Arm Movement (spatial) Patents (Class 901/14)
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Patent number: 8265791Abstract: A system and method for motion control of a humanoid robot are provided. The system includes a remote controller for recognizing three-dimensional image information including two-dimensional information and distance information of a user, determining first and second reference points on the basis of the three-dimensional image information, calculating variation in angle of a joint on the basis of three-dimensional coordinates of the first and second reference points, and transmitting a joint control signal through a wired/wireless network. The system also includes a robot for checking joint control data from the joint control signal received from the remote controller and varying an angle of the joint to move according to the user's motion.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hee-Jun Song, Je-Han Yoon, Hyun-Sik Shim
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Publication number: 20120221144Abstract: A system and method for guiding a disruptor robot in disruption of an explosive device. The system includes a source of penetrating radiation, having a coordinated position on the robot with respect to a disrupter coupled to robot, and at least one detector for detecting radiation produced by the source and scattered by the explosive device. An analyzer produces an image of the explosive device and facilitates identification of a disruption target of the explosive device. A controller positions the disruptor with respect to the explosive device so that the disruptor is aimed at the disruption target.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2011Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: AMERICAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, INC.Inventors: Terry McElroy, Jim Pascoe
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Publication number: 20120213623Abstract: A conveying device capable of sequentially and efficiently picking up a plurality of randomly located rods, and conveying the picked up rod to a predetermined place, without using a complicated mechanism. A sucking unit has a nozzle attached to a robot hand, and is configured to move the nozzle close to an end of a first cylindrical portion of a rod to be picked. The nozzle is configured to hold the rod by being lifted while sucking the first portion within the nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: FANUC CORPORATIONInventors: Kazuo HARIKI, Shigenori KAJIO, Takaki AIBA
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Publication number: 20120179290Abstract: A diamond sorting system comprising a diamond source for supplying one or more diamonds to be graded by a vision system having one or more cameras arranged to take one or more images of the diamond, and a processor arranged to receive the image data and execute an algorithm on the data to grade the diamond. The sorting system further comprising a diamond collection unit arranged to receive a graded diamond from the vision system and an electromechanical diamond transporter arranged to transport a diamond to be graded from the diamond source to the vision system, and further arranged to transport a graded diamond from the vision system to the diamond collection unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2010Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventor: Chung Fai Lo
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Patent number: 8219352Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose a system and a method for determining a pose of a probe relative to an object by probing the object with the probe, comprising steps of: determining a probability of the pose using Rao-Blackwellized particle filtering, wherein a probability of a location of the pose is represented by a location of each particle, and a probability of an orientation of the pose is represented by a Gaussian distribution over orientation of each particle conditioned on the location of the particle, wherein the determining is performed for each subsequent probing until the probability of the pose concentrates around a particular pose; and estimating the pose of the probe relative to the object based on the particular pose.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Yuichi Taguchi, Tim Marks
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Patent number: 8210327Abstract: A combined motion control and brake apparatus and method includes a linear longitudinal rail, a bearing block supported on the linear longitudinal rail, a linear rail brake fixed to the linear longitudinal rail, a carrier connected to the rail brake and supported by the bearing block, a pair of linear cross slide rails fixed on the carrier, the cross slide rails disposed generally at right angles to the longitudinal rail, a cross slide bearing block mounted on each cross slide rail, a cross slide supported on the cross slide bearing block moveable in both longitudinal and lateral directions, relative to the longitudinal rails, the cross slide including an engagement feature, and an engager operable to engage the engagement feature to release the rail brake and to move the cross slide rail.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Hirotec America, Inc.Inventor: James B. Toeniskoetter
