Robot Control Patents (Class 700/245)
  • Patent number: 12042118
    Abstract: Provided is a cleaning system including: a robot cleaner including a dust collecting device having a dirt outlet and an outlet door configured to open and close the dirt outlet; and a station including a collecting device configured to generate a suction force to suction dirt of the duct collecting device and a lever device provided with a lever configured to be fixable to the outlet door as the outlet door is being opened to allow the collecting device and the dust collecting device to communicate with each other, and a lever driving source configured to generate power for driving the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo Jin Na, Hakbong Lee, Bosang Kim, Sin-Ae Kim, Yong-Seok Kim, Yeonkyu Jeong
  • Patent number: 12042937
    Abstract: To generate an easy-to-understand program for a robot in a simple way. A robot programming device performs programming using an operation unit block. The robot programming device includes a display control unit that displays a programming region and an advanced setting region on a display unit. The programming region is a region for programming for running the robot by setting an operation unit block defined for each operation unit of the robot. The advanced setting region is a region for making setting relating to the operation unit block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gou Inaba
  • Patent number: 12036682
    Abstract: A calibration system includes a docking stand fixed within a three-dimensional coordinate system and an end effector supported by the docking stand. The end effector includes a frame received by the docking stand and an adjustable member movable along the frame. The adjustable member includes a clamp and a reference surface. The calibration system includes a computational system including at least one processor and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions. The calibration system includes a measurement instrument in electronic communication with the computational system. The measurement instrument is movable and is arranged to interact with the reference surface and transmit a signal to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Dalong Gao
  • Patent number: 12036679
    Abstract: An indicator related to work performed through a plurality of hierarchical processes is predicted efficiently with high accuracy. The information processing device stores sample data in association with each parameter representing work, the sample data including an indicator generated by execution of lower-level simulation based on a lower-level model set for a lower-level process, and the information processing device predicts an indicator related to predicted work by performing higher-level simulation using the sample data associated with a parameter similar to a parameter representing the predicted work, the higher-level simulation being based on a higher-level model which is set for a higher-level process. If sample data associated with a parameter similar to the parameter representing the predicted work is not stored, the information processing device complements sample data by performing lower-level simulation and performs higher-level simulation using the complemented sample data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Kei Utsugi, Sanato Nagata, Koji Ara, Hisaya Ishibashi, Toshio Moriya
  • Patent number: 12030174
    Abstract: The machine control system includes: a machine configured to execute a motion according to a machine command; a controller server configured to control the machine; and a communication server. The controller server includes control circuitry configured to repeat operations according to a control cycle, the operations including: executing a motion program to generate the machine command for the machine; adding first cycle information designating a first use timing to the machine command; and transmitting the machine command including the first cycle information to the communication server. The machine includes a machine circuitry configured to repeat local operations for controlling the machine according to a local control cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Inventors: Kazuo Fujino, Tadasuke Yuba, Ryo Shimodome, Ryota Moriwaka, Kazutoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 12023111
    Abstract: A system for visualizing a surgical site is provided. The system includes a robotic mechanism for performing a procedure on a patient, an imaging device coupled to the robotic mechanism, the imaging device configured to provide image data of a site of interest, and a computing device coupled to the imaging device. The computing device includes one or more processors and at least one memory device configured to store executable instructions. The executable instructions, when executed by the processor, are configured to receive the image data of the site of interest, track motion patterns of the site of interest in the received image data, filter the received image data to remove line-of-sight restrictions therein and alter pixels therein based on the tracked motion patterns, and generate an output frame from the filtered image data. The system also includes a presentation interface device coupled to the computing device and configured to present the output frame for visualization of the site of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: P TECH, LLC
    Inventors: Peter M. Bonutti, Justin E. Beyers
