Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for managing motor vehicle parking reservations is provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces are managed through a server. Smart parking devices physically proximate to the parking spaces are interfaced with the server. Vehicle occupancy sensors physically proximate to the parking spaces are interfaced with the server. Parking availability indicators associated with the parking spaces are interfaced with the server. A motorist reserves a parking space. A reservation request for the parking space is accepted. The request is granted if available over any other reservations. Occupancy of the requested parking space is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor. The motorist's or the motor vehicle's identity are verified against the reservation through the nearest smart parking device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing recurring residential parking reservations is provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces located in a residential area are managed through a server. Smart parking devices, vehicle occupancy sensors, and parking availability indicators are interfaced to the server. Use of the parking spaces by a resident is reserved on a recurring basis throughout a subscription period. A parking reservation, including recurring times and dates, is requested. The request is granted provided the parking space is available over any other reservations stored in the server. Use of the reserved parking space is managed throughout the subscription period. Occupancy of the requested parking space is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor. A motorist's identity is verified through the nearest smart parking device. The use of the reserved parking space is denied if not by the resident and parking non-availability is indicated during each recurring time and date.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing basic valet parking through centrally-managed parking services is provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces are managed through a server. Smart parking devices physically proximate to the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. Vehicle occupancy sensors also physically proximate to the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. Parking availability indicators associated with the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. Use the parking spaces is reserved for a valet service. A reservation request for the parking spaces is accepted through the server for use by the valet service for a period of time. Occupancy of the reserved parking spaces by a motor vehicle through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor is sensed during the time period. Availability of each parking space is indicated through the nearest parking availability indicator throughout the time period based upon the current time and use by the valet service.

Abstract: A solar cell production system utilizes self-contained vacuum chucks that hold and cool solar cell wafers during transport on a conveyor between processing stations during a fabrication process. Each self-contained vacuum chuck includes its own local vacuum pump and a closed-loop cooling system. After each wafer is processed, it is removed from its vacuum chuck, and the vacuum chuck is returned to the start of the production line by a second conveyor belt. In one embodiment, each vacuum chuck includes an inductive power supply that is inductively coupled to an external source to drive that vacuum chuck's vacuum pump and cooling system. An optional battery is recharged by the inductive power supply, and is used to power the vacuum pump and cooling system during hand-off between adjacent processing stations.

Abstract: A configurable self-identifying workpiece transport system is described for moving an associated workpiece relative to a plurality of associated workpiece functional units selectively performing operations on the associated workpiece. The transport system includes a plurality of transport modules and a control unit. The plurality of transport modules are disposed in selected positions relative to the associated workpiece functional units, and each of the plurality of transport modules stores identification data and functionality data specific to the transport module. The control unit includes an automatic identification system in communication with each of the plurality of transport modules for retrieving the identification data and the functionality data from each of the plurality of transport modules and generating an itinerary for moving the associated workpiece relative to the workpiece functional units.

Abstract: Respective coordinators are spawned or activated to coordinate activities with regard to respective tasks. Where the respective tasks require cooperative efforts of a plurality of controllers, the respective coordinators ensure cooperative efforts by generating and communicating cooperative commands to the plurality of controllers. The coordinators may act as clearinghouses for system data, selectively requesting and relaying system information to appropriate controllers. For example, a document processing system activates respective coordinators for respective sheets of print media. The respective coordinators orchestrate the transportation of the sheets by sequentially orchestrating the activities of sequentially selected pluralities of transportation actuator controllers. Selected sheet position information from sensors and/or from models maintained by the actuator controllers may be relayed by the coordinators to selected actuator controllers as appropriate to the sheet transportation tasks.

