Abstract: A resupply management apparatus (RMA) is provided, comprising: a resource container configured to hold a resource; an inventory sensor connected to the resource container, configured to measure: a quantity of the resource held in the resource container, a location sensor for determining a location of the RMA, a wireless communication device configured to transmit data; and means for propelling the RMA through space. The present disclosure further provides a method for operating the RMA, the method comprising: receiving data from an RMA and end use client device, the data indicating the resources and location associated with each device; determining a resource exchange location; and generating instructions to cause the at least one RMA to move to the resource exchange location and exchange resources stored with the at least one end use client device.

Abstract: A method of identifying an item or items of interest may include receiving image data. The received image data may be associated with positional metadata. The method may identify one or more characteristics of the image data, the one or more characteristics being associated with presence of one or more items of interest at a particular site, and may determine, based on the one or more identified characteristics, that the particular site includes the item or items of interest. The method may further determine a geographic position of the particular site based on the positional metadata associated with the image data. A parcel of land that contains the determined geographic position may be determined, and communication with an owner of the parcel of land may be facilitated.

Abstract: A network of wireless nodes which collect data from a sensor on a fluid tank and uploads the data to the cloud or Internet. The network allows for a temporary node to integrate into the network such that technicians can access the network without access to the cloud or internet. Further, local data is compared to data over a greater region in order to determine the difference between the specific location of the fluid tank and the larger region to produce predictive fluid tank parameter data. Then the fluid tank parameters are adjusted based on the predictive data so the environmental effects on the fluid tank are better managed.

Abstract: A network of wireless nodes collects data from a fluid tank or gas usage device sensor and uploads the data to the cloud or the Internet. The network allows for a temporary node to integrate into the network such that technicians can access the network without access to the cloud or internet. Data from the sensor may then be used by the system, either locally or remotely, to control or adjust one or more Internet of Things (IoT) devices based on the values of parameters such as tank fluid level or gas usage, etc.

Abstract: A system for remote monitoring of an indicator of a device. The system includes a processor of an interpretation module connected to a sensor node and to a user device over a remote network; a memory on which are stored machine-readable instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: query an admin database for new data acquired from the sensor node, search the admin database for a matching sensor ID, extract from the admin database recent entries corresponding to the sensor ID, determine if the entries indicate a pattern comprising at least one parameter, responsive to a detection of the pattern, search an interpretation database for a matching pattern comprising the parameter, extract interpretation data from an entry comprising the matching pattern, and provide the interpretation data to the user device.

Abstract: An interface component is disposed between a movable block and a support member, such as a linear rail. The interface includes a number of independent flexures, each providing an axially projected contact area extending toward the support member that varies in shape and spring force according to contact force with the support member. The flexures may be arranged collectively to provide complementary radial forces on the support member, thus providing force-controlled contact points with the support member that can individually yield to local surface irregularities in the support member, while maintaining a balanced array of radial contact forces with the support member.

Abstract: A robotic assistance device includes a robotic arm configured assist a human being and one or more sensors configured to receive input data. The input data includes information related to one or more activities being performed by the human being. The robotic assistance device further includes a processor operatively connected to the one or more sensors and the first robotic arm. The processor is configured to process data received from the sensor, and to determine, based on the processed data, that a task should be performed by the robotic assistance device based at least in part on the activities being performed by the human being. The processor is further configured cause the operative piece to perform the task.

Abstract: An edge device is provided for use in a therapeutic lighting, sensing, and software system may aid users in various ways. The edge device may include a lamp surrounded by a housing. The housing may include a capacitive touch plate for receiving touch commands from a user. The housing may include one or more internal reflectors and one or more optical diffusers configured to limit light emissions from the edge device, such that only light having a wavelength of greater than 620 nm is emitted. The housing may include a capacitive touchpad configured to dampen sound from a user activation of the touchpad.

Abstract: A system for dispensing fluid is provided in which a first fluid cartridge and a second fluid cartridge each comprise a first spout at corresponding fluid outlets, and wherein a docking location is provided for docking each of the fluid cartridges such that the first spout is adjacent the second spout. The system may further comprise a drop sensor for detecting a number of drops dispensed from the fluid cartridges at a drop detection location. The docking location may define a specific orientation for any cartridge docked at the docking location, and the cartridges may be wedge shaped and may each taper towards their corresponding spouts. Also provided is a fluid cartridge comprising a cartridge housing, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet above a fluid fill level, and a syphon for transporting fluid from inside the cartridge to the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A fluid coupling has engagement unit retained by a retention unit. The engagement unit has an outer surface having ears, and the retention unit has an interior surface for surrounding a portion of the engagement unit. The interior surface has pockets corresponding to the ears, and each pocket retains a corresponding ear. When the engagement unit is moved in an engagement direction, each ear passes a sidewall of a corresponding pocket and can be rotated and released to rest in the corresponding pocket. The ears may comprise sloped surfaces angled relative to a horizontal plane perpendicular to a length of the engagement unit. The fluid coupling may further comprise a gasket having a bearing surface for bearing against an end of the engagement unit, a base element for fixing the sealing gasket relative to the retention unit, and a flexible membrane extending from the base element to the bearing surface.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for generating mechanically rendered objects from digital input. In one embodiment, an example method may include generating, by a computer processor(s) coupled to at least one memory, a digital handwriting file comprising one or more digital characters, wherein a first digital character has a first glyph and a second glyph. Example methods may include receiving digital text comprising a set of characters for conversion to physically written text, wherein the set of characters comprises a first instance of a first character corresponding to the first digital character and a second instance of the first character, selecting the second glyph for a first physically written conversion of the first instance of the first character, selecting the first glyph for a second physically written conversion of the second instance of the first character, and causing conversion of the digital text.

