Patents Examined by Harry Y Oh
  • Patent number: 10875186
    Abstract: A robot system for performing drive control of a robot arm with respect to a target object according to information obtained by a camera, including a robot having a working section, a camera mounted in the vicinity of the working section, and a control device for controlling the driving of the robot while confirming the target object based on image data of the camera, is provided. The control device performs image-capture control, which executes image-capturing of the target object with the camera a plurality of times when moving the working section with respect to the target object according to a predetermined trajectory, and focus control, in which predetermined images within a plurality of images captured by image-capture control are in focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yamashita, Nobuo Oishi, Takayoshi Sakai
  • Patent number: 10875528
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for host vehicle navigation. In one implementation, a navigation system for a host vehicle may include at least one processing device programmed to receive, from a camera, a plurality of images representative of an environment of the host vehicle; receive, from a camera, a plurality of images representative of an environment of the host vehicle; analyze the images to identify a target vehicle in the environment of the host vehicle; cause a navigational change of the host vehicle to signal to the target vehicle an intent of the host vehicle to make a subsequent navigational maneuver; analyze the images to detect a change in a navigational state of the target vehicle; determine a navigational action for the host vehicle; and cause an adjustment of a navigational actuator of the host vehicle in response to the determined navigational action for the host vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: MOBILEYE VISION TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Shai Shalev-Shwartz, Amnon Shashua, Shaked Shammah
  • Patent number: 10864633
    Abstract: A robot-training system permits a user touch, click on or otherwise select items from a display projected in the actual workspace in order to define task goals and constraints for the robot. A planning procedure responds to task definitions and constraints, and creates a sequence of robot instructions implementing the defined tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: SOUTHE AUTONOMY WORKS, LLC
    Inventors: Rahul D. Chipalkatty, Raphael Segal, Jay Ming Wong
  • Patent number: 10864636
    Abstract: A robot setting apparatus includes a positioning unit that adjusts a position and an attitude of a workpiece model, and a grip position specifying unit that specifies a grip position at which the workpiece model is gripped by an end effector for at least one fundamental direction image in a state of displaying at least three height images in which the workpiece model positioned by the positioning unit on the virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from respective axis directions of three axes orthogonal to each other on the display unit as fundamental direction images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: KEYENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Shimodaira, Naoki Takayama, Ippei Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 10867821
    Abstract: A method of teaching the target body edge position includes moving a photoelectric sensor optical axis to an initial position specified on the target body edge outer side installed so that the target body main surface is horizontal, and specified upper or lower than the target body, repeating an optical axis forward cycle until the target body edge is detected by the sensor, and obtaining the target body edge detected point position based on the substrate transfer robot posture when the target body edge is detected by the sensor to store the edge position. A movement cycle includes a series of movements including lifting or lowering passing through a height level of the target body, forward movement by a first movement amount in a horizontal scanning direction toward the target body, lowering or lifting passing through the level, and forward movement by the first movement amount in the scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignees: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KAWASAKI ROBOTICS (USA), INC.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yoshida, Mark Tang
  • Patent number: 10864928
    Abstract: A monitoring system for a train is provided. The monitoring system includes an image capturing device configured to capture a video feed of a designated area associated with the train. The monitoring system also includes a controller coupled to the image capturing device. The controller is configured to receive the video feed from the image capturing device. The controller is configured to analyze the video feed to determine if a predefined triggering event has occurred. The controller is configured to record and store a predefined length of the video feed based on the determination. The controller is configured to provide a notification of the recorded video feed to a user through a user interface. The controller is configured to allow the user to access at least a portion of the recorded video feed through the notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Progress Rail Locomotive Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Shubs, Jr., David Matthew Roenspies, James David Seaton
  • Patent number: 10856942
    Abstract: An exemplary system and method for homing a surgical tool are provided. In general, a surgical tool can include an end effector, an elongate shaft, and a wrist that couples the end effector to a distal end of the shaft can be configured to facilitate movement of the end effector relative to the shaft. The surgical tool can be coupled to a robotic surgical system featuring an imaging device and a processor. Through the use of closed-loop feedback and machine vision techniques, the end effector can be calibrated into a home position to ensure precise and accurate movement of the end effector when in use by a surgeon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Niko Murrell, David Perdue
  • Patent number: 10860033
