Abstract: A computer implemented method that includes displaying information about an order including a first product and a second product, where the first product originates at a first retailer and the second product originates at a second retailer. A first user input corresponding to an initiation of production of the first product is received from the first user device and a first visual status is displayed at the second user device. A second user input corresponding to a completion of the production of the first product is received from the first user devices and the first visual status is updated to a second visual status reflecting the completion. A third user input corresponding to an assembly of the order is received from the second user device and a notification that the order including the first product and the second product is complete is displayed at a third user device.

Abstract: A computer implemented method that includes displaying information about an order including a first product and a second product, where the first product originates at a first retailer and the second product originates at a second retailer. A first user input corresponding to an initiation of production of the first product is received from the first user device and a first visual status is displayed at the second user device. A second user input corresponding to a completion of the production of the first product is received from the first user devices and the first visual status is updated to a second visual status reflecting the completion. A third user input corresponding to an assembly of the order is received from the second user device and a notification that the order including the first product and the second product is complete is displayed at a third user device.

Abstract: A computer implemented method that includes displaying information about an order including a first product and a second product, where the first product originates at a first retailer and the second product originates at a second retailer. A first user input corresponding to an initiation of production of the first product is received from the first user device and a first visual status is displayed at the second user device. A second user input corresponding to a completion of the production of the first product is received from the first user devices and the first visual status is updated to a second visual status reflecting the completion. A third user input corresponding to an assembly of the order is received from the second user device and a notification that the order including the first product and the second product is complete is displayed at a third user device.

Abstract: A method of controlling clearance in a disk drive, including the steps of: mounting a recording head having at least one heating element at a first distance from a top surface of the disk; measuring a first passive fly height between the top surface of the disk and a bottom surface of the head; applying a first quantity of energy to the heating element(s) to permanently deform the head and change the distance between the top surface of the disk and a bottom surface of the head to a second passive fly height that is less than the first passive fly height; and applying a second quantity of energy to the heating element(s) to temporarily deform the head and change the distance between the top surface of the disk and a bottom surface of the head to an operational clearance distance that is less than the second passive fly height.

Abstract: A head transducer, configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium, includes a first sensor having a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and configured to produce a first sensor signal, and a second sensor having a TCR and configured to produce a second sensor signal. One of the first and second sensors is situated at or near a close point of the head transducer in relation to the magnetic recording medium, and the other of the first and second sensors spaced away from the close point. Circuitry is configured to combine the first and second sensor signals and produce a combined sensor signal indicative of one or both of a change in head-medium spacing and head-medium contact. Each of the sensors may have a TCR with the same sign (positive or negative) or each sensor may have a TCR with a different sign.

Abstract: A method of detecting a contact between a transducing head and a storage medium is provided. The method applies an input signal, having a select power level and known frequency, to an actuator for actuating the head. An output signal is obtained in response to the input signal. At least one signal component is extracted from the output signal at the same or a harmonic of the same known frequency as the input signal applied to the actuator. Whether the at least one extracted signal component indicates a contact between the head and the medium is determined. The power level of the applied wave pattern is increased incrementally until the extracted signal component indicates a contact between the head and the storage medium.

Abstract: A weapon mount including a housing through which the weapon translates when fired, a conversion subsystem configured to convert translation of the weapon when fired into rotational motion, and a braking subsystem for resisting rotation of the conversion subsystem.

Abstract: A method of detecting a contact between a transducing head and a storage medium is provided. The method applies an input signal, having a select power level and known frequency, to an actuator for actuating the head. An output signal is obtained in response to the input signal. At least one signal component is extracted from the output signal at the same or a harmonic of the same known frequency as the input signal applied to the actuator. Whether the at least one extracted signal component indicates a contact between the head and the medium is determined. The power level of the applied wave pattern is increased incrementally until the extracted signal component indicates a contact between the head and the storage medium.

Abstract: A head transducer, configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium, includes a first sensor having a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and configured to produce a first sensor signal, and a second sensor having a TCR and configured to produce a second sensor signal. One of the first and second sensors is situated at or near a close point of the head transducer in relation to the magnetic recording medium, and the other of the first and second sensors spaced away from the close point. Circuitry is configured to combine the first and second sensor signals and produce a combined sensor signal indicative of one or both of a change in head-medium spacing and head-medium contact. Each of the sensors may have a TCR with the same sign (positive or negative) or each sensor may have a TCR with a different sign.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes a write element having a write element tip and a conductive coil for carrying a current to induce a first field from the write element. A conductor proximate the write element tip carries the current to generate a second field that augments the first field. A driver provides the current to the conductive coil and the conductor, and a circuit phase shifts the current through the conductor relative to the current through the conductive coil.

