Patents by Inventor Matthew S. Johannes

Matthew S. Johannes 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: 20240043075
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for reliably interconnecting a native gladhand on a trailer with an AV truck, in which the gladhand can vary in placement and type on the trailer front. A visually guided robot manipulator arm accesses the trailer front. The arm includes an end effector assembly that is arranged to visually navigate to the gladhand and engage the gladhand by latching onto a gladhand using a connection tool that includes a hinged gladhand/wedge capture assembly and a pressurized clamping connection plate that selectively engages the trailer gladhand seal. The capture assembly is arranged to accommodate different gladhand geometries in latching thereonto. The connection tool includes a hinge that is spring-loaded in both a locked and unlocked bistable state, and sensors monitor the state. The system can include passive or active compliance elements that accommodate moderate misalignment between the engaged gladhand and the robotic arm/connection tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew S. Johannes, Martin E. Sotola, Joseph S. DeRose, Jarvis A. Schultz, Austin Lovan
  • Publication number: 20230418289
    Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Dee Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Michael Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
  • Patent number: 11782436
    Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Outrider Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Dee Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Michael Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
  • Patent number: 11755013
    Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Outrider Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
  • Patent number: 11707955
    Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Outrider Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett, Christopher T. Bate, Michael Patrick Cutter
  • Publication number: 20230066866
    Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Dee Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Michael Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
  • Publication number: 20220371199
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for allowing motion of a robotic manipulator on an AV truck in connecting to a native gladhand on a trailer front that represents and constructs a model of this free space on-the-fly, in the manner of an Obstacle Detection and Obstacle Avoidance (OD/OA) system and process. A robotic arm on an AV truck is adapted to connect a pneumatic line to a gladhand on the trailer front. A first 3D sensor generates a pointcloud, and is located at an elevated position on the truck to image the trailer front. A second 3D sensor also generates pointclouds at during robot motion, located adjacent to an end of the robotic arm. An occlusion mapping process generates an occlusion map of the trailer front, and a map update process updates the occlusion map to add and remove voxels therefrom to allow safe guidance of the robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Jarvis A. Schultz, Matthew S. Johannes, William L. Spies, II, Daniel R. Wahl, Lawrence S. Klein
  • Patent number: 11429099
    Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Outrider Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
  • Publication number: 20220155782
    Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
  • Patent number: 11216071
    Abstract: A tactile output apparatus is provided that includes a dermal contact surface. The apparatus also includes a first securing member and a second securing member. A first arm may be pivotally coupled to the first securing member, and a second arm may be pivotally coupled to the second securing member. The first arm may also be pivotally coupled to the second arm at an arm pivot point, and the dermal contact surface may move with the arm pivot point. The first securing member may be movable along a first securing member travel path towards or away from the second securing member and movement of the first securing member along the first securing member travel path may cause responsive movement of the arm pivot point and the dermal contact surface in a direction having a movement component perpendicular to the first securing member travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Matthew S. Johannes, Jared M. Wormley, Matthew S. Fifer
  • Patent number: 11099560
    Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Outrider Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes
  • Publication number: 20210053407
    Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett, Christopher T. Bate, Michael Patrick Cutter
  • Publication number: 20200264607
    Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
  • Publication number: 20200209974
    Abstract: A tactile output apparatus is provided that includes a dermal contact surface. The apparatus also includes a first securing member and a second securing member. A first arm may be pivotally coupled to the first securing member, and a second arm may be pivotally coupled to the second securing member. The first arm may also be pivotally coupled to the second arm at an arm pivot point, and the dermal contact surface may move with the arm pivot point. The first securing member may be movable along a first securing member travel path towards or away from the second securing member and movement of the first securing member along the first securing member travel path may cause responsive movement of the arm pivot point and the dermal contact surface in a direction having a movement component perpendicular to the first securing member travel path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew S. Johannes, III, Jared M. Wormley, Matthew S. Fifer
  • Publication number: 20190322319
    Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark A. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
  • Publication number: 20190299732
    Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark A. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
  • Publication number: 20190302764
    Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
  • Publication number: 20190142613
    Abstract: A method of controlling a device relative to one or more objects in an environment of a user employing the device may include receiving a volitional input from the user indicative of a task to be performed relative to an object with the device, receiving object targeting information associated with interaction between the device and the object where the object targeting information is presented in an augmented reality context, integrating the volitional input with the object targeting information to determine a control command to direct the device to interact with the object, and providing the control command to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Kapil D. Katyal, Brock A. Wester, Matthew S. Johannes, Timothy G. McGee, Andrew J. Harris, Matthew Fifer, Guy Hotson, David McMullen, Robert S. Armiger, R. Jacob Vogelstein, Nathan E. Crone
  • Patent number: 10195058
    Abstract: A method of controlling a device relative to one or more objects in an environment of a user employing the device may include receiving a volitional input from the user indicative of a task to be performed relative to an object with the device, receiving object targeting information associated with interaction between the device and the object where the object targeting information is presented in an augmented reality context, integrating the volitional input with the object targeting information to determine a control command to direct the device to interact with the object, and providing the control command to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Kapil D. Katyal, Brock A. Wester, Matthew S. Johannes, Timothy G. McGee, Andrew J. Harris, Matthew Fifer, Guy Hotson, David McMullen, Robert S. Armiger, R. Jacob Vogelstein, Nathan E. Crone
  • Patent number: 10099388
    Abstract: A robotic compliant jaw gripper includes one or more fingers, wherein each finger comprises a plurality of phalanges configured to grasp an object, wherein an internal compliant element is compressed, or wherein a proximal phalange contacts a compliant element as the finger applies pressure against the object; and a preload unit is configured to change the durometer of the compressible element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Telefactor Robotics LLC
    Inventors: Matthew V. Kozlowski, Stuart D. Harshbarger, Matthew S. Johannes