Patents by Inventor Gunter Niemeyer

Gunter Niemeyer 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).

  • Patent number: 10642130
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a motorized monopole for a camera, including: a hand-held monopole; a first motor positioned at an end of the hand-held monopole; a first connecting element attached to the first motor; a second motor positioned at an end of the first connecting element; a second connecting element attached to the second motor; a third motor positioned at an end of the second connecting element; and a camera mounting plate attached to the second connecting element by the third motor, where components of the multi-axis gimbal are positioned such that a camera viewing axis, a horizontal image axis, and a vertical image axis of a camera mounted on the camera mounting plate need not be aligned with any of a rotational axis of the first motor, a rotational axis of the second motor, or a rotational axis of the third motor. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gunter Niemeyer, Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Vince Roberts, Anthony Accardo, Michael Holton
  • Patent number: 10583556
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: detecting, using at least one sensor, a displacement event associated with a monopod jib, wherein the displacement event moves a portion of the monopod jib from a first position to a second position; calculating, using a processor, an adjustment value for at least one of a plurality of motors of a stabilization mechanism operatively coupled to the monopod jib, wherein the calculated adjustment value identifies a motor movement to counteract the displacement event; activating the at least one of a plurality of motors corresponding to the calculated adjustment value; and adjusting, using the activated at least one of the plurality of motors, at least one portion of the stabilization mechanism using the calculated adjustment value. Other embodiments are shown and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Günter Niemeyer, Ali Utku Pehlivan
  • Patent number: 10551724
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a monopole for a camera, including: a pole of length sufficient for two handed operation; an offset arrangement attached to an end of the pole, the offset arrangement comprising a first element connected at an angle to the end of the pole and a second element connected to the first element; the first element rotating about a first axis with respect to the end of the pole; the second element rotating about a second axis with respect to the first element; a camera mount attached to the second element, wherein the camera mount rotates about a third axis with respect to the second element; and at least one motor aligned with the first, the second or the third axis and imparting movement to the camera mount with respect to the pole in at least one degree of freedom selected from the group consisting of tilt, pan and roll. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent H. Roberts, Kenneth D. Salter, Anthony M. Accardo, Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Gunter Niemeyer
  • Publication number: 20190001494
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: detecting, using at least one sensor, a displacement event associated with a monopod jib, wherein the displacement event moves a portion of the monopod jib from a first position to a second position; calculating, using a processor, an adjustment value for at least one of a plurality of motors of a stabilization mechanism operatively coupled to the monopod jib, wherein the calculated adjustment value identifies a motor movement to counteract the displacement event; activating the at least one of a plurality of motors corresponding to the calculated adjustment value; and adjusting, using the activated at least one of the plurality of motors, at least one portion of the stabilization mechanism using the calculated adjustment value. Other embodiments are shown and described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Günter Niemeyer, Ali Utku Pehlivan
  • Publication number: 20180031952
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a motorized monopole for a camera, including: a hand-held monopole; a first motor positioned at an end of the hand-held monopole; a first connecting element attached to the first motor; a second motor positioned at an end of the first connecting element; a second connecting element attached to the second motor; a third motor positioned at an end of the second connecting element; and a camera mounting plate attached to the second connecting element by the third motor, where components of the multi-axis gimbal are positioned such that a camera viewing axis, a horizontal image axis, and a vertical image axis of a camera mounted on the camera mounting plate need not be aligned with any of a rotational axis of the first motor, a rotational axis of the second motor, or a rotational axis of the third motor. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gunter Niemeyer, Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Vince Roberts, Anthony Accardo, Michael Holton
  • Patent number: 9798221
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a motorized monopole for a camera, including: a hand-held monopole; a first motor positioned at an end of the hand-held monopole; a first connecting element attached to the first motor; a second motor positioned at an end of the first connecting element; a second connecting element attached to the second motor; a third motor positioned at an end of the second connecting element; and a camera mounting plate attached to the second connecting element by the third motor, where components of the multi-axis gimbal are positioned such that a camera viewing axis, a horizontal image axis, and a vertical image axis of a camera mounted on the camera mounting plate need not be aligned with any of a rotational axis of the first motor, a rotational axis of the second motor, or a rotational axis of the third motor. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gunter Niemeyer, Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Vince Roberts, Anthony Accardo, Michael Holton
