Abstract: A unit of luggage configured to ascertain its own weight. The unit of luggage comprises a detection assembly with one sensor assembly disposed around each wheel. Each sensor assembly comprises a housing assembly and a shaft disposed therein. The sensor assembly comprises a sensor housing, a cylinder housing and a cylinder. A load cell sensor is generally disposed within the sensor housing and is operatively disposed adjacent to the shaft such that it may engage the sensor and cause an upward deflection that generates a stress indicative of the weight of the unit of luggage being transferred to the particular, corresponding wheel. The cylinder housing is disposed below the sensor housing and encloses the cylinder, which itself encloses the shaft. A frictional resistance between the shaft and the cylinder permits a controlled movement of the shaft therein and permits a processing unit to ascertain a corresponding weight reading.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a compliant joint that is movable in three degrees of freedom (DOF), as well as systems including the compliant joint, and a process for assembling the compliant joint. The compliant joint may comprise an elongate arm, a ball joint, and a carrier. The ball joint is configured to couple to the carrier, and the elongate arm is configured to couple to the ball joint. The ball joint may have a cross section that is ellipsoidal, an outer surface that is convex, and a first hole. The carrier may comprise a second hole that is ellipsoidal, and an inner surface that is concave. The elongate arm, when disposed within the first hole, is movable axially through the first hole, and the ball joint, when disposed within the second hole, is movable with at least one of pitch rotation or yaw rotation.

Abstract: Embodiments herein described a replaceable recharge cartridge that is coupled between a charge port of a robot and a charging station. Instead of mating the charging station directly to the charge port in the robot, the recharge cartridge can instead be inserted into the charge port and serves as an interface between the robot and the charging station. As such, the wear and tear occurs on the recharge cartridge rather than the charge port of the robot. In one embodiment, the recharge cartridge is magnetically attached to the charge port for easy installation and removal. The recharge cartridge includes a ferrous slug that is attracted to a permanent magnetic disposed in the charge port. The magnetic attraction between the permanent magnetic and the ferrous slug aligns and connects the recharge cartridge to the charge port.

Abstract: A system of stacking interlocking blocks can be configured into a series of states in order to capture and display both physical and virtual events or content. In some examples, the system includes the stacking interlocking blocks, a grid base having the stacking interlocking blocks stacked on top of the grid base in a physical configuration, and a user system. Each stacking interlocking block includes a block circuit. The grid base includes an embedded computing system configured, by virtue of communicating with each of the block circuits, to determine a position of each stacking interlocking block with respect to the grid base and in some cases both the grid base and the other blocks which have been detected by the grid base.

Abstract: A self-aligning lens holder includes elements that register against an image sensor chip to align the holder and lens with the chip. The elements may deflect or deform. A corresponding method aligns the lens holder and a fisheye lens to the image sensor.

Abstract: An electric charging station for a mobile drive unit includes a frame that defines an interior volume of space. The frame is configured to carry an electrical charging unit positioned above the interior volume of space. The station includes a station charge connector that is configured to be in electrical communication with the electrical charging unit and is also configured for mating with a corresponding charge connector of the mobile drive unit. The station charge connector extends forward within the interior volume of space along a longitudinal direction that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. The station charge connector is connected to the frame by at least one compliant mechanism that is configured to provide the station charge connector with positional compliance with respect to the frame.

Abstract: Techniques for managing device interaction between components of an inventory management system are described herein. User input associated with an operational state of the user device may be received at the user device and the user device may begin operating in a particular operational state. While operating in this state, the user device may transmit a wireless signal having a predetermined frequency. A mobile drive unit of the system, upon receipt of the wireless signal, may slow or stop. Operational state information may be transmitted to other components of the inventory management system indicating that the wireless signal is being transmitted and/or that the user device is operating in a particular operational state and a fault detection process may commence. The user device may provide an indication (e.g., via visual, audible, and/or haptic feedback devices) that the user device is operating in the particular operational state.

Abstract: An electric charging station for a mobile drive unit includes a frame that defines an interior volume of space. The frame is configured to carry an electrical charging unit positioned above the interior volume of space. The station includes a station charge connector that is configured to be in electrical communication with the electrical charging unit and is also configured for mating with a corresponding charge connector of the mobile drive unit. The station charge connector extends forward within the interior volume of space along a longitudinal direction that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. The station charge connector is connected to the frame by at least one compliant mechanism that is configured to provide the station charge connector with positional compliance with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A self-aligning lens holder includes elements that register against an image sensor chip to align the holder and lens with the chip. The elements may deflect or deform. A corresponding method aligns the lens holder and a fisheye lens to the image sensor.

Abstract: A system of stacking interlocking blocks can be configured into a series of states in order to capture and display both physical and virtual events or content. In some examples, the system includes the stacking interlocking blocks, a grid base having the stacking interlocking blocks stacked on top of the grid base in a physical configuration, and a user system. Each stacking interlocking block includes a block circuit. The grid base includes an embedded computing system configured, by virtue of communicating with each of the block circuits, to determine a position of each stacking interlocking block with respect to the grid base and in some cases both the grid base and the other blocks which have been detected by the grid base.

Abstract: A positive electrode composition for an electrochemical cell is provided. One example includes at least one electroactive metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, titanium, vanadium, niobium, molybdenum, cobalt, chromium, silver, antimony, cadmium, tin, lead, and zinc. The positive electrode composition can further include at least one alkali metal halide and an electrolyte salt comprising a reaction product of a second alkali metal halide and a metal halide. The electrolyte salt can have a melting point of less than about 300 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: In one aspect, the technology relates to a method for analyzing a security event in a distributed fashion. The method includes the steps of detecting an occurrence of a security event within a customer network and querying a first component of the customer network for data in response to the detected occurrence of the security event. The method also includes the steps of receiving, by a data monitor located within the customer network, first data from the component in response to the query and determining, based on the received first data, whether to query for additional data. The method additionally includes querying at least one of the first component and another component of the customer network to obtain the additional data in response to the determining step, and analyzing the security event using at least one of the first data and the additional data.

Abstract: In one aspect, the technology relates to a method for analyzing a security event in a distributed fashion. The method includes the steps of detecting an occurrence of a security event within a customer network and querying a first component of the customer network for data in response to the detected occurrence of the security event. The method also includes the steps of receiving, by a data monitor located within the customer network, first data from the component in response to the query and determining, based on the received first data, whether to query for additional data. The method additionally includes querying at least one of the first component and another component of the customer network to obtain the additional data in response to the determining step, and analyzing the security event using at least one of the first data and the additional data.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the recovery of polymeric latices from whitewater. The process of the invention is an ultrafiltration process which utilizes a flat membrane run in the turbulent regime, or a vibrating membrane.

Abstract: A contoured seat cover is provided which converts a bench seat assembly of an automative vehicle into a seat containing simulated bucket seats. The seat cover includes a seat back cover and a seat bench cover, both of which include a plurality of separate fabric panels sewn together. The seat back cover has protrusions at the lateral extremities of the seat back which are filled with raised foam cushioning and which form shoulder cradles. At least one raised back position divider divides the seat back into a plurality of occupant back rest positions. Likewise, the seat bench cover includes upwardly projecting occupant posterior position delineating protrusions at its lateral extremities and at least one intermediate divider, filled with foam, which divides the seat cover into occupant posterior support positions that are laterally aligned with the occupant back rest positions of the seat back cover. Forwardly projecting lumbar supports are provided in the lumbar region of each occupant back rest position.