Patents Examined by McDieunel Marc
  • Patent number: 11842590
    Abstract: A detachable modular mobile autonomy module (MAM) for a modular autonomous bot apparatus includes a housing with latching points, an autonomous controller, location circuitry, external sensors monitoring an environment external to the MAM and providing sensor data to the controller, multi-element light panels on the housing driven by the controller; and a modular component power and data bus. The bus has a bottom side modular component electronics interface disposed on the housing that mates to a corresponding interface on another proximately-attached modular component of the bot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Ole-Petter Skaaksrud, Frank Mayfield, Daniel Gates
  • Patent number: 11842323
    Abstract: A robot includes a camera, a wireless interface, a propulsion system, a memory device, and a processor. The processor is configured to control the propulsion system to navigate the robot proximate a gaming device, initiate, using the wireless interface, a connection with the gaming device, request a data exchange with the gaming device, and receive, via the wireless interface and using a wireless communications protocol, data from the gaming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle Cupersmith, Victor Blanco, Jon Hanlin, Donovan Meyer, Frank Rodriguez, Rajendrasinh Jadeja
  • Patent number: 11842644
    Abstract: A commercial vehicle operation system is provided with a server that can respectively communicate with a vehicle terminal of a commercial vehicle and with a user terminal owned by a user via a communication network. The server includes a communication unit, a vehicle operation information management unit that acquires and manages vehicle operation information including at least current location information of the commercial vehicle, and a roaming travel execution determination unit that determines whether to carry out roaming travel based on current location information of the commercial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Satoru Hirose, Hiroya Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 11833684
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for robotic learning and execution of skills. A robotic apparatus can include a memory, a processor, sensors, and one or more movable components (e.g., a manipulating element and/or a transport element). The processor is operatively coupled to the memory, the movable elements, and the sensors, and configured to obtain information of an environment, including one or more objects located within the environment. In some embodiments, the processor is configured to learn skills through demonstration, exploration, user inputs, etc. In some embodiments, the processor is configured to execute skills and/or arbitrate between different behaviors and/or actions. In some embodiments, the processor is configured to learn an environmental constraint. In some embodiments, the processor is configured to learn using a general model of a skill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Diligent Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vivian Yaw-Wen Chu, Shuai Li, Forrest Green, Peter Worsnop, Andrea Lockerd Thomaz
  • Patent number: 11832900
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an end effector include an end effector for grasping a material, a drive system coupled to the end effector, and a processor. The processor is configured to use the drive system to grasp a material using the end effector, determine a grasping separation parameter of the end effector, determine, based on the determined grasping separation parameter, a prediction of success or failure in configuring the end effector for firing a staple through the material, and based on the determined grasping separation parameter, output an indicator of whether it is safe to proceed with stapling of the material grasped by the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Weir, Grant Duque, Kevin Durant, Patrick Flanagan, Margaret M. Nixon, David W. Robinson, John W. Zabinski
  • Patent number: 11826914
    Abstract: mechanical arm type measuring robot device and an application method, and relates to the technical field of intelligent coal mine mining. The mechanical arm type measuring robot device comprises an automatic leveling total station, a protection mechanism, a pitch adjusting mechanism, a yaw adjusting mechanism, a vertical rotating mechanism, a controller, a mounting base and a mobile terminal. Based on a preset pitch angle and a preset yaw angle, the measuring robot starts from an initial position, and performs extension and retraction actions in a plurality of degrees of freedom in the pitch adjusting mechanism and the yaw adjusting mechanism to move the total station to a preset working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Beijing LongRuan Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Shanjun Mao, Xinchao Li, Huazhou Chen
  • Patent number: 11827145
    Abstract: A monitoring system for a vehicle can connect with a computing device of a driver of the vehicle. The system can detect that the vehicle is not being operated by the driver, and based on detecting that the vehicle is not being operated by the driver, the system can receive sensor data from the one or more sensors of the vehicle to monitor an interior of the vehicle. The system may then detect an anomaly within the interior of the vehicle, and in response to detecting the anomaly within the interior of the vehicle, the system can output an alert indicating the anomaly to the computing device of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventors: Brennan T. Lopez-Hinojosa, Kermit D. Lopez
