Product Assembly Or Manufacturing Patents (Class 700/95)
  • Patent number: 12235045
    Abstract: The disclosure describes equipment for magnetic annealing of a substrate, the equipment including: an anneal chamber configured to heat and cool a substrate held at a soak location along a first direction in the anneal chamber, the anneal chamber including: a heater, a cooler, and a substrate lifter including a substrate holder, where the substrate holder is configured to support a substrate oriented such that the first direction is perpendicular to a major surface of the substrate; and a magnet assembly configured to establish a homogeneous zone in the anneal chamber, the soak location being within the homogeneous zone, the homogeneous zone including a region of magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian Colgan, Ioan Domsa, George Eyres, Bartlomiej Burkowicz, Barry Clarke, David Hurley, Einstein Noel Abarra
  • Patent number: 12228909
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for Time-Sensitive Networking Coordinated Transfer Learning in industrial settings are disclosed. An example apparatus includes at least one memory, instructions in the apparatus, and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to cause performance of an operation by a first machine according to a first configuration, process a performance metric of the performance of the operation by the first machine to determine whether the performance metric is within a threshold range, and in response to a determination that the performance metric is not within the threshold range, cause performance of the operation by a second machine according to a second configuration different from the first configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Imtel Corporation
    Inventors: Rita Wouhaybi, Samudyatha C. Kaira, Rajesh Poornachandran, Francesc Guim Bernat, Kevin Stanton
  • Patent number: 12216458
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an industrial Internet of Things (IoT) of integrating centralized platforms and rear sub-platforms, the industrial IoT includes a user platform, a service platform, a management platform, a sensor network platform, and an object platform interacting in sequence, both the service platform and the sensor network platform are arranged using a centralized platform arrangement and the management platform is arranged using a rear sub-platform arrangement, the production line manufacturing equipment and the production line accessory supply equipment collect accessory data of corresponding equipment through the equipment data collectors and add the index item information through the management platform. Therefore, the corresponding index item information is classified and processed by sub-platforms of corresponding and different management platforms, so as to ensure the transmission and classification of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: CHENGDU QINCHUAN IOT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zehua Shao, Yaqiang Quan, Haitang Xiang, Xiaojun Wei, Bin Liu
  • Patent number: 12210989
    Abstract: A non-iterative revising tool is provided, which interfaces with a WFM service running on one or more WFM hosts. The non-iterative revising tool can configure a client computing device to export timetable records and staffing forecast records from a WFM service; non-iteratively revise, for a referent employee, task assignments of timetable records to fulfill forecast workload volumes of a primary task type according to conditions not implemented by conventional WFM services; and import revised timetable records into the WFM service after work task assignments have been at least partially aligned with forecast workload volumes based on an alignment objective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventors: Chris Elston, Steve Skrzypczynski, Blain Johnson, Nick Monical
  • Patent number: 12203602
    Abstract: A hydrogen supply system is configured to supply hydrogen to a fuel-cell vehicle by using a receptacle for hydrogen transport, and includes: a filling unit provided at a hydrogen filling facility and configured to fill the receptacle with hydrogen; a management unit configured to calculate a transport timing at which the hydrogen-filled receptacle is transported to a business facility that operates the fuel-cell vehicle; a transport unit configured to transport the hydrogen-filled receptacle to the business facility in accordance with the transport timing; and a disposition unit configured to dispose the hydrogen-filled receptacle transported to the business facility at a place to which the fuel-cell vehicle is capable of accessing to have a refill of the hydrogen in the business facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okano, Shusaku Takagi, Nobuyuki Ishikawa, Akihide Nagao, Kazuki Matsubara, Toshio Takano, Kotaro Kadota, Norikazu Yamaguchi, Takuya Hasegawa, Hiroki Kuno
  • Patent number: 12181846
    Abstract: A system, method, and medium for virtually real time monitoring of machine performance are described. An optimal set-point for a data source is determined. The data source corresponds to operation of a machine. Virtually real time data is received from the data source corresponding to current operation of the machine. A deviation between the virtually real time data and the optimal set-point for the data source is computed. An intensity map is rendered representing the computed deviation according to a predefined visual gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Inventor: Robert Hartwell Herring, III
  • Patent number: 12153859
    Abstract: Injection molds can be fabricated using 3D printing technology. An inverse computer aided design (“CAD”) file may be generated based upon a visualization file that represents a 3D object. The inverse CAD file can then be altered based upon various parameters associated with the 3D object. One or more injection molds can be fabricated using a 3D printer based on the altered inverse CAD file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Fathom, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Stump
  • Patent number: 12153401
