Abstract: A system for inspecting an object, the system comprising a camera; a work surface for receiving the object; and an apparatus for processing an image of the object taken by the camera wherein, during the capture of an image by the camera, the camera and the object are fixed with respect to one another. The processing apparatus identifies those image data components that represent the an edge of the object in an image plane, and projects each image edge data component onto the object plane.

Abstract: A fire-fighting monitor includes a housing, a nozzle coupler, and a pivot joint coupler comprising an internal passageway and a pivot member. The pivot member is pivotally mounted to the housing at the outlet of the housing. The nozzle coupler is mounted to the pivot joint coupler wherein the internal passageway of the pivot joint coupler is in communication with the internal passageways of the housing and the nozzle coupler, wherein the weight at the nozzle coupler generates a gravitational moment about the pivot axis. In addition, the nozzle coupler has a central axis defining a reference line, which is offset from the first pivot axis wherein a reaction force generated by fluid flowing through the nozzle coupler generates a moment about the first pivot axis in a direction opposed from said gravitational moment.

Abstract: An exterior reflective mirror element suitable for a vehicle includes a transparent glass substrate having a reflector and a visual indicator display disposed to the rear of the substrate. The visual indicator display may be part of a blind spot detection and display system of the vehicle wherein the visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to a detection by a blind spot detection detector of the equipped vehicle of an overtaking vehicle in a side lane adjacent the side of the equipped vehicle. The visual indicator display includes at least a first indicator at a first location to the rear of the exterior reflective mirror element. A first portion of the reflector may be at least partially removed at the first location in order to establish an at least partially transmissive first portion of the exterior reflective mirror element at the first location.

Abstract: A positive displacement article sorter and method of monitoring a positive displacement article sorter, wherein the article sorter includes a frame, an endless web traveling in a longitudinal direction about the frame and an electric motor driving the endless web. The endless web is defined by a pair of continuous chains and a plurality of cross members connected at opposite ends with the chain. The positive displacement sorter includes a plurality of pusher shoes, each laterally traveling along at least one of the cross members. A sensing assembly is provided that has first and second portions. The first portion of said sensing assembly is positioned at the web. The second portion of said sensing assembly is positioned at a stationary location. The first portion of said sensing assembly is sensed with the second portion of the sensing assembly as the first portion of said sensing assembly travels about the frame. A parameter of the web is determined from an output of the sensing assembly.

Abstract: A rearview mirror element assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element having a front generally planar substrate and a rear generally planar substrate. A reflecting mirror reflector is established at a third surface of the rear substrate and an auxiliary mirror element is positioned rearward of a perimeter region of the front substrate. The auxiliary mirror element provides a wide angle view of a blind spot to the side of a vehicle and a generally planar portion of the electrochromic reflective element provides a generally planar view rearward of the vehicle. A perimeter band or demarcating band may be established at least partially around a perimeter border region of the substrate and may traverse the substrate at the perimeter region of the front substrate behind which the auxiliary mirror element is positioned. The band may demarcate the perimeter region from the generally planar portion of the reflective element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling gaps between articles traveling on a conveyor system includes providing a plurality of tandem conveying surfaces defining a series of sequentially arranged conveying surface interfaces. At least one of the conveying surfaces associated with each of said conveying surface interfaces is an adjustable-speed conveying surface. At least one article sensor is provided adjacent at least one of the conveying surface interfaces. The article sensor provides information on positions of the articles. The speeds of the tandem conveying surfaces are controlled in a manner that establishes controlled gaps between articles, by identifying a controllable gap that can be adjusted between articles at a particular conveying surface interface and adjusting the controllable gap at the particular conveying surface interface.

Abstract: A lighted assembly includes a support having a wall and a light assembly with a light source and a body, which includes a light emitting surface. The light source is coupled to the body and is adapted for coupling to a power source for powering the light source. When powered light from the light source is directed into the body and is directed from the body through the light emitting surface. The support includes a corresponding recess formed in the wall, with the light assembly being mounted in the recess and facing outwardly from the support to thereby direct light outwardly from the support.

Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus and method includes providing a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes are provided, each moving along at least one of the plurality of slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. Each of the pusher shoes includes a diverting portion extending above the conveying surface. The diverting portion includes a diverting surface and a stop surface. The diverting surface contacts an article and laterally displaces that article. A lifting force is applied by the diverting surface to a portion of the article being diverted. The stop surface limits movement of the article relative to the pusher shoe.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a stem and a body having a passageway for receiving the stem. The diameter of at least an upper portion of the passageway is greater than a diameter of the stem assembly to form a stem space. A packing element is received around the stem assembly in the stem space, and a packing gland is configured to attach to the body and to engage the packing element. The packing gland is attached to the body and applies a compressive force at the packing element, causing the packing element to radially expand and thus substantially seal the packing element and the stem element at the stem space. The packing gland flexes when secured to the body and is biased toward its initial unflexed state to provide a substantially consistent compressive force at the packing element as the packing element deteriorates over time.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element having at least one substrate with a reflective coating thereon. A specularly reflective indicia reflector is established to form indicia or information at the reflective element. The indicia reflector provides a visible contrast to the main mirror reflector so that the indicia or information is subtly viewable by a person viewing the mirror assembly. The reflective element reflects light incident thereon over the surface coated by the reflective coating of the main mirror reflector, including the area at which the indicia reflector is established.

