Patents Issued in December 21, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170364040
    Abstract: The application provides an access control method of parallel direct current power supplies and a device thereof. Direct current power supplies with single insulation resistances to ground failing to meet a first preset condition or causing a total insulation resistances to fail to meet a second preset condition are disconnected from a grid-connected inverter, and direct current power supplies with single insulation resistance to ground meeting the first preset condition and enabling the total insulation resistance to meet the second preset condition are connected with the grid-connected inverter for grid-connected inverting. Unlike in conventional technology, not all the direct current power supplies connected to a direct current bus are made stop outputting, thereby avoiding the loss of inverter power generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Hua NI, Shangfang DAI, Yanfei YU, Zongjun YANG
  • Publication number: 20170364041
    Abstract: In a synchronization operation instruction of a synchronization control of moving a slave axis at a certain ratio with respect to a master axis movement amount, a master axis movement amount before start of change of a synchronization magnification, used in an operation based on a synchronization magnification changing instruction, is determined by referring to a parameter of the synchronization operation instruction so that the operation based on the synchronization magnification changing instruction ends at a set synchronization start master axis position. With such a configuration, the synchronization control is started based on the synchronization operation instruction from the synchronization start master axis position set in the synchronization operation instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noboru Hirose
  • Publication number: 20170364042
    Abstract: A machine monitoring device is provided which includes (a) a communications link to interrogate a machine with a probe signal and receive one or more measured machine operating condition outputs; and (b) a device controller capable of (i) selecting a machine operating condition input variable for which a corresponding machine operating condition output is unknown; (ii) applying a predictive model in which the machine operating condition input variable serves as an argument of a predicted machine operating condition output; (iii) updating a library of predicted machine operating condition outputs; and (iv) alerting a human operator if a measured or predicted machine operating condition output exceeds a predetermined limit. The predictive model is based on at least two independent primary models having at least one correspondence between a primary model machine operating condition and a corresponding machine output. The primary models share a common basis in the predictive model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Adolfo Anta Martinez
  • Publication number: 20170364043
    Abstract: A system including a power plant having thermal generating units that operate according to multiple possible operating modes, which are differentiated by a unique operational or maintenance schedule. The system further includes a hardware processor and machine readable storage medium on which is stored instructions that cause the hardware processor to execute a process related to optimizing the operational or maintenance schedule during a selected operating period. The process may include: receiving the selected operating period; selecting competing operating modes for the power plant during the selected operating period according to a selection criteria; simulating the operation of the power plant during the selected operating period for each of the competing operating modes and deriving simulation results therefrom; evaluating each of the simulation results pursuant to a cost function and, based thereupon, designating at least one of the competing operating modes as an optimized operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sanyaswara Rao Ganti, Michael James O'Connor, Christopher Joseph Vreeman, Awadesh Kumar Tiwari, Venkata Jogi Janaki Suresh Mandapaka, Gaurav Nair
  • Publication number: 20170364044
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for building system commissioning automation are described herein. One device includes a controller of a plurality of building system devices having logic to receive a set of commands specified by a sequence of operations (SOO) script, execute the set of commands to run an SOO check on the plurality of building system devices, and generate a report including results of the SOO check.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Jayaprakash Meruva, Manish Gupta, Andrew David Halford, Cary Leen, Roy Alan Kolasa
  • Publication number: 20170364045
    Abstract: The exemplified methods and systems facilitates the configuring of IO devices and its IO modules (and submodules) in enabling an operator to retrieve, via a single input, in a development workspace, a list of IO modules and submodules that is compatible to a given IO device. The exemplified methods and systems facilitates retrieval of compatible IO modules and submodules based parameters of the IO modules and submodules. The exemplified methods and systems provide an intuitive interface, in a development workspace for configuring an IO device, to add a retrieved (i.e., searched) module or submodule from a list thereof to an existing project for a given IO device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Abitha Beevi Mohammed Siddique, Venkatesh Mani Selvaraj, Balajose Goli, Vishal Fogla, Shantanu Ratnakar Rao Choudhary
