Patents by Inventor Andreas G. Hofmann

Andreas G. Hofmann 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: 11278433
    Abstract: A powered ankle-foot prosthesis, capable of providing human-like power at terminal stance that increase amputees metabolic walking economy compared to a conventional passive-elastic prosthesis. The powered prosthesis comprises a unidirectional spring, configured in parallel with a force-controllable actuator with series elasticity. The prosthesis is controlled to deliver the high mechanical power and net positive work observed in normal human walking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hugh M. Herr, Jeff A. Weber, Kwok Wai Samuel Au, Bruce Wayne Deffenbaugh, Lee Harris Magnusson, Andreas G. Hofmann, Benjamin B. Aisen
  • Publication number: 20190175365
    Abstract: A powered ankle-foot prosthesis, capable of providing human-like power at terminal stance that increase amputees metabolic walking economy compared to a conventional passive-elastic prosthesis. The powered prosthesis comprises a unidirectional spring, configured in parallel with a force-controllable actuator with series elasticity. The prosthesis is controlled to deliver the high mechanical power and net positive work observed in normal human walking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Hugh M. Herr, Jeff A. Weber, Kwok Wai Samuel Au, Bruce Wayne Deffenbaugh, Lee Harris Magnusson, Andreas G. Hofmann, Benjamin B. Aisen
  • Patent number: 10137011
    Abstract: A powered ankle-foot prosthesis, capable of providing human-like power at terminal stance that increase amputees metabolic walking economy compared to a conventional passive-elastic prosthesis. The powered prosthesis comprises a unidirectional spring, configured in parallel with a force-controllable actuator with series elasticity. The prosthesis is controlled to deliver the high mechanical power and net positive work observed in normal human walking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Hugh M. Herr, Jeff A. Weber, Kwok Wai Samuel Au, Bruce Wayne Deffenbaugh, Lee Harris Magnusson, Andreas G. Hofmann, Benjamin B. Aisen
  • Patent number: 8959480
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for integrating a procedural computational model with a declarative computational model. For example, in one aspect, the present invention provides a method for integrating a plurality of procedural instructions in a procedural computational system with a plurality of declarative rules in a declarative computational system. In such a method, for each of the procedural instructions operating on one or more variables, a hash table indexed by variable names is utilized to determine whether any of these variables participate in at least one of the declarative rules. Upon execution of a procedural instruction that changes a variable participating in a declarative rule, other variables associated with the rule are updated so as to maintain a relationship imposed by the rule among the variables. The updating of the other variables is performed prior to execution of other procedural instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Pegasystems Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Trefler, Andreas G. Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20140088729
    Abstract: A powered ankle-foot prosthesis, capable of providing human-like power at terminal stance that increase amputees metabolic walking economy compared to a conventional passive-elastic prosthesis. The powered prosthesis comprises a unidirectional spring, configured in parallel with a force-controllable actuator with series elasticity. The prosthesis is controlled to deliver the high mechanical power and net positive work observed in normal human walking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Hugh M. Herr, Jeff A. Weber, Kwok Wai Samuel Au, Bruce Wayne Deffenbaugh, Lee Harris Magnusson, Andreas G. Hofmann, Benjamin B. Aisen
  • Publication number: 20140019400
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for integrating a procedural computational model with a declarative computational model. For example, in one aspect, the present invention provides a method for integrating a plurality of procedural instructions in a procedural computational system with a plurality of declarative rules in a declarative computational system. In such a method, for each of the procedural instructions operating on one or more variables, a hash table indexed by variable names is utilized to determine whether any of these variables participate in at least one of the declarative rules. Upon execution of a procedural instruction that changes a variable participating in a declarative rule, other variables associated with the rule are updated so as to maintain a relationship imposed by the rule among the variables. The updating of the other variables is performed prior to execution of other procedural instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: PEGASYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Alan Trefler, Andreas G. Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20130231970
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for service-level based and/or skills-based assignment of a work item to one (or more) of a plurality of resources based on fitness, for example, of skills required by the former to those provided by the latter. Assignment takes into account the level of stress on the work item and/or resources, such that the number of resources fit for assignment varies as the level of stress varies. Systems according to the invention can be used, by way of example, to route a call or other request made by a customer to a service center. The requirements for processing the call (determined, for example, by an incoming call operator) are matched against the skill sets of available customer service agents, taking call and/or resource stress levels into account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Pegasystems Inc.
