Patents Examined by Kira Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11721159
    Abstract: An autonomous augmented reality gaming interaction apparatus configured to provide a remote player an ability to participate in games disposed within a gaming facility from a remote location. The autonomous augmented reality gaming interaction apparatus includes a primary robotic member that is operable to traverse through the gaming facility. The primary robotic member includes a first gaming arm member and a second gaming arm member. The first gaming arm member and second gaming arm member being configured to provide an ability to physically engage with games. A game piece reading tray member is secured to the second gaming arm member and is configured to optically scan game piece images to be transferred to a remote control unit. An air quality module is further provided in the primary robotic member and is configured to provide filtration and contaminant detection of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: Karriem Adams
  • Patent number: 11696807
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods to detect a free-falling or other non-surgical motions of the user interface device (UID) of a surgical robotic system so that the surgical robotic system may pause the robotic arm controlled by the UID to prevent the robotic arm from mimicking the unintentional movement of the UID. Contact sensors embedded in the UID may be used to detect conditions indicating that a user does not possess full control of the UID. After determining that the user does not have full control of the UID, the UID may detect if the UID is experiencing non-surgical motions using motion sensors such as inertial sensors. By conditioning analysis of the data from the motion sensors by the initial determination that the UID is not being held based on the contact sensors, the method increases the robustness of the detection of non-surgical motions and reduces the probability of false positives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Denise Ann Miller, Joan Savaii, Randall Blake Hellman
  • Patent number: 11697430
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing a route stipulation for a route system of a vehicle, comprising the following steps: providing a plurality of detected trajectories of further vehicles in a route section to be used, ascertaining a trajectory stipulation from the detected trajectories, ascertaining a deviation zone from the detected trajectories, wherein the deviation zone is determined on the basis of a deviation of at least individual detected trajectories from the trajectory stipulation, determining the route stipulation at least on the basis of the trajectory stipulation and the deviation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Eigel, Timur Aminev, Stefan Detering, Jens Hoedt
  • Patent number: 11691274
    Abstract: A software compensated robotic system makes use of recurrent neural networks and image processing to control operation and/or movement of an end effector. Images are used to compensate for variations in the response of the robotic system to command signals. This compensation allows for the use of components having lower reproducibility, precision and/or accuracy that would otherwise be practical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Sanctuary Cognitive Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Adrian Kaehler
  • Patent number: 11693097
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source unit having a light exiting portion from which a light is output, a scanning unit having a mirror supported by a supporting part and reflecting the light output from the light exiting portion while swinging the mirror around a swing axis, and a housing having an enclosed space partitioned by a plurality of wall portions including a first wall portion and a second wall portion, in which the light exiting portion and the scanning unit are placed in the enclosed space, wherein the first wall portion transmits the light reflected by the scanning unit, and the second wall portion includes a part of the light source unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirokazu Yamaga
  • Patent number: 11685054
    Abstract: A method of decontaminating an object removed from a nuclear power plant utilizing a decontamination system is disclosed. The decontamination system includes a platform, an imaging system, a robotic arm including an end effector configured to discharge a decontamination medium, and a control system operably coupled to the imaging system and the robotic arm. The method includes placing the object on the platform, scanning, by the imaging system, the object, generating, by the control system, a three-dimensional model of the object based on the scanned object, planning, by the control system, a decontamination path based on the generated three-dimensional model, controlling, by the control system, a position of the robotic arm according to the planned decontamination path, and discharging, by the end effector, the decontamination medium onto the object at a plurality of positions along the planned decontamination path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Lapresti, Dane P. Brown, W. Edward Bruce, IV, Lyman J. Petrosky, Nicholas N. Bhai, Joonwhee Park, Murali Tejo Vijay Narasimhadevara, Mark Schnepf, Jared Glover
  • Patent number: 11685046
    Abstract: A continuum robot having at least two independently manipulateable bendable section for advancing the robot through a passage, without contacting fragile elements within the passage, wherein the robot incorporates control algorithms that enable the continuum robot to operate and advance into the passage, as well as the systems and procedures associated with the continuum robot and said functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Canon U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Takagi, Yusuke Tanaka, Takahisa Kato, Hitoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11679499
    Abstract: A system includes a robotic manipulator including a serial chain comprising a first joint, a second joint, and a first link. The system further includes a processing unit including one or more processors. The processing unit is configured to receive first link data from a first sensor system located at the first link, generate a first joint state estimate of the first joint based on the first link data, and generate a second joint state estimate of the second joint. The processing unit is further configured to apply a first weight to the first joint state estimate to generate a first weighted joint state estimate, apply a second weight to the second joint state estimate to generate a second weighted joint state estimate, and control the first and second joints based on the first weighted joint state estimate and second weighted joint state estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Dinesh Rabindran, Simon P. DiMaio, Kollin M. Tierling
  • Patent number: 11679502
    Abstract: To provide a robot control system that performs a process by a robot for a continuously-moving process target or a repeatedly-moving/stopped process target, the robot control system being configured so that even in a case where the robot process cannot be properly performed in the robot control system, disadvantages such as occurrence of damage of equipment can be avoided by sensing of such failure in the robot process. The robot control system includes a robot that performs a process for a process target, a control unit that controls drive of the robot, a first area setting unit that sets a first area where the process is performed for the process target, and a second area setting unit that sets a second area outside the first area such that the robot performs a retraction motion when a working apparatus provided at the robot moves out of the first area and enters the second area while the robot is following the moving process target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masafumi Ooba
  • Patent number: 11675350
    Abstract: An autonomous robot with on demand human intervention is disclosed. In various embodiments, a robot operates in an autonomous mode of operation in which the robot performs one or more tasks autonomously without human intervention. The robot determines that a strategy is not available to perform a next task autonomously. In response to the determination, the robot enters a human intervention mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Dexterity, Inc.