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Patent number: 8210068Abstract: A rotation mechanism includes a flange, a shaft, a first swing member, and a second swing member. The shaft extends along a first axis. The first swing member is rotatably connected to and received in the flange around a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The second swing member is rotatably connected to and received in the first swing member around a third axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis. The shaft extends through the flange, the first swing member, and the second swing member. The shaft is non-rotatably and slidably received in the second swing member. A robot using the rotation mechanism is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yong Feng
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Publication number: 20120146956Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: T-MOBILE USA, INC.Inventor: David Ross Jenkinson
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Publication number: 20120137816Abstract: The invention concerns a mechanism having the necessary conditions in order that the rotational motion of a body can be actuated in a decoupled and homokinetic way by motors (M1, M2, M3) installed on the same frame, by means of transmission based on homokinetic joints (CV). In particular, decoupled and constant relations are generated between the motors speeds (q1, q2, q3) and the time derivatives of the variables describing the body orientation (?1, (?2, ?3), thus maintaining the homokinetic condition of the transmission during the simultaneous movements of more motors. The invention therefore concerns new architectures of decoupled and homokinetic joints, with two or three degrees of freedom. They are characterised by uniform input-output kinetostatic relations and suitably wide working spaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2010Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventors: Marco Carricato, Michele Conconi
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Publication number: 20120141237Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system, or cluster tool, is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, a robot assembly is provided. The robot assembly includes a first motion assembly movable in a first direction, and a second motion assembly, the second motion assembly being coupled to the first motion assembly and being movable relative to the first motion assembly in a second direction that is generally orthogonal to the first direction. The robot assembly further comprises an enclosure disposed in one of the first motion assembly or the second motion assembly, the enclosure containing at least a portion of a vertical actuator assembly, a support plate coupled to the enclosure, and a first transfer robot disposed on the support plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventors: Mike RICE, Jeffrey HUDGENS, Charles CARLSON, William Tyler WEAVER, Robert LOWRANCE, Eric ENGLHARDT, Dean C. HRUZEK, Dave SILVETTI, Michael KUCHAR, Kirk Van KATWYK, Van HOSKINS, Vinay SHAH
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Patent number: 8191504Abstract: A coating end effector may be carried by a robot. A plasma spray head is mounted by a joint to the end effector. A plurality of actuators couple the end effector and plasma spray head to provide articulation of the joint. The apparatus may be used to coat an airfoil cluster of a gas turbine engine. The coating may include passing the head between the airfoils.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2006Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Donn R. Blankenship
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Publication number: 20120131814Abstract: A coalescing dryer passes air downwardly through items to be dried in a container. The air can be diverted to change direction following passage of the air through the items to be dried. The moving air causes liquid on the surface of items to be dried to coalesce and travel downwardly and from the items being dried. A vacuum dryer applies a vacuum to the container of items to be dried when placed in a vacuum chamber after pre-drying by the coalescing dryer so as to evaporate liquid in the items to be dried that has not been removed by the coalescing dryer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: May 31, 2012Inventor: David S. Gibbel
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Patent number: 8185243Abstract: A robot arm, which is driven by an elastic body actuator and has a plurality of joints, is provided with an arm-end supporting member that supports the robot arm when made in contact with a supporting surface that is placed on an arm-end portion of the robot arm and a control unit that controls a force by which the arm-end supporting member and the supporting surface are made in contact with each other, and further controls a position and orientation of the arm-end portion of the robot arm.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2011Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Yasunao Okazaki
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Patent number: 8182415Abstract: A surgical instrument is inserted through a guide tube. A telemanipulation system moves the distal end of the surgical instrument in all six Cartesian degrees of freedom independently of any guide tube movements.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2007Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: David Q. Larkin, Thomas G. Cooper, Catherine J. Mohr
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Patent number: 8170717Abstract: A surgical robot that includes at least one robotic arm having multiple joints and at least six degrees of freedom, the robotic arm also including: a magnetic resonance (MR) compatible structural material; multiple MR-compatible joint motors; and multiple MR-compatible joint encoders.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Neuroarm Surgical Ltd.Inventors: Garnette Roy Sutherland, Deon Francois Louw, Paul Bradley McBeth, Tim Fielding, Dennis John Gregoris
