Abstract: A layer destacking system for destacking layer from stacked layer pallet load, including layer seating platform configured to seat the destacked layer on layer seating platform, conveying surface with conveyance traverse direction traverses the seated destacked layer off layer seating platform, slip sheet detection sensor coupled to layer seating platform and arranged to sense slip sheet in contact with seated destacked layer on uppermost surface and bottom surface of seated destacked layer, slip sheet pickup removal mechanism extending over layer seating platform configured to engage, above layer seating platform, slip sheet contacting one uppermost surface and bottom surface of seated destacked layer controller communicably coupled to slip sheet detection sensor to receive signal from slip sheet detection sensor identifying presence of slip sheet, controller is operably connected to slip sheet pickup removal mechanism to actuate slip sheet pickup removal mechanism engaging slip sheet contacting one uppermos

Abstract: Techniques for multi-Content Delivery Network (CDN) load balancing are performed at a content steering server in a multi-CDN system, where the multi-CDN system includes a plurality of CDNs serving a plurality of clients. The content steering server receives from a first CDN of the plurality of CDNs a request to switch a first number of clients in the multi-CDN system. In response to receiving the request, the content steering server facilitates negotiations between the first CDN and at least one CDN of the plurality of CDNs, including determining a second number of clients in the multi-CDN system to be switched. Upon successful negotiations, the content steering server triggers the first CDN and the at least one CDN to switch the second number of clients between the first CDN and the at least one CDN.

Abstract: A pallet building apparatus for automatically building a pallet load of pallet load article units onto a pallet support including a frame defining a pallet building base, at least one articulated robot to transport and place the pallet load article units, a controller to control articulated robot motion and effect therewith a pallet load build, at least one three-dimensional, time of flight, camera to generate three-dimensional imaging of the pallet support and pallet load build, wherein the controller registers, from the three-dimensional camera, real time three-dimensional imaging data embodying different corresponding three-dimensional images of the pallet support and pallet load build, to determine, in real time, from the corresponding real time three-dimensional imaging data, a pallet support variance or article unit variance and generate in real time an articulated robot motion signal, the articulated robot motion signal being generated real time so as to be performed real time.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus, for inspection of cased goods, includes at least one conveyor, at least one camera for capturing case image data of each of the cased goods advanced with the at least one conveyor past the inspection apparatus, and a processor configured to receive the case image data from the at least one camera. The processor is configured to characterize, from the case image data, a case exterior protrusion of the case good as a case flap in open condition, wherein the processor is configured to resolve the case image data and determine the case exterior protrusion is a coherent planar surface, and is programmed with a parameter array of physical characteristic parameters that describe case flap coherency attributes determinative of the coherent planar surface defining an open case flap condition.

Abstract: A layer destacking system, for destacking a layer from a stacked layer pallet load, including a layer seating platform configured so as to seat the destacked layer on the layer seating platform, a slip sheet detection sensor arranged to sense a slip sheet in contact with the seated destacked layer, a slip sheet pickup removal mechanism, and a controller that receives a signal from the slip sheet detection sensor identifying presence of the slip sheet. The controller is operably connected to the slip sheet pickup removal mechanism so as to actuate the slip sheet pickup removal mechanism effecting discharge of the slip sheet off the layer seating platform.

Abstract: A pallet building apparatus for automatically building a pallet load of pallet load article units onto a pallet support including a frame defining a pallet building base, at least one articulated robot to transport and place the pallet load article units, a controller to control articulated robot motion and effect therewith a pallet load build, at least one three-dimensional, time of flight, camera to generate three-dimensional imaging of the pallet support and pallet load build, wherein the controller registers, from the three-dimensional camera, real time three-dimensional imaging data embodying different corresponding three-dimensional images of the pallet support and pallet load build, to determine, in real time, from the corresponding real time three-dimensional imaging data, a pallet support variance or article unit variance and generate in real time an articulated robot motion signal, the articulated robot motion signal being generated real time so as to be performed real time.

