Patents by Inventor Dean R. LaValle

Dean R. LaValle 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: 11733036
    Abstract: A system and method for processing a flexible part comprising holding the flexible part securely in an unconstrained position using a holder; and controlling a positioner to process the flexible part based on a comparison of a shape and/or position of the flexible part in the unconstrained position with design specifications of the part not in the unconstrained position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: PAR SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Charles J. Habermann, Dean R. LaValle, Thomas E. Marrinan
  • Publication number: 20230012519
    Abstract: A system and method for processing a flexible part comprising holding the flexible part securely in an unconstrained position using a holder; and controlling a positioner to process the flexible part based on a comparison of a shape and/or position of the flexible part in the unconstrained position with design specifications of the part not in the unconstrained position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Charles J. Habermann, Dean R. LaValle, Thomas E. Marrinan
  • Patent number: 11460294
    Abstract: A system and method for processing a flexible part comprising holding the flexible part securely in an unconstrained position using a holder; and controlling a positioner to process the flexible part based on a comparison of a shape and/or position of the flexible part in the unconstrained position with design specifications of the part not in the unconstrained position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: PAR SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Charles J. Habermann, Dean R. LaValle, Thomas E. Marrinan
  • Publication number: 20190360801
    Abstract: A system and method for processing a flexible part comprising holding the flexible part securely in an unconstrained position using a holder; and controlling a positioner to process the flexible part based on a comparison of a shape and/or position of the flexible part in the unconstrained position with design specifications of the part not in the unconstrained position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Charles J. Habermann, Dean R. LaValle, Thomas E. Marrinan
  • Patent number: 10414049
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Upon a request from a consumer (or other user) in a fulfillment operation, the robot retrieves a bin holding the first item from the ISU. Upon a request from an operator in a replenishment operation, the robot transfers an empty bin to an operator station (such as a replenishing unit). Upon a request from an operator in a purge operation, the robot transfers bins containing the affected items to the operator station. The controller logic further allows certain operations to be prioritized and performed for the replenishment and purge operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
  • Publication number: 20180043535
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Upon a request from a consumer (or other user) in a fulfillment operation, the robot retrieves a bin holding the first item from the ISU. Upon a request from an operator in a replenishment operation, the robot transfers an empty bin to an operator station (such as a replenishing unit). Upon a request from an operator in a purge operation, the robot transfers bins containing the affected items to the operator station. The controller logic further allows certain operations to be prioritized and performed for the replenishment and purge operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
  • Patent number: 9821464
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Upon a request from a consumer (or other user) in a fulfillment operation, the robot retrieves a bin holding the first item from the ISU. Upon a request from an operator (or other user) in a replenishment operation, the robot transfers an empty bin to an operator station (such as a replenishing unit). The controller logic allows the fulfillment operations to be prioritized over the replenishment operations, in addition to the implementation of other prioritizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
  • Patent number: 9790028
    Abstract: The present invention is a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Configuration of the rails facilitates bins of variable height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
  • Patent number: 9563194
    Abstract: The present invention is a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. In a replenishment operation, the system transfers empty bins to an operator station for replenishment. An operator fills the empty bins with product items. The system inserts these bins into drawers in the ISU. In a purge operation, the operator enters an identifier of a class of product to be removed. The system moves the bins containing the affected items to the operator station. After the product items are removed, the empty bins are moved to the ISU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
  • Patent number: 9563197
    Abstract: The present invention is a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Upon a request from a consumer (or other user) for a plurality of product items, the robot retrieves a bin holding the first item from the ISU, and places the bin onto a shelf that moves with the robot. The additional items are handled similarly. Once all the items are on the shelf, the robot transfers them to a dispensing chute to the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
  • Publication number: 20160325933
    Abstract: The present invention is a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Configuration of the rails facilitates bins of variable height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
  • Publication number: 20160325934
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Upon a request from a consumer (or other user) in a fulfillment operation, the robot retrieves a bin holding the first item from the ISU. Upon a request from an operator (or other user) in a replenishment operation, the robot transfers an empty bin to an operator station (such as a replenishing unit). The controller logic allows the fulfillment operations to be prioritized over the replenishment operations, in addition to the implementation of other prioritizations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
