Specific Enhancing Or Modifying Technique (e.g., Adaptive Control) Patents (Class 700/250)
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Patent number: 8768511Abstract: An object searching method includes: capturing an image in front of a cleaning robot by a camera. Comparing the image with a number of reference images to determine whether the image is the same as one of the reference images. Storing a position of the cleaning robot and the image when the image is the same as one of the reference images, adjusting the path of the cleaning robot to stop the cleaning robot from cleaning the object; and emitting an alarm.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2011Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hou-Hsien Lee, Chang-Jung Lee, Chih-Ping Lo
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Patent number: 8761926Abstract: A robot control method for controlling robot walking includes: generating control information, based on a plurality of postures corresponding to different points of time and at least including a reference posture when a robot is independently standing without falling down, and controlling the robot so that the robot performs a predetermined walking motion; and determining whether a value of a gyro index is larger than a predetermined threshold value, during the controlling of the robot, and, when the value of the gyro index is larger than the predetermined threshold value, performs a reflex control processing.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2010Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Riadh Zaier
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Patent number: 8761925Abstract: Disclosed are a robot, which builds a map using a surface data of a three-dimensional image, from which a dynamic obstacle is removed, and a method of building a map for the robot. The method includes sequentially acquiring first and second surface data of a route on which the robot moves; matching the first and second surface data with each other to calculate a difference between the first and second surface data; detecting a dynamic obstacle from the first and second surface data according to the difference between the first and second surface data; generating a third surface data by removing the dynamic obstacle from at least one of the first and second surface data; and matching the third surface data and any one of the first and second surface data with each other to build the map.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sukjune Yoon, Woong Kwon, Seung Yong Hyung, Hyun Kyu Kim, Kyung Shik Roh
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Patent number: 8755929Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for a load-clamping system with variable clamping force control by which a wide variety of different load types in a wide variety of different load geometric configurations can be accurately clamped at respective variable optimal clamping force settings dependent on each load's respective load type and geometric configuration in combination. An operator display and input terminal cooperates with a controller to translate assortments of possible load variables into a form easily discernible visually by a clamp operator and preferably easily comparable by the operator, from his visual observation, to each particular load which he is about to engage, so that the operator can interactively guide the controller in its selection of an optimal clamping force setting for each particular load.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Cascade CorporationInventors: Pat S. McKernan, Gregory A. Nagle
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Publication number: 20140163731Abstract: A system including a memory having instructions causing a processor to perform operations, for planning a grasping-device approach to an object by a grasping device, a pre-grasp device position, and a pre-grasp device pose. The operations comprise obtaining input data including grasping-device data, object data, and environmental-constraint data, determining, based on the grasping-device data, a grasp volume model, determining a test approach vector, and determining, using the vector, the constraint data, and the model, whether approach vector modification is needed. The operations also include modifying, if modification is needed, the test approach, yielding a resulting approach vector, and determining, if modification is not needed, that the test approach is the resulting approach vector.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2013Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jianying Shi, Gurdayal Singh Koonjul
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Publication number: 20140163732Abstract: There is provided a method for checking a moving available area of a robot on a moving surface robot. The method for checking a moving available area of a robot on a moving surface robot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a) generating a geometric model of the moving surface, b) generating a triangle mesh by triangulating curved surfaces of the moving surface by using the geometric model, c) calculating angles between any one triangle of a plurality of triangles positioned within the triangle mesh and triangles adjacent to the any one triangle, and d) primarily checking moving available areas of a robot by determining whether or not the angles between any one triangle and the triangles adjacent to the any one triangle are within a predetermined range.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 4, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: SAMSUNG HEAVY IND. CO., LTD.Inventors: Jinhyung Park, Jaeyong Lee, Siyoul Rhee, Byungchul Kim
