Patents by Inventor Michael Allen Taylor
Michael Allen Taylor 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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Patent number: 11541533Abstract: A virtualization system implemented within a cloud server enables the simulation of robot structure and behavior in a virtual environment. The simulated robots are controlled by clients remote from the cloud server, enabling human operators or autonomous robot control programs running on the clients to control the movement and behavior of the simulated robots within the virtual environment. Data describing interactions between robots, the virtual environment, and objects can be recorded for use in future robot design. The virtualization system can include robot templates, enabling users to quickly select and customize a robot to be simulated, and further enabling users to update and re-customize the robot in real-time during the simulation. The virtualization system can re-simulate a portion of the robot simulation when an intervention by a human operator is detected, positioning robots, people, and objects within the virtual environment based on the detected intervention.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: DUALITY ROBOTICS, INC.Inventors: Apurva Shah, Michael Allen Taylor, Jason DePerro
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Patent number: 11446815Abstract: A virtualization system implemented within a cloud server enables the simulation of robot structure and behavior in a virtual environment. The simulated robots are controlled by clients remote from the cloud server, enabling human operators or autonomous robot control programs running on the clients to control the movement and behavior of the simulated robots within the virtual environment. Data describing interactions between robots, the virtual environment, and objects can be recorded for use in future robot design. The virtualization system can include robot templates, enabling users to quickly select and customize a robot to be simulated, and further enabling users to update and re-customize the robot in real-time during the simulation. The virtualization system can re-simulate a portion of the robot simulation when an intervention by a human operator is detected, positioning robots, people, and objects within the virtual environment based on the detected intervention.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: DUALITY ROBOTICS, INC.Inventors: Apurva Shah, Michael Allen Taylor, Jason DePerro
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Patent number: 11426867Abstract: A virtualization system implemented within a cloud server enables the simulation of robot structure and behavior in a virtual environment. The simulated robots are controlled by clients remote from the cloud server, enabling human operators or autonomous robot control programs running on the clients to control the movement and behavior of the simulated robots within the virtual environment. Data describing interactions between robots, the virtual environment, and objects can be recorded for use in future robot design. The virtualization system can include robot templates, enabling users to quickly select and customize a robot to be simulated, and further enabling users to update and re-customize the robot in real-time during the simulation. The virtualization system can re-simulate a portion of the robot simulation when an intervention by a human operator is detected, positioning robots, people, and objects within the virtual environment based on the detected intervention.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: DUALITY ROBOTICS, INC.Inventors: Apurva Shah, Michael Allen Taylor, Jason DePerro
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Patent number: 11255287Abstract: A control apparatus includes a first controller configured to generate control signals for controlling an engine or other machine, a second controller configured to generate the control signals for controlling the machine, a transfer circuit, and an arbiter circuit. The transfer circuit is coupled between the machine and the controllers, and is configured to switch from a first state, where the transfer circuit passes the control signals from the first controller to the machine, to a second state, where the transfer circuit passes the control signals from the second controller to the machine, responsive to receiving a first failure signal from the first controller. The arbiter circuit includes three (or more) arbiters, and is configured to control the transfer circuit from the first state to the second state responsive to any two of the three arbiters generating second signals indicative of failure of the first controller.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Inventors: Michael Allen Taylor, Kusuma Kumari Maralla, Scott Christopher Poeppel, Vinodh Kumar Sreenivasan, James Robert Connelly, Atul George Tharakan
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Publication number: 20200276706Abstract: A virtualization system implemented within a cloud server enables the simulation of robot structure and behavior in a virtual environment. The simulated robots are controlled by clients remote from the cloud server, enabling human operators or autonomous robot control programs running on the clients to control the movement and behavior of the simulated robots within the virtual environment. Data describing interactions between robots, the virtual environment, and objects can be recorded for use in future robot design. The virtualization system can include robot templates, enabling users to quickly select and customize a robot to be simulated, and further enabling users to update and re-customize the robot in real-time during the simulation. The virtualization system can re-simulate a portion of the robot simulation when an intervention by a human operator is detected, positioning robots, people, and objects within the virtual environment based on the detected intervention.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Apurva Shah, Michael Allen Taylor, Jason DePerro
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Publication number: 20200276708Abstract: A virtualization system implemented within a cloud server enables the simulation of robot structure and behavior in a virtual environment. The simulated robots are controlled by clients remote from the cloud server, enabling human operators or autonomous robot control programs running on the clients to control the movement and behavior of the simulated robots within the virtual environment. Data describing interactions between robots, the virtual environment, and objects can be recorded for use in future robot design. The virtualization system can include robot templates, enabling users to quickly select and customize a robot to be simulated, and further enabling users to update and re-customize the robot in real-time during the simulation. The virtualization system can re-simulate a portion of the robot simulation when an intervention by a human operator is detected, positioning robots, people, and objects within the virtual environment based on the detected intervention.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Apurva Shah, Michael Allen Taylor, Jason DePerro