    Abstract: A manufacturing system is disclosed herein. The manufacturing system includes one or more stations, a monitoring platform, and a control module. Each station of the one or more stations is configured to perform at least one step in a multi-step manufacturing process for a component. The monitoring platform is configured to monitor progression of the component throughout the multi-step manufacturing process. The control module is configured to dynamically adjust processing parameters of each step of the multi-step manufacturing process to achieve a desired final quality metric for the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Nanotronics Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Sundstrom, Damas Limoge, Eun-Sol Kim, Vadim Pinskiy, Matthew C. Putman
  • Patent number: 12148280
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes: an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) that includes a communication component; a computing device communicatively coupled to the article of PPE, wherein the computing device: receives context data that is based on one or more of the article of PPE, a work environment for the article of PPE, or a worker assigned to the article of PPE; selects, based at least in part on the context data, a set of programmable safety rules that are contextually associated with the at least one article of PPE; sends the programmable safety rules to one or more of the article of PPE or a data hub communicatively coupled to the article of PPE; and wherein the programmable safety rules are configured at the article of PPE or the data hub to perform one or more operations based at least in part on PPE data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, MIchael G. Wurm, Kenneth J. Gamberini
  • Patent number: 12128975
    Abstract: A partially assembled vehicle that autonomously completes its own assembly, including a chassis, wheels that are rotationally coupled to the chassis, a drive system mounted on the chassis and in operational communication with the wheels, a navigation system, a central platform controller, and a position determining system. Added thereto is a safety sensor guidance system and a controller circuit programmed to begin a temporary takeover of the central platform controller, responsive to an external fleet control. The temporary takeover including the steps of identifying a plurality of assembly stations that the partially assembled vehicle must visit to complete its own assembly; constructing a sequence in which to visit each of the plurality of assembly stations; and commanding the drive system to propel and steer the partially assembled vehicle through the sequence of the plurality of assembly stations, responsive to sensor input from the safety sensor guidance system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael R Kaphengst, Seog-Chan Oh, Alfred J. Manser, James W Wells
  • Patent number: 12125188
    Abstract: Machines can operate based on electricity received from a charging rail system installed along a route at a worksite. Sensors on the machines capture image data indicating locations and/or orientations of components of the charging rail system. Machine controllers of the machine, and/or a worksite controller, can monitor the integrity of the charging rail system by detecting possible faults if the locations and/or orientations of one or more components vary by more than a threshold amount from target locations and/or orientations. The machine controllers and/or the worksite controller can also initiate one or more response actions when a possible fault in the charging rail system is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Dennis Braunstein
  • Patent number: 12117809
    Abstract: In an arrangement design of a robot cell and of robot work, a planning device searches an arrangement graph, that shows candidates for relative positions and orientations between a robot and a fixture; searches a disassembly task sequence, of disassembly tasks that are operations of the robot for disassembling components from the assembly in an arrangement of the relative positions and orientations between the robot and the fixture, and searches for, based on a point sequence of positioning relay points of the robot, a trajectory in which the robot disassembles the components from the assembly; and generates assembly tasks formed of a point sequence obtained by reversing the point sequence of the relay points, an assembly trajectory of the robot which is reverse to a disassembly trajectory formed of interpolation points between the point sequences, and an assembly sequence, which is a reverse order of the disassembly task sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuko Enomoto, Daiki Kajita, Takahiro Nakano, Takaharu Matsui
  • Patent number: 12117799
    Abstract: A manufacturing system is disclosed herein. The manufacturing system includes one or more stations, a monitoring platform, and a control module. Each station of the one or more stations is configured to perform at least one step in a multi-step manufacturing process for a component. The monitoring platform is configured to monitor progression of the component throughout the multi-step manufacturing process. The control module is configured to dynamically adjust processing parameters of each step of the multi-step manufacturing process to achieve a desired final quality metric for the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Nanotronics Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Sundstrom, Damas Limoge, Eun-Sol Kim, Vadim Pinskiy, Matthew C. Putman
  • Patent number: 12105497
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an industrial Internet of Things for solving manufacturing problems, a control method, and a storage medium. The method includes an industrial Internet of Things for solving manufacturing problems. The industrial Internet of Things includes an acquisition module, a problem type determination module and a problem solving module, the acquisition module is configured to obtain equipment information and data of product manufacturing problems; the problem type determination module is configured to determine a problem type at least based on the data of the product manufacturing problems; and the problem solving module is configured to determine problem processing data based on the problem type, and solve the problem based on the problem processing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: CHENGDU QINCHUAN IOT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zehua Shao, Haitang Xiang, Yaqiang Quan, Yuhao Chen, Lei Zhang
  • Patent number: 12012296
    Abstract: A storage device, in particular a harp rack, for storing planar elements, preferably glass sheets, preferably laminated glass sheets or single-pane safety glass sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: HEGLA GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Hötger, Martin Jost