  • Patent number: 12023800
    Abstract: A robot hand includes a first finger, a third finger disposed to face the first finger, a second finger disposed side by side with the third finger, a first finger connection portion to which the first finger is connected rotatably, a second finger connection portion to which the second finger is connected rotatably and to which the third finger is connected rotatably, a hand base to which the first finger connection portion and the second finger connection portion are connected, and a finger moving portion that moves at least one of the first finger connection portion and the second finger connection portion with respect to the hand base such that a distance between the first finger and the third finger increases or decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noboru Kawaguchi, Masaki Hirano, Shota Narasaki, Hayato Hoshino, Shingo Kimura
  • Patent number: 12023117
    Abstract: For teleoperation of a surgical robotic system, the user command for the pose of the end effector is projected into a subspace reachable by the end effector. For example, a user command with six DOF is projected to a five DOF subspace. The six DOF user interface device may be used to more intuitively control, based on the projection, the end effector with the limited DOF relative to the user interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Ellen Klingbeil, Renbin Zhou, Haoran Yu
  • Patent number: 12023810
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (100) for active motion displacement control of a robot, the system comprising: a DCL device (110), which is configured to set a desired position of a portion of a kinematic chain; a MDB device (120), which is configured to generate a motion profile for at least one actor device (130) coupled to the portion of the kinematic chain based on the set desired position of the portion of the kinematic chain; the actor device (130), which is configured to move the portion of the kinematic chain to an actual position based on the generated motion profile; a sensor device (140), which is configured to measure the actual position of the portion of the kinematic chain and, thereon based, provide position data of the portion of the kinematic chain; wherein the MDB device (120) is further configured to determine an estimated offset and provide a feedback path to a control loop used by the MDB device (120) based on the provided position data of the portion, the desired position of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventor: Günter Schulmayr
  • Patent number: 12016265
    Abstract: A grounds maintenance system comprising: a robot tractor comprising; a robot body; a drive system including one or more motorized drive wheels to propel the robot body; a control system coupled to the drive system, the control system configurable to store a mow plan that specifies a set of paths to be traversed for a grounds maintenance operation and control the drive system to autonomously traverse the set of paths to implement the mow plan; a battery system comprising one or more batteries housed in the robot body; and a low-profile mowing deck coupled to the robot body, the mowing deck adapted to tilt and lift relative to the robot body, wherein the control system is configured to control tilting and lifting of the mowing deck and cutting by the mowing deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: RENU ROBOTICS CORP.
    Inventors: Tim Alan Matus, Michael D. Eyman, Tony Padgett, Jeff Dayov, Michael Odell Blanton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12017369
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for a surgical tool or a surgical robotic system. One example method includes providing a redundant degree of freedom (DoF) for an end effector joint of one DoF by driving the joint with two actuators, calculating a position displacement of the joint to effect a desired end effector movement in response to an input command, calculating a first movement of the two actuators based on the position displacement of the joint and a second movement of the two actuators based on a second control objective in a null space corresponding to the redundant DoF, and driving the joint according to the first movement and the second movement to effect the desired end effector movement while accomplishing the second control objective in the null space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaobin Zhang, Dimitri Chatzigeorgiou
  • Patent number: 12017358
    Abstract: A robot system assisting a worker to allow the worker to perform a work more smoothly. The robot system includes a robot, a detection device configured to detect motion of a worker when the worker is performing a predetermined work, an end determination section configured to determine whether the work is ended or not on the basis of detection data from the detection device, and a robot controller configured to cause the robot to carry out an article-feed operation or an article-fetch operation when the end determination section determines that the work is ended, the article-feed operation transporting an article for the work to a predetermined position to feed the article to the worker, the article-fetch operation fetching the article used for the work and transporting the article to a predetermined storage location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keita Maeda
  • Patent number: 12011838