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Publication number: 20200276705Abstract: A virtualization system implemented within a cloud server enables the simulation of robot structure and behavior in a virtual environment. The simulated robots are controlled by clients remote from the cloud server, enabling human operators or autonomous robot control programs running on the clients to control the movement and behavior of the simulated robots within the virtual environment. Data describing interactions between robots, the virtual environment, and objects can be recorded for use in future robot design. The virtualization system can include robot templates, enabling users to quickly select and customize a robot to be simulated, and further enabling users to update and re-customize the robot in real-time during the simulation. The virtualization system can re-simulate a portion of the robot simulation when an intervention by a human operator is detected, positioning robots, people, and objects within the virtual environment based on the detected intervention.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Apurva Shah, Michael Allen Taylor, Jason DePerro
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Publication number: 20180328301Abstract: A control apparatus includes a first controller configured to generate control signals for controlling an engine or other machine, a second controller configured to generate the control signals for controlling the machine, a transfer circuit, and an arbiter circuit. The transfer circuit is coupled between the machine and the controllers, and is configured to switch from a first state, where the transfer circuit passes the control signals from the first controller to the machine, to a second state, where the transfer circuit passes the control signals from the second controller to the machine, responsive to receiving a first failure signal from the first controller. The arbiter circuit includes three (or more) arbiters, and is configured to control the transfer circuit from the first state to the second state responsive to any two of the three arbiters generating second signals indicative of failure of the first controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2015Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Michael Allen TAYLOR, Kusuma Kumari MARALLA, Scott Christopher POEPPEL, Vinodh Kumar SREENIVASAN, James Robert CONNELLY, Atul GEorge THARAKAN
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Patent number: 9651381Abstract: A terrain mapping system is disclosed for a machine having at least one traction device. The system may have a sensor associated with the machine and configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of the machine. The system may also have at least one controller in communication with the sensor. The at least one controller may be configured to receive the signal from the sensor, and divide an area between the at least one traction device and a work surface into a plurality of virtual tracking features based on the signal and known geometry of the machine. The at least one controller may also be configured to track movement of the plurality of virtual tracking features, and update an electronic terrain map of a worksite based on the movement of the plurality of virtual tracking features.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Troy Kenneth Becicka, Michael Allen Taylor, Robert Jason McGee
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Patent number: 9483863Abstract: A terrain mapping system is disclosed for use with an excavation machine at a worksite. The terrain mapping system may have a locating device mountable onboard the excavation machine and configured to generate a first signal indicative of a position of the excavation machine at the worksite, and a sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a load on the excavation machine. The terrain mapping system may also have a controller in communication with the locating device and the sensor. The controller may be configured to update a surface contour of the worksite contained in an electronic map based on the first signal as the excavation machine traverses the worksite, and to determine an amount of material moved by the excavation machine based on the second signal. The controller may also be configured to generate a representation of the material moved by the excavation machine in the electronic map when the excavation machine ceases to move the material.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Michael Allen Taylor, Robert Jason McGee, Kyle Adam Edwards
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Patent number: 9404239Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a cut location for a machine implement is provided. The method may include comparing a target cut volume to a projected cut volume associated with each boundary of a selected bin, designating the cut location as the boundary most closely approximating the target cut volume if both of the projected cut volumes at the boundaries are either greater than or less than the target cut volume, and designating the cut location as an average of the boundaries if the projected cut volumes at the boundaries are greater than and less than the target cut volume.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Allen Taylor, Thandava Krishna Edara
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Publication number: 20160163088Abstract: A terrain mapping system is disclosed for use with an excavation machine at a worksite. The terrain mapping system may have a locating device mountable onboard the excavation machine and configured to generate a first signal indicative of a position of the excavation machine at the worksite, and a sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a load on the excavation machine. The terrain mapping system may also have a controller in communication with the locating device and the sensor. The controller may be configured to update a surface contour of the worksite contained in an electronic map based on the first signal as the excavation machine traverses the worksite, and to determine an amount of material moved by the excavation machine based on the second signal. The controller may also be configured to generate a representation of the material moved by the excavation machine in the electronic map when the excavation machine ceases to move the material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2014Publication date: June 9, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jean-Jacques CLAR, Michael Allen TAYLOR, Robert Jason MCGEE, Kyle Adam EDWARDS
