Patents Issued in October 1, 2020
  • Publication number: 20200306932
    Abstract: The present invention is an imprint device for imprinting a unique identification mark on a surface of an object with imprinting particles of different sizes that increase uniqueness and without the need for electric power. The imprint device includes a vertical member, a hammer member, a trigger assembly, a charging unit, a barrel and at least one pocket. In the operative configuration, a trigger of trigger assembly is activated such that hammer member impacts a cartridge filled with at least one munition of imprinting particles and releases imprinting particles. The imprinting particles travel through the barrel where acceleration is increased and impact on surface is made to form microcraters and unique identification marks. The imprinting particles can be of same size, material and shape or they can be of different sizes, material and shapes or the combination thereof for increasing uniqueness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Francisco Marchan, Alejandro Ruiz
  • Publication number: 20200306933
    Abstract: Object: To provide a polishing sheet capable of efficiently polishing a hard material such as a metal product so as to form a smooth surface with minimal unevenness. Solution: A polishing sheet (10) including: a substrate (11); a plurality of three-dimensional elements (12) containing abrasive grains and a binding material; and an intermediate layer (13) provided between the three-dimensional elements (12) and the substrate (11) so as to join the substrate (11) and the three-dimensional elements (12), wherein a Youngs modulus of the substrate (11) at 25° C. is not less than 3.0×109Pa; and a Youngs modulus of the intermediate layer (13) at 25° C. is not less than 1.0×107Pa and not greater than 5.0×108Pa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Yoko Nakamura, Yoshihiko Tasaka, Naohiro Nagafuchi
  • Publication number: 20200306934
    Abstract: A device for sharpening a knife. The device includes an enclosure, first and second grinding strips, first and second grinding strip holders, and first, second, third and fourth pendulum rods. Each of the first and second grinding strip holders have a lower section. The first grinding strip holder holds the first grinding strip and the second grinding strip holder holds the second grinding strip. The first and second grinding strip holders are movably arranged next to each another in the enclosure so that the first and second grinding strips intersect to form a movable sharpening slot having a V-shape. The first and second pendulum rods are hinged to the first grinding strip holder at the lower section via a lower joint. The third and forth pendulum rods are hinged to the second grinding strip holder at the lower section via a lower joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS AG
    Inventor: SEBASTIAN MADER
  • Publication number: 20200306935
    Abstract: A multi-purpose tool includes a first handle, a second handle, and a laminated plier jaw assembly coupled to the first handle and the second handle. The laminated plier jaw assembly includes a first outer layer, a second outer layer, an inner layer, and a pin. The first outer layer defines a first aperture. The second outer layer defines a second aperture. The inner layer is positioned between and is coupled to the first outer layer and the second outer layer. The inner layer defines a slot having a narrow portion positioned between a first wide portion and a second wide portion. The pin extends at least partially through the first aperture, the second aperture, and the slot. The first outer layer, the second outer layer, and the inner layer cooperate to define a pair of jaws that rotate relative to one another about an axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Fiskars Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Grant Bessac, Paul Hallbrook, Eric Moore, Brayden C. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20200306936
    Abstract: A workpiece support includes a workpiece support element and a suction device. A workpiece is mounted on a workpiece side of the workpiece support element during machining. Towards a remote lower side, the workpiece support element is permeable to a waste air flow loaded with machining-related emissions. The suction device includes a vacuum generator and a suction line. The vacuum generator is configured to generate the waste air flow flowing from the workpiece side to the lower side, to suck off the waste air flow into the suction line in a flow direction and to subsequently discharge the waste air flow via the suction line. The suction line has a suction opening having a flow cross section which can be passed by the waste air flow in the flow direction. An opening width of the flow cross section and/or a position of the suction opening can be variably adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Martin Blaser, Gunter Fischer
  • Publication number: 20200306937
    Abstract: A flex-head tool includes a first portion pivotally coupled to a second portion. A pivot mechanism is engaged with the first and the second portions. The pivot mechanism is movable between a first position in which the first portion is fixedly positioned with respect to the second portion, and a second position in which the first portion is pivotal with relative to the second portion. The pivot mechanism includes a toothed first engaging portion engagable with teeth of pivot holes of the first and the second portions simultaneously and not simultaneously selectively and a second engaging portion connected with a pivot hole and in surface-to-surface contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: Cheng-Wei SU
