Patents Issued in November 12, 2019
  • Patent number: 10471566
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining location of a lens machining tool (24) having an offset location according to a first direction (Y) smaller than a first predetermined threshold, including the steps of manufacturing a calibration piece (10) according to a predetermined theoretical geometry by using the lens machining tool for providing a at least partially annular groove in a main surface of the calibration piece, the at least partially annular groove being configured to form at least one sharp edge defining a slope discontinuity on the main surface; measuring a distance between the at least one sharp edge and a turning center of the calibration piece for providing data of geometrical characteristics of the calibration piece; and deducing from the measured data a location of the lens machining tool according to a second direction (X) distinct from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Xavier Bultez, Jerome Moine, Guillaume Bolteau, Jean-Pierre Chauveau
  • Patent number: 10471567
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) pad conditioning assembly that includes one or more support structures positioned between one or more abrasive regions of the pad conditioning assembly is disclosed. The support structures and abrasive regions can be separated by one or more channels. A top surface of the one or more support structures is not co-planar with the top surface of the abrasive regions of the pad conditioning assembly, and the height of the top surface of the one or more support structures when measured to the pad facing surface of the pad conditioning assembly backing plate is less than the height of the top surfaces of the abrasive regions when measured to the pad facing surface of the pad conditioning assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: ENTEGRIS, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Doering, Rajesh Tiwari, Andrew Galpin
  • Patent number: 10471568
    Abstract: A shot processing apparatus according to an aspect includes: a projector; a set table configured to support the workpiece from below and be rotatable about an axis; a retaining mechanism including a retainer opposed to the set table with the workpiece interposed, the retainer being configured to be rotatable about the axis and movable in a direction of the axis; a rotational force driver configured to apply rotational force to the retainer through a transmission mechanism; and a lifting mechanism including a pressing holder capable of being lifted and lowered above the retaining mechanism, the lifting mechanism being at a distance from the retaining mechanism when the pressing holder is located above a reference height, the lifting mechanism applying pressing force to the workpiece through the retainer when the pressing holder is located below the reference height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SINTOKOGIO, LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Sugiura, Tadanobu Oyama
  • Patent number: 10471569
    Abstract: A system and method for blasting an overhead surface is disclosed herein. The blaster system can comprise a first enclosure, a second enclosure, a pair of recirculators, a pair of loader valves, and a pair of propeller assemblies. The first enclosure can comprise a pair of primary ports, and a pair of control cages. The pair of primary ports can be at the front surface of the first enclosure. The primary ports can receive abrasive material. The pair of control cages can be attached at the bottom surface of the first enclosure forming a pair of curved surfaces, and a plurality of gaps. Each of the curved surface can comprise a slot. Each end of the slot can rest within each of the gaps such that the abrasive material received within the first enclosure can collect within the gaps and falls into the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: James Ray Williams
  • Patent number: 10471570
    Abstract: An abrasive blasting system has an abrasive container or pot, preferably with a downwardly conically shaped interior bottom surface. A slurry delivery tube is positioned within the pot, with an open bottom end positioned at an operative distance above the bottom of the pot. The slurry delivery tube runs vertically upward and exits the pot, ultimately running to a hose and nozzle. With an abrasive slurry of solid particulate abrasive media and water inside the pot, air pressure is applied within the pot. When a relatively lower pressure is created in the slurry delivery tube, the resulting pressure differential moves the slurry downward within the pot, then upward through the slurry delivery tube, through the hose and ultimately to the nozzle, where it is directed by an operator onto a workpiece. The system is especially useful when using very fine abrasive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel A. Trull, Jr., Daron Scot Trull
  • Patent number: 10471571
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bonded abrasive article comprising shaped abrasive particles and a bonding medium comprising a vitreous bond, said shaped abrasive particles each comprising a first side and a second side separated by a thickness t, wherein said first side comprises a first face having a perimeter of a first geometric shape, wherein said thickness t is equal to or smaller than the length of the shortest side-related dimension of the particle, wherein the article exhibits at least on a part of its surface a surface profile comprising at least one surface feature wherein said shaped abrasive particles have a largest dimension of about the same order of magnitude or larger as compared to said surface feature. The present invention also relates to a composition for use of the preparation of a bonded abrasive article, to methods of preparing and using the bonded abrasive article and to methods of grinding and providing a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Walter Flaschberger, Andrea Veronika Kirschner