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Patent number: 8751048Abstract: Provided is a robot device including an image input unit for inputting an image of surroundings, a target object detection unit for detecting an object from the input image, an object position detection unit for detecting a position of the object, an environment information acquisition unit for acquiring surrounding environment information of the position of the object, an optimum posture acquisition unit for acquiring an optimum posture corresponding to the surrounding environment information for the object, an object posture detection unit for detecting a current posture of the object from the input image, an object posture comparison unit for comparing the current posture of the object to the optimum posture of the object, and an object posture correction unit for correcting the posture of the object when the object posture comparison unit determines that there is a predetermined difference or more between the current posture and the optimum posture.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Satoru Shimizu, Kenta Kawamoto, Yoshiaki Iwai
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Patent number: 8744628Abstract: An autonomous moving floor-treating robot and a control method thereof for edge-following floor-treating are provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Ecovacs Robotics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jinju Tang
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Patent number: 8744626Abstract: The different illustrative embodiments provide a system for autonomous machine management comprising a number of autonomous machines, a number of nodes, a performance estimation module, and a navigation system. The number of autonomous machines is configured to perform area coverage tasks in a worksite. The number of nodes is configured to define a number of worksite areas for the worksite. The performance estimation module is executed by a processor unit and configured to calculate a percentage of work completed in the number of worksite areas. The navigation system is configured to operate an autonomous machine to perform the area coverage tasks and move between the number of worksite areas.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: David August Johnson, Noel Wayne Anderson, Kirk Narum Eisenbeis
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Patent number: 8744627Abstract: A system of distributed control of an interactive animatronic show includes a plurality of animatronic actors, at least one of the actors a processor and one or more motors controlled by the processor. The system also includes a network interconnecting each of the actors, and a plurality of sensors providing messages to the network, where the messages are indicative of processed information. Each processor executed software that schedules and/or coordinates an action of the actor corresponding to the processor in accordance with the sensor messages representative of attributes of an audience viewing the show and the readiness of the corresponding actor. Actions of the corresponding actor can include animation movements of the actor, responding to another actor and/or responding to a member of the audience. The actions can result in movement of at least a component of the actor caused by control of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Alexis Paul Wieland
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Patent number: 8738178Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling walking of humanoid bipedal walking robot. More specifically, the invention comprises steps of designing a zero momentum position (ZMP) of a robot for the ground surface (a); calculating trajectories of a center of gravity (COG) of the robot along with the trajectory of the ZMP (b); calculating an angular velocity of driving motors of two feet, which has the robot walk according to the trajectory of the ZMP (c); and controlling walking of the robot by driving the driving motors according to the angular velocity of the driving motors calculated above. The robot walking control method according to the invention has stability against disturbances.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Young Jin Choi, Do Ik Kim, Yong Hwan Oh, Chang Hwan Kim, Bum Jae You, Jung San Cho
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Patent number: 8738181Abstract: Methods, devices (such as computer readable media), and systems (such as computer systems) for defining and executing automated movements using robotic arms (such as robotic arms configured for use in performing surgical procedures), so that a remotely-located surgeon is relieved from causing the robotic arm to perform the automated movement through movement of an input device such as a hand controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2008Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Inventors: Alexander Greer, Garnette Sutherland, Tim Fielding, Perry Newhook
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Patent number: 8731720Abstract: Systems and methods as described for providing visual telepresence to an operator of a remotely controlled robot. The robot includes both video cameras and pose sensors. The system can also comprise a head-tracking sensor to monitor the orientation of the operator's head. These signals can be used to aim the video cameras. The controller receives both the video signals and the pose sensor signals from the robot, and optionally receives head-tracking signals from the head-tracking sensor. The controller stitches together the various video signals to form a composite video signal that maps to a robot view. The controller renders an image to a display from that portion of the composite video signal that maps to an operator view. The relationship of the operator view to the robot view is varied according to the signals from the pose sensors and the head-tracking sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2013Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Anybots 2.0, Inc.Inventors: Trevor Blackwell, Daniel Casner, Scott Wiley
