Abstract: A technique for real-time trailer utilization measurement includes a three-dimensional depth monitor operable to monitor loading of a trailer and a processor operable to determine trailer utilization in real-time during loading of the trailer using image information from the monitor. A graphical user interface can receive utilization information from the processor and display a visual representation of real-time loading of the trailer. Utilization is a ratio of cumulative package volume to currently loaded volume of the trailer, wherein the cumulative package volume is determined from dimensional scans of packages to be loaded in the trailer and the currently loaded volume is determined by the monitor.

Abstract: A positive exhalation pressure device (1) is described. The device (1) comprises a housing (2) having an annular chamber (5), a chamber inlet (6) configured to permit air into the chamber, a chamber outlet (7) configured to permit air out of the chamber, and a mouthpiece (8) in fluid communication with the chamber inlet. A movable body such as a ball (3) is disposed in the housing within the annular chamber and configured to revolve around the annular chamber in response to flow of air through the chamber from the chamber inlet to the chamber outlet. The movable body is configured to at least partially block the chamber outlet as it revolves around the annular chamber causing cyclical fluctuations in airflow resistance.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) depth imaging systems and methods are disclosed for dynamic container auto-configuration. A 3D-depth camera captures 3D image data of a shipping container located in a predefined search space during a shipping container loading session. An auto-configuration application determines a representative container point cloud and (a) loads an initial pre-configuration file that defines a digital bounding box having dimensions representative of the predefined search space and an initial front board area; (b) applies the digital bounding box to the container point cloud to remove front board interference data from the container point cloud based on the initial front board area; (c) generates a refined front board area based on the shipping container type; (d) generates an adjusted digital bounding box based on the refined front board area; and (e) generates an auto-configuration result comprising the adjusted digital bounding box containing at least a portion of the container point cloud.

Abstract: A positive exhalation pressure device (1) is described. The device (1) comprises a housing (2) having an annular chamber (5), a chamber inlet (6) configured to permit air into the chamber, a chamber outlet (7) configured to permit air out of the chamber, and a mouthpiece (8) in fluid communication with the chamber inlet. A movable body such as a ball (3) is disposed in the housing within the annular chamber and configured to revolve around the annular chamber in response to flow of air through the chamber from the chamber inlet to the chamber outlet. The movable body is configured to at least partially block the chamber outlet as it revolves around the annular chamber causing cyclical fluctuations in airflow resistance.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) depth imaging systems and methods are disclosed for dynamic container auto-configuration. A 3D-depth camera captures 3D image data of a shipping container located in a predefined search space during a shipping container loading session. An auto-configuration application determines a representative container point cloud and (a) loads an initial pre-configuration file that defines a digital bounding box having dimensions representative of the predefined search space and an initial front board area; (b) applies the digital bounding box to the container point cloud to remove front board interference data from the container point cloud based on the initial front board area; (c) generates a refined front board area based on the shipping container type; (d) generates an adjusted digital bounding box based on the refined front board area; and (e) generates an auto-configuration result comprising the adjusted digital bounding box containing at least a portion of the container point cloud.

Abstract: A method of price text detection by an imaging controller comprises obtaining, by the imaging controller, an image of a shelf supporting labels bearing price text, generating, by the imaging controller, a plurality of text regions containing candidate text elements from the image, assigning, by the imaging controller, a classification to each of the text regions, selected from a price text classification and a non-price text classification. The imaging controller, within each of a subset of the text regions having the price text classification: detects a price text sub-region and generates a price text string by applying character recognition to the price text sub-region. The method further includes presenting, by the imaging controller, the locations of the subset of text regions, in association with the corresponding price text strings.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) depth imaging systems and methods are disclosed for assessing an orientation with respect to a container. A 3D-depth camera captures 3D image data of a shipping container. A container feature assessment application determines a representative container point cloud and (a) converts the 3D image data into 2D depth image data; (b) compares the 2D depth image data to one or more template image data; (c) performs segmentation to extract 3D point cloud features; (d) determines exterior features of the shipping container and assesses the exterior features using an exterior features metric; (e) determines interior features of the shipping container and assesses the interior features using an interior features metric; and (f) generates an orientation adjustment instruction for indicating to an operator to orient the 3D-depth camera in a second direction for use during a shipping container loading session, wherein the second direction is different than the first direction.

Abstract: A method includes: storing (i) a reference image of a chute for receiving objects, and (ii) a region of interest mask corresponding to a location of the chute in a field of view of an image sensor; at a processor, controlling the image sensor to capture an image of the chute; applying an illumination adjustment to the image; selecting, at the processor, a portion of the image according to the region of interest mask; generating a detection image based on a comparison of the selected portion and the reference image; determining, based on the detection image, a fullness indicator for the chute; and providing the fullness indicator to notification system.

