Abstract: A smart storage system, method, and apparatus. One aspect provides a method for moving modular shelving units. A first tiered unit is determined to be accessed in response to input received. The first tiered unit within a modular shelving system is moved to an access location utilizing a motor. The first tiered unit is released for access by the user.

Abstract: A smart storage system, method, and apparatus. One aspect provides a method for moving modular shelving units. A first tiered unit is determined to be accessed in response to input received. The first tiered unit within a modular shelving system is moved to an access location utilizing a motor. The first tiered unit is released for access by the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods to aid in a calibration of a vertical orientation of a nozzle tip to a sample container in a processing or testing system. The method includes positioning the nozzle over a calibration target at a home height location (HM), moving the nozzle downward a distance (D) until contact with the calibration target is sensed, positioning the nozzle over the sample rack and moving the nozzle downward until contact with a registration location is sensed, imaging the sample rack and calibration target to determine a height (H) between the registration location and calibration target, and calculating a translation ratio (TR) between the height (H) measured in pixel space and the distance (D) measured in machine space. The translation ratio (TR) may be used to drive the nozzle tip to a predetermined depth. A robot calibration system is disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Provided are examples of a hands-free level to quickly, accurately, and efficiency level and plumb a wide range of objects regardless of shape. The level includes a stationary component, an adjustable component, a level device attached to the stationary component/adjustable component, and a cord. The cord includes a J-shaped terminus that abuts the adjustable component. Advancing the cord urges the adjustable component towards the stationary component. Complementary locking teeth on the cord and stationary component lock the adjustable component in place and clamps the hands-free level to an object. This lets a user use two hands to hold and move the object while simultaneously checking the object for plumb and/or level.

Abstract: Provided are examples of a hands-free level to quickly, accurately, and efficiency level and plumb a wide range of objects regardless of shape. The level includes a stationary component, an adjustable component, a level device attached to the stationary component/adjustable component, and a cord. The cord includes a J-shaped terminus that abuts the adjustable component. Advancing the cord urges the adjustable component towards the stationary component. Complementary locking teeth on the cord and stationary component lock the adjustable component in place and clamps the hands-free level to an object. This lets a user use two hands to hold and move the object while simultaneously checking the object for plumb and/or level.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods to aid in a calibration of a vertical orientation of a nozzle tip to a sample container in a processing or testing system. The method includes positioning the nozzle over a calibration target at a home height location (HM), moving the nozzle downward a distance (D) until contact with the calibration target is sensed, positioning the nozzle over the sample rack and moving the nozzle downward until contact with a registration location is sensed, imaging the sample rack and calibration target to determine a height (H) between the registration location and calibration target, and calculating a translation ratio (TR) between the height (H) measured in pixel space and the distance (D) measured in machine space. The translation ratio (TR) may be used to drive the nozzle tip to a predetermined depth. A robot calibration system is disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a muffler for an automotive vehicle includes providing an interior subassembly including spaced apart end plates and flow tubes extending generally perpendicular to the end plates. A leading edge of a metal sheet is clamped against the interior subassembly and the sheet is welded proximal the leading edge, to the interior subassembly. The interior subassembly is rotated while maintaining tension on the sheet, thereby causing the sheet to wrap around the interior subassembly as the interior subassembly rotates and the sheet is welded at an intermediate location to the interior subassembly. The rotating of the interior subassembly is repeated and the sheet is welded proximal a trailing edge thereof to one of the interior subassembly and an underlayer of the sheet. The subassembly is then rotated and the sheet is continuous seem welded to the end plates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of backtracing network performance by locating a Quality of Service (QOS) monitor at a web site that actively monitors incoming traffic. When the monitor detects a new user, the monitor traces the route back to the user, measuring the performance of as many intermediate links as the monitor can traverse. In some cases, this trace will extend back all the way to the end users machines. More often the trace will end at a corporate firewall or a router near the end users dial-up modem pool. Regardless of how close to the user the trace gets, it will track the performance of the actual routes that are being traversed by actual users at the time that those users are actually accessing the web site. The result, spread across measurements of many users, is a snapshot of the network quality of service that the site is actually experiencing, for the routes that are actually being used to access the site. Accordingly, a more realistic and accurate result is obtained.

Abstract: A method of determining a physical locale from a node name is presented. The method includes the steps of obtaining a DNS name from a node on a network, parsing the name, and obtaining the name of the Network Service Provider (NSP) from the parsed name. Each NSP has a particular rule set associated therewith, and the appropriate rule set is executed. The rule set extracts the city name, which indicates the general area where the node is located.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held fire fighting tool that can be connected by a hose to a large source of fire extinguishing agent is described. This tool comprises a hollow, penetrating body having a sharp, removable cutting element connected thereto. This body is then connected to a hollow, linear handle and the angle formed between a longitudinal line drawn through the body and the handle forms an angle of between 45.degree. to 135.degree.. At the end of the handle opposite to that attached to the penetrating body element, a hose connection device is located. When this is connected to a hose, and the hose then connected to a large source of fire extinguishing agent (e.g. a fire truck or fire hydrant, for example) the fire extinguishing agent can flow through the handle and penetrating body and out over the sharp, removable cutting element attached thereto.

Abstract: A portable fire fighting tool that is connectable to a portable fire extinguisher is described. This tool comprises a penetrating head with a removable, sharp cutting element thereon and wherein the penetrating head is preferably connected at 90.degree. to a linear, hollow handle. At the opposite end of the handle a quick connect device may be used to connect a portable fire extinguisher and the handle together. This tool is especially useful in fighting an automobile or truck engine or trunk compartment fire when the automobile or truck is locked preventing entry into the engine compartment or the trunk. By forcing the penetrating head down and through the sheet metal of the engine or trunk compartment, the cutting element cuts through the sheet metal. When the fire extinguisher is discharged, the fire extinguishing agent (e.g. foam, water, dry chemical, Halon .RTM. or CO.sub.

Abstract: The present invention comprises method and apparatus for substantially uniformly distributing a layer of discrete particles along a predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of a moving porous web so that the particles occupy less than 100% of the predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving web.