Plural Robots Patents (Class 700/248)
-
Patent number: 11045946Abstract: According to one embodiment, a holding device includes a holder and a controller. The holder is configured to hold an object. The controller is configured to determine a holding posture and a holding position of the holder with respect to the object so that at least one of protrusion of the holder from an outer shape of the object and protrusion of the object from an outer shape of the holder satisfies a predetermined condition when viewed in a direction in which the object and the holder overlap each other, based on information indicating the outer shape of the object.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions CorporationInventors: Haruna Eto, Akihito Ogawa, Kazuma Komoda, Seiji Tokura
-
Patent number: 11021333Abstract: A method for allowing even a user with little experience in robot operation to be able to perform correct calibration is provided. A mobile device displays one or more patterns at predetermined positions and transmits information indicating a touch position to a control device according to touching applied to the touch position in a state that the patterns are displayed. The control device calculates a parameter set based on an image measurement result obtained by a visual sensor when the mobile device is disposed in an image visual field in a state that the patterns are displayed, a touch position when the mobile device is touched by a robot, and a distance between a position of the mobile device when disposed in the imaging visual field and a position when the mobile device is touched by the robot.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: OMRON CorporationInventors: Junji Shimamura, Yosuke Iwai, Akiro Kobayashi, Taku Oya
-
Patent number: 11000955Abstract: A mobile phone robot is able to perform multi-touch operations on a mobile phone. A fastener holds a mobile phone stationary relative to the mobile phone robot. A first robot arm subsystem controls location and timing of contact of a first stylus tip with a touchscreen or a keyboard of the mobile phone. A second robot arm subsystem controls location and timing of contact of a first stylus tip with a touchscreen or a keyboard of the mobile phone. A camera subsystem is oriented to capture images displayed by the mobile phone. Control circuitry controls the first robot arm subsystem and the second robot arm subsystem. The control circuitry processes the images captured by the camera subsystem to detect text displayed within the image and to detect layout of the image. The control circuitry performs speech to text translation to receive commands from a user to perform multi-operations touch that are performed by the first robot arm subsystem and the second robot arm subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: AIPPS, LLC.Inventor: Song Chen
-
Patent number: 10987799Abstract: A workpiece processing system (1) includes a transfer robot (3), a control device (4) controlling operation of the transfer robot (3), and an operating part (5) performing a teaching operation to the transfer robot (3). The control device (4) has an approach point setter (6) setting in advance an approach point as a reference point for the transfer robot (3) to start operation to a workpiece processing device, a first program generator (7) generating a first program defining the operation of the transfer robot (3) from an operational zero point for the transfer robot (3) to the approach point, a second program generator (8) generating a second program defining the operation of the transfer robot (3) after the approach point based on the teaching operation, and a robot controller (9) controlling the operation of the transfer robot (3) in accordance with the first program and the second program.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2017Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: DMG MORI CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoru Kashiwagi, Tomoaki Yoda, Masaaki Nakagawa, Akira Kitanishi
-
Patent number: 10987804Abstract: A robot device includes a detector and a controller. The detector detects a surrounding situation. If the robot device is unable to execute a solution for solving a problem in the surrounding situation by using a function of the robot device, the controller performs control so that the solution will be executed by using an element other than the robot device.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2017Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventor: Kengo Tokuchi
-
Patent number: 10946525Abstract: A robot control system controlling a robot executing a personal service includes: a storage unit configured to store therein in advance trigger action information for which a task to be executed by the robot is formed by a series of actions and the actions and trigger conditions for respectively starting the actions are specified; a trigger determination unit configured to determine whether a trigger condition of the action is satisfied; an action execution unit configured to execute the action; and a task execution unit configured to sequentially select an action specified in the trigger action information of the task to be executed by the robot, cause the trigger determination unit to determine whether a trigger condition of the selected action is satisfied, and cause the action execution unit to execute the action when the trigger condition is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2017Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: Jingze Dai, Tomohiro Matsuda, Hideya Yoshiuchi
-
Patent number: 10926401Abstract: The solar energy and solar farms are used to generate energy and reduce dependence on oil (or for environmental purposes). The maintenance, operation, optimization, and repairs in big farms become very difficult, expensive, and inefficient, using human technicians. Thus, here, we teach using the robots with various functions and components, in various settings, for various purposes, to improve operations in big (or hard-to-access) farms, to automate, save money, reduce human mistakes, increase efficiency, or scale the solutions to very large scales or areas, e.g., for repair, operation, calibration, testing, maintenance, adjustment, cleaning, improving the efficiency, and tracking the Sun.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: BTPATENT LLCInventor: Saied Tadayon
