Abstract: A computer can monitor network traffic on a blockchain computing network. The computer can determine a current level of network congestion on the blockchain computing network. The computer can execute a first machine learning model that predicts a timeseries of future transaction costs based on historical data and the current level network congestion level of the blockchain computing network. The computer can also execute a second machine learning model to predict a timeseries of future transaction sizes and UTXO types for the distributed ledger-based account based on historical transaction data. The computer can select one or more UTXOs to use to complete the transaction of the transaction request. The computer can append a block instance containing an identification of the selected one or more UTXOs to the blockchain to complete the transaction.

Abstract: A hair follicle implant device includes a needle holding assembly configured to hold a plurality of needles and a needle guide slidably coupled thereto and configured to provide a skin stop surface while guiding the plurality needles. A plurality of pistons is configured to slide within a respective one of the plurality of needles. A piston base is slidably coupled to the needle holding assembly and is configured to hold the pistons to slide within the plurality of needles when actuated during implantation. A spring, carried between the needle holding assembly and the piston base, is configured to bias the piston base in a retracted position, wherein the spring is offset from a central axis of the piston base. The needle holder holds the plurality of needles in the staggered arrangement offset from the central axis of the piston base.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes locking a material to be cut against a cutting bed, stabilizing the material against the cutting bed, and cutting the material.

Abstract: A hair follicle implant device includes a needle holding assembly configured to hold a plurality of needles and a needle guide slidably coupled thereto and configured to provide a skin stop surface while guiding the plurality needles. A plurality of pistons is configured to slide within a respective one of the plurality of needles. A piston base is slidably coupled to the needle holding assembly and is configured to hold the pistons to slide within the plurality of needles when actuated during implantation. A spring, carried between the needle holding assembly and the piston base, is configured to bias the piston base in a retracted position, wherein the spring is offset from a central axis of the piston base. The needle holder holds the plurality of needles in the staggered arrangement offset from the central axis of the piston base.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for smoothing a material having wrinkles. The material is positioned on a vacuum table having a group of segments. A smoothing device is moved across a surface of the material to form a substantially smooth section of the material. A vacuum is progressively applied to a portion of the group of segments in the vacuum table corresponding to the substantially smooth section of the material to pull the substantially smooth section of the material against the vacuum table.

Abstract: End effectors having compaction feet for welding thermoplastic parts of thermoplastic composite laminated articles are described. An example end effector is to be coupled to a robot. The end effector includes a welding head. The welding head includes a welder having a first central axis and a compaction foot having a second central axis. The welder is movable along the first central axis between a first retracted position and a first extended position relative to a surface of the end effector. The compaction foot circumscribes the welder and is movable along the second central axis between a second retracted position and a second extended position relative to the surface.

Abstract: End effectors having reconfigurable vacuum heads for picking up thermoplastic parts of thermoplastic composite laminated articles are described. An example end effector is to be coupled to a robot. The end effector includes a first vacuum head having a first vacuum surface. The first vacuum head is to pick up a thermoplastic part in response to a first vacuum force applied at the first vacuum surface. The end effector further includes a second vacuum head having a second vacuum surface. The second vacuum head is to assist the first vacuum head in picking up the thermoplastic part in response to a second vacuum force applied at the second vacuum surface. The end effector further includes an arm to adjustably position the second vacuum head relative to the first vacuum head. The second vacuum head is coupled to the arm, and the arm is movable relative to the first vacuum head.

Abstract: End effectors having reconfigurable vacuum heads for picking up thermoplastic parts of thermoplastic composite laminated articles are described. An example end effector is to be coupled to a robot. The end effector includes a first vacuum head having a first vacuum surface. The first vacuum head is to pick up a thermoplastic part in response to a first vacuum force applied at the first vacuum surface. The end effector further includes a second vacuum head having a second vacuum surface. The second vacuum head is to assist the first vacuum head in picking up the thermoplastic part in response to a second vacuum force applied at the second vacuum surface. The end effector further includes an arm to adjustably position the second vacuum head relative to the first vacuum head. The second vacuum head is coupled to the arm, and the arm is movable relative to the first vacuum head.

Abstract: End effectors having compaction feet for welding thermoplastic parts of thermoplastic composite laminated articles are described. An example end effector is to be coupled to a robot. The end effector includes a welding head. The welding head includes a welder having a first central axis and a compaction foot having a second central axis. The welder is movable along the first central axis between a first retracted position and a first extended position relative to a surface of the end effector. The compaction foot circumscribes the welder and is movable along the second central axis between a second retracted position and a second extended position relative to the surface.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes locking a material to be cut against a cutting bed, stabilizing the material against the cutting bed, and cutting the material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for smoothing a material having wrinkles. The material is positioned on a vacuum table having a group of segments. A smoothing device is moved across a surface of the material to form a substantially smooth section of the material. A vacuum is progressively applied to a portion of the group of segments in the vacuum table corresponding to the substantially smooth section of the material to pull the substantially smooth section of the material against the vacuum table.

