Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090189766 | REMOTE WAFER PRESENCE DETECTION WITH PASSIVE RFID - The present invention involves a system and method of remotely detecting the presence of a wafer comprising, a passive RFID circuit, wherein the RFID circuit is attached to an end of a transfer arm located inside a vacuum chamber of an ion implantation system, a reader located outside the vacuum chamber, and wherein the RFID tag provides an indication relating to whether or not a wafer is secured by the transfer arm. | 07-30-2009 |
20090321631 | LOW-INERTIA MULTI-AXIS MULTI-DIRECTIONAL MECHANICALLY SCANNED ION IMPLANTATION SYSTEM - An ion implantation system configured to produce an ion beam is provided, wherein an end station has a robotic architecture having at least four degrees of freedom. An end effector operatively coupled to the robotic architecture selectively grips and translates a workpiece through the ion beam. The robotic architecture has a plurality of motors operatively coupled to the end station, each having a rotational shaft. At least a portion of each rotational shaft generally resides within the end station, and each of the plurality of motors has a linkage assembly respectively associated therewith, wherein each linkage assembly respectively has a crank arm and a strut. The crank arm of each linkage assembly is fixedly coupled to the respective rotational shaft, and the strut of each linkage assembly is pivotally coupled to the respective crank arm at a first joint, and pivotally coupled to the end effector at a second joint. | 12-31-2009 |
20100159153 | ELECTROSTATIC CHUCK SHIELDING MECHANISM - An end station for an ion implantation system is provided, wherein the end station comprises a process chamber configured to receive an ion beam. A load lock chamber is coupled to the process chamber and configured to selectively introduce a workpiece into the process chamber. An electrostatic chuck within the process chamber is configured to selectively translate through the ion beam, and a shield within the process chamber is configured to selectively cover at least a portion of a clamping surface of the electrostatic chuck to protect the clamping surface from one or more contaminants associated with the ion beam. A docking station within the process chamber selectively retains the shield, and a transfer mechanism is configured to transfer a workpiece between the load lock chamber and the electrostatic chuck, and to transfer the shield between the docking station and the clamping surface of the electrostatic chuck. | 06-24-2010 |
20110297845 | EFFECTIVE ALGORITHM FOR WARMING A TWIST AXIS FOR COLD ION IMPLANTATIONS - A method for warming a rotational interface in an ion implantation environment provides a scan arm configured to rotate about a first axis and an end effector coupled to the scan arm via a motor to selectively secure a workpiece. The end effector is configured to rotate about a second axis having a bearing and a seal associated with the second axis and motor. The motor is activated, and the rotation of motor is reversed after a predetermined time or when the motor faults due to a rotation the end effector about the second axis. A determination is made as to whether the rotation of the end effector about the second axis is acceptable, and the scan arm is reciprocated about the first axis when the rotation of the end effector is unacceptable, wherein inertia of the end effector causes a rotation of the end effector about the second axis. | 12-08-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080239345 | Systems and methods for efficient print job compression - Systems and methods described herein provide for an efficient method for print job compression. In some embodiments, threshold halftone lookup tables directed to specific object types are used to compare pixel data for specific detected objects. Pixel data for such specified objects may be encoded using the appropriate object-specific threshold halftone lookup table into one of two multi-bit values, which serve to increase the frequency of repetitive or redundant encoded data and permit efficient compression by algorithms that exploit data repetition and/or redundancy. The methods described herein are applicable to a variety of printers, including raster and PDL printers. | 10-02-2008 |
20080239368 | Systems and methods for print scheduling - In some embodiments of systems and methods for print scheduling, at least one of a plurality of entries in a request table associated with a printing device is updated with print job related information when a spool associated with a printing device is full. A priority is associated with the entries in the request table and an incoming print job is spooled at the time of a print job request, if the spool associated with the printing device is not full and the entry corresponding to the print job in the request table has the highest priority. Embodiments of the methods disclosed provide for the ordered processing of print jobs in a timely fashion with minimal alterations to existing protocols. | 10-02-2008 |
