Abstract: Provided is a robot, including: a controller; a plurality of actuators mechanically coupled to an end-effector mount; a first set of end-effectors magnetically coupled to the end-effector mount; and a sensor adjacent an interface between at least some of the first set of end effectors and the end-effector mount, wherein: the end effectors are magnetically coupled to the end-effector mount with magnetic couplings that decouple in response to less than 200 Newtons of force being applied to distal portions of respective end effectors in a direction opposing movement of respective end effectors driven by at least some of the actuators, and the sensor is configured to output a signal indicative of a given end effector decoupling and indicate which end effector in the first decoupled.

Abstract: Provided is a process, including: engaging, with a first subset of end effectors of a robot, a first open-top vessel; engaging, while the first subset of end effectors are engaged with the first open-top vessel, with a second subset of end effectors of the robot, a second open-top vessel; concurrently transporting the first open-top vessel and the second open-top vessel with two or more actuators; disengaging the first open-top vessel at a first workstation of the robot, the first workstation being configured to dispense a first alimentary product into the first open-top vessel; and disengaging the second open-top vessel at a second workstation of the robot, the second workstation being configured to dispense a second alimentary product into the second open-top vessel.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing real-time, low-latency packetization protocols for live compressed video data are disclosed. A wireless transmitter includes at least a codec and a media access control (MAC) layer unit. In order for the codec to communicate with the MAC layer unit, the codec encodes the compression ratio in a header embedded inside the encoded video stream. The MAC layer unit extracts the compression ratio from the header and determines a modulation coding scheme (MCS) for transferring the video stream based on the compression ratio. The MAC layer unit and the codec also implement a feedback loop such that the MAC layer unit can command the codec to adjust the compression ratio. Since the changes to the video might not be implemented immediately, the MAC layer unit relies on the header to determine when the video data is coming in with the requested compression ratio.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for utilizing different modulation coding schemes (MCSs) for different components of a video stream are disclosed. A system includes a transmitter sending a video stream over a wireless link to a receiver. The transmitter splits the video stream into low, medium, and high quality components, and then the transmitter modulates the different components using different MCS's. For example, the transmitter modulates the low quality component using a lower, robust MCS level to increase the likelihood that this component is received. Also, the medium quality component is modulated using a medium MCS level and the high frequency component is modulated using a higher MCS level. If only the low quality component is received by the receiver, then the receiver reconstructs and displays a low quality video frame from this component, which avoids a glitch in the display of the video stream.

Abstract: An interconnection system comprising a plurality of nodes, each comprising at least two ports, and a plurality of links configured to interconnect ports among the nodes to form a hierarchical multi-level ring topology, wherein the ring topology comprises a plurality of levels of rings including a base ring and at least two hierarchical shortcut rings, and wherein each node connected to a higher-level shortcut ring is also connected to all lower-level rings including the base ring.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems for selectively locking a lift cord designed to lift coverings for architectural openings is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a selective locking member and a base member positioned at a bottom of an architectural opening covering. The base member and the selective locking member each have an opening through which a lift cord may pass. The selective locking member also has at least one edge configured to mate to a bottom of a groove in the base member. The selective locking member is configured to selectively engage the base member and the lift cord such that the selective locking member can be selectably moved between an open position, where the lift cord can be freely moved, and a closed position, wherein the selective locking member will pinch the lift cord between itself and the base member and prevent the lift cord from being moved.

Abstract: One form of the present invention contemplates a unique system for creating a customized bank card by a consumer/user based on instructions from a remote terminal. Other forms of the present invention contemplate unique apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, software, methods, and combinations of these for creating customized bank cards.

Abstract: An interconnection system comprising a plurality of nodes, each comprising at least two ports, and a plurality of links configured to interconnect ports among the nodes to form a hierarchical multi-level ring topology, wherein the ring topology comprises a plurality of levels of rings including a base ring and at least two hierarchical shortcut rings, and wherein each node connected to a higher-level shortcut ring is also connected to all lower-level rings including the base ring.

Abstract: An interconnection system comprising a plurality of nodes, each comprising at least two ports, and a plurality of links configured to interconnect ports among the nodes to form a hierarchical multi-level ring topology, wherein the ring topology comprises a plurality of levels of rings including a base ring and at least two hierarchical shortcut rings, and wherein each node connected to a higher-level shortcut ring is also connected to all lower-level rings including the base ring.

