Patents by Inventor Melonee Wise
Melonee Wise 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).
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Publication number: 20200019144Abstract: A system using one or more robots to assist a human in order fulfillment includes: a server configured to receive an order comprising an order item; inventory storage operationally connected to the server, the inventory storage comprising inventory items; an order robot operationally connected to the server, the order robot configured to assist a human to pick an order item from the inventory items; and a human-operated device operably connected to one or more of the server, the inventory storage, and the order robot, the human-operated device configured to assist the human to pick the order item.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Melonee Wise, Michael Ferguson
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Publication number: 20200016739Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a personal robotic system, comprising: an electromechanical mobile base configured to be controllably movable upon a substantially planar surface in a global coordinate system wherein a Z axis is defined perpendicular to the substantially planar surface; a torso assembly movably coupled to the mobile base such that the torso may be controllably moved in a direction substantially parallel to the Z axis and also controllably rotated about an axis substantially perpendicular to the Z axis; a head assembly movably coupled to the torso assembly; a robotic arm operatively coupled to the torso assembly; and a controller operatively coupled to the mobile base, torso assembly, head assembly, and robotic arm, and configured to controllably manipulate nearby objects while also automatically minimizing destabilizing moments applied to the mobile base through movement of at least one of the mobile base, torso assembly, head assembly, and robotic arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Applicant: Willow Garage, Inc.Inventor: Melonee Wise
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Patent number: 10515319Abstract: A method for computing a probability that an object comprises a target includes: performing a scan of an area comprising the object, generating points; creating a segment corresponding to the object using the points as segment points, the segment extending from a first segment point to a last segment point, the segment comprising a plurality of the segment points; and applying a metric, computing the probability that the object comprises the target.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2016Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Alex Henning, Michael Ferguson, Melonee Wise
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Patent number: 10423150Abstract: A system for order fulfillment using one or more robots includes: a server configured to receive an order comprising an order item; inventory storage operably connected to the server, the inventory storage comprising order items; an actor robot operably connected to and selected by the server, the actor robot configured to perform one or more of picking the order item from inventory storage, moving the order item, and positioning the order item; and an order robot operably connected to the server, the order robot configured to collect the order item, wherein the order item is positioned by the actor robot so as to be accessible to the order robot, so as to perform order fulfillment using one or more robots.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2016Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Melonee Wise, Michael Ferguson
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Patent number: 10363659Abstract: A method for load balancing of robots includes: receiving, by a first task server configured to manage a first spatial region, a task to be performed by a robot; determining, by the first task server, that the task cannot efficiently be performed within the first spatial region; finding, by the first task server, a second task server configured to manage a second spatial region to which the task can be assigned; and sending, by the first task server, the task to the second task server.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2016Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Melonee Wise, Michael Ferguson
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Patent number: 10356590Abstract: A method includes: providing to a robot, by a system, a predetermined behavior configured to help an emergency responder; directing the robot, by the system, to a designated location; instructing the robot, by the system, to gather emergency data; receiving, by the system, from the robot, the gathered emergency data; and transmitting the emergency data, by the system, to the emergency responder. A method for responding to emergencies using robotic assistance includes: receiving, by a robot, from a system for responding to emergencies using robotic assistance, a predetermined behavior configured to help an emergency responder; instituting, by the robot, the predetermined behavior; receiving, by the robot, a direction to a designated location; proceeding, by the robot, to the designated location; receiving, by the robot, an instruction to gather emergency data; gathering, by the robot, the emergency data; and transmitting, by the robot to the system, the gathered emergency data.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2016Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventor: Melonee Wise
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Publication number: 20180169857Abstract: A method for computing a probability that an object comprises a target includes: performing a scan of an area comprising the object, generating points; creating a segment corresponding to the object using the points as segment points, the segment extending from a first segment point to a last segment point, the segment comprising a plurality of the segment points; and applying a metric, computing the probability that the object comprises the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2016Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Alex Henning, Michael Ferguson, Melonee Wise
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Publication number: 20180169866Abstract: A method includes: providing to a robot, by a system, a predetermined behavior configured to help an emergency responder; directing the robot, by the system, to a designated location; instructing the robot, by the system, to gather emergency data; receiving, by the system, from the robot, the gathered emergency data; and transmitting the emergency data, by the system, to the emergency responder. A method for responding to emergencies using robotic assistance includes: receiving, by a robot, from a system for responding to emergencies using robotic assistance, a predetermined behavior configured to help an emergency responder; instituting, by the robot, the predetermined behavior; receiving, by the robot, a direction to a designated location; proceeding, by the robot, to the designated location; receiving, by the robot, an instruction to gather emergency data; gathering, by the robot, the emergency data; and transmitting, by the robot to the system, the gathered emergency data.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2016Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventor: Melonee Wise
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Patent number: 9943963Abstract: A system for determining and promoting safety of a robotic payload, including: a controller; and a robot controllable by the controller, the robot comprising: at least one payload region configured to carry a payload; a sensor configured to detect at least one of a payload mass and a payload distribution, the sensor further configured to alert the controller regarding the one or more of a payload mass and a payload distribution, the controller further configured to perform, in response to the alert, one or more of determining safety of the payload and promoting the safety of the payload.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventor: Melonee Wise
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Patent number: 9927814Abstract: A method for localization of robots in a territory of interest includes: providing a mobile robot comprising a processor configured to compute an estimated pose of the mobile robot in a map of a territory of interest using a particle filter comprising a particle; updating, by the processor, a pose in the map of the particle; deciding, by the processor, whether to retain the particle for the next cycle of the particle filter or to eliminate the particle for the next cycle of the particle filter; and sampling the particle filter, by the processor, so as to achieve localization of robots in a territory of interest.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Melonee Wise, Michael Ferguson
