Abstract: A method for forming a composite fluid conduit includes providing an inner pipe having a variation in cross-section between at least two different longitudinal sections thereof and applying a fiber reinforced composite material to the inner pipe. In some disclosed examples the variation in cross section may be provided intermediate opposing ends of the inner pipe. In other disclosed examples the variation in cross section may be provided at an end region of the inner pipe.

Abstract: A smart block can include a plurality of displays and configurable magnet components to selectively attract or repel other smart blocks. The smart block can include proximity sensors to identify a surface of another smart block close to the smart block to determine if the smart blocks are correctly oriented based on an application or game associated with the operation of the smart blocks. A plurality of smart blocks can be configured to display a portion of a picture (as a puzzle), such that when the smart blocks are oriented correctly they collectively display the complete picture. The smart blocks can be used in conjunction with a smart mat that is configured to move the smart blocks in response to commands received from a remote computing device. The smart blocks and the smart mat can facilitate interactivity with other, remote users, such as between a caregiver and a child.

Abstract: A freezer and method of operating a freezer are provided with an adaptive defrost cycle. The freezer includes a controller that operates the freezer to: provide cooling to a cabinet via an evaporator during periodic operational cycles, monitor a time elapsed since a most recent defrost cycle, determine whether the time elapsed is greater than a current defrost interval, and perform a defrost cycle if so. The controller varies the current defrost interval between a first, larger time value and a second, smaller time value based on a plurality of trigger signals in response to various operating characteristics of the freezer monitored by sensors. After each defrost cycle is completed, the current defrost interval is reset to the first, larger time value.

Abstract: A device includes a housing having a top, a bottom opposite the top, a front, and a back opposite the front. One or more microphones are oriented substantially towards the top. A first camera, a display, a loudspeaker, and an emitter are oriented substantially towards the front. A second camera, a projector, and a sensor are oriented substantially towards the bottom. The second camera and the sensor may include field of views that at least partially overlap with a projection area of the projector.

Abstract: A motion tracking system for tracking the motion of a subject in an environment, the system comprising: an imaging device adapted to be worn by the subject; an accelerometer adapted to be worn by the subject; and a processor configured to receive a series of images of the environment captured by the imaging device and to form, in dependence on the images an estimate of the subject's position in the environment, and to receive acceleration data from the accelerometer and to, form an estimate of the motion of a part of the subject's body carrying the accelerometer in dependence on the acceleration data and the estimated position.

Abstract: A device include a first camera, a second camera, and a shutter assembly. The shutter assembly includes a switch, a link coupled to the switch and having a first cover, and an arm coupled to the link and having a second cover. Actuating the switch to a first position disposes the first cover within a first field of view of the first camera and the second cover within a second field of view of the second camera. Actuating the switch to a second position disposes the first cover outside of the first field of view and the second cover outside of the second field of view.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. The slider includes an input coupler configured to receive light excited by a light source. The slider includes a waveguide core tapering along a light propagation direction from a first cross-sectional width to a second cross-sectional width, the waveguide configured to provide a surface plasmon-enhanced near-field radiation pattern proximate an output end in response to the received light. One or more cladding layers surround the waveguide core. At least one strip of plasmonic material is disposed between the waveguide core and at least one of the one or more cladding layers.

Abstract: A method for generating a measurement cycle for inspecting an object using a measurement probe carried by a coordinate positioning apparatus, computer program and apparatus, wherein the measurement cycle includes a measurement path where the measurement probe moves relative to the object enabling inspection of the object using a series of touch trigger measurements. The method includes defining multiple touch trigger measurement points on the surface of the object.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and apparatus for injecting dunnage into a container after an item has been placed in the container and the container has been sealed or otherwise closed. A dunnage injection apparatus is configured to penetrate a surface of the sealed container and expel gas and dunnage into an interior space of the container. The gas fills the expelled dunnage forming gas-filled pouches of dunnage that fill voids within the interior space of the container and secure and protect the item within the container.

Abstract: A device includes a housing having a top, a bottom opposite the top, a front, and a back opposite the front. One or more microphones are oriented substantially towards the top. A first camera, a display, a loudspeaker, and an emitter are oriented substantially towards the front. A second camera, a projector, and a sensor are oriented substantially towards the bottom. The second camera and the sensor may include field of views that at least partially overlap with a projection area of the projector.

Abstract: A motion tracking system configured to determine a rendering of a simulation object representing a real object (1) in a real environment (5, 6, 7, 8, 9), the positioning system comprising: an imaging device (24) mounted to the real object and configured to capture a series of images of a plurality of irregularly positioned markers (30) located in the real environment; an image processing unit communicatively coupled to the imaging device for receiving the series of images; the image processing unit being configured to determine the real location of the real object by: creating a three-dimensional model of a constellation formed by the markers visible in the series of images; and mapping the patterns of markers visible in successive images captured by the imaging device to the model and thereby determining the motion of the imaging device relative to the markers; and to determine the rendering of the simulation object so that the rendering mimics the determined motion of the imaging device.

