Abstract: A method and system for concrete monitoring calibration using truck-mounted mixer drum jump speed data selectively assimilated from previous deliveries. In preferred embodiments, the invention surprisingly employs data obtained using different concrete mix designs, as well as jump speed data obtained from high speed mixing after the trucks arrive at the construction delivery site and before pouring the concrete into place at the site. The method involves measuring energy (E) in terms of pressure or force associated with mixing the concrete (“E1”) at a first drum speed (“V1”) and measuring energy (E2) after a speed jump of +/?2.5 RPM or more to a second drum speed (V2). Slump is calculated using low speed energy/speed/slump curve data, or pre-stored equation wherein slump(S) is derived as a function of slope of the line defined by E1, V1 and E2, V2 and intercept of the plotted relationship (at E axis where V is zero).

Abstract: A method and system for concrete monitoring calibration using truck-mounted mixer drum jump speed data selectively assimilated from previous deliveries. The method involves measuring energy at a first drum speed and a second drum speed. Slump is calculated using low speed energy/speed/slump curve data, or pre-stored equation wherein slump is derived as a function of slope of the line. The energy, speed, slump relationship in the provided concrete is compared to at least two pre-stored data curves across drum speed ranges of 15 0.5 RPM-6 RPM and 6 RPM-20 RPM, to ascertain whether the provided concrete matches any of the stored curve data; either activating the monitoring system for all drum speed ranges where a match is confirmed or allowing the monitoring system to calculate slump only at low drum speeds.

Abstract: Process and system for managing a mix design catalog of a concrete producer that involves collecting slump curve data obtained during in-transit monitoring of delivered concrete loads made from a plurality of various mix designs, wherein each mix design is identified by a different identification code (regardless of whether components are different), clustering slump curve data having same movement characteristics according to assigned strength value, and selecting a mix design to produce, to display, or both to produce and to display, from among the two or more slump data curves of individual mix designs within the same data curve cluster. The selection is based on same movement characteristic and assigned strength value, and at least one factor relative to cost, performance, physical aspect, quality, or other characteristic of the concrete mix or its components. Exemplary methods for generating new mix designs are also set forth.

Abstract: A method and system for initiating a majority percentage of chemical admixture dosage into a delivered concrete load preferably just before arrival of the concrete delivery truck at the delivery pour site, such that a maximized slump (or slump flow, or other slump characteristic) increase occurs just before discharge/pour. The invention employs a concrete slump management system having a processor that is programed to consider time of pour (discharge) and stored data that includes dosage response (change of slump characteristic) of the concrete mix due to past additions in the same type of concrete mix, and thus maximizes pre-pour increase in slump characteristic while minimizing or avoiding the risk of overshooting the slump target as well as limiting the time required for adjusting concrete to attain the target slump value at the jobsite.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems of the invention minimize errors in the manufacture or management of aggregate-containing construction materials such as concrete. Aggregates used for making concrete are stored or weighed in dry bulk bin type hoppers, and conveyed from these hoppers into mixer drums which batching or mix the concrete. The hoppers or conveyor belts may contain sensor probes for measuring moisture levels in the aggregate. These sensor probes require calibration from time to time, but time and expense are required for proper calibration, leading to habitually erroneous moisture level data used in the industry on a daily basis. The present inventors believe that the smallest inaccuracies in aggregate moisture level readings can have profound effects on the properties of the resultant concrete product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for detecting hardened concrete buildup in a mixer drum which is substantially devoid of plastic concrete. An exemplary method involves monitoring the hydraulic pressure required to rotate the drum through at least two successive rotations at constant speed, using a hydraulic pressure sensor on hydraulic charge side, discharge side, or preferably both sides of the hydraulic motor which turns the mixer drum; and detecting when the pressure/time data curve indicates eccentric behavior of the mixer drum, whereby an alarm or other indication is provided to confirm that the hardened concrete buildup in the truck is not acceptable. The buildup detection method and system of the present invention does not require the use of an automated slump monitoring system, but can be implemented in combination with such systems with favorable results and advantages.

