Abstract: A laser beam alignment system includes at least one mirror with a surface pattern configured to receive and reflect a laser beam, at least one detector configured to detect a deflected portion of a laser beam from the mirror, and at least one controller configured to communicate with the at least one mirror and the at least one detector and to control the mirror position on the basis of the deflected portion of the laser beam.

Abstract: A method of determining the position and orientation of a moveable object includes a) connecting a plurality of targets to the object at known points on the object such that the targets will move with the object; b) scanning the surface of the object and at least some of the plurality of targets to obtain target data; c) comparing the scanned target data to at least one known dimension of one of the plurality of targets; and d) if scanned target data matches the at least one known dimension of one of the plurality of targets, mapping known object model data according to the target data to determine the position and orientation of the object.

Abstract: A laser beam alignment system includes at least one mirror with a surface pattern configured to receive and reflect a laser beam, at least one detector configured to detect a deflected portion of a laser beam from the mirror, and at least one controller configured to communicate with the at least one mirror and the at least one detector and to control the mirror position on the basis of the deflected portion of the laser beam.

Abstract: A robotic surface treatment system includes an omnidirectional base vehicle; a mast extending from the base vehicle; an arm extending from the mast and moveable in relation to the mast; a wrist connected to a distal end of the arm; and a surface treatment system extending from the base to the wrist through an inside of the mast, arm and wrist.

Abstract: It is often desirable to apply graphic output to surfaces that are large, irregular, and/or contoured. Application of graphic output on large or complex surfaces may be accomplished by projecting a pattern onto the surface using a projector disposed at a fixed location with respect to the surface. The graphic output is mapped to the projected pattern, by precisely positioning the print head with respect to the projected pattern using a robotic or similar actuated articulated positioning device, graphic output portions may be disposed in each of a plurality of defined locations to form a seamless, large scale graphic output.

Abstract: It is often desirable to apply graphic output to surfaces that are large, irregular, and/or contoured. Application of graphic output on large or complex surfaces may be accomplished by projecting a pattern onto the surface using a projector disposed at a fixed location with respect to the surface. The graphic output is mapped to the projected pattern, by precisely positioning the print head with respect to the projected pattern using a robotic or similar actuated articulated positioning device, graphic output portions may be disposed in each of a plurality of defined locations to form a seamless, large scale graphic output.

Abstract: A laser beam alignment system includes at least one mirror with a surface pattern configured to receive and reflect a laser beam, at least one detector configured to detect a deflected portion of a laser beam from the mirror, and at least one controller configured to communicate with the at least one mirror and the at least one detector and to control the mirror position on the basis of the deflected portion of the laser beam.

Abstract: A robotic surface treatment system includes an omnidirectional base vehicle; a mast extending from the base vehicle; an arm extending from the mast and moveable in relation to the mast; a wrist connected to a distal end of the arm; and a surface treatment system extending from the base to the wrist through an inside of the mast, arm and wrist.

Abstract: A method of determining the position and orientation of a moveable object includes a) connecting a plurality of targets to the object at known points on the object such that the targets will move with the object; b) scanning the surface of the object and at least some of the plurality of targets to obtain target data; c) comparing the scanned target data to at least one known dimension of one of the plurality of targets; and d) if scanned target data matches the at least one known dimension of one of the plurality of targets, mapping known object model data according to the target data to determine the position and orientation of the object.

