Abstract: In computer vision systems that need to decode machine-readable indicia from captured imagery, it is critical to select imaging parameters (e.g., exposure interval, exposure aperture, camera gain, intensity and duration of supplemental illumination) that best allow detection of subtle features from imagery. In illustrative embodiments, a Shannon entropy metric or a KL divergence metric is used to guide selection of an optimal set of imaging parameters. In accordance with other aspects of the technology, different strategies identify which spatial locations within captured imagery should be successively examined for machine readable indicia, in order to have a greatest likelihood of success, within a smallest interval of time. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a fixed assembly and a reciprocating assembly. The fixed assembly includes a hopper, a first gas manifold, and a dispensing chamber, and the reciprocating assembly includes a channel assembly defining a channel conduit, a shield plate vertically aligned therewith, and a second gas manifold. The reciprocating assembly may move, in relation to the fixed assembly, to a first position to enable the channel conduit to be filled with bulk compressible material from the hopper, a second position to enable compressible material to be pushed from the channel conduit to the dispensing conduit and to be compressed in the dispensing chamber according to a first gas directed through the channel conduit by the first gas manifold, and a third position to enable the compressed material to be pushed out of the dispensing conduit according to a second gas directed through the dispensing conduit by the second gas manifold.

Abstract: A method is provided for authorizing a financial transaction between a consumer and a merchant. The method includes receiving, at a processor of a computer system, a request for authorization for the financial transaction from a credit clearing system; accessing, by the processor, an open to buy file to determine if adequate resources exist to complete the financial transaction, wherein the open to buy file corresponds to both a credit account and a deposit account that are associated with the consumer; when it is determined that the adequate resources exist, then: transferring funds, using the processor, from the deposit account to a remittance account associated with the consumer and the credit account, thereby building an outstanding balance on the credit account; and authorizing, using the processor, the financial transaction with the credit clearing system based on the transfer of funds from the deposit account to the remittance account.