20100078469 | Systems and Methods for Automatic Printer Configuration - Apparatus, systems, and methods consistent with disclosed embodiments permit the automatic configuration of printers based on the generic physical characteristics of print media by using a product code associated with the print media. Printer configuration settings associated with the product code are retrieved and used to automatically configure an input tray by detecting status information pertaining to input trays during a specified time interval around the time the product code was received. | 04-01-2010 |
20100079790 | Systems and Methods for Automating Printer Configuration - Apparatus, systems, and methods consistent with disclosed embodiments permit the automatic configuration of printers based on the generic physical characteristics of print media by using a product code associated with the print media. Printer configuration settings associated with the product code are retrieved and used to automatically configure an input tray holding the media. In some embodiments, the product codes can be scanned using a sensor coupled to the input tray. | 04-01-2010 |
20100079811 | Systems and Methods for Efficient Halftone Screening - Systems, methods, and devices described herein provide schemes for performing halftoning operations on image data using a first halftone pattern with a first data width on a SIMD-capable processor with a second data width, wherein second data width is not an integral multiple of the first data width. In some embodiments, the method can operate iteratively and comprises deriving a halftone pattern for an iteration based on a start location in the first halftone pattern, wherein the derived halftone pattern can be of the second data width; loading image data for the iteration until the image data is exhausted, or until the image data occupies the entire width of a register in the processor; and performing halftone computations on the image data using the derived halftone pattern. | 04-01-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140272566 | WELDABILITY OF ALUMINUM ALLOYS - A method is provided for modifying a surface of a first, relatively difficult-to-weld metal substrate in preparation for a subsequent joining method by applying a thin layer of a second, relatively easy-to-weld metal to the surface of the first metal substrate. | 09-18-2014 |
20140315097 | ASYMMETRIC BATTERY HAVING A SEMI-SOLID CATHODE AND HIGH ENERGY DENSITY ANODE - Embodiments described herein relate generally to devices, systems and methods of producing high energy density batteries having a semi-solid cathode that is thicker than the anode. An electrochemical cell can include a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode current collector and an ion-permeable membrane disposed between the positive electrode current collector and the negative electrode current collector. The ion-permeable membrane is spaced a first distance from the positive electrode current collector and at least partially defines a positive electroactive zone. The ion-permeable membrane is spaced a second distance from the negative electrode current collector and at least partially defines a negative electroactive zone. The second distance is less than the first distance. A semi-solid cathode that includes a suspension of an active material and a conductive material in a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte is disposed in the positive electroactive zone, and an anode is disposed in the negative electroactive zone. | 10-23-2014 |
20150024279 | SEMI-SOLID ELECTRODES WITH GEL POLYMER ADDITIVE - Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having semi-solid electrodes that include a gel polymer additive such that the electrodes demonstrate longer cycle life while significantly retaining the electronic performance of the electrodes and the electrochemical cells formed therefrom. In some embodiments, a semi-solid electrode can include about 20% to about 75% by volume of an active material, about 0.5% to about 25% by volume of a conductive material, and about 20% to about 70% by volume of an electrolyte. The electrolyte further includes about 0.01% to about 1.5% by weight of a polymer additive. In some embodiments, the electrolyte can include about 0.1% to about 0.7% of the polymer additive. | 01-22-2015 |
20150357626 | POROUS SEMI-SOLID ELECTRODE AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having porous semi-solid electrodes and in particular, semi-solid electrodes that include electrolyte filled meso-pores such that the semi-solid electrodes have higher electronic conductivity. In some embodiments, a method of preparing a porous semi-solid electrode includes combining an active material with an electrolyte to form an intermediate material, the electrolyte including a liquid component and a pore former. A conductive material is combined with the intermediate material to form a semi-solid electrode material. The pore former is then caused to liquefy to form a porous semi-solid electrode. In some embodiments, the pore former is maintained at a temperature below a dissolution temperature and/or a melting temperature of the pore former prior to causing the pore former to liquefy. In some embodiments, the pore former can be ethylene carbonate (“EC”). | 12-10-2015 |