    Abstract: A robot system according to the present disclosure includes a robot installed in a work area, a manipulator configured to be gripped by an operator and manipulate the robot, a sensor disposed at a manipulation area and configured to wirelessly detect positional information and posture information on the manipulator, and a control device which calculates a locus of the manipulator based on the positional information and the posture information on the manipulator detected by the sensor, and operates the robot on real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shogo Hasegawa, Tetsuya Yoshida, Masayuki Kamon, Hirokazu Sugiyama, Tomofumi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 12011239
    Abstract: An image-guided robotic intervention system (“IGRIS”) may be used to perform medical procedures on patients. IGRIS provides a real-time view of patient anatomy, as well as an intended target or targets for the procedures, software that allows a user to plan an approach or trajectory path using either the image or the robotic device, software that allows a user to convert a series of 2D images into a 3D volume, and localizes the 3D volume with respect to real-time images during the procedure. IGRIS may include sensors to estimate pose of the imaging device relative to the patient to improve the performance of that software with respect to runtime, robustness, and accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Mendaera, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Tomas Wilson, Kevin Christopher Chu, Benjamin Joseph Greer, Alexander Tarek Hassan, Joshua Francis DeFonzo, Erica Ding Chin, Aren Calder Hill, Trent Michael Callan
  • Patent number: 12006062
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, by an equipment monitoring system (EMS), first training data and second training data from a plurality of sensors of an article over a first operating interval and over a second operating interval of the article, respectively, appending buffer data to the first training data, and the second training data to the buffer data to provide extended training data, and clustering the extended training data into a plurality of data clusters associated with operational states of the article. Subsequent to clustering, the EMS receives operational data associated with the plurality of sensors of the article over a third operating interval. The EMS determines a particular data cluster of the plurality of data clusters to which the operational data belongs, and communicates data indicative of an operational state of the article associated with the particular data cluster to a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Harrison Kuo, Liessman E. Sturlaugson
  • Patent number: 11998402
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for positioning a camera of a surgical robotic system to capture images inside a body cavity of a patient during a medical procedure are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method involves receiving location information at a controller of a surgical robotic system performing the medical procedure, the location information defining a location of at least one tool with respect to a body cavity frame of reference, and in response to receiving an align command signal at the controller, causing the controller to produce positioning signals operable to cause the camera to be positioned within the body cavity frame of reference to capture images of the at least one tool for display to an operator of the surgical robotic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Titan Medical Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Kralicky
  • Patent number: 11992941
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are described for high accuracy molded navigation arrays. In a first embodiment, a navigation array is formed by molding, as a single component, an array having a plurality of marker regions. The marker regions include a reflective layer disposed thereon. In other embodiments, a navigation array is formed by molding over a frame having a plurality of marker elements. In still other embodiments, a navigation array is formed by molding over individual marker elements. In certain embodiments, a navigation array is formed by molding a frame with a plurality of voids and subsequently molding marker elements into each void where the marker elements include a reflective layer disposed thereon. In some embodiments, a navigation array is formed by molding a plurality of marker elements on a frame and disposing a reflective layer on the marker elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: DePuy Ireland Unlimited Company
    Inventor: Hervé Collet
  • Patent number: 11994871
    Abstract: There is provided a moving robot including a first light source module and a second light source module respectively project a first light section and a second light section, which are vertical light sections, in front of a moving direction, wherein the first light section and the second light section cross with each other at a predetermined distance in front of the moving robot so as to eliminate a detection dead zone between the first light source module and the second light source module in front of the moving robot to avoid collision with an object during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Inventors: Shih-Chin Lin, Wei-Chung Wang, Guo-Zhen Wang
  • Patent number: 11992944
