Patents Assigned to Zenrobotics Oy
  • Patent number: 11851292
    Abstract: A waste sorting robot gripper comprises a suction cup engageable with the surface of a waste object. The suction cup has an air hole for evacuating air from the suction cup. A suction tube is coupled to the suction cup. The suction tube comprises a longitudinal axis. A first air inlet is in fluid communication with the air hole at one end of the suction tube and an air outlet at the other end of the suction tube. A path of the air flow between the air inlet and the air outlet is substantially along the longitudinal axis. The suction tube comprises a second air inlet in fluid communication with an air source, the second air inlet being between the first air inlet and the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: MP ZenRobotics Oy
    Inventors: Tuomas Lukka, Maciej Borkowski
  • Patent number: 11682097
    Abstract: Feedback information is an important aspect in all machine learning systems. In robot systems that are picking objects from a plurality of objects this has been arranged by acquiring images of objects that have been picked. When images are acquired after picking they can be imaged accurately and the information about picking and also dropping success can be improved by using acquired images as a feedback in the machine learning arrangement being used for controlling the picking and dropping of objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: MP ZenRobotics Oy
    Inventors: Tuomas Lukka, Janne Kujala
  • Patent number: 11660762
    Abstract: A waste sorting robot can include a manipulator comprising a suction gripper for interacting with one or more waste objects to be sorted within a working area, and wherein the manipulator is moveable within the working area. There is a controller configured to send control instructions to the manipulator. At least one pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the suction gripper and configured to generate a pressure signal in dependence on a fluid pressure in the suction gripper. The controller is configured to receive the pressure signal and to determine manipulator instructions in dependence on the pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: MP ZENROBOTICS OY
    Inventors: Harri Holopainen, Tuomas Lukka
  • Publication number: 20210110504
    Abstract: Feedback information is an important aspect in all machine learning systems. In robot systems that are picking objects from a plurality of objects this has been arranged by acquiring images of objects that have been picked. When images are acquired after picking they can be imaged accurately and the information about picking and also dropping success can be improved by using acquired images as a feedback in the machine learning arrangement being used for controlling the picking and dropping of objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: ZenRobotics Oy
    Inventors: Tuomas LUKKA, Janne KUJALA
  • Patent number: 10839474
    Abstract: Feedback information is an important aspect in all machine learning systems. In robot systems that are picking objects from a plurality of objects this has been arranged by acquiring images of objects that have been picked. When images are acquired after picking they can be imaged accurately and the information about picking and also dropping success can be improved by using acquired images as a feedback in the machine learning arrangement being used for controlling the picking and dropping of objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: ZenRobotics Oy
    Inventors: Tuomas Lukka, Janne Kujala
  • Patent number: 9713875
    Abstract: The invention concerns in general the technical field of robotics and automation. Especially the invention concerns a structure for improving a shock tolerance of a robot or other positioning system. More specifically, the invention discloses a mounting element structure for increasing shock tolerance in a robot. The mounting element structure includes a first surface (201) and a second surface (202) towards a robot tool element, wherein the first and second surfaces (201; 202) are configured to be connected with a string assembly (203). The string assembly is configured to, under exposure of external force exceeding a predetermined level, to reduce the damage caused by the force by deforming the shape of the string assembly (203).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: ZENROBOTICS OY
    Inventor: Tuomas Lukka
  • Patent number: 9230329
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method comprising: obtaining at least one image comprising at least one object; analyzing the at least one image to determine at least one gripping location to grip an object; selecting a gripping location from the at least one gripping location based on a predetermined criterion; and issuing at least one instruction to a gripper to grip the object at the selected gripping location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ZENROBOTICS OY
    Inventor: Tuomas Lukka
  • Patent number: 9050719
    Abstract: A method in which an apparatus receives first sensor data from first sensors and determines a target position from the data, the target position may be a position in space or an orientation of a gripper in a robot arm First instructions are issued to the robot arm or the gripper in order to move a gripper to the target position. Force feedback sensor data is received from force feedback sensors associated with either the robot arm or the gripper or from the first sensors. A failure in carrying out the first instructions is determined. Second sensor data is received from the at least one first sensor. Successful gripping of an object is determined from the second sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: ZENROBOTICS OY
    Inventors: Harri Valpola, Tuomas Lukka
  • Publication number: 20140088765
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for invalidating sensor measurements after a sorting action on a target area of a robot sorting system. In the method there are obtained sensor measurements using sensors from a target area. A first image is captured of the target area using a sensor over the target area. A first sorting action is performed in the target area using a robot arm based on the sensor measurements and the first image. Thereupon, a second image of the target area is captured using a sensor over the target area. The first and the second images are compared to determine invalid areas in the target area. The invalid areas are avoided in future sorting actions based on the sensor measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: ZENROBOTICS OY
    Inventors: Harri Valpola, Tuomas Lukka
  • Publication number: 20130338826
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method comprising: obtaining at least one image comprising at least one object; analysing the at least one image to determine at least one gripping location to grip an object; selecting a gripping location from the at least one gripping location based on a predetermined criterion; and issuing at least one instruction to a gripper to grip the object at the selected gripping location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: ZenRobotics Oy
    Inventor: Tuomas Lukka
  • Publication number: 20130266205
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for recognizing physical objects. In the method an object is gripped with a gripper, which is attached to a robot arm or mounted separately. Using an image sensor, a plurality of source images of an area comprising the object is captured while the object is moved with the robot arm. The camera is configured to move along the gripper, attached to the gripper or otherwise able to monitor the movement of the gripper. Moving image elements are extracted from the plurality of source images by computing a variance image from the source images and forming a filtering image from the variance image. A result image is obtained by using the filtering image as a bitmask. The result image is used for classifying the gripped object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: ZenRobotics Oy
    Inventor: Harri Valpola
  • Publication number: 20130151007
    Abstract: A method in which an apparatus receives first sensor data from first sensors and determines a target position from the data, the target position may be a position in space or an orientation of a gripper in a robot arm First instructions are issued to the robot arm or the gripper in order to move a gripper to the target position. Force feedback sensor data is received from force feedback sensors associated with either the robot arm or the gripper or from the first sensors. A failure in carrying out the first instructions is determined Second sensor data is received from the at least one first sensor. Successful gripping of an object is determined from the second sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: ZENROBOTICS OY
    Inventors: Harri Valpola, Tuomas Lukka
  • Patent number: 8332336
    Abstract: In the method of the invention, information is selected in a processing unit. The end result to be achieved is final feature information to be used for performing a task. In the method, input information to the processing unit is treated with the intention to find useful information from the input information in view of the task. Feature information representing characteristics of the input information is formed from the input data, the values of the feature information being further processed on the basis of their utility. The method is mainly characterized in that a preliminary prediction is formed from a first context of a sot of input information by means of first parameters and in that the first primary input of the set of input data is preprocessed by forming calculation results by means of second parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Zenrobotics Oy
    Inventors: Harri Valpola, Antti Yli-Krekola
  • Publication number: 20100088259
    Abstract: In the method of the invention, information is selected in a processing unit. The end result to be achieved is final feature information to be used for performing a task. In the method, input information to the processing unit is treated with the intention to find useful information from the input information in view of the task. The input information consists of a primary input and a context representing general information related to the task to be performed. Feature information representing characteristics of the input information is formed from the input data, the values of the feature information being further processed on the basis of their utility. The method is mainly characterized in that a preliminary prediction is formed from a first context of a set of input information by means of first parameters and in that the first primary input of the set of input data is preprocessed by forming calculation results by means of second parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: ZENROBOTICS OY
    Inventors: Harri Valpola, Antti Yli-Krekola