Abstract: A drive center constituting a machine tool accessory being used on a lathe for holding workpieces that are mounted between the headstock and the tailstock (between centers). The drive center includes a head having an adjustable spring-loaded center point and a number of removable, adjustable spurs that are capable of penetrating a workpiece sufficiently to provide torque for the turning process. The head is attached to a shank with a standard taper to fit the spindle of a lathe. A cylindrical guard is supported coaxially by the external surface of the head so that the guard radially encircles the head and the spurs but is able to slide axially and rotationally with respect to the head. A spring causes the guard to extend axially beyond the spurs except when pushed back by the workpiece.

Abstract: A drive center constituting a machine tool accessory being used on a lathe for holding workpieces that are mounted between the headstock and the tailstock (between centers). The drive center comprises a head having an adjustable spring-loaded center point and a number of removable, adjustable spurs that are capable of penetrating a workpiece sufficiently to provide torque for the turning process. The head is attached to a shank with a standard taper to fit the spindle of a lathe. A cylindrical guard is supported coaxially by the external surface of the head so that the guard radially encircles the head and the spurs but is able to slide axially and rotationally with respect to the head. A spring causes the guard to extend axially beyond the spurs except when pushed back by the workpiece.

Abstract: A retrofittable lifting apparatus for use on an articulated robotically controlled device is disclosed. The lifting apparatus includes a structure for mating the apparatus to the robotic device and a mechanism for the remotely controlled lifting of an ordnance or other object. Actuation of the lifting mechanism may be provided by existing sources of motion on the robotic device, or by additional sources of motion attached to the robotic device.

Abstract: A cable handling system mounted to a mobile robot to dispense and retrieve cable at zero tension includes a cable reel drive and a downstream tension roller drive that includes an idler. As a cable passes through the tension roller drive, position along the length of the cable and/or the cable speed is monitored accurately by a sensor attached to the idler. A system controller in communication with the sensor controls the cable reel drive and the tension roller drive for dispensing and retrieving cable downstream of the tension roller drive.

Abstract: A docking system includes a mobile robotic device and a charging station to which the robotic device is to dock. The robotic device is comprised of sensors to capture a homing signal emitted by the charging station, docking logic that processes the homing signal so that it can be used to control the movements of the robotic device towards and dock with the charging station, and it is comprised of a mechanism for receiving a cylindrical charging post. The charging station is comprised of a circular platform in the center of which is located the charging post that is generally cylindrical in shape. The charging post includes a charging contact, ground contacts and an IR emitter. The geometry of the receiver mechanism elements and the shape of the charging post and geometry of the charging station generally permits the robotic device to approach the charging station and to dock with the charging station from any angle.

Abstract: A docking system includes a mobile robotic device and a charging station to which the robotic device is to dock. The robotic device is comprised of sensors to capture a homing signal emitted by the charging station, docking logic that processes the homing signal so that it can be used to control the movements of the robotic device towards and dock with the charging station, and it is comprised of a mechanism for receiving a cylindrical charging post. The charging station is comprised of a circular platform in the center of which is located the charging post that is generally cylindrical in shape. The charging post includes a charging contact, ground contacts and an IR emitter. The geometry of the receiver mechanism elements and the shape of the charging post and geometry of the charging station generally permits the robotic device to approach the charging station and to dock with the charging station from any angle.

Abstract: Recoil mitigating devices and methods for use with projectile firing systems such as a disrupter mounted to a robotic arm. A pair of parallel spring provides dampening of axial recoil movement of the disrupter relative to the robotic arm. Forward ends of the springs are attachable to the barrel of the disrupter while rearward portions of the springs are attachable to the robotic arm by a robot mount block. The robot mount block at least partially encloses the barrel of the disrupter in connecting the parallel springs and permits axial movement of the disrupter along or through the mount during firing.

Abstract: A cable handling system mounted to a mobile robot to dispense and retrieve cable at zero tension includes a cable reel drive and a downstream tension roller drive that includes an idler. As a cable passes through the tension roller drive, position along the length of the cable and/or the cable speed is monitored accurately by a sensor attached to the idler. A system controller in communication with the sensor controls the cable reel drive and the tension roller drive for dispensing and retrieving cable downstream of the tension roller drive.

Abstract: In a wide area communications network such as the Internet, a public server and an associated database store and make available to a private server personal information relating to an individuals emotional or some other mental or physical state. The private server includes functionality to interpret the personal information it receives or gathers from the public server in order to identify at least one reaction instruction which can be used by a multimedia communications device to convey to a user the state of an individual by generating a human perceivable reaction which can be playing multimedia content in combination with movement if the multimedia communications device is a robot.

