Patents by Inventor Erik C. Sobel

Erik C. Sobel 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: 11951633
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a location of a robot are provided. A method includes receiving, by a processor, a signal from a deformable sensor including data with respect to a deformation region in a deformable membrane of the deformable sensor resulting from contact with a first object. The data associated with contact with the first object is compared, by the processor, to details associated with contact with the first object to information associated with a plurality of objects stored in a database. The first object is identified, by the processor, as a first identified object of the plurality of objects stored in the database. The first identified object is an object of the plurality of objects stored in the database that is most similar to the first object. The location of the robot is determined, by the processor, based on a location of the first identified object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: Toyota Research Institute, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Naveen Suresh Kuppuswamy, Avinash Uttamchandani, Samson F. Creasey, Russell L Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel, Takuya Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11806864
    Abstract: A robot arm assembly for detecting a pose and force associated with an object is provided. The robot arm assembly includes an end effector having a plurality of fingers, and a deformable sensor provided on each finger. The deformable sensor includes a housing, a deformable membrane coupled to the housing, an enclosure filled with a medium, and an internal sensor disposed within the housing having a field of view directed through the medium and toward an internal surface of the deformable membrane. A processor is configured to receive an output from each internal sensor, the output including a contact region of the deformable membrane as a result of contact with the object. The processor determines an amount of displacement of the contact region based on the output from each internal sensor, and determines the pose and the force associated with the object based on the amount of displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Naveen Suresh Kuppuswamy, Avinash Uttamchandani, Samson F. Creasey, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel, Takuya Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11735051
    Abstract: A method for alerting a driver when a cyclist is detected near an ego vehicle is described. The method includes detecting a presence of an object proximate the ego vehicle. The method also includes identifying the object as the cyclist according to geometric characteristics and/or speed data of the detected object. The method further includes displaying a graphical indication of the cyclist on a passenger side/driver side mirror of the ego vehicle while the cyclist is in a blind spot of the ego vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Hughes, Erik C. Sobel, Todd J. Rowell
  • Publication number: 20230158674
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a location of a robot are provided. A method includes receiving, by a processor, a signal from a deformable sensor including data with respect to a deformation region in a deformable membrane of the deformable sensor resulting from contact with a first object. The data associated with contact with the first object is compared, by the processor, to details associated with contact with the first object to information associated with a plurality of objects stored in a database. The first object is identified, by the processor, as a first identified object of the plurality of objects stored in the database. The first identified object is an object of the plurality of objects stored in the database that is most similar to the first object. The location of the robot is determined, by the processor, based on a location of the first identified object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicants: Toyota Research Institute, Inc., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Naveen Suresh Kuppuswamy, Avinash Uttamchandani, Samson F. Creasey, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel, Takuya Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20230150148
    Abstract: A robot arm assembly for detecting a pose and force associated with an object is provided. The robot arm assembly includes an end effector having a plurality of fingers, and a deformable sensor provided on each finger. The deformable sensor includes a housing, a deformable membrane coupled to the housing, an enclosure filled with a medium, and an internal sensor disposed within the housing having a field of view directed through the medium and toward an internal surface of the deformable membrane. A processor is configured to receive an output from each internal sensor, the output including a contact region of the deformable membrane as a result of contact with the object. The processor determines an amount of displacement of the contact region based on the output from each internal sensor, and determines the pose and the force associated with the object based on the amount of displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicants: Toyota Research Institute, Inc., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Naveen Suresh Kuppuswamy, Avinash Uttamchandani, Samson F. Creasey, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel, Takuya Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11628576
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting pose and force against an object are provided. A method includes receiving a signal from a deformable sensor comprising data from a deformation region in a deformable membrane resulting from contact with the object utilizing an internal sensor disposed within an enclosure and having a field of view directed through a medium and toward a bottom surface of the deformable membrane. The method also determines a pose of the object based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane. The method also determines an amount of force applied between the deformable membrane and the object is determined based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel
  • Patent number: 11584026
