Abstract: A process for sponsors such as corporations, institutions, non-profits, or individuals, to pay for customer's purchases at the time or after the time of payment, before or after a customer presents a credit card or other payment method that identifies the customer, or pays with a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch or wearable device app such as Apple Pay, or Google Wallet. Both physical and virtual, Internet, and application (app) based stores are able to practice the present invention.

Abstract: An integrated multiaxial wrist and grasper system for use in a robotic tool can yaw, pitch and grasp via actuation of four independent cable ends of four cables. The tool includes a drive mechanism that effects movement of the multiaxial wrist and grasper via actuation of the cables that extend between the drive mechanism and the wrist.

Abstract: A surgical tool includes a tool shaft, and end effector and a wrist that couples the end effector to the tool shaft. The tool includes a drive mechanism configured to effect movement of one or both of the wrist and the end effector in yaw and pitch via independent actuation of four independent cable ends of two or more independent cables that extend between the drive mechanism and the wrist.

Abstract: A chamber with a fluid distribution network for uniform fluid flow within the chamber is provided. The chamber includes a first chamber wall that has a first surface and an opposing interior surface. The first surface is formed with a first set of channels, and the interior surface is exposed to the interior of the chamber and includes a plurality of interior ports that are connected to a plurality of the first set of channels. The chamber also includes a second chamber wall that has a second surface and an opposing exterior surface. The second surface has a second set of channels that partially intersect the first set of channels when the first surface is mated with the second surface. The exterior surface also includes at least one exterior port that provides access to the second set of channels.

Abstract: A robotic gaming system is provided that includes at least one sensor placed on a playing surface. At least one robot is controlled by a player to navigate on the playing surface and manipulate at least one target towards a gate. The sensor is operative for identifying when the target is moved to a scoring region of the playing surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a work piece is provided. The apparatus includes outer support rails having support slots for supporting the work piece, the outer support rails disposed on opposing sides of the apparatus between opposing end members of the apparatus. Inner support rails extend between the opposing end members of the apparatus. An inner surface of each of the inner support rails has vertically disposed extensions extending therefrom. The vertically disposed extensions are aligned in pairs along a length of the inner support rails. A moveable device is disposed between the pairs of vertically disposed extensions. The moveable device is buoyantly moveable so that as the work piece is lifted, the moveable device follows. A method for cleaning a work piece is also included.

Abstract: A brush for cleaning a workpiece is provided. The brush includes a rigid core having first and second portions affixed to each other. The rigid core has an aperture defined around an axis of rotation of the rigid core. A fluid channel is defined between opposing surfaces of the first and second portions. The fluid channel extends radially from a surface defining the aperture. First and second membranes are affixed to outer surfaces of the first and second portions, wherein movement of the first and second membranes is controlled through introduction of a fluid through the fluid channel. In one embodiment, the membrane is porous and the fluid is a cleaning fluid that contacts the workpiece, such as a magnetic disc or semiconductor substrate for cleaning.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a tank defined by sidewalls extending from a base. A plurality of fluid outlets defined within an upper portion of opposing sidewalls are arranged as an array extending across a length and depth of the upper portion. The plurality of fluid outlets are configured to provide horizontally aligned fluid streams into an interior of the tank. The horizontally aligned fluid streams arranged such that an uppermost stream proceeds to an inner mid region of the tank and each successively lower stream proceeds closer to a sidewall from which the successively lower stream emanates, laminarly changing the direction of each of the horizontally aligned fluid streams to vertically aligned fluid streams toward a bottom of the tank. A support nest is disposed in a lower portion of the tank. A recirculation pump is disposed below the base of the tank. A method of cleaning a substrate is also provided.

Abstract: A chamber optimized for drying a substrate is provided. The chamber includes opposing sidewalls having fluid channels extending therethrough. The fluid channels deliver a fluid to interior inlet ports of the chamber. Outlet ports positioned below corresponding interior inlet ports are in communication with a vacuum source in one embodiment. A loop flow path extending into the interior of the chamber from opposing sides is provided. The loop flow path is swept across the interior of the chamber by alternating the fluid flow from the inlet ports or outlet ports.

Abstract: Apparatuses for supporting a workpiece are disclosed. In one example, the apparatus includes a plurality of shaft supports. The apparatus further includes a shaft defined between the shaft supports, the shaft extending through an aperture defined in each of the plurality of shaft supports. Further included in the apparatus is a plurality of rollers defined to rotate about the shaft, the rollers defined between the plurality of shaft supports.

