Patents Assigned to Aethon, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8204624
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for the automated retrieval/delivery of goods from one location to another using a robotic device such as a tug and accompanying cart. A computer within the tug/cart stores a map of the building floor plan and intended paths for the tug to take when traversing from one location to the next. During the delivery, a variety of different sensors and scanners gather data that is used to avoid obstacles and/or continuously adjust the movement of the tug in order to more closely follow the intended path. The system preferably includes wireless networks that allow one or more tugs to communicate with a tug base station, a primary network located at the site of the delivery and a remote host center that monitors the status and data collected by the tugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Aethon, Inc.
    Inventors: Aldo Zini, Spencer Wayne Allen, Barry Mark Skirble, Henry F Thorne, Stuart Fairley
  • Patent number: 8041455
    Abstract: A robotic cart pulling vehicle includes a positioning error reducing system for reducing accumulated error in the ded-reckoning navigational system. The positioning error reducing system including at least one of a low load transfer point of the cart attaching mechanism, a floor variation compliance structure whereby the drive wheels maintain a substantially even distribution of load over minor surface variations, a minimal wheel contact surface structure, a calibration structure using at least one proximity sensor mounted on the robot body, and a common electrical and mechanical connection between the cart and the robot vehicle formed by a cart attaching post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Aethon, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry F. Thorne
  • Patent number: 8010230
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for the automated retrieval/delivery of goods from one location to another using a robotic device such as a tug and accompanying cart. A computer within the tug/cart stores a map of the building floor plan and intended paths for the tug to take when traversing from one location to the next. During the delivery, a variety of different sensors and scanners gather data that is used to avoid obstacles and/or continuously adjust the movement of the tug in order to more closely follow the intended path. The system preferably includes wireless networks that allow one or more tugs to communicate with a tug base station, a primary network located at the site of the delivery and a remote host center that monitors the status and data collected by the tugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Aethon, Inc.
    Inventors: Aldo Zini, Spencer Wayne Allen, Barry Mark Skirble, Henry F Thorne, Stuart Fairley
  • Patent number: 7996109
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for the automated retrieval/delivery of goods from one location to another using a robotic device such as a tug and accompanying cart. A computer within the tug/cart stores a map of the building floor plan and intended paths for the tug to take when traversing from one location to the next. During the delivery, a variety of different sensors and scanners gather data that is used to avoid obstacles and/or continuously adjust the movement of the tug in order to more closely follow the intended path. The system preferably includes wireless networks that allow one or more tugs to communicate with a tug base station, a primary network located at the site of the delivery and a remote host center that monitors the status and data collected by the tugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Aethon, Inc.
    Inventors: Aldo Zini, Spencer Wayne Allen, Barry Mark Skirble, Henry F. Thorne, Stuart Fairley
  • Publication number: 20110163160
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for the automated delivery of goods form one to another using a robotic tug and accompanying cart. A computer within the tug or cart stores an electronic map of the building floor plan and intended paths for the tug to take when traversing from one location to the next. During the delivery, a variety of different sensors and scanners gather data that is used to avoid obstacles and/or adjust the movement of the tug in order to more closely follow the intended path. The system preferably includes both wired and wireless networks that allow one or more tugs to communicate with a tug base station, a primary network located at the site of the delivery and a remote host center that monitors the status and data collected by the tugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: AETHON, INC.
