Abstract: A method for performing tasks on items located in a space using a robot, the items being located proximate fiducial markers, each fiducial marker having a fiducial identification. The method includes receiving an order to perform a task on at least one item and determining the fiducial identification associated with the at least one item. The method also includes obtaining, using the fiducial identification of the at least one item, a set of coordinates representing a position of the fiducial marker with the determined fiducial identification, in a coordinate system defined by the space. The method further includes navigating the robot to the coordinates of the fiducial marker associated with said determined fiducial identification.

Abstract: A system for identifying and tracking performance of operators in a warehouse. The system comprises at least one robot configured to interact with the operators in the warehouse. The at least one robot includes a first transceiver, a proximity detector, and a memory. The first transceiver defines a zone surrounding the robot and the proximity detector is coupled to the first transceiver. The proximity detector is configured to detect entry, into the zone, of an operator and to detect exit of the operator from the zone. The memory contains information identifying said operators who have entered and exited the zone.

Abstract: A robot system includes at least one robot configured to interact with a plurality of operators in a warehouse. The robot has a proximity detector configured to detect the presence of an operator of the plurality of operators when they are within a predetermined distance of the at least one robot. There is a processor configured to retrieve from a memory a set of operator interaction preferences for the operator detected. And, there is a display device configured to allow the at least one robot to interact with the detected operator based on the set of operator interaction preferences of the detected operator.

Abstract: A method for performing tasks on items located in a space using a robot, the items being located proximate fiducial markers, each fiducial marker having a fiducial identification. The method includes receiving an order to perform a task on at least one item and determining the fiducial identification associated with the at least one item. The method also includes obtaining, using the fiducial identification of the at least one item, a set of coordinates representing a position of the fiducial marker with the determined fiducial identification, in a coordinate system defined by the space. The method further includes navigating the robot to the coordinates of the fiducial marker associated with said determined fiducial identification.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for controlling a component of a hydraulic machine includes an actuator having a head end chamber and a rod end chamber, the actuator having an extended position for moving the component in a first direction and a retracted position for moving the component in a second direction. The hydraulic circuit includes a regeneration valve having an open position for fluidly connecting the head end chamber to the rod end chamber, a first control valve having a first open position, a second open position for fluidly connecting the regeneration valve to the return tank and substantially fluidly disconnecting the rod end chamber from the fluid source, and a closed position, and a second control valve having a first open position, a second open position, and a closed position for substantially fluidly disconnecting the rod end chamber from the fluid source.

Abstract: A method of operation for a system incorporating a graphical user interface embedded in a knob disposed on a side ledge within a cabin of an aircraft includes displaying a menu for at least one controllable parameter, receiving a selection of the controllable parameter, displaying at least one control for the selected controllable parameter, receiving a control input for the selected controllable parameter, and adjusting the selected controllable parameter consistent with the control input. The controllable parameter comprises a plurality of controllable parameters selected from a group comprising light intensity, light color, temperature, media type, media content, media volume, and the degree of openness of at least one window shade. A knob and an executable computer program product also are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing communication between a user and at least one entity are disclosed. In one example, the method comprises receiving an entity selection input of the at least one entity, and a message from the user to the at least one entity, analyzing the selection input and the message to determine entity information and inquiry information associated with the message and the selection input, determining least one communication channel based on the entity information and the inquiry information, obtaining a response to the message via the at least one communication channel from the at least one entity, and transmitting the response to the user.

Abstract: A system for managing voice communications provides voice prompts in one or more particular languages or language variants. High level grammatical rules are defined for the set of voice prompts in the particular language. The grammatical rules for the set of voice prompts are stored in the system. A set of audio tiles are developed in the particular language. The audio files in the particular language are stored in the system. A request is received from a user, and the system initiates a request for a voice prompt. A sequential list of audio files is developed, and when the sequential list of audio files is played by the system, the requested voice prompt is played to the user in the particular language. The sequential list of audio files is produced based on the grammatical rules and voice communications are managed in the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling communication between a user and at least one entity by a communication service are disclosed. In one example, the method comprises acts of receiving a search for the at least one entity, analyzing the search, by a processor, to determine search results based on the search including the at least one entity, receiving a message from the user to the at least one entity, the message including inquiry information directed to the at least one entity, determining, by the processor, presence status associated with the at least one entity, establishing, by the processor, a communication channel between the user and the at least one entity based on the presence status, and transmitting a response to the message based on the inquiry information via the communication channel.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for controlling a component of a hydraulic machine includes an actuator having a head end chamber and a rod end chamber, the actuator having an extended position for moving the component in a first direction and a retracted position for moving the component in a second direction. The hydraulic circuit includes a regeneration valve having an open position for fluidly connecting the head end chamber to the rod end chamber, a first control valve having a first open position, a second open position for fluidly connecting the regeneration valve to the return tank and substantially fluidly the rod end chamber from the fluid source, and a closed position, and a second control disconnecting valve having a first open position, a second open position, and a closed position for substantially fluidly disconnecting the rod end chamber from the fluid source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating relevant search results for a user are disclosed. In one example, the method comprises receiving a search query from the user performing a communication initiation search, receiving, by the computer system, search results from a search engine based on the search query, linking, by the computer system, the search results to a communications dataset generated based on communication metadata received from a communication system, and ordering, by the computer system, the search results based on the communication dataset in order from most relevant to least relevant to the user performing the communication initiation search.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling communication between a user and at least one entity by a communication service are disclosed. In one example, the method comprises providing at least one predefined text string for display to the user on a device, the at least one predefined text string comprising an inquiry to the at least one entity, receiving a structured text input associated with the at least one predefined text string, and transmitting a message to another device having the at least one predefined text string and the structured text input to the at least one entity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining status of a user in a brokered chat service are disclosed. In one example, the method comprises acts of receiving, via the brokered chat service, a check-in message from the user, establishing the status of the user as available in the brokered chat service, transmitting at least one message to the user via the brokered chat service in response to establishing the status of the user as available, and updating the status of the user in the brokered chat service in response to communication from the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling communication between a user and at least one entity by a communication service are disclosed. In one example, the method comprises acts of receiving a search for the at least one entity, analyzing the search, by a processor, to determine search results based on the search including the at least one entity, receiving a message from the user to the at least one entity, the message including inquiry information directed to the at least one entity, determining, by the processor, presence status associated with the at least one entity, establishing, by the processor, a communication channel between the user and the at least one entity based on the presence status, and transmitting a response to the message based on the inquiry information via the communication channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating relevant search results for a user are disclosed. In one example, the method comprises receiving a search query from the user performing a communication initiation search, receiving, by the computer system, search results from a search engine based on the search query, linking, by the computer system, the search results to a communications dataset generated based on communication metadata received from a communication system, and ordering, by the computer system, the search results based on the communication dataset in order from most relevant to least relevant to the user performing the communication initiation search.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing communication between a user and at least one entity are disclosed. In one example, the method comprises receiving an entity selection input of the at least one entity, and a message from the user to the at least one entity, analyzing the selection input and the message to determine entity information and inquiry information associated with the message and the selection input, determining least one communication channel based on the entity information and the inquiry information, obtaining a response to the message via the at least one communication channel from the at least one entity, and transmitting the response to the user.

Abstract: A fantasy sports betting system and method allowing Users to compete in various games incorporating real sporting events data and traditional games of chance.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for predicting the outcomes of sporting events by crowd sourcing BetBots though a stratification-based and categorization-based system that improves the probability of prediction correct outcomes to sporting events.