Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080249884 | POS-centric digital imaging system - A POS-centric digital imaging system for installation at a retail point of sale (POS) station having a countertop surface. The POS-centric digital imaging system includes a system housing having at least one imaging window, and providing a cashier side and a customer side for the POS-centric digital imaging system. An omni-directional digital image capturing and processing subsystem is disposed in the system housing, for generating a 3D imaging volume adjacent the imaging window. A cashier/customer terminal is integrated within the system housing, for simultaneously supporting (i) cashier product scanning/imaging and checkout operations on said cashier side, and (ii) customer payment and other services on said customer side. | 10-09-2008 |
20080252985 | Tunnel-type digital imaging-based self-checkout system for use in retail point-of-sale environments - A tunnel-type digital imaging-based self-checkout system capable of generating and projecting coplanar illumination and imaging planes into a 3D imaging volume within a tunnel structure. The tunnel structure is supported above a package conveyor in a retail POS environment, and employs automatic package identification, profiling and tracking techniques during self-checkout operations. | 10-16-2008 |
20080283611 | Digital image capture and processing systems for supporting 3D imaging volumes in retail point-of-sale environments - Digital image capture and processing systems and methods for generating and projecting coplanar illumination and imaging planes and/or coextensive area-type illumination and imaging zones, through one or more imaging windows, and into a 3D imaging volume in a retail POS environments, while employing automatic object motion and/or velocity detection, real-time image analysis and other techniques to capture and processing high-quality digital images of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume, and intelligently controlling and/or managing the use of visible and invisible forms of illumination, during object illumination and imaging operations, that might otherwise annoy or disturb human operators and/or customers working and/or shopping in such retail environments. | 11-20-2008 |
20090065584 | Pos-based digital image capturing and processing system employing automatic object motion detection and spectral-mixing based illumination techniques - A POS-based digital image capturing and processing system for illuminating objects using automatic object detection and spectral-mixing illumination technique. The system comprises an area-type illumination and imaging station for projecting a coextensive area-type illumination and imaging field (i.e. zone) into a 3D imaging volume during object illumination and imaging operations. The area-type illumination and imaging station includes an illumination subsystem for producing a first field of visible illumination from an array of visible LEDs, and producing a second field of invisible illumination from an array of infrared (IR) LEDs. wherein the first and second fields of illumination spatially overlap and intermix with each other and are substantially coextensive with the FOV of the image sensing array. An automatic object motion detection subsystem automatically detects the motion of an object moving through the 3D imaging volume, while an illumination control subsystem controls the relative power ratio (VIS/IR) of visible illumination and invisible illumination during system operation so as to minimize the amount of visible illumination energy required to capture sufficiently high-contrast images of said objects and successfully process the same. | 03-12-2009 |
20090101718 | Digital image capturing and processing system employing automatic object detection and spectral-mixing based illumination techniques - A digital image capturing and processing system for illuminating objects using automatic object detection and spectral-mixing illumination technique. The system comprises an area-type illumination and imaging module for projecting a coextensive area-type illumination and imaging field (i.e. zone) into a 3D imaging volume during object illumination and imaging operations. The area-type illumination and imaging module includes a spectral-mixing based illumination subsystem for producing a first field of visible illumination from an array of visible LEDs, and producing a second field of invisible illumination from an array of infrared (IR) LEDs, wherein the first and second fields of illumination spatially overlap and intermix with each other and produce a composite illumination field that is at least substantially coextensive with the FOV of the image sensing array. An automatic object detection subsystem automatically detects an object moving through the 3D imaging volume, while an illumination control subsystem controls the relative power ratio (VIS/IR) of visible illumination and invisible illumination during system operations so as to achieve sufficient image contrast in captured digital images to ensure satisfactory image processing. | 04-23-2009 |
20090101719 | Digital image capturing and processing system for automatically recognizing graphical intelligence graphically represented in digital images of objects - A digital image capturing and processing system including a system housing having an imaging window; illumination and imaging stations for generating and projecting illumination and imaging planes or zones through the imaging window, and into a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window, for digital imaging an object passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generating digital linear images of the object as the object intersects the illumination and imaging planes or zones during system operation. A digital image processor processes the digital images and automatically recognizes graphical intelligence (e.g. bar code symbols, alphanumeric characters etc) graphically represented in the digital images. | 04-23-2009 |
