Abstract: A robot system with a robot that has a camera, monitor, a microphone and a speaker. A communication link can be established with the robot through a cellular phone. The link may include an audio only communication. Alternatively, the link may include audio and video communication between the cellular phone and the robot. The phone can transmit its resolution to the robot and cause the robot to transmit captured images at the phone resolution. The user can cause the robot to move through input on the cellular phone. For example, the phone may include an accelerometer that senses movement, and movement commands are then sent to the robot to cause a corresponding robot movement. The phone may have a touch screen that can be manipulated by the user to cause robot movement and/or camera zoom.

Abstract: A tele-presence system that includes a cart. The cart includes a robot face that has a robot monitor, a robot camera, a robot speaker, a robot microphone, and an overhead camera. The system also includes a remote station that is coupled to the robot face and the overhead camera. The remote station includes a station monitor, a station camera, a station speaker and a station microphone. The remote station can display video images captured by the robot camera and/or overhead camera. By way of example, the cart can be used in an operating room, wherein the overhead camera can be placed in a sterile field and the robot face can be used in a non-sterile field. The user at the remote station can conduct a teleconference through the robot face and also obtain a view of a medical procedure through the overhead camera.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing plant material samples and a transfer station designed for use in such systems and methods. In one embodiment, the system includes a controller, a plant-material sampling device, and a transfer station. The plant-material sampling device is configured to communicate with the controller and to read an identifier of a plant. The sampling device also has a removable magazine, and is designed to take at least one plant sample from multiple plants, place such samples in the magazine, and track the identity of the plant from which each sample is taken. The transfer station is configured to hold, at multiple positions, multiple magazines and multiple trays such that the positions of the magazines are mirrored by the positions of the trays, read an identifier of each magazine, read an identifier of each tray, map storage locations for each one of the magazines to storage locations of one of the trays, and sequentially unload plant samples from the magazines to the trays.

Abstract: A robot system that includes a robot face with a monitor, a camera, a speaker and a microphone. The system may include a removable handle attached to the robot face. The robot face may be controlled through a remote controller. The handle can be remove and replaced with another handle. The remote controller can be covered with a sterile drape or sterilized after each use of the system. The handle and remote controller allow the robot to be utilized in a clean environment such as an operating room without requiring the robot face to be sterilized after a medical procedure. The robot face can be attached to a boom with active joints. The robot face may include a user interface that allows a user to individually move the active joints of the boom.

Abstract: A robot system that includes a remote control station and a robot that has a camera, a monitor and a microphone. The robot includes a user interface that allows a user to link the remote control station to access the robot. By way of example, the user interface may include a list of remote control stations that can be selected by a user at the robot site to link the robot to the selected control station. The user interface can display a connectivity prompt that allows a user at the robot site to grant access to the robot. The connectivity prompt is generated in response to a request for access by a remote control station. The robot may include a laser pointer and a button that allows a user at the robot site to turn the laser pointer on and off.

Abstract: A tele-presence system that includes a portable robot face coupled to a remote station. The robot face includes a robot monitor, a robot camera, a robot speaker and a robot microphone. The remote station includes a station monitor, a station camera, a station speaker and a station microphone. The portable robot face can be attached to a platform mounted to the ceiling of an ambulance. The portable robot face can be used by a physician at the remote station to provide remote medical consultation. When the patient is moved from the ambulance the portable robot face can be detached from the platform and moved with the patient.

Abstract: A portable, liquid-dispensing bag that has a bag within one or more bags. A fitment portal aligns openings in the one or more inner bags and outer the outer bag, which in at least one embodiment accommodates a tap. A variety of arrangements and variations are possible, including having a re-sealable opening in both the inner bag or bags and a re-sealable opening in the outer bag. A gas vent can be added to either the inner or outer bags. It is contemplated that a drinkable liquid is stored in an inner bag, and ice or cold water is stored in the outer bag to keep the drinking fluid cold.

Abstract: A patient support having real time pressure control. The patient support includes a plurality of sensors located beneath a bladder including a plurality of upright cylindrical elements. The pressure within the bladder is controlled based on the pressure or force sensed by the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: The user's movement of the joints on a master mechanism is converted to electrical energy to control a kinematically similar arrangement of joints on a slave mechanism. Bi-directional, dynamic, force reflecting control of the slave mechanism is provided without a need for sensors, software, computers, or external power sources.

Abstract: A remote control station that accesses one of at least two different robots that each have at least one unique robot feature. The remote control station receives information that identifies the robot feature of the accessed robot. The remote station displays a display user interface that includes at least one field that corresponds to the robot feature of the accessed robot. The robot may have a laser pointer and/or a projector.

