Based On User Input Patents (Class 700/257)
  • Patent number: 10231574
    Abstract: A method for operating an electric motor-driven food processor for preparing a preparation item, wherein a user of the food processor receives information from the food processor about an operating parameter for the food processor and/or a preparation parameter for the preparation item and/or transmits said information to the food processor. The information is projected into the visual field of the user by means of a wearable image generating device configured separately from the food processor, in particular an eyeglass-type construction worn in front of an eye while the user is looking at the food processor in a defined angular range. The information is superimposed onto the visual field. Also proposed is an electrically driven food processor as well as a system comprised of such a food processor and a wearable image generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventor: Benjamin Strang
  • Patent number: 10201390
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for the elimination/mitigation of vibration arising from a mode transition during a robotic surgery. The robotic surgery can be performed with a patient side cart, portions of which can be affected by the mode transition. Initial parameters for the portions of the patient side cart that can be affected by the mode transition are identified and are used to create a smoothing curve. The smoothing curve can direct the movement of the portions of the patient side cart to transition between the modes. The smoothing curve can be continuously generated until a new mode transition is requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Nitish Swarup, David W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 10186992
    Abstract: A centralized control mechanism for a multi-motor drive, the mechanism including: a plurality of independent motor drive modules; a power source module; an interface control microprocessor; a communication module; and a plurality of interface modules of motors. The power source module supplies power for each circuit, and each independent motor drive module drives one permanent magnet motor. Each motor drive module includes a motor microprocessor, an inverter circuit, and a phase current detection circuit. The phase current detection circuit transmits detected data to the motor microprocessor, and the motor microprocessor outputs multiple paths of PWM signals to the inverter circuit and controls the inverter circuit. An output end of the inverter circuit is connected to a coil winding of the PM motor. The plurality of motor microprocessors communicates with the interface control microprocessor via a data bus. The interface control microprocessor communicates with the outside via the communication module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: ZHONGSHAN BROAD-OCEAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Zhao, Yunsheng Chen, Xiansheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 10063640
    Abstract: A device may receive device information and operation information relating to an Internet of Things (IoT) device type corresponding to IoT devices that are configured to perform a particular operation based on receiving a particular command message. The device information may identify IoT devices of the IoT device type, and the operation information may identify operations that the IoT devices are capable of performing. The device may generate an application programming interface (API) based on the operation information. The API may associate the operations with one or more respective instructions, and may permit a client device to control operation of the IoT devices. An instruction, of the one or more respective instructions, when received by the device, may cause the device to cause a corresponding command message to be transmitted to an IoT device of the IoT devices. The device may store or provide the API.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Zhong Chen, William D. Walker, Jianxiu Hao, Matthew J. Threefoot
  • Patent number: 10055623
    Abstract: Provided herein is a monitoring system and method for a bolting operation, during which a torque tool is coupled to a torque sensing and transmitting adapter disposed of with an RFID reader or a middle device to read the information in the RFID tag attached to each bolt following the preset bolting sequence. After receiving the information, a torque control device evaluates whether the bolts are valid and memorizes the bolting sequence, edits and stores in the memory. The torque control device continuously monitors whether the operator does follow the programmed bolting sequence and the bolting mode to fasten the bolt with target torque value and issues a warning if otherwise. Meanwhile, the torque control device writes the bolting information in the tag or stores the information in a peripheral server or in a cloud server via the Internet for later inquiry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: China Pneumatic Corporation
    Inventor: Hsiu-Feng Chu
  • Patent number: 10013062
    Abstract: A sheet jammer device comprises a first jamming sheet having a first surface within a compression region. A first inflatable bladder includes a first contact area within the compression region and a second jamming sheet has a surface within the compression. A second inflatable bladder that includes a second contact area that is within the compression region. An amount of inflation of the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder controls the first friction force and the second friction force to restrict movement of the first jamming sheet relative to the second jamming sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Oculus VR, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Roy Corson, Sean Jason Keller, Tristan Thomas Trutna, Charles Stewart, Raymond King
  • Patent number: 9671785