Abstract: An interconnection network comprising a plurality of nodes arranged in a ring topology, wherein the nodes comprise a first node and a second node, and wherein the first node is not adjacent to the second node, a plurality of base links coupled to the nodes and configured to interconnect adjacent nodes to provide point-to-point communications between the adjacent nodes, and a first shortcut coupled to the first node and the second node, wherein the first shortcut is configured to provide a point-to-point communication between the first node and the second node, wherein the first node and the second node comprise gray code encoded addresses that are differed by 1-bit at a particular bit position, and wherein the gray code encoded addresses are node addresses of the first node and the second node encoded by a gray code algorithm that provides a 1-bit difference between successive integer values in a binary format.

Abstract: A hierarchical ring network comprising a plurality of nodes coupled in a base ring configuration such that each node is coupled to two adjacent nodes via base links, wherein the nodes are further coupled via a first level binary shortcut ring such that alternating nodes along the base ring act as first level nodes, and wherein each first level node is coupled to two nearest adjacent first level nodes via the first level binary shortcut ring.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a chip comprising a plurality of nodes, a first plurality of links connecting the plurality of nodes in a first ring network having a first topology, and a second plurality of links connecting the plurality of nodes in a second ring network having a second topology, wherein the first topology is different than the second topology.

Abstract: A method for address translation in a memory comprising a plurality of memory streaming units (MSUs), wherein n represents the number of MSUs and n is not a power of two, and wherein the memory further comprises a striped region, the method comprising determining an MSU from among the plurality of MSUs having a physical address (PA) in the striped region corresponding to a logical address (LA) comprising performing a modulo n operation on less than all the bits representing the LA; and transmitting the LA to the MSU.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to computer devices and/or apparatus (e.g., computer tablets, mobile computers, smart mobile phones, other mobile computing devices, etc.). More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to the use of methods, programs, and systems for branding computer devices and/or apparatus (e.g., computer tablets, mobile computers, smart mobile phones, other mobile computing devices, etc.) to connect customers and an enterprise (e.g., retailer, non-profit, university, etc.).

Abstract: An apparatus for accumulating one or more lift cords used to lift an architectural opening covering comprises a base portion and a front portion having a diameter larger than a diameter of the base portion. The base portion has an opening configured to receive a rod that rotates in a first direction when the one or more lift cords are actuated to raise the architectural opening covering. The apparatus also comprises an outer surface having a plurality of grooves configured to receive at least one of the one or more lift cords when the one or more lift cords are actuated to raise the architectural opening covering and to allow the at least one of the one or more lift cords to accumulate on one or more of the plurality of grooves next to itself rather than on top of itself.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a chip comprising a plurality of nodes, wherein a first node from among the plurality of nodes is configured to receive a first flit comprising a first timestamp, receive a second flit comprising a second timestamp, determine whether the first flit is older than the second flit based on the first timestamp and the second timestamp, transmit the first flit before the second flit if the first flit is older than the second flit, and transmit the second flit before the first flit if the first flit is not older than the second flit.

Abstract: A hierarchical ring network comprising a plurality of nodes coupled in a base ring configuration such that each node is coupled to two adjacent nodes via base links, wherein the nodes are further coupled via a first level binary shortcut ring such that alternating nodes along the base ring act as first level nodes, and wherein each first level node is coupled to two nearest adjacent first level nodes via the first level binary shortcut ring.

Abstract: An interconnection network comprising a plurality of nodes arranged in a ring topology, wherein the nodes comprise a first node and a second node, and wherein the first node is not adjacent to the second node, a plurality of base links coupled to the nodes and configured to interconnect adjacent nodes to provide point-to-point communications between the adjacent nodes, and a first shortcut coupled to the first node and the second node, wherein the first shortcut is configured to provide a point-to-point communication between the first node and the second node, wherein the first node and the second node comprise gray code encoded addresses that are differed by 1-bit at a particular bit position, and wherein the gray code encoded addresses are node addresses of the first node and the second node encoded by a gray code algorithm that provides a 1-bit difference between successive integer values in a binary format.

Abstract: An interconnection system comprising a plurality of nodes, each comprising at least two ports, and a plurality of links configured to interconnect ports among the nodes to form a hierarchical multi-level ring topology, wherein the ring topology comprises a plurality of levels of rings including a base ring and at least two hierarchical shortcut rings, and wherein each node connected to a higher-level shortcut ring is also connected to all lower-level rings including the base ring.

Abstract: A dog harness comprising three flexible adjustable straps secured at a common midpoint, two adjustable flexible straps extending outwardly and under the forelegs of the dog and removably secured to a D-ring secured to the front of the collar of the dog underneath the dogs head, the third flexible adjustable strap having a D-ring secured to the end thereto for removable receipt of a leash, the harness controlling the pace and direction of the dog and also allowing the owner to control the head positioning of the dog without effecting a strain or choke to the dog's neck.