Abstract: A system includes a first mobile drive unit and a second mobile drive unit. The first mobile drive unit is operable to dock with a first item holder at a first end of a column of connected item holders. The second mobile drive unit is operable to dock with a second item holder at a second end of the column of connected item holders. The system also includes a management module that is operable to instruct the first mobile drive unit and the second mobile drive units to transport the column of connected item holders from a first location to a second location.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to medical equipment, more particularly, the use of fluid hoses coupling tanks to cannulas, as part of medical gas therapy, such as oxygen therapy. The invention describes a collection system for managing excess flexible hose that a patient might need to wear for medical reasons such as home oxygen medical therapy. It comprises a collection container, a non-spooling roller system for collecting excess hose into the collection container and extraction from the collection container, and power system to power and control the roller system.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for providing throughput increase and/or physical expansion of a data storage library. Some embodiments include multiple robotic assemblies, each having its own hand assembly, which are electrically and mechanically integrated for concurrent use in a single storage library environment for increased throughput. Other embodiments include an active vertical pass-through assembly that operates to ferry cartridges from one storage library environment to another, vertically adjacent storage library environment. Some such embodiments use existing robotic mechanisms of the libraries to exploit a shared slot through which vertical pass-through functionality can be realized. Other embodiments include an active horizontal pass-through assembly that operates to ferry cartridges from one storage library environment to another, horizontally adjacent storage library environment.

Abstract: A lifting device comprises three or more links hingedly joined end-to-end such that the lifting device is able to hingedly move in a first direction from a linear arrangement to a bent arrangement but is not able to hingedly move from the linear arrangement to a bent arrangement in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device includes an identifier that is embedded into a firmware of the computing device. The identifier uniquely identifies the computing device from other computing devices. The computing device may send a request to a server to provide credentials to enable the computing device to access a secured resource, such as secured data or a secured system. The computing device may provide the server with the identifier to enable the server to determine whether the computing device is authorized to access the secured resource. If the server determines that the computing device is authorized, the server may provide the credentials to the computing device. If the server determines that the computing device is unauthorized, the server may cause the computing device to perform one or more actions to render the computing device inoperable and/or render the resource inaccessible.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a system for applying custom branded tape to packages that are shipped from a multi-seller materials handling facility. In some implementations, a materials handling facility may store, process and ship items for multiple sellers. As items are packed for shipping, a tape dispensing device may dispense custom branded tape associated with the seller of the item(s) being packed such that the sellers brand, logo or other information is presented on the exterior of the container.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, systems, devices, and techniques to encrypt address resolution protocol (ARP) messages to prevent a rogue device from accessing information about a local network. In certain embodiments described herein, networked devices are preconfigured with security credentials that allow the devices, possibly via network interface controllers (NICs), to encrypt outgoing ARP messages and decrypt incoming ARP messages. The NICs may listen for encrypted messages that are recognized as being ARP messages. These encrypted messages may include a designator that indicates that the message is an encrypted ARP message. When a NIC receives a message that is indicated as an encrypted ARP message, then the NIC will decrypt the message using secure credentials to obtain the true ARP message. The device will then process the message in accordance standard procedures.

Abstract: In some implementations, a client device includes a client identifier embedded into a firmware of the client device. A server may register a service with a global authentication, authorization, and account (AAA) server. The client device may request permission to access the service. The request may be signed using a client signature that is based on the identifier. The global AAA server may send the request to the server and the server may determine whether to grant the client device permission. If the global AAA server determines that the server has granted the client device permission, the global AAA server may provide server credentials to the client device and client credentials to the server. The client device may sign a request to connect to the service using the client signature. The server may grant the request in response to authenticating the request using the client signature.

Abstract: A token dispensing system is adapted suitable for installing a token dispenser in a game device. A mounting bracket for the token dispenser provides a simple and inexpensive way to install the token dispenser as part of the token dispensing system inside the housing of a game device. The dispensing system includes an electronic control circuit that controls an alarm device to provide a low level warning signal when the level of tokens in the token dispenser is low and an empty warning signal when the token dispenser is empty. The electronic control circuit controls dispensing tokens from the token dispenser such that a user receives the correct number of tokens even if the dispenser runs out of tokens in the middle of dispensing a selected number of tokens during a transaction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for automatic calibration of robotic mechanism functions according to accurate decoding and locating of target features using spot scanning. For example, a robotic mechanism in a storage library has one or more integrated scanners that can acquire contrast and/or topographic scan data from a scan window that represents a profile of the scan window expected to have one or more target feature sets. The scan data can be decoded according to predefined target masks (e.g., target type-specific fit tables) at a number of decode threshold levels to estimate target feature values, which can be used to converge on (or otherwise generate) a purported target definition with purported feature values. The purported target definition can be used to facilitate various functions, such as automatic calibration of robotic mechanism positioning and object identification.

