Patents by Inventor Michael Ferguson

Michael Ferguson 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: 11934181
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Melonee Wise, Michael Ferguson
  • Patent number: 11917510
    Abstract: One or more Bluetooth® low energy (BLE) beacons in communication with a remote server that provides check in capabilities and payment capabilities may be installed at a location. The BLE beacons may connect with a user's mobile device when the user enters the location and allow the user to check in to the location and authorize payments to be made at the location. Once the user is checked in to the location, the user may be provided with additional functionality, benefits, offers, and applications related to the location and facilitated by the check in. Further, the user may be pre-checked in into a next location when the user is at a current location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventors: Kent Griffin, John Hastings Granbery, Hill Ferguson, David Marcus, Michael Charles Todasco
  • Publication number: 20230404827
    Abstract: An aerosol containment device is designed for use in containing aerosols discharged during a dental procedure. In some embodiments, the aerosol containment device includes a vacuum source, a vacuum hose connected to the vacuum source, a manifold connected to the vacuum hose, and a clear plastic shield connected to the manifold. The manifold includes a front inlet, a rear discharge connected to the vacuum hose, and a plenum extending between the front inlet and the rear discharge. In some embodiments, the manifold includes a plurality of entry vanes adjacent to the front inlet and a plurality of interior foils connected to the entry vanes. In other embodiments, the manifold includes a plurality of entry vanes adjacent to the front inlet and a plurality of interior vanes connected to the entry vanes. In other embodiments, the manifold does not include entry vanes, interior vanes, or interior foils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Fernando Luis Esteban Florez, Tyler G. Thibodeau, Paul M. Mullasseril, Sharuhk S. Khajotia, C. Rieger Wood, III, Michael Ferguson
  • Patent number: 11845180
    Abstract: A quick change end effector system for use with a robot includes a quick change end effector configured for application to a task to be completed by a robot, the quick change end effector further comprising an end effector magnet, and a robotic manipulator configured to lock to the end effector, the robotic manipulator further configured to use the end effector to complete the task, the robotic manipulator comprising a manipulator magnet, the manipulator magnet being configured to magnetically attract the end effector magnet, thereby locking the manipulator in a mechanically strong connection to the quick change end effector, wherein upon disengagement of the magnetic attraction locking the manipulator to the quick change end effector, the quick change end effector can be quickly removed from the manipulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Ferguson, Mark Medonis
  • Patent number: 11724399
    Abstract: A mobile robot is configured for operation in a commercial or industrial setting, such as an office building or retail store. The mobile robot can have a motorized base and a robot body on the motorized base, the robot body including a rotatable ring that rotates horizontally around the robot body. A mechanical arm that can contract and extend relative to the robot body is coupled to the rotatable ring and performs a plurality of actions. A controller of the mobile robot provides instructions to the rotatable ring and the mechanical arm and can cause the mechanical arm to open a door, take an elevator to move to a different floor, and test whether a door is locked properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Cobalt Robotics Inc.
    Inventors: Travis J. Deyle, Erik Schluntz, Michael Ferguson, Peregrine Badger
  • Patent number: 11703350
    Abstract: A system for automatically annotating a map includes: a robot; a server operably connected to the robot; file storage configured to store files, the file storage operably connected to the server; an annotations database operably connected to the server, the annotations database comprising map annotations; an automatic map annotation service operably connected to the server, the automatic map annotation service configured to automatically do one or more of create a map of an item of interest and annotate a map of an item of interest; a queue of annotation requests operably connected to the automatic annotation service; and a computer operably connected to the server, the computer comprising a graphic user interface (GUI) usable by a human user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Levon Avagyan, Jiahao Feng, Alex Henning, Michael Ferguson, Melonee Wise, Derek King
  • Publication number: 20230215298
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel adhesive arrangement that allows pressure sensitive labels to be fully wrapped around bottle necks using the center line transfer method. The pressure sensitive label includes an interior face including: an adhesive material; a border provided around the adhesive material where the label does not include the adhesive material; and a first margin at a first side edge of the interior face that does not include the adhesive material, the first margin being wider than the border.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Terry O'BRIEN, David BUNUAN, Mark DE LA ROSA, Al MORGAN, Michael FERGUSON, Kevin O'ROURKE, Jason PECKHAM
  • Patent number: 11675364
    Abstract: A system to prevent depletion of a robotic energy source includes: a mobile robot; a server operably connected to the robot via a communication system, the server configured to manage the robot; a robotic energy source configured to provide energy to the robot; a controller operably connected to the robot, the controller operably connected to the server, the controller configured to control the robot, the controller further configured to monitor an energy level of the robot; and a charging station configured to operably connect to the energy source, the charging station further configured to replenish the energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Ferguson, Edward S. King
  • Publication number: 20220305671