  • Publication number: 20200306938
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a powered screwdriver. The powered screwdriver includes a housing, a motor housed in the housing and a tool holder driven by the motor. The tool holder selectively holds both a screwdriver bit and a hex key. The hex key includes a bend such that legs of the hex key are transverse to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Oleksiy P. Sergyeyenko, JianHui Jiang, JianFeng Zhang, Ana Garcia, Paul Gerard Gross
  • Publication number: 20200306939
    Abstract: A snap ring pliers contain: a handle, a first clamper, a second clamper, two clamp feet, and an adjustment structure. The handle includes a connection column. The first clamper includes a first hollow fitting ring, a first arcuate section, a second arcuate section, and a first straight section. The second clamper includes a second hollow fitting ring, a third arcuate section, a fourth arcuate section, and a second straight section. A respective one clamp foot of the two clamp feet includes a shaft inserted into the first straight section or the second straight section. The adjustment structure includes a first post, a second post, a threaded rod, and a sleeve. A direction of a threaded section of the first threaded orifice is opposite to a direction of a threaded section of the second threaded orifice. The threaded rod has a first screwing section and a second screwing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: PI-LIANG WU
  • Publication number: 20200306940
    Abstract: A compressed air nailer comprises a control line configured to trigger a driving process when a valve pin is displaced relative to a valve sleeve into an actuated position. The valve sleeve is configured to move between a triggering position and a locked position. A switching surface is coupled to at least one of a trigger and a placing sensor and configured to actuate the valve pin. An outer sleeve is configured to guide the valve sleeve. The switching surface is positioned at a switching surface position relative to the outer sleeve when both the trigger and the placing sensor are actuated. The switching surface is configured to displace the valve pin into the actuated position when the valve sleeve is positioned in the triggering position. The switching surface does not displace the valve pin into the actuated position when the valve sleeve is positioned in the locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Joh. Friedrich Behrens AG
    Inventors: Martin Theberath, Florian Jung, Joachim Bauer
  • Publication number: 20200306941
    Abstract: A driving tool includes an electric motor, a battery mount that receives a battery for powering the electric motor, a flywheel that rotates by the electric motor, a magazine that loads a connected fastener rolled in a coil and including a plurality of fasteners temporarily connected in parallel, an impact driver that advances through a driving path with rotational power of the flywheel to drive the fasteners, and a feed mechanism that feeds the connected fastener by a pitch from the magazine toward the driving path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitaka AKIBA, Yukiyasu OKOUCHI
  • Publication number: 20200306942
    Abstract: A power tool having one or more sound damping members which reduce sound and/or vibration from one or more parts of a power tool. The sound damping member can reduce sound and/or vibration from static or dynamic parts of a power tool. The sound damping member can reduce noise and/or vibration from one or more rotating or moving parts of a power tool and its housing or internal structure. Methods, means, controls, systems and practices for reducing or eliminating undesired sound from a power tool are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Trevor J. KOENIG, Michael F. CANNALIATO, Brent A. KUEHNE, Anthony RETH, Nicholas A. MONDICH, Steven McCLASKEY, Xin Lei WANG, Yufeng CHEN, Paul G. GROSS, Marco Alessandro MATTUCCI, Ashok Samuel BASKAR
  • Publication number: 20200306943
    Abstract: A probe assembly of a nailer has a housing, a probe, and a spring. The housing is mounted around a nozzle of the nailer, and has a cavity and a supporting block protruding in the cavity near a bottom of the cavity. The probe is placed in the cavity, is held on the supporting block, and has a supporting cave recessed in the probe at a position corresponding to the supporting block and having an opening formed in a bottom of the probe. The spring is mounted in the cavity of the housing and disposed between the bottom of the cavity and the bottom of the probe. The probe of the probe assembly can be replaced easily without using any tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Hsing-Hua Lee, Ju Shuang Lin
  • Publication number: 20200306944
    Abstract: An impact tool is provided, including a working portion and a handle. The working portion includes a housing which is made of rubber and a filler. The housing defines an inner space, and the filler is stuffed with the inner space. The filler is shear thickening non-Newtonian fluid. The handle is connected with the working potion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: Chao-Min Liu
  • Publication number: 20200306945
