Patents Examined by McDieunel Marc
  • Patent number: 11230012
    Abstract: A servo calibration method as well as an apparatus and a robot using the same are provided. The method includes: obtaining data of a position sensor on a motor shaft of the servo; obtaining data of a position sensor on an output shaft of the servo; determining whether a clutch protection has been performed on the servo based on data of the position sensor on the motor shaft and data of the position sensor on the output shaft; and calibrating a position of the motor shaft based on the data of the position sensor on the output shaft, if the clutch protection has been performed on the servo. Hence, the problem in the prior art that the process of the calibration is cumbersome can be solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTD
    Inventors: Youjun Xiong, Hanyu Sun, Wenhua Fan, Lifu Zhang, Zhongliang Wang, Jianxin Pang
  • Patent number: 11224967
    Abstract: A user location in a parking lot or other designated area may be identified based on sensor data, such as from one or more sensors in or around the designated area. Also within the designated area, a transport location of a transport associated with an order of the user may be identified based on image data provided by one or more cameras remote from the transport. The transport can be controlled to move from the identified transport location to the identified user location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng-Wei Lin, Todd Beckett, Jon Robert Ducrou, Alexander Edwards, Ryan David Hapgood, Michael John Neville, Jenna Christine Owens, Lev Zelenskiy
  • Patent number: 11226633
    Abstract: A mobile robot includes: a sensor unit configured to sense an object present in a traveling direction; a camera configured to, in response to sensing of the obstacle by the sensor unit, photograph the obstacle; a data unit configured to store information regarding a plurality of obstacles; a controller configured to control an operation by recognizing the obstacle based on the information stored in the data unit; a travel unit configured to perform a designated operation according to a control command from the controller; and a speaker configured to output a designated sound according to a control command from the controller, wherein the controller comprises: an obstacle recognizer configured to analyze an image of the obstacle photographed by the camera, compare the image of the obstacle with data stored in the data unit, recognize the obstacle, and determine a type of the obstacle; and a motion controller configured to, in response to a type of the obstacle recognized by the obstacle recognizer, perform a d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Junghwan Kim, Jaewon Kim, Hyunji Kim
  • Patent number: 11220006
    Abstract: A system including a computer that includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine a location in a defined area according to coordinates on a map. The instructions include instructions to actuate a robot to move to the location. The instructions include instructions to identify an object specified in a digital model of the area, stored at a remote server, to be at the coordinates for the location. The instructions include instructions to actuate a sensor on the robot to collect data at the location. The instructions include instructions to update the object in the digital model based on the collected data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Shankar Narayan Mohan, Steven Schuchard, Anthony Mario D'Amato
  • Patent number: 11213943
    Abstract: A method of operating a robot includes providing position information about a destination; receiving a request for an escort service to the destination in response to the position information; determining whether the escort service is available based on information related to the destination, the information related to the destination including at least one of state information of the destination or time information related to the destination; causing the robot to move and provide guiding to the destination in response to the request when the escort service is available; and notifying that the escort service is not available when the escort service is not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yongjae Kim, Seunghee Kim, Junhee Yeo
  • Patent number: 11213952
    Abstract: An articulated robot includes a lumbar portion including a first joint that rotates about a first axis which is a vertical axis and rotating about the first axis, a second joint connected to the lumbar portion and rotating about a second axis parallel to a horizontal plane, a first arm connected to the second joint and rotating about the second axis, a third joint connected to the first arm and rotating about a third axis parallel to the second axis, and a second arm connected to the third joint and rotating about the third axis. When the first arm extends parallel to the first axis, a clearance through which the second arm rotating about the third axis can pass in a planar area between the second axis and the third axis is provided between the second arm and the first arm and between the second arm and the lumbar portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haruhiro Tsuneta, Kazuyoshi Yasukawa
  • Patent number: 11213359
