Abstract: A tray feeder mechanism comprising a plurality of trays within a tray feeder, each tray including a tray handle, and a gripper positioned within a gripping area defined by the tray handles, wherein the gripper is configured to remove a tray from the tray feeder when the tray feeder stops.

Abstract: Determining, generating, and issuing a contextual alert message to a user regarding an alert condition of a process system is provided. Described is determining variable data from a sensor associated with a process system, transmitting a first set of variable data from the sensor to a server and using the server to develop an alert classification model using the first set of variable data, where the alert classification model contains contextual information about an alert condition of the process system, transmitting a second set of data from the sensor to the server and using the server to compare the second set of data to a threshold value to determine if the process system is in an alert condition or approaching an alert condition.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving a recycled wood workpiece populated with a set of metal fasteners; accessing an internal imaging scan; detecting the set of metal fasteners embedded in the recycled wood workpiece based on internal features detected in the internal imaging scan; for each metal fastener in the set of metal fasteners, extracting an initial position and an initial orientation of the metal fastener from the internal imaging scan; generating a virtual model of the recycled wood workpiece based on the internal imaging scan; accessing an image captured by an optical sensor; detecting a first metal fastener in the recycled wood workpiece; deriving a first position and a first orientation of the first metal fastener; and, in response to identifying the first metal fastener analogous to an initial metal fastener in the virtual model, isolating the first metal fastener in the virtual model and generating a fastener removal schedule.

Abstract: A turning assembly includes four arms extending from a central position located just outside of the expanse of conveyor rollers, with each of the arms being arranged at 90 degree angles relative to adjacent ones of the four arms. A vertical actuator is configured to move the turning assembly between an active position above a level of the conveyor rollers and an inactive position at or below the level of the conveyor rollers, where at least one of the arms is received within at least one of the gaps between adjacent rollers on the conveyor. Finally, a rotational actuator is configured to rotate the turning assembly arms through an arc around the central position, whereby articles traveling along an article path on the conveyor are configured to either pass over at least one of the turning assembly arms or impact upon the at least one of the turning assembly arms depending upon whether the turning assembly is in an inactive or active position, respectively.

Abstract: A paper rewinding machine includes a rewinding assembly operable to produce coreless retail paper rolls.

Abstract: A robotic end-tool including a divider restraining mechanism that utilizes a movable foot structure to restrain divider inserts during the automated extraction of objects from a box using a robot mechanism. The end-tool includes a frame connected to the robotic mechanism and an object gripping device (e.g., a suction cup) connected to the frame. The foot structure is connected to one end of a guide rod that is restricted to move in an axial direction by a linear bearing that is attached to the frame. Before each automated extraction the robot mechanism manipulates the frame to position the object gripping device mechanism over a targeted object. During each extraction operation the foot structure applies and maintains a restraining force on the divider insert while object gripping device is manipulated by the robot mechanism to secure and then extract the selected object out of its associated storage compartment.

Abstract: An angle screw feeding device comprises a screw feeding unit, a screw transporting unit, and a screw driving unit. The device is able to be used with small screws. Further, the device is able to perform an automatic screwing action at any selected angles.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a given run of a process having a defined protocol is on a trajectory for successful completion is provided. The method includes the step of initiating a run of the defined protocol of the process. During the initiated run, obtaining information reflecting variables that may affect the quality of the process. A preferred trajectory model for achieving a successful implementation of a process is also obtained. The information reflecting the variables that affect the quality of the process are compared with the preferred trajectory model. This comparison allows a determination of offset of the value of the determined variables to the value of the same variables of the preferred trajectory model. The magnitude or amount of offset is indicative of the whether the run initiated in step is on a path or trajectory for success.

Abstract: A folding knife with pocket clip has a knife frame, a flexible elongated resilient pocket clip having a first end connected to the knife frame and a second free end proximate the knife frame, the flexible elongated resilient pocket clip defining a plurality of louvers, each louver defining a slit transverse to the length of the flexible elongated resilient pocket clip and having an elevated edge, and each elevated edge facing toward the second free end. The louvers may be parallel to each other. The louvers may be at an intermediate location spaced apart from the first end and second free end. The knife frame may have a pivot end to which a blade is pivotally attached, and the elevated edges may face toward the pivot end.

Abstract: The disclosed systems for automated building construction may include upright supports, a support platform coupled to and vertically movable relative to the upright supports, and a bridge platform coupled to and horizontally movable along the support platform. A track may be mounted on the bridge platform, and a robotic arm may be coupled to and movable along the track. The robotic arm may be configured to retrieve structural insulated panels and to position the structural insulated panels to construct at least a portion of a building. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The herein described Table Top Priming Machine for Small Caliber Ammunition provides a simple, safe, and more precise means to produce reliable ammunition than other priming machines in the prior art. The Table Top Priming Machine uses a unique rotary disk assembly to hold cases as the machine installs primers into the cases. Gravity assists with securing cases in the disk assembly and promotes ejection of the finished cases. The compact construction of the machine makes the machine accessible for individuals or manufactures with limited space to create consistent ammunition at high speeds with limited space. Furthermore, the machine's design allows for any end user to assemble and maintain the machine with general hand tools, which obviates the need for specialized maintenance from the manufacturer.