    Abstract: A dust collecting system includes a power tool and a dust collector. The power tool includes at least one battery-mounting part, a first motor, a driving mechanism and a body housing. The at least one battery-mounting part is each configured to removably receive a battery. The first motor is configured to operate with electric power supplied from the battery. The driving mechanism is configured to drive the tool accessory by power of the first motor. The body housing houses the first motor and the driving mechanism. The dust collecting system includes a control device configured to control operation of at least one of the power tool and the dust collector according to a state of the whole dust collecting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyonobu YOSHIKANE, Yoshitaka MACHIDA, Hitoshi IIDA
  • Publication number: 20200306946
    Abstract: A dust collecting system includes a power tool configured to perform processing operation on a workpiece by driving a tool accessory and a dust collector configured to collect dust generated by the processing operation. The power tool includes a first motor, a driving mechanism, a body housing, a first detecting device, an operation member and a second detecting device. The first detecting device is configured to detect an operation of pressing the tool accessory against the workpiece. The operation member is configured to be externally operated by a user. The second detecting device is configured to detect an operation of the operation member. The dust collector includes a second motor and a fan. The dust collecting system includes a first control device configured to control driving of the second motor based on detection results of the first detecting device and the second detecting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hajime TAKEUCHI
  • Publication number: 20200306947
    Abstract: An impact tool head assembling mechanism is provided, including: an engaging sleeve, being disposed on a front end of an impact tool, including a tubular wall and at least one projection, the tubular wall defining an axial direction, the at least one projection being protrudingly and retractably disposed on an inner wall of the tubular wall; an impact tool head, including a rod body and a flange radially protruding from the rod body, the flange including an inclined surface facing toward the front end and an outermost peripheral edge, a contact position being defined as a position where the inclined surface contact with the at least one projection; wherein as viewed along the axial direction, a distance between the contact position and the outermost peripheral edge is larger than or equal to 0.5 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: Larry LEE
  • Publication number: 20200306948
    Abstract: Provided is an electric power work device which includes: a body case; a work tool protruding forward from a front side with respect to the body case; a motor; and a battery supplying power to the motor. The motor is accommodated in the body case and the battery is detachably attached to a rear side with respect to the body case. A top handle is extended in a longitudinal direction at an upside with respect to the body case. The top handle includes, on an upper surface of a front part thereof, a thumb rest and a power switch. The power switch is arranged on a side in a lateral direction of the thumb rest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Hisato OSAWA, Kenji NAKANO
  • Publication number: 20200306949
    Abstract: A hand-held electrical power tool includes a working device for performing working function of the hand-held electrical power tool, a power device including a motor for driving the working device, a power supplying unit for supplying power to the power device, and an operating device through which a user can operate. The operating device includes an operating handle and a speed regulating device arranged beside the operating handle. The speed regulating device includes a speed regulating switch and a speed regulating operating member connected to the speed regulating switch and driving the speed regulating switch. When the rotating speed of the motor increases from zero to the maximum, the rotating angle of the speed regulating operating member is 0-360 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: Jingcheng Zhu
  • Publication number: 20200306950
    Abstract: A magnetic tool rack includes a magnetic layer, an upper surface layer mounted on the magnetic layer, and a lower surface layer mounted on the magnetic layer. The magnetic layer includes a plank provided with a plurality of mounting grooves, and a plurality of magnetic members mounted in the mounting grooves of the plank. The plank of the magnetic layer is made of flexible material. The magnetic members have magnetic poles that are directed at the same direction in the mounting grooves. The upper surface layer is a thin layer made of flexible material and is stuck to a first face of the magnetic layer. The lower surface layer is a thin layer made of flexible material and is stuck to a second face of the magnetic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: Maan-Jyi Chang
  • Publication number: 20200306951
