Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method for measuring a dimension of a circular object. First to third sensors arranged in a straight line are disposed above a track to respectively measure time instants when the circular object moves past the first to third sensors. The dimension of the circular object is calculated according to distances between the first and second sensors and between the second and third sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the theoretical internal diameter of a tube of unknown internal diameter comprising an air regulation system comprising a pressure regulator and a volumetric flow meter for obtaining an actual volumetric flow rate through the tube of unknown internal diameter. Calculating a theoretical volumetric flow rate for a range of tubes of known internal diameters. Calculating the theoretical internal diameter of the tube of unknown internal diameter, wherein the actual volumetric flow rate obtained from the apparatus is interpolated with the respective theoretical volumetric flow rates of the tubes of known internal diameter to obtain the theoretical internal diameter of the tube of unknown internal diameter.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus calibrated to measure an absolute diameter of a part in a shop floor environment. The measurement apparatus includes a calibration that includes compensation factors for thermal expansion, shifting of measurement parts (arm, support tower, and related laser), and variances of these parts. The resulting measurements report an absolute diameter of a part to a higher degree of accuracy than previously possible. Also, the calculated compensation factor eliminate the need for an isolated, climate-controlled measurement room.

Abstract: A wheel diameter measuring apparatus for measuring a wheel diameter of an electric vehicle of speed sensorless vector control to which a synchronous motor is applied is obtained. A wheel diameter measuring apparatus of an electric vehicle comprising a synchronous motor driven by an electric power converter for converting a DC voltage into an AC voltage comprises a voltage detector for detecting an AC voltage generated by a magnetic field of the synchronous motor during coasting of the electric vehicle in which the electric power converter stops, and a calculation part for calculating a wheel diameter of a wheel driven by the synchronous motor from an AC voltage detected by the voltage detector and speed information about the electric vehicle.

Abstract: A method for implementing optical rule checking to identify and quantify corner rounding errors includes receiving corner rounding data based on established ground rules; determining a simulated shape for a semiconductor device feature produced on a wafer, the simulated shape based on a designed shape for the semiconductor device feature; selecting a corner feature associated with the designed shape, and drawing one or more triangles at the selected corner feature. For each triangle, the presence or absence of an intersection between the triangle and the simulated shape is determined, wherein a degree of corner rounding is determined by a pair of successively sized triangles for which one of the pair intersects with the simulated shape and the other does not; and comparing the determined corner rounding with the corner rounding data for the designed shape to determine whether the simulated shape results in a rule violation.

Abstract: A method of timing a remarkable angular position (?R) of at least one sensor (12) carried by a tire (10) rotating relative to an external frame of reference. The following steps are performed: forming, from an output signal from the sensor (12), a reference signal suitable for presenting a remarkable extremum during one revolution of the tire (10); determining the time of an origin angular position (?0) of the sensor as being the time of the remarkable extremum of the reference signal; and determining the time of the remarkable angular position (?R) relative to the time of the origin angular position.

Abstract: A measurement targeting apparatus comprises a target body, a vessel with a channel, a fluid located within the channel in the vessel, and a pressurization system. The target body is selected from one of a photogrammetry target, a theodolite target, a construction ball, a touch probe target, a coordinating measurement machine probe target, a laser tracker target, and a laser projector target. The vessel has a centerline, has a substantially cylindrical portion capable of being received in a hole in a part, and is comprised of a material selected from steel, aluminum, and plastic. The vessel is capable of expanding when the fluid within the channel in the vessel is pressurized. The pressurization system is capable of pressurizing the fluid within the channel to cause the vessel to expand around the centerline.

Abstract: In a method of electronically measuring reel off-center run-out and reel hub mismatch, tape speed data related to a tape coupled with an operating drive reel is electronically measured. The tape speed data is correlated with drive reel rotation angles. The correlated tape speed data is translated to drive reel hub radii variations with respect to the drive reel rotation angles. The drive reel hub radii variations comprise an operational measure of reel off-center run-out and reel hub mismatch of the drive reel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an automated testing system that tests for physical properties of golf balls or golf ball cores. The apparatus includes an on-load magazine wherein golf balls or cores are loaded for pick and place feeding to holding nests defined in a rotary indexing table. The nests are removable and/or of multiple size accommodations to accept balls and cores from 1.00 to 1.72 inches. The system includes a diameter measuring station, a compression measuring station, and a weight measuring station. Through the rotary indexing table, the golf ball or core may be selectively dialed to one or more of the stations for testing. A computer analyzes the properties of each ball or core tested and correlates the data so that each ball is subsequently either passed to an off-load magazine or rejected.

