Abstract: A support block for a torque arm on a vehicle can include a first indentation and a second indentation each having an opening adapted to accept a portion of a torque arm, the first indentation and the second indentation each having a relief cut opposite the opening into which a portion of a torque arm can fit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the movement of portable receptacles within a materials handling facility are described. The materials handling facility utilizes at least one linear induction motor (LIM) to move the portable receptacles having conductive elements from a first location to a second location within the facility. The LIMs may be configured such that most, if not all, of the movement of the receptacles is controlled by the application of energy from the LIMs to the conductive elements of the receptacles. This energy may cause the receptacles to move from one LIM to another LIM, where each LIM in sequence can apply force to the receptacle to pass it to the next LIM in the sequence. In some implementations, the portable receptacles are configured such that at least a base portion of the receptacle includes a conductive element to interact with the LIMs, while maintaining an overall light-weight configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for an automated materials handling facility. The automated materials handling facility uses a series of automated devices, such as automated guidance vehicles, mobile drive units, robotic arms, automated sorters, etc., to facilitate item receive, stow, pick, shipping and other aspects of materials handling. The automated devices are controlled by a materials handling control system that sends instructions to the various devices to coordinate operation of those devices and to coordinate flow of items through the materials handling system.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for an automated materials handling facility. The automated materials handling facility uses a series of automated devices, such as automated guidance vehicles, mobile drive units, robotic arms, automated sorters, etc., to facilitate item receive, stow, pick, shipping and other aspects of materials handling. The automated devices are controlled by a materials handling control system that sends instructions to the various devices to coordinate operation of those devices and to coordinate flow of items through the materials handling system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the movement of portable receptacles within a materials handling facility are described. The materials handling facility utilizes at least one linear induction motor (LIM) to move the portable receptacles having conductive elements from a first location to a second location within the facility. The LIMs may be configured such that most, if not all, of the movement of the receptacles is controlled by the application of energy from the LIMs to the conductive elements of the receptacles. This energy may cause the receptacles to move from one LIM to another LIM, where each LIM in sequence can apply force to the receptacle to pass it to the next LIM in the sequence. In some implementations, the portable receptacles are configured such that at least a base portion of the receptacle includes a conductive element to interact with the LIMs, while maintaining an overall light-weight configuration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the movement of portable receptacles within a materials handling facility are described. The materials handling facility utilizes at least one linear induction motor (LIM) to move the portable receptacles having conductive elements from a first location to a second location within the facility. The LIMs may be configured such that most, if not all, of the movement of the receptacles is controlled by the application of energy from the LIMs to the conductive elements of the receptacles. This energy may cause the receptacles to move from one LIM to another LIM, where each LIM in sequence can apply force to the receptacle to pass it to the next LIM in the sequence. In some implementations, the portable receptacles are configured such that at least a base portion of the receptacle includes a conductive element to interact with the LIMs, while maintaining an overall light-weight configuration.

Abstract: A support block for a torque arm on a vehicle can include a first indentation and a second indentation each having an opening adapted to accept a portion of a torque arm, the first indentation and the second indentation each having a relief cut opposite the opening into which a portion of a torque arm can fit.

Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot includes a body, a drive system disposed on the body, and a cleaning assembly disposed on the body and configured to engage a floor surface while the robot is maneuvered across the floor surface. The cleaning assembly includes a driven cleaning roller, a cleaning bin disposed on the body for receiving debris agitated by the cleaning roller, and an air mover. The cleaning bin includes a cleaning bin body having a cleaning bin entrance disposed adjacent to the cleaning roller and a roller scraper disposed on the cleaning bin body for engaging the cleaning roller. The cleaning bin body has a holding portion in pneumatic communication with the cleaning bin entrance, and the air mover is operable to move air into the cleaning bin entrance.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to optical elements including a performance-enhancing coating on the surface of a metal or ceramic substrate and to methods for making the optical elements. The optical elements are suitable for use in harsh environments, including salt fog and high humidity environments. The performance-enhancing coating and substrate have similar thermal expansion properties and the performance-enhancing coating has a diamond-turned surface. The performance-enhancing coating may also be polished with a solution of colloidal silica in glycol to an RMS surface roughness less than 30 ?.

