Patents by Inventor Tuomas Lukka

Tuomas Lukka 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: 12122046
    Abstract: A waste sorting robot comprises a manipulator moveable within a working area. A suction gripper is connected to the manipulator and arranged to selectively grip a waste object in the working area. An air supply is in fluid communication with the suction gripper and configured to generate an airflow along an airflow path in the suction gripper. A solvent outlet in fluid communication with a solvent supply wherein the solvent outlet configured to dose the airflow with the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: MP ZENROBOTICS OY
    Inventors: Harri Holopainen, Tuomas Lukka
  • Patent number: 12064792
    Abstract: It A waste sorting robot (100) comprises a manipulator (101) moveable within a working area (102). A gripper (103) is connected to the manipulator (101) and arranged to selectively grip a waste object (104, 104a, 104b, 104c) in the working area (102). A controller (108) is in communication with a sensor (107) and is configured to receive detected object parameters, and determine a throw trajectory (109) of the gripped waste object (104) towards a target position (106) based on the detected object parameters of the gripped waste object (104). The controller (108) is configured to send control instructions to the gripper (103) and/or manipulator (101) so that the gripper (103) and/or manipulator (101) accelerates the gripped waste object (104) and releases the waste object (104) at a throw position with a throw velocity and throw angle towards the target position (106) so that the waste object (104) is thrown along the determined throw trajectory (109).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: MP ZenRobotics Oy
    Inventors: Harri Holopainen, Tuomas Lukka
  • Patent number: 11851292
    Abstract: A waste sorting robot gripper comprises a suction cup engageable with the surface of a waste object. The suction cup has an air hole for evacuating air from the suction cup. A suction tube is coupled to the suction cup. The suction tube comprises a longitudinal axis. A first air inlet is in fluid communication with the air hole at one end of the suction tube and an air outlet at the other end of the suction tube. A path of the air flow between the air inlet and the air outlet is substantially along the longitudinal axis. The suction tube comprises a second air inlet in fluid communication with an air source, the second air inlet being between the first air inlet and the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: MP ZenRobotics Oy
    Inventors: Tuomas Lukka, Maciej Borkowski
  • Publication number: 20230405639
    Abstract: It A waste sorting robot (100) comprises a manipulator (101) moveable within a working area (102). A gripper (103) is connected to the manipulator (101) and arranged to selectively grip a waste object (104, 104a, 104b, 104c) in the working area (102). A controller (108) is in communication with a sensor (107) and is configured to receive detected object parameters, and determine a throw trajectory (109) of the gripped waste object (104) towards a target position (106) based on the detected object parameters of the gripped waste object (104). The controller (108) is configured to send control instructions to the gripper (103) and/or manipulator (101) so that the gripper (103) and/or manipulator (101) accelerates the gripped waste object (104) and releases the waste object (104) at a throw position with a throw velocity and throw angle towards the target position (106) so that the waste object (104) is thrown along the determined throw trajectory (109).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Harri Holopainen, Tuomas Lukka
  • Publication number: 20230241787
    Abstract: A waste sorting robot comprises a manipulator moveable within a working area. A suction gripper is connected to the manipulator and arranged to selectively grip a waste object in the working area. An air supply is in fluid communication with the suction gripper and configured to generate an airflow along an airflow path in the suction gripper. A solvent outlet in fluid communication with a solvent supply wherein the solvent outlet configured to dose the airflow with the solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Harri Holopainen, Tuomas Lukka
  • Patent number: 11682097
    Abstract: Feedback information is an important aspect in all machine learning systems. In robot systems that are picking objects from a plurality of objects this has been arranged by acquiring images of objects that have been picked. When images are acquired after picking they can be imaged accurately and the information about picking and also dropping success can be improved by using acquired images as a feedback in the machine learning arrangement being used for controlling the picking and dropping of objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: MP ZenRobotics Oy
    Inventors: Tuomas Lukka, Janne Kujala
  • Patent number: 11660762
    Abstract: A waste sorting robot can include a manipulator comprising a suction gripper for interacting with one or more waste objects to be sorted within a working area, and wherein the manipulator is moveable within the working area. There is a controller configured to send control instructions to the manipulator. At least one pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the suction gripper and configured to generate a pressure signal in dependence on a fluid pressure in the suction gripper. The controller is configured to receive the pressure signal and to determine manipulator instructions in dependence on the pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: MP ZENROBOTICS OY
    Inventors: Harri Holopainen, Tuomas Lukka
  • Publication number: 20230144252
    Abstract: A waste sorting robot comprises: a frame and a manipulator moveably mounted to the frame and comprising a gripper for interacting with one or more waste objects to be sorted within a working area. The waste sorting robot comprises a conveyor for moving the one or more waste objects towards the working area. At least a portion of the manipulator is rotatable with respect to the frame such that the gripper is moveable lengthways along the conveyor within the working area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Tuomas Lukka, Harri Holopainen, Esa Tirkkonen, Viljami Maki
  • Publication number: 20210237260
    Abstract: A waste sorting robot can include a manipulator comprising a suction gripper for interacting with one or more waste objects to be sorted within a working area, and wherein the manipulator is moveable within the working area. There is a controller configured to send control instructions to the manipulator. At least one pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the suction gripper and configured to generate a pressure signal in dependence on a fluid pressure in the suction gripper. The controller is configured to receive the pressure signal and to determine manipulator instructions in dependence on the pressure signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Harri Holopainen, Tuomas Lukka
  • Publication number: 20210237262
    Abstract: A waste sorting manipulator can include a gripper assembly for interacting with one or more waste objects to be sorted within a working area. There is at least one servo for moving the gripper assembly between the manipulator and the working area. There is also at least one slidable coupling mounted between the at least one servo and the gripper assembly for allowing relative movement between the at least one servo and the gripper assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Harri Holopainen, Tuomas Lukka