Abstract: A vacuum table for securing a sheet of material. The vacuum table includes a top plate that is porous, a perimeter vacuum chamber disposed beneath a perimeter of the top plate, and interior vacuum chambers bound by the perimeter vacuum chamber and disposed beneath a target area of the top plate that is inside the perimeter of the top plate.

Abstract: A device for aligning a robotic arm with an end-effector is provided. The device may include a spherical tool and a receiver. The spherical tool may include a spherical end portion and a distal base portion configured to releasably couple to the end-effector. The receiver may include a plurality of arms and a proximal base portion configured to releasably couple to the robotic arm. Furthermore, the arms may be configured to receive the spherical end portion and include one or more indicators configured to track alignment between the robotic arm and the end-effector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for smoothing a material having wrinkles. The material is positioned on a vacuum table having a group of segments. A smoothing device is moved across a surface of the material to form a substantially smooth section of the material. A vacuum is progressively applied to a portion of the group of segments in the vacuum table corresponding to the substantially smooth section of the material to pull the substantially smooth section of the material against the vacuum table.

Abstract: A device for aligning a robotic arm with an end-effector is provided. The device may include a spherical tool and a receiver. The spherical tool may include a spherical end portion and a distal base portion configured to releasably couple to the end-effector. The receiver may include a plurality of arms and a proximal base portion configured to releasably couple to the robotic arm. Furthermore, the arms may be configured to receive the spherical end portion and include one or more indicators configured to track alignment between the robotic arm and the end-effector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for smoothing a material having wrinkles. The material is positioned on a vacuum table having a group of segments. A smoothing device is moved across a surface of the material to form a substantially smooth section of the material. A vacuum is progressively applied to a portion of the group of segments in the vacuum table corresponding to the substantially smooth section of the material to pull the substantially smooth section of the material against the vacuum table.

Abstract: A method for delivering fasteners to a remote installation tool is provided. The method includes delivering a first fastener of a first type to a remote installation tool in response to receiving a request for a fastener of the first type from an operator and staging a second fastener of the first type for delivery to the remote installation tool. The staging begins prior to receiving a request for another fastener of the first type from the operator. The staging includes retrieving the second fastener of the first type from a storage location and transferring the second fastener of the first type from the storage location to a staging location.

Abstract: A software architecture and control protocol that provides seamless playback of multiple clips of media data across a data network. Conventional server-based data network architecture where playback logic resides on the servers does not provide the capability of seamless playback of multiple clips stored in different servers. The present invention allows users to specify a playlist and provides control on the client with the implementation of a “client pull” data transport model. According to the present invention, the playlist is translated into a plurality of frame accurate requests, which are sent from the client to the servers one request at a time. The servers, upon receiving the requests, retrieve the corresponding frames of media data and transmit the media data back to the client. In this way, the present invention allows a user-interface to provide seamless playback of multiple clips that reside on different servers on the client workstation.

Abstract: A software architecture and control protocol that provides applications with control over the transport that is frame-accurate, random-access, real-time and stream-based. Conventional server-based data network where media data resides on the server does not provide a frame accurate control of media data playback on a client workstation. The present invention provides control on the client with the implementation of a “client pull” data transport model. According to the present invention, requests for media data are sent from the client to the server one request at a time. The server, upon receiving the requests, retrieves the corresponding frames of media data and transmits the media data back to the client one frame at a time. In this way, the present invention allows a user-interface to provide frame accurate controls on the client workstation, while allowing for real-time playback of media data that resides on the server.

Abstract: A toy vehicle comprises a chassis having a front end, a rear end and first and second lateral sides extending between the ends. Two wheel trains are disposed on separate lateral sides of the chassis. Each train includes first, second, third and fourth wheels, a first pair of the wheels being mounted on separate axles fixed with respect to the chassis and a second pair of the wheels being mounted on separate axles movable along the first lateral side of the chassis. A separate continuous track extends about each wheel train so that the track engages over at least the first wheel and another other wheel. A separate linkage connects each second pair of wheels with the chassis and is configured to displace the second pair of wheels between a first wheel arrangement in which the wheels of the train are generally disposed in a single row, and a second wheel arrangement in which the wheels of the train are generally disposed in two rows and all the wheels engage the track.