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: A machine and method for packaging tobacco sachets, comprising a plurality of linearly arranged, multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers having fluid sealing means on lower portions thereof, conveyor means disposed below the plurality of multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers, and a lidding apparatus disposed downstream of and in communication with the plurality of vertically moveable chambers through the conveyor means.

Abstract: A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.

Abstract: Interpolymers useful for enhancing the efficacy of nutrients in soil and fertilizers; and methods of inhibiting the precipitation of, and/or dispersing, inorganic elements.

Abstract: Image data depicting a 2D machine-readable code is up-sampled and compressed with a lossy compression process before being sent from a client device to a remote server for code reading. The remote server decompresses the sent information, extracts a payload from the machine-readable code, and causes result information to be sent back to the client device for display or other action. The up-sampling and compression operations performed on the client device can employ software instructions that are downloaded to, and executed by, browser software on the client device. Many other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: In an illustrative system, a point-of-sale scanner is equipped to respond to multiple different symbologies printed on a single product. The scanner captures many frames per second, as products are swiped through a viewing volume. Each frame is decoded, yielding one or more payloads. A reconciliation module compares each newly-decoded payload against a list of payloads previously output by the module, to determine if the current payload is semantically-equivalent to a previously-output payload. If so, the previously-output payload is output again, in lieu of the just-decoded payload. If no equivalent is found, the current payload is output and added to the list for comparison against future payloads. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: A system including a vial and methods of its use to provide a lyophilized cake removable from the vial without cracking or breaking.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing and inserting a predetermined number of material-filled pouches into containers are disclosed. A system includes a pouch providing system comprising a plurality of lanes, wherein each one of the plurality of lanes includes a pouch making machine and a hold-back structure. The system also includes a conveyor system structured and arranged to move a plurality of containers into alignment with the plurality of lanes. The system further includes a controller structured and arranged to control the hold-back structure in each one of the plurality of lanes such that the pre-determined pouches are inserted into the plurality of containers when the plurality of containers are aligned with the plurality of lanes.

Abstract: A system including an audio source device having a first microphone and a first speaker for directing sound into an environment in which the audio source device is located and a wireless audio receiver device having a second microphone and a second speaker for directing sound into a user's ear. The audio source device is configured to 1) capture, using the first microphone, speech of the user as a first audio signal, 2) reduce noise in the first audio signal to produce a speech signal, and 3) drive the first speaker with the speech signal. The wireless audio receiver device is configured to 1) capture, using the second microphone, a reproduction of the speech produced by the first speaker as a second audio signal and 2) drive the second speaker with the second audio signal to output the reproduction of the speech.

Abstract: Electronic systems might include a plurality of groups of memory cells and a controller for access of the plurality of groups of memory cells that is configured to cause the electronic system to determine whether a reliability of a particular group of memory cells having a particular reliability rank allocated for storing data of a particular data level at a particular memory density is less than a target reliability, and, if so, determine whether the reliability of the particular group of memory cells at a reduced memory density is less than the target reliability, and, in response to determining that the reliability of the particular group of memory cells at the reduced density is less than the target reliability, allocate the particular group of memory cells for storing data of a lower data level and allocate a different group of memory cells for storing data of the particular data level.

Abstract: A method for routing audio content through an electronic device that is to be worn by a user. The method obtains a communication and determines whether the communication is private. In response to determining that the communication is private, the method drives a bone conduction transducer of the electronic device with an audio signal associated with the communication. In response to determining that the communication is not private, however, the method drives a speaker of the electronic device with the audio signal.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

Abstract: Interpolymers useful for mixing with a fertilizer for the purpose of enhancing the efficacy of fertilizer nutrients in agricultural applications; and methods of inhibiting the precipitation of, and/or dispersing, inorganic elements in the fertilizer.

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: In some arrangements, product packaging is digitally watermarked over most of its extent to facilitate high-throughput item identification at retail checkouts. Imagery captured by conventional or plenoptic cameras can be processed (e.g., by GPUs) to derive several different perspective-transformed views—further minimizing the need to manually reposition items for identification. Crinkles and other deformations in product packaging can be optically sensed, allowing such surfaces to be virtually flattened to aid identification. Piles of items can be 3D-modelled and virtually segmented into geometric primitives to aid identification, and to discover locations of obscured items. Other data (e.g., including data from sensors in aisles, shelves and carts, and gaze tracking for clues about visual saliency) can be used in assessing identification hypotheses about an item. Logos may be identified and used—or ignored—in product identification. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

Abstract: In an illustrative system, a point-of-sale scanner is equipped to respond to multiple different symbologies printed on a single product. The scanner captures many frames per second, as products are swiped through a viewing volume. Each frame is decoded, yielding one or more payloads. A reconciliation module compares each newly-decoded payload against a list of payloads previously output by the module, to determine if the current payload is semantically-equivalent to a previously-output payload. If so, the previously-output payload is output again, in lieu of the just-decoded payload. If no equivalent is found, the current payload is output and added to the list for comparison against future payloads. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: An audio component for a head-mounted display system includes a first port through which sound is projected to a user during operation in a first audio mode, a second port through which sound is projected to a user during operation in a second audio mode, an insulator positioned along an acoustic path between the first port and the second port, wherein the insulator is configured to inhibit sound projection along the acoustic path by isolating the first port from the second port, and an earpiece configured to engage the audio component to an ear of the a user, to deliver sound from the audio component to the user, and to reduce ambient noise from a surrounding environment during operation of the audio component in the second audio mode.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to media management, including “garbage collection,” in memory or storage systems or sub-systems, such as solid state drives, are described. For example, a battery state associated with the memory system or sub-system may be used as an indicator or basis for managing a garbage collection operation on a data block. A controller or the system or sub-system may determine that a battery state or condition satisfies a criterion. Based on determining that the criterion is satisfied the, the garbage collection operation may be postponed until the battery state changes to satisfy a different battery condition.