Patents by Inventor Anthony Melanson
Anthony Melanson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230150321Abstract: Embodiments relate to autonomous operation of a mobile robot, which can include use of a receiver hitch, a tow arm, and a trained model. Embodiments include use of sensors and identifiers to facilitate autonomous operation based solely on receiver hitch data. The receiver hitch data can allow the robot to autonomously position itself and orient the tow arm for proper alignment with the receiver hitch. Receiver hitch data can also be used to autonomously increase a field of view for the robot. Additional sensor data can allow the robot to detect a ledge or similar obstacle and avoid steering towards or over the ledge.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Applicant: ST Engineering Aethon, Inc.Inventors: Ryan List, Spencer W. Allen, Joseph S. Beri, David Debusca, George F. Lucas, Anthony Melanson, Peter T. Seiff
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Publication number: 20230150139Abstract: Embodiments relate to a robotic system having a plurality of sensors attached to a robot. The system includes an identifier attached to a receiver hitch of a cart. The identifier includes information related to a cart with which the identifier is attached. At least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect the identifier and transmit sensor data to a computing unit of the robot. The computing unit of the robot operates the robot and/or the plurality of sensors based on the cart information. Some embodiments include a facility sensor attached to a facility. The facility sensor is configured to detect presence or absence of a cart.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Applicant: ST Engineering Aethon, Inc.Inventors: David Debusca, Spencer W. Allen, Joseph S. Beri, George F. Lucas, Anthony Melanson, David Peduzzi, Peter T. Seiff
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Patent number: 11634280Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method that includes a robotic unit configured to deliver items (e.g., medicine, foodstuff, linens, equipment, etc.) to sites (e.g., rooms, offices, etc.) and/or individuals (e.g., patients, pharmacists, technician, etc.) throughout a facility (e.g., hospital, office building, mailroom, manufacturing facility, etc.). The robotic unit is a mobile unit that operates autonomously to follow predetermined or programmed routes throughout the facility to deliver the items. The system is configured to maintain a chain of custody for the items. In addition, the robotic unit is configured to only allow designated items to be delivered to designated sites and/or to authorized individuals. This can be achieved by the robotic unit having a plurality of containers that are locked within a storage space of the robotic unit, and are only accessible upon successful completion of an authorization process.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2021Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: ST Engineering Aethon Inc.Inventors: Anthony Melanson, Ryan List, Spencer Allen, Scott E. Stropkay, Andres Chamorro, III, Mark C. Matthews, Ashley James Nye Legg
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Patent number: 11514397Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method is disclosed for inventory management including an inventory machine, a medication tray, and at least one marker. A medication tray includes a plurality of compartments to receive medications and other items, where each compartment is designated as a receptacle for a specific item or type of item. A marker is provided for each item placed in a compartment, and insertion of a medication tray into an inventory machine enables components to scan for markers. The markers are configured to generate identifying data and other data related to an item upon being scanned by an imaging apparatus and processed by a decoder apparatus. The correct/incorrect location of items within a medication tray, among other information, is determined in an automated fashion as part of the computer-implemented inventory management system and method.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: INMAR SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS, LLCInventors: David G. Wolfe, Spencer W. Allen, Anthony Melanson
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Publication number: 20220004979Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method that includes a robotic unit configured to deliver items (e.g., medicine, foodstuff, linens, equipment, etc.) to sites (e.g., rooms, offices, etc.) and/or individuals (e.g., patients, pharmacists, technician, etc.) throughout a facility (e.g., hospital, office building, mailroom, manufacturing facility, etc.). The robotic unit is a mobile unit that operates autonomously to follow predetermined or programmed routes throughout the facility to deliver the items. The system is configured to maintain a chain of custody for the items. In addition, the robotic unit is configured to only allow designated items to be delivered to designated sites and/or to authorized individuals. This can be achieved by the robotic unit having a plurality of containers that are locked within a storage space of the robotic unit, and are only accessible upon successful completion of an authorization process.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Applicant: ST Engineering Aethon, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Melanson, Ryan List, Spencer Allen, Scott E. Stropkay, Andres Chamorro, III, Mark C. Matthews, Ashley James Nye Legg
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Patent number: 11142401Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method that includes a robotic unit configured to deliver items (e.g., medicine, foodstuff, linens, equipment, etc.) to sites (e.g., rooms, offices, etc.) and/or individuals (e.g., patients, pharmacists, technician, etc.) throughout a facility (e.g., hospital, office building, mailroom, manufacturing facility, etc.). The robotic unit is a mobile unit that operates autonomously to follow predetermined or programmed routes throughout the facility to deliver the items. The system is configured to maintain a chain of custody for the items. In addition, the robotic unit is configured to only allow designated items to be delivered to designated sites and/or to authorized individuals. This can be achieved by the robotic unit having a plurality of containers that are locked within a storage space of the robotic unit, and are only accessible upon successful completion of an authorization process.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2020Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: ST Engineering Aethon, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Melanson, Ryan List, Spencer Allen, Scott E. Stropkay, Andres Chamorro, III, Mark C. Matthews, Ashley James Nye Legg