-
Patent number: 10913146Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for selecting a first robot for a robot task of a user, and during a first session between a computing device of the user and the first robot to perform the task, determining a need for the first robot to perform an alternative task. Based on determining the need, a second robot is selected to “replace” the first robot in performing the task. The second robot may replace the first robot in performing the task by directing the telepresence robot to navigate to a location proximal to the first robot and transitioning the first telepresence robot's session to the second telepresence robot.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2020Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: X DEVELOPMENT LLCInventor: Mallinath Bareddy
-
Patent number: 10917853Abstract: A server for allocating a rechargeable battery among a plurality of roles performed by a group of devices removably connectable with the rechargeable battery, receives for each role from a subgroup of devices, data sets corresponding to respective operational periods. Each data set includes an identifier of the rechargeable battery; a measured capacity; and a measured energy consumption during the operational period. The server: determines and stores, based on the measured capacities, a predicted capacity of the rechargeable battery; determines and stores, for each role, a predicted energy consumption per role based on the measured energy consumptions; obtains an allocation defined by the identifier of the rechargeable battery and an identifier of one of the roles; compares the predicted capacity with the predicted energy consumption corresponding to the obtained role; and when the predicted energy consumption corresponding to the one of the roles exceeds the predicted capacity, generates an alert.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Zebra Technologies CorporationInventor: Devan J. Lippman
-
Patent number: 10883838Abstract: A system has at least two self-traveling floor treatment apparatuses, wherein each of the floor treatment apparatuses features a navigation and self-localization device that is designed for generating an environment map based on environment data of the environment of the floor treatment apparatus, which is recorded by means of a detection device. In order to realize an advantageous cooperation between the floor treatment apparatuses, it is proposed that a common memory unit for storing environment maps and a computing unit are assigned to the floor treatment apparatuses, wherein the computing unit is designed for comparing an environment map of a first floor treatment apparatus with an environment map of a second floor treatment apparatus and/or with an environment map stored in the common memory unit and for specifying which of the environment maps is stored in the common memory unit and/or in a local memory of a floor treatment apparatus based on a defined selection criterion.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbHInventors: Georg Hackert, Martin Helmich, Lorenz Hillen, Christian Holz, Gerhard Isenberg, Hendrik Koetz, Andrej Mosebach, Roman Ortmann, Robin Dulinski
-
Patent number: 10864632Abstract: A direct teaching method of a robot includes specifying one of a plurality of robot arms as a master arm and specifying as a slave arm at least one of the robot arms which is other than the master arm; causing the slave arm to operate cooperatively with the master arm so that relative positions and postures of a wrist part of the master arm and a wrist part of the slave arm become a predetermined relation, while a teaching person is directly applying a force to an arbitrary location of the master arm including a tool, to move the master arm to a desired teaching position; and storing position information of at least one of the master arm and the slave arm at a time point when the master arm has reached the desired teaching position.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2016Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masayuki Watanabe, Masayuki Nishimura
-
Patent number: 10860394Abstract: A system and method to generate and deploy a cloud device application has been described. Initially a software service is selected from a software service store to generate the cloud device application. A selection of composition pattern is then received for generating a cloud device application including the software service. Based on the composition pattern an instance of the software service is generated and deployed at cloud and one or more devices. Next an instance of the application is generated and bound to the deployed instance of the software service. Finally the instance of the application bound to the deployed instance of the software service is deployed to the cloud and the one or more devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Rapyuta Robotics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Vivek Bagade, Dhananjay Sathe
-
Patent number: 10857672Abstract: Provided is a real-time robot controlling system which includes a first layer comprising one or more control target devices; a second layer comprising a device control module controlling directly the devices at upper level of the first layer; a third layer comprising a shared memory connected to the device control module at upper level of the second layer; a fourth layer comprising one or more agents performing independent processes using the shared memory at upper level of the third layer; and a fifth layer controlling the one or more agents according to user commands at upper level of the fourth layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: RAINBOW ROBOTICSInventors: Jung Ho Lee, Jeong Soo Lim
-
