Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and apparatus for a multi-aperture vacuum tool that is comprised of a distributed vacuum tool that has a number of apertures distributed across an area for manipulating material portion, such as textile, mesh, cloth, and foam. The multi-aperture vacuum tool is also comprised of a refined vacuum tool. The refined vacuum tool generally has a couple of apertures that allow the refined vacuum tool to manipulate smaller portions of material than that which are handled by the distributed vacuum tool. Further, it is contemplated that an affixing tool, such as an ultrasonic welder, is also incorporated with exemplary aspects of the multi-aperture vacuum tool.

Abstract: A system and method may simultaneously apply a limited visibility bite line to a temporarily assembled shoe upper and shoe sole while also generating a digital bite line. The digital bite line may be used to generate a tool path for the application of adhesives to the shoe upper and/or to the shoe sole assembly to permanently assemble the shoe. The limited visibility bite line may comprise a mark or other indicia observable only under specific viewing conditions and/or only for a limited amount of time or until removal. The limited visibility bite line may be used for quality control check purposes to verify, for example, the proper application of adhesives or the proper assembly of the shoe. The limited visibility bite line may be unobservable to the ultimate purchaser and/or wearer of the shoe.

Abstract: A tool path for treating a shoe upper may be generated to treat substantially only the surface of the shoe bounded by a bite line. The bite line may be defined to correspond to the junction of the shoe upper and a shoe bottom unit. Bite line data and three-dimensional profile data representing at least a portion of a surface of a shoe upper bounded by a bite line may be utilized in combination to generate a tool path for processing the surface of the upper, such as automated application of adhesive to the surface of a lasted upper bounded by a bite line.

Abstract: A sport ball may have a plurality of panels that are joined at seams to form a casing. The panels may include a thermoplastic polymer material applied to an interior side of the panels, and the thermoplastic polymer material may be heat-activated to extend across the seams. The ball may further include a bladder within the casing and an intermediate layer located between the casing and the bladder. The thermoplastic polymer material may also be heat-activated to bond with the intermediate layer or casing.

Abstract: An image processing method and a system for processing the same are provided. The image processing method includes the following steps. A first image having several first areas and a second image having several second areas are provided. Each first area has a first feature point having the largest or the smallest grey value in the first area. Each second area has a second feature point having the largest or the smallest grey value in the second area. A first relationship between the first feature points and a second relationship between the second feature points are created. The first and the second feature points are paired by a microprocessor according to the first and the second relationship.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a hollow-tipped ultrasonic welding and vacuum tool. The tool is comprised of a horn coupled to a converter for transferring an ultrasonic mechanical vibration to a part-contacting distal end of the horn. The horn is comprised of a vacuum channel that extends from an exterior surface of the horn through an interior portion of the horn to the part-contacting distal end of the horn. The vacuum channel may provide a channel through which a vacuum force may be focused to a part that is to be positioned and welded with a common part-contacting surface.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and apparatus for a multi-aperture vacuum tool that is comprised of a distributed vacuum tool that has a number of apertures distributed across an area for manipulating material portion, such as textile, mesh, cloth, and foam. The multi-aperture vacuum tool is also comprised of a refined vacuum tool. The refined vacuum tool generally has a couple of apertures that allow the refined vacuum tool to manipulate smaller portions of material than that which are handled by the distributed vacuum tool. Further, it is contemplated that an affixing tool, such as an ultrasonic welder, is also incorporated with exemplary aspects of the multi-aperture vacuum tool.

Abstract: Manufacturing and assembly of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by automated placement and assembly of shoe parts. For example, a part-recognition system analyzes an image of a shoe part to identify the part and determine a location of the part. Once the part is identified and located, the part can be manipulated by an automated manufacturing tool.

Abstract: Manufacturing of a shoe is enhanced by creating 3-D models of shoe parts. For example, a laser beam may be projected onto a shoe-part surface, such that a projected laser line appears on the shoe part. An image of the projected laser line may be analyzed to determine coordinate information, which may be converted into geometric coordinate values usable to create a 3-D model of the shoe part. Once a 3-D model is known and is converted to a coordinate system recognized by shoe-manufacturing tools, certain manufacturing steps may be automated.

Abstract: Aspects relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for a zoned vacuum tool comprised of independently operable vacuum sources provided a vacuum force to segregated zones. A vacuum force is generated in connection with a first zone independently of an activation or deactivation of vacuum force generation associated with a second zone. Therefore, a single vacuum tool can selectively apply a vacuum force to material portions, which allows for control as to which material portions are manipulated by the vacuum tool.

