Patents by Inventor Paul M. Birkmeyer
Paul M. Birkmeyer 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: 11338451Abstract: Example systems and methods are described that are capable of gripping objects. In one implementation, a method involves identifying, by a processing system, an object to be gripped at a first location, commanding, by the processing system, a robotic actuator to move a gripper in a first direction so that the gripper makes contact with the object, wherein one or more teeth in a plurality of fingers associated with the gripper mechanically engage the object, and commanding, by the proceeding system, the robotic actuator to move the gripper in a second direction that is substantially opposite to the first direction, causing the gripper to grip the object.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Dishcraft Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Ma, Paul M. Birkmeyer, Kent Anderson, Stephen Morfey
-
Publication number: 20210380353Abstract: Apparatus and methods for destacking objects are disclosed. An apparatus includes a robotic arm, and an end effector connected to the robotic arm. The end effector including a grasping element for grasping an object and means for clearing a surface of the object before the grasping element grasps the object at the surface. A method for mechanically destacking dishware involves moving an end effector near to a top dish in a stack of dishware, clearing an area on a surface of the top dish by sweeping a scraper bar of a scraper mechanism over the surface of the top dish in a first direction, wherein the scraper bar is mechanically connected to the end effector, and grasping, with a grasping element of the end effector, the top dish at the area on the surface of the top dish that has been cleared by the scraper.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Kevin Yuan Ma, Paul M. Birkmeyer
-
Publication number: 20210380354Abstract: Apparatus and methods for separating dishware are disclosed. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a frame that defines an opening through which stacked dishware can pass, and a plurality of assemblies connected to the frame and positioned around the opening. Each assembly includes a base, and a plurality of fingers having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the plurality of fingers are rotatably coupled to the base and extend from the base towards the opening, wherein each finger tapers towards the distal end.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Kevin Yuan Ma, Paul M. Birkmeyer, Nicole Kernbaum
-
Patent number: 11158072Abstract: Example intelligent dishwashing systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a system includes a light source that is configured to illuminate an article of dishware. An imaging system is configured to capture at least one image of the article of dishware. A processing system is configured to analyze the at least one image to determine a presence of a stain on the article of dishware.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2018Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Dishcraft Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Kerkil Choi, Paul M. Birkmeyer, Paul Baumgart, Kenneth M. Peters
-
Publication number: 20210204793Abstract: Example intelligent dishwashing systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a system includes an imaging system configured to capture at least one image of an article of dishware. A processing system analyzes the at least one image to determine a presence and a location of a stain on the article of dishware. Responsive to determining the presence of a stain, a cleaning system is configured to clean the location of the stain on the article of dishware.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Kerkil Choi, Paul M. Birkmeyer, Paul Baumgart, Kenneth M. Peters
-
Patent number: 10952591Abstract: Example intelligent dishwashing systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a system includes an imaging system configured to capture at least one image of an article of dishware. A processing system analyzes the at least one image to determine a presence and a location of a stain on the article of dishware. Responsive to determining the presence of a stain, a cleaning system is configured to clean the location of the stain on the article of dishware.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Dishcraft Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Kerkil Choi, Paul M. Birkmeyer, Paul Baumgart, Kenneth M. Peters
-
Publication number: 20200391392Abstract: Example systems and methods are described that are capable of gripping objects. In one implementation, a method involves identifying, by a processing system, an object to be gripped at a first location, commanding, by the processing system, a robotic actuator to move a gripper in a first direction so that the gripper makes contact with the object, wherein one or more teeth in a plurality of fingers associated with the gripper mechanically engage the object, and commanding, by the proceeding system, the robotic actuator to move the gripper in a second direction that is substantially opposite to the first direction, causing the gripper to grip the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Inventors: Kevin MA, Paul M. BIRKMEYER, Kent ANDERSON, Stephen MORFEY
-
Patent number: 10759062Abstract: Example systems and methods are described that are capable of gripping objects. In one implementation, a system includes a first finger that includes a plurality of teeth and a second finger that is mechanically coupled to the first finger and includes a plurality of teeth. The first finger and the second finger are configured to move apart when the first finger and the second finger are moved in a first direction against an object. The first finger and second finger are further configured to grip the object when the first finger and the second finger are moved in a second direction that is substantially opposite to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Dishcraft Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Ma, Paul M. Birkmeyer, Kent Anderson, Stephen Morfey
-
