Patents Examined by Abby Lin
  • Patent number: 9604613
    Abstract: A braking control system associated with a towed apparatus is provided. The braking control system includes an intelligent control, an accelerometer electrically coupled to the intelligent control, a global positioning receiver electrically coupled to the intelligent control, and a visual indicator operatively coupled to the intelligent control. The braking control system may also include a wireless RF receiver operatively coupled to the intelligent control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: The Kyle Group, LLC
    Inventors: Byron D. Cooper, Carlton A. Saunders, Jr., Anthony M. Tate
  • Patent number: 9592606
    Abstract: According to a method according to the invention for controlling a robot, in particular a human-collaborating robot, a robot- or task-specific redundancy of the robot is resolved, wherein, in order to resolve the redundancy, a pose-dependent inertia variable of the robot is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Jonas Rümping, Christian Sonner
  • Patent number: 9592738
    Abstract: Serial communication verification and safety control is disclosed. A multi-part system such as a battery management system can include distributed or subsidiary components for determining status of various parts of the system with the components in serial or point-to-point communication with a collective main controller. A safety controller can be implemented to passively be coupled to the serial or point-to-point communication between the main controller and the subsidiary units. The safety controller can monitor and verify the communication between the main controller and the subsidiary units and send a safety command or verification indicator in another line of communication separate from the communication bus between the main controller and the subsidiary units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FARADAY&FUTURE INC.
    Inventors: Anil Paryani, Omourtag Alexandrov Velev
  • Patent number: 9586323
    Abstract: A robotic system has a plurality of user selectable operating modes. To select one of the operating modes, a user performs a distinguishing action which uniquely identifies a desired operating mode among the plurality of user selectable operating modes. A method implemented by a processor in the robotic system identifies the distinguishing action and places the robotic system in the user selected operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicola Diolaiti, Daniel H. Gomez, Probal Mitra, Tabish Mustufa
  • Patent number: 9579793
    Abstract: The invention relates to a robot and a method for controlling a robot. The distance between an object and the robot and/or the derivative thereof or a first motion of the object is detected by means of a non-contact distance sensor arranged in or on a robot arm of the robot and/or on or in an end effector fastened on the robot arm. The robot arm is moved based on the first motion detected by means of the distance sensor, a target force or a target torque to be applied by the robot is determined based on the distance detected between the object and the robot, and/or a function of the robot or a parameterization of a function of the robot is triggered based on the first motion detected and/or a target distance between the object and the robot and/or the derivative thereof detected by means of the distance sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Jacob, Tobias Ortmaier
  • Patent number: 9582079
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (2, 6) for manually controlling a robot system, comprising an input device (2), which can be operated by means of at least two hands and has a sensor system (7, 10) for detecting control specifications of a first hand (12) and control specifications of a second hand (13). According to the invention, the control device (2, 6) comprises a first control unit (19), which performs a position control function in dependence on the control specifications of the first hand (12), and a second control unit (20), which performs a velocity control function or a position control function in dependence on the control specifications of the second hand (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: ABB GOMTEC GMBH
    Inventors: Leopold Bock-Krausen, Bernd Gombert
  • Patent number: 9574890
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to techniques that may reduce power consumption and improve user experience when using a personal navigation device or other mobile device to navigate along familiar routes or road segments. In particular, in response to a current position associated with the device corresponding to a familiar road segment (e.g., based on an index indicating how often the road segment was previously traversed), voice assistance and a display may be disabled and/or a frequency at which a receiver acquires signals to determine the current position may be reduced. Furthermore, a navigation application executing on the device may be automatically exited if the familiar road segment further includes a route destination. In other use cases, road segment familiarity and travel histories may be used in route planning, managing incoming calls or messages, and media playback, among other things.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Koushik Annapureddy, Keir Finlow-Bates
  • Patent number: 9566709
    Abstract: A robot may include: a multi-tool module having redundancy, the multi-tool module including a guide tube and a plurality of tools configured to operate while interacting with the guide tube and extended from the guide tube; and/or a controller configured to generate a control signal regarding motion of the multi-tool module in a joint space based on motion instruction information regarding distal ends of the plurality of tools in a task space. The redundancy may reflect that a number of degrees of freedom of the multi-tool module in the joint space is greater than a number of degrees of freedom of the task space. The control signal may be generated using the redundancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woong Kwon, Bok Man Lim, Gurel Ogan
  • Patent number: 9567101
    Abstract: This invention concerns a fuel delivery system for an aircraft engine, including a fuel delivery regulator arranged to receive fuel from a plurality of fuel sources for supply to the engine. An engine operating condition sensor reading is received by a control unit arranged to control operation of the regulator. The control unit actuates the regulator based on a received signal from the engine operating condition sensor in order to vary the volume of fuels from the plurality of fuel sources supplied to the engine during at least a portion of the landing/take-off (LTO) cycle relative to a further portion of the aircraft flight. The different fuels may include kerosene and an alternative fuel, such as a biofuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Peter Swann
  • Patent number: 9527446
    Abstract: A method is provided for aligning at least one rear view mirror and/or another optical component of a motor vehicle. The current eye position of the driver is determined by an interior sensor system upon actuation of a control element. The at least one rear view mirror is automatically aligned as a function of the determined current eye position of the driver. An indication is output when the eye position of the driver cannot be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hermann Kuenzner
  • Patent number: 9517502
    Abstract: A system for performing industrial operations comprises at least one tool head provided with a tool and at least one sensor associated to the tool head. The system further comprises a control module mounted on the tool head including a data-acquisition unit connected to the sensor configured for acquiring the data coming from said at least one sensor, and a wireless transmission unit connected to the acquisition unit for receiving the aforesaid acquired data and for transmitting the data acquired to a receiving unit in a wireless mode. The module further comprises a device for storing electrical energy for electrical supply of the control module. The system further comprises a wireless charging system for charging the device for storing electrical energy comprising a first charging device carried by the tool head and connected to the energy-storage device and a second charging device associated to a stationary workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Comau, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Di Stefano, Mauro Maestri, Valeria Serpi