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Publication number: 20120040597Abstract: Methods of automated meat processing including an end to end processing method in which carcasses are cut into major portions at a first robotic processing station and into minor portions at robotic processing sub-stations. In one processing method carcass portions are acquired by a robotic arm, imaged and then cuts performed without transfer. In another a first series of processing steps are performed by rotating carcass portions through a plurality of processing stations and a second series of processing steps are performed as carcass portions are advanced along a linear conveyor. In another processing method a plurality of clamps are employed to stabalise a saddle section during a flap cut. In another processing method split pins are used to position a saddle section for a vertebrae cut. In another method a spinal cord is removed by applying a pressurised fluid stream against one end of the spinal cord and applying suction at the other end of the spinal cord.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2010Publication date: February 16, 2012Inventors: Steven Fern, Alan Dickie, Scott Clark
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Patent number: 8105320Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a replaceable electrosurgical end effector cartridge is provided to couple to a mechanical wrist of a surgical instrument for a robotic surgical system. The replaceable electrosurgical end effector cartridge includes two end effectors, a fastener to rotatably couple the two end effectors together, and a cam mechanism. At least one of the two end effectors is a moveable end effector having a jaw portion, an off-center portion, and a base portion. The cam mechanism is coupled to the base portion of the at least one moveable end effector to pivot it about the fastener to open and close the jaw portion of the at least one moveable end effector with respect to the other.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2010Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations Inc.Inventor: Scott E. Manzo
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Publication number: 20120014770Abstract: A substrate conveyance apparatus includes a first driving shaft, an arm portion having one end connected to the first driving shaft, a substrate holding unit capable of holding a substrate, and a connecting portion that connects the other end of the arm portion and the substrate holding unit. The connecting portion includes a rotating support portion that supports the substrate holding unit rotatably with respect to the arm portion, and a moving unit that moves the substrate holding unit upward or downward with respect to the arm portion in the direction of the rotating shaft about which the substrate holding unit is rotated by the rotating support portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: CANON ANELVA CORPORATIONInventors: Kazuhito Watanabe, Yukihito Tashiro, Naoyuki Nozawa, Daisuke Kobinata
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Publication number: 20120014773Abstract: Methods correcting wafer position error are provided. The methods involve measuring wafer position error on a robot, e.g. a dual side-by-side end effector robot, during transfer to an intermediate station. This measurement data is then used by a second robot to perform wafer pick moves from the intermediate station with corrections to center the wafer. Wafer position correction may be performed at only one location during the transfer process. Also provided are systems and apparatuses for transferring wafers using an intermediate station.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Inventors: Chris Gage, Damon Genetti
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Patent number: 8095237Abstract: A method of three-dimensional object location and guidance to allow robotic manipulation of an object with variable position and orientation using a sensor array which is a collection of one or more sensors capable of forming a single image.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2003Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: RoboticVISIONTech LLCInventors: Babak Habibi, Simona Pescaru, Mohammad Sameti, Remus Florinel Boca
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Publication number: 20110313567Abstract: An automated medicament dispensing machine for dispensing and counting individual medicaments. A medicament supply bin holds a plurality of medicaments. A singulator extends into the medicament supply bin and functions to singulate the plurality of medicaments. The singulator includes a trough that extends into the medicament supply bin. A helix is positioned over the top of the trough. The helix is uncovered at its top. A motor is connected to the helix and rotates the helix so that excess medicaments fall backwards along the trough or into the medicament supply bin as individual medicaments are singulated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Inventors: Waldemar Willemse, Werner Waidamar Willemse, Clasina Aletta Willemae
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Publication number: 20110300622Abstract: An apparatus for transporting sample well trays with respect to a heating device is provided. The apparatus includes a sample well tray holder, a rotational actuator, and a biasing mechanism. The sample well tray holder includes a plate in which a sample well tray may be positioned. The sample well tray holder is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis. The rotational actuator is configured to rotate the sample well tray holder about the first rotational axis. The biasing mechanism is configured to urge the sample well tray holder in a generally upward direction along the first rotational axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Jessica E. Barzilai, Donald R. Sandell
