Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for segmenting and dimensioning objects are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein includes determining a first sensor of a plurality of sensors toward which a vehicle is moving based on image data generating by the plurality of sensors; designating the first sensor as a reference sensor; combining the image data from the plurality of sensors to generate combined image data representative of the vehicle and an object carried by the vehicle, the combining based on reference sensor; generating a plurality of clusters based on the combined image data; and identifying a first one of the clusters nearest the reference sensor as the object.

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: A method and apparatus for receiving a depth frame from a depth sensor oriented towards an open end of a shipping container, the depth frame comprising a plurality of grid elements that each have a respective depth value, identifying one or more occlusions in the depth frame, correcting the one or more occlusions in the depth frame using one or more temporally proximate depth frames, and outputting the corrected depth frame for fullness estimation.

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: 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 segmenting objects are provided. A controller: receives, from one or more sensors, a 3D representation of a scene that includes an object represented by a 3D model; determines an orientation of a 2D image in the 3D representation by matching the 2D image with a corresponding region of the 3D representation; determines a first portion of the 3D representation that corresponds to a subset of the 3D model of the object from: the orientation of the 2D image in the 3D representation; and predetermined matching data representative of a matching of the 2D image with a respective corresponding region of the 3D model, each of the 3D model, the 2D image, and the predetermined matching data stored in a memory accessible to the controller; segments the first portion of the 3D representation from a second portion of the 3D representation.

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: A method and apparatus for (a) receiving a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud from a depth sensor that is oriented towards an open end of a shipping container, the point cloud comprising a plurality of points that each have a respective depth value, (b) segmenting the received 3D point cloud among a plurality of grid elements, (c) calculating a respective loaded-container-portion grid-element volume for each grid element, (d) calculating a loaded-container-portion volume of the shipping container by aggregating the calculated respective loaded-container-portion grid-element volumes, (e) calculating an estimated fullness of the shipping container based on the loaded-container-portion volume and a capacity of the shipping container; and (f) outputting the calculated estimated fullness of the shipping container.

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: Image processing systems and methods are provided for extrinsic calibration of a plurality of image sensors. A logic circuit receives image data for an omnidirectional object from image sensors spaced apart and imaging at least a portion of a region of interest. The logic circuit combines the image data from the image sensors to generate a calibration matrix for the image sensors and to determine a matrix transformation data based on (i) reference image data and (ii) a three-dimensional model of the reference object. The logic circuit modifies the calibration matrix into an enhanced calibration matrix by applying the matrix transformation data to the calibration matrix, where the enhanced calibration matrix can be used to calibrate the plurality of image sensors.

Abstract: Dimensions of an object associated with an electro-optically readable code are estimated by aiming a handheld device at a scene containing the object supported on a base surface. A scanner on the device scans the scene over a field of view to obtain a position of a reference point of the code associated with the object, and reads the code. A dimensioning sensor on the device captures a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud of data points of the scene in automatic response to the reading of the code. A controller clusters the point cloud into data clusters, locates the reference point of the code in one of the data clusters, extracts from the point cloud the data points of the one data cluster belonging to the object, and processes the extracted data points belonging to the object to estimate the dimensions of the object.

Abstract: Image processing systems and methods are provided for extrinsic calibration of a plurality of image sensors. A logic circuit receives image data for an omnidirectional object from image sensors spaced apart and imaging at least a portion of a region of interest. The logic circuit combines the image data from the image sensors to generate a calibration matrix for the image sensors and to determine a matrix transformation data based on (i) reference image data and (ii) a three-dimensional model of the reference object. The logic circuit modifies the calibration matrix into an enhanced calibration matrix by applying the matrix transformation data to the calibration matrix, where the enhanced calibration matrix can be used to calibrate the plurality of image sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for (a) receiving a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud from a depth sensor that is oriented towards an open end of a shipping container, the point cloud comprising a plurality of points that each have a respective depth value, (b) segmenting the received 3D point cloud among a plurality of grid elements, (c) calculating a respective loaded-container-portion grid-element volume for each grid element, (d) calculating a loaded-container-portion volume of the shipping container by aggregating the calculated respective loaded-container-portion grid-element volumes, (e) calculating an estimated fullness of the shipping container based on the loaded-container-portion volume and a capacity of the shipping container; and (f) outputting the calculated estimated fullness of the shipping container.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for segmenting objects are provided. A controller: receives, from one or more sensors, a 3D representation of a scene that includes an object represented by a 3D model; determines an orientation of a 2D image in the 3D representation by matching the 2D image with a corresponding region of the 3D representation; determines a first portion of the 3D representation that corresponds to a subset of the 3D model of the object from: the orientation of the 2D image in the 3D representation; and predetermined matching data representative of a matching of the 2D image with a respective corresponding region of the 3D model, each of the 3D model, the 2D image, and the predetermined matching data stored in a memory accessible to the controller; segments the first portion of the 3D representation from a second portion of the 3D representation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for (a) receiving a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud from a depth sensor that is oriented towards an open end of a shipping container, the point cloud comprising a plurality of points that each have a respective depth value, (b) segmenting the received 3D point cloud among a plurality of grid elements, (c) calculating a respective loaded-container-portion grid-element volume for each grid element, (d) calculating a loaded-container-portion volume of the shipping container by aggregating the calculated respective loaded-container-portion grid-element volumes, (e) calculating an estimated fullness of the shipping container based on the loaded-container-portion volume and a capacity of the shipping container; and (f) outputting the calculated estimated fullness of the shipping container.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for segmenting and dimensioning objects are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein includes determining a first sensor of a plurality of sensors toward which a vehicle is moving based on image data generating by the plurality of sensors; designating the first sensor as a reference sensor; combining the image data from the plurality of sensors to generate combined image data representative of the vehicle and an object carried by the vehicle, the combining based on reference sensor; generating a plurality of clusters based on the combined image data; and identifying a first one of the clusters nearest the reference sensor as the object.

Abstract: Dimensions of an object associated with an electro-optically readable code are estimated by aiming a handheld device at a scene containing the object supported on a base surface. A scanner on the device scans the scene over a field of view to obtain a position of a reference point of the code associated with the object, and reads the code. A dimensioning sensor on the device captures a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud of data points of the scene in automatic response to the reading of the code. A controller clusters the point cloud into data clusters, locates the reference point of the code in one of the data clusters, extracts from the point cloud the data points of the one data cluster belonging to the object, and processes the extracted data points belonging to the object to estimate the dimensions of the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving a depth frame from a depth sensor oriented towards an open end of a shipping container, the depth frame comprising a plurality of grid elements that each have a respective depth value, identifying one or more occlusions in the depth frame, correcting the one or more occlusions in the depth frame using one or more temporally proximate depth frames, and outputting the corrected depth frame for fullness estimation.

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: A method and apparatus for (a) receiving a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud from a depth sensor that is oriented towards an open end of a shipping container, the point cloud comprising a plurality of points that each have a respective depth value, (b) segmenting the received 3D point cloud among a plurality of grid elements, (c) calculating a respective loaded-container-portion grid-element volume for each grid element, (d) calculating a loaded-container-portion volume of the shipping container by aggregating the calculated respective loaded-container-portion grid-element volumes, (e) calculating an estimated fullness of the shipping container based on the loaded-container-portion volume and a capacity of the shipping container; and (f) outputting the calculated estimated fullness of the shipping container.