20160105042 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SERIES BATTERY CHARGING - Systems and methods for charging and discharging a plurality of batteries are described herein. In some embodiments, a system includes a battery module, an energy storage system electrically coupled to the battery module, a power source, and a controller. The energy storage system is operable in a first operating state in which energy is transferred from the energy storage system to the battery module to charge the battery module, and a second operating state in which energy is transferred from the battery module to the energy storage system to discharge the battery module. The power source electrically coupled to the energy storage system and is configured to transfer energy from the power source to the energy storage system based on an amount of stored energy in the energy storage system. The controller is operably coupled to the battery module and is configured to monitor and control a charging state of the battery module. | 04-14-2016 |
20160126543 | Pre-Lithiation of Electrode Materials in a Semi-Solid Electrode - Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having pre-lithiated semi-solid electrodes, and particularly to semi-solid electrodes that are pre-lithiated during the mixing of the semi-solid electrode slurry such that a solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) layer is formed in the semi-solid electrode before the electrochemical cell formation. In some embodiments, a semi-solid electrode includes about 20% to about 90% by volume of an active material, about 0% to about 25% by volume of a conductive material, about 10% to about 70% by volume of a liquid electrolyte, and lithium (as lithium metal, a lithium-containing material, and/or a lithium metal equivalent) in an amount sufficient to substantially pre-lithiate the active material. The lithium metal is configured to form a solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on a surface of the active material before an initial charging cycle of an electrochemical cell that includes the semi-solid electrode. | 05-05-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130166239 | METHOD FOR GENERATING INFORMATION SIGNAL - A signal generation method for generating an information signal F(b) by performing a Fourier transform on a signal f(a) includes the following steps: detecting the maximum peak intensity of the information signal F(b); calculating an amplitude, a phase, and a frequency of the signal f(a) corresponding to the maximum peak intensity; generating a signal by causing the signal f(a) corresponding to the maximum peak intensity to extend along an ‘a’ axis on the basis of information about the amplitude, the phase, and the frequency of the signal f(a); generating an extrapolation signal by extracting a signal in a region smaller than a1 and a signal in a region larger than a2 from the signal, where a106-27-2013 | |
20140029013 | OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGING APPARATUS - An optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus includes a wavelength-sweeping light source. The wavelength-sweeping light source includes an optical resonator in which a light amplifying medium and a dispersive element configured to give angular dispersion to light emitted from the light amplifying medium according to the wavelength are provided, and a wavelength selection element having a rotating mechanism. An arithmetic processing unit converts a selected wavelength obtained in correspondence with a rotation angle of the rotating mechanism into an optical frequency, and obtains a data string of interfering signals at equal optical frequency intervals by interpolation on the basis of data on interfering signals sampled in correspondence with the rotation angle. | 01-30-2014 |
20140125992 | OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY APPARATUS AND OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY METHOD - The optical coherence tomography apparatus includes: a light source unit; a branch unit for branching light output from the light source unit into measurement light and reference light; an interference unit for causing reflection, the reflection being light returned from an object, which is illuminated with the measurement light, to interfere with the reference light; and a detection unit for receiving interference light from the interference unit so as to detect an intensity of the interference light. The optical coherence tomography apparatus acquires a tomographic image of the object based on the intensity of the interference light detected by the detection unit. The interference unit outputs first and second interference light having interference components having phases mutually different by π. The first and second interference light output from the interference unit reaches the detection unit so that a time gap is generated between the first and second interference light. | 05-08-2014 |
20140269792 | FIBER LASER SYSTEM - A laser system includes a seed laser configured to generate a plurality of optical pulses; a controller configured to receive the plurality of the optical pulses and obtain chirped pulses, each chirped pulse having a chirping amount different from each other; an optical waveguide, having a characteristic of anomalous dispersion, configured to cause soliton self-frequency shifts while the chirped pulses propagating so that each center wavelength of a pulse which output from the optical waveguide is different from each other. | 09-18-2014 |
20150015938 | Dissipative Soliton Mode Fiber Based Optical Parametric Oscillator - A fiber optic parametric amplifier that includes a resonating cavity. The resonating cavity includes linear fiber optic gain medium, with negative chromatic dispersion; and a nonlinear fiber optic gain medium with positive chromatic dispersion. | 01-15-2015 |
