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).

  • Publication number: 20190091871
    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: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel
  • Publication number: 20190091872
    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: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Alexander Alspach, Russell L. Tedrake, Kunimatsu Hashimoto, Erik C. Sobel