Patents by Inventor Nobuyasu Shimomura

Nobuyasu Shimomura 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: 10702350
    Abstract: A robot system includes a robot main body, memory part configured to store information for causing robot main body to perform given operation, as saved operational information, motion controller configured to control operation of robot main body by using saved operational information as automatic operational information for causing robot main body to operate, and an operation correcting device configured to generate, by being operated, manipulating information for correcting operation of robot main body during operation. Motion controller controls robot main body to perform an operation corrected from operation related to automatic operational information in response to a reception of the manipulating information while robot main body is operating by using automatic operational information. Memory part is configured to be storable of corrected operational information for causing robot main body to perform corrected operation as saved operational information, when robot main body performs corrected operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIK KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Hashimoto, Nobuyasu Shimomura, Tsuyoshi Maehara, Masayuki Kamon, Yasushi Kurosawa, Shigetsugu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20200206893
    Abstract: A robot system includes a slave unit including a slave-side force detector configured to detect a direction and a magnitude of a reaction force acting on a workpiece held by a work end of a slave arm, a master unit including a master-side force detector configured to detect a direction and a magnitude of an operating force applied by an operator to an operation end of a master arm, and a system controller configured to generate a slave operational command and a master operational command based on the operating force and the reaction force. The system controller includes a regulator configured to correct a moving direction of the work end so that the movement of the work end in a pressing direction of an object is regulated when the reaction force exceeds an acceptable value set beforehand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyasu SHIMOMURA, Masayuki KAMON, Jun FUJIMORI, Hiroki KINOSHITA, Takuya SHITAKA, Hiroki TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20200198120
    Abstract: A robot system includes a manipulating force detector configured to detect a manipulating force given to an operation end by an operator, a reaction-force detector configured to detect a reaction force given to a work end or a workpiece held by the work end, a system controller configured to generate an operating command of a master arm and generate an operating command of a slave arm based on the manipulating force and the reaction force, a master-side control part configured to control the master arm, and a slave-side control part configured to control the slave arm. The system controller has an exaggerated expresser configured to exaggeratedly present an operating feel to the operator who operates the operation end in a reaction-force sudden change state that is a state in which the reaction force changes rapidly with time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko HASHIMOTO, Nobuyasu SHIMOMURA, Masayuki KAMON, Jun FUJIMORI, Hiroki KINOSHITA, Takuya SHITAKA, Hiroki TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20200189091
    Abstract: A remote control robot system includes a slave arm configured to perform a given work, a master arm having a motor configured to drive a joint, and configured to receive from an operator an operation to manipulate the slave arm, an instruction generating module configured to generate an instruction to apply to the master arm an imaginary external force in a given direction that is independent from a force received by the slave arm from the exterior, and a motor controller configured to supply, to the motor, drive current corresponding to the instruction sent from the instruction generating module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyasu SHIMOMURA, Masayuki KAMON, Jun FUJIMORI, Hiroki KINOSHITA, Takuya SHITAKA, Hiroki TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 10631941
    Abstract: Robot system which includes a master device configured to receive an operating instruction from an operator, slave arm, storage device configured to store operating sequence information that defines processing carried out by slave arm, and control device configured to control operation of slave arm. Control device includes a receiver configured to receive an input signal, motion controller configured to determine whether operating mode of slave arm is to be automatic, manual or correctable automatic mode and control operation of slave arm in determined operating mode, and continuation determinator configured to determine whether continuation of automatic mode is permitted. In a process at which slave arm is scheduled to operate in automatic mode, after motion controller suspends operation of slave arm in automatic mode at a given step of process, continuation determinator determines whether continuation of automatic mode is permitted based on input signal received by receiver when operation is suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Hashimoto, Nobuyasu Shimomura, Tsuyoshi Maehara, Masayuki Kamon, Yasushi Kurosawa, Shigetsugu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20180257238
    Abstract: A manipulator system configured to perform a work to a workpiece being moved by a moving device, includes a robotic arm, having one or more joints and to which a tool configured to perform the work to the workpiece is attached, an operating device configured to operate the robotic arm, a first imaging means configured to image the workpiece, while following the movement of the workpiece, a second imaging means fixedly provided in a work area to image a situation of the work to the workpiece, a displaying means configured to display an image imaged by the first imaging means and an image imaged by the second imaging means, and a control device configured to control the operation of the robotic arm based on an operating instruction of the operating device, while detecting a moving amount of the workpiece being moved by the moving device and carrying out a tracking control of the robotic arm according to the moving amount of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko HASHIMOTO, Nobuyasu SHIMOMURA, Tsuyoshi MAEHARA, Masayuki KAMON, Shigetsugu TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20180243901
