Abstract: A crop monitoring system includes one or more sensors adapted to sense VOCs released by a growing crop and generate a detection signal that is representative of the sensed VOCs. A processor is configured to generate a nutrient status indicator from the detection signal. A user interface device is configured to display the nutrient status indicator for use in a crop management system.

Abstract: A system and method for providing intuitive, visual based remote control is disclosed. The system can comprise one or more cameras disposed on a remote vehicle. A visual servoing algorithm can be used to interpret the images from the one or more cameras to enable the user to provide visual based inputs. The visual servoing algorithm can then translate that commanded motion into the desired motion at the vehicle level. The system can provide correct output regardless of the relative position between the user and the vehicle and does not require any previous knowledge of the target location or vehicle kinematics.

Abstract: Image-based control systems and methods automate the adjustment of medical devices. An image based-control system for an endoscope can include, in addition to the endoscope, a processing system and an actuator. The processing system can receive an image from an image capture device of the endoscope. Based on coordinates of a lumen in the image, the processing system can instruct the actuator to reorient the capture device to direct the capture device toward the lumen. The actuator can be coupled to a manual controller of the endoscope, such that the actuator can reorient the capture device via the manual controller. An image-based control method can include receiving an image from the capture device of the endoscope; identifying coordinates of a lumen in the image; mapping such coordinates to a physical position of the lumen relative to the capture device; and instructing an actuator to adjust an orientation of the endoscope.

Abstract: A hair blower has an interior space, an air inlet, an air outlet and a fan assembly for directing air to flow from the air inlet to the air outlet. A positive ion emitter is operable to emit positive ions in the interior space for entrainment in the air upstream of the air outlet. A negative ion emitter in the interior space of the housing is separate from the positive ion emitter and is operable to emit negative ions for entrainment in the air upstream of the air outlet. A switch assembly allows selective operation of the hair blower between a negative ion mode in which the negative ion emitter is operated to emit negative ions and the positive ion emitter is inoperable, and a positive ion mode in which the positive ion emitter is operated to emit positive ions and the negative ion emitter is inoperable.

Abstract: An automated yarn creeling method and apparatus for the textile industry. Preferably, the present yarn creeling system is used in the carpet tufting industry to automate, ultimately, the intelligent transfer of packages of yarn from the shipping pallets to the bullhorns of a creeler. The apparatus preferably comprises a service arm assembly, a vertical support, a base support, and automated weighing and control systems.