Patents by Inventor R. Scott Newmann

R. Scott Newmann 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: 4909376
    Abstract: A feed apparatus employs a vision controlled robotic manipulator in which components are dispersed into a single layer with a random orientation. The dispersing mechanism comprises a vibratory feed plate having an input hopper which receives components to be dispersed. The feed plate is controllably vibrated such that components are urged along its top surface. Located in the travel path of the components above the feed plate is a rotating cylindrical brush, which sweeps components as they are being vibrated by the feed plate and causes a single layer of components to emerge from beneath the brush and pass to a viewing/pick-up zone. This zone is backlighted, so that the components may be observed by a camera mounted directly above the backlighted layer. The camera image is analyzed by a video data processor to determine the location and orientation of a component. This information is applied to a manipulator control program for driving a robotic manipulator to pick-up a component for transport to a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Western Technologies Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Donnie Herndon, R. C. MacKenzie, R. Scott Newmann, Eugene Trager