    Abstract: An object-detection system suitable for use in an automated vehicle includes a transceiver, and object-detector, and a controller. The transceiver is suitable to install on a host-vehicle. The transceiver is used to receive an indicated-location of an object proximate to the host-vehicle. The object-detector is suitable to install on the host-vehicle. The object-detector is used to detect a relative-location of the object relative to the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the transceiver and the object-detector. The controller determines a confirmed-location of the object relative to the host-vehicle based on the indicated-location and the relative-location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaurav Bhatia, Jong Ho Lee, Junsung Kim
  • Patent number: 9662784
    Abstract: A robotic device receives a first signal from a positioning hardware device that is worn by a user. The first signal describes a relative location between the user and the robotic device. A second signal describes an angle between the user and the robotic device and between the user and the user-selected object. Based on the first signal, the second signal, and a record of object positions of objects within a predefined area of the user, the identification and location of the user-selected object is determined. A determination is made regarding whether or not the robotic device is authorized to perform a specific task on the user-selected object based on the location of the user-selected object. If authorized, the robotic device performs the specific task on the user-selected object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Bostick, John M. Ganci, Jr., Sarbajit K. Rakshit, Craig M. Trim
  • Patent number: 9104193
    Abstract: A robot programming device (10) includes: a processing line designating unit (21) that designates a processing line (41); an operation mode designating unit (22) that designates an operation mode of the teaching point; a program generation unit (23) that generates a program for a robot (12) based on the processing line and the operation mode; an interference target designating unit (24) that designates a tool non-processing part as an interference target; an interference detection unit (25) that detects interference between the robot and the workpiece, at a teaching point; a non-interference position search unit (26) that searches for a non-interference position; and a correction unit (27) that corrects a position of the teaching point based on a search result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Atohira
  • Publication number: 20150148959
    Abstract: Disclosed are a robot cleaner, a controlling method of the same, and a robot cleaning system. The robot cleaner can perform a cleaning operation with respect to only a user's desired region, in a repeated and concentrated manner. Further, as the robot cleaner runs on a user's desired region in a manual manner, a designated region can be precisely set. Further, as the robot cleaner performs a cleaning operation by setting a user's desired region, only a simple configuration is added to a terminal device such as a remote control unit. Accordingly, additional costs can be reduced, and a malfunction can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: IIsoo CHO, Taebum KWON, Suuk CHOE
  • Patent number: 9043026
    Abstract: There is provided a method for actuating a first key of a keyboard with a tracer finger of a robot. An exemplary method comprises acquiring parameters of the keyboard and determining a position of the first key as a function of the acquired parameters using a model of the keyboard. The exemplary method also comprises guiding the tracer finger of the robot to the determined position of the first key. The exemplary method additionally comprises actuating the first key with the tracer finger of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Vodafone Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Tam Lien, Christoph Petlic
  • Patent number: 9043018
    Abstract: A medical device used in a medical robotic system has a conduit and an orientable tip. An optical fiber coupled to a laser source and/or a catheter coupled to one or more biomaterial sources extends through the conduit and tip so that the tip of the medical device may be robotically directed towards a target tissue for laser and/or biomaterial application as part of a medical procedure performed at a surgical site within a patient. A protective sheath covers the fiber as it extends through the conduit and tip. A first coupler adjustably secures at least the sheath to the medical device and a second coupler adjustably secures the fiber to at least the sheath. A similar dual coupler mechanism may be used to secure the sheathed catheter to the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Catherine J. Mohr
  • Patent number: 9043027
    Abstract: A method of controlling an operation of a robotically-controlled surgical instrument can include receiving a first input signal at a controller indicative of a user's readiness to actuate the surgical instrument to perform a surgical procedure, outputting an output signal from the controller to provide feedback to the user in response to the received first input signal, receiving a second input signal at the controller confirming the user's readiness to actuate the surgical instrument, outputting an actuation signal from the controller in response to receiving the second input signal, and actuating the surgical instrument to perform the surgical procedure based on the actuation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Durant, Michael Hanuschik, Paul W. Mohr, Jack Hsia
  • Patent number: 9043031
    Abstract: Provided is a device for wirelessly controlling robots suitable for competition or educational purposes, the device including: an input module configured to receive commands from a human user interface, the human user interface sending signals indicative of inputs by a user to control a robot; a protocol translator configured to translate the received commands into a protocol to which the robot is responsive; a wireless output module configured to wirelessly transmit the translated commands to the robot such that the robot executes the commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Westlake & Eanes Science & Technology Association
    Inventors: Rachel Gardner, Akshay Prakash, Benjamin Jared Gorr, Eric J. Rothfus
  • Publication number: 20150142172
