Patents by Inventor Robert Hegdahl

Robert Hegdahl 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).

  • Publication number: 20240009861
    Abstract: A robot configured to use a gripper to grasp one or more tools is disclosed. In various embodiments, the robot comprises a robotic arm having a gripper disposed at a free moving end of the robotic arm, and a set of two or more tools configured to grasped or otherwise engaged by the gripper. Each tool in the set of two or more tools may be disposed in a corresponding tool holder, optionally attached to the robot or situated near the robot. The robot is configured to use the gripper to retrieve a selected tool from its tool holder to perform a task; use the tool to perform the task; and return the tool to its tool holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Samir Menon, Zhouwen Sun, Robert Hegdahl
  • Publication number: 20230405824
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to perform robotic handling of soft products in non-rigid packaging. In various embodiments, sensor data associated with a workspace is received. An action to be performed in the workspace using one or more robotic elements is determined, the action including moving an end effector of one of the robotic elements relatively quickly to a location in proximity to an item to be grasped; actuating a grasping mechanism of the end effector to grasp the item using an amount of force and structures associated with minimized risk of damage to one or both of the item and its packaging; and using sensor data generated subsequent to the item being grasped to ensure the item has been grasped securely. Control communications are sent to the robotic element via the communication interface to cause robotic element to perform the action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kevin Jose Chavez, Robert Hegdahl, Yuan Gao, Andrew Lovett, Roger Lam Hau, Samir Menon
  • Patent number: 11806880
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to perform robotic handling of soft products in non-rigid packaging. In various embodiments, sensor data associated with a workspace is received. An action to be performed in the workspace using one or more robotic elements is determined, the action including moving an end effector of one of the robotic elements relatively quickly to a location in proximity to an item to be grasped; actuating a grasping mechanism of the end effector to grasp the item using an amount of force and structures associated with minimized risk of damage to one or both of the item and its packaging; and using sensor data generated subsequent to the item being grasped to ensure the item has been grasped securely. Control communications are sent to the robotic element via the communication interface to cause robotic element to perform the action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Dexterity, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Jose Chavez, Robert Hegdahl, Yuan Gao, Andrew Lovett, Roger Lam Hau, Samir Menon
  • Patent number: 11801608
    Abstract: A robot configured to use a gripper to grasp one or more tools is disclosed. In various embodiments, the robot comprises a robotic arm having a gripper disposed at a free moving end of the robotic arm, and a set of two or more tools configured to grasped or otherwise engaged by the gripper. Each tool in the set of two or more tools may be disposed in a corresponding tool holder, optionally attached to the robot or situated near the robot. The robot is configured to use the gripper to retrieve a selected tool from its tool holder to perform a task; use the tool to perform the task; and return the tool to its tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Dexterity, Inc.
    Inventors: Samir Menon, Zhouwen Sun, Robert Hegdahl
  • Publication number: 20230331411
    Abstract: A kitting machine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the machine includes an actuator configured to move a surface or receptacle to a position associated with item retrieval; and a controller configured to control operation of the actuator to position an item in the position associated with item retrieval, in a manner that is synchronized at least in part with operation of a robotic retrieval device configured to retrieve the item from the position associated with item retrieval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Samir Menon, Gerald Brantner, Zhouwen Sun, Robert Hegdahl, Kevin Jose Chavez
  • Patent number: 11731792
    Abstract: A kitting machine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the machine includes an actuator configured to move a surface or receptacle to a position associated with item retrieval; and a controller configured to control operation of the actuator to position an item in the position associated with item retrieval, in a manner that is synchronized at least in part with operation of a robotic retrieval device configured to retrieve the item from the position associated with item retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Dexterity, Inc.
    Inventors: Samir Menon, Gerald Brantner, Zhouwen Sun, Robert Hegdahl, Kevin Jose Chavez
  • Publication number: 20230124672
    Abstract: A robot configured to use a gripper to grasp one or more tools is disclosed. In various embodiments, the robot comprises a robotic arm having a gripper disposed at a free moving end of the robotic arm, and a set of two or more tools configured to grasped or otherwise engaged by the gripper. Each tool in the set of two or more tools may be disposed in a corresponding tool holder, optionally attached to the robot or situated near the robot. The robot is configured to use the gripper to retrieve a selected tool from its tool holder to perform a task; use the tool to perform the task; and return the tool to its tool holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Samir Menon, Zhouwen Sun, Robert Hegdahl
  • Patent number: 11559903
    Abstract: A robot configured to use a gripper to grasp one or more tools is disclosed. In various embodiments, the robot comprises a robotic arm having a gripper disposed at a free moving end of the robotic arm, and a set of two or more tools configured to grasped or otherwise engaged by the gripper. Each tool in the set of two or more tools may be disposed in a corresponding tool holder, optionally attached to the robot or situated near the robot. The robot is configured to use the gripper to retrieve a selected tool from its tool holder to perform a task; use the tool to perform the task; and return the tool to its tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Dexterity, Inc.
