Author: claimsbot

1. A curing agent for a thermosetting resin, comprising a molecule carrying an associative group of formula (I):
in which:
R denotes a unit comprising at least one reactive functional group, selected from alcohol, thiol or amine functional group,
R\u2032 denotes a hydrogen atom,
A denotes an oxygen or sulfur atom.
2. The curing agent as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that R is chosen from H2N\u2014(CH2)n\u2014, HS\u2014(CH2)n\u2014 or HO\u2014(CH2)n\u2014, where n represents an integer between 1 and 18.
3. The curing agent as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said molecule carrying an associative group is chosen from: 1-(2-aminoethyl)imidazoli-done, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)imidazolidone, 1-(2-(2-aminoethyl)aminoethyl)imidazolidone, 1-(2-(2-{2-aminoethyl)amino}ethyl)aminoethyl)imidazolidone or N-(6-aminohexyl)-N\u2032-(6-methyl-4-oxo-1,4-dihydropy-rimidin-2-yl)urea.
4. The curing agent as claimed in claim 1, in combination with a cocuring agent, for improving the adhesion of said resin to a support.
5. The curing agent as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a cocuring compound chosen from alkyl- or arylamines and in particular ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine and tetraethylenepentamine, cyclic diamines, in particular 1-2-diaminocyclohexane, isophoronediamine or N,N\u2032-diisopropylisophoronediamine, aromatic primary diamines, in particular 4,4\u2032-methylenedianiline, 4,4\u2032-methylenebis(ortho-chloroaniline) or xylenediamine isomers, such as diethyltoluenediamine, hydroxyethyldiethylenetriamine, polyetheramines, BADGE-aliphatic amine adducts with an excess of amine functional groups relative to the glycidyls, polyamidoamines, polyamides, amidoamines, polymercaptans, the Mannich bases obtained by reaction between (poly)amine, formaldehyde and (alkyl)phenols, ketimines, dicyanodiamide, polyol epoxy resins and polyurethane-curing polyols.
6. The curing agent as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the thermosetting resin is chosen from epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, polyester resins and unsaturated polyester resins.
7. The curing agent as claimed in claim 1, in which at least two thermosetting resins are employed.
8. The curing agent as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the two resins are different.
9. The curing agent as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the molecules carrying associative groups are used in combination with a cocuring agent at a content of 0.1 to 50% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the combination.
10. The curing agent as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that n is equal to 1 or 2, and in that the thermosetting resin is present in water or in an aqueous emulsion.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of inventory allocation, the method comprising:
determining, by one or more processors of a computing device, a shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier of a plurality of identifiers of a plurality of items in an inventory, the shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier related to a sales volume, a billable weight and a shipping zone associated with the respective identifier;
ranking, by the one or more processors, the plurality of identifiers based at least in part on the shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier; and
determining, by the one or more processors, an order of allocation of the inventory of the plurality of items based at least in part on the ranking of the plurality of identifiers.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier comprises determining the shipping cost sensitivity according to an expression as follows:
s=vF(w,z), and
wherein s denotes the shipping cost sensitivity of a respective identifier, v denotes sales volume in units of an item associated with the respective identifier, w denotes billable weight of the item associated with the respective identifier, z denotes shipping zone of the item associated with the respective identifier, and F(w, z) denotes a function of w and z.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining, by the one or more processors, a back-haul percentage of each identifier of the plurality of identifiers, the back-haul percentage related to a back-haul volume of an item associated with a respective identifier of the plurality of identifiers shipped from a distribution center of a vendor to a physical store of the vendor by transportation operated by the vendor.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
discounting the shipping cost sensitivity of the at least one or more identifiers of the plurality of identifiers by the back-haul percentage.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the determining the shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier comprises determining the shipping cost sensitivity according to an expression as follows:
s=(1\u2212h)vF(w), and
wherein s denotes the shipping cost sensitivity of a respective identifier, h denotes the back-haul percentage of the respective identifier, v denotes sales volume in units of an item associated with the respective identifier, w denotes billable weight of the item associated with the respective identifier, and F(w) denotes a function of w.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining the back-haul percentage of each identifier comprises estimating the back-haul percentage based on a weight of an item associated with a respective identifier according to an expression as follows:
h=a+bw,
wherein determining the shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier comprises determining the shipping cost sensitivity according to an expression as follows:
s=(1\u2212(a+bw))vF(w), and
wherein a denotes an intercept of a linear model of h, and b denotes a gradient of the linear model.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein a shipping cost sensitivity of a first identifier of the plurality of identifiers is higher than a shipping cost sensitivity of a second identifier of the plurality of identifiers, and wherein ranking the plurality of identifiers based at least in part on the shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier comprises ranking the first identifier higher than the second identifier such that the first identifier is allocated before the second identifier.
8. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed on one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
determining a shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier of a plurality of identifiers of a plurality of items in an inventory, the shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier related to a sales volume, a billable weight and a shipping zone associated with the respective identifier; and
ranking the plurality of identifiers based at least in part on the shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier.
9. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 8, wherein the determining the shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier comprises determining the shipping cost sensitivity according to an expression as follows:
s=vF(w,z), and
wherein s denotes the shipping cost sensitivity of a respective identifier, v denotes sales volume in units of an item associated with the respective identifier, w denotes billable weight of the item associated with the respective identifier, z denotes shipping zone of the item associated with the respective identifier, and F(w, z) denotes a function of w and z.
10. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise:
determining a back-haul percentage of each identifier of the plurality of identifiers, the back-haul percentage related to a back-haul volume of an item associated with a respective identifier of the plurality of identifiers shipped from a distribution center of a vendor to a physical store of the vendor by transportation operated by the vendor.
11. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise:
discounting the shipping cost sensitivity of the at least one or more identifiers of the plurality of identifiers by the back-haul percentage.
12. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 11, wherein the determining the shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier comprises determining the shipping cost sensitivity according to an expression as follows:
s=(1\u2212h)vF(w), and
wherein h denotes the back-haul percentage of the respective identifier, and F(w) denotes a function of w.
13. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 12, wherein the determining the back-haul percentage of each identifier comprises estimating the back-haul percentage based on a weight of an item associated with a respective identifier according to an expression as follows:
h=a+bw,
wherein determining the shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier comprises determining the shipping cost sensitivity according to an expression as follows:
s=(1\u2212(a+bw))vF(w), and
wherein a denotes an intercept of a linear model of h, and b denotes a gradient of the linear model.
14. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 8, wherein a shipping cost sensitivity of a first identifier of the plurality of identifiers is higher than a shipping cost sensitivity of a second identifier of the plurality of identifiers, and wherein ranking the plurality of identifiers based at least in part on the shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier comprises ranking the first identifier higher than the second identifier such that the first identifier is allocated before the second identifier.
15. An apparatus comprising:
a memory configured to store data and one or more sets of instructions; and
one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to execute the one or more sets of instructions and perform operations comprising:
determining a shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier of a plurality of identifiers of a plurality of items in an inventory, the shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier related to a sales volume, a billable weight and a shipping zone associated with the respective identifier;
ranking the plurality of identifiers based at least in part on the shipping cost sensitivity of each identifier;
determining an order of allocation of the inventory of the plurality of items based at least in part on the ranking of the plurality of identifiers; and
displaying the determined order of allocation of the inventory of the plurality of items.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more processors determine the shipping cost sensitivity according to an expression as follows:
s=vF(w,z), and
wherein s denotes the shipping cost sensitivity of a respective identifier, v denotes sales volume in units of an item associated with the respective identifier, w denotes billable weight of the item associated with the respective identifier, z denotes shipping zone of the item associated with the respective identifier, and F(w, z) denotes a function of w and z.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more processors further perform operations comprising:
determining a back-haul percentage of each identifier of the plurality of identifiers, the back-haul percentage related to a back-haul volume of an item associated with a respective identifier of the plurality of identifiers shipped from a distribution center of a vendor to a physical store of the vendor by transportation operated by the vendor; and
discounting the shipping cost sensitivity of the at least one or more identifiers of the plurality of identifiers by the back-haul percentage.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more processors determine the shipping cost sensitivity according to an expression as follows:
s=(1\u2212h)vF(w), and
wherein s denotes the shipping cost sensitivity of a respective identifier, h denotes the back-haul percentage of the respective identifier, v denotes sales volume in units of an item associated with the respective identifier, w denotes billable weight of the item associated with the respective identifier, and F(w) denotes a function of w.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein, in determining the back-haul percentage of each identifier, the one or more processors estimate the back-haul percentage based on a weight of an item associated with a respective identifier according to an expression as follows:
h=a+bw,
wherein the one or more processors determine the shipping cost sensitivity according to an expression as follows:
s=(1\u2212(a+bw))vF(w), and
wherein a denotes an intercept of a linear model of h, and b denotes a gradient of the linear model.
20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a shipping cost sensitivity of a first identifier of the plurality of identifiers is higher than a shipping cost sensitivity of a second identifier of the plurality of identifiers, and wherein the one or more processors rank the first identifier higher than the second identifier such that the first identifier is higher than the second identifier in the order of allocation of the inventory of the plurality of items.

