Abstract: A polymorphic network control system and a polymorphic network control system method supporting terminal mobile access. A network architecture is redesigned based on the idea of separation of an identifier from a locator. In this network mode, the three-layer protocol is no longer a traditional IP message, but a message carrying a locator and an identifier. The polymorphic SDN network controller is responsible for forwarding the data packet to a destination corresponding to a destination locator. When the network location of a mobile device is changed, the transmission connection established based on the identifier will suspend communication due to the disconnection of the physical link. When the mobile device is re-accessed and a new forwarding path is established, the transmission connection can recover communication.

Abstract: A traffic control system that controls mobile drive unit traffic within a facility by segmenting the map into smaller traffic control policy areas and controlling access to those traffic control policy areas in response to travel requests from mobile drive units.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a connector module, a first shell located outside the connector module, and a second shell injection-molded outside the first shell. The first shell has a first slot and a second slot in communication with each other, and a first fixing portion relatively close to the connector module and a second fixing portion. The second fixing portion has a first abutting surface forming a portion of the first slot and a second abutting surface forming a portion of the second slot. The second shell has at least a clip portion filled in the first slot and the second slot. The clip portion abuts the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface simultaneously. An included angle between a direction of the clip portion abutting the first abutting surface and a direction of the clip portion abutting the second abutting surface is less than 180 degrees.

Abstract: A traffic control system that controls mobile drive unit traffic within a facility by handling requests to traverse intersections based on a priority based in part on an order in which requests are received. For intersections with a directional bias, higher priority is given to requests having a direction of travel that aligns with the directional bias.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein pertain to maintaining a virtual representation of a workspace in a material handling system and updating the virtual representation without downtime. Methods described include maintaining an initial virtual representation of a material handling grid, receiving an updated virtual representation, and generating and implementing an intermediate virtual representation that does not conflict with the initial virtual representation. Methods further include, upon determining that the intermediate virtual representation is performing without conflicts, deploying the updated virtual representation to replace the intermediate virtual representation without halting operations in the workspace. Multiple intermediate virtual representations can be generated to allow for complex changes, and the deployments performed in series.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for fulfillment of perishable goods using transportable climate-controlled units. A computing environment may control operation and transportation of network-enabled refrigeration units using mobile drive units capable of navigating a materials handing center or other space. The mobile drive units may recharge or otherwise provide power to the refrigeration units, for example, as they are transported.

Abstract: Techniques for improving the efficiency and flexibility of inventory systems are described. In an example, multiple robots may be operated to move an item. The robots may be allocated to a mobile robot group configured to move the item according to an arrangement of these robots. Tasks for incrementally moving the item and dependencies between the tasks may be generated. Instructions about a first task may be sent to one of the robots. Progress about performing the first task may be received back from the robot. Based on the progress and a dependency from the first task, instructions about a second dependent task may be sent to a second robot. When performed by the respective robots, the first task and the second task may cause an incremental movement of the item by the mobile robot group.

Abstract: A docking head assembly and techniques for use are provided. The docking head assembly may include a lifting mechanism and a tilting mechanism. A tilt angle may be determined based on data that is associated with a path extending between a first floor and a second floor of a facility. The lifting mechanism may lift an inventory holder. The tilting mechanism may tilt the inventory holder in accordance with the tilt angle. The mobile drive unit may transport the inventory holder along the path in the lifted, tilted orientation.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for fulfillment of perishable goods using transportable climate-controlled units. A computing environment may control operation and transportation of network-enabled refrigeration units using mobile drive units capable of navigating a materials handing center or other space. The mobile drive units may recharge or otherwise provide power to the refrigeration units, for example, as they are transported.

Abstract: Techniques for improving the efficiency and flexibility of inventory systems are described. In an example, multiple robots may be operated to move an item. The robots may be allocated to a mobile robot group configured to move the item according to an arrangement of these robots. Tasks for incrementally moving the item and dependencies between the tasks may be generated. Instructions about a first task may be sent to one of the robots. Progress about performing the first task may be received back from the robot. Based on the progress and a dependency from the first task, instructions about a second dependent task may be sent to a second robot. When performed by the respective robots, the first task and the second task may cause an incremental movement of the item by the mobile robot group.

Abstract: A method and information processing system manage workflow instance migration. A received migration plan indicates a set of workflow migration points associated with an initial workflow process model. The set of workflow migration points is associated with a set of workflow activities of the initial workflow process model. At least one workflow instance is selected from a set of workflow instances. A current migrateability state associated with the selected workflow instance is determined based at least on the set of workflow migration points. Migration of the workflow instance to a new workflow process model is granted in response to determining that the current migrateability state is set to migrateable. Migration of the workflow instance to the new workflow process model is prevented for at least a given amount of time in response to determining that the current migrateability state fails to be set to migrateable.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for searching a virtual resource in a large scale computing system environment. The virtual resource is deployed on at least one server. Each server is coupled to a sensor and communicates with the sensor. The sensors communicate with each other and consist of a communication network. Each sensor stores an identifier of a virtual resource deployed in a server connected with the sensor and the location information of the sensor itself. The mechanism receives a searching request for a virtual resource by the at least one sensor, the searching request containing an identifier of the virtual resource being searched; forwards the searching request in the communication network of the sensors; and returns a location information of a sensor storing the identifier of the virtual resource by the sensor itself.