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Publication number: 20110290090Abstract: To automatically perform an attachment work of a material supply to a target object, a robot system includes a robot provided with a body, a first arm provided for the body and having a plurality of joints, a second arm provided for the body separately from the first arm and having a plurality of joints, and hand units respectively provided for the first arm and the second arm. The robot holds one of a plurality of types of workpiece components using the hand units of the first arm and the second arm at the same time, and the remaining type of the workpiece components is held and carried by the hand unit of the first arm or the second arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKIInventors: Katsunori URABE, Kenichi Motonaga, Keigo Ishibashi, Takashi Shiino
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Publication number: 20110280472Abstract: A system and method for robustly calibrating a vision system and a robot is provided. The system and method enables a plurality of cameras to be calibrated into a robot base coordinate system to enable a machine vision/robot control system to accurately identify the location of objects of interest within robot base coordinates.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2010Publication date: November 17, 2011Inventors: Aaron S. Wallack, Lifeng Liu, Xiangyun Ye
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Publication number: 20110282483Abstract: Automated positioning and alignment methods and systems for aircraft structures use anthropomorphous robots with six degrees of freedom to carry the aero structure parts during the positioning and alignment. The parts and structures (if any) supporting the parts are treated as robot tools.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2010Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicants: ITA - Instituto Tecnologico de Aeronautica, EMBRAER - Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica SAInventors: Marcos Leandro Simonetti, Luis Gonzaga Trabasso
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Patent number: 8060252Abstract: Methods correcting wafer position error are provided. The methods involve measuring wafer position error on a robot, e.g. a dual side-by-side end effector robot, during transfer to an intermediate station. This measurement data is then used by a second robot to perform wafer pick moves from the intermediate station with corrections to center the wafer. Wafer position correction may be performed at only one location during the transfer process. Also provided are systems and apparatuses for transferring wafers using an intermediate station.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.Inventors: Chris Gage, Damon Genetti
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Patent number: 8060250Abstract: A system and method for controlling tendon-driven manipulators that provide a closed-loop control of joint torques or joint impedances without inducing dynamic coupling between joints. The method includes calculating tendon reference positions or motor commands by projecting a torque error into tendon position space using a single linear operation. The method calculates this torque error using sensed tendon tensions and a reference torque and internal tension. The method can be used to control joint impedance by calculating the reference torque based on a joint position error. The method limits minimum and maximum tendon tensions by projecting the torque error into the tendon tension space and then projecting ii back into joint space.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationsInventors: Matthew J. Reiland, Robert Platt, Charles W. Wampler, II, Muhammad E. Abdallah, Brian Hargrave
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Patent number: 8055383Abstract: A path generating device 1 has a constraint mid-configuration generator 10. The constraint mid-configuration generator 10 defines a constraint surface in a joint angle space. The path generating device 1 probabilistically generates a mid-configuration in the joint angle space. The constraint mid-configuration generator 10 projects the probabilistically generated mid-configuration onto the constraint surface to generate a projected mid-configuration. Projected mid-configurations generated in this manner are joined to generate a path that does not interfere with any obstacle (environmental object) in a work space.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2006Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shintaro Yoshizawa
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Publication number: 20110264259Abstract: A control system for and methods of controlling a product delivery system are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventors: Jeff Boyer, Joseph Todd Piatnik, Fernando A. Ubidia, Aaron M. Stein, John F. Lewis