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Patent number: 8731716Abstract: A method of operating a biomimetic mechanical joint having a plurality of fractional actuators configured for rotating a support member about a pivot device. The fractional actuators can be selectively recruited during operation, either individually or together, to efficiently rotate the support member about the mechanical joint throughout a range of movements and under a variety of load conditions. Each fractional actuator can be continuously throttled to reduce the speed or torque at which the actuator operates. The capability of selectively recruiting and throttling each fractional actuator results in an actuator system having two degrees of freedom, in which a single operating state of the mechanical joint may be reached with one or more of actuator arrangements and throttling settings.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Marc X. Olivier, Brian J. Maclean
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Patent number: 8725273Abstract: A method for improving situational awareness for teleoperation of a remote vehicle by creating a 3D map display of an area around the remote vehicle comprises: receiving an original image from a stereo vision camera and utilizing the original image to perform visual odometry to determine the x, y, z, roll, pitch, and yaw for the original image; applying a fill-in algorithm to the original image to fill in an estimated depth for areas of the original image for which no depth data is available, which creates an enhanced depth image; combining the enhanced depth image with the x, y, z, roll, pitch, and yaw for the original image to create the 3D map display of the area around the remote vehicle; and displaying the 3D map display on an operator control unit used to control the remote vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Scott Raymond Lenser, Mark Bourne Moseley
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Patent number: 8725292Abstract: An apparatus for locating a plurality of objects includes a planar element. The apparatus includes one or more sensors sensing the locations of a plurality of objects based on light that is transmitted through the planar element. A method for locating a plurality of objects includes the steps of moving the objects. There is the step of sensing the locations of a plurality of objects based on light that is transmitted through a planar element with one or more sensors.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: New York UniversityInventors: Kenneth Perlin, Daniel A. Rosenfeld, Joel S. Kollin
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Patent number: 8712589Abstract: A system for judging success or failure of a work of a robot includes a position command generating unit, a contact position detecting unit, and a work success/failure judging unit. The position command generating unit generates a position command enabling movement of a fingertip of the robot so that a position and posture detecting unit, which is attached to the fingertip of the robot and has an elastic transformation area, is brought into contact with a predetermined position relating to a work target after the predetermined work is performed for the work target by the robot. The contact position detecting unit calculates a contact position that is a position of a tip end of the position and posture detecting unit at the time of being in contact with the predetermined position based on a value of an external force applied to the fingertip and the position of the tip end of the position and posture detecting unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa DenkiInventors: Hideo Nagata, Yasuyuki Inoue, Yosuke Kamiya
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Publication number: 20140114477Abstract: In a teaching device for robot that moves a flexible body holding unit holding a flexible body and performs teaching of a fitting task of the flexible body to a thing to generate teaching data, a reaching decision unit decides that a front end of the flexible body reaches the thing, a curvature acquiring unit acquires information of evaluation of a degree of curvature of the flexible body when the reaching decision unit decides the reaching, and a notification unit performs predetermined notification about teaching on the basis of the acquired information of evaluation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Taichi SATO, Yudai FUDABA, Yuko TSUSAKA
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Patent number: 8706301Abstract: Methods of and a system for providing force information for a robotic surgical system. The method includes storing first kinematic position information and first actual position information for a first position of an end effector; moving the end effector via the robotic surgical system from the first position to a second position; storing second kinematic position information and second actual position information for the second position; and providing force information regarding force applied to the end effector at the second position utilizing the first actual position information, the second actual position information, the first kinematic position information, and the second kinematic position information. Visual force feedback is also provided via superimposing an estimated position of an end effector without force over an image of the actual position of the end effector. Similarly, tissue elasticity visual displays may be shown.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Wenyi Zhao, Tao Zhao, David Q. Larkin