Patent number: 10589949Abstract: A system for robotic manipulation of objects having various shapes and sizes. The system includes a robot having an end effector, and an independent tag. The independent tag may have an object attachment interface to grasp an object, and an end effector attachment interface to mechanically interface with the end effector. Upon actuation of the robot, the end effector may move the object via the independent tag. A corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed herein.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Dishcraft Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Peters, Paul M. Birkmeyer, Emerald Catherine Ferreira-Yang
-
Patent number: 10562193Abstract: A system for automatically magnetically gripping non-magnetic objects. The system includes a robotic arm, a magnetic actuator, and a free magnetic element. The magnetic actuator may be coupled to an end effector of the robotic arm. A non-magnetic object may be placed between the free magnetic element and the magnetic actuator. The magnetic actuator may magnetically attract the free magnetic element to securely grasp the non-magnetic object therebetween. A corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed herein.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Dishcraft Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Paul M. Birkmeyer, Kenneth M. Peters
-
Patent number: 10507584Abstract: Example systems and methods are described that are capable of manipulating fixtures and objects. In one implementation, a system includes a robotic actuator and a processing system configured to generate commands for positioning the robotic actuator. A vision system is configured to process visual information proximate the robotic actuator. The robotic actuator is configured to manipulate a fixture, where the fixture is configured to be placed on a work surface to aid in manipulating an object.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: DISHCRAFT ROBOTICS, INC.Inventors: Kenneth M. Peters, Paul M. Birkmeyer
-
Publication number: 20190239716Abstract: Example intelligent dishwashing systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a system includes an imaging system configured to capture at least one image of an article of dishware. A processing system analyzes the at least one image to determine a presence and a location of a stain on the article of dishware. Responsive to determining the presence of a stain, a cleaning system is configured to clean the location of the stain on the article of dishware.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2018Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventors: Kerkil Choi, Paul M. Birkmeyer, Paul Baumgart, Kenneth M. Peters
-
Publication number: 20190244375Abstract: Example intelligent dishwashing systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a system includes a light source that is configured to illuminate an article of dishware. An imaging system is configured to capture at least one image of the article of dishware. A processing system is configured to analyze the at least one image to determine a presence of a stain on the article of dishware.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2018Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventors: Kerkil Choi, Paul M. Birkmeyer, Paul Baumgart, Kenneth M. Peters
-
Publication number: 20190176346Abstract: Example systems and methods are described that are capable of gripping objects. In one implementation, a system includes a first finger that includes a plurality of teeth and a second finger that is mechanically coupled to the first finger and includes a plurality of teeth. The first finger and the second finger are configured to move apart when the first finger and the second finger are moved in a first direction against an object. The first finger and second finger are further configured to grip the object when the first finger and the second finger are moved in a second direction that is substantially opposite to the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2017Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Kevin Ma, Paul M. Birkmeyer, Kent Anderson, Stephen Morfey
-
Publication number: 20180072523Abstract: A system for robotic manipulation of objects having various shapes and sizes. The system includes a robot having an end effector, and an independent tag. The independent tag may have an object attachment interface to grasp an object, and an end effector attachment interface to mechanically interface with the end effector. Upon actuation of the robot, the end effector may move the object via the independent tag. A corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Kenneth M. Peters, Paul M. Birkmeyer, Emerald Catherine Ferreira-Yang
-
Publication number: 20180056524Abstract: A system for automatically magnetically gripping non-magnetic objects. The system includes a robotic arm, a magnetic actuator, and a free magnetic element. The magnetic actuator may be coupled to an end effector of the robotic arm. A non-magnetic object may be placed between the free magnetic element and the magnetic actuator. The magnetic actuator may magnetically attract the free magnetic element to securely grasp the non-magnetic object therebetween. A corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Paul M. Birkmeyer, Kenneth M. Peters
-
Publication number: 20180050453Abstract: Example systems and methods are described that are capable of manipulating fixtures and objects. In one implementation, a system includes a robotic actuator and a processing system configured to generate commands for positioning the robotic actuator. A vision system is configured to process visual information proximate the robotic actuator. The robotic actuator is configured to manipulate a fixture, where the fixture is configured to be placed on a work surface to aid in manipulating an object.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2017Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: Kenneth M. Peters, Paul M. Birkmeyer
-
Publication number: 20180036889Abstract: Example dish manipulation systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a robotic actuator includes at least one magnet. The robotic actuator is configured to manipulate, using magnetic attraction, an article of magnetic dishware. A processing system electrically coupled to the robotic actuator is configured to generate commands for positioning the robotic actuator in three-dimensional space.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Paul M. Birkmeyer, Linda H. Pouliot, Kenneth M. Peters