  • Publication number: 20170364046
    Abstract: The examples herein offer an improved, more integrated implementation of lighting control and building management control, e.g. within the same gateway or cloud computing/control element(s), via an integrated software architecture. A visualization platform of the software architecture provides an integrated user interface via network communication of the computing element with a user terminal device. The integrated user interface offers the user an integrated view of status of building automation control (BAC) appliances and luminaires within the premises, as well as integrated access to control operations of the BAC appliances and the luminaires. For example, the overall system of integrated lighting and building management control may offer a ‘single pane of glass’ type user interface for lighting and other managed operations in the premises.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Richard L. Westrick, JR., Nathaniel Christopher Herwig
  • Publication number: 20170364047
    Abstract: Disclosure are various embodiments of a loss prevention device responsive to freefall. The loss prevention device can be integrated into any object and incorporates physical, mechanical, and/or electrical modules configured to prevent the likelihood that dropping the object causes injury to persons or damage to structures in the vicinity. Such modules may constitute continuous or discrete, static or dynamic portions of the housing of the loss prevention device. Other modules may incorporate electromechanical components that allow for effective manipulation of the motion of the loss prevention device and the coupled object. The device can be configured to deploy said modules upon detecting freefall. In some cases, the device incorporate a release mechanism that facilitates said deployment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Sam Hunter Magee, Tal Achituv
  • Publication number: 20170364048
    Abstract: An online system, including a smart laundry machine, which is capable of easily and inexpensively using the smart laundry machine is disclosed. A further extended type of a smart home appliance, an online system including the same, and a method of using the online system are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Junpil PARK, Mikyung HA, Byunggee SUNG
  • Publication number: 20170364049
    Abstract: A clothing care machine and a method and system for controlling the same are provided. The clothing care machine is provided with a steam generator and a steam handle. The steam handle is provided with a human body sensing component. The method includes: controlling the human body sensing component to sense whether the steam handle is operated by a user; and controlling an operation state of the steam generator according to a touch signal sensed by the human body sensing component. The method may realize an intelligent control of the steam generator according to an operation condition of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Zhiqi YANG, Zhijiang HE, Bo XIE
  • Publication number: 20170364050
    Abstract: A power tool accident prevention method, system, and non-transitory computer readable medium receiving images from a static camera of a setup or operation of a power tool, include a danger identification circuit configured to: analyze the images to identify inherent dangers in the setup or the operation of the power tool, and identify at least one potential cause of an accident based on the identified inherent dangers, and a power tool disabling circuit configured to activate an emergency safety measure of the power tool to avoid the at least one potential cause of the accident.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Vittorio Castelli, Radu Florian, Gourab Kundu, Taesun Moon, Avirup Sil
  • Publication number: 20170364051
    Abstract: The preset invention is directed to a building energy management system and method, more specifically to a building energy management system and method that can quickly detect and control an abnormal situation or an emergency situation that may occur within a building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Dong-Oh KANG, Ok-Gee MIN, Joon-Young JUNG
  • Publication number: 20170364052
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes control apparatus and server. Control apparatus includes collector, transmitter, receiver and main controller. Collector collects sensing data concerning control targets in social infrastructure. Transmitter transmits collected sensing data to server. Receiver receives control instruction from server. Main controller controls control targets based on control instruction. Server includes acquisition unit, database, generator and instructor. Acquisition unit acquires sensing data from control apparatus. Database stores sensing data. Generator generates control instruction by processing sensing data. Instructor transmits generated control instruction to control apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki MATSUDA, Yoshitaka Kobayashi, Makoto Ochiai
  • Publication number: 20170364053
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for analyzing an abnormal event in an industrial automation and control system, IACS, comprising the following steps: identifying the abnormal event; detecting a root cause of the abnormal event; and generating a notification if the root cause is not a user activity and, if the root cause is a user activity, evaluating the possible impact on the IACS caused by the abnormal event, and generating a notification if the evaluation of the possible impact does not match a predefined list of allowable behavior. The present invention also relates to a corresponding system and corresponding computer program product comprising one or more computer readable media having computer executable instructions for performing the steps of the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Hadeli Hadeli, Wolfgang Wimmer, Michael Obrist