  • Publication number: 20210110504
    Abstract: Feedback information is an important aspect in all machine learning systems. In robot systems that are picking objects from a plurality of objects this has been arranged by acquiring images of objects that have been picked. When images are acquired after picking they can be imaged accurately and the information about picking and also dropping success can be improved by using acquired images as a feedback in the machine learning arrangement being used for controlling the picking and dropping of objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: ZenRobotics Oy
    Inventors: Tuomas LUKKA, Janne KUJALA
  • Publication number: 20210061588
    Abstract: A waste sorting robot gripper comprises a suction cup engageable with the surface of a waste object. The suction cup has an air hole for evacuating air from the suction cup. A suction tube is coupled to the suction cup. The suction tube comprises a longitudinal axis. A first air inlet is in fluid communication with the air hole at one end of the suction tube and an air outlet at the other end of the suction tube. A path of the air flow between the air inlet and the air outlet is substantially along the longitudinal axis. The suction tube comprises a second air inlet in fluid communication with an air source, the second air inlet being between the first air inlet and the air outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Tuomas Lukka, Maciej Borkowski
  • Patent number: 10839474
    Abstract: Feedback information is an important aspect in all machine learning systems. In robot systems that are picking objects from a plurality of objects this has been arranged by acquiring images of objects that have been picked. When images are acquired after picking they can be imaged accurately and the information about picking and also dropping success can be improved by using acquired images as a feedback in the machine learning arrangement being used for controlling the picking and dropping of objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: ZenRobotics Oy
    Inventors: Tuomas Lukka, Janne Kujala
  • Publication number: 20180036774
    Abstract: Feedback information is an important aspect in all machine learning systems. In robot systems that are picking objects from a plurality of objects this has been arranged by acquiring images of objects that have been picked. When images are acquired after picking they can be imaged accurately and the information about picking and also dropping success can be improved by using acquired images as a feedback in the machine learning arrangement being used for controlling the picking and dropping of objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Tuomas LUKKA, Janne KUJALA
  • Patent number: 9713875
    Abstract: The invention concerns in general the technical field of robotics and automation. Especially the invention concerns a structure for improving a shock tolerance of a robot or other positioning system. More specifically, the invention discloses a mounting element structure for increasing shock tolerance in a robot. The mounting element structure includes a first surface (201) and a second surface (202) towards a robot tool element, wherein the first and second surfaces (201; 202) are configured to be connected with a string assembly (203). The string assembly is configured to, under exposure of external force exceeding a predetermined level, to reduce the damage caused by the force by deforming the shape of the string assembly (203).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: ZENROBOTICS OY
    Inventor: Tuomas Lukka
  • Patent number: 9230329
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method comprising: obtaining at least one image comprising at least one object; analyzing the at least one image to determine at least one gripping location to grip an object; selecting a gripping location from the at least one gripping location based on a predetermined criterion; and issuing at least one instruction to a gripper to grip the object at the selected gripping location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ZENROBOTICS OY
    Inventor: Tuomas Lukka
  • Patent number: 9050719
    Abstract: A method in which an apparatus receives first sensor data from first sensors and determines a target position from the data, the target position may be a position in space or an orientation of a gripper in a robot arm First instructions are issued to the robot arm or the gripper in order to move a gripper to the target position. Force feedback sensor data is received from force feedback sensors associated with either the robot arm or the gripper or from the first sensors. A failure in carrying out the first instructions is determined. Second sensor data is received from the at least one first sensor. Successful gripping of an object is determined from the second sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: ZENROBOTICS OY
    Inventors: Harri Valpola, Tuomas Lukka
  • Publication number: 20140290417
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving and positioning a gripping unit (3; 23; 43), in which method the gripping unit is moved and positioned by intermediation of cables (9, 10, 11, 12; 29, 30, 31; 48, 49, 50), so that at least one degree of freedom of the gripping unit is removed by fastening the gripping unit mechanically (4; 24; 44) to the support structure. A robot (1; 21; 41) provided with this kind of apparatus is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Tuomas Lukka
  • Publication number: 20140236355
    Abstract: The invention concerns in general the technical field of robotics and automation. Especially the invention concerns a structure for improving a shock tolerance of a robot or other positioning system. More specifically, the invention discloses a mounting element structure for increasing shock tolerance in a robot. The mounting element structure includes a first surface (201) and a second surface (202) towards a robot tool element, wherein the first and second surfaces (201; 202) are configured to be connected with a string assembly (203). The string assembly is configured to, under exposure of external force exceeding a predetermined level, to reduce the damage caused by the force by deforming the shape of the string assembly (203).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Tuomas Lukka
  • Publication number: 20140088765
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for invalidating sensor measurements after a sorting action on a target area of a robot sorting system. In the method there are obtained sensor measurements using sensors from a target area. A first image is captured of the target area using a sensor over the target area. A first sorting action is performed in the target area using a robot arm based on the sensor measurements and the first image. Thereupon, a second image of the target area is captured using a sensor over the target area. The first and the second images are compared to determine invalid areas in the target area. The invalid areas are avoided in future sorting actions based on the sensor measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: ZENROBOTICS OY
    Inventors: Harri Valpola, Tuomas Lukka