Patent number: 10860016Abstract: Generation and assignment of tasks based on a pre-generated and updateable mission may be utilized to reduce risk and dangers associated with allowing multiple autonomous vehicles to operate within a site. In some cases, the site may be divided into sub-regions with particular vehicles assigned, paths and segments as horizontal divisions of the sub-region and layers as vertical division of the sub-region. The vehicles may then be assigned to a perform operations related to tasks associated with a sub-region, path or segment, and layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2016Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Robo Industries, Inc.Inventors: Liang Wang, Linli Zhang
-
Patent number: 10850399Abstract: A method and device for dispatching service robots are disclosed. The method comprises: receiving a current task in real time, and acquiring effective robots matched with the current task in a working area according to a preset judging rule based on the current task; and selecting an optimum robot from the effective robots according to the current task and a preset dispatching rule, and sending the current task to the optimum robot, to execute a job corresponding to the current task; and adding the current task to a task set corresponding to the optimum robot. The present disclosure solves the problem of the conventional service robots of low work efficiency in use.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2017Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Goertek Inc.Inventors: Shun Yuan, Shiyu Li
-
Patent number: 10828782Abstract: A robot system includes an arm with a plurality of joints, the arm being configured to assume a first position and a second position, an end effector attached to the arm, the end effector having a specific position, and a force detector configured to detect a force or a torque applied to or generated by the arm or the end effector, and a robot control apparatus configured to receive an output value from the force detector to change the arm from the first position to the second position while the end effector remains in the specific position, and store the second position of the arm in a memory so as to relate the second position of the arm with the specific position of the end effector.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Takahiko Noda, Takashi Nammoto
-
Patent number: 10816964Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a fault tolerant network connected orchestrator which can handle network outages or hardware resets in a work cell. In one embodiment, the orchestrator determines the next task to assign to the work cell depending on whether the previous task was successfully completed. However, a network outage or a hardware failure may prevent the orchestrator from receiving the results of the previous action from the work cell. In one embodiment, the orchestrator recovers from a communication error by requesting the current state of sensors. Using this information, the orchestrator can deduce or determine the current state of the work cell and determine the next task for the work cell. In this manner, the orchestrator is fault tolerant such that it can recover from communication errors.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Boone, Joshua Davis, David Levy
-
Patent number: 10807245Abstract: A method for characterising the environment of a robot, the robot having a flexible arm having a plurality of joints, a datum carried by the arm, a plurality of drivers arranged to drive the joints to move and a plurality of position sensors for sensing the position of each of the joints, the method comprising: contacting the datum carried by the arm with a first datum on a second robot in the environment of the first robot, wherein the second robot has a flexible arm having a plurality of joints, and a plurality of drivers arranged to drive those joints to move; calculating in dependence on the outputs of the position sensors a distance between a reference location defined in a frame of reference local to the robot and the first datum; and controlling the drivers to reconfigure the first arm in dependence on at least the calculated distance.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: CMR SURGICAL LIMITEDInventor: Luke David Ronald Hares
-
Patent number: 10792808Abstract: A robot includes a first control device; and one or more second control devices to be controlled by the first control device. The second control device controls a control target controlled by the second control device at a predetermined cycle. The predetermined cycle is determined based on first information received by the second control device from the first control device at a first time point and second information received by the second control device from the first control device at a second time point.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Atsuto Kitahara
-
Patent number: 10794712Abstract: Techniques for providing target coverage using mobile assets are described, including techniques for dynamically adjusting routing of mobile assets to cover targets when a disruption occurs in the original routing and target coverage plans. Mobile assets are assigned routes to cover target areas and adherence to the routes is monitored. If a first mobile asset experiences a route interruption, other mobile assets are automatically re-routed to cover the target areas originally covered by the route of the first mobile asset.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignees: Getac Technology Corporation, WHP Workflow Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Guzik
-
Patent number: 10772253Abstract: An automated apparatus, method and system for projecting a control agent toward a recognised target for the purposes of agricultural cultivation or environmental management or various other applications; a source of the control agent adapted for use in connection with an environmental control function, an outlet incorporating at least one outlet orifice to direct the control agent emanating from the outlet orifice toward a target. An activation means is movable between an operative mode and an inoperative mode in which the outlet is effectively closed. A targeting mechanism movable on at least one independent control axis provided for selectively orienting the outlet orifice and thereby orienting the control agent in the operative mode. A first sensing system, a classification system, a control system in accordance with a predetermined control logic adapted to deliver doses of the control agent to the identified targets for the purposes of the environmental control function.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2015Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: The University of SydneyInventors: Mark Calleija, Salah Sukkarieh