20090134221 | Tunnel-type digital imaging-based system for use in automated self-checkout and cashier-assisted checkout operations in retail store environments - A tunnel-type digital imaging-based system capable of generating and projecting coplanar and/or coextensive illumination and imaging planes or zones into a 3D imaging volume within a tunnel structure. The system includes a tunnel housing structure which is supported above a package conveyor in a retail environment, and employs automatic package detection, identification, profiling/dimensioning, weighing, tracking and correlating techniques during self-checkout and/or cashier-assisted operations for achieving increased levels of efficiency and productivity. | 05-28-2009 |
20120150589 | BAR CODE SYMBOL READING SYSTEM SUPPORTING VISUAL OR/AND AUDIBLE DISPLAY OF PRODUCT SCAN SPEED FOR THROUGHPUT OPTIMIZATION IN POINT OF SALE (POS) ENVIRONMENTS - A POS-based bar code symbol reading system that reads bar code symbols on objects being passed through the 3D imaging or scanning volume supported by the system, and employs one or more object motion sensors (e.g. imaging based, IR Pulse-Doppler LIDAR-based, ultra-sonic energy based, etc.) to (i) measure or estimate the speed of objects being manually passed through the 3D imaging or scanning volume by the system operator, and (ii) visually and/or audibly display object scanning speed measures or estimates to provide the system operator with feedback for optimizing system throughput. The POS-based bar code symbol reading system has a performance advantage that leads to quicker customer checkout times and productivity gain that cannot be matched by the conventional bar code symbol scanning technology. | 06-14-2012 |
20120195479 | OPTICAL IMAGER AND METHOD FOR CORRELATING A MEDICATION PACKAGE WITH A PATIENT - A system is provided to correlate a medication package with a prescribed medication for a patient. The medication package accommodates an intended patient medication. The system includes an optical imager adapted to read an encoded symbol character comprising encoded patient information and further adapted to image an attribute of the medication package. The optical imager comprises a two-dimensional image sensor array and an imaging lens for focusing an image on the two-dimensional image sensor array. The two-dimensional image sensor array has a plurality of pixels formed in a plurality of rows and columns of pixels. The optical imager further includes a digital link to transmit a segment of data. The segment of data includes the patient information encoded in the encoded symbol character and the attribute of the medication package. The system further includes a host computer connected to the digital link to receive the segment of data from the optical imager, and a database coupled to the host computer via a digital connection. The database correlates the segment of data to (a) a patient record, and (b) a medication package attribute library. | 08-02-2012 |
20130270346 | SYMBOL READING SYSTEM - A POS-based bar code symbol reading system reads bar code symbols on objects being passed through the 3D imaging or scanning volume supported by the system, and employs one or more object motion sensors (e.g. imaging based, IR Pulse-Doppler LIDAR-based, ultra-sonic energy based, etc.) to (i) measure or estimate the speed of objects being manually passed through the 3D imaging or scanning volume by the system operator, and (ii) visually and/or audibly display object scanning speed measures or estimates to provide the system operator with feedback for optimizing system throughput. The POS-based bar code symbol reading system has a performance advantage that leads to quicker customer checkout times and productivity gain that cannot be matched by the conventional bar code symbol scanning technology. | 10-17-2013 |
20150053768 | METHOD OF USING CAMERA SENSOR INTERFACE TO TRANSFER MULTIPLE CHANNELS OF SCAN DATA USING AN IMAGE FORMAT - A computer system for decoding a signal of decodable indicia. The computer system includes a laser scanner configured that outputs a signal of decodable indicia and a microprocessor that include a camera sensor interface that is configured to receive the signal from the laser scanner. | 02-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090321320 | Selective Catalysts Having High Temperature Alumina Supports For Naphtha Hydrodesulfurization - This invention relates to a catalyst and method for hydrodesulfurizing naphtha. More particularly, a Co/Mo metal hydrogenation component is loaded on a high temperature alumina support in the presence of a dispersion aid to produce a catalyst that is then used for hydrodesulrurizing naphtha. The high temperature alumina support has a defined surface area that minimizes olefin saturation. | 12-31-2009 |
20110079542 | STACKING OF LOW ACTIVITY OR REGENERATED CATALYST ABOVE HIGHER ACTIVITY CATALYST - Processes are provided for using employing lower activity hydrodesulfurization catalysts while achieving a desired product sulfur content. After determining effective reaction conditions for hydrodesulfurization using a reference catalyst system, an upstream portion of the catalyst system can be replaced with a lower activity upstream portion. The process allows tailored product sulfur levels to be achieved using reaction conditions similar to those for the reference catalyst system. | 04-07-2011 |
