Abstract: An apparatus for handling objects such as information technology equipment racks in an environment such as a data center. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a body having a first mount on a first interior side of the body; and second mount on a second interior side of the body and in same horizontal position as the first mount; and a lifting system comprising one or more lifting elements with one or more retractable wheels coupled each of the one or more lifting elements, wherein, when the lifting system extends outside of the body to handle an object, the object rests on the one or more retractable wheels that are in an extended position, and when the lifting system is substantially inside the body, the retractable wheels are in a retracted position, and the object rests on the first mount and the second mount of the body.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for transporting workcells. In one aspect, a system includes a first fleet of AGVs that each include electro-mechanical interface that is adapted to (i) connect to or lift multiple different types of workcells and (ii) provide charging power to or receive charging power from multiple different types of workcells. A second fleet of multiple different types of workcells are each adapted to perform one or more particular tasks. A control system is configured to identify a set of tasks to be performed by the second fleet of workcells and, for each task, select a workcell to perform the task, select an AGV to transport the selected workcell to a location at which the task is to be performed, and provide, to the selected AGV, instructions that cause the selected AGV to transport the selected workcell to the location at which the task is to be performed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for transporting workcells. In one aspect, a system includes a first fleet of AGVs that each include electro-mechanical interface that is adapted to (i) connect to or lift multiple different types of workcells and (ii) provide charging power to or receive charging power from multiple different types of workcells. A second fleet of multiple different types of workcells are each adapted to perform one or more particular tasks. A control system is configured to identify a set of tasks to be performed by the second fleet of workcells and, for each task, select a workcell to perform the task, select an AGV to transport the selected workcell to a location at which the task is to be performed, and provide, to the selected AGV, instructions that cause the selected AGV to transport the selected workcell to the location at which the task is to be performed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for transporting workcells. In one aspect, a system includes a first fleet of AGVs that each include electro-mechanical interface that is adapted to (i) connect to or lift multiple different types of workcells and (ii) provide charging power to or receive charging power from multiple different types of workcells. A second fleet of multiple different types of workcells are each adapted to perform one or more particular tasks. A control system is configured to identify a set of tasks to be performed by the second fleet of workcells and, for each task, select a workcell to perform the task, select an AGV to transport the selected workcell to a location at which the task is to be performed, and provide, to the selected AGV, instructions that cause the selected AGV to transport the selected workcell to the location at which the task is to be performed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for transporting workcells. In one aspect, a system includes a first fleet of AGVs that each include electro-mechanical interface that is adapted to (i) connect to or lift multiple different types of workcells and (ii) provide charging power to or receive charging power from multiple different types of workcells. A second fleet of multiple different types of workcells are each adapted to perform one or more particular tasks. A control system is configured to identify a set of tasks to be performed by the second fleet of workcells and, for each task, select a workcell to perform the task, select an AGV to transport the selected workcell to a location at which the task is to be performed, and provide, to the selected AGV, instructions that cause the selected AGV to transport the selected workcell to the location at which the task is to be performed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system, which is applicable to a variety of specific knowledge domains, conducts an interactive dialog with a student. The dialog helps the student arrive at a correct solution to a problem, for example by presenting problems in multiple parts, providing hints or simpler subparts to the student when requested or appropriate, and responding usefully to the student's wrong answers. The system interprets the nature of a student's errors to adapt the interaction to that student. For example, the system can select questions based on a detailed assessment of the student's knowledge. The questions can have a variety of types of answers, including freeform answer types, for example symbolic expressions. The system can include authoring tools to let teachers write problems, displays detailed information on how students interact with these problems, and allows teachers to address frequently given incorrect responses.

Abstract: A method and system is offered for creating program grids displaying programs with time as one axis and program preference along the other. Program preference information is used to create the grid. Program preference information is gathered from client devices which may be located in set-top boxes or on personal computers. Algorithms are used to determine the best placement of programs into the grid. Program preference information may also be used to direct users to other services that may be of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for recording purchased programming by a recording device which communicates instructions back and forth with an order processor. The order processor communicates with the user recording device as well as with a program source device to automatically ensure recording of purchased programming by a user pursuant to a user's order. The program delivery may occur at a time different from when the user views the program. The system may verify that the user recording device is capable of recording the program and may reschedule the delivery of the purchased program if the user device is unable to record the program.