Abstract: Disclosed are dosing methods for mitigating the deleterious effect of clays, which are born or conveyed by sand aggregates, crushed rock, gravel, and other aggregates used in the manufacture of concrete, upon the dosage efficiency of cement dispersants added into concrete. Instead of introducing the entire clay mitigation agent (CMA) into the aggregate material before or during batching in the cement batch plant in a singular, upfront dose, the present invention comprises administering CMA doses on at least two instances in a rotatable truck-mounted mixer drum, wherein at least 21%-100% of the total CMA added into the concrete is added after initial batching of water, cement binder, and clay-bearing aggregates in the rotatable truck-mounted mixer drum during the transit portion of the delivery between initial batching at the cement batch plant and the pour event at the job site.

Abstract: Disclosed are method and system for treating concrete in mixing drums of delivery vehicles having automated rheology (e.g., slump) monitoring systems programmed to dose fluids into concrete based on the monitored rheology. The present invention takes into account a Revolution-To-Discharge value (“RTD”) which reflects drum rotations needed to move concrete towards and through the mixing drum opening from which concrete is discharged, and also takes into consideration a Volume-Per-Revolution-Upon-Discharge (“VPRUD”) value which reflects the relation between the rate of discharge and rheology (e.g., slump) of concrete upon discharge. The invention is especially useful for reclaiming concrete in the drum after delivery and can confirm rheology based upon peak (maximum) discharge pressure. The present inventors found surprisingly that discharge pressure readings are useful for recalibrating automated rheology monitoring systems as well as for reporting and/or treating the remainder concrete.

Abstract: Disclosed are dosing methods for mitigating the deleterious effect of clays, which are born or conveyed by sand aggregates, crushed rock, gravel, and other aggregates used in the manufacture of concrete, upon the dosage efficiency of cement dispersants added into concrete. Instead of introducing the entire cement mitigation agent (CMA) into the aggregate material at a quarry or upon batching in the mix plant in a singular, upfront dose, the present invention comprises combining at least 51% and up to 100%, and, most preferably, at least 75% and up to 100%, of the total dosage amount of the CMAs into a given concrete mix batch during the transit portion of the delivery between initial batching at the mix plant and the pour event at the job site.

Abstract: A system and process for detecting dynamic segregation in concrete rotated within a mixer drum, such as mounted on a delivery truck. A system processor is programmed to monitor an instantaneous and averaged rheology parameter and to deploy protocols for detecting segregation. A first protocol comprises monitoring the averaged slump during and immediately after a jump in drum speed of at least plus or minus four rotations per minute and detecting when a change in the averaged slump value meets or exceeds a threshold; and a second protocol comprises monitoring the instantaneous slump when the mixer drum is rotating at a constant speed for at least three successive rotations and detecting when the instantaneous slump value meets or exceeds a threshold limit. Once segregation is detected, one or more operations can be initiated, such as initiating an alarm or adjusting the mix.

Abstract: This specification describes technologies relating to biometric authentication based on images of the eye. In general, one aspect can be embodied in methods that include obtaining one or more image regions from a first image of an eye. Each of the image regions may include a view of a respective portion of the white of the eye. The method may further include applying several distinct filters to each of the image regions to generate a plurality of respective descriptors for the region. The several distinct filters may include convolutional filters that are each configured to describe one or more aspects of an eye vasculature and in combination describe a visible eye vasculature in a feature space. A match score may be determined based on the generated descriptors and based on one or more descriptors associated with a second image of eye vasculature.

Abstract: This specification describes technologies relating to biometric authentication based on images of the eye. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include obtaining a first image of an eye including a view of the white of the eye. The method may further include determining metrics for the first image, including a first metric for reflecting an extent of one or more connected structures in the first image that represents a morphology of eye vasculature and a second metric for comparing the extent of eye vasculature detected across different color components in the first image. A quality score may be determined based on the metrics for the first image. The first image may be rejected or accepted based on the quality score.

