Patents by Inventor Matthew A. Bitterman

Matthew A. Bitterman 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: 20190191632
    Abstract: Systems and methods for plant phenotyping using mechanical manipulation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for plant phenotyping includes: acquiring a first image of a plant with a first imaging modality operating in a first spectrum; and acquiring a second image of the plant with a second imaging modality operating in a second spectrum. The first spectrum and the second spectrum have different depths of penetration through the plant. The method also includes analyzing the first image and the second image to determine the properties of the plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: William Regan, Benoit Schillings, David Brown, Matthew Bitterman
  • Publication number: 20190191630
    Abstract: Systems and Methods for Augmented-Human Field Inspection Tools for Automated Phenotyping Systems and Agronomy Tools. In one embodiment, a method for plant phenotyping, includes: acquiring a first set of observations about plants in a field by a trainer. The trainer carries a sensor configured to collect observations about the plant, and the first set of observations includes ground truth data. The method also includes processing the first set of observations about the plants by a trait extraction model to generate instructions for a trainee; and acquiring a second set of observations about the plants by a trainee while the trainee follows the instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: William Regan, Matthew Bitterman, David Brown, Elliott Grant, Zhiqiang Yuan
  • Publication number: 20180297266
    Abstract: Example methods and systems are disclosed for on-demand packaging of one or more items. According to one example, a system includes a actuatable mold having a plurality of movable segments and at least one actuator coupled to the movable segments. The actuator(s) individually and independently move each of the movable segments between a plurality of positions, which determine a shape of a molding surface. At least one controller receives an input indicating a desired configuration of a protective structure and cause the actuator(s) to move one or more of the movable segments such that the shape of the molding surface corresponds to the desired configuration. While the moveable segments are positioned to provide the molding surface corresponding to the desired configuration of the protective structure, the controller(s) cause the packaging material to engage the molding surface to reshape the packaging material according to the molding surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Jeff Linnell, Matthew Bitterman
  • Patent number: 9993924
    Abstract: Example systems and methods may allow for closed-loop control of robotic operation. One example method includes receiving input data that identifies data sources to monitor and indicates adjustments to make in response to deviations by at least one of the data sources from at least one predicted state during subsequent execution of sequences of operations by robotic devices, receiving data streams from the data sources during execution of the sequences of operations by the robotic devices, identifying a deviation by one of the data sources from a predicted state for which the received input data indicates adjustments to the sequences of operations for the robotic devices, providing instructions to the robotic devices to execute the adjusted sequences of operations, and providing instructions to a second computing device to update a visual simulation of the robotic devices based on the adjusted sequences of operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Linnell, Kendra Byrne, Matthew Bitterman
  • Publication number: 20180119911
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein may relate to a system comprising a plurality of optical elements, comprising at least a first optical element and one or more secondary optical elements, a heliostat comprising the first optical element, where the heliostat is operable to move the first optical element to continuously reflect light from a non-stationary light source in a beam towards a first of the secondary optical elements, and where the secondary optical elements are arranged to re-direct the reflected beam of light towards an illumination target. The system further includes a controller configured to receive position data indicative of the position of the non-stationary light source over time, and in response to the position data, control at least the heliostat to continuously direct the beam of light towards the first of the secondary optical elements, such that the beam of light is continuously re-directed towards the illumination target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew Bitterman, Eli Reekmans
  • Publication number: 20180029235
    Abstract: A robotic system includes end-effector(s) that combine a plurality of objects in a production process. The system includes sensor(s) that obtain measurement(s) relating to a combination of a first object and one or more other objects during the production process. The system includes a control system communicatively coupled to the sensor(s). The control system stores specifications relating to the combination of the plurality of objects. The control system receives the measurement(s) from the sensor(s), determines a difference based on the measurement(s) and the specifications, determines adjustment(s) to the production process based on the determined difference, and sends, for the end-effector(s), instruction(s) based on the specifications and the one or more adjustment(s). The end-effector(s) combine a second object with the first object and the one or more objects based on the specifications and the one or more adjustment(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jeff Linnell, Anthony Jules, Marek Michalowski, Kendra Byrne, Jonathan Proto, Brandon Kruysman, Eli Reekmans, Matthew Bitterman, Michael Scott Beardsworth
  • Publication number: 20180004187
