3m Innovative Properties Company

Imation Corporation

Andrew D Dubner

Doyle T Potter

Kevin R Green

John L Riccardi

Example systems disclosed herein include a temporary traffic control (TTC) zone monitoring system that assesses and responds to a risk of an adverse event in the TTC zone. The TTC zone monitoring system includes at least one sensor and a computing device. The computing device processes sensor data from the sensor to identify one or more features of the TTC zone. The features of the TTC zone include traffic control features, vehicle features, pathway features, or environmental features. The computing device determines a risk indicative of a risk of an adverse event in the TTC zone based on risk factors. Each of the risk factors is indicative of a risk of an adverse event associated with at least one feature the TTC zone and is based on adverse event data of the at least one feature. The computing device performs at least one operation based on the risk score.

Risk assessment for temporary zones

The sensors on a vehicle can have difficulties identifying surrounding objects in the environment. Markers with predetermined properties that match with reading capabilities of the on-vehicle sensors would provide information about the surrounding environment. In particular, adjacent vehicles may have markers with predetermined properties that match with reading capabilities of the vehicle sensors. The sensors would obtain information about the surrounding vehicles on the road, which could be used to provide context for decision making of the advanced driver assistance system.

System for vehicle identification

Methods are provided to process a biological growth plate using a biological growth plate scanner. The scanner includes an imaging device, a processor, and an image processing profile memory. The scanner scans a plate type indicator associated with the biological growth plate. In some embodiments, the processor uses the plate type indicator to verify the suitability of the biological growth plate for use in the scanner. In some embodiments, the processor uses the plate type indicator to unlock the scanner for operation.

Methods of processing a biological growth plate in a biological growth plate scanner

A biological scanner provides automated selection of image processing profiles to scan different types of biological growth plates. The scanner automatically identifies the type of plate to be scanned by the scanner, and then selects one of the image processing profiles appropriate for the identified plate type. For example, the image processing profiles may apply different color, shape, size and proximity criteria in counting different types of bacterial colonies. The scanner may identify the plate type by reference to a variety of machine-readable indicators, such as optically or magnetically readable marks, carried on the plate. Accordingly, biological growth plates carrying particular indicators that permit plate type identification are also contemplated. The plates may be scanned in order to read or count different types of bacterial colonies, or the amount of a particular biological agent on the biological growth plate.

Biological growth plate scanner with automated image processing profile selection

A magneto-optic (MO) recording medium having three MO layers having a combined thickness of about 60-100 nm and having a reflectivity of 18-24%. Two dielectric layers are provided between a substrate and the MO layers. The index of refraction (n) of the dielectric layer nearer the substrate is greater than that of the other dielectric layer. Preferred dielectrics for the two layers include silicon carbide (n.congruent.3) and silicon nitride (n.congruent.2).

Method of optically turning a magneto-optic medium having in order a

A magneto-optic recording medium having two magneto-optic layers exchange-coupled to each other. The Curie temperature, T.sub.C1, of the first layer is less than that of the second layer, T.sub.C2. The magneto-optic effect is large for temperatures, T, less than T.sub.C1, but the thicknesses of the two layers are selected so that they optically interfere to result in zero magneto-optic rotation at temperatures between T.sub.C1 and T.sub.C2. The medium is designed so that a laser beam detects a signal only at the front of the beam spot and not at the rear of the spot, allowing a drive system to read/write smaller bits on the medium, thereby increasing the storage capacity of the medium.

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Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

Andrew D Dubner