Abstract: This method for measuring the diameter of a circular track on a component comprises: a) a step (162) of moving the component along a measurement path, b) as the component is moving along the measurement path, a measurement step (170), for measuring at least one parameter, without contact with the component, c) a step (186) of determining the diameter of the circular track from the parameters measured. During step a) a robot continuously moves the component at an instantaneous speed that is never zero along the measurement path and an instantaneous acceleration that never changes sign along the measurement path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for unambiguously determining a physical parameter ? using m phase-measured values ?i with 1?i?m, whereby the phase-measured values ?i have different, integer periodicity values ni and an integer periodicity difference (a) with ?n>1 within an unambiguous range E of the physical parameter ?. A value T with (b) and (c) is calculated based on the phase-measured values ?i and the periodicity values ni thereof, and, within a reduced unambiguous range Ered with (d), a value V is allocated to the value T by allocation according to (e), wherein TUk stands for a respective lower limit and TOk for a respective upper limit of T. The allocation intervals between the upper (TOk) and the lower limits (TUk) for T, as wells as the distances (f) correspond at least to the periodicity difference ?n. In order to determine the physical parameter ?, value V is added up with the C phase-measured values ?i in a weighted manner.

Abstract: A handheld device used to measure and display the average inner or outer diameter of cylindrical or nearly cylindrical parts. A wheel of a known radius rolls along the surface of a part along a path that is parallel to the edge of the part. The rotation angle of the wheel is counted to determine the length traveled by the wheel. A clip is placed onto the edge of the part in order to trigger the beginning and ending of wheel rotation counting. The average diameter of the part is equal to the wheel radius multiplied by the wheel rotation angle in radians. The average diameter of the part is displayed on either a mechanical display or an electronic display.

Abstract: An inspection system for locating multiple features on an exterior of an object includes a fixture, a camera, a computer and software. The fixture secures the object and includes a plurality of nest points for mating with specific positions on the exterior of the object, and a reference point located at a specific position relative to the nest points and within a best-plane of the object. The camera is positioned normal to the best-plane of the object and obtains video imaging of a plurality of the features and the reference point. The computer communicates with the camera and collects the video imaging. The software determines the actual parameters of the features relative to the reference point based on the video imaging.

Abstract: A turret lathe for machining a workpiece held by a spindle, the turret lathe comprising: a turret tool post having tool holding faces; a sensor for measuring dimensions of the workpiece; and a support strut which is mounted on one of the tool holding faces, holds the sensor and extends and shortens a sensor distance which is a distance between the one of the tool holding faces and the sensor in a radial direction of the turret tool post, wherein, while the sensor distance is shortened, a length of the support strut in the radial direction is such that the support strut and the sensor do not interfere with another structural element of the turret lathe when the turret tool post rotates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a critical dimension (CD) are provided. Image data of a measurement pattern are generated. The measurement pattern may include a first surface and a second surface facing each other. The image data may include a first side and a second side corresponding to the first surface and the second surface of the measurement pattern, respectively. The image data may be edited to increase an overlap length of the first and second sides. A measurement window crossing the first and second sides in the edited image data is set. A distance between the first and second sides in the measurement window is measured.

Abstract: The device comprises means for taking a height measurement (H) and a plurality of circumference measurements (b, c, g) on the limb of the patient at different predetermined z-positions (zb, zc, zg). A first data file comprises the coordinates (X0, Y0, Z0) of a first mesh of points (24) representative of the morphological characteristics of a reference limb, these points being distributed over the surface of the reference limb along a succession of outlines (26) defined at different successive Z-positions. Morphology generator means recalculate the coordinates of the first mesh of points as a function of the height measurement (H) and of the circumference measurements (b, c, g) in such a manner as to produce a second data file comprising the coordinates (x, y, z) of a second mesh of points (52) representative of morphological characteristics of the patient's limb.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for determining a diameter of a reflector antenna.

Abstract: Web is in the form of two web rolls, each of which is obtained by winding the web in a roll. The web of a selected one of the two web rolls is configured to be threaded into a transport route of a printing press by causing a holder to hold a forward edge portion of the web, and by thus moving the holder by drive of a motor while causing the web to be rotated and unwound by a corresponding one of motors. Before threading the web into the transport route, the diameter of the selected one of the web rolls is measured in order to calculate the transport speed of the web or the speed at which the web is unwound from the corresponding one of the web rolls so that the speed at which the web is threaded should be adequate.

