Abstract: A system and method for calibrating physical data sensing devices with physical data control devices is disclosed. The system and method are particularly useful for calibrating physical data sensing devices that measure physical data at periodic intervals different from the periodic intervals in which the physical data control device measure the physical data. The system and method provide a quick and accurate calibration between devices sampling at different rates.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating physical data sensing devices with physical data control devices is disclosed. The system and method are particularly useful for calibrating physical data sensing devices that measure physical data at periodic intervals different from the periodic intervals in which the physical data control device measure the physical data. The system and method provide a quick and accurate calibration between devices sampling at different rates.

Abstract: A materials handling system for processing packaged tobacco products is disclosed. The system includes a picking area where individual packages of tobacco products are picked and placed onto a transport mechanism. The system also includes a picking support software component that manages activity in the picking area. The picking support software component provides picking instruction output indicative of a sequence in which the individual packages of tobacco products should be picked and placed onto the transport mechanism. In one embodiment, the sequence blends the individual components of multiple tobacco product orders together such that the tobacco product orders are not completely picked consecutively from one order to the next.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a user interface associated with a tobacco product stamping machine. In one embodiment, the user interface includes a visual representation of a batch of tobacco product containers. The visual representation includes an indication of a plurality of tobacco product types included in the batch. The visual representation includes an indication of a number of containers of a first tobacco product type included in the batch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing tobacco-oriented goods are disclosed. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a pick-up signal from a pick-up sensor. The pick-up signal is indicative of the picking up of a tobacco product unit that has been pre-sorted based on inclusion in an associated order. Also received is a put-down signal from a put-down sensor. The put-down signal is indicative of the fact that the tobacco product unit has been put down. A determination is made, based on a system parameter, whether the pick-up signal is properly associated with the put-down signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) receiving a contact center interaction request via a device coupled to a display screen; (ii) accessing information about the device or a user of the device from a customer database of a content provider; and (iii) establishing an interaction path between the contact center and a viewer. The method can further include providing information to the user via the interaction path in response to a request by the user for the information. The device can be a set-top box (STB) or a cable card and the display screen can be a television, for example. Also, the content provider can be a cable or satellite television provider, for example.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inspecting tubes or pipes preferably includes at least one sealed inspection pig having a length to diameter relationship based on a known bend radius of a tube or pipe to be inspected. A plurality of such pigs may be used where such pigs are interconnected, sealed, and releasable by design and where an inspection transducer is located approximately centrally between the ends of at least one of the pigs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) receiving a contact center interaction request via a device coupled to a display screen; (ii) accessing information about the device or a user of the device from a customer database of a content provider; and (iii) establishing an interaction path between the contact center and a viewer. The method can further include providing information to the user via the interaction path in response to a request by the user for the information. The device can be a set-top box (STB) or a cable card and the display screen can be a television, for example. Also, the content provider can be a cable or satellite television provider, for example.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the inspection of an object. A linear array of cameras are located in a stationery position with the object moved over them. An image processor first applies calibration and perspective alterations to the consecutive frames of the cameras, then mosaics the frames together to form a single mosaiced image of the object. An undervehicle car inspection system is described which provides a single image of the entire underside of the vehicle, to scale.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for presenting a highly spatially accurate visualisation of a scene from which measurements can be taken. A sensor is located in relation to a camera, and provides positional characteristics of the camera as it collects frames of video images. Using the positional characteristics the frames are corrected. The corrected frames are then synchronised to form an accurate mosaic of a scene. Example embodiments are described where the moving camera is used to survey or inspect underwater apparatus, roads, runways, railways, crime or accident scenes, archaeological digs and the inside of boilers, chimneys and pipelines.

Abstract: An improved presettable integrator circuit is disposed in a fast frequency changing phase lock loop for presetting the voltage-controlled oscillator thereof as governed by a preset signal and a pulsed signal generated by a frequency controller. One input of the integrator circuit is coupled to the preset signal, another input is coupled to an integrator control signal, and the output is coupled to the voltage-controlled oscillator for use as a tuning signal thereof. A switch is included in the integrator circuit and is governed in a first state by the pulsed signal to cause the integrator circuit to respond rapidly to an applied preset signal to preset the output signal thereof. In a second state, the switch renders the integrator circuit responsive to an integrator control signal which is selected by a phase lock condition of the loop from either a reference signal or a filtered phase error signal, being coupled to the other input of the integrator circuit.

Abstract: Noise induced hunting is eliminated in successive ranged digital/analog converter bias correction circuits by means of a digital hysteresis circuit. The digital hysteresis circuit comprehends a first up/down counter that counts to its extremums from a pre-set intermediate state in response to enable and up/down input signals. For each extremum count an enable output pulse and a reset pulse is generated at the counter output. The enable output pulses are counted by a second up/down counter the output of which drives a digital/analog converter. Each reset pulse resets the first up/down counter to its pre-set state.

Abstract: An automatic bias adjustment circuit for a successive ranged analog/digital converter (SRADC) that eliminates the need for manual bias adjustments and calibration inputs. The bias correction circuit comprehends dual flip flops that are triggered by selected comparators of the SRADC n bit parallel analog/digital converter. The flip flop output signals control up/down counters whose output bits drive digital/analog converter. The digital/analog converted signals are introduced back into the SRADC analog chain to zero bias errors in a particular sub-range. A disabling circuit prevents operation of the bias adjustment circuits for the first sub-range.

Abstract: A harmonic oscillator coordinate converter in combination with analog and digital circuits is described which may accept signals indicative of a measured angle and of a misalignment angle to provide coordinate conversions of a vector through the measured angle and the misalignment angle during a single angle transformation.

Abstract: An electronically controlled coordinate converter for transforming vectors from a first coordinate system to a second coordinate system through an input angle is provided using a harmonic oscillator which is responsive to an oscillation angle control signal having a discontinuity or transition point wherein an incremental change in the input angle at a predetermined value causes a step function in the duration of said oscillation angle control signal. The discontinuity in the oscillation angle control signal is eliminated by control circuits within a selected range of input angles where the error effects due to transformations on either side of the discontinuity are avoided.