Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods of manufacturing are described that provide improved tag identification. An example system includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) scanner that receives a stream of RFID tags each associated with a respective article. The system further includes a first sensor attached to the RFID scanner that generates first positional data and a second sensor positioned separate from the first sensor that generates second positional data. The system also includes a computing device communicably coupled with the RFID scanner, the first sensor, and the second sensor. The computing device receives the stream of RFID tags, receives first positional data from the first sensor, receives second positional data from the second sensor, and determines an intended RFID tag from amongst the stream of RFID tags based upon the first positional data and the second positional data.

Abstract: A simplified drive press system is operable to press-fit a pair of first workpieces into a second workpiece. The drive press system uses a simplified mechanical arrangement to translate an input torque into movement of a pair of drive arms toward and away from one another. Yokes of differing configurations may be attached to the drive arms to accommodate a variety of different workpieces. A nut runner may be used to supply a drive torque to the gear assembly and provide a controlled input torque and control the movement of the drive arms. An overall reduction may be utilized that balances a desired movement resolution with the desire to detect changes in input torque. The nut runner may be programmable to provide a desired movement of the drive arms while monitoring the input torque to detect when a fully press-fitted condition is realized.

Abstract: A utensil for cooking food disposed thereat includes a manipulator having a shaft and a holder disposed at a first end of the shaft. A shield is slidably disposed on the shaft and includes a shroud configured to at least partially surround the holder when the shield is in a first position and to expose the holder when the shield is in a second position. The holder is configured to hold a food item thereat. The shroud includes a metal sheet formed to at least partially circumscribe a longitudinal axis of the shaft. When the holder holds the food item and when the shield is in the first position, the shield at least partially surrounds the food item and the holder.

Abstract: A turntable includes a floor-level deck and a central support system configured to support the deck for rotation by a central area of the deck. The deck has an underside, a topside and, at its central area, a central relief opening from its underside to its topside. The central support system includes an above-floor stanchion that extends through the deck's central relief, and a topside rotary bearing mounted between the stanchion and the deck to carry the deck for rotation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a rooftop fall protection system including a plurality of mast assemblies and at least one ladder assembly removably engaged with the mast assembly. The ladder facilitates the elevation of a human to an elevated surface on a structure. Each of the ladder assemblies and mast assemblies are coupled to at least one cross-member positioned at a height above the perimeter of the elevated surface. The cross-member protects the human from falling from the elevated surface of the structure.

Abstract: Provisioning resources into the cloud is a constantly increasing technical challenge as more cloud service providers emerge, each offering disparate computing platforms, services, assets, supported technical components, and other features. A cloud computing provisioning architecture implements a sequence of complex technical analyses that successfully provisions complex cloud computing services. The provisioning architecture disaggregates resources into individual provisioning actions, and also selectively re-aggregates the resources into template blocks which a service provider accepts for native provisioning.

Abstract: An exemplary door has a hollow interior, and includes a first panel and a second panel that are secured to one another such that a gap is formed therebetween. Each panel has an interior side that faces the hollow interior and an exterior side that is exposed to view. The door further includes a protective coating system that is disposed on the interior side of at least one of the panels. The coating is formed of a two-part elastomeric composition, such as a two-part elastomeric polyurethane composition or a two-part elastomeric polyurea composition. The coating improves the thermal, acoustic, and/or ballistic performance characteristics of the door.

Abstract: A robotic dolly transfer system configured to transport dollies includes a full dolly transfer system and an empty dolly transfer system. The full dolly transfer system and the empty dolly transfer system individually include a rail assembly and a carriage. The carriage is slidably attached to the rail assembly and includes a bottom surface that has a post extending outwardly. The rail assembly includes a rail actuator assembly having an actuator and a receiver attached to the actuator. The receiver includes an opening that receives the post such that the post floats within the opening to permit the carriage to move a predetermined amount independent from the receiver. The actuator is configured to displace the receiver such that receiver contacts the post to slide the carriage with respect to the rail assembly. A end effector is pivotally connected to a transfer arm assembly and is configured to engage the dolly.

Abstract: A robotic dolly transfer system configured to transport dollies includes a full dolly transfer system and an empty dolly transfer system. The full dolly transfer system and the empty dolly transfer system individually include a rail assembly and a carriage. The carriage is slidably attached to the rail assembly and includes a bottom surface that has a post extending outwardly. The rail assembly includes a rail actuator assembly having an actuator and a receiver attached to the actuator. The receiver includes an opening that receives the post such that the post floats within the opening to permit the carriage to move a predetermined amount independent from the receiver. The actuator is configured to displace the receiver such that receiver contacts the post to slide the carriage with respect to the rail assembly. A end effector is pivotally connected to a transfer arm assembly and is configured to engage the dolly.