20150309386 | SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE CHIRP OF AN OPTICAL SIGNAL - An apparatus for altering a chirp of an input light comprising one or more grating structures and one or more electro-optical blocks. In which a voltage is applied to the one or more electro-optical blocks to alter a chirp of light exiting the apparatus. | 10-29-2015 |
20150355023 | System and Method of Alignment for Balanced Detection in a Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography - An alignment process for a balance detecting spectral domain optical coherence tomography system. The alignment process includes comparing a spectral performance curve of a first detector array to a spectral performance curve of a second detector array to determine if the system is aligned. | 12-10-2015 |
20150373431 | Split Spectrum Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography - A spectral domain optical coherence tomography apparatus for measuring a sample. The spectral domain optical coherence tomography includes a broadband light source, that supplies broadband light to the sample and a reference. The spectral domain optical coherence tomography apparatus includes a wavelength selective switch that receives mixed light that is a combination of the broadband light that is reflected off the sample and the reference. The spectral domain optical coherence tomography apparatus includes a sensor that includes a plurality of pixels. The wavelength selective switch guides a first portion of the mixed light that is within a first wavelength and a second wavelength to the sensor during a first period of time. The wavelength selective switch guides a second portion of the mixed light that is within a third wavelength and a fourth wavelength to the sensor during a second period of time. | 12-24-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150174759 | METHODS AND COMPUTER-PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR EVALUATING GRASP PATTERNS, AND ROBOTS INCORPORATING THE SAME - Methods and computer-program products for evaluating grasp patterns for use by a robot are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of evaluating grasp patterns includes selecting an individual grasp pattern from a grasp pattern set, establishing a thumb-up vector, and simulating the motion of the manipulator and the end effector according to the selected individual grasp pattern, wherein each individual grasp pattern of the grasp pattern set corresponds to motion for manipulating a target object. The method further includes evaluating a direction of the thumb-up vector during at least a portion of the simulated motion of the manipulator and the end effector, and excluding the selected individual grasp pattern from use by the robot if the direction of the thumb-up vector during the simulated motion is outside of one or more predetermined thresholds. Robots utilizing the methods and computer-program products for evaluating grasp patterns are also disclosed. | 06-25-2015 |
20150196101 | SMART NECKLACE WITH STEREO VISION AND ONBOARD PROCESSING - A smart necklace includes a body defining at least one cavity and having a neck portion and first and a second side portions. The necklace includes a pair of stereo cameras that is configured to detect image data including depth information corresponding to a surrounding environment of the smart necklace. The necklace further includes a positioning sensor configured to detect positioning data corresponding to a positioning of the smart necklace. The necklace includes a non-transitory memory positioned in the at least one cavity and configured to store map data and object data. The smart necklace also includes a processor positioned in the at least one cavity, coupled to the pair of stereo cameras, the positioning sensor and the non-transitory memory. The processor is configured to determine output data based on the image data, the positioning data, the map data and the object data. | 07-16-2015 |
20150198454 | SMART NECKLACE WITH STEREO VISION AND ONBOARD PROCESSING - A wearable neck device includes an IMU coupled to the wearable neck device and adapted to detect inertial measurement data and a GPS coupled to the device and adapted to detect location data. The wearable neck device further includes a camera adapted to detect image data and a memory adapted to store data. The wearable neck device further includes a processor adapted to recognize an object in the surrounding environment by analyzing the data. The processor can determine a desirable action based on the data and a current time or day. The processor can determine a destination based on the determined desirable action. The processor can determine a navigation path based on the determined destination and the data. The processor is further adapted to determine output based on the navigation path. The wearable neck device further includes a speaker adapted to provide audio information to the user. | 07-16-2015 |