Abstract: Large-area ICs (e.g., silicon wafer-based solar cells) are produced by positioning a mask between an extrusion head and the IC wafer during extrusion of a dopant bearing material or metal gridline material. The mask includes first and second peripheral portions that are positioned over corresponding peripheral areas of the wafer, and a central opening that exposes a central active area of the wafer. The extrusion head is then moved relative to the wafer, and the extrusion material is continuously extruded through outlet orifices of the extrusion head to form elongated extruded structures on the active area of the wafer. The mask prevents deposition of the extrusion material along the peripheral edges of the wafer, and facilitates the formation of unbroken extrusion structures. The mask may be provided with a non-rectangular opening to facilitate the formation of non-rectangular (e.g., circular) two-dimensional extrusion patterns.

Abstract: A solar cell extrusion printing system includes a printhead assembly having one or more elongated valve structures that are adjustably disposed adjacent to the outlet orifices of selected nozzle channels, and a valve control device for controlling the position of the valve structures to facilitate controllable ink flow through selected nozzle channels of the printhead assembly during the gridline printing process. The printhead assembly defines an elongated opening (e.g., a slot or hole) that that intersects (i.e., passes through) each of the selected nozzle channels, and an elongated member is movably disposed in the slot and is selectively movable between a first (opened) position, in which the valve structure extrusion material is passed by the valve structure through the nozzle channel and out of the printhead, and a closed position, in which the extrusion material is blocked by the valve structure and prevented from passing through the nozzle channel.

Abstract: Large-area ICs (e.g., silicon wafer-based solar cells) are produced by positioning a mask between an extrusion head and the IC wafer during extrusion of a dopant bearing material or metal gridline material. The mask includes first and second peripheral portions that are positioned over corresponding peripheral areas of the wafer, and a central opening that exposes a central active area of the wafer. The extrusion head is then moved relative to the wafer, and the extrusion material is continuously extruded through outlet orifices of the extrusion head to form elongated extruded structures on the active area of the wafer. The mask prevents deposition of the extrusion material along the peripheral edges of the wafer, and facilitates the formation of unbroken extrusion structures. The mask may be provided with a non-rectangular opening to facilitate the formation of non-rectangular (e.g., circular) two-dimensional extrusion patterns.

Abstract: Large-area ICs (e.g., silicon wafer-based solar cells) are produced by positioning a mask between an extrusion head and the IC wafer during extrusion of a dopant bearing material or metal gridline material. The mask includes first and second peripheral portions that are positioned over corresponding peripheral areas of the wafer, and a central opening that exposes a central active area of the wafer. The extrusion head is then moved relative to the wafer, and the extrusion material is continuously extruded through outlet orifices of the extrusion head to form elongated extruded structures on the active area of the wafer. The mask prevents deposition of the extrusion material along the peripheral edges of the wafer, and facilitates the formation of unbroken extrusion structures. The mask may be provided with a non-rectangular opening to facilitate the formation of non-rectangular (e.g., circular) two-dimensional extrusion patterns.

Abstract: A solar cell production system utilizes self-contained vacuum chucks that hold and cool solar cell wafers during transport on a conveyor between processing stations during a fabrication process. Each self-contained vacuum chuck includes its own local vacuum pump and a closed-loop cooling system. After each wafer is processed, it is removed from its vacuum chuck, and the vacuum chuck is returned to the start of the production line by a second conveyor belt. In one embodiment, each vacuum chuck includes an inductive power supply that is inductively coupled to an external source to drive that vacuum chuck's vacuum pump and cooling system. An optional battery is recharged by the inductive power supply, and is used to power the vacuum pump and cooling system during hand-off between adjacent processing stations.

Abstract: A configurable self-identifying workpiece transport system is described for moving an associated workpiece relative to a plurality of associated workpiece functional units selectively performing operations on the associated workpiece. The transport system includes a plurality of transport modules and a control unit. The plurality of transport modules are disposed in selected positions relative to the associated workpiece functional units, and each of the plurality of transport modules stores identification data and functionality data specific to the transport module. The control unit includes an automatic identification system in communication with each of the plurality of transport modules for retrieving the identification data and the functionality data from each of the plurality of transport modules and generating an itinerary for moving the associated workpiece relative to the workpiece functional units.