Abstract: A method of thermal management for an electrically motorized wheel, the method can include defining a thermally conductive path from at least one component, the at least one component becoming heated during operation of the electrically motorized wheel, providing the path with a thermally conductive material and further defining the path such that the path contacts the at least one component, further defining the path such that the path contacts a hub shell assembly of the electrically motorized wheel thereby conducting heat from the at least one component to the hub shell assembly.

Abstract: A method of battery maintenance for an electrically motorized wheel can include accessing a contoured battery within the electrically motorized wheel while each of a multiple of spokes of the electrically motorized wheel remains laced.

Abstract: A spoke for a wheel can include a first end, a second end, and an attachment section therebetween, the first end and the second end extend at an acute angle with respect to each other, the attachment section including a non-circular portion in cross-section.

Abstract: A user interface for an electrically motorized wheel with a hub shell assembly, the user interface can include a user interface cover plate for a user interface panel that provides for operation of the electrically motorized wheel, the user interface cover plate rotationally stationary relative to a rotatable portion of the hub shell assembly, the user interface cover plate including an antenna aperture for an antenna of a wireless system.

Abstract: A security system having a device that attach directly to and locks on or around an object to be secured, or one or more parts of the system are integrated into a full or partial enclosure that fully or partially encloses or surrounds the object to be secured, that cannot be removed from the object or enclosure without disengaging the locking mechanism through a provided method, and when the device is attached to the object or integrated into the enclosure, the system renders the object unusable for its intended use, and the system is capable of determining location, has a radio transmitter and/or transceiver capable of processing, transmitting and/or relaying information, data and images over terrestrial and/or satellite communication networks, and can include various sensors and other data and image gathering methods, and can contain an audible alarm.

Abstract: Various embodiments pertain to techniques for decreasing an amount of time to a browser onload event by asynchronously loading web page content. In various embodiments, frames are utilized to trigger an onload event before all content in a web page is loaded. In some embodiments, various components of the web page, such as advertisements, are provided in frames, and the loading of the components is triggered by an onload event of the frame. In other words, an empty frame can be provided for the purposes of triggering both a frame onload event and an onload event for the web page. The frame onload event can cause a page script to be executed effective to load the components into the frames. In some embodiments, two or more nested frames are utilized to provide asynchronous loading of web page components while maintaining compatibility of the advertisement or multimedia items and the web page.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of providing survivable communications in a communications network, the method comprising: determining a loss of communications with a communications server, wherein the communications server provides calling features to an endpoint connected to the access node; and after determining a loss of communications with the communications server, forming a cluster of a plurality of access nodes to provide communication service to endpoints served by the plurality of access nodes, wherein the plurality of access nodes comprises the access node, and wherein the access node and a second access node in the plurality of access nodes use different access technology.

Abstract: There is provided a method (10) of forming concrete (36). The method (10) comprises the steps of providing cement (12) and providing water (16). The method (10) further comprises the step of mixing the cement (12) and the water (16) to form a cement-based mixture (20). The method (10) further comprises the step of, after forming the cement-based mixture (20), applying the cement-based mixture (20) to an aggregate (32) laid on a surface (34) to form the concrete (36).

Abstract: A security system having a device that attach directly to and locks on or around an object to be secured, or one or more parts of the system are integrated into a full or partial enclosure that fully or partially encloses or surrounds the object to be secured, that cannot be removed from the object or enclosure without disengaging the locking mechanism through a provided method, and when the device is attached to the object or integrated into the enclosure, the system renders the object unusable for its intended use, and the system is capable of determining location, has a radio transmitter and/or transceiver capable of processing, transmitting and/or relaying information, data and images over terrestrial and/or satellite communication networks, and can include various sensors and other data and image gathering methods, and can contain an audible alarm.

Abstract: A device for controlling the reflection of incident beams to influence navigation of an autonomous device having a navigation sensor comprising a beam emitter and a beam detector for detecting reflected emitted beams. The device comprises at least one surface having a geometry configured to direct a reflection from the emitted beam in a predetermined direction so that a suitable amount of the reflected beam can be detected by the detector.