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Patent number: 8706295Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for synchronization robots. According to an aspect of the present invention, a portable robot synchronization apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store data defining physical models and behaviors of a real robot, a manipulation unit, an output unit, a communication unit configured to perform wired and wireless communication with the real robot or a server, and a control unit configured to model a size and behavior of a virtual robot, having a shape and behavior of the real robot, in response to a manipulation command received through the manipulation unit, on the basis of the data stored in the storage unit, output the modeled virtual robot through the output unit, and control the behavior of the virtual robot in response to the behavior of the real robot when communicating with the real robot through the communication unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: IR Robot Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chang Hyun Park
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Patent number: 8700551Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for predicting one or more desired properties of external nodes or properties of their relations with internal nodes, based on a selected group of nodes about which it is known whether the nodes have the desired properties, or it is known whether they have a desired relation property with an internal node. The method comprises storing in one or more data structures a first data set regarding external nodes and a second data set regarding nodes with known properties in a selected group, each data set having one or more data items representing one or more events relating to or attributes of each node in the data set, the second data set including one or more types of data items not included in the first data set.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Venture Lending & Leasing VI, Inc.Inventors: Yaacov Shama, Tal Segalov, Ehud Ben-Reuven, Evgeny Drukh, Uri Sternfeld
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Patent number: 8700216Abstract: A steering robot for attachment to a vehicle's steering wheel has its own steering wheel attached to a rotor of an annular motor. The latter has a stator. Fitted to the forward (in use) side of rotor is an annular mounting plate, having three tabs extending slightly inwards for receiving mounting bolts. A clamp formed of a ring having equally spaced around it three slotted radial lugs. The lugs provide attachments for three clamping fixtures, by means of which the clamp can be attached temporarily to the vehicle's steering wheel. The stator has a pair of torque reaction lugs via which steering torque exerted by the motor to effect a steering maneuver under test or investigation can be reacted. The steering robot is open-centered, whereby steering wheel mounted controls can be operated normally.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Anthony Best Dynamics LimitedInventors: Anthony Best, Stephen John Neads, Mathew James Hubbard
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Patent number: 8700197Abstract: In the case of a robot interaction system comprising a robot (1) having a robot controller with types of operation and operating modes which influence an associated man-robot interface, the aim is to provide a solution which allows flexible matching of a robot or robot system to different degrees of a man-robot interaction. This is achieved in that the robot controller is equipped with types of operation and operating modes which influence an associated man-robot interface and are designed to be matched and/or to be capable of being matched to different automation degrees of the robot (1) and/or to different time and/or physical positions of the man and robot as interaction partners in a working area.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: SMS Siemag AktiengesellschaftInventors: Christian Plociennik, Hans-Wilhelm Schöck, Mark Moors
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Patent number: 8694160Abstract: An NC machine tool system includes an NC machine tool (10), a first operation panel (22) and a second operation panel (24) for the NC machine tool, a multi-joint robot (40), a memory (450), and a robot controller (50). The multi-joint robot (40) is disposed above the NC machine tool. The memory (450) stores a wait position return program by which the multi-joint robot (40) is operated. The robot controller (50) controls the multi-joint robot (40) in accordance with the program. Operation panels (22, 24) are respectively provided with switch keys (22c, 24c) operated to execute the wait position return program stored in the memory (450) so as to operate the multi-joint robot (40).Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak CorporationInventors: Nobuyasu Yasue, Hironobu Ishihara, Kikuo Hattori, Tsuyoshi Hattori
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Patent number: 8694135Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the generation of a program for a programmable logic controller having a programming input unit for the selection and compilation of a plurality of symbols, a generation unit for the generation of a program code for the programmable logic controller from an arrangement of symbols compiled at the display unit of the programming input unit. In accordance with the invention an investigation unit for investigating the resulting possible influences of input signals of the programmable logic controller, onto output signals of the programmable logic controller at the actuator outputs from the arrangement of symbols generated by the program code or compiled at the display unit of the programming input unit is provided. In accordance with the invention an implementing unit for implementing the possible exertion of influence in a matrix and a display unit for the display of the matrix are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Sick AGInventors: Oliver Koepcke, Klaus Weddingfeld