    Abstract: A method for controlling a tele-operated robot agile lift system is disclosed. The method comprises manipulating a human-machine interface of a master robot located on a mobile platform. The human machine interface is kinematically equivalent to a user's arm with a plurality of support members. A position value and a torque value is measured for each support member. The position value and torque value are communicated to support members of a kinematically equivalent slave arm to position the support members to correspond with a position of the human-machine interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Fraser M. Smith, Marc X. Olivier, Shane Stilson
  • Publication number: 20150134114
    Abstract: A master apparatus for a master slave apparatus, the master apparatus controlling a slave apparatus, includes a hand operation mechanism configured to perform operating instructions for opening and closing a hand mechanism including a pair of opening and closing members, the hand mechanism being connected to a slave mechanism, the slave apparatus including the slave mechanism and the hand mechanism; a master mechanism configured to operate the slave mechanism; a master hand controlling device; and an output unit. The hand operation mechanism includes a fixed unit, an opening and closing operation unit, and a slide unit. The slide unit is attached so as to be capable of reciprocating with respect to the fixed unit. The opening and closing operation unit is connected to the slide unit, is capable of reciprocating with respect to the fixed unit, and is openable and closable with respect to the fixed unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: YUKO TSUSAKA, YUDAI FUDABA, JUN OZAWA
  • Patent number: 9031698
    Abstract: A robotic crawler having a non-dedicated smart control system is disclosed. Such a crawler can include a first drive subsystem, a second drive subsystem, a multi-degree of freedom linkage subsystem coupling the first and second drive subsystems, and a non-dedicated, smart control device removably supported about one of the first drive subsystem, the second drive subsystem, and the linkage subsystem. The smart control device is configured to initiate and control operational functionality within the robotic crawler upon being connected to the robotic crawler. The crawler can also include a communication subsystem functionally coupled between the smart control device and the serpentine robotic crawler, the communication subsystem facilitating control by the smart control device of at least one of the first drive subsystem, the second drive subsystem, and the linkage subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Sarcos LC
    Inventor: Fraser M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150127155
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for training and controlling of e.g., robotic devices. In one implementation, a robot may be utilized to perform a target task characterized by a target trajectory. The robot may be trained by a user using supervised learning. The user may interface to the robot, such as via a control apparatus configured to provide a teaching signal to the robot. The robot may comprise an adaptive controller comprising a neuron network, which may be configured to generate actuator control commands based on the user input and output of the learning process. During one or more learning trials, the controller may be trained to navigate a portion of the target trajectory. Individual trajectory portions may be trained during separate training trials. Some portions may be associated with robot executing complex actions and may require additional training trials and/or more dense training input compared to simpler trajectory actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Jean-Baptiste Passot, Oleg Sinyavskiy, Eugene Izhikevich
  • Publication number: 20150127154
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for training and controlling of, for instance, robotic devices. In one implementation, a robot may be trained by a user using supervised learning. The user may be unable to control all degrees of freedom of the robot simultaneously. The user may interface to the robot via a control apparatus configured to select and operate a subset of the robot's complement of actuators. The robot may comprise an adaptive controller comprising a neuron network. The adaptive controller may be configured to generate actuator control commands based on the user input and output of the learning process. Training of the adaptive controller may comprise partial set training. The user may train the adaptive controller to operate first actuator subset. Subsequent to learning to operate the first subset, the adaptive controller may be trained to operate another subset of degrees of freedom based on user input via the control apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Jean-Baptiste Passot, Oleg Sinyavskiy, Eugene Izhikevich
  • Publication number: 20150127156
    Abstract: A remote controlled robot with a head that supports a monitor and is coupled to a mobile platform. The mobile robot also includes an auxiliary camera coupled to the mobile platform by a boom. The mobile robot is controlled by a remote control station. By way of example, the robot can be remotely moved about an operating room. The auxiliary camera extends from the boom so that it provides a relatively close view of a patient or other item in the room. An assistant in the operating room may move the boom and the camera. The boom may be connected to a robot head that can be remotely moved by the remote control station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Yulun Wang, Charles S. Jordan, Kevin Hanrahan, Daniel Sanchez, Marco Pinter
  • Patent number: 9026250
    Abstract: A robotic arm is mounted on a personal mobility device, such as a wheelchair, scooter or the like, and is controlled with a user input interface, also mounted on the personal mobility device. The user input interface has a grip operable by the user to move in a plurality of orthogonal directions, both spatially and angularly, having articulating arms supporting a housing with a pivot member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew D. Summer, Paul M. Bosscher, Laurance H. Davis, III