Abstract: A gyroscopic rotational monitoring system may be utilized for monitoring one or more properties of rotatable container or vessel, and/or one or more properties of a displaceable material contained in the rotatable vessels. An exemplary aspect relates to the use of a gyroscope and periodicity sensor (e.g., accelerometer) to determine rotational speed of a concrete mixing drum, so that the slump or other property of the concrete can be monitored or adjusted such as by dosing with water, chemical admixtures, or mixture thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting concrete rheology requiring only that load size and target rheology value be selected initially rather than requiring inputs into and consultation of a lookup table of parameters such as water and hydration levels, mix components, temperature, humidity, aggregate components, and others. Dosage of particular rheology-modifying agent or combination of rheology-modifying agents is calculated based on a percentage of a nominal dose calculated with reference to a nominal dose response (“NDR”) curve or profile. The NDR profile is based on a correlation between a rheology value (e.g., slump, slump flow, yield stress) and the rheology-modifying agent(s) dose required to change rheology value by one unit (e.g., slump change from 2 to 3 inches) such that exemplary methods can employ corrective dosing based on the NDR and the measured deviation by the system.

Abstract: A system and process for detecting dynamic segregation in concrete rotated within a mixer drum, such as mounted on a delivery truck. A system processor is programmed to monitor an instantaneous and averaged rheology parameter (e.g., instantaneous and averaged slump values) and to deploy one or more protocols for detecting the occurrence of segregation. A first protocol comprises monitoring the averaged slump or other rheology value of concrete during and immediately after a jump in drum speed of at least plus or minus four rotations per minute and detecting when a change in the averaged slump value meets or exceeds a threshold limit pre-selected by the user or the system processor; and an optional second protocol comprises monitoring the instantaneous slump or other rheology value of the concrete when the mixer drum is rotating at a constant speed for at least three successive rotations.

Abstract: Disclosed are method and system for treating concrete in mixing drums of delivery vehicles having automated rheology (e.g., slump) monitoring systems programmed to dose fluids into concrete based on the monitored rheology. The present invention takes into account a Revolution-To-Discharge value (“RTD”) which reflects drum rotations needed to move concrete towards and through the mixing drum opening from which concrete is discharged, and also takes into consideration a Volume-Per-Revolution-Upon-Discharge (“VPRUD”) value which reflects the relation between the rate of discharge and rheology (e.g., slump) of concrete upon discharge. The invention is especially useful for reclaiming concrete in the drum after delivery and can confirm rheology based upon peak (maximum) discharge pressure. The present inventors found surprisingly that discharge pressure readings are useful for recalibrating automated rheology monitoring systems as well as for reporting and/or treating the remainder concrete.

Abstract: A wireless temperature sensor for a concrete delivery vehicle senses temperatures of the drum, and wirelessly transmits this data to a central processor. The sensor implements power management methods to reduce power consumption and increase battery life, permitting the use of battery power in the sensor. Temperature readings from the sensor may be used qualify or evaluate a load.

Abstract: A system for managing a concrete delivery vehicle having a mixing drum 14 and hydraulic drive 16 for rotating the mixing drum, including a rotational sensor 20 configured to sense a rotational speed of the mixing drum, a hydraulic sensor 22 coupled to the hydraulic drive and configured to sense a hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum, a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the drum, and a communications port 26 configured to communicate a slump calculation to a status system 28 commonly used in the concrete industry, wherein the sensing of the rotational speed of the mixing drum is used to qualify a calculation of current slump based on the hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum. Temperature readings are further used to qualify or evaluate a load. Also, water purge connections facilitate cold weather operation.

Abstract: A wireless temperature sensor for a concrete delivery vehicle senses temperatures of the drum, and wirelessly transmits this data to a central processor. The sensor implements power management methods to reduce power consumption and increase battery life, permitting the use of battery power in the sensor. Temperature readings from the sensor may be used qualify or evaluate a load.

Abstract: Method and system for motoring and obtaining information about quantity and characteristics of cementitious material In a rotating mixing drum. The present invention involves analysis of a sequence of values corresponding to a waveform reflecting the hydraulic pressure required to turn a concrete mixing drum at successive instances during rotation. Preferred embodiments involve the conversion of this time-domain data into the frequency-domain. Behavior of multiple harmonics can be examined in real time and further information obtained regarding physical properties of the concrete. Rheology or other properties can be adjusted by introducing a liquid into the concrete, based on a comparison between time-domain and/or frequency-domain values derived from a sample concrete in the drum and previously stored time-domain and/or frequency-domain values, which are preferably correlated with physical characteristics of concrete, such as slump, slump flow, load weight, and other factors.