Abstract: A magnetic-sensor controller includes an input section, a perpendicular-bisector calculation section, a storage section, and a setting section. The input section successively inputs a plurality of magnetic data sets successively output from a three-dimensional magnetic sensor. Each magnetic data includes three components. The perpendicular-bisector calculation section calculates, for each pair of two of the magnetic data sets, a perpendicular bisector of two points corresponding to the two magnetic data sets. The storage section stores a plurality of perpendicular bisectors. The setting section statistically approximates, by a single point, a region where the plurality of perpendicular bisectors stored in the storage section meet, and sets an offset of the magnetic data set on the basis of the single point. The magnetic-sensor controller enables accurate setting of an offset even when the magnetic field strength changes.

Abstract: It is possible to significantly reduce a prediction error of the high-speed RFV and the high-speed TFV in a tire having a large PRO growth amount at high speed. Three or more sample tires are extracted from each lot. The PRO and RFV are measured and the least-square method is used to predict (100) the upper and lower and front and back natural angle frequency, attenuation ratio, upper and lower spring constant, and rolling radius coefficient. By using the PRO measurement apparatus, the PRO during idling is measured. By using an AAV measurement apparatus, an actual measurement value AAVL of the angle acceleration fluctuation at a low speed is measured (102). The PRO and AAV at a high speed are predicted (104) and the actual measurement value and prediction value are used to predict the high-speed RFV and TFV.

Abstract: A method and apparatus 100 for correcting tire nonuniformity is disclosed. The invention is particularly suited for correcting tread runout and connicity problems for large off-road tires. Multiple measurements are taken in multiple circumferentially spaced planes which enable data to be fed into a computer which predicts an optimal profile to correct tire non-uniformities using preset rules. A virtual template directs correction of the tire profile.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an analogue probe (10) having a stylus (12) with a workpiece-contacting tip (14) or a non-contact probe (26). A calibration artefact such as a calibration sphere (16) is mounted on a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) (18). The probe (10,26) is mounted on an arm (8) of the CMM and the probe is moved along a path whilst continually scanning the surface of the calibration artefact such that the probe is exercised throughout its working range. For an analogue probe (10) having a workpiece-contacting stylus (12), the path is such that the deflection of the stylus varies along the path. For a non-contact probe (26) the path is such that there is variation of the radial distance between the path and the calibration artefact. The probe path may comprise a path parallel to a chord of the calibration sphere or a curved, e.g. a sinusoidal, path.

Abstract: A code applying device is provided which can efficiently manufacture an information recording paper roll having a code relating to the information recording paper. The code applying device includes a tubular body holding section which holds a tubular body and can rotate around an axis; a code forming section forming a code, which expresses specific information, on an end surface of the tubular body held by the tubular body holding section; and a control section rotating the tubular holding section which is holding the tubular body, and applying the code to the end surface of the tubular body along a peripheral direction.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for measuring runout of a rotating tool are provided. A rotating tool is illuminated with a coherent electromagnetic radiation. The tool has an axis and a reflective surface, and completes a rotation in one period. The surface has a radial displacement from the axis of the rotating tool. A path, of coherent electromagnetic radiation reflected from the reflective surface is sensed. A maximum radial displacement is determined based upon the sensed path and a minimum radial displacement is determined based upon the sensed path. A runout is determined based upon the difference between the maximum radial displacement and the minimum radial displacement. A tool edge margin can be measured by analysis of specific areas of the rotating tool.

Abstract: For the automatic determination of the diameter of a tool, particularly a saw blade for an automatic wall saw, which is driven by a motor via a gear unit, the moment of inertia of the tool is used as an indicator for its diameter. Three basic solution variants are introduced. In particular, the system including a motor, gear unit and tool is treated as a dual-mass oscillator such that the elasticity of the shafts and gears is arranged as a torsion spring between the inertial masses in two discrete points while taking into account two coefficients of friction including coefficients of the known inertia of the motor rotor (?R) and of the tool (?S). This system can be described by equations which are then simplified by reasonable assumptions or premises. The selected formulations are solved for the moment of inertia of the tool to determine the diameter therefrom and to make an optimal adjustment for the drive possible which is adapted to the respective tool.

