Abstract: The disclosure describes a system and method for classifying information relating to target attributes that are captured by a sensor (collectively “classification system”). A wide variety of sensors, classification categories (including potentially classes and groups of classes), targets, and purposes can influence the processing performed by the classification system. The classification system is not forced to arbitrarily identify a single class as the appropriate classification if two or more classes cannot be adequately distinguished from one another given the particular target attributes and processing results. The classification system can generate a classification relating to a group of classes, with the group including one, two, or even more than two classes, if such a conclusion is appropriate. Historical attributes, environmental factors, relevant events and the plausibility of transitions from one class to another, can be incorporated into the classification process.

Abstract: An image segmentation method and apparatus are described. The inventive system and apparatus generates a segmented image of an occupant or other target of interest based upon an ambient image, which includes the target and the environment in the vehicle that surrounds the target. The inventive concept defines a bounding ellipse for the target. This ellipse may be provided to a processing system that performs tracking of the target. In one embodiment, an optical flow technique is used to compute motion and illumination field values. The explicit computation of the effects of illumination dramatically improves motion estimation and thereby facilitates computation of the bounding ellipses.

Abstract: A transfer decal retail product unit includes a transfer decal assembly, which can optionally be mounted on a display card. The assembly includes a liner comprising a material that contrasts visually with a graphic material releasably mounted thereon. An optional clear, transparent mask is releasably mounted on the graphic material and is adapted for removal after installation. The visual contrast between the liner and the graphic material facilitates point-of-purchase sales by attracting customers.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods that pertain to interactions between a vehicle and an occupant within the vehicle. More specifically, various systems and methods for enhancing the decisions of automated vehicle applications (collectively “decision enhancement system”) are disclosed. In a safety restraint embodiment, a sensor is used to capture various sensor readings. Sensor readings are typically in the form of images. Occupant information, such as location attributes, motion attributes, and occupant category attributes can be obtained from the sensor readings. Such information can then used by the system to enhance the decisions made by various automated applications.

Abstract: The disclosed segmentation method and system (collectively “system”) identifies a region-of-interest within an ambient image captured by a sensor. The ambient image includes the target image (the “segmented image” of the target), as well as the area surrounding the target. The disclosed system purposely “under-segments” the ambient image, and the process is typically followed by a subsequent segmentation process to remove the portions of the region-of-interest image that do not represent the segmented image. The system compares the ambient image captured by the sensor with a template ambient image without a target to assist in identifying the region-of-interest. They system performs a watershed heuristic to further remove portions of the ambient image from the region-of-interest. In a safety restraint embodiment of the system, the region-of-interest can be used by the safety restrain application to determine the classification of the vehicle occupant, and motion characteristics relating to the occupant.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure A collapsible pet enclosure is provided. The enclosure includes a pliable cover supported by a rigid, but foldable, frame. The cover includes an opening in a top panel such that the enclosure is top loading. The cover is completely removable from the frame so that it can be machine washed. The frame is of one-piece jointed construction so that it is collapsible for easy transportation or storage. Because all frame components are jointedly attached to one another, the frame does not include any loose components that are easily lost. The enclosure is quick and easy to set up and collapse.

Abstract: A collapsible pet enclosure is provided. The enclosure includes a pliable cover supported by a rigid, but foldable, frame. The cover includes an opening in a top panel such that the enclosure is top loading. The cover is completely removable from the frame so that it can be machine washed. The frame is of one-piece jointed construction so that it is collapsible for easy transportation or storage. Because all frame components are jointedly attached to one another, the frame does not include any loose components that are easily lost. The enclosure is quick and easy to set up and collapse.

Abstract: A pet shelter that enables efficient stacking of multiple. The shelter comprises a bottom section and a top section which nest together when stacked.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing, at a system frame display rate, a first set of frames displayed by a first monitor with a second set of frames by a second monitor, utilizes frame production rates of the two sets of frames to set the system frame display rate. More particularly, the first set of frames are produced at a first frame production rate by a first graphics engine, and the second set of frames are produced at a second frame production rate by a second graphics engine. The first frame production rate and second frame production rate first are compared to determine which frame production rate is slower. The system frame display rate then is set to be no greater than the slower of the two frame production rates.

Abstract: A device to measure the volume and weight of a harvested grain crop during the harvesting of the grain crop with a weight measurement member including an elevator for moving grain from a lower elevation to a higher elevation with the elevator having a rotatable belt and a set of paddles thereon for moving grain from the lower elevation to the higher elevation with a torque sensor to determine the increase in torque on the shaft as a result of having to raise the kernels of grain from the lower elevation to the higher elevation and an acoustic volume measurement member to obtain information on the depth of the grain that is correlatable to volume of the harvested crop.

Abstract: A device to measure the volume and weight of a harvested grain crop during the harvesting of the grain crop with a weight measurement member including an elevator for moving grain from a lower elevation to a higher elevation with the elevator having a rotatable belt and a set of paddies thereon for moving grain from the lower elevation to the higher elevation with a torque sensor to determine the increase in torque on the shaft as a result of having to raise the kernels of grain from the lower elevation to the higher elevation and an acoustic volume measurement member to obtain information on the depth of the grain that is correlatable to volume of the harvested crop.