    Abstract: A robot system includes a robot main body, memory part configured to store information for causing robot main body to perform given operation, as saved operational information, motion controller configured to control operation of robot main body by using saved operational information as automatic operational information for causing robot main body to operate, and an operation correcting device configured to generate, by being operated, manipulating information for correcting operation of robot main body during operation. Motion controller controls robot main body to perform an operation corrected from operation related to automatic operational information in response to a reception of the manipulating information while robot main body is operating by using automatic operational information. Memory part is configured to be storable of corrected operational information for causing robot main body to perform corrected operation as saved operational information, when robot main body performs corrected operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko HASHIMOTO, Nobuyasu SHIMOMURA, Tsuyoshi MAEHARA, Masayuki KAMON, Yasushi KUROSAWA, Shigetsugu TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20180243910
    Abstract: In a remote control robot system including a plurality of slave arms, slave arm has a plurality of control modes of an automatic mode in which slave arm is operated based on a task program, a manual mode in which slave arm is operated based on an operator's operation received by a master device, and correctable automatic mode in which slave arm is operated based on task program while operation is sequentially corrected by the operator's operation received by master device. Operation sequence information includes an automatic part in which slave arm performs a work in the automatic mode, and a selected part in which slave arm performs a work in one selected from plurality of control modes, and the selected parts do not overlap with each other in time among the plurality of slave arms. Based on the operation sequence information, the plurality of slave arms are operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko HASHIMOTO, Nobuyasu SHIMOMURA, Masayuki KAMON, Yasushi KUROSAWA, Shigetsugu TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20180243908
    Abstract: Robot system includes robot main body including robot arm, end effector attached to robot arm, and force sensing device detecting force applied to end effector's tip end, actual reaction-force information generator generating force-sensing information according to force detected by force sensing device, and output force-sensing information as actual reaction-force information, virtual reaction-force information generator outputting force component detected by force sensing device, that has a magnitude proportional to time differentiation value, as virtual reaction-force information, adder configured to output information obtained by adding actual reaction-force information outputted from actual reaction-force information generator to virtual reaction-force information outputted from virtual reaction-force information generator, as synthetic reaction-force information, operating device outputting, when operator is made to sense a force according to synthetic reaction-force information outputted from adder and
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicants: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MEDICAROID CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi TOJO, Nobuyasu SHIMOMURA
  • Publication number: 20180243898
    Abstract: Robot system which includes a master device configured to receive an operating instruction from an operator, slave arm, storage device configured to store operating sequence information that defines processing carried out by slave arm, and control device configured to control operation of slave arm. Control device includes a receiver configured to receive an input signal, motion controller configured to determine whether operating mode of slave arm is to be automatic, manual or correctable automatic mode and control operation of slave arm in determined operating mode, and continuation determinator configured to determine whether continuation of automatic mode is permitted. In a process at which slave arm is scheduled to operate in automatic mode, after motion controller suspends operation of slave arm in automatic mode at a given step of process, continuation determinator determines whether continuation of automatic mode is permitted based on input signal received by receiver when operation is suspended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko HASHIMOTO, Nobuyasu SHIMOMURA, Tsuyoshi MAEHARA, Masayuki KAMON, Yasushi KUROSAWA, Shigetsugu TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20180243897
    Abstract: A remote control robot system includes a slave arm, a master main body imitating the shape of an object handled by the slave arm, a manipulation receiving device configured to receive manipulation of an operator based on the position and posture of the master main body, and a control device configured to control operation of the slave arm based on the manipulation received by the manipulation receiving device so that behavior of the object corresponds to behavior of the master main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko HASHIMOTO, Nobuyasu SHIMOMURA, Tsuyoshi MAEHARA, Masayuki KAMON
  • Patent number: 8788087
    Abstract: A robot arm having a distal end to which a wrist axis is rotatably provided; arm drive unit, each configured to move the robot arm; a wrist axis drive unit configured to rotate the wrist axis; and a robot control unit configured to control the arm drive unit and wrist axis drive unit. The robot control unit is configured to control the arm drive unit to move the distal end of the robot arm to bring a contact member attached to the wrist axis into contact with an instruction target, thereby detecting a posture of the robot arm and an angular position of the wrist axis when the wrist axis begins to be angularly displaced due to the contact between the contact member and the instruction target, thus determining a position of an instruction point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Hashimoto, Nobuyasu Shimomura
  • Patent number: 8641351