Abstract: A weapon mount including a housing through which the weapon translates when fired, a conversion subsystem configured to convert translation of the weapon when fired into rotational motion, and a braking subsystem for resisting rotation of the conversion subsystem.

Abstract: A mobile remotely controlled robot includes a robot platform and a robot arm maneuverable with respect to the robot platform. A housing is configured to be removably mounted to the robot arm. A sleeve is translatable with respect to the housing for receiving a weapon therein. There is a gear rack on the sleeve and a pinion gear, rotatably disposed in the housing, is engaged with the gear rack. A braking subsystem resists rotation of the pinion gear when the gear rack translates upon firing of the weapon.

Abstract: A mobile remotely controlled robot includes a robot platform and a robot arm maneuverable with respect to the robot platform. A housing is configured to be removably mounted to the robot arm. A sleeve is translatable with respect to the housing for receiving a weapon therein. There is a gear rack on the sleeve and a pinion gear, rotatably disposed in the housing, is engaged with the gear rack. A braking subsystem resists rotation of the pinion gear when the gear rack translates upon firing of the weapon.

Abstract: A trailer and hitch system for a mobile robot. The trailer includes a front Ackerman steering linkage, a releasable locking mechanism for releasably positioning the Ackerman steering linkage in a turned position to arrest the trailer, a tow bar extending upwardly from the Ackerman steering linkage and terminating in a lunette ring, and spaced skid members extending downwardly and rearwardly. The mobile robot includes a hitch assembly for the lunette ring. The hitch assembly has a frame including a slot for the lunette ring and a guide portion for guiding the lunette ring into the slot, a latch pivotable with respect to the frame and biased to close the slot, and a decoupling mechanism configured to move the latch to release the lunette ring from the slot. A robot arm is maneuverable to engage the decoupling mechanism.

Abstract: A trailer and hitch system for a mobile robot. The trailer includes a front Ackerman steering linkage, a releasable locking mechanism for releasably positioning the Ackerman steering linkage in a turned position to arrest the trailer, a tow bar extending upwardly from the Ackerman steering linkage and terminating in a lunette ring, and spaced skid members extending downwardly and rearwardly. The mobile robot includes a hitch assembly for the lunette ring. The hitch assembly has a frame including a slot for the lunette ring and a guide portion for guiding the lunette ring into the slot, a latch pivotable with respect to the frame and biased to close the slot, and a decoupling mechanism configured to move the latch to release the lunette ring from the slot. A robot arm is maneuverable to engage the decoupling mechanism.

Abstract: A transducing device responsive to magnetic fields includes a writer, a reader, an actuator, and a void. The actuator is positioned proximate the writer and reader. The void is positioned between at least one of the reader and writer and a substrate of a sensing device. The void is also positioned proximate an external surface.

Abstract: A transducing device having a storage interface surface includes a writer having a pole tip region, a coil having a width positioned around the writer, and a heating element. The heating element extends to near the storage interface surface. A portion of the heating element is at least as wide as the coil. The heating element heats the writer in response to current flow through the heating element.

Abstract: A level shift circuit for providing predictable outputs when VDDH is powering up and minimizing DC current when VDDL is powering up. The level shift circuit may have a control circuit that includes a first inverter with an input coupled to VDDL, one or more diodes coupled between the first inverter and its powering voltage supply, a second inverter coupled to an output of the first inverter (optionally coupled to its voltage supply via one or more diodes), a third inverter coupled to an output of the second control inverter, an NMOS transistor coupled to an output of the third inverter that forces the output of the level shift circuit to the ground voltage when enabled, and a PMOS transistor coupled to an output of the third inverter that disconnects a portion of the level shift circuit, and thus the output of the level shift circuit, from VDDH when disabled.

Abstract: A level shift circuit for providing predictable outputs when VDDH is powering up and minimizing DC current when VDDL is powering up. The level shift circuit may have a control circuit that includes a first inverter with an input coupled to VDDL, one or more diodes coupled between the first inverter and its powering voltage supply, a second inverter coupled to an output of the first inverter (optionally coupled to its voltage supply via one or more diodes), a third inverter coupled to an output of the second control inverter, an NMOS transistor coupled to an output of the third inverter that forces the output of the level shift circuit to the ground voltage when enabled, and a PMOS transistor coupled to an output of the third inverter that disconnects a portion of the level shift circuit, and thus the output of the level shift circuit, from VDDH when disabled.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes a write element having a write element tip and a conductive coil for carrying a current to induce a first field from the write element. A conductor proximate the write element tip carries the current to generate a second field that augments the first field. A driver provides the current to the conductive coil and the conductor, and a circuit phase shifts the current through the conductor relative to the current through the conductive coil.