  • Patent number: 9020682
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile body includes a laser range sensor and an electronic control device. The electronic control device includes a storage unit that stores a size D2 of the autonomous mobile body, a width identification unit that identifies a spatial size D1 in a width direction of a passage which is a region where the autonomous mobile body can move, a calculation unit that calculates a size D8 of an interfering obstacle in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to a moving target direction on a road surface based on obstacle information, an action selection unit that selects a stopping action or a retreat action based on the spatial size D1, the size D2 of the autonomous mobile body, and the size D8 of the interfering obstacle, and a mobile control unit that controls the autonomous mobile body to stop when the stopping action is selected and control the autonomous mobile body to retreat when the retreat action is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Shitamoto, Tsuyoshi Nakano, Toshiki Moriguchi
  • Publication number: 20150112485
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a remote operation receiving system, for suppressing the generation of the executive results of the action which don't meet the operating aim. The host unit of a local server may enable a target equipment to perform the corresponding action according to a remote operation instruction received from a remote operating device (S400). Based on the history data, the condition variation in the target equipment generated between the operation reference timing to the current timing is detected (S320˜S345). The operation reference timing refers to the time point when the condition displayed on the screen in a distant device is monitored from the monitoring device when the distant operating device is operated. If the condition variation is relatively large, then the remote operation instruction is abandoned (S430), and if smaller, then the target equipment performs the action to which the remote operation instruction corresponds (S400).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Hua CUI
  • Patent number: 9008826
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating an individual's mouth and using a feeding device to transfer food to the individual. For example, the apparatus includes a facial recognition sensor that approximates the location of the individual's mouth. Based in part on the output of the facial recognition sensor a feed arm assembly delivers or transfers food to the individual's mouth. In addition to a facial recognition sensor, distance or proximity sensors can also be used to determine the location of the individual's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Desin, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan P. Dekar
  • Patent number: 9002504
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for evaluating wafer size handling capabilities of wafer handling robots and wafer stations in a wafer processing environment. In one embodiment, a method is provided in which size parameters for each of one or more wafer stations and one or more robot hands of a wafer handling robot are set based on user input. A user command identifying a desired robot hand and a desired wafer station is received. A first size parameter of the desired robot hand is compared to a second size parameter of the desired wafer station. If the first size parameter is equal to the second size parameter, or if the second size parameter is an all-size parameter, the user command is executed. If the first size parameter is not equal to the second size parameter, an error is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kawasaki Robotics (USA) Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Miu, Shinya Kitano, Simon Jeyapalan, Ming Zeng, Avish A. Bharwani
  • Publication number: 20150094854
    Abstract: A system including a mobile telepresence robot, a to telepresence computing device in wireless communication with the robot, and a host computing device in wireless communication with the robot and the telepresence computing device. The host computing device relays User Datagram Protocol traffic between the robot and the telepresence computing device through a firewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Mathew Cross, Tony L. Campbell
  • Patent number: 8996166
    Abstract: A touch screen testing platform may be used to perform repeatable testing of a touch screen enabled device using a robotic device tester and a controller. Prior to running a test, the controller and/or robot may be calibrated to determine a planar surface of the touch screen and to establish a relative coordinate system across the touch screen. The controller may then be programmed to allow a robot to engage the touch screen using known input zones designated using the coordinate system. The platform may employ object recognition to determine and interact with content rendered by the device. The platform may use various types of tips that engage the touch screen, thereby simulating human behavior. The platform may perform multi-touch operations by employing multiple tips that can engage the touch screen simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventor: David Ross Jenkinson
  • Patent number: 8989902
    Abstract: Disclosed here is a user interface for a robotic hand. The user interface anchors a user's palm in a relatively stationary position and determines various angles of interest necessary for a user's finger to achieve a specific fingertip location. The user interface additionally conducts a calibration procedure to determine the user's applicable physiological dimensions. The user interface uses the applicable physiological dimensions and the specific fingertip location, and treats the user's finger as a two link three degree-of-freedom serial linkage in order to determine the angles of interest. The user interface communicates the angles of interest to a gripping-type end effector which closely mimics the range of motion and proportions of a human hand. The user interface requires minimal contact with the operator and provides distinct advantages in terms of available dexterity, work space flexibility, and adaptability to different users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventor: Anthony L. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20150081097
