Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for product handling and dispensing. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system comprising a plurality of storage units for storing one or more trays comprising one or more items; one or more dispense conveyors for lifting and dispensing at least one of the one or more items into one or more receiving units; and a shuttle comprising one or more tray retrieval mechanisms, wherein the shuttle is (a) movable relative to the plurality of storage units and (b) configured to (i) pick at least one tray of the one or more trays using the one or more tray retrieval mechanisms and (ii) transport the at least one tray to the one or more dispense conveyors.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments for facilitating real-time autonomous vehicle (AV) fleet parking availability. In some aspects, an embodiment includes determining, based on a first set of perception sensor inputs of an AV, sections of roadway that are used for vehicle parking; determining, based on a second set of perception sensor inputs, whether the sections of roadway are allowable for parking and are available for parking; transmitting parking location data comprising identification of parking location objects corresponding to the sections of roadway and signals indicating that the parking location object is used for vehicle parking, indicating whether the parking location object is allowable for parking, and indicating whether the parking location object is available for parking, wherein the parking location data is aggregated with other parking location data from other AVs into aggregated parking location data; and identifying a location for parking of the AV based on the aggregated parking location data.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for product handling and dispensing. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system comprising a tray comprising one or more lanes and one or more openings disposed on a bottom surface of the tray; one or more supports positioned within at least one of the one or more lanes, wherein the one or more supports are configured to support one or more items; and one or more dispensing units comprising one or more dispensing arms, wherein the one or more dispensing arms are configured to (i) couple to, engage with, or lift the one or more supports and (ii) transport (a) the one or more supports, (b) the one or more items on the one or more supports, or (c) both the one or more supports and the one or more items to one or more receiving areas or receiving units.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for using different planners for autonomous driving. An example method can include determining, based on sensor data from one or more sensors of an autonomous vehicle (AV), a maneuver to be performed by the AV according to one or more parameters that deviate from one or more restrictions of a first planner being used by the AV to navigate a scene; identifying a second planner of the AV that supports the one or more parameters that deviate from the one or more restrictions of the first planner; determining a state of the AV selected to trigger a switch from the first planner to the second planner; maneuvering the AV using the first planner until the state of the AV is satisfied; and in response to determining that the state of the AV is satisfied, autonomously switching from the first planner to the second planner.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for product handling and dispensing. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system comprising a plurality of storage units for storing one or more trays comprising one or more items; one or more dispense conveyors for lifting and dispensing at least one of the one or more items into one or more receiving units; and a shuttle comprising one or more tray retrieval mechanisms, wherein the shuttle is (a) movable relative to the plurality of storage units and (b) configured to (i) pick at least one tray of the one or more trays using the one or more tray retrieval mechanisms and (ii) transport the at least one tray to the one or more dispense conveyors.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for pull-over site selection for an autonomous vehicle. Simulation information is received from an external source. The simulation information corresponds to multiple simulations involving a virtual autonomous vehicle and available pull-over locations for the virtual autonomous vehicle. An indication to cause the autonomous vehicle to search for a pull-over location is received. Potential pull-over locations are analyzed in response to the indication. The potential pull-over locations are compared to simulated pull-over locations to identify a selected pull-over location. The autonomous vehicle navigates the selected pull-over location. The autonomous vehicle stops at the selected pull-over location.

Abstract: The transportation system in this invention provides vehicle coupling units which allow the electrical connections and reconfigurations of two or more vehicles together at highway speeds. The coupling unit provides for the bidirectional exchange of electrical power between these vehicles to meet the various power demands of each vehicle. The system is designed to permit coupling and decoupling process of the vehicles while they are traveling at highway speeds. To facilitate the coupling event, each vehicle will employ vehicle active steering, vehicle active suspension, and coupler joint articulation, which will be under vehicle computer control, and will employ vehicle to vehicle data communication.

Abstract: A database schema generator and a method of converting web service description language (WSDL) structures into database (DB) schemas are provided. The database schema generator comprises a WSDL analyzer for obtaining operations and data types from a WSDL and a DB element definition builder for building a DB element definition for each WSDL component. The WSDL component comprises one or more of complex data types of the WSDL and messages of the WSDL. The method comprises the steps of analyzing a WSDL and generating a DB schema based upon the WSDL structure.

Abstract: A slope gap inductor for reducing line harmonic currents. The slope gap inductor comprises a first inductor core portion, and a second inductor core portion positioned relative to said first inductor core portion so as to form an inductor gap, wherein the second inductor core portion includes a sloped gap surface that forms a sloped gap portion of the inductor gap having a varying gap height, and wherein the sloped gap surface has a slope value that is selected so that the slope gap inductor has a selected inductance value responsive to a level of current in the inductor.

Abstract: Power consumption of a low-power flyback power converter under standby-load or no-load conditions is reduced by modulating the OFF time of the flyback transformer's main switch as a function of the feedback control current when the load drops below a predetermined level. This modulation overcomes the conventional frequency-increasing modulation of the ON time at low output power levels so as to reduce the switching frequency, and hence the switching losses, to minimal levels as the load is reduced. Excessive frequency reduction can optionally be avoided by a clamping feature that limits the expansion of the OFF time.

Abstract: Power consumption of a low-power flyback power converter under standby-load or no-load conditions is reduced by modulating the OFF time of the flyback transformer's main switch as a function of the feedback control current when the load drops below a predetermined level. This modulation overcomes the conventional frequency-increasing modulation of the ON time at low output power levels so as to reduce the switching frequency, and hence the switching losses, to minimal levels as the load is reduced. Excessive frequency reduction can optionally be avoided by a clamping feature that limits the expansion of the OFF time.

Abstract: A single stage DC-DC power converter uses a combined power factor control and snubber circuit. The combined circuit uses a small inductor connected at one end to the positive rail of the DC power source, and at the other to the anode of a fast power diode. The cathode of the diode is connected to a node and to the anode of a second fast power diode. The cathode of the second diode is connected to a first terminal of the primary winding of the isolation transformer. The second terminal of the primary winding is connected to one side of a high-frequency switch. The other side of the switch is coupled to the negative rail of the DC power source (ground). A small snubber capacitor is connected between the node and the second terminal of the primary winding. A large storage capacitor is connected between the second terminal of the primary winding and ground.