  • Patent number: 10471572
    Abstract: An abrasive sheet is described which is composed from a combination of an abrasive material and an abradable polymer composite wherein the abradable polymer composite comprises a layer of a first polymeric composition and conjoined thereto a layer of a second polymeric composition wherein the layer of said second polymeric composition is provided with a sensory cue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: RECKITT BENCKISER HEALTH LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Mori, Peter Phillips, Luke Shipman, Peter Colin Formby, Andrew Pryke, Christopher Saywell
  • Patent number: 10471573
    Abstract: An impact tool includes a housing, a motor supported in the housing, and a drive assembly for converting a continuous torque input from the motor to consecutive rotational impacts upon a workpiece. The drive assembly includes an anvil, a hammer that is both rotationally and axially movable relative to the anvil, and a spring for biasing the hammer in an axial direction toward the anvil. The spring is rotationally unitized to the hammer for co-rotation therewith at all times during operation of the impact tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: James B. Howard, Jacob P. Schneider
  • Patent number: 10471574
    Abstract: A socket includes a first section and a second section which formed at the first end of the first section. The first section includes multiple side faces located on the outside thereof, and a corner portion is formed between each of two adjacent side faces. At least one of the corner portions includes a recess defined therein, and a resilient positioning unit is located in the recess and partially protrudes beyond the open end of the recess. A passage is defined axially through the first and second sections. The resilient positioning unit in the at least one of the corner portions does not affect the feature to secure the socket to the wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Chao-Chih Liu
  • Patent number: 10471575
    Abstract: Disposable torque-limiting mechanisms with an upper shank component with a torque-limiting interface, a lower shank component with a torque-limiting interface, and a rubbery spring material biasing element. Torque-limiting interfaces having a plurality of undulations arranged around an axial bore or drive socket and separated by a plurality of transition regions, with each undulation having an upslope, a peak, and a downslope. The torque-limiting interfaces are configured to engage and disengage to provide torque transmission with predetermined torque limits at various rotational speeds and for amounts of actuations while remaining within a specified operational range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: ECA Medical Instruments
    Inventors: John Nino, David Ivinson, David Tory
  • Patent number: 10471576
    Abstract: In an electric driver configured such that a driver bit is coupled to a drive output shaft of an electric motor via a clutch mechanism to perform screw tightening operations, an automatic screw tightening control method and a device in which setting is performed such that an appropriate screw tightened state and various inappropriate screw tightened states in a screw tightening operation can be confirmed and determined, simply and reliably are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Totsu
  • Patent number: 10471577
    Abstract: Embodiments of the Hose Tool are comprised of head assembly and handle assembly. The head assembly is comprised of a hose tab guide, a plurality of hose dogs, a plunger bar rack, and a hose tab guide sleeve. The handle assembly is comprised of a chassis, plunger bar rack, two handle pinons, a spring, two hinged handles, two bolts, a pivot pin, a guide bolt, two latch pins, and latch pin spring. The two hinged handles are attached to the two handle pinons via two bolts; held open by two latch pins being pressed into slot in two handles pinons by a latch pin spring. Depressing the two latch pins allows two hinged handles to swing alongside hose tool for storage. The two halves of two handle pinons are separated, timed and engaged within the plunger bar rack; then inserted into chassis and secured with pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Hose Tool LLC
    Inventors: Gary Lewis Trimpe, Kyle James Eckhardt
  • Patent number: 10471578
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic compression tool comprises an electrical motor, which can be powered by a control circuit, a hydraulic pump which can be actuated by the motor so as to increase the pressure of a hydraulic liquid acting on an actuating piston, two jaws, which can be mutually moved by the actuating piston between an open position and a closed position for carrying out the compression or the cut, an actuating button, which acts on a switch of the control circuit to actuate the motor, a return device which returns the jaws to the open position by a return of the hydraulic fluid from the actuating piston towards the hydraulic pump through a return valve, and a mechanism for delaying the opening of the return valve via the return device, so as to allow verification of the position of the jaws before the return of the jaws to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Cembre S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gualtiero Barezzani
  • Patent number: 10471579