Abstract: Aspects relate to systems and apparatus for a vacuum tool having a vacuum distributor, one or more vacuum apertures, a vacuum distribution cavity, and a plate. The vacuum tool is effective for picking and placing one or more manufacturing parts utilizing a vacuum force. Aspects of the present invention have a plurality of vacuum distributors coupled as a unified vacuum tool, which provides control over generated vacuum forces. Further, aspects of the present invention vary a size, shape, offset, and/or pitch of one or more apertures extending through the vacuum tool plate. Further yet, aspects of the present invention contemplate selective activation/deactivation of one or more vacuum generators.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for a vacuum tool having a switchable plate, such that a common vacuum tool may be adapted with different plates. A switchable plate may form the entirety of the vacuum tool's material contacting surface or a switchable plate may form a portion of the material contacting surface. The vacuum tool is effective for picking and placing one or more manufacturing parts utilizing a vacuum force.

Abstract: Aspects relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for a manufacturing tool. The manufacturing tool is comprised of a vacuum tool and an ultrasonic welder as a unified manufacturing tool. The manufacturing tool may be used to pick and position a manufacturing part that is then welded with the associated ultrasonic welder.

Abstract: Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by automated placement of shoe parts. For example, a part-recognition system analyzes an image of a shoe part to identify the part and determine a location of the part. Once the part is identified and located, the part can be manipulated in an automated manner.

Abstract: A sport ball may have a plurality of panels that are joined at seams to form a casing. The panels may include a thermoplastic polymer material applied to an interior side of the panels, and the thermoplastic polymer material may be heat-activated to extend across the seams. The ball may further include a bladder within the casing and an intermediate layer located between the casing and the bladder. The thermoplastic polymer material may also be heat-activated to bond with the intermediate layer or casing.

Abstract: An integrated transformation apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a first multiplexer, a second multiplexer, and a transformation unit. The first multiplexer retrieves point data from columns or rows of a multi-dimensional matrix and input data. The second multiplexer retrieves transformation coefficients corresponding to the point data. The transformation unit transforms data blocks of the multi-dimensional matrix to a plurality of sub data blocks according to the input data, the point data, and the transformation coefficients.

Abstract: An image processing method and a system for processing the same are provided. The image processing method includes the following steps. A first image having several first areas and a second image having several second areas are provided. Each first area has a first feature point having the largest or the smallest grey value in the first area. Each second area has a second feature point having the largest or the smallest grey value in the second area. A first relationship between the first feature points and a second relationship between the second feature points are created. The first and the second feature points are paired by a microprocessor according to the first and the second relationship.

Abstract: A control circuit is developed to adaptively operate a power converter at quasi-resonance (QR) and in a continuous current mode (CCM) to achieve high efficiency. The control circuit includes a PWM circuit generating a switching signal coupled to switch a transformer. A signal generation circuit generates a ramp signal and a pulse signal. The pulse signal is generated in response to the ramp signal for switching on the switching signal. A feedback circuit produces a feedback signal according to an output load of the power converter. The feedback signal is coupled to switch off the switching signal. A detection circuit is coupled to the transformer for generating a valley signal in response to the waveform of the transformer. The valley signal is further coupled to generate the pulse signal when the ramp signal is lower than a threshold. The level of the threshold is correlated to the feedback signal.

Abstract: A switching control circuit is coupled to a switching device and an auxiliary winding of a transformer, wherein a primary winding of the transformer is coupled to the switching device. The switching control circuit includes a voltage receiver, a comparing unit and a propagation delay circuit, wherein the voltage receiver is coupled to the auxiliary winding of the transformer for receiving a reflected voltage signal and transforming the reflected voltage signal into a peak voltage signal, while the switching device is turned off. The comparing unit is coupled to the voltage receiver for receiving the peak voltage signal and a first threshold voltage, and outputting a comparison result. The propagation delay circuit is coupled to the comparing unit for receiving the comparison result, and outputting a PWM signal to turn on the switching device after a delay time.

Abstract: A heating coil includes at least one winding having a plurality of approach portions. Each of the approach portions is close to a workpiece surrounded by the winding. The winding defines two electrodes at two ends thereof for electric connection with a high-frequency power source. Accordingly, the workpiece can be heated more equably than that of the prior art.