Abstract: A hand-held laser pointer is disclosed that comprises a laser module that is isolated from unwanted hand tremor motions of the laser pointer housing. A passive inertial stabilizer is utilized for stabilizing the laser module to suppress laser dot jitter associated with hand tremor. To achieve the above object, a collimated laser diode module is mounted on a stage that is suspended by a low-friction gimbal that pivots with respect to the housing of the pointer on two intersecting and mutually perpendicular axes. The inertial stage is coupled to the housing via a spring and damper.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a patient support having an air permeable layer, a plurality of inflatable bladders, a pressure-sensing assembly and a controller. In one embodiment, a combination of transverse bladders and vertically oriented can-shaped bladders is provided. In one embodiment, one or more angle sensors are provided in articulatable sections of the patient support.

Abstract: A remote controlled robot with a head that supports a monitor and is coupled to a mobile platform. The mobile robot also includes an auxiliary camera coupled to the mobile platform by a boom. The mobile robot is controlled by a remote control station. By way of example, the robot can be remotely moved about an operating room. The auxiliary camera extends from the boom so that it provides a relatively close view of a patient or other item in the room. An assistant in the operating room may move the boom and the camera. The boom may be connected to a robot head that can be remotely moved by the remote control station.

Abstract: This disclosure described a patient support having an air permeable layer, a plurality of inflatable bladders, a pressure-sensing assembly and a controller. In one embodiment, a combination of transverse bladders and vertically oriented can-shaped bladders is provided. In one embodiment, one or more angle sensors are provided in articulatable sections of the patient support.

Abstract: A remote controlled robot system that includes a robot and a remote control station. The robot includes a binaural microphone system that is coupled to a speaker system of the remote control station. The binaural microphone system may include a pair of microphones located at opposite sides of a robot head. The location of the microphones roughly coincides with the location of ears on a human body. Such microphone location creates a mobile robot that more effectively simulates the tele-presence of an operator of the system. The robot may include two different microphone systems and the ability to switch between systems. For example, the robot may also include a zoom camera system and a directional microphone. The directional microphone may be utilized to capture sound from a direction that corresponds to an object zoomed upon by the camera system.

Abstract: A remote controlled robot system that includes a mobile robot with a robot camera and a battery plug module, and a remote control station that transmits commands to control the mobile robot. The system also includes a battery charging module that mates with the mobile robot battery plug module, and an alignment system that aligns the battery plug module with the battery charging module. The battery modules may also be aligned with the aid of video images of the battery charging module provided to the remote station by a camera located within the battery plug module.

Abstract: An improved system and method for reducing standing waves and diffracted waves in speaker a driver enclosure is disclosed. The speaker driver enclosure has an interior enclosure surface, shaped such that any cross section taken of it comprises a looped, substantially continuously curved, non-rational B spline. A rear enclosure surface is provided, the rear enclosure surface being shaped substantially the same as the interior enclosure surface and offset from the interior enclosure by a wall thickness. An outer baffle surface has slightly varying curvatures such that substantially any cross section taken of it comprises a continuously curved, non-rational B spline and a flat surface shaped such that at least one loudspeaker driver may be mounted to it. A loudspeaker driver is mounted to the flat surface.

Abstract: A robot system that includes a remote station and a robot face. The robot face includes a camera that is coupled to a monitor of the remote station and a monitor that is coupled to a camera of the remote station. The robot face and remote station also have speakers and microphones that are coupled together. The robot face may be coupled to a boom. The boom can extend from the ceiling of a medical facility. Alternatively, the robot face may be attached to a medical table with an attachment mechanism. The robot face and remote station allows medical personnel to provide medical consultation through the system.

Abstract: A hand-held laser pointer is disclosed wherein the laser beam is isolated from unwanted hand tremor motions of the laser pointer housing. A laser beam is directed toward a pair of passively inertially stabilized mirrors disposed within the housing that are biased to a neutral position by a spring and damper. Both the laser beam that exits the housing and the laser dot appearing at a target are minimally affected by laser jitter associated with hand tremor.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to an apparatus and method for attaching a cover to an assembly of plural sheets. Exemplary embodiments include first and second clamping components displaceable relative to one another, wherein the first and second clamping components define a first dimension of a sheet receiving volume, and wherein a second dimension of the sheet receiving volume is defined by a sheet stop and a first plane that is orthogonal to the first and second clamping components; and a roller drive for displacing a first roller along the first plane and exerting a force perpendicular to the first plane in a direction toward the sheet receiving volume.