Abstract: Food orders are divided into components or tasks. Systems and methods of food order preparation communicate instructions for automated actions to devices to carry out the automated actions. A toaster operates to toast a bun according to toaster settings. A bun magazine operates to deliver a bun into the toaster. A condiment dispenser receives the bun from the toaster and operates to dispense at least one portion of at least one condiment onto the bun.

Abstract: An online shopping concierge system identifies a set of delivery orders and a set of delivery agents associated with a location. The system allocates the orders among the agents, each agent being allocated at least one order. The system obtains agent progress data describing travel progress of the agents to the location, and order preparation progress data describing progress of preparing the orders for delivery. The system periodically updates the allocation of the orders among the agents based on the agent progress data and the order preparation progress data. This involves re-allocating at least one order to a different delivery agent. When a first agent arrives at the location, the system assigns to the first agent the orders allocated to the first agent. The system then removes the first agent from the set of available delivery agents, and removes the assigned delivery orders from the set of delivery orders.

Abstract: An online shopping concierge system identifies a set of delivery orders and a set of delivery agents associated with a location. The system allocates the orders among the agents, each agent being allocated at least one order. The system obtains agent progress data describing travel progress of the agents to the location, and order preparation progress data describing progress of preparing the orders for delivery. The system periodically updates the allocation of the orders among the agents based on the agent progress data and the order preparation progress data. This involves re-allocating at least one order to a different delivery agent. When a first agent arrives at the location, the system assigns to the first agent the orders allocated to the first agent. The system then removes the first agent from the set of available delivery agents, and removes the assigned delivery orders from the set of delivery orders.

Abstract: An online shopping concierge system identifies a set of delivery orders and a set of delivery agents associated with a location. The system allocates the orders among the agents, each agent being allocated at least one order. The system obtains agent progress data describing travel progress of the agents to the location, and order preparation progress data describing progress of preparing the orders for delivery. The system periodically updates the allocation of the orders among the agents based on the agent progress data and the order preparation progress data. This involves re-allocating at least one order to a different delivery agent. When a first agent arrives at the location, the system assigns to the first agent the orders allocated to the first agent. The system then removes the first agent from the set of available delivery agents, and removes the assigned delivery orders from the set of delivery orders.

Abstract: An online shopping concierge system identifies a set of delivery orders and a set of delivery agents associated with a location. The system allocates the orders among the agents, each agent being allocated at least one order. The system obtains agent progress data describing travel progress of the agents to the location, and order preparation progress data describing progress of preparing the orders for delivery. The system periodically updates the allocation of the orders among the agents based on the agent progress data and the order preparation progress data. This involves re-allocating at least one order to a different delivery agent. When a first agent arrives at the location, the system assigns to the first agent the orders allocated to the first agent. The system then removes the first agent from the set of available delivery agents, and removes the assigned delivery orders from the set of delivery orders.

Abstract: An online shopping concierge system identifies a set of delivery orders and a set of delivery agents associated with a location. The system allocates the orders among the agents, each agent being allocated at least one order. The system obtains agent progress data describing travel progress of the agents to the location, and order preparation progress data describing progress of preparing the orders for delivery. The system periodically updates the allocation of the orders among the agents based on the agent progress data and the order preparation progress data. This involves re-allocating at least one order to a different delivery agent. When a first agent arrives at the location, the system assigns to the first agent the orders allocated to the first agent. The system then removes the first agent from the set of available delivery agents, and removes the assigned delivery orders from the set of delivery orders.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for determining whether a sample point is within a defined geographic area. Indexes for the geographic area of interest are generated in advance. Such indexes complement the traditional spatial indexing techniques such as quad tree and r-tree. The geographic area, as defined by an outer boundary, is subdivided into some regular geometric shape, preferably a rectangle, encoded into a suitable form, and indexed. Then, a simplified comparison of the sample point to the indexed regular shapes is made.

Abstract: The device described herein is an Electro-magnet based Telescoping Artificial Muscle Actuator. This device uses a centrally located electromagnet which acts on permanent magnets and ferrous components housed within telescoping sections of this device. This device is intended to be linked into chains with other identical devices, with those chains then linked into bundles. This arrangement allows devices of this type to simulate the action and control mechanisms of natural muscles. This device is intended for use in prosthetic, robotic, and implantable applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for covering a flat screen television mounted on a wall includes brackets configured to mount to the wall laterally of the television. A reel extends from one side of the television to the other side in front of the television and engages and is supported by the brackets. A tapestry suspends from the reel, and a motor rotates the reel with respect to the brackets. Rotation of the reel in one direction winds the tapestry on the reel to uncover the television, and rotation in the reverse direction unwinds the tapestry to cover the television with the tapestry.