Abstract: Large area inkjet printing includes the precise deposition of a number of graphic swathes on complex surface to form a continuous graphic image. Each of the graphic swathes should be aligned such that no spaces, gaps, or discontinuities exist within the final graphic image. A large area inkjet printing system provides the requisite accuracy for each graphic swathe forming the final graphic image through the use of an encoder pattern. An encoder pattern is deposited on the surface in a known location with respect to the most recently deposited graphic swathe. The high-accuracy inkjet printing system locates the print head with respect to the encoder pattern thereby permitting the precise positioning of the current graphic swathe.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating a location of an object or vehicle is provided. Images of a region encompassing the object are obtained, providing a three dimensional (3-D) view frame of the region. 3-D view frames are collected along a direction of travel of the object. A 3-D map is generated along the direction of travel of the object, the map based on the 3-D view frames and further based on an estimate of motion of the object at times associated with the 3-D view frames. A first set of features is extracted from the 3-D map. A geo-referenced feature database is searched for a second set of features that match the first set of features. A geo-location associated with the second set of features is retrieved from the feature database. The location of the object is estimated based on the retrieved geo-location.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating a location of an object or vehicle is provided. Images of a region encompassing the object are obtained, providing a three dimensional (3-D) view frame of the region. 3-D view frames are collected along a direction of travel of the object. A 3-D map is generated along the direction of travel of the object, the map based on the 3-D view frames and further based on an estimate of motion of the object at times associated with the 3-D view frames. A first set of features is extracted from the 3-D map. A geo-referenced feature database is searched for a second set of features that match the first set of features. A geo-location associated with the second set of features is retrieved from the feature database. The location of the object is estimated based on the retrieved geo-location.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for measuring and recording distances, such as between structures or reference points on vehicles. The system includes one or more measurement devices (12), each having a cable-extension transducer (14) for generating an electronic signal corresponding to the distance, a microprocessor(16) for determining the distance based upon the electronic signal, and a transceiver (22) operable to wirelessly transmit the distance to a data collection device (26) connected to a computing device (28). The cable-extension transducer (14) is wound about a spool (38) and directed around a wheel (40) such that the wheel (40) turns as the cable (36) is extended or retracted over the distance, thereby allowing for winding the cable (36) in multiple layers about the spool (38). The computing device (28) compares the measured distance to an ideal distance, and reports any difference therebetween.

Abstract: An improved dough-rolling apparatus and method for rolling sheeted dough. The proposed invention comprises a dough-rolling apparatus having a dough sheeter, a sheeting conveyor having a ramped section, a roll-initiating curtain positioned above the ramped section, and a roll-completing curtain positioned above the conveyor and downstream from the roll-initiating conveyor. Sheeted and cut dough pieces are deposited onto a steel mesh, partially-ramped sheeter belt, where two wire-mesh rolling curtains are draped onto the sheeter belt to induce rolling of the dough pieces.

Abstract: A containment apparatus for a multi-pass oven consisting of guide rails and tapered guide chutes having side rails. A tapered guide chute directs product pieces from one conveyor to the center of a receiving region of an underlying conveyor. Guide rails are placed along the sides of the receiving region of an underlying conveyor and maintain baking product pieces on the conveyor. Diverters on the distal end of each guide rail further move product pieces toward the center of the conveyor. Such diverters help ensure that pieces reach a subsequent guide chute or subsequent conveyor without falling off of the conveyor. Such guide rails, diverters, and guide chutes help prevent damage to, and loss of, product pieces while pieces pass through the oven. Guide rails, diverters, and guide chutes are particularly effective at maintaining round or cylindrical pieces within a multi-pass oven.

Abstract: A media discharge device includes a support member, a telescoping device supported by the support member, and a media discharge port provided at a first end of the telescoping device. The telescoping device is supported via a joint structure that allows the telescoping device to rotate with respect to the support member with at least one degree of freedom. The telescoping device includes a first member and a second member that moves with respect to the first member in an extending direction and a retracting direction. An actuator may drive the second member in the extending direction and in the retracting direction.

Abstract: A media discharge device includes a support member, a telescoping device supported by the support member, and a media discharge port provided at a first end of the telescoping device. The telescoping device is supported via a joint structure that allows the telescoping device to rotate with respect to the support member with at least one degree of freedom. The telescoping device includes a first member and a second member that moves with respect to the first member in an extending direction and a retracting direction. An actuator may drive the second member in the extending direction and in the retracting direction.