    Inventors: Alan TREFLER, Andreas G. Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8512415
    Abstract: A powered ankle-foot prosthesis, capable of providing human-like power at terminal stance that increase amputees metabolic walking economy compared to a conventional passive-elastic prosthesis. The powered prosthesis comprises a unidirectional spring, configured in parallel with a force-controllable actuator with series elasticity. The prosthesis is controlled to deliver the high mechanical power and net positive work observed in normal human walking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Hugh M. Herr, Jeff A. Weber, Samuel K. Au, Bruce Wayne Deffenbaugh, Lee Harris Magnusson, Andreas G. Hofmann, Benjamin B. Aisen
  • Patent number: 8479157
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for integrating a procedural computational model with a declarative computational model. For example, in one aspect, the present invention provides a method for integrating a plurality of procedural instructions in a procedural computational system with a plurality of declarative rules in a declarative computational system. In such a method, for each of the procedural instructions operating on one or more variables, a hash table indexed by variable names is utilized to determine whether any of these variables participate in at least one of the declarative rules. Upon execution of a procedural instruction that changes a variable participating in a declarative rule, other variables associated with the rule are updated so as to maintain a relationship imposed by the rule among the variables. The updating of the other variables is performed prior to execution of other procedural instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Pegasystems Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Trefler, Andreas G. Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8335704
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for service-level based and/or skills-based assignment of a work item to one (or more) of a plurality of resources based on fitness, for example, of skills required by the former to those provided by the latter. Assignment takes into account the level of stress on the work item and/or resources, such that the number of resources fit for assignment varies as the level of stress varies. Systems according to the invention can be used, by way of example, to route a call or other request made by a customer to a service center. The requirements for processing the call (determined, for example, by an incoming call operator) are matched against the skill sets of available customer service agents, taking call and/or resource stress levels into account. For example, some implementations may match an incoming call having a low stress factor (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Pegasystems Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Trefler, Andreas G. Hofmann
  • Patent number: 7711919
    Abstract: A method of automated workflow processing includes transforming an object, A1, which is of class X, into an object which is of class Y. The method includes the steps of separating existing data elements of A1 from the object itself, generating new data elements corresponding to class Y, inserting the new data elements into object A1, and computing values for the new data elements, possibly based on values of the old data elements. Other objects that referred to A1 before the transformation continue to do so afterwards. Values of data elements prior to transformation can be preserved, e.g., to facilitate review, to facilitate further transformation, and/or to facilitate back transformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Pegasystems Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Trefler, Andreas G. Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20100107137
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for integrating a procedural computational model with a declarative computational model. For example, in one aspect, the present invention provides a method for integrating a plurality of procedural instructions in a procedural computational system with a plurality of declarative rules in a declarative computational system. In such a method, for each of the procedural instructions operating on one or more variables, a hash table indexed by variable names is utilized to determine whether any of these variables participate in at least one of the declarative rules. Upon execution of a procedural instruction that changes a variable participating in a declarative rule, other variables associated with the rule are updated so as to maintain a relationship imposed by the rule among the variables. The updating of the other variables is performed prior to execution of other procedural instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: PEGASYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Alan Trefler, Andreas G. Hofmann
  • Patent number: 7665063
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for integrating a procedural computational model with a declarative computational model. For example, in one aspect, the present invention provides a method for integrating a plurality of procedural instructions in a procedural computational system with a plurality of declarative rules in a declarative computational system. In such a method, for each of the procedural instructions operating on one or more variables, a hash table indexed by variable names is utilized to determine whether any of these variables participate in at least one of the declarative rules. Upon execution of a procedural instruction that changes a variable participating in a declarative rule, other variables associated with the rule are updated so as to maintain a relationship imposed by the rule among the variables. The updating of the other variables is performed prior to execution of other procedural instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Pegasystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas G. Hofmann, Alan Trefler
  • Patent number: 7313463
    Abstract: Systems for controlling the motion of multiple articulated elements connected by one or more joints in an artificial appendage system. Four different embodiments includes a controller that reduces the dimension of joint state space by utilizing biomechanically inspired motion primitives; a quadratic proportional-derivative (PD) controller which employs a two-stage linearization method, applies constraints to variables for dynamic stability, and employs a corrective “sliding control” mechanism to account for errors in the linear model used; a non-prioritized balance control approach that employs enforced linear dynamics in which all control variables are truncated to linear terms in joint jerks; and a biomimetic motion and balance controller based on center of mass (CM) energetic and biomimetic zero moment conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Hugh M. Herr, Andreas G. Hofmann, Marko B. Popovic
  • Patent number: 6976144
    Abstract: A method of automated workflow processing includes transforming an object, A1, which is of class X, into an object which is of class Y. The method includes the steps of separating existing data elements of A1 from the object itself, generating new data elements corresponding to class Y, inserting the new data elements into object A1, and computing values for the new data elements, possibly based on values of the old data elements. Other objects that referred to A1 before the transformation continue to do so afterwards. Values of data elements prior to transformation can be preserved, e.g., to facilitate review, to facilitate further transformation, and/or to facilitate back transformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Pegasystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Trefler, Andreas G. Hofmann