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Publication number: 20110264260Abstract: Provided is a substrate-processing apparatus including a transfer member loading and taking out a substrate to and from a storage member, and a control unit controlling the transfer member. The transfer member includes a plurality of transfer arms and an arm-driving part moving the respective transfer arms horizontally, and substrates are loaded on the respective transfer arms. The control unit controls a movement velocity and a position of the transfer member and compares movement velocity profiles of the transfer arms, so as to control movement velocities of the respective transfer arms. Accordingly, the simultaneously driven transfer arms simultaneously arrive at target points, and thus the substrate-processing apparatus reduces transfer time and improves productivity.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2009Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: SEMES CO., LTD.Inventors: Sang-Seok Hong, Hyun-Woo Kim
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Patent number: 8041459Abstract: A method of operating a surgical system. The method includes obtaining a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan in which magnetic resonance (MR) visible targets are located; registering a robotic arm to the MRI scan using a digitizing tool, the robotic arm including: multiple joints and multiple degrees of freedom; an MR-compatible structural material; multiple MR-compatible joint motors; multiple MR-compatible joint encoders; and an end effector holding an MR-compatible surgical tool having a tool tip; and displaying a location of the tool tip relative to an image from the MRI scan.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: NeuroArm Surgical Ltd.Inventors: Garnette Roy Sutherland, Deon Francois Louw, Paul Bradley McBeth, Tim Fielding, Dennis John Gregoris
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Patent number: 8034210Abstract: Apparatus and method for visualizing air stream by little threads on aerodynamic surfaces such that strips of adhesive tape populated with threads are automatically fabricated.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2010Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Eva Marie Montilla Mendez, Susanne Wyrembek, Tim Moenning
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Publication number: 20110246130Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose a system and a method for determining a pose of a probe relative to an object by probing the object with the probe, comprising steps of: determining a probability of the pose using Rao-Blackwellized particle filtering, wherein a probability of a location of the pose is represented by a location of each particle, and a probability of an orientation of the pose is represented by a Gaussian distribution over orientation of each particle conditioned on the location of the particle, wherein the determining is performed for each subsequent probing until the probability of the pose concentrates around a particular pose; and estimating the pose of the probe relative to the object based on the particular pose.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Inventors: Yuichi Taguchi, Tim Marks
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Publication number: 20110231007Abstract: An automated library including a housing unit containing a plurality of shelves containing slots to hold digital and print media; a programmable robot contained within the housing unit; a patron interface panel including a touch screen, a library card reader, and receipt printer secured to a wall of the housing unit for entering data; and a media receipt and distribution system secured to a wall of the housing unit that determines the size and/or shape of media being received or distributed through the media receipt and distribution system and controls the ingress and egress of the media.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: BIEHLE ELECTRIC INC.Inventors: Michael Biehle, Dustin L. Maschino
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Patent number: 8014982Abstract: A simulation method and a simulation system for a construction crane are disclosed. The simulation system includes an input device, a processing device, and a display device. The input device is used for inputting an instruction. Furthermore, the processing device includes a computation unit, a collision detection unit, a storage unit, and a graphic unit. The computation unit is used for computing the position and the direction of each part of the construction crane and the suspension parts. The collision detection model is used for detecting whether each part of the construction crane and the suspension parts will be in collision. Besides, the data obtained from the simulation method performed in the simulation system is saved in the storage unit. The graphic unit displays the 3D dynamics images of the construction crane and the suspension parts on the display device, corresponding to the data obtained from the computation unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2008Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: National Taiwan UniversityInventors: Shih-Chung Kang, Hung-Lin Chi, Wei-Hang Hung
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Publication number: 20110209661Abstract: An apparatus is provided for assembling a pizza, including a pizza sauce spreading station, a cheese spreading station and a pepperoni applying station. A robot including a stationary base and an articulating arm having a gripper attached to the end is operable to grip a pizza pan having pizza dough therein to allow said robot to move the pan throughout the pizza sauce spreading station, and to a rotary dial system including the cheese spreading station and the pepperoni applying station. The robot arm manipulates the pizza pan in the sauce spreading station and the rotary dial system manipulates the pizza pan in the cheese station and the pepperoni applying station to properly distribute the cheese and pepperoni on the pizza.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: LITTLE CAESAR ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Cathryn Fritz-Jung, David Scrivano, David Strother, Amanda B. Thomas, Sean M. Heslip, Kent A. Deemter, Tyler W. McCoy, Bret A. Hoeksema