  • Publication number: 20160327927
    Abstract: The present invention is a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. In a replenishment operation, the system transfers empty bins to an operator station for replenishment. An operator fills the empty bins with product items. The system inserts these bins into drawers in the ISU. In a purge operation, the operator enters an identifier of a class of product to be removed. The system moves the bins containing the affected items to the operator station. After the product items are removed, the empty bins are moved to the ISU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
  • Publication number: 20160327941
    Abstract: The present invention is a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Upon a request from a consumer (or other user) for a plurality of product items, the robot retrieves a bin holding the first item from the ISU, and places the bin onto a shelf that moves with the robot. The additional items are handled similarly. Once all the items are on the shelf, the robot transfers them to a dispensing chute to the consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
  • Publication number: 20150338213
    Abstract: A system and method for processing a flexible part comprising holding the flexible part securely in an unconstrained position using a holder; and controlling a positioner to process the flexible part based on a comparison of a shape and/or position of the flexible part in the unconstrained position with design specifications of the part not in the unconstrained position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Charles J. Habermann, Dean R. LaValle, Thomas E. Marrinan
  • Patent number: 9008820
    Abstract: A system and method for positioning a fluid stream for cutting a double contour workpiece includes a compensation module configured to receive information regarding a contour path in at least five degrees of freedom for cutting the double contour workpiece and a velocity of movement of the fluid stream during cutting and configured to provide as an output a modified contour path of said at least five degrees of freedom based on Kerf compensation errors. A motion controller is adapted to receive the modified contour path of said at least five degrees of freedom and the velocity and is configured to provide control signals. A positioner is configured to receive the control signals and position a fluid stream adjacent the workpiece accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: PaR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Habermann, Frederick J. Steinmann, Dean R. LaValle
  • Publication number: 20110294401
    Abstract: A system and method for positioning a fluid stream for cutting a double contour workpiece includes a compensation module configured to receive information regarding a contour path in at least five degrees of freedom for cutting the double contour workpiece and a velocity of movement of the fluid stream during cutting and configured to provide as an output a modified contour path of said at least five degrees of freedom based on Kerf compensation errors. A motion controller is adapted to receive the modified contour path of said at least five degrees of freedom and the velocity and is configured to provide control signals. A positioner is configured to receive the control signals and position a fluid stream adjacent the workpiece accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: PaR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Habermann, Frederick J. Steinmann, Dean R. LaValle
  • Patent number: 5855540
    Abstract: A system for performing work in a hot cell includes a support arm having a first end and a second end and a movable arm having an end selectively engageable with the first end to form a rigid connection. Complementary coupling devices are disposed on the first end of the support arm and on the end of the movable arm and mate together when the movable arm is joined to the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Par Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert J. Sturm, Jr., Thomas E. Marrinan, Fred W. Hanson, Dean R. LaValle
  • Patent number: 4614274
    Abstract: An automatic material handling crane system services a plurality of stations in an industrial plant. The system includes a crane which is movable on a track, a mast which is carried by the crane, and a material handling mechanism which is carried by the mast. Position encoders provide signals indicative of the position of the crane on the track and the mast with respect to the crane. Both manual and remote controls are provided to operate the crane system. The manual control is carried by the crane and provides manual control signals. The remote control is positioned at a remote location with respect to the crane and stores a schedule of operations of the crane, mast and material handling mechanism. The remote control signals provided by the remote control are based on the schedule and on status information relating to the crane, the mast and material handling mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: PaR Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Dean R. LaValle, Philip A. McLain
  • Patent number: 4456132
    Abstract: An automatic material handling crane system services a plurality of stations in an industrial plant. The system includes a crane which is movable on a track, a mast which is carried by the crane, and a material handling mechanism which is carried by the mast. Position encoders provide signals indicative of the position of the crane on the track and the mast with respect to the crane. Both manual and remote controls are provided to operate the crane system. The manual control is carried by the crane and provides manual control signals. The remote control is positioned at a remote location with respect to the crane and stores a schedule of operations of the crane, mast and material handling mechanism. The remote control signals provided by the remote control are based on the schedule and on status information relating to the crane, the mast and material handling mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: PaR Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Dean R. LaValle, Philip A. McLain