    Abstract: A method for operating an industrial robot by means of an operating device, including a step of touching a virtual operating element on a touch-sensitive display of a graphical user interface, said display being surrounded by a frame, wherein a function associated with the operating element is triggered when the virtual operating element is touched. In order to increase the safety of the operation of the industrial robot and to be able to adjust the position of the industrial robot in the desired range, the speed or distance of a deflection of a finger of an operating person during the touching of the virtual operating element of the touch display is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Franz Som
  • Patent number: 8983661
    Abstract: Disclosed are a robot cleaner, a controlling method of the same, and a robot cleaning system. The robot cleaner can perform a cleaning operation with respect to only a user's desired region, in a repeated and concentrated manner. Further, as the robot cleaner runs on a user's desired region in a manual manner, a designated region can be precisely set. Further, as the robot cleaner performs a cleaning operation by setting a user's desired region, only a simple configuration is added to a terminal device such as a remote control unit. Accordingly, additional costs can be reduced, and a malfunction can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ilsoo Cho, Taebum Kwon, Suuk Choe
  • Publication number: 20150066051
    Abstract: A master console includes handles configured to control robotic surgical instruments of a slave robot, force/torque detectors configured to detect forces applied to the handles by an operator, a force compensator configured to generate force control signals that cancel out the forces applied to the handles by the operator, and a master controller configured to drive at least one joint of each of the handles in order to control motion of the handles based on motion control signals and the generated force control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Young Do KWON, Kee Hong SEO, Kyung Shik ROH
  • Patent number: 8972055
    Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting a velocity profile for controlling a robotic device are provided. An example method includes receiving via an interface a selection of a robotic device to control, and receiving via the interface a request to modify a velocity profile of the robotic device. The velocity profile may include information associated with changes in velocity of the robotic device over time. The method may further include receiving a selected velocity profile, receiving an input via the interface, and determining a velocity command based on the selected velocity profile and the input. In this manner, changes in velocity of the robotic device may be filtered according to a velocity profile selected via the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Munjal Desai, Ryan Hickman, Thor Lewis, Damon Kohler
  • Patent number: 8972058
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wearable robot with improved operability and mobility through improvement of the upper limb structure thereof. The wearable robot includes an upper limb muscular power assist device to perform an articulation motion with a predetermined degree of freedom, the upper limb muscular power assist device being wearable by a user, and a mobile platform connected to the upper limb muscular power assist device to move according to information regarding movement speed and movement direction of the user in a rolling fashion. Consequently, mobility of the wearable robot and operation efficiency of the user are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Foundation of Soongsil University-Industry Cooperation
    Inventor: Donghun Lee
  • Publication number: 20150051733
    Abstract: Telerobotic, telesurgical, and/or surgical robotic devices, systems, and methods employ surgical robotic linkages that may have more degrees of freedom than an associated surgical end effector n space. A processor can calculate a tool motion that includes pivoting of the tool about an aperture site. Linkages movable along a range of configurations for a given end effector position may be driven toward configurations which inhibit collisions. Refined robotic linkages and method for their use are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: William C. Nowlin, Paul W. Mohr, Bruce M. Schena, David Q. Larkin, Gary S. Guthart
  • Publication number: 20150051732
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an assistance device with which a robotic arm (B) is to be provided, said robotic arm being controlled by an operator (H) and having a tool (m) at the end thereof, characterized in that it includes a control handle (1), which is mounted via a ball-and-socket joint (R3) so as to form an extension of the arm (B) while being offset relative to the tool (m), and a force sensor (4) which is coupled to the robot and ensures the continuous detection, from the handle (1), of the intentional forces of the operator for controlling both the direction and the force of the tool (m). The invention also relates to the collaborative robot provided with the device of the invention, and to the use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Robotiques 3 Dimensions RB3D
    Inventors: Serge Grygorowicz, Ludovic Surgot
  • Patent number: 8958910
    Abstract: An elevator system which an autonomous mobile robot and human user can utilize safely and efficiently. The system has an available area detection unit to detect an available area in a cage, and a riding possibility/impossibility determination unit to determine whether or not the autonomous mobile robot can get on the cage based on information on size and position of the available area detected by the available area detection unit. The autonomous mobile robot gets on the cage only when the riding possibility/impossibility determination unit determines that riding is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoko Ichinose, Ikuo Takeuchi, Takashi Teramoto
