Patents Examined by Ronnie Mancho
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Patent number: 9075411Abstract: A robot system includes a movable component with a mark thereon, a control unit that controls the movable component in a three-dimensional coordinate system on the basis of control information, a digital camera that outputs image data by imaging a range of movement of the mark, and a calibrator that creates a transformation parameter for correlating a two-dimensional coordinate system of the image data with the three-dimensional coordinate system on the basis of the image data obtained by imaging the mark at different positions and the control information.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Seiji Aiso
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Patent number: 9073448Abstract: A method is provided that includes propelling an electrically driven vehicle at a first, slower speed, and potentially high torque by supplying electricity at a first, lower voltage from an energy storage device to a second electric motor; and includes propelling the vehicle at a second, faster speed, and moderate torque by supplying electricity at a second, higher voltage from an engine-driven generator to a first electric motor. Another method includes propelling an electrically driven vehicle by supplying electricity from an engine-driven generator to a first electric motor; and generating electricity at a second electric motor to charge an energy storage device. Corresponding systems for implementing the method are provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Robert Dean King, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Lembit Salasoo
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Patent number: 9067315Abstract: A control system, a control method and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium cooperate to assist control for an autonomous robot. An interface receives recognition information from an autonomous robot (22), said recognition information including candidate target objects to interact with the autonomous robot (22). A display control unit (42) causes a display image to be displayed on a display of candidate target objects, wherein at least two of the candidate target objects are displayed with an associated indication of a target object score.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Kenta Kawamoto, Yoshiaki Iwai, Satoru Shimizu
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Patent number: 9064413Abstract: An application control system for use in a vehicle includes a current region detector for detecting a current region where the vehicle is operating, an application storage for storing a regional application software in association with a preset region and a control unit for retrieving and executing the regional application software stored in the application storage based on the current region detected by the current region detector. The control unit retrieves and executes the regional application software when the current region is identified as the preset region.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2006Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Hiromichi Matsuoka
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Patent number: 9061418Abstract: A control system (100) comprises a control apparatus (2) for controlling a driven body, and a pendant (1) having an emergency stop switch (11), wherein the control apparatus (2) includes an emergency stop circuit (21) which causes the operation of the driven body to stop when the emergency stop switch (11) is operated, a detach-ready setting switch (23) which switches detach-ready setting information to “detach mode” when connecting or disconnecting the pendant (1) to or from the control apparatus (2) and otherwise to “normal mode”, and a connection state monitoring unit (24) which sends information concerning the connection state of the pendant (1) to the emergency stop circuit (21), and wherein the control apparatus (2) disables the operation of the emergency stop circuit (21) when the detach-ready setting information is set to “detach mode” and when the pendant (1) is disconnected from the control apparatus (2).Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Fanuc CorporationInventor: Shuntaro Toda
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Patent number: 9056396Abstract: Example systems and methods allow for capturing motions of a demonstration tool and using the captured motions to cause a robotic device to replicate motions of the demonstration tool with a robot tool. One example method includes receiving data from one or more cameras indicative of position of a demonstration tool. Based on the received data, the method may further include determining a motion path of the demonstration tool, where the motion path includes a sequence of positions of the demonstration tool. The method may also include determining a replication control path for a robotic device, where the replication control path includes one or more robot movements that cause the robotic device to move a robot tool through a motion path that corresponds to the motion path of the demonstration tool. The method may further include causing the robotic device to move the robot tool using the one or more robot movements within the replication control path.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2014Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: AutofussInventor: Jeffrey Linnell
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Patent number: 9060245Abstract: An embodiment of a communication system includes a client device adapted to receive a location object that includes tracer information, and to perform one or more location object-based actions using the location object. The client device stores the tracer information and location object usage information, which describes the one or more location object-based actions that have been performed using the location object. The client device also sends the stored information to a server. The system also includes the server, which is adapted to receive the location object usage information and the tracer information reported by the client device. In an embodiment, the system also includes a service provider adapted to initiate a billing event, which may include generation and transmission of a bill to a sponsor entity based on an evaluation of the location object usage information and the tracer information reported by the client device.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLCInventors: Stephen Baker, David Harris, Bernhard Weisshaar