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a movable object and a method for controlling the same. A method for controlling a movable object may include acquiring virtual data representing distances between each of a plurality of positions within an area and surfaces in the area, in a plurality of directions, respectively, based on a map of the area. An algorithm, such as a machine learning algorithm, may be executed that outputs positions corresponding to the virtual data. Actual distance data between the movable object and a plurality of surfaces in the vicinity of the movable object may be acquired. An actual position of the movable object may then be estimated corresponding to the actual distance data by executing the algorithm using the actual distance data. The movable object may be controlled based on the estimated actual position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soon Yong Park, No San Kwak, Kyung Shik Roh, Sung Hwan Ahn, Suk June Yoon, Min Yong Choi
  • Patent number: 10843330
    Abstract: A master robotic system for translating a force at a slave robotic system to the master robotic system comprises a plurality of master brake joints rotatably coupling a plurality of robotic links. Each master brake joint corresponds to a respective slave joint of a slave robotic system. Each master brake joint comprises a first braking component (e.g., sheet disk(s)) coupled to a first robotic link and a second braking component (e.g., sheet disk(s)) coupled to a second robotic link, and an actuator operable to act upon the first braking component and the second braking component, to generate a braking force between the first braking component and the second braking component, in response to a control signal corresponding to a sensed force sensed by the slave robotic system. The actuator can comprise a bi-directional actuator, or a cam, piezoelectric, dielectric, or hydraulic actuator, each having minimal power requirements to maximize the braking force of the master brake joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Sarcos Corp.
    Inventors: Fraser M. Smith, Marc X. Olivier
  • Patent number: 10843340
    Abstract: Mobile robotic platforms include a robotic device and a pair of laser scanners. The robotic device is positioned near a front of the mobile robotic platform while the laser scanners are positioned on the sides of the mobile robotic platform. When the mobile robotic platform is located in a selected position relative to an assembly with the front of the mobile robotic platform facing the assembly, the scanners are set to a scan field area of either a selected area for a safety zone around the sides of the mobile robotic platform or a default area within a predetermined distance from the sides. Upon detection of an intrusion into the scan field area of the laser scanners, the robotic device and/or the mobile robotic platform is stopped to prevent harm to a person whom may have inadvertently intruded into the scan field areas around the mobile robotic platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thi Q. Nguyen, Quang Tuyen Do, Thomas Howard Sultze
  • Patent number: 10846928
    Abstract: Systems for controlling concentric tube probes are disclosed. In some examples, the system includes a concentric tube position display interface and a control system. The concentric tube display interface includes a display for displaying visual feedback to a user indicating a position (and possibly orientation) of a tip of a concentric tube probe and a user input device for receiving user input from the user designating a goal position (and possibly orientation) for the tip of the concentric tube probe. The control system is configured for interactive-rate motion planning of the concentric tube probe by creating, in real-time or near real-time, a motion plan to move the tip of the concentric tube probe to the goal position (and possibly orientation) while avoiding contact by the concentric tube probe with one or more obstacles and for configuring the concentric tube probe as specified by the motion plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ron Alterovitz, Luis Guillermo Torres, Philip Joseph Swaney, Hunter Bryant Gilbert, Robert James Webster, Richard Joseph Hendrick
  • Patent number: 10839699
    Abstract: Embodiments for managing drones by one or more processors are described. An aerial drone is controlled to fly to a first location outside of a restricted airspace. The aerial drone is enabled to detachably couple to a ground vehicle at the first location outside of the restricted airspace. The ground vehicle travels through the restricted airspace from the first location outside of the restricted airspace to a second location outside the restricted airspace. The aerial drone is enabled to detach from the ground vehicle at the second location outside of the restricted airspace. The aerial drone is controlled to fly from the second location outside of the restricted airspace to a third location outside of the restricted airspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hardee, Maharaj Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 10836039
    Abstract: A control device includes: a processor that is configured to execute computer-executable instructions so as to control a robot provided with a force sensor, wherein the processor is configured to display a first detection result in which specific position information indicating a specific position of the robot and force information output from a force sensor correspond to each other on a display, in a case where robot inspects an operation component that outputs an electric signal corresponding to an operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Shimodaira
  • Patent number: 10821604
    Abstract: The present disclosure is applicable to robot technology. A method for robot posture detection and a robot are provided. The method includes: obtaining a position parameter of each of nodes of a robot; obtaining a first weighted value of each of the nodes corresponding to the position parameter of the corresponding node; calculating a weighted value of each of body parts of the robot based on the first weighted value of the node of the corresponding body part; and correcting an original parameter of a center of gravity of the robot according to a body gravity center influence factor of each of the body parts, and the weighted value of each of the body parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP.