Abstract: A method includes: storing (i) a reference image of a chute for receiving objects, and (ii) a region of interest mask corresponding to a location of the chute in a field of view of an image sensor; at a processor, controlling the image sensor to capture an image of the chute; applying an illumination adjustment to the image; selecting, at the processor, a portion of the image according to the region of interest mask; generating a detection image based on a comparison of the selected portion and the reference image; determining, based on the detection image, a fullness indicator for the chute; and providing the fullness indicator to notification system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat transfer assembly for a rotary regenerative preheater. The heat transfer assembly includes a plurality of heat transfer elements stacked in spaced relationship to each other in a manner such that each notch from a plurality of notches of one of the heat transfer element rests on respective flat sections from a plurality of flat sections of the adjacent heat transfer elements to configure a plurality of closed channels, each isolated from the other, wherein each of the channels has a configuration in a manner such that each of corrugation sections from a plurality of corrugation sections of one of the heat transfer elements faces respective undulation sections from a plurality of undulation sections of the adjacent heat transfer elements.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for detecting and recognizing graphical character representations in image data using symmetrically-located blank areas are disclosed herein. An example disclosed method includes detecting blank areas in image data; identifying, using the processor, a symmetrically-located pair of the blank areas; and designating an area of the image data between the symmetrically-located pair of the blank areas as a candidate region for an image processing function.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) depth imaging systems and methods are disclosed for dynamic container auto-configuration. A 3D-depth camera captures 3D image data of a shipping container located in a predefined search space during a shipping container loading session. An auto-configuration application determines a representative container point cloud and (a) loads an initial pre-configuration file that defines a digital bounding box having dimensions representative of the predefined search space and an initial front board area; (b) applies the digital bounding box to the container point cloud to remove front board interference data from the container point cloud based on the initial front board area; (c) generates a refined front board area based on the shipping container type; (d) generates an adjusted digital bounding box based on the refined front board area; and (e) generates an auto-configuration result comprising the adjusted digital bounding box containing at least a portion of the container point cloud.

Abstract: A method of price text detection by an imaging controller comprises obtaining, by the imaging controller, an image of a shelf supporting labels bearing price text, generating, by the imaging controller, a plurality of text regions containing candidate text elements from the image, assigning, by the imaging controller, a classification to each of the text regions, selected from a price text classification and a non-price text classification. The imaging controller, within each of a subset of the text regions having the price text classification: detects a price text sub-region and generates a price text string by applying character recognition to the price text sub-region. The method further includes presenting, by the imaging controller, the locations of the subset of text regions, in association with the corresponding price text strings.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) depth imaging systems and methods are disclosed for assessing an orientation with respect to a container. A 3D-depth camera captures 3D image data of a shipping container. A container feature assessment application determines a representative container point cloud and (a) converts the 3D image data into 2D depth image data; (b) compares the 2D depth image data to one or more template image data; (c) performs segmentation to extract 3D point cloud features; (d) determines exterior features of the shipping container and assesses the exterior features using an exterior features metric; (e) determines interior features of the shipping container and assesses the interior features using an interior features metric; and (f) generates an orientation adjustment instruction for indicating to an operator to orient the 3D-depth camera in a second direction for use during a shipping container loading session, wherein the second direction is different than the first direction.

Abstract: A stack of heat transfer sheets includes one or more first sheet which includes a first undulating surface formed by first lobes that are parallel to each other and oriented at a first angle. The first sheets include a second undulating surface formed by second lobes that are parallel to each other and oriented at a second angle, different from the first angle. The first sheets include a third undulating surface formed by third lobes extending from one or more ends of the first sheet and terminating at an intermediate point between the end and an opposing end thereof. The third lobes are parallel to each other and parallel to the direction of flow through the stack. The stack includes one or more second sheets defining a plurality of sheet spacing features which engage a portion of the first sheet.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) depth imaging systems and methods are disclosed for dynamic container auto-configuration. A 3D-depth camera captures 3D image data of a shipping container located in a predefined search space during a shipping container loading session. An auto-configuration application determines a representative container point cloud and (a) loads an initial pre-configuration file that defines a digital bounding box having dimensions representative of the predefined search space and an initial front board area; (b) applies the digital bounding box to the container point cloud to remove front board interference data from the container point cloud based on the initial front board area; (c) generates a refined front board area based on the shipping container type; (d) generates an adjusted digital bounding box based on the refined front board area; and (e) generates an auto-configuration result comprising the adjusted digital bounding box containing at least a portion of the container point cloud.

Abstract: A positive exhalation pressure device (1) is described. The device (1) comprises a housing (2) having an annular chamber (5), a chamber inlet (6) configured to permit air into the chamber, a chamber outlet (7) configured to permit air out of the chamber, and a mouthpiece (8) in fluid communication with the chamber inlet. A movable body such as a ball (3) is disposed in the housing within the annular chamber and configured to revolve around the annular chamber in response to flow of air through the chamber from the chamber inlet to the chamber outlet. The movable body is configured to at least partially block the chamber outlet as it revolves around the annular chamber causing cyclical fluctuations in airflow resistance.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) depth imaging systems and methods are disclosed for assessing an orientation with respect to a container. A 3D-depth camera captures 3D image data of a shipping container. A container feature assessment application determines a representative container point cloud and (a) converts the 3D image data into 2D depth image data; (b) compares the 2D depth image data to one or more template image data; (c) performs segmentation to extract 3D point cloud features; (d) determines exterior features of the shipping container and assesses the exterior features using an exterior features metric; (e) determines interior features of the shipping container and assesses the interior features using an interior features metric; and (f) generates an orientation adjustment instruction for indicating to an operator to orient the 3D-depth camera in a second direction for use during a shipping container loading session, wherein the second direction is different than the first direction.

Abstract: A positive exhalation pressure device (1) is described. The device (1) comprises a housing (2) having an annular chamber (5), a chamber inlet (6) configured to permit air into the chamber, a chamber outlet (7) configured to permit air out of the chamber, and a mouthpiece (8) in fluid communication with the chamber inlet. A movable body such as a ball (3) is disposed in the housing within the annular chamber and configured to revolve around the annular chamber in response to flow of air through the chamber from the chamber inlet to the chamber outlet. The movable body is configured to at least partially block the chamber outlet as it revolves around the annular chamber causing cyclical fluctuations in airflow resistance.