-
Patent number: 10751881Abstract: In current distributed simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) implementations on multiple robots in a robotic cluster, failure of a leader robot terminates a map building process between multiple robots. Therefore, a technique for fault-tolerant SLAM in robotic clusters is disclosed. In this technique, robotic localization and mapping SLAM is executed in a resource constrained robotic cluster such that the distributed SLAM is executed in a reliable fashion and self-healed in case of failure of the leader robot. To ensure fault tolerance, the robots are enabled, by time series analysis, to find their individual failure probabilities and use that to enhance cluster reliability in a distributed manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Tata Consultancy Services LimitedInventors: Swarnava Dey, Swagata Biswas, Arijit Mukherjee
-
Patent number: 10723023Abstract: This control device is able to prevent the position displacement of a workpiece supported by a workpiece moving device. The control device includes a workpiece moving device controller configured to control the workpiece moving device wherein a time constant corresponding to a time period from a commencement to an termination of acceleration and deceleration of the workpiece moving device is longer for causing the robot and the workpiece moving device to perform an operation other than the workpiece processing operation, compared with the time constant for performing a workpiece processing operation in which the robot and the workpiece moving device perform work on the workpiece in cooperation with each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Fanuc CorporationInventor: Toshihiko Inoue
-
Patent number: 10723027Abstract: Robot systems including a robot, an on-premise computing device, and a cloud services system are disclosed. An on-premise computing device includes a processor and a non-transitory memory device storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive raw sensor data from a robot, pre-process the sensor data to remove unnecessary information from the sensor data and obtain pre-processed data, transmit the pre-processed data to a cloud services system, receive, from the cloud services system, an object type, an object pose, and an object location of an object corresponding to the pre-processed data, and transmit a signal to the robot based on at least one of the object type, the object pose, and the object location of the object.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Arshan Poursohi, Allison Thackston
-
Patent number: 10710238Abstract: Modular building blocks for building a robotic system, and the method of building the robotic system using the building blocks, are presented. The building block includes a chassis having a first end and a second end, a first connector positioned closer to the second end than the first end of the chassis, either a second connector or a rotational actuator positioned closer to the first end than the second end of the chassis and configured to couple with the first connector, a signal interface on a surface of the chassis, the signal interface including hardware and circuitry for transferring and receiving signals from and to the building block, and a power and control interface on the chassis for receiving power for the building block.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: INSIGHT SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) LTD.Inventor: Lin Guo
-
Patent number: 10676289Abstract: An automatic station for picking up articles which can be used in a machine for packaging articles, which achieves a greater efficiency, relative to the prior art stations, in terms of percentage of the articles picked up.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: CT PACK S.R.L.Inventors: Daniele Davi, Gabriele Canini
-
Patent number: 10649467Abstract: An operation management system includes: a plurality of robots; and an operation management unit server configured to manage an operation route in a predetermined region. Each robot has a sensor that recognizes a surrounding environment. When the sensor of a first robot recognizes a predetermined surrounding environment, the server refers to a position of the surrounding environment and sets an operation route of a second robot.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenichiro Sugiyama, Soshi Iba
-
Patent number: 10624704Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to various medical device components, including components that can be incorporated into robotic and/or in vivo medical devices. Certain embodiments include various modular medical devices for in vivo medical procedures.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of NebraskaInventors: Shane Farritor, Erik Mumm, Philip Chu, Nishant Kumar, Jason Dumpert, Yutaka Tsutano
-
Patent number: 10613520Abstract: In a data setting system in which a plurality of control devices that control robots and a management device that manages the control devices are connected through a network, the management device includes: a data group setting portion that sets a data group formed with the control devices for which the same function is set among the plurality of control devices; and a setting transmission portion that transmits, to each of the data groups, setting information for setting the control devices belonging to the data group, and the control device includes: a setting performance portion that performs the setting of the control devices based on the setting information transmitted from the management device.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: FANUC CORPORATIONInventor: Masahiro Ueno
-