Abstract: A method for determining roll density in connection with a web reel. A known relation between the length (l), diameter (D), basis weight (b) and density (?) of the wound roll, formula (1) is used. Distortions caused in the measurement results by noise and other disturbances are eliminated by using a recursive time variant least squares method in the processing of the measurement results l=??(D2?D20)/4b.

Abstract: A system and method of sizing an inner diameter of the center bore of a laminated rotor is provided. The inner diameter of the center bore is determined by taking a series of measurements in the center bore with an electronic gauge and then analyzing the measurements to determine the acceptability of the rotor. The electronic gauge is inserted into the center bore of the rotor and measurements of the inner diameter of the center bore are taken at a variety of different depths and positions using the electronic gauge. The measurements are then analyzed to determine if the rotor is acceptable for use by evaluating the measurements with respect to a reference diameter and a depth in the center bore.

Abstract: A lapping plate topography system includes a measuring apparatus for measuring the surface of a lapping plate, and an analysis apparatus for analyzing and presenting the data resulting from such measurements. The measurement apparatus has a non-contacting capacitive probe for measuring a height of the surface of the lapping plate, a rotary arm assembly for moving the probe in an arc over the surface of the lapping plate, and a spindle assembly for rotating the lapping plate about its center. The computer-based analysis apparatus is operable to input from the measurement apparatus the measured height at a plurality of data points on the surface of the lapping plate, calculate Fourier transform harmonic coefficients based on the plurality of measured heights, calculate surface ripple coefficients based on the calculated Fourier transform harmonic coefficients, and output the calculated surface ripple coefficients to an appropriate display device.

Abstract: A device and a method for determining length, area, and/or volume using a distance measuring device 10 includes a transmit unit 18 and a receive unit 20 in one housing, a keypad 28 for operating the measuring device 10, and an integrated computer 22 for evaluating measured data, and a display panel 26 for displaying the measurement results. The display panel 26 of the measuring device 10—after the operator selects a desired measurement mode by pressing just one button 32 on the keypad 28—uses an icon-based graphic display to indicate which of the individual measurements required to determine the desired measurement variable has yet to be carried out.

Abstract: A method of blind assembly processing a wafer by pick and place equipment is described. This method includes determining the wafer diameter or radius and determining the bad die edge exclusive zone. This determined diameter or radius and the determined edge exclusive zone is used to make a black paper mask and place it over the wafer or to cut or saw away from the wafer the bad die edge exclusive zone. This enables the pick and place equipment to avoid the bad dies in the bad die edge exclusive zone.

Abstract: A method is provided that allows a simple and inexpensive apparatus to measure the uniformity of the height-directional positions of spheres or hemispheres such as bump electrodes of a semiconductor device. The degree of focus is calculated from an image of bump electrodes 11a and 11b acquired at a first focusing position F1 using an imaging system. After that, the bump electrodes 11a and 11b and the imaging system is relatively moved closer or farther, and then the degree of focus is calculated from an image acquired at a second focusing position F2. The degrees of focus at these two focusing positions F1 and F2 are compared with each other. As a result, detected are the contour lines of the horizontal cross sections of the bump electrodes 11a and 11b at the height (F1+F2)/2 of the position of equal degree of focus indicated by PQ. On the basis of the shapes and/or sizes thereof, the height-directional positions of the bump electrodes 11a and 11b are measured.

Abstract: A curve's radius of a road on which a vehicle shall run is estimated based on actual speed, yaw rate, and steering angle of the vehicle. Accordingly, during a transition state of the vehicle, the curve's radius can be estimated with the actual yaw rate taking into account the actual steering angle that can reflect more accurately turning behavior of the vehicle than the actual yaw rate. Therefore, errors in the estimation of the curve's radius due to response delay of the actual yaw rate can be easily reduced even though the yaw rate is used for such estimation.

Abstract: A work holder (22) for holding work (W) has a porous body (34) disposed in the inner periphery thereof, and work (W) is held in the center of the work holder (22) by the centripetal action of the air spouted from the porous body (34). The work (W) held in the work holder (22) has its end surface imaged by a CCD camera (54), and according to the image of the end surface of the work project on the CCD, the eccentricity of the work (W) can be taken without rotating the work (W). Thus, a size measuring method and a device therfor can be provided which are capable of taking a simple and accurate size measurement of work by means of a simple arrangement.