  • Patent number: 11997440
    Abstract: Provided is a management device capable of communicating with a counting device that counts the number mold opening and closing cycles. The management device includes a memory and a processor. The processor outputs one or more index values that can be used for determining a next maintenance timing, by using a first value that is a count value acquired from the counting device, and one or more second values that are count values, at a last maintenance time, stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: MATSUI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akira Kawagoe
  • Patent number: 11988889
    Abstract: A light projector and method of aligning the light projector is provided. A light projector steers an outgoing beam of light onto an object, passing light returned from the object through a focusing lens onto an optical detector. The light projector may generate a light pattern or template by rapidly moving the outgoing beam of light along a path on a surface. To place the light pattern/template in a desired location, the light projector may be aligned with an electronic model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Maxime Thierry Isabelle, Joshua Bigham, Matthew T. Armstrong, Salvatore DiAngelus, Joel H. Stave
  • Patent number: 11980962
    Abstract: The current invention is a system and application that provides key insight into the technological processes that encompass a welding calculator apparatus consisting of a calculator casing, an optical rotary encoder in the calculator casing for providing weld length data, a time counter in the calculator casing for providing weld time data and a microcontroller device in the calculator casing for processing weld length data and weld time data, weld travel speed data and heat input data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Inventor: Preston Busby
  • Patent number: 11970305
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manufacturing products having custom graphic designed are disclosed. A method may comprise printing a first order identifier graphic on a substrate material, the first order identifier graphic associated with a first order for a first set of products, printing a first set of one or more graphic designs on the material, the first set of one or more graphic designs associated with the first order, and combining the material with one or more product components to form a first set of products, each of the first set of products being associated with the first customer order and at least one of the products of the first set of products comprising the first order identifier graphic. The method may further comprise packaging the first set of products in a first package wherein the first order identifier graphic is visible through the first package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Tim G. Dollevoet, Jeffrey R. Heller, Steven T. Moore, Manan Gill, Jason A. Verboomen
  • Patent number: 11953886
    Abstract: An industrial internet of things system for intelligent production control is provided, comprising: a user platform, a service platform, a management platform, a sensor network platform, and an object platform. The user platform modifies production line parameters based on an instruction of the user, generates a first instruction, and sends it to the management platform through the transformation of the service platform. The object platform collects production link data of each production link of products and transmits it to the management platform. The management platform modifies work order parameters based on a second instruction transformed by the service platform, generates a third instruction, and determines whether devices corresponding to the plurality of production links are abnormal based on the production link data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: CHENGDU QINCHUAN IOT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zehua Shao, Haitang Xiang, Yong Li, Yaqiang Quan, Bin Liu
  • Patent number: 11935005
    Abstract: A network-based communication fulfillment system includes a communication resource allocation server configured to receive a request for a communication service from a business user, wherein the communication service includes electronic communications and physical mailing pieces to be sent to recipients, an intelligent communication design server that can automatically create designs for the electronic communications and the physical mailing pieces, a communication server that can transmit the electronic communications to the recipients, and one or more product fulfillment centers that can print and finish the physical mailing pieces to be mailed to the recipients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Shutterfly, LLC
    Inventor: Brett Lemoine
  • Patent number: 11904337
    Abstract: A dispensing system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame, a dispensing unit configured to dispense viscous material, and a gantry assembly coupled to the frame. The gantry assembly includes a gantry configured to support the dispensing unit and to move the dispensing unit in x-axis, y-axis and z-axis directions and a tilt and rotate subassembly configured to tilt and rotate the dispensing unit. The dispensing system further includes a controller configured to control dispensing unit and the gantry assembly to perform a dispense operation on the electronic substrate. The controller is configured to control the dispensing unit to dispense material from the nozzle of the dispensing unit at a flow rate configured to deposit a desired amount or density of material on the electronic substrate along a three-dimensional path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Forget, Thomas J. Karlinski, Scott A. Reid
  • Patent number: 11882540