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Patent number: 8688270Abstract: A device for controlling the reflection of incident beams to influence navigation of an autonomous device having a navigation sensor comprising a beam emitter and a beam detector for detecting reflected emitted beams. The device comprises at least one surface having a geometry configured to direct a reflection from the emitted beam in a predetermined direction so that a suitable amount of the reflected beam can be detected by the detector.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Robert Paul Roy, Rogelio Manfred Neumann
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Patent number: 8688261Abstract: Disclosed are a transport apparatus that holds and transports an object on a predetermined transport track using a transport portion provided at the leading end of an arm and is capable of acquiring the teaching information of a transport position using a normal transport operation, a position teaching method, and a sensor jig. A transmissive sensor (32) is provided in a sensor jig (30) such that the projection segments of an optical axis (41) and an optical axis (42) on a projection plane intersect with each other and neither the project segment of the optical axis (41) nor the projection segment of the optical axis (42) is aligned with the X-direction and the Y-direction. During a position teaching operation, the sensor jig (30) is provided so as to be held by a wafer transport portion (24), thereby detecting target members (51, 52).Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Rorze CorporationInventor: Kenji Hirota
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Patent number: 8688274Abstract: A robot positioning method includes the following steps. A optical sensing device is configured at a front end of a robot. Then, the optical sensing device captures a calibration plate image, and a relative position of the optical sensing device with respective to a calibration plate is calculated according to a Bundle Adjustment. A robot calibration method includes the following steps. An optical sensing device is driven to rotate around a reference axis of a calibration plate, so as to calculate a translation matrix between the calibration plate and the robot, and the optical sensing device is driven to translate along three orthogonal reference axes of the calibration plate, so as to calculate a rotation matrix between the calibration plate and the robot.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Po-Huang Shieh, Shang-Chieh Lu, Bor-Tung Jiang, Kuo-Tang Huang, Chin-Kuei Chang
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Patent number: 8682487Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-directionally movable vehicle (10, 20) and to a method for operating the multi-directionally movable vehicle (10, 20). The vehicle (10, 20) has a vehicle body (11, 12), a plurality of multi-directionally movable wheels (13) which are rotatably arranged on the vehicle body (11, 12) and have the purpose of moving the vehicle (10), and a plurality of lighting devices (14, 15) which are each assigned to one of the wheels (13) and which can be activated as a function of the selected or intended direction of travel of the vehicle (10) in order to indicate visually to the outside the direction of travel of the vehicle (10) by means of one or more activated lighting devices (14, 15).Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: KUKA Laboratories GmbHInventors: Johannes Kurth, Günter Schreiber, Mario Selic
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Publication number: 20140081455Abstract: A method of assigning an auxiliary input device to control a surgical instrument in a robotic surgical system can include automatically assigning an auxiliary input device to control an auxiliary function of a surgical instrument based on a position of the auxiliary input device and which of a user's hands is operating another input device operably coupled to control movement of the surgical instrument. A system for controlling a surgical instrument may include an input device of a surgical system that is operably coupled to generate and transmit an input control signal to control movement of a surgical instrument operably coupled to the surgical system. The system may further include an auxiliary input device, and a control system operably coupling the auxiliary input device to control an auxiliary function of the surgical instrument based on a position of the auxiliary input device and which of a user's hands is operating the input device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Randal P. GOLDBERG, Michael HANUSCHIK, Paul MILLMAN, Paul W. MOHR, Thomas R. NIXON, David ROBINSON
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Publication number: 20140074425Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for remote golf club swinging is provided. The method can include receiving in a robotic golf club swing fixture from a remote operator over a computer communications network a set of swing parameters defining different aspects of a golf club swing. The method also can include directing a plurality of robotic arms of the fixture to swing a coupled golf club according to the received swing parameters. The method yet further can include sensing a result of the swinging of the coupled golf club. Finally, the method can include transmitting data derived from the sensed result to the remote operator over the computer communications network.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Inventors: Eugene R. PARENTE, Sean J. DYNES, Timothy W. BRATCHER
