Abstract: This disclosure relates to navigation of an underground mining machine. A laser range finder captures first and second 3D point clouds of first and second overlapping parts of the underground mine from first and second positions of the mining machine respectively. A processor determines a first set of candidates for rock bolts as point feature objects from the first 3D point cloud; determines a second set of candidates for rock bolts as point feature objects from the second 3D point cloud; determines an alignment between first shapes defined by at least two of the first set of candidates for rock bolts and second shapes defined by at least two of the second set of candidates for rock bolts; and determines relative location information between the first position of the mining machine and the second position of the mining machine based on the alignment.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to navigation of an underground mining machine. A laser range finder captures first and second 3D point clouds of first and second overlapping parts of the underground mine from first and second positions of the mining machine respectively. A processor determines a first set of candidates for rock bolts as point feature objects from the first 3D point cloud; determines a second set of candidates for rock bolts as point feature objects from the second 3D point cloud; determines an alignment between first shapes defined by at least two of the first set of candidates for rock bolts and second shapes defined by at least two of the second set of candidates for rock bolts; and determines relative location information between the first position of the mining machine and the second position of the mining machine based on the alignment.

Abstract: Described herein is a device (1) for measuring parameters of a material (3) flowing along a passage (5), the passage having two longitudinally spaced apart ends and transverse sides defined by one or more sidewalls (7, 9). The device (1) includes a laser source (15) positioned at a first location within or adjacent a side of the passage (5) and configured to generate a laser beam (17) at one or more predetermined frequencies. A beam projection element (21, 27) projects the laser beam (17) transversely across the passage (5) to irradiate the material (3) within a measuring zone (19). The measuring zone (19) includes a transverse region extending greater than 50% of the width of the passage (5). An optical imaging device (29) is positioned at a second location within or adjacent the passage (5) and configured to capture images of backscattered light from material (3) within the measuring zone (19).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for controlling a mining machine within an underground mine. A rotatable laser source sends laser light and return light sensor receives reflected laser light and provides an indication of distance and return light intensity at multiple different rotation angles. A co-ordinate reference point comprises a pattern of varying reflectivity and provides at least a 2D co-ordinate position. A processor determines an absolute co-ordinate position in space of the mining machine as the mining machine moves through the underground mine. The processor collects intensity values of reflected laser light for multiple respective rotation angles and detects the pattern of the reference point in the multiple intensity values of reflected laser light, and determines the absolute co-ordinate position in space of the mining machine based on spatial information of the detected pattern.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an underground mining vehicle comprising a three-axis MEMS gyroscope rotatable about a rotation axis and a gyroscope interface that calculates a first rotation rate bias with respect to a first axis different to the rotation axis, a second rotation rate bias with respect to a second axis different to the first axis and different to the rotation axis, a rotation rate about the rotation axis based on the Earth rotation rate vector by correcting the rotational measurement data using the first rotation rate bias and the second rotation rate bias and a third rotation rate bias with respect to the rotation axis based on the calculated rotation rate about the rotation axis. A navigation unit receives the first rotation rate bias, the second rotation rate bias and the third rotation rate bias and calculates a pose of the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for controlling a mining machine within an underground mine. A rotatable laser source sends laser light and return light sensor receives reflected laser light and provides an indication of distance and return light intensity at multiple different rotation angles. A co-ordinate reference point comprises a pattern of varying reflectivity and provides at least a 2D co-ordinate position. A processor determines an absolute co-ordinate position in space of the mining machine as the mining machine moves through the underground mine. The processor collects intensity values of reflected laser light for multiple respective rotation angles and detects the pattern of the reference point in the multiple intensity values of reflected laser light, and determines the absolute co-ordinate position in space of the mining machine based on spatial information of the detected pattern.

Abstract: Described herein is a device (1) for measuring parameters of a material (3) flowing along a passage (5), the passage having two longitudinally spaced apart ends and transverse sides defined by one or more sidewalls (7, 9). The device (1) includes a laser source (15) positioned at a first location within or adjacent a side of the passage (5) and configured to generate a laser beam (17) at one or more predetermined frequencies. A beam projection element (21, 27) projects the laser beam (17) transversely across the passage (5) to irradiate the material (3) within a measuring zone (19). The measuring zone (19) includes a transverse region extending greater than 50% of the width of the passage (5). An optical imaging device (29) is positioned at a second location within or adjacent the passage (5) and configured to capture images of backscattered light from material (3) within the measuring zone (19).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an underground mining vehicle comprising a three-axis MEMS gyroscope rotatable about a rotation axis and a gyroscope interface that calculates a first rotation rate bias with respect to a first axis different to the rotation axis, a second rotation rate bias with respect to a second axis different to the first axis and different to the rotation axis, a rotation rate about the rotation axis based on the Earth rotation rate vector by correcting the rotational measurement data using the first rotation rate bias and the second rotation rate bias and a third rotation rate bias with respect to the rotation axis based on the calculated rotation rate about the rotation axis. A navigation unit receives the first rotation rate bias, the second rotation rate bias and the third rotation rate bias and calculates a pose of the vehicle.

Abstract: A computer-implemented image analysis process including accessing image data and range data representing an image of an animal, measuring an object volume from the range data and estimating the animal's weight using the dimensions representing the animal's size. A database containing relative volume and weight information can then be used to accurately predict the animal's weight from calculating its volume.