    Abstract: Example systems and methods allow for runtime control of robotic devices during a construction process. One example method includes determining at least one sequence of robot operations corresponding to at least one robot actor, causing the at least one robot actor to execute a portion of the at least one sequence of robot operations during a first time period, receiving an interrupt signal from a mobile computing device indicating a modification to the at least one sequence of robot operations, where the mobile computing device is configured to display a digital interface including one or more robot parameters describing the at least one robot actor and one or more tool parameters describing operating characteristics of at least one physical tool, and causing the at least one robot actor to execute a portion of the at least one modified sequence of robot operations during a second time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey Linnell, Kendra Byrne, Matthew Bitterman
  • Patent number: 9857040
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein may relate to a system comprising a plurality of optical elements, comprising at least a first optical element and one or more secondary optical elements, a heliostat comprising the first optical element, where the heliostat is operable to move the first optical element to continuously reflect light from a non-stationary light source in a beam towards a first of the secondary optical elements, and where the secondary optical elements are arranged to re-direct the reflected beam of light towards an illumination target. The system further includes a controller configured to receive position data indicative of the position of the non-stationary light source over time, and in response to the position data, control at least the heliostat to continuously direct the beam of light towards the first of the secondary optical elements, such that the beam of light is continuously re-directed towards the illumination target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Bitterman, Eli Reekmans
  • Patent number: 9841749
    Abstract: Example systems and methods allow for runtime control of robotic devices during a construction process. One example method includes determining at least one sequence of robot operations corresponding to at least one robot actor, causing the at least one robot actor to execute a portion of the at least one sequence of robot operations during a first time period, receiving an interrupt signal from a mobile computing device indicating a modification to the at least one sequence of robot operations, where the mobile computing device is configured to display a digital interface including one or more robot parameters describing the at least one robot actor and one or more tool parameters describing operating characteristics of at least one physical tool, and causing the at least one robot actor to execute a portion of the at least one modified sequence of robot operations during a second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Bot & Dolly, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Linnell, Kendra Byrne, Matthew Bitterman
  • Patent number: 9840347
    Abstract: In response to a request to package item(s), embodiments determine characteristic data for the item(s), which include an indication of a volume of each item. Container(s) for packaging the item(s) is determined based at least on the volume of each item. An arrangement of the item(s) in the container(s) is determined. One or more protective structures including one or more features are configured to position the item(s) in the container(s) according to the arrangement. Relative positions are determined for a plurality of modular elements to form the one or more protective structures. Subsets of the plurality of modular elements are deposited to corresponding relative positions to form at least one of the protective structures. The item(s) are packaged in the container(s) with the one or more protective structures to position the item(s) in the container(s) in the arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLX
    Inventors: Jeff Linnell, Matthew Bitterman
  • Patent number: 9828128
    Abstract: Example methods and systems are disclosed for on-demand packaging of one or more items. According to one example, a method can include receiving an order for the item(s) and determining characteristic-information for the item(s) using a computer system. The characteristic-information includes an indication of at least a size and a shape of the item(s). The method also includes processing the characteristic-information based on design criteria to determine an arrangement of the item(s) within at least one container volume, and a configuration for a protective structure to hold the item(s) in the arrangement within the container volume(s). The method can further include, in response to the processing the characteristic-information, forming the protective structure according to the configuration, placing the item(s) into the protective structure according to the arrangement, and placing the protective structure and the item(s) in the container volume(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Linnell, Matthew Bitterman, Tobias Kinnebrew
  • Publication number: 20170266810
    Abstract: Example systems and methods allow for use of a graphical interface to cause one or more robotic devices to construct an output product. One example method includes causing a graphical interface to be displayed on a display device, receiving input data corresponding to one or more interactions with the graphical interface indicating at least one motion path and at least one sequence of tool actions to execute at one or more points within the at least one motion path for use in construction of an output product, generating a plurality of digital nodes including at least one robot node, at least one motion command node, and at least one tool command node, and providing instructions for the at least one robot actor to move according to the sequence of robot motion commands determined by the at least one motion command node and execute the sequence of tool commands determined by the at least one tool command node to construct the output product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey Linnell, Kendra Byrne, Matthew Bitterman
