Abstract: A method is provided for recognizing an individual item at an identification station from a variety of known products for purposes of entry into an inventory and/or register system. A backlit viewplate is used and a digital image capturing device captures and stores a reference image of the viewplate. A backlit image of the item to be identified adjacent the viewplate is then captured and converted into a digitized image signal representing the captured image. The digitized image signal is processed by subtraction of a representation of said stored reference image to remove viewplate artifact, to provide a background-compensated image signal. The background-compensated image signal is analyzed to generate image descriptors characterizing features of size and/or shape of the item, and the descriptors are compared with the data stored on a computerized product database to identify data sets with the highest correlation.

Abstract: A nail for fixing a shoe to a hoof includes a head, and a shank extending from the head generally along a centerline and terminating in a tip. A reaction region is formed in the shank adjacent the tip and has a flattened profile having front and rear surfaces interconnected by respective edge surfaces. In the reaction region the front surface is convexly curved to incline the front surface relative to the centreline of tho shark The edge surfaces converge relative to each other towards the tip, whereby, on forcing the nail into the hoof, the reaction region is adapted to produce a resultant force on the nail. The resultant force is caused by engagement of the reaction with the hoof. The resultant force is adapted to predispose the nail to bend about the rear surface of the reaction region Also disclosed are processes for forming a horseshoe nail.