    Abstract: The nailing machine includes a closed first cylinder and a closed second cylinder, a working chamber of the first cylinder and a working chamber of the second cylinder are communicated with each other. A first piston inside a first cylinder is fixedly connected with a striker that has a locking part. The locking part could be locked by a pawl. The second cylinder is provided with a second piston reciprocated by a motor between a first position and a second position. When the second piston is in the first position, after the first piston moves inward, the pawl snaps at the locking part of the striker. When the second piston is in the second position, the motor drives the pawl to disengage from the locking part. the motor drives the second piston to compress air, and triggers the pawl, achieving the rapid and continuous firing of strip nails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Huading Zhang
  • Patent number: 10471580
    Abstract: A multi-purpose tool includes a hollow elongated body with an open end providing access to a cavity within the elongated body; a first tool secured within the cavity and having a first head connected to a first extendable rod; a second tool secured within the cavity and having a second head connected to a second extendable rod; a motor connected to the first tool and second tool and to extend and retract the first extendable rod and the second extendable rod; a control center to control the motor, the control center having a first switch for operating the motor in connection with the first tool; and a second switch for operating the motor in connection with the second tool; a power source secured within the cavity and adapted to provide power to the motor; activation of the first switch causes the motor to extend the first extendable rod, wherein the first head is extended past the open end; and activation of the second switch causes the motor to extend the second extendable rod, wherein the second head is ex
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Shelby Lies
  • Patent number: 10471581
    Abstract: A hand-held power tool has a torque-limiting unit with which a maximum torque transferred from a motor output shaft to a tool driver is adjustable by an operator. The torque-limiting unit has a spring system with spring elements having substantially similar characteristics (such as length, compression forces, etc.) and yet generating different spring forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventor: James R. Parks
  • Patent number: 10471582
    Abstract: A handheld power tool includes a main body that contains a driving unit having a driving shaft that passes through a connecting seat and a connector and is connected to a workpiece. The connector has a ball seat swingably received in a ball socket of the connecting seat. A clamp mounted around the connecting seat serves to limit retaining balls arranged between the ball seat and the connecting seat. The connecting seat has an end cap. After the connector is angled as desired, the adjusting member constricts the clamp, and radially presses the retaining balls against the ball seat through the spring leaf, thereby fastening the connector firmly and preventing the workpiece from jigging during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Storm Pneumatic Tool Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung Yung Sun
  • Patent number: 10471583
    Abstract: A handle grip and process for making such handle grip. The handle grip comprises a cording arranged in a spaced knotted configuration around and along a handle. The spaced knotted cording is first entirely covered with a permeable woven layer. The permeable woven layer is covered with a hardener that permeates the woven layer and secures the woven layer and cording to the handle in water-tight fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: M.J. Huner LLC
    Inventor: Mitchell Huner
  • Patent number: 10471584
    Abstract: A tool system includes a rail, a trolley, a tool, a detent, and a target. The trolley is translatable between first and second positions along the rail. The tool is secured to the trolley. The detent includes a magnet. One of the target and the magnet is located at a third position along the rail, between the first and second positions. The other one of the target and the magnet is coupled to the trolley. The magnet and target cooperate to resist trolley movement away from the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Glen Bellikka
  • Patent number: 10471585
    Abstract: An enclosure for using a tile saw is described. The enclosure comprises a rectangular tray having a front, a rear, and two side walls and a bottom surface wherein the bottom surface is inclined from a first height adjacent to the front wall to a second height adjacent to the rear wall wherein the second height is lower with respect to top surfaces of the front, rear, and side walls than the first height wherein the tray is configured to have a tile saw used therein. Two side panels, a rear panel, and a top panel are configured to be joined together to form a waterproof box on three sides and top of the tray so that water used to cool a tile saw blade is not sprayed outside of the waterproof box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Jesse Gionta
  • Patent number: 10471586
    Abstract: An Apparatus, Method, and System for Hardware Mapping and Management is disclosed. Apparatus comprises a substrate housing hardware units associated with an object; one or more holes within the substrate for housing at least one hardware unit of the object are positioned based on a layout corresponding to the hardware units' assembly within the object. A method providing a plurality of substrates for housing hardware comprised of at least two components and at least two hardware units for each component, configuring a first plurality of holes within a first substrate of the plurality of substrate, wherein the first plurality of holes are laid out within the first substrate at locations relative the location of hardware units within a first component, and configuring a second plurality of holes within a second substrate of the plurality of substrate, wherein the second plurality of holes are laid out within the second substrate at locations relative the location of hardware units within a second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Channing Dewitt Wright