Abstract: System and method forms a lenticular viewing card having viewable depth or motion images by processing an original image into digital form and sampling and shifting the processed original image into at least two frames of images shifted perpendicular to the lenticular direction from each other by being sampled at different points. These frames of images are sliced and interlaced into a merged image that is printed and positioning into a viewing position with a lenticular lens sheet to permit a sequential viewing of the frames making up the merged image as a function of a user's viewing angle.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes at least one of a lenticular screen and a barrier screen, an image bearing member, and flexures coupled to the screen and the image bearing member that permit relative movement between the screen and the image bearing member. In one embodiment, an image retaining member is provided that includes a slot that receives the image bearing member. In this case, the flexures are coupled to the image bearing member via the image retaining member. A mechanism is provided to supply audio that is synchronized to the movement of the image bearing member relative to the screen. The audio is generated from audio data that is either stored on the image bearing member or on a separate storage medium. The audio data can be stored in magnetic form, optical form or as digital data in a semiconductor memory device. Accordingly, the observer is provided with audio that is synchronized with the image display.

Abstract: A method for forming an integral image on an image receiving medium which image is aligned or alignable with an integral lens sheet having a back side and a plurality of separate lens elements on a front side, and apparatus which can perform such a method. The method includes: directly sensing the location of each of a plurality of reference elements on the lens sheet which reference elements are separated in a same direction the lens elements are separated; and writing portions of the lenticular image on the image receiving medium each of which is associated with a corresponding lens element, in accordance with the sensed positions of the reference elements; wherein each of a plurality of image portions is written at a position which is a function of the directly sensed location of at least one selected reference element, the functions for at least some of the plurality of image portions being based on at least one different reference element.

Abstract: A method of improving uneven illumination in a photographic printer having an original image position and a light source to illuminate the original image position, which light source may illuminate the original image position non-uniformly, the method comprising: first forming a mask by exposing a photographic element to the light source and processing the element to form a negative image of the light source at a filtering position between the light source and the original image position; and positioning the mask at the filtering position. A second aspect of the method uses an electronic processor and gathered illumination data, to generate a mask.

Abstract: A method for forming a lenticular image on an image receiving medium on the back side of a lenticular lens sheet, which sheet has a plurality of generally parallel lenticules on a front side:(a) at a sensing station, directly sensing the actual position of a reference element associated with a lenticule;(b) writing a portion of the integral image corresponding to a lenticule associated with the reference element the actual position of which was previously sensed in step (a), on the image receiving medium in accordance with the sensed actual position; and(c) moving at least one of the lens sheet and sensing station in relation to the other, in a transverse direction in relation to the lenticules, so that another lenticule can have its associated another reference element directly sensed at the sensing station. An apparatus which can execute the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of improving uneven illumination in a photographic printer having an original image position and a light source to illuminate the original image position, and an exposure position at which a light sensitive element is positioned for exposure, wherein the exposure position may have an inherent non-uniform illumination absent the original image, the method comprising:inputting into a computer, data representative of illumination at multiple laterally spaced locations positioned in a direction from the light source to the exposure position;processing the data in the computer to form an illumination correction function with a visually indistinguishable resolution.The illumination correction function is typically applied to an original image signal so that when the original image is printed and positioned at the original image position, the inherent non-uniform illumination at the exposure position is reduced. This corrected original image is then typically printed on a support.

Abstract: A method of improving uneven illumination in a contact printer having an original image position and a light source to illuminate the original image position, which light source may illuminate the original image position non-uniformly, the method comprising: first forming a mask by exposing a photographic element to the light source and processing the element to form a negative image of the light source at a filtering position between the light source and the original image position; and positioning the mask at the filtering position. A second aspect of the method uses an electronic processor and gathered illumination data, to generate a mask.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an integral image element, comprising (a) a processor, (b) a printer to print an integral composite image on a carrier, the printer being capable of printing the image at a magnification which is under the control of the processor, (c) a positioning unit connected to the processor to position the printed image under control of the processor so that it can be viewed through an integral lens sheet, (d) a sensor unit connected to the processor to provide an indication of the magnification of the printed integral composite image with respect to the integral lens sheet, and (e) a magnification adjuster connected to the processor, which can vary the magnification in response to the indication. A method which can be carried out by the above apparatus, is also provided.

Abstract: An integral image element, comprising:an integral lens sheet with opposed front and back surfaces, the front surface carrying convex surfaces of a plurality of lens elements;an integral image positioned behind the back surface; anda non-specular reflective layer positioned behind the integral image which layer reflects more than 80% of visible light reaching the reflective layer from in front of the layer, before penetrating the reflective layer a distance of 10 microns.A method of making the foregoing type of integral image element is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining parameters of any number of selected regularly or randomly oriented particles, or images or image patterns thereof, of various size and shape lying within a discrete region. A scanning device is swept over the discrete region causing the generation of electrical signals in response to the interception of the boundaries of one or more of the particles. Apparatus, including, for example, a light pen, for use in cooperation with a display of the feature images is operated to best identify, select or prepare for analysis features of interest within the discrete region. In cooperation with such apparatus appropriate logic and electronic circuitry which is adapted to receive the initially generated signals provide, in response thereto, other signals related to the feature or features of interest and any particular parameter related to those features.