Abstract: A video mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly with an electrochromic reflective element having a front portion and a rear portion generally opposite the front portion. The reflective element has an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate and has a transflective third-surface mirror reflector that is at least 15 percent transmitting to visible light and that is at least 40 percent reflective to visible light. A video display is disposed to the rear of the reflective element and emits light when actuated that passes through the transflective mirror reflector. The video display is back lit by at least one light source, and the video display is operable to exhibit a display intensity as viewed by the driver of at least about 400 candelas per square meter when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle.

Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imaging device and an image processor operable to process image data captured by the imaging device. The driver assistance system may display information including the speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling and at least one of the speed of the equipped vehicle and a difference between the speed of the equipped vehicle and the speed limit, An adaptive speed control system may adjust the speed of the equipped vehicle responsive to at least one of (a) a speed limit for the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling, (b) recognition of a warning sign at least in part by processing image data by the image processor and (c) detection of a curve in the road ahead of the equipped vehicle at least in part by processing image data by the image processor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a load hook with a hook fastened to a hook tackle that can be safely handled. A cover region is arranged at least partially between the hook tackle and the hook, such that the hook is covered starting at the outer contour of the hook tackle.

Abstract: A mirror reflective element system has a front substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface having a transparent second surface electrically conductive coating disposed thereon, and a rear substrate that has a third surface and a fourth surface, the third surface having a third surface electrically conductive coating disposed thereon. An attaching surface of a heating element is attached at the fourth surface. The heating element has an electrically conductive heating element established thereat and includes first and second electrically conductive traces. The electrically conductive heating element and the first and second electrically conductive traces are electrically isolated from one another.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a valve stem to the rim of a vehicle wheel includes locating apparatus that determines the location of an aperture on the wheel rim for receiving the valve stem, the locating apparatus preferably including a machine vision system at a gauging station. A programmable, robotic manipulator capable of compound, multi-axial movement and capable of engaging the valve stem is controlled by a controller to engage a valve stem, move the valve stem to the aperture in the wheel rim, coaxially align the central axis of the aperture with the longitudinal axis of the valve stem, and insert the valve stem through the aperture along the aligned central and longitudinal axes. Optionally, the robotic manipulator may include a nut runner to tighten a nut over the valve stem. Alternately, the gauging station may include a rotating table to rotate the vehicle wheel and an optical sensor for detecting the location of the aperture for the valve stem.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly, a mirror casing, a reflective element, an information display, a compass sensor and control circuitry. The compass sensor is disposed in the mirror casing and has at least a first magnetoresponsive sensing element and a second magnetoresponsive sensing element. The information display is disposed behind the reflective element whereby information displayed by the information display is viewable through the transflective reflector by a driver of a vehicle when the information display is displaying information. The control circuitry determines a directional heading of the vehicle responsive to the sensing by the first and second magnetoresponsive sensing elements, and the control circuitry automatically compensates for a deviating magnetic field of the vehicle and generates a signal indicative of the directional heading of the vehicle. The information display displays the directional heading of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pin assembly for a chain of a material handling system includes a pin element and an attachment element. The pin element includes a shaft portion, a head portion at an end of the shaft portion, and an attachment portion at an end of the shaft portion opposite the head portion. The attachment element is configured to attach to the attachment portion of the pin element, and is positionable at the attachment portion and is retainable thereto. The attachment element may comprise a second head portion to define an I-type pin assembly or may comprise a side link and pusher member construction or other element or member. A mounting extension may extend from the attachment portion for mounting an object to the pin assembly after the attachment is attached to the pin element.

Abstract: A wireless communication system and method includes providing at least one master unit and a plurality of slave units communicating with the at least one master unit over at least one wireless communication link. The at least one master unit sends polling signals to the slave units over the at least one wireless communication link. The slave units send data to the at least one master unit over the at least one communication link in response to one of the polling signals. The communication link is made up of at least one master transceiver at the at least one master unit and a plurality of slave transceivers each at one of the slave units. The at least one master transceiver and the slave transceivers communicate with a spread-spectrum hopping protocol.