  • Patent number: 9511495
    Abstract: A monitoring control method in an electronic device is provided. The method includes displaying an area map for monitoring, and determining a virtual boundary on the area map. The area map is a specific space of the indoor or outdoor and displays objects or articles that are within the specific space of the indoor or outdoor. The virtual boundary constitutes a movement area for a monitoring target therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Krishna Shetty
  • Patent number: 9505479
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for holding the position of a watercraft stationary. An exemplary method includes measuring a velocity of an auxiliary water vessel relative to the watercraft with a first sensor, where the auxiliary water vessel is deployed at a depth between the watercraft and a ground surface of the body of water. The method further includes measuring a velocity of current in the body of water relative to the watercraft with a second sensor. The method further includes processing the velocity measurement of the auxiliary water vessel and the velocity measurement of the current to determine a net movement of the watercraft, and controlling a propulsion system to compensate for the net movement of the watercraft to hold the watercraft in a stationary position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Kie L Soohoo
  • Patent number: 9498883
    Abstract: Disclosed is an underwater exploration system using a multi-joint underwater robot having a novel complex movement concept in which the multi-joint underwater robot moves through walking or swimming with multi-joint legs closely to a seafloor, differently from a conventional underwater robot to obtain a thrust through a propeller scheme. The underwater exploration system includes the multi-joint underwater robot having the complex movement function according, a depressor, and a mother ship to store data of an underwater state transmitted from the multi-joint underwater robot and to monitor and control a movement direction of the multi-joint underwater robot. The depressor is connected to the mother ship through a primary cable, the multi-joint underwater robot is connected to the depressor through a second cable, and resistance force of the primary cable is applied to the depressor without being transmitted to the multi-joint underwater robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology
    Inventors: Bong-Huan Jun, Hyung-Won Shim, Jin-Yeong Park, Bang-Hyun Kim, Hyuk Baek, Pan-Mook Lee
  • Patent number: 9492927
    Abstract: A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with articulated instruments extending out of its distal end. A controller is configured to command manipulation an articulated instrument in response to operator manipulation of an associated input device while generating a force command to the input device that nudges the operator to command the instrument to a preferred pose. When a transition is to occur between first and second preferred poses, one is phased in while the other is phased out. Virtual barriers may be imposed to prevent the articulated instrument from being commanded to an undesirable pose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicola Diolaiti, Paul E. Lilagan
  • Patent number: 9475194
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile device, an autonomous movement system, and an autonomous movement method, each having an obstacle avoidance capability, are provided. The autonomous mobile device includes an avoidance pattern determination unit for determining the travel pattern of the local device according to the state of motion, relative to the autonomous movement device, of a mobile obstacle other than the autonomous movement device; and a travel controller for causing the autonomous movement device to travel according to the travel pattern determined by the avoidance pattern determination unit. One of avoidance patterns is selected in accordance with a relative velocity to a mobile obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Taishi Ueda, Ryosuke Nakamura, Azusa Amino
  • Patent number: 9463574
    Abstract: A mobile inspection robot that includes a robot body and a drive system supporting the robot body and configured to maneuver the robot over a work surface. A controller communicates with the drive system and a sensor system. The controller executes a control system that includes a control arbitration system and a behavior system in communication with each other. The behavior system executes an inspection behavior, the inspection behavior influencing execution of commands by the control arbitration system based on sensor signals received from the sensor system to identify and inspect electrical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Indrajit Purkayastha, Michael John Tirozzi, Jason R. Smith, Kimberly Susanne Monti
  • Patent number: 9465384
    Abstract: A method operable by a computing device is provided. The method may include receiving a request for a given task to be performed by a robotic system. The method may also determining one or more subtasks required to perform the given task, where the one or more subtasks include one or more parameters used to define the one or more subtasks. The method may also include determining an arrangement of the one or more subtasks to perform the given task, and providing for display an indication of the one or more undefined parameters for the given task. The method may also include receiving an input defining the one or more undefined parameters for the given task, and executing the one or more subtasks in the determined arrangement and in accordance with the one or more defined parameters to cause the robotic system to perform the given task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Redwood Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Advait Jain, Anthony Jules, Aaron Edsinger
  • Patent number: 9466153
    Abstract: A system may determine, based on vehicle data received from vehicle sensors, a maintenance indication indicative of vehicle maintenance required according to a vehicle maintenance schedule, identify a maintenance time indication for which a maintenance procedure unrelated to the vehicle maintenance schedule should be performed, and generate a maintenance recommendation to provide in a vehicle human-machine interface offering to perform the vehicle maintenance and the unrelated maintenance procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Myine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel J. Fischer, Marco Gatti, Joey Ray Grover, Michael Burke
  • Patent number: 9463789
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle includes a first electric motor; a differential mechanism having a rotating element coupled to the first electric motor, a rotating element that is an output rotating member coupled to drive wheels in a power transmittable manner, and a rotating element coupled to a non-rotating member by actuation of a lock mechanism; and a second electric motor coupled to the drive wheels in a power transmittable manner. During motor running for running with output torques from the first electric motor and the second electric motor used together in an actuated state of the lock mechanism, a drive torque shared by the first electric motor is made smaller in a requested drive torque when a rotation speed of a pinion making up the differential mechanism is higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Okuda, Atsushi Tabata, Keita Imai, Tooru Matsubara, Tatsuya Imamura, Takeshi Kitahata, Kenta Kumazaki, Shunya Kato, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Yuji Iwase, Hiroyuki Shibata