Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents is provided. The documents may be conveyed to a feeder for feeding documents to a scanner. The scanner scans each document to obtain image data and then discharges the document to one or more output or sort locations. The system may include a skew reduction assembly for reducing skew in the documents as the documents are fed to the scanner. The system may also include elements for improving image quality and reducing document damage while the document is scanned. The system may further include features for improving the stacking of the discharged documents.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell that oxidizes a solution provides a continuous and stable supply of an oxidizing ion solution to a fixture or vessel used for the purposes of decontaminating metal and metal alloys. The electrochemical cell includes an anode compartment that oxidizes the solution in nitric acid or methane sulfonic acid at a rate equal to or greater than a rate of reduction, or generates the oxidizing ions prior to use in a batch. The electrochemical cell is part of a larger system that facilitates online measurement system which measures the oxidizing ion solution and the dissolved PuO2, UO2, AmO2, other radionuclides, or other contaminates in real-time. Solution decontamination system removes the dissolved PuO2/UO2/AmO2, other radionuclides, or other contaminates from the oxidizing ion solution, real time acoustic monitoring of the thickness of the surface being contaminated, and automation of a delivery system facilitates flow between surface and electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents is provided. The documents may be conveyed to a feeder for feeding documents to a scanner. The scanner scans each document to obtain image data and then discharges the document to one or more output or sort locations. The system may include a skew reduction assembly for reducing skew in the documents as the documents are fed to the scanner. The system may also include elements for improving image quality and reducing document damage while the document is scanned. The system may further include features for improving the stacking of the discharged documents.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy storage apparatus comprising: a sensible heat storage body having a heat exchanger channel and a heating element channel adapted to receive a removable heating element; and a heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet, wherein at least a portion of the heat exchanger is disposed along the channel. Also provided are methods or reversibly storing and/or extracting energy, a heating element and an energy storage array comprising a plurality of energy storage apparatus as described herein.

Abstract: A humidification system can include a heater base, a humidification chamber, and a breathing circuit. A cartridge can be removably coupled to the heater base. The cartridge can include various sensors, probes, sensor wire connectors, heater wire connectors, and/or other features. The cartridge can include features configured to mate with corresponding features on the humidification chamber and the heater base. The cartridge includes a memory, such as an EEPROM, or other suitable storage device. When the cartridge is installed on the heater base, the memory is electrically connected to a processor and/or memory of the heater base. Various models of cartridges can be produced for use with different humidification chambers, breathing circuits, and/or therapies. A connector can be configured to couple an inspiratory conduit to an outlet port of the humidification chamber. The connector can provide a pneumatic connection to the outlet port and an electrical connection to the cartridge.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a microfluidic arrangement are disclosed. In one arrangement, a continuous body of a first liquid is provided in direct contact with a first substrate. A second liquid covers the first liquid. A separation fluid, immiscible with the first liquid, is propelled through at least the first liquid and into contact with the first substrate along all of a selected path on the surface of the first substrate. First liquid that was initially in contact with all of the selected path is displaced away from the selected path. The first liquid is divided to form sub-bodies of first liquid that are separated from each other. For each of one or more of the sub-bodies, a sub-body footprint represents an area of contact between the sub-body and the first substrate, and all of a boundary of the sub-body footprint is in contact with a closed loop of the selected path surrounding the sub-body footprint.

Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a tape advancing through the manufacturing system and a station of the manufacturing system. The tape includes a first portion having grains of an inorganic material bound by an organic binder. The station of the manufacturing system receives the first portion of the tape and prepares the tape for sintering by chemically changing the organic binder and/or removing the organic binder from the first portion of the tape, leaving the grains of the inorganic material, to form a second portion of the tape and, at least in part, prepare the tape for sintering.

Abstract: A system and method for model-based camera tracking and image occlusion removal for a camera viewing a sports field (or other scene) includes receiving a synthesized data set comprising at least one empty field image of the field, the empty field image with at least one occlusion graphic, and camera parameters corresponding to the empty field image, training a neural network model to estimate the empty field image and the corresponding camera parameters by providing the model with an input training image comprising the empty field image with occlusion graphic, and providing the model with model output targets comprising the empty field image and the corresponding camera parameters as targets for the model, receiving by the neural network model, alive input image comprising a view of the field with live occlusions, and providing by the neural network model, using trained model parameters, estimated live camera parameters or an estimated empty field image associated with the live input image.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multi-camera 3D body part labeling and performance metrics includes receiving 2D image data and 3D depth data from a plurality image capture units (ICUs) each indicative of a scene viewed by the ICUs, the scene having at least one person, each ICU viewing the person from a different viewing position, determining 3D location data and visibility confidence level for the body parts from each ICU, using the 2D image data and the 3D depth data from each ICU, transforming the 3D location data for the body parts from each ICU to a common reference frame for body parts having at least a predetermined visibility confidence level, averaging the transformed, visible 3D body part locations from each ICU, and determining a performance metric of at least one of the body parts using the averaged 3D body part locations. The person may be a player in a sports scene.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multi-camera 3D body part labeling and performance metrics includes receiving 2D image data and 3D depth data from a plurality image capture units (ICUs) each indicative of a scene viewed by the ICUs, the scene having at least one person, each ICU viewing the person from a different viewing position, determining 3D location data and visibility confidence level for the body parts from each ICU, using the 2D image data and the 3D depth data from each ICU, transforming the 3D location data for the body parts from each ICU to a common reference frame for body parts having at least a predetermined visibility confidence level, averaging the transformed, visible 3D body part locations from each ICU, and determining a performance metric of at least one of the body parts using the averaged 3D body part locations. The person may be a player in a sports scene.