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Publication number: 20200223632Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method that includes a robotic unit configured to deliver items (e.g., medicine, foodstuff, linens, equipment, etc.) to sites (e.g., rooms, offices, etc.) and/or individuals (e.g., patients, pharmacists, technician, etc.) throughout a facility (e.g., hospital, office building, mailroom, manufacturing facility, etc.). The robotic unit is a mobile unit that operates autonomously to follow predetermined or programmed routes throughout the facility to deliver the items. The system is configured to maintain a chain of custody for the items. In addition, the robotic unit is configured to only allow designated items to be delivered to designated sites and/or to authorized individuals. This can be achieved by the robotic unit having a plurality of containers that are locked within a storage space of the robotic unit, and are only accessible upon successful completion of an authorization process.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Anthony Melanson, Ryan List, Spencer Allen, Scott E. Stropkay, Andres Chamorro, III, Mark C. Matthews, Ashley James Nye Legg
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Publication number: 20190333008Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method is disclosed for inventory management including an inventory machine, a medication tray, and at least one marker. A medication tray includes a plurality of compartments to receive medications and other items, where each compartment is designated as a receptacle for a specific item or type of item. A marker is provided for each item placed in a compartment, and insertion of a medication tray into an inventory machine enables components to scan for markers. The markers are configured to generate identifying data and other data related to an item upon being scanned by an imaging apparatus and processed by a decoder apparatus. The correct/incorrect location of items within a medication tray, among other information, is determined in an automated fashion as part of the computer-implemented inventory management system and method.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: David G. WOLFE, Spencer W. Allen, Anthony Melanson
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Publication number: 20160364686Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method is disclosed for inventory management including an inventory machine, a medication tray, and at least one marker. A medication tray includes a plurality of compartments to receive medications and other items, where each compartment is designated as a receptacle for a specific item or type of item. A marker is provided for each item placed in a compartment, and insertion of a medication tray into an inventory machine enables components to scan for markers. The markers are configured to generate identifying data and other data related to an item upon being scanned by an imaging apparatus and processed by a decoder apparatus. The correct/incorrect location of items within a medication tray, among other information, is determined in an automated fashion as part of the computer-implemented inventory management system and method.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: David G. Wolfe, Spencer W. Allen, Anthony Melanson
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Patent number: 8634671Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to perform multi-focal plane image acquisition and compression are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes capturing a first image of a portion of an object at a first focal plane and at a first resolution, computing a contrast metric for the captured first image, comparing the contrast metric to a threshold to determine whether to capture a second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at a second resolution, wherein the second resolution is different from the first resolution, capturing the second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at the second resolution, and storing a first representation of the second image in a file, the file containing a second representation of the portion of the object at a second focal plane, wherein the second representation is at the first resolution.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Shai Dekel, Anthony Melanson
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Publication number: 20130038750Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to perform multi-focal plane image acquisition and compression are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes capturing a first image of a portion of an object at a first focal plane and at a first resolution, computing a contrast metric for the captured first image, comparing the contrast metric to a threshold to determine whether to capture a second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at a second resolution, wherein the second resolution is different from the first resolution, capturing the second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at the second resolution, and storing a first representation of the second image in a file, the file containing a second representation of the portion of the object at a second focal plane, wherein the second representation is at the first resolution.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Shai Dekel, Anthony Melanson
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Patent number: 8300965Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to perform multi-focal plane image acquisition and compression are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes capturing a first image of a portion of an object at a first focal plane and at a first resolution, computing a contrast metric for the captured first image, comparing the contrast metric to a threshold to determine whether to capture a second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at a second resolution, wherein the second resolution is different from the first resolution, capturing the second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at the second resolution, and storing a first representation of the second image in a file, the file containing a second representation of the portion of the object at a second focal plane, wherein the second representation is at the first resolution.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Shai Dekel, Anthony Melanson
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Publication number: 20100246988Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to perform multi-focal plane image acquisition and compression are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes capturing a first image of a portion of an object at a first focal plane and at a first resolution, computing a contrast metric for the captured first image, comparing the contrast metric to a threshold to determine whether to capture a second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at a second resolution, wherein the second resolution is different from the first resolution, capturing the second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at the second resolution, and storing a first representation of the second image in a file, the file containing a second representation of the portion of the object at a second focal plane, wherein the second representation is at the first resolution.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: General Electric Company , a New York CorporationInventors: Shai Dekel, Anthony Melanson