  • Publication number: 20170364054
    Abstract: A numerical controller is equipped with an access unit configured to access variables included within a machining program at a time of analyzing the machining program, a look-ahead determining unit configured to determine whether or not the variables accessed by the access unit were accessed during look-ahead of the machining program, a specific variable determining unit configured to determine whether or not the variables determined to have been accessed during look-ahead by the look-ahead determining unit are specific variables, and an output unit configured to output at least one of numbers of the specific variables accessed during look-ahead and a time of accessing the specific variables during look-ahead, in the event that the variables accessed during look-ahead are determined to be the specific variables by the specific variable determining unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tooru Kubota
  • Publication number: 20170364055
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a machining chamber, an illuminator in the machining chamber, and an NC unit. The NC unit includes a manual execution unit for executing the machining operation via a pulse signal generated in response to operation of a manually operated part, and has a one-block stop mode in which the NC program is executed for one block and then stopped. A notification unit issues a notification of completion of the execution of one block of the NC program while the machining operation is executed manually using the manual execution unit in the one-block stop mode, and the notification unit includes the illuminator. A change in the illumination state of the illuminator enables an operator to observe the interior of the machining chamber continuously while being notified of the completion of the execution of the one block of the NC program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Noriyuki Asahara
  • Publication number: 20170364056
    Abstract: A machining management apparatus includes a tool information storage storing therein information relating to each cutting tool used in a machine tool and storing therein a coefficient n and a coefficient C in a tool life equation corresponding to tool life influencing factors including at least a workpiece and a cutting tool material, and an adapted cutting speed calculator executing a machining condition receiving processing of receiving information on the tool life influencing factors and information on a desired cutting speed, a coefficient recognition processing of recognizing the coefficient n and the coefficient C corresponding to the tool life influencing factors by referring to the tool information storage based on the received tool life influencing factor information, and a cutting speed calculation processing of calculating a cutting speed adapted to the desired cutting time according to the tool life equation based on the recognized coefficient n and coefficient C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: DMG MORI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Ono, Shizuo Nishikawa, Masataka Sakamoto, Kengo Kawai
  • Publication number: 20170364057
    Abstract: A POS system includes a plurality of electronic device, at least a specified one of which automatically generates and updates a history data at intervals, and an intelligent device installed in the specified electronic device for automatically updating and showing a life percentage information of the specified electronic device according to the history data. The intelligent device includes: a signal transmission module electrically connected to the specified electronic device for receiving the history data therethrough; a processing unit generating a life percentage value according to the history data of the specified electronic device, and issuing a life percentage status signal indicative of the life percentage value; a storage module for storing the history data; and a prompt displaying module visibly disposed for displaying the life percentage information in response to the life percentage status signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: TAI-SENG LAM, CHIUNG-CHI LIN
  • Publication number: 20170364058
    Abstract: A method of producing a heat exchanger includes designing the heat exchanger to include a wall with a target thickness. A model is created relating process parameters to geometry of a single track melt pool and relating the single track melt pool geometry to a heat exchanger wall thickness. At least one variable process parameter is defined. The model, heat exchanger wall target thickness, and variable process parameters are used to identify a set of process parameters to produce the heat exchanger wall target thickness. The melt pool geometry is predicted based on the model and process parameters. The heat exchanger wall target thickness is predicted based on the melt pool geometry. The process parameters that will produce the heat exchanger wall target thickness are identified. The additive manufacturing process is controlled based upon the identified set of process parameters to create the heat exchanger wall target thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Vijay Jagdale, Ranadip Acharya, Tahany Ibrahim El-Wardany, Colette O. Fennessy, Sergey Mironets, Diana Giulietti, Kiley James Versluys