Abstract: Large-area ICs (e.g., silicon wafer-based solar cells) are produced by positioning a mask between an extrusion head and the IC wafer during extrusion of a dopant bearing material or metal gridline material. The mask includes first and second peripheral portions that are positioned over corresponding peripheral areas of the wafer, and a central opening that exposes a central active area of the wafer. The extrusion head is then moved relative to the wafer, and the extrusion material is continuously extruded through outlet orifices of the extrusion head to form elongated extruded structures on the active area of the wafer. The mask prevents deposition of the extrusion material along the peripheral edges of the wafer, and facilitates the formation of unbroken extrusion structures. The mask may be provided with a non-rectangular opening to facilitate the formation of non-rectangular (e.g., circular) two-dimensional extrusion patterns.

Abstract: A portable, wearable active appendage, including an arm having a base end and a working end, a docking plate that mechanically and electrically connects the base end to a mounting base, an end-effector mechanically connected to the working end, and a controller that controls movement. In various embodiments the arm is reversible, has multiple degrees of freedom of motion, the mounting base is attached to clothing worn by a human, and the controller can learn a movement and controls the movement to replicate a human arm or control a motion that is relative to a human operator. In various embodiments the end-effector is also removably, electrically connected to the working end of the arm such that it can be replaced with a different end-effector. Some embodiments include a node that branches the arm into a Y shape. Some embodiments include verbal and manual user interfaces, a remote operator and a feedback device. Some embodiments include a plurality of appendages that can merge or split acting in concert.

Abstract: Respective coordinators are spawned or activated to coordinate activities with regard to respective tasks. Where the respective tasks require cooperative efforts of a plurality of controllers, the respective coordinators ensure cooperative efforts by generating and communicating cooperative commands to the plurality of controllers. The coordinators may act as clearinghouses for system data, selectively requesting and relaying system information to appropriate controllers. For example, a document processing system activates respective coordinators for respective sheets of print media. The respective coordinators orchestrate the transportation of the sheets by sequentially orchestrating the activities of sequentially selected pluralities of transportation actuator controllers. Selected sheet position information from sensors and/or from models maintained by the actuator controllers may be relayed by the coordinators to selected actuator controllers as appropriate to the sheet transportation tasks.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for transporting materials or objects on substantially vertical structures for installation, deployment, inspection and repair purposes includes gripping mechanisms having a conformable gripping portion. The gripping mechanisms are separated by links, which are mutually attached to each other to permit angular rotation of the links relative to each other about a pivot point. A latching mechanism provides the capability for the gripping portion to be opened as well as secured for operation.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for transporting materials or objects on substantially vertical structures for installation, deployment, inspection and repair purposes includes gripping mechanisms having a conformable gripping portion. The gripping mechanisms are separated by links, which are mutually attached to each other to permit angular rotation of the links relative to each other about a pivot point. A latching mechanism provides the capability for the gripping portion to be opened as well as secured for operation.

Abstract: An alignment system includes a first module having a plurality of emitters and a first receiver configuration located on the face of the first module. A second module has a second plurality of emitters and a second receiver configuration located on the face of the second module. First and second trigger signal generators fire the first and second plurality of the emitters. The generated signals are sensed by at least some of the receivers. A converter arrangement obtain and convert the received signals into digital data representative of the readings received by selected receivers. A processing system computes at least one of an absolute six degree offset or a relative six degree offset between the faces. The offset information is then used to achieve a desired alignment between the face of the first module and the face of the second module.

Abstract: An alignment system includes a first module wherein a plurality of emitters are located at defined locations on the face of the first module. The emitters are positioned to emit signals of a known intensity distribution away from the face of the first module. A first receiver configuration is also located on the face of the first module, where the first receiver configuration has a known sensitivity distribution. A second module has a second plurality of emitters located at defined locations on the face of the module. The second plurality of emitters are positioned to emit signals of a known intensity distribution away from the face of the second module. A second receiver configuration is also located on the face of the second module, and has a known sensitivity distribution. First and second trigger signal generators are configured to fire the first and second plurality of emitters, respectively, in predetermined patterns.