    Abstract: First information corresponding to a radio signal received at a first sensing device from a candidate location is obtained. Second information corresponding to a radio signal received at a second sensing device from the candidate location is obtained. A first relationship between the first sensing device and the candidate location and a second relationship between the second sensing device and the candidate location are determined. A first inverse and a second inverse of respectively the first and second relationships are obtained. A first estimate of the radio signal at the first sensing device is determined from the first information and the first inverse. A second estimate of the radio signal at the second sensing device is determined from the second information and the second inverse. Energy emitted from the candidate location is measured based on the first estimate and the second estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: HawkEye 360, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy James O'Shea, Robert W. McGwier, Nicholas Aaron McCarthy
  • Patent number: 11879751
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a portable housing and at least one handle structure integrally formed with the portable housing. The inspection apparatus further includes a vision data system, a lighting system, a user interface system, a wireless communication system, and a controller. The vision data system includes one or more cameras provided on the first face of the portable housing. The vision data system is operable to capture component data. The lighting system is arranged with the vision data system at the first face. The lighting system includes diffused light emitting diode (LED) ring arranged around at least one of the one or more cameras. The manufacturing inspection apparatus is a stand-alone and all-in-one computing device. The manufacturing inspection apparatus processes and stores inspection data locally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raj Sohmshetty, Scott Mayberry, Vikas Rajendra, Sam Hoff
  • Patent number: 11874650
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) system for automatic control of production line manufacturing parameters, which comprises a user platform, a service platform, a management platform, a sensor network platform and an object platform that interact in turn. The service platform adopts centralized layout, and the management platform and the sensor network platform adopt independent layout. The present disclosure also discloses a control method of the IIoT for automatic control of production line manufacturing parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: CHENGDU QINCHUAN IOT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zehua Shao, Xiaojun Wei, Haitang Xiang, Yong Li, Yaqiang Quan
  • Patent number: 11831258
    Abstract: A circuit with a Safe-Torque-Off (STO) functionality and a frequency converter including the same are provided. According to embodiments, the circuit may include a first STO channel configured to control on/off of power supply to a high-side driver of a frequency converter based on a first STO signal, a second STO channel configured to control on/off of power supply to a low-side driver of the frequency converter based on a second STO signal, and a third STO channel configured to control supply of a drive control signal from a controller of the frequency converter to the high-side driver and the low-side driver based on a result of a logical operation of the first STO signal and the second STO signal, wherein the logical operation is configured to make the result active in response to at least one of the first and second STO signals being active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Zhejiang Holip Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaoran Xu, Liang Xiao
  • Patent number: 11813756
    Abstract: A robot motion planning technique for component assembly operations. Inputs to the motion planning technique include geometric models of the components being assembled, and initial and target configurations. The method begins at a tightly-constrained target or final configuration and plans in the direction of a loosely-constrained initial configuration. A randomly-sampled waypoint configuration is proposed, followed by a local search for feasible configurations which generates nodes that extend a path toward the initial configuration while sliding through the tightly-constrained region. The local search can be repeated multiple times for a given randomly-sampled configuration. When a completed path is found, the action sequence is trimmed to eliminate unnecessary extraneous motions in the loosely-constrained region. The disclosed method dramatically reduces the number of unproductive configurations evaluated and finds assembly solutions much faster in comparison to known tree-based motion planning methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu Zhao, Tetsuaki Kato
  • Patent number: 11761176
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for maintaining and/or repairing a construction machine, with a mobile maintenance station that can be placed at the jobsite where the construction machine is being used, comprising a 3D printer for printing replacement parts for the construction machine on the basis of component data and/or a mobile display device for displaying repair information on the construction machine on the basis of component data, wherein a data supply station that is at a separate location from the maintenance station is provided, can be connected to the maintenance station by way of a communication link and is configured for providing the maintenance station with 3D printing data for printing the replacement part, and the maintenance station is configured for printing the replacement part layer by layer on the basis of the 3D printing data received from the data supply station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Biberach GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Bramberger, Martin Kögl
  • Patent number: 11754999
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an Industrial Internet of Things based on an event sequence analysis and prediction, a method, and a storage medium thereof. The Industrial Internet of Things includes a management platform, and the management platform is configured to obtain an ordered set of instructions for a preset time period, the ordered set of instructions including a plurality of instructions, and instruction content of each instruction of the plurality of instructions including at least one of instruction type, instruction parameter, and instruction execution time; determine whether there is an abnormal instruction based on the ordered set of instructions; and analyze and modify the abnormal instruction in response to a determination that there is the abnormal instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: CHENGDU QINCHUAN IOT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zehua Shao, Yong Li, Xiaojun Wei, Haitang Xiang, Bin Liu
