Abstract: Eliminate or reduce the impact of glare in printed information tag recognition applications using single- and multi-pose external illumination coupled with intelligent processing. A shelf imager can acquire shelf images for printed information tag localization and recognition. An external illuminator can provide at least one illumination condition/pose for shelf image acquisition in addition to lighting associated with the enclosed environment. A glare region of interest (ROI) detector can analyze all or a portion of the acquired shelf images for glare to determine whether additional images need to be acquired using different illumination conditions provided by the single- or multi-pose external illuminator or whether full or portion of acquired images need to be analyzed by a printed information tag locator and recognizer. A printed information tag locator and recognizer can analyze all or a portion of the acquired images to localize and recognize data printed on the printed information tags.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to a system for reducing electrostatic fields underneath print heads in a direct marking printing system. The system includes: one or more print heads for depositing ink onto a media substrate; a media transport for moving the media substrate along a media path past the one or more print heads; a conductive platen contacting the media transport belt; an electrostatic field reducer that includes an alternating current charge device positioned upstream of the one or more print heads; and one or apertures with electrically isolated biased electrodes separated by an opening that is in registration with the ink deposition areas of the one or more print heads. The media transport includes a media transport belt and, when the media is on the transport belt it has an electrostatic field, which can cause printing defects. The electrostatic field reducer and electrodes reduce the electrostatic field on the surface of the media and thereby reduce printing defects.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for use in a retail store. An example system includes a mobile base, a printer, an image capture subsystem on the mobile base and coupled to the printer, the image capture system including at least one image capture device and at least one image processor, the image capture device configured to obtain images of items in the retail store, the image processor configured to derive item identification data from the images of items, and a control subsystem coupled to the printer and to the image capture subsystem, where the control subsystem is configured to receive information identifying items requiring signage, acquire item identification data from the image capture subsystem, determine, based on the information identifying items requiring signage and on the item identification data, items requiring signage, and to direct the printer to print signage for the items requiring signage.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing medications, including: a dispensing device storing prescription information including: identification of each medication included in a first plurality of medications; a respective dosage for each medication; and a plurality of time spans, including respective points in time, for dispensing the first plurality of medications; a cassette installed in the dispensing device and including a plurality of sealed compartments, each compartment in the plurality of sealed compartments configured to store at least one respective pill for each medication in a second plurality of medications; and at least one dispensing port. The dispensing device is configured to, within each time span in the plurality of time spans and when the second plurality of medications is in compliance with the prescription information: access each compartment via the at least one dispensing port; and extract every at least one first pill from each compartment.

Abstract: A printing device includes an array of printheads, an actuator, and a controller. The actuator is configured to move the printheads between: a first distance from a surface on which an ink image is to be formed that enables the printheads to eject ink and form a portion of the ink image on the surface; and a second distance from the surface that is greater than the first distance. Both the first and second distances are within a print zone of the printing device. The controller is configured to identify at least one printhead that is not used for a portion of a print job, and is further configured to operate the actuator to move the identified printhead to the second distance from the surface.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an image processing method and system for recognizing barcodes and/or product labels. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method uses a multifaceted detection process that includes both image enhancement of a candidate barcode region and other product label information associated with a candidate barcode region to identify a product label, where the candidate barcode region includes a nonreadable barcode. According to one exemplary application, a store profile is generated based on the identifications of the product labels which are associated with a location of a product within a store.

Abstract: A configuration system generates a calibration target to be printed, the target including a set of machine-readable and visually-identifiable landmarks and associated location-encoding marks which encode known locations of the landmarks. A plurality of test images of the printed calibration target is acquired by the system from an image capture assembly. Positions of the landmarks in the acquired test images and the location-encoding marks in the acquired test images are detected by the system. The system decodes the locations of the landmarks from the detected location-encoding marks and spatially characterizes the image capture assembly, based on the detected positions of the landmarks in the acquired test images and their decoded known locations.

Abstract: A store profile generation system includes a mobile base and an image capture assembly mounted on the base. The assembly includes at least one image capture device for acquiring images of product display units in a product facility, product labels being associated with the product display units which include product-related data. A control unit acquires the images captured by the at least one image capture device at a sequence of locations of the mobile base in the product facility. The control unit extracts the product-related data from the acquired images and constructs a store profile indicating locations of the product labels throughout the product facility, based on the extracted product-related data. The store profile can be used for generating new product labels for a sale in an appropriate order for a person to match to the appropriate locations in a single pass through the store.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to a system for reducing electrostatic fields underneath print heads in a direct marking printing system. The system includes: one or more print heads for depositing ink onto a media substrate; a media transport for moving the media substrate along a media path past the one or more print heads; a conductive platen contacting the media transport belt; and an electrostatic field reducer that includes an alternating current corona device positioned upstream of the one or more print heads. The media transport includes a media transport belt and, when the media substrate is on the transport belt it has an electrostatic field, which can cause printing defects. The electrostatic field reducer reduces the electrostatic field on the surface of the media substrate and thereby reduces printing defects.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an upstream measurement module, a curler downstream of the upstream measurement module, and a print station downstream of the curler. The upstream measurement module includes a transport on which media is tacked to flatten the media and a curl sensor to generate a curl signal corresponding to a media curl of the media on the transport. The curler curls the media in response to the curl signal to reduce a magnitude of the media curl. The print station includes a marking unit to dispose a marking material on the media and a transport to transport the media past the marking unit, wherein the first and second transports apply a substantially equivalent hold down force to the media.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing medications, including: a portable cassette including with a body portion including a plurality of cassette compartments and at least one lid displaceable with respect to the body portion to enable access to the cassette compartments in a predetermined sequence; and a pill-dispenser including at least one dispensing compartment arranged to store respective pills of at least one respective medication; a dispensing element configured to release the respective pills from the at least one dispensing compartment; and a cassette element arranged to receive the portable cassette and displace the portable cassette so that at least one of the in respective pills falls into each cassette compartment. After the at least one of the respective pills fall into said each cassette compartment: the portable cassette is removable from the pill-dispenser; and the lid is displaceable to control access to the cassette compartments.