1. A method for collecting and processing as-built data, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) capturing one or more images of an asset and one or more images of one or more optically readable codes affixed to the asset after the asset has been positioned in a permanent place;
(b) uploading the one or more images of the asset and the one or more images of the one or more optically readable codes to a database;
(c) processing the one or more images of the asset to produce a 3D model of the asset;
(d) processing the one or more images of the one or more optically readable codes to obtain attributes of the asset; and
(e) linking the attributes of the asset positionally in the 3D model of the asset.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises the step of:
capturing an image of at least one QR code affixed to the asset.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises the step of:
capturing an image of at least one bar code affixed to the asset.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises the step of:
using a LiDAR scanner to capture the one or more images of the asset and the one or more images of the one or more optically readable codes.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises the step of:
using at least one camera to capture the one or more images of the asset and the one or more images of the one or more optically readable codes.
6. The method according to claim 5 further comprising the steps of:
securing two or more cameras to a bracket; and
capturing the one or more images of the asset and the one or more images of the one or more optically readable codes from one or more angles with the two or more cameras.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises the step of:
using a drone to capture the one or more images of the asset and the one or more images of the one or more optically readable codes.
8. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:
capturing one or more images of one or more photo identifiable targets nearby the asset that have a known center and a known place to establish an absolute position and a relative position of the asset.
9. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:
capturing one or more images of one or more photo identifiable targets located next to the one or more optically readable codes.
10. The method according to claim 9 further comprising the steps of:
exporting the 3D model to a computer-aided design software application;
creating with the computer-aided design software application a point cloud object; and
viewing the point cloud object on a display with a viewer software application.
11. The method according to claim 10 further comprising the steps of:
creating an ortho-photo with the viewer software application;
exporting to the computer-aided design software application the positions of the plurality of photo identifiable targets in a CSV file; and
importing a plurality of points corresponding to the positions of the plurality of photo identifiable targets into the point cloud object.
12. The method according to claim 10 further comprising the steps of:
viewing on the display one of the images of the one or more optically readable codes;
zooming in on a one of the optically readable codes;
launching a code reader of the viewer software application;
positioning the code reader over the one of the optically readable codes;
capturing the data message contained in the one of the optically readable codes;
transferring the data message to the database; and
displaying on the display with the computer-aided design software application the contents of the data message.
13. The method according to claim 1 wherein the one or more images of the asset and the one or more images of one or more optically readable codes affixed to the asset are one of a digital image and a video image.
14. The method according to claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises the step of:
using a drone to capture the one or more images of the asset and the one or more images of the one or more optically readable codes.
15. A method for collecting and processing as-built data, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) affixing a one or more optically readable codes to an asset;
(b) positioning the asset in a place where the asset will permanently reside;
(c) capturing one or more images of the asset and one or more images of the one or more optically readable codes after the asset has been positioned;
(d) uploading the one or more images of the asset and the one or more images of the one or more optically readable codes to a database;
(e) processing the one or more images of the asset to produce a 3D model of the asset;
(f) processing the one or more images of the one or more optically readable codes to obtain attributes of the asset; and
(g) linking the 3D model of the asset with the attributes of the asset.
16. The method according to claim 15 wherein step (a) further comprises the step of:
affixing the one or more optically readable codes to the asset during the manufacturing process of the asset.
17. The method according to claim 15 wherein step (a) further comprises the step of:
affixing the one or more optically readable codes to the asset in the field where the asset will permanently reside.
18. The method according to claim 15 wherein step (a) further comprises the step of:
affixing at least one of a QR code and a bar code to the asset.
19. The method according to claim 15 wherein step (c) further comprises the step of:
using a LiDAR scanner to capture the one or more images of the asset and the one or more images of the one or more optically readable codes.
20. The method according to claim 15 wherein step (c) further comprises the step of:
using at least one camera to capture the one or more images of the asset and the one or more images of the one or more optically readable codes.
21. The method according to claim 20 further comprising the steps of:
securing two or more cameras to a bracket; and
capturing the one or more images of the asset and the one or more images of the one or more optically readable codes from one or more angles with the two or more cameras.
22. The method according to claim 15 wherein step (b) further comprises the step of:
locating a plurality of photo identifiable targets nearby the asset that have a known center and a known place to establish an absolute position and a relative position of the asset.
23. The method according to claim 15 wherein step (a) further comprises the step of:
locating a plurality of photo identifiable targets next to the one or more optically readable codes.
