye-piece and to be actuated in conjunction with mounting operation of a reote control signal receiver on the camera body.