    Abstract: Training and/or utilizing a hierarchical reinforcement learning (HRL) model for robotic control. The HRL model can include at least a higher-level policy model and a lower-level policy model. Some implementations relate to technique(s) that enable more efficient off-policy training to be utilized in training of the higher-level policy model and/or the lower-level policy model. Some of those implementations utilize off-policy correction, which re-labels higher-level actions of experience data, generated in the past utilizing a previously trained version of the HRL model, with modified higher-level actions. The modified higher-level actions are then utilized to off-policy train the higher-level policy model. This can enable effective off-policy training despite the lower-level policy model being a different version at training time (relative to the version when the experience data was collected).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Honglak Lee, Shixiang Gu, Sergey Levine
  • Patent number: 11986263
    Abstract: The application discloses a power mechanism and a slave operating device. The power mechanism, for connecting to an operating arm, includes a body and a power mechanism. A side surface of the body defines a mounting groove. The mounting groove passes through a bottom surface of the body. A distal end of the operating arm is located out of the mounting groove. The power portion is disposed on the body for connecting to the operating arm and providing power for the operating arm. The above power mechanism enables the operating arm to be simpler and more rapid to install.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Shenzhen Edge Medical CO., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jianchen Wang, Yuanqian Gao
  • Patent number: 11986261
    Abstract: A method of placing a surgical robotic cart assembly includes, determining a first position of a first surgical robotic cart assembly relative to a surgical table, calculating a path for the first surgical robotic cart assembly towards a second position of the first surgical robotic cart assembly relative to the surgical table, wherein in the second position, the first surgical robotic cart assembly is spaced-apart a first safe distance from the surgical table, moving the first surgical robotic cart assembly autonomously towards the second position thereof, and detecting a potential collision along the path of the first surgical robotic cart assembly as the first surgical robotic cart assembly moves towards the second position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Dwight Meglan, Eric Meade, Samir Zahine, Renen Bassik, Mathew Livianu
  • Patent number: 11983013
    Abstract: An optimization system includes an optimization server and a management server, and the management server controls an AGV. The AGV transports a cargo and notifies the management server of a traveling state during traveling. The management server stores the traveling state of the AGV in a database. The optimization server estimates the traveling parameter to be used for the subsequent experimental traveling and repeats an experiment based on an experiment design for experimental traveling and the number of times of back-and-forth sway and the right-and-left sway width of the AGV when the AGV travels by using the traveling parameter estimated from the default value of the traveling parameter and an experiment result of the experimental traveling of the AGV. After the experiment ends, the optimization server optimizes the traveling parameter for each traveling state of the AGV based on the experiment result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Osawa, Thinh Nguyenquang
  • Patent number: 11983807
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides method and apparatus for automatically generating motions of an avatar. A message in a session between a user and an electronic conversational agent may be obtained, the avatar being a visual representation of the electronic conversational agent. At least one facial animation and/or body animation may be determined based on at least one part of the message. At least one motion of the avatar may be generated based at least on the facial animation and/or the body animation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yueyang Chen, Xiang Xu, Ruihua Song, Shuo Wang, Hui Zhang, Di Li, Chengcheng Liu, Xiaoyu Qi
  • Patent number: 11983972
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is tested using virtual objects. The autonomous vehicle is maneuvered, by one or more computing devices, the autonomous vehicle in an autonomous driving mode. Sensor data is received corresponding to objects in the autonomous vehicle's environment, and virtual object data is received corresponding to a virtual object in the autonomous vehicle's environment. The virtual object represents a real object that is not in the vehicle's environment. The autonomous vehicle is maneuvered based on both the sensor data and the virtual object data. Information about the maneuvering of the vehicle based on both the sensor data and the virtual object data may be logged and analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Carl Nygaard, James Stout, Jiajun Zhu
  • Patent number: 11975447