20110099891 | HYDROPROCESSING FEEDSTOCK CONTAINING LIPID MATERIAL TO PRODUCE TRANSPORTATION FUEL - This invention provides processes for producing fuel, particularly transportation fuel, from biological material, e.g., lipid material. One aspect of the invention involves hydroprocessing a feedstock in a hydroprocessing zone that is maintained at conditions that promote the efficiency of converting the lipid-containing feedstock into transportation fuel. Such conditions include one or more of maintaining CO content of the hydroprocessing zone at a predetermined amount and recycling or providing a hydrogen-containing gas to the hydroprocessing zone that has been treated to remove CO. | 05-05-2011 |
20110155636 | HYDROPROCESSING OF BIOCOMPONENT FEEDSTOCKS WITH LOW PURITY HYDROGEN-CONTAINING STREAMS - A biocomponent feedstock can be hydroprocessed using a hydrogen-containing refinery as a source of hydrogen gas. A relatively low cost catalyst, such as a water gas shift catalyst and/or spent hydrotreating catalyst, can be used as a hydrogenation catalyst for the process. The hydroprocessing can allow for olefin saturation and/or deoxygenation of the biocomponent feed by using a relatively low value refinery stream, e.g., containing from about 20 mol % to about 60 mol % hydrogen. | 06-30-2011 |
20140190869 | SELECTIVE CATALYSTS HAVING HIGH TEMPERATURE ALUMINA SUPPORTS FOR NAPHTHA HYDRODESULFURIZATION - This invention relates to a catalyst and method for hydrodesulfurizing naphtha. More particularly, a Co/Mo metal hydrogenation component is loaded on a high temperature alumina support in the presence of a dispersion aid to produce a catalyst that is then used for hydrodesulfurizing naphtha. The high temperature alumina support has a defined surface area that minimizes olefin saturation. | 07-10-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090064003 | Method and System for Creating Theme, Topic, and Story-Based Cover Pages - A method creates cover pages for news themes, topics, and stories, with elements to allow viewing more information from the theme, topic, or story. A database of stories is provided, comprising text, images, and possibly other web-accessible content. For a theme-based cover page, a theme is selected, and topics relevant to that theme are chosen. Search strings generated from the topics are used to search the database for matching stories. Representative images for the matching stories are then chosen from the database, and headlines are created based on the story content. For a topic-based cover page, a topic is selected and is used to search the database for matching stories. The cover page, comprising the image and information about the theme, topic, or story, is then created and displayed, with clickable elements to view more information about the theme, topic, or story. | 03-05-2009 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100160135 | Density Phase Separation Device - A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases is disclosed. The mechanical separator includes a float, a ballast assembly longitudinally moveable with respect to the float, and a bellows structure. The bellows structure includes a first end, a second end, and a deformable bellows therebetween. The float is attached to a portion of the first end of the bellows structure, and the ballast is attached to a portion of the second end of the bellows structure. The attached float and bellows structure includes a releaseable interference engagement therebetween. The float has a first density, and the ballast has a second density that is greater than the first density of the float. | 06-24-2010 |
20110178427 | Flashback Blood Collection Needle - A needle assembly includes a transparent or translucent housing with a fluid inlet and outlet end, a flashback chamber, and a venting mechanism therebetween. The venting mechanism includes a blocking member to control the fluid flow in the venting mechanism so that it flows along the longest path through the vent. Substantially axially aligned inlet and outlet cannulas extend from the housing and communicate with the chamber. A sealable sleeve covers the external end of the outlet cannula. Relative volumes of the cannulas, the chamber, and the sleeve are selected to provide rapid reliable flashback indicative of venous entry with an internal vent positioned within the housing to divide the interior into first and second chambers, with the second chamber being adapted to maintain a negative pressure therein relative to the external environment so as to inhibit leakage of blood from the needle tip on withdrawal from the patient. | 07-21-2011 |
20120141341 | Specimen Collection Container Assembly - A specimen collection container includes inner and outer tubes. The inner tube includes a bottom end, a top end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining an interior. The sidewall includes an inner surface and an outer surface having at least one annular protrusion extending therefrom. The inner tube includes at least one funnel portion adjacent the top end for directing a specimen into the inner tube interior, and an annular ring disposed about a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall adjacent the top end. The outer tube includes a bottom end, a top end, and a sidewall extending therebetween, the sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an annular recess adapted to receive a portion of the annular protrusion therein. The inner tube is disposed within the outer tube and a portion of the top end of the outer tube abuts the annular ring. | 06-07-2012 |
20120316466 | Safety Syringe Having A Manually Activated Retractable Needle - A retractable needle assembly includes a housing having a sidewall defining a hollow bore, and an elongate plunger, the distal end of the plunger forming a reservoir within the hollow bore for containing a fluid therein. The plunger is adapted for slideable movement within the hollow bore. The assembly includes a hub disposed within the hollow bore and at least partially supporting a cannula therewith, and a needle retraction member engaged with the hub for manually selectable advancement with respect to a portion of the housing. The needle retraction member may be advanced from an initial position in which at least a portion of the needle is disposed outside the housing, to a retracted position in which the needle is fully surrounded by the housing. The elongate plunger may be advanced about the hub for extracting the fluid into the reservoir or expelling the fluid from the reservoir. | 12-13-2012 |