Abstract: A computer-implemented image analysis process including accessing image data and range data representing an image of an animal, measuring an object volume from the range data and estimating the animal's weight using the dimensions representing the animal's size. A database containing relative volume and weight information can then be used to accurately predict the animal's weight from calculating its volume.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for supporting the development of a parallel/distributed application, wherein the development process comprises a design phase, an implementation phase and a test phase. A script language can be provided in the design phase for representing elements of a connectivity graph and the connectivity between them. In the implementation phase, modules can be provided for implementing functionality of the application, executors can be provided for defining a type of execution for the modules, and process-instances can be provided for distributing the application over several computing devices. In the test phase, abstraction levels can be provided for monitoring and testing the application.

Abstract: A processing column system includes an inlet, an outlet, a piston head and a piston pressure chamber for providing a controlled bed pressure to the piston head and thus to a substrate and/or liquid bed positioned within the column. A tracking regulator is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and the piston pressure chamber as well as the inlet to the column. The tracking regulator receives a pressure of a process fluid flow into the processing column. The tracking regulator has a hydraulic fluid drain port in fluid communication with the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. The tracking regulator directs hydraulic fluid from the piston pressure chamber to the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid when the tracking regulator detects a drop in the pressure of the process fluid flow. The source of pressurized hydraulic fluid provides to the tracking regulator a pressure equal to a set bed pressure of the system plus a maximum anticipated process flow pressure.

Abstract: A method for generating a saliency map for a robot device having sensor means, the saliency map indicating to the robot device patterns in the input space of the sensor means which are important for carrying out a task; wherein the saliency map comprises a weighted contribution from a disparity saliency selection carried out on the basis of depth information gathered from the sensor means, such that a weighted priority is allocated to patterns being within a defined peripersonal space in the environment of the sensor means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fibre connector, and in particular to an optical port having a connector receptacle for receiving an optical fibre plug, and to an optical fibre connector assembly for transmitting and/or receiving an optical signal formed by an optical fibre connector and an optical fibre plug when these are joined together. The optical fibre connector assembly comprises an optical fibre connector and an optical fibre plug. The optical fibre plug includes a projecting ferrule and along an axis of this ferrule a first optical fibre. The optical connector including a hollow sleeve and within the sleeve a recessed ferrule and along an axis of this ferrule a second optical fibre.

Abstract: An optical device has a photodiode placed on a substrate. A guide is formed on the substrate so that it surrounds the photodiode with concentric positioning to an accuracy better than 5 ?m. A ferrule of a ferrule assembly engages within the guide for automatic alignment with the photodiode without need for active alignment with monitoring of light signals.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches a method of controlling a direct injection internal combustion engine and predicting the behaviour of a direct injection internal combustion engine. An estimation of initial cylinder pressure, air flow and EGR flow (if applicable) is used to establish a system that provides engine behaviour by integrating an injection module, combustion module and engine control module to provide data indicative of engine behaviour such as brake torque and power, air flow, EGR flow, cylinder pressure, brake specific fuel consumption, start of combustion, heat release rate, turbo-charger speed and other variables. These values can then be used to adjust commanded variables such as start of injection, commanded pulse width, rail pressure to meet operator demand. Also the output data can be used as a tool to determine how a conceptualised engine design will behave.

Abstract: An optoelectronic assembly having a heat sink, and in particular to an optical receiver or transmitter unit for use in an optical fibre communication system in which a heat sink is provided to carry away heat generated by electrical components within the unit. The optoelectronic assembly comprises an optical transceiver unit, a heat sink and a housing. The optical transceiver unit has an interior containing at least one optoelectronic device with at least one electrical connection to said device for providing electrical power to the device, the electrical connection being made through an electrical contact on an external surface of the optical transceiver unit. The heat sink is mounted to the optical transceiver unit and is in thermal contact with both the optical transceiver unit and the housing to convey waste heat from within the optical transceiver unit to the housing.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device having a hermetically sealed optoelectronic component and to a method of forming the device, which may for example be an optical transmitter or receiver device for use in a fibre optic communications network. The optoelectronic device comprises a first sub-assembly and a second sub-assembly, the first sub-assembly comprising at least one optoelectronic component. The optoelectronic component is optically aligned with the at least one optical element along an optical axis to from form a housing for the optoelectronic component, the sub-assemblies being joined by at least two joins across the interface including at least one non-hermetic join and separate from the non-hermetic join(s) a hermetic join that extends fully around the optical axis to seal hermitically the optoelectronic component within the housing.

Abstract: A method for generating a saliency map for a robot device having sensor means, the saliency map indicating to the robot device patterns in the input space of the sensor means which are important for carrying out a task; wherein the saliency map comprises a weighted contribution from a disparity saliency selection carried out on the basis of depth information gathered from the sensor means, such that a weighted priority is allocated to patterns being within a defined peripersonal space in the environment of the sensor means.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for supporting the development of a parallel/distributed application, wherein the development process comprises a design phase, an implementation phase and a test phase. A script language can be provided in the design phase for representing elements of a connectivity graph and the connectivity between them. In the implementation phase, modules can be provided for implementing functionality of the application, executors can be provided for defining a type of execution for the modules, and process-instances can be provided for distributing the application over several computing devices. In the test phase, abstraction levels can be provided for monitoring and testing the application.