  • Patent number: 11754995
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an industrial Internet of Things for identifying and processing manufacturing problems, a control method, and a storage medium. The method includes an industrial Internet of Things for identifying and processing manufacturing problems. The industrial Internet of Things includes an acquisition module, a problem type determination module and a problem solving module, the acquisition module is configured to obtain equipment information and data of product manufacturing problems; the problem type determination module is configured to determine a problem type at least based on the data of the product manufacturing problems; and the problem solving module is configured to determine problem processing data based on the problem type, and solve the problem based on the problem processing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: CHENGDU QINCHUAN IOT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zehua Shao, Haitang Xiang, Yaqiang Quan, Yuhao Chen, Lei Zhang
  • Patent number: 11694295
    Abstract: A system and method for providing proxy picking of non-fungible goods within an automated storage and retrieval system is provided, which repurposes one or more automated mobile robots operating within the automated inventory management system to perform a plurality of tasks across multiple different areas of an automated store. The proxy picking system and method are configured to pick individually identified non-fungible goods according to a customer selection on an ordering screen based on measured attributes and images of the goods, the attributes selected by the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: John G. Lert, Jr., William J. Fosnight
  • Patent number: 11682132
    Abstract: A method for determining the length of a line involves determining a length of a first electrical line, determining an identifier of the first electrical line, determining a length of a second electrical line, which is intended for installation in an electrical installation assembly, based on the length of the first electrical line and a starting length determined by means of the identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Sven Hanzel
  • Patent number: 11676468
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes: an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) that includes a communication component; a computing device communicatively coupled to the article of PPE, wherein the computing device: receives context data that is based on one or more of the article of PPE, a work environment for the article of PPE, or a worker assigned to the article of PPE; selects, based at least in part on the context data, a set of programmable safety rules that are contextually associated with the at least one article of PPE; sends the programmable safety rules to one or more of the article of PPE or a data hub communicatively coupled to the article of PPE; and wherein the programmable safety rules are configured at the article of PPE or the data hub to perform one or more operations based at least in part on PPE data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, MIchael G. Wurm, Kenneth J. Gamberini
  • Patent number: 11669218
    Abstract: Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and/or mixed reality (MR) systems may enable one or more users to connect two or more connectable objects together. These connectable objects may be real objects from the user's environment, virtual objects, or a combination thereof. A preview system may be included as a part of the VR, AR, and/or MR systems that provide a preview of the connection between the connectable objects prior to the user(s) connecting the connectable objects. The preview may include a representation of the connectable objects in a connected state along with an indication of whether the connected state is valid or invalid. The preview system may continuously physically model the connectable objects while simultaneously displaying a preview of the connection process to the user of the VR, AR, or MR system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: MAGIC LEAP, INC.
    Inventors: Edmund Graves Brown, IV, Javier Antonio Busto, Jeffrey A. Scott, Jeremy Vanhoozer
  • Patent number: 11666415
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing orthodontic appliances are provided herein utilizing iterative modeling techniques to increase the efficiency and efficacy of said appliances. Further disclosed herein are the orthodontic appliances fabricated from such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuxiang Wang, Andrew Jang, Bruce Cam, Rohit Tanugula, Chunhua Li, Jun Sato, Luyao Cai, Pavel Pokotilov, Kangning Su, John Y. Morton
  • Patent number: 11656613
    Abstract: A grouping unit, with the use of facility order priority information and facility order rule information, determines a group to which facility orders belong, stores the group in grouping information, performs grouping of facility orders, which do not include a sequential relation in a reverse direction among facility orders, into the same group, performs grouping of facility orders, which include a sequential relation in a reverse direction among facility orders, into a different group, integrates the facility orders grouped in the same group, and sets the integrate facility order as a display facility order of the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Shizhen Hu, Yusuke Nishi, Daisuke Komaki
  • Patent number: 11642822
    Abstract: Systems and approaches for determining design of experiment parameters using largest empty area rectangle optimization for an injection molding system. The systems and methods include obtaining pressure versus time data sets indicative of fill step pressures and corresponding fill step times for a plurality of mold cycles and defining a low and high pressure versus time curves from the data sets, with the low and high pressure versus time curves being two surfaces of a geometric shape. The systems and methods further include identifying a top surface and a bottom surface of the geometric shape; identifying a rectangle having the largest area of all rectangles contained within the first geometric shape; and generating design of experiment parameters from the largest area rectangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: IMFLUX INC.