Patent number: 10571872Abstract: A method for computer-aided control of an automation system is provided by use of a digital simulation model which simulates the automation system and which is specified by a number parameters comprising a number of configuration parameters) describing the configuration of the automation system and a number of state parameters describing the operational state of the automation system. Simulated operation runs of the automation system based on the simulation model can be performed with the aid of a computer, where a simulation run predicts a number of performance parameters of the automation system.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2016Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Stefan Boschert, Lucia Mirabella, Birgit Obst, Utz Wever
-
Patent number: 10543595Abstract: In an approach to creating assembly plan for disaster mitigation, one or more computer processors identify one or more triggering events. The one or more computer processors receive one or more configuration parameters for one or more assembly plans pertaining to the one or more triggering events. The one or more computer processors analyze the one or more configuration parameters to determine necessary configuration parameters based upon the identified one or more triggering events. The one or more computer processors create the one or more assembly plans containing one or more instructions for one or more self-assembling robots based on the determined necessary configuration parameters. The one or more computer processors send the one or more assembly plans to one or more self-assembling robots.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Zhao Cheng, Luyao Li, Ramesh V. Raj, Kyle D. Robeson
-
Patent number: 10532456Abstract: In an approach to creating assembly plan for disaster mitigation, one or more computer processors identify one or more triggering events. The one or more computer processors receive one or more configuration parameters for one or more assembly plans pertaining to the one or more triggering events. The one or more computer processors analyze the one or more configuration parameters to determine necessary configuration parameters based upon the identified one or more triggering events. The one or more computer processors create the one or more assembly plans containing one or more instructions for one or more self-assembling robots based on the determined necessary configuration parameters. The one or more computer processors send the one or more assembly plans to one or more self-assembling robots.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Zhao Cheng, Luyao Li, Ramesh V. Raj, Kyle D. Robeson
-
Patent number: 10525595Abstract: A method of controlling at least one of a first robot and a second robot to collaborate within a system, the first robot and the second robot being physically separate to one another, the method including: receiving sensed data associated with the second robot; determining position and/or orientation of the second robot using the received sensed data; determining an action for the second robot using the determined position and/or orientation of the second robot; and providing a control signal to the second robot to cause the second robot to perform the determined action to collaborate with the first robot.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Andrew D Norton, James Kell, Dragos A Axinte
-
Patent number: 10510158Abstract: Systems and methods related to identifying locations and/or ranges to objects using airborne imaging devices are disclosed. An object tracking system may include a plurality of aerial vehicles having associated imaging devices and a control station. Information related to positions and orientations of aerial vehicles and associated imaging devices may be received. In addition, imaging data may be received and processed to identify optical rays associated with objects within the imaging data. Further, a three-dimensional mapping of the identified optical rays may be generated, and locations or ranges of the objects relative to the aerial vehicles may be determined based on any intersections of optical rays within the three-dimensional mapping.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Ishay Kamon
-
Patent number: 10486305Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of agents to complete a mission, including deriving a decomposition set of decomposition states in a set of possible states of an automaton, wherein the automaton characterizes the mission, deriving a sequence of actions to be carried out by the plurality of agents depending on the decomposition set, where each action is to be carried out by at most one of the plurality of agents.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Mathias Buerger, Philipp Christian Schillinger
-
Patent number: 10491881Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided that relate to using one or more vision sensors to capture images of a loaded pallet in association with application of stretch wrap to the loaded pallet by an automated pallet wrapping machine. The images are used to generate an image-based identifier for the loaded pallet that is then used for pallet identification by mobile robots and/or other automated agents in a warehouse or other environment. In some implementations, the images are captured by the vision sensor when the pallet is in the wrapping area of the automated pallet wrapping machine and while the vision sensor and/or the pallet are rotating. In some implementations, the image-based identifier may be assigned to pallet attributes and/or a de-palletizing scheme of the loaded pallet.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: X DEVELOPMENT LLCInventors: Jared Stephen Russell, Julian Mac Neille Mason
-
Patent number: 10456912Abstract: A dynamic multi-objective task allocation system within robotic networks that assigns tasks in real-time as they are detected, the system including a sensing device that detects a trigger event, the trigger event being associated with a task to be performed, and transmits a broadcast signal to a designated robotic network, the robotic network including one or more robots, the broadcast signal including information associated with the task to be performed, the trigger event, the task to be performed, and a location where the task is to be performed; and a distribution robot that receives broadcast signal from the sensing device, assigns itself a self-score associated with performing the task, transmits, to one or more receiving robots within the robotic network, a request for submission of an assessment score of each one of the one or more robots, and determines which robot is assigned to perform the task.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Uthman Baroudi, Mohammed Mahmoud Al-Shaboti
