Abstract: A fixed retail scanner and related methods comprises imagers configured to capture image data, and a processor operably coupled to the imagers. The processor configured to provide image data from at least some of the imagers in real-time during a transaction to a decoder within the data reader for decoding an optical code on an object within the image data, generate annotations for the image data based on an analysis of image content of the image data to generate annotated image data, and provide the annotated image data from at least some of the imagers to an external system in real-time during the transaction.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a fixed retail scanner including a data reader comprising a main board, one or more camera modules, and a multi-port network switch disposed within the data reader. A heat management system is disposed within the data reader housing and operably coupled with at least the multi-port network switch to dissipate heat therefrom. The disclosure includes a heat pipe thermally coupled to a switch processor, the heat pipe extending across at least a portion of the bi-optic housing to an air chamber formed within the bi-optic housing.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a fixed retail scanner including a data reader. The data reader includes illumination assemblies that include different LED sub-groups that are co-located within its respective assembly. These illumination assemblies may be identically constructed and installed at various positions within the data reader to provide active illumination for the camera modules. Illumination assemblies are activated together, but only with the first sub-groups from each of the illumination assemblies being activated together at a first time, and only with the second sub-groups from each of the illumination assemblies being activated together at a second time.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a fixed retail scanner including a data reader, comprising a main board including one or more processors including a system processor, one or more camera modules, and an artificial intelligence (AI). The system processor is configured to transmit image data received from the one or more camera modules responsive to one or more event triggers detected by the system processor, and wherein the AI accelerator is configured to perform analysis based on an AI engine local to the AI accelerator in response to the event trigger. A remote server may also be operably coupled to the fixed retail scanner through the multi-port network switch, the remote server having a remote AI engine stored therein, wherein the local AI engine within the fixed retail scanner is a simplified AI model relative to the remote AI engine within the remote server.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a fixed retail scanner includes a data reader. The data reader includes a main board including a system processor disposed within the data reader, and one or more camera modules disposed within the data reader and operably coupled with the system processor. Each camera module may include a local on-board imager AI engine configured to perform AI tasks according to a loaded trained AI model. A system artificial intelligence (AI) engine may be disposed within the data reader and configured to perform AI tasks according to a loaded trained AI model. The system processor is operably coupled to each of the imager AI engines and the system AI engine for scheduling and dispatching AI tasks across a distributed network of AI resources including the imager AI engines and the system AI engine.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a fixed retail scanner including a data reader comprising a main board, one or more camera modules, and a multi-port network switch disposed within a housing of the data reader. The multi-port network switch is configured to provide a network backbone for at least some internal devices within the housing of the data reader and for at least some external devices positioned external to the housing of the data reader and operably coupled with the data reader through the multi-port network switch. Related systems may include a remote server operably coupled to the fixed retail scanner through the multi-port network switch such that image data to the remote server may be communicated via the multi-port network switch from at least one of the main board or the at least one camera coupled to the multi-port network switch.

Abstract: A lumber drying kiln includes a first fan assembly located on a first side wall of the kiln and a second fan assembly located on a second side wall opposite the first side wall. The kiln defines an interior drying chamber and the fan of the first fan assembly is operable to push air through the drying chamber while the fan of the second fan assembly is operable to pull air through the drying chamber. The kiln further includes a first vent assembly disposed on the first side wall of the kiln and a second vent assembly disposed on the second side wall of the kiln. The first vent assembly is operable to exhaust air from inside the drying chamber while the second vent assembly is operable to intake air from the outside ambient atmosphere into the drying chamber. The kiln provides a method for seasoning and conditioning wood.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light source disposed in or on a housing of a scanner-scale for producing a light beam along an edge of the weigh platter, the light beam being modulated to contain a defined packet of data; a detector for receiving the data-modulated light beam, the detector being disposed in or on the housing; and a processor coupled with the detector for decoding the defined packet of data responsive to the detector receiving the data-modulated light beam. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described.

Abstract: A lumber drying kiln includes a first fan assembly located on a first side wall of the kiln and a second fan assembly located on a second side wall opposite the first side wall. The kiln defines an interior drying chamber and the fan of the first fan assembly is operable to push air through the drying chamber while the fan of the second fan assembly is operable to pull air through the drying chamber. The kiln further includes a first vent assembly disposed on the first side wall of the kiln and a second vent assembly disposed on the second side wall of the kiln. The first vent assembly is operable to exhaust air from inside the drying chamber while the second vent assembly is operable to intake air from the outside ambient atmosphere into the drying chamber. The kiln provides a method for seasoning and conditioning wood.