    Inventors: Youjun Xiong, Haiwu Su
  • Patent number: 10821606
    Abstract: The present disclosure is applicable to robot technology. A method for robot fall prediction, and a robot are provided. The method includes: searching a weighted value of a center of gravity of the robot corresponding to a posture of the robot, according to a preset first corresponding relationship; correcting an offset of the center of gravity of the robot based on the weighted value of the center of gravity of the robot; correcting an acceleration of the robot based on an offset direction of the center of gravity of the robot; and determining whether the robot will fall based on the corrected offset of the center of gravity, the offset direction of the center of gravity, and the corrected acceleration of the robot. The present disclosure improves the real-time performance and accuracy of the prediction for the fall of a robot through the fusion calculation of various data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP.
    Inventors: Youjun Xiong, Haiwu Su
  • Patent number: 10816350
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: obtaining, using a processor, a user identification of a vehicle passenger; obtaining, based on the user identification, a travel restriction; and providing, to a vehicle, an indication of the travel restriction. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy Winthrop Kingsbury, Rod D. Waltermann
  • Patent number: 10807233
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes recording one or more demonstrations of a task performed by a user. Movements of one or more joints of the user are determined from the one or more demonstrations. By a computer processor, a neural network or Gaussian mixture model incorporating one or more contraction analysis constraints is learned, based on the movements of the one or more joints of the user, the one or more contraction analysis constraints representing motion characteristics of the task. A first initial position of a robot is determined. A first trajectory of the robot is determined to perform the task, based at least in part on the neural network or Gaussian mixture model and the first initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
    Inventors: Ashwin Dani, Harish Ravichandar
  • Patent number: 10807245
    Abstract: A method for characterising the environment of a robot, the robot having a flexible arm having a plurality of joints, a datum carried by the arm, a plurality of drivers arranged to drive the joints to move and a plurality of position sensors for sensing the position of each of the joints, the method comprising: contacting the datum carried by the arm with a first datum on a second robot in the environment of the first robot, wherein the second robot has a flexible arm having a plurality of joints, and a plurality of drivers arranged to drive those joints to move; calculating in dependence on the outputs of the position sensors a distance between a reference location defined in a frame of reference local to the robot and the first datum; and controlling the drivers to reconfigure the first arm in dependence on at least the calculated distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: CMR SURGICAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Luke David Ronald Hares
  • Patent number: 10806534
    Abstract: An information sharing system between a plurality of robot systems includes a plurality of robot systems, communicatably connected with each other through a network, and configured to be capable of presetting a given operation of a robot and repeating a correction of the operation, and a storage device, connected with the network and configured to store corrected information containing corrected operating information that is operating information for causing the robot to execute a given operation corrected in at least one of the robot systems. Each of the plurality of robot systems shares the corrected information stored in the storage device and operates the robot based on the sharing corrected information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Hashimoto, Masayuki Kamon
  • Patent number: 10800041
    Abstract: A method is provided for absolute position determination of the end effector of a robotic device with a kinematic chain of movable components. At least one current torque or one value corresponding to the torque is measured on at least one movable component of the kinematic chain of the robotic device by a torque sensor arranged on the movable component. At least one torque is calculated on the basis of model data of the robotic device for the movable component. A difference between the measured torque and the calculated torque is determined. If the difference exceeds a prespecified threshold value, the at least one measured torque is used instead of the calculated torque to determine an absolute position of the end effector of the robotic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Mönnich