Patents by Inventor Andrew Custer

Andrew Custer 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: 12208528
    Abstract: Lifting robot systems and methods for operating the same are disclosed. A lifting robot system includes a sensor device and a robot device. The robot device includes a body, a lifting component movably coupled to the body, and a collection tray coupled to the lifting component. Upon receiving a command to lift an object, the sensor device automatically detects the object, the robot device places the object on the collection tray, and the robot device causes the lifting component to lift the collection tray from a first height to a second height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Jonathan Yao, Manuel Ahumada, Andrew Custer
  • Publication number: 20230263488
    Abstract: An imaging system includes components to allow the system to be compact, highly transportable, and capture images in non-conventional settings. An imaging device includes an exoskeleton configured to house and provide structural support for an x-ray source and a detector and a spindle structure protruding from an outer surface of the exoskeleton. The imaging device also includes an x-ray source and a detector affixed to an internal surface of the exoskeleton and a rotation motor configured to rotate the exoskeleton about the spindle structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: William van Kampen, Miodrag Rakic, Francisco Gomez Ruiz, Andrew Custer, Dejan Teofilovic, Lauren Long, David Sarment
  • Patent number: 11673501
    Abstract: A ramp structure for a mobile platform includes at least one ramp member structured to be operably coupled to the mobile platform. The at least one ramp member is structured to be deflectable toward a ground surface so as to form a ramp responsive to contact with a subject vehicle wheel when the ramp member is operably coupled to the mobile platform and the mobile platform resides on the ground surface. The ramp extends in a direction from the ground surface toward a top surface of the mobile platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Joseph Taylor, Gregory J. Klein, Jonathan Yao, Andrew Custer
  • Patent number: 11472500
    Abstract: A mobile platform includes a base having a first surface and at least one drive wheel coupled to the base so as to movable with respect to the base first surface. A drive wheel retention mechanism is coupled to the at least one drive wheel and is structured to retain the at least one drive wheel in a first position in which the at least one drive wheel extends to a first distance from the first surface along a first side of the first surface. A plurality of roller elements is also coupled to the base and is structured to extend to a distance from the first surface along the first side of the first surface. The distance of the plurality of roller elements from the first surface is less than the first distance of the at least one drive wheel from the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Joseph Taylor, Gregory J. Klein, Jonathan Yao, Andrew Custer
  • Patent number: 11422065
    Abstract: A bumper for a mobile platform of a guided test platform includes a first end, a second end residing opposite the first end, a first surface extending between the first and second ends, and a second surface extending between the first and second ends and residing opposite the first surface. The bumper defines a ramp structure extending between the bumper first end and the bumper second end. The ramp structure is structured to guide a wheel of a vehicle in a direction away from the first surface as the wheel moves along the second surface in a direction from the bumper first end toward the bumper second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Joseph Taylor, Gregory J. Klein, Jonathan Yao, Andrew Custer
  • Patent number: 11175199
    Abstract: A mobile platform structured for mounting a soft target thereon is provided. The mobile platform includes a self-propelled drive unit configured to move along a ground surface responsive to a control signal. The mobile platform also includes a hardened mobile platform control module coupled to the drive unit so as to move with the drive unit. The mobile platform also includes a sacrificial body structured and coupled to the drive unit so as to move along the ground surface with the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Joseph Taylor, Gregory J. Klein, Jonathan Yao, Andrew Custer
  • Patent number: 11084456
    Abstract: A ramp structure for a mobile platform includes a housing structured to be mounted on the mobile platform, and a ramp member coupled to the housing so as to be movable with respect to the housing. At least one airbag is operably coupled to the housing and is configured to be inflatable to move the ramp member from a retracted position to an extended position in which the ramp member defines a ramp structured to guide a wheel of a subject vehicle onto an exterior surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Joseph Taylor, Gregory J. Klein, Jonathan Yao, Andrew Custer
  • Publication number: 20210229293
    Abstract: Lifting robot systems and methods for operating the same are disclosed. A lifting robot system includes a sensor device and a robot device. The robot device includes a body, a lifting component movably coupled to the body, and a collection tray coupled to the lifting component. Upon receiving a command to lift an object, the sensor device automatically detects the object, the robot device places the object on the collection tray, and the robot device causes the lifting component to lift the collection tray from a first height to a second height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Jonathan Yao, Manuel Ahumada, Andrew Custer
  • Patent number: 11020858
    Abstract: Lifting robot systems and methods for operating the same are disclosed. A lifting robot system includes a sensor device and a robot device. The robot device includes a body, a lifting component movably coupled to the body, and a collection tray coupled to the lifting component. Upon receiving a command to lift an object, the sensor device automatically detects the object, the robot device places the object on the collection tray, and the robot device causes the lifting component to lift the collection tray from a first height to a second height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA RESEARCHING INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Jonathan Yao, Manuel Ahumada, Andrew Custer