Abstract: A fixed retail scanner and related methods comprises imagers configured to capture image data, and a processor operably coupled to the imagers. The processor configured to provide image data from at least some of the imagers in real-time during a transaction to a decoder within the data reader for decoding an optical code on an object within the image data, generate annotations for the image data based on an analysis of image content of the image data to generate annotated image data, and provide the annotated image data from at least some of the imagers to an external system in real-time during the transaction.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an inventory management system including one or more imagers mounted to shelving or other structures displaying items for sale, where the imagers are designed to capture images of the items and relay information to a database for purposes of tracking the items and managing inventory. The imagers are compact, low power devices incorporating wireless means for communicating with the database and may include solar cell arrays for charging purposes.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an inventory management system including one or more imagers mounted to shelving or other structures displaying items for sale, where the imagers are designed to capture images of the items and relay information to a database for purposes of tracking the items and managing inventory. The imagers are compact, low power devices incorporating wireless means for communicating with the database and may include solar cell arrays for charging purposes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light source disposed in or on a housing of a scanner-scale for producing a light beam along an edge of the weigh platter, the light beam being modulated to contain a defined packet of data; a detector for receiving the data-modulated light beam, the detector being disposed in or on the housing; and a processor coupled with the detector for decoding the defined packet of data responsive to the detector receiving the data-modulated light beam. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described.

Abstract: A method of spooling a marine pipeline (90) including a plurality of bi-metallic pipe sections (10) (66) onto a reel (60) including at least the steps of: (a) filling a first pipe section with a fluid (12); (b) spooling the first pipe section onto the reel; (c) filling a second pipe section with a fluid (78); (d) joining the first pipe section with the second pipe section wherein at least one of the first and second pipe sections maintains the fluid (12,78) therein; and (e) spooling the second pipe section onto the reel.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for sealing subterranean spaces such as natural or induced fractures, vugs or annular spaces. The composition is composed of a base fluid consisting of a soluble alkali silicate, a gas generating additive, water, solids, and a setting agent. The gas generating additive may be coated or uncoated. The gas generating additive may also be in the form of a slurry. In the case of coated additives, the coating may act as a retarder or an accelerator to the expansion and setting agent of the soluble alkali silica. Similarly, the choice of carrier fluid in a slurry may retard or accelerate the expansion and setting of the alkali silicate-based plug.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for sealing subterranean spaces such as natural or induced fractures, vugs or annular spaces. The composition is composed of a base fluid consisting of a soluble alkali silicate, a gas generating additive, solids and a setting agent. The gas generating additive may be coated or uncoated. The gas generating additive may also be in the form of a slurry. In the case of coated additives, the coating may act as a retarder or an accelerator to the expansion and setting agent of the soluble alkali silica. Similarly, the choice of carrier fluid in a slurry may retard or accelerate the expansion and setting of the alkali silicate-based plug.

Abstract: A cable, which may be produced by the method described herein, comprises a cable with a core jacket comprising a predetermined cable length where the core jacket comprises a thermoplastic material comprising a memory characteristic which changes based on temperature, a set of core components, disposed within the core jacket, which comprise the predetermined length, and a strength member disposed within the core jacket intermediate the core components and the core jacket. The strength member comprises a selectively activated pre-impregnated uncured synthetic material adapted to be cured while in production, the strength member comprising a length substantially equal to the predetermined length.

Abstract: A method of spooling a marine pipeline (90) including a plurality of bi-metallic pipe sections (10) (66) onto a reel (60) including at least the steps of: (a) filling a first pipe section with a fluid (12); (b) spooling the first pipe section onto the reel; (c) filling a second pipe section with a fluid (78); (d) joining the first pipe section with the second pipe section wherein at least one of the first and second pipe sections maintains the fluid (12,78) therein; and (e) spooling the second pipe section onto the reel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mechanically lined pipe (MLP) having an outer pipe and an inner liner comprising at least the steps of: (a) forming the outer pipe as a single length; (b) forming an inner liner former being wholly or substantially the same length as the outer pipe of step (a); (c) locating the inner liner former of step (b) within the outer pipe; and (d) expanding the inner liner former within the outer pipe to form the MLP.

Abstract: A method of spooling a marine pipeline (90) including a plurality of bi-metallic pipe sections (10) (66) onto a reel (60) including at least the steps of: (a) filling a first pipe section with a fluid (12); (b) spooling the first pipe section onto the reel; (c) filling a second pipe section with a fluid (78); (d) joining the first pipe section with the second pipe section wherein at least one of the first and second pipe sections maintains the fluid (12,78) therein; and (e) spooling the second pipe section onto the reel.