Patents by Inventor Beth Marcus
Beth Marcus 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).
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Patent number: 11938617Abstract: Examples described herein are directed to methods, computer-readable media, and systems for controlling an end of arm tool with one or more suction zones to pick up an item. Sensor data regarding the item is obtained. The sensor data is used to determine which of the one or more suction zones should be used to pick up the item. A rotational orientation is also determined that orients the determined suction zone(s) with the item. The end of arm tool is then instructed to create a suction force at the one or more suction zones and to pick up the item using the suction force.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jude Jonas, Bertan Atamer, Gregory Thomas Merlino, Gregory Coleman, Robert Kevin Katzschmann, Erica Aduh, Manikantan Nambi, Beth A. Marcus, Kristin Covelle, Areej Pirzada
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Patent number: 11674556Abstract: A system and method for backdrivability control of end effectors in robotic systems are described. In one example, a robotic system includes a joint in a kinematic chain, an end effector at an end of the kinematic chain, and an assembly for backdrivability control of the joint. The assembly includes a frame comprising a flexure arm and a circular clearance area that extends around the joint, a brake band having one end secured along the circular clearance area and a second end secured at an end of the flexure arm, and a brake actuator configured to selectively pull the end of the flexure arm and tighten the brake band around the joint. The brake actuator can be actuated to tighten the brake band around the joint, arresting or dampening motion in the kinematic chain of the system for certain movements.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Beth A. Marcus, John William Romanishin
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Patent number: 11623339Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for portable robotic manipulation systems. In one embodiment, an example robot assembly may include a first portion that includes a first robotic arm configured to manipulate objects, a second portion coupled to the first portion, the second portion including a moveable sensor assembly, and a controller configured to control operation of the first robotic arm and operation of the moveable sensor assembly. The robot assembly is portable and configured to operate in fenced or unfenced environments, and may be configured to perform different tasks in different environments.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2019Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy G. Dietz, Beth A. Marcus, Felipe De Arruda Camargo Polido, Michel Bruehwiler, Kristine Moore, Kyle Rawding
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Publication number: 20220051779Abstract: Aspects described herein include a method comprising receiving one or more sensor signals from one or more sensors that are worn by a wearer, and determining, based on the one or more sensor signals, one or more poses of a leg of the wearer during motion. The method further comprises controlling, based on the one or more poses, a pressure of one or more actuatable components to adjust the leg toward a target pose during the motion. The one or more actuatable components are worn on one or both of the leg and a foot of the wearer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2020Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Beth A. MARCUS, Theodore Joseph COLLINS, Phil CHURCHILL, Matthew Eli CARNEY
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Patent number: 11247347Abstract: Aspects described herein include an end effector capable of prehending items using impactive and astrictive forces. The end effector includes an interface system having a deformable mounting plate and a pliable body member attached to the mounting plate. The end effector further includes a linkage system between a plurality of actuators and the interface system. The linkage system connects to lateral portions of the mounting plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Parris S. Wellman, Beth A. Marcus, Gregory Coleman, Manikantan Nambi, Erica Aduh, Timothy G. Dietz, Leonard Thomas Lilliston, III, Margaret Jean Williams George, Jonas Eichenberger, Mathias Moser, Dominique Ernst, Ueli Schlaepfer
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Patent number: 11091355Abstract: A mechanically intelligent end-of-arm tool includes a valve that is actuated by the action of the arm, such that a force applied to the object to be grasped opens the valve to expose a suction cup to the vacuum pressure. A spool valve, poppet valve, and butterfly valve, et al., can perform the valve function. The tool may include a button that has a rigid contact surface or may be deformable to provide a smoothing force to the object.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2018Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Leonard Thomas Lilliston, III, Beth A. Marcus
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Patent number: 11022191Abstract: A system for backdrivability control of end effectors in robotic systems is described. In one example, a brake assembly for backdrivability control includes a frame having a clearance area. The brake assembly is positioned so that the rotor of the motor extends through the clearance area. The brake assembly includes a brake band secured at one distal end along the clearance area, extending around a periphery of the clearance area, and secured at a second distal end at a flexure arm of the frame. The brake assembly also includes a brake actuator including a permanent magnet at the distal end of the flexure arm and an electromagnet secured to the fame. The brake actuator can be energized to tighten the brake band around the rotor of the motor, arresting or dampening motion of the end effector for certain movements.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Beth A. Marcus, John William Romanishin
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Publication number: 20210086372Abstract: Aspects described herein include an end effector capable of prehending items using impactive and astrictive forces. The end effector includes an interface system having a deformable mounting plate and a pliable body member attached to the mounting plate. The end effector further includes a linkage system between a plurality of actuators and the interface system. The linkage system connects to lateral portions of the mounting plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventors: Parris S. WELLMAN, Beth A. MARCUS, Gregory COLEMAN, Manikantan NAMBI, Erica ADUH, Timothy G. DIETZ, Leonard Thomas LILLISTON, III, Margaret Jean Williams GEORGE, Jonas EICHENBERGER, Mathias MOSER, Dominique ERNST, Ueli SCHLAEPFER
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Patent number: 10953551Abstract: A soft actuator for a suction-cup end effector bends or deforms in response to air pressure within bladders in the actuator. The walls of the air bladders, upon pressurization, expand to contact adjacent structure, such as other expanding air bladders, to move a constraining layer of the actuator from a rest position toward an actuated position. A gripper for engaging items is formed by the soft actuator and a suction cup.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Erica Aduh, Gregory Coleman, Andrew Marchese, Beth Marcus, Manikantan Nambi
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Patent number: 10913165Abstract: Examples described herein are directed to an item manipulation system that includes an end of arm tool. The end of arm tool includes a suction manifold including multiple independently controllable asymmetrical suction zones. The end of arm tool is also configured to rotate about a tool axis to selectively align the independently controllable asymmetrical suction zones with target items for manipulation.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jude Jonas, Bertan Atamer, Gregory Thomas Merlino, Gregory Coleman, Robert Kevin Katzschmann, Erica Aduh, Manikantan Nambi, Beth A. Marcus, Kristin Covelle, Areej Pirzada