  • Publication number: 20170010521
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a monopole for a camera, including: a pole of length sufficient for two handed operation; an offset arrangement attached to an end of the pole, the offset arrangement comprising a first element connected at an angle to the end of the pole and a second element connected to the first element; the first element rotating about a first axis with respect to the end of the pole; the second element rotating about a second axis with respect to the first element; a camera mount attached to the second element, wherein the camera mount rotates about a third axis with respect to the second element; and at least one motor aligned with the first, the second or the third axis and imparting movement to the camera mount with respect to the pole in at least one degree of freedom selected from the group consisting of tilt, pan and roll. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Vincent H. Roberts, Kenneth D. Salter, Anthony M. Accardo, Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Gunter Niemeyer
  • Patent number: 9454064
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a motorized monopole for a camera, including: a monopole; an offset arrangement attached to the monopole; a camera mount; the offset arrangement rotating with respect to the monopole; the offset arrangement terminating in a connection attaching the camera mount; and a first motor imparting tilt movement to the camera mount with respect to the connection. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent H. Roberts, Kenneth D. Salter, Anthony M. Accardo, Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Gunter Niemeyer
  • Publication number: 20160246162
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a motorized monopole for a camera, including: a hand-held monopole; a first motor positioned at an end of the hand-held monopole; a first connecting element attached to the first motor; a second motor positioned at an end of the first connecting element; a second connecting element attached to the second motor; a third motor positioned at an end of the second connecting element; and a camera mounting plate attached to the second connecting element by the third motor, where components of the multi-axis gimbal are positioned such that a camera viewing axis, a horizontal image axis, and a vertical image axis of a camera mounted on the camera mounting plate need not be aligned with any of a rotational axis of the first motor, a rotational axis of the second motor, or a rotational axis of the third motor. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Gunter Niemeyer, Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Vince Roberts, Anthony Accardo, Michael Holton
  • Publication number: 20150219981
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a motorized monopole for a camera, including: a monopole; an offset arrangement attached to the monopole; a camera mount; the offset arrangement rotating with respect to the monopole; the offset arrangement terminating in a connection attaching the camera mount; and a first motor imparting tilt movement to the camera mount with respect to the connection. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent H. Roberts, Kenneth D. Salter, Anthony M. Accardo, Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Gunter Niemeyer
  • Patent number: 8347738
    Abstract: This invention provides small position sensors for applications where localized sensing in a small volume of space is needed but where measurement of large relative displacement is also necessary. The invention enables a surgeon to accurately position the tip of a catheter during minimally invasive therapy. The current invention further improves the quality of tactile feedback to a physician during catheter-based surgeries with an axial force sensor at the tip of the catheter that allows for the transmission of force information to the physician. One embodiment of this invention is a position sensor for active interventional catheters, where the sensor may be laser-machined shape memory alloy (SMA), and the catheter actuators may be heated SMA or wire-pulleys. Providing position feedback from a catheter during minimally invasive therapy allows for closed-loop control of the catheter tip position under computer-aided guidance and enable force feedback to the physician.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Alexander Tung, Günter Niemeyer, David Liang, Byong-Ho Park, Friedrich B. Prinz, Bob S. Hu
  • Patent number: 8190292
    Abstract: Telerobotic systems with integrated high frequency feedback to enhance users' telerobotic experience are provided. The controller of the telerobotic system is characterized by combining high frequency information with low frequency position or velocity information. The controller is useful for teleoperations with delay and no-delay between the communication channels of the master and slave device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Gunter Niemeyer, Neal A. Tanner
  • Publication number: 20110243537
    Abstract: A control method for an haptic device is provided with particular attention to motor control amplifiers exploiting the inate motor dynamics of DC motors. The control method encompasses a digital and analog circuit. In the digital circuit, a command voltage is determined by a digital controller utilizing sensed motion information of the haptic device and a motion command signal. In the analog circuit, an amplifier applies a voltage to an electrical DC motor. The applied voltage incorporates the determined command voltage from the digital controller and a voltage to reduce the electrical dynamics of the electrical DC motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Robert P. Wilson, Günter Niemeyer