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Patent number: 8670869Abstract: An element 22 which determines a manipulation amount for controlling a motion state of each joint 4 of a robot 1 calculates a pseudo inverse matrix A* used for calculating the manipulation amount, using a value of an adjustment parameter k determined so that an absolute value of a determinant DET is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold. Setting a provisional value of the adjustment parameter k by gradually increasing the provisional value from a predetermined initial value, calculating the determinant DET using the set provisional value, and determining whether the absolute value of the calculated determinant DET is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold is repeated, and the provisional value of the adjustment parameter k when the determination result is true is determined as the value of the adjustment parameter k used for the calculation of the pseudo inverse matrix A*.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Atsuo Orita
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Patent number: 8668429Abstract: The invention describes a depalleting device (1) and a method for operating the latter for a transported product (2) provided in a stack comprising a mounting table (8) which is adjustable linearly in a guiding arrangement (10) by a feed drive (9), and comprising a conveying device (4) arranged on the latter and drive-connected to a drive motor and with a mounting conveying device (23) arranged at least at one end section (20) of the conveying device (4). The mounting conveying device (23) is drive-connected to a drive motor that is independent of the drive of the conveying device (4). By means of a detecting means (52) of the mounting conveying device (23) a load parameter is detected which acts on the latter on placing a conveying roller up to the transported product (2) and a signal is generated in a control and regulating device for controlling the speed of the drive motor of the mounting conveying device (23).Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2008Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: TGW Mechanics GmbHInventor: Karl Angleitner
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Publication number: 20140067117Abstract: An actuating apparatus includes an actuator including flexible transmitting assemblies disposed between a plurality of joints, and a plurality of motors for actuating the joints. Each of the motors includes a variable rigidity element, the rigidity of which is variable in directions of rotation of the joints, and a controller for controlling the actuator. The controller includes a rigidity threshold value calculator for calculating rigidity threshold values of the joints, based on a required rigidity for a predetermined task position on a link and a coefficient matrix determined based on rotational angles of the motors.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Atsuo Orita
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Patent number: 8666547Abstract: Cellular automotion digital material is useable for rapid prototyping and fabrication of continuous string conformations and two- or three-dimensional shapes through actuation of a string, surface, or volume composed of identical discrete units. Each unit is an actuated joint having a single degree of freedom. The actuated joint includes a two-part actuator having an inner active portion and an outer passive portion that are controllably rotatable relative to each other, the outer portion being configured to fit within the housing of an adjacent cellular automotion unit, and a linkage element that includes a main strut and a housing and is connected to the actuator by a pin connector.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Kenneth C. Cheung, Ara Knaian, Neil Gershenfeld
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Patent number: 8666545Abstract: Disclosed herein is a user interface apparatus and control method for the control of service robots. The user interface apparatus for the control of service robots includes an interaction server, an index block, and a robot control server. The interaction server receives control commands to control a service robot from a user, analyzes the control commands, and outputs the results of the analysis to the user. The index block determines the degree of difficulty of each of the analyzed control commands. The robot control server determines the operating mode of the service robot depending on the analyzed control command and the degree of difficulty, and controls the service robot in the determined operating mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Sungkyunkwan University Foundation for Corporate CollaborationInventors: Jae Wook Jeon, Tae Houn Song, Soon Mook Jung, Hyun Uk Jung, Myung Jin Kim
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Patent number: 8666549Abstract: An automatic machine includes N output units, a storage unit and a control unit. The control unit is electrically connected to the output units and the storage unit. The storage unit stores a first reaction pattern corresponding to a first command. The first reaction pattern includes a header and N reaction modes and each of the reaction modes is corresponding to one of the output units. Each of the reaction modes includes M reaction frames. The header records a number of the reaction frames of each reaction mode. The control unit receives the first command, looks the first reaction pattern up in the storage unit according to the first command, and selectively controls at least one of the output units to perform the reaction frames correspondingly according to the header and the reaction modes.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Compal Communications, Inc.Inventor: Fu-Kuan Hsu