    Inventor: Brandon Michael Birchmeier
  • Patent number: 11636844
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for audio signal processing evaluation are provided. The audio signal processing is performed on a synthesized audio signal to generate a processed audio signal. The synthesized audio signal is generated by adding a secondary signal into a master signal. The master signal is merely a speech signal. The signal processing is related to removing the secondary signal from the synthesized audio signal. The sound characteristics of the processed audio signal and the master signal are obtained, respectively. The sound characteristics include text content, and the text content is generated by performing speech-to-text on the processed audio signal and the master signal. The audio signal processing is evaluated according to the compared result between the sound characteristics of the processed audio signal and the master signal. The compared result includes the correctness of the text content of the processed audio signal relative to the master signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Po-Jen Tu, Jia-Ren Chang, Kai-Meng Tzeng
  • Patent number: 11625025
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for load balancing specimen containers between a plurality of automated detection apparatuses. The method may include receiving a specimen container at a container pick-up station in a first automated detection apparatus; determining loading ability, transfer status, and cell availability of the first automated detection apparatus and one or more downstream automated detection apparatuses; and transferring the specimen container from the first automated detection apparatus to a downstream automated detection apparatus when a first ratio of effective available cell count to effective capacity in the first automated detection apparatus is less than a second ratio of total effective available cell count to total effective capacity of a sum of the first automated detection apparatus and the one or more downstream automated detection apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: bioMérieux, Inc.
    Inventors: Thierry Vivet, Warren Vincent
  • Patent number: 11625028
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) with a dual independent platform, which comprises a user platform, a service platform, a management platform, a sensor network platform and an object platform that interact in turn. The service platform adopts centralized layout, and the management platform and the sensor network platform adopt independent layout. The present disclosure also discloses a control method of the IIoT with the dual independent platform. The present disclosure builds the IIoT based on the five platform structure, in which the sensor network platform and the management platform are arranged independently, and each corresponding platform includes a plurality of independent sub-platforms, so that the independent sensor network platform and the management platform can be used for each production line device to form an independent data processing channel and transmission channel, and reduce the data processing capacity and transmission capacity of each platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: CHENGDU QINCHUAN IOT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zehua Shao, Xiaojun Wei, Haitang Xiang, Yong Li, Yaqiang Quan
  • Patent number: 11609544
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to performing work on a working surface based on a desired path using a working member. The disclosed system advances the working member with respect to the desired path using a first positioning system and a second positioning system. The first positioning system comprises a frame and actuators operable to advance the working member with respect to a portion of the desired path within an adjustment region. The second positioning system comprises actuators operable to move the frame. By moving the frame using the second positioning system, the first positioning system advances the working member with respect to a portion of the desired path that was outside the adjustment region before the frame was moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Shaper Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Ilan Ellison Moyer, Jeremy Evan Blum, Alec Rothmyer Rivers
  • Patent number: 11601303
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods directed to improving the functions of a vehicle. Systems and methods are provided that provide a custom tool that autogenerates a set of software agents that allows a system to separate processing, transmission and receiving of messages to achieve better synchronization. The disclosure herein also provides a simplified method of key provisioning by designating one client as a server and assigning a symmetric key to every other client permanently provisioned between that client and the server. Systems and method are further provided that predict faults in a vehicle. Systems and methods are also provided that preserve data in the event of a system crash. Systems and methods are also provided in which an operating system of a vehicle detects the presence of a new peripheral and pulls the related interface file for that new peripheral. Further, a data synchronization solution is provided herein which provides optimized levels of synchronization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Nick Schwaiger, Luke Johnston
  • Patent number: 11589652
    Abstract: Described are shoes, in particular a sports shoe, wherein at least a portion of an upper of the shoe includes a first layer and a functional second layer, wherein the functional second layer is directly printed onto the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Bruno Jean Antonelli, Nina Ludwig, Timothy Kelvin Robinson, Daniel Stephen Price, Jan Hill
  • Patent number: 11588315