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Patent number: 9827669Abstract: A robotic torso sensing system and method includes: a robotic torso comprising a mobile torso, the robotic torso further comprising a fixed torso; a motor configured to move the mobile torso; a torso encoder configured to provide information to the motor; a master controller operably connected to the motor, the master controller configured to control the motor, the master controller operably connected to the torso encoder, the master controller further configured to control the mobile torso; and a sensor configured to measure a position of the mobile torso, the sensor further configured to transmit the measurement to the master controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Ferguson, Melonee Wise, Derek King
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Publication number: 20170336780Abstract: A system for order fulfillment using one or more robots includes: a server configured to receive an order comprising an order item; inventory storage operably connected to the server, the inventory storage comprising order items; an actor robot operably connected to and selected by the server, the actor robot configured to perform one or more of picking the order item from inventory storage, moving the order item, and positioning the order item; and an order robot operably connected to the server, the order robot configured to collect the order item, wherein the order item is positioned by the actor robot so as to be accessible to the order robot, so as to perform order fulfillment using one or more robots.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2016Publication date: November 23, 2017Applicant: Fetch Robolics, Inc.,Inventors: Melonee Wise, Micheal Ferguson
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Publication number: 20170337506Abstract: A system using one or more robots to assist a human in order fulfillment includes: a server configured to receive an order comprising an order item; inventory storage operationally connected to the server, the inventory storage comprising inventory items; an order robot operationally connected to the server, the order robot configured to assist a human to pick an order item from the inventory items; and a human-operated device operably connected to one or more of the server, the inventory storage, and the order robot, the human-operated device configured to assist the human to pick the order item.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2016Publication date: November 23, 2017Applicant: Feich Roboltics, Inc.Inventors: Melonee Wise, Michael Ferguson
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Publication number: 20170305011Abstract: A robotic torso sensing system and method includes: a robotic torso comprising a mobile torso, the robotic torso further comprising a fixed torso; a motor configured to move the mobile torso; a torso encoder configured to provide information to the motor; a master controller operably connected to the motor, the master controller configured to control the motor, the master controller operably connected to the torso encoder, the master controller further configured to control the mobile torso; and a sensor configured to measure a position of the mobile torso, the sensor further configured to transmit the measurement to the master controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2016Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: Fetch Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Ferguson, Melonee Wise, Derek King
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Publication number: 20170291315Abstract: A system for determining and promoting safety of a robotic payload, including: a controller; and a robot controllable by the controller, the robot comprising: at least one payload region configured to carry a payload; a sensor configured to detect at least one of a payload mass and a payload distribution, the sensor further configured to alert the controller regarding the one or more of a payload mass and a payload distribution, the controller further configured to perform, in response to the alert, one or more of determining safety of the payload and promoting the safety of the payload.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventor: Melonee Wise
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Publication number: 20170276501Abstract: A method for localization of robots in a territory of interest includes: providing a mobile robot comprising a processor configured to compute an estimated pose of the mobile robot in a map of a territory of interest using a particle filter comprising a particle; updating, by the processor, a pose in the map of the particle; deciding, by the processor, whether to retain the particle for the next cycle of the particle filter or to eliminate the particle for the next cycle of the particle filter; and sampling the particle filter, by the processor, so as to achieve localization of robots in a territory of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2016Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Melonee Wise, Michael Ferguson
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Publication number: 20170252926Abstract: A method for load balancing of robots includes: receiving, by a first task server configured to manage a first spatial region, a task to be performed by a robot; determining, by the first task server, that the task cannot efficiently be performed within the first spatial region; finding, by the first task server, a second task server configured to manage a second spatial region to which the task can be assigned; and sending, by the first task server, the task to the second task server.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2016Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Melonee Wise, Michael Ferguson
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Publication number: 20160207193Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a personal robotic system, comprising: an electromechanical mobile base configured to be controllably movable upon a substantially planar surface in a global coordinate system wherein a Z axis is defined perpendicular to the substantially planar surface; a torso assembly movably coupled to the mobile base such that the torso may be controllably moved in a direction substantially parallel to the Z axis and also controllably rotated about an axis substantially perpendicular to the Z axis; a head assembly movably coupled to the torso assembly; a robotic arm operatively coupled to the torso assembly; and a controller operatively coupled to the mobile base, torso assembly, head assembly, and robotic arm, and configured to controllably manipulate nearby objects while also automatically minimizing destabilizing moments applied to the mobile base through movement of at least one of the mobile base, torso assembly, head assembly, and robotic arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2016Publication date: July 21, 2016Applicant: Willow Garage, Inc.Inventor: Melonee Wise
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Patent number: 7406845Abstract: A steering column lock assembly and a method of operating the same, the steering column lock assembly including a steering column having a gear portion and a rotatable shaft; an actuator operably attached to the steering column, the actuator being free to translate with respect to the steering column; and a lever arm operably attached to the steering column; wherein translation of the actuator engages the lever arm with the gear portion to lock the steering column.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Chrysler LLCInventors: Melonee Wise, Richard D Zielesch, Jr., Richard Stuedemann, Michael Laraia, Timothy Gasparski, William J Elliott, Mark O Minty, Travis D Bechtel
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Publication number: 20060288746Abstract: A steering column lock assembly and a method of operating the same, the steering column lock assembly including a steering column having a gear portion and a rotatable shaft; an actuator operably attached to the steering column, the actuator being free to translate with respect to the steering column; and a lever arm operably attached to the steering column; wherein translation of the actuator engages the lever arm with the gear portion to lock the steering column.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2005Publication date: December 28, 2006Inventors: Melonee Wise, Richard Zielesch, Richard Stuedemann, Michael Laraia, Timothy Gasparski, William Elliott, Mark Minty, Travis Bechtel