  • Publication number: 20170364059
    Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for producing a perforation line between adjacent lottery tickets in an automated production line wherein a substrate having lottery tickets printed thereon is conveyed through a perforation station in the production line. A perforation machine in the line is controlled to define a perforation line between the adjacent lottery tickets. The controlling process includes inputting control variables into a controller associated with the perforation machine, the control variables relating to conditions that determine a desired perforation profile of the perforation line. The controller programs the perforation machine with a specific perforation profile for the perforation line that is generated based on the entered control variables, and changes the perforation profile upon inputting of different values for the control variables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Ajay J. Ghia
  • Publication number: 20170364060
    Abstract: A method includes applying a defect rule to engineering configurations in an industrial process control and automation system. This includes extracting query logic from the defect rule defining a defect. This also includes executing the extracted query logic on the engineering configurations. This further includes storing results of the executed query logic as an identified defect. The method could also include reconciling the identified defect by comparing the results of the executed query logic for a current iteration with results of the executed query logic from previous iterations and determining a current state of the identified defect based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Abhishek Nikhra, Manas Dutta, Ramakrishnan Ganapathi
  • Publication number: 20170364061
    Abstract: In a method for setting a mounting position of a target substrate, the test substrate is transferred to a second position deviated from a first position. A mask has expected arrangement position where a non-film formation region has a preset width when the target substrate is mounted at the first position and subjected to a film formation. The film is formed on the test substrate at the second position by using the mask. Width of the non-film formation region formed on the test substrate after the film formation is measured. Actual arrangement position of the mask is specified based on a direction and a distance of the deviation of the second position from the first position and the measured width of the non-film formation region. The first position is corrected such that the non-film formation region has the preset width based on the actual arrangement position of the mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Yasunobu SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20170364062
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for verifying a radiation beam intensity modulator. The apparatus includes a scanner; and a verification system verifying the verification target radiation beam intensity modulator, wherein the verification system includes: a modulator structure reconstruction unit extracting thickness information of the verification target radiation beam intensity modulator based on the 3D structure information of the verification target radiation beam intensity modulator; an original modulator structure information receiver receiving structure information of the original radiation beam intensity modulator; a modulator matching unit matching the verification target radiation beam intensity modulator with the original radiation beam intensity modulator based on the thickness information; and a modulator verification unit verifying the verification target radiation beam intensity modulator matched with the original radiation beam intensity modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Samsung Life Public Welfare Foundation
    Inventor: Sang Gyu Ju
  • Publication number: 20170364063
    Abstract: A computer-based method for automated hazard detection for a technical system, the method includes the step of selecting an output failure mode of a component of a component fault tree of the technical system as a top level hazard. The computer-based method includes the step of generating a hazard information tree by means of a subtree of the component fault tree, wherein the subtree is selected by means of the top level hazard, wherein the subtree is modified by removing predefined nodes from the subtree and by enhancing output failure modes of the subtree with information from which component the output failure modes originate, wherein the modified subtree is saved in a memory unit as hazard information tree. The computer-based method includes the step of evaluating the hazard information tree, and providing a control signal comprising a result of the evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Marc Zeller
  • Publication number: 20170364064
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for managing an industrial production line, including at least one processing station and one monitoring station that is connected to the at least one processing station. The method includes: sending a radiofrequency signal from the monitoring station to a communication peripheral; then—sending a corresponding sound signal using the communication peripheral. The sound signal is dedicated to an operator to which the peripheral is assigned. The transmitted information is specific to the communication peripheral. Also disclosed is a corresponding device and facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Franck KLOTZ, Marie HUFFENUS, Pierre Yves SCHAAL, Laurent LAXAGUE
