Abstract: A computer implemented method of obtaining measurements of a person is disclosed herein. The method comprises obtaining a parametric deformable three-dimensional body model that can approximate the shape of any person, obtaining at least one image of the person, estimating one or more correspondences between the at least one image and the three-dimensional model, performing semantic image segmentation to segment the image of the person into their corresponding body parts, and iteratively adjusting at least one of (a) body pose and (b) shape parameters of the parametric deformable three-dimensional body model, to improve the fit of the three-dimensional model to at least one of: (i) the at least one image, (ii) the estimated one or more correspondences, and (iii) the segmented body parts. Measurements may then be extracted from the iteratively adjusted parametric deformable three-dimensional body model.

Abstract: Described herein is a machine learning mechanism implemented by one or more computers, the mechanism having access to a base neural network and being configured to determine a simplified neural network by iteratively performing the following set of steps: forming sample data by sampling the architecture of a current candidate neural network; selecting, in dependence on the sample data, an architecture for a second candidate neural network; forming a trained candidate neural network by training the second candidate neural network, wherein the training of the second candidate neural network comprises applying feedback to the second candidate neural network in dependence on a comparison of the behaviours of the second candidate neural network and the base neural network; and adopting the trained candidate neural network as the current candidate neural network for a subsequent iteration of the set of steps.

Abstract: A mailpiece selector device for separating mailpieces one-by-one from a stack of mailpieces and for transporting them downstream, the device comprising at least a first guide co-operating with a plurality of opposite selector rollers to select said mailpieces one-by-one and to transport them downstream, said first guide being comb-shaped and able to pivot about a first pivot axis in opposition to first resilient return means, one end of at least one tooth of the comb being coated with a wear-resistant material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mail item receiving device for receiving the mail items ejected through an exit slot of a folding and inserting machine, comprising a support plate on which the ejected mail items will accumulate, a front wall on which these mail items will abut upon their ejection, two lateral walls and a rear wall intended to align these mail items once they have fallen on the support plate, said support plate comprising two hollows made on either side of its longitudinal axis at the level of its join with said front wall, the two lateral walls each comprising an opening, at the level of each hollow and over the whole of their height, and the rear wall comprises hooking means for connecting the receiving device to the folding and inserting machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for conveying and guiding mail items in a postage meter provided with an inkjet print head, in which postage meter each mail item, which has a top face and a bottom face, passes under the print head between a top reference surface defined by the bottom surface of a stationary guide plate and a bottom reference surface, said device having at least two drive assemblies mounted transversely side-by-side and to move vertically independently from each other, so that the top surfaces of the mail items remain continuously pressed against said stationary guide plate regardless of the thickness of the mail item, and in particular when said thickness varies over the width of the mail item.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for conveying and guiding mail items in a postage meter provided with an inkjet print head, in which postage meter each mail item, which has a top face and a bottom face, passes under the print head between a top reference surface defined by the bottom surface of a stationary guide plate and a bottom reference surface, said device having at least two drive assemblies mounted transversely side-by-side and to move vertically independently from each other, so that the top surfaces of the mail items remain continuously pressed against said stationary guide plate regardless of the thickness of the mail item, and in particular when said thickness varies over the width of the mail item.

Abstract: A method of solving an energy minimization problem, the method comprising: a. constructing a graph representative comprising a set of nodes; two terminals; a set of N-links each connecting a pair of the nodes; and a set of T-links each connecting one of the terminals with one of the nodes; b. assigning a capacity to each of the N-links; c. assigning a capacity to each of the T-links; d. determining a first minimum cut/maximum flow solution which partitions the nodes into subsets, each subset containing one of the terminals; e. changing the capacity assigned to at least one of the N-links and at least one of the T-links in response to a change in the problem; and f. dynamically updating the first minimum cut/maximum flow solution determined in step d. to take into account the changed capacities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for object or pattern detection that use a nonlinear support vector (SV) machine are described. In the illustrated and described embodiment, objects or patterns comprising faces are detected. The decision surface is approximated in terms of a reduced set of expansion vectors. In order to determine the presence of a face, the kernelized inner product of the expansion vectors with the input pattern are sequentially evaluated and summed, such that if at any point the pattern can be rejected as not comprising a face, no more expansion vectors are used. The sequential application of the expansion vectors produces a substantial saving in computational time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for object or pattern detection that use a nonlinear support vector (SV) machine are described. In the illustrated and described embodiment, objects or patterns comprising faces are detected. The decision surface is approximated in terms of a reduced set of expansion vectors. In order to determine the presence of a face, the kernelized inner product of the expansion vectors with the input pattern are sequentially evaluated and summed, such that if at any point the pattern can be rejected as not comprising a face, no more expansion vectors are used. The sequential application of the expansion vectors produces a substantial saving in computational time.

Abstract: A multi-layer graph for dense stereo dynamic programming can improve synthesis of cyclopean virtual images by distinguishing between stereo disparities caused by occlusion and disparities caused by non-fronto-parallel surfaces. This distinction can be leveraged to reduce image artifacts, such as “halos”. Distinguishing at least between these two types of disparities allows improved matching of left and right pixel data, which increases the amount of correct pixel information used in constructing the cyclopean virtual image and minimizes occlusion artifacts.

Abstract: A multi-layer graph for dense stereo dynamic progranmmiing can improve synthesis of cyclopean virtual images by distinguishing between stereo disparities causes by occlusion and disparities caused by non-fronto-parallel surfaces. In addition, cyclopean virtual image processing may be combined with simulation of three-dimensional translation of a virtual camera to assist in aligning the user's gaze with the virtual camera. Such translation may include without limitation one or more of the following: horizontal (e.g., left and right) translation of the virtual camera, vertical translation (e.g., up and down) of the virtual camera, and axial translation (e.g., toward the subject and away from the subject) of the virtual camera.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mail item receiving device for receiving the mail items ejected through an exit slot of a folding and inserting machine, comprising a support plate on which the ejected mail items will accumulate, a front wall on which these mail items will abut upon their ejection, two lateral walls and a rear wall intended to align these mail items once they have fallen on the support plate, said support plate comprising two hollows made on either side of its longitudinal axis at the level of its join with said front wall, the two lateral walls each comprising an opening, at the level of each hollow and over the whole of their height, and the rear wall comprises hooking means for connecting the receiving device to the folding and inserting machine.