Abstract: A method of determining beam twist and/or calibrating tilt angles of an ion beam of an ion beam implanter relative to a first channel of a crystalline target. The method can be used to calibrate the machine to an accuracy which is comparable to the precision of variance of such angle.

Abstract: A surface structure for contacting a workpiece includes a flexible layer adhered to a support element and a coating on the flexible layer. The coating has ripples on its surface. The flexible layer may be thermally conductive. The ripples on the surface enhance thermal transfer from the workpiece and are characterized by low particle generation and low particulate contamination of the workpiece. The ripples in the coating may be formed by expanding the flexible layer, applying the coating to the expanded flexible layer and then contracting the flexible layer. In one application, the surface structure is utilized in an electrostatic wafer clamp. The surface structure provides high efficiency thermal transfer in a vacuum processing system when utilized in conjunction with a low pressure cooling gas between the workpiece and the surface structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for high speed workpiece handling are provided. The method for workpiece handling includes removing a workpiece from a first cassette with a first robot, transferring the workpiece from the first robot directly to a second robot without transferring the workpiece to a transfer station, placing the workpiece on a workpiece holder at a processing station with the second robot, and transferring the workpiece from the workpiece holder to the first cassette with the first robot following processing. End effectors of the first and second robots may each have a plurality of vertical positions for efficient workpiece handling. Displacement error and rotational error of the workpiece may be sensed and corrected without use of a transfer station. The methods and apparatus may be used for handling semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrostatic clamping of a semiconductor wafer includes a dielectric element that defines a clamping surface for receiving the semiconductor wafer and two or more electrodes, including a first electrode disposed at or near a periphery of the clamping surface and a second electrode disposed inwardly of the first electrode. The first and second electrodes have variable widths that form interdigitated projections along adjacent sides of the first and second electrodes. The interdigitated projections limit flexing of the wafer at or near its outer periphery and thereby enhance retention of cooling gas between the semiconductor wafer and the clamping surface.

Abstract: A method of determining beam twist and/or calibrating tilt angles of an ion beam of an ion beam implanter relative to a first channel of a crystalline target. The method can be used to calibrate the machine to an accuracy which is comparable to the precision of variance of such angle.

Abstract: A device for measuring an incidence angle of an ion beam impinging a planar substrate includes an aperture plate having an aperture for intercepting the ion beam and passing a beam portion therethrough, and a sensor located in the substrate plane or a plane parallel thereto behind the aperture plate and having a length along which the beam portion impinges on the sensor at a location which is a function of the incidence angle of the ion beam, the sensor configured to produce a sensor signal indicative of the location of impingement of the beam portion on the sensor and representative of incidence angle. A computing unit may be configured to compare the sensor signal to a predetermined function for determining the incidence angle of the ion beam. Spaced apart sensing devices may be used to determine beam divergence.

Abstract: An electrostatic device includes a conductive element and a dielectric element having surfaces that are closely-spaced or contacting, a plurality of electrodes positioned adjacent to and electrically isolated from the surface of the dielectric element and a voltage source for applying voltages to the electrodes. Either the conductive element or the dielectric element is flexible. The voltages applied to the electrodes produce a moving wave in the flexible element, wherein a gas between the surfaces is transported in the direction of the moving wave. The device may function as an active electrostatic seal between the surfaces or as an electrostatic vacuum pump.

Abstract: A device for measuring an incidence angle of an ion beam impinging a planar substrate includes an aperture plate having an aperture for intercepting the ion beam and passing a beam portion therethrough, and a sensor located in the substrate plane or a plane parallel thereto behind the aperture plate and having a length along which the beam portion impinges on the sensor at a location which is a function of the incidence angle of the ion beam, the sensor configured to produce a sensor signal indicative of the location of impingement of the beam portion on the sensor and representative of incidence angle. A computing unit may be configured to compare the sensor signal to a predetermined function for determining the incidence angle of the ion beam. Spaced apart sensing devices may be used to determine beam divergence.

Abstract: A method for electrostatic clamping of a high resistivity workpiece includes the steps of positioning a high resistivity workpiece on a clamping surface of an electrostatic clamp, the electrostatic clamp including electrodes underlying and electrically isolated from the clamping surface, and applying AC clamping voltages to the electrodes for electrostatically clamping the workpiece in a fixed position on the clamping surface. The AC clamping voltages have a frequency in a range of about 0.00175 Hz to 10 Hz and more preferably have a frequency in a range of about 1 Hz to 6 Hz.