Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment a semiconductor processing apparatus is provided. The semiconductor processing apparatus includes a frame forming a sealable chamber having a longitudinal axis and lateral sides astride the longitudinal axis, the sealable chamber being configured to hold a sealed environment therein, at least one transport module mounted to the sealable chamber and having a telescoping carriage being configured so that the telescoping carriage is linearly movable relative to another portion of the transport module where the telescoping carriage and the other portion define a telescoping motion along the longitudinal axis, and at least one transfer robot mounted to the carriage, each of the at least one transfer robot having at least one transfer arm configured for holding a substrate thereon.

Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus auto-teach system for auto-teaching a substrate station location, the system including a frame, a substrate transport connected to the frame, the substrate transport having an end effector configured to support a substrate, and a controller configured to move the substrate transport so that the substrate transport biases the substrate supported on the end effector against a substrate station feature causing a change in eccentricity between the substrate and the end effector, determine the change in eccentricity, and determine the substrate station location based on at least the change in eccentricity between the substrate and the end effector.

Abstract: A robotic tool changer includes a locking mechanism that enhances safety. More particularly, the locking mechanism is an “over center” locking mechanism that maintains a constant lock force on a tool. The lock force exerted on the tool by the locking mechanism remains substantially constant, even after a motor providing power to the robotic tool changer is removed, and after the robotic tool changer experiences mechanical wear.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer transport apparatus includes a frame, a transport arm movably mounted to the frame and having at least one end effector movably mounted to the arm so the at least one end effector traverses, with the arm as a unit, in a first direction relative to the frame, and traverses linearly, relative to the transport arm, in a second direction, and an edge detection sensor mounted to the transport arm so the edge detection sensor moves with the transport arm as a unit relative to the frame, the edge detection sensor being a common sensor effecting edge detection of each wafer simultaneously supported by the end effector, wherein the edge detection sensor is configured so the edge detection of each wafer is effected by and coincident with the traverse in the second direction of each end effector on the transport arm.

Abstract: An audio/video (A/V) hub that coordinates playback of audio content is described. In particular, the A/V hub may calculate current time offsets between clocks in electronic devices and a clock in the A/V hub based on differences between transmit times of frames from the electronic devices and receive times when the frames were received. For example, the current time offsets may be calculated using wireless ranging by ignoring distances between the A/V hub and the electronic devices. Then, the A/V hub may transmit, to the electronic devices, one or more frames that include audio content and playback timing information, which may specify playback times when the electronic devices are to playback the audio content based on the current time offsets. Furthermore, the playback times of the electronic devices may have a temporal relationship so that the playback of the audio content by the electronic devices is coordinated.

Abstract: Due to rapid advancement in computing technology of both hardware and software, the labor intensive sewing process has been transformed into a technology-intensive automated process. During an automated process, processing of a work piece can be visually monitored using a sensor system. Data gathered from the sensor system can be used to infer the condition and/or position of the work piece in the work area using, e.g., models of a sensor profile. Evaluation can be carried out before processing begins, during processing and/or after processing of the work piece. Examples of systems and methods are described that provide for initially and successively matching the model of the expected shape for a product work piece to a set of sensor readings of the work piece in order to determine the position of the work piece and support a variety of useful features.

Abstract: A transport apparatus including a drive section connected to a frame and including a multi-drive shaft spindle, with at least one coaxial shaft spindle, more than one different interchangeable motor module arranged in a stack, each having a motor operably coupled thereto and defining a corresponding independent drive axis, and a can seal disposed between the stator and rotor of each motor module and hermetically sealing the stator and rotor from each other, at least one of the motor modules is selectable for placement in the stack from other different interchangeable motor modules, each having a different predetermined characteristic, independent of placement in the stack, that defines a different predetermined drive characteristic of the corresponding drive axis, independent of shaft spindle location, so that selection of the at least one motor module determines the different predetermined drive characteristic of the corresponding axis different from another of the independent drive axis.

Abstract: Due to rapid advancement in computing technology of both hardware and software, the labor intensive sewing process has been transformed into a technology-intensive automated process. During an automated process, product materials may become wrinkled or folded, which can slow down the automated process or result in human intervention. Various examples are provided related to the automation of sewing robots, and removal of wrinkles from products. Images of material on a work table can be captured and analyzed to determine if there are wrinkles or folds in the product. The robot can remove the wrinkle or fold by manipulating the material through the use of end effectors such as, e.g., budgers.

Abstract: A buffer station for automatic material handling system can provide throughput improvement. Further, by storing to-be-accessed workpieces the buffer stations of an equipment, the operation of the facility is not interrupted when the equipment is down. The buffer station can be incorporated in a stocker, such as bare wafer stocker.