  • Publication number: 20170364065
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for disabling UAVs are presented. An interrogation system may transmit an identifier request message to a UAV. The interrogation system may receive, in response to the identifier request message, a response message that indicates a UAV identifier. The interrogation system may access one or more UAV identifier databases that relate UAV identifiers with airspace definitions. The interrogation system may retrieve from the one or more UAV identifier database systems an airspace definition corresponding to the UAV identifier. The interrogation system may determine that the UAV is to be disabled based on: a location of the UAV, a restricted airspace definition, and the airspace definition corresponding to the UAV identifier. The interrogation system may then transmit a disablement instruction message to the UAV based on the location of the UAV and the airspace definition corresponding to the UAV identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Edmund Petruzzelli
  • Publication number: 20170364066
    Abstract: In a driving support device, an image output unit outputs image information including a vehicle object representing a vehicle and a sign object representing a sign, to a display unit. An operation signal input unit receives an operation signal of a user for moving, in the image displayed on the display unit, the vehicle object to the position of the sign object or for moving the sign object to the position of the vehicle object. A command output unit outputs a command corresponding to the display content in the sign object when the operation signal is received, to an automatic driving control unit that controls automatic driving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: KAZUSHIGE YAMADA, OSAMU YAMAJI, AZUSA GOJYO, SATOSHI KAJITA, TOSHIAKI MORI, MAKOTO OKADA
  • Publication number: 20170364067
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes flight training systems and methods for radio-controlled (RC) airplanes that rely on inertial attitude estimates. Preferred embodiments include an RC airplane with one or more control processors configured to (i) estimate an inertial attitude of the RC airplane based on one or more measurements from an attitude sensor array and (ii) control the inertial attitude of the RC airplane based the inertial attitude estimate. In operation, controlling the attitude of the RC airplane may include both controlling the RC airplane to a specific inertial attitude and/or keeping the inertial attitude of the RC airplane within a predefined flight envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph Burch, David Ribbe
  • Publication number: 20170364068
    Abstract: A formation setting apparatus includes a display unit, a selector, a region calculator, a display controller, and a communication controller. The display unit displays a formation of formation flying that includes aircrafts. The selector selects, as a first aircraft, one of the aircrafts displayed on the display unit, on a basis of an operation performed by a user. The region calculator calculates a movable region of the first aircraft, on a basis of a distance, to the first aircraft, from one or a plurality of second aircrafts of the aircrafts excluding the first aircraft. The display controller causes the calculated movable region to be displayed on the display unit. The communication controller transmits a control signal to the first aircraft when a position within the movable region displayed on the display unit is selected by the user. The control signal causes the first aircraft to move to the selected position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Shinichi HARADA, Satoshi KUROYANAGI, Yukinobu TOMONAGA
  • Publication number: 20170364069
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for autonomous behavior override utilizing an emergency corridor. An example disclosed system includes an autonomous vehicle, infrastructure nodes, and an emergency router. The example autonomous vehicle sends an emergency request in response to detecting an occupant experiencing a medical emergency. The example infrastructure nodes are distributed across a municipal area. The example emergency router selects a route from a first location of the autonomous vehicle to an emergency response facility. The example emergency router also selects the infrastructure nodes that are along the route. Additionally, the example emergency router instructs the selected infrastructure nodes to broadcast messages to create an emergency corridor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas Colella, Stephen Jay Orris, JR., David A. Herman, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler, Nunzio DeCia
  • Publication number: 20170364070
    Abstract: A method for switching modes for operating a vehicle, a non-transitory computer-readable medium for performing the method, and information processing apparatuses. The method includes determining, by circuitry of an information processing apparatus, whether a mode for operating the vehicle is to be switched from one of autonomous and manual driving modes to the other of the autonomous and manual driving modes. A state of a driver of the vehicle is obtained when the mode for operating the vehicle is determined to be switched. The method further includes switching, by the circuitry, the mode for operating the vehicle from the one of the autonomous and manual driving modes to the other of the autonomous manual driving modes based on the obtained state of the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eiji OBA
  • Publication number: 20170364071
