Abstract: A method of complementary clustering of a vast population of objects is disclosed. The method aims at maximizing a global measure of object affinity within naturally-formed clusters. A first clustering procedure produces primary centroids of clusters of objects and a second clustering procedure produces secondary clusters of the primary centroids and corresponding secondary centroids. Refined clusters of the population of objects are formed based on object proximity to the secondary centroids. The first clustering procedure is preferably based on a variation of the K-means method, and the second clustering procedure is preferably based on the Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN). An apparatus implementing the method is devised to facilitate conflict-free parallel processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inducing expansion of audience of source contents posted in a social medium are disclosed. Upon posting the source contents, spontaneous audience are detected and content-coupled audience are determined; the content-coupled audience and the spontaneous audience are users of the social medium that accessed common contents, or contents of a common class, other than the source contents. A set of content-coupled audience is pruned to determine a set of prospective audience. Information relevant to the source contents is disseminated to the prospective audience resulting in audience gain. Processes of iterative-recursive exploration of multi-stratum content coupling are performed to further enhance the audience gain. An apparatus implementing the method may employ a single processor or multiple processors operating concurrently and exchanging intermediate results through commonly accessed buffers.

Abstract: A method of complementary clustering of a vast population of objects is disclosed. The method aims at maximizing a global measure of object affinity within naturally-formed clusters. A first clustering procedure produces primary centroids of clusters of objects and a second clustering procedure produces secondary clusters of the primary centroids and corresponding secondary centroids. Refined clusters of the population of objects are formed based on object proximity to the secondary centroids. The first clustering procedure is preferably based on a variation of the K-means method, and the second clustering procedure is preferably based on the Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN). An apparatus implementing the method is devised to facilitate conflict-free parallel processing.

Abstract: A labelling system includes a dispensing apparatus to present respective cut and opened sleeves of shrink-wrap label stock material for insertion of claws of crustaceans, and a heating apparatus to apply heat to the sleeves to shrink the sleeves around the claws. A related method includes inserting a claw of a crustacean into a sleeve of shrink-wrap label stock material, and applying heat to the sleeve to shrink the sleeve around the claw. Another method involves providing a dispensing apparatus to present respective cut and opened sleeves of shrink-wrap label stock material to receive claws of crustaceans, and providing a heating apparatus to apply heat to the sleeves to shrink the sleeves around the claws. A seafood product may include a crustacean having a claw, the claw carrying a shrink-wrap label.

Abstract: A labelling system includes a dispensing apparatus to present respective cut and opened sleeves of shrink-wrap label stock material for insertion of claws of crustaceans, and a heating apparatus to apply heat to the sleeves to shrink the sleeves around the claws. A related method includes inserting a claw of a crustacean into a sleeve of shrink-wrap label stock material, and applying heat to the sleeve to shrink the sleeve around the claw. Another method involves providing a dispensing apparatus to present respective cut and opened sleeves of shrink-wrap label stock material to receive claws of crustaceans, and providing a heating apparatus to apply heat to the sleeves to shrink the sleeves around the claws. A seafood product may include a crustacean having a claw, the claw carrying a shrink-wrap label.

Abstract: Mollusc processing apparatus and related methods are disclosed. Molluscs are held in holders by one of their shells, illustratively the bottom shells, and are moved between a series of processing stations. At a shell cut station, an opening is cut into one or both of the shells of each mollusc. The next processing station includes a cutting blade to cut the adductor muscle and viscera of each mollusc away from its non-held shell, illustratively the top shell, and a shell detach mechanism to detach the non-held shell from the held shell. One or multiple air blasts are directed toward the viscera to loosen it from the held shell, and at a vacuum station the loosened viscera is pulled from the held shell. A second muscle cut station includes another cutting blade to cut the adductor muscle from the held shell.

Abstract: Mollusc processing apparatus and related methods are disclosed. Molluscs are held in holders by one of their shells, illustratively the bottom shells, and are moved between a series of processing stations. At a shell cut station, an opening is cut into one or both of the shells of each mollusc. The next processing station includes a cutting blade to cut the adductor muscle and viscera of each mollusc away from its non-held shell, illustratively the top shell, and a shell detach mechanism to detach the non-held shell from the held shell. One or multiple air blasts are directed toward the viscera to loosen it from the held shell, and at a vacuum station the loosened viscera is pulled from the held shell. A second muscle cut station includes another cutting blade to cut the adductor muscle from the held shell.

Abstract: A device for use by a player to improve his handling of an object on a surface, comprising at least one camera positioned such that the field of view of the at least one camera may capture an image of the surface and the object; a processor providing an image processing algorithm adapted to receive data relating to an image of the surface and the object, and to calculate therefrom image data relating to the position of the object on the surface; at least one monitor for viewing an image positioned in front of the player and adapted to receive data relating to the position of the object on the surface; means for transmitting data relating to the image of a playing surface and the object to the processor and means for transmitting image data relating to the position of the object on the surface from the processor to the monitor.

Abstract: A trimmer producing a profiled spine in a book. The device includes a first clamp element and a second clamp element contacting the second side and an actuating device moving the first clamp element with respect to the second clamp element so as to skew the spine. A trimming blade cuts the book.

Abstract: A method for producing a profiled spine in a book having a first side defining a first plane, a second side defining a second plane and a spine. The method includes clamping the book using a first clamp element contacting the first side and the second clamp element contacting the second side and moving the first element with respect to the second element so as to skew the spine by moving at least one of the first side in the first plane and the second side in the second plane.

Abstract: A method for producing a profiled spine in a book having a first side defining a first plane, a second side defining a second plane and a spine. The method includes clamping the book using a first clamp element contacting the first side and the second clamp element contacting the second side and moving the first element with respect to the second element so as to skew the spine by moving at least one of the first side in the first plane and the second side in the second plane.

Abstract: A trimmer for trimming of a book has a support for supporting the book, a trim blade for trimming an edge of the book, and a reciprocating actuator for moving the trim blade toward the book to trim the edge of the book. The trim blade has a trim blade edge having a first section and a second section, the second section being angled with respect to the first section.