    Abstract: Various robotic surgical systems are provided. A robotic surgical system comprises a robotic tool, a control system, and a control module. The control system comprises a control console configured to receive a first user input, and also comprises a control unit in signal communication with the control console and the robotic tool. The control module is configured to receive a second user input, and is in signal communication with the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, David C. Yates, Jeffrey D. Messerly
  • Patent number: 11205124
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for controlling a heavy-haul train based on reinforcement learning. The method includes: obtaining operation state information of a heavy-haul train at a current time point; obtaining a heavy-haul train action of a next time point according to the operation state information of the heavy-haul train at the current time point and a heavy-haul train virtual controller, and sending the heavy-haul train action of the next time point to a heavy-haul train control unit to control operation of the heavy-haul train. The heavy-haul train virtual controller is obtained by training a reinforcement learning network according to operation state data of the heavy-haul train and an expert strategy network; the reinforcement learning network includes one actor network and two critic networks; the reinforcement learning network is constructed according to a soft actor-critic (SAC) reinforcement learning algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: East China Jiaotong University
    Inventors: Hui Yang, Yu Wang, Zhongqi Li, Yating Fu, Chang Tan
  • Patent number: 11203118
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for systems and methods to implement preferred pathways in mobile robots. Example methods may include obtaining, via at least one of a user interface and a corresponding Application Programming Interface API call, at least one preferred pathway for an autonomous mobile robot, transmitting the at least one preferred pathway to the autonomous mobile robot, generating a planned path for the autonomous mobile robot based at least in part on an influence function, the influence function being representative of an amount of bias towards the at least one preferred pathway on a motion planning decision of the autonomous mobile robot, the amount of bias being based at least in part on a metric associated with the at least one preferred pathway, and causing the autonomous mobile robot to move from a start point to an end point along the planned path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: A9.COM
    Inventors: Karl McDowall, Nima Keivan, Andrew E. Hoffman, David Hastings Kerr, Joshua Bavari
  • Patent number: 11205311
    Abstract: A method includes obtaining operational data recorded by a data recorder onboard an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), determining timing of a maintenance operation for the UAV based on the operational data, and providing a reminder of the maintenance operation for the UAV based on the determined timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Renli Shi, Jianyu Song, Xi Chen
  • Patent number: 11198218
    Abstract: A robotic system and method having a movable and adjustable platform with a plurality of vertically-adjustable legs depending from the platform, the legs having wheels for moving and turning, and a plurality of sensors incorporated with a 3-D model program and movement algorithm that utilizes the information and data collected by the sensors for directing the motors and controls units to move and adjust the robotic system and the system device provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventors: Nick Gorkavyi, Mikhail Fedorov
  • Patent number: 11192252
    Abstract: A robot is provided. The robot includes a lower module includes a wheel and a motor provided inside the lower module, and an upper module disposed at an upper portion of the lower module and including a trash can assembly and a display unit. The upper module includes a body part coupled to the upper portion of the lower module and a head part rotatably coupled to an upper portion of the body part. The body part includes a front case forming a front outer appearance of the body part and including the trash can assembly provided inside the front case, and a rear case forming a rear outer appearance of the body part and including the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Iljae Lee, Dooil Byun
  • Patent number: 11194335
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method is provided for optimizing the total time taken for cleaning an area by a cleaning robot, which is the sum of the cleaning time and the time taken for the robot to re-charge its battery mid-cleaning when the area is too large to clean on a single charge. In one embodiment, the remaining area to be cleaned is determined, and the mid-cleaning re-charge time is reduced to the amount of charge needed to clean the remaining area, plus a buffer. Hence, a reduction in mid-cleaning charging time results in reduced total time taken to clean a given space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: NEATO ROBOTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Pawel Orzechowski, Joe Tate, Richard Wimmer, Kiran Mohan
  • Patent number: 11173093
