Abstract: An interactive laboratory robotic system is described that includes devices for use in a laboratory including a robotic assistant that can perform tasks and that can be controlled and configured by humans. The robot may assist personnel in performing repetitive tasks within a laboratory, and capture and store transactional and analytical data, such as during a DNA sequencing process. The robot may include sensors and/or cameras to detect, recognize, and track objects in an environment, and a manipulable arm having a hand for grasping objects. Other components of the system may include a sample tray graspable by the robot; a tray carriage for holding sample trays within equipment; an interactive shelf for holding sample trays; a mobile cart for mating with and charging the robot; and an accessory unit to enable the robot to open doors of equipment. The system may help to reduce or eliminate mistakes by personnel.

Abstract: According to one example, a batting tee system includes a housing, an arm coupled to the housing, and an actuation system. The actuation system includes a spool, a rollable neck, and an actuator. The rollable neck is configured to be wound around the spool when the spool rotates in a first direction and is further configured to be unwound from the spool when the spool rotates in a second direction. The rollable neck is configured to have a flat form when wound around the spool and is further configured to transition from the flat form to a hollow tube form when unwound from the spool. The actuator is configured to rotate the spool. The actuation system is configured to extend and retract the distal end of the rollable neck out of the arm. The distal end of the rollable neck is configured to hold a ball.

Abstract: According to one example, a batting tee system includes a housing, an arm coupled to the housing, and an actuation system. The actuation system includes a spool, a rollable neck, and an actuator. The rollable neck is configured to be wound around the spool when the spool rotates in a first direction and is further configured to be unwound from the spool when the spool rotates in a second direction. The rollable neck is configured to have a flat form when wound around the spool and is further configured to transition from the flat form to a hollow tube form when unwound from the spool. The actuator is configured to rotate the spool. The actuation system is configured to extend and retract the distal end of the rollable neck out of the arm. The distal end of the rollable neck is configured to hold a ball.

Abstract: An interactive laboratory robotic system is described that includes devices for use in a laboratory including a robotic assistant that can perform tasks and that can be controlled and configured by humans. The robot may assist personnel in performing repetitive tasks within a laboratory, and capture and store transactional and analytical data, such as during a DNA sequencing process. The robot may include sensors and/or cameras to detect, recognize, and track objects in an environment, and a manipulable arm having a hand for grasping objects. Other components of the system may include a sample tray graspable by the robot; a tray carriage for holding sample trays within equipment; an interactive shelf for holding sample trays; a mobile cart for mating with and charging the robot; and an accessory unit to enable the robot to open doors of equipment. The system may help to reduce or eliminate mistakes by personnel.

Abstract: A brand experience system includes a management server that receives data captured by a capture device over a network. The data received by the management server includes a locator ID identifying a location at which the data is captured and a user ID identifying a user account associated with the user of the capture device. The management server looks up matching services, such as a brand experience service, social networking service, or other third party services, using the user ID and the locator ID. Additional information, such as product data, date and time of data capture, in the received data can also be used for determining the matching services. The management server provides the user with links to the matching services and advertisements relating to the matching services. The management server also forwards the received data to the matching services to update user accounts.

Abstract: A form management system includes a handheld reading device that receives data from a user who fills out a form attached to the handheld reading device. The handheld reading device stores the data on a removable personal storage device. The handheld reading device uses unique user identifiers to control access to the personal storage device. A user is authenticated before the user input can be received and stored. Data stored in the personal storage device can be uploaded to a management server for remote access by authorized personnel.

Abstract: An interactive printed document system includes a printed document that generates output data for a portable memory device that is removably coupled to the printed document. The printed document includes an embedded component that can be activated to generate the output data. The information received from the printed document can be decoded to determine a link that points to online content provided by a server over a network. A user of the portable memory device can access the online content using the link through a computing device that is connected to the network. The embedded component can be printed with resistive ink or can be embedded with radio frequency identifier (RFID) tags.

Abstract: An interactive data management system that links an article to files pertaining to the article, the files being located in one or more storage mediums. The system outputs the files pertaining to the article including text, image, audio and video data without requiring a user to work through a hierarchal menu structure.

Abstract: A method and system for linking an article to data, for example, multimedia data. The system includes a processor with a memory; a plurality of storage mediums operatively coupled to said processor; a readable memory device included with the article, the memory device including an identifier and a pointer, wherein the identifier uniquely identifies the article and the pointer links to one or more locations of data related to a user-defined profile; a reader for reading the identifier and pointer; and an output device operably coupled to said processor for outputting the data related to the user-defined profile. The article may include an object representative of the data related to the user-defined profile and the memory device may be embedded in the object. The article may also include a tag including the memory device and means for attachment to an object.