Abstract: A method is provided for delivering source containers, via a mobile robotic container delivery system, to a first shelf and a second shelf, and in a particular order. Each source container has a position on one of the first shelf or the second shelf. The method includes delivering recipient containers on a floor level below the first shelf, wherein each container of the recipient containers is configured on a respective mobile robot, providing instructions to a user to retrieve an item from a first respective source container on one of the first shelf or the second shelf, moving a respective first recipient container on its respective first mobile robot out from underneath the first shelf to receive the item retrieved from the respective first source container and receiving a confirmation that the item has been retrieved from the respective first source container and placed appropriately.

Abstract: Asynchronous item delivery utilizes a depot and a mobile robot. A method includes (1) receiving a specification by a user of a destination depot and an item, (2) selecting, based on item delivery data and by a depot control system, a drawer from a rack module in a depot that houses drawers, (3) receiving the item from the user via the depot user interface, (4) communicating the item to the drawer within the rack module that houses drawers, communicating, from the depot and to a mobile robot, a message to pick up the item, (5) swapping a first battery on the mobile robot with a second batter charged by the depot, (6) transferring the item from the drawer in the depot to the mobile robot using a depot drawer-swapping module and a mobile robot drawer-swapping module and (7) delivering, by the mobile robot, the item to the destination depot.

Abstract: Asynchronous item delivery utilizes a system including a first depot and a first mobile robot at a first site and a second depot and a second mobile robot at a second site. A centralized control system manages asynchronous delivery of items through the first depot and the second depot such that the first mobile robot can retrieve an item from the first depot and deliver the item to a transportation systems for transition to the second site, such that the second depot at the second site can, in an asynchronous fashion, receive the item and deliver the item to the second mobile robot for transportation to the ultimate destination at the second site. Two or more sites can be coordinated by the centralized control system for management of movement of items through a supply chain using asynchronous item delivery and movement through each respective site to an ultimate destination.

Abstract: A system and method of instructing a device is disclosed. The system includes a signal source for providing at least one visual signal where the at least one visual signal is substantially indicative of at least one activity to be performed by the device. A visual signal capturing element captures the at least one visual signal and communicates the at least one visual signal to the device where the device interprets the at least one visual signal and performs the activity autonomously and without requiring any additional signals or other information from the signal source.

Abstract: An actuator including a housing and a force sensing mechanism positioned within an interior of the housing and in operable communication with the actuator, the force sensing mechanism capable of measuring the various forces exerted by or on the actuator without losing any of the energy being transmitted by the actuator. A high precision position sensing mechanism can also be included with the actuator.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for enabling the release of pressure in a supply line including an electronic control member for controlling and enabling the release of pressure in the supply line at a desired pressure whether or not power is maintained to the electronic control member.

Abstract: A method of flexibly controlling a system including determining control policies for a system having at least one qualitative state goal for the system to achieve, determining a first current qualitative state of the system and generating a qualitative control and state trajectory, provided the current system state is capable of achieving the at least one goal, that enables the system to proceed from the current state to the goal state in the most cost effective and energy efficient manner to conserve power while maintaining any necessary operational constraints on the system.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying a relevance of a relation between at least two entities includes receiving at least one item of information relating to one or more of the entities and determining whether a proximity between the at least two entities exists. A level of the proximity between the entities is identified. The relevance of the proximity between the entities is determined based on the level of the proximity and the at least one item of information received.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus including a mechanism capable of performing a variety of operations, each operation having a respective power requirement and a power source capable of providing power to the mechanism at a variety of different levels corresponding to the operations being undertaken by the mechanism where the power source is regulated to at least provide a first lower power level sufficient for one or more operations requiring a lower power level and is increased to provide a higher power level as needed for one or more alternative operations requiring a higher power level.