  • Patent number: 10471587
    Abstract: A fire hose grappling assembly for loading fire hose onto a fire truck includes a fire truck that has a hose bed. A fire hose is positionable on the hose bed for storing the fire hose. A grapple is provided and the grapple is gripped by a user for loading the fire hose onto the hose bed. The grapple is laterally extendable across the hose bed to releasably engage the fire hose. Moreover, the grapple is urgeable across the hose bed when the grapple releasably engages the fire hose thereby facilitating the user to urge the fire hose across the hose bed. In this way the user can load the fire hose onto the fire truck without requiring the user to mount the fire truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Dennis Bond
  • Patent number: 10471588
    Abstract: A robotic system that can be used to treat a patient. The robotic system includes a mobile robot that has a camera. The mobile robot is controlled by a remote station that has a monitor. A physician can use the remote station to move the mobile robot into view of a patient. An image of the patient is transmitted from the robot camera to the remote station monitor. A medical personnel at the robot site can enter patient information into the system through a user interface. The patient information can be stored in a server. The physician can access the information from the remote station. The remote station may provide graphical user interfaces that display the patient information and provide both a medical tool and a patient management plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: INTOUCH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Wright, Fuji Lai, Marco Pinter, Yulun Wang
  • Patent number: 10471589
    Abstract: A remotely controlled packable robot features a chassis, right and left main tracks for maneuvering the chassis, and right and left tracked rotatable flipper arms for maneuvering the chassis. An integrated drive assembly is provided for each main track and flipper pair and includes a motor in a housing attached to the chassis for rotating the flipper and a stator and rotor disposed about the motor housing for driving the main track and the flipper track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Foster-Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Meeker, Timothy J. Mason, Andrew Kirouac, Ryan Wasserman
  • Patent number: 10471590
    Abstract: A suspension cable robot is provided, its stability can be improved by using at least three groups of three cables arranged in a parallelogram manner. The ability to remain stable when subjected to forces acting on the robot platform or end effector is thereby significantly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Frédéric Vachon
  • Patent number: 10471591
    Abstract: An example robotic device may include an arm having a palm and fingers, a depth sensor disposed within the palm, and a control system. The control system may be configured to detect an indication to receive an object from an actor, and in response, cause the robotic device to enter a receive-object mode. When the robotic device is in the receive-object mode, the control system is further configured to: receive, from the depth sensor, depth data indicating a distance between the palm and the object; when the distance is greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold, cause the arm to move towards the object; when the distance exceeds the second threshold, maintain the arm in a fixed position; and when the distance drops below the first threshold, cause the two or more fingers to close to grasp the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Paige Hinkle
  • Patent number: 10471592
    Abstract: A programming method for a robot arm includes setting and saving operational configurations of the robot arm, establishing an operation process of the robot arm, selecting the operational position icon for applying to the operation sub-process, displaying a selected operational position icon and an operational configuration sub-icon, modifying an operational configuration displayed on the operational configuration sub-icon for facilitating to execute a programming process of the robot arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: QUANTA STORAGE INC.
    Inventors: Shih-Jung Huang, Pei-Jui Wang, Chien-Te Ye, Shih-Kuo Chen, Fu-Jia Hsu
  • Patent number: 10471593
    Abstract: A joint of a robot comprises a servo motor, a speed reducer driven by the servo motor, and an output-side encoder for measuring a rotation angle of the output-side rotation shaft of the speed reducer, and the position/orientation of the robot is controlled by the joint. The present invention, which aims to be able to detect certainly and at a high speed the state of the speed reducer, is characterized by driving the joint via the speed reducer by rotating the servo motor, obtaining a resonance amplitude of the joint from the rotation angle obtained from the output-side encoder, and thus diagnosing the lifetime of the speed reducer according to the obtained resonance amplitude of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yutaka Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 10471594
    Abstract: A dynamic representation of a robot in an environment is produced, one or more observer agent collects data, and respective values of one or more metrics for the robot are computed based at least in part on the collected data. Tasks for the robot to perform are generated. Ratings and challenge questions are generated. A server may produce a user interface and a value of a metric based on collected observer data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Kindred Systems Inc.
