Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning two coaxially coupled rotatable shafts. A servo operated multi axis positioning device is movable along a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of the shafts, and movable vertically to position a laser range (LRF) adjacent to the two shafts, which measures the distance between the LRF and a spot on the shafts. A controller having a processor and memory communicates with the positioning device and the LRF to collect data at two axial positions on each shaft. At each position the LRF measures the distance to the shaft and stores the measurement and location data. The LRF is vertically repositioned and the measurement and storing steps are repeated over a scan distance sufficient to provide enough data to determine the location of the shaft center. The processor then calculates and compares the shafts centerlines and determines the necessary adjustments needed to move the shafts into coaxial alignment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning two coaxially coupled rotatable shafts. A servo operated multi axis positioning device is movable along a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of the shafts, and movable vertically to position a laser range (LRF) adjacent to the two shafts, which measures the distance between the LRF and a spot on the shafts. A controller having a processor and memory communicates with the positioning device and the LRF to collect data at two axial positions on each shaft. At each position the LRF measures the distance to the shaft and stores the measurement and location data. The LRF is vertically repositioned and the measurement and storing steps are repeated over a scan distance sufficient to provide enough data to determine the location of the shaft center. The processor then calculates and compares the shafts centerlines and determines the necessary adjustments needed to move the shafts into coaxial alignment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning two coaxially coupled rotatable shafts. A servo operated multi axis positioning device is movable along a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of the shafts, and movable vertically to position a laser range (LRF) adjacent to the two shafts, which measures the distance between the LRF and a spot on the shafts. A controller having a processor and memory communicates with the positioning device and the LRF to collect data at two axial positions on each shaft. At each position the LRF measures the distance to the shaft and stores the measurement and location data. The LRF is vertically repositioned and the measurement and storing steps are repeated over a scan distance sufficient to provide enough data to determine the location of the shaft center. The processor then calculates and compares the shafts centerlines and determines the necessary adjustments needed to move the shafts into coaxial alignment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning two coaxially coupled rotatable shafts. A servo operated positioning device is movable along a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of the shafts, and movable vertically to position a laser range (LRF) adjacent to the two shafts, which measures the distance between the LRF and a spot on the shafts. A controller having a processor and memory communicates with the positioning device and the LRF to collect data at two axial positions on each shaft. At each position the LRF measures the distance to the shaft and stores the measurement and location data. The LRF is vertically repositioned and the measurement and storing steps are repeated over a scan distance sufficient to provide enough data to determine the location of the shaft center. The processor then calculates and compares the shafts centerlines and determines the necessary adjustments needed to move the shafts into coaxial alignment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning two coaxially coupled rotatable shafts. A servo operated positioning device is movable along a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of the shafts, and movable vertically to position a laser range (LRF) adjacent to the two shafts, which measures the distance between the LRF and a spot on the shafts. A controller having a processor and memory communicates with the positioning device and the LRF to collect data at two axial positions on each shaft. At each position the LRF measures the distance to the shaft and stores the measurement and location data. The LRF is vertically repositioned and the measurement and storing steps are repeated over a scan distance sufficient to provide enough data to determine the location of the shaft center. The processor then calculates and compares the shafts centerlines and determines the necessary adjustments needed to move the shafts into coaxial alignment.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving N sets of identification data for the patron captured by N passive data capture devices, respectively; and for each unique patron identifier: calculating N partial confidence values for that unique patron identifier based on N comparisons of the N sets of identification data with N sets of stored identification data, respectively, associated with that unique patron identifier; and based on the N partial confidence values of that unique patron identifier and N weighting values, respectively, calculating an overall confidence value for that unique patron identifier. One unique patron identifier having a highest overall confidence value is selected. When the selected overall confidence value is less than a predetermined value: a new unique patron identifier is created in a database; and the N sets of identification data captured using the N passive data capture devices, respectively, is stored in association with the new unique patron identifier.

Abstract: A method includes: in response to detection of a patron, capturing N sets of identification data for the patron using N passive patron identification systems, respectively, wherein N is an integer greater than one; calculating N partial confidence values based on N comparisons of the N sets of identification data with N sets of stored identification data, respectively, associated with a unique patron identifier; and, based on the N partial confidence values, calculating an overall confidence value indicating a level of confidence that the patron is associated with the unique patron identifier. The method further includes: based on the unique patron identifier, retrieving stored ordering data that is associated with the unique patron identifier; setting ordering information to be output to the patron based on the overall confidence value and the stored ordering data; and outputting the ordering information to the patron using an ordering terminal.

Abstract: A method of upselling ordering items includes: in response to detection of a patron at or approaching an ordering terminal, capturing N sets of identification data for the patron using N passive patron identification systems, respectively, wherein N is an integer greater than one; calculating an overall confidence value indicating a level of confidence that the patron is associated with a unique patron identifier based on N comparisons of the N sets of identification data with N sets of stored identification data, respectively, associated with the unique patron identifier; based on the unique patron identifier, retrieving stored data indicative of an ordering item that is to be subliminally suggested to the patron during ordering; using the ordering terminal, displaying an ordering menu; and, when the overall confidence value is greater than a predetermined value, subliminally suggesting the ordering item to the patron while the patron places an order.

Abstract: A method of upselling ordering items includes: in response to detection of a patron at or approaching an ordering terminal, capturing N sets of identification data for the patron using N passive patron identification systems, respectively, wherein N is an integer greater than one; calculating an overall confidence value indicating a level of confidence that the patron is associated with a unique patron identifier based on N comparisons of the N sets of identification data with N sets of stored identification data, respectively, associated with the unique patron identifier; based on the unique patron identifier, retrieving stored data indicative of an ordering item that is to be subliminally suggested to the patron during ordering; using the ordering terminal, displaying an ordering menu; and, when the overall confidence value is greater than a predetermined value, subliminally suggesting the ordering item to the patron while the patron places an order.

Abstract: A method includes: in response to detection of a patron, capturing N sets of identification data for the patron using N passive patron identification systems, respectively, wherein N is an integer greater than one; calculating N partial confidence values based on N comparisons of the N sets of identification data with N sets of stored identification data, respectively, associated with a unique patron identifier; and, based on the N partial confidence values, calculating an overall confidence value indicating a level of confidence that the patron is associated with the unique patron identifier. The method further includes: based on the unique patron identifier, retrieving stored ordering data that is associated with the unique patron identifier; setting ordering information to be output to the patron based on the overall confidence value and the stored ordering data; and outputting the ordering information to the patron using an ordering terminal.