Abstract: A machine control gage system has a control unit, which analyzes roundness of a workpiece. The control unit controls a grinding machine controller in such a manner as to machine the workpiece to a desired size according to data measured by a measuring head. The control unit analyzes roundness of the workpiece according to the data measured by the measuring head and displays the roundness on a touch panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and computing tape reel radius using low-resolution angular position sensors is disclosed. Tape reels are driven at a constant velocity, a complete resolution of the tape reels is detected using coarse commutation sensors and a radius for a first reel, R1, and a radius for a second reel, R2 is calculated according to: R1=((L*T/pi)/(1+T22/T12))0.5 and R2=((L*T/pi)/(1+T12/T22))0.5, where L is the total length of tape, T is the thickness of tape, T1 is the rotation time for reel 1, and T2 is the rotation time for reel 2. The calculation of the radius of the two reels using two low resolution (one pulse per turn) sensors results in a great cost and product packaging savings.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a shape of lens frames capable of measuring precisely the shape of lens frames by changing a rotational speed or rotational direction of a measuring element (feeler) 216 in accordance with the shape of lens frames. The measuring element 216 contacts with V-shaped grooves (grooves for lens frames) 51 provided in lens frames LF and RF of an eyeglass frame MF. An arithmetic control circuit 270 controls variably the rotational speed or rotational direction of the measuring element 216.

Abstract: A system for preventing lane deviation of a vehicle and a control method thereof are provided, in which control is performed to prevent the vehicle from inadvertently deviating from a lane. The system comprises a detector including a lane marker detector for detector lane markers that define a lane in the road, and a lane marker ECU for determining a transverse position of the vehicle using signals of the lane marker detector; a controller for determining if the vehicle is deviating from the lane by receiving information transmitted by the detector, determining steering control angle and steering control time according to a vehicle speed and a heading angle at the instant the vehicle is deviating from the lane, and outputting control signals following lane deviation prevention such that an automatic drive mode is realized until the vehicle reaches a center of the lane; and a steering driver controlled by the control signals output from the controller.

Abstract: A radius of a rotating grindstone is specified by a new means with a simple structure out of contact with the rotating grindstone. In a grinding machine that numerically controls a feed shaft (x-axis) of a wheel spindle stock, a device comprises a non-contact detector to detect a rotating grindstone on the wheel spindle stock reaching two different fixed positions in a feed direction of the feed shaft, and an arithmetic means to compute a radius “r” of the rotating grindstone by data detected from the non-contact detector.

Abstract: Relative vector between an observation receiver located at an object and a reference receiver are divided into long period variation components not dependent on object displacements and short period variation components dependent on object displacements, and the short period variation component are represented by x, y and z axis components of unit vectors from the reference receiver toward the satellite. Then, carrier phases between at least three GPS satellites and the receivers are measured, and these measurement data are passed through a band pass filter to extract short period phase components corresponding to the short period variation components of the relative vectors. Next, at least three receiver to receiver single differences between the receivers and the GPS satellites are found for the short period phase components, and axial components of the short period variation components of the relative vectors are found by computation based on said at least three receiver to receiver single differences.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for counting the number of inserts pulled each cycle from each hopper of an inserting machine. The caliper is a precision mechanism for accurately counting single, double, triple, quadruple and even quintuple fed inserts as well as misses. The caliper system compensates for a wide range of variables and countered in conventional newspaper inserting machines operating at 400 cycles per minute. The set-up of the caliper system is highly simplified due to the system software which, in addition to while proving a learn zero and learn insert mode, further recognizes operational variables which occur during operations such as fluctuation of paper basis weight and ink build up on the caliper wheel. The system provides self-checks to verify operational accuracy.

Abstract: A measurement tool connects to a microscope for identifying and measuring microscopic dimensions of features on a photographic mask such as area, diameter and corner radius. Dimensions of features having sizes of less than about twice the wavelength being used (less than 1 micron for visible light) are measured quickly and accurately. The radius of curvature is also determined at submicron sizes using a flux measurement. Determination of the expected flux of a perfect comer aids in the measurement.