    Abstract: An apparatus for manually impaired individuals. The apparatus includes a top element having a base and at least two pairs of arms extending outwardly from the base. The base includes a first aperture and a second aperture. The apparatus further includes a handle connecting to the top element at a distal end of the top element. The handle includes an end part. The end part includes a third aperture and a slot connected by a “V” shaped portion. The apparatus further includes a restraint having a first end securing at an interior of the handle via the first aperture of the base and a second end of the restraint exposed outside the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Celine Rosati Skertich, Linda Merry
  • Publication number: 20200306952
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system, method and/or computer readable medium for controlling an exoskeleton associated with a user. The exoskeleton includes a body portion secured to an abdominal section of the user and a limb structure secured to one or more thighs of the user. The limb structure is pivotally connected to the body portion to facilitate rotation of the limb structure about a pivot axis. One or more sensors, associated with the exoskeleton, receive input data related to a movement of the user. Also included is a processor to automatically analyze the input data using one or more algorithms to generate output data having a torque based on the movement of the user. A drive force transmission mechanism associated with the body portion and the limb structure of the exoskeleton is provided to receive the output data from the processor and generate the torque to move the limb structure about the pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Bionik, Inc.
    Inventor: Negin Lashkari
  • Publication number: 20200306953
    Abstract: A pharmacy order processing system includes a container disassembly workstation defining a container disassembly workspace and a bulk container area including a plurality of bulk containers configured to receive a plurality of pharmaceuticals. The container disassembly workstation includes a holding area, a cutter device, a container manipulation device, a pharmaceutical receptacle, and a container receptacle. The cutter device includes a cutter head and is configured to cut through at least one wall of at least one container to separate at least a first portion of the at least one container of the plurality of containers from a second portion of the at least one container when the at least one container is in a cutter position. The container manipulation includes a gripper device and is configured to move the at least one container between at least the holding position and the cutter position within the container disassembly workspace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: Robert E. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20200306954
    Abstract: A motorized module for a modular robotic structure comprises a housing, a first wheel, a second wheel, an elongated structure mounted to the first and second wheels and configured to rotate the first and second wheels. A driver is mounted to the housing between the first and second wheels. A leadscrew is mounted to the housing between the first and second wheels. A transmission drivingly connecting the driver to the leadscrew. A connector is coupled to the leadscrew and configured to move longitudinally along the second longitudinal axis in response to a rotation of the leadscrew, the connector being attached to the elongated structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: Charles KHAIRALLAH
  • Publication number: 20200306955
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a variable stiffness soft actuator inspired by an ossicle structure of echinoderm and a robot apparatus including the same. According to various embodiments, the soft actuate includes a plurality of ossicle elements arranged in a specific structure, wherein an interval between the plurality of ossicle elements is maintained or reduced depending on vacuum generation to change the stiffness of the soft actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Jung KIM, Hwayeong JEONG
  • Publication number: 20200306956
    Abstract: A belt drive system includes a driving wheel, a driven wheel and a drive belt. A first and a second drive belt tensioning mechanism are included. When a first drive member rotates, it moves relative to a first mounting seat and along an axial direction of the first drive member to drive the first tensioning device to move relative to the housing. When a second drive member rotates, it drives the second tensioning device to move relative to the second mounting seat. A related automatic walking robot includes a housing, a road wheel set rotatably arranged on the housing, and a walking motor arranged on the housing for driving the road wheel set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Zhao Kong, Kui Han
  • Publication number: 20200306957
    Abstract: An operation adjustment apparatus includes a camera arranged so as to capture images of a robot and a hand. The robot controller includes an operation control unit that sends an operation command to the robot at a predetermined control cycle. The camera captures images at a time interval that coincides with the control cycle. A determination unit of the robot controller determines whether an operation of the hand is appropriate based on a result of image processing performed by an image processing unit. If the determination unit determines that the operation of the hand is not appropriate, a correction unit of the robot controller corrects a command statement included in an operation program so that the operation of the hand is an appropriate operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Kenshirou OONO, Makoto YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20200306958