Abstract: A chamber with a fluid distribution network for uniform fluid flow within the chamber is provided. The chamber includes a first chamber wall that has a first surface and an opposing interior surface. The first surface is formed with a first set of channels, and the interior surface is exposed to the interior of the chamber and includes a plurality of interior ports that are connected to a plurality of the first set of channels. The chamber also includes a second chamber wall that has a second surface and an opposing exterior surface. The second surface has a second set of channels that partially intersect the first set of channels when the first surface is mated with the second surface. The exterior surface also includes at least one exterior port that provides access to the second set of channels.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for managing compressed gas as an energy storage medium for providing power to vehicle uses. Compressed air has many pneumatic uses both inside and outside of vehicles and an Air Hybrid engine a source of compressed air energy for storage. This source of compressed air energy is stored, managed, and used in many methods and devices. The gas storage system presented is distributed over multiple storage units coupled to a gas flow network for control storage and use of the compressed gas.

Abstract: A dynamically re-configurable multi-stroke internal combustion engine, comprised of programmable computer processor controlled engine components for decoupling the four classic strokes of an internal combustion engine and electronically managing engine cylinder components including such cylinder components as electronically controllable valves, fuel injection and air fuel mixture ignition, allowing additional engine cylinder unit component states and thus cylinder strokes to be independently altered or re-sequenced by computer control to provide alternate engine modes of operation. Some alternate engine modes are facilitated by addition of a compressed air storage reservoir to receive cylinder generated compressed air or transfer compressed air to cylinder units in other modes to increase engine power, efficiency or utility. Sensor input and on-demand requirements drive control logic to manage engine strokes through control of individual cylinder component states.

Abstract: A variable compression ratio internal combustion engine is programmably configured to operate in a plurality of compression ratios. Internal combustion engines with electronically controlled engine components that include electronic valve operation are programmed to operate individual engine cylinders with component states and stoke sequences that provide variable compression ratios by creation of a virtual cylinder within a physical cylinder. Cylinder volume dictates maximum compression ratio, which acts as a ceiling for the variable compression ratio that can be provided.

Abstract: A dynamically re-configurable multi-stroke internal combustion engine, comprised of programmable computer processor controlled engine components for decoupling the four classic strokes of an internal combustion engine and electronically managing engine cylinder components including such cylinder components as electronically controllable valves, fuel injection and air fuel mixture ignition, allowing additional engine cylinder unit component states and thus cylinder strokes to be independently altered or re-sequenced by computer control to provide alternate engine modes of operation. Some alternate engine modes are facilitated by addition of a compressed air storage reservoir to receive cylinder generated compressed air or transfer compressed air to cylinder units in other modes to increase engine power, efficiency or utility. Sensor input and on-demand requirements drive control logic to manage engine strokes through control of individual cylinder component states.

Abstract: A programmable internal combustion engine, comprising programmable computer processor controlled engine components including electronically controllable valves, fuel injection and air fuel mixture ignition cylinder components, is programmed to dynamically reconfigure an internal combustion engine to run on a range of combustible fuels. Cylinder independent ignition test modes using Spark Ignition, Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition and Compression Ignition are performed to determine the best ignition mode and cylinder component states for combusting a given fuel. In situ real-time testing of a given fuel yield results for a dynamic reconfiguration of individual component states providing an engine which can run on a range of combustible fuels and fuel blends.

Abstract: A composite vehicle panel made up of at least three layers of materials including a first layer, a middle layer, and a second layer, wherein the first layer and the second layer are bonded through at least one aperture in the middle layer, thereby allowing the manufacture of the composite panel in a single-step process.

Abstract: A foldable smoking pipe is constructed from a flat blank of metal, small enough to fit in a wallet, that can be folded into a functional smoking pipe with an integrated bowl, screen, and stem. The stem is formed by multiple flat panels folded to create a passageway having an opening at one end. The stem has an upper panel with holes in it to form the screen. The bowl is formed by multiple flat panels folded to surround the screen. The flat blank of metal has a number of fold lines, which preferably are etched to about one-half the thickness of the metal blank, joining adjacent panels.

Abstract: An automotive multimedia entertainment system includes a head unit and a DVD player remote from and integrated with the head unit. Operation of the DVD player can be initiated by user interaction with the head unit. A method for interfacing a head unit with a DVD player comprises the initial step of initializing the DVD player. Next, the DVD player is monitored for communication failures and functional faults. The head unit enters a DVD normal operation mode if the DVD player is initialized and no communication failures or functional faults exist. If a communication failure or functional fault exists, the head unit enters a fault mode. If a communication failure or critical functional fault is confirmed, the DVD player enters a shutdown mode.