This invention provides a system and method for finding features in images that exhibit saddle point-like structures using relatively computationally low-intensive processes, illustratively consisting of an anti-correlation process, and associated anti-correlation kernel, which operates upon a plurality of pixel neighborhoods within the image. This process enables an entire image to be quickly analyzed for any features that exhibit such saddle point-like structures by determining whether the anti-correlation kernel generates a weak or strong response in various positions within the image. The anti-correlation kernel is designed to generate a strong response regardless of the orientation of a saddle point-like structure. The anti-correlation process examines a plurality of pixel neighborhoods in the image, thereby locating any saddle point-like structures regardless of orientation, as it is angle-independent. The structures are then grouped and refined (for example in a grid) in an effort to locate and decode ID topologies within the image.

A wireless networking system is disclosed. The wireless networking system includes an application layer associated with one or more applications having a wireless bandwidth requirement. A first wireless transceiver resource associated with an actual MAC layer and PHY layer is employed. The first wireless transceiver resource has a first bandwidth availability up to a first actual bandwidth. A second wireless transceiver resource associated with the actual MAC layer and the PHY layer is employed. The second wireless transceiver resource has a second bandwidth availability up to a second actual bandwidth. A processing layer evaluates the wireless bandwidth requirement and the first and second bandwidth availabilities of the wireless transceiver resources. The processing layer includes a bandwidth allocator to allocate at least a portion of each of the first and second actual bandwidths to virtual MAC and virtual PHY layers, and to satisfy the application layer wireless bandwidth requirement.

A wireless networking system is disclosed. The wireless networking system includes an application layer associated with one or more applications having a wireless bandwidth requirement. A first wireless transceiver resource associated with an actual MAC layer and PHY layer is employed. The first wireless transceiver resource has a first bandwidth availability up to a first actual bandwidth. A second wireless transceiver resource associated with the actual MAC layer and the PHY layer is employed. The second wireless transceiver resource has a second bandwidth availability up to a second actual bandwidth. A processing layer evaluates the wireless bandwidth requirement and the first and second bandwidth availabilities of the wireless transceiver resources. The processing layer includes a bandwidth allocator to allocate at least a portion of each of the first and second actual bandwidths to virtual MAC and virtual PHY layers, and to satisfy the application layer wireless bandwidth requirement.

A wireless networking system is disclosed. The wireless networking system includes an application layer associated with one or more applications having a wireless bandwidth requirement. A first wireless transceiver resource associated with an actual MAC layer and PHY layer is employed. The first wireless transceiver resource has a first bandwidth availability up to a first actual bandwidth. A second wireless transceiver resource associated with the actual MAC layer and the PHY layer is employed. The second wireless transceiver resource has a second bandwidth availability up to a second actual bandwidth. A processing layer evaluates the wireless bandwidth requirement and the first and second bandwidth availabilities of the wireless transceiver resources. The processing layer includes a bandwidth allocator to allocate at least a portion of each of the first and second actual bandwidths to virtual MAC and virtual PHY layers, and to satisfy the application layer wireless bandwidth requirement.

A wireless networking system is disclosed. The wireless networking system includes an application layer associated with one or more applications having a wireless bandwidth requirement. A first wireless transceiver resource associated with an actual MAC layer and PHY layer is employed. The first wireless transceiver resource has a first bandwidth availability up to a first actual bandwidth. A second wireless transceiver resource associated with the actual MAC layer and the PHY layer is employed. The second wireless transceiver resource has a second bandwidth availability up to a second actual bandwidth. A processing layer evaluates the wireless bandwidth requirement and the first and second bandwidth availabilities of the wireless transceiver resources. The processing layer includes a bandwidth allocator to allocate at least a portion of each of the first and second actual bandwidths to virtual MAC and virtual PHY layers, and to satisfy the application layer wireless bandwidth requirement.

A system comprising a container for containing precursor material and a machine for preparing a beverage and/or foodstuff or a precursor thereof from said precursor material, the container including: a machine-readable code storing preparation information, wherein the code extends along a encoding line, and comprises a series of discrete positions that either comprise or do not comprise a unit to at least partially encode the preparation information, the machine including: a code reading system to obtain a digital image of the code and to fit a colour model to the digital image; a processing unit for processing the precursor material of the container, and; electrical circuitry to control the processing unit based on the preparation information read from the code and the code reading system, wherein the electrical circuitry is configured to: sum values of the colour model along the encoding line, including for the units of the code and the encoding line; determine an orientation of the code based on said sum, and; read the discrete positions based on the determined orientation of the code in said image.

A wireless networking system is disclosed. The wireless networking system includes an application layer associated with one or more applications having a wireless bandwidth requirement. A first wireless transceiver resource associated with an actual MAC layer and PHY layer is employed. The first wireless transceiver resource has a first bandwidth availability up to a first actual bandwidth. A second wireless transceiver resource associated with the actual MAC layer and the PHY layer is employed. The second wireless transceiver resource has a second bandwidth availability up to a second actual bandwidth. A processing layer evaluates the wireless bandwidth requirement and the first and second bandwidth availabilities of the wireless transceiver resources. The processing layer includes a bandwidth allocator to allocate at least a portion of each of the first and second actual bandwidths to virtual MAC and virtual PHY layers, and to satisfy the application layer wireless bandwidth requirement.

An imaged-based scanner includes a housing having a lower portion, an upper portion, and an extension arm extending upward from the lower portion to the upper portion. A lower portion includes a base having an exit window and an imaging assembly mounted in that base with at least one field of view directed upwardly through the exit window. The upper portion has imaging assembly that has at least two fields of view. That upper imaging assembly is mounted such that the two fields of view extend downwardly toward the lower portion with each field of view positioned to have a central axis that is offset with respect to a center normal of the exit window.

A wireless networking system is disclosed. The wireless networking system includes an application layer associated with one or more applications having a wireless bandwidth requirement. A first wireless transceiver resource associated with an actual MAC layer and PHY layer is employed. The first wireless transceiver resource has a first bandwidth availability up to a first actual bandwidth. A second wireless transceiver resource associated with the actual MAC layer and the PHY layer is employed. The second wireless transceiver resource has a second bandwidth availability up to a second actual bandwidth. A processing layer evaluates the wireless bandwidth requirement and the first and second bandwidth availabilities of the wireless transceiver resources. The processing layer includes a bandwidth allocator to allocate at least a portion of each of the first and second actual bandwidths to virtual MAC and virtual PHY layers, and to satisfy the application layer wireless bandwidth requirement.

An optical data reader comprises a conveyor, an optical system, and a controller. The conveyor is configured to move a plurality of optical substrates along a plurality of lanes. Each optical substrate includes a plurality of waveplates arranged along its direction of movement within any of the plurality of lanes. The optical system is configured to observe one or more of the waveplates in its field-of-view; the optical axis crosses the plurality of lanes such that movement of at least one of the optical substrates brings one or more different waveplates into the field-of-view. The controller is coupled operatively to the conveyor and configured to control the position of the optical substrate in each occupied lane.