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Patent number: 8666548Abstract: Disclosed are a path planning apparatus of a robot, which generates a path plan to control movements of the robot, and a method thereof. An improved RRT algorithm is employed, when a tree is extended in a configuration space so as to satisfy a constraint, and thus steeply bent or roundabout portions of the tree are reduced.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: San Lim
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Patent number: 8660736Abstract: A method of navigating an autonomous mobile device to a base station is provided. In the method, when a detector detects a navigating signal sent out by the base station, the mobile device rotates in a first direction until the detector fails to detect the navigating signal, and a first time point is set at this time. Then, the mobile device rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction until the detector fails to detect the navigating signal, and a second time point is set at this time. Afterward, the mobile device rotates in the first direction by a time computed based on the first and second time points to make the detector face the base station, and then, moves toward a direction pointed by the detector.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Agait Technology CorporationInventors: Tien-Chen Chen, Kai-Sheng Lee, Peng-Sheng Chen
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Patent number: 8660691Abstract: An automatic machine includes an output unit, a storage unit and a control unit. The storage unit stores a motion pattern corresponding to a command and recording N predetermined motion information and N time tags. The control unit receives the command, reads a current motion information of the output unit, looks the motion pattern up in the storage unit according to the command and the current motion information, determines that the current motion information is between the i-th predetermined motion information and the (i+1)-th predetermined motion information, calculating a time adjusting information by the (i+1)-th predetermined motion information, the (i+1)-th time tag and the current motion information, and controls the output unit to execute the (i+1)-th predetermined motion information according to the current motion information, the first time tag through the i-th time tag, and the time adjusting information.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Compal Communications, Inc.Inventor: Fu-Kuan Hsu
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Patent number: 8649905Abstract: The invention relates to a medical workstation and an operating device (1) for the manual movement of a robot arm (M1-M3). The operating device (1) comprises a controller (5) and at least one manual mechanical input device (E1-E3) coupled to the controller (5). The controller (5) is designed to generate signals for controlling a movement of at least one robot arm (M1-M3) provided for treating a living being (P) based on a manual movement of the input device (E1-E3) such that the robot arm (M1-M3) carries out a movement corresponding to the manual movement. The input device (E1, E2) comprises at least one mechanical damping unit (27, 40), which generates a force and/or torque during a manual movement of the input device (E1, E2) for at least partially suppressing a partial movement resulting from a tremor of the person operating the input device (E1, E2).Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: KUKA Laboratories GmbHInventor: Tobias Ortmaier
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Patent number: 8644986Abstract: A control device that controls grip of an object is disclosed. The control device includes: detecting means for detecting a slip of the object and outputting a slip detection value; change-value calculating means for calculating, on the basis of the slip detection value, a change value for changing a command value, which sets gripping force for the object, to magnitude for resting the object; suppression-value calculating means for calculating, on the basis of the slip detection value, a suppression value for suppressing the command value to necessary minimum magnitude for resting the object; and setting means for setting the magnitude of the command value on the basis of the change value and the suppression value.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2008Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Toshimitsu Tsuboi, Takeo Kishida, Tetsuharu Fukushima
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Patent number: 8644991Abstract: Configurations are provided for vehicular robots or other vehicles to provide shifting of their centers of gravity for enhanced obstacle navigation. A robot chassis with pivotable driven flippers has a pivotable neck and sensor head mounted toward the front of the chassis. The neck is pivoted forward to shift the vehicle combined center of gravity (combined CG) forward for various climbing and navigation tasks. The flippers may also be selectively moved to reposition the center of gravity. Various weight distributions allow different CG shifting capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2007Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Timothy R. Ohm, Michael Bassett
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Patent number: 8634957Abstract: Robotic devices, systems, and methods for use in robotic surgery and other robotic applications, and/or medical instrument devices, systems, and methods includes both a reusable processor and a limited-use robotic tool or medical treatment probe. A memory the limited-use component includes machine readable code with data and/or programming instructions to be implemented by the processor. Programming of the processor can be updated by shipping of new data once downloaded by the processor from a component, subsequent components can take advantage of the updated processor without repeated downloading.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Gregory K. Toth, Nitish Swarup, Thomas R. Nixon, David Q. Larkin, Steven J. Colton