Abstract: Techniques for improving the efficiency and flexibility of inventory systems are described. In an example, multiple robots may be operated to move an item. The robots may be allocated to a mobile robot group configured to move the item according to an arrangement of these robots. Tasks for incrementally moving the item and dependencies between the tasks may be generated. Instructions about a first task may be sent to one of the robots. Progress about performing the first task may be received back from the robot. Based on the progress and a dependency from the first task, instructions about a second dependent task may be sent to a second robot. When performed by the respective robots, the first task and the second task may cause an incremental movement of the item by the mobile robot group.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for solution provisioning includes establishing a provisioning task, and obtaining a provisioning image for the provisioning task from a hardware memory. A provisioning implementer is configured based on the obtained provisioning image. The provisioning image comprises configuration information used for executing installation, scripts for executing installation, and information for mapping the configuration information to the scripts. In another embodiment, an apparatus for solution provisioning includes a hardware processor, and a task manager running on the hardware processor. The task manager is configured to establish a provisioning task and obtain a provisioning image for the provisioning task. The task manager configures a provisioning implementer based on the provisioning image obtained.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for solution provisioning includes establishing a provisioning task, and obtaining a provisioning image for the provisioning task from a hardware memory. A provisioning implementer is configured based on the obtained provisioning image. The provisioning image comprises configuration information used for executing installation, scripts for executing installation, and information for mapping the configuration information to the scripts. In another embodiment, an apparatus for solution provisioning includes a hardware processor, and a task manager running on the hardware processor. The task manager is configured to establish a provisioning task and obtain a provisioning image for the provisioning task. The task manager configures a provisioning implementer based on the provisioning image obtained.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for searching a virtual resource in a large scale computing system environment. The virtual resource is deployed on at least one server. Each server is coupled to a sensor and communicates with the sensor. The sensors communicate with each other and consist of a communication network. Each sensor stores an identifier of a virtual resource deployed in a server connected with the sensor and the location information of the sensor itself. The mechanism receives a searching request for a virtual resource by the at least one sensor, the searching request containing an identifier of the virtual resource being searched; forwards the searching request in the communication network of the sensors; and returns a location information of a senor storing the identifier of the virtual resource by the sensor itself.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for solution provisioning includes a task manager configured to, establish a provisioning task and obtain a provisioning image for the provisioning task in response to a request, and a provisioning implementer configured to execute and monitor the provisioning task established by the task manager. The task manager configures and launches the provisioning implementer based on the provisioning image obtained, and the provisioning image includes configuration information and scripts used for executing installation, and information for mapping the configuration information to the scripts. In another embodiment, a method includes establishing a provisioning task in response to a received solution provisioning request, obtaining a provisioning image for the provisioning task, configuring and launching a provisioning implementer based on the obtained provisioning image, and executing and monitoring the provisioning task using the provisioning implementer.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product is disclosed for supporting role-based access control in a collaborative environment, wherein pluralities of users work together in a collaborative process using a software system. The method comprises componentizing the software system into a multitude of software components, and limiting access to specific software components to certain users based on roles assigned to the users as defined by a run-time state of the collaborative process. The set of components that a user can access is dynamic, that set can change based on the “context” or the step where the user is in a collaborative workflow/process.

Abstract: A method and information processing system manage workflow instance migration. An initial workflow process model is compared with a new workflow process model. A set of differences between the initial workflow process model and the new workflow process model are determined. At least one set of activities associated with the initial workflow process model that is migrateable to the new workflow process model is identified based on the set of differences. A migration plan associated with the initial workflow process model and the new workflow process model is generated. The migration plan includes the at least one set of activities associated with the initial workflow process model. The migration plan is then used to evaluate a set of workflow instances associated with the initial workflow process model and migrate one or more of these workflow instances to the new workflow process model based thereon.

Abstract: A method for activating a virtual machine, an apparatus for simulating a computing device and a device for supervising activation of the apparatus. The method includes: activating a network interface of the virtual machine, and activating other components of the virtual machine, where the network interface of the virtual machine is capable of communicating with the outside world so activation of the other components of the virtual machine can be supervised. The simulation apparatus includes a network interface and an operating system having a security sub-system, where the network interface is configured to be first activated during activation of the simulation apparatus so the network interface can communicate with the outside world, and activation of the other components of the apparatus can be supervised during the activation of the other components of the apparatus.