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining safe and unsafe zones in a workspace—where safe actions are calculated in real time based on all relevant objects (e.g., some observed by sensors and others computationally generated based on analysis of the sensed workspace) and on the current state of the machinery (e.g., a robot) in the workspace—may utilize a variety of workspace-monitoring approaches as well as dynamic modeling of the robot geometry. The future trajectory of the robot(s) and/or the human(s) may be forecast using, e.g., a model of human movement and other forms of control. Modeling and forecasting of the robot may, in some embodiments, make use of data provided by the robot controller that may or may not include safety guarantees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Veo Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Clara Vu, Scott Denenberg, Abraham K. Feldman
  • Patent number: 11977365
    Abstract: A skill transfer mechanical apparatus includes an operating part, a controller, a motion information detector and an operation apparatus. The controller includes a basic motion instructing module, a learning module, a motion correcting instruction generator, a motion correcting instruction, and a motion information storing module. The learning module carries out machine learning of the motion correcting instruction stored in the motion correcting instruction storing module by using the motion information stored in the motion information storing module, and after the machine learning is finished, accepts an input of the motion information during the operation of the operating part, and outputs the automatic motion correcting instruction. The operating part moves the working part according to an automatic motion instruction based on the basic motion instruction and the automatic motion correcting instruction, and the manual motion correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Hashimoto, Nobuyasu Shimomura, Masayuki Kamon, Shigetsugu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11969902
    Abstract: Included is a method for a first robotic device to collaborate with a second robotic device, including: actuating, with a processor of the first robotic device, the first robotic device to execute a first part of a cleaning task; transmitting, with the processor of the first robotic device, information to a processor of the second robotic device upon completion of the first part of the cleaning task; receiving, with the processor of the second robotic device, the information transmitted from the processor of the first robotic device; and actuating, with the processor of the second robotic device, the second robotic device to execute a second part of the cleaning task upon receiving the signal; wherein the first robotic device and the second robotic device are surface cleaning robotic devices with a functionality comprising at least one of vacuuming and mopping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: AI Incorporated
    Inventor: Ali Ebrahimi Afrouzi
  • Patent number: 11969227
    Abstract: A medical instrument system comprises an instrument manipulator configured to control a position of a medical instrument with respect to a base. The instrument manipulator comprises an instrument carriage comprising a medical instrument connector configured to engage the medical instrument. The instrument carriage is configured to translate along a linear axis to advance or retract the medical instrument with respect to the base. The medical instrument system also comprises an insertion stage slideably engaged with the instrument carriage along the linear axis. The insertion stage has a drive assembly comprising a drive belt and a drive motor configured to drive the drive belt. The base is fixedly coupled to the drive belt. The medical instrument system also comprises a connecting element having a distal end fixedly coupled to the drive belt and a proximal end fixed to the instrument carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Rohr Daniel, David W. Bailey
  • Patent number: 11969900
    Abstract: A teaching apparatus includes a display unit having a simulation area in which a viewpoint for a virtual robot as a simulation model of a robot is changeably displayed and an operation area in which a plurality of operation signs for moving a control point of the virtual robot by changing a posture of the virtual robot are displayed, and a display control unit that controls actuation of the display unit, wherein the display control unit changes directions of the respective operation signs in the operation area to interlock with a change of the viewpoint for the virtual robot in the simulation area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuchi Kokubun
  • Patent number: 11964392
    Abstract: A method and a system generate global path planning of a robot according to a node specification principle that is defined based on social norms for an indoor space using an indoor map to assist human-friendly navigation of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: NAVER LABS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seoktae Kim, Kahyeon Kim
  • Patent number: 11963478
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a self-propelled robotic work tool (1), e.g. an automatic robotic lawn mower, and a corresponding method. The robotic tool comprises an inertia measurement unit (IMU 15) which generally obtains (25) measured IMU parameters regarding the robotic working tool's movement. A prediction algorithm (17) predicts (27,36) required motor currents for driving the robotic work tool's wheels (5) based on the measured IMU parameters. The predicted motor current is compared (29,37) to the actual current used and the difference constitutes an error (19), which is used in a collision detection unit (21). If the collision detection unit (21) senses that the actually used motor current is much higher than the predicted current, a collision may be indicated (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventor: Jonas Holgersson