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Publication number: 20110208353Abstract: A method to control an industrial robot with a tool including at least one actuator. The industrial robot has at least one robot arm with a tool holder arranged on the arm. A contactless power supply is provided to the at least one actuator of the tool. Control signals are transmitted to and/or received from at least one wireless node including a radio communicator arranged on the tool. Radio technology is utilized that works in a high frequency band from 400 MHz and higher with significant interference suppression by spread spectrum technology.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: ABB RESEARCH LTD.Inventors: Jimmy KJELLSSON, Giale Bryne, Guntram Scheible, Jan-Erik Frey, Martin Strand, Tobias Gentzell
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Publication number: 20110152871Abstract: In this invention, there is provided a system which can visually indicate to the surgeon an ideal angle for the acetabular cup during a total hip replacement procedure, wherein the system uses a robotic system which orients an elongated guide at the preferred axis for the acetabular cup.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Youngbae Park, Boris Martin Preising
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Publication number: 20110135437Abstract: A third arm is provided in addition to an end effecter, a first arm and a second arm. The third arm performs swinging and turning motion until a third rotational axis is aligned with an extension of an axial line on an access position. Then, the end effecter moves linearly to transport a workpiece from and to the access position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2010Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKIInventors: Koji TAKESHITA, Yoshiki Kimura
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Patent number: 7940023Abstract: A geometric end effector system for use on a robot. The system includes a platform and a frame secured to the platform. At least one base is arranged at a predetermined position on the frame. The system also has an anchor mount secured to the base and a component connected to an end of the anchor mount by a collar assembly. A key is arranged between the component and the anchor mount.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2009Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.Inventors: Jason M. Kniss, Michael J. Goff, Jerry Berendt, Ron Micallef
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Publication number: 20110088424Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system stores containers, typically containing biological or chemical samples, at ultra-low temperatures, i.e., from about ?50° C. to about ?90° C., preferably about ?80° C. under normal operating conditions. A robot automatically places sample storage containers in stationary storage racks within the freezer compartment. Magnetic couplings are used to transmit mechanical power from outside of the freezer compartment to the robot inside of the freezer compartment. The robot has a simplified mechanical configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: HAMILTON STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Robert P. Cloutier, Julian Warhurst, Behrouz Zandi, James O'Toole, Halvard Solberg
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Patent number: 7922439Abstract: A robot comprises a fixed member that has a lower end, a movable member, and an elastic sheet member. The movable member is supported by the fixed member to be movable between an uppermost position and a lowermost position of a movable range given to the movable member in a vertical direction relative to the fixed member. This movable member has a lower end at which an operation tool is provided The elastic sheet member has both ends. Of these ends, one end is fixed to the lower end of the fixed member and the other end is fixed to the lower end of the movable member. This sheet member droops when the movable member moves up to the uppermost position of the fixed member.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Denso Wave IncorporatedInventor: Hisaki Kato
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Publication number: 20110076118Abstract: A method and apparatus for a transfer robot that having at least one image sensor disposed thereon is provided. The transfer robot includes a lift assembly having a first drive assembly for moving a first platform relative to a second platform in a first linear direction, an end effector assembly disposed on the second platform and movable in a second linear direction by a second drive assembly, the second linear direction being orthogonal to the first linear direction, at least one image sensor, and a lighting device associated with the at least one image sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Shinichi Kurita, Takayuki Matsumoto, Suhail Anwar, Makoto Inagawa