  • Patent number: 11819184
    Abstract: An auto clean machine, comprising: a chassis; a first light source, configured to emit first light; a second light source, configured to emit second light; an optical sensor, configured to sense optical data generated according to reflected light of the second light or according to reflected light of the first light; and a control circuit, configured to analyze optical information of the optical data; wherein if the first light source is activated, the second light source is de-activated and the control circuit determines variation of the optical information is larger than a variation threshold, the control circuit changes the first light source to be non-activated and the second light source to be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Muan Sian Ng, Wan Piang Lim, Hui-Hsuan Chen
  • Patent number: 11819996
    Abstract: An expression feedback method and a smart robot, belonging to smart devices. The method comprises: step S1, a smart robot using an image collection apparatus to collect image information; step S2, the smart robot detecting whether human face information representing a human face exists in the image information; if so, acquiring position information and size information associated with the human face information, and then turning to step S3; and if not, returning to step S1; step S3, according to the position information and the size information, obtaining, by prediction, a plurality of pieces of feature point information in the human face information and outputting same; and step S4, using a first identification model formed through pre-training, determining whether the human face information represents a smiling face according to the feature point information, and then exiting from this step; if so, the smart robot outputting preset expression feedback information; and if not, exiting from this step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: YUTOU TECHNOLOGY (HANGZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mingxiu Chen
  • Patent number: 11820008
    Abstract: A method of operating a mobile cleaning robot includes receiving a privacy mode setting from a user interface, where the privacy mode setting is based on a user selection between at least two different privacy mode settings for determining whether to operate the mobile cleaning robot in an image-capture-restricted mode. An image stream of an image capture device of the mobile cleaning robot is permitted in an absence of a user-selection of a more restrictive one of the privacy settings. At least a portion of the image stream is restricted or disabled based at least in part on a user-selection of a more restrictive one of the privacy settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg Duthaler, Vincent Edward Colella
  • Patent number: 11810801
    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: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Brooks Automation US, LLC
    Inventor: Jairo Terra Moura
  • Patent number: 11801605
    Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for preparing a robotic system for surgery. In one aspect, the method includes a robotic arm, a sensor configured to generate information indicative of a location of the robotic arm, a processor, and at least one computer-readable memory in communication with the processor and having stored thereon computer-executable instructions. The instructions are configured to cause the processor to receive the information from the sensor, determine that the robotic arm is located at a first position in which a first axis associated with the robotic arm is not in alignment with a second axis associated with a port installed in a patient, and provide a command to move the robotic arm to a second position in which the first axis associated with the robotic arm is in alignment with the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Auris Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Robert Fredrickson, Travis C. Covington, Jason Tomas Wilson
  • Patent number: 11801102
    Abstract: Robotic devices, systems, and methods for use in robotic surgery and other robotic applications, and/or medical instrument devices, systems, and methods includes both a reusable processor and a limited-use robotic tool or medical treatment probe. A memory the limited-use component includes machine readable code with data and/or programming instructions to be implemented by the processor. Programming of the processor can be updated by shipping of new data once downloaded by the processor from a component, subsequent components can take advantage of the updated processor without repeated downloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory K. Toth, Nitish Swamp, Thomas R. Nixon, David Q. Larkin, Steven J. Colton
  • Patent number: 11803190
    Abstract: Provided are a cleaning robot and a method of controlling the same, and more specifically, a cleaning robot provided to detect an obstacle in various directions and a method of controlling the same. The cleaning robot includes a light emitter configured to radiate light, a plurality of light receivers configured to receive a radiation of the light in a predetermined direction among radiations of the light reflected from an obstacle when the radiated light is reflected from the obstacle, a support plate to which the light emitter and the light receiver are fixed and which is rotatably provided, and a controller configured to detect the obstacle on the basis of output signals transmitted from the light emitter and the plurality of light receivers and rotation information of the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Hun Lee, Young Do Kwon, Heum Yong Park, Min Jae Kim, Min Woo Ryu
