Abstract: An orthopaedic implant assembly includes a plurality of commonly-sized dome patella components. Each of the commonly-sized dome patella components may be provided in various thicknesses and/or peak surface diameters.

Abstract: System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. The behaviors include action sets ranked by priority, and the action sets include alternative actions that the vehicle can take to accomplish its task. The alternative actions are ranked by preference, and an arbiter selects the action to be performed and, optionally, modified.

Abstract: An implantable orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a component that is configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared bone. A fixation side of the component includes a fixation surface that has an angled cement pocket formed therein.

Abstract: System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. The behaviors include action sets ranked by priority, and the action sets include alternative actions that the vehicle can take to accomplish its task. The alternative actions are ranked by preference, and an arbiter selects the action to be performed and, optionally, modified.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interruptible autonomous control of a vehicle. Autonomous control is achieved by using actuators that interact with input devices in the vehicle. The actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate the input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, tie rods, steering gear, throttle lever, or accelerator) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Although operating autonomously, manual operation of the vehicle is possible following the detection of events that suggest manual control is desired. Subsequent autonomous control may be permitted, permitted after a prescribed delay, or prevented.

Abstract: A wheeled platform 100 is disclosed, which is characterized by high mobility and reliability, and which can be used in a wide range of applications including transport and robotic devices. The wheeled platform 100 has fore and aft body portions 130, 132, each body portion 130, 132 having first and second sides 106, 108. Overlapping wheels 112, 114, 116, 118 are rotatably attached to the first side 106 and overlapping wheels 120, 122, 124, 126 are rotatably attached to the second side 108. The fore body portion 130 can be connected to the aft body portion 132 via an articulation element 133.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interruptible autonomous control of a vehicle. Autonomous control is achieved by using actuators that interact with input devices in the vehicle. The actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate the input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, tie rods, steering gear, throttle lever, or accelerator) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Although operating autonomously, manual operation of the vehicle is possible following the detection of events that suggest manual control is desired. Subsequent autonomous control may be permitted, permitted after a prescribed delay, or prevented.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interruptible autonomous control of a vehicle. Autonomous control is achieved by using actuators that interact with input devices in the vehicle. The actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate the input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, tie rods, steering gear, throttle lever, or accelerator) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Although operating autonomously, manual operation of the vehicle is possible following the detection of events that suggest manual control is desired. Subsequent autonomous control may be permitted, permitted after a prescribed delay, or prevented.

Abstract: System and method for multi-modal control of a vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, accelerator, throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. After receipt of a mode select command that dictates the operational mode of the vehicle (e.g., manned operation, remote unmanned tele-operation, assisted remote tele-operation, and autonomous unmanned operation), the actuators manipulate the operator input devices, in accordance with the behaviors, to affect the desired operational mode.

Abstract: System and method for tracking obstacles by an autonomous vehicle. Localization sensors (i.e., sensors to measure pitch, roll, and yaw, and systems including an inertial navigation system, a compass, a global positioning system, or an odometer) detect the position of the vehicle. Perception sensors (e.g., LIDAR, stereo vision, infrared vision, radar, or sonar) assess the environment about the vehicle. Using these sensors, locations of terrain features relative to the vehicle are computed and kept up-to-date. The vehicle trajectory is adjusted to avoid terrain features that are obstacles in the path of the vehicle.

Abstract: System and method for processing a safety signal in an autonomous vehicle. Safety signals are typically generated in response to the detection of unsafe conditions or are sent by the vehicle operator. In either case, the safety signals are conveyed using redundant communication paths. The paths include a computer network and a current loop. The safety signals are processed, thereby causing actuators (e.g., linkages) to manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, tie rods, steering gear, throttle lever, accelerator, or transmission shifter). The manipulation ensures the vehicle responds appropriately to the safety signals, for example, by shutting down the vehicle.

Abstract: A wheeled platform 100 is disclosed, which is characterized by high mobility and reliability, and which can be used in a wide range of applications including transport and robotic devices. The wheeled platform 100 has fore and aft body portions 130, 132, each body portion 130, 132 having first and second sides 106, 108. Overlapping wheels 112, 114, 116, 118 are rotatably attached to the first side 106 and overlapping wheels 120, 122, 124, 126 are rotatably attached to the second side 108. The fore body portion 130 can be connected to the aft body portion 132 via an articulation element 133.

