Patents by Inventor Shankar Narayan Mohan
Shankar Narayan Mohan 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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Publication number: 20230315120Abstract: A method for calibrating a map of an autonomous robot, a trajectory of the autonomous robot, or a combination thereof includes obtaining localization data from a localization sensor of the autonomous robot and determining whether a calibration condition of the autonomous robot is satisfied based on the localization data. The method includes, in response to the calibration condition being satisfied: determining a master position coordinate of the autonomous robot based on a plurality of radio frequency (RF) signals broadcasted by a plurality of RF tags, converting the master position coordinate to a local position coordinate of the autonomous robot, and selectively updating the map, the trajectory, or a combination thereof based on the local position coordinate of the autonomous robot.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory P. Linkowski, Meghna Menon, Shankar Narayan Mohan, Ling Zhu, Songan Zhang
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Publication number: 20230195139Abstract: A system for reconfiguring a factory having equipment at different workstations throughout the factory and a plurality of sensors disposed throughout the factory includes a factory configuration module configured to store a plurality of predetermined factory configurations and a plurality of mobile transporters configured to engage and transport the equipment to the different workstations throughout the factory based on the predetermined factory configurations and dynamic inputs, where the dynamic inputs include a status of the equipment, a status of the plurality of mobile transporters, sensor data output by the plurality of sensors, or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2022Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kenneth Yesh, Anthony Mario D'Amato, Shankar Narayan Mohan, Mario Anthony Santillo, Gregory P. Linkowski, Meghna Menon
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Patent number: 11660980Abstract: There is disclosed an electrical device and a method in which a battery is warmed up when operating from a sub-zero temperature. The electrical device may include a battery; an electrical storage element; and a battery management system including a controller in electrical communication with the battery and the electrical storage element. The controller can be configured to execute a program stored in the controller to shuttle energy between the battery and the electrical storage element until a power capability threshold of the battery has been reached, Shuttling the energy raises a temperature of the battery to meet power demand.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMYInventors: Anna G. Stefanopoulou, Shankar Narayan Mohan, Youngki Kim, Jason B. Siegel, Yi Ding, Wesley G. Zanardelli, Sonya Zanardelli
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Publication number: 20230100699Abstract: A method for surveying an environment includes segmenting a plurality of nodes into a plurality of communities. The method includes identifying a plurality of community centroids based on the plurality of communities, where each community centroid from among the plurality of community centroids is associated with one community from among the plurality of communities. The method includes determining, for each community centroid from among the plurality of community centroids, a community type of the community centroid, where the community type is one of a primary type and an auxiliary type, and where the community type is based on a distance between the community centroid and one or more charging stations. The method includes generating a plurality of intercommunity routes based on the plurality of community centroids, the one or more charging stations, the community type, and one or more performance constraints.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2021Publication date: March 30, 2023Applicant: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Sarah Garrow, Shankar Narayan Mohan
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Patent number: 11460862Abstract: A system and method for reconfiguring a factory having equipment at different workstations throughout the factory includes a plurality of mobile transporters configured to engage and transport the equipment to the different workstations throughout the factory. Each mobile transporter includes a transmitter, a receiver, at least one proximity sensor, and an engagement mechanism for engaging the equipment. A factory configuration module includes a 3D model of the factory and a plurality of predetermined factory configurations. A supervisory control module is in communication with the plurality of mobile transporters, the equipment, and the factory configuration module. The plurality of mobile transporters are configured to receive instructions from the supervisory control module to engage and reposition the equipment throughout the factory based on the predetermined factory configurations and dynamic inputs.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kenneth Yesh, Anthony Mario D'Amato, Shankar Narayan Mohan, Mario Anthony Santillo, Gregory P. Linkowski, Meghna Menon
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Publication number: 20220026890Abstract: A survey system includes a controller storing a map comprising a plurality of nodes representing data capture points of the environment. The controller is configured to segment the plurality of nodes into a plurality of communities, where each community from among the plurality of communities includes a set of nodes from among the plurality of nodes. The controller is configured to generate, for each community from among the plurality of communities, one or more traversability scores. The controller is configured to assign, for each community from among the plurality of communities, at least one robot from among a plurality of robots to survey the community based on the one or more traversability scores. The controller is configured to deploy, for each community from among the plurality of communities, at least one of the plurality of robots based on the plurality of robots assigned to the community.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Shankar Narayan Mohan, Ansar Zunnoon Khan, Mark Goderis, Steven Schuchard
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Patent number: 11231712Abstract: A system includes a computer that includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to decompose a stored map of an area into a plurality of polygonal sub-areas. The instructions include instructions to generate a set of target locations in the polygonal sub-areas according to a leaky ball algorithm. The instructions include instructions to actuate a robot to move to a first one of the target locations of the set. The instructions include instructions to actuate a sensor to collect data at the first one of the target locations.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Shankar Narayan Mohan
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Patent number: 11220006Abstract: A system including a computer that includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine a location in a defined area according to coordinates on a map. The instructions include instructions to actuate a robot to move to the location. The instructions include instructions to identify an object specified in a digital model of the area, stored at a remote server, to be at the coordinates for the location. The instructions include instructions to actuate a sensor on the robot to collect data at the location. The instructions include instructions to update the object in the digital model based on the collected data.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2019Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Shankar Narayan Mohan, Steven Schuchard, Anthony Mario D'Amato