20150199566 | SMART NECKLACE WITH STEREO VISION AND ONBOARD PROCESSING - A wearable neck device and a method of operating the wearable neck device are provided for outputting optical character recognition information to a user. The wearable neck device has at least one camera, and a memory storing optical character or image recognition processing data. A processor detects a document in the surrounding environment and adjusts the field of view of the at least one camera such that the detected document is within the adjusted field of view. The processor analyzes the image data within the adjusted field of view using the optical character or image recognition processing data. The processor determines output data based on the analyzed image data. A speaker of the wearable neck device provides audio information to the user based on the output data. | 07-16-2015 |
20150201181 | SMART NECKLACE WITH STEREO VISION AND ONBOARD PROCESSING - A wearable neck device for providing environmental awareness to a user, the wearable neck device includes a flexible tube. A first stereo pair of cameras is encased in a left portion of the flexible tube and a second stereo pair of cameras is encased in a right portion of the flexible tube. A vibration motor within the flexible tube provides haptic and audio feedback to the user. A processor in the flexible tube recognizes objects from the first stereo pair of cameras and the second stereo pair of cameras. The vibration motor provides haptic and audio feedback of the items or points of interest to the user. | 07-16-2015 |
20160025499 | INTELLIGENT MOBILITY AID DEVICE AND METHOD OF NAVIGATING AND PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO A USER THEREOF - An intelligent navigation device is provided for actively collecting data about a user and the surrounding environment, drawing helpful inferences, and actively aiding the user in navigation, environmental awareness, and social interaction. The intelligent navigation device may include cameras for detecting image data regarding the surrounding environment. The intelligent navigation device may include a GPS unit, an IMU, and a memory for storing previously determined user data. The intelligent navigation device may include a processor for determining a desirable action or event based on the image data, data detected by the GPS unit or the IMU, or a recognized object in the surrounding environment. The processor may further determine a destination and provide navigation assistance to the user for reaching the destination. The intelligent navigation device may convey output data using a display, a speaker, a vibration unit, a mechanical feedback unit, or an electrical stimulation unit. | 01-28-2016 |
20160033280 | WEARABLE EARPIECE FOR PROVIDING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS - An intelligent earpiece to be worn over an ear of a user is described. The earpiece includes a processor connected to the IMU, the GPS unit and the at least one camera. The processor can recognize an object in the surrounding environment by analyzing the image data based on the stored object data and at least one of the inertial measurement data or the location data. The processor can determine a desirable event or action based on the recognized object, the previously determined user data, and a current time or day. The processor can determine a destination based on the determined desirable event or action. The processor can determine a navigation path for navigating the intelligent guidance device to the destination based on the determined destination, the image data, the inertial measurement data or the location data. The processor can determine output data based on the determined navigation path. | 02-04-2016 |
20160078278 | WEARABLE EYEGLASSES FOR PROVIDING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS - Eyeglasses include a left lens, a right lens and an IMU sensor and a GPS unit. A camera and a memory are coupled to the eyeglasses. A processor is connected to the IMU, the GPS unit and the at least one camera and is adapted to recognize objects by analyzing image data based on the stored object data and inertial measurement data or location data. The processor is also adapted to determine a desirable event based on the object, previously determined user data, and a time. The processor is also adapted to determine a destination based on the determined desirable event and determine a navigation path for navigating the eyeglasses to the destination based on the determined destination, image data, and inertial measurement data or location data. The processor is also adapted to determine output data based on the determined navigation path. A speaker is also provided. | 03-17-2016 |
20160080897 | WEARABLE CLIP FOR PROVIDING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS - A clip includes an IMU coupled to the clip and adapted to detect inertial measurement data and a GPS coupled to the device and adapted to detect location data. The clip further includes a camera adapted to detect image data and a memory adapted to store data. The clip further includes a processor adapted to recognize an object in the surrounding environment by analyzing the data. The processor can determine a desirable action based on the data and a current time or day. The processor can determine a destination based on the determined desirable action. The processor can determine a navigation path based on the determined destination and the data. The processor is further adapted to determine output based on the navigation path. The clip further includes a speaker adapted to provide audio information to the