  • Patent number: 11797027
    Abstract: A system for automated flight plan reporting for an electric aircraft, the system including a flight controller coupled to the electric aircraft configured to receive a digital datum from a remote device, generate a plan adjustment datum as a function of the digital datum, and transmit the plan adjustment datum to a pilot display, a pilot display coupled to the electric aircraft, wherein the pilot display is configured to receive the plan adjustment datum from the flight controller, display the plan adjustment datum to a user; and receive a confirmation datum from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Hoekje List, Vincent Moeykens
  • Patent number: 11796320
    Abstract: A positioning method, apparatus, device, and a computer storage medium are provided. The method includes: obtaining update information of an object, the update information including GPS positioning information and dead reckoning position information, the dead reckoning position information being determined according to attitude change information of the object measured by an inertial measurement unit (IMU); determining a fusion positioning model matching the update information, the fusion positioning model being used for performing fusion positioning using the update information; determining error information of the update information, the error information indicating error conditions of the update information; and performing the fusion positioning on the GPS positioning information and the dead reckoning position information of the update information according to the fusion positioning model with the error information to obtain a current position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Qiaozhong Liang
  • Patent number: 11787039
    Abstract: A cable-mounted object, such as a camera, is movable using one or more robotic cable mounts. The robotic cable mounts have a head which support a first portion of the cable. The head is movable in three-dimensional space, such as linearly along three orthogonal axis (or combinations thereof). Changes in the position of the head of the robotic mount change the position of the cable, thus changing the position of the cable-mounted object. In one embodiment, two ends of cable may be connected to first and second robotic cable mounts, or an object might be mounted to multiple cables, each of which is connected to a different robotic mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventor: Andrew Flessas
  • Patent number: 11789467
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus, a terminal, and a storage medium for elevation surrounding flight control are described. The method includes: obtaining surrounding parameter information of an unmanned aerial vehicle; determining, according to the surrounding parameter information, an elevation surrounding trajectory to be surrounded, where the elevation surrounding trajectory is a plane with the point of interest as a center and the surrounding radius as a radius, and the plane where the elevation surrounding trajectory is located is perpendicular to a horizontal plane; and obtaining a capture viewing angle mode; and controlling, according to the capture viewing angle mode, the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly along the elevation surrounding trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: AUTEL ROBOTICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ziming Zhong
  • Patent number: 11787325
    Abstract: A navigational system for guiding a boat onto a trailer comprising at least a portion of a tow vehicle which forms a natural marker for the navigation system. A camera is located on the boat to assist the navigational system with aligning a longitudinal axis of the boat with a longitudinal axis of the trailer. A central vertical (mid) axis of the camera is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the boat. An image processing unit receives and processes images from the camera. The image processing unit, based upon a determination of a position of the central vertical (mid) axis of the camera relative to a target area of the detected natural marker, generating guidance commands to assist a user with alignment of the longitudinal axis of the boat with the longitudinal axis of the trailer and thereby facilitate proper loading of the boat onto the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Marine Propulsion Systems Miramar, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Traub, Gabriela Jager, Lars Hoffmann, Andrew Orvieto
  • Patent number: 11787071
    Abstract: A device for ensuring safe operation of a robot used for cosmetics applications, including the retrofitting of robots not originally design for such applications. The robot is used for the automatic placement of eyelash extensions onto the natural eyelashes of a subject. In some embodiments, a safety barrier is provided by a physical barrier or light curtain. In the invention, the robot uses an end effector which is configured to extend through the safety barrier and includes a release mechanism configured to readily release from the robot upon contacting the human subject, thereby preventing injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: WINK ROBOTICS
    Inventors: Kurt Amundson, Mike Hughes, Nathan Harding