    Abstract: A self-guided robot (bot) mechanism. An example bot may have a channel having an input for users, a cloud platform connected to the channel, a bot framework connected to the cloud platform, a web services module connected to the bot framework, and one or more drivers connected to the web services module. The one, the bot framework, the web services module and the drivers may be electronic hardware devices that effect their respective functions with a level of software managed and manipulated by the devices according to their respective algorithms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Sheeladitya Karmakar, Prabhat Ranjan, Rajat Saha, Jegathesan Shennakesavan
  • Publication number: 20200306959
    Abstract: For training an object picking robot with real and simulated grasp performance data, grasp locations on an object are assigned based on object physical properties. A simulation experiment for robot grasping is performed using a first set of assigned locations. Based on simulation data from the simulation, a simulated object grasp quality of the robot is evaluated for each of the assigned locations. A first set of candidate grasp locations on the object is determined based on data representative of simulated grasp quality from the evaluation. Based on sensor data from an actual experiment for the robot grasping using each of the candidate grasp locations, an actual object grasp quality is evaluated for each of the candidate locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Jinmiao Huang, Carlos Martinez, Sangeun Choi, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge
  • Publication number: 20200306960
    Abstract: A machine-learning control system is trained to perform a task using a simulation. The simulation is governed by parameters that, in various embodiments, are not precisely known. In an embodiment, the parameters are specified with an initial value and expected range. After training on the simulation, the machine-learning control system attempts to perform the task in the real world. In an embodiment, the results of the attempt are compared to the expected results of the simulation, and the parameters that govern the simulation are adjusted so that the simulated result matches the real-world attempt. In an embodiment, the machine-learning control system is retrained on the updated simulation. In an embodiment, as additional real-world attempts are made, the simulation parameters are refined and the control system is retrained until the simulation is accurate and the control system is able to successfully perform the task in the real world.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Ankur Handa, Viktor Makoviichuk, Miles Macklin, Nathan Ratliff, Dieter Fox, Yevgen Chebotar, Jan Issac
  • Publication number: 20200306961
    Abstract: A control device includes a second-control-signal generating section configured to reduce a predetermined frequency component from a first control signal for performing operation for moving a movable section of the robot to generate a second control signal and a storing section having stored therein reference information including information concerning combinations of ranges of positions of a control point of the robot and frequencies. The second-control-signal generating section determines, based on a position of the control point of the robot in the operation, with reference to the reference information, a frequency component to be reduced from the first control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Toshinori HIRAIDE, Shunsuke TOSHIMITSU
  • Publication number: 20200306962
    Abstract: A horizontal articulated robot includes a base; a first arm coupled to the base and configured to turn around a first axis, a second arm coupled to the first arm and configured to turn around a second axis parallel to the first axis, a third arm coupled to the second arm and configured to turn around a third axis parallel to the first axis and move along the third axis, a supporting section provided in the second arm and configured to support the third arm, and a force detecting section provided between the second arm and the supporting section and configured to detect force applied to the third arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: Hiroki KAWAI
  • Publication number: 20200306963
    Abstract: A horizontal articulated robot includes a base, a first arm coupled to the base and configured to turn around a first axis, a second arm coupled to the first arm and configured to turn around a second axis parallel to the first axis, a third arm coupled to the second arm and configured to turn around a third axis parallel to the first axis and move along the third axis, a motor provided in the second arm and configured to drive the third arm, and a force detecting section provided between the motor and the second arm and configured to detect reaction generated by driving the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: Takayuki KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20200306964