Abstract: A lifting device comprises a central loop, first and second opposing lifting eyes, and first and second opposing chokers slidably engaged with the central loop. The central loop comprises first and second opposing straps. Each strap has first and second ends. The first end of the first strap is joined to the first end of the second strap forming a first end of the central loop. The second end of the first strap is joined to the second end of the second strap forming a second end of the central loop. The first lifting eye is at the first end of the central loop and the second lifting eye is at the second end of the central loop. The chokers are each slidably engaged with the first and second opposing straps and selectively slidable in relation to the first and second opposing straps. The chokers are independently slidable.

Abstract: Utilities (e.g., systems, apparatuses, methods) that reduce robotic assembly contention in media element storage libraries by rotating (e.g., flipping, swinging, etc.) a robot arm of a first robotic assembly mounted over a first of first and second spaced storage arrays in a storage library into a first position between the first storage array and a central reference plane disposed between and parallel to the first and second storage arrays to allow a robot arm of a second robotic assembly to slide or otherwise move past the robot arm of the first robotic assembly (e.g., in a direction along or parallel to an x-axis parallel to the first and second storage arrays), even when the robot arms of the first and second robotic assemblies are disposed at the same height (e.g., along a z-axis that is perpendicular to the x-axis) within the storage library.

Abstract: Utilities (e.g., systems, apparatuses, methods) that reduce robotic assembly contention in media element storage libraries by translating (e.g., displacing) a robot arm of a first robotic assembly mounted over a first storage array of a storage library away from a central reference plane as the robot arm is being pivoted into a first position adjacent the first storage array to allow a robot arm of a second robotic assembly to slide or otherwise move past the robot arm of the first robotic assembly, even when the robot arms of the first and second robot arms are disposed at the same height (e.g., along a z-axis) within the storage library. For instance, a pivot member of the robot arm may be mounted on a carriage that is configured to translate between the first and second storage arrays in response to the pivot member being pivoted about a pivot axis.

Abstract: Utilities that increase the volume of media elements that can be simultaneously loaded and/or unloaded into or from a storage library, facilitate mounting of media element magazines into a storage library, and limit access to an interior of a storage library by users during operation of robotics assemblies of the storage library. One disclosed utility includes a cartridge access port for use with a storage library that has a storage container that is pivotable (e.g., swingable) between at least first and second positions. In the first position, the storage container is adjacent an opening in the housing of the library for loading and unloading of media elements by a user into or from the container via the opening. After the storage container has swung into the second position, the storage container is spaced from the opening and faces the interior of the library for access by a robotics assembly.

Abstract: A token dispensing system is adapted suitable for installing a token dispenser in a game device. A mounting bracket for the token dispenser provides a simple and inexpensive way to install the token dispenser as part of the token dispensing system inside the housing of a game device. The dispensing system includes an electronic control circuit that controls an alarm device to provide a low level warning signal when the level of tokens in the token dispenser is low and an empty warning signal when the token dispenser is empty. The electronic control circuit controls dispensing tokens from the token dispenser such that a user receives the correct number of tokens even if the dispenser runs out of tokens in the middle of dispensing a selected number of tokens during a transaction.

Abstract: Cable robots may be used to automatically load items onto one or more surfaces in any environment. An item may be received on a carrier that is connected to tensioning actuators of a cable robot by one or more cables in tension. The actuators of the robot may be manipulated in concert to move the carrier from a first position to a second position, which may be fixed or in motion, at which the item may be expelled from the carrier. The carrier may include induction wheels and/or conveyors for receiving the item thereon and for expelling the item therefrom. The cable robot may be provided in series with a conveyor and mounted to a frame, and used to load items onto a delivery vehicle, such that the frame may be withdrawn as items are loaded.

Abstract: Utilities that increase the volume of media elements that can be simultaneously loaded and/or unloaded into or from a storage library, facilitate mounting of media element magazines into a storage library, and limit access to an interior of a storage library by users during operation of robotics assemblies of the storage library. One disclosed utility includes a cartridge access port for use with a storage library that has a storage container that is pivotable (e.g., swingable) between at least first and second positions. In the first position, the storage container is adjacent an opening in the housing of the library for loading and unloading of media elements by a user into or from the container via the opening. After the storage container has swung into the second position, the storage container is spaced from the opening and faces the interior of the library for access by a robotics assembly.

Abstract: A lifting device comprises three or more links hingedly joined end-to-end such that the lifting device is able to hingedly move in a first direction from a linear arrangement to a bent arrangement but is not able to hingedly move from the linear arrangement to a bent arrangement in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling implements having a first connecting pin and a second connecting pin, to a vehicle, for example, to the arm of an excavator. The coupler has a body component that is connectable to the vehicle, and which includes a forward recess for receiving the first connecting pin. The coupler also includes a movable component which is supported by the body component and which has an aft jaw or recess for receiving the second connecting pin and is movable through a range of travel relative to the body component. The movable component includes a rear locking member which is movable between an extended position in which the rear locking member can prevent the second connecting pin from exiting the aft recess and a retracted position in which the rear locking member can allow the second connecting pin to exit the aft recess.