user. | 03-17-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110148364 | ROBOT BATTERY CHARGING APPARATUSES AND METHODS - Systems and methods for charging a battery of a robot are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a robot battery charging apparatus having a plurality of charging terminals, providing a robot having a plurality of battery terminals, and moving the robot into an engagement position with the robot battery charging apparatus such that the plurality of battery charging terminals contact the plurality of charging terminals. The method further includes detecting whether each battery terminal contacts the corresponding charging terminal in accordance with a first, second and third terminal contact condition. The method further includes providing power to the battery from the robot battery charging apparatus through one or more of the battery and charging terminals upon a verification that all of the battery terminals contacted the corresponding charging terminals in accordance with at least two of the first, second and third terminal contact conditions. | 06-23-2011 |
20120023660 | Robotic Posture Transfer Assist Devices and Methods - Robotic posture transfer assist devices for assisting a posture transfer of a patient in a bed may include a device body, a stabilizer coupled with the device body and the bed, and at least one robotic arm having a plurality of degrees of freedom, wherein the robotic arm may be coupled with the device body. Robotic posture transfer assist devices may further include an end-effector removably coupled with the robotic arm, a controller module that provides a control signal to the robotic arm to control a movement of the robotic arm about the plurality of degrees of freedom, and a user input device that provides a command signal to the controller module to command the movement of the robotic arm, wherein the control signal provided by the controller module corresponds with the command signal. | 02-02-2012 |
20120023661 | PHYSICAL ASSISTIVE ROBOTIC DEVICES AND SYSTEMS - A physical assistive robotic device may include a frame including an upright support member, a lateral member slidably engaged with the upright support member, a handle slidably engaged with the lateral member, an elevation actuator coupled to the upright support member and the lateral member, and a lateral actuator coupled to the lateral member and the handle. The elevation actuator translates the lateral member and the lateral actuator translates the handle to transition a user between a standing position and a non-standing position. | 02-02-2012 |
20120024890 | MOBILE SANITIZING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR DISPENSING SANITIZER SOLUTION - A mobile sanitizing device may include a sanitizer solution dispenser module, a motorized wheel assembly, and a controller module. The sanitizer solution dispenser module may be operable to dispense the sanitizer solution. The motorized wheel includes at least one wheel and is coupled to the sanitizer solution dispenser module. The controller module includes a microcontroller and a memory, and is programmed to log a sanitization record into a sanitization history of at least one user, compare the sanitization history of the user with a sanitization standard, and control the motorized wheel assembly to cause the mobile sanitizing device to approach the user to dispense sanitizing solution to the user when the sanitization history does not meet the sanitization standard. | 02-02-2012 |
20120029696 | ROBOTIC CANE DEVICES - A robotic cane may include a grip handle, a cane body extending from the grip handle at a first end, a motorized omni-directional wheel coupled to a second end of the cane body, a balance control sensor, and a controller module. The balance control sensor provides a balance signal corresponding to an orientation of the robotic cane. The controller module may receive the balance signal from the balance control sensor and calculate a balancing velocity of the motorized omni-directional wheel based at least in part on the balance signal and an inverted pendulum control algorithm. The controller module may further provide a drive signal to the motorized omni-directional wheel in accordance with the calculated balancing velocity. The calculated balancing velocity is a speed and direction of the motorized omni-directional wheel to retain the robotic cane in an substantially upright position. | 02-02-2012 |
20120029697 | ROBOTIC TRANSPORTATION DEVICES AND SYSTEMS - A robotic transportation device may include a device body, two docking arms, and a controller module. The device body may include at least one motorized wheel, and the two docking arms may include an adjustable wheel locking device. The two docking arms may extend horizontally from the device body and may be adjustable along first and second directions. The adjustable wheel locking devices comprise two adjustable wheel stops extending laterally from the docking arm. The controller module may cause the robotic transportation device to autonomously approach a target device, detect a device type, and adjust a position of the two docking arms and the two wheel stops in accordance with the device type. The controller module may move each adjustable wheel locking device under a target wheel of the target device to lock and lift the target wheels, and cause the robotic transportation device to autonomously transport the target device. | 02-02-2012 |