Abstract: A pneumatic lifting device includes a base, a first mast attached to the base, and a second mast attached to the base opposite the first mast. The first mast has a first rail extending therealong, and the second mast has a second rail extending therealong. A lift platform is operatively coupled to the base. The platform includes a first pair and a second pair of bearings coupled thereto so as to move in conjunction with the lift platform. The first pair of bearings is operatively coupled to the first rail so as to enable the first pair of bearings to move with respect to the first rail. The second pair of bearings is operatively coupled to the second rail so as to enable the second pair of bearings to move with respect to the second rail.

Abstract: Provisioning resources into the cloud is a constantly increasing technical challenge as more cloud service providers emerge, each offering disparate computing platforms, services, assets, supported technical components, and other features. A cloud computing provisioning architecture implements a sequence of complex technical analyzes that successfully provisions complex cloud computing services.

Abstract: A network component placement architecture addresses the difficult technical challenge of determining where specific technical components of an overall service may be provisioned. However, the placement decision can change over time in response to complex updates relating to service providers, the regions they support, the assets they support, and many other dynamic factors. Dynamic network component placement effectively determines updated possibilities for placing the technical components of a specified service, while meeting all of the applicable technical constraints on the placement of the technical components.

Abstract: An exemplary door includes a door body and a light assembly. The door body includes a first door panel defining a first panel opening, a second door panel defining a second panel opening, and an internal cavity. The area of the first panel is greater than the area of the second panel opening. The light assembly includes a first trim, a second trim, and an impact-resistant pane positioned in the door cavity. The first trim includes an outer frame coupled to the first door panel and an inner frame positioned in the internal cavity. The pane has an area greater than the area of the second panel opening area, and includes an first outer layer adhered to the inner frame of the first trim, a second outer layer adhered to the door body, and at least one intermediate layer.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for adjusting the firmness of a spring mattress are described herein. Inflation elements having fingers may be coupled with a spring layer of a mattress to provide for inflating or deflating the fingers in the interstitial spaces defined by a group of springs of the mattress. Increasing the fluid pressure inside the fingers increases the lateral pressure on the springs. The increase in lateral pressure in turn increases the force required to compress the springs, ultimately resulting in increasing the firmness of the mattress. Conversely, decreasing the fluid pressure inside the fingers decreases the lateral pressure on the springs, which decreases the firmness of the mattress.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for adjusting the firmness of a mattress are described herein. Inflation elements having fingers may be coupled with a spring layer or foam layer of a mattress to provide for inflating or deflating the fingers. Increasing the fluid pressure inside the fingers increases the force required to compress the spring layer or foam layer, ultimately resulting in increasing the firmness of the mattress. Conversely, decreasing the fluid pressure inside the fingers decreases the firmness of the mattress.

Abstract: A platform lift configured for supporting the movement of items between a floor-level area and an elevated area includes a rigid, floor-level platform with two opposed sides, an above-floor mast arranged at each of the opposed sides of the platform, and a knuckle assembly coupling each mast to its respective side of the platform. The masts together support the platform for movement in a lifting direction normal to the platform, and each include an actuator coupled to its respective side of the platform that is selectively operable to impart lifting movement thereto in the lifting direction. The knuckle assemblies together permit the platform's rotation towards and away from the masts when their respective actuators impart different amounts of lifting movement to the opposed sides of the platform in the lifting direction.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for an automated platform system. The automated platform system includes a docking station and a personal device connected to an automated robot platform. The automated robot platform includes one or more arms and an adjustable platform surface. The automated robot platform includes one or more imaging devices configured to receive imaging feedback and one or more transportation components coupled to the base. The one or more transportation components are configured to move in multiple directions. The automated robot platform includes one or more data processors that are configured to obtain imaging feedback. The one or more data processors are configured to operate the one or more transportation components to move in multiple directions to a first location based on the imaging feedback, and adjust the adjustable platform surface to a first height and a first angle.

Abstract: Cloud computing has emerged as an extremely popular implementation option for a wide range of computing services. However, provisioning services into the cloud is an extremely difficult technical challenge. This is due in part to the regular emergence of new cloud service providers, as well as the routine changing and reconfiguration of the disparate computing platforms, services, assets, supported technical components, and other features offered by the service providers. An analysis architecture determines how to map a particular technical component into the execution environment of any particular service provider, including translation through a reference type.