Abstract: An automatic teaching system for an automated laboratory, the automatic teaching system comprising, a frame having a specimen holder station, a robot transport mounted to the frame and having a drive with at least one degree of freedom and a movable end effector for action with a specimen holder, wherein at least one of the specimen holder station and the movable end effector have a reference base, an electromagnetic distance sensor connected to the movable end effector in a predetermined location on at least one of the robot transport and the specimen holder station relative to the reference base, a fixture with a predetermined geometric pattern formed of discriminant features, variant in at least two dimensions, characterizing the predetermined geometric pattern and registrable by the electromagnetic distance sensor and, a controller operably coupled to the robot transport and communicably connected to the electromagnetic distance sensor to register sensor signals embodying distances.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an online forum for video distribution are provided. A video file having a first format is received from a first client. The received video file is converted from the first format to a second format and is stored on a server, where the converted video file is accessible to a second client.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering media over a network are provided. Multiple media assets are stored on a server, as well as a representation for at least one media asset. The representation of a media asset is delivered to a client. A client user request based on selection of a representation is received, and the represented media asset is delivered from the server in response to the client user request.

Abstract: A media system that centrally manages and stores media contents and also controls the delivery of media content to subscribers is disclosed. According to one aspect, an administrator can control program scheduling, rates, service packages and system configuration for a media delivery system. Additionally, the administrator may also control billing, transaction monitoring, and customer relations. According to another aspect, the media delivery system provides subscribers with centrally managed storage for paused or recorded media. Still another aspect is that the media delivery system can restrict various administrators to different modules of the media delivery system.