    Abstract: A system includes an electrical apparatus configured to monitor or control one or more aspects of an electrical power distribution network; and a control system including more than one electronic processor, where the electronic processors are configured to cause the control system to interact with the electrical apparatus, an interaction between the control system and the electrical apparatus including one or more of the control system providing information to the electrical apparatus and the control system receiving information from the electrical apparatus, and if some of the electronic processors are unable to cause the control system to interact with the electrical apparatus, at least one of the other electronic processors is able to cause the control system to interact with the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Darrell Dean Brown, Daniel Rian Kletti, Timothy Mark Kromrey, Glen Connor Spence
  • Patent number: 11584637
    Abstract: A system of flexural, actuating, and semiconducting elements of part-types necessary to assemble actuated robotic systems. These parts are joined with a common interface, interlocking with neighboring parts to form a regular lattice structure. Primary considerations for the design of the part interfaces include ease of assembly and the ability to transfer mechanical loads and electronic signals to neighboring parts. The parts are designed to be assembled vertically so structures can he built incrementally one part at a time. They can be easily fabricated at a range of length-scales using a variety of two-dimensional manufacturing processes. These processes include, for example, stamping and laminating, which enable high-throughput production. The simple mechanical interfaces between parts also enable disassembly allowing for reconfigurability and reuse. The interlocking nature of these assemblies allows loads to be distributed through many parallel load-paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: William Kai Langford, Amanda Ghassaei, Neil Gershenfeld
  • Patent number: 11579593
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) and a method for controlling a balance rate of a production line. The Industrial IoT includes an user platform, a service platform, a management platform, a sensor network platform, and an object platform interacting in sequence, the service platform adopts a centralized arrangement, the management platform adopts an independent arrangement, and the sensor network platform adopts a rear sub-platform arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: CHENGDU QINCHUAN IOT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zehua Shao, Yaqiang Quan, Haitang Xiang, Yong Li, Xiaojun Wei
  • Patent number: 11534910
    Abstract: A control device includes a processor. The processor displays a first image of a robot, first input/output images representing a robot input/output, a second image of a peripheral device, second input/output images representing a device input/output, and an input/output edit screen accepting an input/output relationship between the robot output and a peripheral device input on a display. Each of the robot output and the peripheral device input causes the robot and the peripheral device to perform a synchronous operation or an asynchronous operation that is synchronously or asynchronously performed between the robot and the peripheral device, respectively. When one of the first input/output images corresponds to the synchronous operation, one of the second input/output images corresponds to only the synchronous operation. When another of the first input/output images corresponds to the asynchronous operation, another of the second input/output images corresponds to only the asynchronous operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventor: Atsushi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 11516952
    Abstract: A tape erroneous mounting detection system includes sensors provided to the plurality of tape feeders, a reader configured to read identification information from a recording part which is provided to a reel, and a memory part configured to store part verification information. The tape erroneous mounting detection system also includes a part verification part configured to determine whether or not the tape is mounted on the tape feeder at the set position, and to perform verification updating processing, and a tape erroneous mounting detection part configured to perform erroneous mounting detection processing where the tape erroneous mounting detection part identifies the tape feeder on which the tape is mounted based on the tape presence or absence information and the output from the sensor, and the tape erroneous mounting detection part detects that the tape mounted on the tape feeder is erroneously mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoichi Matsushita
  • Patent number: 11505474
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which significantly improves the control of conductivity, concentration of free residual chlorine, basin level, and pH in forced-draft open recirculating cooling towers, with a basin capacity of 750,000 gallons of water or more. Conductivity, free residual chlorine, basin level, and pH are each controlled by a programmable PID controller operating in a sampled-data environment where the set point is a continuously updated rate-of-change set value for conductivity, free residual chlorine, basin level, and pH based on a near-time prior manipulated value. Programmable PID controller outputs to each control element a manipulated value to bring the rate-of-change of the process value equal to the rate-of-change of the set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Calpine Corporation
    Inventor: Ely Bencomo Trujillo
  • Patent number: 11501316
    Abstract: System and method for detecting a fraudulent activity at a barcode scanner is disclosed. The method issues an alert when the fraudulent activity is confirmed by comparing the visual signature of the item being transacted over the checkout terminal to the model visual signature. The model visual signature is obtained by averaging the collection of visual signature of the item gathered over a period of time. A human validation via a remote processor is employed to confirm the fraudulent activity verified by a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Migdal, Malay Kundu