  • Publication number: 20150045951
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hand-held operating device for operating an industrial robot, the device including a graphical operator interface having a touch-sensitive display for displaying at least one virtual operating element, which represents a function for operating the robot, and which can be operated by touching the operating element with a finger of an operating person or a pen, a control unit for controlling the graphical operator interface and for communicating with a robot controller, a haptic mark associated with at least one virtual operating element and designed as a guide, which haptic mark is arranged in a display frame; that surrounds the touch-sensitive display at least in some areas and/or is arranged in frame segments of the display frame and by means of which haptic mark the finger of an operating person or the pin can be guided in the direction of the at least one operating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Franz Som
  • Patent number: 8954195
    Abstract: System (100) and methods (500) for remotely controlling a slave device (102). The methods involve: using a Hybrid Hand Controller (“HHC”) as a full haptic controller to control the slave device when the HHC (406) is coupled to a docking station (460); detecting when the HHC is or is being physically de-coupled from the docking station; automatically and seamlessly transitioning an operational mode of at least the HHC from a full haptic control mode to a gestural control mode, in response to a detection that the HHC is or is being de-coupled from the docking station; and using at least the HHC as a portable gestural controller to control the slave device when the HHC is de-coupled from the docking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew D. Summer, Paul M. Bosscher
  • Patent number: 8948912
    Abstract: A service providing system according to an embodiment includes a robot unit, an interface that receives input of order input information, and a control unit that is connected to the robot unit and the interface, and causes the robot unit to execute an operation based on the order input information input with the interface. Furthermore, the service providing system receives input of the order input information with the interface, causes the robot unit to execute the processing operation based on the order input information input with the interface, and provides a product on which the processing operation has been performed by the robot unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Zenta Nakamoto, Makoto Umeno, Kenji Matsukuma
  • Publication number: 20150032260
    Abstract: A cleaning robot that performs cleaning while travelling a space to be cleaned, the cleaning robot including: a travelling unit that moves the cleaning robot; a cleaning unit that cleans the space to be cleaned; an image capturing unit that captures an image viewed from the cleaning robot; a voice input unit to which a user's voice instructions are input; and a controller obtaining the user's motion instructions through the image capturing unit and determining a restricted area in which entry of the cleaning robot is prohibited and/or a focused cleaning area to be intensely cleaned by the cleaning robot based on the user's motion instructions or the user's voice instructions when the user's voice instructions are input through the voice input unit. The restricted area and the focused cleaning area may be input to the cleaning robot through the user's voice and motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Sang Sik Yoon, Woo Ram Chung
  • Publication number: 20150012134
    Abstract: A method for a minimally invasive surgical system is disclosed including reading first tool information from a storage device in a first robotic surgical tool mounted to a first robotic arm to at least determine a first tool type; reading equipment information about one or more remote controlled equipment for control thereof; comparing the first tool information with the equipment information to appropriately match a first remote controlled equipment of the one or more remote controlled equipment to the first robotic surgical tool; and mapping one or more user interface input devices of a first control console to control the first remote controlled equipment to support a function of the first robotic surgical tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David W. ROBINSON, Thomas R. NIXON, Michael HANUSCHIK, Randal P. GOLDBERG, Jason HEMPHILL, David Q. LARKIN, Paul MILLMAN
  • Patent number: 8918211
    Abstract: A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with articulated instruments extending out of its distal end. A controller is configured to command manipulation of one of the articulated instruments towards a state commanded by operator manipulation of an input device while commanding sensory feedback to the operator indicating a difference between the commanded state and a preferred pose of the articulated instrument, so that the sensory feedback serves to encourage the operator to return the articulated instrument back to its preferred pose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicola Diolaiti, Paul E. Lilagan
  • Publication number: 20140371906
    Abstract: A method of training a robotic device to perform predetermined movements utilizing wearable sensors worn by a user. A position and movement of the user is sensed in response to signals from the wearable sensors. The wearable sensors include at least one six-degree of freedom accelerometer. Gestures are recognized by a gesture recognizer device in response to the signals. A position, orientation, and velocity of the user are estimated by a position and orientation processing unit. The sensed gesture inputs and the estimated position, orientation, and velocity inputs of the wearable sensors are received within a service requester device. The gestures, orientations, positions, and velocities are converted into predefined actions. Controls signals are output from the service requester device to a robot controller for executing the predefined actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Leandro G. Barajas, Jinhan Lee