Abstract: A curve radius of a roadway is determined by measuring the difference in wheel speed of at least two vehicle wheels and the rate of yaw of the vehicle, and hence the curve radius, is determined therefrom. The wheel speeds are determined by measuring the time required for the wheel to rotate by a fixed rotational angle, based on a fixed number of pulses produced by a pulse transmitter which is part of an ABS or ASR system for the vehicle. The method provides considerably improved accuracy using simple, vehicle-contained components and various parameters can be taken into account simultaneously.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically measuring the diameter of a part. A part to be measured is rotated through a plurality of measurement positions by an angle of rotation. A measuring device measures the radial distance from a surface point at each position of the part to the center thereof for each angle of rotation. The distance is calculated between successive points on the surface as a function of the measured radial distance of successive points along the surface and the angle of rotation between the measured points. A plurality of the distances as taken through a complete rotation of the rotational device is summed together to provide a circumference measurement of the part. A diameter measurement of the part is achieved by dividing the circumference by &pgr;.

Abstract: A radius of curvature detecting apparatus and method of a vehicle for detecting a radius of curvature of a curve based on road information obtained from a vehicle navigation system comprises, three-points detection of a first point, a second point and a third point in order of traveling direction of the vehicle from point data showing a road configuration which are provided by the vehicle navigation system, distance comparison of a distance of a straight line connecting the first point and the second point with a distance of a straight line connecting the second point and the third point and for determining a short straight line and a long straight line, respectively, mid-point calculation for finding a mid-point point located at a half distance of the short straight line from the second point, equivalent mid-point calculation for finding an equivalent mid-point located at the half distance from the second point on the long straight line, and radius of curvature calculation for determining a point of intersec

Abstract: A light scattering Mueller matrix for an irregular particle placed on a plane interface is derived using the process of the present invention. The relationships discovered in this derivation are unique because they are independent of the particle shape, and only depend on the substrate refractive index (which is known), the wavelength and angle of incidence of the incident light (also known), and the approximate size of the scatterer (unknown). All that is required to estimate the size of the contaminant is to vary the scatterer size parameter until the model calculations of the light scattering Mueller matrix elements match the experimentally measured light scattering Mueller matrix elements. The probe of the present invention may be used as follows. First, the polarization state of the scattered light can be determined by measuring the Mueller matrix or Jones elements. Next, a "best fit" is made between these elements and the model.

Abstract: Computer-based methods and systems for facilitating the inspection of a vehicle to detect the presence of prior damage and problems with previous repair are provided. Exemplary embodiments provide an inspection facilitator, which includes an inspection engine and an inspection interface. The inspection engine and inspection interface are implemented as an expert system, which directs a technician or apparatus to perform a uniform inspection process. The inspection facilitator, after receiving vehicle specific information, first directs and guides an inspection of the underbody of the vehicle to detect gross level damage or repair. The inspection facilitator then dynamically directs and guides an inspection of the outerbody of the vehicle based upon the nonconformities indicated in response to each directed inspection task.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring and storing a tree characteristic that preferably is tree diameter and other data related to location, variety and grade of a tree being measured. The apparatus has a handle, a wand extending therefrom, and a measurement head carried by the wand for measuring diameter. The wand has a control handle connected by a cable to a movable caliper jaw carried by the head to measure a diameter of a tree between the movable jaw and another jaw. A vernier having measurement locator slots and a home position slot is carried by the cable and communicates with slot sensors that send signals to an on-board computer to determine direction and distance of jaw movement for enabling the distance between the jaws to be determined. Two optoisolators and the computer comprise a jaw motion and direction detecting quadrature detector. A third optoisolator detects when the movable jaw is in its home position.

Abstract: A computer-controlled device for determining relative yarn hairiness. Yarn is moved past a light source to create a yarn shadow, and an imaging device captures the yarn shadow. The imaging device includes a number of separate, closely-spaced light sensing elements, each with an output level related to the amount of light shining on the element. A selected sensing element output level is established as indicative that an element is blocked by the yarn. The width of a number of closely-spaced portions of the yarn is determined, at two different selected sensing elements output levels, to distinguish the yarn hairs from the yarn core.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for determining, in a first speed mode of operation, speed and range of a moving object and, in a second survey mode of operation, determining direct distances to an object and automatically calculate horizontal and vertical component distances to the object. Also disclosed is a system and method for data entry and retroactive reconstruction of the relative position of features and objects, in particular with respect to scenes such as transitory occurrences, utilizing a signal transmitting and receiving speed, distance and tilt angle determining apparatus or device. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus disclosed has especial applicability to tactical situation use by law enforcement personnel and the system and method in the on-scene recordation and subsequent ex post facto reconstruction of crime and traffic accident scenes by law enforcement officers.