-
Patent number: 10452816Abstract: Embodiments of a method and system for engaging a patient include receiving a set of user inputs from the patient at an interaction engine associated with a companion robot; at the interaction engine, determining a patient model for the patient; at the interaction engine, determining patient goals for the patient; at the interaction engine, generating an interaction plan including a conversation component and an animation component, based on the patient model and the patient goals; and executing the interaction plan with the companion robot, thereby promoting engagement between the patient and the companion robot, in improving healthcare of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Catalia Health Inc.Inventors: Cory Kidd, Devon Edwards, Gary Arnold, Brian Mirletz, Brien Voorhees
-
Patent number: 10432729Abstract: A system of autonomous vehicles for forming a team of autonomous vehicles to perform a designated set of tasks. Each vehicle stores data representing its own capabilities that match the tasks, data representing needed capabilities for the team to perform the tasks, and data representing the capabilities of all current team members. Each of the vehicles is equipped with a communications system operable to send and receive join request messages and join response messages. All join request message contain the capabilities of the sending vehicle. All join response messages contain current team capabilities data. Upon receipt of a join request message, a vehicle compares needed capabilities data to the received capabilities data, and if there are matched capabilities, it updates the team capabilities data and transmits a join response message. Upon receipt of a join response message, if the message indicates the sending vehicle has joined the team, the receiving vehicle updates the team capabilities list.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Stephan J. Lemmer, Cameron R. Mott, Paul A. Avery
-
Patent number: 10406692Abstract: A robot system includes an arm with a plurality of joints, the arm being configured to assume a first position and a second position, an end effector attached to the arm, the end effector having a specific position, and a force detector configured to detect a force or a torque applied to or generated by the arm or the end effector, and a robot control apparatus configured to receive an output value from the force detector to change the arm from the first position to the second position while the end effector remains in the specific position, and store the second position of the arm in a memory so as to relate the second position of the arm with the specific position of the end effector.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2016Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Takahiko Noda, Takashi Nammoto
-
Patent number: 10391631Abstract: A wearable smart device is configured to be positioned on and external to a robot having a robot sensor for sensing robot data and a robot input/output port. The wearable smart device includes a device sensor capable of detecting device data corresponding to an environment of the wearable smart device. The wearable smart device also includes a device input/output port. The wearable smart device also includes a device processor coupled to the robot sensor via the robot input/output port and the device input/output port. The device processor is also coupled to the device sensor and configured to control the robot based on the robot data and the device data.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Joseph M. A. Djugash, Douglas A. Moore
-
Patent number: 10384880Abstract: A workpiece supply system includes a robot that supplies a workpiece to each of a plurality of workspaces where a worker performs a predetermined task on the workpiece; a detection unit that detects a degree of fatigue of the worker in each of the workspaces; a fatigue degree evaluation unit that determines whether or not the worker is in a fatigued state, based on the degree of fatigue of the worker detected by the detection unit; and a management device that adjusts, among a plurality of workers, a pace of supply of the workpiece to each of the workers, in a case where the worker is determined by the fatigue degree evaluation unit to be in the fatigued state.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2018Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: FANUC CORPORATIONInventors: Yuusuke Kurihara, Tomoyuki Yamamoto
-
Patent number: 10368955Abstract: A foot pedal assembly for controlling a robotic surgical system includes a foot pedal assembly base including an axle, a foot pedal slidably and pivotally coupled to the axle, and a sensor arrangement configured to detect an axial position of the foot pedal along the axle and a pivoted position of the foot pedal around the axle. Different combinations of different detected axial positions and detected pivoted positions are correlateable to different functions of the robotic surgical system.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignees: JOHNSON & JOHNSON INNOVATION-JJDC, INC., VERILY LIFE SCIENCES LLCInventors: Taylor Joseph Cone, Joan Savall
-
Patent number: 10365780Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for making an electronic document easier to use based on prior interactions with the same or a similar document by other users. An electronic document is presented to one or more users in an interactive environment. Interactions between the users and the document can be recorded as usage data. The usage data may represent one or more operations performed on the electronic document by the users. Based on the usage data, an enhanced user interaction feature associated with the document is configured. The electronic document and the enhanced user interaction feature are then presented to another user in another interactive environment. The enhanced user interaction feature makes using the document easier than it would be if the feature was not present, particularly for users who are unfamiliar with the document.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Adobe Inc.Inventors: Yash Kumar Gupta, Lalit Vohra, Abhishek Modi, Aditya Kumar Pandey, Ankit Pangasa, Frederic Thevenet, Kirk B. Gould, Mohit Bansal, Nishant Kaushik, David Sherry, Steve Dakin, Vishal K. Gupta