Abstract: A system and method for model-based camera tracking and image occlusion removal for a camera viewing a sports field (or other scene) includes receiving a synthesized data set comprising at least one empty field image of the field, the empty field image with at least one occlusion graphic, and camera parameters corresponding to the empty field image, training a neural network model to estimate the empty field image and the corresponding camera parameters by providing the model with an input training image comprising the empty field image with occlusion graphic, and providing the model with model output targets comprising the empty field image and the corresponding camera parameters as targets for the model, receiving by the neural network model, alive input image comprising a view of the field with live occlusions, and providing by the neural network model, using trained model parameters, estimated live camera parameters or an estimated empty field image associated with the live input image.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article is disclosed that involves providing a press having first and second platens, a cellulosic fiber substrate having a first thickness, and a layer of material such as a wood veneer, foil, or non-creped paper, where the layer of material has a thickness less than the thickness of the cellulosic fiber substrate. A layer of bonding material is placed onto the cellulosic fiber substrate or the layer of material, and the layer of material is placed onto the cellulosic fiber substrate so that the bonding material is between the layer of material and the cellulosic fiber substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article is disclosed that involves providing a press having first and second platens, a cellulosic fiber substrate having a first thickness, and a layer of material such as a wood veneer, foil, or non-creped paper, where the layer of material has a thickness less than the thickness of the cellulosic fiber substrate. A layer of bonding material is placed onto the cellulosic fiber substrate or the layer of material, and the layer of material is placed onto the cellulosic fiber substrate so that the bonding material is between the layer of material and the cellulosic fiber substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article is disclosed that involves providing a press having first and second platens, a cellulosic fiber substrate having a first thickness, and a layer of material such as a wood veneer, foil, or non-creped paper, where the layer of material has a thickness less than the thickness of the cellulosic fiber substrate. A layer of bonding material is placed onto the cellulosic fiber substrate or the layer of material, and the layer of material is placed onto the cellulosic fiber substrate so that the bonding material is between the layer of material and the cellulosic fiber substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming an imaging calibration device for a biological material imaging system, the method comprises: providing one or more discrete regions upon or within a retaining member, each region for the receipt of a selected predetermined biological stain material; selecting one or more predetermined biological stain materials, wherein each of the selected predetermined biological stain materials has a predetermined optical response, and providing one or more of the selected predetermined biological stain materials to the said one or more discrete regions such that the said material is localised in the said region.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article is disclosed that involves providing a press having first and second platens, a cellulosic fiber substrate having a first thickness, and a layer of material such as a wood veneer, foil, or non-creped paper, where the layer of material has a thickness less than the thickness of the cellulosic fiber substrate. A layer of bonding material is placed onto the cellulosic fiber substrate or the layer of material, and the layer of material is placed onto the cellulosic fiber substrate so that the bonding material is between the layer of material and the cellulosic fiber substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the insertion of graphics into stereoscopic live action 3D video using image models taking into account positional data from the stereoscopic camera rig.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article is disclosed that involves providing a press having first and second platens, a cellulosic fiber substrate having a first thickness, and a layer of material such as a wood veneer, foil, or non-creped paper, where the layer of material has a thickness less than the thickness of the cellulosic fiber substrate. A layer of bonding material is placed onto the cellulosic fiber substrate or the layer of material, and the layer of material is placed onto the cellulosic fiber substrate so that the bonding material is between the layer of material and the cellulosic fiber substrate.

Abstract: Techniques for processing a partial response channel are disclosed. A segment of the signal is matched to one or more of a set of signal patterns. The set of the signal patterns is changed for a subsequent segment of the signal.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article is disclosed that involves providing a press having first and second platens, a cellulosic fiber substrate having a first thickness, and a layer of material such as a wood veneer, foil, or non-creped paper, where the layer of material has a thickness less than the thickness of the cellulosic fiber substrate. A layer of bonding material is placed onto the cellulosic fiber substrate or the layer of material, and the layer of material is placed onto the cellulosic fiber substrate so that the bonding material is between the layer of material and the cellulosic fiber substrate.