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) dual operation system and method is described. Certain embodiments include a dual operation system that receives and processes control signals from two controllers, e.g., a first controller and a second controller, and outputs a control signal to a UAV on-board pilot system to operate the UAV. In some embodiments, the dual operation system may override control signals from the first controller with the control signals received from the second controller. Further, the dual operation system may respond to various conditions when control signals from one of the controllers are lost or unstable, enabling an on-board pilot system to take over control of the UAV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Shengli Fu, Yan Wan
  • Publication number: 20170364072
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes at least one autonomous driving sensor programmed to output environment signals representing an environment around an autonomous vehicle and object detection signals representing an object or person on an exterior surface of the autonomous vehicle. The vehicle system further includes an autonomous mode controller programmed to autonomously control the autonomous vehicle in accordance with the environment signals output by the autonomous driving sensor, detect the object or person on the exterior surface of the autonomous vehicle in accordance with the object detection signals, and limit autonomous operation of the autonomous vehicle in response to detecting the object or person on the exterior surface of the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sarra Awad Yako, Kyle Richard Post, Levasseur Tellis
  • Publication number: 20170364073
    Abstract: Methods and devices for generally fungible robots that autonomously cooperate to transport a load are provided. A method of transporting a load includes providing first and second robots each having a motive mechanism independently operable from the other. Each robot obtains estimates of a width, length, and height of the load. Each robot can obtain estimates of a weight or stability information of the load. Each robot autonomously determines how to engage the load for transportation based at least partially on the width, length, height, and weight of the load, as well as physical limitations of each robot and the terrain between the load and the delivery point. The robots autonomously cooperate with each other to transport the load. In another aspect, robots autonomously monitor the stability of a load, determine optimum configuration for stable transport of the load, and reconfigure based on stability changes during transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Keith Alan Guy
  • Publication number: 20170364074
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed include methods for controlling the behavior of autonomously navigating delivery robots when items cannot be delivered. Methods can include receiving a request to proceed to a delivery location when a robot is at a first location. Attempting to deliver an item at a delivery location. If the robot determines delivery is successful, it autonomously navigates back to the first location. If the robot determines delivery of the item is not successful, it autonomously navigates to another location different from the first location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Tessa Lau, Philipp Herget
  • Publication number: 20170364075
    Abstract: An autonomous travel device is provided with wheels, a device main body, a power source that is provided on one end portion of the device main body within the device main body and causes the device main body to travel autonomously by driving the wheels, a battery for supplying power to the power source, and an accommodation unit for accommodating the battery from the other end portion of the device main body to a central portion of the device main body within the device main body. With this configuration, it is possible to easily perform replacement of the battery, and therefore, it is possible to perform autonomous travel that is stabilized due to disposition of the battery in consideration of the center of gravity of the device main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Kiyotaka HIRATA, Atsushi HIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20170364076
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for guiding a robot in a robotic system, by creating a refined path, based on an initial path in a three-dimensional space. The method includes receiving data related to creating the initial path, including a start point and an endpoint, and generating the initial path by interpolating the start point and the endpoint. The method also includes receiving inputs for at least one support point that defines a coordinate in the three-dimensional space for altering the initial path, and adjusting the initial path to generate the refined path by modifying a set of one or more polynomial functions, such that the refined path interpolates the at least one support point between the start point and the endpoint. The method further includes providing the refined path to a second computing module for guiding the robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Mohammad Keshmiri, Chahe Bakmazjian, Waseem Khan
  • Publication number: 20170364077