Abstract: Method for sintering an assembly (1), wherein the assembly (1) comprises at least a first part (2) produced by powder metallurgy and a second part (3) produced by powder metallurgy; wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: a) providing the first part (2) and the second part (3) each in the form of a green blank, with a green blank being produced from a powdered material by a metal injection moulding method; b) providing a support structure part (4); c) arranging the first part (2) and the second part (3) on the support structure part (4), wherein the support structure part (4) makes contact with at least the first part (2) at least at one first point of contact (5), wherein the second part (3) makes contact with at least the first part (2) or the support structure part (4) at least at one second point of contact (6); d) jointly sintering the parts (2, 3) and the support structure part (4).

Abstract: A logistics imaging module, for reading logistic iconography on containers of goods of different sizes, including a frame, a conveyor coupled to the frame to transport each container through the frame at a predetermined continuous throughput rate, at least one source of illumination connected to the frame and configured to illuminate the container with diffuse light, at least one camera, with a fixed depth of field, disposed to image the container transported substantially coincident with the illumination of the container. A controller is connected to the conveyor to determine a pose of the container transported relative to the frame. The controller is configured to trigger the at least one camera and the at least one source of illumination to image the container based on the determined pose being an optimum pose for imaging parameters of the at least one camera.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus, for inspection of cased goods, includes at least one conveyor, at least one camera for capturing case image data of each of the cased goods advanced with the at least one conveyor past the inspection apparatus, and a processor configured to receive the case image data from the at least one camera. The processor is configured to characterize, from the case image data, a case exterior protrusion of the case good as a case flap in open condition, wherein the processor is configured to resolve the case image data and determine the case exterior protrusion is a coherent planar surface, and is programmed with a parameter array of physical characteristic parameters that describe case flap coherency attributes determinative of the coherent planar surface defining an open case flap condition.

Abstract: A vision-assisted robotized depalletizer receives at a pallet station a pallet loaded with products and outputs on a conveyor unitized products aligned in a desired orientation. Such depalletizers include a vision system having one or more image acquisition sensors that are positioned relative to the pallet station so as to have a field of view covering a top portion of the pallet. The sensors send to a controller one or more image of the top portion of the pallet that the controller uses along to determine the position of each product in the top portion of the pallet. The depalletizer further includes a robot equipped with a depalletizing tool that is coupled to the vision system controller for receiving information indicative of the position of each product from the top portion and uses that information to pick and position on the output conveyor each product from the top portion.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus, for inspection of cased goods, includes at least one conveyor, at least one camera for capturing case image data of each of the cased goods advanced with the at least one conveyor past the inspection apparatus, and a processor configured to receive the case image data from the at least one camera. The processor is configured to characterize, from the case image data, a case exterior protrusion of the case good as a case flap in open condition, wherein the processor is configured to resolve the case image data and determine the case exterior protrusion is a coherent planar surface, and is programmed with a parameter array of physical characteristic parameters that describe case flap coherency attributes determinative of the coherent planar surface defining an open case flap condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a sequence of output gains, wherein the sequence of output gains is suitable for attenuating a background signal of an audio signal is provided. The apparatus comprises a signal characteristics provider configured to receive or to determine signal characteristics information on one or more characteristics of the audio signal, wherein the signal characteristics information depends on the background signal, wherein the signal characteristics information comprises a sequence of input gains which depends on the background signal and on a foreground signal of the audio signal. Moreover, the apparatus comprises a gain sequence generator configured to determine the sequence of output gains depending on the sequence of input gains.

Abstract: A vision-assisted robotized depalletizer receives at a pallet station a pallet loaded with products and outputs on a conveyor unitized products aligned in a desired orientation. Such depalletizers include a vision system having one or more image acquisition sensors that are positioned relative to the pallet station so as to have a field of view covering a top portion of the pallet. The sensors send to a controller one or more image of the top portion of the pallet that the controller uses along to determine the position of each product in the top portion of the pallet. The depalletizer further includes a robot equipped with a depalletizing tool that is coupled to the vision system controller for receiving information indicative of the position of each product from the top portion and uses that information to pick and position on the output conveyor each product from the top portion.