  • Patent number: 11960277
    Abstract: To make it possible to change the action of an unmanned vehicle by reflecting the importance of purposes that can change in response to a change in the situation. An unmanned vehicle (11) acts according to a plurality of purposes. A purpose importance input means (12) inputs the importance of each purpose in the unmanned vehicle (11). An action parameter determining means (13) determines a parameter for controlling the action of the unmanned vehicle (11) based on purpose importance information indicating the input importance of each purpose. An action controlling means (14) controls the action of the unmanned vehicle (11) in accordance with the parameter determined by the action parameter determining means (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masumi Ichien, Masatsugu Ogawa
  • Patent number: 11958199
    Abstract: A robot control device that controls operation of a robot including a robot arm, a driving section configured to drive the robot arm, and a driving control section configured to receive electric power supplied to the driving section and output power to the driving section based on an input control signal, the robot control device including a logical operation circuit configured to perform a logical operation about a stop signal and output an operation result and a power interruption circuit configured to interrupt, based on the operation result, the electric power supplied to the driving control section or the control signal input to the driving control section to thereby interrupt the power of the driving section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Higashi, Takahiro Kamijo, Tomonori Yamada, Motoki Ito
  • Patent number: 11954910
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for multi-resolution processing for video classification. A plurality of video frames of a video are obtained and a resolution for classifying each video frame of the plurality of video frames is determined by analyzing each video frame using a policy network. Based on the determined resolution, each video frame having a determined resolution is rescaled and each rescaled video frame is routed to a classifier of a backbone network that corresponds to the determined resolution. Each rescaled video frame is classified using the corresponding classifier of the backbone network to obtain a plurality of classifications and the classifications are averaged to determine an action classification of the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, MA
    Inventors: Rameswar Panda, Yue Meng, Chung-Ching Lin, Rogerio Schmidt Feris, Aude Jeanne Oliva
  • Patent number: 11945528
    Abstract: A hip joint mechanism includes: a hip joint frame; an upper leg movably connected to the hip joint frame; a hip actuator configured to drive the hip joint frame to rotate; two upper leg actuators mounted on the hip joint frame; two transmission mechanisms configured to transmit motion from the two upper leg actuators to the upper leg, wherein each of the upper leg actuators comprises a casing connected to the hip joint frame, and an output shaft connected to one corresponding transmission mechanism, each of the two transmission mechanisms comprises an output end; and three connecting mechanisms, wherein the output ends and the hip joint frame are movably connected to the upper leg through the three connecting mechanisms, the three connecting mechanisms are arranged at three vertices of a triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTD
    Inventors: Liang Huang, Hongyu Ding, Youjun Xiong
  • Patent number: 11941503
    Abstract: A hybrid inference facility receives a sequence of data items. For each data item, the facility: forwards the data item to a server; subjects it to a local machine learning model to produce a local inference result for the data item; and the local inference result to a queue; aggregates the inference results contained by the queue to obtain an output inference result; and removes the oldest inference result from the queue. The facility receives from the server cloud inference results each obtained by applying a server machine learning model to one of the data items forwarded to the server. For each received cloud inference result, the facility substitutes the cloud inference result in the queue for the local inference result for the same data item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: EchoNous, Inc.
    Inventor: Fan Zhang
  • Patent number: 11938640
    Abstract: A system and method for perceiving a dish, planning its handling, and controlling its motion, comprising: capturing at least one image of a region disposed to comprise said dish using at least one camera; classifying said image using a dish detection model to determine the presence of a dish; classifying said image using a dish identification model to determine the type of said dish; estimating the position and orientation of said dish using a dish localization model; picking up, holding, or dropping off said dish securely using said type, position, and orientation of said dish with a robotic arm, whereby said dish is detected, identified, and localized to securely move it from one location to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Dishcare Inc.