    Abstract: A method for palletizing includes receiving a target box location for a box grasped by the end-effector, the box having a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces. The method also includes positioning the box at an initial position adjacent to the target box location and tilting the box at an angle relative to a ground plane where the angle is formed between the ground plane and the bottom surface. The method further includes shifting the box from the initial position in a first direction to a first alignment position that satisfies a threshold first alignment distance, shifting the box from the first alignment position in a second direction to the target box location that satisfies a threshold second alignment distance, and releasing the box from the end-effector. The release of the box causes the box to pivot toward a boundary edge of the target box location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Neville, Kevin Blankespoor, Jennifer Barry, Alexander Douglas Perkins
  • Publication number: 20200306965
    Abstract: A trajectory generation device generates a trajectory of a robot for conveying an object. A path condition acquisition unit acquires path condition information including at least coordinates of a first via point which is a position of a reference point of a suction nozzle of the robot when the suction nozzle comes into contact with the object, and a velocity, an acceleration, and a jerk of the suction nozzle at the first via point. A pressurization distance and coordinate calculation unit calculates coordinates of a second via point which is a position of the reference point when the suction nozzle is pushed into the object, based on the path condition information; and a trajectory generation unit generates the trajectory of the suction nozzle which satisfies the path condition information and reaches an end point from a predetermined start point via the first via point and the second via point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Nobuaki NAKASU, Yuta YAMAUCHI
  • Publication number: 20200306966
    Abstract: A trajectory planning unit for providing a trajectory as a command variable for a control unit for position control of an actuator member of an actuator, wherein the trajectory planning unit is adapted to provide the trajectory on the basis of a target position curve and to limit the trajectory according to at least one limit value comprising a velocity limit value, an acceleration limit value, a braking acceleration limit value and/or a jerk limit value. The trajectory planning unit is adapted to provide the trajectory according to at least one specification value which can be specified, the specification value including an initial velocity value, a final velocity value, an initial acceleration value and/or a final acceleration value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Valentin Falkenhahn, Daniel Klassen, Rüdiger Neumann
  • Publication number: 20200306967
    Abstract: A programming assistance device includes a program storage unit that stores a first program comprising a first set of time series jobs and stores a second program comprising a second set of time series jobs. Each job of the first program defines at least one operation of a first robot, and the first program is configured to be performed along a shared time line. Additionally, each job of the second program defines at least one operation of a second robot, and the second program is configured to be performed along the shared time line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Makoto TAKAHASHI, Wataru WATANABE, Yutaro UCHIDA, Keita SATSUMA, Hiroshi HASHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20200306968
    Abstract: An activity area restriction method for restricting an activity area of a robot includes: an area setting information acquisition step of acquiring area setting information notified by a notifier, the area setting information including a range of a predetermined restricted area with a height; an area restriction condition recognition step of recognizing the range of the restricted area, based on the area setting information; and an activity restriction step of restricting activity of the robot with respect to the restricted area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Masaki Ueyama, Anuraag Singh
  • Publication number: 20200306969
    Abstract: System and methods for traversing an obstacle with an inspection robot are disclosed. An example system may include an inspection robot including an obstacle sensor to interrogate an inspection surface. The example may further include an obstacle sensory data circuit to interpret obstacle sensory data provided by the obstacle sensor, an obstacle processing circuit to determine refined obstacle data, and an obstacle notification circuit to generate and provide obstacle notification data to a user interface device. The example system may further include a user interface circuit to interpret a user request value from the user interface device, and to determine an obstacle response command value in response to the user request value; and an obstacle configuration circuit to provide the obstacle response command value to the inspection robot during the interrogating of the inspection surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Edward A. Bryner, Kevin Y. Low, Joshua D. Moore, Dillon R. Jourde, Mark J. Loosararian, Edwin H. Cho, Katherine Virginia Denner
  • Publication number: 20200306970