20120072023 | Human-Robot Interface Apparatuses and Methods of Controlling Robots - A method of controlling a robot using a human-robot interface apparatus in two-way wireless communication with the robot includes displaying on a display interface a two-dimensional image, an object recognition support tool library, and an action support tool library. The method further includes receiving a selected object image representing a target object, comparing the selected object image with a plurality of registered object shape patterns, and automatically recognizing a registered object shape pattern associated with the target object if the target object is registered with the human-robot interface. The registered object shape pattern may be displayed on the display interface, and a selected object manipulation pattern selected from the action support tool library may be received. Control signals may be transmitted to the robot from the human-robot interface. Embodiments may also include human-robot apparatuses (HRI) programmed to remotely control a robot. | 03-22-2012 |
20130041507 | ROBOTIC CANE DEVICES - A robotic cane may include a grip handle, a cane body extending from the grip handle at a first end, a motorized omni-directional wheel coupled to a second end of the cane body, a balance control sensor, and a controller module. The balance control sensor provides a balance signal corresponding to an orientation of the robotic cane. The controller module may receive the balance signal from the balance control sensor and calculate a balancing velocity of the motorized omni-directional wheel based at least in part on the balance signal and an inverted pendulum control algorithm. The controller module may further provide a drive signal to the motorized omni-directional wheel in accordance with the calculated balancing velocity. The calculated balancing velocity is a speed and direction of the motorized omni-directional wheel to retain the robotic cane in an substantially upright position. | 02-14-2013 |
20130158707 | METHODS OF ROBOT BEHAVIOR GENERATION AND ROBOTS UTILIZING THE SAME - A method of generating a behavior of a robot includes measuring input data associated with a plurality of user responses, applying an algorithm to the input data of the plurality of user responses to generate a plurality of user character classes, storing the plurality of user character classes in a database, classifying an individual user into a selected one of the plurality of user character classes by generating user preference data, selecting a robot behavior based on the selected user character class, and controlling the actions of the robot in accordance with the selected robot behavior during a user-robot interaction session. The selected user character class and the user preference data are based at least in part on input data associated with the individual user. | 06-20-2013 |
20130184860 | METHODS AND COMPUTER-PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR EVALUATING GRASP PATTERNS, AND ROBOTS INCORPORATING THE SAME - Methods and computer-program products for evaluating grasp patterns for use by a robot are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of evaluating grasp patterns includes selecting an individual grasp pattern from a grasp pattern set, establishing a thumb-up vector, and simulating the motion of the manipulator and the end effector according to the selected individual grasp pattern, wherein each individual grasp pattern of the grasp pattern set corresponds to motion for manipulating a target object. The method further includes evaluating a direction of the thumb-up vector during at least a portion of the simulated motion of the manipulator and the end effector, and excluding the selected individual grasp pattern from use by the robot if the direction of the thumb-up vector during the simulated motion is outside of one or more predetermined thresholds. Robots utilizing the methods and computer-program products for evaluating grasp patterns are also disclosed. | 07-18-2013 |
20130184866 | ROBOTS, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS, AND METHODS FOR TRAJECTORY PLAN OPTIMIZATION - Robots, computer program products, and methods for trajectory plan optimization are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of controlling a robot having a first manipulator and a second manipulator includes receiving a trajectory plan including a plurality of sequential motion segments. The method further includes determining a moveable motion segment, and shifting the moveable motion segment and motion segments subsequent to the moveable motion segment backward in time to a shifted time such that one or more unshifted segments of the trajectory plan occur at a same time as one or more shifted segment segments. The method may further include controlling the robot according to the optimized trajectory plan such that one or more components of the first manipulator are moved concurrently with one or more components of the second manipulator. | 07-18-2013 |