-
Patent number: 10368313Abstract: A server for allocating a rechargeable battery among a plurality of roles performed by a group of devices removably connectable with the rechargeable battery, receives for each role from a subgroup of devices, data sets corresponding to respective operational periods. Each data set includes an identifier of the rechargeable battery; a measured capacity; and a measured energy consumption during the operational period. The server: determines and stores, based on the measured capacities, a predicted capacity of the rechargeable battery; determines and stores, for each role, a predicted energy consumption per role based on the measured energy consumptions; obtains an allocation defined by the identifier of the rechargeable battery and an identifier of one of the roles; compares the predicted capacity with the predicted energy consumption corresponding to the obtained role; and when the predicted energy consumption corresponding to the one of the roles exceeds the predicted capacity, generates an alert.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Zebra Technologies CorporationInventor: Devan J. Lippman
-
Patent number: 10359778Abstract: An indoor monitoring system for a structure comprises an unmanned floating machine provided with a propeller to float and move in the air inside a structure; a distance measuring unit on said machine to measures a distance between said machine and an inner wall surface of the structure; an inertial measurement unit on said machine to identify the attitude of the body of said machine; an image-capturing unit on said machine to capture an image of a structural body on the side of said machine; a control unit which controls said machine remotely; a flight position information acquiring unit which uses information from the distance measuring unit and the inertial measurement unit to acquire information relating to the current position of said machine; and a monitor unit which displays image information from the image-capturing unit and the position information from the flight position information acquiring unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Takayuki Kono, Yoichiro Tsumura
-
Patent number: 10349899Abstract: A system for predicting a likelihood of an occurrence of hallucinations in a subject including a master device configured to be at least one of moved, moved on, and manipulated by a subject, a slave device operably connected with the master device and adapted so that the subject is directly or indirectly touched by the slave device according with the master device's movement, a computer device operably connected to both the master and the slave device, the computer device configured to modulate at least one of a time, space, and force activation of the slave device in response to an activation of the master device, record data regarding a difference in at least one of time, space and force activation, compare the recorded data with reference data, and graphically or numerically showing the result of the comparison on a display device, as an indicator of the likelihood of the occurrence of hallucinations in a subject.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)Inventors: Olaf Blanke, Giulio Rognini
-
Patent number: 10307906Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to functioning and monitoring of robots, and more particularly, to closely monitor, administer, and track an autonomous software robots. The embodiments herein relate to automating of a plurality of repetitive tasks by deploying a plurality of software robots in an operation floor. By using the robotic console module, an administrator is able to get a holistic view of the plurality of robots deployed at various client workstations. The administrator is also capable of viewing robots deployed, the ability to start and stop of the robots and view alerts raised by the robots during execution.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2016Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Tata Consultancy Services LimitedInventors: Ruchi Rajan Shah, Prema Rameshchandra Choubey, Subramanyam A R, Ravi Kethana, Bhakti Chandulal Chandarana
-
Patent number: 10296995Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically maintaining a map of robotic devices in an environment are provided herein. A map of robotic devices may be determined, where the map includes predicted future locations of at least some of the robotic devices. One or more robotic devices may then be caused to perform a task. During a performance of the task by the one or more robotic devices, task progress data may be received from the robotic devices, indicative of which of the task phases have been performed. Based on the data, the map may be updated to include a modification to the predicted future locations of at least some of the robotic devices. One or more robotic devices may then be caused to perform at least one other task in accordance with the updated map.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2018Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: X Development LLCInventors: Rohit Ramesh Saboo, James Joseph Kuffner, Julian Mason
-
Patent number: 10296006Abstract: An artificial marker combination to be read by an autonomous mobile device comprises at least two artificial markers arranged in order. Each artificial marker is different and the artificial marker combination is used as a group of artificial markers. A computer vision positioning system used in connection with the artificial marker combination utilizes the individual meanings in the multiple markers as instructions for the mobile device markers along its route. A method for the computer vision positioning system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: ScienBiziP Consulting (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Horng-Juing Lee, Tien-Ping Liu, Shu-Fen Chen, Yu-Chien Hsiao