In the preferred implementation, the position of an object, for example a studio camera is determined by means of a camera which views several markers disposed about a studio ceiling, the markers being patterened as a series of light and dark rings to encode information in binary form enabling the markers to be identified as the camera moves about the studio. Methods and apparatus of more general applicability are also disclosed.

An improved orientation system includes a lens pre-distorting an image generated by imaging apparatus such that a non-linearity, the degree of which is dependent on the off-axis distance of an imaged object, is generated so as to increase the strength of a signal indicating said non-linearity.

A system and method for efficient intervisibility determination. The intervisibility determination method of the present invention provides a multiple threat processing capability within a specified area of terrain using a common database. Computation is simplified through the method of processing data posts in the terrain elevation database. By taking integer steps and incrementing distance, x or y, and a predicted elevation value at each step, a small number of operations may be performed. Rec...

A method for determination of calcium in a sample derived from a living body, by the reaction of calcium in the sample with Chlorophosphonazo-III or a compound analogous thereto in the presence of vanadate ions, followed by determination of calcium in the sample on the basis of an optical change caused by the reaction product, is excellent in various respects as follows: it is free from the problem of absorption of carbonic acid gas caused by a high pH; it is free from the problem of use of a to...

A method of identifying a face of an object having a plurality of faces with each face having coded data disposed thereon or therein. The coded data includes a plurality of coded data portions provided at respective positions on each face. Each coded data portion is indicative of an identity of the object. The method includes the steps of sensing at least one coded data portion, generating, using the sensed coded data portion, indicating data indicative of the object identity, and transferring t...

One embodiment of a method may include partitioning data into segments of the data, storing in memory a set of checksums of the segments of the data, selecting a portion of the data, and determining a checksum of the portion of the data. The portion of the data may comprise a subset of the segments of the data and/or at least one part of at least one segment of the data. The checksum of the portion of the data may be determined, based, at least in part, upon a checksum of the subset of the segme...

A method of determining an orientation of a respective object having an interface surface with coded data. The coded data includes a plurality of coded data portions provided at respective positions on the interface surface. Each coded data portion is indicative of an identity of the object. The method includes, in a sensing device, sensing at least one coded data portion, generating, using the sensed coded data portion, indicating data indicative of the object identity. The method also includes...

In the ratio determination device, means are provided for repeatedly reversing the connections of the input terminals to the primary winding of a transformer, and means are provided for causing the magnetic flux in the core of the transformer to excursion symmetrically below saturation level, thus enabling operation with DC input signals.

This invention is concerned with a process of very accurately and rapidly measuring the oxygen content of molten steel as the steel is being processed. This invention is dependent for its viability upon the use of a solid electrolyte comprising stabilized zirconia and beryllia reacted at a high temperature to form such solid electrolyte. Controlled porosity of the solid electrolyte forms a part of this invention.

An electrochemical apparatus especially applicable for clinical use in determining glucose concentrations in solutions thereof comprising (1) a sample reservoir, (2) a glucose oxidase member consisting essentially of a well closed at the bottom by a dialysis membrane and containing an anode, glucose oxidase and a buffer solution, (3) a reference member consisting essentially of a well closed at the bottom by a dialysis membrane and containing an anode and buffer solution, (4) a cathode, (5) mean...