Abstract: A harvester includes a first electromagnetic detecting and ranging module for detecting the location of a receiving vehicle and a second electromagnetic detecting and ranging module for detecting at least one of a fill level and a distribution of processed crop in a grain bin of the receiving vehicle. One or more computing devices are configured to receive first data from the first electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, receive second data from the second electromagnetic detecting and ranging module and use the first data and the second data to generate graphic data defining a graphical representation illustrating the relative positions of an unload conveyor of the harvester and the grain bin and illustrating at least one of a fill level and a distribution of processed crop in the grain bin. An electronic device is configured to use the graphic data to present the graphical representation on a graphical user interface.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a crop processor, an unload conveyor and first and second a first electromagnetic detecting and ranging modules. One or more computing devices are configured to receive first data from the first electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, the first data indicating the location of a receiving vehicle relative to the agricultural harvester, receive second data from the second electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, the second data indicating at least one of a fill level and a distribution of grain in the receiving vehicle, and generate automated navigation data based on the first data and the second data, the automated navigation data to automatically control operation of at least one of the agricultural harvester and the receiving vehicle to align the unloading conveyor with the receiving vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes an agricultural harvester with an electromagnetic detecting and ranging module and a camera for capturing images of an area within a field of view of the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module. One or more computing devices detect the presence of an object using data from the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, use image data from the camera to determine whether the object is a receiving vehicle and, if the object is a receiving vehicle, generate automated navigation data to automatically control operation of at least one of the agricultural harvester and the receiving vehicle to align an unload conveyor of the agricultural harvester with a grain bin of the receiving vehicle.

Abstract: A combine harvester includes a crop processor, a grain tank, an unloading conveyor, and an electromagnetic detecting and ranging module positioned at or above a top of the grain tank for detecting a fill level of the grain tank and the location of a receiving vehicle relative to the combine harvester. One or more computing devices of the combine harvester are configured for receiving data from the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, the data indicating the fill level of the grain tank and the location of the receiving vehicle relative to the combine harvester, and generating automated navigation data based on the data received from the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, the automated navigation data to automatically control operation of at least one of the combine harvester and the receiving vehicle to align the unloading conveyor with the grain bin of the receiving vehicle.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a crop processor for reducing crop material to processed crop, an unload conveyor for transferring a stream of processed crop out of the harvester, and a camera for capturing images of an area proximate the harvester and generating image data from the captured images. One or more computing devices are configured for receiving the image data from the camera, identifying, from the image data, a visual marker corresponding to a receiving vehicle, and determining, from the visual marker, a location of the receiving vehicle relative to the agricultural harvester. An electronic device presents, on a graphical user interface of the device, a graphical representation of the relative locations of the unload conveyor and at least a portion of the receiving vehicle, the graphical representation based on the location of the receiving vehicle relative to the agricultural harvester determined by the one or more computing devices.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a crop processor for reducing crop material to processed crop, an unload conveyor for transferring a stream of processed crop out of the agricultural harvester, a camera for capturing images of an area proximate the agricultural harvester, and one or more computing devices. The one or more computing devices receive the image data from the camera, identify, from the image data, a pre-determined visual marker corresponding to a receiving vehicle, determine, from the visual marker, a location of the receiving vehicle relative to the agricultural harvester. The one or more computing devices also generate automated navigation data based on the location of the receiving vehicle relative to the agricultural harvester, the automated navigation data to automatically control operation of at least one of the agricultural harvester and the receiving vehicle to align the unload conveyor with a grain bin of the receiving vehicle.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a crop processor, a grain tank, an unload conveyor, and an electromagnetic detecting and ranging module positioned at or above a top of the grain tank for detecting a fill level of the grain tank and the location of a receiving vehicle relative to the combine harvester. One or more computing devices receive data from the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, the data indicating the fill level of the grain tank and the location of the receiving vehicle relative to the combine harvester, and use the data to generate graphic data defining a graphical representation illustrating the relative positions of the unload conveyor and a grain bin of the receiving vehicle. An electronic device including a graphical user interface presents the graphical representation on the graphical user interface.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes an electromagnetic detecting and ranging module for detecting a location of an object relative to the agricultural harvester and a camera for capturing images of an area within a field of view of the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module. One or more computing devices receive first data from the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, the first data indicating the location of the object relative to the agricultural harvester, receive image data from the camera and use the image data to determine whether the object is a receiving vehicle. If the object is a receiving vehicle, the one or more computing devices use the first data and the second data to generate graphic data defining a graphical representation illustrating the relative positions of the unload conveyor and the receiving vehicle. An electronic device including a graphical user interface presents the graphical representation on the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a work process in which a workpiece is worked on by a tool, the method comprising: providing an irregular pattern of indicia remote from the workpiece and the tool; imaging the indicia by an imaging device carried by the workpiece and thereby estimating the location of the workpiece with respect to the indicia; imaging the indicia by an imaging device carried by the tool and thereby estimating the location of the tool with respect to the indicia; and correlating the location of the workpiece and the tool to estimate an operation performed by the tool on the workpiece.