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Patent number: 9297146Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatically detecting a need for a ripping pass to be performed by a machine along a work surface is provided. The method may include monitoring one or more of machine parameters of the machine and profile parameters of the work surface, determining whether one or more predefined trigger conditions suggestive of the need for the ripping pass are met based on the machine parameters and the profile parameters, and generating a ripping pass request if one or more of the trigger conditions are satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mo Wei, Thandava Krishna Edara, Michael Allen Taylor, Troy Kenneth Becicka, Seth J. Rodenbo, Matthew E. Kontz, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Publication number: 20160069045Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatically detecting a need for a ripping pass to be performed by a machine along a work surface is provided. The method may include monitoring one or more of machine parameters of the machine and profile parameters of the work surface, determining whether one or more predefined trigger conditions suggestive of the need for the ripping pass are met based on the machine parameters and the profile parameters, and generating a ripping pass request if one or more of the trigger conditions are satisfied.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2014Publication date: March 10, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mo Wei, Thandava Krishna Edara, Michael Allen Taylor, Troy Kenneth Becicka, Seth J. Rodenbo, Matthew E. Kontz, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Publication number: 20160069042Abstract: A system for controlling an earthmoving machine is provided. The system includes a positioning system and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the position signals from the positioning system, store the position signals in a pass history, and determine, based on pass history, an actual profile of the work surface. The controller is further configured to determine, based on the actual profile of the work surface in the pass history, existence of a first condition, the first condition exists when the actual profile has a first volume having a height above a threshold for an upper pass, and existence of a second condition, the second condition exists when the actual profile has a valley having a floor lower than the threshold for the upper pass. The controller is configured to direct the earthmoving machine to operate based on the lower pass if the first and second conditions exist.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2014Publication date: March 10, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Allen Taylor, Thandava Krishna Edara
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Patent number: 9260837Abstract: A system for controlling an earthmoving machine is provided. The system includes a positioning system and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the position signals from the positioning system, store the position signals in a pass history, and determine, based on pass history, an actual profile of the work surface. The controller is further configured to determine, based on the actual profile of the work surface in the pass history, existence of a first condition, the first condition exists when the actual profile has a first volume having a height above a threshold for an upper pass, and existence of a second condition, the second condition exists when the actual profile has a valley having a floor lower than the threshold for the upper pass. The controller is configured to direct the earthmoving machine to operate based on the lower pass if the first and second conditions exist.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Allen Taylor, Thandava Krishna Edara
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Publication number: 20150354169Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a cut location for a machine implement is provided. The method may include comparing a target cut volume to a projected cut volume associated with each boundary of a selected bin, designating the cut location as the boundary most closely approximating the target cut volume if both of the projected cut volumes at the boundaries are either greater than or less than the target cut volume, and designating the cut location as an average of the boundaries if the projected cut volumes at the boundaries are greater than and less than the target cut volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2014Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Allen Taylor, Thandava Krishna Edara
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Publication number: 20150198736Abstract: A terrain mapping system is disclosed for a machine having at least one traction device. The system may have a sensor associated with the machine and configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of the machine. The system may also have at least one controller in communication with the sensor. The at least one controller may be configured to receive the signal from the sensor, and divide an area between the at least one traction device and a work surface into a plurality of virtual tracking features based on the signal and known geometry of the machine. The at least one controller may also be configured to track movement of the plurality of virtual tracking features, and update an electronic terrain map of a worksite based on the movement of the plurality of virtual tracking features.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Troy Kenneth Becicka, Michael Allen Taylor, Robert Jason McGee
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Patent number: D757632Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Neil Patrick Bradley, Maria Michelle Kauffman, Rekha Doddarangaiah Prasad, Scott Christopher Poeppel, Michael Allen Taylor, Muazzam Ul Azam
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Patent number: D776041Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Neil Patrick Bradley, Maria Michelle Kauffman, Rekha Doddarangaiah Prasad, Scott Christopher Poeppel, Michael Allen Taylor, Muazzam Ul Azam