20130175266 | Safety Shield for Fluid Specimen Container - A container assembly including a shield disposed at least partially within a receiving cavity of a receptacle of a lid is disclosed. The shield provides a physical barrier that at least partially covers and blocks an entrance to the receiving cavity to prevent a patient and/or healthcare worker from needle stick injuries. In one embodiment, the shield is adapted to receive a stopper of a collection tube, and the shield is transitionable between a locked position in which the shield is restrained within an open end of the receptacle, and an unlocked position in which the shield is movable within the receiving cavity of the receptacle. | 07-11-2013 |
20130251605 | Specimen Collection Container Assembly - A specimen collection container includes inner and outer tubes. The inner tube includes a bottom end, a top end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining an interior. The sidewall includes an inner surface and an outer surface having at least one annular protrusion extending therefrom. The inner tube includes at least one funnel portion adjacent the top end for directing a specimen into the inner tube interior, and an annular ring disposed about a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall adjacent the top end. The outer tube includes a bottom end, a top end, and a sidewall extending therebetween, the sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an annular recess adapted to receive a portion of the annular protrusion therein. The inner tube is disposed within the outer tube and a portion of the top end of the outer tube abuts the annular ring. | 09-26-2013 |
20140052022 | Flashback Blood Collection Needle - A needle assembly includes a transparent or translucent housing with a fluid inlet and outlet end, a flashback chamber, and a venting mechanism therebetween. The venting mechanism includes a blocking member to control the fluid flow in the venting mechanism so that it flows along the longest path through the vent. Substantially axially aligned inlet and outlet cannulas extend from the housing and communicate with the chamber. A sealable sleeve covers the external end of the outlet cannula. Relative volumes of the cannulas, the chamber, and the sleeve are selected to provide rapid reliable flashback indicative of venous entry with an internal vent positioned within the housing to divide the interior into first and second chambers, with the second chamber being adapted to maintain a negative pressure therein relative to the external environment so as to inhibit leakage of blood from the needle tip on withdrawal from the patient. | 02-20-2014 |
20140213934 | Specimen Collection Container Having a Fluid Separation Chamber - A specimen collection container having a separation chamber includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a valve located between the first chamber and the second chamber. In an open position, the valve permits fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. In a closed position, the valve maintains fluid isolation between the first chamber and the second chamber. A fluid stream passes from the first chamber to the second chamber through the valve permitting a predetermined volume of fluid to pass from the first chamber to the second chamber. When the predetermined volume of fluid passes to the second chamber, the valve transitions from the open position to the closed position so that additional fluid of the fluid stream received by the first chamber is maintained in the first chamber in fluid isolation from the predetermined volume of fluid contained in the second chamber. | 07-31-2014 |
20140305196 | Biological Fluid Collection Device and Biological Fluid Separation and Testing System - A biological fluid collection device that is adapted to receive a blood sample having a cellular portion and a plasma portion is disclosed. After collection of the blood sample, the plasma portion is separated from the cellular portion. After separation, the biological fluid collection device is able to transfer the plasma portion of the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The biological fluid collection device also provides a closed sampling and transfer system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer. The biological fluid collection device is engageable with a biological fluid testing device for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion from the biological fluid collection device to the biological fluid testing device. The biological fluid testing device is adapted to receive the plasma portion to analyze the blood sample. | 10-16-2014 |
20140358037 | Safety Blood Collection Assembly with Indicator - A blood collection assembly includes a housing and a cannula extending distally from the housing including a patient end, and a cannula shield removably engaged with a portion of the housing. The cannula shield is capable of shielding at least the patient end of the cannula, and includes a safety shield engagement. The assembly includes a pivoting safety shield engaged with a portion of the housing, which is transitionable from a retracted position in which the patient end of the cannula is exposed, to an extended position in which the patient end of the cannula is shielded by at least a portion of the safety shield. The safety shield includes at least one locking tab releasably engageable with the safety shield engagement, wherein the locking tab is fixedly engageable with a portion of the housing in the extended position. | 12-04-2014 |