  • Publication number: 20100174228
    Abstract: A system for predicting hypoglycemia based on continuous blood glucose monitor values is provided. The hypoglycemia detection algorithm is a set of individual alarms that are combined through a voting system into one combined alarm. The system could have five components and an overall voting algorithm that produces a binary alarm outcome depending on the number of constituent algorithms that report an alarm. A controller system automatically shuts off the insulin pump when pending or real hypoglycemia has been reached. The algorithms operate in a closed loop and automatically take action when the subject is asleep.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Bruce Buckingham, Günter Niemeyer, Darrell M. Wilson, Fraser Cameron, H. Peter Chase, Eyal Dassau, Hyunjin Lee, B. Wayne Bequette, Francis J. Doyle, III
  • Patent number: 7710061
    Abstract: A motor control amplifier for position feedback control is provided utilizing the inherent inductor and/or resistor dynamics of the motor. The motor control amplifier applies a voltage to the motor equivalent to the electrical motor resistance multiplied by the current of the motor, canceling out the electrical motor resistance, and thereby providing position feedback control through motor inductance. A command term/voltage could be added to make the position feedback control relative to a setpoint. Further, a motor control amplifier for feedback control to arbitrary dynamics is provided. The motor amplifier applies a voltage proportional to a wave command signal. The motor amplifier has a sensing component to provide a wave return signal to construct a wave transformer from the electrical motor resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Günter Niemeyer, Nicola Diolaiti, Neal A. Tanner
  • Publication number: 20090099551
    Abstract: This invention provides small position sensors for applications where localized sensing in a small volume of space is needed but where measurement of large relative displacement is also necessary. The invention enables a surgeon to accurately position the tip of a catheter during minimally invasive therapy. The current invention further improves the quality of tactile feedback to a physician during catheter-based surgeries with an axial force sensor at the tip of the catheter that allows for the transmission of force information to the physician. One embodiment of this invention is a position sensor for active interventional catheters, where the sensor may be laser-machined shape memory alloy (SMA), and the catheter actuators may be heated SMA or wire-pulleys. Providing position feedback from a catheter during minimally invasive therapy allows for closed-loop control of the catheter tip position under computer-aided guidance and enable force feedback to the physician.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Alexander Tung, Gunter Niemeyer, David Liang, Byong-Ho Park, Friedrich B. Prinz, Bob S. Hu
  • Publication number: 20080048604
    Abstract: A motor control amplifier for position feedback control is provided utilizing the inherent inductor and/or resistor dynamics of the motor. The motor control amplifier applies a voltage to the motor equivalent to the electrical motor resistance multiplied by the current of the motor, canceling out the electrical motor resistance, and thereby providing position feedback control through motor inductance. A command term/voltage could be added to make the position feedback control relative to a setpoint. Further, a motor control amplifier for feedback control to arbitrary dynamics is provided. The motor amplifier applies a voltage proportional to a wave command signal. The motor amplifier has a sensing component to provide a wave return signal to construct a wave transformer from the electrical motor resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Gunter Niemeyer, Nicola Diolaiti, Neal Tanner
  • Publication number: 20070083098
    Abstract: Robotic, telerobotic, and/or telesurgical devices, systems, and methods take advantage of robotic structures and data to calculate changes in the focus of an image capture device in response to movement of the image capture device, a robotic end effector, or the like. As the size of an image of an object shown in the display device varies with changes in a separation distance between that object and the image capture device used to capture the image, a scale factor between a movement command input may be changed in response to moving an input device or a corresponding master/slave robotic movement command of the system. This may enhance the perceived correlation between the input commands and the robotic movements as they appear in the image presented to the system operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical INC.
    Inventors: John Stern, Robert Younge, David Gere, Gunter Niemeyer
  • Publication number: 20070052496
    Abstract: Telerobotic systems with integrated high frequency feedback to enhance users' telerobotic experience are provided. The controller of the telerobotic system is characterized by combining high frequency information with low frequency position or velocity information. The controller is useful for teleoperations with delay and no-delay between the communication channels of the master and slave device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Gunter Niemeyer, Neal Tanner
  • Publication number: 20070043338
    Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: HANSEN MEDICAL, INC
    Inventors: Frederic Moll, Daniel Wallace, Gregory Stahler, David Moore, Daniel Adams, Kenneth Martin, Robert Younge, Michael Zinn, Gunter Niemeyer, David Lundmark