Abstract: There are described techniques (e.g. methods and systems) for signal-adaptive remixing of separated audio sources. A system may comprise: a source separation block estimating, from an input signal, a target signal and at least one residual signal to be subsequently remixed according to at least one remixing gain variable along the discrete succession; a control block configured to determine, for a determined current time instant or time slot, metrics on the target signal; and a temporal context block determining temporal context information based on metrics on the target signal. The control block may generate a remixing gain associated to the determined current time instant or time slot by considering: the metrics in the determined current time instant or time slot; and the temporal context information.

Abstract: A pallet building apparatus for automatically building a pallet load of pallet load article units onto a pallet support including a frame defining a pallet building base, at least one articulated robot to transport and place the pallet load article units, a controller to control articulated robot motion and effect therewith a pallet load build, at least one three-dimensional, time of flight, camera to generate three-dimensional imaging of the pallet support and pallet load build, wherein the controller registers, from the three-dimensional camera, real time three-dimensional imaging data embodying different corresponding three-dimensional images of the pallet support and pallet load build, to determine, in real time, from the corresponding real time three-dimensional imaging data, a pallet support variance or article unit variance and generate in real time an articulated robot motion signal, the articulated robot motion signal being generated real time so as to be performed real time.

Abstract: A pallet building apparatus, for automatically building a pallet load of pallet load article units onto a pallet support, includes a frame defining a pallet station with a pallet building base for the pallet support, an articulated robot connected to the frame, at least one three-dimensional camera, connected to the frame separate and distinct of the articulated robot, and disposed to generate three-dimensional imaging of the pallet support on the pallet building base and of a pallet load build on the pallet support, a controller operably connected to the at least one articulated robot and the at least one three-dimensional camera, and an automatic calibration system for calibrating the articulated robot, the controller being communicably connected to the automatic calibration system, and being configured to automatically calibrate the articulated robot, from a substantially uncalibrated state, and automatically teach the articulated robot a location of the pallet station.

Abstract: A pallet building apparatus for automatically building a pallet load of pallet load article units onto a pallet support including a frame defining a pallet building base, at least one articulated robot to transport and place the pallet load article units, a controller to control articulated robot motion and effect therewith a pallet load build, at least one three-dimensional, time of flight, camera to generate three-dimensional imaging of the pallet support and pallet load build, wherein the controller registers, from the three-dimensional camera, real time three-dimensional imaging data embodying different corresponding three-dimensional images of the pallet support and pallet load build, to determine, in real time, from the corresponding real time three-dimensional imaging data, a pallet support variance or article unit variance and generate in real time an articulated robot motion signal, the articulated robot motion signal being generated real time so as to be performed real time by the at least one artic

Abstract: A layer destacking system, for destacking a layer from a stacked layer pallet load, including a layer seating platform configured so as to seat the destacked layer on the layer seating platform, a slip sheet detection sensor arranged to sense a slip sheet in contact with the seated destacked layer, a slip sheet pickup removal mechanism, and a controller that receives a signal from the slip sheet detection sensor identifying presence of the slip sheet. The controller is operably connected to the slip sheet pickup removal mechanism so as to actuate the slip sheet pickup removal mechanism effecting discharge of the slip sheet off the layer seating platform.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for model training is provided. The method includes receiving, by a hardware processor, sets of images, each set corresponding to a respective task. The method further includes training, by the hardware processor, a task-based neural network classifier having a center and a covariance matrix for each of a plurality of classes in a last layer of the task-based neural network classifier and a plurality of convolutional layers preceding the last layer, by using a similarity between an image feature of a last convolutional layer from among the plurality of convolutional layers and the center and the covariance matrix for a given one of the plurality of classes, the similarity minimizing an impact of a data model forgetting problem.

Abstract: A method of inspecting cased goods includes advancing at least one case of goods on a conveyor, generating an illumination sheet of parallel illuminating rays with at least one electromagnetic source, and capturing an image, formed by the illumination sheet passing through a diffuser with at least one camera located so as to capture illumination from diffused parallel rays of the light sheet, where the image case embodies a goods image that is generated by the case goods moving between the light source and the at least one camera, where part of the parallel sheet of light is at least partially blocked by the case of goods, thus generating a gray level image.