    Abstract: An apparatus for a battery-powered active exoskeleton boot includes a shin pad and one or more housings. The one or more housings enclose electronic circuitry and an electric motor. The apparatus includes a battery holder coupled to the shin pad and located below the knee of the user and above the one or more housings enclosing the electronic circuitry. The apparatus includes a battery module removably affixed to the battery holder and comprising a first power connector that electrically couples to a second power connector located in the battery holder while attached to the battery holder to provide electric power to the electronic circuitry and the electric motor. The apparatus includes an output shaft coupled to the electric motor. The electronic circuitry controls delivery of power from the battery module to the electric motor to generate torque about the axis of rotation of the ankle joint of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Dephy, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Mooney, Jean-François Duval, Nicholas Benz, Jonathan Cummings, Matthew Mooney
  • Patent number: 11173615
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to user-assisted robotic control systems, user interfaces for remote control of robotic systems, vision systems in robotic control systems, and modular grippers for use by robotic systems. The systems, methods, apparatuses and computer-readable media instructions described interact with and control robotic systems, in particular pick and place systems using soft robotic actuators to grasp, move and release target objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: SOFT ROBOTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Rosenstein, Jeff Curhan, Joshua Aaron Lessing, Ryan Knopf, Daniel Harburg, Mark Chiappetta
  • Patent number: 11167408
    Abstract: A robotic system for carrying out an operation is provided. The robotic system is lightweight. The principle application of the robotic system is in manufacturing industry typically to hold a tool that can perform various operations. The robotic system includes a first carriage, an arm, an arm swiveling mechanism, a second carriage, a first displacement mechanism, and a controller. The first carriage is configured to be linearly displaced. The arm is coupled to the first carriage. The second carriage is connected to a free end of the arm, and is configured to securely hold the tool. The first displacement mechanism is configured to displace the second carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: Hughen Gerrard Thomas
  • Patent number: 11167413
    Abstract: A robot control apparatus includes a processor that is configured to control a robot having a robot arm to which an end effector is attached. The processor is configured to: insert one end of a cable into a first connector while holding a side of one end of the cable using the end effector; store a position and a posture of a specific point on the cable or the end effector when the insertion of the one end of the cable into the first connector is completed; move the end effector along the cable toward a side of the other end of the cable based on an amount of movement toward the other end of the cable stored in advance and the position and the posture while guiding the cable using the end effector; hold the side of the other end of the cable using the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventors: Junya Ueda, Masayuki Ilyama, Tsuguya Kojima, Yuki Yahiro
  • Patent number: 11167811
    Abstract: A robotic obstacle-crossing device mainly includes a wheel body and an obstacle-crossing body, wherein the wheel body includes a wheel part, a first obstacle-crossing part and a second obstacle-crossing part. When the sweeping robot tilts, the plurality of first recessed portions and the plurality of second recessed portions provided on the periphery of the first obstacle-crossing part and the second obstacle-crossing part provide a climbing function. In addition, when the sweeping robot encounters obstacles or steps, the obstacle-crossing body can provide robot the function of the obstacle-crossing or climbing, thereby reducing the number of situations when the sweeping robot is trapped or unable to effectively climb upon encountering an obstacle or a steep road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: Jason Yan
  • Patent number: 11164769
    Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus includes a transport chamber, a drive section, a robot arm, an imaging system with a camera mounted through a mounting interface of the drive section in a predetermined location with respect to the transport chamber and disposed to image part of the arm, and a controller connected to the imaging system and configured to image, with the camera, the arm moving to or in the predetermined location, the controller effecting capture of a first image of the arm on registry of the arm proximate to or in the predetermined location, the controller is configured to calculate a positional variance of the arm from comparison of the first image with a calibration image of the arm, and determine a motion compensation factor changing an extended position of the arm. Each camera effecting capture of the first image is disposed inside the perimeter of the mounting interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Jairo Terra Moura
  • Patent number: 11161585
    Abstract: A boat includes an engine, an input that receives an input operation performed by an operator, and a controller connected to the input. The controller is powered off when the input does not receive the input operation within a first length of time after the engine is stopped. The controller is not powered off when the input receives the input operation within the first length of time after the engine is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryutaro Iwaki, Masaru Suzuki, Shingo Igarashi, Sumihiro Takashima, Naoki Kinomoto