    Inventors: James Sterling Bergstra, Suzanne Gildert, George Samuel Rose
  • Patent number: 10471595
    Abstract: A robot system is provided that includes a base, an articulable arm, a visual acquisition unit, and at least one processor. The articulable arm extends from the base and is configured to be moved toward a target. The visual acquisition unit is mounted to the arm or the base, and acquires environmental information. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the arm and the visual acquisition unit, the at least one processor configured to: generate an environmental model using the environmental information; select, from a plurality of planning schemes, using the environmental model, at least one planning scheme to translate the arm toward the target; plan movement of the arm toward the target using the selected at least one planning scheme; and control movement of the arm toward the target using the at least one selected planning scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: GE GLOBAL SOURCING LLC
    Inventors: Huan Tan, Balajee Kannan, Yonatan Gefen, Romano Patrick, Omar Al Assad, Douglas Forman, Charles Theurer, John Lizzi
  • Patent number: 10471596
    Abstract: A robot arm that can be suitably used in aerial vehicles and an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with the robot arm. The robot arm includes: an arm unit includes a plurality of joints; arm controlling means for controlling driving of the joints; and a displacement detector configured to detect a change of a position and inclination of the arm unit. The arm unit has a base end connected to the aerial vehicle. At least a leading end of the arm unit is exposed to an outside of the aerial vehicle. When the displacement detector has detected a position error that is an unexpected change of the position or inclination of the arm unit, the arm unit controlling means is configured to cause the joints to absorb the position error so as to prevent the position error from being transmitted to a side of the leading end of the arm unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: PRODRONE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Sugaki, Kazuo Ichihara
  • Patent number: 10471597
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for optimizing control of robotic systems. Failures of a robotic device performing a lifting operation for one or more items within a fulfillment center over a window of time are monitored. Responsive to the failures exceeding a predefined threshold number of failures for the window of time, one or more control operations for optimizing performance of the robotic device are determined, by processing environmental metrics, failure type, mode of operation and item type information as inputs to a trained machine learning model. A control system for the robotic device is configured based on the determined one or more control operations, and movement of the robotic device is controlled using the configured control system, to perform the lifting operation for one or more additional items within the fulfillment center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Murphy, Gurunandan Krishnan Gorumkonda, Toby Ge Xu
  • Patent number: 10471598
    Abstract: A robotic platform is configured to transport a cup. The robotic platform includes a rack housing that has a top side and a bottom side. The top side has a plurality of cup slots configured to accommodate the cup. At least one drop detection sensor and at least one obstacle avoidance sensor are mechanically coupled to the rack housing. An integrated circuit is electrically coupled to a battery, the at least one drop detection sensor, and the at least one obstacle avoidance sensor, a first geared motor and a second geared motor. The geared motors are attached to wheels. The integrated circuit is programmed to determine if a sensor has a data above set point, and then executing a move path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Eric Fragola
  • Patent number: 10471599
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining item manipulation strategies using magnetic manipulation are described herein. For example, item information describing properties of an item may be accessed. The item information may indicate that the item includes a magnetic patch. Using this item information, a manipulation strategy for manipulating the item may be determined. The manipulation strategy may include a strategy for manipulating the item using one or more end effectors of a robotic manipulator. The manipulation strategy may be provided to the robotic manipulator for manipulation of the item by magnetically coupling an end effector of the one or more end effectors with the magnetic patch connected to the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David William Guerin
  • Patent number: 10471601