    Inventor: Sri Rama Prasanna Pavani
  • Patent number: 11943116
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed at mapping and controlling network-enabled IoT devices housed in an environment via a graphical user interface (GUI) of an electronic device. The disclosed features include generating a digital map representing the 3D or the 2D position of the IoT devices in the environment. In some embodiments, the digital map can be overlaid on a layout of a physical floorplan of the environment also showing physical objects in the environment. Different IoT devices in the environment can be controlled via a GUI common to the different IoT devices. Additionally, the GUI can be used to select a group of IoT devices and perform group-wise control of the IoT devices in the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jesus Flores Guerra
  • Patent number: 11938907
    Abstract: A robotic assembly configured to service an engine, wherein the robotic assembly includes an environmental capture device configured to provide information associated with an environment in which the engine is disposed to one or more computing devices, and wherein the one or more computing devices are configured to use the information to inspect the engine before and after repair operations associated with the service to check for repair equipment, or parts thereof, left in the engine after the repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: Oliver Crispin Robotics Limited, General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew Crispin Graham, David Scott Diwinsky, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Julian Matthew Foxall
  • Patent number: 11940456
    Abstract: An automated apparatus can provide pre-analytical processing of samples, racking and forwarding to an adjacent analyzer for analysis. The apparatus may have a controller that implements an auto-learn process to teach robotic handlers the locations within the workspace(s) of the apparatus. A robotic sample handler may include a sensor configured to generate a detection signal when in a near vicinity of a fiducial beacon in the workspace of the apparatus for biological sample preparation, preprocessing and/or diagnostic assay performed by one or more analyzers of the automated apparatus. The controller may control the robotic sample handler to conduct a search pattern so that a location of the fiducial beacon may be detected and thereafter calculated to obtain a more accurate location of the beacon. The calculated positions may then serve as a basis for the controlled movement of samples by the robot to and from locations of the workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher John Tesluk, Kevin Bailey, Matthew Wesly, John Moore
  • Patent number: 11931902
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to use robotic system simulation to control a robotic system. In various embodiments, a communication indicating an action to be performed by a robotic element is received from a robotic control system. Performance of the action by the robotic element is simulated. A state tracking data is updated to reflect a virtual change to one or more state variables as a result of simulated performance of the action. Successful completion of the action by the robotic element is reported to the robotic control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Dexterity, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhouwen Sun, William Arthur Clary, Kevin Jose Chavez, Ben Varkey Benjamin Pottayil, Rohit Arka Pidaparthi, Roger Lam Hau, Samir Menon
  • Patent number: 11931899
    Abstract: Automation windows for RPA for attended or unattended robots are disclosed. A child session is created and hosted as a window including the UIs of applications of a window associated with a parent session. Running multiple sessions allows a robot to operate in this child session while the user interacts with the parent session. The user may thus be able to interact with applications that the robot is not using or the user and the robot may be able to interact with the same application if that application is capable of this functionality. The user and the robot are both interacting with the same application instances and file system. Changes made via the robot and the user in an application will be made as if a single user made them, rather than having the user and the robot each work with separate versions of the applications and file systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: UiPath, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Hall
  • Patent number: 11927969
    Abstract: A system includes a robotic vehicle having a propulsion and a manipulator configured to perform designated tasks. The system also including a local controller disposed onboard the robotic vehicle and configured to receive input signals from an off-board controller. Responsive to receiving an input signal for moving in an autonomous mode, the local controller is configured to move the robotic vehicle toward one of the different final destinations by autonomously and iteratively determining a series of waypoints until the robotic vehicle has reached the one final destination. For each iteration, the local controller is configured to determine a next waypoint between a current location of the robotic vehicle and the final destination, determine movement limitations of the robotic vehicle, and generate control signals in accordance with the movement limitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Ghulam Ali Baloch, Huan Tan, Balajee Kannan, Charles Theurer
  • Patent number: 11927964