  • Publication number: 20140371907
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for training of robotic devices. Robotic devices may be trained by a user guiding the robot along target trajectory using an input signal. A robotic device may comprise an adaptive controller configured to generate control commands based on one or more of the user guidance, sensory input, and/or performance measure. Training may comprise a plurality of trials. During first trial, the user input may be sufficient to cause the robot to complete the trajectory. During subsequent trials, the user and the robot's controller may collaborate so that user input may be reduced while the robot control may be increased. Individual contributions from the user and the robot controller during training may be may be inadequate (when used exclusively) to complete the task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jean-Baptiste Passot, Oleg Sinyavskiy, Filip Ponulak, Patryk Laurent, Borja Ibarz Gabardos, Eugene Izhikevich
  • Patent number: 8914147
    Abstract: A service providing system according to an embodiment includes a robot unit, an interface that receives input of order input information, and a control unit that is connected to the robot unit and the interface, and causes the robot unit to execute an operation based on the order input information input with the interface. Furthermore, the service providing system receives input of the order input information with the interface, causes the robot unit to execute the processing operation based on the order input information input with the interface, and provides a product on which the processing operation has been performed by the robot unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Zenta Nakamoto, Makoto Umeno, Kenji Matsukuma
  • Patent number: 8909374
    Abstract: A robot arm includes a grip part which is structured to be separated from an end effector attached to the robot arm. When the grip part is gripped by the user and shifted, the robot arm shifts tracking the grip part. Further, the grip part includes contact sensors, and a tracking control method is switched according to the value of the contact sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yudai Fudaba, Masaki Yamamoto, Yuko Tsusaka, Taichi Sato
  • Publication number: 20140350726
    Abstract: A master device is provided to a master slave apparatus in which a hand mechanism opens/closes to grip a target object and a slave mechanism performs a task on a target article. The master device includes a hand manipulation mechanism for manipulating the hand mechanism. A person remotely manipulates the slave mechanism by a master mechanism and the hand manipulation mechanism manipulates to cause the hand mechanism to perform the task. In the hand manipulation mechanism, a hand manipulation portion having a pair of open/close manipulation portions manipulated by the person moves forward/backward on a slider, the pair of open/close manipulation portions is opened/closed to change the angle therebetween so that the hand mechanism is opened/closed. A master hand control device transmits, to the slave mechanism, motion information used for manipulating the hand mechanism based on a position of the hand manipulation portion relative to the slider or the angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yuko TSUSAKA, Atsushi ONO, Yudai FUDABA
  • Patent number: 8897917
    Abstract: An electronic controller defining an autonomous mobile device includes a self-location estimation unit to estimate a self-location based on a local map that is created according to distance/angle information relative to an object in the vicinity and the travel distance of an omni wheel, an environmental map creation unit to create an environmental map of a mobile area based on the self-location and the local map during the guided travel with using a joystick, a registration switch to register the self-location of the autonomous mobile device as the position coordinate of the setting point when the autonomous mobile device reaches a predetermined setting point during the guided travel, a storage unit to store the environmental map and the setting point, a route planning unit to plan the travel route by using the setting point on the environmental map stored in the storage unit, and a travel control unit to control the autonomous mobile device to autonomously travel along the travel route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Nakano
  • Patent number: 8892224
    Abstract: Continuous change of state directions are graphically provided on a display screen to assist a user in performing necessary action(s) for transitioning between operating modes in a medical robotic system or performing corrective action. A graphical representation of a target state of an element of the medical robotic system is displayed on a display screen viewable by the user. Current states of the element and indications directing the user to manipulate the element towards the target state are continuously determined and graphical representations of the continuously determined current states and indications are displayed on the display screen along with that of the target state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Mohr, David W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8880222
    Abstract: There is provided a robot device including an instruction acquisition unit that acquires an order for encouraging a robot device to establish joint attention on a target from a user, a position/posture estimation unit that estimates a position and posture of an optical indication device, which is operated by the user to indicate the target by irradiation of a beam, in response to acquisition of the order, and a target specifying unit that specifies a direction of the target indicated by irradiation of the beam based on an estimation result of the position and posture and specifies the target on an environment map representing a surrounding environment based on a specifying result of the direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta Kawamoto, Satoru Shimizu, Toshimitsu Tsuboi, Yasuhiro Suto