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle, a motor control device and method for controlling the same. The motor control method includes: acquiring current attitude information of a load, target attitude information of the load and current operation parameter information of one or more motors on the load, and obtaining control information for controlling the one or more motors in accordance with the acquired information above; transmitting the control information to a shared memory for storage; reading the control information from the shared memory, and controlling operation of the one or more motors in accordance with the control information. In one embodiment, the motor control device does not require cable or PCB wiring to connect a main control unit and an execution unit, reducing the size of hardware. Moreover, with the shared memory, the speed and stability of data interaction between the main control unit and the execution unit may be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: ZEROTECH (SHENZHEN) INTELLIGENCE ROBOT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Sun, Xianlong Zhan, Xiao Zhu
  • Publication number: 20170364078
    Abstract: A method for guiding a terrestrial vehicle along a desired path can include receiving a position signal from a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) antenna and a gyro signal from a gyro sensor that is indicative of: (i) at least one of a pitch and a roll of the terrestrial vehicle, and (ii) a gyro-based heading direction. A position of a point of interest of the terrestrial vehicle at a location different than the GNSS antenna can be determined based on the position signal, the gyro signal, and a positional relationship between the first location and the second location. A position-based heading direction of the point of interest of the terrestrial vehicle can be determined based on the determined position of the point of interest and at least one previously determined position of the point of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: BEIJING UNISTRONG SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Collins, John A. McClure
  • Publication number: 20170364079
    Abstract: Particular embodiments may provide a device capable of autonomous locomotion comprising means for autonomous locomotion, a device controller for navigation of the device by controlling the means for autonomous locomotion, and a host machine running a hypervisor, one or more user virtual machines (UVMs) and a virtual machine controller, wherein the host machine is communicably coupled to the device controller, and wherein at least one of the UVMs provides navigation instructions to the device controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Richard James Arsenian, Adam Michael Fried-Gintis
  • Publication number: 20170364080
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for the utilization of vehicle control systems to cause a vehicle to take preventative action responsive to the detection of a near short term adverse driving scenario. A vehicle control system may receive information corresponding to vehicle operator data and ancillary data. Based on the received vehicle operator data and the received ancillary data, a multi-dimension risk score module may calculate risk scores associated with the received vehicle operator data and the received ancillary data. Subsequently, the vehicle control systems may cause the vehicle to perform at least one of a close call detection action and a close call detection alert to lessen the risk associated with the received vehicle operator data and the received ancillary data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Sunil Chintakindi
  • Publication number: 20170364081
    Abstract: Described herein a robot assisted method of deploying sensors in a geographic region. The method of deploying sensors is posed as a Markovian decision process. The robot assigns each grid cell in a map of the geographic region a reward value based on a surface elevation of the geographic region and a soil hardness factor. Further, the robot determines an action for each grid cell of the plurality of grid cells, wherein the action corresponds to an expected direction of movement of the robot in the grid cell. The robot computes a global path as a concatenation of actions starting from a first grid cell and terminating at a second grid cell. The method monitors the movement of the robot on the computed global path and computes a second path based on a deviation of the robot from the global path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Anas Mohammed Albaghajati, Mohammad Tariq Nasir, Lahouari Ghouti, Sami El Ferik
  • Publication number: 20170364082
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a lane assignment for an autonomous vehicle along a road segment. In one implementation, at least one image representative of an environment of the vehicle is received from a camera. The at least one image may be analyzed to identify at least one recognized landmark, and an indicator of a lateral offset distance between the vehicle and the at least one recognized landmark may be determined. Moreover, a lane assignment of the vehicle along the road segment may be determined based on the indicator of the lateral offset distance between the vehicle and the at least one recognized landmark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Yoav Taieb, Daniel Braunstein
  • Publication number: 20170364083
    Abstract: The present invention provides a local trajectory planning method and apparatus for a smart vehicle, pre-acquiring path planning information from a starting location to a destination; the method comprising: determining a target lane; sampling alternative curves from a current location of the smart vehicle to a target lane according to the path planning information; performing speed planning for the sampled alternative curves according to a current travel environment; selecting one of the alternative curves after the speed planning is performed as a target trajectory. Local trajectory planning of the smart vehicle is achieved through the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: BAIDU ONLINE NETWORK TECHNOLOGY (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenli YANG, Tianlei Zhang, Lintao Li