Abstract: An imager apparatus useful for a digital lithographic printing system includes imaging roll configured to be heated to a first temperature. The imager apparatus may include one or more heating elements for heating the imaging roll to the first temperature within one revolution. The imaging roll may be about the same width as an imaging plate in a cross-process direction, the imaging plate and the imaging roll being configurable for forming an imaging nip in a digital lithographic ink printing system. The imager apparatus may include a solution ejecting mechanism such as a printhead for ejecting fountain solution or water at ambient temperature onto a surface of the imaging roll according digital image data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preventing collisions between vehicles and moving hazards include the use of active signs, a network of sensors, and a controller. Such sensors can be placed adjacent to a roadway and are used to detect the presence of animals. The active signs display a local speed limit. The controller accepts the sensor signals as input and outputs display commands to the active signs. The controller maintains a rolling window of recent detections in histogram form. The recent data, together with a control law specified by the municipal authority, can be used to specify updated local speed limits to influence driver behavior.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to techniques for traffic monitoring. The techniques utilize a relatively low cost sensing system, referred to here as “smart tape.” Smart tape is adhered directly to the roadway and provides the ability to temporarily monitor traffic. It can be applied in an appropriate length for the roadway condition. Smart tape is responsive to the pressure of a vehicle's tires passing over it. Furthermore, smart tape does not require an attached monitoring device, unlike certain known traffic monitoring techniques.

Abstract: A proposed appointment time may be selected by determining a timeframe for a proposed appointment, where the proposed appointment is at least one month from a current time. After a first period of time, a request to narrow the timeframe for the proposed appointment may be sent to a client device. A response to the request to narrow the timeframe may be received. After a second period of time, a proposed appointment may be selected within the narrowed time frame and a request including the proposed appointment time may be sent to the client. A response to the request may confirm the proposed appointment time or suggest an alternative appointment time.

Abstract: A computer-based apparatus including: a cassette including a plurality of compartments for storing medications; and a dispenser including a processor and memory storing computer readable instructions and information for a plurality of medications, the information including dosages and schedules for the medications. The processor is configured to extract a medication from the plurality of medications from a compartment according to the information. The processor is configured to: receive, from a second computer remote from the apparatus, an input including a modification to the information; or create a modification to the information.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing medications, including: a dispensing device storing prescription information including: identification of each medication included in a first plurality of medications; a respective dosage for each medication; and a plurality of time spans, including respective points in time, for dispensing the first plurality of medications; a cassette installed in the dispensing device and including a plurality of sealed compartments, each compartment in the plurality of sealed compartments configured to store at least one respective pill for each medication in a second plurality of medications; and at least one dispensing port. The dispensing device is configured to, within each time span in the plurality of time spans and when the second plurality of medications is in compliance with the prescription information: access each compartment via the at least one dispensing port; and extract every at least one first pill from each compartment.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to techniques for traffic monitoring. The techniques utilize a relatively low cost sensing system, referred to here as “smart tape.” Smart tape is adhered directly to the roadway and provides the ability to temporarily monitor traffic. It can be applied in an appropriate length for the roadway condition. Smart tape is responsive to the pressure of a vehicle's tires passing over it. Furthermore, smart tape does not require an attached monitoring device, unlike certain known traffic monitoring techniques.

Abstract: An articulating sheet guide is used in connection with a printing system. A primary media transport nip is disposed adjacent a media sheet source supplying a media sheet. A secondary media transport nip is downstream. A link has a front surface facing upstream, and a proximal end pivotally mounted. From adjacent the primary media transport, the link will pivot past the secondary media transport. A link pocket is disposed transversely to the process direction on the link front surface. The V-shaped link pocket is adapted to receive the media leading edge. The primary media transport nip will move the media sheet toward the link. The link pocket will receive the media leading edge. The media sheet movement will cause the link to move in an arcuate path guided by the pivotal movement of the link into engagement by the secondary media transport nip. The link pocket will release the media leading edge. The operation is nearly silent.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preventing collisions between vehicles and moving hazards include the use of active signs, a network of sensors, and a controller. Such sensors can be placed adjacent to a roadway and are used to detect the presence of animals. The active signs display a local speed limit. The controller accepts the sensor signals as input and outputs display commands to the active signs. The controller maintains a rolling window of recent detections in histogram form. The recent data, together with a control law specified by the municipal authority, can be used to specify updated local speed limits to influence driver behavior.