Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, various types of seeds are coated with a coating comprising a) a base buildup layer comprising a porous composition such as pumice; b) an intermediate build up layer comprising a silicate composition such as talc or mica; and c) an outer layer comprising a carbon-based composition such as graphite. A binder is optionally added to one or more layers. Preferably, each layer is applied to a seed in either a batch or continuous process using conventional methods of coating. Hybrid corn and sunflower seeds may be coated in accordance with the present invention resulting in a substantially uniform size seed.

Abstract: A multi-scanning system or image processing system includes a plurality of sensors, each of the sensors scanning a portion of the document to produce image data. Each of the sensors overlaps adjacent ones of the sensors so that the image data includes overlapped image data. The image data from the sensors is stitched together to form a complete image. The stitching may be performed by a weighted averaging of the data or by varying stitch location within the data. This stitching is useful in eliminating visible image defects created the misalignment of pixels between adjacent sensors.

Abstract: A multi-scanning system or image processing system includes a plurality of sensors, each of the sensors scanning a portion of the document to produce image data. Each of the sensors overlaps adjacent ones of the sensors so that the image data includes overlapped image data. The image data from the sensors is stitched together to form a complete image. The stitching may be performed by a weighted averaging of the data or by varying stitch location within the data. This stitching is useful in eliminating visible image defects created the misalignment of pixels between adjacent sensors.

Abstract: A profile detector in a scanning system measures spacing of an original non-planar image from a reference image plane of the scanning system. The spacing is measured by projecting a spot of light, with a collimated light source, onto a scan line of the original non-planar image at an angle that is oblique with respect to the fast scan direction of the scanning system. A first photosensor converts optical information reflecting off of the original non-planar image at a first slow scan position into electrical profile data. A position along the fast scan direction is identified for the first slow scan position by locating the spot of light in the electrical profile data. The located position is compared with a pre-recorded position along the fast scan direction for the first slow scan position. The pre-recorded position defines a position where the first photosensor would have detected the spot of light if it reflected off of a planar image.

Abstract: A method for varying a scanline rate of a digital scanner while maintaining a constant integration period. The scanner scans a scanline of an image, integrates an array of photosensors after a first predetermined period of time has elapsed and after a second predetermined period of time has elapsed. One of the predetermined periods is equal to an integration period of the array of photosensors, and the other period is equal to a difference between a time needed to process a scanline of image data and the integration period of the array of photosensors. The scanner produces a scanline of valid image data and a scanline of image data corresponding to the first scanned scanline. The scanner then scans the next scanline of the image.

Abstract: An image input terminal synchronously transfers image data to an image processing system when the effective image data generation rate of the image input terminal exceeds the throughput rate of the image processing system. The image input terminal scans the document at a constant rate, but the constant rate is slower than the normal scan rate for the image input terminal, thereby effectively scanning the document at a higher resolution. To realize an effective image data generation rate equal to the throughput rate, the image input terminal periodically discards D scanlines or skips N-D scanlines of valid image data to give the image processing system ample time to complete the processing of valid image data. The image input terminal, to facilitate a synchronous transfer of image data, will skip D scanlines of valid image data out of N scanlines of valid image data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for treating hydrotreated naphtha which involves treating the naphtha over massive nickel catalyst followed by treating the naphtha over a metal oxide under conditions effective for removing impurities from said naphtha to result in substantially purified naphtha, wherein the metal oxide is selected from the group of metal oxides having a free energy of formation of sulfide which exceeds said free energy of formation of platinum sulfide, such as manganous oxide. In so doing, naphtha in the gas phase in the presence of hydrogen is passed over the manganous oxide at a temperature within the range of about 800.degree. F. and 1100.degree. F., a hydrogen to oil molar ratio between about 1:1 and 6:1, a whsv between about 2 and 8, and pressure between about 50 and 300 psig; and the naphtha in the liquid phase at a temperature between about 300.degree. F. and about 350.degree. F., and whsv less than about 5 is passed over the massive nickel.