  • Publication number: 20210122283
    Abstract: A ramp structure for a mobile platform includes at least one ramp member structured to be operably coupled to the mobile platform. The at least one ramp member is structured to be deflectable toward a ground surface so as to form a ramp responsive to contact with a subject vehicle wheel when the ramp member is operably coupled to the mobile platform and the mobile platform resides on the ground surface. The ramp extends in a direction from the ground surface toward a top surface of the mobile platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Joseph Taylor, Gregory J. Klein, Jonathan Yao, Andrew Custer
  • Publication number: 20210070245
    Abstract: A ramp structure for a mobile platform includes a housing structured to be mounted on the mobile platform, and a ramp member coupled to the housing so as to be movable with respect to the housing. At least one airbag is operably coupled to the housing and is configured to be inflatable to move the ramp member from a retracted position to an extended position in which the ramp member defines a ramp structured to guide a wheel of a subject vehicle onto an exterior surface of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Joseph Taylor, Gregory J. Klein, Jonathan Yao, Andrew Custer
  • Publication number: 20210018398
    Abstract: A bumper for a mobile platform of a guided test platform includes a first end, a second end residing opposite the first end, a first surface extending between the first and second ends, and a second surface extending between the first and second ends and residing opposite the first surface. The bumper defines a ramp structure extending between the bumper first end and the bumper second end. The ramp structure is structured to guide a wheel of a vehicle in a direction away from the first surface as the wheel moves along the second surface in a direction from the bumper first end toward the bumper second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Joseph Taylor, Gregory J. Klein, Jonathan Yao, Andrew Custer
  • Publication number: 20210018401
    Abstract: A mobile platform structured for mounting a soft target thereon is provided. The mobile platform includes a self-propelled drive unit configured to move along a ground surface responsive to a control signal. The mobile platform also includes a hardened mobile platform control module coupled to the drive unit so as to move with the drive unit. The mobile platform also includes a sacrificial body structured and coupled to the drive unit so as to move along the ground surface with the drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Joseph Taylor, Gregory J. Klein, Jonathan Yao, Andrew Custer
  • Publication number: 20200370998
    Abstract: A mobile platform includes a base having a first surface and at least one drive wheel coupled to the base so as to movable with respect to the base first surface. A drive wheel retention mechanism is coupled to the at least one drive wheel and is structured to retain the at least one drive wheel in a first position in which the at least one drive wheel extends to a first distance from the first surface along a first side of the first surface. A plurality of roller elements is also coupled to the base and is structured to extend to a distance from the first surface along the first side of the first surface. The distance of the plurality of roller elements from the first surface is less than the first distance of the at least one drive wheel from the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Joseph Taylor, Gregory J. Klein, Jonathan Yao, Andrew Custer
  • Patent number: 10669768
    Abstract: A system includes a door, an external electrical connection electrically coupled to a charge store, an opening assembly including a controller, an actuator, a gear, and an actuator arm. The actuator arm is mechanically coupled to the actuator and removably coupled to the door such that the actuator arm opens or closes the door upon actuation of the actuator and the external electrical connection electrically couples to a mobile robotic power delivery device that includes a battery to provide electrical power to the actuator and the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Jonathan Yao, Andrew Custer, Joe Taylor
  • Publication number: 20200102781
    Abstract: A system includes a door, an external electrical connection electrically coupled to a charge store, an opening assembly including a controller, an actuator, a gear, and an actuator arm. The actuator arm is mechanically coupled to the actuator and removably coupled to the door such that the actuator arm opens or closes the door upon actuation of the actuator and the external electrical connection electrically couples to a mobile robotic power delivery device that includes a battery to provide electrical power to the actuator and the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Jonathan Yao, Andrew Custer, Joe Taylor
  • Publication number: 20200061838
    Abstract: Lifting robot systems and methods for operating the same are disclosed. A lifting robot system includes a sensor device and a robot device. The robot device includes a body, a lifting component movably coupled to the body, and a collection tray coupled to the lifting component. Upon receiving a command to lift an object, the sensor device automatically detects the object, the robot device places the object on the collection tray, and the robot device causes the lifting component to lift the collection tray from a first height to a second height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Jonathan Yao, Manuel Ahumada, Andrew Custer
  • Publication number: 20070276208
    Abstract: A process for identifying and treating cells in a living organism. The cells are labeled, circulated within the organism, detected with an implanted detector, and then either isolated or ablated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: Biomed Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Connelly, Thomas Foster, Michael Weiner, Andrew Custer
  • Publication number: 20050221270
    Abstract: A process for identifying and treating cells in a living organism. The cells are labeled, circulated within the organism, detected with an implanted detector, and then either isolated or ablated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Patrick Connelly, Thomas Foster, Michael Weiner, Andrew Custer