24. The method according to claim 23 further comprising the steps of:
exporting the 3D model to a computer-aided design software application;
creating with the computer-aided design software application a point cloud object; and
viewing the point cloud object on a display with a viewer software application.
25. The method according to claim 24 further comprising the steps of:
creating an ortho-photo with the viewer software application;
exporting to the computer-aided design software application the positions of the plurality of photo identifiable targets in a CSV file; and
importing a plurality of points corresponding to the positions of the plurality of photo identifiable targets into the point cloud object.
26. The method according to claim 24 further comprising the steps of:
viewing on the display one of the images of the one or more optically readable codes;
zooming in on a one of the optically readable codes;
launching a code reader of the viewer software application;
positioning the code reader over the one of the optically readable codes;
capturing the data message contained in the one of the optically readable codes;
transferring the data message to the database; and
displaying on the display with the computer-aided design software application the contents of the data message.
27. The method according to claim 15 wherein the one or more images of the asset and the one or more images of the one or more optically readable codes are one of a digital image and a video image.
28. A method for collecting and processing as-built data, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving in a database a single stream of data comprising one or more images of one or more assets and one or more images of one or more optically readable codes affixed to the one or more assets after the one or more assets had been positioned in a permanent place;
(b) processing the one or more images of the one or more assets to produce a 3D model of the one or more assets;
(c) processing the one or more images of the one or more optically readable codes to obtain attributes of the one or more assets; and
(d) linking the attributes of the one or more assets positionally in the 3D model of the one or more assets.
29. The method according to claim 28 further comprising the step of:
capturing the one or more images of the one or more assets and the one or more images of one or more optically readable codes affixed to the one or more assets with at least one of a LiDAR scanner, a digital camera, or a video camera.
30. The method according to claim 28 further comprising the steps of:
establishing an absolute position of the one or more assets by at least one of:
capturing one or more images of one or more photo identifiable targets nearby the one or more assets that have a known center and a known place; and
obtaining GPS data at the time that the one or more images of the one or more assets are captured.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A linear guiding mechanism comprising:
a fixed member;
a moving member; and
a first double parallel spring mechanism and a second double parallel spring mechanism, said first and second double parallel spring mechanisms being arranged between the fixed member and the moving member and being configured to movable support the moving member, wherein
the first double parallel spring mechanism and the second double parallel spring mechanism are arranged at a non-180\xb0 angle about an axis of movement of the moving member; and wherein
the first double parallel spring mechanism and the second double parallel spring mechanism are each configured of a double parallel leaf spring mechanism including an intermediate member, a pair of first leaf springs, and a pair of second leaf springs, said pair of first leaf springs extending between and connecting the fixed member and the intermediate member and being arranged so as to be parallel to each other and orthogonal to a direction of movement of the moving member, said second leaf springs extending between and connecting the intermediate member and the moving member and being arranged so as to be parallel to each other and orthogonal to the direction of movement of the moving member, said first and second leaf springs being arranged such that a thickness direction of the first leaf springs and the second leaf springs match the direction of movement of the moving member and such that each of said first leaf springs is spaced from each of said second leaf springs in a direction of movement of the moving member.
2. The linear guiding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein
the first double parallel spring mechanism and the second double parallel spring mechanism are arranged at an angle of 90\xb0 about the axis of movement of the moving member.
3. A measuring device comprising:
a linear guiding mechanism comprising:
a fixed member;
a moving member; and
a first double parallel spring mechanism and a second double parallel spring mechanism, said first and second double parallel spring mechanisms being arranged between the fixed member and the moving member and being configured to movable support the moving member, wherein
the first double parallel spring mechanism and the second double parallel spring mechanism are arranged at a non-180\xb0 angle about an axis of movement of the moving member; and wherein

the first double parallel spring mechanism and the second double parallel spring mechanism are each configured of a double parallel leaf spring mechanism including an intermediate member, a pair of first leaf springs, and a pair of second leaf springs, said pair of first leaf springs extending between and connecting the fixed member and the intermediate member and being arranged so as to be parallel to each other and orthogonal to a direction of movement of the moving member, said second leaf springs extending between and connecting the intermediate member and the moving member and being arranged so as to be parallel to each other and orthogonal to the direction of movement of the moving member, said first and second leaf springs being arranged such that a thickness direction of the first leaf springs and the second leaf springs match the direction of movement of the moving member and such that each of said first leaf springs is spaced from each of said second leaf springs in a direction of movement of the moving member; and
a movable member linearly moved by the linear guiding mechanism.
4. The measuring device according to claim 3, wherein
the first double parallel spring mechanism and the second double parallel spring mechanism are arranged at an angle of 90\xb0 about the axis of movement of the moving member.