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a robot arm includes: the robot arm; a calibration board on which calibration marks for self-diagnosis are shown; a distance sensor mounted on the robot arm and configured to measure a distance; an image sensor mounted on the robot arm and configured to obtain an image; and a processor configured to move the robot arm to a position for the self-diagnosis, measure a distance from a predetermined part of the robot arm to the calibration board by using the distance sensor, obtain an image of the calibration board by using the image sensor, and output a signal indicating a malfunction of the robot arm in response to the measured distance being outside a distance error range, and an image measurement value of the obtained image being outside an image error range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: HANWHA PRECISION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Ho Jeong, Young Dong Cha
  • Patent number: 10471602
    Abstract: A gripper includes a body frame mounted on a magazine transfer robot. A first guide assembly is mounted on the body frame. A first gripping unit is movable along the first guide assembly. A second gripping unit is movable along the first guide assembly. A driver is configured to move the first gripping unit in a first direction. The driver is configured to move the second gripping unit in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first gripping unit includes a first finger unit and a second finger unit independently moveable with respect to the first finger unit. The second gripping unit is spaced apart from the first gripping unit. The second gripping unit includes a third finger unit and a fourth finger unit independently moveable with respect to the third finger unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Seong Ko, Kwang-Jun Kim, Jung Jun Park, Hee Yun Choi
  • Patent number: 10471603
    Abstract: A conveying system includes an external force calculation unit which calculates an external force applied to a robot based on a force or torque applied to the robot detected by a force detection unit, and workpiece parameters changed in accordance with the holding state of a workpiece, and a robot stopping unit which stops the robot when the calculated external force exceeds a threshold. The conveying system further includes a relative movement unit which moves the held workpiece and a workpiece support relative to each other. By the relative movement unit, the workpiece and workpiece support are moved relative to each other without changing the position and posture of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wang Yuelai, Yasuhiro Naitou, Soichi Arita
  • Patent number: 10471604
    Abstract: A force detection device with a structure able to improve the accuracy for force-detection. A force detection device with a deforming member to be deformed under an external force, the force detection device comprising a fixation part which is a part fixed to an attachment to which the force detection device is to be attached. The fixation part is provided at the deforming member such that the fixation part protrudes from a bottom surface of a bottom part of the deforming member opposite to the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Youichi Inoue, Junya Fujita
  • Patent number: 10471605
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adaptively retooling robots include programmable adapters for detachably connecting at least one robotic peripheral to a robot, providing peripheral information associated with the robotic peripheral, and causing the robot to adaptively reconfigure based on the peripheral information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: READY ROBOTICS
    Inventor: Kelleher Guerin
  • Patent number: 10471606
    Abstract: A transfer unit of a test handler includes a base frame, a floating assembly, and an arm part. The base frame includes an inserted portion having a penetration hole. The inserted portion including an upper inserted portion disposed near an upper surface of the inserted portion, a lower portion disposed near a lower portion of the inserted portion and a middle inserted portion disposed between the upper inserted portion and the lower inserted portion. The floating assembly is inserted in the penetration hole of the base frame. The floating assembly includes a floating part, an elastic element, and a coupling element. The floating assembly moves back and forth, to left and right sides, and up and down, or flows within a predetermined angle range in the penetration hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong-An Lee, Bum-Sic Kim, Young-Gil Lee, Chea-Geun Lim
  • Patent number: 10471607
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an end-effector assembly is provided. The apparatus includes a elongated element configured to engage the end-effector assembly and a drive assembly. A first motion transfer mechanism is disposed at an end of the elongated element. The first motion transfer mechanism is configured to transfer a rotational motion of the elongated element to a motion of the end-effector assembly. A second motion transfer mechanism is disposed at the second end of the elongated element. The second motion transfer mechanism is configured to transfer a motion of the drive assembly to the rotational motion of the elongated element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: TITAN MEDICAL INC.