    Inventors: Samir Menon, Zhouwen Sun, Robert Hegdahl
  • Publication number: 20210339403
    Abstract: A robot configured to use a gripper to grasp one or more tools is disclosed. In various embodiments, the robot comprises a robotic arm having a gripper disposed at a free moving end of the robotic arm, and a set of two or more tools configured to grasped or otherwise engaged by the gripper. Each tool in the set of two or more tools may be disposed in a corresponding tool holder, optionally attached to the robot or situated near the robot. The robot is configured to use the gripper to retrieve a selected tool from its tool holder to perform a task; use the tool to perform the task; and return the tool to its tool holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Samir Menon, Zhouwen Sun, Robert Hegdahl
  • Patent number: 11090816
    Abstract: A robot configured to use a gripper to grasp one or more tools is disclosed. In various embodiments, the robot comprises a robotic arm having a gripper disposed at a free moving end of the robotic arm, and a set of two or more tools configured to grasped or otherwise engaged by the gripper. Each tool in the set of two or more tools may be disposed in a corresponding tool holder, optionally attached to the robot or situated near the robot. The robot is configured to use the gripper to retrieve a selected tool from its tool holder to perform a task; use the tool to perform the task; and return the tool to its tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Dexterity, Inc.
    Inventors: Samir Menon, Zhouwen Sun, Robert Hegdahl
  • Publication number: 20200269429
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to perform robotic handling of soft products in non-rigid packaging. In various embodiments, sensor data associated with a workspace is received. An action to be performed in the workspace using one or more robotic elements is determined, the action including moving an end effector of one of the robotic elements relatively quickly to a location in proximity to an item to be grasped; actuating a grasping mechanism of the end effector to grasp the item using an amount of force and structures associated with minimized risk of damage to one or both of the item and its packaging; and using sensor data generated subsequent to the item being grasped to ensure the item has been grasped securely. Control communications are sent to the robotic element via the communication interface to cause robotic element to perform the action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin Jose Chavez, Robert Hegdahl, Yuan Gao, Andrew Lovett, Roger Lam Hau, Samir Menon
  • Publication number: 20200094997
    Abstract: A kitting machine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the machine includes an actuator configured to move a surface or receptacle to a position associated with item retrieval; and a controller configured to control operation of the actuator to position an item in the position associated with item retrieval, in a manner that is synchronized at least in part with operation of a robotic retrieval device configured to retrieve the item from the position associated with item retrieval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Samir Menon, Gerald Brantner, Zhouwen Sun, Robert Hegdahl, Kevin Jose Chavez
  • Publication number: 20200095001
    Abstract: A kitting system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the kitting system includes a conveyance structure configured to impart to an item a first net resultant force substantially in a first direction, wherein the first direction is associated with a direction of flow from a source end of the conveyance structure to a destination end opposite the source end and associated with a pick-up zone from which the item is to be retrieved; a sensor configured to provide a sensor output associated with the pick-up zone; and a processor configured to provide a control input to one or both of the conveyance structure and a disrupter device associated with the conveyance structure based at least in part on the sensor output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Samir Menon, Robert Hegdahl, Zhouwen Sun, Kevin Jose Chavez, Talbot Morris-Downing, Cuthbert Sun
  • Publication number: 20200070361
    Abstract: A robot configured to use a gripper to grasp one or more tools is disclosed. In various embodiments, the robot comprises a robotic arm having a gripper disposed at a free moving end of the robotic arm, and a set of two or more tools configured to grasped or otherwise engaged by the gripper. Each tool in the set of two or more tools may be disposed in a corresponding tool holder, optionally attached to the robot or situated near the robot. The robot is configured to use the gripper to retrieve a selected tool from its tool holder to perform a task; use the tool to perform the task; and return the tool to its tool holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Samir Menon, Zhouwen Sun, Robert Hegdahl
  • Patent number: 10500735
    Abstract: A robot configured to use a gripper to grasp one or more tools is disclosed. In various embodiments, the robot comprises a robotic arm having a gripper disposed at a free moving end of the robotic arm, and a set of two or more tools configured to grasped or otherwise engaged by the gripper. Each tool in the set of two or more tools may be disposed in a corresponding tool holder, optionally attached to the robot or situated near the robot. The robot is configured to use the gripper to retrieve a selected tool from its tool holder to perform a task; use the tool to perform the task; and return the tool to its tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Dexterity, Inc.
    Inventors: Samir Menon, Zhouwen Sun, Robert Hegdahl