Abstract: A method for verifying an alarm condition in an environmental sensing system includes monitoring data received from environmental sensors; detecting anomalous data received from one of the plurality of environmental sensors; determining the context in which the anomalous data was acquired is consistent with typical usage activities; and providing an alarm condition alert when the determined context is not consistent with typical activities. A system for intelligently monitoring environmental conditions includes environmental sensors configured to monitor first and second environmental conditions and to communicate with an intelligent analysis module.

Abstract: A device for providing consumer feedback including an enclosure, processors housed within the enclosure, an image capturing device in communication with the processors and configured to capture a user gesture, a display screen, the display screen in communication with the processors, a memory, and a battery configured to supply power to the display screen, the image capturing device, the processors, and the memory. The memory contains instructions to display a question on the display screen and display answer options to the question. The answer options correspond to a particular user gesture. The device may receive a plurality of selected answers from a plurality of users in response to the question. Each selected answer is selected from the plurality of answer options via the particular user gesture corresponding to the selected answer. The device may aggregate the received selected answers and display the aggregated selected answers on the display screen.

Abstract: A method for determining a time frame for when a freezer having a compressor should be defrosted include the steps of measuring compressor cycling over time, determining a change in compressor cycling over time, and determining from the change in in compressor cycling over time determined a time frame for when the freezer should be defrosted.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for implementing autonomous control of earth-moving construction and/or mining vehicles, including to automatically determine and control autonomous movement (e.g., of a vehicle's hydraulic arm(s), tool attachment(s), tracks/wheels, rotatable chassis, etc.) to move materials or perform other actions based at least in part on data about an environment around the vehicle(s). A perception system on a vehicle that includes at least a LiDAR component may be used to repeatedly map a surrounding environment and determine a 3D point cloud with 3D data points reflecting the surrounding ground and nearby objects, with the LiDAR component mounted on a component part of the vehicle that is moved independently of the vehicle chassis to gather additional data about the environment. GPS data from receivers on the vehicle may further be used to calculate absolute locations of the 3D data points.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for implementing autonomous control of powered earth-moving vehicles (e.g., construction and/or mining vehicles), including to automatically determine and control movement around a site. For example, the systems/techniques may determine and implement autonomous operations of earth-moving vehicles by determining current location and positioning of an earth-moving vehicle on the site, determining a command for the earth-moving vehicle, and causing the earth-moving vehicle to perform the command—the autonomous operations may in some situations further include obtaining and integrating data from sensors of multiple types on the earth-moving vehicle, implementing coordinated actions of multiple earth-moving vehicles of one or more types, etc.

Abstract: A vision analytics and validation (VAV) system for providing an improved inspection of robotic assembly, the VAV system comprising a trained neural network three-way classifier, to classify each component as good, bad, or do not know, and an operator station configured to enable an operator to review an output of the trained neural network, and to determine whether a board including one or more “bad” or a “do not know” classified components passes review and is classified as good, or fails review and is classified as bad. In one embodiment, a retraining trigger to utilize the output of the operator station to train the trained neural network, based on the determination received from the operator station.

Abstract: A tray feeder mechanism comprising a plurality of trays within a tray feeder, each tray including a tray handle, and a gripper positioned within a gripping area defined by the tray handles, wherein the gripper is configured to remove a tray from the tray feeder when the tray feeder stops.

Abstract: A machine-vision system for monitoring a quality metric for a product. The system includes a controller configured to receive a digital image from an image acquisition device. The controller is also configured to analyze the digital image using a first machine-vision algorithm to compute a measurement of the product. The system also includes a vision server connected to the controller, and configured to compute a quality metric and store the digital image and the measurement in a database storage. The system also includes a remote terminal connected to the vision server, and configured to display the digital image and the quality metric on the remote terminal.

Abstract: As described above, this new primer feed system is both accurate and consistent. The primer feed station begins by loading primers from the vendor packaging into the vibratory feed bowl via the primer chute. The bowl has an adjustable height polycarbonate guard that is inside the main safety polycarbonate doors and exits above the machine. The bowl then orients the primers open side up and discharges them into the primer track. Crimping can be done with 3 or 5 pins or a complete radial crimp. Previous versions of the crimp station on these crimping machines involved a pin mounted to the upper ram and a lower pin actuated by the lower ram. It was difficult to time and adjust properly for a consistent crimp. This new approach to crimping has proved much more reliable, accurate and easier to adjust. It still utilizes an upper pin mounted to the upper moving ram assembly but the lower pin is fixed.