    Inventors: Eric Butt, Jeff Ransden, Alexander Shvartsberg, Reiza Rayman
  • Patent number: 10471608
    Abstract: A steerable multi-linked device. The device includes a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. The first mechanism defines a first plurality of grooves. The second mechanism defines a second plurality of grooves. The first and second pluralities of grooves cooperate to define at least two working ports along a length of the device. At least one of the first and second mechanisms are steerable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Brett Zubiate, Amir Degani, Howie Choset
  • Patent number: 10471609
    Abstract: New multi-computers architecture allows protection of personal computer by the combined hardware and software means reinforcing online security to the safety level not achievable using software security means alone. The disclosed system encompasses intermediate lock-computer and unidirectional internal interfaces based on novel principles providing complete security while sending information to world wide web and reliable filtering out of unwanted software while receiving information from Internet. One of the key principles underlying the present invention is physical separation of dataflow from web-connected computer to intermediate lock-computer to the main personal computer and the counter dataflow from main computer to lock-computer to web-connected computer. The interfaces in direct data flow from Internet to personal computer and in the counter dataflow may be based on different physical and system principles including novel two-dimensional image-based interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Benjamin F. Dorfman
  • Patent number: 10471610
    Abstract: A robot arm having a weight compensation mechanism. In one configuration, the robot arm includes a first link which is pivotably disposed, a first auxiliary link disposed parallel to the first link, a first pulley mounted on the first auxiliary link, a second pulley mounted on the first link, a wire connecting the first pulley to the second pulley, and an elastic member having one side mounted on the first link and the other side connected to the wire to provide an elastic force to compensate for the load of the first link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., KOREA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION INDUSTRY—UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jeong Heon Han, Yong-Jae Kim
  • Patent number: 10471611
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile robot includes a chassis, a drive supporting the chassis above a floor surface in a home and configured to move the chassis across the floor surface, a variable height member being coupled to the chassis and being vertically extendible, a camera supported by the variable height member, and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the drive to navigate the robot to locations within the home and to adjust a height of the variable height member upon reaching a first of the locations. The controller is also configured to, while the variable height member is at the adjusted height, operate the camera to capture digital imagery of the home at the first of the locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Dooley, Nikolai Romanov, Orjeta Taka, Justin H. Kearns
  • Patent number: 10471612
    Abstract: A rotary electric shaver according to the present invention includes an outer blade whose upper surface functions as annular shaving surfaces having multiple hair inlets formed therein, and an inner blade that has a small blade which rotates while coming into sliding contact with a lower surface of the outer blade. The inner blade is an integral structure using a metal material, and has a projection in which an upper surface side is a convex portion and a lower surface side is a concave portion at a center position in a radial direction. An upper end portion of an inner blade drive shaft directly engages with the concave portion so as to be disengageable therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: MAXELL IZUMI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuhiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10471613
    Abstract: Electric appliance (1) includes control section (31) having a plurality of operation modes, driving source (21) controlled by control section (31), and switch (12) for switching between the operation modes. Control section (31) is configured to perform a first determination and a second determination in response to an operation duration of switch (12) in order to determine a type of the operation of switch (12), and to set an operation mode after the operation of switch (12) in response to the results of the first and second determinations and an operation mode before the operation of switch (12). In the present aspect, the operability of switching between the operation modes in electric appliance (1) is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Nishimura, Takafumi Ohba, Kotaro Yanagi
  • Patent number: 10471614
    Abstract: A blade housing assembly for a power operated rotary knife including a split blade housing and a cam mechanism for changing a blade housing diameter between blade supporting and blade changing positions. The split blade housing includes an annular blade support section, a mounting section and a split extending through the mounting section and an inner wall of the blade support section and defining a split distance between first and second circumferential ends of the inner wall. The split includes a radial split section and an angled split section adjacent the inner wall. The mounting section includes first and second body portions on opposite sides of the split. The cam mechanism includes a cam plate bridging the first and second body portions and a cam member rotatably supported by the cam plate. The cam member is rotatable between closed and open positions to change the blade housing diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Whited, Dennis R. Seguin, Jr., Bernard J. Esarey
  • Patent number: 10471615
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use with a trimmer to produce a plurality of books having different trim sizes are disclosed. An example method includes obtaining recipient data; based on the recipient data, generating an order to produce first books and second books, the first books having a first size and the second books having a second size, the second size different from the first size; and producing the first books and the second books in accordance with the order by: actuating a first backstop to enable a first book of the first books to engage the first backstop; trimming the first book with a cutting device; and actuating a second backstop to enable a second book of the second books to engage the second backstop; and trimming the second book with the cutting device, the first backstop at a first distance from the cutting device and the second backstop at a second distance from the cutting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: LSC Communications US, LLC
    Inventor: Chris E. Brown
  • Patent number: 10471616
    Abstract: In a cutting device for cutting a round, a transparent substrate is arranged on an object to be cut. A sleeving tube is arranged on the transparent substrate. An end of a transverse rod penetrates through the sleeving rod and extends to over the object. The position of the transverse rod in the sleeving rod is adjusted by a locking member. The other end of the transverse rod is fixed to a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly selectively touches the object. A rotating assembly is combined with the transparent substrate and penetrates through the transparent substrate. When the rotating assembly is pressed to touch the object and the rotating assembly rotates on the object to rotate the transparent substrate, the transverse rod moves the cutting assembly to perform a round-cutting operation on the object or paint a round line on the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN NORMAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jung-Hsuan Chen, Chin-Guo Kuo, Chao-Fu Shu