Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems that include a multiple-tube electrode assembly. An embodiment discloses an electrode assembly, comprising: a carrier body comprising an elongated support; and electrically conducting surfaces longitudinally spaced along the carrier body, wherein the electrically conducting surfaces are electrically coupled in parallel.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems that include a multiple-tube electrode assembly. An embodiment discloses an electrode assembly, comprising: a carrier body comprising an elongated support; and electrically conducting surfaces longitudinally spaced along the carrier body, wherein the electrically conducting surfaces are electrically coupled in parallel.

Abstract: A character recognition system includes, but is not limited to, a touchpad including a touch sensing surface for generating a first signal in response to a touch, the first signal corresponding to a location of the touch on the touch sensing surface, the touchpad further including a topographical feature associated with the touch sensing surface, the topographical feature configured to guide a touching member in a predetermined pattern along the touch sensing surface, the predetermined pattern corresponding with a predetermined set of characters. The system also includes an output device for communicatively coupling with a controlled device. The system further includes a processor communicatively coupled with the touchpad and the output device. The processor receives the first signal, detects a pattern of the touch, generates a second signal corresponding to the pattern, and instructs the output device to output the second signal.

Abstract: A sorting system (110) conveys articles, such as peaches (114) on a conveyor belt (112) past an inspection zone (126) that is lighted by an illumination source (90) radiating a number of emission peaks over visible and infrared portions of the spectrum. The illumination source generates the radiation from an Indium Iodide lamp (92) that is reflected off a parabolic reflector (94) and through a “soda straw” collimator (100) to illuminated the peaches. A detector system (118) employs line scanning visible and infrared cameras (142, 140) to sense visible and IR wavelength reflectance values for the peach meat (124) and peach pit or pit fragments (126). Various image processing and analysis methologies, such as subtraction, ratio, logarithmic, regression, combination, angle, distance, and shape may be employed to enhance the image contrast and classify the resulting data for sorting the peaches.

Abstract: A sorting system (110) conveys articles, such as peaches (114) on a conveyor belt (112) past an inspection zone (126) that is lighted by an illumination source (90) radiating a number of emission peaks over visible and infrared portions of the spectrum. The illumination source generates the radiation from an Indium Iodide lamp (92) that is reflected off a parabolic reflector (94) and through a “soda straw” collimator (100) to illuminated the peaches. A detector system (118) employs line scanning visible and infrared cameras (142, 140) to sense visible and IR wavelength reflectance values for the peach meat (124) and peach pit or pit fragments (126). Various image processing and analysis methologies, such as subtraction, ratio, logarithmic, regression, combination, angle, distance, and shape may be employed to enhance the image contrast and classify the resulting data for sorting the peaches.

Abstract: A peach sorting system (110) conveys peaches (114) on a conveyor belt (112) past an inspection zone (126) that is lighted by an illumination source (90) radiating a number of emission peaks over visible and infrared portions of the spectrum. The illumination source generates the radiation from an Indium Iodide lamp (92) that is reflected off a parabolic reflector (94) and through a “soda straw” collimator (100) to illuminated the peaches. A detector system (118) employs line scanning visible and infrared cameras (142, 140) to sense visible and IR wavelength reflectance value differences existing between peach meat (124) and peach pit or pit fragments (126). Because there is a reversal in the reflectance values between the visible and infrared wavelengths, a data subtraction technique (150) is employed to enhance the detection contrast ratio.

Abstract: A laned conveyor apparatus includes an infeed roller and an outfeed roller rotatably mounted to a frame in spaced apart relation for movably supporting a flexible product-carrying belt that forms a closed loop about the rollers to define a conveying region having a length and a width. A plurality of elastic separating bands are removably positioned around the rollers and the product-carrying belt and spaced apart at intervals along the width of the conveying region to form lanes along the length of the conveying region. The separating bands contact an outer surface of the product-carrying belt to form a frictional interface with the product-carrying belt that causes the separating bands to move in coordination with movement of the product-carrying belt. A guide mechanism mounted to the frame includes multiple guide features spaced apart at intervals along the width of the conveying region for guiding the separating bands so that the lanes are accurately and precisely positioned in relation to the frame.

Abstract: A catenary conveyor belt support is provided in a conveyor system for automated bulk processing equipment. The conveyor belt launches bulk articles along a trajectory from one end to a processing station. The upper surface of the conveyor belt at one end thereof is angled with respect to a horizontal plane and determines the launch angle of the trajectory along which the articles travel. The support holds constant the catenary shape of the belt and, thus, the launch angle of the trajectory regardless of the load thereon.