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Patent number: 9050903Abstract: A method of regulating a torque output of a vehicle powertrain includes generating a plurality of torque requests and associating each of the plurality of torque requests with one of a plurality of arbitration domains to form torque request sets associated with each of the plurality of arbitration domains. A first torque request set is arbitrated within a first of the plurality of arbitration domains to provide a first torque request. The first torque request is introduced into a second torque request set associated with a second of the plurality of arbitration domains. The second torque request set is arbitrated within the second arbitration domain to provide a second torque request. A torque source is regulated based on the second torque request.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2007Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Leonard G. Wozniak, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Christopher E. Whitney, Donovan L. Dibble, Charles H. Folkerts, Joseph R. Dulzo, Thomas Magnusson, Magnus Wall, Emil Ritzen
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Patent number: 9044859Abstract: A control method that executes a numerical non-linear optimization procedure with forward simulation of the full dynamics of the bipedal robot (including ground collisions) to compute a foothold, which produces the desired center of mass velocity during the next step of the walking cycle. The controller includes a gait generator that outputs desired joint trajectories designed to track a desired foothold provided by the foot placement algorithm. A torque calculator is included to output desired joint torques designed to track the desired joint trajectories provided by the gait generator. Additionally, the controller includes an actuator controller that produces the desired joint torques determined by the torque calculator at each joint on the physical robot, which may be a legged robot with torque-controlled joints. The foot placement algorithm may use nonlinear optimization that is solvable using a mathematical model of the dynamics of the controlled robot.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventor: Rick E. Cory
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Patent number: 9044863Abstract: A system for selectively controlling visibility of information and for reducing or eliminating light energy in a robotic telepresence environment is provided. The system includes a robotic device in a work environment that is occupied or operated by a pilot at a station in a workspace remote from location of the robot in the work environment, a camera operably attached to the robotic device, a primary polarizing filter adjustably attached to the camera, a viewing area, at least one light source remote from the camera, and at least one secondary polarizing filter. The primary and at least one secondary polarizing filter can be adjusted to vary the lighting and artifacts seen by the pilot.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Matthew Mead, Paul Noll, Lisa Mead, Joel Stanfield, Rémi Marcel Louis Casal
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Patent number: 9043020Abstract: A substrate transportation path is determined by first determining a trajectory of a first straight line passing through a start point, calculating a trajectory of a circular arc in contact with the first straight line, calculating a trajectory of a second straight line in contact with the circular arc and passing through the end point, then, if the position of the end point is changed, re-calculating the second straight line as a straight line passing through the changed end point and in contact with the circular arc, and allowing the center of the substrate holding unit to move on the first straight line, and then, move on the circular arc from a first contact point, followed by moving on the second straight line from a second contact point so as to reach the end point.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventor: Toshiaki Kodama
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Patent number: 9037296Abstract: Disclosed are a robot cleaner, and a system and method for remotely controlling the robot cleaner. Since the robot cleaner is accessed to a terminal through a network, the robot cleaner can be controlled in more various manners. A situation inside a house can be real-time checked from the outside, and the satiation can be rapidly handled according to a state of the robot cleaner. Since the terminal and the robot cleaner are connected to each other through a network, a voice call function and an interphone function can be implemented. Furthermore, the robot cleaner can perform automatic cleaning, manual cleaning, and reservation cleaning in an autonomous manner, or in a remote-controlled manner.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Suuk Choe, Sunghun Lee, Junho Jang, Hyunwoong Park, Seungmin Baek, Yiebin Kim
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Patent number: 9037293Abstract: A robot includes a base, first and second arms, first and second drive sources, first and second inertia sensors, and first and second angle sensors. A rotation axis of the first arm and a rotation axis of the second arm are orthogonal to each other. The first inertia sensor is installed at the first arm, and the second inertia sensor is installed at the second arm. The first angle sensor is installed at the first drive source, and the second angle sensor is installed at the second drive source. Angular velocities obtained from the first inertia sensor and the first angle sensor are fed back to a first drive source control unit. Angular velocities obtained from the second inertia sensor and the second angle sensor are fed back to a second drive source control unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2013Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Akihiro Gomi, Akio Niu, Masaki Motoyoshi