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Publication number: 20110063417Abstract: A method and system to enable a computer to estimate calibration parameters autonomously so that accurate stereopsis can be performed. The present invention automatically calibrates two or more cameras with unknown parameters with respect to a robot or robotic appendage (e.g., articulated robot arm) with a light source that can be turned on and off at one end. A pair of cameras (e.g., digital cameras) are positioned and aimed so as to give stereoptic coverage of the robot's workspace. The procedure determines the positions and orientations of the pair of cameras with respect to a robot (i.e., exterior orientations) and the focal lengths, optical centers, and distortion coefficients of each camera (i.e., intrinsic parameters) automatically from a set of known positions of the robot arm, and a set of images from the right and left cameras of the robot arm in each position as the light is turned on and off.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Inventors: RICHARD ALAN PETERS, II, Shawn Atkins, Dae Jin Kim, Aditya Nawab
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Publication number: 20110056290Abstract: A system and method for identifying the levels of one or more liquids in a vessel using an optical imager and one or more appropriately positioned light sources and an optical imager for capturing digital images of the illuminated vessel. A laser line generator is positioned oppositely from the imager and oriented to project a laser line through the vessel so that it may be imaged by the imager. A second light source, such as an LED, may be positioned above or below the vessel and oriented to project light downwardly or upwardly through the vessel and its contents. Captured images of the vessel are then processed by a programmable device, such as a microcontroller, to determine the levels of materials in the vessel based on the optical characteristics revealed in the captured image.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: JADAK, LLCInventors: Steven Thomas Bryant, Charles Paul Barber
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Patent number: 7901357Abstract: A robotic 5D ultrasound system and method, for use in a computer integrated surgical system, wherein 3D ultrasonic image data is integrated over time with strain (i.e., elasticity) image data. By integrating the ultrasound image data and the strain image data, the present invention is capable of accurately identifying a target tissue in surrounding tissue; segmenting, monitoring and tracking the target tissue during the surgical procedure; and facilitating proper planning and execution of the surgical procedure, even where the surgical environment is noisy and the target tissue is isoechoic.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2004Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: The John Hopkins UniversityInventors: Emad M. Boctor, Michael Choti, Gabor Fichtinger, Russell Taylor, Jerry L. Prince
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Publication number: 20110022231Abstract: Automated apparatuses and related methods for scanning, spraying, pruning, and harvesting crops from plant canopies. The apparatuses include a support structure comprising a frame, a central vertical shaft, and at least one module support member capable of rotating around a plant canopy. The support member supports a plurality of movable arms, each arm having at least one detector for probing the plant canopy. Embodiments further comprise applicators and/or manipulators for spraying, pruning, and harvesting crops from within the plant canopy. The methods of the present invention include causing the moveable arms attached to the support structure to be extended into the plant canopy, searching for crops, and transmitting and/or storing the search data. Embodiments further comprise detaching crops from the plant canopy and transporting them to a receptacle, applying a controlled amount of material within the plant canopy, or pruning inside of the plant canopy.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Inventors: Jeffrey WALKER, Lev DRUBETSKY
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Publication number: 20100316334Abstract: This invention discloses highly scalable and modular automated optical cross connect switch devices which exhibit low loss and scalability to high port counts. In particular, a device for the programmable interconnection of large numbers of optical fibers (100's-1000's) is provided, whereby a two-dimensional array of fiber optic connections is mapped in an ordered and rule-based fashion into a one-dimensional array with tensioned fiber optic circuit elements tracing substantially straight lines there between. Fiber optic elements are terminated in a stacked arrangement of flexible fiber optic circuit elements with a capacity to retain excess fiber lengths while maintaining an adequate bend radius. The combination of these elements partitions the switch volume into multiple independent, non-interfering zones, which retain their independence for arbitrary and unlimited numbers of reconfigurations.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2008Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventor: Anthony Kewitsch
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Patent number: RE42381Abstract: A hair transplantation method and apparatus utilizes a robot, which includes a robotic arm, having a hair follicle effector associated with the robotic arm.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Restoration Robotics, Inc.Inventor: Philip L. Gildenberg
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Patent number: RE42438Abstract: A hair transplantation method and apparatus utilizes a robot, which includes a robotic arm, having a hair follicle effector associated with the robotic arm.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2008Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Restoration Robotics, Inc.Inventor: Philip L. Gildenberg