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Patent number: 10875194Abstract: A suction-cup end effector conforms to and grasps objects upon application of vacuum force. The suction cup assembly can have isotropic stiffness in a plane defined by a contact surface of the suction cup assembly and thus can conform regardless of the orientation of the suction cup to the object. The suction cup includes a foam suction cup body, a thin structural ring to provide a spring bias toward a rest position, and a sealing membrane within the structural ring to seal the suction cup.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Coleman, Timothy Dietz, Beth A. Marcus
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Patent number: 10843348Abstract: An actuator for a suction-cup end effector bends or deforms in response to air pressure within bladders in the actuator. Air bladders of the actuator apply bending moments to rigid flange structures, which transmit the moments to a base layer of the actuator. Grasping elements may be used.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Erica Aduh, Gregory Coleman, Leonard Thomas Lilliston, III, Andrew Marchese, Beth Marcus, Manikantan Nambi
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Patent number: 10682770Abstract: An articulating end-of-arm tool includes back-drive capability. The tool has a cable drive including a vertically oriented capstan head, a pair of idler pulleys, a driven pulley and a tensioner. The driven pulley pivot on a hollow shaft, through which a vacuum channel passes. The vacuum channel extends through the length of the body, including past the vertically oriented motor. The driven pulley is within 10 degrees of perpendicular of the longitudinal axis of the tool.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Leonard Thomas Lilliston, III, Beth A. Marcus
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Patent number: 10625428Abstract: Implementations of an end effector and an associated method of grasping an item are disclosed. The end effector comprises an interface system comprising a mounting plate having at least a first portion movable relative to at least a second portion. For example, the first portion and/or second portion are configured to pivot about at least a first pivot axis. The interface system further comprises a pliable body member attached to the mounting plate and at least partially defining an inner recess. The end effector further comprises a pair of actuators operably connected to the plate and each configured to apply a force to the plate so as to pivot a portion of the mounting plate and deform the pliable body member. The end effector further comprises a vacuum port in fluid communication with the inner recess.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Coleman, Beth A. Marcus
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Publication number: 20190389081Abstract: Implementations of an end effector and an associated method of grasping an item are disclosed. The end effector comprises an interface system comprising a mounting plate having at least a first portion movable relative to at least a second portion. For example, the first portion and/or second portion are configured to pivot about at least a first pivot axis. The interface system further comprises a pliable body member attached to the mounting plate and at least partially defining an inner recess. The end effector further comprises a pair of actuators operably connected to the plate and each configured to apply a force to the plate so as to pivot a portion of the mounting plate and deform the pliable body member. The end effector further comprises a vacuum port in fluid communication with the inner recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventors: Gregory COLEMAN, Beth A. MARCUS
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Publication number: 20150324060Abstract: A touch target array overlay that can be associated with a surface of a touch screen of a mobile or fixed device is provided. The touch target array may be translucent transparent or opaque and may have tactile features. The touch target array may include a base member and a plurality of touchable array elements. The base member may be coupled to the surface of the touch screen of the mobile device. Further, the plurality of touchable array elements may be disposed on the base member. The plurality of touchable array elements may facilitate a user to input information in the mobile device. Moreover, the plurality of touchable array elements may align with virtual keys of a virtual keypad of the mobile device, or other features.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 1, 2013Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventor: Beth Marcus
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Patent number: 8957852Abstract: Techniques, systems and computer program products are disclosed for providing sensor mapping. In one aspect, a method includes receiving input from a user. The received input includes at least one of motion, force and contact. In addition, a sensor signal is generated based on the received input. From a choice of data structures a data structure associated with a selected application having one or more functions is identified. The data structure indicates a relationship between the generated sensor signal and the one or more functions of the selected application. The generated sensor signal is selectively mapped into a control signal for controlling the one or more functions of the selected application by using the identified data structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Aplix IP Holdings CorporationInventors: Rob Podoloff, Paul William Calnan, III, Elaine Chen, Beth Marcus
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Publication number: 20140156677Abstract: A presentation order of curated media items that are represented by meta data in a playpack is determined by evaluating a platform score, a viewer score, a content popularity score, a content quality score, and a scatter algorithm.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2014Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Playrific, Inc.Inventors: Theodore Joseph Collins, III, Beth Marcus
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Publication number: 20130063342Abstract: A method and system for transmitting data to and from a hand-held host device are disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with a host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bidirectional data link between the accessory device and the host device. The accessory device also includes a storage unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel. The storage unit is designed to store various data. In addition, at least a first data is selectively transmitted from the stored data of the accessory device to the host device through the established bidirectional data link.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: ZEEMOTE TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventors: Elaine CHEN, Rob PODOLOFF, Lorraine WHEELER, Beth MARCUS
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Publication number: 20130063343Abstract: Techniques, systems and computer program products are disclosed for providing sensor mapping. In one aspect, a method includes receiving input from a user. The received input includes at least one of motion, force and contact. In addition, a sensor signal is generated based on the received input. From a choice of data structures a data structure associated with a selected application having one or more functions is identified. The data structure indicates a relationship between the generated sensor signal and the one or more functions of the selected application. The generated sensor signal is selectively mapped into a control signal for controlling the one or more functions of the selected application by using the identified data structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: ZEEMOTE TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventors: Rob PODOLOFF, Paul William CALNAN, III, Elaine CHEN, Beth MARCUS