20130184870 | METHODS AND COMPUTER-PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR GENERATING GRASP PATTERNS FOR USE BY A ROBOT - Methods and computer program products for generating robot grasp patterns are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for generating robot grasp patterns includes generating a plurality of approach rays associated with a target object. Each approach ray of the plurality of approach rays extends perpendicularly from a surface of the target object. The method further includes generating at least one grasp pattern for each approach ray to generate a grasp pattern set of the target object, calculating a grasp quality score for each individual grasp pattern of the grasp pattern set, and comparing the grasp quality score of each individual grasp pattern with a grasp quality threshold. The method further includes selecting individual grasp patterns of the grasp pattern set having a grasp quality score that is greater than the grasp quality threshold, and providing the selected individual grasp patterns to the robot for on-line manipulation of the target object. | 07-18-2013 |
20130291299 | ROBOTIC POSTURE TRANSFER ASSIST DEVICES AND METHODS - Robotic posture transfer assist devices for assisting a posture transfer of a patient in a bed may include a device body, a stabilizer coupled with the device body and the bed, and at least one robotic arm having a plurality of degrees of freedom, wherein the robotic arm may be coupled with the device body. Robotic posture transfer assist devices may further include an end-effector removably coupled with the robotic arm, a controller module that provides a control signal to the robotic arm to control a movement of the robotic arm about the plurality of degrees of freedom, and a user input device that provides a command signal to the controller module to command the movement of the robotic arm, wherein the control signal provided by the controller module corresponds with the command signal. | 11-07-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090060107 | Data sampling circuit and method for clock and data recovery - A clock and data recovery circuit and method are used in a digital data communications system. The circuit and method are effectively employed for high speed, burst-mode transmission and allow rapid recovery of the clock and data signals without the need for an extended header, and notwithstanding the presence of substantial timing jitter. The method adaptively selects from among three delay times for the extraction of data by identifying a frequently recurring incoming pattern in the incoming data. The delay time is selected in a manner that insures that the same pattern is present in the reconstructed, resynchronized output data. | 03-05-2009 |
20110026922 | Optical fiber network with improved fiber utilization - A passive optical network system and method in which at least part of the data is optically transmitted through a single optical fiber using a wavelength division multiplexing technique, with a plurality of signals being carried through the fiber in each direction, a different wavelength being used for each of the multiplexed upstream and downstream signals. The system may be retrofitted into existing telecommunications system to provide a multi-fold increase in the available bandwidth of long-distance optical fiber transmission. | 02-03-2011 |
20110044685 | Optical network unit having automatic shutdown - An optical network unit useful in a passive optical network has capability for automatic shutdown upon detection of a malfunction, thereby protecting the integrity of upstream data transmitted in the network. The unit detects the generation of upstream light during intervals in which transmission is not authorized. In response, the light source of the unit is deactivated to prevent collisions with upstream data from other optical network units in the network. | 02-24-2011 |
20130071127 | Two way burst mode digital optical cable communication system - A digital burst mode communication system operates at a fixed wavelength for transmission and reception of burst mode signals using a pair of transceivers and a single optical cable. The stray noise level in the system is significantly reduced by use of angled plate absorbers that receive scattered transmission burst signal from a 45 degree partially reflecting mirror. Isolation of received burst signal from transmitted burst signal is increased to better than 30 dB. The system operates by sending only data bits across the single optical cable without scrambling or encoding preambles, significantly improving the efficiency of high speed communication. | 03-21-2013 |
20140321861 | Two way burst mode digital optical cable communication system - A digital burst mode communication system operates at a fixed wavelength for transmission and reception of burst mode signals using a pair of transceivers and a single optical cable. The stray noise level in the system is significantly reduced by use of angled plate absorbers that receive scattered transmission burst signal from a 45 degree partially reflecting mirror. Use of transparent glass ferrule with or without a front surface anti-reflection coating instead of an opaque ceramic ferrule to support optical fiber at a selected location within the transreceiver reduces optical detector signal noise. Isolation of received burst signal from transmitted burst signal is increased to better than 30 dB. The system operates by sending only data bits across the single optical cable without scrambling or encoding preambles, significantly improving the efficiency of high speed communication. | 10-30-2014 |