Abstract: Recoil mitigating devices and methods for use with projectile firing systems such as a disrupter mounted to a robotic arm. A pair of parallel spring provides dampening of axial recoil movement of the disrupter relative to the robotic arm. Forward ends of the springs are attachable to the barrel of the disrupter while rearward portions of the springs are attachable to the robotic arm by a robot mount block. The robot mount block at least partially encloses the barrel of the disrupter in connecting the parallel springs and permits axial movement of the disrupter along or through the mount during firing.

Abstract: A retrofittable lifting apparatus for use on an articulated robotically controlled device is disclosed. The lifting apparatus includes a structure for mating the apparatus to the robotic device and a mechanism for the remotely controlled lifting of an ordnance or other object. Actuation of the lifting mechanism may be provided by existing sources of motion on the robotic device, or by additional sources of motion attached to the robotic device.

Abstract: A cable handling system mounted to a mobile robot to dispense and retrieve cable at zero tension includes a cable reel drive and a downstream tension roller drive that includes an idler. As a cable passes through the tension roller drive, position along the length of the cable and/or the cable speed is monitored accurately by a sensor attached to the idler. A system controller in communication with the sensor controls the cable reel drive and the tension roller drive for dispensing and retrieving cable downstream of the tension roller drive.

Abstract: A retrofittable lifting apparatus for use on an articulated robotically controlled device is disclosed. The lifting apparatus includes a structure for mating the apparatus to the robotic device and a mechanism for the remotely controlled lifting of an ordnance or other object. Actuation of the lifting mechanism may be provided by existing sources of motion on the robotic device, or by additional sources of motion attached to the robotic device.

Abstract: Recoil mitigating devices and methods for use with projectile firing systems such as a disrupter mounted to a robotic arm. A pair of parallel spring provides dampening of axial recoil movement of the disrupter relative to the robotic arm. Forward ends of the springs are attachable to the barrel of the disrupter while rearward portions of the springs are attachable to the robotic arm by a robot mount block. The robot mount block at least partially encloses the barrel of the disrupter in connecting the parallel springs and permits axial movement of the disrupter along or through the mount during firing.

Abstract: Recoil mitigating devices and methods for use with projectile firing systems such as a disrupter mounted to a robotic arm. A pair of parallel spring provides dampening of axial recoil movement of the disrupter relative to the robotic arm. Forward ends of the springs are attachable to the barrel of the disrupter while rearward portions of the springs are attachable to the robotic arm by a robot mount block. The robot mount block at least partially encloses the barrel of the disrupter in connecting the parallel springs and permits axial movement of the disrupter along or through the mount during firing.

Abstract: Recoil mitigating devices and methods for use with projectile firing systems such as a disrupter mounted to a robotic arm. A pair of parallel spring provides dampening of axial recoil movement of the disrupter relative to the robotic arm. Forward ends of the springs are attachable to the barrel of the disrupter while rearward portions of the springs are attachable to the robotic arm by a robot mount block. The robot mount block at least partially encloses the barrel of the disrupter in connecting the parallel springs and permits axial movement of the disrupter along or through the mount during firing.

Abstract: In a wide area communications network such as the Internet, a public server and an associated database store and make available to a private server personal information relating to an individuals emotional or some other mental or physical state. The private server includes functionality to interpret the personal information it receives or gathers from the public server in order to identify at least one reaction instruction which can be used by a multimedia communications device to convey to a user the state of an individual by generating a human perceivable reaction which can be playing multimedia content in combination with movement if the multimedia communications device is a robot.

Abstract: A cable handling system mounted to a mobile robot to dispense and retrieve cable at zero tension includes a cable reel drive and a downstream tension roller drive that includes an idler. As a cable passes through the tension roller drive, position along the length of the cable and/or the cable speed is monitored accurately by a sensor attached to the idler. A system controller in communication with the sensor controls the cable reel drive and the tension roller drive for dispensing and retrieving cable downstream of the tension roller drive.

Abstract: A cable handling system mounted to a mobile robot to dispense and retrieve cable at zero tension includes a cable reel drive and a downstream tension roller drive that includes an idler. As a cable passes through the tension roller drive, position along the length of the cable and/or the cable speed is monitored accurately by a sensor attached to the idler. A system controller in communication with the sensor controls the cable reel drive and the tension roller drive for dispensing and retrieving cable downstream of the tension roller drive.