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system for continuous and real-time management and monitoring of robotic process automation bots. In particular, the architecture of the system may comprise a centralized hub which provides various features and functions for bot management and monitoring, such as real-time health status updates, granular logging and notification functions, failure detection and reporting for debugging, bot inventory systems, or the like. Through the use of the components and/or features as described herein, the system may provide an efficient way to manage and monitor robotic process automation bots within a computing environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: SACHIN MAHALASAKANT LATKAR, RAGHAVENDRA RAZANALA, Shankar Ramasubramanian Iyer
  • Publication number: 20200306971
    Abstract: A method estimates a position where an abnormality has occurred. The method for estimating a position where an abnormality has occurred in a robot includes an abnormality detection step of detecting occurrence of an abnormality, and a position detection step of detecting a position where the abnormality has occurred when the occurrence of the abnormality is detected in the abnormality detection step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryo YAMASHITA, Toshikazu SUGIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20200306972
    Abstract: A robot control system includes a control device for controlling a robot and a portable operating panel connected to the control device. The portable operating panel and at least one other device include contact points connected in series. The control device includes a reception circuit that can detect the opening of at least one of the contact points. The portable operating panel includes a smart device having a sensor. The contact point included in the portable operating panel is opened and closed in conjunction with a physical movement of a switch member attached to an exterior of the smart device. The sensor can detect a physical quantity that changes in conjunction with the physical movement of the switch member. The portable operating panel transmits, to the control device, a detection signal indicating the physical quantity detected by the sensor or information about the physical quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: Ryoutarou INABA
  • Publication number: 20200306973
    Abstract: Examples provide a system for decanting items from a set of cases into a set of storage totes in preparation for induction into an automated tote storage device. A set of robotic decanting devices includes at least one robotic de-palletizing device configured to remove a selected case comprising a set of items from a pallet at a de-palletizing station. A stationary robotic case opener device opens each case as it moves along a conveyor device. A set of sensor devices scans cases and/or contents of cases to identify each item removed from each case. A stationary robotic picker device removes each item from each case and places each item into an appropriate destination tote. A robotic tote transfer device moves the destination tote to an induction point of the storage device. A decant manager component updates inventory to include items placed into each tote inducted into the storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Ben Edwards, Brian C. Roth, Paul Durkee
  • Publication number: 20200306974
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system, method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for teleoperation. An exemplary system includes a robot machine having a machine body, at least one sensor, at least one robot processor, and at least one user processor operable to maintain a user simulation model of the robot machine and the environment surrounding the robot machine, the at least one user processor being remote from the robot machine. The system further includes at least one user interface comprising a haptic user interface operable to receive user commands and to transmit the user commands to the user simulation model, a display operable to display a virtual representation of the user simulation model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Michael G. Fattey, Jos Meuleman, Gonzalo Rey
  • Publication number: 20200306975
    Abstract: A robot control system and a method for camera calibration verification is presented. The robot control system is configured to perform a first camera calibration, and to control a robot arm to move a verification symbol to a reference location. The robot control system further receives, from a camera, a reference image of the verification symbol, and determines a reference image coordinate for the verification symbol. The robot control system further controls the robot arm to move the verification symbol to the reference location again during an idle period, receives an additional image of the verification symbol, and determines a verification image coordinate. The robot control system determines a deviation parameter value based the reference image coordinate and the verification image coordinate, and whether the deviation parameter value exceeds a defined threshold, and performs a second camera calibration if the threshold is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Russell ISLAM, Xutao YE, Rosen DIANKOV
  • Publication number: 20200306976
