Abstract: This invention discloses a pneumatic and cable-driven hybrid artificial muscle, comprising pneumatic actuator, pneumatic pressure regulating assembly, and cable drive assembly. The pneumatic pressure regulating assembly is connected to the pneumatic actuator to regulate air pressure in the pneumatic actuator for controlling the pneumatic actuator to extend or contract. The cable actuation assembly comprises a cable fixedly connected to the pneumatic actuator for controlling the pneumatic actuator to contract. In this invention, the artificial muscle employs a dual pneumatic and cable actuation mechanism. By leveraging the inherent stiffness of the pneumatic actuator, it can provide substantial actuation force for joint movement. Simultaneously, the cable actuation assembly can provide significant pulling force, effectively ensuring safety in human-machine interaction and offering sufficient bidirectional aiding force to individuals with disabilities who use the artificial muscle as an aiding actuation device.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a sender client provides to a server a message giving the location of one or more potentially large media files, such as video clips. The server relays this location message to each recipient. A receiver client, in response to the location message, accesses or makes a local copy of the media file from either the sender client or another peer client that is also a receiver of the message. The sender and receiver clients may be personal video recorders (PVRs), personal computers, workstations, video camcorders or personal digital assistants. The server may be, for example, a PVR, a personal computer, a workstation, and an application service provider. The server may be accessed via the Internet. The location message can include information about the media file clip it contains, such as its title, date/time stamp, copyright indication or one or more text fields.