    Abstract: A robot arm assembly for detecting a pose and force associated with an object is provided. The robot arm assembly includes an end effector having a plurality of fingers, and a deformable sensor provided on each finger. The deformable sensor includes a housing, a deformable membrane coupled to the housing, an enclosure filled with a medium, and an internal sensor disposed within the housing having a field of view directed through the medium and toward an internal surface of the deformable membrane. A processor is configured to receive an output from each internal sensor, the output including a contact region of the deformable membrane as a result of contact with the object. The processor determines an amount of displacement of the contact region based on the output from each internal sensor, and determines the pose and the force associated with the object based on the amount of displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: Toyota Research Institute, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Naveen Suresh Kuppuswamy, Avinash Uttamchandani, Samson F. Creasey, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel, Takuya Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11577395
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a location of a robot are provided. A method includes receiving, by a processor, a signal from a deformable sensor including data with respect to a deformation region in a deformable membrane of the deformable sensor resulting from contact with a first object. The data associated with contact with the first object is compared, by the processor, to details associated with contact with the first object to information associated with a plurality of objects stored in a database. The first object is identified, by the processor, as a first identified object of the plurality of objects stored in the database. The first identified object is an object of the plurality of objects stored in the database that is most similar to the first object. The location of the robot is determined, by the processor, based on a location of the first identified object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: Toyota Research Institute, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Naveen Suresh Kuppuswamy, Avinash Uttamchandani, Samson F. Creasey, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel, Takuya Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20220410403
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting pose and force against an object are provided. A method includes receiving a signal from a deformable sensor comprising data from a deformation region in a deformable membrane resulting from contact with the object utilizing an internal sensor disposed within an enclosure and having a field of view directed through a medium and toward a bottom surface of the deformable membrane. The method also determines a pose of the object based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane. The method also determines an amount of force applied between the deformable membrane and the object is determined based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel
  • Patent number: 11465296
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting pose and force against an object are provided. A method includes receiving a signal from a deformable sensor comprising data from a deformation region in a deformable membrane resulting from contact with the object utilizing an internal sensor disposed within an enclosure and having a field of view directed through a medium and toward a bottom surface of the deformable membrane. The method also determines a pose of the object based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane. The method also determines an amount of force applied between the deformable membrane and the object is determined based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel
  • Publication number: 20210304611
    Abstract: A method for alerting a driver when a cyclist is detected near an ego vehicle is described. The method includes detecting a presence of an object proximate the ego vehicle. The method also includes identifying the object as the cyclist according to geometric characteristics and/or speed data of the detected object. The method further includes displaying a graphical indication of the cyclist on a passenger side/driver side mirror of the ego vehicle while the cyclist is in a blind spot of the ego vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen HUGHES, Erik C. SOBEL, Todd J. ROWELL
  • Publication number: 20210252721
    Abstract: A robot arm assembly for detecting a pose and force associated with an object is provided. The robot arm assembly includes an end effector having a plurality of fingers, and a deformable sensor provided on each finger. The deformable sensor includes a housing, a deformable membrane coupled to the housing, an enclosure filled with a medium, and an internal sensor disposed within the housing having a field of view directed through the medium and toward an internal surface of the deformable membrane. A processor is configured to receive an output from each internal sensor, the output including a contact region of the deformable membrane as a result of contact with the object. The processor determines an amount of displacement of the contact region based on the output from each internal sensor, and determines the pose and the force associated with the object based on the amount of displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicants: Toyota Research Institute, Inc., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Naveen Suresh Kuppuswamy, Avinash Uttamchandani, Samson F. Creasey, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel, Takuya Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20210252709