  • Publication number: 20170364084
    Abstract: A predicted course estimating apparatus for estimating a predicted course of the own vehicle, includes: a data acquiring means for acquiring turning data that indicates a turning direction of the own vehicle; a filtering means for removing a high-frequency component that is included in the turning data; a course predicting means for calculating an estimated value for course prediction of the own vehicle, based on the turning data that has been filtered and a speed of the own vehicle; a determining means for determining whether the own vehicle is traveling a part of a road where the shape changes; and a characteristics changing means for changing the extent of removing of the high-frequency component by the filtering means when it is determined that the own vehicle is traveling a part of the road where the shape changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taku SAKIMA, Youhei MASUI, Toyoharu KATSUKURA, Takeshi NANAMI, Takashi NISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20170364085
    Abstract: A control device includes: a receiving unit that receives a request for processing; and a control unit that, in a case where the receiving unit receives a plurality of requests for processing from a plurality of places, controls a traveling route of a processing apparatus based on traveling time taken for the processing apparatus to travel to the plurality of places and processing time taken for the processing apparatus to finish the processing after traveling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira ICHIKAWA, Hajime KAJIYAMA, Hideki FUJIMOTO, Kunitoshi YAMAMOTO, Mariko MIYAZAKI, Naoya OGATA, Tetsuya KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20170364086
    Abstract: One or more vehicle sensors can be integrated into existing vehicle housings or structures to provide a streamlined appearance, potentially improved sensing capabilities, and a reduction in the use of extra structures to hold the one or more vehicle sensors. In one or more arrangements, one or more vehicle sensors can be located within a body of the vehicle and can be spaced from the vehicle emblem in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The one or more sensors can be configured and/or operatively positioned to sense at least a portion of an external environment of the vehicle through the vehicle emblem. In one or more arrangements, one or more sensors can be located within a front grille of the vehicle. The one or more sensors are configured to sense at least a portion of an external environment of the vehicle through the front grille.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Paxton S. Williams, Christopher M. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20170364087
    Abstract: A method, applicable in a self-propelled surface-traveling robot (1) system, for returning to a primary charging station, where the robot (1) system comprises a surface-traveling robot (1) and at least two charging stations for charging the robot, comprising the following steps: S1: the robot establishes a map of an area; S2: one of the charging stations is set as the primary charging station and the position of the primary charging station is recorded in the map of the area; and S3: when finishing working, the self-propelled surface-traveling robot (1) returns to the primary charging station according to the position of the primary charging station in the map of the area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: ECOVACS ROBOTICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinju Tang, Maoyong Chen, Lei Zhu, Liangliang Liao
  • Publication number: 20170364088
    Abstract: A method for employing learnable boundary positions for bounding operation of a robotic vehicle may include detecting temporary indicia of a boundary on a parcel via at least one sensor of a robotic vehicle, generating coordinate or location based boundary information 5 based on the temporary indicia, and operating the robotic vehicle within the boundary based on the generated coordinate or location based boundary information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Stefan Grufman, Magnus Öhrlund, Mikael Willgert, Anders Mattsson
  • Publication number: 20170364089
    Abstract: A method for autonomously controlling a feed mixing vehicle, a vehicle having an autonomous controller, a computer program for carrying out the method, and a corresponding control device. The vehicle has a chassis, working elements for carrying out partial tasks, scanners and/or sensors for transmitting data, and at least one computer for controlling all the processes. The scanner/sensor acquires spatial data of the surroundings and generates therefrom a 3D map of the current geometry of the surroundings. The current geometry of the surroundings is placed in relationship with an area that is basically released to be traveled on by the autonomous vehicle, with the result that the navigability of the travel path of the autonomous vehicle can be checked, and in the case of detected non-navigability the travel path can be adapted autonomously to the requirements of the situational spatial surroundings and can be replaced by an alternative travel path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: B. Strautmann & Söhne GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Strautmann, Johannes Marquering, Andreas Trabhardt