    Abstract: A robot control unit that turns off a holding unit for a plate member, while the plate member is placed on an end effector, and lower the end effector, by a predetermined distance, from an initial position higher than a preset temporary placing position toward the temporary placing position. Then the robot control unit switches the holding member, from an OFF state to an ON state, while the end effector is stopped, and determines whether the plate member is held by the holding unit, with a holding-state detection unit. When the plate member is held by the holding unit, the robot control unit turns off the holding unit while further lowering the end effector by the predetermined distance. When the plate member is not held by the holding unit, the robot control unit detects a position of the end effector at this point of time, as a normal placing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuyasu Shimomura
  • Patent number: 8121732
    Abstract: A target position detection apparatus for a robot includes: a robot including an arm configured to be freely moved in at least two directions of X and Y axes, the arm having a wrist axis provided at a distal end of the arm and configured to be freely moved in a horizontal direction, and the wrist axis being provided with an end effector; and a control unit adapted for driving a memory to store a teaching point therein and controlling an operation of the robot such that the end effector will be moved toward the teaching point stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Hashimoto, Nobuyasu Shimomura, Takao Yamaguchi, Tetsuya Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20110160897
    Abstract: A robot control unit that turns off a holding unit for a plate member, while the plate member is placed on an end effector, and lower the end effector, by a predetermined distance, from an initial position higher than a preset temporary placing position toward the temporary placing position. Then the robot control unit switches the holding member, from an OFF state to an ON state, while the end effector is stopped, and determines whether the plate member is held by the holding unit, with a holding-state detection unit. When the plate member is held by the holding unit, the robot control unit will turn turns off the holding unit while further lowering the end effector by the predetermined distance. When the plate member is not held by the holding unit, the robot control unit detects a position of the end effector at this point of time, as a normal placing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nobuyasu Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20110118873
    Abstract: A robot arm having a distal end to which a wrist axis is rotatably provided; arm drive unit, each configured to move the robot arm; a wrist axis drive unit configured to rotate the wrist axis; and a robot control unit configured to control the arm drive unit and wrist axis drive unit. The robot control unit is configured to control the arm drive unit to move the distal end of the robot arm to bring a contact member attached to the wrist axis into contact with an instruction target, thereby detecting a posture of the robot arm and an angular position of the wrist axis when the wrist axis begins to be angularly displaced due to the contact between the contact member and the instruction target, thus determining a position of an instruction point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Hashimoto, Nobuyasu Shimomura
  • Patent number: 7558646
    Abstract: The present invention has a communication connection means (21) which mutually connects communicatably control units (Ca, Cb) for individually controlling operations of robots (Ra, Rb) to constitute a network, input means (37a, 37b) which are respectively installed in the control units and input operation instructions of the robots, and timing signal generation means (69a, 69b). The control units are selectively set to any one of an independent function execution mode, a master function execution mode, and a slave function execution mode, and among the control units, the control unit (Ca) to perform a master operation is set to the master function execution mode, and the residual control unit (Cb) is set to the slave function execution mode, and by correcting a minimum interruption period (Ts(b)) of the slave side control unit (Cb), a control time (ta11, ta12, ta13) to the master robot (Ra) of the master side control unit (Ca) is delayed by a predetermined time (T) to perform the cooperative operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoyuki Matsumoto, Masatoshi Sano, Tsuyoshi Maehara, Nobuyasu Shimomura, Takahiro Ueno
  • Publication number: 20090093908
    Abstract: A target position detection apparatus for a robot includes: a robot including an arm configured to be freely moved in at least two directions of X and Y axes, the arm having a wrist axis provided at a distal end of the arm and configured to be freely moved in a horizontal direction, and the wrist axis being provided with an end effector; and a control unit adapted for driving a memory to store a teaching point therein and controlling an operation of the robot such that the end effector will be moved toward the teaching point stored in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Hashimoto, Nobuyasu Shimomura, Takao Yamaguchi, Tetsuya Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20050055132
    Abstract: The present invention has a communication connection means (21) which mutually connects communicatably control units (Ca, Cb) for individually controlling operations of robots (Ra, Rb) to constitute a network, input means (37a, 37b) which are respectively installed in the control units and input operation instructions of the robots, and timing signal generation means (69a, 69b). The control units are selectively set to any one of an independent function execution mode, a master function execution mode, and a slave function execution mode, and among the control units, the control unit (Ca) to perform a master operation is set to the master function execution mode, and the residual control unit (Cb) is set to the slave function execution mode, and by correcting a minimum interruption period (Ts(b)) of the slave side control unit (Cb), a control time (ta11, ta12, ta13) to the master robot (Ra) of the master side control unit (Ca) is delayed by a predetermined time (T) to perform the cooperative operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Naoyuki Matsumoto, Masatoshi Sano, Tsuyoshi Maehara, Nobuyasu Shimomura, Takahiro Ueno
  • Patent number: 6208104
    Abstract: An element including a first processing circuit conducting a real time processes for controlling a robot body and a man-machine interface element including a second processing circuit for operating the robot body are connected through the common storage device. It enables for application programs that can run with a general OS to easily refer to data relating to the robot. It also enables to easily construct necessary software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Onoue, Takahiro Ueno, Masataka Koyama, Nobuyasu Shimomura