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Patent number: 9037297Abstract: A system for operation of a robot including a substantially transparent display configured such that an operator can see a portion of the robot and data and/or graphical information associated with the operation of a robot. Preferably, a controller in communication with the robot and the transparent display is configured to allow the operator to control the operation of the robot.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Persimmon Technologies CorporationInventor: Martin Hosek
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Patent number: 9031691Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for determining simplified models of humanoid robots. A simplification application linearizes a robot model around a nominal state and performs a singular value decomposition of an inertial term of the model, selecting singular values and corresponding singular vectors to be kept in an inertial term of a simplified model by matching a kinetic energy of the original model to a kinetic energy of the simplified model. Further, a gravitational forces term and a velocity-dependent forces term may be determined by computing active joint torques at sample poses around the nominal pose and solving for the gravitational forces term and the velocity-dependent forces term. A mapping from the simplified model to the original model may be determined using, e.g., numerical optimization.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Katsu Yamane
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Patent number: 9026251Abstract: Proposed is a monitoring device for monitoring and/or sensing predefined positions of a robotic device (5) having at least two axes of motion. The monitoring device comprises at least two sensors (15, 16), the first (15) of which is defined to sense a horizontal position and/or rotative position of the main support (9) and the second sensor (16) a defined horizontal position of the robotic arm (11). The monitoring device comprises furthermore sensor active faces (17a, 18a, 18b) arranged selectively for the first sensor (15) arranged in the horizontal motion zone and/or swiveling zone of the robotic device (5).Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Erowa AGInventor: Hans Hediger
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Patent number: 9026271Abstract: The data recording assembly for monitoring and recording the activity of a vehicle includes an accelerometer coupled to the vehicle. A first transceiver is coupled to the accelerometer. A recorder is coupled to the vehicle. A processor is coupled to the recorder. An electronic memory is coupled to the recorder. A second transceiver is coupled to the recorder and is in communication with the first transceiver. A gps is coupled to the recorder. The gps is in communication with a satellite. A clock is coupled to the recorder. A remote unit is provided. A remote processor is coupled to the remote unit. A remote electronic memory is coupled to the remote unit. A remote transceiver is coupled to the remote unit and is in communication with the second transceiver. A display is coupled to the remote unit. An actuator is coupled to the remote unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Inventor: Glenn Madden
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Patent number: 9020641Abstract: Disclosed herein are an obstacle sensing module and a cleaning robot including the same. The cleaning robot includes a body, a driver to drive the body, an obstacle sensing module to sense an obstacle present around the body, and a control unit to control the driver, based on sensed results of the obstacle sensing module. The obstacle sensing module includes at least one light emitter including a light source, and a wide-angle lens to refract or reflect light from the light source so as to diffuse the incident light in the form of planar light, and a light receiver including a reflection mirror to again reflect reflection light reflected by the obstacle so as to generate reflection light, an optical lens spaced from the reflection mirror by a predetermined distance, to allow the reflection light to pass through the optical lens, and an image sensor, and an image processing circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yeon Kyu Jeong, Dong Won Kim, Jea Yun So, Sang Sik Yoon, Gwang Jin Jung, Joon Hyung Kwon
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Patent number: 9014851Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for tracking an elongate instrument or other medical instrument in an image.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Hansen Medical, Inc.Inventors: Serena Wong, Sean Walker, Jason Hsu, June Park, Neal Tanner, Kiran Murthy
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Patent number: 9008890Abstract: An autonomous vehicle may include a stuck condition detection component and a communications component. The stuck-detection component may be configured to detect a condition in which the autonomous vehicle is impeded from navigating according to a first trajectory. The communications component may send an assistance signal to an assistance center and receive a response to the assistance signal. The assistance signal may include sensor information from the autonomous vehicle. The assistance center may include a communications component and a trajectory specification component. The communications component may receive the assistance signal and send a corresponding response. The trajectory specification component may specify a second trajectory for the autonomous vehicle and generate the corresponding response that includes a representation of the second trajectory. The second trajectory may be based on the first trajectory and may ignore an object that obstructs the first trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Joshua Seth Herbach, Nathaniel Fairfield, Dmitri Dolgov, Peter Colijn, Andrew Chatham