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Patent number: 8630735Abstract: Disclosed is a method, apparatus, and medium for estimating a pose of a moving robot using a particle filter. A method for estimating a pose of a moving robot using a particle filter according to an embodiment of the invention includes a detecting a change in pose of the mobile robot and calculating a pose of the current particle by applying the detected change in pose to the previous particle, predicting the probability of the pose of the current particle and obtaining a weight of the current particle on the basis of range data obtained by a sensor and map information, resampling the current particle on the basis of the weight, and adjusting the weight in consideration of an error of the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Samsumg Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyeon Myeong, Seok-won Bang, Dong-geon Kong, Su-jinn Lee
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Publication number: 20140005827Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling a mobile robot having movement mechanisms and work mechanisms both connected to a body, actuators for driving them, and a controller for controlling an action of the movement mechanisms and the work mechanisms through the actuators, the controller comprises a person detector to detect a person located in a vicinity of the robot, a position determiner to determine whether the position of the detected person is within a first range or a second range, and a regulator to regulate the actions of the movement mechanisms and the work mechanisms when the position of the detected person is determined to be within the first range or the second range.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
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Patent number: 8618762Abstract: A tendon tensioning system includes a tendon having a proximal end and a distal end, an actuator, and a motor controller. The actuator may include a drive screw and a motor, and may be coupled with the proximal end of the tendon and configured to apply a tension through the tendon in response to an electrical current. The motor controller may be electrically coupled with the actuator, and configured to provide an electrical current having a first amplitude to the actuator until a stall tension is achieved through the tendon; provide a pulse current to the actuator following the achievement of the stall tension, where the amplitude of the pulse current is greater than the first amplitude, and return the motor to a steady state holding current following the conclusion of the pulse current.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Matthew J. Reiland, Myron A. Diftler
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Publication number: 20130345865Abstract: A system capable of causing an agent to continuously execute a plurality of different subtasks while securing the continuity of behavior of the agent is provided. A plurality of state variable trajectories representing the time series of a state variable of an object are generated according to a stochastic transition model in which the state variable of the object is represented as a random variable. The stochastic transition model is defined so that the transition mode of the state variable is determined according to an execution probability of each subtask in which a probability distribution is represented by a Dirichlet distribution. An operation of the agent is controlled so that the state of the object transits according to one state variable trajectory (desired state variable trajectory) maximizing or optimizing the joint probability of a whole of the stochastic transition model among the plurality of state variable trajectories.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Soshi Iba, Akinobu Hayashi
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Publication number: 20130345866Abstract: A control system and teaching method for a seven-axis articulated robot are provided, which system and method are capable of easily grasping a motion trajectory of the whole robot and thereby performing proper teaching during teaching operation. The control system includes a setting device for setting a specified plane in a teaching mode for teaching a seven-axis articulated robot; a control unit for controlling the movement of the seven-axis articulated robot so as to restrict a motion trajectory of an elbow portion within the plane set by the setting device; and a computing unit for performing inverse transform operation to calculate the pivot angle of each pivot axis based on a change in a position of the hand end, setting the restriction of the movement of the elbow portion as a constraint condition, when the position for the hand end is taught.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hidenori Tanaka, Takamasa Ogata, Tetsuya Kubota
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Publication number: 20130333153Abstract: A robot cleaner and a method for controlling a robot cleaner are provided. The method may include sensing a stored value of a pulse width modulation (PWM) duty ratio based on a voltage of a battery; comparing a measured value of the PWM duty ratio with the stored value to calculate a difference between the measured value and the stored value; upon determining that the difference between the measured value and the stored value is equal to or greater than a first set value, calculating a distributed value of acceleration on a substantially vertically extending axis of the robot cleaner; and, upon determining that the distributed value of acceleration deviates from a range of a second set values, increasing a force to suction foreign matter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Inventors: Chulmo SUNG, Hyungsuk KANG, Inbo SHIM