Patents by Inventor Gerda Ruge

Gerda Ruge 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: 8615321
    Abstract: In a method for automated palletizing of packages, in particular by means of a manipulator, packages are arranged on the edge of a loading area and, if possible, a virtual initial layer of multiple packages is initially generated and this layer is then centered relative to the loading area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Baldes, Gerda Ruge, Julian Haselmayr
  • Patent number: 8615386
    Abstract: In a computerized method, and a computer-readable medium encoded with programming instructions for implementing the method, multiple layers of packages stacked on a load carrier are virtually constructed in a computer and, for each of the layers, an automatic determination is made with regard to the additive pressure that each layer exerts on the respective layers therebelow in the stack. The packages are organized in the multiple layers in the virtual construction dependent on predetermined constraints for the respective additive pressures, and the virtual construction is made available at an output of the computer in a form allowing the actual loading of the load carrier with the packages to be guided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Baldes, Gerda Ruge, Julian Haselmayr
  • Patent number: 8583277
    Abstract: In a method for palletizing packages using an automated manipulator, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with programming instructions for implementing the method, a sequence of grip positions is designated for accepting packages with the automated manipulator, and a supply of provided packages is automatically checked with regard to the grip positions of the packages in the supply. The supplied packages are palletized according to a predetermined initial palletizing pattern as long as the packages are supplied in the grip positions in the sequence. The packages are palletized by the manipulator according to an alternate palletizing pattern, different from the initial palletizing pattern, in the event that a package is not supplied to the manipulator in a grip position in the sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Kuehnemann, Lars Baldes, Gerda Ruge
  • Patent number: 8489229
    Abstract: A method and system for loading a loading carrier, in particular pallets, with packages by means of an automated manipulator, a model of a package stack on the loading carrier is automatically determined, an initial desired position for a package in the mode is determined, the package stack is detected on the loading carrier, a deviation between the detected package stack and the model is determined, the package is placed by the manipulator, and the steps are repeated until a termination criterion is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Kuehnemann, Lars Baldes, Gerda Ruge, Botond Goeroeg
  • Patent number: 8468106
    Abstract: A method for the automatic palletizing of stable package stacks includes the steps of virtual generation of multiple follow-up configurations by adding packages to at least one initial configuration, assessment of these follow-up configurations, and pursuit of follow-up configurations that are assessed as good as initial configurations. These steps are repeated until a termination criterion is satisfied. The follow-up configurations are assessed on the basis of different partial stack heights, towers and/or overbuildings. Another version of the method includes the steps of virtual generation of a package stack, and determination of a characteristic stability value of a package of a layer of a virtual package stack on the basis of the characteristic stability value of packages on which the package rests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Baldes, Julian Haselmayr, Jesper Boedker Christensen, Gerda Ruge
  • Patent number: 8290617
    Abstract: In a robot system, and a method for operating a robot system, for loading general cargo units, a gripper unit of the robot is operated to stack the general cargo units in a stack, by movements controlled by a computerized control unit. In order to avoid unstable loading patterns, the computerized control unit automatically determines the loading pattern of the stack of general cargo units, and also automatically determines at least one characteristic that represents the stability of the loading pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbH
    Inventor: Gerda Ruge
  • Publication number: 20100324729
    Abstract: In a robot system, and a method for operating a robot system, for loading general cargo units, a gripper unit of the robot is operated to stack the general cargo units in a stack, by movements controlled by a computerized control unit. In order to avoid unstable loading patterns, the computerized control unit automatically determines the loading pattern of the stack of general cargo units, and also automatically determines at least one characteristic that represents the stability of the loading pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Gerda Ruge
  • Publication number: 20100268675
    Abstract: A method for the automatic palletizing of stable package stacks includes the steps of virtual generation of multiple follow-up configurations by adding packages to at least one initial configuration, assessment of these follow-up configurations, and pursuit of follow-up configurations that are assessed as good as initial configurations. These steps are repeated until a termination criterion is satisfied. The follow-up configurations are assessed on the basis of different partial stack heights, towers and/or overbuildings. Another version of the method includes the steps of virtual generation of a package stack, and determination of a characteristic stability value of a package of a layer of a virtual package stack on the basis of the characteristic stability value of packages on which the package rests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Lars Baldes, Julian Haselmayr, Jesper Boedker Christensen, Gerda Ruge
  • Publication number: 20100249989
    Abstract: In a computerized method, and a computer-readable medium encoded with programming instructions for implementing the method, multiple layers of packages stacked on a load carrier are virtually constructed in a computer and, for each of the layers, an automatic determination is made with regard to the additive pressure that each layer exerts on the respective layers therebelow in the stack. The packages are organized in the multiple layers in the virtual construction dependent on predetermined constraints for the respective additive pressures, and the virtual construction is made available at an output of the computer in a form allowing the actual loading of the load carrier with the packages to be guided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Lars Baldes, Gerda Ruge, Julian Haselmayr
  • Publication number: 20100249988
    Abstract: In a method for automated palletizing of packages, in particular by means of a manipulator, packages are arranged on the edge of a loading area and, if possible, a virtual initial layer of multiple packages is initially generated and this layer is then centered relative to the loading area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Lars Baldes, Gerda Ruge, Julian Haselmayr
  • Publication number: 20100222915
    Abstract: A method and system for loading a loading carrier, in particular pallets, with packages by means of an automated manipulator, a model of a package stack on the loading carrier is automatically determined, an initial desired position for a package in the mode is determined, the package stack is detected on the loading carrier, a deviation between the detected package stack and the model is determined, the package is placed by the manipulator, and the steps are repeated until a termination criterion is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Ralf Kuehnemann, Lars Baldes, Gerda Ruge, Botond Goeroeg
  • Publication number: 20100221094
    Abstract: In a method for palletizing packages using an automated manipulator, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with programming instructions for implementing the method, a sequence of grip positions is designated for accepting packages with the automated manipulator, and a supply of provided packages is automatically checked with regard to the grip positions of the packages in the supply. The supplied packages are palletized according to a predetermined initial palletizing pattern as long as the packages are supplied in the grip positions in the sequence. The packages are palletized by the manipulator according to an alternate palletizing pattern, different from the initial palletizing pattern, in the event that a package is not supplied to the manipulator in a grip position in the sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Ralf Kuehnemann, Lars Baldes, Gerda Ruge