Abstract: A wheeled platform 100 is disclosed, which is characterized by high mobility and reliability, and which can be used in a wide range of applications including transport and robotic devices. The wheeled platform 100 has fore and aft body portions 130, 132, each body portion 130, 132 having first and second sides 106, 108. Overlapping wheels 112, 114, 116, 118 are rotatably attached to the first side 106 and overlapping wheels 120, 122, 124, 126 are rotatably attached to the second side 108. The fore body portion 130 can be connected to the aft body portion 132 via an articulation element 133.

Abstract: A wheeled platform 100 is disclosed, which is characterized by high mobility and reliability, and which can be used in a wide range of applications including transport and robotic devices. The wheeled platform 100 has fore and aft body portions 130, 132, each body portion 130, 132 having first and second sides 106, 108. Overlapping wheels 112, 114, 116, 118 are rotatably attached to the first side 106 and overlapping wheels 120, 122, 124, 126 are rotatably attached to the second side 108. The fore body portion 130 can be connected to the aft body portion 132 via an articulation element 133.

Abstract: A wheeled platform (100) is disclosed, which is characterized by high mobility and reliability, and which can be used in a wide range of applications including transport and robotic devices. The platform has fore and aft body portions (130, 132), each body portion with first and second side portions (103, 104). Overlapping wheels (112, 114, 116, 118) are rotatably attached to the port-side portion (106) and overlapping wheels (120, 122, 124, 126) are rotatably attached to the starboard-side portions. The fore body portion (130) can be connected to the aft body portion (132) via an articulation element (133).

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for television program selection that monitors the viewing preferences of a viewer to create a dynamic viewer profile that is used to rate available programs. Based on the viewer profile, available programs are sorted and presented to the viewer in descending order of predicted interest. The invention allows a viewer to quickly find the program of greatest interest to the viewer without having to tediously search through large numbers of available programs. The invention may also be used for selecting from among a plurality of programs other than television programs, such as, for example, radio programs or audio or video programs stored on digital storage media such as CD's and DVD's.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing reduced drag on a body moving in a direction D through a selected fluid medium at a speed U which is normally sufficient to cause turbulence. Reduced drag is generally accomplished by flexing at least the outer surface of at least the rear third of the body to produce a wave-like motion of the body having a wavelength of between 0.5 and 2.0 times the length of the body, a reduced frequency value .OMEGA. between 0.1 and 0.5 and a time delay between successive points on the body reaching peaks for their flex motion which is directly proportional to the distance x.sub.i in the direction D of the point from a reference point on the body and inversely proportional to the phase speed c.sub.p of the wave. A variety of techniques are described for achieving the desired wave-like motion.

Abstract: A propulsion system for use in a fluid, the system utilizing at least one foil which is both oscillated at a frequency f with an amplitude a in a direction substantially transverse to the propulsion direction and flapped or pitched about a pivot point to change the foil pitch angle to the selected direction of motion with a smooth periodic motion. Parameters of the system including Strouhal number, angle of attack, ratio of the distance to the foil pivot point from the leading edge of the foil to the chord length, the ratio of the amplitude of oscillation to the foil chord width and the phase angle between heave and pitch are all selected so as to optimize the drive efficiency of the foil system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the position of a sheet member (e.g., fabric) slidingly supported on a work surface, utilizing a drive train consisting of one or more drive wheels frictionally engaging a spherical ball captively supported within a housing. The drive wheels are preferrably located in spaced, mutually orthogonal relation proximate the great circle of the spherical ball. The spherical ball rests on and frictionally engages the fabric-to-be-positioned. Rotation of one of the drive wheels causes the spherical ball to rotate which, in turn, moves the fabric in a direction dependent on the location and orientation of said one drive wheel. The inventor can be implemented as an active feedback system utilizing the above-described apparatus together with position detectors and a controller.

Abstract: A sewing machine system adapted for joining portions of a multiple layer limp fabric workpiece includes a workpiece support surface and a sewing head assembly. The sewing head assembly houses an elongated needle adapted for reciprocating motion along a needle axis extending through an aperture in the workpiece support surface. A selectively operable feeder is adapted to transport a region of a limp fabric workpiece on the workpiece support surface in the direction of a feed axis having a fixed orientation with respect to the feeder. A coupling assembly rotatably couples the feeder to the sewing head assembly so that the feeder is selectively rotatable about the needle axis. A feed controller controls the feeder and includes an orientation controller adapted to selectively control the angular orientation of the feeder with respect to the sewing head assembly so that the feed axis may be adjustably offset with respect to a reference axis on the workpiece support surface.