    Inventors: Samir Menon, Zhouwen Sun, Gerald Brantner
  • Patent number: 11675365
    Abstract: There is provided a moving robot including a first light source module and a second light source module respectively project a first light section and a second light section, which are vertical light sections, in front of a moving direction, wherein the first light section and the second light section cross with each other at a predetermined distance in front of the moving robot so as to eliminate a detection dead zone between the first light source module and the second light source module in front of the moving robot to avoid collision with an object during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Shih-Chin Lin, Wei-Chung Wang, Guo-Zhen Wang
  • Patent number: 11673261
    Abstract: A manipulator including a shaft driven by a first motor, a rotatable unit, a linear slider, and a gripper is provided. The rotatable unit is coupled to the shaft, wherein the rotatable unit rotates with rotation of the shaft. The linear slider disposed on a first surface of the rotatable unit configured to slide from an initial position proximate to an outer edge of the rotatable unit to intermediate positions and to a final position proximate to a center of the rotatable unit. The gripper coupled to the linear slider to facilitate movement of the gripper along a first plane defined by the first surface of the rotatable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Intelligrated Headquarters, LLC
    Inventor: Grant R. Jeremiah
  • Patent number: 11667037
    Abstract: A robot system with a hand-guiding function is disclosed. The robot system selects the hand-guiding function or non-hand-guiding function of an enable device by a mode option mechanism during the operation of a teach mode or an automatic mode. When selecting the hand-guiding function, the enable device has both the enabling and the hand-guiding function to easily hand-guiding the robot to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: TECHMAN ROBOT INC.
    Inventor: Pei-Jui Wang
  • Patent number: 11654576
    Abstract: A robot system causing a robot to operate in response to a handling force, wherein a position of the robot can be adjusted with higher accuracy. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a robot system includes a robot having a handle, a force sensor configured to detect a handling force applied to the handle, and an inching motion execution section configured to execute an inching motion of causing the robot to move by a movement amount determined in response to the handling force detected by the force sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yihua Gu, Takashi Satou
  • Patent number: 11648675
    Abstract: A mother-child robot cooperative work system and a work method thereof include a mother robot and a charging base0, in which the mother robot is provided with a control unit and a work unit. The system also includes child robot, communicatively coupled to the mother robot. The mother robot performs cleaning for a work area under the control of the control unit, and recognizes cleanable area and assisted cleaning area in a cleaning process. After cleaning work in the cleanable area is completed, the control unit in the mother robot controls the child robot to cooperatively complete the cleaning work in the assisted cleaning area. The mother robot is provided with a child robot pose sensing unit. The unit inputs child robot pose information to the control unit; and the control unit controls the child robot to act as indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: ECOVACS ROBOTICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jinju Tang
  • Patent number: 11648674
    Abstract: A method and system for programming picking and placing of a workpiece is provided. Embodiments may include associating a workpiece with an end effector that is attached to a robot and scanning the workpiece while the workpiece is associated with the end effector. Embodiments may also include determining a pose of the workpiece relative to the robot, based upon, at least in part, the scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Thomas Aloisio
  • Patent number: 11648678
    Abstract: Systems, devices, articles, and methods, described in greater detail herein, including robotic systems which include at least one rangefinder, at least one manipulator, and at least one processor in communication with the at least one rangefinder, and methods of operation of the same. The at least one processor obtains rangefinder pose information which represents, at least, the at least one manipulator in a plurality of poses. The at least one processor obtains manipulator pose information, optimizes a model of mismatch between the rangefinder pose information and the manipulator pose information, wherein the model of mismatch includes a plurality of parameters, and updates at least one processor readable storage device with the plurality of parameters based at least in part on the optimization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Kindred Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Rostrup, James Sterling Bergstra
  • Patent number: 11638481
    Abstract: The application relates to a smart cabinet. The smart cabinet includes a cabinet body, a moving module, a controlling module and an assisting module. The moving module is positioned in the cabinet body; the controlling module is connected to the moving module. The moving module includes a base, a guiding wheel group disposed on the base, a plurality of drivers pivotally connected with the guiding wheel group, and a manipulator disposed on the base. The controlling module includes an input control unit, a guiding rope, and a pulley group. The input control module is electrically connected with the drivers and the manipulator. The pulley group includes a plurality of pulleys defining a movement range for the moving module. The assisting module includes a rope retractor and a sensor electrically coupled to the rope retractor. Two ends of the guiding rope are coupled to the rope retractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: ZEZHI INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICE
    Inventors: Zhihong Peng, Rui Liu
  • Patent number: 11639003
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a teaching device on which portable terminal equipment is mounted, the teaching device being used to teach operation to a robot. The teaching device includes a case section including a mounting surface on which the portable terminal equipment is mounted. The case section includes a first member including a stop switch for stopping the operation of the robot and configured to restrict the portable terminal equipment's moving in a first direction extending along the mounting surface and a second member provided to be capable of moving in the first direction relatively to the first member and configured to restrict the portable terminal equipment's moving in an opposite direction of the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventors: Toshio Tanaka, Masahiko Kobayashi, Yasutomo Takahashi, Munenori Sawada
  • Patent number: 11628566
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method and system use various sensors to determine a shape of a collection of materials (e.g., foodstuffs). A controller can determine a trajectory which achieves the desired end-state, possibly chosen from a set of feasible, collision-free trajectories to execute, and a robot executes that trajectory. The robot, executing that trajectory, scoops, grabs, or otherwise acquires the desired amount of material from the collection of materials at a desired location. The robot then deposits the collected material in the desired receptacle at a specific location and orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. S. Johnson, Syler Wagner, Steven Lines, Mitchell Hebert