    Inventors: Aldo ZINI, Spencer Wayne ALLEN, Barry Mark SKIRBLE, Henry F. THORNE, Stuart FAIRLEY
  • Publication number: 20110137759
    Abstract: A system. A system includes a computing system. The computing system includes a processor, a first module, a second module, and a third module. The first module is communicably connected to the processor and is configured for receiving chain of custody information associated with an item. The second module is communicably connected to the processor and is configured for determining a status of the item based on the received chain of custody information. The third module is communicably connected to the processor and is configured for arranging data into a specified format. The data includes the status of the item and the chain of custody information. The third module is also configured for transmitting the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: AETHON, INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Wellington, Brian R. Curren, David G. Wolfe, Kevin F. Seip
  • Publication number: 20110137457
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for the automated retrieval/delivery of goods from one location to another using a robotic device such as a tug and accompanying cart. A computer within the tug/cart stores a map of the building floor plan and intended paths for the tug to take when traversing from one location to the next. During the delivery, a variety of different sensors and scanners gather data that is used to avoid obstacles and/or continuously adjust the movement of the tug in order to more closely follow the intended path. The system preferably includes wireless networks that allow one or more tugs to communicate with a tug base station, a primary network located at the site of the delivery and a remote host center that monitors the status and data collected by the tugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: AETHON, INC.
    Inventors: Aldo ZINI, Spencer Wayne ALLEN, Barry Mark SKIRBLE, Henry F. THORNE, Stuart FAIRLEY
  • Patent number: 7894939
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for the automated retrieval/delivery of goods from one location to another using a robotic device such as a tug and accompanying cart. A computer within the tug/cart stores a map of the building floor plan and intended paths for the tug to take when traversing from one location to the next. During the delivery, a variety of different sensors and scanners gather data that is used to avoid obstacles and/or continuously adjust the movement of the tug in order to more closely follow the intended path. The system preferably includes wireless networks that allow one or more tugs to communicate with a tug base station, a primary network located at the site of the delivery and a remote host center that monitors the status and data collected by the tugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Aethon, Inc.
    Inventors: Aldo Zini, Spencer Wayne Allen, Barry Mark Skirble, Henry F Thorne, Stuart Fairley
  • Publication number: 20110037565
    Abstract: A method. The method includes, at a computing system, receiving information associated with an asset. The method also includes determining a location of the asset based on the received information, and determining a status of the asset based on the received information and/or the determined location of the asset. The determining of the location and the determining of the status are performed by the computing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: AETHON, INC.
    Inventors: Barry Skirble, Paul Molingowski
  • Publication number: 20100234990
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for the automated retrieval/delivery of goods from one location to another using a robotic device such as a tug and accompanying cart. A computer within the tug/cart stores a map of the building floor plan and intended paths for the tug to take when traversing from one location to the next. During the delivery, a variety of different sensors and scanners gather data that is used to avoid obstacles and/or continuously adjust the movement of the tug in order to more closely follow the intended path. The system preferably includes wireless networks that allow one or more tugs to communicate with a tug base station, a primary network located at the site of the delivery and a remote host center that monitors the status and data collected by the tugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: AETHON, INC.
    Inventors: Aldo ZINI, Spencer Wayne ALLEN, Barry Mark SKIRBLE, Henry F. THORNE, Stuart FAIRLEY
  • Publication number: 20100234991
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for the automated retrieval/delivery of goods from one location to another using a robotic device such as a tug and accompanying cart. A computer within the tug/cart stores a map of the building floor plan and intended paths for the tug to take when traversing from one location to the next. During the delivery, a variety of different sensors and scanners gather data that is used to avoid obstacles and/or continuously adjust the movement of the tug in order to more closely follow the intended path. The system preferably includes wireless networks that allow one or more tugs to communicate with a tug base station, a primary network located at the site of the delivery and a remote host center that monitors the status and data collected by the tugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Aethon, Inc.
    Inventors: Aldo Zini, Spencer Wayne Allen, Barry Mark Skirble, Henry F. Thorne, Stuart Fairley
  • Patent number: 7431115
    Abstract: A robotic cart pulling vehicle includes a positioning error reducing system for reducing accumulated error in the ded-reckoning navigational system. The positioning error reducing system including at least one of a low load transfer point of the cart attaching mechanism, a floor variation compliance structure whereby the drive wheels maintain a substantially even distribution of load over minor surface variations, a minimal wheel contact surface structure, a calibration structure using at least one proximity sensor mounted on the robot body, and a common electrical and mechanical connection between the cart and the robot vehicle formed by a cart attaching post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Aethon, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry F. Thorne