Abstract: A transport apparatus including a housing, a drive mounted to the housing, and at least one transport arm connected to the drive, where the drive includes at least one rotor having at least one salient pole of magnetic permeable material and disposed in an isolated environment, at least one stator having at least one salient pole with corresponding coil units and disposed outside the isolated environment where the at least one salient pole of the at least one stator and the at least one salient pole of the rotor form a closed magnetic flux circuit between the at least one rotor and the at least one stator, at least one seal partition configured to isolate the isolated environment, and at least one sensor including a magnetic sensor member connected to the housing, at least one sensor track connected to the at least one rotor where the at least one seal partition is disposed between and separates the magnetic sensor member and the at least one sensor track so that the at least one sensor track is disposed in t

Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a pick head configured to transfer sample containers to and from a sample group holder, at least one sensor connected to the pick head and configured to detect at least one predetermined feature of the sample group holder, and a controller configured to receive a detection signal from the at least one sensor corresponding to detection of the at least one predetermined feature, determine a change in a predetermined characteristic of the sample group holder based on a detected position of the at least one predetermined feature, and determine a location of one or more samples in the sample group holder to allow for the transfer of the one or more sample containers to and from the sample group holder based on the edge detection signal.

Abstract: A sewn product making apparatus such as a sewing robot can be used to produce a variety of products over a broad range of sizes, shapes or materials. Various examples are provided related to the automation of sewing robots, and the making of sewn products. In one example, among others, a system can generate a product making path using a product construction file, and instruct a sewing device and fabric mover(s) to automatically sew the product based upon the product making path. The product making path can be modified when a deviation is detected, and the sewing adjusted based upon the modified product making path. The product construction file can be generated using information from a computer aided design associated with the product.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus including a frame, a first arm coupled to the frame at a shoulder axis having a first upper arm, a first forearm and at least one substrate holder serially and rotatably coupled to each other, a second arm coupled to the frame at the shoulder axis where shoulder axes of rotation of the arms are substantially coincident, the second arm having a second upper arm, a second forearm and at least one substrate holder serially and rotatably coupled to each other, and a drive section connected to the frame and coupled to the arms, the drive section being configured to independently extend and rotate each arm where an axis of extension of the first arm is angled relative to an axis of extension of the second arm substantially at each angular position of at least one of the first arm or the second arm.

Abstract: An audio/video (A/V) hub is described. This A/V hub determines display instructions specifying information to be displayed on a display in an A/V display device that includes icons associated with content sources. These content sources are located at arbitrary or different locations in a structure, including locations external to an environment of the A/V hub and the A/V display device. Then, the A/V hub provides the display instructions to the A/V display device for display on the display.

Abstract: A thermostat system for accessing a home automation system includes a device interface module for accessing a first home automated device, a wide-area communication module for data communication with an external network, and a local communication module for data communication over a home automation network. The first home automated device may be an external HVAC device. A first command for accessing the first home automated device is received. A first access signal based on the first received command is generated and transmitted to the first home automated device. A second command for accessing the second home automated device is received. A second access signal based on the second received command is generated and transmitted to the second home automated device. The first access signal may be transmitted independently of the home automation network while the second access signal may be transmitted via the home automation network.

Abstract: System and means generates synthetic forms of social media data such as data from microblogging services (e.g., Twitter) and social networking services (e.g., Facebook). This system and means jointly generate interaction graph structures and text features similar to input social media data. First, an interaction graph is generated by mapping social network interactions in input (real) social media data to graph structures. This interaction graph is fitted to a social network model (or a composite model) by minimizing the distance between the input and the synthetic interaction graphs (of potentially different sizes). The distance is measured statistically or based on the performance of social media analytics. Various patterns (such as anomalies), interaction types and temporal dynamics are generated synthetically. Second, text features are extracted from input social media data with topic modeling and statistical analysis of word tuple distributions.

Abstract: A polymer matrix film useful in the preparation of a polymer absorption sensor. The polymer matrix film includes at least one first polymeric material which is elastomeric in nature, at least one second polymeric material which is crystalline and/or glassy in nature, and at least one conductive material.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus that separates and efficiently captures from an automated cutting table select pieces of thin, flexible material in an orderly manner which prevents damage to the selected piece while preventing the undesired lifting or movement of the surrounding material. The apparatus comprises a pick head assembly including a cylinder with a plurality of orifices that communicates with the selected piece to maintain contact between the selected piece and the cylindrical surface while the selected piece is being removed.