Patents by Inventor Joseph M. Calkins

Joseph M. Calkins 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: 9452533
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a robot positioning device includes a first interface configured to communicate with a robot and a second interface configured to communicate with a location measuring system. The robot positioning device includes a calibrator, a modeler, and an instructor. The calibrator is configured to direct the location measuring system to determine robot calibration locations when robot joints are positioned in calibration joint positions. The modeler is configured to create a calibrated model relating robot joint positions to robot locations based at least in part on the robot calibration locations received from the location measuring system and associated calibration joint positions of the robot joints. The instructor is configured to receive a goal location from the robot. The instructor is further configured to transmit goal joint positions to the robot, the goal joint positions based at least in part on the goal location and the calibrated model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Joseph M. Calkins, Robert J. Salerno
  • Patent number: 9021344
    Abstract: An off-line graphical user interface (GUI) system and method provide for input control of a three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine (CMM) using the CMM's probe. A GUI image presents a plurality of control operation icons associated with the CMM. A controller uses the CMM to locate the GUI image in a coordinate system of the CMM. The controller defines coordinates of the control operation icons and references the coordinates to the coordinate system of the CMM. The controller also defines a function activation zone associated with each of the control operation icons. Each function activation zone defines criteria relating movement of the CMM's probe therein to the operational function of the CMM associated with one of the control operation icons corresponding thereto. Satisfaction of the criteria causes the operational function of the CMM to be carried out by the CMM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: New River Kinematics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce L. Thomas, Robert J. Salerno, Joseph M. Calkins
  • Publication number: 20140343727
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a robot positioning device includes a first interface configured to communicate with a robot and a second interface configured to communicate with a location measuring system. The robot positioning device includes a calibrator, a modeler, and an instructor. The calibrator is configured to direct the location measuring system to determine robot calibration locations when robot joints are positioned in calibration joint positions. The modeler is configured to create a calibrated model relating robot joint positions to robot locations based at least in part on the robot calibration locations received from the location measuring system and associated calibration joint positions of the robot joints. The instructor is configured to receive a goal location from the robot. The instructor is further configured to transmit goal joint positions to the robot, the goal joint positions based at least in part on the goal location and the calibrated model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph M. Calkins, Robert J. Salerno
  • Publication number: 20120050255
    Abstract: An off-line graphical user interface (GUI) system and method provide for input control of a three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine (CMM) using the CMM's probe. A GUI image presents a plurality of control operation icons associated with the CMM. A controller uses the CMM to locate the GUI image in a coordinate system of the CMM. The controller defines coordinates of the control operation icons and references the coordinates to the coordinate system of the CMM. The controller also defines a function activation zone associated with each of the control operation icons. Each function activation zone defines criteria relating movement of the CMM's probe therein to the operational function of the CMM associated with one of the control operation icons corresponding thereto. Satisfaction of the criteria causes the operational function of the CMM to be carried out by the CMM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: New River Kinematics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce L. Thomas, Robert J. Salerno, Joseph M. Calkins