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a location of a robot are provided. A method includes receiving, by a processor, a signal from a deformable sensor including data with respect to a deformation region in a deformable membrane of the deformable sensor resulting from contact with a first object. The data associated with contact with the first object is compared, by the processor, to details associated with contact with the first object to information associated with a plurality of objects stored in a database. The first object is identified, by the processor, as a first identified object of the plurality of objects stored in the database. The first identified object is an object of the plurality of objects stored in the database that is most similar to the first object. The location of the robot is determined, by the processor, based on a location of the first identified object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicants: Toyota Research Institute, Inc., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Naveen Suresh Kuppuswamy, Avinash Uttamchandani, Samson F. Creasey, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel, Takuya Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20210245369
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting pose and force against an object are provided. A method includes receiving a signal from a deformable sensor comprising data from a deformation region in a deformable membrane resulting from contact with the object utilizing an internal sensor disposed within an enclosure and having a field of view directed through a medium and toward a bottom surface of the deformable membrane. The method also determines a pose of the object based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane. The method also determines an amount of force applied between the deformable membrane and the object is determined based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel
  • Patent number: 11007652
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting pose and force against an object are provided. A method includes receiving a signal from a deformable sensor comprising data from a deformation region in a deformable membrane resulting from contact with the object utilizing an internal sensor disposed within an enclosure and having a field of view directed through a medium and toward a bottom surface of the deformable membrane. The method also determines a pose of the object based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane. The method also determines an amount of force applied between the deformable membrane and the object is determined based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel
  • Publication number: 20200254624
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting pose and force against an object are provided. A method includes receiving a signal from a deformable sensor comprising data from a deformation region in a deformable membrane resulting from contact with the object utilizing an internal sensor disposed within an enclosure and having a field of view directed through a medium and toward a bottom surface of the deformable membrane. The method also determines a pose of the object based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane. The method also determines an amount of force applied between the deformable membrane and the object is determined based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel
  • Patent number: 10668627
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting pose and force against an object are provided. A method includes receiving a signal from a deformable sensor comprising data from a deformation region in a deformable membrane resulting from contact with the object utilizing an internal sensor disposed within an enclosure and having a field of view directed through a medium and toward a bottom surface of the deformable membrane. The method also determines a pose of the object based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane. The method also determines an amount of force applied between the deformable membrane and the object is determined based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel
  • Patent number: 10632621
    Abstract: A robotic grommet installer includes a robotic arm and an installation unit. The installation unit includes a rotary grommet holder rotatively coupled to the robotic arm and an installer coupled to the robotic arm. The rotary grommet holder includes a plurality of grommet chambers spaced circumferentially about a rotational axis of the rotary grommet holder. Each grommet chamber of the plurality of grommet chambers is configured to hold a plurality of grommets. The installer is configured to retrieve a grommet from the rotary grommet holder, wherein the rotary grommet holder is configured to rotate to align the installer with an available grommet positioned within one of the plurality of grommet chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Erik C. Sobel, Calder Phillips-Grafflin, Aimee Goncalves, Guy Danner, Ira Spool, Jonathan Kalow, Nicholas Brennan, Seth Newburg, Joseph Fenton
  • Patent number: 10549428
    Abstract: Robots having varying touch sensitivity are provided. A robot may include a plurality of deformable sensors with differing levels of depth resolution and spatial resolution for detecting a pose and force associated with an object. Each deformable sensor may have an enclosure comprising a deformable membrane, the enclosure configured to be filled with a medium. Each deformable sensor may further include an optical sensor, disposed within the enclosure, having a field of view configured to be directed toward a bottom surface of the deformable membrane. The robot may also include a first portion and a second portion, each comprising at least one deformable sensor of the plurality of deformable sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel
  • Publication number: 20190321982
    Abstract: A robotic grommet installer includes a robotic arm and an installation unit. The installation unit includes a rotary grommet holder rotatively coupled to the robotic arm and an installer coupled to the robotic arm. The rotary grommet holder includes a plurality of grommet chambers spaced circumferentially about a rotational axis of the rotary grommet holder. Each grommet chamber of the plurality of grommet chambers is configured to hold a plurality of grommets. The installer is configured to retrieve a grommet from the rotary grommet holder, wherein the rotary grommet holder is configured to rotate to align the installer with an available grommet positioned within one of the plurality of grommet chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik C. Sobel, Calder Phillips-Grafflin, Aimee Goncalves, Guy Danner, Ira Spool, Jonathan Kalow, Nicholas Brennan, Seth Newburg, Joseph Fenton