    Abstract: A quick change end effector system for use with a robot includes: a quick change end effector configured for application to a task to be completed by a robot, the quick change end effector further comprising an end effector magnet; and a robotic manipulator configured to lock to the end effector, the robotic manipulator further configured to use the end effector to complete the task, the robotic manipulator comprising a manipulator magnet, the manipulator magnet being configured to magnetically attract the end effector magnet, thereby locking the manipulator in a mechanically strong connection to the quick change end effector, wherein upon disengagement of the magnetic attraction locking the manipulator to the quick change end effector, the quick change end effector can be quickly removed from the manipulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2019
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Ferguson, Mark Medonis
  • Publication number: 20220234194
    Abstract: A mobile robot is configured for operation in a commercial or industrial setting, such as an office building or retail store. The mobile robot can have a motorized base and a robot body on the motorized base, the robot body including a rotatable ring that rotates horizontally around the robot body. A mechanical arm that can contract and extend relative to the robot body is coupled to the rotatable ring and performs a plurality of actions. A controller of the mobile robot provides instructions to the rotatable ring and the mechanical arm and can cause the mechanical arm to open a door, take an elevator to move to a different floor, and test whether a door is locked properly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Travis J. Deyle, Erik Schluntz, Michael Ferguson, Peregrine Badger
  • Patent number: 11325250
    Abstract: A mobile robot is configured for operation in a commercial or industrial setting, such as an office building or retail store. The mobile robot can have a motorized base and a robot body on the motorized base, the robot body including a rotatable ring that rotates horizontally around the robot body. A mechanical arm that can contract and extend relative to the robot body is coupled to the rotatable ring and performs a plurality of actions. A controller of the mobile robot provides instructions to the rotatable ring and the mechanical arm and can cause the mechanical arm to open a door, take an elevator to move to a different floor, and test whether a door is locked properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Cobalt Robotics Inc.
    Inventors: Travis J. Deyle, Erik Schluntz, Michael Ferguson, Peregrine Badger
  • Publication number: 20210389751
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Melonee Wise, Michael Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20210378582
    Abstract: A system for assessing stroke conditions includes a wearable stimulator and a sensor device configured to obtain physiological data from a patient. The sensor device can include electrodes configured to detect electrical signals corresponding to brain activity. A computing device communicatively coupled to the wearable stimulator and the sensor device is configured to receive the physiological data and analyze the physiological data to provide a patient stroke assessment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Rachel Day, Fatmah Mouslli, Michael Ferguson, Emily Byrne, Sean Allen, Naisargi Nandedkar
  • Publication number: 20210339399
    Abstract: A mobile robot is configured to operate in commercial or industrial settings, such as office buildings or retail stores. The mobile robot can have a motorized base, a robot body on the motorized base, and a mechanical arm coupled to the robot body. The mobile robot can move between floors of a building using an elevator. The mobile robot can interact with an elevator system to call an elevator to a current floor, for instance, using the mechanical arm. When a first elevator arrives to the current floor, the mobile robot identifies that doors of the first elevator are opening and interacts with the elevator system again to cause the first elevator to remain at the current floor. After the interaction, the mobile robot moves toward a target location within the first elevator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Erik Schluntz, Travis J. Deyle, Michael Ferguson, Sarvagya Vaish, Alejandro Ramirez de Arellano, Daniel Freymann Koelker
  • Publication number: 20210331110
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a filter cartridge for a facepiece respirator mask body. The filter cartridge includes a cover, a base, and a filter medium. The cover has a top surface, a cover sidewall, cover support elements, and an inhalation vent. The cover support elements extend downwardly from the top surface. The inhalation vent is located at least primarily in the cover sidewall. The base has a bottom surface, a base sidewall, base support elements, and an inhalation port. The base support elements extend upwardly from the bottom surface. The inhalation port is located in the bottom surface. The base and the cover collectively define an interior compartment. The filter medium is sandwiched between the base support elements and the cover support elements in a manner that divides the interior compartment into an upper chamber and a lower chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: USA as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Marc L. Roth, William J Spangler, JR., Lester D Strauch, III, Patrick O Hulbert, Robert Michael Ferguson
  • Patent number: 11137742
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Melonee Wise, Michael Ferguson
  • Patent number: 11087239
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Fetch Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Henning, Michael Ferguson, Melonee Wise
  • Publication number: 20210061565
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Fetch Robotics. Inc.
    Inventors: Melonee Wise, Michael Ferguson
  • Patent number: 10913160
    Abstract: A mobile robot is configured for operation in a commercial or industrial setting, such as an office building or retail store. The mobile robot can have a motorized base and a robot body on the motorized base, the robot body including a rotatable ring that rotates horizontally around the robot body. A mechanical arm that can contract and extend relative to the robot body is coupled to the rotatable ring and performs a plurality of actions. A controller of the mobile robot provides instructions to the rotatable ring and the mechanical arm and can cause the mechanical arm to open a door, take an elevator to move to a different floor, and test whether a door is locked properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Cobalt Robotics Inc.
    Inventors: Travis J. Deyle, Erik Schluntz, Michael Ferguson, Peregrine Badger
  • Patent number: PP32801
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’, particularly selected for its large conical fruit, open canopy, and long trusses, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Driscoll's, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Ferguson, Josefa Lagunas