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Publication number: 20210240202Abstract: A system and method for reconfiguring a factory having equipment at different workstations throughout the factory includes a plurality of mobile transporters configured to engage and transport the equipment to the different workstations throughout the factory. Each mobile transporter includes a transmitter, a receiver, at least one proximity sensor, and an engagement mechanism for engaging the equipment. A factory configuration module includes a 3D model of the factory and a plurality of predetermined factory configurations. A supervisory control module is in communication with the plurality of mobile transporters, the equipment, and the factory configuration module. The plurality of mobile transporters are configured to receive instructions from the supervisory control module to engage and reposition the equipment throughout the factory based on the predetermined factory configurations and dynamic inputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2020Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kenneth Yesh, Anthony Mario D'Amato, Shankar Narayan Mohan, Mario Anthony Santillo, Gregory P. Linkowski, Meghna Menon
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Patent number: 11014448Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cruise control velocity tracking. In one example, the method or system may generate a torque command output via a velocity controller that allows for an error within bounds to reduce a fuel consumption amount, the torque command output selected from outcomes of a leader and follower game.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Shankar Narayan Mohan, John Ottavio Michelini, Steven J. Szwabowski
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Publication number: 20210146546Abstract: A method for a human-robot collaborative operation includes having a robot perform at least one automated task within a workspace and generating a dynamic model of a workspace based on a static nominal model of the workspace and data from a plurality of sensors disposed throughout the workspace. The method further includes controlling operation of the robot based on the dynamic model and the human operation, and verifying completion of the human operation based on a task completion parameter associated with the human operation and on based on at least one of the dynamic model, the data from the plurality of sensors, and the at least one automated task performed by the robot.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2019Publication date: May 20, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory P. Linkowski, Shankar Narayan Mohan
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Patent number: 10940796Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward, a method that includes receiving a travel path for a robot in a facility, selecting one or more target projectors disposed along the travel path, and displaying, by the one or more target projectors, one or more visual markers along the travel path of the robot to communicate an intended movement of the robot. The one or more target projectors are selected from among a plurality of projectors disposed in the facility.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kenneth Yesh, Anthony D'Amato, Shankar Narayan Mohan, Marty Smets
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Publication number: 20200398430Abstract: A system including a computer that includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine a location in a defined area according to coordinates on a map. The instructions include instructions to actuate a robot to move to the location. The instructions include instructions to identify an object specified in a digital model of the area, stored at a remote server, to be at the coordinates for the location. The instructions include instructions to actuate a sensor on the robot to collect data at the location. The instructions include instructions to update the object in the digital model based on the collected data.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2019Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Shankar Narayan Mohan, Steven Schuchard, Anthony Mario D'Amato
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Publication number: 20200393833Abstract: A system includes a computer that includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to decompose a stored map of an area into a plurality of polygonal sub-areas. The instructions include instructions to generate a set of target locations in the polygonal sub-areas according to a leaky ball algorithm. The instructions include instructions to actuate a robot to move to a first one of the target locations of the set. The instructions include instructions to actuate a sensor to collect data at the first one of the target locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2019Publication date: December 17, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Shankar Narayan Mohan
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Publication number: 20200164745Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cruise control velocity tracking. In one example, the method or system may generate a torque command output via a velocity controller that allows for an error within bounds to reduce a fuel consumption amount, the torque command output selected from outcomes of a leader and follower game.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2018Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: Shankar Narayan Mohan, John Ottavio Michelini, Steven J. Szwabowski
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Patent number: 10074996Abstract: There is disclosed an electrical device including a battery pack, a pressure sensor for measuring a volume change of the battery pack, a voltage sensor in electrical communication with a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the battery pack, a temperature sensor positioned in a cell of the battery pack, and a battery management system. The battery management system includes a controller in electrical communication with the pressure sensor, the voltage sensor, and the temperature sensor, the controller being configured to execute a program stored in the controller to determine a state of charge percentage of the battery pack based on a pressure reading from the pressure sensor, a terminal voltage reading from the voltage sensor, and a temperature reading from the temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: Anna G. Stefanopoulou, Shankar Narayan Mohan, Youngki Kim, Jason B. Siegel
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Publication number: 20160185251Abstract: There is disclosed an electrical device and a method in which a battery is warmed up when operating from a sub-zero temperature. The electrical device may include a battery; an electrical storage element; and a battery management system including a controller in electrical communication with the battery and the electrical storage element. The controller can be configured to execute a program stored in the controller to shuttle energy between the battery and the electrical storage element until a power capability threshold of the battery has been reached, Shuttling the energy raises a temperature of the battery to meet power demand.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2015Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Anna G. Stefanopoulou, Shankar Narayan Mohan, Youngki Kim, Jason B. Siegel, Yi Ding, Wesley G. Zanardelli, Sonya Zanardelli
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Publication number: 20160064972Abstract: There is disclosed an electrical device including a battery pack, a pressure sensor for measuring a volume change of the battery pack, a voltage sensor in electrical communication with a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the battery pack, a temperature sensor positioned in a cell of the battery pack, and a battery management system. The battery management system includes a controller in electrical communication with the pressure sensor, the voltage sensor, and the temperature sensor, the controller being configured to execute a program stored in the controller to determine a state of charge percentage of the battery pack based on a pressure reading from the pressure sensor, a terminal voltage reading from the voltage sensor, and a temperature reading from the temperature sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Anna G. Stefanopoulou, Shankar Narayan Mohan, Youngki Kim, Jason B. Siegel