    Abstract: A controller includes a parameter setting unit that invalidates first mechanism error parameters. The controller includes a measurement control unit that drives a robot with a plurality of orientations at a plurality of positions by using second mechanism error parameters other than the first mechanism error parameters and measures the actual measurement position of the robot by a three-dimensional measuring device. The controller includes a parameter calculation unit that calculates the first mechanism error parameter based on the actual measurement position of the robot and the rotation position of a robot drive motor. The controller includes a correction unit that changes the first mechanism error parameter invalidated by the parameter setting unit to the first mechanism error parameter calculated by the parameter calculation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Wang Yuelai, Soichi Arita, Yasuhiro Naitou
  • Publication number: 20200306977
    Abstract: A computing system and a method for calibration verification is presented. The computing system is configured to perform a first calibration operation, and to control a robot arm to move a verification symbol to a reference location. The robot control system further receives, from a camera, a reference image of the verification symbol, and determines a reference image coordinate for the verification symbol. The robot control system further controls the robot arm to move the verification symbol to the reference location again during an idle period, receives an additional image of the verification symbol, and determines a verification image coordinate. The robot control system determines a deviation parameter value based the reference image coordinate and the verification image coordinate, and whether the deviation parameter value exceeds a defined threshold, and performs a second calibration operation if the threshold is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Russell ISLAM, Xutao YE, Rosen DIANKOV
  • Publication number: 20200306978
    Abstract: A robotic system includes at least two Hardware Modules, each having at least one sensor for measuring an internal property, a communication unit, a data storage unit and an embedded controller. The embedded controller is configured to collect collected data including status data representing the current status of the Hardware Module; and operating data representing usage of the Hardware Module. At least part of the collected data is determined from sensor data, and the embedded controller is configured to store or transmit the collected data. The robotic system including a central computation and command unit configured to receive the collected data; and to control operation of the robotic system by controlling operation of at least one actuator of the at least two Hardware Modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Alfons Riek, Kurt Stoll, Hans Klingel, Marcel Aeschlimann, Samuel Malzach, Martin Sigrist, Christian Schmid, Christoph Berger, Carole Chapelat, Kilian Iannucci, Alexandra Krause
  • Publication number: 20200306979
    Abstract: A flex-rigid sensor apparatus for providing sensor data from sensors disposed on an end-effector/gripper to the control circuit of an arm-type robotic system. The apparatus includes piezo-type pressure sensors sandwiched between lower and upper PCB stack-up structures respectively fabricated using rigid PCB (e.g., FR-4) and flexible PCB (e.g., polyimide) manufacturing processes. Additional (e.g., temperature and proximity) sensors are mounted on the upper/flexible stack-up structure. A spacer structure is disposed between the two stack-up structures and includes an insulating material layer defining openings that accommodate the pressure sensors. Copper film layers are configured to provide Faraday cages around each pressure sensor. The pressure sensors, additional sensors and Faraday cages are connected to sensor data processing and control circuitry (e.g., analog-to-digital converter circuits) by way of signal traces formed in the lower and upper stack-up structures and in the spacer structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Robotik Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Paulson, Clinton J. Smith, Christopher Lalau Keraly, Matthew E. Shaffer, Bernard D. Casse
  • Publication number: 20200306980
    Abstract: An actuator and end effector are controlled according to images from cameras having a surface in their field of view. Vessels (cups, bowls, etc.) and other objects are identified in the images and their configuration is assigned to a finite set of categories by a classifier that does not output a 3D bounding box or determine a 6D pose. For objects assigned to a first subset of categories, grasping parameters for controlling the actuator and end effector are determined using only 2D bounding boxes, such as oriented 2D bounding boxes. For objects not assigned to the first subset, a righting operation may be performed using only 2D bounding boxes. Objects that are still not in the first set may then be grasped by estimating a 3D bounding box and 6D pose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Kerkil Choi, Yen-Khai Lee, Paul Michael Birkmeyer
  • Publication number: 20200306981
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for constructing an assembly are disclosed. A construction element with a machine-readable code thereon is provided. A robotic assembler is provided. The robotic assembler includes a code reader, a device for manipulating the construction element, and a controller that receives input from the code reader and provides instructions to the device. The machine-readable code is read on the construction element with the code reader. Instructions are provided to the device derived from the machine-readable code. The construction element is manipulated by the device based on the instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Benjamin Jensen, Jon Marshall