  • Patent number: 9737987
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting a graphic card that visually describes an operational mode of a rotatable interface component via a plurality of curves for rotationally-varying parameters, determining the operational mode that is visually described on the graphic card, and loading the operational mode to the rotatable interface component, where the operational mode specifies operations for a motor such that the motor generates torque on the interface component based on the curves for the rotationally-varying parameters that are shown on the graphic card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Linnell, Anthony Sean Jules, Matthew Bitterman, Eli Reekmans, Kendra Byrne
  • Patent number: 9701018
    Abstract: Example systems and methods allow for use of a graphical interface to cause one or more robotic devices to construct an output product. One example method includes causing a graphical interface to be displayed on a display device, receiving input data corresponding to one or more interactions with the graphical interface indicating at least one motion path and at least one sequence of tool actions to execute at one or more points within the at least one motion path for use in construction of an output product, generating a plurality of digital nodes including at least one robot node, at least one motion command node, and at least one tool command node, and providing instructions for the at least one robot actor to move according to the sequence of robot motion commands determined by the at least one motion command node and execute the sequence of tool commands determined by the at least one tool command node to construct the output product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Bot & Dolly, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Linnell, Kendra Byrne, Matthew Bitterman
  • Publication number: 20160136815
    Abstract: Example systems and methods may allow for closed-loop control of robotic operation. One example method includes receiving input data that identifies data sources to monitor and indicates adjustments to make in response to deviations by at least one of the data sources from at least one predicted state during subsequent execution of sequences of operations by robotic devices, receiving data streams from the data sources during execution of the sequences of operations by the robotic devices, identifying a deviation by one of the data sources from a predicted state for which the received input data indicates adjustments to the sequences of operations for the robotic devices, providing instructions to the robotic devices to execute the adjusted sequences of operations, and providing instructions to a second computing device to update a visual simulation of the robotic devices based on the adjusted sequences of operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey Linnell, Kendra Byrne, Matthew Bitterman
  • Patent number: 9278449
    Abstract: Example systems and methods may allow for closed-loop control of robotic operation. One example method includes receiving input data that identities data sources to monitor and indicates adjustments to make in response to deviations by at least one of the data sources from at least one predicted state during subsequent execution of sequences of operations by robotic devices, receiving data streams from the data sources during execution of the sequences of operations by the robotic devices, identifying a deviation by one of the data sources from a predicted state for which the received input data indicates adjustments to the sequences of operations for the robotic devices, providing instructions to the robotic devices to execute the adjusted sequences of operations, and providing instructions to a second computing device to update a visual simulation of the robotic devices based on the adjusted sequences of operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Bot & Dolly, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Linnell, Kendra Byrne, Matthew Bitterman
  • Publication number: 20150273685
    Abstract: Example systems and methods allow for use of a graphical interface to cause one or more robotic devices to construct an output product. One example method includes causing a graphical interface to be displayed on a display device, receiving input data corresponding to one or more interactions with the graphical interface indicating at least one motion path and at least one sequence of tool actions to execute at one or more points within the at least one motion path for use in construction of an output product, generating a plurality of digital nodes including at least one robot node, at least one motion command node, and at least one tool command node, and providing instructions for the at least one robot actor to move according to the sequence of robot motion commands determined by the at least one motion command node and execute the sequence of tool commands determined by the at least one tool command node to construct the output product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Linnell, Kendra Byrne, Matthew Bitterman
  • Publication number: 20150277430
    Abstract: Example systems and methods allow for runtime control of robotic devices during a construction process. One example method includes determining at least one sequence of robot operations corresponding to at least one robot actor, causing the at least one robot actor to execute a portion of the at least one sequence of robot operations during a first time period, receiving an interrupt signal from a mobile computing device indicating a modification to the at least one sequence of robot operations, where the mobile computing device is configured to display a digital interface including one or more robot parameters describing the at least one robot actor and one or more tool parameters describing operating characteristics of at least one physical tool and causing the at least one robot actor to execute a portion of the at least one modified sequence of robot operations during a second time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Linnell, Kendra Byrne, Matthew Bitterman