    Abstract: An autonomous work machine that works in a work area while autonomously traveling in the work area, comprises a specification unit configured to specify, based on information of a position detection unit configured to detect position information, a self-position of the autonomous work machine, a determination unit configured to determine, based on the self-position, whether the autonomous work machine has reached a perimeter portion of a no-work area positioned within the work area, and a control unit configured to control the autonomous work machine to do a lap along the perimeter portion in a case in which the autonomous work machine is determined to have reached the perimeter portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Kameyama, Keiji Muro, Minami Kigami
  • Patent number: 11926382
    Abstract: An assembly system is provided for automotive lamps and an operation method thereof. The assembly system includes two kinds of functional robots and many functional stations, and it uses the functional robots to transfer workpieces between the various functional stations to realize automatic gluing, fastening and whole lamp performance testing, etc., thereby reducing the amount of manual intervention and improving process integration. Further, the assembly system may provide an assembly system with a two-sided assembly line operating simultaneously, which greatly improves the working efficiency of thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Miguel Lebrato-Rastrojo, Ludger-Josef Grüne, Ingo Engler, Thomas Albert Röbbecke, Jun Yue, Tao Hu, Wei Hu
  • Patent number: 11926057
    Abstract: A robot system includes a robot including a hand portion which grips and takes out a workpiece from an accommodation unit in which a plurality of workpieces are accommodated, and transports the workpiece to a predetermined position; a robot control unit which controls conveyance operation of the robot of taking out the workpiece from the accommodation unit and transporting the workpiece to the predetermined position; and a conveyance condition setting unit which sets a conveyance condition regarding the conveyance operation and including, in the workpiece, at least a grip prohibited region that is prohibited from being gripped by the hand portion. The robot control unit controls the robot based on the conveyance condition set by the conveyance condition setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kota Yamaguchi, Toshihiro Michizoe
  • Patent number: 11919161
    Abstract: A robotic grasp generation technique for machine tending applications. Part and gripper geometry are provided as inputs, typically from CAD files. Gripper kinematics are also defined as an input. Preferred and prohibited grasp locations on the part may also be defined as inputs, to ensure that the computed grasp candidates enable the robot to load the part into a machining station such that the machining station can grasp a particular location on the part. An optimization solver is used to compute a quality grasp with stable surface contact between the part and the gripper, with no interference between the gripper and the part, and allowing for the preferred and prohibited grasp locations which were defined as inputs. All surfaces of the gripper fingers are considered for grasping and collision avoidance. A loop with random initialization is used to automatically compute many hundreds of diverse grasps for the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yongxiang Fan
  • Patent number: 11921517
    Abstract: A method of controlling movement of a robotic cleaning device over an area to be cleaned. The method includes storing at least one representation of the area over which the robotic cleaning device is to move, receiving an instruction to execute a cleaning program, localizing, in response to the instruction, the robotic cleaning device relative to the stored representation, and moving over the area to be cleaned as stipulated by the cleaning program by taking into account the stored representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Magnus Lindhé, Petter Forsberg, Niklas Nordin
  • Patent number: 11924023
    Abstract: A technology is described for redundant network communication in a robot. An example of the technology can include a main robotic controller and a robotic component including a local controller and a controlled component that is operable based on a data signal comprising control instructions executed by the local controller. A command can be sent between the main robotic controller and the local controller. The command can be encoded in a first data signal and a second data signal. The first data signal can be sent over a first network channel, and the second data signal can be sent over a second network channel. The first data signal and the second data signal can be configured to be redundant data signals for the local controller sent respectively over the first network channel and the second network channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Sarcos Corp.
    Inventors: Fraser M. Smith, Marc X. Olivier
  • Patent number: 11921509
    Abstract: Provided is an information processing apparatus including: a motion control unit (107) that controls a motion of an autonomous moving body (10), in which, when transmitting/receiving internal data related to the autonomous moving body, the motion control unit causes the autonomous moving body to express execution of the transmission/reception of the internal data by an action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sayaka Watanabe, Jianing Wu, Jingjing Guo, Natsuko Ozaki, Jun Yokono